Chapter 15: Quidditch and birthday presents
Flying in broomsticks became as easily as breathing for 6-year-old Belle. So it was no surprise that her father, uncles and aunt started teaching her to play Quidditch every weekend since then. She grasped everything so quickly (after all, she was Hermione's daughter. She learned everything quick) and she soon took part in the family Quidditch matches despite Hermione's warnings and pleeds.
"don't worry, Mione. I charmed the broom with three spells so she wouldn't fall or hurt herself. She'll be fine." Ron said every time he took their eldest daughter for a fly.
The first time she played Quidditch, she decided to be a seeker. She dived so fast to get the toy snitch that Hermione's shout nearly knocked her off the broom. Still, that didn't stop her from catching the little gold ball before her uncle Harry did.
"Did you see me, mommy? I caught the snitch!" Belle said proudly as she showed a very pregnant Hermione the ball she had in her hands. Hermione just hugged her tight and breathed, relieved that her little girl was fine.
"She was fantastic! She was faster than Harry ever was!" Ron said smirking at his best friend. Harry rolled his eyes.
"She's going to be the best seeker Gryffindor has ever had when she gets to Hogwarts." Ginny said.
So 7 years later, when the school owl arrived with the list of books and an announcement about the Quidditch team trials, Ron decided it was time to get his little girl a broom for herself.
"So... the list of school supplies arrived." Ron said, casually, one night during dinner. Belle just nodded.
"Nothing new, really. just the books and things I need for 3rd year." she said.
"You know, I was thinking that tomorrow, when we go to Diagon Alley to get your school stuff, we could also get your birthday present." He said. Hermione looked at him. He looked back, smiling.
"But my birthday's in May." Belle said.
"Well... yeah... but... your grades were so amazing last year that you deserve an early present. One that you can use while at school this year." he said.
"Like a new cauldron?" she asked.
"Or... a brand new broomstick." he said, smiling.
"Why would I want a broomstick? It's not like I can fly around school in it. McGonagall wouldn't approve it." she said.
"But you can use it for Quidditch. Trials are coming up and you can try since 3rd year." he said, enthusiastically.
"But I don't need a broomstick, dad." she said.
"But you need one for trials." he said.
"But I don't want to go for trials." she said.
"Well, how on earth are you going to get on the team, then?" Ron asked.
"I'm not going to get on the team, dad." Belle said, a bit irritated by his insistance.
"But you're so good at playing it! And every Weasley in our family has been on the team." he said, his face reddening and his voice raising a little. Rose and Hugo looked at him, kinda scared.
"Not Percy, though." Hermione mumbled. Ron gave her a look, then he looked back at his 13-year-old daughter.
"Well, maybe this Weasley doesn't want to be on the team." Belle said, raising her voice as well.
"Why wouldn't you?" he asked, nearly yelling at her.
"Because I ' TO!" she yelled. She got up, her eyes filled with tears. "can I be excused, please?" she asked her mother. Hermione nodded and Belle went upstairs to her room. Hermione got up as well and looked at Ron, shaking her head. She sighed and went upstairs to Belle who was sat on her bed with a book on her lap, sobbing. Hermione knocked on the door. Belle looked up at her. "Can I?" Hermione asked. Belle nodded and Hermione walked in and sat next to her.
"I'm sorry I yelled, mom. It was rude of me." Belle said looking at her lap.
"It's alright, hun. Somebody had to stop your dad anyway." Hermione said. "Why don't you want to go for trials, Belle? You play amazing every weekend at the Burrow and you seem to love it." she said.
"Dad loves it. And it's fun playing with him and the others. It's just... if I make the team, it'll stop being fun. It'll be a burden. It'll be practice all the time, and less time to do all my homework. Every time we have a match, I'll feel the pressure of catching the snitch before the other team does, and if we lose, it'll be my fault. And I'll disappoint everyone, especially dad." Belle explained. Hermione wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders. Belle rested her head on her mom's shoulder.
"It's just a game, Belle. Nobody would be disappointed if you don't catch the snitch. They would be upset for a little while, but that's all. And your dad... your dad loves you so much, baby, and he will always love you no matter what. He will never be disappointed on you." she said as she made Belle to look at her.
"I don't wanna do it. If I do it, I'll hate it. And I don't wanna hate it because I have fun playing with the family. I just want to keep having fun, mom." Belle said. Hermione smiled and kissed her daughter's head.
"then, we'll keep it fun, sweetheart." she said.
"Can I still have my birthday present earlier?" Belle asked shyly. Hermione laughed a bit.
"What do you have in mind?" she asked. Belle smiled.
The next day, after buying all her new books and supplies, Ron and Hermione got their eldest daughter an early birthday present: a little white owl.