Now I have to confess something…I am modifying a lot of things in the story from French to English because I felt the French version was too blunt. This is almost like a vaudeville.

Patronuses – is that the correct plural form? - are not canon here, except for the ones we all know. I am toying with them of course: I know JKR said Ron's was a Jack Russell terrier, but I preferred another animal for this story.

Poor Fleur has been laughed so much at with her bad English accent that I decided to get a tiny revenge here as a French speaker : )

Please brace yourself as you are about to witness…
Chapter 3

A Quidditch lesson

« This is unbelievable! » raved an impressed Harry.

In the Burrow's backyard, what used to be an immense area covered with waist high wild grass had been neatly shaved. Two pairs of three hoops were installed at each end. A small Quidditch pitch in Ron's backyard…Harry's mouth was wide open.

Hermione lightly pulled on his t-shirt, smiling at his astonished expression as she said, «You have no idea how much paperwork I had to fill in order to get the rights to reproduce a authorized Quidditch pitch. We did it at a smaller scale, of course. Mr. Weasley had to push the case file to a contact so our request could be treated in priority.» Ron added, his lengthy silhouette leaning on his broom, «We thought that you may want to play Quidditch on your birthday. We've been working on this for ages. This is after all,» he raised his voice with growing excitation,« the Burrow's first official Quidditch tournament!»

Her pink hair in pigtails, Tonks walked up to Harry. He could see a little sadness in her eyes as she flashed him her blackish teeth, probably tinted by the liquorice wand she was sucking on. « Wotcher, Harry,» she said in a bouncy way, leaning towards him as she smacked him a sticky kiss on the cheek. Lupin rested a hand on his shoulder and said nothing.

Harry felt bittersweet about all this: it was so big, so outrageous… so wrong. The Order should not be having fun when darkness menaced to draw its wings over their head. But Harry remembered the smiling faces on the picture Moody showed him of the first Order of the Phoenix, how they all looked amused and determined at the same time. Harry decided that he would engrave this day in his memory, his own personal picture of the second Order.

«Anybody knows how we should divide the teams?» said Bill, who was looking like he was having the time of his life. He winked at Moody.

«Since I'm the bloody referee, thanks to you, I'll do that,» muttered Moody as Molly Weasley looked at him with a disapproval glance. He moved to the middle of the group, his magical eye roving all around, as if he was gauging the capacities of every player. He turned on his heels so suddenly he almost threw Fleur to the ground and he flickered his wand: on one of the three wood benches that had been prepared, a blue fabric appeared with an silvery emblem showing a stag, a mountain goat, a wolf and a mink. « Blue team will be Harry, the young lady Weasley, Lupin and Arthur.»

Harry smiled to himself: this was going to be too easy. They were going to crush the competition. Ginny was such a fierce player. But then, Harry looked at Lupin with his already defeated shoulders and at Mr. Weasley, who was looking at his broom with a puzzled face. Did they even know how to play?

As he was reading his mind, Lupin grabbed Harry's arm and said in a stifled voice,« When Ginny got this idea, everybody scowled at her at first. We were still badly shaken after what happened…» Lupin winced as he took in a shallow breath. « But she's a little general, this girl. She looked at each of us in the eye and persuaded us that it would be good for the team spirit, as she said.» Harry glanced at Ginny who was laughing at something Bill had said. He muttered, his voice slightly shaking,«That was her idea?»

Lupin spoke again, nodding his head as he watched her too. « She enlisted Hermione and Ron, who did not have their heart at it first, and then persuaded us. She even made us agree to a training camp!» Lupin chuckled and said, almost with remorse, « The last person who made me laugh like that was your...» He stopped and cleared his throat. Lupin continued with his voice a little strangled, «I laughed so much that day, though I've discovered that Molly has a strong arm. I still have the bruises to prove it. I don't know if it is because of all that work she does with a frying pan, but by the mighty Godric, this woman can hit a Bludger.»

Harry was not listening anymore: he walked up to Ginny who was giddily mocking Ron, who looked disappointed he was not part of Harry's team. Caught in the act, she looked at Harry, an embarrassed smile on her lips. Harry hated himself for that, but his voice quivered a bit as he said to her, «That was your idea, so I hear. »

She hesitantly shrugged and then flashed him a smile that almost blinded him, as she touched lightly his arm. Harry added, really slowly, trying to smile, but feeling that his face would crack up if he did, « Thanks Ginny. It's a great, great idea. But you will have to tell me,» he murmured as Ginny was getting closer to him, «how you managed to bring Moodyinto this.»

