A/N: At one point in this chapter, I change the font size for the comments of one of the characters. Unfortunately, this did not carry over when I uploaded the document. The size of the letters was reduced to normal size. I have edited the storyline to add the phrase "really large letters here" just before those comments. When you come across this phrase, please imagine that the next comment made is in letters three inches high instead of the normal size. Thank you for your cooperation - HiBob

Chapter Ten: Love and Quidditch

Malcolm looked around to make sure no one was watching, then snuck out of the broom shed with two brooms. He quickly ran to the pitch where Hermione was waiting.

Actually, I looked around to make sure no one was visible. I know Hagrid's watching from somewhere. So is Ron. And Fred and George. And Seamus and Dean. And Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil. Oh, and Oliver Wood and the rest of the Quidditch team.

Malcolm smiled at a figure in the shadows, thinking it was Ron. The figure gave him a thumbs up.

I don't believe it. You can add Percy to the list.

"Are you ready, Hermione?"

"Yes," Hermione said nervously as she took one of the brooms. "I'm thankful no one is watching. I think I'd die of embarrassment."

"We're the only ones here," Malcolm lied cheerfully. "We have time, so why don't I show you how to mount a broom."

Hermione frowned. "What do you mean by 'we have time'?"

"I, um, mean we have time. Um, Hagrid won't be checking on us for a while." Malcolm showed Hermione how to hold the broom, then had her kick off.

"This is GREAT," Hermione shouted. "I'm actually flying. And on my first try."

Yeah, at one mile an hour and three feet off the ground.

"That's great Hermione. Now pull up on the broom so you can stop."

Despite her slow progress, she pulled back on her broom and made a successful landing.

All she did was put her feet down.

"Malcolm." Hermione gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you for showing me how to use a broom."

"All I showed you was how to stay on. You still need to learn to go faster, and higher. Why don't you practice some more? We'll see how fast you can go."

With Malcolm's coaching, Hermione was soon able to fly comfortably at speeds in excess of five miles an hour. She couldn't manage a turn faster than that. And while she had no problem with heights, she was no fool either. Falling off a broom hurts less at three feet than at thirty feet. She also liked the fact that Malcolm paced her. About ten minutes before McGonagall was supposed to arrive with Dumbledore, she even asked the magic question.

"Malcolm. Could you show me how good you are at flying? You're obviously better than me. I'd like to know how much better."

"Sure," Malcolm said cheerfully.

"It's about time," a voice said from the shadows.

"Who's there?" Hermione said with a tint of fear.

"Oy, just us," Fred said as he and George revealed themselves. "We came down hoping that Malcolm would show off."

Hermione glanced in surprise at Malcolm who could only shrug his shoulders.

George grinned. "Sorry to scare you like that. Malcolm, show her the figure eight."

"Hermione," Malcolm cautioned. "They do know how good I am."

Malcolm kicked off flying out and up in a smooth arc. When he had finished half a circle, he was thirty feet above and upside down. He did another half circle after that and he was sixty feet over their heads and sitting upright. But Malcolm did not stop there. He completed the top circle, upside down again. Then the bottom circle. He stopped in his original position.

Hermione was amazed. He did the figure eight. But he did it straight up and down. She was even more amazed when she heard the applause from a dozen people.

"We brought a few friends," George explained, then added quickly. "Malcolm, show her what else you can do."

Malcolm was off. He flew around the pitch, then changed directions and flew the other way. He made sharp turns and several more loops. Then someone out of sight threw a golf ball into the air. From fifty feet away Malcolm turned and dove, catching the ball inches from the ground. He held the ball up in a victory salute while everyone applauded.

"WELL DONE, MALCOLM. WELL DONE." Dumbledore's voice boomed across the pitch. Malcolm looked to see the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall walking across the pitch to where Hermione was standing with Fred and George. He flew back and landed easily.

Hermione was glaring at Malcolm. "This was all planned. Wasn't it?"

Dumbledore smiled before anyone could speak. "Indeed it was, Miss Granger. And it seems that you and I were the only ones who weren't told."

"You didn't know either?" There was surprise in Hermione's voice.

"No, but I did make an educated guess."

