There For You
Chapter 8: The Quidditch Game
Author's Note: Ahhh! Another boring chapter title! I hate it when I do that but I honestly couldn't think of one! Oh well. I love you all so much! You guys give me such great reviews! True, a lot of them are long which takes me longer to thank everybody but I love them! You all say such nice things to me and make me feel so happy! Yay! Please don't stop with the long ones! I like short ones too though! Any length, it doesn't matter! Okay, I know I blabber a lot. Annnnnyyyyywwwwhhhhoooo (anyone watch My Wife and Kids? It's hilarious! I love Franklin, he's so cute!), the fight between Harry and Ginny has been decided. It will be about Cho but it won't be in this chapter. It probably won't be in next chapter either, maybe the one after that. This is another long chapter but I had lots to put in. It's the Quidditch game and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it! Hope you guys like it too! I was planning on updating this in a couple more days but I like it a lot so I'm putting it up now. You've all been lucky this week! I've updated a lot! Of course, I have had the week off from school for Thanksgiving so I've had lots of time to write. Next week starts my rehearsals for the Nutcracker at my ballet school so I'll be gone most days after school. I'll update again as soon as I can but I'm going to be busy. I'll probably write out chapters at rehearsal when I'm not doing anything. I haven't had as many reviews as I expected for the last few chapters so I'm thinking that some people haven't had time to read my chapters this week. Maybe some are out of town? Or jut not reviewing? If it's the first one, you guys have quite a few chapters to come back to! If it's the second one, why not? Please leave me a review even if it's just a 'good chapter!' I really appreciate all reviews that I receive. But if you don't want to that's fine, don't worry about it. God, I'll shut up now! Enjoy the chapter!
Harry awoke Saturday morning nervous and anxious. After all they had gone through that year they had to beat Malfoy in the Quidditch game. If they didn't, he would never let them forget it. Harry hurriedly dressed and threw a pillow at Ron to wake him. Ron groaned and sat up, a drunken look on his face. His hair was sticking strait up and his eyes were half open.
"Get up Ron," Harry told him. "We've got a game to play." Ron rubbed his face and ran his fingers threw his mess of hair. He rolled off the bed and grabbed a shirt and trousers out of his trunk. Harry waited for him impatiently, tapping his foot on the floor. Ron looked in the mirror and his eyes widened in shock.
"Bloody Hell," he muttered. Harry chuckled.
"You should leave it like that. Hermione would love it. Very sexy." Ron snorted and snatched up his brush. After a few minutes of fighting his hair to lie flat, he was finally ready and they headed down to the common room. Hermione and Ginny were waiting for them downstairs. They stood up when the boys came down and the foursome walked to the Great Hall.
"Are you alright Ron?" Hermione asked. He was staring at his bacon, his eyes glazed over. "Ron?" He looked up at her.
"Huh?"
"You're going to be fine, don't worry. Harry said you've been doing brilliant at practice and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully today." He just grunted and played with his eggs. Harry was more determined than nervous. He was quickly shoveling in his breakfast so they could go down to the field sooner. He was very jittery. His leg was bouncing up and down on the ball of his foot and he kept looking around the hall as though people were calling his name. Ginny put her hand on his to calm him and he momentarily relaxed. Just then the owl post came and dropped The Daily Prophet on Hermione's plate. She picked it up and looked at the front cover. She gasped and immediately dropped it. The others eyed her strangely.
"What is it?" Harry asked. She pointed at the page with a shaking hand and Harry picked up the newspaper. When he read the headline, his stomach dropped.
"The Death Eaters have escaped," he said softly. Ron's eyes grew large and Ginny leaned over to look at the paper. Hermione put her hands over her eyes and laid her elbows on the table.
"They escaped in the middle of the night," Harry continued. "They don't know how it was done. Every wizard that was guarding Azkaban was killed. Somehow the prisoners got a hold of a wand and broke out. They would kill a wizard then take their wand. Fifteen wizards died (I don't know how many guards they would need)." Everybody stared at Harry in amazement.
"Bloody Hell," Ron said. Harry nodded and skimmed the rest of the article.
"That's about it. Fudge is furious, of course. Can't believe it happened. How did they get a wand in the first place?"
"Do you think they had one hidden somewhere?" Ginny asked. Harry shook his head.
"No, if they had a wand hidden, they would have broken out months ago. Maybe one of the guards was in league with them and let them out or something." They shrugged. There was no way of knowing.
"You okay Love?" Ron asked putting his arm around Hermione. She uncovered her face and nodded. A tear ran down her cheek. She cleared her throat and extended her hand to take back the newspaper. Harry handed it over and she read the article herself. Harry looked over at the Slytherin table to see Malfoy smirking and talking happily to Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy noticed Harry and grinned evilly at him. He held up a copy of the Prophet and waved it back and forth. Harry narrowed his eyes and looked away. They definitely had to beat Slytherin.
The four of them walked down towards the locker rooms. Hermione wished Harry and Ginny good luck and they went to change. Ron hugged Hermione and she kissed his cheek.
"You sure you're alright? You seemed a little upset in there," he whispered in her ear. She nodded quickly.
"I'm fine. Good luck, you'll do great. I know it." She smiled up at him and he bent to kiss her lips. They pulled away and she squeezed his hand. He turned and entered the locker rooms. She headed to the Gryffindor side of the stadium and took a seat beside Neville.
"Hi Hermione. It's going to be a good game, huh?" She smiled at him and nodded.
"So, I guess you saw the paper today?"
"Yes, I saw it." Neville stared at his shoes.
"Are you worried?" he asked tentatively. She swallowed and nodded again.
"I'm terrified," she whispered. He patted her on the shoulder.
"Me too, Hermione. Me too." She looked over at him and he gave her a small smile.
"Good thing we've got two defense classes then, huh?" She smiled.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
"Guess what?" She raised her eyebrows at him.
"What?"
