Home
It was Thursday night and Hermione sat in her favorite spot in the library. There was a table with leather chairs towards the back of the library in the corner. Most students didn't venture to that part of the library and she enjoyed the quietness of her corner.
She had multiple books stacked up around her as she worked on her Transfiguration essay. Her eyes were dry from the hours of straining them and her back was sore from being hunched over so long.
She set her quill down and stretched, clasping her hands over her head and stretching her back, listening to it crack several times.
She sighed and relaxed, staring out the window that had a perfect view of the quiddich pitch. The Ravenclaw tryouts were tonight and she saw dozens of people on the field with brooms.
Taking a deep breath, she shook her head and returned to her essay, the tryouts reminding Hermione that she promised to be down on the field for Ginny the following evening. She knew she wouldn't be doing much studying after.
"Knock, knock."
She looked up to see Nick Roberts standing in front of her.
She smiled up at him. "Hello! I'm sorry… is it time for the library to be closing?" She asked checking her watch. 7:02pm. No. She still had an hour.
"No, you're fine. I was just wanting to have a chat with you." He mentioned, taking the seat across from her.
She nodded. "Sure. What did you want to speak to me about?" She asked, closing the book in front of her.
"Well… I think you're brilliant and… well…" He rubbed the back of his neck.
"And… you want help with your homework?" She asked, knowing that this is how the conversation usually went.
He shook his head. "No, it isn't that…"
Her brows furrowed. "Oh? Okay then?"
"Well, I know that Ginny is taking Potter to the ball so that means you two won't be going together… Well, I know that the ball isn't until second term, but I was wondering if you needed a date?"
She looked at him for a moment, watching his face turn a bit pink. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling, remembering Viktor asking her at this exact table. Why did boys cheeks always turn pink when they asked? Not that is wasn't completely adorable...
"Oh, well… I'm sorry Nick, but I have a date."
He nodded. "Got it. Man, people sure work fast around here. If you don't mind telling me... who is it?"
She smiled. "It's not a student. He's part of the Order. Fred Weasley; he's sort of my boyfriend."
His eyebrows shot up. "Fred Weasley? Ginny's brother? The one that always got into trouble and had you working double prefect duties?"
She nodded, laughing. "The very one."
"Don't take this the wrong way… but why? You're so brilliant! He's… well he's a troublemaker and he never took anything seriously… all those stupid jokes…"
She bit her lip. "Well, there is more to him than just a troublemaker and those jokes were the beginning of their very profitable business. Fred and his brother George are quite the businessmen. They are both extraordinary wizards, they just never found the need to pour it into their schoolwork. Fred is very sweet and very caring. I've known the Weasleys since I was eleven and you can't find a better wizarding family anywhere."
He shook his head laughing. "You never cease to amaze me Granger. Fred Weasley… I never would have thought… well, I'm sure he keeps you on your toes."
She grinned. "To be honest, I never would have thought, either. Ron's death changed a lot of things for both of us. He learned to be more serious and I learned not to be so serious. He makes me laugh. After the year I've had, I need that."
He nodded. "I'm sorry about Ron's death." He told her, placing a hand over hers.
"Yes, it was terrible. He didn't deserve to die in such a way. Thank you."
He patted her hand. "So, I guess I should find myself another date then. Do you know if Romilda has a date?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't think she does."
He stood up, stretching. "Good. Hopefully after tonight, she will! Wish me luck!"
"Good luck!" She told him as he turned to leave.
She shook her head and laughed as she turned back to her school work.
XxXxXxXx
Hermione sat in the stands the next night with her notebook and pen in her hand. She could hear Ginny yelling at the Gryffindors below and she couldn't help, but smile.
Ginny made her promise that she wouldn't confound anyone this year since she was rooting for Poppy to be the keeper. It has been a half a century since there had been a female keeper on the Gryffindor team and she knew Poppy was perfect for the position.
Earlier that day, Poppy made Hermione and Ginny throw wads of parchment at her while she jumped up and down on her bed, knocking them out of the way or catching them.
Poppy complained that Hermione was making her shots too easy, so the next round Hermione threw all the wads at her at once. Hermione had found this hilarious, creating a hate fire in Poppy that made her offense better.
Unfortunately, when Poppy noticed this, she got excited and then her offense dropped a bit. After another hour of Hermione throwing wads at her head and Poppy not missing one, she seemed ready for the tryouts; her offense being its best with her newfound confidence.
Hermione didn't know many of the others trying out. Nick Roberts was trying out for beater and Demelza Robins for chaser. She was a bit worried for Ginny. She did know that Demelza was known for her ability to dodge bludgers and hopefully that would help.
She suddenly wished Harry, the twins, Angelina, and Katie would come back so that Ginny could have a good year as Captain. Hopefully, these students that have never been part of the team would do well. She wondered if they even knew what the wrath of Ginny felt like if they lost. Mrs. Weasley taught her daughter well.
Hermione spent the next couple of hours watching and making notes for Ginny. She didn't know much about the game, just the basics, but she could tell if someone was good or not.
