"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"French" (Footnotes with translation will be a the bottom)
$Parseltongue$
One – Breakfast and the World Cup
"Harry! Ron! Wake up, we're going to be late" Hermione's voice called through the door, stirring them from sleep.
Rubbing at his eyes, "what time is it?" Harry asked turning towards Ron's bed.
"Sun ain't up yet, is it Harry?"
Pulling the curtain aside, "No, still dark out…"
Ron groaned, pulling his blanket higher, "too early… is what time it is"
"Come ON you two!" came Hermione's voice once more.
'No going back to sleep now I guess'
Sitting up, Harry stretched before tossing a pillow at Ron, "come on Ron, we won't have time for breakfast if we don't get down there soon".
Several tries later, it took a growl from Ron's stomach to rouse him enough to climb out of bed.
Chuckling to himself. 'Can always count on Ron's stomach to get him out of bed, though, there's no beating a Weasley family breakfast.'
The Weasley matrons voice sounded out over the breakfast bustle, "Ginny don't forget your sweater!" "Fred! George! You will not be taking any of those infernal things with you!"
Harry spotted Hermione sitting at the table with a cup of coffee, reading what looked to be a Quidditch World Cup pamphlet. Amazed that she could focus through the noise.
'She could sit through the world ending if she's got something to read in front of her'
Narrowly avoiding Mrs. Weasley's commotion the pair made their way to Hermione, Harry grabbed the open seat beside her while Ron sat himself across them, already with a plate in hand.
"Morning Harry, excited? I've been reading this", she said much too cheerfully for the hour. Harry took the pamphlet she had been so absorbed by. It was adorned with little quidditch players flying around, the title read, "Quidditch World Cup highlights through the ages". A little footnote indicated indicated is as an offshoot of "Quidditch Through the ages".
"Did you know that the closest clutch win in a world cup happened when one of Spain's beaters accidentally crashed into their own chaser, she fell from her broom, knocking their keeper out of way, leaving the hoops open for Argentina to score just seconds before Spain's seeker caught the snitch. It cost them the game by 10 points instead of drawing, even though they caught the snitch?" She asked with more enthusiasm than he'd ever heard when quidditch was the topic.
Harry smiled at her. 'Breathe Hermione'. He couldn't help but find the way she can fire off questions one after the other without taking a single breath to be one of her more endearing traits.
Finally, having dished up, a plate of some eggs, bacon, and toast in his hand, he sat back in his chair.
"I did not, what was the final score?" He answered her, genuinely interested.
'320 – 310'. They both turned towards Ron, his mouth stuffed. "Wha-? It's quidditch, course I know".
"Swallow your food before speaking Ron!" Scolded Hermione.
Harry watched the usual mealtime entertainment unfold.
'If Ron could apply his quidditch love to any other topic, we'd have whatever the wizarding equivalent to a Nobel in the making…'
Harry turned to his right, leaving Ron and Hermione to bicker over table etiquette.
"Morning Percy, how's work at the ministry going?" he inquired.
Surprised that someone seemed interested in his ministry work. Percy responded eagerly, "brilliant! Mr. Crouch is a taskmaster, but the amount I could learn from him is staggering, though I spend most of my time going over paperwork and handling his agenda. It's only a matter of time until he'll trust me enough to run with my ideas".
'That definitely does not sound like something for me, but if Percy enjoys it, good for him.'
"That's great, I'm sure it won't be long until your boss sees how hard you've been working for him."
Sipping his juice, Percy responded, "Thanks Harry, are you planning on going into the ministry after Hogwart's?"
"I can't say, haven't really given it that much thought. I don't really know much about wizarding professions," answered Harry, shrugging.
'Come to think of it, they don't hold career advice until next year, which makes no sense since we chose our electives last year…'
"Uhm Percy, if we chose our electives at the beginning of 3rd year, but only get our career advice during OWLS year, what happens if the career we decide on needs, say, ancient runes, but we haven't got that subject?"
Harry noticed Hermione listening in on them.
'Inwardly laughing to himself, wonder which word it was that caught her attention, career, electives, owls, or runes.'
"Good question Harry, well parents would often coach their kids prior to 3rd year so they'd already know which electives to take, though having the elective is not really a requirement to write the OWL. You could always apply to take the exam and then self-study it. Some jobs need you to have an OWL in certain subjects and a NEWT in others. You could also write them in an extra elective any time after your 5th year, you don't even need to be at Hogwarts anymore to do it," explained Percy.
'Brilliant, so I haven't accidentally shot myself in the foot.'
"Thanks Percy, they really should have explained this to us last year"
'Should mention it to McGonagall sometime, we're flying blind for way too long.'
A knock on the Weasleys front door saved Percy from the onslaught of questions Hermione was about to unleash on him.
