Chapter 7- Quidditch
The day of the quidditch match soon arrived. And Harry sat next to Ron at the Gryffindor house table in the Great Hall, feeling quite nervous.
'I hate Slytherin,' Harry said with a sigh.
'Oh we all do mate, we all do,' Ron said, patting him on the back theatrically. Harry noticed that, for the first time that year, Ron was eating as much as usual.
'Something wrong Ron?' Harry asked curiously.
'Oh no, no, absolutely nothing,' Ron said, looking a little pale.
'You're nervous about the game aren't you?' Harry said knowingly.
'Yes,' Ron admitted.
'What happened to the confident prince of Griffindor?' Harry asked with a laugh. At that Ron's face brightened a little and he even managed a small smile. 'C'mon Ron, this is a chance to show up Slytherin and to show them that they can make all the snide comments they want and we'll still beat them no matter what!' At this Ron's face brightened even more.
'Yeah!' he said in a triumphant kind of way. He began to pile crumpets, sausages, bacon, eggs (and other thing available on the breakfast table) onto his plate.
Harry couldn't help but smile, but the upcoming quidditch match hadn't been the only thing that Harry had been thinking of lately. Each day, he had watched Ginny getting his notes, with some satisfaction I might add. He loved to see her smile as she read them (and she had definitely read quite a few as he had been sending her one each day). Hermione had kept her knowledge hidden from Ginny and so, as no one else knew about it, Harry knew that he was quite safe from being discovered.
Speaking of Hermione, she had definitely been acting a little strangely. She kept looking over nervously at Neville.
'Now what's wrong with you Hermione?'
'Oh, I probably should tell you,' Hermione remarked with a worried expression.
'Tell us what?' Ron said through a mouth full of hash brown/
'Well...' Hermione began.
'It's nothing to do with Victor Krum is it?' Ron asked sharply, a frown wrinkling his eyebrows.
'No, no,' Hermione began. (At that Ron relaxed and continued eating.)
'Well, come on then, out with it Hermione,' Harry said.
'Actually, Ron, I'd prefer to talk to just you about it, a bit..ah...privately,' Hermione said quietly. Harry raised his eyebrows. 'It's nothing about you or anything Harry, it's just something between Ron and us that's all.'
'Oh,' Harry said, grasping the concept.
'So, Ron. Just in the Entrance Hall for a second?'
'Ok,' Ron said getting up. He followed Hermione out into the Entrance Hall, wondering what on Earth it was that she wanted to talk to him about.
'Ron, I just want to tell you this so that you don't get the wrong impression about anything.' Hermione took a deep breath. 'Well, you know how I was asleep on the chair beside the fireplace last night?'
'Yes,' Ron said with a smile.
'Well, I was half asleep and all of a sudden I felt someone kissing me, and I though it was you, but when I opened my eyes, I saw that it was..Neville.
'WHAT!!??' Hermione cringed at his shout. 'What happened after that?' Ron asked sharply.
'Nothing. I opened my eyes, saw him and well, I think I shouted a bit too much to be honest..'
'Well good! Surely he must have known that we were together. That's it,' Ron said narrowing his eyes and clenching his fists, ' I'm gonna go sort things out.' He began to walk back towards the great hall.
'No, Ron! Don't! He said he was sorry last night. Just leave him alone. It was probably just some spur of the moment thing, and I'm sure that it won't happen again. Just leave him be.'
'That's right, it not going to happen again!' Ron said. 'Not as long as I'm around it's not.'
'Of course it isn't,' Hermione said gently. She took his hands in hers and placed them firmly on her waist. He grinned at her and she winked back at him.
'Well..well,' a sneering voice said behind them. They both turned around and saw Malfoy leaning against the wall next to the door of the Great Hall. 'Giving him a last minute kiss Granger? Well he's going to need all the luck he can get with me playing against him.'
'Oh shut up Malfoy,' Hermione snapped. Malfoy was slightly taken aback by her sudden outburst. Hermione smirked at him (she had been longing to do that for quite some time). She quickly kissed Ron on the cheek and then walked back into the Great Hall, flicking her long bushy hair in Draco's face as she went passed. After she was gone, Draco began to rub his watering eye (some of Hermione's hair had poked him in the eye when she flicked it).
'Fuck,' he said irritated.
'What's a matter Malfoy? Let a girl beat you?' Ron said laughing a little. Malfoy gave him a dirty look.
