I've finally written part 3! Wonder upon wonders! *pauses* What the…*hears:
oink flap oink flap* Uh…
Bri: It's flying pigs, you prat!
Brig: *looks confused for a second, then a look of understanding crosses her face* I knew that!
Bri: Sure…
Brig: *hastily changes subject* Anyways…
Bri: Let's just start the story!
Brig: Ok. Who wants to say the disclaimer?
Bri: Me me! Oo pick me!
Brig: Does anyone ELSE want to say the disclaimer?
crickets chirping
Brig: Oh fine. Just get them done, no one want's to listen to you babble.
Bri: Bridget (Brigadoonia) does not own anything Harry Potter-ish-
Brig: *interrupts* Now that's not true! I have a Harry Potter t-shirt! It has his glasses on it, and a lightning bolt…
Bri: Yeah yeah, we really don't care. Now as I was saying before I was so RUDELY INTERRUPTED…*meaningful glance at Brig, who looks guilty* Brig doesn't own anything Harry Potter-ish, except her *cough stupid cough* shirt. Please don't sue her…you really don't want to take the shirt off her back…that sight might give you need for counseling…
Brig: WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!?!?! *pulls a mallet out of nowhere and starts to chase BridgeJillephant*
Bri: Just read the story…I'll deal with h-*thunk*
Brig: *looks satisfied* Now that that's dealt with…on with the story!
*****************************************************
The two girls followed Hermione's trunk into Ginny's room. "I'm so glad the trip's finally tomorrow!" Ginny squealed as she plopped down on her bed.
"Yeah, we can finally learn where we're going, since Potty and Runs won't tell us," Hermione said.
Ginny laughed. "Runs?" she giggled.
Hermione blushed. "Stupid, I know, but it's the best I can think of."
"I think it's funny. It suits him," Ginny said.
Hermione thought for a moment. "You're right; it does suit him."
Then, someone knocked on the door. "Come in!" called Ginny.
Ron pushed open the door, Harry right behind him. "D'you wanna go play some Quidditch?"
Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and said in unison, "Conference." They went over to a corner of Ginny's room, Hermione pulled her wand, and said, "Clandestinus!". After the concealment charm was placed, Hermione spoke.
"Should we?"
"It could be fun."
"So is that a yes?"
"Well…the thing is…"
"The thing is what?"
"Ican'tflyverywell."
"What?"
"I can't fly very well. I'd feel stupid next to Harry and Ron, they were both on the house team this past year! What if they laugh at me?"
"No one will laugh at you. Harry's too nice and Ron…well, don't worry at him laughing you."
"Why?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
Ginny gave a mysterious smile. "Just don't worry…I'm not authorized to disclose that at this time or Major Runs will court-martial me."
"Ok…" Hermione gave Ginny a weird look.
"So anyway, don't worry. They won't laugh at you."
"'They'? What about you?"
"I'll probably laugh. But I've laughed at you for everything else remotely embarrassing in your life I've heard about up until now, so theoretically you should be used to it. But if it bothers you, I won't do it. Deal?"
"Thanks. I don't mind if just you are laughing, but if you get them going…"
"Then I won't laugh. Don't worry."
"Thank you so much! I just don't want to be embarrassed in front of- er, my friends."
"'Your friends'?" Ginny teased. "Or a certain red-head over there watching us?" Ginny glanced over at her brother, and Hermione followed her gaze.
Hermione turned bright red. "No one in particular!" she said a little to quickly.
"If you say so, Mrs. Weasley," Ginny said.
"Gin!" Hermione protested. "Just…uh…don't mention this to either of them. Not even Harry. They tell each other everything. Got it?" She looked flustered.
"I know nothing," Ginny said easily, and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "But when you two get together, and I mean when, I want details! Details! You hear me? Details!" She laughed as Hermione's face, which had just started to return to normal, flushed again.
"Right…details," Hermione said.
"So, will you?"
"Will I what? Give details?"
"That too, but I meant play Quidditch with us."
"Uh…sure, I guess so."
"All right, let's get out there and kick some butt!"
"I can't even stay on my broom, let alone fly and kick butt simultaneously!"
"How do you take the charm off?"
Hermione pulled out her wand again. "Publicus!" They walked back over to where the boys were standing, Ginny standing behind and a few feet over from Hermione.
"So, will you play with us?" Ron looked impatient from standing there for 5 minutes watching them mouth words he couldn't hear.
"Yes," Hermione said.
"And we'll kick some butt, too!" added Ginny.
"No we won't! You maybe, but not me," Hermione said.
"Whatever. So, are we going boys versus girls, or am I going to have a second-rate flier on my team?"
"I think you got that mixed up," mumbled Hermione.
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked.
