Was It Something I Said?
Chapter 3–Quidditch RevelationsGinny walked down to the Quidditch pitch, her broom slung over her shoulder. The weather was perfect for them to practice in. She entered the change rooms and greeted the other players.
Harry was adjusting his robes, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles on them and Ron was laughing and pointing at him.
"Look at you mister cap-i-tan." He said in a strange accent. Harry had been made captain of the Gryffindor team that year and he took his job seriously though thankfully, he didn't take it nearly as seriously as Angelina and Oliver had. Ginny was glad that she hadn't had Oliver as a captain. Angelina was bad enough for a few months back in her fourth year.
Harry liked them all to enjoy themselves; he'd said that he thought that was the best way to conduct a team. Ron had snorted when he'd said this and the team had shot into the air on Ron's orders had started to behave disruptively. Harry had called them back down again and told them never to take orders from Ron again and they'd laughed together and finally had a proper practice.
Ginny had stayed on the team since they'd needed all new Chasers the next year and Harry told her that he wouldn't drop her under any circumstances so she'd stayed on the team. She was glad because she didn't really want to have to try out for the team again; it had been nerve wracking enough the year before.
They'd held tryouts every night for a whole week whilst Harry tried to put together a team. He'd asked her and Ron's opinions and they'd successfully put together a tight knit team that worked effortlessly as one.
Today the team was laughing together about some private joke and Ginny tried to listen, to guess what they were talking about but no one seemed to want to clue her in. She shrugged, not concerned and headed around behind the lockers to change. She was the only fifth year on the team now, which was sometimes a little lonely.
The team this year comprised of Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, Amanda Scott, Sandy Peterman, Harry, Ron and of course Ginny. She'd been surprised when Dean and Seamus had turned up for tryouts. She didn't think that they were interested in playing for the team, they hadn't shown an interest before now. Dean had said that he'd played softball, or something of the sort, before he came to Hogwarts and that he was an excellent 'Batter' so was a natural at hitting the bludgers at the opposing team. Seamus however, wasn't as good at aiming at players, in fact his aim was pretty poor but he could still hit the bludgers very well. Sandy and Amanda, the other two Chasers were sixth years that Ginny didn't know very well. They were exceptional players and were best friends so they stuck to themselves and didn't usually include Ginny in what they were talking about. That was fine with her; she'd rather play the game than giggle at how 'cute' Harry and Ron were.
"Right. Let's go. Sandy, Ron can you two grab the balls for me? Thanks." Harry said without waiting for an answer from Ron because he was likely to get a sarcastic one. They grabbed the Quidditch balls, Sandy stifling her giggles so that she could have a conversation with Ron, who was barely listening as he'd just noticed Hermione sitting in the stands with Hagrid, apparently there to watch them practice.
The team practised for an hour and a half, beating the Quaffle about amongst themselves, Harry and Ginny racing each other several times for the Snitch. Ron, defending his hoops though he strayed from them a lot and ended up playing Chaser for the most part. Ginny sat stationary in the air, watching everyone enjoying himself or herself thinking that had Oliver been there he probably would have had a minor heart attack. She watched Harry and Ron fight each other for the Quaffle, and smiled to herself and descended, knowing that practice was over; they hadn't done drills for over half an hour now. She didn't mind, as she didn't often join in anyway. Which made her wonder why Harry kept her on the team. She mostly hung in the air though she helped out when she was needed. Harry must have had his reasons though or she wouldn't have still been on the team. Probably just feels sorry for me. She'd thought more than once.
She changed in the team's rooms then emerged and walked over to Hermione and Hagrid who were watching the blurred red and gold people zooming about the air.
"Hello there Ginny." Hermione said frowning as Ron nearly fell from his broom because Harry had flown up behind him and scared him. "I can't believe how much they muck around during practice. It's a wonder you ever manage to win a match!" she said, shaking her head.
