Return Of The Elemental


Chapter 20 – Rescues, Plans And Quidditch

'POTTER! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING KISSING MY GIRLFRIEND? IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FACT THAT YOU'RE PLAYING IN THE UPCOMING GAME AGAINST RAVENCLAW, I WOULD COME TO HOGWARTS AND PUT MY PRACTICE BROOM SOMEWHERE WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE. YOU'VE HAD YOUR WARNING… GOOD LUCK AGAINST THE BOOKWORMS…'

Harry watched Oliver Wood's Howler burn itself into ashes. He was quite pleased with himself, really, the only bad thing to come out of his little kiss with Missy Malkin was the coverage on the front page of the Daily Prophet and the slight ringing in his ears, thanks to his old captain's message.

The Howler had come with Hermione's new dresses and school robes during the morning post. He looked up and saw himself kissing Missy on the front page of the prophet again. He looked around the great hall and saw the same picture glaring back at him.

'You know, you were right for once.' He said casually to Hermione who was sitting next to him. Hermione looked up from her copy of the prophet and scowled at Harry mockingly.

'I'm always right and don't you forget it.' After saying this she ducked down back into her paper, purposefully ignoring the curious stares from her school mates, all of them probably waiting to see her reactions to her fiancé's shenanigans. They were all to be disappointed though, for Hermione acted as though she normally would and even gave the onlookers something to talk about when she kissed Harry goodbye before she went to Ancient Runes.

Talk of Harry's tomfoolery died down after a couple of weeks and most talk once again turned to Quidditch and the upcoming game between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.

Ron, who was Gryffindor quidditch captain, was running his team ragged with all his crazy training sessions and what was more extreme was an annoying habit he started a few days out before Saturday's game. Every spare break the fanatical red head got: between classes, during breakfast, lunch, dinner, in the common room, he would approach his players and start firing off questions about their sleeping habits, or their current health problems and demand that they see Madam Pomfrey even for the slightest sniffle and get a Pepper-Up potion. His pestering didn't stop till a certain red head with a tremendous temper hexed him for asking too many personal questions… Ron spent that Thursday night in the Infirmary screaming his voice hoarse. Apparently the hex Ginny used made the victim think they were giving birth. Crystal came back to the common room at about 12pm half laughing, half crying and announced to Gryffindor tower that Ron had given birth to a bouncing baby boy and that the mother was doing well and was recuperating nicely.

'Ah, Ron, I s'pose that will teach him though wont it?' Harry asked Hermione, wincing as he heard Crystal telling Ginny the finer points of Ron's labour.

'It sure will.' Hermione said smugly, she too had been tortured by Ron's pestering, apparently she was to let Harry get his full 8 hours sleep without any interruptions.

'Hey Harry,' Hermione said sitting up a little straighter. 'If it's a nice morning tomorrow like it was today, do you think we could go for a swim in the great lake? I think Zara would like to go for a wander too.'

'I don't see why not… yeah, that sounds like a good idea…' He then leaned down and whispered. 'You'll wear your yellow bikini wont you?'

Hermione turned around and smiled up at him.

'So cold for such flimsy clothing, don't you think?'

'I'll warm up a section of the water!' Harry proclaimed quickly. Hermione laughed at his enthusiasm.

'Fine, I'll wear your favourites. So we'll go for a swim while Tallis and Zara play?'

Hermione had grown fond of her guardian, Zara, and she of Hermione. The two were inseparable when they were together and Hermione often went into her staff and talked with the Pegasus. Harry's guardians also took to the flying horse, but none more so than Tallis. The lion would often travel to Hermione's staff and play… well he calls it playing. Hermione also thinks they're playing tip. But Harry doesn't know about that… Tallis still denies that he is trying to eat Zara though.

'Yeah that sounds delicious.' Harry said dreamily, already his mind was picturing the sight that would greet him down at the lake.

