MISC

HEIR UNAPPARENT: CHAPTER 8 - QUIDDITCH AND QUARRELS

Harry arrived at the Quidditch field well before the appointed meeting time of 7 o'clock. He nervously ran his hands through his unmanageable black curls, then set about polishing his Firebolt. By the time he saw Cho coming towards him across the lawn, his broomstick glistened like new in the long, slanting rays of the setting sun. He stood up quickly, then leaned on his broomstick, trying to appear casual although his hands were shaking.

"Hi, Harry!"

"Hi, Cho!" She was so pretty; he couldn't stop staring at her. Then, afraid he was being rude, he swung his broomstick over his shoulder and walked onto the Quidditch field.

"Gosh, it's nice of you to meet me on such short notice, Harry."

"Oh, no problem, really! I didn't have anything going, just dinner and I had just finished all my homework, y'know, although divination is just awful, it's my worst subject…" he realized he was talking a mile a minute and awkwardly shut up.

Cho smiled at him and he felt his knees wobble. "So, what do you think about this Quidditch Tournament?"

"Oh, that. Well, I guess it will be a change, having other school teams here. I just hope we can pull our own together in time."

"I hear Alicia Spinnet's your new captain!"

"Yeah, she should be great! Hopefully not as fanatic as Oliver Wood was…"

Cho smiled. "I know what you mean. Roger Davies gets pretty bad too. Though we're lucky we didn't play last year, with him salivating over Fleur Delacour!"

Harry winced at the reference to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, in which Cho's boyfriend had met his death at the hands of a servant of Voldemort. "Maybe he'll be better this year…" he suggested.

Laughing, Cho said, "Well, at least she's not on the grounds, but I think he's still seeing her. If she shows up at some of the games, let's just hope he tries to show her what a great player he is instead of forgetting he's supposed to be leading the team by watching for her in the stands!"

"Er, yeah. Any word yet on who the new captain for Slytherin is?"

Cho shook her head. "Nope. I just hope it's not that little weasel, Malfoy!"

Harry heartily agreed with this. "I guess Hufflepuff needs a new captain, too…" Damn it, there was just no getting around the topic of Cedric. He would have to say something.

Cho stubbed at the grass with her toe. "The Quidditch field looks even better than usual. They must've planted new grass when they removed the hedgerows from the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

An awkward silence followed this. At last, Harry began, "Cho, I… I'm… so sorry, about… Cedric…" There. He'd said it.

Cho sighed and looked into his green eyes. Her own were sad but free of tears. She had mourned Cedric Diggory deeply and, in the end, realized that he would want her to get on with her life, not follow him to the grave before her time. "Harry… I lied, in that note. I really didn't come out here to practice with you… Not that I don't need it!" she added quickly. "It's just that, well, I thought we should talk."

"Oh."

"Harry, I want you to know… I mean, it's important that I tell you… I don't blame you in any way for… what happened."

Harry looked into her deep brown eyes, disbelief in his own. "You don't?"

She put a hand on his arm. "No," she continued. "There was no way you could've known, what was… going to happen."

Her words pierced through the ice that had formed around his heart that dreadful night. "Oh, Cho, it was so awful…I'm so very, very sorry…" For a moment, he felt tears sting his eyes. Cho put her arm around him and he rested his head on her shoulder.

"I can't imagine," she murmured. "I… I've thought about you, all summer… I was so worried…"

He sat up, wiping his eyes across the sleeve of his robe. "You did? You were?"

She lowered her eyes shyly. "Yes… I… I've always liked you, Harry, and I was afraid that… well, maybe after everything that went on… it was all so horrible… That I might remind you of Cedric, and how… well, that you wouldn't want to see me, ever again."

Harry sat up, dumbfounded. "Me? Never want to see you? I… I thought it would be the other way around!"

Cho shook her head, still studying her feet. "If Cedric hadn't asked me first, Harry, I would have been proud to go to the Yule Ball with you." She paused awkwardly, and then looked into his intense green eyes.

"Then, will you go to the Yule Ball, I mean, to the Halloween Ball, with me? I know we don't have to have partners or anything, but…"

"I'd love to, Harry."

