CHAPTER 19

The following week after Ron was announced captain, a trial was held for the opening spots of the three Chasers. Ginny of course went, along with Seamus Finnigan and the Creevey brothers. They were the only one Hermione recognized. There were about thirty other students from Gryffindor trying out. She sat on the bleachers to support her friends. Dean Thomas came from the other side and sat next to Hermione.

"Hi," Hermione said, looking up from her Ancient Rune book. "Here to support, Ginny?"

"Of course," Dean smiled. He stared off into the pitch watching Ginny. Hermione looked over and saw Ginny standing really close to Harry. They were both obviously sharing a really good joke. Ginny had her head tilted back, laughing, while placing a hand on Harry's arm for balance.

Hermione looked over at Dean. He looked down at his hands, not wanting to see Ginny with Harry in such a happy moment. Hermione felt she should say something, but what can she say? Hermione doesn't know what's going on between Ginny and Harry. She never thought to ask. She made a mental note to ask after the try-outs.

Soon, the trial started. Ginny was really one of the best. She's really good at flying, so she can weave in and out of players. Seamus did well, too. However, the Creevey brothers didn't do too well. They weren't very good at flying, and because they're so small, they can barely hold on to the quaffle and the broom at the same time.

At the end, Ron blew a whistle to call to an end of try-outs. He seems very much in control. He stood tall and confident on the ground in front of the other students. He was able to give directions, explain clearly, and people listen to him. This is the side Hermione always sees, but herarely shows it to anyone else. He never seems to have the confidence before. Hermione feels it's the absent of the twins that is changing Ron. They would always tease him and take the mickey out of everything.

Hermione and Dean got up and started walking to the pitch. Ron made an announcement of notifying the players before dinner.

Dean and Ginny walked back inside the castle, holding hands. Hermione saw from the corner of her eye, Harry staring at them.

"So, what do you think, Harry," Ron asked, snapping Harry's attention back on Ron and Hermione. "What do you think of everyone who came out?"

"It's your team, Ron," Harry said uninterested. "It's your call."

"What," Ron said staring at Harry. "You're co-captain with me. I would like your opinion."

"Well, I thought Ginny was good," chimed in Hermione. "She was the only one who scored four out of five against you."

"Well, she is my sister," Ron defended. "I thought I would be easy on her…to boost her confidence, you know."

"I'm sure that's it," Harry said doubtful and laughing. "I agree with Hermione, though. Ginny was good. That girl, Sarah, was good, too."

"The third year with the short blond hair," Ron asked, trying to remember the girl. "Yes, her form is on, but we can definitely work on her throwing. And what about Seamus?"

"He can throw harder and further than the girls," Harry said. "He can be good for long distant scoring."

"Or long passing," Ron pointed out. "Okay, good. So it's settled, yeah? Those would be our new Chasers."

Hermione was finally glad the boys finished talking about Quidditch. She never saw what was so great about the sport. But she had to admit; the games can be exciting from time to time.

The trio walked back into the castle and back to Gryffindor common room. Ron and Harry suggested they take a shower before dinner. They left Hermione in the common room with her Ancient Rune book open.

Ginny and Dean came through the portrait hole. She had to ask about Harry. It has been too long ignored. Dean gave a quick kiss on Ginny's cheek before going up the boys' staircase. Ginny sat next to Hermione, smiling as she watched Dean ascend the stairs.

"So," Hermione said, not looking up from her book. "Dean's a nice guy."

"Yeah," Ginny agreed.

"But he's not Harry," Hermione said.

The smile quickly faded from Ginny's face.

"What do you mean," Ginny asked, looking away shyly.

"Every time you and Dean show up together, Harry looks like his dog just died."

Hermione just realized those were the wrong choice of words. She covered her mouth with her hands and looked shocked.

"Oh my God," Hermione said behind her hands. "Sirius. I didn't mean to-"

"I know, " Ginny said. "Just watch what you say around Harry. But I know what you mean. I've seen him too. Do you think this is easy for me?"

"Do you still have feelings for Harry, then," Hermione asked.

"Of course I still have feelings for Harry," Ginny said exasperated. "But I'm with Dean right now. I'm not going to break up with Dean to go and pursue Harry."

"You have seen how he's been looking at you, right," Hermione said. "It's not fair to Dean if you still have feelings for Harry. And I'm sure Harry has feelings for you now. You should go and see if you can get something going."

"Harry has too much on his mind right now," Ginny said, slumping in the chair now. "He won't have time for me."

"How do you know," Hermione said now closing her book and placing it aside. "You won't know if you don't try."

"I know because he told me," Ginny said. "Remember that morning when you walked in the study room with me and Harry playing chess over the summer? Well, to tell you the truth. We weren't really playing. We stayed up the night before just talking. And we kind of fell asleep on the couch together. Harry has a lot of things to worry about."

"Don't you ever think that maybe he might need the distraction," Hermione said. "Harry's like a brother to me. He needs something good in his life. With all this war talk and killing and prophecy stuff, he needs someone positive. I can't think of a better person. You should break it off with Dean, don't keep him hanging on like that. It's not fair to any of you three."

"Well, this is good advice coming from you," Ginny said nastily. "How are you and Ron?"

"That is totally different," Hermione said. She can't believe Ginny would even bring that up. All she was doing is trying to be a good, supportive friend.

Just then, Harry and Ron came down the stairs, freshly dressed from their shower. Harry and Ginny looked at one another before Ginny excused herself to take a shower too.

"Wait, Ginny," Ron called after her. "Don't you want to know if you made the team?"

She turned around with a big smile, "Why? I know I made it. How would mum and dad feel if they found out you cut your little sister from the team?"

"For your information, I was this close to cutting you," Ron said holding his thumb and forefingers millimeters apart.

Ginny gave a funny face to Ron then walked back up the staircase. The trio left the common room to the Great Hall for some dinner.

The following morning, the trio was at the Great Hall again, eating breakfast.

"Don't you think it's weird," Harry asked that Sunday morning. "Volder-uh-You-Know-Who hasn't made so much of a sound? You would think he would be out, trying to get more Death Eaters."

"Obviously, he can't go around putting ads in the paper now can he," Ron said.

"Everyone's on the lookout for him," Hermione said. "He's too clever to do something stupid. But he's planning something."

"Of course he is," Harry said.

"Can you...can you," Ron started pointing to his forehead. "You know, feel him?"

"No," Harry shook his head, "not lately."

The owls for Sunday post came swooping in. One owl landed in front of Hermione and dropped off the Daily Prophet. She paid the knut in the pouch. She opened the newspaper and disappeared into the paper.

Nothing. Still nothing. She continued flipping through the paper. At the very back of the newspaper, there was a full-page advertisement for the Ministry.

"Look," Hermione said putting the paper flat on the table between her, Ron, and Harry. "The Prime Minister is forming a group!"

"It's like the Order," Harry said, whispering. "But why is she forming one? We already have one!"

"And, Mr. Weasley said she was suppose to keep it a secret," Hermione said, reading the advertisement. "But it doesn't seem like they're doing anything like the Order. They're just backup for the Aurors. They're volunteers to be trained for emergencies."

There was some silence as the three read the paper.

"Maybe we should start the D.A. after all," Hermione said looking up at Harry. "Do you have your coin?"

Harry pulled a coin out from his pocket and smiled, "One step ahead of you."

"I thought you didn't want to do it," Ron said. "What changed your mind?"

"I talked to Tonks," Harry answered. "She helped me see how essential this group is to stop him. So what do you say? Are you ready?"

Ron and Hermione smiled at Harry.