another chapter which I hope you'll enjoy...
Chapter 5: Verging on Stupidity
It took Ron a quick five minutes to explain basic details of Quidditch before launching into an in depth beginner's lesson on the finer points that is Quidditch, which took the two another thirty minutes. By that time Ginny and Hermione finally made their way out to the yard, Harry and Ron were just making their way to the broom shed.
"Sorry you don't have your old broom, "Ron said conversationally, "Was kind of destroyed. You can use Fred's old one, I guess." Ron added with a sad tone.
Opening the shed, Ron apprehensively pulled out a rather web ridden broom, several twigs sticking out at odd directions. Smiling weakly, Ron passed the broom to Harry, which vibrated at his touch.
"I can clean that off if you'd like?"
Nodding, Harry handed his broom to Ron, who drew his wand out and performed a simple Scorgify charm, quickly wiping off the last remnants with his sleeve, "I'm not the best at cleaning charms. You should see Hermione go off when I've left the bathroom a mess."
Harry grinned back before taking the broom from Ron. Once he had it completely in his own hands, the broom vibrated more forcefully than it had done before. "Is this normal?" Harry asked as he walked back up to the yard with Ron, his heart beating out of his chest at the prospect of flying practically blind on an excitable broomstick.
"I think it just wants to get up in the air where it belongs. Come on, once you're up there it'll feel a lot better."
Raising one eyebrow, Harry gave a furtive look at his broom, "I highly doubt that. You know, this is sounding like the stupidest idea I've ever heard."
Ron let out a loud snort before straddling his own broom and pushing up, hovering a couple of centimeter's above the ground. "Ha, that's really saying lots as you can't remember other ideas that could have verged closer to stupidity than this one. Now get on your broom like I did and push off with your feet."
"There is no way I'm doing this" Harry answered unsurely, holding his hand out now at a distance as his brooms vibrating was becoming unbearable.
"'Course you can. It's not that hard, I mean you used to love riding your broom." Ron replied, finally noticing Harry's now panicked face. "Want me to get Ginny to show you? OI Gi-"
Harry's eyes widened and shook his head violently, "No, no, I'll do it. I'm sure riding a broom is like riding a bike, or so the saying goes. I think."
Straddling his broom, Harry pushed off forcefully as Ron had done; he too floated just a few centimeters above the ground. He felt weird floating above the ground, his feet dangling in mid air, but, strangely enough, he found the sensation and the anticipation increasing his excitement level.
"See, that was too bad, was it?"
"Not really." Harry answered, inching even higher off the ground.
Ron grinned widely then gave a quick look over to the edge of the trees on the far side of the yard. "Race you to the edge and back!"
Taking off quickly to follow Ron, Harry had an odd fear that by the end of the session he would perhaps break his arm or crack open his head by falling ungracefully.
Ginny stretched her arms out, feeling her muscles contract as herself and Hermione finally made their way out into the yard. Half an hour had passed since Ron took Harry outside to teach him Quidditch and in that time Ginny and Hermione tried to figure out how to completely go about Harry's sudden change. It scared Ginny to find that Harry could have such a major flash, which had even caused his cut upon his arm, fearing he could experience all the horrors and pain of his life before could ever remember the lighter side of his life. It took Hermione a while to convince Ginny that it will come as it comes, all they could do was to be there if he needs us.
As they walked out Hermione smiled and added, "And you'll have to tell him sooner or later, you know that."
"Tell him what?" Ginny asked, knowing full well what Hermione was about to bring up.
"About the two of you, Ginny. Do you really want him to blow up like that again when he gets a flash of, let's just say your first kiss?" Hermione replied, slowly anchoring herself down upon the ground underneath a large apple tree.
Rolling her eyes before sitting beside Hermione, Ginny sighed then took a glance at Harry, who was standing beside the broom shed, holding his broom out as if it had been contaminated. "I can't tell him, not yet at least. There are too many other things he needs to remember before I even bother about talking to him about us. Anyhow, who's to say-"
"Don't tell me Ginny Weasley doubts herself with the boys." Hermione laughed.
