Chapter six – Quidditch and secret messages

Hermione's POV

I knew it was too good to be true. I thought it would be alright being handcuffed to Ron once we started getting on, but no. I had completely forgotten about one thing, Quidditch. Sure I've played before but not in an actual real game, but it looks like I'm going to have to.

Of course I won't be able to help Ron do his keeping; I'll just stay on my broomstick flying this way and that when he moves to save any goals. I just hope I won't be involved too much or spoil Gryffindors chances of winning. Ron doesn't seem too happy about it. He's complaining to Harry right now over lunch.  

"Harry, couldn't you just release us right now? We're getting along ok so I don't understand why you can't" Ron said. "Because the only reason you're saying that is because you don't want Hermione to play Quidditch with you. I don't really see the problem myself" Harry replied.

"She can't play Quidditch that's why!" Ron said angrily. I dropped my toast. What a bastard! "Excuse me?" I asked angrily. "No offence Hermione but you can't" Ron replied. I just wish I could storm off right now but I can't because I would be dragging him with me. Instead, I shuffled a few inches away from him and turned my head away from him.

"Don't be like that Hermione! Turn around!" Ron said. "Why should I?" I asked.  "Because I said so!" Ron replied angrily. "I don't have to do what you say Ron, you can't push me around like you do to everyone else" I retorted. "I don't push people around!" I gave a hollow laugh. "Harry, do I push people around?" Ron asked. "Erm… no I guess" Harry replied. "See Hermione!" Ron said. "Fuck you Ronald Weasley! I'm in that game whether you like it or not". 

I spent the rest of the day not talking to him, which is difficult when you're handcuffed to someone. How could one person be all nice and caring but then turn into an unreasonable bastard? I'd like to know! I went to sleep quickly that night and didn't dream of my red-headed hero because he was not a hero anymore.

Ron's POV

I woke up early the next morning and woke Hermione up. "Come on, time for breakfast" I said. She didn't say anything. Great, she still isn't talking to me, how pathetic. We both got dressed and went down to breakfast where we saw Harry already eating.

"Hi Harry" I said. "Hi, ready for Quidditch?" Harry asked me and Hermione. I nodded but Hermione looked extremely pale and didn't even move her head. "Are you ok Hermione?" Ginny asked, concerned. "Yeah" Hermione choked out. "I'm fine".

She didn't look fine. She looked even worse when we were getting changed into our Quidditch robes. I felt a little sorry for her, even though we are arguing. "Look Hermione, I know you're not talking to me but do you remember how nervous I was on my first game? You don't even have to do anything just be careful. Do you remember what you did that made me feel better?" I asked. Hermione looked at me. I kissed her gently on the cheek. "Come on, let's get going".

We all soared onto the pitch and me and Hermione flew over to the goalposts. Once the captains had shaken hands, the game began. Over the next fifteen minutes, everything seemed to be going alright. Gryffindor led 50 to 20. It wasn't too hard saving goals with Hermione attached to me, she was actually quite a good flyer.

Another ten minutes passed and Gryffindor scored another two times. Slytherin looked extremely annoyed about it, but I was thrilled. "I hope Harry finds the snitch soon, it's quite cold up here isn't it?" I asked Hermione. She nodded, shivering.

Ten more minutes passed and I looked below me and saw Harry and Malfoy flying in the same direction, they'd seen the snitch. After a bit more circling each other, I saw Harry clasp his hand over the tiny golden snitch. The person doing the commentary made the great announcement. "Harry Potter has caught the snitch. Two hundred and twenty to twenty. Gryffindor win!" Cheers erupted all over the stadium, except with the Slytherins and an annoyed Snape.

Malfoy looked extremely angry and upset. He grabbed one of Slytherin's bats and hit one of the bludgers really hard. My throat went dry; it was coming straight at us. Before I had time to do anything, it was too late. The Bludger flew and hit Hermione straight into her stomach and she fell off her broom.

Luckily, I was attached to her and grabbed both her hands in mine whilst trying to keep balance on my broom. I lifted her up onto mine and gently flew down to the ground. I sat on the floor with Hermione in my arms. She looked like she had been completely winded and was in a lot of pain. Before I could do anything, she passed out.

Me and Harry carried her to the hospital wing and laid her on one of the beds. I sat down barely an inch from her bed holding her hand in my own. Madam Pomfrey came in and Harry told her what had happened. I couldn't get any words out. She told us she'd be ok and that we should leave her to rest. I had to tell her about the handcuffs and she tutted but let me stay next to Hermione in a bed which had been pushed closer.

I spent the whole morning of the next day by Hermione. She looked so helpless, just lying there with her eyes closed. Madam Pomfrey had given her some potion and helped her to swallow it. She said it was to cure her from being winded so she wouldn't feel any pain when she woke up.

I was sitting there putting the hair out of Hermione's face when Madam Pomfrey came over to us holding flowers. "I found these at the door" she said, handing them to me. She gave me water in a vase and put them in there for me. I noticed there was a card attached to the flowers so I decided to read it.

Dear Hermione,

I'm very sorry to see you hurt but you know I'll be there to kiss you better my sweet girl.

Love guess who?

xxx