Hermione turned to Malcolm. "You tricked me into coming here. I was just your excuse in case you got caught."

"And he was thorough in setting up his alibi." Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. "It was a clever plan."

Hermione was fuming. The only reason she wasn't saying anything was because she couldn't think of the right words to say. That was when George made his comment.

"He could have spent less time on the lessons. Kept us all waiting for most of an hour."

That's my cue.

Malcolm gave Hermione a frown of his own. "I thought it was only going to be the two of us. I didn't expect half of Gryffindor to follow. That's why I had detention and you didn't. So I could show off."

Hermione looked at Malcolm . . . and snorted. "You do have a talent for getting into trouble. At least now you get to play Quidditch?"

"No, he does not," Dumbledore said, looking around at all of the people who had given up on hiding. "First-year students are not allowed to try out for the Quidditch teams. It would not do to change the rules just for one student or one house even if it is my own."

Amid the groans, Hermione raised her hand.

"This is not a classroom, Miss Granger."

"Professor, I was wondering. Could you change the rules for a group of students, if it affected all of the houses?"

"And what did you have in mind?"

"You could let all the first years try out, and you could make it an experiment, to see about making a permanent change to the rules."

"That's bloody brilliant."

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling again. "Thank you, Ronald Weasley, for that assessment. I will consider the idea, Miss Granger. I will let everyone know my decision at dinner, tomorrow night. Now, since it is getting dark, I suggest everyone return to their houses."

Hermione walked coyly to Malcolm while everyone was cheering. She smiled broadly as everyone turned to watch what she was doing. "Thank you for including me in this." Then she kissed him.

"Congratulations, Malcolm." Fred and George began shaking him. "You may actually make it on the team."

"And you've still got your little girlfriend."

Malcolm groaned.

The next morning, Malcolm and Ron were at breakfast when an old friend showed up.

"Look at them. The two charity cases."

Malcolm looked up and smiled. "You're looking better today, Draco. You have both eyes open."

Ron smirked. "Do you want us to shut the other one for you?"

Malcolm and Ron weren't worried. They were in the Great Hall and there were plenty of teachers around. Malfoy and his friends wouldn't dare to try anything.

"Watch it, Weasel," Malfoy said. "And you, Malcolm. If you think you're so special, why don't you prove it. Wizards duel. Midnight tonight. Unless you're scared."

When Crabbe and Goyle laughed, Ron sneered in reply. "He's not scared of you. He'll be there. And I'm his second. Who's yours?"

Malfoy paused and looked at his friends. "Goyle."

"Where?" Malcolm asked.

"The trophy room. The door's always unlocked."

"Fine. We'll be there."

As Malfoy and his goons left, Malcolm had to ask. "What's a wizard duel? Is it like High Noon or something?"

"No, you heard him, it's at midnight."

Malcolm snorted. "I meant the movie. You know, cowboys facing each other in the street and shooting at each other."

"Yeah," Ron said after Malcolm explained what a western was.

Maybe Hermione's right. I do seem to attract trouble.

"Good morning, Malcolm," Hermione said as she sat down. "What are you doing today? I thought we could go to the library and . . ." She paused as Malcolm stared at her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I thought I'd do something outside today. You know, in the fresh air."

"That's a wonderful idea. We could bring our books with us."

"No books," Ron insisted.

"YOU don't have to come then." Hermione turned back to Malcolm and smiled. "We could study down by the lake."

"Hermione, it's Saturday. I will not study on a Saturday. I refuse." Malcolm turned to Ron. "Do you know if we can go swimming? It's warm enough?"

"Yeah. Fred and George swim whenever they can."

"Great. Hermione, do you want to come?"

"I . . . I don't have a swim suit."

And Malcolm does it again. I've gotten rid of her without offending her. Am I good or what?

"That does sound like fun," Lavender Brown said from across the table. "Do you mind if we join you. Hermione, I have a spare suit if you think it will fit."

Seamus Finnigan looked over at them. "If you and Pavarti are going, mind if I join in?"

Well. At least it's not just me and Hermione.