"No not the boys. Just one man. Who's to say that he'll ever feel the same about me now as what he did back then? And by the way, when did you turn into one of my brothers?"
"Oh about eight months ago on a stormy, hot night." Hermione smiled, her face blushing slightly. "And why do you doubt that he won't regain his feelings for you, if he hasn't already."
Ginny heard Ron yell then turned to find both men looking towards them, Harry's head shaking violently. "It doesn't matter now. Just trust me, Hermione. I know what I am doing."
Just as Hermione was about to reply she was distracted by Charlie, who seemed rather pleased with himself. "Morning ladies. Nice day for it!"
"What have you been up to, Charlie and do we really want to know all the details?" Ginny asked heavily.
Charlie grinned widely before quickly wiping the sides of his lips with his finger tips. "Oh bit of this, bit of that. You know, seeing old haunts and what not. It's amazing how different this place feels after years of being away."
"Ok Charlie, spill, before I assume the worst." Ginny replied, a smile creeping across her face.
"It's nothing. Can't a guy actually enjoy a beautiful day?" he answered.
Smile fully formed, Ginny finally realised what could cause her brother's moment of happiness. "So, who is it and does her seeing eye dog approve? You haven't been bothering Briohny, have you?"
"What?" Charlie asked distractingly as he watched Ron race Harry across the field. "No, I mean yes but I wouldn't call it bothering."
"Briohny? The Auror that found Harry?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Yeah, Charlie's been quite taken by her since the day he met her, aren't you Charlie?" Ginny replied with a childish playfulness in her voice.
"I - no - what - my, my love life isn't any of you business, thank you very much Ginny."
"Ha! I still end up hearing about it though, Charlie!" Ginny laughed, shaking her head.
Standing up quickly, Charlie offered Ginny a hand. "Get up."
"What?"
"Get up. We're going to play Quidditch."
"I never sai-"
Ginny stopped speaking when she heard her brother summon both his and her own brooms. "Come on, I'd rather play Quidditch than listen to you two laughing about my love life in front of me."
"And you think I'm going to play with you? I haven't played for 7 years, there's no way I'm going to play now." Ginny said quickly, her hands perched atop of her hips.
Charlie caught both the brooms and then shoved Ginny's into her hands, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, you are because all the others left and we can't play a game with three people. Hermione, you'll be right, won't you?"
Turning her head quickly to give Hermione a pleading look, Ginny was disappointed to find Hermione smiling broadly and nodding. "I should be fine; I have a book I need to catch up on anyhow. And if there are any problems, I'll scream."
"Great! Come on Ginny, we can't leave Harry to be trained by Ron. He'll never become a half decent Quidditch player again if we do!" And with that Ginny was dragged up to the field, her older brother nearly skipping from the day's events.
When she was younger, Ginny would have reveled in the fact of playing Quidditch with her brothers and Harry but at the present time she believed nothing could be worse. Confusion etched through her mind, making it hard for her to even concentrate on walking, let alone playing a game of Quidditch, confusion that made it difficult to see what she should do when it comes to Harry. She struggled with the thought of Voldemort being Harry's first memory, scared of how this little snippet would affect Harry on a deeper level. Already he had reacted badly to a memory; she wouldn't know how on earth Harry would have got through Sirius's death, or worse, Dumbledore's. Ginny never wanted to see that look in his eyes, the anger, the fear and the confusion as he spoke to her about the memory and hoped deep within her heart that when he is faced with another traumatic memory he is ready to tackle it. I have to help him, Ginny thought finally to herself, No matter how hard it is, I have to help him understand so he is able to face the next memory without the pain, even if it means hurting myself in the process.
