Harry woke up to the first mornings light shining into his eyes. He looked at his watched, sighed, and rubbed his eyes. The embers in the fireplace had burned down into black coals, which cooled overnight. House Elves haven't lit the fires yet ... Odd. Harry rubbed his eyes, stretched, and yawned, making a most peculiar and unpleasant smell creep up his nose. The most delightful fragrance was coming from Ron's large feet, wriggling themselves in Harry's face. Harry sighed, and removed Ron's feet from his chest, and got up, careful not to wake Hermione or Ron. Checking to make sure they were asleep, Harry padded quietly on the red carpet to a stained glass window. Harry shivered, pulling his shirt closer around him, the Common Room was so chilly his breath hung in the air in front of his face. Climbing nimbly up onto a ledge, Harry grasped a small worn brass handle, and with some effort, opened the window a crack. Harry searched for his wand, pointed it at the rusty hinge, and whispered,
Oilmobilicus. The dull brass gleamed, and the hinges moved effortlessly at Harry's lightest touch. Sighing with relief, Harry opened up the window, enough to see out, without letting in too much snow.
Just barely visible through the merciless torrent of the blizzard, Harry could see the ever waving House flags of the Quidditch field. The match was all he could think about lately, well, aside from Hermione, homework, and Ron. The match seemed so far away. But of course, that was silly. Harry knew the match was coming in only three days, and though the Gryffindor Quidditch team was the best at Hogwarts, Harry still felt unprepared. If Angelina didn't make that announcement sometime today, Harry felt as though he would be overcome with anticipation. There weren't that many good players that had tried out, so why the decision was taking so long was anybody's guess. Harry combed his fingers through his messy jet-black hair, making it even more unruly then usual. Harry looked over his shoulder, and down at the Common Room.
Ron and Hermione were still asleep, Ron had changed position so his feet lay mercifully on a cushion, but his bottom was nearly in Hermione's face. The House Elves had come and gone, as silent as a calm snowfall, while Harry was peering out the window, and a roaring fire was now burning heartily in the hearth. Breakfast was there, enveloped by a blue bubble so it stayed warm until someone wanted some food. The bubble', was flat on the bottom so it rested on the table, and round so that it touched none of the food. Harry reached into the bubble, which felt oddly squishy like a Jell-O mold, and grabbed a potato. Twiddling his wand at it, he made it a delightful baked potato, and started eating.

The aroma of food woke Hermione and the rest of Gryffindor House up. They all came, making a beeline for the food. Magically, the bubble could sense when it was no longer needed, and rose up, leaving the food piping hot, or comfortably cold, on the table, and went down through the floor, to the Kitchens where it would be needed the next chilly morning.

Hermione had woken up, and her eyes widened as she realized what was staring her straight in the face. She screamed, and pushed Ron off of the couch with a dull thud. Ron woke up abruptly, and protested.

What's the big idea? Think it's jolly fun pushing a sleeping lad off the couch? How would you like it, eh? Hermione, who was still breathing hard from the shock of waking up with a bottom in her face, gave Ron the ugliest face she could muster, scrunching up her face, jutting out her jaw, and making her eyebrows furrow together.

