They were starving, really. They haven't had a single thing to eat or drink since breakfast; their tongues were dry as rock. Ron was eating two pieces of chicken legs, one was in the right hand, the other in the left. He was eating in turns. A bite from here, and a bite from there. Until...
"Easy does it Weazel," spoke the cold voice of Draco Malfoy, "better slow down, or you'll be looking like your big fat mother in days." Crabbe and Goyle were laughing. Ron's ears got red. Malfoy, throughout their years at Hogwarts, always made fun of Ron's family. Being so poor, and all of them getting second hand supplies for school. But he didn't dare to wait anymore this time. Ron furiously got out of his seat, and dived on Malfoy. They were both knocked down to the ground, when Harry and Hermione interfered.
"Ron, get up...it's not worth it," said Harry, trying to pull Ron away from Draco. He was punching him on the face, blood was coming down Draco's nostrils. Draco in turn punched Ron back on the eye. The fight kept going on, until Hermione at last did something...
"Reducto!" she pointed her wand to Malfoy, and he was blasted several meters away from Ron. "Haven't I told you not to go pick a row with Malfoy?" She was asking Ron.
Ron wasn't satisfied with Hermione, as though he's done something wrong.
"He started it!" yelled Ron, Harry and Hermione had to cover their ears. "He doesn't miss a chance to make fun of my mother!" Then, Ron came closer to Malfoy, who was being helped up by Crabbe and Goyle. They were stunned, they've never seen such a fight. Malfoy's face was red, all covered in blood. So was Ron's face. Ron came closer.
"Look here, you twisted lousy rich good for nothing git!" started Ron, he had a strong grip on Malfoy's tie. "One more word about my family, any word at all, and you'll pay. I might even strangle you to death! You hear me?"
Ron has never ever been this angry or serious before. Malfoy nodded, and Harry and Hermione pulled Ron away from him. They were looking at Ron's face, horrified. Then, without any warning, Malfoy got up, pulled his wand, and ...
"Stupefy!" He was aiming at Ron's back, to stun him. But Hermione was too quick for him. She took out her wand, and in seconds...
"Impedimenta!" the jet red light was being slowed down. Draco looked up at her, very angry.
"YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, YOU FILTHY MUDBLOOD!" he screamed. Harry couldn't stand the insult anymore. He didn't even stop to think about it. He raised his fist, and BAM! Malfoy was knocked out, lying still on the ground.
"You didn't need to do that," said Hermione, a horrific look on her face.
"You're welcome," replied Harry, looking disgusted from the sight of the blood-covered Malfoy.
"Let's take Ron to the Hospital Wing, look at all these injuries," said Harry, looking at the small bruise on top of Ron's left eyebrow.
"Good idea," said Hermione. "What about him?" She was pointing to Malfoy.
"He," began Harry," can lie down there like a crushed cockroach. Let the two blokes help him." The whole crowd in the Great Hall was shrieking, not believing Ron's and Malfoy's attitude. They were far more violent than ever.
"Let me see now," began Harry, "Five points from Slytherin because of the insult he gave Ron. Five more for attempting to punch him back. Ten more for insulting you Hermione. I think that's all." Hermione and Ron were very pleased with Harry. It took them several minutes until they reached the Hospital Wing. Harry and Hermione left Ron there, five o'clock, he needed a lot of rest and heeling as Madam Pomfrey said. Then, when unfortunately Ron fell into a deep sleep, the two had no choice but to leave him there.
After that, Harry and Hermione decided to do their Herbology homework under a tree beside the lake. It took them rather a very long time, like an hour and a half to complete it. This was because they had to mention lots and lots of details, and they were to give examples, lots of them. Of course, it was very easy to Hermione, but Harry had a difficult time. He kept watching Hermione's homework and copying some words into his. Unluckily for him, Hermione caught him. She demanded that he started the homework all over again. But she helped him anyway.
Then, the two gathered their stuff, and went up the castle heading to their dormitories for a short nap before dinner. Hermione patted Harry on the head, and said goodbye, Harry did the same thing, and headed to the boy's dormitory.