Ginny nodded though she didn't really agree but didn't feel that it was her place to argue, though she knew deep down that it was. Hermione just didn't understand Quidditch. It wasn't always about winning, no matter what Ron said, they had to have fun, to take things as they came. If they didn't have fun, then they weren't likely to win any games. There was logic to it all, even if Hermione couldn't see it.
"I'm going back up to the castle." Ginny said, picking up her broom from beside her. "Tell Harry will you? Thanks." She said as Hermione nodded and turned her attention back to the sky.
Ginny sat on the couch in the Common Room two hours later reading a book when Harry sat next to her.
"I've been looking for you all over the place." He said smiling at her.
"I've been sitting here for over an hour." She said, turning the page.
"Er…right. So anyway, you left early and I didn't get a chance to tell you. We're playing Ravenclaw tomorrow." He said, scratching his neck.
"What? But we're not supposed to be—"
"I know, I know. Slytherin pulled out for some reason and we have to take their place, you know how it goes. Anyway, we're playing them at ten tomorrow. Be there ok?" he said and stood up again to go back to Ron and Hermione, who Ginny noticed, were being particularly civil to each other, whilst they darted looks to her every now and then.
"Sure." She muttered, going back to her book.
Soon after Ginny stood to go to bed, thinking that she should get a good night's sleep if she had to be up tomorrow to play Quidditch. She climbed into bed ten minutes later and rolled over and fell asleep almost instantly.
That night she dreamt about the coming Quidditch match. Gryffindor lost, 2,000 to 0. It was an awful score and everyone was looking at her for an explanation of their loss. She knew they all blamed her but they wouldn't say so. She felt awful. She was pleading with Ron and Harry to forgive her awful playing, that she knew it was all her fault that they had no chance at winning the Quidditch Cup now. Her fault.
She awoke with a start and looked at the clock and saw that it read nine thirty. Not a problem, it was Saturday she could sleep in. The only days that she couldn't were days that they had a game that started at ten. Sitting up suddenly she realised that they did in fact have a game. She cursed inwardly and grabbed her playing robes from the end of her bed and struggled to pull them on.
This is why I need a friend in this dorm, someone to wake me up when I sleep in. Which, is only twice a year. On the days when I can't afford too!
She ran from the room, and arrived at the pitch in record time. She walked in on the rest of the team sitting patiently, apparently waiting for her. Or so she thought.
"Oh Ginny, hey. I didn't even realise you weren't here." Harry said, going over his charts. Ginny sat down and tried to catch her breath before they'd go out to test the pitch conditions. Once she had, they went out as a group and were met by a few whistles from the crowd. Ginny looked up into the stands and grinned. This was what she loved about playing, seeing all those people turn up to watch them participate. She located Hermione and waved to her and Hermione smiled and waved back and rolled her eyes at Ron who was hanging casually on his broom, which was hovering a few feet from the ground. Ginny just grinned at her and shrugged, and mimed pushing him off.
Ginny stood quietly by the edge of the pitch, watching as everyone got into the spirit of another Quidditch match. She could see Luna Lovegood sitting across the pitch with her Lion perched on her head. She smiled, Luna wore the thing to every match that Gryffindor played in. It was sweet of her to support the team so well. People had stopped laughing at it a long time ago and now they were often to be found roaring along with it, laughing themselves silly.
"Hey Weasel. Going to do anything today?" a voice called nastily from behind her. Ginny bristled, she knew who that voice belonged too.
Malfoy. She thought with distaste. Doesn't he have anything better to do?
"I know you can hear me." he said in a singsong voice.
Ignore him. Said a voice in her head, which sounded suspiciously like Hermione's. She grinned but didn't say anything to Malfoy.
"Yeah Weasley, are you going to touch the Quaffle today. You should be able to see it, it's the same colour as your ugly hair." Came a different voice, this one belonging to Pansy Parkinson.