Harry turned towards the door right as Mrs. Weasley opened it.
'Wonder who's that, bit early for guests.'
"Luna dear, you look lovely, come in come in, we're just finishing breakfast, but there's still plenty". Mrs. Weasley stepped aside, revealing the short waif like platinum blonde haired girl. Her eyes were wide as if she was surprised, but the lost look in them drew together an almost surreal experience. She wore a summer dress with a necklace of the strangest assortment of bottle caps and 'with what looked to be vegetables hanging from her ears?'
"Sorry Mrs. Weasley" the waif like girl, Luna said. Her voice had a soft and somewhat airy tone to it.
She held out a small bag. "My dad asked me to drop this off, it's tea,"
"I have to go; we're going to Sweden to look for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks. Someone told my dad that his friend heard from someone else that his brother's friend's sister heard that there's this valley in the south where they could be found".
'What the hell is a snorkack?' Harry looked over at Hermione. Recognizing the question in his eyes, she shrugged unknowingly.
"Well, that's lovely dear" they heard Mrs. Weasley, "give Xeno my best, and thank him for the tea for me ok".
"I'll tell him, bye Mrs. Weasley, tea is good for warding off nargles".
He looked at Hermione again 'Nargles?' shrugging again, she looked forward.
Having closed the door behind Luna, Mrs. Weasley turned towards them all and told them they had to get ready to leave.
"So, Ron, who was that?" inquired Harry, curious about the strange girl.
"Oh, that's Luna, she's nice, a bit loopy though, but she lives just over the hill with her dad. Her and Ginny used to play together a lot when we were kids."
"She's not loopy Ron, she's just different," reprimanded Ginny from behind them.
Finishing up their goodbyes with Mrs. Weasley, they grabbed their bags and followed Mr. Weasley out.
"Not joining us, Percy?" asked Harry, having noticed him not moving to follow.
"I'll be apparating directly to the camp site, saves me the walk"
"Fair enough, maybe make sure nobody left anything behind after we've left, bring it along if we did?"
"Sure thing Harry"
Leaving Percy to finish his breakfast Harry sped up, catching up to the group and matching his pace with Hermione.
"Hermione, do you think McGonagall would let me drop divination and take up arithmancy?" he asked, a thoughtful look on his face.
Her eyes lit up, suddenly in his face before he could react.
'She's fast when she wants to be…'
"Yes! I'm sure she will, you know how much she hates divination, oh Harry you are going to love it, I've got all my notes from last year, and I could tutor you, but what brought this on, and why arithmancy? And not ancient runes?" Hermione fired off excitedly.
Harry blinked, gathering his thoughts, "One question at a time Hermione".
Blushing she took a step back. "So, answer them"
'Wonder if she knows her hair reacts when she gets excited.'
"No reason really, just thinking about what Percy said, I'm unlikely to need divination in whatever field I eventually decide on, but I might need arithmancy, or runes. I can't take both since I don't want to drop CoMC. Have to be there to support Hagrid, and I do enjoy the class at times. Also taking arithmancy earlier would at least save me a lot of work down the line if it turns out I needed it."
Hermione's smile seemed to get bigger the longer his answer went, "that's great Harry, I'm really glad you're starting to think about your future.'
Feeling a bit embarrassed, "Don't celebrate yet, you're going to regret offering the extra help when I take all of your spare time away. Even if McGonagall refuses me, I might as well get started on the work if I'm going to need to do it regardless."
"Blimey you're mad Harry. Both of you," Ron's voice cut in, disbelievingly.
Looking back towards him, noting the look of horror evident on his face.
Harry chuckled, "You could always join us Ron".
'Absolutely no way he would agree to this. Ron may hate spiders most, but academics is probably a close running second place.'
"There is no way you could get me to agree to that," said Ron firmly.
"Really? Not even for a repeat of the train ride snack feast from first year? Every year?" taunted Harry.
He caught Hermione's eye, they both looked towards Ron.
'The struggle on his face. Maybe I should get the snack feast this year regardless, bit of a throwback to first year, we can get Hermione to gorge herself on enough sweets to give her parents an aneurysm.'
Ron let out a breath, "Mmmmm No, still won't do it," he answered finally.
Patting Ron on the back, he teased, "I don't think you've ever focused that hard in your life Ron".
'Definitely not anything schoolwork related, maybe in chess though.'
"Ow, what was that for?" Harry winced, rubbing the back of his head while Hermione pulled her arm back.
"Don't be mean Harry" scolded Hermione.
'She'll give McGonagall a run for her money when she's older...'
The group neared the top of the hill, all pretty tired after the hike. His time spent at the Dursleys is a killer on his fitness, as much as they keep him busy, he doesn't eat enough to take advantage of it. The heavy Weasley breakfast, delicious as it was, doesn't help either.
