The Golden Reward

Ron stood in his trousers staring down at his Quidditch robes that were once Oliver Wood's. He scratched his head nervously trying to figure out what was bothering him. He didn't know weather it was the fact he was going to be wearing Wood's old robes when he actually got to Hogwarts or the fact that he had to prepare for the match. It was Thursday. The rest of Durmstrang's team arrived. Since Gryffindor beat all the houses, they were the school champions. Playing Drumstrang was a great accomplishment for Gryffindor, but now everyone seemed to be betting that Hogwarts is going to lose.

"Ron! Ron!" screamed Hermione bursting the door open.

Her deep brown eyes widened and for a moment neither of them moved, both taken back by what just suddenly happened. Ron stared at her and she stared at him. He felt his body starting to crumple knowing that Hermione was staring at him with nothing but his trousers on. Hermione couldn't speak because if she did, she would hit Ron with feelings that she thought the both of them weren't ready for. Ron quickly grabbed his bed sheets and covered himself; Hermione blinked taking herself out of trance.

"Don't you know how to bloody knock?" Ron shouted at her embarrassed.

Hermione turned around closing the door quickly surprised by Ron's reaction.

"I'll wait for you downstairs then," Hermione said almost gasping for air.

She walked downstairs still shaken by what she had just seen. Ron in his trousers, something she only dreamed about that caused her to wake up sweaty and gross. She tried so hard to knock the image of him out of her mind, but she couldn't.

His arms were thick with muscles Hermione has never seen before and Ron's upper torso was thin, but lean at the same time. She never imagined Ron's body could be so breathtaking and amazing. She remembers like it was still happening; Hermione could see little bits of ginger hair on his chest that ran down lightly to his navel and lower. She cursed at herself for even wishing she saw more of him than she already had. Hermione then concentrated on his lower torso; his legs were full of strength and she knew that it would be helpful for the future. She cursed at herself again. What has gotten into her?

Hermione stayed in the common room waiting for Ron quietly, thinking of what it would be like to be in his arms or tangled in white sheets with him. She thought of it as if it has happened before. She swallowed hard when she suddenly felt the urge to know what it was like to have Ron's massive body on top of her thin small body; skin on skin contact. Practically licking her lips, Hermione's body began to shake and become filled violently with heat.

"Hermione?" Ron said with a grin on his face as she opened her eyes.

"Sorry, I was just dozing," she responded rather quickly.

Ron gave her an unsure look and shrugged.

"I've been meaning to talk to you," Hermione said as if nothing happened.

"Now isn't a good time Hermione," Ron snapped as his ears turned crimson.

They both thought of the moment they shared only a few minutes ago.

"Honestly Ron. Quidditch practice doesn't start until three thirty," she said trying to change the subject and release the tension.

"So I want to be early. Do you have a problem with that?" Ron snarled.

"That's thirteen minutes from now."

"How is it that you know everything? You even know what time it is without a single clock in the..."

Hermione pointed at the grandfather clock that stood behind him.

"Ron, why can't you talk to me for just a moment?"

"Because I don't bloody feel like it!" Ron shouted as he climbed out of the Gryffindor portrait of the fat lady.

Hermione followed behind him.

"I just wanted to share a Quidditch tip."

"You don't know anything about Quidditch," Ron going angry, "You might be smarter than me in everything else, but I'm smarter than you when it comes to Quidditch!"

"Just listen!"

"Why? Is it a tip from Vicky?"

Hermione glared with hurt. She had spent the whole day trying to figure a strategy for Ron to use for the match.

"I don't want you tip Hermione!"

"I'm on your side Ron!"

"Oh really? Is that why you're telling me away to lose?"

"You haven't even listened to what..."

"And I don't want to! You can tell that twat to shove his tip up his arse because we are going to win!"

"Ron..."

"No Hermione," Ron shouted and stared at her intensely that almost made her kiss him, "It looks like I just got myself a new enemy."

Ron stared at Hermione; his face pink with anger and betrayal. Hermione stood staring up at Ron with eyes trembling with tears. Ron turned around and left Hermione on the changing stairs.

Oliver Wood walked into the Gryffindor Quidditch team tent. The three chasers, two beaters, a seeker, and a keeper greeted the past captain when he entered. They were all ready for the match. The scrimmage was something used as entertainment, but both teams sought it to be a way of proving themselves. The match did not count for a record; it was more of a charity event Muggles usually do to make money only the Quidditch scrimmage was only for enjoyment of students. Each team was allowed to invite a past player from their school. Hogwarts chose Oliver Wood, a keeper and Durmstrang chose Viktor Krum, a seeker. This meant that Gunny Weasley, Gryffindor's seeker, had to fight off both Krum and their current seeker. Hogwarts had two keeps which was going to make it difficult for Durmstrang's chasers to throw the quaffle into the fifty feel tall rings.

