Disclaimer: I Don't Own Anything to Do With Harry Potter.
Chapter 6: Occlumency, Birthday and Quidditch
Friday, September 6th, 1991
The rest of the week was better than the first day. Harry continued to sit with Hermione for every class and would hang out with Neville and Ron in the evenings before heading to bed and talking to Jamie.
With the knowledge that Harry had, classes would've been very boring without Hermione. Once the theory part of the class was over and they were supposed to be working on actually casting spells, Hermione would bombard him with questions about Wandless Magic. He was glad that tomorrow would be the weekend and he could get a break from the questions. He was going to spend some time with Neville and Ron and Hermione didn't hang out with them because of how Ron acted towards her.
"Do you think we can find a place for you to try and teach me some Wandless Magic tomorrow? We can use one of the unused classrooms." said Hermione when they were walking to the Quidditch Pitch for their first flying lesson.
"I know a better place we can use. I'll show it to you tomorrow." said Harry.
Harry and Hermione lined up alongside one of the school brooms with the rest of the first years. Harry noticed Hermione looked very nervous.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" asked Harry.
"Nothing." said Hermione looking at the broom.
"It's going to be ok, Hermione. Flying is fun." said Harry.
"You've done it before?" asked Hermione.
"My dad taught me and took me flying a few times when my mum was busy. She wouldn't have liked it. Neville came with us a couple times. His gran didn't want him on a broom either." said Harry.
"What if I fall?" asked Hermione.
"I promise I'll catch you." said Harry.
Madam Hooch walked past them and told them to hold their hand over their broom and call up. Harry's broom immediately came up, but Hermione's rolled around on the ground.
"Hermione, you have to mean it. Call it like you want it in your hand." said Harry.
Hermione tried again and this time the broom came up. She looked up to smile at Harry and started laughing when she saw Ron's broom smack him in the face.
"Well that helps with the nerves." said Hermione still laughing.
"I wish the two of you could get along." said Harry.
"Tell him that." said Hermione.
"I have." said Harry.
Eventually everyone who couldn't get their broom to come to them were told to just pick them up. Madam Hooch told them to mount their brooms and to hover for a few minutes then land. She blew her whistle and everyone kicked themselves up and hovered. Harry could see that Hermione's nerves had returned since she was shaking on her broom.
"You're doing really good Hermione. Lean forward and land." said Harry.
Hermione did as he said, but the opposite happened and she started to go higher and the broom started to jerk around.
"Harry! Something's wrong!" yelled Hermione.
Harry got on his broom ignoring Madam Hooch and flew up to Hermione to try and get her off the broom, but every time he got close her broom would switch direction and go higher. Harry got as close as he could.
"Hermione, I need you to jump!" yelled Harry.
"Are you crazy!?" asked Hermione.
"Trust me, Hermione! I'll catch you! On three! One… Two…" yelled Harry.
On two the broom jerked causing Hermione to be thrown off. Harry waved his hand and slowed her fall, but not quite enough and when she hit him he caught her but fell off his broom. Instead of falling to the ground Harry stayed in the air and floated them down to the ground. Madam Hooch got to them first and rushed them to the Hospital Wing. Harry tried to say that he was fine, but Madam Pomfrey made him get into a bed anyways. Hermione needed a Calming Draught, but otherwise was ok. Madam Pomfrey told them to rest and that she'd let them go before dinner. After she went back to her office, Hermione got out of her bed and went over to Harry's bed.
"You better be careful, Hermione. Madam Pomfrey seems scary and you're not following her orders." said Harry laughing.
"You saved my life, Harry. I don't know how. I thought we were done after you fell off your broom catching me, but somehow… Thank you." said Hermione pulling Harry into a hug.
"I told you I would catch you Hermione. And I always will." said Harry.
"That's good to hear, Mr. Potter, but if Miss Granger doesn't get back in bed I'm going to keep her here till tomorrow." said Madam Pomfrey to which Hermione quickly went back to her bed.
Saturday, September 7th, 1991
It had been a long first week so Harry was looking forward to sleeping in this morning. He'd called Jamie on the mirror last night and was up late since while she was happy that Hermione was ok, she said that he better not ever do anything like that again. Harry's answer that he'd do the same for her helped calm her a bit, but not fully. So with going to bed late he was a little frustrated when he was shook awake.
"Harry." said Hermione.
"Hermione? What are you doing up here?" asked Harry groggily.
"I was waiting for you to come down. We're going to miss breakfast if you don't hurry." said Hermione.