He was quiet for a moment, too dazed to take it all in. Then, he did something he'd wanted to since he first saw her on the Quidditch field two years ago. He took her gently in his arms and kissed her. To his amazement and great joy, she kissed him back.

After many long moments, he drew back and looked at her. "What?" she asked, smiling and pushing a stray curl from his forehead.

"I just wanted to be sure I'm not dreaming…"

She kissed him again. "There. That do it?"

He grinned and hugged her tightly. "Yeah, for now…"

They were startled by Hogwarts clock tower, which chimed eight times. "We'd better get back, I guess," he said reluctantly.

"I guess," she agreed.

He took her broomstick and, slinging it over his shoulder with his own Firebolt, he took her hand. He couldn't recall what they talked about as they walked slowly back to the castle. All he knew was, after he had kissed her goodnight at the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower, he walked on air all the way back to Griffindor even though his feet touched the ground.

While Harry and Cho were opening their hearts to each other on the Quidditch field, Madam Hooch had been talking Viktor Krum's ears off in planning their upcoming tournament. He passed his hand over his weary eyes. He had been closeted with Madam Hooch for four hours without a break, planning events, playoffs, and contingencies. She had proved to be an avid fan, and insisted in going over her copy of Quidditch Through the Ages to discuss famous plays. He felt if he heard the words 'Wronski Defensive Feint' one more time he would faint himself. Or throttle her. At last, he interrupted her. "Vell, I am thinking ve haf a good plan to present to Professor Dumbledore, yes?"

Madame Hooch nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, yes indeed, Mr. Krum! And might I say again that we are so pleased to have your help, what with your busy schedule and all! Let me see, you play Peru next month, don't you? Very fine players, they are. Here, let me see, I think they have a listing on page 2445…"

Viktor stood quickly. "I am thinking that I should go downstairs and look for someone. Can you tell me, please, vhere I might find Miss Hermyowninny Granger?"

"Who?" asked Madam Hooch, still trying to find a listing for the Peruvian National Quidditch Team.

"Miss Hermyowninny Granger. I beleef she is in Griffindor?"

"Ah, a student! Well, she'd most likely be in the Great Hall, at dinner right about now. Ah! Here it is - Villanueva, he's the man to watch out for!" she held the book open for Viktor to read.

"Ah, yes, he is a very good player. Vell, Madam Hooch, I vill see you later…"

"Very good, Mr. Krum!" she did not look up from Quidditch Through the Ages.

Viktor quickly left the room before she found other interesting trivia to discuss. He made his way from the faculty wing to the Great Hall, looking forward to seeing a bright young face with tawny brown eyes and curly hair.

The object of his affection was just making her way back to Griffindor Tower with Ginny. Both girls were relieved that they now had a plan to revive the unhappy Winky. "It's a brilliant idea, Hermione! I just hope…"

"That she goes along with us? Me, too, but with Dobby helping us, I think it'll work…"

Ginny smiled at her older friend, who was carrying a bagful of very smelly herring that the house-elves had given her for her egret. "Think you can get Hermes to eat those things?"

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "I sure hope so! They smell just awful, but Hagrid says he has to have fresh fish!"

Ginny laughed. "I'll send Bill an owl to tell him to send you something that requires less… fragrant care!"

"Oh, no, Ginny, don't!" protested Hermione as they reached the portal. "It was so sweet of him to think of me at all!"

"Phew!" exclaimed the fat lady, fanning her pudgy hand before her nose. "What is that awful smell?"

"They're herring, for the adorable baby bird!" Hermione said brightly. The fat lady opened the portal without even hearing them say the password. She seemed to gasp for fresh air as they crawled through to the Griffindor common room.

Ron was sitting inside with Neville, playing a game of chess. "Where have you been?" he asked accusingly. "It's late!" He caught a whiff of what she had in the bag. "What the hell is that?"

"It's fish, for Hermes!" Hermione said, giggling at his wrinkled nose.

"Oh, of course, the feathery git would like something that's gonna make you smell like an old fishwife!"