Charlie finally stopped tugging at Ginny's arm just as the two reached the Quidditch field. Just as Charlie called out to Ron and Harry above them Ginny had another thought; who knows, spending some quality time with Harry might help him regain some more pleasant memories. Smiling inwardly, Ginny looked up as Harry and Ron slowly made their way down to the ground, Harry more shakily then Ron.
"Hey!" Ron said cheerfully when he landed, "What are you two up to?"
Charlie clapped his younger brother on the shoulder, the sheer force buckling Ron's knees slightly, "Thought we'd make it a bit interesting. Two on two Quidditch?"
"What, you and Ginny against Harry and me? Sorry but I don't think so, Harry is only just getting used to flying." Ron replied.
"I wasn't thinking that, I was thinking something like you and me against Ginny and Harry. Loser gets to de gnome the garden tomorrow." Charlie suggested, a small, wicked smile tweaked across his lips.
Ron thought for a moment before grinning like a school boy, "I guess that would be okay, as long as you don't mind Harry?"
The thought of actually playing Quidditch scared Harry, but playing with Ginny was enough for Harry to run off into the sunset. It was odd to Harry as his feelings towards her had begun to grow rapidly over the past couple of days, even hours, feeling that it wasn't something new to him but something buried deep down, just waiting to be rediscovered. A picture in Harry's mind eye started to appear, one in which he had embarrassed himself completely while up in the air, Ginny laughing at his stupidity. Shaking himself from this newly found insanity, Harry merely shrugged then looked over at Hermione. "Shouldn't someone make sure Hermione's okay? I'm willing to sit with her. You know to make sure she doesn't pop or anything. You guys can play by yourselves, right?"
Another wicked grin swept across Charlie's face before pushing Harry over to Ginny. "We can't play with three people, that's just ludicrous."
"And if there's anything really wrong, Hermione will call for me." Ron added.
"Great, first team to hundred. No snitch?" Charlie called, pushing eagerly off the ground and towards his own goal posts.
"Sorry about this," Ginny added, straddling her own broom and smiling, her stomach clenching excitably being alone with Harry, "He can be a bit eager at times and mum's been driving him a little stir crazy about settling down."
Raising one eyebrow Harry replied, "A bit? We're going to be slaughtered playing this game just because Charlie is bored and eager?"
"That about sums it up, yeah. And don't worry, I'll help you." Ginny replied, pushing off the ground and hovering as she waited for Harry to do the same. "You know you used to be a natural at Quidditch. You'll get into the swing of it before you know it."
Launching his own broom off the ground and gliding towards his goal with Ginny, Harry tensed even more at the thought of falling. Noticing this once they both reached their positions, Ginny attentively moved her broom close to Harry's and reached out to his clenched fists upon his broom.
"You have to relax and keep your reflexes loose and agile." Ginny slowly started to pry Harry's fingers away from the stick, easing his fingers from its vice like grip with a tender touch. Fine hairs across Harry's neck prickled as her long hair draped across his shoulder, intensifying the seductive scent of flowers that would always linger when Ginny was present. A creature from deep inside Harry's chest growled in longing, causing him to tense up even more.
"Relax Harry, I don't bite." Ginny added with a smile, surprised by her own nerve.
Closing his eye's quickly Harry took a deep breath in and tried hard to let the last comment slide straight over him, which only caused his fear of looking ridiculous in front of everyone intensify.
"Stop being a baby and relax, you're not going to fall!" Ginny sighed with asperity. Her own hesitations over playing Quidditch leaving her completely.
"If you let me relax I might just do so!" Harry replied harshly.
"Don't go snapping at me for helping, I just think you should loosen up around your stomach and just enjoy the ride." Ginny said, her hand shakily making its way to Harry's middle. The anticipation and longing to be close to Harry had intensified, causing Ginny to forget her inhibitions and apprehension about being with Harry before he was able to remember what had ever happened between the two of them.