"Gram got me a new wand during Christmas holidays," he answered happily. Hermione smiled at him.
"Really? That's wonderful! Why didn't you tell us?" He shrugged.
"See, after I ruined Dad's last year, I had to borrow my uncle Steve's wand while he visited his wife's muggle relatives in America for a couple months. But it was really awful when I used it so Gram and I went to Ollivander's. It took a few tries but we found one. I like it. It suits me better than my dad's and my uncle's wands. I can actually perform spells after trying a few times rather than trying a hundred times." Neville laughed and Hermione grinned.
"Good for you Neville."
"Thanks."
"I'm sorry about your parents," Hermione said softly, remembering their visit to St. Mungo's last year. Neville nodded, embarrassment on his face.
"I am too. But thanks for saying that. I'm sorry you had to see them like that last year."
"Oh don't be sorry Neville. It was no problem at all. I'm glad you still get to see them." Neville didn't answer so she left him alone. Hermione looked up and saw Dean Thomas getting ready to speak. After Lee Jordan left, he took over the job as commentator.
"Welcome everyone to the final Quidditch game of the year!" The crowd cheered loudly and Dean grinned at them. "Here comes the Slytherin Quidditch team!" They flew out receiving loud cheers from the Slytherin end and boos from Gryffindor. "And here's Gryffindor!" Dean exclaimed with much more enthusiasm. The team zoomed out and took their positions. Gryffindor's cheers largely overpowered the jeers from Slytherin. "This year's Gryffindor Quidditch captain is Harry Potter!" Screams were heard from everyone except.well you know whom. "And Draco Malfoy is the captain for Slytherin."
Harry and Draco flew to each other and shook hands. Harry could feel his fingers pop in Draco's grasp and he squeezed as hard as he could. Draco smirked at him and said, "Beware Potter. Nothing can save you now. Your days are numbered." Harry thrust his hand away and Draco laughed. Harry turned his broom sharply and sped away. Madam Hooch blew the whistle and threw up the Quaffle. The game had begun. Ginny immediately grabbed the ball and zoomed toward the Slytherin goal posts. Within seconds, Gryffindor had scored. Harry threw up his fist in triumph. A Bludger whizzed by his head and he glared at the Slytherin Beater. He flew up higher to watch the game and search for the Snitch. He watched as Ron blocked a shot from a Slytherin Chaser. Moments later, another goal was attempted but Ron caught it easily. A Bludger was heading for Katie Bell but Andrew Kirke hit it across the field, nearly knocking Malfoy off his broom. Malfoy stared at him angrily. Another Bludger flew past him, distracting him from Andrew.
Ginny scored two more goals. They were beating Slytherin thirty to zero. Harry gave her the thumbs up sign and she smiled at him. Malfoy flew up to him and Harry groaned.
"Your little weasel has gotten pretty good, hasn't she? At least she doesn't suck as much as her brother, The King, started out last year. But then, he always has been a slow, stupid git, huh?"
"You shut your mouth!" Harry yelled.
"Defensive aren't we? You ought to save that for when you really need it, Potter. My dad and the others are out now. It's only a matter of time before your little bitch (sorry about the language but I can imagine Malfoy saying that), the poor git, and the mudblood are crying in pain. It's people like them that will suffer and hopefully bite the dust first! You can't save them Potter!" Harry flew forward and ran as hard as he could into Malfoy. Malfoy grabbed onto his broom to steady himself and straightened up.
"Don't you talk like that about my friends ever again!" Harry exclaimed.
"Another goal by Ginny Weasley! She's doing great her first year on the team!" they heard Dean call out. They looked down at the pitch. "Now it's sixty to twenty for Gryffindor!" Dean yelled and the crowd cheered. Harry angrily flew away from Malfoy. He hadn't even been looking for the Snitch. Malfoy headed back down to the pitch and hovered by Ron.
"Weasley is our King, Weasley is our King, He always lets the Quaffle in, Weasley is our King," he sang out. Ron looked back at him angrily.
"That's right Weasley, you still can't play. You're just as bad as you were last year!" Suddenly, the Quaffle flew into a hoop and Dean announced the point to Slytherin. Ron turned around to look at the hoop, his mouth wide open. Malfoy laughed evilly.
"See? You can't block a simple throw!" Ron took a deep breath and faced forward to try and ignore Malfoy. Malfoy continued to talk to him.
"How's Granger? Bet she's a great shag, eh weasel? If she weren't a mudblood, I might even give her a go." Ron spun around and flew at Malfoy. He swerved out of the way and the Slytherins scored another goal. Ron cried out in rage and went back to the hoops. Malfoy laughed to himself.
"So you think Potter and your sister have been at it? I see the way he looks at her and I'm sure she wouldn't protest at all. Poverty can do that to a girl." Ron caught the Quaffle and chucked it at Malfoy's head but he ducked. Suddenly, Dean yelled out, "Harry Potter has caught the Snitch and Gryffindor wins!" Malfoy's jaw dropped and he looked over at Harry who held the Snitch in his fist above his head. Ron cried out in happiness and flew towards Harry as the team descended to the ground. Malfoy snatched the bat out one of his Beaters hand and threw it at Harry, hitting him in the stomach. Harry fell backwards off his broom, landing on the pitch about twenty feet below. He lay crumpled on the ground and everyone gasped. The team flew down to Harry as the teachers made their way to him. He was still alive but unconscious. Ginny hopped off her broom a few feet away from the ground and stumbling, ran to him. She touched his arm worriedly and shook him lightly to see if he would wake. He didn't move and she sobbed, tears beginning to leave her eyes. The rest of the team surrounded them. Dumbledore and McGonagall pushed their way through to Harry, making everyone back up except Ginny. Dumbledore felt Harry's pulse and confirmed he was alive. Ginny exhaled in relief. McGonagall conjured up a stretcher and levitated Harry onto it. She headed up to the Hospital wing with Ginny holding Harry's hand, Dumbledore following behind.
