The weeks passed and autumn became winter. It was a cold Saturday morning in December when Ginny found herself headed for the Quidditch Pitch with the rest of the school. The match for the day was Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff, and Ginny was eager to get a good spot to watch Harry and Ron, who'd become a Chaser in his fifth year. Hermione gripped a jug of pumpkin juice and grinned at Ginny, and they walked faster towards the Pitch.
Once they arrived, they were able to snag top spots in the stands. The teams were still in their locker rooms, so Ginny took a glass of juice from Hermione and settled in to wait. The stands were filling fast, and students were jostling playfully and talking excitedly about the chances of Hufflepuff pulling a victory out of the hat. They had a new Beater named Enid Foster, a fourth year with a strong arm who could deliver powerful blows from her bat. Their Captain, Donald MacCabe, had put together a strong team, and their Seeker -- a girl by the name of Charlotte Graham – [.] was quick as lightening and particularly adept at diving. But Gryffindor still had Harry; arguably the best Seeker the school had ever seen, who owned the best broom around, and Ron, a fierce Chaser who thought nothing of flying recklessly through any formation in front of the goal post to gain a score. Their Beaters, two fifth years named David Stiles and Andrew MacLeod, were spot on with their bats, often almost knocking opponents off their brooms. The other two Chasers, Natalie MacDonald and Robert Carroll, and the Keeper, Neville Longbottom, were all strong and capable players. Neville had surprised everyone when he'd finally built up his courage enough to try out for a position, but he'd turned out to be an excellent Keeper, strong and quick on his broom. The Quaffle rarely got by him.
"D'you think it'll be a tough game?" Dennis Creevy, seated next to Ginny, asked anxiously. She grinned.
"Yes, but I think our chances are excellent. We're undefeated so far."
"If Slytherin could just manage to lose their match next Saturday, they'd be that much closer to elimination," Hermione sniffed.
Not bloody likely, Ginny thought. Slytherin's only defeat so far was to Gryffindor, which put them just behind in the competition for the Quidditch Cup. If Hufflepuff could win this game, they'd pull ahead of Ravenclaw. Ginny found herself hoping that wouldn't happen, since Ravenclaw was her best friend's House. Not to mention she was rooting for Gryffindor!
She looked around the stands, and directly across from their position, saw the Slytherins all grouped together. She squinted a bit and caught the silver blond head of Draco Malfoy standing with Crabbe and Goyle, as usual. He was looking around the field and talking with several people, but he was too far away for her to see his expression clearly. Her heart gave a thump as she stared at him and she felt confusion flood her mind. She hadn't forgotten that night in the kitchen. She had, in fact, thought about it a great deal. Since that time she'd been unable to see him in the halls without blushing. She was no longer certain about who he was, or how she felt about him, and that made her angry and miserable. She felt her face grow warm as she recalled the times their eyes had met whilst they passed each other in the corridors. She would see him, and his eyes would lock with hers. Something tremendous and almost palpable would pass between them in those scant moments, and she never failed to experience a draining heat wash over her. Only a few seconds, yet it felt timeless and unreal as her heart would begin to pound. But they never spoke or had any other communication except that. Something like frustration shivered through her, and she had to tear her eyes away from him in order to force it from her mind.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione gasped, causing Ginny to start. Hermione was looking towards the stairs as Lupin and a woman Ginny didn't know entered their row. He smiled widely at Hermione and Ginny, walking towards them and taking a spot on Hermione's other side. Hermione shook hands with him and the lady, and then turned to Ginny.
"This is Ron's sister, Virginia Weasley. Ginny, you know Professor Lupin, and this is his friend, Elizabeth Morgan."
"Call me Ginny," she smiled, shaking hands with both. The woman was very pretty, but there was something about her that pricked Ginny. She had strange hazel eyes, short dark hair, and was dressed in violet robes. She and the professor were holding hands, which was nice. But Ginny felt slightly uneasy in her presence.
All around Lupin the students who remembered him were greeting him enthusiastically, asking where he taught at the present and if he'd consider returning to Hogwarts. Remus laughed and thanked everyone, but assured them that he was very busy and was unlikely to return to the school. Disappointment greeted his words, but everyone was glad to see him.
"What brings you here Professor?" Ginny asked. He turned back to her and smiled.
"I was in Hogsmeade picking up supplies and I thought I'd visit. It's always wonderful to see the place and the staff, especially the headmaster. And since I haven't seen a good Quidditch match in a while," he grinned here, "I asked if perhaps I could see how the teams have changed since I've been here."
