Chapter Fifteen
"Cho, over here," said Hermione, standing up and waving her over, "You are just in time."
"Why? What's happened?" asked Cho, hurrying over and looking confusedly between Hermione who was grinning broadly, Ginny who, wearing a hospital gown and sitting in a hospital bed could clearly be heard claiming she was completely fine and Madam Pomfrey bustling about looking agitated and threatening to 'put her foot down'.
"Madam Pomfrey, who has repaired Ginny's dislocated shoulder - "
"Oh don't say it like that, it makes it sound worse than it was,"
"Dislocated!" repeated Hermione defiantly, "and she claims that Ginny ought to stay in the Hospital Wing overnight, but Ginny - "
"I am fine, look," she started raising her arms but Hermione grabbed one and the Healer the other, forcing them back down to her sides.
"Ginny!" Three voices converged to implore that the feisty redhead cease putting her injury to strain.
"I knew there was something wrong, why didn't you tell me?" said Cho, looking worried.
"You just said that you knew! Besides, I came straight here for medical attention, it's not a big deal," sulked Ginny, feeling decidedly outnumbered and ganged up on.
"Congratulations, Cho," said Hermione, "That was a dramatic finish, well done,"
"Thanks but it looks like I got lucky," replied Cho, pointing to Ginny, referring to her injury.
"No," said Hermione and Ginny in unison.
Cho started again, "If it hadn't been for that Bludger," said Cho. shaking her head.
Hermione had not completely understood Ginny's earlier explanation regarding her desire to conceal her injury, until she heard Cho's response. Now she understood completely and rushed to preserve what was obviously so important to Ginny, the integrity of Cho's win.
"No," said Ginny firmly, and Hermione nodded in agreement.
Cho looked from one to the other, but Hermione, thinking things would be more quickly resolved between the two if they were left alone to talk, stood and gathered her things.
"I am going to have some dinner, have Madam Pomfrey send Winky if you need me at all, okay?"
"Don't let them know I am injured? I will be back in the Common Room shortly," said Ginny, with determination.
"Okay," said Hermione, "Well, just make good choices, you have Slytherin next week," She leaned in and kissed Ginny's forehead, "See you, Cho, and again, good win."
"Thanks, Hermione, goodnight."
Madam Pomfrey bustled away and Cho replaced Hermione at the head of the bed, taking Ginny's hand, "Hey," she said softly, glad to have the woman to herself.
"Hey," Ginny was comforted by Cho's presence and leaned in to put her head on Cho's shoulder.
Cho stroked her hair, "Heroics aside for one moment, how do you feel?"
"I am fine," said Ginny defensively, her fight returning. Cho, continued stroking and said softly,
"Try not to jump down my throat, I only asked how you felt?"
"Uggh, sorry. It aches a little, I think I am probably tired."
"Thank you. I am sorry it hurts. Have you eaten?"
"I really fancy a cheese and tomato sandwich."
"See, Weasley, you can be a cooperative patient, we will have you out of here in no time," She moved to place a kiss next to the spot where Hermione left hers when Ginny lifted her face, Cho redirected her kiss and her lips touched Ginny's gently.
"One moment," she moved in the direction of Madam Pomfrey and twenty minutes later the pair of them were drinking hot tea and eating a pile of sandwiches brought up by Winky herself.
"Now, prepare yourself, I am going to ask you a question and I would like it if you could not fly off the handle or avoid giving me an answer. And the question is… drum roll… why didn't you simply tell me on the pitch that you were injured? And why are you hiding it from your team?"
Ginny felt herself become defensive, so it was helpful that Cho had anticipated that response, she continued chewing her food and thought about her answer. Cho leaned forward and selected another sandwich, leaving the cheese and tomato ones for Ginny, and patiently waited for her answer.
Finally Ginny was able to articulate her answer, "I played the best game I could today and I lost, but thats okay, I am proud of myself and my team. I lost to a better player on the day and that's the way it goes. And you played your best today, you outplayed me and you won. It was a spectacular win, by the way, really thrilling. I don't want anyone to think that you only won because I got hurt. You won, fair and square, and that's what I want the game to be remembered for."
"I see. Well, that's very big of you. That kind of integrity is a powerful legacy, I am proud of you."
"Thanks, I am proud of you too. Did the Selectors come and talk to you again?"
"Yeah and Penelope from the Daily Prophet," and Cho gave Ginny a run down. It appears that the Selectors do indeed remember Cho playing Quidditch from two years ago, they remember feeling her out after she graduated and had been surprised at the determined rebuff they met.