A few people had noticed Malfoy lying on the ground with Ron sitting on top of him, beating the crap out of him nearby. Hermione and a few others were beside them, trying to stop it. They had no intention of quitting. Malfoy punched Ron in the face and pushed him off. Ron landed on his back and Malfoy kicked him in the side. He jumped on Ron trying to rip his face off. Hermione was screaming while Seamus and Collin Creevey tried to pull Malfoy off. Crabbe and Goyle grabbed the two and started fighting them. Ron and Draco continued to roll around on the ground, punching and slapping each other. A few members of the D.A. ran over and stunned Crabbe and Goyle. Seamus spat and Collin wiped his bleeding nose. The D.A. members ran over to Ron and Malfoy and successfully pulled them apart. McGonagall and Snape came to them, fury in their eyes.
"What is going on here?!" she exclaimed. Snape grabbed Malfoy and pulled him away after waking Crabbe and Goyle. They walked away, Malfoy shooting Ron evil looks. Ron pulled himself away from the boy who had been holding him. McGonagall was breathing heavily with rage.
"Mr. Weasley! You have been caught fighting too many times this year! I hoped you had learned your lesson by now! I see you have not! After you visit the Hospital Wing and Madam Pomfrey deems you healthy, you will be serving detention for a month and you are no longer a prefect! Now go to the Hospital wing!" She pointed up to the school and Ron walked past her. He didn't even care anymore. He glanced back at the group behind him and his stomach dropped at the sight of Hermione. She was standing by the D.A. members, her hands over her face, her body shuddering from crying. Seamus tentatively stepped up to her and put his arm around her shoulders. Ron sighed. He knew he had messed up but it was done. He didn't regret fighting Malfoy though. He had enjoyed every minute of it. He just hated disappointing Hermione. He slowly made his way up to the Hospital Wing, frequently spitting in the grass to get rid of the blood in his mouth.
Hermione couldn't believe it. Malfoy shouldn't have knocked Harry off his broom, obviously, but Ron should have let the teachers handle it. Or just punched Malfoy once and left it at that. But no, he had to fully attack Malfoy. She felt an arm land come around her shoulders and she uncovered her face to see Seamus standing next to her, concern on his face. He gave her a small smile and she sighed.
"You alright Hermione? Ron's fine, he'll be better soon." Hermione shook her head.
"I'm not worried about Ron. Well, yes I am but he deserves what he got, attacking Malfoy like that."
"Yeah, well Malfoy did hit Harry with the bat and I saw Malfoy talking to Ron earlier. He was probably insulting him and you and Harry." Hermione nodded.
"I know I saw that. But even so, Ron can't keep letting people provoke him like that. Ron can handle a beating but what happens when it's more than a fight? What happens when he's really in danger?" She sobbed and wiped the tears roughly off her cheek. Seamus shrugged and began walking her up to the castle.
"Are you alright?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Goyle's a big guy but he really isn't that tough by himself."
"Is Collin okay?" Seamus nodded.
"Just a bloody nose I think, maybe a black eye. Nothing deadly." They reached the door to the Hospital Wing and Seamus let go of her.
"Don't go off on him too much," Seamus said. "The poor bloke was just defending his loved ones." Hermione gave him a small smile.
"I'll try. Um, thanks for talking to me Seamus." He shrugged.
"No problem. I wasn't trying to flirt or anything. I just saw how upset you were so I thought I'd try and help you out. I am with Lavender after all but then, you already knew that." She grinned and nodded. He winked at her and said good-bye. She sighed and turned around to open the door. She entered and found Ron lying on a bed nearby. She felt tears come to her eyes again. He looked awful. His hair was a mess, his nose and face were stained with dry blood, and his body was already beginning to bruise. Madam Pomfrey was tending to Harry in the bed next to Ron. She pulled the sheets up to Harry's shoulders and stepped away from him. Ginny sat beside him in a chair, holding his hand, her lips resting on it. Her eyes were locked on his face and tears occasionally slid down her face. Ron noticed Hermione come in and sat up as quickly as he physically could. He grabbed his side in pain and she rushed over to him. She gently pushed him back down onto the bed and he took a few breaths.
"Don't get up Mr. Weasley," Madam Pomfrey said, annoyance in her voice. "You're in no condition to be moving around." She went to a cabinet at the end of the room and began pulling out different ointments. Ron groaned at all she was getting and relaxed back into the pillows. In the corner of the room, Malfoy was on a bed, staring up at the ceiling while Crabbe and Goyle stood awkwardly by the wall and Pansy Parkinson sat beside him, fussing over him. The rest of the team was standing around him, occasionally glaring over at Harry and the others. Malfoy looked much worse than Ron did. His clothes were ripped in several spots and he had a good-sized gash on his forehead. His bruises were much more apparent than Ron's and blood covered his cheek and arms.
"I'll be tending to Mr. Malfoy first as he has more damage," Madam Pomfrey told them. Ron grunted at her. Hermione sat down on the bed beside him. She looked at Harry and Ginny.
"How is he?" she asked Ginny. Ginny sighed.
"Well, he got the wind knocked out of him from the bat," she started and glanced back at Malfoy but Madam Pomfrey stood in the way. "Then he landed on the ground and got a concussion. His side is all bruised and scratched up from the impact and he hasn't woken up. She said he'll be fine in a couple of days." Hermione sighed.
"Stupid ass," Ginny muttered and looked at Malfoy again. He glared at them and Ginny exhaled deeply. She turned around and smoothed back Harry's hair. Hermione looked down at Ron lying beside her and he stared up at her. She could see the guilt in his eyes. She touched his cheek and he took her hand.
"I'm sorry Love," he whispered. She couldn't hold it in. A tear landed on his chest and she hurriedly wiped her face.
"I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help it. He knocked Harry off and he had been insulting you and Ginny before that and I just couldn't take it. I had to make him pay," he said softly. She shook her head and sobbed.
