Disclaimer-Harry Potter and all associated characters, stories, and indica are the exclusive copyright of J.K.Rowling.
A/N: I re-read the whole story when I wrote this chapter. I can't believe some of the things I included. Also the brevity of the first couple chapters was suprising. I knew that the first chapter was short but I didn't realize how short the others were.
Chapter 13-The Awards Feast
"Hi Nathan, nice to see you again you but I think I see someone I need to talk to." Ginny answered.
"Okay, maybe we can catch up later." Nathaniel Krum returned.
Slowly Ginny walked towards Draco. He was standing at the other end of the team line. She passed Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
"Harry," Hermione began, "Look down there." She said, pointing at Draco.
"Oh, so Draco is the luck guy." Harry answered.
"What are you two talking about?" Ron asked, dumbstruck by what was happening.
"You'll know soon enough, just watch." Hermione answered a smile crawling across her face.
"Draco?" Ginny spoke softly.
"Oh, it seems you have found me out." Draco answered a little surprised. "Here this is for you. As is this." Draco handed her the rose and began to read the poem.
"
My Sunshine
Every day we need a piece of sunshine.
A look, a smile, or a kind word they say,
We need a piece of sunshine every day.
When the day looks gray,
And I need a little ray,
I just need to find you.
When I feel gray,
I keep looking,
You may not know it.
But surely, I find in you that ray.
In the way you act,
The way you talk,
You are my sunshine every day."
(A/N: I feel a little guilty for using this poem. It is a modified version of one I wrote a few months ago. But the words fit this situation and poetry isn't my thing.)
As Draco read the poem Ginny stood in shock. She didn't know what to do or say. However, by the end her body decided for her. A small tear began to roll down her cheek. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and softly pulled his body towards hers. Following her lead Draco wrapped his arms around Ginny's waist and hugged her firmly. After a few minutes standing in embrace they released.
Now it was time for the presentation of the qup. Each of the four headmasters was there. Professor Dumbledore; Madame Maxine; Professor Karkaroff, who returned from hiding shortly after the vanquishing of Voldemort; and Professor Svenson the tall blonde headmaster of Fizzingtons. They called each of the students from the four teams and congratulated them.
When the Hogwarts players were called up they were asked to remain. After Ron was called up, alphabetically the last of the Hogwarts team, a four foot tall cup cut from diamond appeared. Each of its facets reflected the light from the quickly setting sun. The amplified light now filled the whole stadium as if it were day. It was the most beautiful thing any of them had seen. Then Dumbledore began to speak.
"We would like to present the inaugural Quadrangular Quidditch Qup to the Hogwarts team of John Dursley, Mary Dursley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter, Ginevra Weasley, and Ronald Weasley coached by Viktor Krum. Also, I would like to invite everyone to a feast at Hogwarts Castle. Simply floo to the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch from any of the fireplaces throughout the stadium. That is all."
With the trophy presentation finished Ron wanted some answers. "What is Malfoy doing with my sister?" He asked slightly enraged.
Harry answered, "You know the Hogsmeade trip after the Fizzingtons match, well Ginny got a letter from a secret admirer and they met that weekend. She didn't know it was him they sat and talked at the Three Broomsticks. He didn't tell her who he was but said he would reveal himself soon. He was going to present a yellow rose and a poem. We don't know anymore than that. I would suggest you don't go asking them either."
"Bt she's my little sister and he's a Malfoy."
"That may be but she is growing older and Draco has changed. Just leave it be." Hermione interjected. "Now go find Luna, I'm sure she is looking for you."
"Okay, but I still don't like it." Ron stomped off determined to not let it go. Malfoy tormented him for nearly six years and now he was after his sister. Sure the last year they had gotten to know each other but he was still Malfoy.
"Ah, mister Weasley, Can I talk to you?" A tall athletic looking wizard stopped Ron.
"Uh, sure. Why do you want to talk to me?" Ron answered.
"A few months ago you received a letter from the Chudley Cannons."
"Yeah, so what I blew it." Ron didn't want to be reminded.
"You may have had one bad game but you did not blow it. We want you to the newest Chudley Cannon. You may not play much the first year but we would be very excited to have you on our team."
"Uh, why thank you. I don't know what to say. I can't believe this is happening." Ron was stunned. His sister and Malfoy, then this. Everything was a blur.
"Well, hopefully this will make you believe a little more." The wizard handed Ron a set of official Chudley Cannon quidditch robes. "Feel free to wear them tonight. You have earned them."
"Thank you. I still don't know what to say. I will wear them with pride. I don't mean to be rude, but I need to find my girlfriend. Can I go now?"
"Ah yes, but your girlfriend is here. Luna I believe. I had the privilege of sitting next to her during the match. I'll be going now. Enjoy yourself tonight."
Ron blushed as he saw Luna standing just off to the side of the wizard. She watched the whole exchange. She new everything too. It felt that much better knowing she got to experience the moment with him. Now he needed to get back to Hogwarts and tell the others.
When they flooed back to Hogwarts the Quidditch Pitch was arranged like a very large version of the Great Hall. A collection of tables at one end of the pitch for the staff of the four schools then tables lined up perpendicularly stretching the length of the field for the students. For the most part the tables were separated by school and house but there was one table of Hogwarts students that wasn't segregated. There sat the Hogwarts Quidditch team and a few others. Ron and Luna went to join their friends.
As Ron approached everyone seated was astounded. Only Harry and Neville had the wherewithal to speak. "Are you wearing what we think you're wearing?" They questioned.
"Yep. I couldn't believe it myself. But I am the newest member of the Chudley Cannons." Ron took a seat next to Draco forgetting about the earlier incident. Luna sat next to him filled with energy from Ron's happiness. As the feast began and music filled the air the group was unusually quiet. They all ate in a slow and deliberate manner. When Ron finally decided he had enough Harry began to speak.
'I think that the eight of us, Ginny, Draco, Ron, Luna, Neville, Belle, Hermione, and I should go out by the lake. Don't ask any questions the reason for this will be revealed when we get there. Follow me."
As this everyone began to look about. They were all as clueless as the next. Only Harry knew what was going on. When they reached the lake nothing was out of the ordinary. It looked as it always did.
Harry spoke first. "I brought you all out here because our time together has come to an end. Five of us have walked our last steps in the halls of Hogwarts and the other three have but a year before their time is over too. This means we will be going out into the world. Surely our paths will cross out there but we will never be as close as we are now. This adventure started with Ron and I and a little later Hermione joined us making a trio. Now a few months ago Belle joined our circle of friends bringing the total to eight. As we go our separate ways there will be times when we miss those whom we no longer see. That is why I have a gift for each of you. For the girls I have a ring and for the guys I have a watch. They have all been treated with the mémoire charm by professor Flitwick. Whenever you feel alone or lost just hold onto your ring or watch and you will be overcome with memories of our time together. The memory will be stronger than you thought possible it will seem as if you are reliving the moment. This way we can all be together. If only in our hearts."