Hermione looked surprised at the question, and Ginny quickly covered. "She thinks she's not a good flier because she hasn't had as much experience as the rest of us. A complete load of rubbish, I say, but she refuses to believe anything else."
"I can help you. You probably just have to develop your skills," Ron said. Ginny silently laughed at him, and his ears turned pink. Harry looked curiously between the two discreetly, and thought to himself, 'Wonder what that was all about? Oh jeeze, Gin didn't find about how Ron fancies Hermione, did she? She must've been torturing him! At least she does it well…maybe we can team up and break him down until he finally asks her out…'
Hermione noticed Harry gazing off with glazed eyes. "Harry, you ok?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Just tired of waiting for a decision to be made. Are we going to play or not?"
"Let's go!" Hermione said and, grabbing her broomstick (A/N: She owns one, she's just not good on it. She hasn't found her balance on it, and she's a bit afraid since she fell off one in 6th year when the gang was trying to teach her some Quidditch moves. Get it? Got it? Good.) and headed for the back yard. Harry soon followed, and Ginny started to walk out the door, when Ron pulled her back.
"Did you tell her?" he asked angrily.
"Why would you say that?" she asked innocently.
"Hmm, let's see. You said something, and looked at me. It obviously embarrassed her, because she blushed. What did you say?"
"I cannot say, for I am sworn to secrecy."
"Ginn-nnnny! C'mon, that's not fair!"
"All's fair in love and war!" she teased.
"You're a real pain, y'know that?"
"Of course, Ronniekins," she said and pinched his cheek. "It's my job!"
"Let's go down. They're probably wondering what happened to us."
*In the backyard*
"So is it boys versus girls or mixed teams? I forgot what we decided," Hermione said to Harry.
"I don't think we did," he responded.
Harry and Hermione looked over to where Ginny and Ron were bickering…again.
"Afraid we'll whoop ya?" Ginny asked.
"No!" said Ron indignantly. "It's just that Hermione needs help-"
"So, I'm unfit to teach my best friend how to fly?"
"That's not it! I've helped with flying lessons before."
"Oh yeah? When?"
"When I had no classes on Wednesday mornings this past year. I used to go help Madam Hooch, because her class of Hufflepuffs needed a lot of help. I know the training exercises to help her."
"She's not a beginner! She just needs a little help fine-tuning her skills!"
"Will you please stop talking about me like I'm not here?" asked Hermione loudly, and Ron and Ginny looked at her.
Ron's ears turned pink.
"Are we going to play or not?" Hermione asked. "I don't care how the teams are set up. I don't care who helps me. I just want to get started!"
"Fine. Hermione, you're on my team. I'll go get the ball," Ginny said and walked over to the shed. A small explosion, along with a few unrepeatable words, was heard from the small building.
She came back a couple of minutes later, muttering about 'stupid pranks'. As she approached the group, the two boys snickered and Hermione tried her best to keep a straight face.
"What are you all laughing at?"
"Your, uh, face, Gin," Harry said with a smile.
"My face?" She looked bewildered.
"Here." Hermione pulled out her wand and said, " Orbuna Reflechae!" A small mirror appeared in her hand, and she handed it to Ginny.
Ginny peered in the mirror and she saw what they were all laughing at. Her eyebrows were singed, and her face was dusty green. Her bangs, normally curled under to give her an 'innocent' look, were sticking straight up. The rest of her was covered in fine, green dust.
"AAHH!" she yelled out of surprise. Once the shock had worn off and she started to pay attention to the rest of the world again, she thought she heard some quiet little titters.
"Gamine! Dreygar! Zyphlin! Get over here now!" Ginny yelled.
At her beckoning, two boys and a little girl, the eldest no more than 11, ran over from next door. Their eyes permeating integrity, the eldest boy spoke up. "Yes, Miss Ginny?"
"Don't you 'Miss Ginny' me, mister. Did you put those candy caps in our shed so that when I opened the door and hit them, they'd blow up?"
"Yes," the little girl, who was the smallest, replied shyly.
"Gamine! I told you not to tell!" the younger boy said.
"Sorry," she replied quietly.
"Don't you yell at her for telling the truth, Zyphlin," she said to the middle boy. Turning gently to Gamine, she said, "Thank you for telling me the truth." Turning back, she addressed all three. "Now, please don't do that again. Regrowing eyebrows takes forever, even with magic."
Hermione whispered to Ron, "Should she be telling them about the magic?"
"Don't you know?" he asked. Seeing her confused expression, he said, "Oh, I forgot. You haven't met them. They're usually gone on holiday most of the summer, thank goodness. The Fawcetts, they're magical, but before this year they hadn't any kids old enough for Hogwarts yet. Dreygar, the eldest, starts this coming year I think."
"Ok," said Hermione.
"Now you three run along now, and stay out of trouble!" Ginny said.