"A what?" she exclaimed, a bit affronted.

"Is that where you've been? Getting that nauseating stuff for your precious pet?"

"Well, yes, among other things…"

"Yeah? Like what?"

"It…it's a surprise!" she cried indignantly.

"Oh, yeah? Try me. No wait, let me guess… which one was it this time - Bill or Viktor?"

Hermione looked as if he'd called her a Mudblood. Confusion and hurt in her eyes, she turned on her heel and ran up the flight of stairs to her dormitory, where she gave Hermes the herring before she fell upon her fluffy down comforter and cried. Hermes chirped happily, unaware of the maelstrom his presence had caused.

Back in the common room, Ginny turned angrily to her brother. "Ron, you stupid git! How could you be so… so stupid?"

Ron regarded his furious little sister who, with her fists angrily on her hips, reminded him of Hermione, back in the garden at the Burrow, telling him to shut his mouth… "Well, then, where was she?"

"With me, in the kitchens, trying to help out Winky, you idiot!"

This took all of the angry steam out of Ron's sails. "Well… why didn't she just say so then?"

Ginny threw her little hands in the air. "Because it's a surprise, you big jerk!" She, too, stomped up the stairs to her room. Boys could be such dunderheads! Maybe Hermione should consider Bill; he was more rational and would still keep it in the family… Ginny entertained high hopes of calling Hermione 'sister' someday.

Ron turned as Fred and George broke into a round of applause behind him, despite Alicia and Angelina's efforts to shush them. "Way to go, kid! Two in one minute - that's a record, even for a Weasley! Bet even Percy never…"

"Oh shut up!" he bellowed, turning and going up the stairs to his own dormitory room. Neville closed his herbology book with a sigh, rolled his eyes and followed Ron upstairs.

Ron had thrown himself onto his bed and grabbed the one-armed figurine of Viktor Krum from his trunk. He eyed it maliciously and the little Krum scowled back. Presently, Neville came to stand beside him. "Ron," he began. "You're the best strategic player I know. Let's say this is a game of chess. Well, what's your next move?"

"I throttle Viktor Krum and send Pig back to Egypt to crap all over Bill's rotten head."

Neville rolled his eyes. "I'm serious, Ron!"

"So am I." Ron replied flatly, wadding up bits of parchment and lobbing them at the miniature Krum. He smiled grimly as one hit it on the forehead and knocked it over. The Viktor Krum figurine glowered at Ron, who took affront to this. "I mean, look at him - he's tough, older and… and… cool! Just like Bill! I can't compete with them!"

"Yes you can, Ron! First move is to apologize to Hermione. Tell her… tell her that you want her so bad it makes you crazy to know other guys feel the same way!"

Ron ceased scowling at Krum. He looked up at Neville. "Well, duh. That's so obvious!"

Neville shook his head. "Maybe it's not to Hermione. And even if it is, it couldn't hurt to tell her. Everybody wants to hear that they're wanted, Ron."

Ron thought about this for a while. "Yeah, I guess. Then what?"

Neville shrugged. "How about kissing her? Honestly, Ron, she's your girlfriend!"

Ron looked pleased to hear someone else say it, as he'd seen it that way for a long time now. Heartened, he got up off his bed. "Okay, I'll do it!"

Hermione had just finished drying her eyes resolutely when Parvati Patil came running into their room. "Guess who's waiting to see you in the Great Hall?" she asked excitedly.

"Who?" Hermione asked unenthusiastically. Parvati was not her greatest friend; she almost expected to hear her say 'Draco Malfoy'. She started with surprise when Parvati said, "Viktor Krum!"

"Viktor is here? I mean, downstairs? Now?"

Parvati nodded emphatically. "Yup, and you'd better go down right away before Pansy Parkinson slurps him up - she's flirting outrageously with him!"

Hermione took Parvati's advice and made her way down to the Great Hall. Sure enough, Viktor was seated at the Slytherin table, where Pansy was all over him like a wet blanket. Draco Malfoy was looking on, his expression an odd mixture of awe and ire. When Viktor saw Hermione, he lit up like a Christmas tree. "Ah!" he cried, standing to shake off the cloying Pansy. "There you are, Hermyowninny! I vas vaiting for you!"