"Ok. I'll be down in a minute." said Harry.
Hermione left and Harry got dressed and did a wandless cleaning charm so he'd get by without a shower this morning. As soon as he got downstairs to Hermione the questions started.
"Are you going to show me where we're going to practice right after breakfast?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, Hermione. I hope you remember that it's not a guarantee that I'll be able to teach you." said Harry.
"I know, Harry. And I know that you said that you don't really know how you are able to do Wandless Magic." said Hermione.
"There is something I can start teaching you that I know you'll be able to learn if you want." said Harry.
"What?" asked Hermione.
"Occlumency." said Harry.
Harry explained what Occlumency was while they ate. As soon as they were done he took her to the seventh floor and started pacing back and forth in front of a blank wall. Hermione was about to ask what he was doing when a door appeared on the wall.
"This is the Room of Requirement. It can become anything you need it to be. For today I asked for a room that could be used to meditate and learn Occlumency. We're going to start with meditating and having you connect with your magical core." said Harry.
Thursday, September 19th, 1991
It had been almost two weeks since Harry started teaching Hermione Occlumency. She got the part about organizing her memories down really quick and Harry would start her on building defenses soon to keep people out. They were eating breakfast when an Owl with a package stopped in front of Hermione. She took the card off the package and read it then went back to her breakfast.
"Aren't you going to open it, Hermione?" asked Harry.
"I'll open it when I get back to the common room." said Hermione.
"Come on, Hermione. I want to see what you got." said Harry grabbing the package.
Hermione tried to stop him, but he opened it and turned red at seeing what was inside. Harry closed the box and Hermione took it and ran out of the Great Hall. He saw that the card had fallen and even though he knew that he shouldn't he read it.
Dear Hermione,
Happy Birthday. I wish we were there to celebrate your big day, baby girl. In the package are the bras you asked for. I hope they fit better for you. When you come for the holiday's we'll go to the store and have you properly measured. We'll also go to that bookstore in Diagon Alley and let you have your pick for a late birthday present. I hope your classes are going well and that you're making new friends also. Write me back whenever you can. Your dad sends his love.
Love,
Mum
When Harry got to Transfiguration class he gave Hermione the card and tried to apologize, but she wouldn't talk to him. This continued through the rest of the day. When they went back to Gryffindor Tower Harry went up to his dorm and got out the mirror and called Jamie.
"Jamie?" called Harry.
"What did I do to deserve an early call from you, Harry?" asked Jamie.
"I need your help. I saw something of Hermione's that I wasn't supposed to. She's so mad at me. And it's her birthday. I didn't get her anything. I didn't know it was her birthday. Why didn't she tell me?" asked Harry.
"Slow down, Harry. First from what you've told me she hasn't had many friends so maybe she didn't think about telling you. Make her a card and that'll make her happy. What did you see of hers that you shouldn't have?" asked Jamie.
Harry turned red.
"Now I really have to know if it makes you blush like that." said Jamie giggling.
"It's not funny, Jamie. Do you remember what your mum got you for your last birthday? For training?" asked Harry.
Now it was Jamie's turn to blush.
"Ok tell me exactly what happened." said Jamie.
"Hermione got the package and read the card and I wanted to know what she got so I took the package and opened it. I wasn't expecting that." said Harry.
"Well it serves you right. Next time you'll know better than to open things that aren't yours. She's probably not really mad at you, but embarrassed. You need to apologize." said Jamie.
"I tried. She won't talk to me." said Harry.
"Make her the birthday card and give it to her and try again." said Jamie.
"Come on, Jamie. You have to have better advice than that." said Harry.
"Nope, you're on your own, Harry. Bye." said Jamie giggling as the mirror cut off.
Harry made the card and went down to the common room and saw that Hermione was sitting in front of the fire. He went over to the couch and sat down beside her and handed her the card.
"Happy Birthday, Hermione. I wish I had something better, but I didn't know." said Harry.
Hermione looked at the card then gave Harry a hug.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I haven't talked to you all day." said Hermione.
"Hermione, I'm the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have opened your package and seen…" started Harry.
"Shhh. Don't talk about it here, Harry. It's ok. I was just embarrassed." said Hermione.
"Yeah, Jamie said that you were probably embarrassed and not really mad at me." said Harry.
"You told Jamie?" asked Hermione.
"Well she's a girl and I didn't know what to do. If it makes you feel better she just got her first training bras for her birthday last August." said Harry.
