Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
Ron and Hermione apparated to Hermione's house to eat lunch. Hermione's parents were delighted to see Ron, for they were also fond of him. Though Hermione tried to save Ron from her parent's interrogation, she wasn't the least bit successful as they had dragged Ron to the living room and even invited him to stay until dinner.
"There's plenty of food and we can't expect to finish them all after lunch, can we?" Mrs. Granger's smile almost reached her ears.
"If you want, you can even spend the night here. We'll call Arthur and Molly, so you won't have to worry about it. I'm sure Hermione will be glad to have you for the night," Mr. Granger chimed in.
As much as that sounded normal, Hermione didn't like it at all. It was as if her parents wanted her and Ron to be together, forgetting that she was still Harry's girlfriend.
Speaking of Harry, because Hermione was bored to death on her own, listening to the conversation between her parents and Ron, Hermione decided to wait by the phone just in case Harry calls. But it was almost past 1 o'clock and still he hasn't called, and Hermione was terribly hungry. Hermione glanced at Ron and by the look on his face, he too was starving. Hermione was awed that how her parents never ran out of things to say, and even questions to ask.
"Mom, Dad, maybe we should eat now," Hermione called them, standing up and approaching Ron.
"But Harry's not here yet," Mrs. Granger said as she took a quick look at her wrist watch.
"I doubt he'll still come. I'll just send him some food in his apartment, is that okay?" Hermione looked from his mom, to his dad.
"Sure, honey, it's up to you," Mr. Granger finally answered.
"Then it's settled. We'll eat lunch now," Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and dragged him to the kitchen. Ron was trying not to trip. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked then smiled at each other. Upon seeing this, Hermione walked faster, which caused Ron to pace even faster. *My parents are crazy,* Hermione thought.
***
After eating lunch, Hermione invited Ron up to her room so that he can avoid further questioning from her parents. However, she knew as well that her parents liked better what she did, causing her to slam the door as loud as she can after they had entered the room.
Hermione sat on her bed and faced Ron, who was standing by the door, waiting for her to speak. "I'm sorry for how my parents react. I just don't understand them."
"It's okay, Hermione. I actually think they're funny," Ron grinned at her.
"Speak for yourself!" Hermione said as she threw a pillow towards Ron.
Ron caught it right before it reached him and threw it back at her. But since it was so fast, Hermione wasn't ready that it hit her face. "Not fair!" she called out, holding the pillow. "Maybe you should try for the Seeker position. You can catch fairly fast."
Ron smiled. "Actually, it's Harry who can catch fairly fast. I'm just used to being thrown pillows all the time by Ginny. What I'm good at it dodging things and tossing them back, that's why I became a Beater."
Hermione knew he was right. "Come here," she said, tapping her bed beside her.
Ron moved towards the bed and sat next to her. For a moment they just sat there, silent and unable to speak. But Hermione broke the silence when she finally said "I miss Hogwarts."
"Me too," Ron answered, playing with his hands. "I miss our friends, I miss wizards' chess, I miss Quidditch, but mostly I miss Harry."
"Well, you're his bestfriend, Ron. And you haven't seen each other for quite a while. Well, in fact, after many months of not seeing each other, you were able to have conversations, but they were only short. You've both been so busy with your lives that you barely spent time together," Hermione said, leaning at Ron's shoulder.
"I've been busy with work, Hermione. Harry's been busy with you," Ron said, finally smiling.
"So you're saying it's my fault," Hermione sat up straight, crossing her arms over her chest. But she dropped her arms eventually and leaned on Ron's side again. "The three of us deserve to have a time for us alone, together, and not as separate individuals. We should never have let anything keep us apart; we are, in the first place, the trio."
"You're right. If you want, we can visit Harry at the tryouts. He's probably done by now and I doubt it that he has eaten already. We can bring him food and we can have a picnic by the field," Ron suggested to an interested Hermione.
Hermione quickly stood up and grabbed her bag. "I'll tell mom to pack some food and snacks. Oh, I'm excited!" She rushed out of the room so quickly that Ron was amazed by her enthusiasm.
