Chapter 11: Silver Phoenix's First Flight
Everyone was tired when they awoke and made their way down to breakfast in the morning. Luckily it was a weekend and the working Order members didn't have to go in to work. They had all stayed up until the early morning playing the game and needed a lie in. The girls were all still excitedly hovering around Gabrielle looking at her ring and discussing weddings. The guys were all steering clear of the women so as not to get pulled into wedding discussions. Fleur was giving Gabrielle lots of advice on how to plan her wedding since she and Bill would be married at the end of the summer. Gabrielle was not in a hurry to get married but was glad that Fleur agreed to let her marry as soon as she finished school, even though she wouldn't be 17 yet.
"I still can't believe he loves me too," Gabrielle told Hermione after breakfast as they sat reading in the drawing room. "I thought he was cheating and he was actually getting up the courage to tell me that he loves me and buying a ring for me."
"I'm happy for you two; it's nice to know that you are getting married for more than a business transaction. You look so great together; it makes me jealous sometimes to see all my friends so much in love." Hermione told her with a wistful smile.
"Why is that? I thought you were happy with Oliver," Gabrielle asked her.
"Oh, I'm having a great time with him. I just don't see the relationship going anyplace serious. He is just not the type of guy I imagine myself marring. He's a lot of fun and we have a nice spark between us, but we also don't have a deep connection. Can you really image me being a wife of a Quidditch star?" She asked laughing at the image.
"You're right, I always picture you with an intellectual type. The kind of guy you can bounce theories off of and who can help you with your research. Someone you can spend hours reading with in front of the fire without him complaining he is bored." Gabrielle told her.
"Yeah, I've been dreaming of the perfect guy since I was 9. As much as Oliver is intelligent I just don't see him as anything other than a Quidditch player. I'll meet someone, someday, probably once I go off to university. I can't image I'd ever be content with someone my own age unless they are an overachiever like me." Hermione said.
"So how long are you going to see him for then?" Gabrielle asked her.
"I don't know, as long as we are having fun I don't see the problem with staying together. I doubt he'll want to keep seeing me once we go back to school." She replied.
"Are we going to the game this week?" Gabrielle asked
"Yep, Harry got us all tickets; England vs. Brazil here in England. It should be a good match; Brazil is a top ranked team. Oliver and Harry say we have to win this game to get put in the right pool so it's easier to get to the cup. The game is on Wednesday, so we will miss our night out, but we can celebrate after the game." She said.
"So she loves you huh?" Harry asked as he plopped down next to Malfoy in the study. He was glad things had worked out well between the two Slytherins.
"That's what it seems, it's kind of surreal at the moment. Yesterday morning she kicks me out and tells me that she doesn't want us to be together anymore and then last night I find out she loves me and is willing to marry me. I found out the reason she kicked me out is she thought I was cheating on her. Can you imagine that? Why would I ever cheat on her? I mean even if I didn't love her, there is absolutely no one out there better than her, well for me that is." Draco told him.
"So were you nervous when you asked her to marry you?" Neville asked him from across the room.
"Yeah, my hands were sweating and even though she had just said she loved me, I was afraid she would still turn me down. I thought I was going to pass out from lack of oxygen because I was holding my breath waiting for her answer." Draco said with a small smile. "I know it sounds all sappy and corny, but she makes me the happiest man in the world. She makes me feel like nothing can get me down, not the dark lord or his death eaters, not my pathetic excuse for a family, nothing, and it's an amazing feeling."
"I know how you feel mate," Harry said with a smile. "I can not imagine my life without Ginny in it. I love her so much. I picture myself in the future and never in it am I without her, that's why I know I want to marry her." Harry told the group.
"I like Luna, and I image we might be right for each other, but our relationship is not serious yet. It's just your typical teenage fling, but maybe someday it will be more. I don't have any clear picture of what my future will bring yet." Neville told them.
"I used to think I knew what I wanted in life. I still want a big family and to play Quidditch or be an Auror, but some things are different. I used to just assume that I would be with Hermione, it just seemed like a forgone conclusion to me. I never really gave any thought to what she wanted; I just assumed it went along with my plan. Susan and I have talked about what we want in life and her plan is the same as mine. Maybe I'll end up with her or maybe I'll find someone else once I finish school, I'll just play it by ear and see where it goes." Ron told them all as he and Draco played chess.
"Do you think Hermione and Oliver will end up together?" Neville asked them. The other three all answered no and laughed. They couldn't image a serious relationship between Hermione and anyone who valued Quidditch so high.