"OI! Are you two ready to play or what?" Ron called suddenly, causing Ginny to withdraw her hand abruptly from reaching out to Harry's middle.
"YES! Just give us a moment!" Ginny yelled back abrasively. Turning back to Harry Ginny smiled, "Just relax and have fun. This isn't supposed to be hard work. Just move with me and we'll have them tossing gnomes in no time!"
Nodding slightly, Harry grinned at her before loosening himself up. Once Harry had truly relaxed an excited urge to start the game filled him.
"Ok, ready!" Harry heard Ginny say as she positioned herself on the other side of the make shift goal posts. Following her lead, Harry quickly directed himself to his position, feeling the broom manoeuvre with his slightest touch. The anticipation now roared through Harry's body, itching for him to take off at the brooms fastest. As if in acknowledgement the broom gave a little lurch forward and vibrated even stronger than before. Grinning as he let the adrenaline engulf his body, Harry watched as he saw Ron and Charlie flying towards his goal at an alarming rate.
Harry finally urged the broom forwards to Ron as Ginny surged towards Charlie. Automatically Harry felt it, a sense of belonging but at the same time freedom, causing every fiber in his body to pulsate. This feeling, Harry thought, was overpowering and he never wanted to do anything but stay atop of this broom for the rest of his life. All his worries and his confusion flew straight out of his mind as the cold wind brushed across his cheek.
He felt truly at home as he angled his broom towards Ron who's face had turned from smugness to faint surprise, passing the Quaffle off to Charlie before Harry was able to reach him. Chasing after Charlie, who was advancing quickly on the goal post, Harry sped to just in front of Charlie but didn't make it in time as the Quaffle left Charlie's hands directed straight to the right side goal. Harry waited for the worse but it didn't come as from out of nowhere Ginny caught the quaffle with barely the tips of her fingers.
Grinning widely, Ginny aimed a quick wink at Harry would understood, following her lead towards the other goal posts. Harry watched as Ginny weaved through both Charlie and Ron's reach before passing it off to Harry. Taking his initiative Harry maneuvered the broom with his right hand while holding onto the quaffle for dear life with the other. Harry then weaved around Ron as Ginny did; causing him to smile at what he felt was second nature. Offering Ginny a quick smile Harry turned back to found Charlie swooping at him for the quaffle, barely passing it off to Ginny who quickly made a goal attempt before Ron could reach it again. The ball rotated with such a swing, none of them were sure to exactly where the ball would turn. There was a collective breath before the ball bounced on the side of the middle goal, going in.
"When looks like we best not be easy on them after all, Ron!" Charlie called out with a hearty laugh.
Making their way back to their positions, Ginny placed a small hand upon Harry's shoulders. "See, told you you're a natural." Ginny then gave one last smile before going back to her place. Harry felt his heart swoop with joy, the creature in his chest roaring with triumph. Momentarily stymied, Harry was brought back to life with Ginny's call, bring the fact Charlie was now racing towards him at a quickened pace, spinning quickly to bypass Harry's lung for the quaffle. Taking after him again Harry was too late at the ball passed straight through the goal without any problem.
Focusing himself even more, Harry tested his boundaries; weaving, spinning and diving when needed. Harry was surprised at how well Ginny was able to play the game, her agility and reflexes were impressive to say the least. He found himself mesmerized as he watched her body turn with the broom, her hair flowing behind her like a blazing, fiery trail. Harry found that he had to shake himself back to reality each time Ginny's face lit up with such happiness when either of them scored a goal or when something was said by either team that was really amusing.
The two begun to work as a team; weaving and circling around each other as though they had always done so. Each time Harry and Ginny seemed to score a goal, Charlie and Ron, who were both good Quidditch players in their own right, answered back with an equally worthy goal for themselves. A goal did take a while to score though, Harry mused, to one goal there would had to of been several misses or saves. He wondered how he could ever forget such a wonderful sport, feeling that this must be the best and only way to live and breathe, playing this strange sport.
