Hello, darlings. To celebrate my birthday, I decided to post an extra chapter! This one in no way replaces Saturday so that one is still coming. (Possibly Friday because my mom and sisters are taking me to see one of my favorite musicals on Saturday.) So let's enjoy a quidditch match for my birthday.
Chapter 16 Quidditch
Upon learning she intended to attend the upcoming Falcon match, Vanessa and Alexandra demanded to take her shopping. "I was just going to get a jersey."
"Sure, but you need to decide what cut to wear. A more fitted female one, or the looser gender neutral?" Alexandra smiled. "Then, just a Falcons jersey, or Marcus's number?"
"Though wearing just his jersey should spark some inspiration, too," Vanessa waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "But best leave that for the bedroom celebration afterward." Hermione kept her face averted until the blush ended. She made a mental note to go see Narcissa for a chat later. Right now she wanted to focus on shopping with her new friends.
Exiting Quality Quidditch, they stood outside discussing where to go next. Alexandra looked up and down the Alley. "My mother mentioned getting new dress robes for your party. We could look around."
Hermione shrugged, "My mother bought me a dress before she left. It was supposed to be for my first formal event after my 18th birthday. Roddy says I should wear it."
Vanessa slipped her arm in Hermione's, "Don't tease. I need to see this now. Let's go, Lestrange." She began marching her towards the Leaky Cauldron, Alexandra following. None of the trio noticed a woman watching them through narrowed eyes before returning to her business. Vanessa and Alexandra never got to see Hermione's dress. She made the mistake of asking about wizard lingerie and ended up taking them to the nearest Victoria Secrets boutique. She explained to the shop girl that they had been raised very conservatively. This was their first time branching out. Hermione then asked for suggestions for under her dress. And for lots of suggestions for numerous other events, as did the others. Once they left the muggle world they disguised the bags.
-oOoOo-
Testing Narcissa's offer of an always open door, Hermione apparated over after Vanessa and Alexandra returned home. "Bee," she called for the house elf. Once her elf appeared, "I would like to speak to Aunt Narcissa, if she's available."
"I check, Missy Hermy." Moments later Bee returned, "Mistress bes waiting in the conservatory."
"Thank you, Bee."
When she entered, Narcissa stood, "Hermione, darling girl, how delightful to see you. What brings you by this evening?"
"I had some questions about wizarding society that I would rather ask you than my peers."
"Certainly," she gestured for Hermione to be seated, "I realize my sister is not the most maternal, and Rodolphus might not have the proper perspective."
Hermione took a deep breath, "From a pureblood perspective, is sex before marriage frowned upon?"
"No, not really. As sex magics were once common. It would be complicated if everyone wanting to perform a spell had to get married."
"Why did those rituals fall out of use?"
"Martial contracts become more rigid to ensure offspring belonged to the correct family lines."
"I suppose that makes sense. Next question, my wearing my muggle clothes isn't a problem, is it?"
"Formal wear in both worlds is similar. Your clothes are lovely, you looked stunning in the last one." She paused, "Is there a reason behind these questions?"
"The clothing because I intend to keep wearing my clothes, but didn't want to embarrass Roddy and Bella. The other because of jokes the girls were making. I felt awkward asking," she looked down, twisting her hands, "I didn't have a normal experience after eleven. There wasn't time for dating or fooling around. Pride at looking inferior prevents me from being comfortable asking my peers."
"I cannot fathom how you feel, but I understand your reasons. Are you familiar with a contraceptive charm? You don't want to leave that until too late."
"No, I mean, yes. I am on the potion. I started it before we went on the run, I kept taking it because I still have some, and well, Marcus," she trailed off.
"Are you feeling more confident about your appearance? The adoption changes didn't cause a setback?"
"No problems because the changes are superficial, and yes, it is getting better. Marcus does a good job expressing his interest, and it helps when his mates try to rile him up by flirting. They all keep saying they aren't completely kidding. Not that I encourage them."
"That's good."
"I tell them all scions seem the same, I'll keep the one I have."
Narcissa stared at her for a moment before throwing her head back and laughing loudly, not a genteel titter, but a full belly laugh.
Draco stuck his head in, looking shocked at the sound. "Mother, what?" He noticed Hermione, "Oh, Grang-, I mean, Lestr-, Her-."