"Yes ma'am!" They saluted and ran off. Ginny couldn't help but smile; they were too cute to be angry with for very long.
She snapped back to reality and said, "All right, let's get this game off the ground!"
"Uh, shouldn't you clean up first?" asked Harry.
"Oh yeah," she said sheepishly. Pulling out her wand, she recited the Self-Cleaning Spell: "Ede terram!"
Dust-free, she cried, "Let the game begin!"
Ron magicked some goalposts to appear, and they mounted their brooms.
"One, two, three, up!" said Harry, and the four soared off. Well at least, three soared. Poor Hermione flew slow and low to the ground, afraid she'd fall.
"C'mon Mione! We need you up here!" Ginny said.
"Must you fly so high?" Hermione called back.
"We'll fly lower if you promise to make an effort," Harry shouted in return.
She thought for a moment, then called back, "Ok."
"Yea!" Ginny squealed.
Hermione cautiously flew up to where her friends were hovering. "Let's play…ball?" she said, unsure of herself.
They took their places, with Ginny and Harry facing off at the center and Ron and Hermione facing each other on Ginny's right (or Harry's left.)
"Let's make a little wager," said Ginny. Hermione looked at her with a mix of confusion and dread. Ginny caught her eye, and mouthed, "Don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"
"Ok," said Harry smoothly. "What do you propose?"
"Marriage," whispered Ron to Ginny, and she turned pink.
"Whichever team loses," she said, ignoring Ron's sniggers, "has to do the dishes during our trip. Without magic," she added.
Harry looked at Ron, and they nodded. "You're on!" said Harry, and they shook on it.
"Well, I guess it's dishpan hands for you and me," Hermione said to Ginny.
"Oh no it isn't. We're going to win this thing," she replied, determined.
"Oi! Dreygar! Could'ya come here a minute and do the toss-up?" Ron called to the boy with light brown hair.
"Sure!" he called excitedly, and rushed through the open gate between the Weasley and Fawcett houses.
He picked up the ball from the grass. "Are you ready?" he said importantly.
The group nodded in consent.
"Ok, since we don't have a snitch, this game will end when the clock- " he nodded to Ron, who magicked in a clock/scoreboard reading 1 and 1/2 hours- "runs down. And…play ball!" He threw the ball high in the air.
Ginny smiled. Her game was on.
At the toss-up, Harry and Ginny flew into action. They each clamored for the precious ball. Ginny managed to grab it and flew around Harry speedily. "Mione!" she called and passed the ball the Hermione.
'What do I do? Oh bugger, here comes Ron…' She swerved Ron's broomstick and headed for some goalposts. "Gin! These are the goalposts we're supposed to score in, right?"
"Yeah!" she called back. Ginny was having trouble trying to keep the two boys away from Hermione so she could score.
Ron tried again and again to get past his sister, but to no avail. 'Why did I teach her all those blocking moves last summer?'
Harry tried the sweet-talk approach to getting past Ginny. "You're such a great flier. It's a shame you never joined the House team back when we were in school. You would've been a great addition to our group."
Hermione's mind was racing. As she flew closer and closer to the goal, her hands started to shake a bit. 'What if I mess up? They'll never ask me to play Quidditch with them, just for fear of having me on their team.'
The next thing Hermione heard was, "Nice shot!" It was Ron. She hovered in shock for a few seconds. 'It actually went in? I didn't ruin it for everyone? Wow!' Then she realized, 'Duh! The game's not over. I'd better pay more attention to the game instead of…Ron…' She sighed dreamily, then her mind went back to the game. "Need help Gin?"
"Oh, don't mind me. I've just got two nasty guys trying to slam into me. Nothing big," Ginny said sarcastically. "I need assistance, if you would be so kind!"
"Coming!" Hermione was off. All former pretentions were lost; now that she knew what she could do, there was no holding back.
"What the…" Poor Harry didn't know what hit him. Hermione had come up from behind and captured the Quaffle as soon as it had left his hands. He had been attempting a pass to Ron, but a certain brown-haired witch had stolen the opportunity and the ball.
"Go Hermione! Dang, and you thought you couldn't fly well! Jeeze, a steal like that is not easy!" Ginny called out comments of encouragement to her friend. The truth was, the steal wasn't as hard as Ginny made it out to be, but her friend needed self-confidence in her abilities. She figured that one little white lie would make her friend feel better about herself and enjoy herself more, especially if she thought she was on equal footing with the other players.
"Gin! Here, catch!" Hermione swerved around Ron and dove under Harry, and tossed the ball to her teammate. Ginny deftly caught it, and scored another goal for the girl's team.
The game continued. (A/N: Sorry, I'm not much of a sports person, and I don't know a whole lot of Quidditch moves and such.) The final score? Girls- 280, Boys- 170.
"We creamed 'em!" shouted Ginny as she and Hermione slapped a high- five.