'Haaarrryyy. Right, I think its time for bedie bye byes for wittle Harry.' She then got up off the couch, then pulled Harry up, waved goodnight to Crystal and Ginny, and then dragged a drugged Harry off to their rooms.

'Are you sure it's warm enough.' Hermione called out teasingly to Harry. She was standing at the edge of the lake in a pair of trackies and a robe, looking round trying to find where Tallis and Zara had gotten to.

'I promise, it's warm… don't you trust me?' Harry yelled back. He then watched as Hermione flashed him a smile before slowly taking off her pants revealing a pair of pale long legs, she then stepped out of them laughing as she saw Harry swim closer. She then reached down and placed both of her hands on her knotted robe. Taking her time, she undid the knot and revealed the rest of her body by slipping the robe off her shoulders. She then entered the water and swam towards Harry. She never made it though, one minute she was swimming a beautiful breaststroke, the next she was nowhere to be seen, the rippling water the only sign that she was even close by.

Harry looked dumbly at the spot where Hermione had just been before changing into his Otter form and diving through the water after his beloved. Harry quickened his pace, slicing through the water like a hot knife through butter. Up ahead he saw a glimpse of yellow in the darkening water.

/ Harry… / Hermione's strangled voice sounded in Harry's head.

/ Hermione/ Harry all but shouted. He swam faster hearing Hermione's weak reply. He had now caught up to Hermione's nappers.

'Grindylows!' Harry screamed, well tried to scream, being an Otter has a habit of taking away human speech, all that came was a terrible shriek. He could see the little water dwelling creatures clearly now. There were about 10 all up and every one of them was dragging a bit of Hermione with them down into the dark depths of the lake. Harry was seething, he reached the first creature and practically bit it in half with his ferocity, then he really started going at it: clawing and biting at the others who had turned around to see why one of there number had fallen. All Grindylows were now attacking Harry, leaving Hermione to float downwards to the never ending chasm. With a few scratches to the eyes Harry dispelled the last of the annoying little buggers to the cover of their reeds. He then swam after Hermione, eventually catching up with her not much further down. He sighed with relief when he saw that Hermione was alright, she was struggling pointlessly against the bonds that the Grindylows had placed around her hands and feet. It seems that whatever made up rope the slimy creatures had used was agonizingly hard to break. But with a couple quick snaps with his sharp teeth, Harry had released the bonds, earning him a quick pat on the head from Hermione.

/ It's a good thing you made me an Elemental Harry. If you didn't then I'm afraid you'd be one less fiancé right about now. / Hermione said tiredly, it seems as though struggling against unbreakable ropes can really tucker someone out, cause not a second later Hermione passed out. Harry quickly changed back to his normal self, gathered Hermione in his arms and began his long journey back to the top.

Swimming back he realised how good it would have been to have Locky back. She could have been quite useful now, she had never really liked Grindylows, never since that time when they tried to capture her and use her as a muggle would use a guard dog.

Thinking of Locky made him remember his other problem. He had come to discover that he was slowly losing his Water abilities. Ever since Locky had died his ability to control the element had diminished through time. It wouldn't be long till it was gone completely he believed. That was why he had done what he had done. His water Element was one of his most important Elements, not due to the power, but the training that came with it. When he was below the waters of the Pacific with Merlin, the old Elemental had taught him all the healing arts that came with the Element, and now with that skill about to be lost Harry decided to copy his Water powers just as he done with Air powers, with Hermione. After completing this task he copied his Fire and Earth powers as well. You can't be to sure he had told himself. So now the three Elemental rings were safely hidden away within his and Hermione's room in Gryffindor tower.

Harry cut short his thinking and popped his head above the breaking water. He swam toward the shoreline were he saw the silhouettes of Zara and Tallis anxiously waiting. He knew this from the signs they were showing: pawing the ground, running up and down the bank, running into each other, you know, the usual signs of nervousness… that and the fact that both guardians were shouting in his head.

Guys its alright, she's just passed out. Harry said calmingly.

What happened Harry! Zara said worriedly.

