*TGE*TGE*TGE*
The announcement of the all school dance happened at dinner that evening and was immediately met with cheers. Some students were quite pleased at not having to wear dress robes or fancy dresses while others were excited in getting to dress up if they wanted. And then there was Draco Malfoy. Before the announcement was complete, he'd leaned over and asked Hermione if she'd like to attend with him. The girl shook her head in amusement and agreed to be his date.
The noise in the Great Hall was louder than usual as students immediately started to ask others to go with them. Sophie smiled at the chaos and looked to Minerva with a conspiratorial smirk. It seemed they were correct in thinking the students would enjoy the unexcited evening.
"Now everyone, I know you want to discuss, but I have a few points to mention." The Hall slowly quieted and those eager eyes all turned toward the front. "The dance will be next Saturday. There will not be a dinner offered that evening, but there will be sufficient food at the dance. Now, we decided on next Saturday in order for those of you who want to have something mailed have time."
The professors chuckled at the students, not noticing how uncomfortable the Potions Master looked. Aurora leaned toward Severus in order to ask him to be her date when the man jumped up and left the Hall. The rest of the high table noticed his quick departure. Aurora shrugged at them as she stood to follow her wizard.
When Aurora reached Severus's quarters she heard him through the surprisingly not quite closed door. "What do I do Lucius? I can't do it that night now. Our plans are ruined." Aurora heard the laughter of Lucius Malfoy and decided whatever they were discussing, it was something Severus apparently wanted to keep quiet. She quietly shut his door and walked toward the steps. She wasn't going to interrupt what seemed to be some sort of planning meeting.
She met Minerva on the steps, who simply raised an eyebrow. "Don't know. He is talking to Lucius and I didn't want to eavesdrop. I figure whatever it is, he'll tell me when he's ready." Minerva nodded before waving the witch toward the rest of the steps.
"Dinner will be over soon and we should probably be ready to answer questions before we can enjoy our evening." Aurora chuckled and followed Minerva up the rest of the steps chatting about the dance. The older witch would circle back and find out what caused Severus's quick departure in short order.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
After splitting from Aurora, Minerva waited ten minutes and after ensuring the other witch returned to her seat in the hall, Minerva retraced her steps and made her way to the dungeon. Severus hadn't reappeared and Minerva suspected the wizard was still in his personal quarters. When she knocked on the door she was met with a disheveled Severus Snape who stood blinking. "Minerva?" The wizard shook his head and looked around his mentor and friend to see if anyone was with her.
"Aurora is in the Hall, we have a bit of time and I want to know what has you in such a state. Is Lucius still on the line?" The question was met with a round of laughter and Minerva had her answer. "Lucius, Severus looks sick, will you explain?"
"Yes, it will be easier if I stepped through. One moment, —" Soon Lucius Malfoy stood in front of the fireplace and started to laugh again at his friend, "— Merlin's pants Severus, you look worse in person." Minerva tsk'd at the blond wizard who composed himself.
"Lucius, get on with it."
Nodding, Lucius looked once more to Severus who seemed ready to pass out. "Severus sit down before you fall." Lucius turned to Minerva and pointing at Severus, the blond wizard started to explain, "He's been wanting to ask Miss Messerly a question and for the last month he's been backing out. We set a plan but it was to happen on this coming Saturday and now it seems he has to perform duties at a dance."
Minerva continued to watch Severus and recognized the expression. "Oh, well that is something we can work around and I actually think this is perfect. I know for a fact that Aurora loves winter and Sophie is planning on having that as the decoration theme. So before we open the doors, you bring Aurora in and propose in the middle of a magical winter wonderland. Then you dance with your new fiancée before having to babysit a bunch of children."
Lucius sometimes forgot how no nonsense Minerva could be. "That sounds like a better plan than what we had. I say you do it Minerva's way. Where's the ring? Let's see what she thinks about it." Lucius started to make his way towards the bed chamber, thinking it was still there, when Severus pulled a ring box from his waistcoat.
"I've been carrying it around." The abashed man mumbled before opening it toward Minerva. He continued to stutter under his breath causing Minerva to tell him to speak up. "When I have it on me, I feel better. I know it's there and I know she's real."