She clapped when everyone tried out, but whooped and hollered when Poppy came out. She watched as Ginny flew around, trying to throw the quaffle into the hoops. She had almost forgotten how good Ginny was. It seemed that she wasn't as good as Poppy though. Poppy saved every goal.
On her tenth saved goal, Hermione stood up screaming and clapping. There was no way Ginny couldn't put her on the team.
She was pleasantly surprised with Nick, too. He was quick on his broom and managed to keep all the teammates on his side safe, while hitting or making the other team's people fly away from his incoming bludgers six times.
Hermione told Ginny to pick older students who had more muscle for this job. She had to remind Ginny that most third and fourth years didn't have the strength that the Weasley twins did at that age.
While the rest of the beaters tried out, the seekers took turns finding the snitch. Hermione told herself not to compare them to Harry, that Harry was extremely skilled at finding the snitch.
Hermione sighed at the thought of this, realizing that she never truly appreciated just how skilled the quiddich team was in the years prior.
A blonde streak flew past her and she realized that a third year blonde girl was chasing the snitch. It had only been fifteen minutes into her try out. Hermione's heart was pounding in her chest as she felt her excitement rise.
If the blonde girl kept doing that, this team could be unstoppable. She was so excited for Ginny and for Gryffindor. They needed the Cup this year. She wanted Ginny to win the Cup while captain.
XxXxXx
"That tryout couldn't have gone any better! I was extremely nervous at first, I'm not going to lie, but I think we'll have a great team this year!" Ginny mentioned as she and Hermione sat in the armchairs in the common room.
Hermione handed Ginny her notes, along with who she thought should be part of the team.
"What are you? Co-captain now?" Ginny asked, smiling.
"You asked me to come! I'm just putting in my two knuts…co-captain, eh? That doesn't sound too bad…"
Ginny snorted. "You wish! Like I'm really going to let someone that won't even fly a broom be co anything!"
Hermione pouted. "How about water girl?"
Ginny furrowed her eyebrows. "Water girl? Is that a reference to some muggle superhero?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Nevermind."
It only took fifteen minutes for Ginny to figure out who would be on the team. Poppy, Nick, a boy named Joshua, Ginny, Demelza, a boy named Drisden, and the blonde girl whose name was Hensely all made the team. Practice would start tomorrow and the first game would be in two weeks.
XxXxXx
Hermione spent the next two weeks basically alone, Neville occupying Hermione during dinner, escorting her to Gryffindor tower before meeting up with Luna. She told him every evening she didn't need him to, but Neville would always insist, the gentleman he was.
Hermione dove deeper into her studies and into the library, often being woken up by the librarian to tell her that it was closed.
On her way back to the castle on the Friday night before the game, she found herself fighting back tears.
Ginny had spent every waking moment in school and quiddich, only heading to the dormitory to fall into bed and start snoring. Poppy did the same, helping Ginny as co-captain. Romilda was never around either. She and Nick ended up in a relationship and she was always watching practice or off snogging with him somewhere.
Hermione felt extremely lonely and wished that Harry and Ron were here. She then realized that Harry and Ron would be on the team if they were here and she'd still be in this situation.
Stupid quiddich. She found herself suddenly laughing at her thought. Tomorrow would be the first game and hopefully they would win. If they did, maybe Ginny would ease up and change practice to only a few nights a week.
She threw herself into a chair in the common room and stared at the fire. She hadn't spoken to Fred in two weeks. He owled her last week stating that he and George would be out of town on business this week.
Harry's face popped into her head. Or, at least, she thought it did until he started talking.
"Hermione... Earth to Hermione!"
"Harry!" She jumped down in front of the fire to get a better look at him. "Oh! I've missed you terribly!" She wiped back her tears.
He smiled. "I've missed you, too." She saw him look down.
"What's up?" She asked.
"Just checking the map to make sure Ginny's still on the field. I want to tell you that I'm coming tomorrow."
Hermione squealed. "Harry! That's so exciting! Wait until I tell Ginny!"
He shook his head. "No! That's the thing. I want to surprise her. You have to promise me that you won't tell her. It needs to be a surprise. I know if she sees me before, she won't keep a clear mind."
Hermione smiled. "I won't tell. It'll be nice to keep you to myself during the game anyway. I've been so lonely the past couple weeks. I need my best mate right now."
He smiled at her. "I've got you, babe. I'm all yours till after the game!"
Hermione laughed. "Harry… you really need to stop listening to that iPod… or at least suppress the urge to recite the lyrics mid-conversation."
He chuckled and shook his head. "Sorry Hermione.. it's like word vomit."
"Song vomit." Hermione corrected.
He nodded. "That's it."
She sighed, smiling. "I can't wait for you to see the game. Ginny is a spectacular captain and she's really put every ounce into this years team. I hope she isn't slacking on her school work…"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm sure her work is fine. I know she's been down there a lot. She mentioned the team is actually pretty good."
Hermione nodded. "They are good. The seeker is phenomenal. I was worried, since you weren't here, but that girl is amazing. Poppy is the keeper and she's great. She's the best I've seen… better than Oliver in my opinion."