It was Grindylows, they snatched her and started dragging her under the wat-. Hey Zara, where do you think your going? Harry asked dumbly, seeing the Pegasus start to run in the water.

Going to stomp on some filthy little creatures. Zara replied angrily.

Wait. Harry called out. Don't you want to come back up to the tower with us and look after Hermione? Zara stopped, turned her head and nodded grudgingly. As Zara came walking back Harry was sure he heard her muttering things to Tallis about things she was going to do to "The slimy ones".

'Welcome to another quidditch match of the season. Today's match is between two heavy weights of Hogwarts, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.' Dean Thomas's magnified voice shouted to the people in the stands, seating themselves down for hopefully an exciting contest.

'Of course most talk about this game has been focused on returning Gryffindor seeker Harry Potter. Harry, who as I mentioned last Gryffindor match has supplied all of his teams brooms, and flies a very special one himself. If some people can remember back a couple of years they would remember reading an article about the worlds fastest snitch catch, well let me tell you ladies and gents, that catch was taken by none other than our very own Boy-Who-Lived, who was going by another name for obvious reasons. Who knows, maybe we might see a repeat performan-.'

Hermione shut out the rest of Dean's commentary and focused on controlling her stomach. To her it felt like there were a thousand little butterflies floating around inside her… and it wasn't a good feeling. She had been feeling like this ever since she woke up. She knew Harry was feeling the same, even if he didn't look like it on the outside, she could tell. At breakfast he didn't touch any food and stayed out of most discussions, just talking to her through their mind link a couple of times asking her if she was alright. Of course she was. She had been right as soon as she was brought back to her room yesterday morning, but being who he was Harry hounded her side all day and didn't leave her once.

Hermione had to cover a laugh as she remembered Harry trying to come into the toilets with her yesterday only to back away terrified when he noticed where he was. Hermione didn't know what gave it away. The lack of troughs, the many more mirrors or the many screaming teenage girls, whatever it was Hermione had to admit that she had a bit more elbow room after that incident. She pulled her thoughts back to the present and watched Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor team fly out over the quidditch pitch. She then tuned her ears back into Dean's commentary.

'And here they are, the red and gold lions of Gryffindor, led once again by captain, mother and super keeper Ron Weasley. Leading the attack will be his sister Ginny as well as Fletcher and Finnigan. Holding the lethal beaters bats will be, the gorgeous Patil (Parvati that is, of course her sister is not that bad eith-. Owww, he he, just look at the way she waves that bat folks). The other dangerous Gryffindor beater is Longbottom. And last, but definitely not least, is the one, the only Haaarrryyy Pooottttteeerrrrrrrrr.'

A massive cheer went up as Harry acknowledged the crowd nervously from his position on the ground, his ice broom glinting in the overcast light.

'And here come Ravenclaw, led by captain and chaser, Goldstein, followed by his other chasers Hunt and Boot. Beaters, Flitwick and Patil (That's the ugly one I was talking about kids-. HEY, geez as you can see, she also knows how to wave those heavy troll clubs. And playing seeker against Potter is 3rd year Clinton Burt, surely he has his work cut out for him today just flying on an old Nimbus 2000.'

This comment was greeted with boos and jeers from the Ravenclaws, some even shouting threats to the Gryffindor critic. Meanwhile Harry shook hands with Burt and gave a bit of encouragement as Ron shook Anthony Goldstein's hand.

'Don't worry mate, my first broom was a 2000, it was great, I'd still be using it if it wasn't for that great tree over there.' Harry said whilst pointing his thumb back over his shoulder in the direction of the Whomping Willow making the small Burt smile nervously.

'Players mount your brooms. Take to the air on my whistle… BLLEEEEEEEPPPPP.'

'And there off, Madam Hooch controlling the match today, which is a good thing. Personally I don't trust those Ravenclaw chasers as far as they can throw a quaffle-.'