Minerva leaned forward and quickly hugged the man. "She'll love the ring, put it back now and I'll make sure the decorations are perfect. No worries young man." After patting him on the shoulder and nodding to Lucius, Minerva left the dungeons and went to review the decoration plan. Now it really did have to be perfect.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
While Lucius helped Severus, the students quickly finished dinner. After eating, the students scattered and began to plan for their Saturday. The third years all seemed to be on the same page and arrived at their shared common room. Pavarti pulled Hermione into a corner where Padma, Susan Bones and Daphne Greengrass were already settled talking quietly to each other.
"Mum sent me the catalogs and we need to be quick if we want something for the dance." The girls were each given a magazine with the mission to find something they liked or to find something they thought would look good on their friends.
Hermione never looked at a magical fashion catalog before and was surprised to see the models moving around. The models twisted and turned to give a better idea about the dresses, Hermione thought this was much better than what muggle magazines did.
As Hermione flicked through the pages she found it difficult to image her or her friends in the dresses since the models looked nothing like them. As she thought about it, she wondered if she could … after thinking a bit longer she started to mumble at the pages and suddenly the tall, overly thin and severe looking model was replaced with Hermione.
"That's much better," The rest of the girls saw what Hermione did and wanted to know how to do it. Before long each girl flipped through the magazines and found the dress that they wanted. "Guess I need to send Mum a note." Hermione turned to see Draco sitting with Harry, Blaise, Neville and Theo. "Draco, do you need to send a note to Cissy?" When Draco nodded his head, she continued, "I need to send something to my Mum. If you haven't sent yours yet, could I use Artemis too?"
As Draco walked toward Hermione, she made a noise and quickly pushed the catalog she held in her hand toward Daphne. The other witch placed it under her now closed magazine and moved both behind her back. "Of course you can use her. I need to get a set of dress robes and was going to send something shortly. We can send both at the same time." Pavarti waved Draco away before Daphne allowed Hermione to reclaim her magazine.
There was a bit of a rush in the owlery Sunday, but by the time curfew rolled around, everyone who needed to send a note home, had done so. The flurry of incoming owls on Monday wasn't unexpected and signaled the start of an active bit of time for deliveries at the school. As the week rolled to an end the excitement of the dance remained high but other topics started to occur more frequently.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Hermione pushed the conversations about the upcoming quidditch season and who could win the cup out of her mind. Between her classes, upcoming tests and the dance, she had more than enough things to worry about. To that end, she allowed herself a small bit of time each evening for Pavarti to play with ideas she had about the Hermione's hair.
"Since this is more casual and your dress is pretty trendy, I was thinking we leave it down, tame your curls a bit, and only have the sides fastened with a braid of some sort." Hermione shrugged, as did on most nights. She'd found herself getting exhausted and each night she contributed a bit less to the conversation.
"Ok, if you're good with me playing, I think this will be it." Pavarti spent half an hour running her wand over the witch's head and twisting the already curly hair into a set of large magical rollers. The only hair not restrained was the top most section and that would get curled once Pavarti determined what she needed for the braid.
Hermione listened to the low humming of Pavarti and started to nod off. She didn't know how long she'd dozed, but when she woke she heard Pavarti's pleased noises. "Yes, this will work. Hermione, good you're awake, go put your dress on real quick." Hermione, a bit disoriented from being asleep, did as requested. By the time Hermione returned, she woke enough to have a bit of her head back and gasped at the image in the mirror.
"Pavarti" Hermione didn't know what else to say. Her hair looked amazing and when Pavarti stepped into the reflection she gave the look a critical eye. "It's lovely, thank you." The other girl chuckled.
"You're welcome, I think I need to add a bit more to the braid, even with your curls relaxed to this, —" Pavarti ran her fingers over the soft curls "— your hair is so dominant, the little braid I did gets lost. No worries, on Saturday Draco won't be able to keep his eyes off you."
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Saturday morning arrived with the sun but it didn't help the temperatures outside. Hermione was not looking forward to sitting in the outdoor stadium for the first quidditch match of the season. Though she knew she didn't get much of a choice really. Earlier in the week, when Hermione helped Daphne with the finishing touches on the items Jean sent, Hermione agreed to help Daphne carry the stash of things to the stadium. In agreeing, she essentially agreed to stay for the meet, but to ensure Hermione's attendance, Daphne begged Hermione to help her all the way to the Slytherin stands.