Hermione just looked at Harry like he'd grown a third eye.
"Come with me, Harry." said Hermione taking his hand and pulling him off the couch and out of the common room.
Harry tried to talk, but Hermione didn't say anything till they got to the Room of Requirement. Once they were in the room that Hermione created she let him go and sat down on the couch in the empty replica of the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry sat down with her.
"Harry, why would that make me feel better? You just told me something about your best friend that would be embarrassing to her. You told me she's nine, right?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah." said Harry.
Hermione took a few breaths before replying.
"Harry, what you just told me and what you know about me now is something very personal to a girl. Jamie is your best friend and you don't know what she's going through if you thought that giving out that information was ok." said Hermione.
"But it happens to all girls. How is it personal?" asked Harry.
"I didn't get my first training bra until two months before my 11th birthday. I didn't need one till then, but now I'm starting to grow more. My mom said I was a late starter, but if I'm anything like her I'll start growing fast. That's why I needed new ones and even with those they might not fit properly. Jamie is starting very early so you see that it's different for everyone and personal. Still she wouldn't have wanted me to know. Anyone for that matter. You're going to have to tell her and apologize, Harry." said Hermione.
"You could just forget that I told you." said Harry.
"No I couldn't." said Hermione.
Harry got up and started to leave then turned back to Hermione.
"If you don't see me tomorrow you'll know who did it." said Harry.
Saturday, October 5th, 1991
Jamie didn't come to Hogwarts to kill Harry, but she was upset with him. So upset that she wouldn't answer his mirror calls. Harry was really starting to miss her.
Hermione's Occlumency lessons were going well and she could actually feel when he used Legilimency on her, but she was nowhere near close to being able to keep him out. They'd just returned to the common room and sat down when Oliver Wood stormed through the portrait.
"Attention! Nobody showed up at our tryouts for Seeker two weeks ago and without one we will lose every game this year. Anyone who wants to try out for Seeker is to be down at the pitch in ten minutes." said Oliver.
A couple people left the common room either to get their broom or to go down to the pitch. Oliver looked at the first years that didn't move.
"First years are included. Professor McGonagall has given her permission." said Oliver before turning and leaving through the portrait.
"What do you think?" asked Harry.
"I'm not planning on getting on a broom again anytime soon." said Hermione.
"I know that. I mean me." said Harry.
"After what you've told me about flying with your dad, I think you should go." said Hermione.
"Will you come watch?" asked Harry.
"I have Professor Snape's essay to finish." said Hermione.
"Come on, you've had that essay finished since Wednesday." said Harry.
"Fine." said Hermione.
Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and they ran down to the Quidditch Pitch. Hermione wished him luck and went to sit in the stands while he went out onto the pitch. There were only seven others there. Harry walked up to Seamus and Dean.
"Why isn't Ron here?" asked Harry.
"Ron said that he was only good at Keeper so he didn't want to try out." said Seamus.
"What about Neville?" asked Dean.
"Neville was ok on a broom whenever he flew with me and my dad, but Quidditch was never his thing." said Harry.
"Ok, everyone. Gather around. I have three weeks to fit one of you into our team for our first game which is against Slytherin. There are eight of you so I'm going to send you up in groups of two. If you catch the Snitch you win that round and then the four of you left will be paired against each other. Finally the last two will go up again and whoever catches the Snitch will be our Seeker." said Oliver. He then paired everyone up and had the first group go.
Dean was beaten by a second year, Cormac McLaggen, while Seamus was beaten by a third year, Thomas Corgin. A fourth year, Ariel Sampson, was beaten by another fourth year, Jackson Grier.
Harry was up against a third year, Caleb Crawford. Oliver waited for them to get into position and released the Snitch. After several minutes of looking, Harry realized that Caleb was the kind of Seeker that was going to wait for him to find the Snitch and then race him for it. His dad had taught him the Wronski Feint, but he'd never done it before because his dad said that if he got hurt his Mum would kill both of them. Caleb had a better broom than Harry did so he knew that if it came to a race then he'd lose. Just then Harry saw the Snitch hovering around one of the goal posts so acting like he saw the Snitch he shot forward and dived. Caleb fell for it and came right up beside him and before he realized the Snitch was nowhere near Harry pulled up and Caleb ploughed into the ground while Harry flew to where the Snitch really was and caught it. Harry landed and saw Oliver arguing with Jackson and Thomas before both of them left the pitch.