Looking around, 'Fred and George seem fine, Ginny too, surprisingly so is Ron. Mr. Weasley, Percy and Hermione look pretty winded though. Maybe I could convince her to run a bit in the mornings.'
Taking a sip of water. He handed the bottle to Hermione. She smiled thankfully and took a few sips before handing it back, she's always loved how he seemed to notice when she needed something without her having to ask.
"You know Hermione, I heard once that fitness affects the mind, I'm thinking of running a bit some mornings, I mean Wood's gone, but I should at least try to keep up some of what he had us do. You could join me some mornings if you'd like", he turned towards Ron, "you too Ron."
Silent for a moment, Hermione looked up at Harry, "I think I'd like that actually, how many times a week were you planning?" 'Going on a run with Harry around the lake sounds really nice, I'll have to owl my mom for some new running shoes though'
"Hmm, maybe 3 times a week? Pick the mornings where we don't have a double class first thing,"
"And you Ron? Joining us?" he inquired of his friend.
"Nah, mornings are for sleeping Harry" responded Ron, thinking his friend has gone bonkers.
Laughing amongst themselves, "I'll wake you when I get back from the run, make sure you aren't late for class."
Noticing a bit of commotion, Harry looked up, spotting Cedric Diggory alongside a shorter slightly pudgy man carrying a hiking stick.
"Amos!"
"Arthur! How are you?" Replied the man going in for the handshake.
"Great, great, and yourself?"
"Couldn't be better, just got here a minute ago, meet my son Cedric." He motioned his son forward.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Weasley" Cedric said, moving in to shake his hand.
"You too Cedric."
Facing the father. "Come Amos, these are my kids, back there are the twins Fred & George, on the left of them my third oldest Percy, he's working at the ministry under Barty. Up here we have my two youngest, Ron and Ginny, and their friends Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter."
All of them giving a wave or a nod as their names were called out.
Mr. Diggory's eyes lit up when he got to Harry.
'Please no…' Harry sighed internally.
"Merlin's beard, Harry Potter", exclaimed the man, pulling him and Cedric together.
"Heard you were brilliant at Quidditch, never lost a snitch, until my son here beat you to it," said Amos smugly.
"There was interference Dad, the dementors," corrected Cedric sheepishly.
"Nonsense! You didn't fall from your broom did you, you won fair and square."
"Sorry," Mouthed Cedric over his dad's shoulder apologetically.
"Thanks," Harry mouthed back giving Cedric a nod. 'You tried at least'.
Looking back, everyone seemed annoyed with the man, Fred and George looked especially so. 'Ah, right, they were present in that game.'
Before the twins could be tempted to try and convince the man to eat something he probably shouldn't, they heard Mr. Weasleys voice sounding out, "Blimey, look at the time, gather around, gather around, I want you all touching the boot."
"What's so special about the boot?" asked Harry.
"It's a portkey, isn't it?" Hermione's excitement breaking through his confusion.
"Right you are Hermione, now grab on, questions later, twenty seconds left before it goes."
"Grab on Harry!" yelled Mr. Weasley.
He got his hand on the boot just in time to feel a tug at his navel, his world to exploded in a spinning vortex of colours only to be tossed out a few seconds later, landing on grass with his wind knocked out of him.
"Alright there Harry?" asked Fred from above.
He caught his breath, "I'll live…"
"You know Fred, as much as I love magic, can we get a transport method that doesn't throw you ass over head, brooms excluded of course."
"How do you know I'm Fred?"
"Obvious, you're the ugly twin", teased Harry.
They heard George laughing at Harry's response, "not cool Harry, and here I came to help you."
Harry laughed, "Sorry, couldn't resist."
Fred reached out, "next time I leave you on the ground, smarmy git."
Harry grabbed Fred's hand and pulled himself up.
Finally taking note of his surroundings, his eyes widened at the scene in front of him. A field littered with tents, witches and wizards dressed in the most ridiculous mix of muggle clothing imaginable.
Everywhere you looked, Irish green and Bulgarian Red. The voices carrying over languages he didn't recognize. There were kids flying around on toy brooms.
There were magical firecrackers going off lighting up the night with flashes of red, gold, green and white.
Hawkers selling T-shirts and other souvenirs, others selling foods, the smell carrying over, making his mouth water. He laughed at a man struggling to eat what seemed to be a pretzel, it was charmed to try and avoid being eaten and was putting up quite a fight.
Breathing it all in, he felt the hairs on his arm stand up, whether it was the sheer energy and excitement around him or literal magic in the air, he couldn't say.
"Wow"
"Welcome to the Quidditch World Cup."
"It's bloody brilliant."
Mr. Weasley walked back with Percy, carrying a small map. "Percy's already sorted out the camping site for us, let's head over, sort out the tent, then you guys can explore, just be back at the tent by six."