'I wouldn't be gloating if I were you. You're definitely won't be so smug after the quidditch game Weasel,' and with that, Malfoy walked back into the Great Hall.
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Once everyone had finished their breakfast, Dumbledore rose from his chair and held up his hands to silence the noise in the hall. Professor McGonagal impatiently tapped on her glass with a spoon and soon, everyone was quiet.
'If the students and teachers would please make their way to the quidditch field for the match of Slytherin vs. Griffindor.' Maybe Harry imagined it, but he was sure that Dumbledore had looked directly at him and given him a quick smile. Good luck to both of the teams.' Once he was finished, the Great Hall erupted with the loud babble of all the students. Harry, Ron and Hermione pushed their way through the crowd to get outside. It was a beautiful sunny day. The sun wasn't yet at it's fullest and dew still lay on the grass. They couldn't have hoped for better 'playing' weather.
When they were outside, Hermione pulled Ron close to her. Harry flushed, not knowing where to look. He wanted to wait for Ron but he didn't want to look like he was trying to perve on their relationship or anything.
Hermione gave Ron a long and passionate kiss. It lasted for quite some time. When it was done, Hermione was quite pink in the cheeks.
'Now, go kick Malfoy's arse,' she said with a smile. Then she slapped him on the butt playfully and walked towards the quidditch stands.
Ron and Harry couldn't help laughing as they walked to the change rooms.
'Well, I've definitely never seen this side of Hermione before,' Harry said.
'Yeah, neither have I, but I'm starting to like it,' Ron grinned.
The two quickly changed into their quidditch robes. As captain, Harry took his place in the centre of the room waiting for the rest of the players to gather round.
'Alright everyone, I'm not going to bore you with going over tactics, we've practised enough over the past two weeks and this is just like every other game we've played and we've whipped Slytherin's butt heaps of times, so there's no reason whatsoever to be intimidated. Now let's get out there and PLAY!' Harry said with more confidence than he really felt. His teem cheered and Ron slapped him on the back encouragingly.
'Aye aye, cap'n,' he said playfully.
They flew out on the field the cheers of the other houses and the 'boo's of Slytherin. They then took their places above the ground waiting patiently for Madam Hooch's instructions.
'Right, boys. Shake hands,' she said indicating Harry and Malfoy. Harry and Malfoy flew down to the ground and squeezed each other's hands until all of their knuckles went white.
'Miss me Potty?' Malfoy asked with a smirk.
'Why would I miss you Malfoy. You're the last person I would miss.' That certainly wiped the grin off Malfoy's face.
Harry and Malfoy then resumed their positions above the playing field. Hooch released the quaffle and the game began. Harry flew high above the field in search of the snitch, listening to Seamus Finnagan's commentation.
'And the quaffle has been released, Slytherin in position, now Griffindor. Slytherin once more, they're heading for the goals, here it comes, and they.oh nice save by Ronald Weasley!' Harry smiled to himself still looking around the field.
'Griffindor in possession, now Slytherin, they're coming up fast and oh fuck they scored.' Harry looked down alarmed at where Seamus was sitting and laughed as he watched Professor McGonagal trying to wrestle the microphone from him.
'Sorry Professor, it won't happen again,' Seamus said, still trying to get a good grip on the mike.'
Harry flew high above the field and a golden glint caught his eye. He dived for it, but when he reached the spot where it had been it was no longer in sight.
'Foul, you bloody mongrels, you have no right to hit chasers with your clubs,' Seamus was shouting at Crabbe and Goyle after they had whacked a Gryffindor over the head. 'Yes, yes, sorry Professor, I'll do detention in a minute.Slytherin in possession..' Harry flew once more, circling here and there and dodging bludgers that Crabbe and Goyle kept hitting his way. Griffindor was coming last 50 to thirty. (It wasn't that Ron wasn't defending the goal properly, it was that the chasers in their team from the younger years still weren't that good.)
Suddenly, the snitch circled around Harry's head. He sped after it. Malfoy saw him dive and sped in his direction. Soon Malfoy was behind Harry. Harry could feel himself slowing down. That could mean only one thing: that Malfoy was holding onto the back of his broom.
'Get off him you bastard! FOUL, FOUL!' Seamus was shouting at the top of his lungs. Professor McGonagal wasn't trying to wrestle the microphone off him anymore. Instead, she was standing up and shouting with the crowd herself. By this time, Harry had slowed down so much that the snitch was gone again. He bared his teeth at Malfoy who only smirked back at him.
