CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Quidditch Fights& Spells
As much as Ginny loved Quidditch, she was not so fond of it on that particular January morning. Instead of having snow to contend with like during Gryffindor's last match, she was having to battle against the howling wind and down pour of rain. Her hands were frozen, even with gloves on, and every time she did manage to catch the Quaffle, it stung something awful. She wouldn't have minded the rain if it wasn't so damn cold.
By her own estimates, Gryffindor was still up by twenty points to Slytherin. She had only caught brief glimpses of Harry since the match had started, but even with his water repellent glasses the Snitch was still next to impossible to see through the heavy rain. She didn't dwell on Harry's search for the Snitch for too long because she had her own problems with the Slytherin Beaters. It didn't matter if they had a bludger to smack her way or not. They had taken to hitting her broom with their bats or jolting their brooms against hers. She knew the one girl, Sara, from classes, and she had been a viscous player since Ginny had joined the Gryffindor team last year. Ginny had seen her take out other Chasers and land them in the hospital wing for a week. Sara had sent a bludger flying into Katie's head earlier in the match. Katie had been unconscious for almost five minutes. When she had woken up she demanded to be allowed to play even though she was having trouble keeping her balance. In the end, Madame Hooch had to have Professor Flitwick escort her off the pitch and down to the hospital wing so she wouldn't try and jump back on her broom. So Gryffindor had been playing most of the match a Chaser short, but it hadn't dampened their play too much yet.
Squinting, Ginny moved from her current position to intercept an errant pass from a Slytherin Chaser. She flew off with the Quaffle, avoiding a screaming bludger as she passed the Quaffle off to Dean. He beat out the Keeper, scoring another ten points for Gryffindor.
While she had been watching the play unfold, another broomstick rammed with hers and she almost wasn't able to maintain her slippery hold on the handle. By the time Ginny regained her balance, the other Beater, which she was sure had been Sara, but couldn't tell for sure because visibility was so poor, was already speeding away. She could handle a rough game – what she couldn't handle was when the other team decided they were going to take out as many players as they could without a second thought. Gryffindor, Slytherin games were always grudge matches, but the rivalry seemed to be intensifying with each match.
She was flying off in search of the Quaffle again when she heard a loud whistle penetrate the rain signaling the end of the match. When she brought herself down lower where the visibility was a bit better, she could see Harry and his right fist closed tight. Instead of looking happy at the victory, his face was livid as he shouted at the person dismounting the broom beside him.
"I thought Gryffindors were above cheating, Potter," Malfoy sneered. "But I guess you're no better than the rest."
"You got what you deserved, Malfoy," Harry shouted back. "I should have thrown you off your broom like you were trying to do to me!"
"I saw you pull your wand on Harry," said Dean, joining the mix.
By now the rest of the Gryffindor and Slytherin teams had landed. They were lining up against each other as if expecting a full out brawl. Despite that the match had ended, the full crowd was still gathered, anticipating a fight. Madame Hooch was in the thick of things trying to sort everyone out.
Ginny had gotten herself tangled with the Slytherin, Sara, who was saying, "If Gryffindors didn't think they were above the rules, they would never win against us."
"We can play the game better then the whole lot of you," Ginny seethed.
The other girl gave her a malicious grin. "You would never make it on a real Quidditch team. They don't take poor little girls wearing hand-me-downs."
Ginny did the most unexpected thing and sent her fist flying into the Slytherin's face. Up until that point it had strictly been verbal insults thrown back and forth between players, but now that Ginny had sent that other girl sprawling backwards, Slytherins had jumped in to advance on her and the Gryffindors jumped in to defend her. Before any more punches could be thrown, Madame Hooch blew her whistle loudly and stood between the feuding times.
"That's Enough! Everyone back off! The next person I see throwing a punch will be sitting in the stands for the rest of the season, is that understood?"
There were murmurs and grunts of acknowledgment, but neither side backed off until Madame Hooch began separating them.
"Miss Weasley and Miss Summerfield with me," she snapped. "Captains, with me as well."