Making sure nobody dropped anything when they landed, they moved towards the camping site. Harry noticed the zipper on Hermione's backpack opened up.
Closing it for her, he heard her speak up.
"Not very good at dressing like muggles are they? I mean we've seen some odd outfits in Diagon Alley, but I never would have guessed the eccentricity would carry over to muggle wear."
Harry looked over to where she was looking and saw a man wearing what was clearly pyjama bottoms, sneakers, and a tweed jacket.
'He looks ridiculous' taking in the even more outlandish outfits some of the others were wearing.
"I guess, they must just not know a lot about muggle fashion," responded Harry.
"True, but even so, a blind man could tell you that those pants," she pointed, "and the rest of the outfit clearly don't go together, there should at least be a bottom line of common sense when they decided on what to wear."
"Good point, I'm almost certain I saw someone wearing swimwear a couple of tents back. Makes you wonder doesn't it?" said Harry, smiling at Hermione.
"Hmm, wonder what Harry?"
"How would the people we know dress in the muggle world, Prof. Dumbledore? Flitwick? Madam Pomfrey? Would they look as the ridiculous?"
Hermione laughed," I don't know about the others Harry, but with those garish robes Prof. Dumbledore fancies, kind of scares me to think of what he'd have worn."
An opening between the tents cleared up, stopping by it Mr. Weasley announced it as their camping spot. "Now we're supposed to be pretending to be muggles, and it sounds like a good old bit of fun to put this here tent up the muggle way."
"Tell me Harry, Hermione, either of you wouldn't happen to know how to assemble a tent?"
"Not really, never tried before," responded Harry, shrugging his shoulders and looking at all the tent sticks. "But I'd assume you have to anchor the ends into the ground, thread the fabric with the sticks and build the frame, tie it off to the anchors?"
"Close enough Harry," responded Hermione.
"I know how Mr. Weasley, I've been camping a few times with my parents, and I'd always help my dad set up the tent."
Harry decided to help them with the tent. It was up pretty quickly with the three of them working together on it.
"Now just the fire and water guys, Harry and Hermione helped with the tent, so you all can handle the rest."
They sat and chatted a bit with Mr. Weasley in the meanwhile. Once the others were back and the fire was up, there was still a few ours in the day. It was spent checking out all of the stalls.
A quidditch souvenir shop was selling what looked line binoculars for ten galleons a piece.
"Bit pricy for a telescope don't you think?" Harry asked, pointing at the stand.
Looking to where Harry was pointing, Ron spoke up, "They're omnioculars Harry, sort of mini telescopes, but they can rewind too."
"Hmm sounds great," said Harry, walking over to the stall.
"How can I help you there young man?" Asked the hawker.
"Three omnioculars please."
The man smiled, grabbing them off the shelf, he placed it on the counter in front of Harry.
"That'll be thirty galleons laddie."
"Thanks, and hand me one of those scarves as well please," answered Harry, pointing out the red and black scarf.
"An extra two galleons for the scarf"
Harry handed over the gold for the items and walked back to Ron and Hermione who were checking out a Viktor Krum bobblehead that gave you quidditch advice.
"That's a bit creepy actually," observed Harry, looking over their shoulders at the bobblehead.
"You're back, what did you get back there?" asked Hermione, looking at the boxes in Harry's arms.
"Here", Harry handed them each an omniocular box.
"Harry you shouldn't have! But, thank you," scolded Hermione, though she was smiling.
"Wicked mate, but they're expensive man", said Ron, already unboxing it excitedly.
"Don't worry about it, I wanted to do something nice for you two".
Hermione was looking down at the box when she felt something warm wrap around her neck, seeing the scarf she looked up at Harry questioningly.
"You looked like you were getting cold, figured you forgot to pack your scarf," answering her wordless question.
"Thank you Harry, that was sweet," she smiled shyly, pulling the scarf a little tighter.
"It's close enough to Gryffindors colours, you can wear it to one of my games as well," Harry answered, happy that she liked it.
'She looks cute like that' Harry blushed.
Hermione noticed Harry looking at her, 'Is he blushing, no, can't be, there's no way he likes me like that, he's always been sweet, does he know about my feelings?'.
Neither of them noticed the look of jealousy Ron threw them, too caught up in their own little world.
"Want to find Ginny and the twins, and head back? I think Percy's already gone off to find his boss." Harry asked, feeling quite hungry.
Focusing his attention on his friend, noticing how quiet he's been, "are you okay?" asked Harry, a bit worriedly.
"…Yeah, I'm good, just hungry" replied Ron, suspiciously, fidgeting a bit, and switching his focus back to his omniocular.
'Ron's acting weird, can't think of why that would be though, give him the benefit of the doubt I guess.'
"Uhm sure then, don't hold back if you're feeling ill."