"Well it's about time," Ron said as he greeted Wood, "Afraid you weren't going to show.

"I can't believe you are blaming me. Your owl got lost," Oliver said he placed his broom against the benches.

Ron's face flushed with embarrassment, but he only grinned.

Angelina Johnson, the team captain, smiled, "Welcome back Oliver."

"Have we got a plan yet?" he asked.

"No. We can't exactly make one."

"Wood, here are your robes," said Alicia.

"Thank you."

"We should head out Angelina," stated Ginny.

Oliver stared at Ginny with a sorrow look and Ginny forced a smile.

"Alright."

The team walked out of the tent heading towards the field; Oliver Wood and Ron Weasley slowly behind the rest of them.

"So how has Ginny been doing?" Wood's smile faded.

"Pretty good," Ron answered awkwardly.

"And how's Harry? Where are Fred and George?"

"They can't play Quidditch anymore."

"I heard about Harry. It's a shame. He was a good seeker. So what happened with the twin beaters?"

"They quit school at Hogwarts. Fred and George turned my mum into a lunatic. They opened up a shop in Hogsmeade."

"You can quit?" Wood said in a surprised manner, "They were fair beaters. Well good for them."

Oliver and Ron went on about different strategies and how Ron unbelievably made the team. It wasn't that he was horrible at Quidditch; he was just a beginner and never really had a 'real' lesson from a fellow keeper. They walked into the stadium one at a time lifting themselves into the air. Ron fixed his robes and slid his broom between his legs. He looked up at the crowd getting nervous and he hoped to not make a fool out of himself. Ron kicked off the ground and flew into the air until he was hovering a few feet away from Wood, who was waiting for everyone to get into their positions. Ron spotted Harry in the stands shouting and cheering, but he became slightly disappointed when he didn't see Hermione. Suddenly out of nowhere, the whistle was blown. Chaos was spread everywhere; all the players trying to do their jobs in the game.

"Ron, Wake up you bloody git! Guard the right hoop!" Oliver shouted as he moved to the other two hoops.

Ron did as he was told and believed that this match would be a lot easier with Wood. The match was becoming very intense, both sides hadn't scored yet. Durmstrang's keeper was very strong and it was almost impossible for Gryffindor chasers to score. Their chasers, no matter how hard they tried, could never score with both Ron and Wood there. Angelina flowed down slowly to Ron and Oliver.

"We need to score!" she yelled in frustration, "You have to help Ginny catch that damn Snitch!"

"Alright," said Ron flying higher into the air.

Ron lowered his body so it was touching the broom and pressed down sending him charging in the trail towards Ginny.

"Have you spotted it yet?" asked Ron.

"No," answered a concentrated Ginny.

Ron looked around too. Even though the Golden Snitch was unbelievably hard to see; it was nearly impossible for someone like him. When Ron threw his eyes at the stands, he spotted Hermione sitting beside Neville and Harry. He watched her cheer and scream for Gryffindor.

"Ron! Hurry!" shouted Ginny behind him.

Ron quickly followed Ginny on his broom and he tried to find the snitch, but his eyes wondered off to Hermione in the stands. Viktor Krum flew at the speed of light toward the two Weasley's and was now right behind Ron. Somehow he managed to move so fast that he was a little ahead of Ginny. Ron flushed with anger and pushed himself faster and was now in between Krum and Ginny. Krum looked furiously at Ron who was in the way of him impressing Hermione. Ron glanced at Krum for a second, but then faced the direction of which Ginny was. He focused intensely and suddenly caught a glimpse of the Golden Snitch that could win them the match. Surprised, he concentrated even harder and caught another glimpse and suddenly it appeared before him. Ron flew faster than he had ever had before and reached out for the small ball in front of him.

"He sees the Snitch! Ron can see it!" Harry yelled as he jumped up and down pointing at Ron.

Hermione stood completely astonished and then started to shout Ron's name and so did the rest of Hogwarts. Durmstrang's team was so shocked as if someone just threw a knife at all of them and missed their heads only by an inch. Their beaters tried their hardest to knock either Ron or Ginny off their broom. Krum motioned for the other seeker and suddenly Gunny disappeared. Ron glanced below him and saw Ginny trying her best to fight off the seeker. Ron was determined to get the Snitch even if it meant his life. His arm became tired from being held out for so long.

