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Chapter 11

Life went on as normal. After spending time at the pond, the couples had headed back to the house. No one had questioned them about what they were doing. The parents just assumed they had been playing around in the water. And for right now, that's all that they needed to know. Eventually, the four young adults would tell everyone about their relationships, but right now, they wanted to enjoy the secrecy of it.

Surprisingly, after the twins paparazzi, they had done nothing. Nada. Ron and Hermione were still a little wary, but glad that Fred and George had done nothing. So, Ron and Hermione went on with life, basking in their young love. Times when Hermione would be studying early for school or just doing some light reading, Ron would either read as well or just watch her. Hermione would be so into her book that it would take her awhile to realize that he was watching her. Then she would blush slightly and put her nose right back into her book, trying to hide her face. Ron would just laugh and continue his perusal of her.

With Harry and Ginny spending so much time together, there were some benefits. Harry, being the talented quidditch player he was, helped Ginny out on her chaser skills when they played quidditch. Over the next few weeks, she became pretty good. A few times, Harry and Ginny would play against each other, trying to get the snitch. One time, she totally dusted him. Gin was so ecstatic she was doing loops in the air and flying around Harry. He was just laughing and finally, after her antics, he chased her around the pitch and tackled her when they were low to the ground. They tumbled to the ground, both laughing and eventually getting caught up in the other, started kissing. Harry and Gin stopped before it got too serious so others wouldn't come out and find them like that. Both headed back towards the house to get something to drink.

These things among others continued for the rest of the summer at the Weasley house. Before you knew it, it was the last few days before school started up again. The leaves had started changing colors and everything was bustling along. It was now late August and the Weasley's plus Harry and Hermione were in Diagon Alley, getting school supplies.

Mrs. Weasley went off to shop for herself, while Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione, went to get their things. Ron and Herm left to get some school robes, so Harry and Ginny walked around for a bit. They encounted their friends and decided to tell people about their relationship, consequences be damned. Their friends weren't surprised at all that they were together. In fact, there was a pool of bets on when they would hook up. Harry and Ginny just rolled their eyes and laughed along. Time was getting short, so the two quickly bought everything they needed except for school books. On the way to the bookstore, they met up with Ron and Hermione and found out that they two had told people about their relationship. With the niceties out of the way, the boys went to check out the quidditch magazines, leaving the girls to talk about things they had heard and gather their books. Ginny and Hermione had been chatting for awhile when a blonde haired Slytherin had walked up behind them.

"Well, well, well...look what we have here. A mudblood and a gold digger. You can't possibly expect to buy all those books do you?" sneered Draco Malfoy, archnemesis of the four friends. "Because, honestly, Weasley you'd have to steal them and Granger... well, they must be mental to let you walk among them." Ginny and Hermione glare with contempt at his tirade. Just as they were about to rip him a new one, Harry and Ron beat them to it. Both boys had seen Malfoy walk up, so they quickly put their magazines away and tried to get to the girls as fast as they could in a jam packed store.

"Hey, Malfoy, why don't you bugger off? Obviously you're not wanted here so clear out and bloody leave well alone." Ron gave Malfoy a murderous look. Malfoy scoffed and was about to reply but Harry cut him off.

"Besides, shouldn't you be going to a deatheater meeting?" Harry smirked while quirking his eyebrow. Both girls just laughed and nodded their agreement. Malfoy scowled with malice, muttered some nasty comments about stupid Gryffindors, and swaggered away with whatever dignity he had left.

"Malfoy is such an ass," Hermione said. "Someone needs to send him to Azkaban, seriously." The other three nodded their agreement. Ensuing that loathsome meeting, the four paid for their books. They had a half an hour left before meeting up with Mrs. Weasley, so they went to get some ice cream.

September 1st came before you knew it. The Weasley house was in an uproar with everyone trying to get their things loaded into the car. With thirty minutes to go before 11, the crew was on their way to the Hogwarts Express. By 10:50 a.m., Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny hurriedly gathered their belongings and headed towards Platform 9 and 3/4's. Each darted through the platform reaching the other side. They stored their trunks on the train and said quick goodbyes to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.

The train was whistling by the time they found a spare compartment to stay in for the journey to Hogwarts. With all the noise going on around the four, it was a rather quiet moment with them looking out the window, waving to the Weasley's and reminiscing. 'This is our last year of Hogwarts' Hermione thought. Harry and Ron looked at each other while thinking, 'Watch out Hogwarts, this is our last year, and we're going to make it memorable.'

(i was totally going to leave it at that, but it seemed really short, so i put in what was supposed to be part of the next chapter...soo...it may not run together entirely...:) don't hurt me!)

Settling into the new year of school and adjusting to its rhythm, the four had survived all the way through September and were half way through October. Since school had started, stress levels had been going up. Seventh years had OWL's this year so they were bogged down with more work than they could possibly handle. Harry, Hermione, and Ron always seemed ragged after classes and even worse after practice! Ginny, thankfully, didn't have as much to do. Sixth year was hard, but nothing compared to how next year would be.

Harry, being quidditch captain for Gryffindor, had set up auditions for the quidditch team. Fred and George had left last year and the team also needed a couple new chasers. Harry was a little worried that the team wouldn't be as good as it used to be, but he didn't let that get him down. The turnout for try outs was unbelievable. Harry didn't even know half the people there. Hermione and Ron stood with Harry as he gathered order and started the try outs. Chasers were the first to be filled. Many people tried but Harry wasn't very impressed. That is, until Ginny was next. Now, don't get me wrong. Ginny was awesome. She totally creamed her opposition. But if she had been bad, Harry wouldn't have let her on the team. He just wasn't like that. Ginny didn't know it, but she was on the team for sure. So she went back to sit by her friend Luna Lovegood. (a/n idk wut year luna is...but she's a 6th year in my story). More people went as well as Luna. Finally Harry concluded that the Chaser try outs were done and that it was time for the Beaters. That took another hour but after seeing a good group of flyers, Harry had made his decision. The new beaters would be Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom. Harry was rather surprised at what Neville showed him. When he had first stepped up, he seemed unsure of himself and rather nauseous looking. But when he mounted his broom, he seemed to be a different person and showed that he was a capable beater. Harry was proud of what Neville had become and was glad he was on the team. 'I can't wait to see what Neville says when he finds out he's on the team!' Harry said to himself.

Try outs were finally done and a week later, listings were posted. The Chasers would be Ginny Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Luna Lovegood and the Beaters would be Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom. Harry was obviously the Seeker and Ron was the Keeper. To Harry's amusement, Neville started choking over the surprise of his position. Everyone had a good laugh and Neville eventually joined in, glad to finally fit in.

The first practice was an interesting one. It was a rocky start but after thirty minutes, everyone got into their own rhythms and things were shaping up. They weren't by any means great, but they would get there with much practice. Harry wasn't too worried since their first match was against Hufflepuff.

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a/n: soo... sorry for taking awhile to update. it is my computer...the dmn thing...anyways...i hope this works for you guys and i'll try and write the next chapter as quick as i can...hope you like! thanks for any reviews..