"Yes!" Hermione said spiritedly.
"You were awesome!" Ginny said to Hermione, who blushed slightly.
"Not really," she said modestly. In attempt to get herself out of the limelight, she said, "Now about that wager…"
"Ugh. Dishes!" groaned Ron.
"Yuck!" Harry agreed.
"Aw, are poor Potty and Runs scared of a little soapy water?" Ginny said mockingly.
"Runs? Of all the nicknames in the world to think of, you decided on RUNS?" Ron asked faux-angrily.
"Actually, I can't take the credit. That one's all Hermione's," Ginny said. Ron glared in her direction, but Harry just laughed.
"That's pretty good! In the Ron Renaming department, you're not half bad!" They slapped high-five, and Ron just stuck his tongue out at her. (A/N: Awww, poor ickle Ronniekins! I luv him to bits and pieces, but he's so much fun to make fun of. And besides, since it's Hermione, he won't do anything ^_^.)
"Very mature, Mr. Weasley. I'm glad to see you've gotten out of diapers and are finally using the big boy potty now," said Ginny sarcastically.
"Oh, shove off," he said good-naturedly. "So what do you want to do now?"
Hermione looked at her watch. "It's nearly 3."
They stood in silence for about 30 seconds until Harry said, "C'mon guys…we haven't even left for our trip yet and we've run out of things to do? That's pathetic."
"Well," said Ginny thoughtfully, "We could…"
******************************************************
Wow…that's the extent of my cliffie abilities…^_^ Sorry this took FOREVER to get written but I couldn't think of anything for a transitional-thingie after the Quidditch game. Hopefully, this'll work well…All righty readers, here's something I need help with. I can't think of fun places for them to visit! I've got a couple in mind, but not nearly enough to last them a month and 1/2! So when you REVIEW (hint hint wink wink nudge nudge) you lovely, wonderful, superb readers out there can give me ideas! Even just stuff they can do (go to the circus…etc…you get the idea, dontcha? I'd like to thank my new reviewers…
Fleur- I'm glad to hear that you like it. I've sent out that email…
Blondie in Disguise- Cute name! The 3rd chapter is FINALLY up…I know it took forever…Sorry!
Rebecca Padfoot Weasley- I'm happy you loved it. Here's the next chapter…^_^
Evelyn Granger- You didn't rush me!! I just kinda wrote when it came to me…and last chapter came to me quicker than this one did…
ferguspork- I hope this next chapter lives up to the "excellent work" standards!
Emerald Rose- I'm glad you took the time to read my thankings…it took a little while to respond to everyone…I'm glad it wasn't in vain!! I luved your stories, especially The Hogwarts Talent Show! Hehe I laughed SO hard! ^_^
AngelicFairy- Yeah, the chapters are really long, I know. But it just seems that they divide up that way! My humor is…really good? *gasp* Yeah, I've got some fun stuff planned for them *evil grin…*
Hermione Granger-Weasley- Luv the name! I'm glad you like the twin thing…I took a bit of crap for changing it…but everyone's starting to get it. Yea! ^_^
hermione-granger- What up yourself!! I wasn't exactly sure what "I word" meant, but if it means incorrect word…I know it's wrong. It's shamefully slipped into my vocabulary and I can't get it out…I'm sorry…"bad llama!" (Emperor's New Groove…one of my new fav movies…"I'll turn him into a flea! A harmless little flea…then I'll put him in a box! Then I'll put that box into another box! Then I'll mail that box to myself, and when it arrives…AHAHAHA! I'll smash with a hammer! But, to save on postage…I'll poison him with this!" Sorry…got a little carried away there…)
MysticalBlueEyes- I have a crowd?! Wowsers!
CrystalRain- I'm glad you like it…here's the next chappy!
Adnap Nottap- It's ok you took so long to review…I took so long to write this, that it's only fair. And anyways…(oops hermione-granger! Sorry!) I'd much rather get a late review than no reviews at all! You liked the dream? Me too. And it's so much fun to write about Ginny the troublemaker…gives her a bit more of a personality than what's in the books…but that's just my humble opinion..
Ginny Potter- Wondyful? That's such a CUTE WORD!! Hehe. Here's the next chapter for ya.
ShakiraPotter- You like the Redheaded Retard part, too? Hehe. Making fun of Ron is the best part of writing this ficcie…he's just so darn luvable and make-funnable (ok, totally inventing words there, sorry to those out there who are grammatically correct, for I am the anti-grammar.)
YesterYear – Well, here ya go. New Chapter!! Yea!
BTW, I reread this story the other day, and it stinks "like a cabdriver's armpit" (to quote Gordo from Lizzie McGuire…hey, I guess if I can't have Ron or Oliver, I'll take him *evil grin*)! I don't know what you people see in this…but if you likes, I likes!
