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Falling Head Over Heels

The Story of Hermione Granger and

Her relationship with Draco Malfoy

By: Befuzzled

Chapter Six ~ The Beat Off

"You'll never shine if you don't glow
Hey now you're an All Star get your game on, go play
Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
And all that glitters is gold
Only shooting stars break the mold"

~Smash Mouth

It was two days after her second flying lesson that Hermione learned of the great "Beat Off", set up by her two best friends.  Two fifth years were going to battle for the open spot on the Gryffindor team, Kevin Snipes, a tall built character, and Paul Gold, basically a skinny version of Kevin with maybe a few extra added inches and with hair to match his name.  Both were very good students and eager to add extra activities in with their studies; Quidditch would be they perfect match for them and they would be a superb match for Gryffindor; at least that what every one had hoped for. 

The whole Gryffindor house excitedly rushed to the pitch after classes had ended that day, hurrying on their way to the pitch to get some of the best seats, the highest..  The highest risers were filled all around the stadium: everywhere except where the Syltherins usually sat for a weekend school Quidditch match.  They all were anticipating some fierce battling from the wanna-be-beaters and a few were even placing bets on who was going to win.  ('I'll take 2 galleons for Snipes-he's big but fast and strong,' 'Fine and I take 2 galleons on Gold-he's has to be faster then Kevin, just based on aerodynamics.'  'What?  He's too lanky, I bet he can hardly swing the bat').

Hermione didn't really care she was just there for the festivities and to get to know the people in her house a little better.  Well maybe not get to know them better, but at least get to know who they all were, she figured it was the responsibility of a Prefect to be able to relate with the members of your house.   And to do that you would have to know who they in the very least were.   She felt distance from all the other years with the exception of Ginny of course.  This would be the prefect opportunity to amongst them.

Captain Harry Potter had some good news to start the evening.  "I know you guys both are great beaters, but there is still only one beater spot available.  However, Courtney Thornberry, the fourth year, has turned down the offer to be a chaser, something about how she knew she would never be able to fit in and balance Quidditch into her schedule.  She had to study a lot to earn her marks. It's unfortunate that she cannot be with us, but it has turned out to be a good thing for us all as well.   I wish you both the best of luck but if you don't win the Beat Off you could always join us as a chaser."

The two competitors nodded.  They both looked pale, and instantly tired and somewhat sickly.  They were nervous and that was simply obvious to Harry. 

"Nervous?"  They tried to shake their heads but it came out as an unsure nod.

"Yes, is that a bad thing?"

"No, not at all it will keep you on your toes.  If it makes you feel any better I still get nervous before any match, but once you're up in the air it gets better, I promise.  Just balance and aim."

Harry secretly wanted Kevin to win the beat off because Paul's lean body and long arms would make much smoother transitions and catches while passing the quaffle back and forth between the two other chasers, well if he decided to be a chaser.  Kevin would somehow look awkward on a broom if he was anything but a beater; it was what he was made for.  He didn't voice this and wished them both luck as they mounted the brooms.

A single bludger was released and they both pounded it; back and forth, trying not letting it pass them.  Paul was the first to fail to stop it while sending it back, but the competitor had to miss 10 bludgers before his opponent won the match.

The second round they went to and fro for an almost unbearably long ten minutes before Paul missed again.  He was getting frustrated, and was tapping the bat against his head; he felt like he was making a fool out of himself in front of his whole house.  Each round intensified and by the sixth round they were each three out of the six rounds, so far it was a tie.  The next round lasted an eventful thirty minutes before Kevin missed the score now Kevin – four; Paul – three.

For the next three and a half hours the two battled fiercely.  Hermione had left somewhere in the eigth round to go retrieve mugs of coffee and hot chocolate from the kitchens.  It was getting late, and with the sun the autumn heat went with it, leaving the stadium surprisingly chilly.  She didn't want the people to miss the last round just because they were tired or cold.  No one really knew where the kitchens were, except her friends, thanks to Fred and George, and most likely the Marauders.  Those who did, namely Ron and Harry, were much to caught up in what was happening in the air to even think about the onlookers.

A few people from the other houses came out to see what was keeping the entire Gryffindor house.  After much convincing, Ron finally allowed them to stay, but he threatened that if any of this got back to their house teams there would be many curses thrown.  Even a few of the professors had made their way out on to the pitch to become observers in this fascinating event.

It was nine to nice and game point.  It had been a close race the entire way, both sides were becoming tired, the hits still strong but not quite as fierce.  The bludger stayed it's path the whole time, never veering away from the direction of either auditioning beater. 

Hermione was in shock well at least a bit aghast.  No one had been hurt during their entire time out there.  Granted Kevin and Paul had a few new bruises and scrapes from close calls and near misses, but nothing serious like broken bones or brooms.

Obviously Hermione jinxed herself, with only thinking the one thought.