"You'll already be at the stadium so you might as well just stay. It's such a long walk." Daphne's manipulations weren't subtle and both witches knew it. Hermione was too tired to fight the good fight on this one.
"Fine, I'll stay but if I get really tired and have to leave the dance early I blame you. And I'll make sure to mention the reason to Draco." Daphne laughed.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Hermione couldn't figure out why Daphne seemed so gung ho on the plan to embarrass Harry at the match. When Hermione decided to get back at her best male friend for getting her father to tell him things, she thought Daphne would help. And Daphne did without question, Hermione didn't think about it until recently.
Only in the last week did Hermione ask why Daphne did so much for what was Hermione's plan. After a few days of repeated questioning, Daphne finally admitted to needing to cheer for Harry. Hermione didn't ask too much about it, she learned the basics and let it be. It worked better for her plan to get back at Harry for trying to mess with her about her birthday present.
It seemed Daphne lost some bet with Harry and her forfeit would be showing her 'support' for Harry at the first match of the season. The pair of witches spent the time since Hermione's birthday plotting what would be good ideas and gags. Jean found the request for pom poms, noise makers and tinsel very amusing. She made the girls promise to fill her in once everything was complete.
When the schedule came out, the witches agreed the first match, Gryffindor against Ravenclaw, worked the best. The second round of games, after they returned in January was Gryffindor against Slytherin and Daphne refused that match. Both witches wanted to do it before the last match of the year. That one always had more riding on it. The pair of witches spent a bit of time each weekend charming posters and wands. By the time the match weekend neared, Daphne had quite the stash of items ready for her 'support' of Harry Potter.
On that cold Saturday morning, Hermione delayed Daphne as long as she could. Hermione had no desire to sit in the cold stadium for any more time than necessary. "So are you going to ever tell me what bet you lost?" Her blonde friend smiled and shook her head.
"Nope, not until we are done with school. And maybe not even then. We will see if you remember to ask." Hermione scowled at her friend but didn't say anything else. The pair of witches made their way to the pitch with Hermione helping Daphne carry her display. Standing in the Slytherin stand, Hermione took a look around to see the different view. It wasn't that different. "Thanks Hermione."
The brunette witch nodded before turning to head toward the Gryffindor stands. They sounds from her house stand were already loud and Hermione suspected they wouldn't get any quieter for some time. "You're welcome Daph. Good luck." Hermione chuckled as those sitting around Daphne got their first look at the posters.
Draco, surprised to see his girlfriend leaving the Slytherin stand, didn't miss the opportunity and gave her a kiss. "Come sit with me." His surprise was masked by his pleasure at holding his witch in front of his house.
"Can't, Daphne is going to cause enough of a disruption to your stands, I don't need to add to it." Hermione slipped from her boyfriend and waved at him as she quickly made her way toward the red and gold. Once settled in the stands, Hermione found herself quite thankful for the warming charms woven in her cloak, hat and gloves. It didn't stop the cold but it did make a difference since her teeth weren't chattering like those sitting around her.
Pavarti slipped next to Hermione and pushed her hands into the pockets of the cloak, letting out a sigh of relief. "Padma and I decided we are asking for something like this. Mum made noises about us getting some nice things and right now nothing sounds nicer than having warming charms in my cloak." Hermione slid a bit closer and opened her blanket to spread over Pavarti as well. "Thanks Hermione, you're a queen."
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
The teams came onto the field and were met with loud cheers from their respective stands. When the initial roars started to die, Hermione heard Daphne's charmed wands and poster begin their planned cheers. At first they were simple 'Go Harry' and 'Potter Wins' but once the teams took flight, the cheers became more complex.
Hermione started laughing at the expressions on the students in Slytherin. Every time Harry flew close to the Slytherin stands, which Hermione noticed seemed more frequent than necessary, the small blasts of tinsel, floating pom poms and lion roars lit up the stands. The chuckles from the rest of the stadium did't mask the enjoyment of those flying. Their laughter could be heard for the entire game.
It was a fifth year, down the row from Hermione, who asked the question on everyone's mind. "She lost some bet to Harry and this was her consequence. She won't tell me what though." The news spread pretty quickly and soon everyone in the stadium knew why there were cheers for a lion from the den of snakes.