"I got us all tickets to Wednesday's game against Brazil, it' not the top box but it's close enough and we'll be able to see you all cheering for us while we play." Harry told them. I have 20 tickets, enough for you three, Hermione, Ginny, Gabrielle, Luna the twins and their dates, Arthur, Molly, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Tonks and Remus, plus 2 extra tickets. That is fills up the box so I couldn't get any extras for any other order members."
"You could either invite Snape and Kingsley to round out the game group or maybe Neville's parents would like to come. I'm sure someone will want to come and see Xavier play. McGonagall might want to come with one of the other teachers since Wood is on the team." Ron told them and Harry decided to let Remus take care of the extra tickets so he wouldn't have to decide.
Hermione was called into the small sitting room off of the dining room later that morning to talk with Dumbledore. "I have a proposition for you for next year," He told her after he offered her a seat and a lemon drop. "I know you are taking more classes than any other student and was wondering how you planned on keeping up with all your studies, prefect duties and research for the order once classes resumed." He asked her.
"I was hoping that I could take some of my lesser classes as independent study instead of actually having to take class work as well. I am well enough ahead in quite a few classes that I could take the NEWTs tomorrow for them and get an acceptable grade. I was planning on talking to Professor McGonagall about it later in the summer." She told him wondering why he took the time out of his busy schedule to worry about her work load.
"Which NEWTs are you prepared to take early?" Dumbledore said with his noticeable twinkle in his eye.
"I could take the History of Magic, Astronomy, Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures NEWT with a few hours of revision each. I was also hoping to take the Muggle Studies NEWT so that I have it on my record in case it is needed for a job in the future." Hermione told him wondering why he was asking. "That would leave me to take Potions, Transfiguration, DADA, Charms, Herbologry and Arithmancy at the end of the year."
"I have talked with the ministry and they have agreed to have a reviewer at Hogwarts to test you in any subject you feel ready for at the beginning of next week, giving you a week to revise for them as you see fit." Albus told her with a smile. "I need you to continue your research with Severus once the school year starts and this way you will still have adequate time to spend on your studies. Six classes is still quite a bit, perhaps you should think of sitting your Arithmancy or Herbologry exam early as well. What do you think?"
"I am more than willing to try and take the Arithmancy and HErbologry exams early, but if I do not get an O then I would like to be able to retake them at the end of the year after having adequate revision time." Hermione told him with a smile. But I have been ready to take the others since before I sat my OWLs. In fact I could most likely pass all of my NEWTs right now just not with top grades."
"I think you should go ahead and take those 7 exams and any that you are not comfortable with your score on you will be able to re-take at the end of the year." He told her with a smile. "There are many more important things to have you accomplish this year than History of Magic essays that I know you were able to write in 3rd year. You really are the cleverest witch of your generation. Thank you for humoring me in this. I have spoken with Severus and he knows you will be unavailable to research this week since you will be revising. I will see you bright and early a week from Monday at 8 am in the great hall. Severus will accompany you there to meet the ministry official."
"Thank you sir," She said as he left, mentally calculating a study schedule for the next week. She was glad she had brought all her school things with her already from her parents. She hurried up to her room to get to work, she was planning on breaking all the records for NEWT scores like she had on OWLs and wasn't going to let a little thing like no preparation time deter that dream.
"Has anyone seen Hermione today?" Ginny asked them all at dinner. She hadn't come down for lunch and she hadn't seen her the whole day even though she had seen Snape a few times.
"She is in her room with a do not disturb charm on her door and a note board if you want to leave her a message," Gabrielle told them with a shrug. "I figured she was buried in research notes or something."
"Mistress Hermione has been taking her meals in her room too," Winky said as she served them the meal.
"Hermione is studying for her NEWTs," Severus told them all. "Dumbledore asked her to take a few of her exams early so she could continue to focus on our research. This way she is only taking between 4 and 6 classes and will have time to take care of all her responsibilities."
"How many exams is she taking early?" Gabrielle asked him.
"At least 5 maybe 7. She is for sure taking History of Magic, Astronomy, Ancient Runes, Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies and is going to attempt to take Herbologry and Arithmancy. She will still be able to retake any of them at the end of the year if she doesn't get the score she wants." He told them all.