Ginny looked at him intently and Harry could see an expression in her face that made him understood what Lupin meant by her being a little general. Then she chuckled and answered, « Let's just say I got Bill's help for this.» Harry wanted to hear more but Ginny quickly added, « I just wanted to be sure these would be the cleanest games in Quidditch history. He's the scariest referee I could afford.»

Meanwhile, Moody had conjured a yellow fabric embroidered with gold that represented an otter, an antelope, a horse and what looked like a huge bird. «Miss Granger, Tonks, Bill and the first one, you're on the yellow team», he barked, slightly accentuating Bill's name. A third fabric appeared, this one white with a blue stitching, and showed a swan, a fox, a bee and a bear.

Moody concluded, looking at the ground, «Last team, Madimouazel Delacour, the other one, Molly and Ron.»

« And how exactly are we going to distinguish Fred from George when they'll be playing against each other?» Ron pleaded, bringing up a fair question. Fred looked delighted as he spoke, «You'll have to take your chance, mate.»

Harry could not help but smile when Moody reluctantly blew three times in his silver whistle. The teams regrouped and silently listened to him as he stiffly gave instructions, «They're will be a Beater, a Keeper and two Chasers. NO, » he barked again as some of the players expressed their deception, « we were not able to get an official Golden Snitch. Marvin's been bloody sport to put his a -» but he stopped as Mrs Weasley snapped his name.

Moodysnorted and added quickly, « Most goals win. You'll have ten minutes for each game. Now, take a few minutes to organize your strategy and don't forget i'll -» Tonks interrupted him, a smile pursing her lips, «Constant vigilance are the words, my friends. No, Mr. Referee, » she sweetly added, while he was angrily blowing the whistle at her, «the game is not started, you can't call a penalty yet.»

The teams separated and started exchanging taunts. Harry was not surprised that Mr Weasley, who decided he had a shot as a Keeper, assigned Ginny and him as Pursuers. Lupin felt the weight of the bat in his hand, an unsure look on his face. Arthur drew Ginny and Lupin to him and bowed his head, a very serious look on his face, « Strategy must be kept simple. Bill will be the Keeper, I'm sure of it. He's big and strong, but not really fast. Fred is a wicked Beater, so the two of you will have to play him with your speed,» he said, pointing Harry and Ginny. « Now, Remus, aim for Tonks. She's the best flier on that team. Hermione is still starting but she is not bad with the Quaffle, as we saw on training day.»

Harry swallowed hard: Hermione, playing Quidditch? Ginny winked at him and said, « I had to tie her to the broom at first, but she is not falling from it anymore.»

Harry got on his broom and gave a slight push on the ground. As he was flying into the air, he pushed the broom the fastest he could. The sun was warm but the air was swapping his face in the loveliest way. He started to ride in tight circles, marking the familiar movements again in his body and then flew shortly upside down, just for the thrill of it, as Mrs Weasley screamed, « Watch out, Harry! »

This was going to be fabulous.

Moody blew the whistle again as Ginny faced Tonks. His magical eye went to them alternatively and he severely said, « No cheap shots, ladies. Get ready, here it goes!»

The Quaffle went into the air and Tonks grabbed it. Ginny and Harry rushed on her tail and Tonks threw it rather feebly at Mr Weasley who did a swift – if not lucky - move with his broom to block it. Harry took the return, dodging the Bludger that was coming his way. He was looking for Ginny to his leftbut could not see her. Hermione was coming to him and had her arm stretched out to get a chance to grab the Quaffle. Harry felt Ginny was closing up to him. He suddenly threw the Quaffle up, and he saw Ginny grab it as she bolted to Bill who had no chance of blocking that throw.

«That's a goal! Go Ginny! The young lady's going to destroy you, Bill!» hollered Moody, looking almost cheerful now. Bill screamed back, laughing, «What happened to impartiality?»

Even if Hermione managed to score two times (poor Arthur) and Tonks flew so fast she seemed blurry, Harry and Ginny dominated the game without surprise. Harry was amazed: he was pushing it, putting himself into positions on the pitch she could not possibly reach but the Quaffle seemed to fall in his hands with regularity. When Moody whistled the end of the game, all the players touched down, as Bill could not stop making jokes about his poor abilities. Ron approached Ginny, who was trying to catch her breath, « You're trying for the team again this year, aren't you? You have to! » Ginny retorted, her eyes twinkling, «It's so easy when you play with a good partner.» Ron nodded and his face froze, as he understood, «Hey, what does that mean?»

