Chapter Seventeen: The Qudditch Final
Harry had been making his team practice regularly. Though they were the overwhelming favorites they were not going to be complacent. As expected Hermione's mind was not really focused on quidditch. She dropped passes and shot wide. Some people even told Harry to drop her for the match. So Harry was now in a dilemma. As the captain he had said that he would not tolerate poor performance. On the other hand he did not have the heart to drop Hermione. Obviously quidditch was partially helping her to digest the horrific events. If it had been no use to her she would have resigned herself. He decided not to drop her. He knew he had made the wrong decision from a quidditch captain's point of view but the right decision from the humanitarian point of view. He also had a talk about it to Hermione.
'Hermione how have you been feeling lately? Are work and quidditch helping you to keep your mind away from what has happened' Harry asked.
'Obviously I cant sleep much. But work and quidditch do help in keeping my mind off. Harry I'm sorry for not doing very well in quidditch these days. But if I don't play my mind will go back to... you know what. So please... don't...drop me' She said as tears filled her eyes. She started sobbing.
Harry felt guilty for even thinking of dropping her. He held her hand and comforted her. When she stopped sobbing, he said, 'Hermione don't worry. I will never drop you. I know what you feel like. Even I have no parents. But at least I didn't lose them in my conscious life. So it must be a lot harder for you. Just remember I'm always there for you'
The two of them sat together for a long time before Harry told Hermione that she needed rest. He briefly thought of a plan in his head and wondered if could be implemented. The match was now drawing very close. Two days before it Harry gave his usual pep talk.
'I wont say much today. But you should all remember that we are miles ahead of Slytherin as a team. It would be a scandal if we lose. I'm not scaring you but just telling you to have confidence in yourself. As usual eat well, sleep well and don't be nervous. All the best to you all'
'GRANGER HAS THE QUAFFLE...PASSES TO THOMAS... SHOOTS...WELL SAVED. A GOOD INTERCEPT BY THOMAS...TO WEASLEY...SHOOTS... SCORES!!! GRYFFINDOR EXTEND THEIR LEAD TO 40-10.
Despite Hermione not being at her best Gryffindor were dominant. Harry sighed in relief. His decision to play Hermione hadn't backfired. He thought he could finish everything off with an early catch. His eye caught Malfoy who was tailing him closely. When the score was 80-30 Harry caught sight of the snitch. He went straight at it but to his horror the broom wouldn't move. He looked back and saw that like his third year Malfoy had caught hold of his broom. He lost control of himself. He smacked Malfoy hard on his face.
'Penalty to both sides' said Madame Hooch disgusted. Both penalties were score making the score 90-40. Then Harry heard Luna say something, which made his heart cold.
'GRANGER HAS THE QUAFFLE...BLUDGER THROWN BY GOYLE... SEEMS LIKIE SHE'S NOT SEEN IT ... BEATERS ARE FAR AWAY... SHE'S GOING TO BE HIT...OH GOD...'
Harry was too far away to try anything. He closed his eyes as the bludger closed in on Hermione. As he opened his eyes he was amazed to see Hermione on her broom. Apparently the bludger had swung in the last moment and hit Hermione near the palm. The quaffle had fallen but Hermione escaped without being injured. Harry was relieved beyond measure. He almost forgot about the snitch. He caught sight of it in a few minutes. This time he went for it not caring where Malfoy was. Luckily for him he was quite far off. Harry had enough time to put his fingers around the snitch.
'GYIFFINDOR ARE THE CHAMPIONS. HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH'
Harry knew that it was time to try out his plan. He gestured to his players not to start celebrating. He took Hermione's hand and ran towards Luna. Hermione seemed surprised but didn't say anything. Harry asked for the microphone from Luna. She seemed as surprised as Hermione.
'Harry Potter, the captain of the winning Gryffindor team would like to say a few words', she said.
Harry took the mike and spoke, 'Dear Friends, Firstly a big thank you for cheering us throughout the tournament. I would like to dedicate this victory to our chaser Hermione Grangers' parents. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were both successful dentists, were killed during the attacks on muggles by Voldemort and his death eaters. The Gryffindors will not be celebrating this victory since such a tragic event took place not so long ago. I would request all of you t stand up and observe a minutes' silence for them'
The stadium, which was in loud cheers a minute back, became as quiet as an examination room. Everybody stood up and closed their eyes. Harry had feared that the Slytherins would defy him but they too stood up silently probably after what Harry had done to Malfoy. Hermione deeply appreciated this gesture by Harry. After a minute they all made their way. As Harry had announced there were no celebrations. The quidditch cup was placed in Professor McGonagall's office.
'Harry thanks a lot for what you did', said Hermione.
'It was nothing Hermione. It was the least I could do. I wouldn't have liked people celebrating here while you were in this state. I'm glad it was successful. I was afraid of the Slytherins'
Hermione came towards Harry who pulled her closer. They kissed for the first time since third February. It was quite long considering the situation.
'Harry now that I don't have parents you are the person I'm closest to. Please take care of yourself and don't let anything happen to you'
Harry nodded as he kissed her again.