Harry laughed at Dean's antics, his old room-mate was making a lot of enemies in a very short amount of time. He twisted his broom a bit and tried to spot that familiar bushy brown hair, he smiled noticing that another owner of bushy hair was making his way towards Hermione, honestly Hagrid should have a stand to himself. He turned away and watched the Ravenclaw boy search for the snitch.

Hmm, not bad, his going to be a force to be reckoned with in a few years, ah well, I s'pose I should look for that little pest. Harry thought happily.

He dived vertically to the ground, not hearing the 'oohh's' and 'ahhh's' of the crowd as he pulled out of the dive and shot back up to the clouds, he circled the pitch at full pace, squinting to see that quick glimpse of the gold. He was not sure what the score was but he thought he saw Ginny and Crystal score a goal each, but once again he wasn't sure. All he was concentrating on was that glimpse of gold and dodging and weaving through all the obstacles a quidditch game provided. He was so preoccupied that he even missed the shocked gasps from Hermione through their link.

He did not know it but his flying abilities from that match would be talked about for years in the walls of Hogwarts for generations to come. He was acting as one with the air like he did each time he flew, but this was the first time people had really witnessed it. He saw the flash that was the snitch and sped towards it, dodging Seamus as he sped the other way towards Ravenclaws keeper. Weaving one last time, not even realising he was dodging a beaters bat, he grabbed the snitch and smiled in triumph. He flew down to the ground and jumped off his broom expecting his team-mates to be not far behind, he was disappointed and a little confused to see his team flying towards professor Flitwick's little great grandson. He then turned his head from where he saw spell flashes coming from and was surprised to see Hermione jumping over stands, waving her wand and screaming out spells at Cenius Flitwick.

Harry hopped on his broom again and flew up to the melee in the sky. He spotted Ron's angry form trying to force his way through the Ravenclaw team who were protecting their beater. Their was no point really, for at that point Harry saw Cenius start falling towards the ground… without his broom. Harry quickly flew under the oblivious quidditch teams and dashed after the little half-dwarf.

He was surprised when Ron pointed out his opposing players. Usually beaters were either big and heavy, or tall and wiry. Cenius Flitwick was either. Ron also told him that he had heard that professor Flitwick had asked Anthony Goldstein to put Cenius on in return for an extension on a charms assignment. But Harry really didn't believe it.

Meanwhile Harry was now just an arms length away from the falling Ravenclaw, it seems as though the rest of the crowd had noticed Harry and wondered what he was diving for. Once they had caught on, they were screaming and willing Harry forward, none more so than another Flitwick standing the teachers stand.

Yes. He had done it, he gathered Cenius in one arm and pulled out of the dive with the other, he then landed softly on the ground to see Dumbledore, Snape and Madam Pomfrey running towards him. He got off his broom and placed the unconscious soul on the ground, stepping back and letting Madam Pomfrey do her stuff.

'What happened professor Dumbledore, why was everyone trying to get to Cenius?' Harry asked, leading professor Dumbledore away from Snape.

'What, you mean you don't know? When you were going in for the snitch, Cenius tried to treat your head as a bludger, he would have succeeded if it had not been for your superb flying.' Dumbledore said with a little pride in voice. Ignoring Snape's snort Harry asked.

'But why would he want to do that sir, I mean I don't even know him?'

'I'm not sure Harry, but why don't you leave that to me, I believe you're wanted.' Dumbledore nodded over Harry's shoulder and then turned around to follow the levitated Cenius Flitwick up the castle. Before Harry could turn though he felt his arm being gripped tightly. Looking down he saw the worried face of professor Flitwick looking back up at him.

'Harry. Oh Harry I'm so sorry, I don't know what wrong with him, something must have happened to him. Cenius, he's usually such a nice boy, never have I seen him act like this. Forgive him please, he didn't mean it, he-.'

'Professor, professor, it's alright.' Harry said, cutting in before the man could give himself a heart attack. 'What he did, well from my point of view anyway, was perfectly alright…' Harry trailed off as he watched Draco Malfoy sprint up the grounds towards the castle, sending a look back over his shoulder every now and then.