This turned out to be great. Fred and George were already planning on coming down here to the lake. They knew the perfect spot. And I swear there must be about twenty of us. Of course, I didn't tell anyone what George told me. Swimming's not allowed. But then, if they don't know about it, they won't object. Except for one person who's too afraid.

"Neville, just jump in. The water won't bite you."

"I don't know how to swim."

"You could learn. And the water's only four foot deep right here."

"But . . ."

"Look, Neville. I've been in this situation before. If you don't jump in where it's shallow, someone will throw you in where it's deep, just for the fun of it."

"No they won't."

"Really. Tell that to Fred and George. They're sneaking up behind you."

SPLASH

Neville turned around after he jumped in and saw no one.

"Sorry, Neville. It turns out that Fred and George are over there, diving off the log."

"Guess Who," Someone said suddenly as they came up behind and splashed both boys.

Malcolm turned around to face Hermione, keeping a smile on his face.

"Having fun?"

"This was a great idea, Malcolm. I'm going to tell everyone about this."

"UH."

Hermione frowned. "What did you mean by 'uh'?"

Malcolm leaned in to whisper. "Swimming's not allowed in the lake."

I like the way her face changes colors. Watch as I get her to keep quiet.

"Be careful," he whispered. "I don't want Neville to know. He's scared enough as it is."

Am I good or what?

Ron woke Malcolm at half-past Eleven. They dressed quickly and slipped out of their dorm room and into the common room.

"It is true," Hermione hissed. "I thought that duel was another one of your lies."

"When did I lie to you?" Malcolm asked.

Except for when I told her I liked her. Except when I told her, well, anything really.

"How about this afternoon? You told me we weren't allowed to go swimming in the lake, after we were in the lake."

"That wasn't a lie. I'd call it a misdirection. Anyway, we've got to go."

Hermione gasped in surprise. "If you go, I'll tell McGonagall."

Malcolm stopped. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me. If you're going to be my boyfriend, you're going to have to show some restraint."

"Restraint?" Ron asked.

"Self control," Hermione answered.

"Submission to her authority," Malcolm replied. "Fine, Hermione. I won't go. I'll let Snape's favorite student brag about the cowardly Gryffindor and that silly girl he has as a girlfriend. I'm sure it will never come up in Potions."

Hey, that's pretty good thinking on my part.

"Well," Hermione paused, "I'm going with you."

"You want to watch me kick his butt."

"Yeah, uh, NO, of course not. I want to make sure no one gets hurt."

Ron smirked. "That's good enough for me. Let's go."

They walked out of the common room and proceeded down the hall. After five feet, Malcolm tripped.

"Ow," Neville Longbottom yelled.

"Shhh!" Hermione admonished. "Neville, what are you doing out here? It's after hours. You could get in trouble."

"I forgot the password again. I was hoping someone would come by to let me in. I guess I fell asleep."

"I'll get you in." Hermione turned around. "She's gone. The Fat Lady's gone."

Ron shrugged his shoulders. "She must have gone to visit a friend."

Hermione helped Neville up. "You'd better come with us. You don't want Filch to find you."

"Thanks." Neville stood up and brushed himself off. Then he asked in a confused voice, "What are you doing out? It must be after midnight."

"Close," Malcolm told him. "It's only fifteen till. C'Mon."

Malcolm led the way to the trophy room in record time, noting with a smirk that they still managed to beat Malfoy there. Then Hermione ruined his good mood.

"Malcolm, I just thought. What if this is a trick. What if Malfoy doesn't show?"

In response, a cat meowed in the hallway.

"This way," Malcolm whispered. "Quick."

All four students ran as quickly as they could out of the trophy room into the far hallway. As they turned the corner, Filch's voice could be heard.

"You have their scent, Mrs. Norris. After them."

They ran down one corridor and up another, then up two flights of stairs and down a dark hallway which ended with a locked door. Mrs. Norris was still after them.

"It's locked," Ron said.

"Move over," Hermione told him and pulled out her wand. "Alohamora."

The door opened and the four ran inside closing it behind them. Then they waited, listening for the slightest noise from the hallway.

"Do you hear anything, Malcolm?" Ron asked

"Only Neville's heavy breathing from behind me."