"Are you sure you're alright Ron?" asked Hermione, stepping closer and looking intently at Ron.
Ron took a step back, slightly flustered. "I'm fine guys, don't worry about me, just hungry, I didn't eat enough this morning," he explained, not convincingly.
Harry looked at him. 'You had like 6 eggs with toast, a side plate of bacon, and still found place for sausages…'
"Let's just go find the others," said Ron, before walking off.
They searched around, Harry and Hermione holding small talk, while Ron kept quiet. Eventually they found them checking out a quidditch equipment stall, selling gloves and such with the players signatures on them.
"Hey there Ginny," Harry called out, getting Ginny's attention. She turned to look at them, smiling when she saw him.
"Ready to head back?" asked Harry, "we should get moving if we're to get to our booth on time"
"I am, let me get Fred and George"
There's something truly amazing about being surrounded by this many witches and wizards, all excited, it's as if they radiate magic. You can feel it in the air, a lot like the buzz on your skin when standing too close to electricity pylons. Making their way to the stadium, the feeling kept getting stronger the closer they got, alongside the excitement of going to see the game, it left you feeling energized, more awake than you've ever felt before.
Climbing the stairs left harry wondering, 'of all the magical means of transport out there, there aren't any portable elevators?' Nearing the VIP booths, he was pulled out of his train of thought when a voice cut through from below.
"It's truly amazing that you've found yourself here Arthur" the slimy voice of Lucius Malfoy carried over.
"Malfoy" responded Mr. Weasley firmly, more strength in his voice than you'd expect of the normally cheerful man.
Harry noticed Draco standing right behind his father, surprised he hadn't used the opportunity to throw an insult or two of his own. Paying closer attention he found Draco was distracted, following his gaze, he was surprised, 'Ginny?'
Before he could give it anymore thought, he heard the Malfoy patriarch speak up again.
"Did you have to sell that hovel you call a home to afford the tickets?" sneered the man, eyeing them all with disgust.
"And Potter, I see you truly do take after your father, associating with filth"
"We've got a very different opinion on filth Mr. Malfoy, you can polish a diamond and make it shine, but as much as you shine a turd, it's still shit, and I can smell it from here," replied Harry, surprising everyone present.
"You'll do well to respect your betters Mr. Potter, wouldn't do too well six feet under" said Lucius coldly.
"Respect is earned Mr. Malfoy" answered Harry, squaring his shoulders.
Lucius stared at Harry, before turning to Draco, "come Draco, we shouldn't dirty ourselves any longer". They pushed through, heading into the minister's booth.
Harry turned back, seeing everyone staring at him, before Fred spoke up, "that was wicked Harry".
Embarrassed by all the attention, he was relieved when Mr. Weasley had them resume climbing.
Hermione was stunned, the only time she's seen Harry face with that strength was the night when they had Pettigrew at their mercy. Harry stood up to both Sirius and Remus that night, and put his foot down deciding the rat's fate, his tone then brokered no argument. He's always been strong, but she never really sees him apply it in conversation.
He's usually very accommodating, always willing to go along with what would make his friends happy. That strength must also be what's gotten him through so many life-threating situations, she can't even imagine what facing the basilisk had to have been like.
She smiled, thinking of their adventures together, even the troll, as terrified as she was, she was thankful in a way to that night. It brought Harry into her life. She blushed thinking of the way Harry put himself between her and Lupin that night, and the ride on Buckbeak, as much she hates flying. She'd do that again if he asked.
Feeling the warmth of the scarf around her neck, she looked up at his back as they climbed the stairs, she sighed. 'I really am in love with him aren't I'
Arriving at their seats, Hermione realizing how high they were, heights never something she enjoyed, took the seat on Harry's right, while Ginny took his left before Ron could sit, annoyed, but too excited for the upcoming game, Ron reluctantly took the seat on Ginny's left.
Ron eyed Hermione squeezing in closer to Harry, jealous and for the second time that day, found himself resenting his best friend.
Before his trail of thought could go further.
Commotion drew all their attention. The Irish players entered alongside their mascots, leprechauns, the explosion of green and gold, nearly blinding them, as gold coins fell on them. Ron scooped up some and handed it to Harry.
At Harry's questioning look, "For the omnioculars".
Sighing, Harry pocketed the gold.
The crowds cheers brought his attention back. The Bulgarian players entered along with the cheerleaders, Harry couldn't help but be stunned by the group of exceedingly beautiful women, until they began to sing, he felt it wash over him, this compulsion to impress them welling up, he stamped it out , as angelic as their voices were, it was the reaction of the men in the stadium that had him bewildered. They were being worked into a frenzy, some even trying to jump the railing to get closer, Ron included. Ginny had her hands full pulling him back, the twins seemed affected, but not frenzied. Harry noticed Mr. Weasley snap out of it before covering his ears.
