Chapter 4

            "This way Mum, Dad, but don't worry if you think we're heading into a rotting building, because it's bewitched to the muggle eye," Hermione explained.

            "Muggle meaning us?" Mrs. Granger asked.  Hermione nodded. 

            "Here's your tickets and we have pretty decent seats, a few rows below the top box," Hermione said.

            "But don't we want to be close to the ground?" Mr. Granger asked.

            "Not in this sport, and you'll see why shortly," Hermione said, leading her parents into the stadium.

            "Hermione, why are we heading into a condemned building?" Mrs. Granger asked, looking around in disgust.

            "I already told you Mum, it's bewitched to the muggle eye," Hermione said, leading her parents up a few flights of stairs and into a row of seats about five rows below the top box.  Mr. and Mrs. Granger gasped as they saw the stadium.

            "We're up so high!" Mrs. Granger said, taking a seat next to her daughter.  Mr. Granger sat next to his wife and looked around at all the witches and wizards filing in. 

            "You'll love the game," Hermione said with a smile on her face.  A girl around Hermione's age sat down next to Hermione.

            "Hi, I'm Ashley, you love Quidditch too?" She asked.

            "Not exactly, but since I'm from England I like to watch the Irish National Quidditch Team," Hermione replied.

            "What are you doing in the states then?" Ashley asked.

            "I'm on vacation with my parents," Hermione explained.

            "Oh, well I hope you've been having fun, can you believe that THE Harry Potter, THE boy who lived, THE boy who defeated You-Know-Who is going to be playing today?" Ashley exclaimed.

            "I went to school with him," Hermione said, smiling.

            "Lucky you! Do you read Witches Weekly?  Because they had an article about Harry Potter in it and it said he has a girlfriend.  I wish I were his girlfriend.  I envy the lucky girl," Ashley said. 

            "Oh, I'm Hermione," Hermione said.

            "Hermione? Are you Hermione Granger?  The one who is Harry Potter's steady girlfriend?" Ashley asked.  Hermione nodded, a bit of color coming to her cheeks.

            "So that's why we're here," Mr. Granger grumbled so that Hermione could hear.  She blushed even more but continued to talk to Ashley.

            "What are schools like here?" Hermione asked.

            "Well we have all the same subjects as Hogwarts and we even learn all about Hogwarts, that's where you went right?" Ashley asked.  Hermione nodded.  "But my school is right here in Salem and I graduated this year.  We start at 11, like you do, but my school is in downtown Salem.  It's in a building that to the muggle eye looks like a blank lot, but for some reason no one can build on it.  My school is called Salem's Academy of Witches and Wizards and it's seven stories high.  We even have about ten acres of land, which were magically put there so the muggles can't see it.  But to the muggles it's an empty lot of about 110 feet by 100 feet."

            "Sounds interesting," Hermione replied.

            "You'll have to come see it if you have the time, or I could write about my school to you in a letter," Ashley replied.

            "Sure, you can send an owl to 68 Winngington square, it's the only Winngington I've heard of, so an owl would definitely be able to find me," Hermione said.  

            "OK, sounds good," Ashley said with a smile. 

            "Good afternoon witches and wizards!  Welcome to the Salem Stadium!  We hope you have a great day today, watching two of the best Quidditch teams in the world!  Now here comes the Irish National Quidditch Team, Connolly, Greene, Marcus, James, King, Woodman, and Potter!  The Irish National Quidditch Team is coached by McIntire and the captain is Connolly, one of the chasers and the only girl on the team!  Now for the Salem Black Cats!  Walker, Parker, Anderson, Andrews, Brown, Smith, and Hall!  They are coached by Samson and the captain is the keeper, Walker!  Now let the game begin!" The commentator announced. 

            Mr. and Mrs. Granger had some difficulty following the game, at first, but after a few minutes, they began to understand the concept.  Hermione smiled and waved at Harry, hoping that maybe he would see her at least once. 

            "Parker has the quaffle, No!  It was intercepted by Greene!  Greene in possession and Greene scores!  Still no sign of the snitch.  It looks like the beaters are having fun hitting the bludgers at each other!  Oh!  That must have hurt!  Brown was hit in the head by a bludger sent his way by King!  It's going to be a time out and still no sign of the golden snitch!" The commentator announced.

            "What happened?" Mrs. Granger asked, standing up in her seat to look at the poor man with the black eye.

            "He was hit by a bludger Mam, but I'm sure he'll be fine.  Salem has some of the best witch nurses and he'll be back in play within a few minutes," Ashley explained. 

            "Oh, well that's good, Hermione aren't we rooting for Harry's team?" Mrs. Granger asked.  Hermione nodded.

            "And we're back in play!  Hall and Potter are neck in neck searching for the snitch.  I think Potter's seen the snitch!  He's diving down, he's going, and he's going to hit the ground!  Oh, it was just a Wronski Feint, but wait, he's seen it and he's speeding off to the Black Cats goal post.  Potter's caught the snitch, winning the game!  Irish 270 to Black Cat's 110.  Better luck next time Black Cats!"  The commentator announced.  Hermione cheered with the crowd, hugging her mother as she did so.  She then ran for the stairway, knowing that Harry would be heading up to the top box. 

            "Hermione where are you going?" Mr. Granger yelled after his daughter.