"You mean if she doesn't get a perfect," Ron said and they all chuckled at how anything less than perfect was a failure to Hermione. "She's still upset that she didn't get an O in Astronomy. She asked them to let her re-take the exam since we were all distracted by Umbridge attacking Professor McGonagall, but they wouldn't let her for some reason."
"When is she taking the exams?" Harry asked wondering when they would see their friend again.
"A week from Monday," Snape told them all.
"So we'll see her for the match hopefully, but other than that she'll be holed up with her books and notes. Winky, can you make sure she is actually eating the meals you send up and taking stretch breaks and has plenty of snack food and beverages up there please." Harry said, and the elf agreed to take care of her.
"So do you think she'll be head girl then?" Ginny asked them all. "I know she has always wanted to be, it would be sad if she didn't get it."
"As much as I like the other 7th year girls they don't deserve it like Hermione does. She works so hard all the time and takes her studies more seriously than any other student in the school. If she doesn't get it then we're going to have to complain." Harry said mater of factly.
"She has my vote if that means anything," Snape told them. "And I know Irma and Minerva will definitely want her as well. I can think of no other student that has worked as hard for the honor."
"I just don't want to be head boy," Harry told them. "It's bad enough I have to do Quidditch, prefect rounds, DA, Auror training and school work, I don't think I could handle any extra responsibilities."
"I think I'm going to drop Divination this year, there is really no point in me taking it. I'm not a seer and I already just make up my homework, it just seems like a big waste of time." Ron told them all.
"Yeah, I wish I could drop a few classes as well. I'm just not sure which ones. I would like to get rid of Astronomy since I really don't need it and as much as I love Hagrid I wish I could get out of Care of Magical Creatures." Harry told them.
"I heard that he might not be coming back to teach this year," Tonks told them, she had entered the room a few minutes into the discussion. "He is thinking about moving to France permanently with Madame Maxime. I heard Albus was going to start interviewing professors for the position."
"I'll miss him if he stays in France, but then I wouldn't feel bad about dropping his class. I'm sure it would be even more dangerous this year without Hermione to help him with his lesson plans." Harry told them.
"Hermione writes his lesson plans?" Remus asked shocked. "When does she have time to do that?"
"I'm not sure, she seems to have time to do everything the rest of us don't. I hope she's not still using that time turner." Ron commented.
"When did she use a time turner? For what reason and who gave her permission?" Snape asked surprised. "Those are very highly regulated."
"She used it in her 3rd year to get to all her extra classes. She tried to take all the elective classes. The ministry let her use it after Dumbledore and McGonagall wrote them a letter. She was only supposed to use it for her studies and she made sure to follow the law to the letter." Harry told the surprised people around the table.
"And how do you know about the law?" Remus asked suspicious.
Harry and Ron looked nervously at each other and eyed Remus and Snape before Harry took a deep breath. "You have to promise this information does not leave this room." Once everyone had agreed he told the story of their 3rd year and how they used the time turner to go back in time and save both Buckbeak and Sirius.
"I knew it was your fault!" Severus said triumphantly. "I was right all this time! Now I know how you were able to do it and stay tucked safely in the hospital wing. How did you manage to survive the Dememtor attack?"
"I conjured a patronus. It was my first real on and it attacked the Dememtors that were about to perform the kiss on me. I was on the opposite side of the lake as my other self and couldn't see me properly. I thought it was my dad when it happened the first time and then when we went back I realized it had been me and was able to cast the charm since I already knew it would work." Harry told them. "The scariest part was keeping out of the way of Remus as he was in full werewolf form and it was hard to keep Buckbeak from running off after HAgrid."
"How did you even know about her time turner to know to use it to save them?" REmus asked, "Hermione would never have told you voluntarily since it's against the law."
"It was Dumbledore's idea," Harry said and watched as Snape growled.
"All that time he knew and never told me." Snape said through gritted teath. "Although I will now admit that I was wrong about Black and it is a good thing you saved him. I am still sore about not getting my Order of Merlin."
"Don't worry; I'm sure you'll get one for your Cloud Clearing potion once the war is over. Remember that the new Minister of Magic is not an idiot like the last one and seems to like you for some reason," Remus told him causing the room to laugh.
"I'm hoping to receive it for more than just that potion. I hope we have the anti-crucio potion soon. We are getting closer and are to the point we are ready to start some tests to see which direction to carry on our search." Severus told them.
"I believe you'll find the cure, don't give up," Ginny told him seriously. They all tended to take Ginny's gut feelings as fact now days after all the correct predictions she has made.
