CHAPTER 18

During the second weekend of school, Ron was called into McGonagall's office.

"Sit down, Mr. Weasley," she said.

Ron sat, not sure what to expect. He hasn't caused any trouble, yet. It's too early to get detention for not doing any work, and he has done fine on the OWLs. What could McGonagall call Ron in for?

"Biscuit," McGonagall asked, opening a tartan cookie jar.

Ron took one and ate it quietly in his seat.

"That was a brilliant save last season. It won us this cup," McGonagall said, looking at the Quidditch Cup sitting on her shelf. She turned around and a small smile formed. "Yes, another year, it will sit in my office. A fact I like to kindly remind Professor Snape when I saw him at the beginning of the school term. But, I don't want all my boasting to go to shame. This year, we need a stronger team. Harry will be back as Seeker, of course. However, we need three new Chasers. I heard your sister might be interested in one of those spots. The Beaters from last year were decent, but we need to make them better. I need someone to make sure the players are still up to par. I'm sure you won't have any difficulty with that, now will you, Mr. Weasley?"

Ron, who was nodding in agreement during the whole speech, completely missed what McGonagall was saying. It took a while for what she said to sink in.

"What," Ron said, almost falling out of his chair when he finally caught up.

"Mr. Weasley, I want you as the new Gryffindor captain," McGonagall said, picking up an armband. "Here you go."

"But, Professor, are you sure" Ron asked, still not believing this moment. As soon as those words left his mouth, he wished he could take it back. He was afraid McGonagall has seen her mistake and change her mind.

"Don't you want to be captain," she asked confused. Obviously, no student has ever question receiving captainship.

"I do, but, I only had one year of experience," Ron explained. "Wouldn't you want someone more…experienced."

"Nonsense," McGonagall said. "You come from a great family of Quidditch players. We don't have a lot of other experience players. Harry is the only one with 'experience,' but he only played one game last year. He also has a lot of other things to worry about than Quidditch practice. All the other players from last year are too young. And I think you have it in you. So what do you say?"

Ron who was still in shocked, somehow was able to spit out a "Thank you." McGonagall handed over the schedule of the coming games.

"You have about one month to get a team ready to play," McGonagall said. "I suggest you start as soon as possible. We have also decided to switch the schedule around. As you may notice, Slytherins isn't the first game anymore. Professor Snape was able to convince Professor Dumbledore to change a long tradition. I believed he said something about needed more time to practice. Have a nice day now, Mr. Weasley."

Ron thought he saw a small smile forming on McGonagall's face as he floated off his chair and out of the office. Today would be better than a "nice day." Today seems to be a great day. This is real. Ron looked at the captain armband in his right hand and the schedule in his left. Yes, Ron thought. This is real.

Ron came back into the common room, still in a bit of a shock. Hermione looked up from her essay and ran up to Ron.

"Ron," Hermione said, looking concern. "What's wrong?"

Ron looked down at his hands Hermione followed and saw what he was holding. She looked at Ron almost as surprised as he was when he found out. A big, goofy, smile came across Ron's face.

"I can't believe this," Hermione said beaming. "Well done!"

She gave Ron a big hug. He didn't know what was better, getting the captainship or having Hermione hugging him. But that just made his goofy smile bigger. Harry came down the boys' staircase and stopped.

"Harry, Ron's captain of Gryffindor," Hermione said letting go of Ron.

Harry looked like he was struggling to smile.

"Well done, mate," Harry said patting Ron's back.

"Thanks," Ron said, now feeling uncomfortable.

This was like getting prefect all over again last year. Ron did feel bad. Harry was obviously the better Quidditch player. He was great in flying and was always the hero for Gryffindor when he played. Ron also knew Harry would have wanted to be Captain, like his father. Last year, however, Harry expressed more disappointment than he did just then. And Ron thought, this would mean more to Harry. He felt there was something he must do to make Harry feel better.

"Um, I know this isn't normal," Ron said. "But do you want to be the co-captain with me?"

Harry looked back up, smiling genuinely now. "Really?"

"I mean, I need help picking new players for the team," Ron explained. "I'm thinking about having a trial next week. Will you help me?"

"Of course I will," Harry said smiling.

"Well, I better write to mum and dad," Ron said, feeling better now Harry was truly happy. He went to get some parchment and ink and left the common room for the Owlery.

On the way back from the Owlery, he met up with Luna again.

"Hi, Ronald," Luna said softly, standing really close to Ron. "I heard from Ginny you're captain of Gryffindor now."

"Uh, yeah," Ron said taking a step back. He didn't understand why Luna enjoys standing so close to people when she talks. Ron, himself, likes a little personal space.

"I bet you would be a great captain," Luna said. She stepped a bit closer to Ron, who took another step back. She backed Ron against the wall.

Ron felt really uncomfortable. He hasn't been this close to another girl, besides Hermione. She placed a hand softly on his chest and lifted the sleeves of his robes with her other hand.

"The bruises are going away," Luna said. "I found the article that can make those marks go away. It's really a simple potion. However, I don't have a lot of the ingredients. I'll have to ask someone."

"Well, I'm sure Snape has them," Ron said. "He is the potion professor after all."

Luna let out a long, loud laugh. Ron gave a perplexed look. He didn't realize what he said was that funny. Suddenly, it hit Ron. Luna is flirting him! Hermione was right! Crap, Ron thought. Why is she always right about things like this?

Ron took her hands off his chest and arms. He pulled the sleeves back down and stepped away from Luna. She still had a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Well, I really have to be getting back," Ron said. He can feel himself turning red. He couldn't believe he didn't see it before. "Hermione is probably waiting for me to get back."

"Who," Luna asked.

"Hermione," Ron said clearer. "You know the girl with the brown hair I'm always with."

Luna quickly lost that dreamy state of hers. Her eyes narrowed sharply at Ron.

"Why does it matter," Luna asked. "It's not like she's your girlfriend. Ginny said you two are-"

"You talked to Ginny about me," Ron asked flabbergasted. He shook his head to clear his head. "Look, Luna. I'm sure you're a real lovely girl, but I'm not interested. I mean, well, you and me...it can't happen."

Luna closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them, she went back to her dream state. "Okay, Ronald. Well, I guess I'll see you around." She twirled around on her heels, her long blond hair hitting Ron.

Ron stood in the hall, not sure if Luna understood what he said. Well, it wasn't his problem. He told her how he felt about her. It's her fault if she didn't listen to him.

Ron walked back to the common room only to discover it was colorfully decorated with Gryffindor colors. A big sign hanged across the fireplace, "Congratulation, Ron." The crowd in the common room burst into a chorus of 'Weasley is our King.' Harry and Hermione fought their way through the crowd to meet Ron.

"Thought we should celebrate," Harry said happily. Obviously, naming him unofficial co-captain was the only thing Ron needed to do to lift Harry's spirit. "So, I got Dobby and the other House-elves to sneak us some butter beer and cake."

"And you're okay with this," Ron asked Hermione pretending to be shocked. "What about spew and all that stuff?"

"It's S.P.E.W.," Hermione said, swatting Ron playfully on the arm. "What took you so long? I didn't think it would take you that long to write a letter to your parents."

"I couldn't control Pig," Ron lied. "You know how he is sometimes."

He didn't like lying to Hermione, but he was sure she would get mad if he mentioned his encounter with Luna. And, that was the last thing he needed during this celebration. He recently got on Hermione's good side. He didn't need her to stop talking to him for another two weeks.