Returning his attention forward, Harry looked at the women warily,
'Those aren't normal women'
Hermione snapping out of the song, looked at Harry in shock.
'He's completely unaffected!? But… You'd have to either have significant mental defence's, be truly in love with someone to resist, and even then you're still affected, those only improve your resistance. The only way to be completely immune, would be to not be interested in women in the slightest, or to have an insanely strong will. I'm sure Harry's interested in the fairer sex, I mean I've seen him checking out girls before. So that just leaves willpower'
Feeling the eyes on him, Harry turned, meeting Hermione's eyes.
"What's going on Hermione? The song? Everyone's going mad?" asked Harry slightly panicked.
"Uh sorry Harry, I didn't catch that," answered Hermione, snapping out of her thoughts.
"What's going on!?"
"They're veela, Harry, they're a race of women, all incredibly beautiful, they've got this sort of aura that makes men go a bit crazy for them, it's amplified when they sing. They're part bird, when they get angry, they get feathers and their features become more birdlike. Oh, they can also throw fire"
Her factual response calmed him down.
"Hm, beautiful, angelic, fire throwing bird women, got it," replied Harry, counting off each point with his fingers.
"Harrrry!" she exclaimed, "don't be so cavalier about it, now are you going to explain?"
"Explain what?" asked Harry confusedly.
"How you were able to resist their song? You were probably the most unaffected guy in the stadium… Even I was affected"
"Oh, uhm, I just sort of did I guess," replied Harry, as if the answer was sufficient, he should have known she wouldn't let the subject drop until she got a real answer.
She started at him, as if she could draw the answer out of his mind through sheer persistence.
"You Just Sort Of Did?" asked Hermione, stressing each word.
"Well, yeah, I felt the affect, this feeling like I needed to impress them right? But I didn't want to, so I just didn't…"
Hermione stared at him as if he grew a second head.
'Only Harry shrugs it off, because he just "didn't want to"… well that answers the how at least, pure willpower'
"Only you Harry, only you," sighed Hermione, settling the matter, turning her attention back to the game.
Harry followed her lead, paying attention to the game now that it's started.
They watched the game, cheering when ever Ireland scored, an amusing sight on Hermione's part, with her Bulgarian coloured scarf. The game was skewed steeply in Irelands favour, the Bulgarian defence struggling to put up with Irelands clearly superior chasers.
Hermione was shocked at how violent professional quidditch was. Then again, with magical healing methods, what would be a career ending injury in a muggle sport, is often easily resolvable.
The game took a final high note as the seekers took off, Irelands seeker on the heels of the Bulgarian, Krum. They went into a steep dive. Hermione held her breath as they got closer and closer to the ground.
"He's faking, there's no snitch" Harry's voice sounding from beside her.
As he said this, Krum pulled up, Irelands seeker Lynch, a second too late to react, crashed headfirst into the ground.
Turning towards her friend, "How did you know he was faking?" she asked, curious to learn how he was able to tell.
"When he started to move, he just shot off to the side, he didn't see anything, he also waited until Lynch was just close enough to immediately follow before moving.
"Hmm, didn't realize there was so much going on"
Moments later Krum was on the move again. "He's seen it this time"
Clearly still affected by his earlier crash, Lynch was slow to react. Krum pulled ahead, and before you knew it, Krum had the snitch in his hands.
"And that's it! Krum has the snitch, but with a final score of 170 – 160, Ireland wins!"
The commentators voice bellowed out over the deafening cheers of the Irish fans.
"Why would he catch the snitch if they were going to lose?" asked Hermione, trying to find a bit more insight into a seekers mind.
"He knew they'd lose, Irelands chasers were too good, but he wanted to end the game on his own terms, I'd have done the same."
"Hmm, I see"
Later that evening, while in their tent, the euphoria from the game had yet to wear off. Harry sit on the side, watching the Weasleys enjoying themselves fondly, a bottle of butterbeer in hand. Fred and George were singing, teasing Ron, while Ginny and Hermione chatted with smiles, having tucked themselves into a corner as to not be overheard. Mr. Weasley, clearly a lot more composed was merely smiling while fiddling with the wizarding wireless.
There celebrations were interrupted by screams tearing through the sound of cheers.
"Blimey, the Irish must really be going at it eh," said George, surprised.
Mr. Weasley ducked back into the tent, having gone to check up on the commotion.
Everyone was silenced by the seriousness of his expression on his return.
"It's not the Irish, Fred, George, you're responsible for Ginny, Percy you're with me, Ron, Hermione, Harry stick with them. Now I want you all to head to the emergency point, It's just outside the campsite, back the way we came when we arrived. Fred, you and George should know the way. NOW GET MOVING," barked Mr. Weasley, snapping them out of their shock. Fumbling for their wands, they made their way out of the tent.