Severus, while still thinking too much about his proposal set for that evening, made a note to discuss bets with his house. It was ridiculous one of his students agreed to such a thing. He might like Harry, but to cheer for a lion. He clicked his tongue, his disappointment was quite apparent.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
The match was short, all things considered and Harry caught the snitch a little over an hour into the game. Neither keeper had a good game as the cold made the quaffles even more painful to catch. When the game ended a series of fireworks erupted from the Slytherin stand. Hermione started to laugh really hard, she didn't know about this part. So her full belly laughs made others in stands laugh as they watched each firework dissolved into a letter. Soon enough a message displayed over the stadium and caused the stadium to laugh in amusement.
'Harry Potter, Gryffindor's Seeker, Roars to Victory. Eagles grounded by the powerful lion.' The fireworks were accompanied by more lion roars until the words faded. Harry watched the display and ended up laughing so hard, he fell on the ground after a shaky landing. He found the entire display awesome. His teammates helped him up and asked why Daphne did all that. Harry explained it was a bet that didn't go her way. Again, he didn't explain what the bet was, both he and Daphne knew Hermione would kill them if the truth came out.
When the team started to change, it was a group consensus Harry needed to ask Daphne to the dance. They said no witch would go to that length if she didn't fancy him. Harry, a bit red at the comments, mumbled about them being friends and quickly left the changing room. He hadn't quite come to terms with his new feelings for his friend. Or even thought she might have similar feelings for him.
While not quite what Hermione planned, she'd eventually be pleased to discover Harry's discomfort and how it was the result of her plan.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Everyone was secretly pleased with how quickly Harry caught the snitch, it gave students and teachers a bit of extra time to get ready for that evening. Hermione found the girl's dorms awash with noise when she made it back from the match. She had no idea how everyone beat her back. Then on second thought, she did. Draco caught her after the match and couple returned to the castle together. They made their way to a small alcove and sat for a bit. After a spending a bit of time innocently kissing, the pair confirmed the plan for that evening.
Draco would pick her up at the portal to the Gryffindor common room fifteen minutes before the doors to the hall would open. The Fat Lady would let the room know he was there. The wizard didn't seem to quite believe it, his common room didn't have a portrait, but he went with her plan. She was rarely wrong. After walking her back to the dorm, Draco gave her another sweet kiss before ushering her to the portrait. "Go now, I know you have a dress that you are excited to wear. I'll see you in a couple hours."
The Fat Lady looked to the young witch and smiled, "He likes you dearie." Hermione nodded before saying the password and entering the common room. By the time she arrived to her room, her roommates all were in the middle of getting ready and it seemed like a military exercise.
"Hermione, thank merlin you're finally back. Hang up your cloak and if you need to shower you need to go now." Pavarti's hair was wrapped in a towel while she wore her dressing gown. Hermione, not wanting to get on her roommate's bad side, nodded.
"I washed my hair last night so it would be totally dry for you. I just want to rinse off and I'll be ready." Pavarti seemed pleased at her roommate's forward thinking and waved Hermione off toward the bathroom. After spelling her hair with a water repelling charm, Hermione hopped into the steamy hot shower and let the heated water remove the lingering chill in her bones. "Stupid matches played in the freezing cold." After ensuring she was clean and warm, Hermione exited to find the room a bit quieter.
"They have to wait for their hair to set so they went down to the common room, I guess a bunch of the girls are going to get together to talk and whatever until it's time to get dressed." Hermione settled in the chair, removed the charms from her hair and let Pavarti go mad. "I want to do your make up too."Knowing her roommate would have thoughts on this, Pavarti powered on. "Nothing major. I was thinking a little eye shadow, like one color, some mascara and maybe lip gloss." Hermione wasn't one to wear make up but knew a lot of the girls her age were starting.
"Ok, I just don't want a lot." Pavarti smiled and started to hum while Hermione let herself drift into that relaxed state she entered when someone played with her hair.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Time flew by and before Hermione realized it, she was in the common room waiting for Draco. While waiting, she also wondered about Harry. Just after the two witches entered the common room, Harry came running down the steps from the boy's dorms. He only paused long enough to tell Hermione how nice she looked before leaving the Tower.
