Chapter 10 Quidditch

The morning of the game between Gryffindor and Slytherin dawned beautifully. Ron was still sitting alone, in the Great Hall, as the whole of Gryffindor house still refused to do anything with him. He was starting to feel lonely. He still wouldn't admit that he was wrong, especially to himself, but the fact that no one else was talking to him was making him rethink. Maybe if his team won today it would change things around.

Harry and Hermione arrived a few minutes after Ron had and just before the mail arrived. Harry had a guilty look about him while Hermione seemed irritated. Many assumed that the golden couple had just had their first fight. As they sat down next to one another Hermione whispered, "Harry, stop feeling guilty. It's in your nature to bite and drink blood."

Harry sighed as he filled a plate of pancakes for her, fixed just the way she liked them. "I should be able to control myself better. What if I go too far? I could hurt you."

"If it bothers you so much than talk to Andrew about it, but I still find it very erotic and stimulating." Harry blushed, remembering how she had come apart in his arms while he drank. She had been so aroused, that he had a sensory overload and his wings came out. That hadn't happened since their bonding night. It had been very satisfying for both of them.

"I've been checking dates and I believe that you need to drink about once a month, ever since you started with Bellatrix. I am more than happy to be your supplier." She was just starting to take a bite of her pancakes when suddenly the entire plate and forkful changed into nachos, complete with sour cream, meat, jalapeƱo peppers, olives, and green onions. The baby obviously wanted something spicy.

Harry stared at his bonded's plate. "Umm, Hermione?"

"Yes", she answered, before taking a bite. It was delicious. The baby had good taste.

"You want to explain why you're eating nachos instead of the pancakes that I gave you?"

"Wellllll, I do thank you for the pancakes, but I really wanted something spicy this morning."

"But, nachos?"

"Well I haven't had them in a while and who says that you only can have breakfast foods for breakfast?"

"No one."

"Good, now eat your breakfast."

"Yes dear."

Nicholas and Nathaniel arrived in Hogsmeade fairly early. Nate had teased his brother the entire way up to the castle about how much in a hurry he was to see his betrothed.

"Honestly Nick, if you don't slow down, she'll know that she has total control over you. Try resisting a little."

Nicholas looked at his brother. "I hope that when you find your mate that YOU remember that bit of advice. I'll remind you. Besides I haven't seen her in almost two months."

"I know it and she knows it. Just don't look so eager."

"Says the unattached one." Nate just grinned as they had arrived at the main doors of the castle. They continued on into the Great Hall where they saw their Lord and Lady sitting. Most of the students stopped what they were doing and watched as the two vampires entered the Great Hall and seated themselves across from the golden couple. Then they watched as Ginny entered and made her way to one of the vampires, who stood as she came closer, kissed her hand, and helped her be seated. The students were a buzz with gossip. Most watched as Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil, Gryffindor's gossip queens, joined the group and saw the other vampire stiffen.

Nathaniel Potter had lived many years and had never really considered a mate. He was more the playboy type. Love'em and leave them, very satisfied. Now these two classmates of his Lord and Lady and future sister-in-law sent his senses rolling into overdrive. It was such a high that he truly didn't want to come down. Now he knew what his brother had meant. He was in for a lot of teasing from his normally quiet brother. Now all he had to figure out was which one of the young ladies was his mate. Both were attractive to the eye. One was very exotic looking and the other was blonde. He had a thing for blondes. It was going to be a long day.

Nicholas couldn't take his eyes off his intended. "I understand that you are playing today."

"Yes. I'm playing seeker since Harry can no longer play. I used to play chaser."

"I wish you the best of luck and a win."

"Thank you, Nicholas."

"You may call me Nick, if you like. Only Nate and Father call me that."

"Nick. Have you eaten this morning?"

"Yes, but I suppose that I could eat a little something with you."

Just then Ron entered the Great Hall. He saw Ginny sitting with a stranger and come to the conclusion that this was the vampire that she was going to bond with. He strode over towards them.

"Ginny, get away from him right now!"

"Shut up and leave me alone, Ron."

"Ginny, he's a vampire. I don't want my sister sitting next to a vampire."