Pansy shot Hermione a look that was pure daggers. Malfoy did the same, eyes narrowed, looking from her to Viktor and back again. Hermione sighed. It would probably be all over school tomorrow that the "ugly but ambitious" Hermione Granger was whipping up love potions again…

Viktor quickly took her arm and led her out of the hall. "Can ve go somevhere more… quiet?"

"Um, sure…"

"Ve go to visit Hagrid's zoo, yes? I haf something for you there!"

Intrigued, Hermione took his hand and walked back to Hagrid's 'compound'. Viktor led her into the new barn. The building was not quite finished, but half of it held stalls that were ready for occupancy. Several new animals were already in residence. As always, Hermione cried with delight. "Wow! I wonder what these are?"

Viktor smiled. "Vell, that is a domovhika," he explained, patting a furry creature that looked a bit like a large cinnamon-colored teddy bear. "She likes to do chores around the house, as long as she is fed regularly! I am thinking Hagrid may like her help, yes?"

Hermione giggled at this. "Yes, I'm sure he would! Especially with cooking!" She grimaced slightly as she thought of Hagrid's treacle tarts.

"These are poleviks," he continued, stroking the grey wooly fur of the nearest goat-like animal in a pen holding several of the creatures. "In my country, they ensure a bountiful harvest, vich makes our farmers very happy. And this," he said, taking a small bird from its nesting box. "This is a Russian Firebird. A very young von, yes?"

Hermione carefully took the chick from him. It was indeed quite young, covered with fuzzy grey down. Its wee tail was shot through with gold and its eyes were incredible - like two tiny diamonds set in the little face that looked up at Hermione and nuzzled her cheek with a little peep.

"Vell, do you like her?"

Hermione's eyes shone over the little ball of fluff in her hands. "Oh, Viktor, she's adorable!"

"I am very glad. She is yours, Hermyowninny."

Her eyes flew wide. "Mine?"

"Yes, yours." He traced her cheek with an affectionate finger.

Hermione kissed the chick on its downy head. "Why, she's even softer than Hermes!"

"Who?"

"Hermes, a purple egret. One of the Weasleys sent him to me from Egypt," she explained.

"Ah, I see." Viktor's face assumed its famous glower, looking just like the miniature Ron was battering with parchment wads at that very moment.

"What shall we name her, Viktor?"

His scowl faded into a gentle smile. "I am thinking you should call her 'Elena'."

"Elena. That's a lovely name!"

"Yah, it is. In my country, there is a legend, that Prince Ivan found his true love vith the help of a firebird. Her name vas Elena."

Viktor took the firebird chick and gently replaced it in its nest, then purposefully advanced on Hermione, who found herself against the barn wall. Taking her hands, he softly kissed each one before pulling her against him. "My beloved Hermyowninny," he whispered. The same strong fingers, which had captured so many elusive golden snitches, now lifted her chin tenderly so that her hair tipped back to spill over his powerful forearm. Then he kissed her.

She had meant to tell him they could only be friends, until his lips met hers and stopped her speech.

She had never been kissed like this before, not with such intensity. She was alarmed by his passion, even more so at her own as she found herself kissing him back.

They were interrupted by enthusiastic barking, followed by a boisterous, "'Oo's there, Fang?" The smiling face of Hagrid came into view; Fang was dragging him as he strained at his leash to greet his friend Hermione, the girl who fed him biscuits and scratched him in his favorite spot behind his ears. Dogs have good memories for such things, bless them.

Viktor stepped back in surprise and Fang replaced him, pinning Hermione against the wall and slobbering over her with as much ardor as Viktor had just done, albeit with less finesse. Hagrid grinned. "Oy, Fang, down boy! Hallo, son!" he beamed at Viktor and shook his hand vigorously. "See ye bin showin' Hermione our latest additions, eh?"