"Hello, cousin. You can call me whatever, Malfoy. Names have little meaning to me."
"We're family now. We should use each other's first names, Hermione."
"If you wish, Draco." Behind her, Narcissa beamed at her son.
"I know we didn't get along at school, and that was my fault. I apologize for my behavior and the distress it caused." She studied his face, he looked sincere, he sounded sincere, but experience made her wary. He continued, "I don't expect us to be the best of friends instantly, just that we wipe the slate clean and start over."
"That's fair. You have yourself a deal."
Grinning, Draco sat down, "What are we discussing?"
"The interchangeability of pureblood scions; same mold, different wrapping," smirked Hermione.
"The social acceptability of premarital relations before the aforementioned duplicated scions," Narcissa replied.
"Girl talk, right. I will bid you both a loving good night and show myself out."
"If you must. Good night, Draco," Hermione said brightly.
"Sleep tight, my dragon." With that Draco fled, female laughter chasing him down the hall. By Tuesday Hermione attending the Falcons, match snowballed from his three mates accompanying her to a full social outing. When Vanessa and Alex invited themselves along, Hermione invited Luna. The Ravenclaw would be using a glamour charm. The blonde admitted she'd always wanted curly brown hair, "It looks fun." Then Draco, Theo Nott, and Blaise Zabini included themselves. Something about having nearby seats. Lucius upgraded everyone to a luxury box at that point.
Hermione met with Voldemort the morning before the game. He had a list of possible discussion topics. "I can't help up feel some ulterior motives are in play here," she remarked about the match when taking the list.
"That is because you are intelligent. There are always ulterior motives. Some are just more altruistic than others. Mr. Flint's friends wish to ensure you have a good time, so you are willing to return to support him. Your female friends wish to enjoy your presence. Misters Malfoy, Nott, and Zabini wish to improve your opinion of them. Lucius wishes to support this by moving you from assigned seats to a more informal seating."
She nodded, "I concede the point."
"Now, what dark magic shall we discuss next? Not that it needs to be dark magic, I do know other types."
She hesitated, then decided to go for broke, "Would you be willing to discuss horcruxes?"
He glared, his temper flaring, before it drained away, "Of course, Dumbledore learned of them." He rubbed his face with both hands. "We can discuss them, I suppose you want one of your own?"
"No, I don't think so. I just want to understand them better."
"Then let us discuss horcruxes, Miss Lestrange. We will meet on Wednesday. Enjoy your quidditch match."
-oOoOo-
Molly glared at the kitchen wall. She knew, just knew that girl she saw in Diagon Alley was Hermione Granger. But why would those posh purebloods be taking her shopping? Where would she have gotten the money to afford all those bags? None of it made sense. She had given Hermione very clear orders. Stay with the boys. Keep them safe. Keep researching. And keep Ron happy. What could have gone wrong? Ron and Harry were clueless.
Those two kept disappearing to work on their mission. They refused to talk to anyone else about it, which further frustrated Molly. They also refused to stay at Muriel's with the rest of them, citing a lack of space, or at Shell Cottage, because Bill and Fleur were newlyweds and needed their privacy. It might be time to encourage Ginny to start seducing Harry again. Albus had always been clear that Harry could not be charmed, he didn't need to be.
Arthur entered Muriel's kitchen, another source of Molly's agitation, they couldn't turn the Burrow into a safe house, too many in the ministry knew the address. She tried to offer him a warm greeting but knew it fell short. Her husband, however, treated her to a loving reception. "Kingsley and Tonks looked into your mystery girl. She is a Hermione, but not our Hermione. She is Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange, Hermione Neveah Lestrange."
"I don't remember them ever having a daughter?"
"I can't say I paid much time to the Lestranges before," Arthur admitted.
"Moments like this I wish Albus was still here. Or Snape hadn't been a rat and we had access to his portrait," she sighed.
"I know, Molly-wobbles, I know," he hugged his wife tightly.
-oOoOo-
Vanessa braided Luna and Hermione's hair to prevent the curls from becoming a nuisance in the stands. "The wind can be brutal up there, even in the nicer boxes." Once they were ready, Hermione created a portkey to transport them to the stadium.