***
When Hermione and Ron reached the Quidditch field, Ron was carrying a basket filled with food and drinks. Hermione saw that the field was divided into two. On the first half, there was a long line where talented Quidditch players from different schools were eager to try out. There were several different sized rings suspended in the air, and as Hermione saw a well-built man of average height mount his broom and swoop towards the first ring, Hermione realized their goal was to be able to enter all of the rings, in sequence, and probably at the least possible time. *Harry won't even get the last bit tired of doing that,* Hermione concluded. The other half of the field was where a Quidditch game was taking place. Actually, it wasn't a typical Quidditch game. There were about five Bludgers swooping at every player on their way, and about a dozen little Golden Snitches flying around like tiny golden flies in a blue sky. The aim of the game, if it can be considered one, is for the players to dodge the most number of bludgers as possible and still be able to catch at least one Snitch. "This is brutal," Hermione finally spoke.
"This is tryouts," Ron declared.
"Where is Harry, anyway? I haven't seen him yet," Hermione was now trying to make out all the faces of every person on the Quidditch field, which was like a hundred different faces. She narrowed it down to only those with long, black hair like Harry's and found out that it wasn't only Harry who had that kind of hairstyle. Mostly half of the people on the field had black hair. "I can't find him, Ron. Maybe if I were looking for you I'd spot you right away."
"Why? Because I'm a red-head? I'm telling you Hermione, there are a lot of other red-heads here too," Ron looked from Hermione to the crowd.
"No, because I very well know the shape of your head," Hermione said, turning to him and beaming widely.
"Funny," Ron said. "Okay, let's split up. I'll look for Harry on the line and you go look for him among the other players."
"It's more dangerous in there, Ron," she said, pointing at the brutal game they were just watching. "Maybe I should go look for Harry on the line instead."
"The line is a kilometer long and I can't imagine you walking beside it and looking at every face in there. Besides, I know some of the people so I can ask them if they've seen Harry. All you have to do is see if Harry's anywhere in or near that game and if he's not, you can go back and I'll meet you here," Ron said.
"Okay, fine. Just hurry up," Hermione said, walking towards the stand. She went up the stand to get a better view of the players. She noticed that most of them had well built bodies, with well developed chests and biceps. They also had long arms, to aid them in catching the Snitch. Hermione wondered if these people were born for this game, or they only conditioned their bodies to be fit for the game. Well, she didn't really care about them. She knew that her Harry was a natural when it comes to Quidditch, he was definitely born for it. Hermione suddenly remembered that she had her wand inside her bag. She didn't know why but she kind of thought it might come in handy. And she was right. She pointed her wand to her eyes and muttered "Oculus Magnifus," and all of a sudden, her range of vision became five times wider and her eyesight was upgraded into binocular vision. Now she can clearly see all the faces on the field, even those that were on the line. Hermione saw Ron speaking to a black haired man but he wasn't Harry. She then shifted back her eyes to the game. She focused on every one of the players and quickly eliminated every person. She had only about three people left to see, when suddenly, something of gold and silver swept past her eyesight, blocking what she was looking at. Hermione decided it was probably just a golden snitch, but when a deep manly voice suddenly spoke from behind her, Hermione jumped out from her seat and almost fell from the stands. ***
Luckily, the man, whoever he was, caught her by the arm. She was able to sit down again but since the person is so close to her, all she could see was his skin. Hermione pulled out her wand from her pocket, pointed it to her eyes again and quickly shouted "Finite Incantatum!" Once her eyesight was back to normal, Hermione was surprised to see who it was. It was not a golden snitch that swept past her, it Draco Malfoy's golden blond hair. "Malfoy!"
"That's a good way of greeting me, Hermione. But you can call me Draco if you like, since we're not in Hogwarts anymore," Draco said, sitting beside her.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione was still shocked to see him there, now.
"Obvious isn't it? I'm trying out for the Quidditch team," Draco answered, turning to look at the game. "You came here with Potter right?"
Hermione noticed that he was wearing his Slytherin Quidditch robes at Hogwarts, and that his broom, a Firebolt same as Harry's, was sitting beside him. "No, I came here with Ron. We were actually looking for Harry. Wait, have you seen him?" Hermione was hoping he has but.