Slytherin was now winning 70 to 40. Harry spotted the snitch once more. 'Ok, this is it,' Harry though to himself. He dived right down. Malfoy, as always, followed in pursuit, but at the last minute, Harry pulled off a Wronski Feint and headed straight up, making a bee-line for the snitch and in no time at all, he grasped it firmly in his hand. The crowd roared with cheering and applause and Harry held his hand up in the air waving the snitch in his hand.
He flew down to the field and was greeted by all his team mates, who were laughing and cheering and slapping him on the back. He looked around and saw Malfoy on the ground, his broom cracked and sitting, holding his arm up to Madam Hooch to inspect it, moaning.
'Man, that was an amazing dive you pulled of Harry,' Ron said, grinning at Harry. 'You should have seen Malfoy! He tried to stop at the last minute but he just smashed right into the ground. I couldn't stop laughing. If only you could break all the bones in your ass, then he wouldn't be able to sit down for the rest of the year,' Ron and Harry both laughed in unison.
Soon Hermione came down to join them. 'Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant,' she said kissing Ron each time she said the word. Then she turned to Harry and hugged him. 'Great job Harry. Now, c'mon. We have to go to class. Tomorrow we go to Hogsmeade. Oh and Ron, I'm picking your tux,' she said sweetly.
'What? Hermione, you're not serious,' Ron said wide-eyed.
'Oh yes I am. Besides, I know more about tuxedos than you do.'
'Fine, fine. But NO flowers.'
'What makes you think that I'd pick flowers?' Ron and Harry looked at each other and laughed.
'Don't worry Hermione,' Ron said, hugging her comfortingly.
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Next class was Transfiguration.
'Now, today class,' Professor McGonagal began, 'we are going to start learning the basics of transforming into an animagus.' At that, the class began to murmur excitedly. 'But before we begin,' McGonagal's voice cutting through the chatter, 'I would like to introduce you to my sister, you will call her Profe...'
'Please, Minerva. That won't be necessary. Just call me Miss M. That should make things less complicated,' she said with a smile.
'Now I suppose that you're all wondering why we have her here. Well, the staff and I have decided that we needed a social coordinator in the school,' Lavender and Pavarti giggled, but fell silent when Professor McGonagal gave them an icy stare. 'Now,' she continued, 'Miss M is going to be organising the 7th grade dance and she thinks that she might need some helpers. Would anyone like to volunteer?'
Before Ron could stop her, Hermione put up her hand and his as well. Pavarti and Lavender put up their hands as well.
'Excellent, now please tell me your names,' Miss M said brightly.
'I'm Pavarti and this is Lavender.'
'Yes,' Miss M said, her quill scribbling across a piece of parchment. 'And you two? Ah yes, I should have remembered. Hermione and Ron, is that correct?'
'Yes,' Hermione answered smiling.
'Good. But I think I shall need one more volunteer. There are going to be a lot of decorations to put up on the night.'
Ron looked at Harry pleadingly. Harry sighed and put up his hand.
'And you are?'
'Harry Potter.'
'Goodness gracious. The one and only,' Miss M began wide-eyed but was interrupted by Professor McGonagal clearing her throat. 'Great,' she said smiling, regaining her composure. 'I'll need all the help I can get. Ok, thank you Minerva,' and with that she walked out of the classroom.
Professor McGonagal sighed. 'Alright, let us begin. Open your text books up to page 59 and start reading, make sure you take down notes because this will be in you N.E.W.T.S.
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Last class for the day was Charms. Ron, Harry and Hermione sat together once more.
'Good morning everyone,' Professor Flitwick said.
'Good morning Professor,' half the class said together. Professor Flitwick smiled at them.
'I thought that maybe you might all like to do something fun this afternoon, seeing as it is the last lesson of the day.'
'Good old Professor Flitwick,' Ron whispered to Harry, relieved.
'Now, we have all learnt how to make objects levitate, but we haven't quite touched on how to make humans levitate have we? So, this is what we are going to do today and be sure not to shout to loud or the spell will be made so powerfully that you will shoot up and hit you head on the ceiling.' The entire class laughed. 'Now, you recite the same words, "Wingardium Leviousa" but you use a different movement of the wand. Now, watch closely.' Professor Flitwick moved his wand up once, then down and out in an arc to the side (in one continuous movement). 'Now practise the movement, come one now.' The air was filled with the waving of wands and Professor Flitwick smiled again. 'Very good. Now, can I have somebody up the front to see if they can do it? I don't think that it would be wise to have 20 students in the air all at the same time.' Hermione put her hand up. 'Oh yes Miss Granger, come up here. Now remember the wand movement.'