Cho explained to Ginny that she had told them that she had not in fact graduated due to a personal issue which had called her home for a period of time but that she had recovered, back to school and back to Quidditch. She said the questions they asked her about her personal issue were anything but sensitive but that she had managed to hold them off, and now the two camps, Cho and the Selectors, were sort of dancing around each other.
"I will have to tell them eventually, but I just need to prove myself first, that's all," said Cho, "I will play every game this year, to the best of my ability, and if they are keen to make me an offer they will have evidence; my game history, my academic record and I can show that I have been actively and successfully engaged in therapy all year and - "
"You're still in therapy now?"
"Yes, McGonagall has given me permission to use my mobile phone on Hogwarts Grounds for the purpose. I call in once a week, that free period after Charms on Tuesday, and we have a chat, Mika knows me quite well by now so it's mostly just maintenance but it's an important resource, in case I need extra support."
"I'm glad you have her,"
"Thanks, you are being very supportive about the whole thing?"
"Oh, I don't know. I'm injured, you're here. You need support, I'm here."
"There is that sweet side of you, Weasley, that you keep hidden so well, most of the time."
"I'm just glad you are safe and well and happy."
"I am," said Cho, "You too," and Ginny grinned and squeezed Cho's hand.
The next week sped by in exactly the same manner as it had the week before, Ginny followed Madam Pomfrey's instructions carefully, she trained carefully in the Room of Requirement and passed on the weights. The most important thing was that her shoulder mended and that she was fit for the match against Slytherin on Sunday.
The Room of Requirement, sensing Ginny's changed training needs adapted to provide more adequately to her changing needs. When the girls entered on Monday morning they noticed a pair of frosted glass doors that had not been there the week before. They looked at each other and moved toward them, when they each pushed on a door they found an Olympic sized heated swimming pool, with marked lanes. To one side was a Spa, Sauna and Steam Room complete with showers and warmed towels.
The women walked around in amazement, and Ginny laughed loudly when she found herself standing in front of two massive lockers, side by side, one with a Silver Raven with 'CHANG' written underneath in Ravenclaw Blue, the other with the Golden Head of a Lion, with a Maroon 'Weasley'.
"Amazing," said Cho, tugging open the door to her locker to see bathers hanging next to a personalised bathrobe, thongs, goggles, a swim cap and everything one could need.
"I think The Room is suggesting that swimming is something my recovery needs," said Ginny in awe.
"This room is amazing!" agreed Cho, "Shall we?"
Ginny was already kicking off her shoes and grabbing at her robes to remove them in haste.
So by the time Sunday morning rolled around, Ginny was fit and strong, and Madam Pomfrey had given her permission to play. She was distracted by a little tap tap on her Dormitory window, she turned and saw Pigwidgeon shivering on the snow covered windowsill giving her a reproachful, longing look. Ginny rolled out of bed and lifted the window, calling the little brown owl inside, she scooped him up and went over to the fireside, placing the bird in her lap so that he could begin to dry out and warm up.
He shook out his feathers vigorously, snow flecks flicked out in all directions, they turned to water upon landing in various and random places across the room, they began to dry immediately. Ginny untied the message from his leg and her belly coiled tightly when she recognised Cho's handwriting on a little scroll, she unfurled with care -
Weasley,
Good luck in the match today.
As always, you are a champion -
both on and off the pitch.
Your most avid supporter,
Chang xo
Ginny pulled on her Quidditch robes and took the stairs to the Common Room with an extra bounce in her step. She greeted her fellow Housemates with high fives all around and her teammates received an extra back slap or towsel of the hair, "Breakfast for Champions!" she called out and her troops followed her, hooting and cheering along the way.
Ginny looked around and waved to Cho who was eating at the Ravenclaw table, Cho waved back and flashed her a brilliant smile, Ginny turned and slipped into the empty seat opposite Hermione.
"Good morning," she said, unable and unwilling to mollify or conceal her immense joy.
Hermione raised an eyebrow in her direction,
"Somebody is feeling particularly exuberant," she said, with a sly grin.
"Yes, I am. It's perfect Quidditch weather, I am about to be out riding around on my broomstick and…"
"Yes?" said Hermione, suggestively, turning another page of her newspaper.
"Well, we have scrambled eggs rather than poached, which I prefer, so…" Ginny grinned, filled her plate and began eating with gusto.
"Your shoulder?" Hermione asked discreetly.
"Good as gold, thank you for asking," she replied between bights.