The Predestined Heroe Chapter XI, a harry potter fanfic

CHAPTER XI

Authors note: sorry about the delay guys, the file I had this chapter saved on decided it wasn't going to let me open it anymore so I had to rewrite it. I like this rewrite a lot better but we'll see what you all think! J

The next morning at breakfast, the entire school, including the teachers received a large shock. Harry watched in satisfaction as twenty-eight owls swooped in, divided in twos, each pair carrying one long thin package. They owls deposited the fourteen packages next to him on the floor, before fluttering in chaos back out of the hall. Everyone was looking at the pile with interest. Harry bent over a riffled through the large stack, glad to see that half of them were marked special order. Those must be the thunderbolts. Harry sat back up and continued to eat his breakfast, as though nothing had happened. Ron nudged him in the ribs.

"What's all that mate?" he asked through his porridge. "Is that what you were up to yesterday?"

Harry nodded and grinned. He stood up and picked up half the stack (the ones that didn't say special order on them.) He walked around the Gryffindor table wordlessly, handing a firebolt to each of his reserve players. As he walked back to his seat, he heard the ripping of paper and gasps and murmurs. He picked up the second stack, and was about to start handing them out as well when a sharp nasal voice broke through everyone's excitement.

"Ha! Firebolts? Too bad, you're going to have a hard time keeping up with our Firebolt05s Potter," sneered Malfoy.

Harry placed the stack on the bench, turned around, and merely looked at the other boy.

"Oh why hello Mr. Malfoy, how lucky of you to drop by, I was just about to hand out these other ones."

Malfoy looked disdainfully at the pile of packages.

"What more firebolts?"

Some of his cronies sniggered.

"My, my, your incredible wit astounds me Mr. Malfoy"

"you better stop calling me that Potter," interrupted Malfoy.

Harry ignored him, "but no, they are not actually firebolts. They are a completely new addition to quidditch broomsticks," he said as he picked up the top package and began to unwrap it.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the newest in broom technology," he paused for dramatic affect, and finished unwrapping it. He turned the label so that everyone, including Malfoy could read it, "The Thunderbolt." Harry declared.

Everyone stared. Harry grinned and held out the new broom to Ron. Ron extended his hands carefully and took the thunderbolt delicately, handling it as though it were spun sugar, and that it might snap in his hand. He regarded it reverently. Harry beamed and presented one to each of the main team players, leaving one for himself. He turned to Malfoy, who looked as though he was trying to rearrange his gaping mouth into a smirk. He was failing miserably.

Harry leaned sideways towards him.

"You better watch out for the first game Malfoy. Oh, and close your mouth, you look like a codfish"

He winked at Ginny who was watching laughingly.

"only much uglier."

***

Two weeks later had the entire team swarming out to the quidditch pitch for the first game of the season: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. The two teams swooped around the pitch for the lap of honor to start off the season, each player resting on a new broom, only the Gryffindors were moving much faster. Harry watched excitedly from above. He was incredibly glad to be starting off the season with such a positive attitude. Madam Hooch blew her whistle for them to all come lower down for the start off of the game. All the players converged on the center of the field, circling around the sports teacher as she unbuckled the big box that held all the balls. She released the bludgers and the snitch.

"Captains shake hands!" she told them.

Harry and Malfoy gripped each other's palms very briefly. Madam Hooch put the whistle in her mouth and removed the quaffle. She blew the whistle hard and tossed it up through the middle of the circle of players. At once the game had started. Harry moved up higher in the air, flying in lazy circles and keeping his eye on his players. Zack Jordan, Lee Jordan's little brother, was running the commentary.

"AND GINNY WEASLEYTAKES THE QUAFFLE, AND SHE RACES DOWN THE FIELD, SHE PASSES TO CREEVY AND NOW IT'S WITH HAMRICK, BACK TO CREEVEY AND, OH! SNEAKY INTERCEPT BY THE SLYTHERIN TEAM! AND IT'S OFF IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, BUT NO! LANA SENDS A KILLER BLUDGER AND THE QUAFFLE HAS BEEN DROPPED"

Harry watched Blake (his last name was Hamrick) dive for the quaffle. The new brooms were spectacular, they moved at will, twice as fast as the firebolts.

"AND SPECTACULAR CATCH BY HAMRICK, AND OFF HE GOES, THEY'RE NEARING THE END OF THE FIELD, HE PASSES TO WEASLEY, SHE SHOOTS SCOOOOOOOOORE! THE FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON MADE BY THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE GRYFFINDOR TEAM, GINNY WEASLEY! GRYFFINDOR UP BY TEN."

Ginny flew back from the goal posts and exchanged a high five with Colin and Blake.

"AND THE QUAFFLE HAS PASSED TO THE SLYTHERINS. AND THERE GOES GOULD OFF DOWN THE FIELD AND HE'S FLYING VERY FAST, KEEPER RON WEASLEY HAD BETTER BE READY, AND TIFFANY SENDS A BLUDGER HIS WAYIT MISSESHE SHOOTSHE, OH! INCREDIBLE SAVE BY RON WEASLEY. LADIES AND GENTLEMAN WHAT A SPECTACULAR MOVE."