"What's wrong?" asked Harry.
"Neither of them want to go up against you and are refusing to compete. Cormac thinks he can beat you so it's between you and him. Great job on that Wronski Feint. Almost gave me a heart attack, but great job." said Oliver.
Harry and Cormac got into place.
"You won't trick me like that." said Cormac.
"We'll see." said Harry.
Oliver released the Snitch and the two of them started circling the pitch. Cormac wasn't following him like Caleb did, but he was watching him more than actually looking for the Snitch himself. After several minutes Harry finally saw the Snitch, but it was not too far behind where Cormac was so Harry started flying slowly toward Cormac. When he got halfway toward him he sped up like he was going to ram Cormac. Instead of being hit Cormac dived out of the way and Harry continued on and caught the Snitch.
"He cheated!" yelled Cormac when they landed.
"He caught the Snitch fair and square. Get out of here. Congratulations, Harry. We have practice tomorrow. We'll see how you do with Bludger's in the air then. Do you have a broom?" asked Oliver.
"No, my dad taught me with his, but my mum wouldn't let him buy me one." said Harry.
"Write him and tell him you're the Seeker and ask him to buy you one. As you know the school brooms aren't that good." said Oliver.
Oliver left the pitch and Hermione came crashing into Harry hugging him.
"I was so scared. Why did you fly like that?" asked Hermione.
"I wanted to win." said Harry.
Hermione went with Harry to put the school broom up and then they went to dinner. Afterwards Harry spent some time on his homework at Hermione's insistence and then went up to his bed and pulled out his mirror.
"Dad?" called Harry.
"Hey, Harry. How are you doing, son?" asked James.
"You'll never believe what happened, dad." said Harry.
"What?" asked James.
"I made the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. I'm Seeker." said Harry.
"Are you serious?" asked James.
"No, dad. I'm Harry." said Harry.
"That pun stopped being funny before that old dog ever said it. You're really Seeker?" asked James.
"Yes, Dad. My first practice is tomorrow. I only have three weeks to get ready before our first game against Slytherin." said Harry.
"Congratulations, Harry. We need to get you a broom. I'll get you one as quickly as possible." said James.
"That's great, Dad." said Harry.
"I'm proud of you, Harry. How are things going with you and Jamie?" asked James knowingly.
"Sirius told you?" asked Harry.
"Sirius told me that you two weren't talking, but he said that he didn't know why." said James.
"He doesn't. I couldn't tell him and I don't want to tell you. It will only make things worse." said Harry.
"Ok, Harry. I won't push, but I think you should try and call her again. She'd want to know about this from you." said James.
"I'll try. I've missed her." said Harry.
"Well stop talking to this old man and call her." said James.
"I will. I love you, Dad. Tell Mum I love her." said Harry.
"I love you too and I will. Call her. Bye." said James and the mirror cut off.
Harry looked at the mirror for a bit.
"Jamie?" called Harry and there was no answer. "Jamie, I'm so sorry. I was an idiot. Jamie, I miss you so much and something happened today and I want to talk to you about it so badly. Please forgive me. I'll do anything."
There was still no reply so Harry put the mirror down and got his pajama's on and laid down. He was about to close his eyes when he heard, "Harry, are you there?"
"I'm here, Jamie." said Harry grabbing the mirror.
"So, you'll do anything?" asked Jamie.
"Yes, Jamie. I'm so very sorry. Whatever you want. I've missed you so very much." said Harry.
"I've missed you too, Harry. What did you want to tell me?" asked Jamie.
"I'm the new Seeker for the Gryffindor." said Harry.
"That's amazing! I have to tell dad. We can come to your games." said Jamie.
"That would be great. I hope you can. I can show you all around Hogwarts. My first practice is tomorrow and dad is going to get me a new broom." said Harry.
"Well you need to get to sleep then. I'll go talk to dad and you tell me how it all goes tomorrow." said Jamie.
"Ok, goodnight Jamie. I'm glad you're talking to me again." said Harry.
"Goodnight, Harry. I'll start coming up with that list of everything I want." said Jamie before cutting off the mirror.
Harry put the mirror up and laid down. He was on the Quidditch Team and Jamie was talking to him again. Things were looking up.
Author's Note: It took a while to get this chapter out. I had a few bad days with depression either because of my mental health or because I decided to binge watch several episodes of the TV Show This is Us. Thank you to everyone for reading and to those who have favorited, followed or reviewed. Please favorite, follow and leave a review to let me know what you think.