Look who's talking. You ugly pug faced—
"It's very rude not to face a person when they are talking to you Virginia, has no one taught you any manners. Then again, I suppose not, living with Weasel it makes sense." Malfoy said, sending Pansy into a fit of laughter, which to Ginny, sounded like a dog being forced into a kennel that it didn't like.
Madam Hooch's whistle blew at the same moment that Ginny began to feel dizzy, she was about to tell someone about the feeling and the popping of colour behind her eyelids but it ended and she felt perfectly fine. Angry, but fine. She kicked off from the ground making sure to splatter Malfoy and Pansy with mud from a fresh puddle from the rain the night before as she flew into the air. She heard Pansy shriek with indignation as she joined the rest of her teammates in the air.
Harry grinned, giving her the thumbs up and pointing to Malfoy who was wiping mud from his robes. Ginny just smirked and winked at Harry whose smile slipped from his face but he nervously put it back smiling gently.
Sandy grabbed the Quaffle from the air and the game began. Instead of staying motionless in the air, Ginny flew alongside her and was there to grab it when Sandy was attacked from behind by a Ravenclaw Chaser. Ginny flew as fast as she could towards the Ravenclaw goals and shot the Quaffle towards the middle hoop and the Keeper ducked, in fear of having his head knocked off and the Quaffle soared through the middle hoop without touching it at all.
She cheered along with the rest of the crowd as the Keeper went to fetch the ball from behind the goals. He threw it to the other end of the pitch and Ginny scowled at him.
"Thanks for that." She said sarcastically as she sped back down to the other end. Sandy was in possession of the Quaffle again but had it ripped from her grasp by a dark haired boy who was heading for Ron. Ginny flew up above him and dropped right in front of him and she surprised him so much that he dropped the Quaffle in fright and she flew down and grabbed it.
"Thanks!" she said, hitting it with all her might to Amanda, who shot it through the goal, earning them another ten points.
She watched as Harry flew around above all of them, looking for the Snitch. Ravenclaw's Seeker, Cho Chang was watching Harry with contempt, as though if she didn't win, it'd be on his head. Harry wasn't even paying her any attention; he was watching his team playing down below him. As she sat still she realised that the commentator, Dennis Creevey, was saying her name.
"Young Ginny Weasley is showing her true colours today! This is the most action I've seen from her in any of the games she's played in. Cheer on Keeper Weasley's sister everyone!" he finished, and the crowd cheered.
Ginny shot Dennis a nasty look. So she was only known as Ron's sister was she? She'd show them. She took off again and stole the Quaffle right out of the dark haired boys hands. His comment was a hurried 'Hey!' before he put on a burst of speed and followed her down the pitch. She decided to have some fun and flew all over the pitch, changing directions all the time, confusing the boy very much. In the end he dropped back and she scored twice in ten seconds.
Twenty minutes later, Ginny was getting a little tired and decided to take a rest down near the ground so that she could grab the falling Quaffle if need be. She was minding her own business, breathing hard when Malfoy made another crude comment.
"Hello in there, is that you Wood? It can't be Weasley because she can't play, she's the worst player I've ever seen and you however, are halfway decent, so please show yourself." He said and Ginny glared at him and was about to say something but saw the Quaffle fall through the air a few metres away. She flew over to grab it and was about to throw it up to Amanda when Malfoy spoke again.
"I'm surprised she knows which end is the tail." He said referring to Ginny's slightly battered broom to Pansy who shrieked with laughter again.
Ginny froze mid throw and turned around, pulled her arm back and released the Quaffle with as much strength as she possessed and it hurtled through the air and hit Malfoy on his pointed little face. She whooped for joy when it made contact and she glared at the people that were staring at her.
"Are you telling me," she yelled so that many of them could hear her, "that you've never wanted to do that to him?" she asked incredulously.
Turning to Malfoy who was now sporting a steadily bleeding nose she said, "You know, it's really pathetic that you have to pick on a female a year younger than you to make yourself feel better. Do us all a favour and find yourself a new hobby." She said, returning to playing height, to the cheers of the Gryffindors.