Ginny faced a furious looking Hooch, who steered her in the direction of the castle. Sara followed as well, holding her injured eye. Malfoy, the Slytherin captain was helping her walk, and Ginny had to bite her tongue to keep from saying anything. She knew she hadn't hit her that hard. With Katie gone, Harry was next on the team in seniority, who was looking every bit as furious as Ginny, as they followed Madame Hooch back up to the castle.
Ginny knew she was in deep trouble before she set foot in Professor McGonagall's office. Madame Hooch followed them in and several moments later they were joined by Snape and an equally fuming McGonagall who slammed the door shut.
"That was one of the most inappropriate displays I have ever been witness to during a Quidditch match. It was most certainly an unexpected sight coming from you, Miss Weasley, of all people," said McGonagall sharply.
Ginny opened her mouth to defend herself, but Harry not so gently nudged her in the ribs. His way of telling her to keep her mouth shut to avoid any more trouble.
"I'm afraid the only way to discourage this kind of future behaviour – and to hopefully prevent any future incidents between Gryffindor and Slytherin – is to suspend Miss Weasley for the next two matches – "
Ginny's mouth fell open in outrage, and she was not staying silent anymore. "Two matches? Professor, that's not fair!" She didn't care how childish she sounded. She wasn't the one who had spent the match trying to land the other team in the hospital wing.
McGonagall turned a hawk-like look on her. "Weasley, do let me finish," she said sharply. "As I was saying, you will miss the next two matches and Miss Summerfield will miss Slytherin's next match."
Malfoy, who had been silently smirking at Harry and Ginny, let the smirk disappear off his face at that news, while Snape began to protest.
"Headmistress, I do not believe Summerfield's behaviour warrants such punishment. It was Weasley who instigated things."
"On the contrary, Severus, it was Miss Summerfield who was the instigator and Miss Weasley merely retaliated. I believe it's only fair that they both be punished."
Snape's lips curled into a thin line. "Of course, you must do as you see fit."
He pointed a hooked finger at Summerfield, who was nursing her bruised face, and then at Malfoy, before ushering them both out of the office. An incensed Snape cast Ginny and Harry a nasty look before leaving.
As soon as they were gone, Ginny tried to plead her case to McGonagall. "Professor, she spent the whole match trying to knock Gryffindors off their broom and she gets one game?"
"Weasley, you should be thankful you're only gone for two. If the decision was left up to Professor Snape you would probably be facing a lifetime ban. I cannot be seen showing favouritism to my own house, even when I have no doubt you are correct that Sara Summerfield was playing outside the rules. I'm sorry, but there's nothing more I can do."
"But Professor – "
"The matter is not up for discussion," she said severely.
"You can't suspend her," Harry final spoke up. "We'll have to play the next two matches a player short!"
"Potter, the matter is not up for discussion," she rounded on him. "I suggest you and Miss Weasley return to your common room before I decide the punishment needs adjusting. And don't look like that, Potter. I can hand out whatever punishment I see fit, regardless of my desire to see Gryffindor win the Quidditch Cup again this year."
Knowing the next words that came out of his mouth would likely result in his own suspension from the team, Harry turned and stormed out of the office. He was so angry he could barely see straight. The only reason he was heading in the right direction towards Gryffindor Tower was out of habit. He couldn't believe McGonagall! And the smirk that bastard Malfoy kept sending his way had almost been enough for him to through caution to the wind and say a few choice words about the Slytherin Quidditch team, no matter how much trouble it landed him in.
"Harry, slow down!" Ginny called, finally catching up to him.
"Do you know the hell the next two games are going to be like with one less Chaser?" He rounded on her.
She took a step back, sure her ears were deceiving her. "I didn't do this on purpose!" She shouted. "You know what the Slytherins are like. You heard Malfoy after the match."
"But I didn't hit him, did I?" Harry snapped back.
"Oh, right I forgot, you and Ron can go around hitting whoever you like whenever you want, but the one time I lose my temper everything's my fault!"
"You should have been thinking about the team before you decided to have a go at Sara Summerfield. And now your selfish actions could end up costing us the next two matches."
Ginny was beyond fuming at this point. Instead of arguing with Harry further, she turned on her heel and stomped off in the opposite direction they had been heading in.