"You're such an idiot," she muttered. He nodded.
"I know it." She sniffed and he rubbed away a few tears on her cheek with his thumb. She took the towel off his bedside table and dipped it in the water. She gently took his chin in her other hand and began wiping away the blood on his face. She had most of it clean by the time Madam Pomfrey was finished with Malfoy and took over cleaning Ron up. Hermione stood on the side and watched. After she finished, Ron went to the loo and changed into some clean pajamas with a bit of difficulty. He came back out and climbed into his bed. Hermione laced her fingers in his.
"You need to rest for a couple of days before you can leave," Madam Pomfrey told him. You don't have any serious injures but I'm sure you'll agree that you don't want to start serving your detention yet either." He nodded and she went over to talk to Malfoy who was thankfully staying at the other end of the room. Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle were the only ones left with him, Pansy talking a mile a minute while the other two looked around the room stupidly. After Madam Pomfrey left, Ron patted the bed next to him and Hermione laid down. She gently put her head on his chest and he put his arm around her, even though it hurt him. She carefully put her arm around his middle and he rubbed it with his hand, his other running threw Hermione's hair. They just lay there together, without talking. She listened to his heartbeat and he felt her breath against his chest in the space between the buttons on his pajama top. She was still angry with him but didn't feel like arguing just then.
Author's Note: Okay, I think that's a long enough chapter! Whew, my feet are asleep from writing for such a long period of time. I wrote almost all of this thing in three hours or so. So, what'd you think? I personally liked this chapter. It was very dramatic and emotional, two things I don't write about very much. I didn't realize I could write such mean things like what I had Malfoy say! I surprised myself. Also, Seamus wasn't trying to get all close or hit on Hermione. I just wanted someone who was nice and fairly confident to comfort Hermione so I picked him since he tried to break up the fight, he's one of Ron's friends, and I picture Seamus as a really good guy. So that's why he put his arm around her and all that. I didn't make Ron get all crazy with jealousy because I didn't want Ron in another fight and he knows Seamus is with Lavender so he just walked away without doing anything. Alright, I think that's all I have to say. I need to stop typing and stretch my legs. Oh wait, individuals! I can sit a bit longer to do that!
Individuals:
ElmoRock3113: Thank you! Yep, I'll read your story as soon as I can! It's on my favorites list so I won't forget!
Weaslypotter: Thanks for leaving a review! I really appreciate it! And such a long one too! Like I said, I love them! Glad you liked it! I really liked writing it 'cause it was fun and I got to reread parts of OotP. I don't like the evil Cho's either. She was an emotional girl not a slutty temptress! Anyway, she'll be the reason for a future fight between Harry and Ginny but I won't suddenly make her evil. She'll still be a nice girl. About the length of the story: I really have no idea! Lol! If I do decide to go through to 7th year, I'll make that part a separate story like I did with this one. I actually would love to make an after Hogwarts sequel to this but frankly, I don't want to write seventh year. It's not that I don't like writing this or I'd be bored with it, it's just that there are some things about HP that I don't even want to touch or try writing you know? I'm sure J.K.'s got something totally awesome planned out and I know I couldn't think of anything near as good. But, I could finish sixth year then skip over seventh year and start an after Hogwarts sequel to this starting when they leave Hogwarts. How's that sound? I'll definitely think more about that. We'll see what happens at the end of this. Plus, I have another idea for a fan fic and I already starting writing down ideas so I might be able to get that one written out by the time this fic is over then get that fic up while I start writing the after Hogwarts one. Geez, that's a lot to think about but it'd be a lot of fun too! Okay, now that I've talked your ear off (or eyes since you're reading this.whatever), I'll shut up! Lol! Sorry, I'm sure you weren't expecting that long of an answer! K, bye!
'Mione Weasley: Yeah, that was me! I asked you that to make sure I was talking to the same person. That's exactly what I'm gonna do with the H/G fight. Well, not exactly but sort of. No, I won't make Cho evil; she'll just start wanting Harry back and stuff. I won't have it get overly messy but it'll create some problems. Thanks for suggesting it! I thought about it after I put up the last chapter and I was like, duh! That's what should happen with the fight! Lol, thanks! I got caught up with your story and I reviewed. I don't how I got behind in reading it, I thought I had read all your chapters but then when you updated 18 I realized I hadn't read a couple before that. Oh well! I'm caught up now!
HPIsDBest: Thank you! Of course, I had to have Gryffindor win! I wouldn't do it any other way!
KrisKG: Lol, I know it was long! This one was too! Glad you liked it! I'm also glad you liked my portrayal of Cho. She isn't over him though, you're right. I'm sure you're right about Michael Corner. I had it in my mind that he was in Ginny's year but I bet he's a seventh year now like you said. Thanks, I'll remember that! Don't worry; I like long reviews like I said!
Joots: Thank you very much! I love all you guys too! That was a quick update too! Unfortunately, I won't be able to update again until probably next week, hopefully Saturday. I'll do my best!
Paige*madden: Don't worry about it. I love reviews but if you don't every chapter, it's not critical as long as you do a few times! Anyway, glad you like the story!
Loli-chick336: Thank you! I like any type of review even if you say the same things! Yep, it'll be some jealousy, some Cho jealousy. Glad you liked it!
PuNkPoTtErPrInCeSs: Thanks! I'm so glad you liked the last story and this one! Where'd I come up with the Stugrap? I don't know! Lol! It just sort of came in my weird brain and I wrote it down! Lol, he rox my sox too!
Sexy seeker: Thank you! Yeah, it'll be a Cho fight. I don't know where I came up with Stugrap! It just came to my strange mind and I put it in. Lol. Yes, Malfoy is definitely a git!
Shortywithbrains: Thanks! I'm glad you liked how Harry acted. I think it's pronounced how it looks but maybe it's not. Who knows! That's how I say it. I did have a good Thanksgiving! Hope you did too!