There was fire in the distance, people were screaming, running for their lives. Harry saw a group of men in the distance wearing white masks, and black robes. They were setting fire to everything around them as they moved.
"Death eaters," the quiet voice of one of the twins, soft as it was, they all heard it.
"No time to sit around! GET MOVING!" yelled Mr. Weasley, staring at them.
"Ginny, stay between us, give me your hand, can't risk us getting split up" said Fred, grabbing his sisters hand.
Harry and Hermione's eyes met, and her breath caught, Hermione saw it again, that seriousness, the same as earlier when they encountered the Malfoys, but it was even more intense now.
"Lets go Hermione, Ron come on," Harry's voice brokering no argument.
Percy and Mr. Weasley moving off towards the commotion. The rest heading into the woods towards their portkey arrival site.
They pushed through the chaos, once in the woods, it was if the world suddenly quieted, what was a cacophony of screams, was suddenly a haunting eeriness, not unlike a night spent in the forbidden forest. The only reminder of the attack being the occasional scream loud enough to pierce the thick silence of the trees.
As the group moved deeper, the tension rising with every step. The hyper alertness of the situation made them conscious of every sound.
Hermione was brought back to that night in the forest, trying to save Sirius's life, when Harry and herself evaded Lupin. Just like then, despite the danger of the situation, she found herself unafraid. Harry was with her, and together they could get through anything.
She noticed, unaware if even he was conscious of what he was doing, but whenever a twig snapped, or a sound that could mean danger reached them. Harry would shift between her and the direction of the sound. As warm as the feeling his protectiveness, subconscious or not gave her, she stepped forward putting herself beside him. If there is something there, she's facing it with him, not hiding behind him.
The group was startled by a soul piercing scream from somewhere nearby, before they could react, Harry was already running towards the direction it came from.
Harry arrived at a clearing, in the centre a pair of masked wizards stood over the convulsing prone form of what appeared to be a young woman. One was holding her under some spell, the screams emanating from her as the other laughed and jeered his accomplice on.
Moving before his mind caught up with him. Harry fired a blasting curse at the back of the man casting the spell. The curse taking the man in the back, knocking him off his feet, he landed several feet away, his moans of pain accompanying the whimpers of his victim. Blood oozed into the ground around the man. Harry's spell clearly having done significant damage.
The second man reacted before he could switch targets. Dodging to the side to avoid the cutting curse, Harry tried to raise his wand to counterattack. The mans wand already aimed at Harry, realizing he wouldn't have his wand up in time, fear set in.
Harry could see the mad glimmer in the mans eyes through his mask. This death eater recognized him, and was going for the kill.
"STUPEFY!"
Hermione's voice rang out, the flash of red taking the man by surprise, though skilled as he was, a shield charm deflected the stunning charm. Before he could fire back, the rest of Harry's group emerged from the woods. Beneath the mask, Lucius Malfoy was no fool, knowing his chance to end the young Potter was lost, he changed his wands direction and fired a piercing curse at the downed woman they were tormenting. Though it lacked the finality of the killing curse, a piercing curse was easier to cast, and faster.
His distraction created, Lucius grabbed his downed ally and portkeyed to safety.
"NO!" yelled Harry, rushing towards the young woman now losing blood rapidly.
"no, no no no," muttered Harry, turning the woman over.
Momentarily stunned by her beauty, she was blonde with the most striking blue eyes he had ever seen, her features striking yet delicate. Their eyes met, he could see the plea in them, she was afraid.
"You're going to be alright, ok, you're not going to die here," trying to comfort her, but his own panic at her dire situation failing him.
Harry pulled off his sweater, using it to push on the wound, the piercing curse didn't go straight through. What little Harry knew of first aid, pressure on the bleed was one he did know.
"e..lle" her voice broke out.
"Don't speak, I've got you ok, try not to speak"
"STOP STANDING THERE AND HELP ME!" yelled Harry towards the rest. Hermione was beside him a second later, helping him staunch the blood.
"elle… gabrielle" the girl's voice mustered out.
"Gabrielle? Is that your name?" asked Harry, trying to keep her conscious.
She slowly shook her head to the side, "ma sœur"
Not understanding her, before Harry could speak up, Hermione answered his question.
"Your sister? Where?" stressed Hermione. The pained young woman's eyes tried to look to the side, turning his head to see where she was looking. Harry saw a young girl standing near the treeline, she stood there stunned, tears streaming down her face.
"Gabrielle?" asked Harry, spurning the girl into action, she sprinted over, dropping at her sisters side.
"Fleur Fleur, ne meurs pas, s'il te plait ne meurs pas"
"j'ai utilisé le bracelet"
"Papa arrive bientôt"
The girl, Gabrielle, choked out rapidly in between sobs.