Harry grinned, but kept his eyes firmly on the pitch, checking every corner for a place where the snitch could be hiding. The game continued in a similar manner to this for a while, Harry would occasionally tune in to the commentary, and hear things like "AND THAT'S ANOTHER MISS FOR SLYTHERIN!" or, "MAN THE GRYFFINDOR CHASERS ARE PULLING OFF A GREAT STRATEGY!" and ONCE, "OOH, SLYTHERIN SCORES FOR THE SECOND TIME! THE SCORE IT 150 TO 45"

Suddenly, three things happened in very rapid succession: Harry saw the snitch, Malfoy saw it as well and dove, and Ginny took a terribly hard bludger to the head, was blasted full force off her broom and began to plummet at a scary rate. In a split second, Harry's enhanced reflexes and judgments, not to mention his own considerable mental capabilities, had calculated exactly what to do, and how to do it. To Harry, everything moved in slow motion, but to the crowd, he was moving like a bullet. He dropped point first, letting gravity catch him up with Malfoy's tail. Accelerating, he overcame the other boy, just having enough time to register Malfoy's expression slide from triumph to shock, as he scooped up the snitch. He sped forward, and pulled out of his dive two feet from the ground, skimming the grass with his toes. Harry watched Ginny drop faster, and felt his heart thump painfully. He flattened himself against the broom and urged it to go faster, gritting his teeth. The crowd watched in horror as Ginny drew perilously close to the ground, but before they could gasp, Harry swooped in out of no where, reaching her just as she was a foot from the ground. He sat up and caught the unconscious girl one-armed, pulling her tight to his chest. This all happened in a matter of seconds. Harry swerved, skidding sideways over the air, to stop the broom as fast as he could. Jumping off, he laid Ginny on the grass and put his fingers to her neck, looking for a pulse. What he found was almost non-existent.

"Come on Ginnyhang in there" he said in panic.

He scooped her into his arms and pressed her tight to his chest, letting a huge burst of healing magic swamp the two of them. His magic coursed through her veins, desperately searching for the source of the problem. There! Harry thought, as he discovered it. The bludger had hit her hard enough on the head, that it had breifly disconnected the signal for her to continue breathing. Wasting no time, he mended it. She didn't revive. Harry cursed. Pressing his palm to her diaphragm, he pushed hard. Ginny gasped against his chest and began to choke violently. Tears formed in her eyes, and as soon as she had enough breath, she began to sob against him.

***

Ron sprinted across the field to where Harry was clutching Ginny on the ground. He pumped his legs harder, feeling panic in his chest. When he drew near, he was about to throw himself at his little sister, seeing that she wasn't breathing, when Harry began to glow with a bright white light that enveloped him and her. Ron skidded to a halt and watched concernedly. When the light faded, he saw with relief that Ginny was at least choking.

Harry cradled her gently, whispering comforting words. He stroked her head, and pulled his hand back in surprise when he found it damp with blood.

"Shhh," he said as he stood up, still holding her, "shhh, you're going to be fine."

Harry began walking to the hospital wing. People were emerging from the stands, watching. Another person was hurtling towards them very quickly. Harry realized it was Hermione. He slowed to let her catch up, and when she reached him, he said to her,

"Hermione, the snitch is still up my sleeve" he awkwardly lifted his hand, while still holding Ginny under the arms and legs.

Hermione nodded and reached her hand into his quidditch robes to retrieve the golden ball. She glanced in concern at Ginny, and then jogged off to return it to Madam Hooch. Ron lingered, breathing harshly and looking slightly hysterical.

"She's all right Ron, that bludger just hit her a little hard is all," Harry told him.

Ron gulped and nodded, but his eyes looked slightly wet. Harry saw it, and although he didn't think Ginny should be moved very much, he stepped forward and transferred her to the safety of Ron's arms, so his friend could have a little reassurance. Ginny leaned her forehead against her brother and sniffled.

"C'mon," said Harry, " she needs to get to the hospital wing."

Ron nodded following Harry in the direction of the school.

***

The common room was empty; Harry was off somewhere, taking a walk under his invisibility cloak. Ron and Hermione stayed in the common room, Hermione was sitting on the couch reading and Ron was lying on the carpet in front of the fire, staring at the ceiling.

"She's fine Ron," said Hermione. "You heard Madam Pomfrey, she'll be out in a couple of days, thanks to Harry."

Ron looked over at her and nodded.

"Yea," he stared back up at the ceiling. "Gosh I don't know what would've happened if Harry didn't have such quick reflexes," he paused, the remnants of today's anxiety still in his eyes. "I've never seen anyone react that fast, I didn't think it was possible."

Hermione nodded, "I'm glad it is possible, at least for Harry, otherwise Ginny wouldn'twell, let's not think about that."