'Yes, Professor. Wingardium Leviousa,' Hermione whispered with a flick of her wand. She slowly went up into the air until her head was inches from the ceiling.
'Excellent work Miss Granger!' Professor Flitwick said excitedly. 'Ten points to Griffindor! Now, to get down, say Wingardium Descendia, with the same wand movement, off you go now.' Hermione repeated the incantation and the wave of her wand and floated back down onto the floor. 'Very good, another ten points to Griffindor.' Professor Flitwick turned his back and charmed the chalk to write up some notes on the board. Harry and Ron smiled at Hermione. She walked up to Ron, slapped him gently over the head and then sat down.
'What was that for?!' Ron asked, shocked.
'For looking up my dress,' she replied calmly. Harry looked at Ron and laughed silently.
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That night, Harry lay awake in his bed, thinking once again about Ginny. He was sort of dreading purchasing his tuxedo. He had seen them in muggle shops before and couldn't even picture himself wearing one. He sighed, listening to the rhythmic snores of Neville and Seamus. He tried to put another verse together for Ginny for the next day, but was simply too tired and ended up thinking the words 'love' and 'soon' rhymed. 'I wonder what she will think when she finds out that it had been me all this time. Man I hope she's happy. Why wouldn't she think that I don't like her? I did kiss her back, I mean.....well, I'm pretty sure I did. But of all the people, Collin Creevy? I hope that he doesn't invite her to the dance before I get MY chance to.' And so, with all these thoughts cascading over one another in his head, Harry rolled over and tried as best he could to get some rest for the trip to Hogsmeade the next day, hoping that Hermione wouldn't consider picking out HIS tux too.
---------------Well, there you have it, chapter seven. Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry that I took so long to get it up, I've been quite preoccupied lately with other things. I'll post up the next chapter A.S.A.P. Happy Reading! Ta ta------------------------------------------
The day of the quidditch match soon arrived. And Harry sat next to Ron at the Gryffindor house table in the Great Hall, feeling quite nervous.
'I hate Slytherin,' Harry said with a sigh.
'Oh we all do mate, we all do,' Ron said, patting him on the back theatrically. Harry noticed that, for the first time that year, Ron was eating as much as usual.
'Something wrong Ron?' Harry asked curiously.
'Oh no, no, absolutely nothing,' Ron said, looking a little pale.
'You're nervous about the game aren't you?' Harry said knowingly.
'Yes,' Ron admitted.
'What happened to the confident prince of Griffindor?' Harry asked with a laugh. At that Ron's face brightened a little and he even managed a small smile. 'C'mon Ron, this is a chance to show up Slytherin and to show them that they can make all the snide comments they want and we'll still beat them no matter what!' At this Ron's face brightened even more.
'Yeah!' he said in a triumphant kind of way. He began to pile crumpets, sausages, bacon, eggs (and other thing available on the breakfast table) onto his plate.
Harry couldn't help but smile, but the upcoming quidditch match hadn't been the only thing that Harry had been thinking of lately. Each day, he had watched Ginny getting his notes, with some satisfaction I might add. He loved to see her smile as she read them (and she had definitely read quite a few as he had been sending her one each day). Hermione had kept her knowledge hidden from Ginny and so, as no one else knew about it, Harry knew that he was quite safe from being discovered.
Speaking of Hermione, she had definitely been acting a little strangely. She kept looking over nervously at Neville.
'Now what's wrong with you Hermione?'
'Oh, I probably should tell you,' Hermione remarked with a worried expression.
'Tell us what?' Ron said through a mouth full of hash brown/
'Well...' Hermione began.
'It's nothing to do with Victor Krum is it?' Ron asked sharply, a frown wrinkling his eyebrows.
'No, no,' Hermione began. (At that Ron relaxed and continued eating.)
'Well, come on then, out with it Hermione,' Harry said.
'Actually, Ron, I'd prefer to talk to just you about it, a bit..ah...privately,' Hermione said quietly. Harry raised his eyebrows. 'It's nothing about you or anything Harry, it's just something between Ron and us that's all.'