Harry wiped his forehead and grinned at Hermione who was coming towards him, «Woah, Hermione, two goals? Ready to try out for the team, are you?» Hermione looked at him sternly. She said, pulling back her hair, « Don't be an idiot. I am really bad, I know it. I have to say Ginny is a great teacher, though. And I did not want to miss this for all in the world.»

Something in her determined face made Harry curious; even if she looked a little tired, her brown eyes were glowing and she had a wry smile on her face as she winked at him, speaking so softly Harry had to close up to her so he could hear her say, «Viktor is not a bad teacher either. But please don't tell Ron.»

Harry did not try to hide his stupefaction as Hermione laughed in an un-Hermione-ish way. Her eyes were shifty and Harry tried to read them: did she see Krum this summer? He rubbed nervously the back of his neck as he noticed again how gaunt Hermione looked. He looked at her in silence as she waved to Ron and cried to him, «So, Ron, ready to get demolished?»

Harry swallowed: man, was she taking this tournament seriously.

Ron looked like he was hit in the face. He retorted back, his eyes squinting, «To get what? Hermione, I don't want to blow your little Quidditch bubble here, but after all, I'm Gryffindor's Keeper.»

Hermione took another step closer to him and rested her hands on her hips. Harry could not see her face, but he saw Ron loosing it completely as she lightly stroked his cheek and said something to him that Harry could not hear. Ron watched her with horror, his face becoming scarlet as she pranced back to her team.

Ron walked to Harry and bumbled, « What's her problem?» Harry tried to learn more, as Ron was turning red again. Harry asked him, «What did she tell you?»

Ron moved quickly his head, his red hair falling around his face and said with an incredulous look on his face, «She told me that she would teach me… a Quidditch lesson, Harry. Blimey, she's been on a broom for two weeks and she wants to teach me lessons.» Harry shrugged, wiping his forehead again, «Well, it is not like if you don't know her. She's always been competitive.»

Ron kicked a pebble and spoke in a conspirational tone. « I don't know what bit her today. She's…she's…» Ron fumbled as he was looking for the right word, « She's provoking me.»

Harry took a second and tried not to laugh as he repeated after him,« She's provoking you.» Ron nodded, his eyes carefully watching Hermione. « She's looking at me as she was laughing at me or something…I don't know.»

Harry felt like teasing him a bit so he flatly said, «I have no idea what you're talking about.» Ron looked at him as if he was seizing him up. He grabbed his arm and his voice derailed as he said, «She's looking at me with those eyes…I don't recognize her. LOOK,» Ron cried out loud, « she's provoking me right now!»

Harry turned to Hermione and saw her laughing at a retort Tonks just snapped. Hermione was looking at Ron with a fierce look in her eyes and she was smiling openly, her face still red with the effort she just gave. Harry's heart thumped as he realized that the provoking thing Ron had seen in Hermione's eyes looked like downright flirtation to him. This situation had disaster written all over it. «Urgh,» thought Harry.

Moody's whistle brought them back to the game that was about to start. Ron angrily took off on his broom and positioned himself in front of the hoops. Harry sat down on his team's bench as Mr. Weasley was making his predictions for the game, his face still sweaty after the effort. « These teams look well balanced to me. I wonder if Hermione is going to score against Ron. I'm an old geezer, but Ron's a good Keeper…And the twins against each other…I just wish nobody will get hurt. Go kids! Go Molly! » Mr Weasley screamed as he clapped his hands. Harry and Ginny exchanged an amused look as Lupin hid his smile behind his hand. Mr Weasley felt the urge to justify himself, « Well, I can't favour my kids over the missus, what do you think?»

There were indeed a lot of Weasleys flying around and Molly, in an impressive move, hit the Bludger with intensity, while Harry loudly cheered. When Hermione arrived in front of Ron with the Quaffle, shethrew it strongly at one of the hoops. Harry thought it was an easy block for Ron, but he was surprised to see he missed it, and Hermione scored.

Harry heard Ron screaming at Hermione something like, «What's that face about? What have I done?» As Mrs Weasley was rooting for her, Ron suddenly turned crimson. He shouted, «Mum, please! She's not even in our team!» Molly Weasley fluttered up to him and Harry winced when he heard her say, «Darling, she is your friend. You should be cheering for her. She's doing quite well.»

Ron became sloppy. Nothing got passed him when Tonks was shooting, but Hermione scored once again, and again… Molly Weasley inadvertently added to the humiliation by saying, «Ron, darling, would you like to try the bat instead?» Ron gave her a murderous look as he grabbed the bat. He hit the Bludger with a heavy hand.

«Hermione!» hollered Ginny. She sprang up and started running on the pit. Harry startled and saw the impact. The Bludger hit Hermione right in the face.