He entered, and saw that the room was perfectly empty, except for maybe Trevor, Neville's toad, and Hedwig, Harry's owl. He sat on his four-poster bed, and stretched. He was really tired, but he had no wish at all to sleep, because he knew that minutes later he'll be woken up for dinner. Harry kept rolling on his bed, until he caught a glimpse of something in his trunk. It was his old Firebolt, not the new Firebolt X6 that Dumbledore sent him. Harry got out of his bed, and careful not to trip, approached his trunk. He opened it, and took out the Firebolt. Now that he had the new fantastic Firebolt X6, he didn't know what to do with the Firebolt. He recalled the days when he had to use his dear old Firebolt. The match against Slytherin in third year, the day when he needed to summon it for his first task in fourth year, the day when he flew it all the way to Grimmauld Place before beginning fifth year… It was highly precious to him. Then, he remembered something important. The Quidditch season was approaching, and the Gryffindor team hasn't decided which people to select as beaters, chasers, and a keeper. Harry was sort of disappointed. Then, he had a wonderful idea... He thought of giving Hermione his old Firebolt as a birthday present (although he totally forgot about her birthday being on September). Then, he would get her to join the team, and take whatever position she wanted. He could train her of course for several weeks before the first match of the season. But then, he remembered that Hermione wasn't good that much in Quidditch, and was a bit lousy at flying a broomstick. Anyway, he decided to give it a shot. He opened his Broomstick Serving Kit, his thirteenth birthday present from Hermione, and polished the Firebolt. It was shining like the sun! Harry grabbed the invisibility cloak, and put it on the Firebolt so that it would be invisible. Then, he went out of the boy's dormitory, and headed to the Great Hall for dinner. He was eating so fast, just hoping for time to pass by as quick as it can. Ron of course was back, after sleeping for 4 hours and a half. He was still dizzy, and the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs could clearly see the injuries on his face, a souvenir from the fight he had with Malfoy. At last, dinner ended, and the students were dismissed. Harry went to the front table that contained the teachers, and wished to speak to Professor Dumbledore.
"Professor, could I tell you something?" asked Harry.
"Certainly Harry, but be quick please, got to go to the Ministry, lots of work. For years I've rejected being the Minister of Magic, I can't see why I didn't this time" answered Professor Dumbledore, smiling.
"Yes...um...well, the Quidditch season is approaching, and I wanted to take your permission Professor...for...erm.. reinforcing the Gryffindor team," said Harry.
"You do as you wish, my dear Harry," spoke Dumbledore.
"Thanks sir," replied Harry politely.
"And now, I've got to go Harry," and Dumbledore walked away.
Harry was running to his seat on the Gryffindor table, grabbed the invisible Firebolt that was hidden underneath the Invisibility Cloak, and joined Hermione and Ron for a walk, until they reached the Fat Lady's portrait.
"Password?" she asked.
"Peace," replied Hermione at once. Immeadietly, the door opened, and they stepped inside. Ron went straight up to the boy's dormitory. So did everybody else except for Harry and Hermione.
"Goodnight," said Ron, yawning.
"Sleep tight," answered Harry, laughing quietly. Now, he had his chance to speak to Hermione before she went to sleep.
"Um...Hermione. Could I have a word with you?"
"Ok," she answered.
"Well...I know that you may think this is mental, but...um...well.. I forgot that your birthday was in September, and I only remembered a few hours ago...so...I decided to give you a decent present...well…happy birthday!" Harry took the invisibility cloak off the shining Firebolt, and was presenting it to Hermione. She sighed.
"Harry! This is wonderful! It's very kind of you really, but ...you'll have to keep it,"
"What? Why?" asked Harry.
"Well...I don't say that this is not awesome, but...well,... the Firebolt belongs to you, and if you give it away, what will you be riding on the Quidditch matches?"
"My Firebolt X6," answered Harry proudly.
"Your what? Was that supposed to be a joke?" asked Hermione in disbelief.
"I know, I haven't told anybody to keep it as a surprise. Professor Dumbledore sent it to me during summer,"
"Well...um...congratulations!" said Hermione, with a wide smile on her face.
"So, will you take it?" asked Harry.
"Harry, please , you must understand..."
"For me?" asked Harry desperately.
"Oh allright," said Hermione.
"Yes," muttered Harry happily.
"Hang on, this must be for a reason Harry. Why are you giving me your Firebolt?" asked Hermione suspiciously. Harry was absolutely speechless. He wanted to tell her that he wanted her on the Quidditch team, now that Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet have left Hogwarts.
"Are you trying to get me on the Gryffindor team?" asked Hermione again.
"Yes," answered Harry finally, rather heavily.
"Hold it, now you're going too far, you know how lousy I am at flying a broom, besides..."
"I can help you with that. I'll teach you how to fly a broomstick, all the basics. If you're good at our daily subjects, why couldn't you be on Quidditch?"