Viktor returned his smile. "Er, yes, I vas just giving Hermione her firebird…"

Hagrid smiled, patting the tiny chick with a finger that was twice the length of its body. The chick peeped affectionately. "Think ye'd best leave this one with me, 'til she's a bit bigger, Hermione. Fang n' I'll keep 'er at the cabin."

"Great!" agreed Hermione, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by pet ownership. The little egret had, amazingly, aroused Crookshanks' paternal instincts, but he might find two new feathery charges a bit much. As would her parents, she thought with a shudder.

Hagrid and Viktor were talking like old friends. "Lissen, why don' you jes' camp out 'ere, with me n' Fang?"

Viktor, whose alternative fare would have been a guest room in the faculty wing and too close for comfort to Madam Hooch, readily agreed. "Yah, I vould like that very much, if I von't be too much trouble…"

"Nonsense! No moren' Norbert, eh, Hermione?"

Viktor looked puzzled. "Who is Norbert?"

Hermione grinned. "He is… was… Hagrid's baby dragon. A Norwegian Ridgeback."

"Ah, I see!" Viktor turned with boyish delight to Hagrid. "I alvays vanted a dragon, but ve had such a houseful, vith my brothers and sisters…"

Hagrid winked at them. "I'll let ye in on a little secret, if ye promise te keep it…"

Hermione shook her head. "Oh no, Hagrid! You haven't come across another egg, have you?"

"Nah, nothin' like that! Jes' bin catchin' up on my readin', old records fer animal care, an' guess what? We've got an O-Gon-Cho, right 'ere in the lake!"

"A what?" asked Hermione, but Viktor nodded enthusiastically. "Ah, an O-Gon-Cho, Hermyowninny! It's a dragon, from Asia, yes?"

"Yep!" Hagrid was grinning like a child who'd just discovered Santa Claus lived down the street. "'e's been in the lake fer centuries, brought 'ere by Salazar Slytherin 'imself! Comes up fer air, once every hundred years or so! If my figurin' is right, 'e should be comin' up sometime next year!"

"Ah! I hope I am here to see it!" sighed Viktor. He, too, had a sparkle in his eyes that baffled Hermione. Why two grown men should make such a fuss over a scaly-hided reptile…

She looked across the lake and noticed that tiny lights had started to appear in the castle windows. "I should be getting back, Viktor."

"Yah, I vill go vith you and get my things… Be back soon, Hagrid!"

"A'right then!" boomed Hagrid, as he headed off in the direction of the barn. Fang kept close to his heels, hoping for handouts as he distributed the animals' evening meals.

As they skirted the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Hermione shivered.

"Are you cold, Hermyowninny?" asked Victor, taking the opportunity to put his arm around her and pull her close to his side.

"No, it's just… did you hear something? Just now, in the forest?"

Viktor gave the darkening woods an apprehensive glance. His last visit there had been distinctly unpleasant, as Barty Crouch, Junior had knocked him senseless before murdering Barty Crouch, Senior. "No, but I do not… like that forest."

They both breathed a sigh of relief as they reached the stone paved walkway that led to Hogwart's huge oaken doors. "How long will you be staying, Viktor?"

"Only for von veek this time, Hermyowninny. I must go back to Bulgaria for training; ve vill be playing Peru next month and they are a very hard team to beat!" He brought her hand to his lips. "But I vill be back very soon, for more vork vith the Quidditch Tournament. And to visit vith you…"

They parted at the stairway in the entrance hall. "I vill see you tomorrow, yes?"

"Er, yes, of course…"

He only kissed her hand, as there were students bustling to and from the Great Hall, but the look in his eyes spoke eloquently. She suppressed a sigh as she watched him climb the stairs until she realized that Draco Malfoy had been leaning against the banister, observing her closely. She turned down the corridor to Griffindor Tower and he followed. "Burning the candle at both ends, eh, Granger?"

She did not look at him, merely walked faster. He sped up his own pace and grabbed her wrist. "Just be sure you save the best for last…"

She pulled her wrist free with a sniff and started to sprint down the remaining length of the hallway. This time, Malfoy did not trail after her, but she heard his laughing voice call out, "Save the best for me, Granger!"