Looking between the two. 'So her name's Fleur'
"That's it, keep talking Gabrielle, she needs to stay awake ok" the girl looked up at Harry's voice, nodding twice through her tears.
"Souviens-toi que tu m'as promis de m'emmener à la plage avant l'école cette année"
"Et tu allais rembourser cette salope Annette pour m'avoir intimidé"
"Et tu m'as promis un chaton"
"Donc tu ne peux pas mourir ici ok !"
Noticing the young woman, Fleur, seemed more aware now, "you're doing great Gabrielle, don't stop."
"Si tu meurs, qui achètera des bonbons au chocolat pour que je les vole ?"
The young woman winced in pain, struggling with her laugh at this.
"You're doing great Fleur, keep listening to your sister," his voice, much calmer now. She met his eyes and he could see the strength returning, she smiled at him, she was fighting now.
Gabrielle kept speaking to her, helping to hold her consciousness. Moments later they heard sound of apparition signalling the arrival of others, though panic nearly set in when the yells of "Stupefy" sounded out, flashes of red flying over them. Harry shielded Fleur while Hermione pulled Gabrielle down.
"STOP YOU FOOLS THOSE ARE MY DAUGHTERS!" a mans furious voice rang out. Pushed aside before he could lift his head, Harry saw an auror with an extra green logo, a cross between a bone and a wand on his uniform. The man immediately began working to close Fleurs wounds.
"My daughter"
The first mans voice, gone was the anger, replaced with solemn fear and worry.
The younger sister, Gabrielle clinging desperately to the man as he tried to soothe her.
"She's unconscious, but stable, she needs blood replenishers, nerve blockers for cruciatus exposure, the spell took out a section of her spleen, we can't treat that here. Grab on, this is a medic portkey, it's slower, but less taxing. We're going to St. Mungos," the man held out a red and blue rope that he fastened around Fleur before handing the end to her father and Gabrielle.
Motioning for Gabrielle to hold on, her father faced Harry and his friends, "thank you, you saved my daughters". He was whisked away along with the medic and his daughters before any of them could respond.
Harry felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You alright? Not hurt are you?" It was another of the aurors.
"No, no, no injuries, this is all her blood"
"Good, we need you to get checked over though"
The man began casting diagnostic charms over him, "seems to be in the clear."
Harry nodded, "wait, the men who attacked Fleur, I injured one of them, blasting curse to the back," pointing to the tree, "some of his blood is over there."
The auror's eyes widened, before rushing off to collect the sample.
Mr. Weasley collected Harry, bringing him to the others who were speaking to another auror, alongside Percy who was holding a hushed discussion with who appeared to be his boss.
He overhead something about a dark mark and an elf.
Harry stepped in beside Hermione, putting his hand on her arm. She smiled up at him, drawing herself closer. Despite both being covered in blood, and despite never having done so before, Harry wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his side, glad to know she was alright, she rested her head on his should, putting her arm around his back. The stress of the evening weighing upon both of them.
'She's alright, we're all alright, that girl, Fleur, is going to be fine too according to that medic'
"You saved my ass tonight you know"
"Think this makes us even for the troll?" quipped Hermione.
"Nah, you didn't get any boogers on your wand"
Hermione laughed, "True, can't think of anything worse than that."
Smiling at her, Harry Let out a breath of relief, fixing his attention to the auror in front.
"The circumstances of this evening are noted, your uses of underage magic justified, it will not go on your records as a violation. Now that's out of the way, you done good kids, that young lady is alive thanks to you," the auror smiled at them proudly.
Mr. Weasley hugged Ginny to his side, "let's go home kids".
Watching the medi-auror save Fleur, the way magic can be used to save a life like that, Harry thought back to all the times Madam Pomfrey has healed him. He then thought of his conversation with Percy that morning.
He knew what he wanted to be now.
"Hermione?"
"Yes, Harry?"
"What do you think it takes to become a healer?"
END CHAPTER ONE
"Fleur Fleur, ne meurs pas, s'il te plait ne meurs pas" - Fleur Fleur, don't die, please don't die.
"j'ai utilisé le bracelet - I used the bracelet.
"Papa arrive bientôt" - Papa will come soon.
"Souviens-toi que tu m'as promis de m'emmener à la plage avant l'école cette année" - Remember you promised to take me to the beach before school this year.
"Et tu allais rembourser cette salope Annette pour m'avoir intimidé" - And you were going to pay back that bitch Annette for bullying me.
"Et tu m'as promis un chaton" - And you promised me a kitten.
"Donc tu ne peux pas mourir ici ok !" - So you can't die here OK!
Si tu meurs, qui achètera des bonbons au chocolat pour que je les vole ?" - If you die, who will buy chocolate bonbons for me to steal?