"Sorry, I haven't." Suddenly, Draco's expression shifted from calmness to being nervous. Hermione knew he wanted to tell her something but was pondering on how to do so. So she decided to save him from the trouble instead.
"Yes, I have received your letter and I didn't throw your necklace," Hermione told him. Draco, who was a few seconds ago unable to look Hermione in the eye now established eye contact with her.
"You didn't?" he said, beginning to smile.
"No," Hermione answered, smiling back. She couldn't believe that the famous Malfoy was smiling back at her, looking so innocent and childish. Then Hermione remembered that she was wearing the necklace inside her shirt. "Actually, I'm wearing it right now."
As Hermione's hand moved to her chest, she pulled out the pendant, which eventually revealed the whole necklace. It sparkled and glistened under the sun, and Hermione saw that Draco was staring at it, eyes wide open, beaming like a mad man.
"I'm not giving it back to you," Hermione joked.
"No, no, I. I'm just gla. I'm just glad that you're wearing it," Draco finally finished.
Hermione smiled at him. "I wouldn't wear it if I don't like it." She then reached for his hand and whispered to him, "Thank you."
"No problem. I'm glad you liked it." Draco was apparently oblivious to the fact that he was acting strange for Hermione. This sudden change in their relationship was in fact hard for Hermione to accept fully right away. But she was willing to adjust for him, as long as she sees that he's sincere in what he is trying to do. Draco sensed that Hermione was willing to continue their conversation, so he tried to speak again. "Hermione, there's something I wasn't able to include in my letter. Um, about the necklace."
"What about it?" Hermione cut her in. Draco was about to speak when Hermione brushed her hair with her hands, which caused Draco to blush. Hermione noticed this and she decided to tease him. "Draco, you're blushing!"
"No I'm not!" Draco shouted defensively. He was now distracted even more and he couldn't continue what he wanted to say.
Hermione felt good that she was talking to Draco like they were friends. But there was indeed something different about that necklace, and she wanted to know it. "Draco, you were saying something about the necklace, what is it?"
"Well. the necklace was."
"Hermione!" Hermione turned to see Ron running towards her, Harry trailing behind him. "I found Harry. what are you doing with that creep?"
Draco stood up and took his broom. "I have to go."
Harry halted beside Ron, and upon seeing Draco, he made a move towards him. But Hermione went between him and Draco and grabbed his arm while trying to put it down. Harry's fists were clenched tightly and if Hermione hadn't stopped him on time, he would have punched Draco. And worse, Draco would have put up a fight and Ron would have joined in, and there will be no way for her to stop them. Hermione pushed down Harry's arm with all her might. "He didn't do anything wrong." But Harry was persistent. "I said he didn't do anything wrong." Finally, Harry gave up and threw and mean look at Draco instead.
"What else are you doing here? You can go now!" Ron barked at Draco. Hermione couldn't understand why Draco was just standing there, taking all the insult. He never used to be like this, especially at Hogwarts. He had always stood up for himself, and it was Harry and Ron who were often left silent and forcing to control themselves after Draco leaves them with his insults. Now, it was the other way around.
After one last look at Hermione, Draco mounted his broom and flew back to the game. Hermione turned back to Harry. "Where the hell have you been?" And suddenly, all the anger Harry was displaying a while ago disappeared. His eyes showed fear as Hermione waited for him to answer. "I'm asking you, Mr. Potter." Even Ron changed his expression.
Harry dodged the question and raised his eyebrow instead. "What were you doing with that git?"
"What? You don't go answering a question with another question, Harry. I asked you where you have been. I waited for you at home but you never appeared, even call. Ron and I were worried so we went here to find you. Draco and I were just talking while I was waiting for Ron to find you," Hermione had her hands on her waist.
"Wait, since when did you 'talk' with Malfoy? And since when did you call him by his first name?" Ron interrupted them.
"Since now. Draco has changed and if you guys won't try to see that then it's not my problem. What I want to know now is where 'you' have been," Hermione said, pointing a finger at Harry.
"Draco has changed?" Ron interrupted again, laughing.
