Disclaimer-I don't own this one either.
A/N: A very special Thank You to Silver Ice for suggesting Fizzingtons as a name for the squib and muggle school. At first I didn't think much about that suggestion, then I was thinking for a name and it came back to that one. Suddenly it made sense, a spell that doesn't go right is said to fizzle, this makes Fizzingtons an appropriate name for a school teaching squibs and muggles magic.
Fizzingtons is the same school as Whizbang, it just happens that I didn't like the name Whizbang. I'm not going to go back and change the name in the previous chapters.
Chapter 10-Fizzingtons
It was the morning after the Easter Ball. The Great Hall was a buzz with talk of the night before. However, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Ron were noticeably quiet. They were thinking about the week ahead. They would be facing Fizzingtons in the last Quidditch match before the championship.
Suddenly an owl draped in an orange Chudley Cannons scarf flew into the hall. An owl carrying post on a Sunday was peculiar enough but one dressed in the colors of a professional Quidditch team caused everyone to stop and look. The owl flew over to Ron and stuck out his leg. Ron took the letter from his leg and was about to give him a piece of his toast when the owl abruptly left. Ron quickly unfurled the parchment and read the letter.
"Ron what does it say?" Harry asked giddily.
Ron read the letter so those around him could hear.
"Dear Ronald Weasley,
We would like to congratulate you on your fifth straight shutout. This is a feat that is rare at any level of Quidditch. Considering your last two matches have been against the best players of their respective schools the feat is even greater.
We are writing to tell you that we will be in attendance at your match against Fizzingtons. Our presence will be to evaluate your ability in person. Depending on your performance we may offer you a tryout.
Good Luck,
The Chudley Cannons Management"
"That's terrific mate." Harry said shaking Ron's hand.
"Good job Ron, I knew you could do it." Ginny squealed as she hugged her brother.
"I haven't made the team yet." Ron interjected.
"You will, don't worry" Hermione added. "How many other keepers do you know that can defend six goals at once?" At this they burst out laughing.
For the rest of the week Ron couldn't get his mind off of the upcoming match. The possibility of playing professional Quidditch for his favorite team was unfathomable two years ago. Now, it could become a reality if he played well Saturday.
Finally Saturday arrived. The locker room was quiet as usual but it was an unsteady silence. Ron was nervous about the scouts that would be in the audience. Draco and Mary were avoiding each other because of the fiasco at the ball. Hermione and Viktor Krum were hesitantly discussing strategy with thoughts of the ball in their mind. While Harry was wondering whether he should go through with his plan to win Hermione back and seriously doubting if it would work. Ginny and John seemed to be the only ones at ease.
Shortly before the match started Krum called the team all together and started to speak. "Today is the last game before the championship. Because of our strong performances ve are virtually assured a spot in the championship game. Hovever, this game is not meaningless. Fizzingtons vos selected as the location for the championship match to take place one veek after the end of classes. If ve vin ve vill face Durmstrang. If ve lose ve vill face this same team on their home field. That is not an enviable task. I trust you know vhat must be done."
Everyone silently pondered Krum's words. They all knew what he meant. They must win this game. Losing would mean facing a team, on their home field, that has the knowledge and confidence of a previous victory. Such a situation would be nearly insurmountable. They must win this match.
The team slowly walked out on to the pitch. Fizzingtons was already warming up. Harry stood and watched them for a moment. Their chasers had an unusual blend of power and grace, able to absorb the most devastating hits from the Bludger yet able to turn with pinpoint precision. The beaters were equally amazing. They could direct the Bludger with unparalleled accuracy and flew better than most seekers. The only place Harry had seen players this good was at the Quidditch World Cup. Fortunately it appeared that the keeper and seeker weren't up to the quality of the rest of the team.
Suddenly Lee's voice engulfed the stadium. "Please acknowledge the visiting team from Fizzingtons. At keeper is Anderson, Beaters are Swancutt and Bray. Chasers are Meeuwsen, Browner, and Newton. While Hass is the Seeker. Witches and Wizards, start your brooms."