'Listen professor, why don't you go up to the Hospital wing and see how Cenius is getting on, let me know when he wakes, oh no its not like that,' He added quickly seeing Flitwick's petrified face. 'I just want to talk to him and see what he remembers about the game, alright?'

'Yes, I can do that and thank you, once again Harry.' The little charms professor than ran as fast as his little legs could go up to the school. Harry then turned round and saw that the girls of the Gryffindor team were trying to hold Hermione back from, what looked like, chasing after little Cenius Flitwick. Harry made his way through the congratulatory Gryffindor crowd to Hermione. He was still a fair way back but he could still hear her enthusiastic shouts.

'-I swear, I only want to break his arms and legs, nothing else. Okay maybe more. Hey, maybe I could get a beaters bat and bash him like he tried to bash Harry. Parvati do you think you could lend me yours?'

'I don't know Hermione, I'm thinking of using my bat on someone myself.' The Indian girl cast an evil glare at the retreating Dean.

'Oh look Hermione here's Harry, remember Harry?' Crystal said, moaning with relief as Hermione stopped struggling and ran towards Harry.

'Thank heavens, I was afraid I was going to have to stun her.' Harry heard Ginny say before having the wind knocked out of him by Hermione's crash tackle.

'Harry, are you alright, did he get you?' She whispered hysterically, sobbing into his shoulder.

/ Hermione… sweetie. I'm fine. / Harry said mentally, rubbing his hand up and down Hermione's back.

'Party in the common room!' Seamus shouted to the crowd of Gryffindors, already running up the lawns with Lavender at his side.

'Hermione, Hermione are you going to get off me?'

'Uhh, Uhh.'

'Don't you think there not going to notice if the head girl and Gryffindor seeker aren't at the party though?'

'Uhh, Uhh.' Hermione then hiccoughed into his wet shoulder.

'But Hermione, if your not there, whose going to stop Seamus from bringing Fire Whisky into the tower…' He then watched as Hermione got up off him as quick as a flash and then started running towards the castle.

'Hurry up Harry, who knows, he could already have it.' She shouted over her shoulder. Harry laughed as he watched Hermione keep running pell mell towards the front doors.

'Doesn't she realise she's an Elemental.' Harry then got up, brushed himself off and then called for his staff and Apparated back to Gryffindor tower where it looked as though things were just getting under way. He went and stood by the portrait hole and waited, idly twirling his staff like a baton. Eventually Hermione came bursting through and immediately started looking for Seamus, she spotted him near the fire with Lavender and was about to storm over when a Harry finally called out from the shadows.

'Are you telling me you ran the whole way?'

Hermione spun around and stared dumbly at Harry. Her face then grew red and her brown eyes narrowed towards Harry's staff.

Harry reckoned Hermione didn't even think once more on Seamus's drink smuggling, his reason for this was the fact that he was the object that acquired all of Hermione's attention that night. Not through kissing or cuddling or even through talking. No, most of her time was spent apparating through the castle trying to find the hiding Harry. But what she didn't know is that after first apparating to the owlery, Harry then apparated back to the common room, therefore avoiding Hermione and spending an enjoying evening with his housemates. Also in that time learning that they had beaten Ravenclaw 210-30, so all and all it was a very good night.

He went to bed later that night in high spirits. It was around one o'clock in the morning when he heard Hermione enter the bedroom, she rustled round for a few minutes, grumbling every so often about Harry and then got into bed.

Harry stayed still for a few moments then rolled over and faced Hermione with a smile on his face.

'You've been here all night haven't you?' Hermione said tiredly.

'Yep.'

'I hate you.'

'I love you.' He then wrapped his arms around Hermione and held her close. He was surprised when he felt Hermione move up and kiss him softly and then say with an amused voice.

'I suppose... I love you too.' She then snuggled further into his chest and fell to sleep.

Flyin Eagle