Kevin swung his bat and the bludger was headed far left; Paul reacted quickly and made a move causing the ball to ricochet back to Kevin.  It went right and left, up and down, it curved and summer salted, and for the first time that night went plainly out of control.  Kevin had hit it toward the stands Paul was flying on his broom but he wasn't going fast enough, his arm holding the bat was out reached, trying to at least tap it enough to slow it down.

The last thing Hermione heard was Harry yelling "Look OUT".  She had turned around in time to see a dark mass aiming directly for her face.  She turned to duck covering the back of her head with her hands, but the stray bludger hit her in the back of the head.

She didn't hear the gasps of horror, Paul's frantic apologies, Ron and Ginny simultaneously yelling for someone to get Madam Pomfrey, and she didn't feel Professor Dumbledore lifting her up and levitating her to the infirmary.

Kevin won the match; Paul accepted position of chaser; Hermione earned a two-week long coma not to mention a ghastly bruise at the nape of her neck and a broken hand.  Who would expect much  more from a night at the Quidditch pitch?

Hermione blinked, gradually letting in the light.  She saw a bunch of blurs in front of her and raised her hand to shield the light while squinting.  "Hermione!"  Harry reached around her and hugged her, as did Ron and Ginny once it was so bluntly pointed out that she was awake.

She looked around noticing plenty of candies and flowers with the crisp white neatly made beds.  "Where am I?"  But a moment latter thought how stupid the question was when she realized she was in the hospital wing.  "Ugh, "she said feeling the large mass on the back of her head, "what happened?"  She was speaking in a whisper.

Harry mimicked her pitch and started to explain.  "You were the highlight of the last round in the Beat Off."

"Oh" Hermione lay back finally remembering.  "How long ago was that?"

"Um. Two weeks."

"Two weeks, you mean I've missed two weeks worth of classes?"

Madam Pomfrey had finally noticed her awake.  "Oh dear, you're up."  She began busying herself taking Hermione's pulse, checking other stats, and testing her vision and memory.  Hermione only tolerated it for a few minutes before her moved her hands to push the over protective nurse away.

"Can I go?  I've already missed so much."  Her voice was still soft, but contained a bit of urgency to add to her pleads.

Harry, Ron and Ginny joined Hermione looking pleadingly at the care taker. "I don't like it, not one bit.  Do you promise to rest?  Not to do anything extensive?"

"The only thing I'll be doing for a while is make-up homework."  Hermione, as well ad the others, were shocked as she was actually allowed to go.

The four left with inquiring looks, but never looked back in fear Madam Pomfrey would change her mind, the right of any woman, muggle or magical.  They strode pass the Great Hall, not wanting to be greeted by the whole Gryffindor house just yet, and walked to the gold and scarlet clad common room.

They walked through the portrait hole, laughing quietly at one of Ron's dumb jokes, and made their way over to a plush couch near the fire.  But they weren't the only ones there.  Paul Gold and Kevin Snipes were caught up in a discussion about the Beat Off, even if it was two weeks later.  It was still a talk of the tower, when other topics lacked, to be blunt the last few weeks had been boring.  Peeves the Poltergeist hadn't even caused any ruckus..  They hadn't even looked up while the noisy group walked in.

"You were really good Kev, I'm just sorry I missed that last one.  You know not to be a beater, but for that Granger chick.  She's supposed to be really smart what if she has brain damage or something, everyone would completely hate me; she would two if she can even remember.  I think she's still up in the hospital wing," Paul was saying.

"No I'm not.  Harry, Ron, and Ginny managed to break me out," she said cheerfully interrupting their conversation.

"Oh, " Paul said with a look of relief stretching across his face and especially in his hazel eyes, which at the moment were a mix of green and deep blue.  "I'm so glad you're alright.  If I can do anything for you I'll be obliged, it's my fault you got hurt.  I should have had that one.  There's no lasting damage or anything is there?"

Hermione gave a little chuckle.  "Thanks, but I'm fine and it's really not your fault.  We could as easily blame it on me for not paying attention, Nevil for distracting me, Kevin for hitting the bludger, or Harry for hosting the beat off.  It was just fate.  So see it's not really your fault.  I don't hate you, I really don't know enough about you to hate you, it was just a slip and no one can blame you for it.  So don't worry about anything.  I was just in the wrong place at the right time."

The look of relief was suddenly replaced by the look of confusion.  Harry and Ron started laughing uncontrollably.  The traded off words managing to say "You'll….get….used…to it."  But that was all.

Ginny shook her head at Hermione and mouthed, "Boys".

"Congratulations Kevin on becoming the newest Beater and to you Paul for becoming the newest chaser, you'll be great this year. Well, if all will excuse me, I should go to the library and get a start on all my homework."  Hermione went up to her dorm loaded it with books and was off to the library within a half hour of being "released".