Peregrine whistled when he, Cassius, and Graham caught sight of the women. He winked at Hermione in her fitted Falcons jersey. "You look amazing, love," he greeted her. "Are you absolutely sure I can't steal you from Marcus?"
"Quite."
"Pity, well, in we go." He offered her his arm.
The luxury box Lucius procured lived up to its title. Lush, upholstered benches lined the rail. Behind it, equally plush love seats provided backed seating. A bartender and waiter stood next to the bar, ready to provide refreshments. A cooling charm circulated through the space holding the August heat back. Hermione nodded hello to the wait staff and approached the rail. She looked over the pitch, "Impressive view."
Luna joined her, "Mr. Malfoy didn't scrimp, did he?"
"Only the best for Malfoys," declared Draco as he, Blaise, and Theo entered. "Sets the bar high."
"High for who?" Luna wondered out loud.
"Everyone." Draco smirked, "Draco Malfoy, and you are?" he held out his hand to Luna.
"Myself," she teased laughing.
"Hello, do you have a name? Mine is Blaise."
"I'm not sure it is safe for you to know my name at the moment."
"Call her Selene for now," Hermione instructed. "She's a friend from my old life, meaning it isn't safe yet for her to be seen in public with you lot."
"She's your friend. None of us would risk your displeasure by harming your friend." Graham sounded insulted.
"No, I fear the Order would think she was in danger or compromised and might harm her if they learned the truth. So, Selene here is wearing a fake face and using a made up name. Otherwise, she can be herself."
"Surely your friends would give you the benefit of the doubt?" protested Cassius.
Malfoy gave a mean little laugh, "You never saw the Weasel in a strop."
Blaise nodded, "Boy throws championship level wobbles."
"With little to no provocation," Hermione agreed, "and Merlin save you if he has a shred of evidence. Not that he needs any, or waits for the full story."
"And Mrs. Weasley always backs her baby boy." Luna reported, "I never understood why he was so jealous and intimidated by his brothers with how spoiled he was."
"Don't know, don't care," Hermione flipped her braid over her shoulder. "The mercurial nature of Ronald Bilius Weasley is no longer my problem." She flashed a grin, "My problem is getting a decent drink and enjoying this match."
Not being familiar with wizard drinks beyond fire whiskey, Hermione let Vanessa order her first drink. Peregrine fixed her a plate of snacks. Graham fixed one for Luna. "Are you a quidditch fan, Selene? We all know Hermione isn't."
"I am. Hermione might find an interest now that she's free."
"I enjoy watching the game, more so I admit when I know someone playing. It is the never-ending dissection of games, plays, to the exception of all other conversation that I hate."
"That's fair," Nott acknowledged.
"I immensely enjoyed all of the professional matches I attended. I intend to enjoy this one."
"Attend many professional matches as a special guest, cara?" cooed Blaise.
"Let's just say when left to my own devices, I have a type." Luna dissolved into giggles, unable to meet Hermione's eyes.
Blaise raised an eyebrow at her, "You know her type?"
"Of course, when you look at her dating history it isn't hard to determine."
"Won't you enlighten us?" The Italian purred, "Please."
Luna shared an amused smile with Hermione who nodded for her to go ahead. "We start 4th year with Yule Ball. International quidditch star, Viktor Krum, notices what most fail to, our little Hermione is a hottie in the making. He swoops in and snags our girl as his date. Broad shoulders, unconventional brooding good looks, and a muscular physique."
"Sure, then she dates the Weasel," Draco laughed.
Luna waved him down, "Because she was pressured to, not because she really wanted to. Relationship of convenience for others, that's all. Though he was a quidditch player, he is not her type, nor her his." The others looked to Hermione for confirmation. She nodded. They returned their attention to Luna. "This brings us to Marcus Flint, again internationally famous quidditch player. Dark, broody good looks, broad shoulders, and muscled frame to match. Exactly Hermione's type." Luna looked smug.
"So when you say we're all interchangeable, you don't mean it?" Cassius asked.
"I do not. I do mean I am keeping the pureblood scion I have."
Cassius nodded, "Good to know." Music blared, "Time to cheer on your choice."