'Oh,' Harry said, grasping the concept.
'So, Ron. Just in the Entrance Hall for a second?'
'Ok,' Ron said getting up. He followed Hermione out into the Entrance Hall, wondering what on Earth it was that she wanted to talk to him about.
'Ron, I just want to tell you this so that you don't get the wrong impression about anything.' Hermione took a deep breath. 'Well, you know how I was asleep on the chair beside the fireplace last night?'
'Yes,' Ron said with a smile.
'Well, I was half asleep and all of a sudden I felt someone kissing me, and I though it was you, but when I opened my eyes, I saw that it was..Neville.
'WHAT!!??' Hermione cringed at his shout. 'What happened after that?' Ron asked sharply.
'Nothing. I opened my eyes, saw him and well, I think I shouted a bit too much to be honest..'
'Well good! Surely he must have known that we were together. That's it,' Ron said narrowing his eyes and clenching his fists, ' I'm gonna go sort things out.' He began to walk back towards the great hall.
'No, Ron! Don't! He said he was sorry last night. Just leave him alone. It was probably just some spur of the moment thing, and I'm sure that it won't happen again. Just leave him be.'
'That's right, it not going to happen again!' Ron said. 'Not as long as I'm around it's not.'
'Of course it isn't,' Hermione said gently. She took his hands in hers and placed them firmly on her waist. He grinned at her and she winked back at him.
'Well..well,' a sneering voice said behind them. They both turned around and saw Malfoy leaning against the wall next to the door of the Great Hall. 'Giving him a last minute kiss Granger? Well he's going to need all the luck he can get with me playing against him.'
'Oh shut up Malfoy,' Hermione snapped. Malfoy was slightly taken aback by her sudden outburst. Hermione smirked at him (she had been longing to do that for quite some time). She quickly kissed Ron on the cheek and then walked back into the Great Hall, flicking her long bushy hair in Draco's face as she went passed. After she was gone, Draco began to rub his watering eye (some of Hermione's hair had poked him in the eye when she flicked it).
'Fuck,' he said irritated.
'What's a matter Malfoy? Let a girl beat you?' Ron said laughing a little. Malfoy gave him a dirty look.
'I wouldn't be gloating if I were you. You're definitely won't be so smug after the quidditch game Weasel,' and with that, Malfoy walked back into the Great Hall.
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Once everyone had finished their breakfast, Dumbledore rose from his chair and held up his hands to silence the noise in the hall. Professor McGonagal impatiently tapped on her glass with a spoon and soon, everyone was quiet.
'If the students and teachers would please make their way to the quidditch field for the match of Slytherin vs. Griffindor.' Maybe Harry imagined it, but he was sure that Dumbledore had looked directly at him and given him a quick smile. Good luck to both of the teams.' Once he was finished, the Great Hall erupted with the loud babble of all the students. Harry, Ron and Hermione pushed their way through the crowd to get outside. It was a beautiful sunny day. The sun wasn't yet at it's fullest and dew still lay on the grass. They couldn't have hoped for better 'playing' weather.
When they were outside, Hermione pulled Ron close to her. Harry flushed, not knowing where to look. He wanted to wait for Ron but he didn't want to look like he was trying to perve on their relationship or anything.
Hermione gave Ron a long and passionate kiss. It lasted for quite some time. When it was done, Hermione was quite pink in the cheeks.
'Now, go kick Malfoy's arse,' she said with a smile. Then she slapped him on the butt playfully and walked towards the quidditch stands.
Ron and Harry couldn't help laughing as they walked to the change rooms.
'Well, I've definitely never seen this side of Hermione before,' Harry said.
'Yeah, neither have I, but I'm starting to like it,' Ron grinned.
The two quickly changed into their quidditch robes. As captain, Harry took his place in the centre of the room waiting for the rest of the players to gather round.
'Alright everyone, I'm not going to bore you with going over tactics, we've practised enough over the past two weeks and this is just like every other game we've played and we've whipped Slytherin's butt heaps of times, so there's no reason whatsoever to be intimidated. Now let's get out there and PLAY!' Harry said with more confidence than he really felt. His teem cheered and Ron slapped him on the back encouragingly.
'Aye aye, cap'n,' he said playfully.
They flew out on the field the cheers of the other houses and the 'boo's of Slytherin. They then took their places above the ground waiting patiently for Madam Hooch's instructions.