Ron nodded and got up. He grasped the mantelpiece and leaned his forehead on the hand holding it, staring into the fire. He shoved his other hand in his back pocket and stayed silent, biting his lip. Hermione watched him; Ron certainly had changed over the summer. He didn't realize it, but him working out on his broom all summer had achieved the almost the same affect that Harry's training had had on him. He was as tall as he'd ever been, Matching Harry at 6'3". He had broad shoulders, and a similar lanky build to his best friend, but with slightly less muscle.

"Hermione?" Hermione snapped out of her thoughts. She looked up at him.

"You were off in your own little world there," said Ron. Hermione blushed slightly.

"Just thinking," she said, scuffing her toe on the carpet from her position on the couch.

Ron came and sat down next to her.

"I know, what a weird day huh?"

Hermione nodded. The motion popped loose her hair ribbon, sending a tumble of little curls all over her shoulders.

Hermione sighed in frustration, and searched around for the ribbon. She found it and looked up. Ron was staring at her. He reached up, and tucked a stray ringlet behind her ear, his hand lingering lightly on her cheek. She opened her mouth slightly in surprise, and the breath caught in her throat. Ron leaned forward and brushed her lips with his, his hand still resting feather light on her cheek. She leaned into the kiss, happiness bubbling up inside her. Ron pulled back slightly, and stared at her.

"II'm sorry, I shouldn't have" he trailed off awkwardly.

Hermione looked at him.

"Shouldn't have what?"

Ron looked at his hands,

"This isn't supposed to happen" he began, but Hermione cut him off.

"Isn't supposed to happen? Oh so I see, you just needed a little comfort? Is that it?" She stood up.

"No! no, that's not what I meant" Ron said anxiously, but Hermione wasn't going to let him have the last word. No, if he had the nerve to get her hopes up like that then he didn't deserve to make excuses. The made her way quickly to the stairs.

"Hermione, will you stop that's not what"

"Don't make excuses Ron, just go away."

At first Ron considered doing just that, and giving up. No! This could be your only chance! He told himself. He grabbed her arm.
"Will you listen to me?" He asked her in frustration.

She whirled and glared at him, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Good grief Hermione, you won't even let me finish any of my sentences."

Hermione rolled her eyes and turned to leave.

"No stop will you?" Ron pleaded. "Look I'm just not very good at talking to people alright? If you'd give me a chance sometimes you might realize I actually have something good to say!" he said heatedly.

"Oh like what?" asked Hermione, her eyes misting over. "You pull something like that and then say "This isn't supposed to happen' and expect me not to"

"No that's what I'm saying!" Ron shot back, " I wasn't finished! Although I don't know why I even bother. It's not like you would listen!" He ran a hand through his hair. Why did he even bother? He wondered angrily.

"When I said This isn't supposed to happen' I meant I wasn't supposed to kiss you until after" he stopped, why was he telling her this? She obviously didn't care.

"Before what?" asked Hermione, unfolding her arms.

Ron shook his head getting red-faced with anger.

"You know what? Forget about it. I'm going to bed!" he turned and stomped up the stairs.

Hermione stared after him. Maybe he hadn't meant something badbut he'd saidnow she was just confusing herself. Hermione swiped at her eyes unhappily and turned, heading up the stairs to the girls dormitory. She opened the door to the room she shared with Ginny, and a few other girlsand gasped. Sitting on her bed were bundles upon bundles of wildflowers, red and yellow and orange petals tumbling off her sheets on onto the floor everywhere. Their was a vase full of tiger lilies sitting on the window sill and lavenders on her pillow. Hermione sniffled, and felt tears spill over her cheeks. She stepped into the room carefully, as to not crush any petals. She picked up a stem of bluebells at stared at them.

"When I said This isn't supposed to happen' I meant I wasn't supposed to kiss you until after"

Hermione filled in the rest of the sentence in her mind.

"I meant I wasn't supposed to kiss you until after you'd gotten the present.."

Hermione sniffled again. He'd had it all planned out. Whirling around she ran out of the room and down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, she flew up the flight that led to the boys dormitory and stopped at the room Ron shared with Harry and Neville and some others. She knocked lightly and waited several seconds, her heart thumping. The door opened to reveal Ron, not looking very happy.

"Found em did you?" he asked quietly, his voice cracking slightly.

Hermione nodded, her lower lip trembling. Ron sighed loudly and opened the door a little wider.

"Sometimes I wish you'd just give me a chance," he told her.

Hermione rubbed at her eyes furiously and tried to say sorry, but her throat was stuck closed. She stepped closer to him.

"I'm sorry, I should have let you finish," she managed. She leaned on his chest, hoping he might respond.

Ron stepped forward and put his arms around her.

"Yea," he said, his face in her hair.

Hermione looked up. Ron lowered his head and kissed her sweetly. Hermione leaned into the kiss, deepening it a little. She put her arms around his neck and sighed.

"I'm really really sorry" she tried but Ron shushed her kissed the tip of her nose.

"You'll just have to make it up is all," he told her.

Hermione laughed.

"And how, Mr. Weasley, may I make it up to you?" she asked him.

Ron leaned his forehead against hers.

"Be my girlfriend?" he whispered.

"Absolutely," Hermione whispered back.