Chapter 8: The Quidditch Game
Author's Note: Ahhh! Another boring chapter title! I hate it when I do that but I honestly couldn't think of one! Oh well. I love you all so much! You guys give me such great reviews! True, a lot of them are long which takes me longer to thank everybody but I love them! You all say such nice things to me and make me feel so happy! Yay! Please don't stop with the long ones! I like short ones too though! Any length, it doesn't matter! Okay, I know I blabber a lot. Annnnnyyyyywwwwhhhhoooo (anyone watch My Wife and Kids? It's hilarious! I love Franklin, he's so cute!), the fight between Harry and Ginny has been decided. It will be about Cho but it won't be in this chapter. It probably won't be in next chapter either, maybe the one after that. This is another long chapter but I had lots to put in. It's the Quidditch game and I thoroughly enjoyed writing it! Hope you guys like it too! I was planning on updating this in a couple more days but I like it a lot so I'm putting it up now. You've all been lucky this week! I've updated a lot! Of course, I have had the week off from school for Thanksgiving so I've had lots of time to write. Next week starts my rehearsals for the Nutcracker at my ballet school so I'll be gone most days after school. I'll update again as soon as I can but I'm going to be busy. I'll probably write out chapters at rehearsal when I'm not doing anything. I haven't had as many reviews as I expected for the last few chapters so I'm thinking that some people haven't had time to read my chapters this week. Maybe some are out of town? Or jut not reviewing? If it's the first one, you guys have quite a few chapters to come back to! If it's the second one, why not? Please leave me a review even if it's just a 'good chapter!' I really appreciate all reviews that I receive. But if you don't want to that's fine, don't worry about it. God, I'll shut up now! Enjoy the chapter!
Harry awoke Saturday morning nervous and anxious. After all they had gone through that year they had to beat Malfoy in the Quidditch game. If they didn't, he would never let them forget it. Harry hurriedly dressed and threw a pillow at Ron to wake him. Ron groaned and sat up, a drunken look on his face. His hair was sticking strait up and his eyes were half open.
"Get up Ron," Harry told him. "We've got a game to play." Ron rubbed his face and ran his fingers threw his mess of hair. He rolled off the bed and grabbed a shirt and trousers out of his trunk. Harry waited for him impatiently, tapping his foot on the floor. Ron looked in the mirror and his eyes widened in shock.
"Bloody Hell," he muttered. Harry chuckled.
"You should leave it like that. Hermione would love it. Very sexy." Ron snorted and snatched up his brush. After a few minutes of fighting his hair to lie flat, he was finally ready and they headed down to the common room. Hermione and Ginny were waiting for them downstairs. They stood up when the boys came down and the foursome walked to the Great Hall.
"Are you alright Ron?" Hermione asked. He was staring at his bacon, his eyes glazed over. "Ron?" He looked up at her.
"Huh?"
"You're going to be fine, don't worry. Harry said you've been doing brilliant at practice and I'm sure you'll do wonderfully today." He just grunted and played with his eggs. Harry was more determined than nervous. He was quickly shoveling in his breakfast so they could go down to the field sooner. He was very jittery. His leg was bouncing up and down on the ball of his foot and he kept looking around the hall as though people were calling his name. Ginny put her hand on his to calm him and he momentarily relaxed. Just then the owl post came and dropped The Daily Prophet on Hermione's plate. She picked it up and looked at the front cover. She gasped and immediately dropped it. The others eyed her strangely.
"What is it?" Harry asked. She pointed at the page with a shaking hand and Harry picked up the newspaper. When he read the headline, his stomach dropped.
"The Death Eaters have escaped," he said softly. Ron's eyes grew large and Ginny leaned over to look at the paper. Hermione put her hands over her eyes and laid her elbows on the table.
"They escaped in the middle of the night," Harry continued. "They don't know how it was done. Every wizard that was guarding Azkaban was killed. Somehow the prisoners got a hold of a wand and broke out. They would kill a wizard then take their wand. Fifteen wizards died (I don't know how many guards they would need)." Everybody stared at Harry in amazement.
"Bloody Hell," Ron said. Harry nodded and skimmed the rest of the article.
"That's about it. Fudge is furious, of course. Can't believe it happened. How did they get a wand in the first place?"
"Do you think they had one hidden somewhere?" Ginny asked. Harry shook his head.
"No, if they had a wand hidden, they would have broken out months ago. Maybe one of the guards was in league with them and let them out or something." They shrugged. There was no way of knowing.
"You okay Love?" Ron asked putting his arm around Hermione. She uncovered her face and nodded. A tear ran down her cheek. She cleared her throat and extended her hand to take back the newspaper. Harry handed it over and she read the article herself. Harry looked over at the Slytherin table to see Malfoy smirking and talking happily to Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy noticed Harry and grinned evilly at him. He held up a copy of the Prophet and waved it back and forth. Harry narrowed his eyes and looked away. They definitely had to beat Slytherin.
The four of them walked down towards the locker rooms. Hermione wished Harry and Ginny good luck and they went to change. Ron hugged Hermione and she kissed his cheek.
"You sure you're alright? You seemed a little upset in there," he whispered in her ear. She nodded quickly.
"I'm fine. Good luck, you'll do great. I know it." She smiled up at him and he bent to kiss her lips. They pulled away and she squeezed his hand. He turned and entered the locker rooms. She headed to the Gryffindor side of the stadium and took a seat beside Neville.
"Hi Hermione. It's going to be a good game, huh?" She smiled at him and nodded.
"So, I guess you saw the paper today?"
"Yes, I saw it." Neville stared at his shoes.
"Are you worried?" he asked tentatively. She swallowed and nodded again.
"I'm terrified," she whispered. He patted her on the shoulder.
"Me too, Hermione. Me too." She looked over at him and he gave her a small smile.
"Good thing we've got two defense classes then, huh?" She smiled.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
"Guess what?" She raised her eyebrows at him.
"What?"