            Hermione ran up few flights of stairs, hoping she would get to see Harry.  The Irish National Quidditch Team came down in single file, carrying their brooms over their shoulders and wearing medals around their necks.  They had just finished receiving their medals from the commentator in the top box.  Hermione saw Harry at the top of the stairs, walking down slowly.  She sped up and ran into Harry's arms!  Harry pulled her into a tight hug, trying his best to hold his broom at the same time.  Susan smiled at the two as did a few other teammates.

            "There you are, Hermione!" Mrs. Granger said, trying to catch her breath.  Mr. Granger came up shortly after and Hermione reluctantly pulled away from Harry. 

            "Come along Hermione, we better get something for supper," Mr. Granger said, reaching for his daughter's arm.

            "Uh, Mr. Granger, could I please take Hermione on my broom to watch the sunset?  I won't let anything happen to her I promise, and I'll have her back to your hotel whenever you want her back," Harry promised. 

            "You most certainly may…fine, she better be back by ten, not a second later!" Mr. Granger said, when Mrs. Granger elbowed him in the ribs.  He then grabbed his wife's hand and headed back down the stairway. 

            "Harry, the sun doesn't set until around ten and it's only 6," Hermione said, taking Harry's hand and walking down slowly with Harry. 

            "I know, but you'll still let me take you up, won't you?" Harry asked.  Hermione nodded.  "Good!" 

            Once they reached the Quidditch field, Harry let his broom float a few inches in the air and helped Hermione mount the broom.  Harry then climbed on behind her, placing his hand around her waist so Hermione wouldn't fall off. 

            "You promise I won't fall," Hermione asked, as they began to fly into the sky.

            "I would never let anything happen to you," Harry whispered in her ear.  Hermione smiled and felt her cheeks growing pink.  Harry loved the feel of being back with Hermione.  He gently drew her a bit closer, making his grip a tad bit tighter around her waist.  Hermione didn't object and closed her eyes, not wanting the moment to go away. 

            "How was your vacation?" Harry asked.

            "It was wonderful, but I…umm…missed you so much," Hermione said quickly.

            "I missed you too.  I got in trouble for thinking about you all the time.  It ruined my concentration on the game," Harry replied.

            "I'm sorry," Hermione began.

            "But it was worth it," Harry said.  Hermione smiled. 

            "Harry, I think we're high enough," Hermione said, looking down at the ground.

            "Don't look down," Harry said.

            "I already did," Hermione said, starting to pale. 

            "Well look at the view then, you'll love it," Harry replied.  Hermione looked around and gasped.  She could see the whole city of Salem and the tiny muggle cars driving along on the roads.  She looked up at the sky and felt like she was really a part of it.  She smiled.

            "Harry, are you looking at this?  It's beautiful," Hermione said.

            "I already have the perfect view," Harry said, looking at Hermione as best as he could on the broom.  Hermione blushed.  "You hungry?"

            "A little," Hermione replied.

            "Well then, let's get you something to eat," Harry said, starting to fly the broom down to the ground.   Hermione closed her eyes and opened them again when she felt Harry getting off of the broom.  Hermione was about to get off, when she felt Harry's hand on her hand.  Harry was fingering something in his pocket and he drew out a small jewelry box.  Hermione's heart stopped.

            "Hermione Elizabeth Granger, I have grown to love you so much over these past few years, that I fear I cannot live with out you.  I would be honored if you would accept me as your husband.  I know I don't have much right now, but we can make the engagement as long as possible, that way I will be able to support you.  I love you Hermione, will you marry me?" Harry proposed.  Hermione held out her hand as Harry slipped the ring on her finger.  Hermione burst into tears and flung herself at Harry.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

            "Is that a yes?" Harry asked.  Hermione looked at him and kissed him on the lips.  When they pulled apart she nodded.

            "It's a yes," She said, bringing her other leg over the broom.  This caused Harry to fall to the ground and Hermione fell on top of him.  Harry let Hermione climb off of him and sat down next to her on the grass.  Hermione was giggling and crying at the same time.  Harry wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer.  He used his finger to wipe the tears off of her cheeks.  Hermione looked into Harry's emerald green eyes and smiled, feeling weak at his stare. 

            "I'm glad you said yes," Harry whispered.

            "I'm glad you proposed," Hermione said, laying her head on Harry's shoulder.  Harry smiled and gently ran his fingers through her hair, which didn't seem to be as bushy as it once was. 

            "My Dad won't like it," Hermione said.

            "I'll get him to like it," Harry replied.

            "How?" Hermione asked.

            "I'll find a way, because I know one thing for sure, the only thing that makes sense in my life and that is that I love you with my whole heart," Harry said. 

            "I love you too," Hermione said, standing up when Harry stood up and gave her his hand.  Harry pulled her to his feet, grabbing his Firebolt and walking hand in hand with Hermione back to her hotel.

            "It's not ten yet, but maybe if I bring you home extra early, you're father will like me better," Harry suggested.

            "No, let's get something to eat, and then we'll be back in time and he will realize you are trustworthy," Hermione said.

            "All right, where should we eat?" Harry asked.

            "Some place that has good home-cooked food, I'm sick of restaurant food, but maybe we can find a good restaurant," Hermione replied. 

            "Well let's look," Harry said, waving his broom back to his hotel room with his wand. He squeezed Hermione's hand and walked with his bride-to-be down the main street of Salem, Massachusetts. 

A/N:  I know this one is a little shorter, but just tell me what you think in a review.  I don't know when chapter 5 will be up, because I don't know what's going to happen in it.  But I'll think of something soon.  Until then you could start reading one of my other stories.  I want to thank my friend Nova again, who helped edit this story for me! 

Kittyluver87 J