Harry felt a tinge in his stomach as Hermione fell off her broom. Moody flicked his wand at her and muttered an incantation that made her fall slower. Ginny grabbed her and their heads collided as she helped her to the ground. Hermione was crying in pain with her hands to her faceand Mr Weasley, who had run to her with Ginny, moved delicately her fingers so he could see her face. «Oh, dear.» Blood was flowing from a deep graze on her cheek.

All the players were now in circle around them. Mr Weasley urgently called Bill, « Your blood charm is better than mine. Come here, son.» Bill kneeled over Hermione and held her head in a gentle way as he muttered, his wand waving a small but precise circle, «Sanguis minima.» The flowing stopped but the graze looked nasty,

Harry heard behind his back Mrs Weasley speaking softly, «Isn't she bleeding a lot?» Lupin answered back, concern troubling his voice, «Her condition is certainly not helping.»

Harry turned to him and hastily asked, «What condition?» But nobody answered him back, as Bill helped Hermione to her feet and Fred ran back from the house with a handkerchief. Mrs Weasley applied it with precaution on her cheek as she said, « We'll take care of this, sweetheart. Let us take you back in. I have all the right plants for this. Bill, Arthur, can you bring her back home?» They lifted her and returned to the house, walking slowly.

Ginny got up and faced Harry with a worried look. He saw she had drips of blood on her face: for a second, he thought she was hurt too but he understood she had been splattered when she broke Hermione's fall.

He asked her, « Is Hermione sick? I just heard your mum talk about a condition…» As she was not answering, he did as Mrs Weasley had done when he arrived at the Burrow earlier today: without thinking or speaking, he cupped Ginny's face and started to rub off the blood with his thumbs, but then he realized

What am I thinking?

that her cheeks were really soft and warm and

What am I doing?

he let his hands down, rubbing them against his trousers, as he had been burned.

Ginny 's eyes were undecipherable. Around them, the others were softly speaking and a very pale Ron was looking at the house. Ginny suddenly jumped towards him and screamed, «You did that on purpose!» Ginny was so angry Ron recoiled from her.«You did that on purpose! You don't understand a thing! I hate you!» Ginny gave him a furious look and ran to the house. Harry walked to Ron, who had not even tried to defend himself. His shoulders were hunched. Harry bit his bottom lip as he watched his friend crumble in misery. Ron muttered, his eyes a little misty, « I did not do it on purpose, Harry. I swear. I never wanted to hurt her.»

Harry sighed, his hands still tingling. Of all the days they could have had that conversation, it had to be today. Harry braced himself before he gave his friend the Talk.

Without looking at his friend, he spoke softly, « I know, Ron. I know you want only the best for her. But please tell her, before you kill her. » Ron croaked, looking as he was waking up from a dream, «What?» Harry touched his elbow and brought him closer, so Fred and George could not hear, « Ron, er…Have you ever considered…telling her?»

Ron looked at him as he had been offered a vomit-flavoured Bertie Blott's bean. «Tell her what exactly, Harry? What do you want me to say? I'm stupid Ron Weasley. Quidditch impaired idiot Ron Weasley.» Harry had no patience for this, as he quipped, «That is just not true, Ron. Just tell her.»

Harry was shocked to see his friend's body quivering all over as he clenched his fists. Harry thought Ron was going to cry or maybe jump at his throat but he whispered with anger, « Tell her? You mean tell her I l-» Ron hesitated as he blinked, « I like her? You want me to tell her I like her? After I almost decapitated her? » Harry paused to answer diplomatically at this: he was looking for the right word so Ron would not bite his head off.

Like? Fancy? Love? Adore? Worship?

A word crossed Harry's mind and he dared, whispering back, « Ron, you…care for her. You should tell her.» Harry tried to grab his arm to comfort him, but Ron freed himself. « Easy for you to say,» Ron sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. «You've got legions of girls lying at your feet. Bloody hell, my own sister…»

Ron could not finish his pesky remark: Ginny was running back from the house at that precise moment and slapped him in an imperial manner. While Moody grabbed her by the arm and Lupin rolled his eyes to the sky as he said, «Enough now, young miss -», Ron turned to Harry, his face still stamped with the mark of Ginny's hand, looking as he was going to say something, but he turned around instead and start running back to the house. Harry sat down on the neatly shaved grass, his head down as Ginny's swearing voice faded, the twins dragging her away.

Tonks let herself down to his side and gently rubbed his knee. Harry lifted his head and he saw that her smiling eyes contradicted her serious expression as she sighed,« Ah, the glory of youth…This is turning to be a hell of a birthday, Harry.»