"Ron, watch out!" yelled Angelina.

Ron was not quick enough so the bludger crashed into his shoulder and elbow. Hermione watched with her eyes wide open as Ron screamed in pain, but continued to hunt down the Golden Snitch. Everyone focused on Krum and Ron as they flew lower to the ground still chasing the Snitch.

"He can't get it. There's no way! His arm is destroyed," yelled Harry.

Ron still continued to fly despite the fact that one of Durmstrang's beaters rammed into Ron pushing him against his arm.

"They are hurting him!" Hermione screeched furiously as she stepped forward nearly falling off the stands.

Harry grabbed Hermione's arm before she could fall.

"Harry, they're hurting him!" Hermione yelled with tears running down her cheeks.

The beater continuously hit Ron trying to knock him off his broom. Ron still continued to chase the golden object. Suddenly the Golden Snitch went past their faces going the opposite direction and at the same moment the beater hit Ron hard sending him to fall off his broom backwards.

"And Ron Weasley catches the Golden Snitch!" yelled the announcer.

The crowd cheered, but Hermione stood completely still furious at how they could cheer when Ron was hurt. Suddenly the cheering stopped as Ron didn't get up from the ground. The teachers rushed onto the field to where Ron lay.

Ron opened his eyes and saw blurs of familiar faces.

"Hermione?" Ron said in a soft whisper.

Hermione rested her head beside Ron's body on the hospital bed. She stared at him with her eyes full of concern and heartache while he was unconscious. She rubbed his knuckles with her small fingers and traced the lines on his palm. The rest of the day went by slow for Hermione; she had spent most of it next to Ron. She never wanted to leave his side; she wanted to be there when he woke. Her stomach growled when it was dinner time, but she refused to eat. Most of Gryffindor House visited him and tried to comfort Hermione saying things like 'He'll be alright' or 'Don't worry,' but what did they know? No one could ever know how she felt about him; nothing could come close to defeating her love for Ron.

Viktor Krum was lying on a hospital bed across the room from Ron. Sometimes Hermione would look over her shoulder to see if he was alright, but she stayed beside Ron most of the time. When Ron caught the Golden Snitch, Krum hadn't been paying much attention and ran straight into the ground injuring his left leg.

Hermione was furious with Ron. How could he be so stupid chasing that Snitch when he was in pain? Quidditch was just another way of hurting him other than the fact that Ron would be by Harry's side if Voldemort attacked. She wanted to shake him and slap him a million times, but all she could do was bury her face into his arm and grip his shirt in her fist.

It was nearly midnight at Hogwarts and the room was filled with the flickers of candle light. Hermione's eyes were swollen pink; her body was aching and tired. She turned her head quickly when she heard rustling sounds behind her. Viktor Krum sat up rubbing his face as if he hadn't remembered what happened. She rushed over to his bed.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"I'm fine. My leg sort of hurts," he answered smiling at Hermione, "Have you been taking cares of me?"

"I will for a little while. Wait here, let me go get Madam Pomfrey," said Hermione as she left the Hospital Wing.

Ron rubbed his eyes and forced himself to lift his head. His hand ran through his ginger hair that was probably spiked up everywhere. He opened his eyes only to see Viktor Krum. They stared at each other for a moment which then became a harsh glare.

"Stupid prat," Ron whispered under his breath.

Ron laid his head back down as his neck began to throb with pain. His whole body was strained and when he tried to stretch, a thousand knives ran through him. He wanted to shout in pain, but Hermione and the nurse entered the room.

"Don't worry Viktor. She'll help you," Ron heard Hermione say.

Ron shut his eyes quickly and suddenly he felt as if his heart were in his stomach; he could feel it pumping. He couldn't breathe because of the agony he felt inside of him. His insides begging for oxygen, but burned painfully and Ron swore he could feel fire coming out of his mouth. Confused with his feelings, Ron couldn't figure out if it was anger or grief. He convinced himself that Hermione wasn't there for him; she was here for Viktor Krum. Ron Weasley stayed silent as he listened until his eyes finally shut tight with a tear streaming down his face splashing onto the pillow.

A/N: Wow this chapter was incredibly hard to write. Please take it easy on me; I'm not that good with action like this. Thank you to all the reviews. I'll try to get the next chapter up soon.