Bri: It's flying pigs, you prat!
Brig: *looks confused for a second, then a look of understanding crosses her face* I knew that!
Bri: Sure…
Brig: *hastily changes subject* Anyways…
Bri: Let's just start the story!
Brig: Ok. Who wants to say the disclaimer?
Bri: Me me! Oo pick me!
Brig: Does anyone ELSE want to say the disclaimer?
crickets chirping
Brig: Oh fine. Just get them done, no one want's to listen to you babble.
Bri: Bridget (Brigadoonia) does not own anything Harry Potter-ish-
Brig: *interrupts* Now that's not true! I have a Harry Potter t-shirt! It has his glasses on it, and a lightning bolt…
Bri: Yeah yeah, we really don't care. Now as I was saying before I was so RUDELY INTERRUPTED…*meaningful glance at Brig, who looks guilty* Brig doesn't own anything Harry Potter-ish, except her *cough stupid cough* shirt. Please don't sue her…you really don't want to take the shirt off her back…that sight might give you need for counseling…
Brig: WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!?!?! *pulls a mallet out of nowhere and starts to chase BridgeJillephant*
Bri: Just read the story…I'll deal with h-*thunk*
Brig: *looks satisfied* Now that that's dealt with…on with the story!
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The two girls followed Hermione's trunk into Ginny's room. "I'm so glad the trip's finally tomorrow!" Ginny squealed as she plopped down on her bed.
"Yeah, we can finally learn where we're going, since Potty and Runs won't tell us," Hermione said.
Ginny laughed. "Runs?" she giggled.
Hermione blushed. "Stupid, I know, but it's the best I can think of."
"I think it's funny. It suits him," Ginny said.
Hermione thought for a moment. "You're right; it does suit him."
Then, someone knocked on the door. "Come in!" called Ginny.
Ron pushed open the door, Harry right behind him. "D'you wanna go play some Quidditch?"
Ginny and Hermione looked at each other and said in unison, "Conference." They went over to a corner of Ginny's room, Hermione pulled her wand, and said, "Clandestinus!". After the concealment charm was placed, Hermione spoke.
"Should we?"
"It could be fun."
"So is that a yes?"
"Well…the thing is…"
"The thing is what?"
"Ican'tflyverywell."
"What?"
"I can't fly very well. I'd feel stupid next to Harry and Ron, they were both on the house team this past year! What if they laugh at me?"
"No one will laugh at you. Harry's too nice and Ron…well, don't worry at him laughing you."
"Why?" Hermione asked suspiciously.
Ginny gave a mysterious smile. "Just don't worry…I'm not authorized to disclose that at this time or Major Runs will court-martial me."
"Ok…" Hermione gave Ginny a weird look.
"So anyway, don't worry. They won't laugh at you."
"'They'? What about you?"
"I'll probably laugh. But I've laughed at you for everything else remotely embarrassing in your life I've heard about up until now, so theoretically you should be used to it. But if it bothers you, I won't do it. Deal?"
"Thanks. I don't mind if just you are laughing, but if you get them going…"
"Then I won't laugh. Don't worry."
"Thank you so much! I just don't want to be embarrassed in front of- er, my friends."
"'Your friends'?" Ginny teased. "Or a certain red-head over there watching us?" Ginny glanced over at her brother, and Hermione followed her gaze.
Hermione turned bright red. "No one in particular!" she said a little to quickly.
"If you say so, Mrs. Weasley," Ginny said.
"Gin!" Hermione protested. "Just…uh…don't mention this to either of them. Not even Harry. They tell each other everything. Got it?" She looked flustered.
"I know nothing," Ginny said easily, and Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "But when you two get together, and I mean when, I want details! Details! You hear me? Details!" She laughed as Hermione's face, which had just started to return to normal, flushed again.
"Right…details," Hermione said.
"So, will you?"
"Will I what? Give details?"
"That too, but I meant play Quidditch with us."
"Uh…sure, I guess so."
"All right, let's get out there and kick some butt!"
"I can't even stay on my broom, let alone fly and kick butt simultaneously!"
"How do you take the charm off?"
Hermione pulled out her wand again. "Publicus!" They walked back over to where the boys were standing, Ginny standing behind and a few feet over from Hermione.
"So, will you play with us?" Ron looked impatient from standing there for 5 minutes watching them mouth words he couldn't hear.
"Yes," Hermione said.
"And we'll kick some butt, too!" added Ginny.
"No we won't! You maybe, but not me," Hermione said.
"Whatever. So, are we going boys versus girls, or am I going to have a second-rate flier on my team?"
"I think you got that mixed up," mumbled Hermione.
"Why do you say that?" Harry asked.
Hermione looked surprised at the question, and Ginny quickly covered. "She thinks she's not a good flier because she hasn't had as much experience as the rest of us. A complete load of rubbish, I say, but she refuses to believe anything else."