HOW WOULD I LIKE IT?!? How would YOU like it if you woke up to an essence of FEET and a BUTT IN YOUR FACE? Fred, who was eating a custard cream filled doughnut, piped up from an armchair.
Oh that happens all the time at home! Everyone chuckled good naturedly through their jam spread toast and hot cocoa. Harry snorted, and helped himself to some rolls, grabbing a poppy seed muffin for Hermione.
Here, eat this Hermione, try to calm down. It's in the past now. Hermione slowly turned her head to look at Harry, then looked down at the poppy seed muffin. She blushed, and accepted the muffin gratefully.
Thanks, Harry. I'll have that picture in my mind forever though. Not a thing one forgets quickly. Ron had gotten off of the floor and sat on an arm of the couch.
Yes, I know, such a magnificent bottom is not soon forgotten.
Ron would know, he surveys it every morning in the mirror. Doesn't he Dean?
Oh yes he does Seamus, checking for firmness, and overall cuteness of his buttocks. Harry coughed to keep himself from laughing, Ron was beginning to look as though he drank a gallon of sour lemonade. Ron sighed, and shook his head.
You guys are all half-assed pea brained lunatics. Just then, Katie Bell, who was also a Head Girl, as well as a Gryffindor Chaser, swooped into the Common Room, fully dressed. Her eyes were sparking, and she broke into a grin as she crossed the room to sit on George's lap. The room was deathly quiet as everyone waited to hear her news. Katie took a deep breath, and announced,
Good news you lot! They've cancelled classes for the next week because of the snowstorm! Hermione looked aghast, and cried out,
Why?! Katie shrugged, as George massaged her shoulders. A little lower Forge, oo that's the spot. ... Well I suppose it's because the magical snowstorm can cause disruptions with the pattern of the school. As mostly everything is done either by magic or by simple work of the hand, even in class we could be in danger of blowing each other's heads off." Katie paused, making sure everyone was listening. " Or of turning someone into a monkey, which would actually be rather cool, we could change our mascot from the Lion, to the Monkey! ... Bad idea, anyways, you get the idea. It's too risky even to do magic!
Dumbledore said these storms only come every forty years or so, something to do with the aligning planets with the moon, at a certain angle to some star... It's something like that, Dumbledore's been observing the storm through his telescope, and says it should pass within the week. Harry had been listening to Katie, and had a question.

So the alignment of all the stars and whatever, is disrupting the balance of magic in Hogwarts, and if we try to do any magic, we might blow up the whole school?

Well, maybe not exactly blow up, but you could seriously damage it. And, if I hear anything about a Gryffindor casting any spell, in particular, you two, Katie added, looking over her shoulder at George and glaring at Fred, I'll deduct points so quickly it'll make your head spin. Now, all of you, eat up, be good, and oh, before I forget, as an extra precaution, all of your wands will be collected. Every student in the school is having their wands taken away so don't you groan about fairness! All right, get your wands, and I want you down here in five minutes, in a single file line.

Everyone moaned and groaned, and begrudgingly got their wands.
After all the wands had the spell casted upon them, Katie did her own, and sat down once again, on George's lap. Hermione gave a skeptical look at Harry, as he sat down next to her on a love-seat.
" Are you sure that their taking away the wands will do any good?
What if we're in serious trouble? it'll be a bit hard to defend ourselves without them!" Harry shook his head, and looked with concern at the box containing all the wands. Harry's wand had never let him down, it was if as his wand knew his every thought. Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches.. It had saved Harry's life many times, some snowstorm wouldnít
affect it.. Or would it? Harry hadnít really lived forty years to know how his
wand would act in a storm. Hermione turned to Harry, and gave him a look of remorse. Harry sighed.
"I don't know Hermione, it might be for the best." Harry put
his arm around Hermione, and pulled her closer to him. I would never forgive myself if I let you get hurt. I promise, Iíll look after you
Hermione, Iíll keep you safe.î
I would never forgive myself if I hurt you. I promise, I'll look after you Hermione, I'll keep you safe. Hermione looked up at Harry, and smiled.
I love you Harry. Harry bent his head down, and kissed Hermione softly at first, then he pressed harder on her lips. more passionately. Harry didn't know how long he and Hermione stayed together, only that his head grew lighter with bliss with each passing second. Finally, Harry drew back, and Hermione giggled slightly. Harry gave her a look, and she rolled her eyes.

The day was off to a pretty good start, and Harry was ready for a nice peaceful morning, until another person swooped into the room, and upon seeing whom it was, Harry quickly sat up:
Angelina Johnson. She was wearing her Quidditch robes, which were covered in snow, and was looking exceptionally pleased. Angelina caught Harry's eye, and called him over. There was a devilish twinkle in her eye, and a load of parchment tucked underneath her arm.
I've done it. Harry's mouth dropped open as Angelina looked supremely pleased with herself. Yep, I've picked the new Gryffindor Quidditch Keeper! Every single head turned to her in one flicking motion. With all eyes fixated on her, Angelina cleared her throat.
Yes, it has finally come to me. I was out on the Quidditch field, devising new flight tactics and moves, when I really did realize to finalize the new plans, we, I needed to pick out Gryffindor's new Keeper!