Harry had been making his team practice regularly. Though they were the overwhelming favorites they were not going to be complacent. As expected Hermione's mind was not really focused on quidditch. She dropped passes and shot wide. Some people even told Harry to drop her for the match. So Harry was now in a dilemma. As the captain he had said that he would not tolerate poor performance. On the other hand he did not have the heart to drop Hermione. Obviously quidditch was partially helping her to digest the horrific events. If it had been no use to her she would have resigned herself. He decided not to drop her. He knew he had made the wrong decision from a quidditch captain's point of view but the right decision from the humanitarian point of view. He also had a talk about it to Hermione.
'Hermione how have you been feeling lately? Are work and quidditch helping you to keep your mind away from what has happened' Harry asked.
'Obviously I cant sleep much. But work and quidditch do help in keeping my mind off. Harry I'm sorry for not doing very well in quidditch these days. But if I don't play my mind will go back to... you know what. So please... don't...drop me' She said as tears filled her eyes. She started sobbing.
Harry felt guilty for even thinking of dropping her. He held her hand and comforted her. When she stopped sobbing, he said, 'Hermione don't worry. I will never drop you. I know what you feel like. Even I have no parents. But at least I didn't lose them in my conscious life. So it must be a lot harder for you. Just remember I'm always there for you'
The two of them sat together for a long time before Harry told Hermione that she needed rest. He briefly thought of a plan in his head and wondered if could be implemented. The match was now drawing very close. Two days before it Harry gave his usual pep talk.
'I wont say much today. But you should all remember that we are miles ahead of Slytherin as a team. It would be a scandal if we lose. I'm not scaring you but just telling you to have confidence in yourself. As usual eat well, sleep well and don't be nervous. All the best to you all'
'GRANGER HAS THE QUAFFLE...PASSES TO THOMAS... SHOOTS...WELL SAVED. A GOOD INTERCEPT BY THOMAS...TO WEASLEY...SHOOTS... SCORES!!! GRYFFINDOR EXTEND THEIR LEAD TO 40-10.
Despite Hermione not being at her best Gryffindor were dominant. Harry sighed in relief. His decision to play Hermione hadn't backfired. He thought he could finish everything off with an early catch. His eye caught Malfoy who was tailing him closely. When the score was 80-30 Harry caught sight of the snitch. He went straight at it but to his horror the broom wouldn't move. He looked back and saw that like his third year Malfoy had caught hold of his broom. He lost control of himself. He smacked Malfoy hard on his face.
'Penalty to both sides' said Madame Hooch disgusted. Both penalties were score making the score 90-40. Then Harry heard Luna say something, which made his heart cold.
'GRANGER HAS THE QUAFFLE...BLUDGER THROWN BY GOYLE... SEEMS LIKIE SHE'S NOT SEEN IT ... BEATERS ARE FAR AWAY... SHE'S GOING TO BE HIT...OH GOD...'
Harry was too far away to try anything. He closed his eyes as the bludger closed in on Hermione. As he opened his eyes he was amazed to see Hermione on her broom. Apparently the bludger had swung in the last moment and hit Hermione near the palm. The quaffle had fallen but Hermione escaped without being injured. Harry was relieved beyond measure. He almost forgot about the snitch. He caught sight of it in a few minutes. This time he went for it not caring where Malfoy was. Luckily for him he was quite far off. Harry had enough time to put his fingers around the snitch.
'GYIFFINDOR ARE THE CHAMPIONS. HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH'
Harry knew that it was time to try out his plan. He gestured to his players not to start celebrating. He took Hermione's hand and ran towards Luna. Hermione seemed surprised but didn't say anything. Harry asked for the microphone from Luna. She seemed as surprised as Hermione.
'Harry Potter, the captain of the winning Gryffindor team would like to say a few words', she said.
Harry took the mike and spoke, 'Dear Friends, Firstly a big thank you for cheering us throughout the tournament. I would like to dedicate this victory to our chaser Hermione Grangers' parents. Mr. and Mrs. Granger, who were both successful dentists, were killed during the attacks on muggles by Voldemort and his death eaters. The Gryffindors will not be celebrating this victory since such a tragic event took place not so long ago. I would request all of you t stand up and observe a minutes' silence for them'
The stadium, which was in loud cheers a minute back, became as quiet as an examination room. Everybody stood up and closed their eyes. Harry had feared that the Slytherins would defy him but they too stood up silently probably after what Harry had done to Malfoy. Hermione deeply appreciated this gesture by Harry. After a minute they all made their way. As Harry had announced there were no celebrations. The quidditch cup was placed in Professor McGonagall's office.
'Harry thanks a lot for what you did', said Hermione.
'It was nothing Hermione. It was the least I could do. I wouldn't have liked people celebrating here while you were in this state. I'm glad it was successful. I was afraid of the Slytherins'
Hermione came towards Harry who pulled her closer. They kissed for the first time since third February. It was quite long considering the situation.
'Harry now that I don't have parents you are the person I'm closest to. Please take care of yourself and don't let anything happen to you'
Harry nodded as he kissed her again.