"I can help you. You probably just have to develop your skills," Ron said. Ginny silently laughed at him, and his ears turned pink. Harry looked curiously between the two discreetly, and thought to himself, 'Wonder what that was all about? Oh jeeze, Gin didn't find about how Ron fancies Hermione, did she? She must've been torturing him! At least she does it well…maybe we can team up and break him down until he finally asks her out…'
Hermione noticed Harry gazing off with glazed eyes. "Harry, you ok?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Just tired of waiting for a decision to be made. Are we going to play or not?"
"Let's go!" Hermione said and, grabbing her broomstick (A/N: She owns one, she's just not good on it. She hasn't found her balance on it, and she's a bit afraid since she fell off one in 6th year when the gang was trying to teach her some Quidditch moves. Get it? Got it? Good.) and headed for the back yard. Harry soon followed, and Ginny started to walk out the door, when Ron pulled her back.
"Did you tell her?" he asked angrily.
"Why would you say that?" she asked innocently.
"Hmm, let's see. You said something, and looked at me. It obviously embarrassed her, because she blushed. What did you say?"
"I cannot say, for I am sworn to secrecy."
"Ginn-nnnny! C'mon, that's not fair!"
"All's fair in love and war!" she teased.
"You're a real pain, y'know that?"
"Of course, Ronniekins," she said and pinched his cheek. "It's my job!"
"Let's go down. They're probably wondering what happened to us."
*In the backyard*
"So is it boys versus girls or mixed teams? I forgot what we decided," Hermione said to Harry.
"I don't think we did," he responded.
Harry and Hermione looked over to where Ginny and Ron were bickering…again.
"Afraid we'll whoop ya?" Ginny asked.
"No!" said Ron indignantly. "It's just that Hermione needs help-"
"So, I'm unfit to teach my best friend how to fly?"
"That's not it! I've helped with flying lessons before."
"Oh yeah? When?"
"When I had no classes on Wednesday mornings this past year. I used to go help Madam Hooch, because her class of Hufflepuffs needed a lot of help. I know the training exercises to help her."
"She's not a beginner! She just needs a little help fine-tuning her skills!"
"Will you please stop talking about me like I'm not here?" asked Hermione loudly, and Ron and Ginny looked at her.
Ron's ears turned pink.
"Are we going to play or not?" Hermione asked. "I don't care how the teams are set up. I don't care who helps me. I just want to get started!"
"Fine. Hermione, you're on my team. I'll go get the ball," Ginny said and walked over to the shed. A small explosion, along with a few unrepeatable words, was heard from the small building.
She came back a couple of minutes later, muttering about 'stupid pranks'. As she approached the group, the two boys snickered and Hermione tried her best to keep a straight face.
"What are you all laughing at?"
"Your, uh, face, Gin," Harry said with a smile.
"My face?" She looked bewildered.
"Here." Hermione pulled out her wand and said, " Orbuna Reflechae!" A small mirror appeared in her hand, and she handed it to Ginny.
Ginny peered in the mirror and she saw what they were all laughing at. Her eyebrows were singed, and her face was dusty green. Her bangs, normally curled under to give her an 'innocent' look, were sticking straight up. The rest of her was covered in fine, green dust.
"AAHH!" she yelled out of surprise. Once the shock had worn off and she started to pay attention to the rest of the world again, she thought she heard some quiet little titters.
"Gamine! Dreygar! Zyphlin! Get over here now!" Ginny yelled.
At her beckoning, two boys and a little girl, the eldest no more than 11, ran over from next door. Their eyes permeating integrity, the eldest boy spoke up. "Yes, Miss Ginny?"
"Don't you 'Miss Ginny' me, mister. Did you put those candy caps in our shed so that when I opened the door and hit them, they'd blow up?"
"Yes," the little girl, who was the smallest, replied shyly.
"Gamine! I told you not to tell!" the younger boy said.
"Sorry," she replied quietly.
"Don't you yell at her for telling the truth, Zyphlin," she said to the middle boy. Turning gently to Gamine, she said, "Thank you for telling me the truth." Turning back, she addressed all three. "Now, please don't do that again. Regrowing eyebrows takes forever, even with magic."
Hermione whispered to Ron, "Should she be telling them about the magic?"
"Don't you know?" he asked. Seeing her confused expression, he said, "Oh, I forgot. You haven't met them. They're usually gone on holiday most of the summer, thank goodness. The Fawcetts, they're magical, but before this year they hadn't any kids old enough for Hogwarts yet. Dreygar, the eldest, starts this coming year I think."
"Ok," said Hermione.
"Now you three run along now, and stay out of trouble!" Ginny said.
"Yes ma'am!" They saluted and ran off. Ginny couldn't help but smile; they were too cute to be angry with for very long.