Hermione laughed. "Very clever Professor. I'm sure we could all benefit from your critique on the match as well."
Elizabeth laughed too. "I always tell him he's too clever for his own good!"
Ginny smiled but said nothing, turning her attention to the Pitch. The players were emerging, and Caleb Anderson, a Slytherin sixth year and the new commentator, began to announce them.
"The Hufflepuffs take the Pitch, all decked out in their canary yellow too. Fashionable color, yellow, you can see it for miles! Aahh, and here comes Gryffindor in their own ketchup colored robes. This should be an interesting game indeed! Er…is anyone suddenly in the mood for a hamburger, or is it just me?"
"Professor Snape," McGonagall glared, "perhaps you could encourage your student to concentrate on the game?"
The Potions Master smirked. "Now, Mr. Anderson, please refrain from using too many accurate descriptions. No one will be able to watch the game from laughing."
"Apologies, Professor. Back to the game—and the Quaffle is up, caught by Weasley, whose hair clashes with his robes. Sorry Professor, just an observation. He's trundling along—nice pass to MacDonald. Knows when he's licked, of course. MacDonald is streaking over to the Hufflepuff goal--Oo--Almost knocked off her broom by a Bludger from Foster. She's dropped the Quaffle, and it's picked up by MacCabe, who I hear wears frilly pants under his school robes-"
"Anderson, you will keep such drivel out of your commentary!" McGonagall growled.
"Sorry Professor McGonagall. And MacCabe is headed off midway by Carroll, who snatches the Quaffle quite nastily away. Makes you wonder at their constant accusations of cheating to Slytherin—yes Professor, I was just saying—Carroll ducks a Bludger and is thrown into contact with Barnes. Nice shoving match! Oo, and Barnes is kicking. Any wagers as to who gets knocked off their broom?"
"Mr. Anderson," Snape smirked nastily, "betting is not allowed."
"Indeed not, Professor Snape. And Carroll whips around Barnes as Alnor knocks a Bludger towards—but he's past them! Keeper Lara Bussey charges out to stop—GRYFFINDOR SCORES!"
Ginny cheered loudly and enthusiastically, almost dancing with glee. Ron spun a loop with joy, then raced back into the fray. The Quaffle was now held by James Caldwell, a Chaser for Hufflepuff, who was flying like mad towards the Gryffindor goal. He was stopped short when MacLeod swung his bat and sent a Bludger straight for him.
"FIRST BLOOD!" screamed Caleb Anderson. "Caldwell gets a Bludger to the face! Very picturesque, I might add. Sorry Professor. An unbiased observance, I'm sure you'll agree."
Ginny gasped with everyone else as Caldwell floated jerkily to the ground. A time out was called, and Ginny looked up to see where Harry was. She spotted him flying high above the Pitch and she knew he was searching for a glimmer of gold. After a few moments, the game resumed, Caldwell having refused to stop playing, cleaning up as best he could. The Quaffle was thrown and once again caught by Ron, who flew towards the goal post. He was forced to pull up as a Bludger from Foster flew towards him, and as he dodged the Quaffle was snatched out of his arms by MacCabe, who once again began to zip towards the Gryffindor goal. Stiles bashed viciously on a Bludger, aiming for MacCabe's broom, but the Hufflepuff Captain expertly dodged. He managed to sweep past MacDonald, but almost smacked into Carroll and the two tussled furiously before MacCabe managed a mid-air roll away from the Gryffindor Chaser. Ron was still flying towards him, but he had a clear shot and launched the Quaffle.
BAMPF! The sound of leather colliding with cloth met MacCabe's ears as Neville suddenly appeared and blocked the shot perfectly, launching the Quaffle at Ron as soon as he was close enough. MacCabe and Caldwell sped after him.
The game grew furious. Down in the stands, Ginny was clutching at Hermione's robes and cheering herself hoarse. Ron passed to MacDonald, who shot upwards and managed to avoid both Bludgers aimed at her. When Barnes streaked for her, she passed the Quaffle smoothly to Carroll, who shot it to Ron in front of the goal. Once again Gryffindor scored. They were up twenty to zero, and the cheers from the Gryffindors in the stands were deafening. Another time out was called, and Ginny took a moment to grab her juice and gulp it excitedly, her throat raw from screaming. It was then that she noticed Professor Lupin's companion, the woman named Elizabeth, was gone. Professor Lupin was talking excitedly to several students and Ginny had a clear view of the lower stands from where she was. But the woman had vanished.