"What can I say? All in a days work!" she said laughing and tearing down the pitch again.
Harry watched Ginny go and he looked at Ron to see his reaction, only to see his friend staring at the ground where Malfoy sat in the stands, trying to stem the flow of his nose with a rather pleased look on his face. Ron looked up again and caught Harry's eye and shrugged, indicating that it wasn't normal for Ginny to do things like this. Harry wondered what had gotten into her but he knew that it was something good, if only she'd play like this all the time! They'd needed this from her before yet she'd held back. He'd have to tell her how proud of her he was. As he was sitting there stationary on his broom, he caught a glint of light and noticed the Snitch fluttering near the middle of the pitch.
Ginny having just scored yet another goal suddenly noticed Harry hurtling towards a shiny spot near the floor of the pitch. She looked around and found Cho heading in the same direction. Ginny flew towards her and cut her off.
"Nice day." She said as Cho pulled up to a stop.
"Get out of the way!" she said, trying to edge by Ginny who matched her move for move.
"Good game don't you think?"
"No I don't. Would you just---argh!" Cho cried, frustrated. Ginny didn't need to turn around to see what this reaction meant, the crowds' enthusiastic cheers told her the whole story; Harry had caught the Snitch.
"Nice talking to you Cho." Ginny said, flying down to join her team on the ground and being flattened onto the ground. She laughed heartily and pushed them all from her. Harry however was lying on top of her and he flushed lightly and stood up, pulling her with him and made to let go of her but she seized him by the wrist.
"Great game." She said breathing heavily.
"Sure was. Thanks for that little diversion." He said, grinning happily at her.
"No problem. Had to be done you see." She said, looking him right in the face, matching his grin. "I've never had that much fun playing Quidditch before. I should do it more often." She said laughing.
"I know! What happened to you out there? It was amazing!" Harry said, now relaxing in her grip.
"I don't know but we won!" she said, tackling him in a hug and Harry laughed, swinging her around. Soon realising that people surrounded them he put her back on the ground and she smiled at him, her hair flying out behind her and coming to rest on her left shoulder. She flicked it back behind her and she was pulled away from Harry a moment later.
"Ginny you were brilliant!" Sandy said as she hugged her and Amanda nodded vigorously from next to her.
"Where'd you learn to play like that?! Why didn't you tell us you could play like that?" Amanda asked, seeming to take it as an insult.
"My little secret?" Ginny said laughing with them. She snuck a look at Harry and saw that he was watching her with studying eyes. She grinned at him and winked again, making him blush.
Ron grabbed her next and gave her a high five. "Excellent playing Ginny! Though I'm beginning to wonder if Malfoy was right, are you sure it's you in there, since when can you play like that?"
Ginny glared at him and answered, a hand on her hip. "Since always Ron, but you wouldn't know that would you? You don't take any notice of what I do. You're always too busy with Harry and Hermione, your friends. I'm just your sister, I shouldn't expect any of your time." She said, storming off towards the change rooms. Ron and Harry standing staring at her open mouthed.
"She's right you know." Harry said quietly as Ron stood staring around him.
"Yeah," he said sighing. "I'm right awful to her. I've just never really noticed, she never said anything before."
"Well I think she's going to say what she thinks from now on. She's changed." Harry said, not sure which Ginny he liked better.
"Yeah…I've got to go talk to her. I'll catch you up later." He said as he sprinted off to the Change Rooms.
Ginny slid down the wall in the Change Rooms, thinking about what Ron had said. She's always been able to play like that. It just figured that he didn't know that. She threw her shoe at the lockers opposite her and she heard someone say 'Ouch!' She sat up and saw Ron stick his head around the corner. She rolled her eyes.
"Get lost Ron." She said, standing and turning her back on him.
"Just…hear me out." He said, holding up his hands in fear that she'd throw something else at him.