She snapped back to reality and said, "All right, let's get this game off the ground!"
"Uh, shouldn't you clean up first?" asked Harry.
"Oh yeah," she said sheepishly. Pulling out her wand, she recited the Self-Cleaning Spell: "Ede terram!"
Dust-free, she cried, "Let the game begin!"
Ron magicked some goalposts to appear, and they mounted their brooms.
"One, two, three, up!" said Harry, and the four soared off. Well at least, three soared. Poor Hermione flew slow and low to the ground, afraid she'd fall.
"C'mon Mione! We need you up here!" Ginny said.
"Must you fly so high?" Hermione called back.
"We'll fly lower if you promise to make an effort," Harry shouted in return.
She thought for a moment, then called back, "Ok."
"Yea!" Ginny squealed.
Hermione cautiously flew up to where her friends were hovering. "Let's play…ball?" she said, unsure of herself.
They took their places, with Ginny and Harry facing off at the center and Ron and Hermione facing each other on Ginny's right (or Harry's left.)
"Let's make a little wager," said Ginny. Hermione looked at her with a mix of confusion and dread. Ginny caught her eye, and mouthed, "Don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"
"Ok," said Harry smoothly. "What do you propose?"
"Marriage," whispered Ron to Ginny, and she turned pink.
"Whichever team loses," she said, ignoring Ron's sniggers, "has to do the dishes during our trip. Without magic," she added.
Harry looked at Ron, and they nodded. "You're on!" said Harry, and they shook on it.
"Well, I guess it's dishpan hands for you and me," Hermione said to Ginny.
"Oh no it isn't. We're going to win this thing," she replied, determined.
"Oi! Dreygar! Could'ya come here a minute and do the toss-up?" Ron called to the boy with light brown hair.
"Sure!" he called excitedly, and rushed through the open gate between the Weasley and Fawcett houses.
He picked up the ball from the grass. "Are you ready?" he said importantly.
The group nodded in consent.
"Ok, since we don't have a snitch, this game will end when the clock- " he nodded to Ron, who magicked in a clock/scoreboard reading 1 and 1/2 hours- "runs down. And…play ball!" He threw the ball high in the air.
Ginny smiled. Her game was on.
At the toss-up, Harry and Ginny flew into action. They each clamored for the precious ball. Ginny managed to grab it and flew around Harry speedily. "Mione!" she called and passed the ball the Hermione.
'What do I do? Oh bugger, here comes Ron…' She swerved Ron's broomstick and headed for some goalposts. "Gin! These are the goalposts we're supposed to score in, right?"
"Yeah!" she called back. Ginny was having trouble trying to keep the two boys away from Hermione so she could score.
Ron tried again and again to get past his sister, but to no avail. 'Why did I teach her all those blocking moves last summer?'
Harry tried the sweet-talk approach to getting past Ginny. "You're such a great flier. It's a shame you never joined the House team back when we were in school. You would've been a great addition to our group."
Hermione's mind was racing. As she flew closer and closer to the goal, her hands started to shake a bit. 'What if I mess up? They'll never ask me to play Quidditch with them, just for fear of having me on their team.'
The next thing Hermione heard was, "Nice shot!" It was Ron. She hovered in shock for a few seconds. 'It actually went in? I didn't ruin it for everyone? Wow!' Then she realized, 'Duh! The game's not over. I'd better pay more attention to the game instead of…Ron…' She sighed dreamily, then her mind went back to the game. "Need help Gin?"
"Oh, don't mind me. I've just got two nasty guys trying to slam into me. Nothing big," Ginny said sarcastically. "I need assistance, if you would be so kind!"
"Coming!" Hermione was off. All former pretentions were lost; now that she knew what she could do, there was no holding back.
"What the…" Poor Harry didn't know what hit him. Hermione had come up from behind and captured the Quaffle as soon as it had left his hands. He had been attempting a pass to Ron, but a certain brown-haired witch had stolen the opportunity and the ball.
"Go Hermione! Dang, and you thought you couldn't fly well! Jeeze, a steal like that is not easy!" Ginny called out comments of encouragement to her friend. The truth was, the steal wasn't as hard as Ginny made it out to be, but her friend needed self-confidence in her abilities. She figured that one little white lie would make her friend feel better about herself and enjoy herself more, especially if she thought she was on equal footing with the other players.
"Gin! Here, catch!" Hermione swerved around Ron and dove under Harry, and tossed the ball to her teammate. Ginny deftly caught it, and scored another goal for the girl's team.
The game continued. (A/N: Sorry, I'm not much of a sports person, and I don't know a whole lot of Quidditch moves and such.) The final score? Girls- 280, Boys- 170.
"We creamed 'em!" shouted Ginny as she and Hermione slapped a high- five.