"Do you know anything about what Harry was doing?" Hermione asked Pavarti, thinking the girl might have heard something.
"Not for sure, there was a rumor right after the match he asked someone to go with him. But no one seemed to know if it was true and if it was true, which girl." Pavarti paused for a moment and tapped her chin, "I say it's true and the girl isn't a Gryffindor, otherwise he wouldn't have run out of here like that."
"Agreed, he hasn't said anything to me, but I haven't seen him since before the team left after lunch. Guess I'll just have to wait until later." The Fat Lady's voice rang through the common room telling Hermione her date arrived. With a shy smile, Hermione stood and hugged Pavarti, "Thank you again."
Draco was surprised when the portrait began to open moments after he arrived, he hadn't even spoken to the Fat Lady yet. When Hermione stepped out his thoughts on the opening portal stopped dead. Not wanting to make her think anything was wrong, cause it most certainly wasn't, Draco stepped forward and took her hand, "You look beautiful." Hermione blushed as Draco settled her hand on his arm and the couple made their way to the Hall.
"I know this isn't quite like your Mum's ball, but I hope we can have a dance or two." Draco chuckled in agreement.
"I think we can work out a plan, but I do have some gossip. If you're interested." Hermione nodded and hoped Draco knew what was going on with Harry. "First of all, the bit that is interesting, but not the really juicy part, —" with an impatient wave Hermione glared at the boy who was stalling, "— Harry showed up at our entrance after the match. He asked to speak with Daphne." Hermione's shocked gasp stopped Draco for long enough to give her a chance to talk.
"He asked Daphne to the dance?" Draco nodded in confusion, he had no idea how Hermione knew, Harry said he didn't have time to tell her. "He asked her to the dance a few hours before it happened?" At the second nod Hermione started to laugh. "He's never living this one down."
Draco started to snicker as well, "I hadn't thought about it like that, but yeah. Daphne didn't seem to mind, in fact I think she was more than pleased." The pair paused the conversation to think about their best friends going to a dance together. "Mum is going to be so excited. I'm sure she'll speak with Mrs Greengrass to make sure Daphne is seated with us for the ball."
"Good, I hate not always being able to sit with her. Stupid seating charts." Draco chuckled and pulled Hermione into an alcove. He gave her a quick kiss.
"This is super secret." Hermione's eyes glittered in excitement and she wanted to know what, "I saw Dad earlier and when I asked him about it, I mean why was he here, he mumbled some excuse about Severus needing help. What I took away from the entire encounter, especially after thinking about Severus over the last week, is Severus is going to do something big. There is really only one thing I can think he'd be nervous about."
Hermione thought about it before she felt Draco holding her left hand. "Oh Merlin, he's going to ask Professor Messerly to marry him?" She was shocked but at the same time it seemed right.
"I think so, but you can't say anything, if he doesn't I'll question Mum when we get home." Agreeing with the plan, Hermione and Draco exited the alcove to finally made it to the hallway outside of the Great Hall. They saw Professor McGonagall standing in front of the door with an incredibly pleased smile on her face. Hermione likened it to a cat who'd not only caught the canary but then had the cream for dessert.
"Look at Professor McGonagall, I think she knows." When Draco looked he also noticed the expression and locked eyes with his professor. The older witch lightly chuckled and nodded once. Draco wondered if she really knew what he was thinking. He'd find out soon enough. As the top of the hour chimed, the doors to the Great Hall opened and the students flooded into the room.
As expected all the professors were already in the Hall. Draco quickly identified Severus and Aurora, both looked incredibly pleased. When Hermione pulled at his sleeve, he noticed both of his parents were also in the Hall and quite close to the potentially newly engaged couple. They were happy too but Narcissa looked over the moon happy. "Come on Hermione let's go talk to Mum." With determined steps the pair made their way to Narcissa who tried to mask her expression when she saw them.
Hermione couldn't stop the questions from tumbling from her lips, "Did Severus ask? Did she say yes?" Hermione's eyes darted between Cissy and Aurora, both witches smiled widely. Hermione's eyes narrowed when she noticed the Transfiguration professor's left hand was out of sight.
Cissy giggled, actually giggled, "Was he that obvious? Luc said he's been a basket case all week." Hermione and Cissy watched the other couple in amusement as Severus glared at them.