After an hour of play both teams had reached 90 points, each feeling the heat begin to get to them. Wiping the sweat that ran slowly down his brow, Harry watched as once again Ron sped towards the goals, zigging through each one of them, hoping to find a space he could get through. Harry noticed quickly the quaffle slipping out from under Ron's arms and seized the moment, catching the ball from beneath Ron before it fell too far. Catching everyone off guard, Harry made straight for the goal, feeling the excitement peak before swerving away from Ron who swiped quickly at the quaffle. With an odd turn Harry pelted the quaffle to the goal, looking to be on target before snatched up by Ron and quickly passed the quaffle off to Charlie. Ginny tailed Charlie, matching his talent and agility, her broom catching up with his. Once the siblings were neck and neck Charlie grinned and looped over, distracting Ginny enough for her not to notice the quaffle leave his hand before the loop. Noticing it too late, Ginny saw the quaffle bounce on the bottom of the left goal then slowly round through.
Harry sighed then let out a loud laugh as he made his way towards the ground where Ron and Charlie were cheering for themselves.
"Mate, that would have to be the best game I've played in years!" Ron said excitedly.
"Yeah it wasn't too bad." Harry added with a smile, not letting the loss disappoint him too much.
"Not too bad? Are you mental, it was bloody brilliant! I can't believe how you were able to remember all those moves!"
Harry just smiled as Charlie clamped him on his shoulder, causing his knees to buckle with the force. "You are a natural Harry. I reckon you should seriously consider going into professional Quidditch. I mean if you were flying like that playing chaser, just imagine what you'd be like at your usual position as seeker!"
Beaming, Harry smiled as Ginny walked up towards the group. Flashing her a quick smile, which she returned with interest, Harry was shocked to find Ginny hugging Harry with such a force it nearly knocked the air that he had left into his lungs.
"I knew you could do it, Harry. You were amazing!" Ginny smiled again, a blazing look in her eyes.
Hugging her even deeper, taking in the flowery smell, Harry felt himself slipping away from the scene. Images like the last time flashed across his eyes; of pain, fear, anger and happiness. It was disjointed with several different images appearing at once. A scene of Ron and Harry face to face with a wall of giant spiders hit first before an image of a gruesome troll towered over himself, Ron and Hermione. A woman's face flashed next, so deranged with anger that her own natural beauty seemed to be stripped from her completely. She aimed her wand shooting a bright jet of light but the image changed before Harry knew who it was aimed at. The next scene was of a kind old man's face. Harry felt an odd draw to the man, knowing he had been a really important feature in his old life. The old man's electric blue eyes twinkled from behind his half moon glasses in a knowing way.
Just as Harry wanted to see more of the old man several more images flashed, one of a dead snake in an open field. The next was of a young boy lying frozen in the middle of a corridor. Everything then blanked out before a clump of mistletoe appeared, hanging from the ceiling. He looked down to see a pretty girl around the age of 16.
"Mistletoe" the girl said quietly, tears lingering upon her eyelashes.
"Yeah" Harry replied, feeling the words slip from his lips. "It's probably full of Nargles, though."
"What are Nargles?"
"No idea" said Harry, his mouth becoming dryer as she inched closer. "You'll have to ask Loony. Luna, I mean."
The teenage girl made a noise that was in between a laugh and a cry. Moving closer still, Harry could see every detail of her face.
"I really like you, Harry."
A wonderful tingling sensation erupted through Harry's body as she slowly moved closer to him, pressing her lips upon his softly. Stunned and unable to move, Harry tasted her tears that had ran down her cheek. The darkness surrounded again, engulfing him before several rays of light began to peek through his lids. Realizing he was on the ground, Harry groggily looked to find Ginny still holding onto him tightly, concern etched across her face. Struggling to get his bearings, Harry felt himself utter a word before he could stop himself.
"Cho?"
I'll have the next chapter up soon...