Harry beamed. "I hope that Ginny wins us the Cup."
Hermione laughed. "Us?"
"Once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor." Harry answered.
XxXxXx
Hermione hurried down toward the forest by Hagrid's hut. She was to meet Harry there and hide until the game started.
She got a glimpse of his raven hair and started to run. She felt her lungs start to burn as she made her way down the steep steps two and three at a time. He saw her form and waved.
She came pounding across the grass huffing.
"INCOMING!" She screamed as she ran for him.
She heard him laugh and brace his foot against the tree and she jumped and landed in his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck and laid her head down on her upper arm as she tried catching her breath.
"Well hello! Nice to see you too."
She laughed airily as she caught her breath.
"If you greet me this way, I can't imagine how you'd greet Fred." He told her, as he held her tightly to him and headed toward the bench between Hagrid's and the forest.
"That's different. You feel like home."
"Well, hate to tell you, but the burrow is my home." He told her as he lowered her to the bench and sat next to her.
He took her hand and she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Home is wherever you are. You're home."
He grinned. "I sound completely mental, don't I?" She asked.
"No, I know what you mean. I feel the same."
Hermione could feel her loneliness and panic ease as they sat there talking. They spent the next hour talking about his Auror training and everything that was going on at the burrow.
Turns out the twins were right; Percy was never home because of Penelope Clearwater and they were now engaged.
Soon, they saw everyone heading from the castle to the quiddich pitch. Hermione stood up, straightening Fred's jersey and linked arms with Harry before heading to the stands.
Neville and Luna saved them spots and they slid in next to them. They could hear whispering throughout their set of stands and Hermione squeezed Harry's hand.
"That's Harry Potter! I've never seen him up close!" She heard a young student whisper behind them.
"Harry Potter?"
"It's Potter! Sitting next to Granger! Are they an item?" Harry couldn't help but chuckle at that. These young children really didn't know anything about them.
He turned to see Hermione's face go pale and looked past her to see Cormac McLaggen plopping down beside her.
"Nice shirt, Granger… but wasn't Ron's number six?"
Hermione's jaw set. "It is Fred's shirt. What are you doing here?"
"Can't come to watch a quiddich game? I see Potter made it, as well."
Harry bent forward to look at him. "Leave her alone, McLaggen. She's got enough on her mind without you making things difficult."
Cormac snorted. "I just wanted to come see her." He pulled on the Gryffindor shirt he was wearing. "You should wear my shirt Granger. Let me take you around Hogsmeade next trip."
"No thank you, Cormac." She said looking forward, refusing to look at him.
"Come on, Granger, I'm sure Weasley wouldn't appreciate you wearing his brother's number."
Hermione swallowed hard. "It's to support Ginny. It doesn't matter what number is on the back as long as it says Weasley."
"Then why didn't you wear one of hers?"
Harry took Hermione's hand in his own and squeezed it.
"Oh, I see. You and Harry have a little thing going on, on the side? I take it Ginny doesn't know about this?"
"Shove off, McLaggen!" Harry sputtered.
"Tsk tsk Potter. Such a temper. Sure you don't want to dump Potter and enjoy the game with me?" Cormac asked.
Hermione scowled and Harry jumped up, wand pointed between Cormac's eyes. "Leave. Now."
Cormac eyes narrowed into slits. "I can see I'm no longer wanted here. I'm sure there's a couple Ravenclaws that would appreciate my company elsewhere."
He took one last look at Hermione before heading toward the stairs.
Harry sat down and put an arm around her waist. "You alright?"
"Yes. He's truly terrible."
Suddenly there were cheers and the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams were heading into the air.
Hermione and Harry stood up to scream and clap with their fellow Gryffindors.
They spent the game cheering; Harry screaming when he felt like there was an unfair call even when he hadn't seen it since his eyes were in his binoculars looking for the snitch.
Two hours into the game Hensely caught the snitch and Gryffindor won 260-50.
Hermione and Harry hurried down the stairs and across the pitch to wait for Ginny to appear from the dressing room.
When she did appear, the first thing she saw was Harry. Hermione felt her stomach do a summersault for Ginny. She was so excited for her that it caused tears to spring to her eyes. Laughing at herself, she wiped them away as she watched her friend come bounding toward Harry, knocking him off his feet. Ginny gave him loud, wet kisses all over his face as they laid in the wet grass together, laughing.
"I just wanted to say congratulations Ginny..." Ginny wasn't listening to Hermione. She was too busy eating Harry's face.
Hermione smiled and slipped away, giving Ginny and Harry much needed time alone.
Hermione kept pulling on the practice jersey as she headed towards the castle. Was Cormac right? Was it wrong that she was wearing his brother's shirt? Especially at school where everyone knew she and Ron were together.
She wondered if anyone else noticed that it wasn't his number. What would people think of her dating his brother? She didn't tell Cormac about Fred being her boyfriend because she knew it would start more drama.
She suddenly felt unsure of herself.
A/N: How is Hermione going to cope with this and more importantly, how is Fred going to?