"I didn't notice but I've been really busy, Draco mentioned his suspicions on the way down here. Between the way you and Professor McGonagall look and Professor Messerly's expression, I took a guess." With a firm nod Cissy pulled the girl toward her.
"Yes, but don't say anything. Now let's look at you." Cissy hummed in pleasure at how well the dress fit and when she got to Hermione's hair, Cissy's fingers gently ran over the curls. "Who did your hair and make up? You look lovely."
Hermione relaxed when Cissy liked the look, "Pavarti, one of my roommates. She spent the last week playing with my hair each night. She only asked about the make up today. It's not too much, is it?"
Narcissa gave the girl a soft smile and touched her cheek, "Not at all, it is perfect for your age. Now the music is about to start up, you and Draco go enjoy yourselves." With Cissy's dismissal, Hermione and Draco spent the rest of the evening alternating between dancing and chatting with their friends. Never once did the pair acknowledge the change in the relationship of the potions and transfiguration professors.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Harry Potter was beside himself, he didn't know how to ask a girl out let alone what to do on a date. As he rushed to the Slytherin dorms to pick up Daphne, he realized he didn't have anything to give her. Didn't Draco give Hermione something the first time they went on a date? He couldn't remember and didn't have anytime to get anything now. Not like he'd planned for this, at all.
As he rushed out of the room the Fat Lady called out how young witches liked flowers. Harry remembered Hermione's pleasure at her birthday flowers paused and shook his head. It wasn't like he could get flowers now. As he came down the main steps, he saw Severus pacing with a bouquet of flowers. Even Severus planned better.
"What has you rushing about Harry?"
"I'm going to be late in picking up Daphne for the dance, but I just realized I don't have anything to give her. I thought about flowers but it's winter and I didn't plan to ask her so I didn't plan to get any flowers."
"I didn't realize you asked Miss Greengrass to the dance." It seemed whatever nerves were raging in Severus Snape, the conversation with Harry lessened them.
"Ah, yeah, today after the match, the team said she'd have to fancy me to have done all she did to cheer for me and I should ask her. So I did and she said yes."
Severus blinked, "You just asked her today?" Harry nodded "After the match?" Harry nodded a second time. "Amazing, —" The older man paused for a moment and shook his head before pulling one of the smaller rose buds and a bit of greenery from the large bouquet. "Here, if you call Drizzle she can get a small bud vase for it." Harry thanked Severus and rushed off without asking why he had flowers. It pleased Severus to not have to explain.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Aurora Messerly couldn't help it, she wanted to stare at the gorgeous ring that now adorned her left ring finger. Severus rolled his eyes when she told him. "We have a castle full of students to watch, you can look at the ring later." Even though he tried to sound unaffected, the fact she loved the ring so much pleased him. In a quieter tone,"I'm glad you like it, I had a difficult time with it."
"You, my love, did an excellent job. Now let's see if we can sneak out early." Aurora slipped her hand into Severus's and they continued their responsibilities in watching the dance. Minerva told her to leave a bit early and to not worry about rounds. She and Severus should enjoy the rest of the evening by themselves. Aurora agreed, she planned to show Severus just how pleased she was with both her ring and his question.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
The end of the night came and eventually all the students returned to their dorms. Due to the previous day's late night and the cold, the first year's match on Sunday wasn't quite as well attended but the stadium was still pretty full. Students cheered for the youngest players and commented on how well a few of them played. It was the same every year now, there were always a handful of students who had a bit more potential.
While the game went on people asked Hermione and Daphne about the day before and eventually the pair admitted, independently, the wands and posters they each did, but the fireworks were a new product from Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. It didn't take long for the twins to begin to receive many requests for different firework combinations. They had to decline any requests for fireworks to be used at the school. It seemed the professors felt it was unsafe. The visit from the stern Scottish witch the afternoon before found the notorious set of twins agreeing to not sell any pyrotechnics for use at the school. But, the pair promised to come up with something else for use at the quidditch stadium. The business was too good to pass up.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
The next week flew by and when Saturday rolled around again, the students were ready for the next opening match. Hufflepuff's team consisted of all sixth and seventh year players. Cedric Diggory spent the summer planning all sorts of new tactics. He wanted to win the cup for the next two years. The other teams were good, but a lot were playing younger students and Cedric knew the window for Hufflepuff would close after his class graduated.