"Shut up, Ron!" Hermione was getting irritated. With one final laugh, Ron turned to Harry and slapped him on the shoulder.
"Girlfriend's asking you Harry," Ron told him.
"Thanks for letting me speak." Hermione and Ron looked at each other and were quite embarrassed. They were the one who were in fact speaking continuously that Harry didn't have the opportunity to explain himself. Harry took Hermione by the hand and they both took a seat. Ron followed them and sat beside Harry. "It was supposed to be a surprise. I thought your interview will be long enough for me to rush here and try out for the team. However, when I got here, I saw the long line and decided to skip it for some other time. But when I was about to leave the place, the coach of the team spotted me and asked me to aid him in the tryouts. I asked him if I could try out myself and he told me that he's already enlisted me as the new team Seeker."
"Then what are all those Snitches for?" Hermione interrupted, pointing at the game.
"No one else knows. That's for the other players to think that the position for Seeker is still open," Harry answered.
"Well that's not right. Those people are shaking their butts off for nothing! They deserve to know!" Hermione's eyebrows were curled up.
"Here we go again," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Hermione, there's nothing we can do. Just let me finish first, okay?" Harry said.
"Alright."
"So, I was forced to help him in the tryouts, and I couldn't very well leave. I told him I had to go early but he kept on telling me that this tryout's never going to end if I don't help him. Those rings," Harry said, pointing to the suspended rings on the first half of the field. "Those were my idea."
"Oh," Hermione was amazed.
"I wanted to call you but I couldn't. I'm really sorry," Harry finished.
Hermione moved closer and kissed him on the cheek, much to Harry's and Ron's surprise. "It's okay, I understand now. Besides, I have a surprise for you too."
Harry turned to Ron for some sign but he merely beamed at Harry as if telling him that it was something wonderful. Harry quickly turned to back to Hermione, eager to know what it was. "So, what is it?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "I'm going to apply for a scholarship at Harvard University. And I think I have a great chance of being accepted."
Opposite to what Hermione expected, Harry suddenly stood up and shouted, "What?"
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
Ron and Hermione apparated to Hermione's house to eat lunch. Hermione's parents were delighted to see Ron, for they were also fond of him. Though Hermione tried to save Ron from her parent's interrogation, she wasn't the least bit successful as they had dragged Ron to the living room and even invited him to stay until dinner.
"There's plenty of food and we can't expect to finish them all after lunch, can we?" Mrs. Granger's smile almost reached her ears.
"If you want, you can even spend the night here. We'll call Arthur and Molly, so you won't have to worry about it. I'm sure Hermione will be glad to have you for the night," Mr. Granger chimed in.
As much as that sounded normal, Hermione didn't like it at all. It was as if her parents wanted her and Ron to be together, forgetting that she was still Harry's girlfriend.
Speaking of Harry, because Hermione was bored to death on her own, listening to the conversation between her parents and Ron, Hermione decided to wait by the phone just in case Harry calls. But it was almost past 1 o'clock and still he hasn't called, and Hermione was terribly hungry. Hermione glanced at Ron and by the look on his face, he too was starving. Hermione was awed that how her parents never ran out of things to say, and even questions to ask.
"Mom, Dad, maybe we should eat now," Hermione called them, standing up and approaching Ron.
"But Harry's not here yet," Mrs. Granger said as she took a quick look at her wrist watch.
"I doubt he'll still come. I'll just send him some food in his apartment, is that okay?" Hermione looked from his mom, to his dad.
"Sure, honey, it's up to you," Mr. Granger finally answered.
"Then it's settled. We'll eat lunch now," Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and dragged him to the kitchen. Ron was trying not to trip. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked then smiled at each other. Upon seeing this, Hermione walked faster, which caused Ron to pace even faster. *My parents are crazy,* Hermione thought.
***
After eating lunch, Hermione invited Ron up to her room so that he can avoid further questioning from her parents. However, she knew as well that her parents liked better what she did, causing her to slam the door as loud as she can after they had entered the room.
Hermione sat on her bed and faced Ron, who was standing by the door, waiting for her to speak. "I'm sorry for how my parents react. I just don't understand them."