"Fine. Make it quick. You haven't got time for me, so I don't have time for you." She said nastily, lifting her nose in the air slightly.
"What you said out there…you were right. I don't pay you much attention. I should, you're my little sister, my only sister. I care about you Gin, I do, I'm just not that good at showing it. You know that." Ron said, rubbing the back of his neck; he did that when he was nervous, Ginny knew.
"Yeah well." Ginny said quietly.
"Forgive me?"
Ginny just looked at him. "You'll have to make it up to me." she said, smiling lightly.
"I will, things are going to change from now on Ginny, I promise you that." Ron said, pulling her into a hug. Ginny hugged back for a moment before pulling away.
"Ron, you stink. Have a shower." She said wrinkling her nose.
"I could say the same about you!" he said, grinning.
"Yes, you could, but you won't." Ginny said, grabbing her towel and heading to the girls' showers.
Later that night Ginny was to be found sitting with Ron, Hermione and Harry at their table in the Common room. She'd been invited to sit with them though she didn't know why. All that she knew was that Ron was paying her plenty of attention and the Common Room was partying as Gryffindor had won the game earlier that day. She'd seen Malfoy walking around with a bandage over his nose and his eyes were purpling quite nicely. She had the feeling that she had been present when it happened but she just couldn't remember how it had happened.
Ginny was staring off across the room when she saw a piece of parchment appear on the notice board. She stood up and went over to read it. Her eyes widened as she took in the words.
Dear Students,
It is my pleasure to inform you that this year Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be holding it's first Muggle Halloween Ball. You are hereby required to dress as someone from the Muggle world. Be it a famous person, or a creature that the children in the Muggle world dress as.
The ball is open to students all years, as you do not require a dance partner as per the Yule Ball. The ball starts at eight o'clock and the feast will follow the ball, making it a long night for all. You are not required to attend the feast but by all means you are all welcome.
In the meantime, who ever comes up with the most creative costume wins a years supply of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans. The headmaster and I hope to see all of you there.
Yours sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Transfiguration Teacher.
Ginny raised her eyebrows and walked back over to the trio who were engaged in a game of Exploding Snap as they'd finished their homework.
"Want to play Gin?" Harry and Ron asked as she sat down, looking at them strangely she shook her head and proceeded to tell them about the Halloween Ball.
"Oh yes that's right. I'd completely forgotten about it." Hermione said, throwing a card onto the pile and pulling back as it exploded, Ron sighing happily.
"Yeah, they told us about it on the first day of term in the Prefect's compartment. Don't we have to help with that?" he asked Hermione who frowned at him.
"Yes, we do, Ron." She said, picking up a discarded book to her left and opening it to a marked page.
"So what do you think you'll wear?" Ginny asked the three of them. Hermione brightened but didn't say anything. Ron and Harry shrugged.
"Wouldn't have a clue." Harry said honestly. "I'll probably just wear Muggle clothing." He said, throwing a card onto the stack.
"Very adventurous you are." Hermione said smiling. "What about you Ron?" she said looking at him pointedly.
"I don't know. I need ideas. What sorts of things do Muggles dress as on Halloween?" he asked and Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes, realising that of course Ron and Ginny wouldn't know what to dress as.
"Well…super hero's and things like that. People they admire, story book characters...animals." Hermione said, casting around for ideas.
"What so what you're saying is, we could dress as a Hippogriff?" Ron said incredulously. Hermione laughed.
"Yes, of course you could, if you wanted too."
"Think I'll pass actually." He said, the Snap cards exploding again.
The wheels in Ginny's head were turning. What could she dress as? For some reason she wanted to keep it a surprise, she didn't want anyone knowing before the night what she would wear. She thought about the Muggle fairy tales that she'd heard of; maybe she could find something in them that was halfway respectable. She didn't want to dress as some animal. She wanted to look nice and as close to normal as she could manage. She didn't want to stand out from the crowd if she could help it.