The three Potter males stood up after he had said that.

"Ron, this is my betrothed Nicholas. He's Harry's cousin and I will sit next to him if I want. There is nothing you can do about it, git. Come on Nicholas let's go somewhere where we can talk." Ginny stood up, grabbed Nicholas' hand and strode out the Hall before Ron could explode.

"You have turned my own sister against her family, Potter."

"You did that yourself, Ron. Only you, and perhaps Percy, seem to object to her bonding Nicholas. I would hate to be you when your mother finds out. Are you done, Hermione?"

"Yes. Suddenly I'm not that hungry anymore."

Harry helped Hermione up and followed the other couple out the door. Ron was suddenly aware of how quiet the Great hall was. He looked around and saw that practically the entire student body had heard him yell at his sister. "Bloody hell", he thought.

Nate stood up and faced the young man. "You are probably the stupidest human I have run across in a very long time. You, a pureblood, should know that magical creatures do not have a choice in who their mates are. My brother is fighting every instinct in allowing your sister to finish her schooling, knowing that it is important to her. Otherwise they would have already been bonded. You are very lucky that you are family, otherwise you would be dead right now." He turned to Lavender and Pavarti. "Ladies, might I have the pleasure of your company for the match and perhaps you two could show me around this fine institution?" Both girls giggled and agreed. Ron watched them leave, feeling, left out. Suddenly students burst out laughing as Ron's hair turned neon green. (Can anyone guess as to who did that?)

Harry and Hermione found Nicholas and Ginny at the Quidditch pitch. They allowed the other couple some privacy while still being close enough to chaperone. Harry had wanted to find a private place to snog but Hermione told him that they had to act as Ginny's chaperones as part of the contract. That was when Harry spotted Nate with Lavender and Pavarti. He hoped that it wasn't what he thought it was. If it was, then the Potter clan was in for two strong willed gossips. Apparently Hermione had the same idea.

"Do you think that one of them are his mate, or maybe both?"

"If they are, I'm buying them their own house, far away from us." Hermione slapped him. "What?"

"That wasn't a very nice thing to say."

"Do you want them to be around 24/7?"

That question made her think. "No, not really."

"Then you see my point."

Suddenly the grass on the pitch turned orange. Hermione glared at her stomach. Now was not the time for Junior to be acting up.

"Why is the pitch now orange?"

"To help Ron feel better?"

"After what he just said and did? Are you nuts?"

She didn't get a chance to reply as Ginny and Nicholas joined them.

"Why is everything orange", asked a bewildered Nicholas. Ginny looked at Hermione, who was pointing to her stomach. Suddenly Ginny understood and had to fight back the laughter that was threatening to come out. Luckily, Harry answered him. "It's probably a prank that one of the other houses are playing."

"Now that we are somewhat alone, would you like to look at the item, cousin?"

"Yes, let's see it."

Nicholas reached into the pocket of his robes and withdrew a velvet pouch. Before he even opened it Harry sensed the Horcrux. "Don't pull it out. I can already tell that it is one. Take it back to the castle and keep it hidden and safe until I come home for the holidays."

"As you will, my Lord."

Harry was staring to lead Hermione away, to give the other couple a little more privacy when Nicholas asked him to wait. "I wish you both to witness this." He pulled a diamond ring out of his pocket. The diamond was surrounded by a circle of smaller garrets. "Ginerva Molly Weasley do you accept this ring as a seal of our courtship and future bonding?"

"Yes, I do so accept", and Nicholas placed the ring on her left hand and he kissed it. By this time the rest of the students were making their way to the pitch. "Congratulations, you two. Ginny you had better head towards the locker room. Try not to hex your brother", said Harry. Ginny quickly kissed Nicholas on the lips and left. Nathaniel, with Lavender and Pavarti, joined them a few minutes later and they made their way towards the stands.

The game had its ups and downs. Ron, in his anger, let Slytherin score eighteen times. But Ginny captured the snitch in a spectacular move, allowing Gryffindor to win by a margin of ten points. The Gryffindor team tackled her as they realized that they had won, pushing Ron out of the way, leaving him to celebrate on his own. Never had a win been so lonely.