-Cries- There is only one more chapter in this story after this one! I love this story with all my heart, but, my Marauders story kicks this one's ass. After my lovely Marauder story, the sequel to this one comes out. I DON'T WANT IT TO END! sobs uncontrollably. This chapter is dedicated to Frank the Owl.

Chapter Eighteen

Quidditch Final

The morning of the match, the weather was perfect. There was hardly any wind, only a faint breeze. The sun was shining, but it kept going behind the clouds. It was warm, but not too hot. It was the last week of May. Nikki's seventeenth birthday had come and gone. It was on the fourteenth. Harry had taken her out to dinner the Saturday after her Birthday, seeing as it was a Hogsmeade weekend that week. He had also bought her a muggle CD. She once told him her favorite band was this muggle American band called Green Day. She had all of their other CD's so he bought her the newest one, nimrod. She loved it. Anyway, back to the Final. Harry had gotten his team up at seven o'clock in the morning. The match started at noon, so Harry had them eat an early breakfast in the locker room while going over strategies. Malfoy also had his team up at an early hour, but they did not get breakfast. If they wanted it, they had to get up early enough to get it before the meeting.

Before they knew it, it was nearly noon. The two teams flew out onto the field. They took their positions and Madame Hooch released the balls. Nikki got the Quaffle first and flew towards the Slytherin goal. She faked a pass to Ginny and scored on the first try. The game continued for quite a while longer. The score after nearly an hour was Gryffindor-120 and Slytherin-170.

Suddenly, Harry spotted the Snitch and he and Malfoy began racing after it. They went faster and faster. Diving and narrowly missing the stands. Goyle, the Slytherin Beater, saw this. Malfoy had told his team that they had to win. He decided something to distract Harry would be best. He saw Nikki flying his way with the Quaffle. He knew what he had to do. He raised his beater bat just as Nikki was flying towards him. It collided with her head and…don't you just hate it when there is a huge cliffhanger and the author just ends the chapter there? Well, I do. So, I am not going to…Nikki fell off her broom and began tumbling down. The crowd gasped and a few screamed. Harry briefly broke his gaze and saw the love of his live falling to her death. Malfoy saw Harry speed off, but he just kept going. Harry sped off towards Nikki. When she was just six feet from the ground, Harry scooped her up in his arms and landed safely. She was out cold. Harry gently laid her down and put her head in his lap as teachers came running up to him.

"Good catch Mr. Potter. Please, follow me up to the Hospital Wing." Madame Pomfrey said. Harry picked Nikki up in his arms and followed her to the Hospital Wing. As soon as they got there, Harry laid Nikki down on a bed. Madame Pomfrey tried to 'shoo' him away, but he wouldn't go. He pulled up a chair and held her hand.

"She is still alive and stable. She just happens to be unconscious. She should wake up in a few hours. When she wakes up, alert me. If she has not woken up in six hours, let me know. I will keep all visitors out unless you request them." Madame Pomfrey said.

"Let in Ron, Hermione, and Ginny." Harry replied before turning back to Nikki. Moments later his three friends entered and ran over to him.

"How is she?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know. She hasn't woken up yet." Harry answered.

"Harry, you won't believe this. When Malfoy saw what was happening, he called off the game and started yelling at Goyle. He said he almost killed Nikki. They are rescheduling the game now." Ron informed him.

"No way, Malfoy calling off a game due to our injuries?" Harry asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, he's waiting outside." Ginny replied.

"Let him in." Harry ordered. Ginny went and opened the door to let Malfoy in. He came in but kept his distance.

"Potter, I apologize for what that oaf did. Despite popular belief, I try to be a fair Quidditch player and I was not going to win by default. What Goyle did was below even my standards. I hope she is okay." Malfoy said.

Harry was speechless but he managed to get out a simple 'Thank you'. Malfoy nodded and walked out.

"Well…that was weird." Ginny stated.

"Yeah. I don't mean to be rude or anything, but do you mind if I ask you to leave me alone for a while?" Harry asked.

"Oh, of course Harry. We're sorry." Hermione said while ushering everyone out. As soon as they were gone, Harry placed a soft kiss on Nikki's lips.

"Please Nikki. Please wake up. I love you so much. You can't leave me. Not now." Harry whispered as tears rolled down his cheeks. He laid his head down on the bed, still holding her hand. He must have fallen asleep because he was woken up by someone running their hand through his hair. He looked up to see Nikki smiling down at him.

"Nikki! You're awake!" Harry cried before planting a kiss on her lips.

"Harry what happened? All I remember was heading towards the goal with the Quaffle, and then I woke up here." Nikki said.

"Goyle hit you in the head with the Beater Bat. You fell off your broom and I caught you before you hit the ground. Malfoy called off the game and rescheduled. And you have been lying here for quite some time." Harry explained.

"Well…that would explain the headache of the century." Nikki replied, holding her head.

"Oh. I have to go get Madame Pomfrey. I will be right back." Harry said before going to find Madame Pomfrey. She was in her office and came quickly to Nikki.

"Well, Miss Gryffin, how are you feeling?" Pomfrey asked.

"Pretty good, except for this nasty headache." Nikki replied.

"Well, you took quite a hit. Foul game, Quidditch, positively beastly!" Madame Pomfrey said, muttering the last part to herself.

"When can I go?"

"I would like for you to stay the night, but you may go back to your in the morning. Mr. Potter, you may go back to your room now." Madame Pomfrey answered.

"Can Harry stay the night?" Nikki asked.

"Where do you propose he sleeps?" Pomfrey asked.

"I don't mind, I can sleep in the chair." Harry responded.

"If I wake up to find you any where else besides that chair or your own dorm in the morning, it'll be straight to the Headmaster for the both of you!" Pomfrey threatened before going back to her office. Harry moved his chair close to Nikki's bed and made himself comfortable. Nikki took his hand in hers and closed her eyes. Slowly, they drifted off to a nice, peaceful sleep.

The next morning, Madame Pomfrey came in and woke up Harry and Nikki around eight o'clock. Harry helped Nikki back to the Common Room as she lay down on the couch.

"Can I get you anything?" Harry asked.

"My book, it's on the table over there." Nikki replied as Harry went and got her book. Nikki sat up and Harry sat down where her head was. She laid her head down on his lap and opened her book to read. An hour later, Harry looked down to find Nikki asleep. He took her book out of her hands and marked her page. Harry did not move her, he just let her sleep. He began thinking about the same thing Nikki had been thinking about for a while: Summer. He knew that he had promised her that nothing would come between them and that he would owl her every day. But should he have done that? What if he couldn't keep that promise? She would never forgive him if he did that to her.

Well, there is chapter 18. Only one left…-cries- I love this story so much. I don't want it to end! Well, once again…Rachel's review kicked everyone's ass. She is the Reviewer Queen…the incredibly insane Review Queen, but the Review Queen nonetheless.