"So who's going to win the match on Wednesday Gin?" Ron asked, "I wouldn't mind making a wager on the game."
"Ronald Weasley!" Ginny scolded, "I refuse to even contemplate the trouble you would be in if mum found out. I think England is going to win but it has nothing to do with my ability and more to do with the fact that I like their seeker."
"What do you need the money for?" Harry asked.
"I want to but something nice for Susan for her birthday and didn't want to ask mum since she'll get all freaked out and think I am getting too serious too fast. You know she's still sore that Hermione and I broke up, she always wanted her as another daughter." Ron said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, she's always considered Harry and Hermione as surrogate family. I hope at least one of them will officially join the family." Ginny said looking meaningfully at Harry.
"I would plan on it," Harry said kissing her hand and winking at her.
"What are you laughing at?" Draco asked Gabrielle as she giggled at Harry's comment. "You'll soon be Mrs. Malfoy, what's wrong with anyone else making life time long plans." The adults decided to leave the kids to their own devices and headed out of the kitchen.
Wednesday rolled around quickly and the house was in chaos getting ready for the game. All the Weasley's were present as well as Lee Jordan and Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell. Dumbledore had decided to induct all of them into the Order earlier in the week along with Xavier, so they were allowed at headquarters now. Lee and Katie were taking the last 2 tickets and rounding out the group since no one else was as excited to go as they were.
"So is your nephew anywhere near as good as Harry?" Angelina asked Remus as they were all getting ready to take the portkey to the stadium.
"He's very good; I would say is talent is even with Harry's. You'll like his new broom, it's custom and called the Silver Phoenix. It's much faster and handles better than the firebolt. Harry helped him design it actually, they copywrited it so the manufactures have to ask them to use any of the modifications." Remus told her as the others all drooled over the idea of the new broom.
"I can't wait to see him in action; he is such a cool guy. We met him at the club in Diagon alley and now he's an order member. Wood says he is great." Fred told them.
"If Wood thinks he's great then we have a good shot. Wood is a great judge of talent." Katie said as the last of them trouped into the living room to gather around the beat up old purse that was serving as their portkey.
Hermione leaned over to talk to Gabrielle, "I have a feeling I'm going to be Quidditched out very soon. This is my only break this week and I'm spending it in the midst of Quidditch obsessed people." Gabrielle laughed and soon they were all traveling to the stadium.
"How come Harry didn't come again?" Lee asked as they were all taking their seats in their reserved box.
"We couldn't run the risk of someone spotting him and the death eaters attacking." Remus said sticking to the made up story. "Besides, it kind of depresses him that he didn't have the chance to play."
"If they loose the cup because Harry wasn't on the team I'm going to personally throttle Professor Dumbledore!" Angelina said loudly. "Harry is the best seeker in the country and probably the world, we shouldn't have to settle for second best, even if he is your nephew!"
"Oi, Angie, calm down. Harry says he would have had a hard time beating Xavier in the tryout so don't worry. I just can't wait to get a look at what that broom can do!" Fred said to pacify her, it was amazing how much she liked Quidditch, boy was he lucky.
The team was introduced and flew out onto the pitch. Wood flew by and blew a kiss to Hermione making her blush and the others laugh. Xavier also flew by and waved and sent a wink at Ginny before taking his place above the pitch.
"I think he just winked at Ginny," Mrs. Weasley said to Arthur (she doesn't know he's Xavier). "George told me they danced together a few times at the club as well. We should probably keep an eye on them. I doubt she realizes he might fancy her and we don't want poor Harry to think she's not being faithful."
"I'm sure it's nothing dear," Arthur said but making a mental note to keep a closer watch on the two. He had met the boy the other night and he seemed friendly enough. Perhaps he was unaware that Harry and Ginny were seeing each other.
The match was fast paced as both sides had superb chasers. Wood was busy trying to block all the shots and was proving who he earned his place on the team. Xavier was putting the other seeker through the paces by showcasing some of his lesser skills on the broom. He had tricked the Brazilian seeker three times with different dives and the crowd loved it. Harry was smiling to himself that they were chanting 'Lupin, Lupin' and wondered what Remus thought of it all.
It was abut an hour into the match when he spotted it for the first time and raced in the direction of the golden winged ball at the opposite side of the pitch. He was happy to see the other seeker pause for a moment wondering if it was another trick before he tried to catch up. He was getting nearer to the snitch when he had to narrowly avoid two bludgers and actually had to stop in his pursuit of the snitch when all three chasers flew in his path. He was very upset when he realized the snitch had gotten away. His team mates were in an uproar at the blocking techniques used by the Brazilian team and the game turned nasty in a hurry.
