Noah and Hermione:
"Oh I hope Cassy gets the box!" Hermione said again.
"Stop fussing so much Hermione, of course she'll get it!" Victoria said as she took a seat next to Hermione on the couch and brushed her dirty-blonde hair.
"Collin would never dream of doing anything wrong" Ginny chided. "Especially to the friends of Harry Potter."
Ironically at that very moment Harry walked through the portrait hole digging through his pockets for scraps of paper covered in quidditch facts. He was followed shortly by Ron, who was saying something (rather loudly) about the Chudley Cannons and who was, in turn followed by Harrison and Noah. Harrison ran his hand over his short brown hair and Noah shoved his hands deeper into his pockets while they had a hushed conversation over a piece of parchment (not unlike Fred and George in the least bit.) Harry and the others continued through the common room and only noticed the girls when Noah almost sat on Hermione; Who was sitting on the plush couch in front of the fireplace and was re-reading Hogwarts a History. Noah quickly turned around just as Hermione looked up.
"Whoa, I totally didn't see you there, sorry!" He said.
"Yeah, 'cuz I just blend into the background!" She said playfully.
"No, no. It's not that it's just that….I…uh…" He said, his voice trailing off as their eyes met.
"Yeah…." Hermione replied. This whole time they had been standing really close together, so Noah took a big step back when Ron walked up and stood defensively over Hermione. He shot Noah a warning glance and Hermione blushed as Noah said sorry (again.)
"I'm gonna barf!" Harrison said as he walked towards the portrait hole holding his stomach.
"So what's up?" Ginny asked once everyone had settled down.
"Quaffles" said Ron.
"Snitches" said Harry.
"Bludgers" Harrison finished as he waltzed back into the group.
"Quidditch practice already?" Hermione asked
"Yeah" Harry replied. "Practice starts today, tryouts are next Wednesday. Oh and I'm captain… again."
"That's a shocker!" Harrison said oozing with sarcasm.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make the team!" said Ginny hopping up to give Harrison a long hug.
"I hope I do." said Ron, shooting a look at Harry.
"You worry too much!" said Hermione as Ginny and Victoria stifled giggles at the irony of her comment. "So are you heading down to the pitch now?" Hermione asked.
"Nah, practice only starts after dinner, though we are having a meeting during dessert. We've got food and everything out there." Victoria said. (Victoria is muggle born and a good friend of Hermione's also a great Chaser in Quidditch.)
"Oh…" Said Ginny as she looked at Hermione for help, what about their meeting?
"In that case I'll just pop into the Library before supper and then we'll meet you guys down on the pitch later." Hermione replied.
Hermione hurried down the Hall. Oh I hope she's still there, please be there, Hermione begged.
She was so busy worrying that she almost ran into Cassy in the library doorway. "There you are!" Hermione exclaimed. After seeing Cassy's puzzled face she added. "I was just looking for you so I could tell you that the Gryffindor Quidditch Team was having practice today. Would you mind if I move our meeting, and go to the practice instead?"
A look of relief washed over Cassandra's face. "That's totally cool, go ahead 'mione. Have fun!" she said, as she patted Hermione on the shoulder and continued down the hall. I wonder what she's reading Hermione thought as she walked over to the table Cassy was working at. As she scanned the titles of the books her curiosity grew. What was Cassy doing researching such harmful potions? And how did she get access to the restricted section?