'Right, boys. Shake hands,' she said indicating Harry and Malfoy. Harry and Malfoy flew down to the ground and squeezed each other's hands until all of their knuckles went white.
'Miss me Potty?' Malfoy asked with a smirk.
'Why would I miss you Malfoy. You're the last person I would miss.' That certainly wiped the grin off Malfoy's face.
Harry and Malfoy then resumed their positions above the playing field. Hooch released the quaffle and the game began. Harry flew high above the field in search of the snitch, listening to Seamus Finnagan's commentation.
'And the quaffle has been released, Slytherin in position, now Griffindor. Slytherin once more, they're heading for the goals, here it comes, and they.oh nice save by Ronald Weasley!' Harry smiled to himself still looking around the field.
'Griffindor in possession, now Slytherin, they're coming up fast and oh fuck they scored.' Harry looked down alarmed at where Seamus was sitting and laughed as he watched Professor McGonagal trying to wrestle the microphone from him.
'Sorry Professor, it won't happen again,' Seamus said, still trying to get a good grip on the mike.'
Harry flew high above the field and a golden glint caught his eye. He dived for it, but when he reached the spot where it had been it was no longer in sight.
'Foul, you bloody mongrels, you have no right to hit chasers with your clubs,' Seamus was shouting at Crabbe and Goyle after they had whacked a Gryffindor over the head. 'Yes, yes, sorry Professor, I'll do detention in a minute.Slytherin in possession..' Harry flew once more, circling here and there and dodging bludgers that Crabbe and Goyle kept hitting his way. Griffindor was coming last 50 to thirty. (It wasn't that Ron wasn't defending the goal properly, it was that the chasers in their team from the younger years still weren't that good.)
Suddenly, the snitch circled around Harry's head. He sped after it. Malfoy saw him dive and sped in his direction. Soon Malfoy was behind Harry. Harry could feel himself slowing down. That could mean only one thing: that Malfoy was holding onto the back of his broom.
'Get off him you bastard! FOUL, FOUL!' Seamus was shouting at the top of his lungs. Professor McGonagal wasn't trying to wrestle the microphone off him anymore. Instead, she was standing up and shouting with the crowd herself. By this time, Harry had slowed down so much that the snitch was gone again. He bared his teeth at Malfoy who only smirked back at him.
Slytherin was now winning 70 to 40. Harry spotted the snitch once more. 'Ok, this is it,' Harry though to himself. He dived right down. Malfoy, as always, followed in pursuit, but at the last minute, Harry pulled off a Wronski Feint and headed straight up, making a bee-line for the snitch and in no time at all, he grasped it firmly in his hand. The crowd roared with cheering and applause and Harry held his hand up in the air waving the snitch in his hand.
He flew down to the field and was greeted by all his team mates, who were laughing and cheering and slapping him on the back. He looked around and saw Malfoy on the ground, his broom cracked and sitting, holding his arm up to Madam Hooch to inspect it, moaning.
'Man, that was an amazing dive you pulled of Harry,' Ron said, grinning at Harry. 'You should have seen Malfoy! He tried to stop at the last minute but he just smashed right into the ground. I couldn't stop laughing. If only you could break all the bones in your ass, then he wouldn't be able to sit down for the rest of the year,' Ron and Harry both laughed in unison.
Soon Hermione came down to join them. 'Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant,' she said kissing Ron each time she said the word. Then she turned to Harry and hugged him. 'Great job Harry. Now, c'mon. We have to go to class. Tomorrow we go to Hogsmeade. Oh and Ron, I'm picking your tux,' she said sweetly.
'What? Hermione, you're not serious,' Ron said wide-eyed.
'Oh yes I am. Besides, I know more about tuxedos than you do.'
'Fine, fine. But NO flowers.'
'What makes you think that I'd pick flowers?' Ron and Harry looked at each other and laughed.
'Don't worry Hermione,' Ron said, hugging her comfortingly.
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Next class was Transfiguration.
'Now, today class,' Professor McGonagal began, 'we are going to start learning the basics of transforming into an animagus.' At that, the class began to murmur excitedly. 'But before we begin,' McGonagal's voice cutting through the chatter, 'I would like to introduce you to my sister, you will call her Profe...'
'Please, Minerva. That won't be necessary. Just call me Miss M. That should make things less complicated,' she said with a smile.