"Because I don't have your talent Harry," answered Hermione sincerely.
"Who cares about my talent? Look Hermione, I'm begging you, I'm very desperate. We need to reinforce the Gryffindor Quidditch team as soon as possible. I asked Dumbledore about it, he..."
"Ok, relax, it's fine with me," answered Hermione, calming Harry down.
" You...you...you actually agree to be on the team?" asked Harry, so excited.
"Yes, but it will be your responsibility, if anything goes wrong I mean," said Hermione, smiling.
"Oh...thank you so much!" said Harry, and he hugged her. "Hey, what about taking the Chaser's position Hermione? Does that seem good to you?"
"Yeah," answered Hermione. "Listen, could we start training now?"

"What? Now? But, it's getting dark,"
"And what is the invisibility cloak for?" asked Hermione, grinning.
"Oh...ok. So, were would you want us to practice?" said Harry.
"Over the greenhouses would be cool,"
"Righto," said Harry. He went upstairs, and careful not to make a noise, opened his trunk, and took out his new Firebolt X6. When he came down, he showed it to Hermione. She was stunned by the perfect broom.
After that, he put the invisibility cloak on them, and went out to reach the greenhouses. He grabbed a ball, that was lying still besides greenhouse two. Possibly, it could've been lost or something.
"So, remember how to mount a broom?" asked Hermione.
"Yes," Immediately, she mounted her new Firebolt and was rising some inches in the air.
"Quite impressive," said Harry, smiling. "So, you said you'll be a chaser, right?"
"Right," answered Hermione.
"Well, you have to keep one thing in mind. Being a chaser means that you've got to be skillful in passing between your opponents, and careful about the Quaffle not to be taken from you."
"As a start, I'll give you the ball, you try and get past me, and throw it to this circle," he, using his wand, drew a bright yellow circle on the wall.
"Ready?" asked Harry.
"Ready," said Hermione.
At once, he threw the ball to her. Now, they were about fifty feet above the ground.
"You'd better hold on to your broom well Hermione. Easy when you turn around," yelled Harry, he was ten meters away from Hermione. Then, the training started, he zoomed through the air, heading towards Hermione. She didn't turn around, instead, she fancied going up. Her Firebolt was accelerating at a very high speed, so was Harry's. He was now coming closer to her, closer, he stretched out his hand to grab the ball, but Hermione did something clever. She rose up in the air, and turned in a curved away upside down. She was beneath Harry.
"Clever move," complimented Harry. "What are you waiting for? Go! You must score, not wait for your opponent to take the ball from you!"
Obediently, Hermione descended very fast. She was nearing the yellow circle on the wall, she raised the ball into the air, and...
Harry took it form her quickly before she even tried to throw it.
"Got to be more careful," said Harry.
"Ok," said Hermione.
"Players usually look around them, constant vigilance is very important if you're a chaser. Try looking around you next time,"
Moments later, Harry handed Hermione the ball, and started again. For five more times, she failed to throw the ball. Hermione was crying now, she sort of thought of giving up.
"Now Hermione, cheer up. I was even lousier than you when I began Quidditch training in first year. Don't give up easily," he was comforting her, while the two were sitting on their brooms.
Hermione rubbed a tear off, and said:
"I shall try harder. Quidditch isn't easy as I thought it would be,"
"Ready?" asked Harry. "Right, now you try get the ball from me, and throw it at the circle." At once, Harry was zooming in the air. Hermione was right behind him. There was just a little difference in the two brooms' speed. Successfully, Hermione grabbed the ball, and turned around. Descending, even lower. She raised her hand, and threw the ball directly to the circle. She did it at last! She scored!
"At last," said Hermione cheerfully. She sort of lost her balance, she was fighting to stay on the Firebolt.
"Uh oh," she said, looking scared. She slipped off, and fell.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaah," screamed Hermione in horror. Harry rushed throughout the air; he was near the ground, when Hermione safely landed on his arms.
"Wow!" he said. Hermione didn't believe what just happened, Harry saved her life. He summoned the Firebolt, and gave it back to Hermione.
"Thanks for that," said Hermione, and gave him a spontaneously-conjured, soft kiss on the cheek. He blushed for a moment, and then smiled at her. "You really are wonderful!"
"Really impressive Hermione, not bad at all for a beginner,"
"I couldn't have done it without your instructions and advice," replied Hermione gratefully. Then, the two were walking up to the castle, of course, invisible under the Invisibility Cloak. They had such a nice, wonderful, terrific, and magnificent time together.