"Pork fritters!" she gasped to the fat lady, who tsked at her. "If that boy is troubling you, I'll speak to his portal warden…"

"I'm fine, thanks…" Hermione lied.

Climbing through the portal, she was dismayed to see the common room crowded. Ron, who had been watching for her, looked up from his game of chess with Neville. "Where have you been now? Ouch!" he cried; Neville had kicked his shin under the table.

Hermione came and sat down beside him on the sofa. "Who's winning?" she asked brightly if a bit breathless.

"Ron just did," lied Neville, getting up and stretching. "See you later!"

Once he left, an uncomfortable silence settled on the pair. At last, Ron drew a deep breath and took her hand in his. "Listen, Hermione, I… I… Ijustwantedtopologize!" he blurted at once.

She looked at him. "How's that?"

He drew another breath and this time got it out more slowly. "I wanted to say I'm sorry. For being such a jerk earlier…"

She sighed and sank back into the couch. "Oh, Ron, it's okay…"

He turned to face her squarely. "No, it's not. I'm a git, a jealous git. I… I just can't stand other guys milling around you like box elder bugs! It drives me crazy!"

"Oh, Ron, don't you know that… " she laid her hand gently on his cheek.

He took it and pressed a warm kiss into her palm. "It's just because… I like you so much…"

His next move, which was to be a kiss on her smiling lips, was interrupted as Harry climbed through the portal. "Hey, Harry! How's Cho?" grinned Fred Weasley, who was sitting near the fireplace with his arm around Angelina's shoulders.

"Don't tease him, Fred!" she chided.

Harry sat down on the sofa next to Hermione. He had a funny, glazed look in his eyes.

Ron grinned at him, despite the fact that he had joined them at a most inopportune moment. "Well?"

"Hmmm?"

Hermione giggled and pulled Harry into a sisterly hug. "I think someone's in love…"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Yeah." He smiled, still amazed at his good fortune, his unbelievably good fortune.

Ron's grin grew wider. "That's great, Harry! She's a lucky girl. But listen, don't let it ruin your competitive edge, okay? We play Ravenclaw next month!"

Harry nodded. "Yup, she's a great Seeker allright. She sure is!"

Ron rolled his eyes and turned to the twins. "We've got trouble!" he called. "Harry's lost his heart to the Ravenclaw Seeker - might as well throw in the towel right now!"

Alicia Spinnet, who had been snuggling with George, sat up. "Uh-oh. As team captain, I'd better warn you not to let a pair of pretty eyes blind you to the snitch!"

George laughed and nuzzled her neck. "They never got in your way yet…"

Alicia pushed him away. "We're on the same team, you idiot!" She stood, stretched and came over to the sofa. "Hey, Ron, I wanted to ask you - will you take over as our Keeper this year? With Oliver gone, we need a good strategy man on the team."

Ron looked as if he'd just been given a million galleons. "Me?" he squeaked in disbelief.

"Yeah, you, dummy!" joined Fred, who had wandered over, hand-in-hand, with Angelina. "We've told our captain here that you kick serious… I mean, whenever we play at home, you even keep Charlie from scoring!"

"Yeah, and he's legendary around here," agreed Angelina. Charlie had been Griffindor's Quidditch captain during his school years at Hogwarts and was one of the finest players ever to wield a broomstick over its Quidditch field.

Ron still looked stunned. "Wow. I mean, sure, if you're serious…"

"Real serious, lover-boy!" laughed Fred, pulling Ron up off the couch. "So practice starts tomorrow evening. Better get some shut-eye and look out for pretty eyes yourself!" he added, nodding at Hermione.

"Oh, shut up, Fred!" she said, rising to hug Ron. "I'm so proud of you!"

He hugged her back, smiling at Harry over her shoulder. Harry grinned and gave him two thumbs-up.

As Hermione climbed the stairs to the dormitory, her mind was spinning with thoughts; of Ron, finally getting to prove himself on the Quidditch field, of Harry, finally seeing the girl he wanted, of Viktor, coaching them all at Quidditch, and of how complicated this year was becoming…

To be continued, of course…