Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. But for Christmas I wish for Draco Malfoy, so Santa I have been a VERY GOOD girl.
Chapter 3: Unknown Challenges
It had been almost three weeks since the start of term and everyone fell into their normal routines. Hermione hadn't slept much since her first night back in the castle, much to her dismay, since her new roommate hadn't given her another unknown lullaby. She was beginning to look abit more than stressed out. Inside she wanted to break down and cry, but her pride wouldn't let her. She knew that several of the younger students, who had fought in the war as well, were looking up to her for emotional strenght. When others were around her, she keep up her facade of carrying on with a normal life because her letting others see how much she was affected was unacceptable to her. There were many times that Ginny, Ron, and Harry would drag her out long enough to let her cry and vent her pent up anger. The were all afraid that she would eventually blow up and do something crazy.
Ron tried his best to show her as much compassion as possible, seeing as he and Ginny had lost their brother Charlie. When anyone would bring up the war or the capture of rogue Death Eater's, he would bolt out of the room dragging Hermione with him. The friendship that they had was beginning to grow stronger.
Harry, who was more miserable than ever, was being more protective over her. His efforts of trying to keep Hermione as far away from Malfoy only slightly worked. Hermione never noticed what Harry was doing, she was used to the extra attention that he was giving her. The summer had made Harry realize that she, too, was now an orphan. He stayed at her side majority of the time, bonding in a way that they both desired. They were becoming a family, no matter how broken it seemed.
One afternoon in the quietness of Gryffindor Tower, Ginny screamed in frustration. "I NEED SOME NOISE! i CAN'T STAND ALL THIS QUIETNESS! IF SOMEONE DOESN'T LIVEN UP THIS PLACE, I'LL OWL FRED AND GEORGE, IF THEY CAN'T COME........I'M GONNA JUMP OUT A WINDOW!"
Ron had quickly shut Ginny up, holding a hand over her still moving mouth, suggested that they all go to the Quidditch pitch. Flying did wonders for them all, except for Hermione, who was afraid of flying. Ginny nearly broken her brother's arm, tearing out of the Common Room, grab everyone's brooms. Ron had to run after her as she bolted pass them and out of the room. Harry and Hermione followed, walking at a nice pace. As they approached the pitch, Hermione broke the comfortable silence.
"Hey Harry? I was thinking...... I mean....... shit.........well, would you mind if I fly with you?"
Harry stumbled over his own feet at her unusual request. "Herms, you're afraid of flying. I thought that you were gonna squeeze my arms off when we flew on Buckbeak! You really want to go up there?" he said pointing to the sky.
As soon as the words escaped her mouth, she found her shoes to be fascinating to look at. "It gets lonely sitting in the stands alone.
And I trust you enough not to drop me." Her voice suddenly had a hint of panic in it. She grabbed his forearm. "You won't drop me,
will you?"
He raked his fingers throught his unruly raven colored hair, picking up the broom that Ginny had laid on the ground for him when they caught up, seeing that her and Ron were already in the air. "No, I won't drop........."
Three Slytherin boys approached them, only one they remembered being Blaise Zambini. Blaise burst into laughter, the other two following his lead. "Hey Scarhead? You're letting the mudblood play Quidditch? Boy, Gryffindor try outs must not be much of a turn out anymore."
"Mind your business, Zambini!" Harry warned, stepping in front of Hermione.
"No I don't think he should, Potter." a voice drawled from behind them.
Hermione groaned. "Having Granger on your side only works when she's in the stands, not on the field." Blaise shot out.
Malfoy gave an amused laugh. "Miss Granger! Willing fail at something? I must say......"
Hermione cut him off. "Don't you know already, ferret? I NEVER fail at anything......."
Blaise cut her off. "Draco, I believe that girlie here wants to play quidditch with the big boys!"
All the Slytherin's howled with laughter. Ron and Ginny noticed their friends surrounded by green cloaks and sped down to the ground. They appeared next the the circle of people as Malfoy spoke.
"You know Granger, if you really want to play, how about you play with some.....".
Hermione whipped out her wand so fast that no one saw her reach for it. She stayed rooted in her spot, wand raised, and really looking like she could do alot of damage to anyone, including a deadly hippogriff, who provoked her. "Don't finish that Malfoy. I know more curses than you think." Hermione snarled. She jerker her head towards Zambini. "You and your boytoy can walk away in pink poofy dresses, doing the chicken dance, and singing showtunes!"
Harry quickly yanked Hermione's wand from her hand, while Ginny grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her out of the center of the circle. She walked the growling girl away from the boys, only fearing that Hermione would end up using muggle tatics (since Harry had her wand) like biting, to rush back delivering a drop kick to Malfoy's head. Aside from looking like a three year old whose lollipop was taken away, Hermione was down right pissed.
"Potter, you are not seriously thinking of letting her play quidditch, are you? If you are, well that's almost as funny as her playing for the Slytherins!" Blaise laughed so hard that he began to snort.
Before Ron thought of what he said, he angerly shot back, "Well of course! We'll let Hermione play for you." He nudged Harry. "Bloody brilliant, that is! So Malfoy, you get Hermione and we'll take one of your players." he laughed and turned away to help Ginny, who was struggling with an angry Hermione across the field.
Harry shot the Slytherins a look of disgust as he followed Ron. The words of his friend not sinking in, not that Malfoy would go for the idea. Malfoy, on the other hand, was pratically blinded by the light bulb that went off over his head. The cunning mind of a Slytherin was always up for a challenge, which Ron Weasley had unknowingly set.