"Gram got me a new wand during Christmas holidays," he answered happily. Hermione smiled at him.
"Really? That's wonderful! Why didn't you tell us?" He shrugged.
"See, after I ruined Dad's last year, I had to borrow my uncle Steve's wand while he visited his wife's muggle relatives in America for a couple months. But it was really awful when I used it so Gram and I went to Ollivander's. It took a few tries but we found one. I like it. It suits me better than my dad's and my uncle's wands. I can actually perform spells after trying a few times rather than trying a hundred times." Neville laughed and Hermione grinned.
"Good for you Neville."
"Thanks."
"I'm sorry about your parents," Hermione said softly, remembering their visit to St. Mungo's last year. Neville nodded, embarrassment on his face.
"I am too. But thanks for saying that. I'm sorry you had to see them like that last year."
"Oh don't be sorry Neville. It was no problem at all. I'm glad you still get to see them." Neville didn't answer so she left him alone. Hermione looked up and saw Dean Thomas getting ready to speak. After Lee Jordan left, he took over the job as commentator.
"Welcome everyone to the final Quidditch game of the year!" The crowd cheered loudly and Dean grinned at them. "Here comes the Slytherin Quidditch team!" They flew out receiving loud cheers from the Slytherin end and boos from Gryffindor. "And here's Gryffindor!" Dean exclaimed with much more enthusiasm. The team zoomed out and took their positions. Gryffindor's cheers largely overpowered the jeers from Slytherin. "This year's Gryffindor Quidditch captain is Harry Potter!" Screams were heard from everyone except.well you know whom. "And Draco Malfoy is the captain for Slytherin."
Harry and Draco flew to each other and shook hands. Harry could feel his fingers pop in Draco's grasp and he squeezed as hard as he could. Draco smirked at him and said, "Beware Potter. Nothing can save you now. Your days are numbered." Harry thrust his hand away and Draco laughed. Harry turned his broom sharply and sped away. Madam Hooch blew the whistle and threw up the Quaffle. The game had begun. Ginny immediately grabbed the ball and zoomed toward the Slytherin goal posts. Within seconds, Gryffindor had scored. Harry threw up his fist in triumph. A Bludger whizzed by his head and he glared at the Slytherin Beater. He flew up higher to watch the game and search for the Snitch. He watched as Ron blocked a shot from a Slytherin Chaser. Moments later, another goal was attempted but Ron caught it easily. A Bludger was heading for Katie Bell but Andrew Kirke hit it across the field, nearly knocking Malfoy off his broom. Malfoy stared at him angrily. Another Bludger flew past him, distracting him from Andrew.
Ginny scored two more goals. They were beating Slytherin thirty to zero. Harry gave her the thumbs up sign and she smiled at him. Malfoy flew up to him and Harry groaned.
"Your little weasel has gotten pretty good, hasn't she? At least she doesn't suck as much as her brother, The King, started out last year. But then, he always has been a slow, stupid git, huh?"
"You shut your mouth!" Harry yelled.
"Defensive aren't we? You ought to save that for when you really need it, Potter. My dad and the others are out now. It's only a matter of time before your little bitch (sorry about the language but I can imagine Malfoy saying that), the poor git, and the mudblood are crying in pain. It's people like them that will suffer and hopefully bite the dust first! You can't save them Potter!" Harry flew forward and ran as hard as he could into Malfoy. Malfoy grabbed onto his broom to steady himself and straightened up.
"Don't you talk like that about my friends ever again!" Harry exclaimed.
"Another goal by Ginny Weasley! She's doing great her first year on the team!" they heard Dean call out. They looked down at the pitch. "Now it's sixty to twenty for Gryffindor!" Dean yelled and the crowd cheered. Harry angrily flew away from Malfoy. He hadn't even been looking for the Snitch. Malfoy headed back down to the pitch and hovered by Ron.
"Weasley is our King, Weasley is our King, He always lets the Quaffle in, Weasley is our King," he sang out. Ron looked back at him angrily.
"That's right Weasley, you still can't play. You're just as bad as you were last year!" Suddenly, the Quaffle flew into a hoop and Dean announced the point to Slytherin. Ron turned around to look at the hoop, his mouth wide open. Malfoy laughed evilly.
"See? You can't block a simple throw!" Ron took a deep breath and faced forward to try and ignore Malfoy. Malfoy continued to talk to him.
"How's Granger? Bet she's a great shag, eh weasel? If she weren't a mudblood, I might even give her a go." Ron spun around and flew at Malfoy. He swerved out of the way and the Slytherins scored another goal. Ron cried out in rage and went back to the hoops. Malfoy laughed to himself.
"So you think Potter and your sister have been at it? I see the way he looks at her and I'm sure she wouldn't protest at all. Poverty can do that to a girl." Ron caught the Quaffle and chucked it at Malfoy's head but he ducked. Suddenly, Dean yelled out, "Harry Potter has caught the Snitch and Gryffindor wins!" Malfoy's jaw dropped and he looked over at Harry who held the Snitch in his fist above his head. Ron cried out in happiness and flew towards Harry as the team descended to the ground. Malfoy snatched the bat out one of his Beaters hand and threw it at Harry, hitting him in the stomach. Harry fell backwards off his broom, landing on the pitch about twenty feet below. He lay crumpled on the ground and everyone gasped. The team flew down to Harry as the teachers made their way to him. He was still alive but unconscious. Ginny hopped off her broom a few feet away from the ground and stumbling, ran to him. She touched his arm worriedly and shook him lightly to see if he would wake. He didn't move and she sobbed, tears beginning to leave her eyes. The rest of the team surrounded them. Dumbledore and McGonagall pushed their way through to Harry, making everyone back up except Ginny. Dumbledore felt Harry's pulse and confirmed he was alive. Ginny exhaled in relief. McGonagall conjured up a stretcher and levitated Harry onto it. She headed up to the Hospital wing with Ginny holding Harry's hand, Dumbledore following behind.