"Ginny!" He couldn't believe how much like a little kid she was acting. She didn't like what he had to say so she was running off.
She came to a halt and faced him angrily. "I think I better leave now before I hit someone else and cost Gryffindor another two matches," she said hotly and then resumed her angry departure.
"I think you were too hard on Ginny," said Ron. "She's getting enough of it from Katie, she doesn't need to hear the same shit from you."
They were sitting in the Room of Requirement waiting for Hermione to meet them there after her detention with Snape. She was supposedly grabbing the last of what they needed to complete the sacrifice spell. Up until that point she had been careful not to get caught. Ron prayed that night would not be any different.
Harry sighed in annoyance. "Don't you bloody-well get on my case about that too. Everyone thinks it's so great she slugged that girl, but no one seems to care that we're going to have to play Ravenclaw down a player."
"Look, the Slytherins are always running their mouths off, it was bound to happen sooner or later. So why the hell are you so mad at her?"
"Because it was stupid," Harry argued, knowing that wasn't much of an answer.
"And the great Harry Potter has never done anything stupid in his life," said Ron in a sarcastic voice.
"Sod off, Ron," Harry snapped.
"You know what? I think those few days you had as captain while Katie was in the hospital wing have gone to your head."
"Is that what you two have been doing all this time?" Said Hermione.
Neither one answered her. They had not even heard her walk in.
"Honestly, both of you grow up." Hermione turned to Ron and said, "Ron, let Ginny fight her own battles. She doesn't need you interfering." Ron started to protest but she was already turning and speaking to Harry. "And Harry, Ron is right. You're being too hard on Ginny. She had a poor lapse in judgment, so what? She's not perfect and for that matter, neither are you. Now if you both think you're mature enough to work together you can stay, otherwise get out and I'll do this alone. Well?"
There was no way Harry or Ron was going to let her do this on her own, so they both grudgingly agreed to put aside their differences for the moment and focus on the spell. When Hermione was convinced they were both going to behave she pulled out several small bags from the pockets of her robes.
"What is all that?" Ron asked her.
"The last of what we need," she answered cryptically.
"And you're sure Snape hasn't noticed you taking any of it?" Harry said, sounding worried.
"I'm positive," she replied. She almost added even if he did, it wouldn't matter because she was supposed to be leaving in the next two days anyways, but she didn't think either one of them would find that knowledge very amusing since they were already well aware of it themselves. She had received a letter from her father the previous week, saying he had found a place for them in Luxembourg near a dentist's office where he would be working. He was expecting her at Heathrow airport next Monday. He had sent her ticket with the letter.
"Does that mean we're going to do this now?" Ron said to her, the briefest hesitation in his voice.
She shook her head. "We have to wait until Sunday. These last few ingredients need a chance to sit together for a few nights."
"That's cutting it kinda close, Hermione," Harry noted.
"I know, but it's not like we have much choice." She began un-bagging the final ingredients she had brought with and measured the correct amount into the waiting cauldron sitting on the table.
"I think you're going to have to explain again to me how this works, because I'm still not getting it all," said Ron.
"It's not like your typical spell," she began, stopping her measuring for the moment. "You don't say the incantation and then drink a potion. There are no words. When Harry's mum died to save him, she didn't perform a spell at all. Everything she already needed was in her heart and it produced a protective magic powerful enough to repel the killing curse. What we're doing is a modified version of that, since you both made it clear you did not want to try remaking that same magic. Instead of us giving up our lives in order to protect each other, with the spell we're doing we'll be able to heal someone, possibly even over great distances. By combining our life forces, or rather our souls, we could heal the most severe injuries."
"So it's permanent, correct?" Ron asked her.
"Yes, it will always be there, but whether it will it always work that's something different altogether. Remember. I've had to alter the spell to accommodate a third person, and depending on how powerful a bond we can create will determine whether it will last five months or five years. But there's no way to tell if it works until the time comes to use it," she finished.
Both boys didn't ask any more questions after that, not wanting to distract Hermione from what she was doing. They tried not to think about how in a few day's time their souls would essentially be linked together and the consequences that would come from that.