"It's okay, Hermione. I actually think they're funny," Ron grinned at her.
"Speak for yourself!" Hermione said as she threw a pillow towards Ron.
Ron caught it right before it reached him and threw it back at her. But since it was so fast, Hermione wasn't ready that it hit her face. "Not fair!" she called out, holding the pillow. "Maybe you should try for the Seeker position. You can catch fairly fast."
Ron smiled. "Actually, it's Harry who can catch fairly fast. I'm just used to being thrown pillows all the time by Ginny. What I'm good at it dodging things and tossing them back, that's why I became a Beater."
Hermione knew he was right. "Come here," she said, tapping her bed beside her.
Ron moved towards the bed and sat next to her. For a moment they just sat there, silent and unable to speak. But Hermione broke the silence when she finally said "I miss Hogwarts."
"Me too," Ron answered, playing with his hands. "I miss our friends, I miss wizards' chess, I miss Quidditch, but mostly I miss Harry."
"Well, you're his bestfriend, Ron. And you haven't seen each other for quite a while. Well, in fact, after many months of not seeing each other, you were able to have conversations, but they were only short. You've both been so busy with your lives that you barely spent time together," Hermione said, leaning at Ron's shoulder.
"I've been busy with work, Hermione. Harry's been busy with you," Ron said, finally smiling.
"So you're saying it's my fault," Hermione sat up straight, crossing her arms over her chest. But she dropped her arms eventually and leaned on Ron's side again. "The three of us deserve to have a time for us alone, together, and not as separate individuals. We should never have let anything keep us apart; we are, in the first place, the trio."
"You're right. If you want, we can visit Harry at the tryouts. He's probably done by now and I doubt it that he has eaten already. We can bring him food and we can have a picnic by the field," Ron suggested to an interested Hermione.
Hermione quickly stood up and grabbed her bag. "I'll tell mom to pack some food and snacks. Oh, I'm excited!" She rushed out of the room so quickly that Ron was amazed by her enthusiasm.
***
When Hermione and Ron reached the Quidditch field, Ron was carrying a basket filled with food and drinks. Hermione saw that the field was divided into two. On the first half, there was a long line where talented Quidditch players from different schools were eager to try out. There were several different sized rings suspended in the air, and as Hermione saw a well-built man of average height mount his broom and swoop towards the first ring, Hermione realized their goal was to be able to enter all of the rings, in sequence, and probably at the least possible time. *Harry won't even get the last bit tired of doing that,* Hermione concluded. The other half of the field was where a Quidditch game was taking place. Actually, it wasn't a typical Quidditch game. There were about five Bludgers swooping at every player on their way, and about a dozen little Golden Snitches flying around like tiny golden flies in a blue sky. The aim of the game, if it can be considered one, is for the players to dodge the most number of bludgers as possible and still be able to catch at least one Snitch. "This is brutal," Hermione finally spoke.
"This is tryouts," Ron declared.
"Where is Harry, anyway? I haven't seen him yet," Hermione was now trying to make out all the faces of every person on the Quidditch field, which was like a hundred different faces. She narrowed it down to only those with long, black hair like Harry's and found out that it wasn't only Harry who had that kind of hairstyle. Mostly half of the people on the field had black hair. "I can't find him, Ron. Maybe if I were looking for you I'd spot you right away."
"Why? Because I'm a red-head? I'm telling you Hermione, there are a lot of other red-heads here too," Ron looked from Hermione to the crowd.
"No, because I very well know the shape of your head," Hermione said, turning to him and beaming widely.
"Funny," Ron said. "Okay, let's split up. I'll look for Harry on the line and you go look for him among the other players."
"It's more dangerous in there, Ron," she said, pointing at the brutal game they were just watching. "Maybe I should go look for Harry on the line instead."
"The line is a kilometer long and I can't imagine you walking beside it and looking at every face in there. Besides, I know some of the people so I can ask them if they've seen Harry. All you have to do is see if Harry's anywhere in or near that game and if he's not, you can go back and I'll meet you here," Ron said.