A few people had noticed Malfoy lying on the ground with Ron sitting on top of him, beating the crap out of him nearby. Hermione and a few others were beside them, trying to stop it. They had no intention of quitting. Malfoy punched Ron in the face and pushed him off. Ron landed on his back and Malfoy kicked him in the side. He jumped on Ron trying to rip his face off. Hermione was screaming while Seamus and Collin Creevey tried to pull Malfoy off. Crabbe and Goyle grabbed the two and started fighting them. Ron and Draco continued to roll around on the ground, punching and slapping each other. A few members of the D.A. ran over and stunned Crabbe and Goyle. Seamus spat and Collin wiped his bleeding nose. The D.A. members ran over to Ron and Malfoy and successfully pulled them apart. McGonagall and Snape came to them, fury in their eyes.
"What is going on here?!" she exclaimed. Snape grabbed Malfoy and pulled him away after waking Crabbe and Goyle. They walked away, Malfoy shooting Ron evil looks. Ron pulled himself away from the boy who had been holding him. McGonagall was breathing heavily with rage.
"Mr. Weasley! You have been caught fighting too many times this year! I hoped you had learned your lesson by now! I see you have not! After you visit the Hospital Wing and Madam Pomfrey deems you healthy, you will be serving detention for a month and you are no longer a prefect! Now go to the Hospital wing!" She pointed up to the school and Ron walked past her. He didn't even care anymore. He glanced back at the group behind him and his stomach dropped at the sight of Hermione. She was standing by the D.A. members, her hands over her face, her body shuddering from crying. Seamus tentatively stepped up to her and put his arm around her shoulders. Ron sighed. He knew he had messed up but it was done. He didn't regret fighting Malfoy though. He had enjoyed every minute of it. He just hated disappointing Hermione. He slowly made his way up to the Hospital Wing, frequently spitting in the grass to get rid of the blood in his mouth.
Hermione couldn't believe it. Malfoy shouldn't have knocked Harry off his broom, obviously, but Ron should have let the teachers handle it. Or just punched Malfoy once and left it at that. But no, he had to fully attack Malfoy. She felt an arm land come around her shoulders and she uncovered her face to see Seamus standing next to her, concern on his face. He gave her a small smile and she sighed.
"You alright Hermione? Ron's fine, he'll be better soon." Hermione shook her head.
"I'm not worried about Ron. Well, yes I am but he deserves what he got, attacking Malfoy like that."
"Yeah, well Malfoy did hit Harry with the bat and I saw Malfoy talking to Ron earlier. He was probably insulting him and you and Harry." Hermione nodded.
"I know I saw that. But even so, Ron can't keep letting people provoke him like that. Ron can handle a beating but what happens when it's more than a fight? What happens when he's really in danger?" She sobbed and wiped the tears roughly off her cheek. Seamus shrugged and began walking her up to the castle.
"Are you alright?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Goyle's a big guy but he really isn't that tough by himself."
"Is Collin okay?" Seamus nodded.
"Just a bloody nose I think, maybe a black eye. Nothing deadly." They reached the door to the Hospital Wing and Seamus let go of her.
"Don't go off on him too much," Seamus said. "The poor bloke was just defending his loved ones." Hermione gave him a small smile.
"I'll try. Um, thanks for talking to me Seamus." He shrugged.
"No problem. I wasn't trying to flirt or anything. I just saw how upset you were so I thought I'd try and help you out. I am with Lavender after all but then, you already knew that." She grinned and nodded. He winked at her and said good-bye. She sighed and turned around to open the door. She entered and found Ron lying on a bed nearby. She felt tears come to her eyes again. He looked awful. His hair was a mess, his nose and face were stained with dry blood, and his body was already beginning to bruise. Madam Pomfrey was tending to Harry in the bed next to Ron. She pulled the sheets up to Harry's shoulders and stepped away from him. Ginny sat beside him in a chair, holding his hand, her lips resting on it. Her eyes were locked on his face and tears occasionally slid down her face. Ron noticed Hermione come in and sat up as quickly as he physically could. He grabbed his side in pain and she rushed over to him. She gently pushed him back down onto the bed and he took a few breaths.
"Don't get up Mr. Weasley," Madam Pomfrey said, annoyance in her voice. "You're in no condition to be moving around." She went to a cabinet at the end of the room and began pulling out different ointments. Ron groaned at all she was getting and relaxed back into the pillows. In the corner of the room, Malfoy was on a bed, staring up at the ceiling while Crabbe and Goyle stood awkwardly by the wall and Pansy Parkinson sat beside him, fussing over him. The rest of the team was standing around him, occasionally glaring over at Harry and the others. Malfoy looked much worse than Ron did. His clothes were ripped in several spots and he had a good-sized gash on his forehead. His bruises were much more apparent than Ron's and blood covered his cheek and arms.
"I'll be tending to Mr. Malfoy first as he has more damage," Madam Pomfrey told them. Ron grunted at her. Hermione sat down on the bed beside him. She looked at Harry and Ginny.
"How is he?" she asked Ginny. Ginny sighed.
"Well, he got the wind knocked out of him from the bat," she started and glanced back at Malfoy but Madam Pomfrey stood in the way. "Then he landed on the ground and got a concussion. His side is all bruised and scratched up from the impact and he hasn't woken up. She said he'll be fine in a couple of days." Hermione sighed.
"Stupid ass," Ginny muttered and looked at Malfoy again. He glared at them and Ginny exhaled deeply. She turned around and smoothed back Harry's hair. Hermione looked down at Ron lying beside her and he stared up at her. She could see the guilt in his eyes. She touched his cheek and he took her hand.
"I'm sorry Love," he whispered. She couldn't hold it in. A tear landed on his chest and she hurriedly wiped her face.
"I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't help it. He knocked Harry off and he had been insulting you and Ginny before that and I just couldn't take it. I had to make him pay," he said softly. She shook her head and sobbed.