"Dirty rotten cheats, just because their seeker has no chance in catching the snitch doesn't mean they have to cheat their way to victory!" Ron called out angrily. Xavier had quickly become a crowd favorite and they were all upset at the loss of the snitch. Ron was scolded again by his mother for uttering some choice words when one of the English chasers was clubbed in the head by the Brazilian beater. The crowd finally calmed down when England was awarded a penalty shot and a reserve chaser was brought in to continue the game since the other one was still unconscious and being treated by medi-wizards.
Xavier took the penalty and injury time to circle the pitch high above in search of the snitch while the others all took a rest. He was also happy to see the other seeker head down for a drink of water so he did not have to worry about him spotting the snitch. After the penalty shot England was up 90 to 60 and there was an expectant feeling in the stands as they all hoped the snitch would be spotted again soon. He had spotted the snitch right as they scored the penalty shot and was waiting for the quaffle to be put back in play so he could pounce. As soon as he noticed the chasers move for the ball he laid himself flat on his broom and took off like a missile toward the ground below their hoops.
The crowd gasped at the amazing flying as they watched Xavier swerve through opposing players and dive sharply towards the ground. He wasn't taking any chances this time and put his broom through its paces which is saying a lot as it's the best broom in the world. He reached the snitch right as two bludgers were coming at him from opposite directions. He was still 3 feet above the snitch and quickly swung around, hanging from his legs on the broom and reached down grabbing the snitch. The two bludgers barreled past where his head and torso were only seconds before.
Harry/Xavier grinned, straightened up on his broom and held the snitch in the air. The cheers were deafening. If he had thought victories at Hogwarts were something special, he could not even put into words the feeling from having thousands of people cheering for him. He flew over to his team mates and they all did a victory lap, waving to their fans. Xavier and Wood flew over to the box full of their friends as the rest of the team headed for the changing rooms.
"You were amazing!" Ginny gushed as soon as the boys were within earshot. "That was a great move at the end and your broom is spectacular."
"I thought for sure those bludgers were going to get you there at the end," Remus said with a small grimace, "I'm glad you're ok."
X grinned and hugged his parents and then shook hands with all the guys. He thanked them all for coming to his match and promised them all tickets to the next one if they wanted to be there. Katie, Angelina and Alicia were acting like quite the fan girls with their excessive praise of his talents.
Wood smiled as Hermione threw her arms around him as soon as he landed. "You did a great job today. You had some very nice saves." She had actually enjoyed the match since it was so fast pace. She didn't really hate Quidditch; she just detested talking about it 24 hours a day.
"It makes it all worth while to see you smile at me like that when the match is over," Oliver purred into her ear as he gathered her close in his arms. "I was very glad to see you today. I've missed seeing you, talking with you and especially kissing you."
"Well I think we can remedy those," She said with a smirk before he brought his mouth down to hers in an intense kiss. They only broke away when they heard the tell talk sound of a camera clicking away. There were several reporters hovering around watching the group and especially the two stars.
"Oliver, who's the girl?" "I thought you were seeing Hermione Granger" and "Are you off the market for good?" were just a few of the questions they were hurtling at them as soon as they pulled apart.
Hermione was amused that they didn't recognize her. She had her hair up in a high pony tail and was wearing a modified pair of Oliver's Puddlemore United robes that he had given her to wear to support him. She had to say that she actually looked quite sexy in his robes and not very much like her bookworm self, no wonder the reporters were having trouble. Oliver was also amused at the press he was getting. Sure he had been in a few witches magazines but nothing as much as this. He rather enjoyed the press.
Ginny was standing watching the spectacle knowing that neither one of them would answer the presses questions. She knew they were also both dying to tell the press exactly who Hermione was but didn't want to be quoted or have to give an account of their relationship. "Hermione, hurry up, we're getting ready to leave!" Ginny yelled over to her friend and could see the devious smile forming on the brunets face.
"Give me just a second Ginny, I have to say goodbye to Oliver!" She called back smirking as the reporters were writing franticly. She turned back into Oliver's embrace and whispered into his ear. "Talk to X in the change room about where we are going to celebrate and I'll meet you there." Oliver smiled and gave her a long and sweet kiss goodbye before mounting his broom again and flying off to the change rooms with Xavier in toe.