"Okay, fine. Just hurry up," Hermione said, walking towards the stand. She went up the stand to get a better view of the players. She noticed that most of them had well built bodies, with well developed chests and biceps. They also had long arms, to aid them in catching the Snitch. Hermione wondered if these people were born for this game, or they only conditioned their bodies to be fit for the game. Well, she didn't really care about them. She knew that her Harry was a natural when it comes to Quidditch, he was definitely born for it. Hermione suddenly remembered that she had her wand inside her bag. She didn't know why but she kind of thought it might come in handy. And she was right. She pointed her wand to her eyes and muttered "Oculus Magnifus," and all of a sudden, her range of vision became five times wider and her eyesight was upgraded into binocular vision. Now she can clearly see all the faces on the field, even those that were on the line. Hermione saw Ron speaking to a black haired man but he wasn't Harry. She then shifted back her eyes to the game. She focused on every one of the players and quickly eliminated every person. She had only about three people left to see, when suddenly, something of gold and silver swept past her eyesight, blocking what she was looking at. Hermione decided it was probably just a golden snitch, but when a deep manly voice suddenly spoke from behind her, Hermione jumped out from her seat and almost fell from the stands. ***
Luckily, the man, whoever he was, caught her by the arm. She was able to sit down again but since the person is so close to her, all she could see was his skin. Hermione pulled out her wand from her pocket, pointed it to her eyes again and quickly shouted "Finite Incantatum!" Once her eyesight was back to normal, Hermione was surprised to see who it was. It was not a golden snitch that swept past her, it Draco Malfoy's golden blond hair. "Malfoy!"
"That's a good way of greeting me, Hermione. But you can call me Draco if you like, since we're not in Hogwarts anymore," Draco said, sitting beside her.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione was still shocked to see him there, now.
"Obvious isn't it? I'm trying out for the Quidditch team," Draco answered, turning to look at the game. "You came here with Potter right?"
Hermione noticed that he was wearing his Slytherin Quidditch robes at Hogwarts, and that his broom, a Firebolt same as Harry's, was sitting beside him. "No, I came here with Ron. We were actually looking for Harry. Wait, have you seen him?" Hermione was hoping he has but.
"Sorry, I haven't." Suddenly, Draco's expression shifted from calmness to being nervous. Hermione knew he wanted to tell her something but was pondering on how to do so. So she decided to save him from the trouble instead.
"Yes, I have received your letter and I didn't throw your necklace," Hermione told him. Draco, who was a few seconds ago unable to look Hermione in the eye now established eye contact with her.
"You didn't?" he said, beginning to smile.
"No," Hermione answered, smiling back. She couldn't believe that the famous Malfoy was smiling back at her, looking so innocent and childish. Then Hermione remembered that she was wearing the necklace inside her shirt. "Actually, I'm wearing it right now."
As Hermione's hand moved to her chest, she pulled out the pendant, which eventually revealed the whole necklace. It sparkled and glistened under the sun, and Hermione saw that Draco was staring at it, eyes wide open, beaming like a mad man.
"I'm not giving it back to you," Hermione joked.
"No, no, I. I'm just gla. I'm just glad that you're wearing it," Draco finally finished.
Hermione smiled at him. "I wouldn't wear it if I don't like it." She then reached for his hand and whispered to him, "Thank you."
"No problem. I'm glad you liked it." Draco was apparently oblivious to the fact that he was acting strange for Hermione. This sudden change in their relationship was in fact hard for Hermione to accept fully right away. But she was willing to adjust for him, as long as she sees that he's sincere in what he is trying to do. Draco sensed that Hermione was willing to continue their conversation, so he tried to speak again. "Hermione, there's something I wasn't able to include in my letter. Um, about the necklace."
"What about it?" Hermione cut her in. Draco was about to speak when Hermione brushed her hair with her hands, which caused Draco to blush. Hermione noticed this and she decided to tease him. "Draco, you're blushing!"
"No I'm not!" Draco shouted defensively. He was now distracted even more and he couldn't continue what he wanted to say.
Hermione felt good that she was talking to Draco like they were friends. But there was indeed something different about that necklace, and she wanted to know it. "Draco, you were saying something about the necklace, what is it?"