George snorted. Out in this weather, wearing only your Quidditch robes, devising new flight tactics? Isn't this coming from the very same person who swore they'd never turn into Oliver Wood?

Angelina glared at George, who wilted, and nibbled on his Swiss cheese. Rolling her eyes, Angelina turned her attention back to the waiting mass.
Like I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, I have decided to announce who Gryffindor's new Keeper is... Right after I have a small talk with the members of the team! You know who you are, now come with me.

Harry and the other members of the Quidditch team followed Angelina up the stone spiral case to the girls dormitories. Angelina opened the door, and walked to the area where the seventh year girls slept. She stood in the middle of the room, and waited with hands on her hips, waiting for everyone to catch up.

Ah girl's dormitories eh? What sort of sick idea is forming in that little head of yours Angelina? said Fred with a cheeky grin.

Shut up Fred! This is not the time! I've told everyone I've come to a decision, and I don't want a total uproar when I go down there and tell them I haven't picked! I need you guys to help me decide who's Keeper!
Harry stepped forward, clenching his jaw.

Why the hell do you need any help? Why is this decision taking you so damn long? RON! Ron should be the Keeper! I don't know why there's any doubt in your mind it could be anyone other then Ron. he said indignantly.

Yeah, what's the deal Angelina? said Katie That little guy had chops, loads better then anyone on the field.

Angelina threw the parchment she was holding down on the floor in frustration. You guys don't know what I'm going through! If I pick Ron, then it'll just seem like I'm favouring the Weasley family! Fred stepped forward.

And what might I ask, is wrong with that? We have the skills, better you pick Ron then someone who can't tell a Quaffle from a Snitch. Everyone knows it's going to be Ron. Anyways, if all the people who tried out rally against you, you have all of us by your side! All Ron has to do is fly at the Quidditch match against Slytherin, and the whole school will know you made the right choice! Anyone who complains then will be ignored on account of being a whiney sore loser. You have to do what is right Angelina, if you don't pick Ron, will you be able to live with yourself? There was total silence after Fred finished, besides the sound of George sniffing into a handkerchief.

So true brother, so so true. You said it all, I feel like a new man! All has become clear!

Oh shut UP George. Fred sighed with exasperation and shook his head. Angelina scratched her head and sighed. She looked up, her face set.
That's it then. Ron will be the new Keeper. I know I originally said that the finalists I picked will play in a game against us, the members of the Quidditch team, and then I would make my decision, but I've decided against that. What better way to tell if he's the man for the job, then have him play with us, instead of against us? If he really and truly does well, then yes, Ron will officially become the Keeper. said Angelina, finishing with a note of relief in her voice. Her face broke into a smile, and Angelina strode to the door. She opened it, and stepped onto the first stone step.
Come on, we've got a Keeper to crown! Heads held up high, shoulders back, and make no signs to Ron that he's the new Keeper. Is that understood? Angelina called back to her team. Fred George and Harry exchanged devious looks, and nodded at Angelina.
Reading you loud and clear Capn'. Let's go mates! They chorused.
Nearly shaking with excitement, Harry followed Fred out of the room, behind him the rest of the team, looking equally as excited. He could barely keep himself from calling out to Ron, sitting down in the Common Room, totally unaware of what was coming. They rounded the last corner, and stepped off onto the blood red carpet.

Just as Angelina was opening her mouth, Fred and George yelled,
YOU DID IT RON! YOU'RE THE BLOODY KEEPER! They threw themselves onto Ron, punching him in a brotherly love way, as the room exploded into ear splitting cheers and clapping. Even those who got bumped off where clapping, though many with an ill favoured look on their face. Ron shoved Fred and George off, and jumped up, a huge smile on his flushed face. Hermione got up from the couch, and gave Ron a kiss on the cheek and a hug, positively beaming at him. Harry smiled, and extended his hand to Ron. Ron slapped Harry's hand, and shook it vigorously, his eyes sparkling. Harry winked, and hugged Ron also. When he had let go, Harry looked at Ron, who's eyes were very wet looking, and said,
Congratulations Ron. Now you can show the world what you can be. Ron nodded, and quickly wiped his eyes.