The two teams took their positions. Ron was obviously nervous in goal and the Fizzingtons chasers could see it. This didn't bode well for the Hogwarts team. Harry decided to take a different approach; he was going to fly around the pitch at ground level hoping to se the Snitch when it came up from the grass.
"And the game begins, Fizzingtons with the Quaffle first."
Harry saw Newton chaser grap the Quaffle. He was as large as Crabbe and Golye put together. He charged through the Bludgers that were directed his way by John and Mary. Then he executed a ninety degree turn right in front of Draco who was charging him. This left the chaser all alone with Ron.
"Newton approaches the goal from a wide angle. Darts in towards the goal, Ron charges, Newton pulls back away. He is all alone, Fizzingtons scores."
Harry looked up at Ron, there was a look of defeat on his face. It was the same look Ron carried during his first two games as Gryffindor keeper. Ron was afraid. Any shot Fizzingtons took was going to be a goal.
"The action starts again, Malfoy snags the Quaffle. You know, I'm really starting to like that guy. I think Mary Dursley does too, did you see the kiss she laid on him at the Easter Formal?"
"Jordan!" Mcgonagall screamed.
"Okay, back to the game. Malfoy passes to Granger. She dives towards the feet of Swancutt. Oh, look at the speed on that Bludger. Mary redirects it. Whoa, were did she hit that thing. Granger passes to Weasley who zooms past Browner. Ginny shoots past the outstretched hand of Meeuwsen, Anderson can't see the Quaffle and it's a goal. Howgarts ten, Fizingtons ten." Thwack.
"Ouch. I know where Mary sent that Bludger to, me. Thank you very much for the bruised arm Miss Dursley. Looks like they're about to start up again. Fizzingtons chasers surround the Quaffle."
Fizzingtons quickly scored again. They continued to score every time they touched the Quaffle. Hermione, Draco, and Ginny were doing the best they could, they just couldn't keep up. The score was ninety to twenty in Fizzingtons favor. Harry was intently looking for the Snitch, hoping he could finish the match before Fizzingtons built a one-hundred and fifty point lead. Then he saw the small golden orb indecisively hovering just above the grass in the far corner of the field. Harry slowly started to fly in its direction.
"The Snitch is out and Harry has spotted it. It's rising fast. The Fizzingtons Seeker sees it too. Potter is gaining on it while Hass dives towards the approaching Snitch. Who is going to get there first? Potter is closer but the distance between the Snitch and Hass is closing fast. Oh, no it looks like they're going to run into each other."
Harry stuck out his arm and reached for the Snitch. At the same time he braced himself for the imminent collision. He gripped the broom firmly with his one hand and wrapped his legs around it. Reaching for the Snitch he could feel the air moving do to the flapping of the wings. Harry collided with the other seeker.
"Wow that was a mighty hard collision. I can't believe both guys stayed on their brooms. The Snitch disappeared in that collision. Oh, wait, yes, it appears that Potter has the Snitch. Hogwarts Wins!"
An immediate sigh of relief escaped from Ron's lungs. Then he flew down to join Hermione, Ginny, Draco, John and Mary on the ground. Harry however flew around with a dazed look on his face still grasping the Snitch. Then he let go of the Snitch and grasped his wrist.
Back on the ground, guilt and sorrow engulfed Hermione. Then she heard a soft male voice in her head. Hermione Ann Granger, I'm sorry for what I've done. There is nothing I can do that will tell you how sorry I am. I love you! It was Harry. She looked up and saw him staring down at her. He had tears in his eyes.
Hermione got back on her broom and flew up to meet Harry who was now flying down to meet her. Hermione was crying too. She reached out, wrapped her arms around Harry's midsection and pulled their bodies closer together. They leaned in towards each other, their eyes closed and kissed.
A/N: The other Quidditch scores were Fizzingotns 200, Beauxbatons 60; Durmstrang 180 Fizzingtons 70: Durmstrang 200, Beauxbatons 40.
I don't know if Hermione's middle name is actually Ann, but I really like it along with Anna as a first name. Only three more chapters left.