The group stood at the rail to watch the visiting team, the Chudley Cannons be announced. The orange players zoomed about to the blaring rock music. Luna closed her eyes, "So nauseating, horrible color."
"Is that a fair reaction to orange? It isn't the color's fault it reminds you of Ron." Hermione teased.
"Oh, now you've made it worse," she groaned.
Graham reached over and rubbed small circles on her back, "Don't worry the bad players will stop speeding around any second now."
"Thank you."
The music changed to a harder rock sound. The crowd erupted into cheers as the home team took the field. The announcer boomed their introductions, "Let's hear it for our captain, Keeper Roman Pearson, Seeker Oakley Barrett, the dynamic duo of Beaters Noah Moore and Jonas Ferguson, and the domination of the league, your chasers, Wulfric Wallace, Adrian Pucey, and Marcus Flint! Ladies and gentlemen, your Falmouth Falcons!" If possible the cheers grew louder. Hermione's face hurt from smiling so widely. She shouted with the rest of them.
The gameplay took a brutal turn fast. The Falcons had a reputation for their rough style. The new blood of Flint, Pucey, and Wallace had improved their standing in the league. In three years the Falcons went from the bottom to the top of the league. "Look at them fly!" laughed Blaise. "The Falcons are on fire today. I don't know which Cannon brassed them off, but they are all paying for it today." The score climbed as the Falcon chasers slammed the defense again and again. The beaters kept the bludgers moving about and crashing into the Cannon's keeper and seeker. Barrett tracked the snitch like a bloodhound and kept his opponent from catching it.
"Wow," breathed Nott, "I wonder what they did?"
"The Cannon's themselves? Nothing beyond being someone's favorite team I assume," Hermione smirked.
Luna looked at her, "Flint got them to do this because? That is so romantic." She smiled fondly at the Falcon chaser as he body checked a Cannon and stole the quaffle.
"Flint? Romantic?" Blaise laughed.
"I'm still confused," Theo complained.
"You aren't the only one," Alexandra assured him.
Without taking her eyes off Marcus, Hermione began explaining, "Ronald Weasley hurt me badly. His favorite team is the Chudley Cannons. Yes! Go, Flint!" She resumed her narration, "Marcus can't pummel Ron right now, so he's settled for destroying his beloved team. And celebrating the first time I got to watch him play since school. And the first time I'm cheering for him."
Vanessa chuckled, "That is kind of romantic."
"Then take into account how brutal the whole team is," Luna pointed out.
Peregrine nodded, "He would have explained exactly why it was important. Those poor bastards."
"Aye," Graham grimaced, "your teammate tells you his girl's coming, you want to win to help impress her. Popular bloke like Flint says some arse made his girl cry and this will get even, you give it everything, cause he'd do the same for you."
Draco looked over the pitch and handed Hermione another drink. "This isn't just a slaughter, it is a massacre."
At some point, they migrated to the seating and resumed enjoying the offered food. When the score climbed to 990 to 20, Barrett snatched the snitch from the air behind the Cannon's seekers head, ending the game at 1140 to 20. After the official called the match, Barrett flew up to Marcus and handed him an object. Marcus flew towards their box.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it appears Chaser Marcus Flint has the honor of presenting the snitch to a lucky fan." The crowd cheered.
Sitting on one of the back couches, Hermione made no move to get up. Marcus hovered on the other side of the rail. "Hey, little dove, go a pressie for you."
"Is that so?
"Yep," he grinned at her making her heart skip a beat.
"At what price?" she yelled back laughing.
"From me? Nothing. The guys want to meet you soon."
"Define soon."
"Within the next month."
"That's fair." She pulled the curls that had escaped from the braid forward to help cover her face. She stood and approached the railing. "What? Why should we make the identity of your girlfriend easy for anyone?" She took the snitch from him, then leaned forward to peck his cheek. "We will have a proper celebration later," she whispered in his ear?
"Promise?"
"If you're a good boy."
"Where's the fun in that?" She laughed, gave him a small shove, and stepped back into the shadows of the box. "Wait here, I'll be back after the interviews."
"I'll be waiting." She sat back down.
Luna smiled, "I think I'm going to go. Thanks for inviting me. See you soon?"
"Of course. Write me, or just come by." Hermione hugged her friend.