"I'm not behind you," Neville said from the other side of Hermione.

"Then . . ." Malcolm turned around. "Guys, don't panic. Turn around slowly."

"What is it?" Neville asked as he closed his eyes.

"A dog."

"Is it a big dog?"

"It's a very big dog."

Neville risked opening his eyes. "You didn't mention the three heads."

"I was getting to that."

A GIANT THREE-HEADED DOG. AND IT'S ANGRY. WHAT DO I DO? I know. Don't show fear. Show it, them, it, I'm not afraid.

"Huh, uh, huh, uh, uh."

Hermione frowned. "Malcolm, did you just hum that piece from Close Encounters of the Third Kind?"

"Did I?" Malcolm looked up and noticed the dog staring at him. "That's it. The dog likes music. Let's sing something."

Ron stared at Malcolm like he was mad. Fear was obvious in his voice. "What would you suggest?"

The giant dog started growling when Malcolm stepped forward.

Look, if this works, I'll be a hero. And if it doesn't at least it's a quick death.

"How much is that doggie in the window. Arf. Arf. / The one with the waggily tale. / How much is that doggie in the window. Arf. Arf. / I do hope that doggie's for sale."

"I don't believe it," Hermione muttered. "It's actually working. He's wagging his tale."

"Really," Ron replied. "I thought that was a sledgehammer hitting the walls."

Neville whimpered. "Keep singing, Malcolm. The dog's starting to look mean again."

OK, second verse, with hand movements. I have to admit it. I'm actually enjoying this.

"I must take a trip to California / And leave my poor sweetheart alone / if she has a dog she won't be lonesome / and the doggie will have a good home." Malcolm smirked. "Ok guys, join me for the chorus."

"You have to be kidding," Hermione suggested.

Malcolm began to sing again. This time with unexpected accompaniment. "How much is that doggie in the window."

(really large letters here) "ARF. ARF."

"I do hope that doggie's for sale. / How much is that doggie in the window."

(really large letters here) "ARF. ARF."

"Are you crazy? What are you students doing in here?" Argus Filch grabbed Ron and Malcolm and dragged them out of the room.

"HELP," Neville screamed as the dog grabbed him and began licking him. Hermione grabbed Neville's hand and dragged him to safety but not before he was covered head to toe in dog drool.

Argus Filch stared in surprise. "That's one for the books. I expected him to eat you, not keep you for a chew toe."

Malcolm smiled. "Mister Filch, I can explain everything."

Dumbledore's voice was heard from the far end of the hallway. "Can you explain waking up the entire school with your antics? Malcolm, you set that dog to barking and it can be heard throughout the entire school."

"Better than being eaten," Ron muttered.

Filch gave him a humourless smile. "Do you really think so? Maybe I can prove you wrong."

"Sir," Malcolm said, with the smile still on his face, "I can explain everything. Really."

Dumbledore frowned. "I doubt that, Malcolm, but do try. I could use the amusement."

"We were looking for Neville, Sir. We noticed he hadn't returned to the dorm."

"And you found him in the third floor corridor, where you are specifically forbidden to go?"

"No, Sir. We found him sleeping in the hallway, right outside of Gryffindor."

"Ah, and why didn't you return to the dorm with him?"

"The fat lady was gone. We couldn't get back in. Then we thought we heard someone, and we started to run so we wouldn't get caught."

Dumbledore smiled. "Malcolm, didn't it ever occur to you that you had a legitimate reason for being out of your house?"

"Um, no sir," Malcolm answered honestly. "I figured they would think I was making up an excuse."

"He's right, you know," Filch noted. "And he's only been here a week. I wouldn't believe him."

"Neither would I," Hermione added.

"Hmm," Dumbledore muttered, "with that kind of endorsement, Malcolm, I must concede the point. Mister Filch will escort the four of you back to your house and I will have Professor McGonagall talk to you in the morning."

"Sir," Neville asked, "Can you do something about the smell."

Dumbledore nodded. "Mister Filch, could you take Mister Longbottom to the Prefects Bathroom, then bring him a change of clothes."

Filch wrinkled his nose as he smelled Neville. "I'd be glad too."