"Professor, your friend might want to return quickly, before the time out is over," Ginny said, looking at the Pitch.
"What's that?" The Professor blinked at Ginny, and then looked around. "I'm sure she'll be along in a moment. Probably had to take care of some personal business, if you know what I mean."
Ginny nodded, wondering why he wasn't concerned. Probably? Hadn't she told him? They'd seemed rather close when they'd appeared, so she had a hard time believing that Elizabeth had ran off without even saying where she was going. The feeling of uneasiness returned, and Ginny began to wonder what secrets the woman might be keeping from Lupin. But perhaps she was overreacting. She knew absolutely nothing about the woman; perhaps this was the way she always behaved. . Ginny tried to shrug off the negative feelings by allowing her eyes to sweep the stands for Draco again. She found him quickly, and felt her stomach clench when she saw Pansy Parkinson standing with him, her arm looped comfortably through his. He didn't seem to mind, and Pansy, as usual, appeared to be talking since she was gesturing a lot with her other hand. What in the name of sanity did he see in her? Even from this distance, Pansy's every gesture and move spoke of her shallowness. Her stance was affected and obvious, and Ginny could almost hear her annoying voice bulleting out mindless drivel, from make-up to this or that person's appearance. Draco Malfoy might be shallow and rude himself, but surely he didn't like hearing it from someone else, did he? The crowed roared suddenly, indicating that the match was resuming. It was then that Ginny caught a flash of violet to Draco's left.
She snapped her gaze back towards the stands; straining her eyes at the spot she'd seen it. But it was too far away, and all she could see were the black robes of the students. She continued to sweep her gaze over and over the spot, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Another roar of applause told her another goal had been scored, so she reluctantly tore her eyes away and tried to concentrate on the game. Hufflepuff had scored a goal, and it was now ten to twenty. Harry was flying low over the players, almost in their midst. Charlotte Graham was doing the same and seemed to be marking Harry's every move. It made sense, since her broom wouldn't match the speed of Harry's Firebolt.
"And the Gryffs are still ten points up," Anderson prattled. "But perhaps the Badgers might be able to change things, if they can get focused! Don't know when I've seen Beaters miss so much, though perhaps Foster and Alnor can look forward to a successful career with the Chudley Cannons. Joking, Professor, only joking. Weasley has the Quaffle, amazingly enough, and the Hufflepuffs pursue him lovingly—AH!—MacDonald collides with Barnes, preventing him from getting to Weasley—MacCabe flying like a madman towards the goal and—successful block by Bussey, and the Hufflepuffs take possession. Hang on, Potter is diving!"
Ginny watched as Harry suddenly swept into a spectacular dive, arm outstretched. Graham was right behind him, fighting to catch up and stretching her arm out as well. Everyone stopped and held their breath as the seekers fought to lay hands on the Snitch. Ginny couldn't see it, until it suddenly streaked vertically, avoiding the ground and the Seekers' grasping hands. Harry was after it in a flash; Graham struggled to match speed with him as the crowd roared louder than ever. Ginny lost the Snitch after a second, but she saw Harry begin a sharp horizontal rise. Graham was still a little behind him, but was catching up. A Bludger suddenly flew towards Harry, and he was forced to slow and pull his hand back, giving Graham the chance to pass him. Ginny could almost hear Harry swearing viciously in her mind, and she watched him race towards the Snitch with redoubled speed. He and Graham were neck and neck, reaching and diving and stretching their arms—
Harry's longer reach allowed him to pull ahead of Charlotte and his hand snapped closed. He suddenly slowed and rocked back on his broom, holding his hand high above his head. He'd caught the Snitch!
"Potter pulls it off," Anderson yelled sourly as the stands exploded with cheers. "Gryffindor wins 170 to 10. Now who's just as stunned as I am?"
Ginny was jumping up and down with Hermione and the other Gryffindors. They'd done it, they'd won! She was sure a party would be thrown. Hermione was glowing with pride, and even Professor Lupin was grinning from ear to ear.
"Has the game changed much professor?" Ginny asked breathlessly. He laughed.
"Not at all Miss Weasley, it's everything I remember and more!"
Ginny spun around happily, feeling silly but not really caring. Victory was in the air, and she loved it. She looked across the Pitch once more, hoping to see Malfoy and maybe catch his eye and rub it in. But the Slytherins were already emptying out of the stands, and she was just in time to see Draco's silver blond head disappear through one of the exits.
Followed by a figure in violet robes.