The Hufflepuff captain looked to the stands and saw Sicily wearing his scarf. They were still young, but she really seemed to get him and he loved her. Not that he told her yet. He would, maybe over the holidays, he thought about doing it at the dance, but it didn't seem right. She was going to visit his family after the new year and return with him to school. He thought it would only be right for her to know. Now though, he needed to focus. This would be the game where he made up for not winning the year before.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Hermione sat nervously with Harry, who watched her nervous behaviors with a growing sense of worry. "Hermione?" The girl turned toward her name, "You ok? You seem really nervous. It's just a game." She released a shaky breath.
"I guess, I just really don't like the game and I have a very bad feeling about today. Yesterday I was fine. Last week I wasn't like this at all." Hermione began to look around the stadium not seeing anything unusual. "I'm overreacting I know." Hermione said more to herself than her friend.
"I agree but if something happens what would you do?" Maybe if she had a plan, her nerves would calm. Draco would lose his bloody mind if Hermione slipped into another panic attack because he was playing. "Hermione?"
"I would, —" she paused and focused on the question, "— I guess it depends on what happened." Closing her eyes, Hermione thought about all the bad things that could happen and shivered with a new bout of nerves. "I think the worst thing that could happen would be someone falling off their broom. So if that happened I would cast cushioning charms and if I had enough time I'd try to slow him down. That would be hard, I've not practiced aiming at moving targets." She thought a bit more before finishing, "Yes, that is what I would do. Cushion the ground as much as I could and then try to slow him down."
Harry smiled as the worry faded a bit from her face. "See, now that you have a plan, and I'm sure you are practicing those spells in your mind, we are all good."
"Thanks Harry," the pair focused on the pitch and watched the teams make their way to the center. The teams shook hands and before Hermione knew it, the players were in the air and the game started. The players zipped around but Hermione kept her eyes on Draco. Something still didn't feel right, she just wished she could figure out what.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Draco and Cedric shook hands, the younger wizard knew the Puff wanted to avenge what happened the year before. Marcus knew as well and just before they mounted their brooms, after the handshakes, he grabbed Draco and reminded him of what they practiced. The Slytherin team captain wanted to win the cup again. Like Cedric, Marcus was a sixth year but he felt the team would be strong for more than the next two years. He wanted to leave a legacy of winning.
Draco began to circle high in the air watching for the flicker of gold. Like the year before Cedric didn't follow Draco but the pair kept an eye on each other. Over an hour into the game Draco dove headlong toward the ground. Thinking he'd seen the snitch, Cedric made the corresponding move, but it was a second later that Cedric saw Draco's glazed expression.
"Arresto Momentum" ripped from the lips of the Hufflepuff Captain as he leaned more into his stick. Without his wand the spell wasn't as accurate as it could have been, but the younger boy did slow a little. Cedric shifted to intercept the blond wizard and continued to scream the spell hoping it would slow Draco a bit more. He cast a cushioning spell he'd been working on and hoped it worked. He hadn't cast it under pressure.
No one else seemed to realize what was going on. When one witch noticed, she jumped and hearing Cedric's frantic casts she started throwing as many cushioning charms as she could toward the pitch. Her wand moved back and forth over the area she thought they would hit. Harry took a moment longer before he realized what Hermione was doing and stood to join her.
The professors settled around their box, paying attention to the match but also joked with each other. Severus, in the front with Aurora and Minerva, commented about his team winning again when a number of spells started flashing on the pitch. Sophie was the first to start casting her own protective enchantments. As she did, Madam Pomfrey lifted her skirts and started to sprint towards the pitch. As more and more people threw their own cushioning charms, Severus jumped over the barrier and was on the ground moving toward the center of the pitch.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
Cedric saw the ground coming much to fast and knew they weren't going to slow enough before they hit the ground. With barely a meter to go Cedric dove off his broom and grabbed the boy hoping they wouldn't be too injured. The pair landed with a thud and silence descended on the stadium.
*TGE*TGE*TGE*
A/N - Sorry. After maybe cursing me for stopping there, you can try to figure out what is wrong with Draco.