"Well. the necklace was."
"Hermione!" Hermione turned to see Ron running towards her, Harry trailing behind him. "I found Harry. what are you doing with that creep?"
Draco stood up and took his broom. "I have to go."
Harry halted beside Ron, and upon seeing Draco, he made a move towards him. But Hermione went between him and Draco and grabbed his arm while trying to put it down. Harry's fists were clenched tightly and if Hermione hadn't stopped him on time, he would have punched Draco. And worse, Draco would have put up a fight and Ron would have joined in, and there will be no way for her to stop them. Hermione pushed down Harry's arm with all her might. "He didn't do anything wrong." But Harry was persistent. "I said he didn't do anything wrong." Finally, Harry gave up and threw and mean look at Draco instead.
"What else are you doing here? You can go now!" Ron barked at Draco. Hermione couldn't understand why Draco was just standing there, taking all the insult. He never used to be like this, especially at Hogwarts. He had always stood up for himself, and it was Harry and Ron who were often left silent and forcing to control themselves after Draco leaves them with his insults. Now, it was the other way around.
After one last look at Hermione, Draco mounted his broom and flew back to the game. Hermione turned back to Harry. "Where the hell have you been?" And suddenly, all the anger Harry was displaying a while ago disappeared. His eyes showed fear as Hermione waited for him to answer. "I'm asking you, Mr. Potter." Even Ron changed his expression.
Harry dodged the question and raised his eyebrow instead. "What were you doing with that git?"
"What? You don't go answering a question with another question, Harry. I asked you where you have been. I waited for you at home but you never appeared, even call. Ron and I were worried so we went here to find you. Draco and I were just talking while I was waiting for Ron to find you," Hermione had her hands on her waist.
"Wait, since when did you 'talk' with Malfoy? And since when did you call him by his first name?" Ron interrupted them.
"Since now. Draco has changed and if you guys won't try to see that then it's not my problem. What I want to know now is where 'you' have been," Hermione said, pointing a finger at Harry.
"Draco has changed?" Ron interrupted again, laughing.
"Shut up, Ron!" Hermione was getting irritated. With one final laugh, Ron turned to Harry and slapped him on the shoulder.
"Girlfriend's asking you Harry," Ron told him.
"Thanks for letting me speak." Hermione and Ron looked at each other and were quite embarrassed. They were the one who were in fact speaking continuously that Harry didn't have the opportunity to explain himself. Harry took Hermione by the hand and they both took a seat. Ron followed them and sat beside Harry. "It was supposed to be a surprise. I thought your interview will be long enough for me to rush here and try out for the team. However, when I got here, I saw the long line and decided to skip it for some other time. But when I was about to leave the place, the coach of the team spotted me and asked me to aid him in the tryouts. I asked him if I could try out myself and he told me that he's already enlisted me as the new team Seeker."
"Then what are all those Snitches for?" Hermione interrupted, pointing at the game.
"No one else knows. That's for the other players to think that the position for Seeker is still open," Harry answered.
"Well that's not right. Those people are shaking their butts off for nothing! They deserve to know!" Hermione's eyebrows were curled up.
"Here we go again," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Hermione, there's nothing we can do. Just let me finish first, okay?" Harry said.
"Alright."
"So, I was forced to help him in the tryouts, and I couldn't very well leave. I told him I had to go early but he kept on telling me that this tryout's never going to end if I don't help him. Those rings," Harry said, pointing to the suspended rings on the first half of the field. "Those were my idea."
"Oh," Hermione was amazed.
"I wanted to call you but I couldn't. I'm really sorry," Harry finished.
Hermione moved closer and kissed him on the cheek, much to Harry's and Ron's surprise. "It's okay, I understand now. Besides, I have a surprise for you too."
Harry turned to Ron for some sign but he merely beamed at Harry as if telling him that it was something wonderful. Harry quickly turned to back to Hermione, eager to know what it was. "So, what is it?"
Hermione took a deep breath. "I'm going to apply for a scholarship at Harvard University. And I think I have a great chance of being accepted."
Opposite to what Hermione expected, Harry suddenly stood up and shouted, "What?"