"Yes!" Hermione said spiritedly.
"You were awesome!" Ginny said to Hermione, who blushed slightly.
"Not really," she said modestly. In attempt to get herself out of the limelight, she said, "Now about that wager…"
"Ugh. Dishes!" groaned Ron.
"Yuck!" Harry agreed.
"Aw, are poor Potty and Runs scared of a little soapy water?" Ginny said mockingly.
"Runs? Of all the nicknames in the world to think of, you decided on RUNS?" Ron asked faux-angrily.
"Actually, I can't take the credit. That one's all Hermione's," Ginny said. Ron glared in her direction, but Harry just laughed.
"That's pretty good! In the Ron Renaming department, you're not half bad!" They slapped high-five, and Ron just stuck his tongue out at her. (A/N: Awww, poor ickle Ronniekins! I luv him to bits and pieces, but he's so much fun to make fun of. And besides, since it's Hermione, he won't do anything ^_^.)
"Very mature, Mr. Weasley. I'm glad to see you've gotten out of diapers and are finally using the big boy potty now," said Ginny sarcastically.
"Oh, shove off," he said good-naturedly. "So what do you want to do now?"
Hermione looked at her watch. "It's nearly 3."
They stood in silence for about 30 seconds until Harry said, "C'mon guys…we haven't even left for our trip yet and we've run out of things to do? That's pathetic."
"Well," said Ginny thoughtfully, "We could…"
******************************************************
Wow…that's the extent of my cliffie abilities…^_^ Sorry this took FOREVER to get written but I couldn't think of anything for a transitional-thingie after the Quidditch game. Hopefully, this'll work well…All righty readers, here's something I need help with. I can't think of fun places for them to visit! I've got a couple in mind, but not nearly enough to last them a month and 1/2! So when you REVIEW (hint hint wink wink nudge nudge) you lovely, wonderful, superb readers out there can give me ideas! Even just stuff they can do (go to the circus…etc…you get the idea, dontcha? I'd like to thank my new reviewers…
Fleur- I'm glad to hear that you like it. I've sent out that email…
Blondie in Disguise- Cute name! The 3rd chapter is FINALLY up…I know it took forever…Sorry!
Rebecca Padfoot Weasley- I'm happy you loved it. Here's the next chapter…^_^
Evelyn Granger- You didn't rush me!! I just kinda wrote when it came to me…and last chapter came to me quicker than this one did…
ferguspork- I hope this next chapter lives up to the "excellent work" standards!
Emerald Rose- I'm glad you took the time to read my thankings…it took a little while to respond to everyone…I'm glad it wasn't in vain!! I luved your stories, especially The Hogwarts Talent Show! Hehe I laughed SO hard! ^_^
AngelicFairy- Yeah, the chapters are really long, I know. But it just seems that they divide up that way! My humor is…really good? *gasp* Yeah, I've got some fun stuff planned for them *evil grin…*
Hermione Granger-Weasley- Luv the name! I'm glad you like the twin thing…I took a bit of crap for changing it…but everyone's starting to get it. Yea! ^_^
hermione-granger- What up yourself!! I wasn't exactly sure what "I word" meant, but if it means incorrect word…I know it's wrong. It's shamefully slipped into my vocabulary and I can't get it out…I'm sorry…"bad llama!" (Emperor's New Groove…one of my new fav movies…"I'll turn him into a flea! A harmless little flea…then I'll put him in a box! Then I'll put that box into another box! Then I'll mail that box to myself, and when it arrives…AHAHAHA! I'll smash with a hammer! But, to save on postage…I'll poison him with this!" Sorry…got a little carried away there…)
MysticalBlueEyes- I have a crowd?! Wowsers!
CrystalRain- I'm glad you like it…here's the next chappy!
Adnap Nottap- It's ok you took so long to review…I took so long to write this, that it's only fair. And anyways…(oops hermione-granger! Sorry!) I'd much rather get a late review than no reviews at all! You liked the dream? Me too. And it's so much fun to write about Ginny the troublemaker…gives her a bit more of a personality than what's in the books…but that's just my humble opinion..
Ginny Potter- Wondyful? That's such a CUTE WORD!! Hehe. Here's the next chapter for ya.
ShakiraPotter- You like the Redheaded Retard part, too? Hehe. Making fun of Ron is the best part of writing this ficcie…he's just so darn luvable and make-funnable (ok, totally inventing words there, sorry to those out there who are grammatically correct, for I am the anti-grammar.)
YesterYear – Well, here ya go. New Chapter!! Yea!
BTW, I reread this story the other day, and it stinks "like a cabdriver's armpit" (to quote Gordo from Lizzie McGuire…hey, I guess if I can't have Ron or Oliver, I'll take him *evil grin*)! I don't know what you people see in this…but if you likes, I likes!