Graham jumped to his feet, "Let me escort you to the floo."
"You just want my address," Luna sassed.
"Sure, otherwise I have to bug Hermione about you. Then she'll hex me, and I'd be bald."
"That would be a travesty," joked Peregrine.
"I agree," Luna nodded to herself. "All right, then, come along." Graham offered her his arm.
Vanessa and Alexandra stood, "We should go as well. See you this week." Draco, Blaise, and Theo departed with them.
Cassius propped his feet up on the bench in front of him. "Don't worry, we won't desert you until Marcus returns."
"I spend three months alone in the wilderness. I am capable of waiting by myself for twenty minutes."
"Yeah, but the press will be dying to learn your identity. Then the hunters discover lone prey they descend. We would never do that to you. Marc would never forgive us." Cassius told her.
"And we like hanging out with you. You're smart, funny, and rather witty. Got any other Selene's you're hiding?"
"No, she's my only friend from my old life, well, and Neville
Longbottom. But, now..." she trailed off.
"Your new mother drove his parents insane."
"Exactly."
"Not that you and Mrs. Lestrange are that close."
"Mummy Dearest isn't close to anyone, expect your master."
"I suppose that's true."
"It is what it is," she tried to sound nonchalant.
Marcus appeared wet-headed a bit later. Peregrine and Hermione were discussing the mental damage left by the Crucio curse. "Oh, thank Salazar, save me. The brains are debating big brain things. Please!" Cassius leapt to his feet and hugged Marcus.
"Get off, you git," he shoved the shorter blonde away. "Learn to deal with it. She listens to boring sports talk, participates, even. Least we can do is let her talk about her interests."
"Thank you," she purred, hugging him.
"But nothing they said made sense," Cassius whined.
Marcus shrugged, "Don't know what to tell you, mate."
"You're here, you can tell me goodbye." He whirled to face Hermione. "It was fun. See you soon."
"Friday for my party, I expect," she smiled.
"I'll be there as well," Peregrine hugged her and clapped Marcus on the shoulder.
Once they were alone, he made a show of looking her over. "Aren't you a glorious sight?"
"In a jersey and jeans?" she sounded skeptical.
"My jersey," he put his hands on her hips and pulled her close.
"So, I wouldn't be stunning in say, Oliver Wood's jersey?"
He groaned, "You would. You always look good."
"What about his Gryffindor jersey?"
"You are a cruel woman." He rested his forehead against hers. "I cannot imagine you ever looking less than beautiful."
"You looked like you showered and raced up here."
"Because I did. Am I not handsome?"
"Certainly, handsome and wet."
"Couldn't keep the most gorgeous woman in the world waiting, now could I?"
"Flattery will get you everywhere." She twinkled up at him.
"Good to know." He pressed his lips to her forehead. "We have three options: meet the team and the WAGs for drinks, go out to dinner just the two of us, or celebrate privately." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
She smacked his arm lightly, "While I'm not sure how far you intend private celebrating to go, I'm not in the mood for anything too public today."
"Fair enough. And private celebrating can be whatever we want, takeaway and cuddles, snogging each other senseless, or naked fun time." He squeezed her hips, "But, remember, I want us to take our time, so no pressure for anything, ever."
"And I like that so long as when I say I'm ready you don't try to talk me out of it. Ron used to do that. Looking back, I see the real reasons, but it made me doubt myself, and I hated it."
He nodded, "Your word will be taken at face value as long as you never lie. The first time you express regret after, there will be questions." He frowned, "Mostly for my safety. Both Rodolphus and Rabastan have been clear- unhappy Hermione means a physically broken Marcus."
"I'll keep that in mind." She took a deep breath, "And in acknowledgment of everything you will put up with because of me, I feel it is only fair that we go meet your team for one drink."
"But, you said... This is a test, isn't it? About asking questions."
"No, but if it had been you would have passed, good job."
"We don't have to go."
"No, we do not. But we should. I want to. Probably because you aren't pressuring me."
"Hermione," he started before she cut him off.
"Marcus. A relationship is a give and take, you can't just be the one giving. You have to take occasionally."
"Okay. If you want to go, we'll go have one drink and then head to dinner."
"If that's what you want," she smiled sweetly. "Lead on." She took his hand.