She smiled, thinking that now Ron was taking an interest in what she was doing that it might actually be fun to dress up for the night and spend time with her brother and his friends. She sat and watched the three of them silently as they went about their business.
Ginny was surprised at how suddenly they were inviting her to do things with them. She must have done something good for them to be paying her attention all of a sudden. Something good. She thought. But what? She was having too many instances when she didn't know what she'd been doing. It reminded of her first year when Voldermort had possessed her. She shuddered slightly and Hermione looked up concerned.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine." Ginny lied. Something that she had gotten good at over the years of being ignored.
He couldn't be possessing her now though, that was ridiculous, he was dead. Harry had killed him. It was over forever.
"I'm Fine." She muttered to herself quietly.
Hope you liked it guys! Bit pressed for time tonight so without further ado…
To my reviewers:
Thanks to OExpecto PatronumO – BrokenRain -- Rayah Papaya –Vanilla Chocolate – ina otaku – Manders – kaiyana – HarryGinny -- ginnyNharrysecretlove
Sapphire TeresaI'm back and better than ever! Lol. What an opening. It does seem that she has a personality disorder doesn't it? That was actually the main plan but…well you'll see. =) Thanks for reviewing.
IceSugarHigh
Wouldn't it be funny if he did? Hmm lol. Bit too smart you are I think. I mentioned you this time! Are you happy? I don't mention everyone all the time though otherwise it'd take too long, but I do appreciate everyone's reviews all the same. Thanks!
Annie
I know what it's like to have an average day and find a fantastic fic to read (Not saying that this one is or anything) It's really satisfying. I aim to make people laugh so I think my job here is done!
MilesFromNormal
I hear ya. I think at some point in time, all of us will be envious of Ginny in that last chapter. Though right now, I don't have teachers I want to yell at but I'm sure it'll happen soon enough. ;-)
MeliI'm the same way Meli, I'm too shy for my own good. Though once annoyed, I can spout off for hours lol. You don't want to get on my bad side today. For instance, I've just gotten back from out town's local Show (Fair) after being nearly suffocated by people trying to buy sample bags (showbags). There was one kid who was shouting in my ear and I said to my Mum through clenched teeth 'If she does that one more time I will hit her.' And someone standing nearby looked and me and smiled and I smiled back and putting on a sweet face and voice said 'I'm a nice child, really I am.' This nastiness came from me, me who wants to be a preschool teacher…people should be worried. Bit of trivia for you guys! It just goes to show Meli, that when annoyed, the shyest of people can really let rip. (Today's episode was tame, compared to usual.)
IndiaInkYou can say that my story is one of the most realistic you've read in a long while and I'm glad you did. I seem to be able to write that way for some reason. I think because the Trio Ginny are teens and I'm one myself, it just comes easily. This is actually the first story that I've really written that has much magic in it! Usually it's all romance. Lol.
Musicsage92I've just been and read your story! Very nice. I'm considering writing a Lily/James soon myself. (Thanks to Sede's brilliance.) I have two other stories going at the moment but I don't like them very much so I may take over Lily and James for a while and put them through hell lol. Catch ya soon! Thanks for reviewing.
JamieBell
Hey hey! I haven't heard that song yet, but that isn't saying much. I haven't listened to the radio for ages for a long time. I used to listen to it for hours on end but these days it distracts me from my homework. I have that whole 'dancing-in-front-of-the-mirror-with-the-hairbrush' disease and when that happens, the homework doesn't get done. Lol. Ron is…well once again I've made him a tad thick. I'm sorry Ronnie! I love Ron as much as the next person but I always write him as a thick individual. Shouldn't do that. Anywho's, we'll see more of Ron's comments don't you worry. Thanks again for reviewing! =)
A Harry and Ginny Dreamer
Ah…you're warm. I'll tell you that much. You're not getting too far ahead of yourself trust me. You're really good at this story thing aren't you? Lol. Keep reading!