"You're such an idiot," she muttered. He nodded.
"I know it." She sniffed and he rubbed away a few tears on her cheek with his thumb. She took the towel off his bedside table and dipped it in the water. She gently took his chin in her other hand and began wiping away the blood on his face. She had most of it clean by the time Madam Pomfrey was finished with Malfoy and took over cleaning Ron up. Hermione stood on the side and watched. After she finished, Ron went to the loo and changed into some clean pajamas with a bit of difficulty. He came back out and climbed into his bed. Hermione laced her fingers in his.
"You need to rest for a couple of days before you can leave," Madam Pomfrey told him. You don't have any serious injures but I'm sure you'll agree that you don't want to start serving your detention yet either." He nodded and she went over to talk to Malfoy who was thankfully staying at the other end of the room. Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle were the only ones left with him, Pansy talking a mile a minute while the other two looked around the room stupidly. After Madam Pomfrey left, Ron patted the bed next to him and Hermione laid down. She gently put her head on his chest and he put his arm around her, even though it hurt him. She carefully put her arm around his middle and he rubbed it with his hand, his other running threw Hermione's hair. They just lay there together, without talking. She listened to his heartbeat and he felt her breath against his chest in the space between the buttons on his pajama top. She was still angry with him but didn't feel like arguing just then.
Author's Note: Okay, I think that's a long enough chapter! Whew, my feet are asleep from writing for such a long period of time. I wrote almost all of this thing in three hours or so. So, what'd you think? I personally liked this chapter. It was very dramatic and emotional, two things I don't write about very much. I didn't realize I could write such mean things like what I had Malfoy say! I surprised myself. Also, Seamus wasn't trying to get all close or hit on Hermione. I just wanted someone who was nice and fairly confident to comfort Hermione so I picked him since he tried to break up the fight, he's one of Ron's friends, and I picture Seamus as a really good guy. So that's why he put his arm around her and all that. I didn't make Ron get all crazy with jealousy because I didn't want Ron in another fight and he knows Seamus is with Lavender so he just walked away without doing anything. Alright, I think that's all I have to say. I need to stop typing and stretch my legs. Oh wait, individuals! I can sit a bit longer to do that!
Individuals:
ElmoRock3113: Thank you! Yep, I'll read your story as soon as I can! It's on my favorites list so I won't forget!
Weaslypotter: Thanks for leaving a review! I really appreciate it! And such a long one too! Like I said, I love them! Glad you liked it! I really liked writing it 'cause it was fun and I got to reread parts of OotP. I don't like the evil Cho's either. She was an emotional girl not a slutty temptress! Anyway, she'll be the reason for a future fight between Harry and Ginny but I won't suddenly make her evil. She'll still be a nice girl. About the length of the story: I really have no idea! Lol! If I do decide to go through to 7th year, I'll make that part a separate story like I did with this one. I actually would love to make an after Hogwarts sequel to this but frankly, I don't want to write seventh year. It's not that I don't like writing this or I'd be bored with it, it's just that there are some things about HP that I don't even want to touch or try writing you know? I'm sure J.K.'s got something totally awesome planned out and I know I couldn't think of anything near as good. But, I could finish sixth year then skip over seventh year and start an after Hogwarts sequel to this starting when they leave Hogwarts. How's that sound? I'll definitely think more about that. We'll see what happens at the end of this. Plus, I have another idea for a fan fic and I already starting writing down ideas so I might be able to get that one written out by the time this fic is over then get that fic up while I start writing the after Hogwarts one. Geez, that's a lot to think about but it'd be a lot of fun too! Okay, now that I've talked your ear off (or eyes since you're reading this.whatever), I'll shut up! Lol! Sorry, I'm sure you weren't expecting that long of an answer! K, bye!
'Mione Weasley: Yeah, that was me! I asked you that to make sure I was talking to the same person. That's exactly what I'm gonna do with the H/G fight. Well, not exactly but sort of. No, I won't make Cho evil; she'll just start wanting Harry back and stuff. I won't have it get overly messy but it'll create some problems. Thanks for suggesting it! I thought about it after I put up the last chapter and I was like, duh! That's what should happen with the fight! Lol, thanks! I got caught up with your story and I reviewed. I don't how I got behind in reading it, I thought I had read all your chapters but then when you updated 18 I realized I hadn't read a couple before that. Oh well! I'm caught up now!
HPIsDBest: Thank you! Of course, I had to have Gryffindor win! I wouldn't do it any other way!
KrisKG: Lol, I know it was long! This one was too! Glad you liked it! I'm also glad you liked my portrayal of Cho. She isn't over him though, you're right. I'm sure you're right about Michael Corner. I had it in my mind that he was in Ginny's year but I bet he's a seventh year now like you said. Thanks, I'll remember that! Don't worry; I like long reviews like I said!
Joots: Thank you very much! I love all you guys too! That was a quick update too! Unfortunately, I won't be able to update again until probably next week, hopefully Saturday. I'll do my best!
Paige*madden: Don't worry about it. I love reviews but if you don't every chapter, it's not critical as long as you do a few times! Anyway, glad you like the story!
Loli-chick336: Thank you! I like any type of review even if you say the same things! Yep, it'll be some jealousy, some Cho jealousy. Glad you liked it!
PuNkPoTtErPrInCeSs: Thanks! I'm so glad you liked the last story and this one! Where'd I come up with the Stugrap? I don't know! Lol! It just sort of came in my weird brain and I wrote it down! Lol, he rox my sox too!
Sexy seeker: Thank you! Yeah, it'll be a Cho fight. I don't know where I came up with Stugrap! It just came to my strange mind and I put it in. Lol. Yes, Malfoy is definitely a git!
Shortywithbrains: Thanks! I'm glad you liked how Harry acted. I think it's pronounced how it looks but maybe it's not. Who knows! That's how I say it. I did have a good Thanksgiving! Hope you did too!