'Now I suppose that you're all wondering why we have her here. Well, the staff and I have decided that we needed a social coordinator in the school,' Lavender and Pavarti giggled, but fell silent when Professor McGonagal gave them an icy stare. 'Now,' she continued, 'Miss M is going to be organising the 7th grade dance and she thinks that she might need some helpers. Would anyone like to volunteer?'
Before Ron could stop her, Hermione put up her hand and his as well. Pavarti and Lavender put up their hands as well.
'Excellent, now please tell me your names,' Miss M said brightly.
'I'm Pavarti and this is Lavender.'
'Yes,' Miss M said, her quill scribbling across a piece of parchment. 'And you two? Ah yes, I should have remembered. Hermione and Ron, is that correct?'
'Yes,' Hermione answered smiling.
'Good. But I think I shall need one more volunteer. There are going to be a lot of decorations to put up on the night.'
Ron looked at Harry pleadingly. Harry sighed and put up his hand.
'And you are?'
'Harry Potter.'
'Goodness gracious. The one and only,' Miss M began wide-eyed but was interrupted by Professor McGonagal clearing her throat. 'Great,' she said smiling, regaining her composure. 'I'll need all the help I can get. Ok, thank you Minerva,' and with that she walked out of the classroom.
Professor McGonagal sighed. 'Alright, let us begin. Open your text books up to page 59 and start reading, make sure you take down notes because this will be in you N.E.W.T.S.
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Last class for the day was Charms. Ron, Harry and Hermione sat together once more.
'Good morning everyone,' Professor Flitwick said.
'Good morning Professor,' half the class said together. Professor Flitwick smiled at them.
'I thought that maybe you might all like to do something fun this afternoon, seeing as it is the last lesson of the day.'
'Good old Professor Flitwick,' Ron whispered to Harry, relieved.
'Now, we have all learnt how to make objects levitate, but we haven't quite touched on how to make humans levitate have we? So, this is what we are going to do today and be sure not to shout to loud or the spell will be made so powerfully that you will shoot up and hit you head on the ceiling.' The entire class laughed. 'Now, you recite the same words, "Wingardium Leviousa" but you use a different movement of the wand. Now, watch closely.' Professor Flitwick moved his wand up once, then down and out in an arc to the side (in one continuous movement). 'Now practise the movement, come one now.' The air was filled with the waving of wands and Professor Flitwick smiled again. 'Very good. Now, can I have somebody up the front to see if they can do it? I don't think that it would be wise to have 20 students in the air all at the same time.' Hermione put her hand up. 'Oh yes Miss Granger, come up here. Now remember the wand movement.'
'Yes, Professor. Wingardium Leviousa,' Hermione whispered with a flick of her wand. She slowly went up into the air until her head was inches from the ceiling.
'Excellent work Miss Granger!' Professor Flitwick said excitedly. 'Ten points to Griffindor! Now, to get down, say Wingardium Descendia, with the same wand movement, off you go now.' Hermione repeated the incantation and the wave of her wand and floated back down onto the floor. 'Very good, another ten points to Griffindor.' Professor Flitwick turned his back and charmed the chalk to write up some notes on the board. Harry and Ron smiled at Hermione. She walked up to Ron, slapped him gently over the head and then sat down.
'What was that for?!' Ron asked, shocked.
'For looking up my dress,' she replied calmly. Harry looked at Ron and laughed silently.
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That night, Harry lay awake in his bed, thinking once again about Ginny. He was sort of dreading purchasing his tuxedo. He had seen them in muggle shops before and couldn't even picture himself wearing one. He sighed, listening to the rhythmic snores of Neville and Seamus. He tried to put another verse together for Ginny for the next day, but was simply too tired and ended up thinking the words 'love' and 'soon' rhymed. 'I wonder what she will think when she finds out that it had been me all this time. Man I hope she's happy. Why wouldn't she think that I don't like her? I did kiss her back, I mean.....well, I'm pretty sure I did. But of all the people, Collin Creevy? I hope that he doesn't invite her to the dance before I get MY chance to.' And so, with all these thoughts cascading over one another in his head, Harry rolled over and tried as best he could to get some rest for the trip to Hogsmeade the next day, hoping that Hermione wouldn't consider picking out HIS tux too.
---------------Well, there you have it, chapter seven. Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry that I took so long to get it up, I've been quite preoccupied lately with other things. I'll post up the next chapter A.S.A.P. Happy Reading! Ta ta------------------------------------------