The first couple of weeks back at school were pretty normal. Classes resumed just fine. Everyone was having a great time being back. That is, until one day in particular. The group was just sitting in the great hall eating breakfast, minding their own business until two fifth year Ravenclaws made a stop by their table. They were just standing and staring with smirks on their faces.
"Can I help you two?" Ginny said, slightly annoyed.
"Bugger off, Weasley. We're not here for you." One of the boys said.
"Excuse me?" Ginny replied, beginning to stand up. Neville stopped her.
"Settle down, Ginny. So, what do you all want or are you just going to stand there?"
"Oh, we're going to stand here alright. It's not something you see every day." One boy said.
"Whenever something horribly abnormal comes about, you have to see it for yourself don't you? We had to see if the rumors were true…and judging by this sight, I'd say they are. What has this world come to and why are you all going along with it?"
"Rumors?" Dean asked questioningly. They turned to him.
"That's right, princess. You of all people should know what this is about. It is about you after all. Well you and your little…boyfriend here. Revolting." He pointed at Seamus. Both Dean and Seamus' faces showed shock and embarrassment.
"Now hold on just a minute!" Hermione and Ginny both started. The two Ravenclaw's laughed.
"We know what you all are hiding. Don't act like you guys are some secret club."
"It's all over the school by now. I'd say you two need to watch your backs."
With that they walked away and the whole group looked around at each other.
"How did anyone find out?" Hannah asked.
"I…I don't know. We haven't told anyone at school except you guys." Seamus said, with a frown. "Who knows who else those Ravenclaw's told?"
"And you see how they responded to it. Not everyone is going to be so accepting, obviously." Dean added.
"Look guys, it'll be fine, okay? You're right. We don't know who told and we don't know how others will react, but we do know that we all have each other and we won't let anything happen to either of you." Neville told them with a smile. "Now, I suggest we just forget all about this and focus on having a good day, yeah? It's the final quidditch match of the year. We're about to bring home the cup. Not to mention scouts will be here watching Ginny. Let's go get it!"
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Dean and Ginny stood nervously in the locker room waiting for their final match to begin. Needless to say, the pressure was building. Ginny was pacing back and forth, she was focused on nothing else than what she was about to do. Dean noticed how nervous she was and walked over to her.
"Ginny? Gin….are you alright?" It was like she didn't notice him. "Hey, did you hear me?"
Finally she stopped pacing and looked at him. "Do I look okay? Honestly. I'm not ready for this. I'm not good enough, we didn't practice well enough. What if they practiced more? What if they cheat? What if the scouts think someone else does better and they forget all about me, Dean? What if-"
"Hey!" Dean took Ginny by the shoulders. "Look at me…look at me! We're going to be just fine. We are going to win this, I just know it!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"I just am. We're going to be fine, and you're going to be great. You hear? You're one of Hogwarts best quidditch players in the past several years."
"Oh come off it, Dean."
"No! I mean it…and you know it too. You've led us to victory almost every match this year. Your confidence is just a bit shot because this one is for the cup and there are a couple scouts out there to watch you. But so what? If you weren't an absolutely brilliant player, they wouldn't even think about coming here." He took hold of her shoulders. "Now get out there and show them what you're made of, Ginny Weasley. Let's go get that cup."
With these words, Ginny couldn't help but to take Dean into a hug.
"Thanks so much Dean. I mean it. For everything this year. Even though things didn't end well between us, you've still been an amazing friend to me. You still cared."
Dean chuckled. "I'll never stop caring about you; and I won't forget what we had. You'll always be special to me even though I've found someone else. We both have and we're happy, and I'm so glad for that."
Ginny smiled. "Me too."
Dean patted her on the back. "Come on then Weasley; let's go make some Ravenclaw's cry."
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Ginny nervously led her team to the tunnel. She had never been so shook up over a match before. Just before they flew out, Ginny remembered something that Fred used to tell her before every match. "Go get 'em sis…they won't see you coming." With a smile, Ginny became airborne and the team took the field.
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The crowd was crazy. Every house showed up for the quidditch house cup match. Both teams circled up, hovering above Madam Hooch. Just before the quaffle was released, Ginny took a deep breath and whispered to herself, "This one's for you Georgie." And then the game began.
It was one of the most fast paced matches anyone had seen in a while. Aside from that, it was also very brutal. Ginny thought, of course, it was because of what was at stake; that is until she spotted Dean off in the distance. He was being ruthless with the Ravenclaw seeker he was assigned to. Ginny quickly realized that the opposing chaser was one of the two boys who had made fun of Seamus and Dean that very same morning. For this, his actions made sense. They had been playing hard for about forty minutes and the game was tied ninety to ninety, but Ravenclaw had the upper hand and the snitch had yet to be seen. These were one of the times where Ginny longed for Harry to be playing beside her. Ten minutes later, it was finally spotted and both teams priority turned to protecting their seeker.
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When it was all said and done, Gryffindor came out victorious. Ginny was truly beside herself. It all felt like a dream after that. She was flooded with hugs and cheers until Madam Hooch finally presented her with the cup. It was unbelievable. Everyone flooded from the stands onto the field. Ginny and Dean were practically attacked by their group of friends.
"You did it! I knew you would!" Hermione squealed.
"Well done!" Seamus said, Neville followed suit.
Neither Ginny nor Dean could wipe the smiles off of their faces. Then they heard their teammates calling for them.
"Oi! You coming back to the locker room or what?" They obliged and told their friends they would meet them back in a few minutes. The locker room was in a frenzy. Ginny congratulated and thanked each one of her teammates on all of their hard work and dedication. The season had been brilliant. Soon, everyone had showered up and left. That is, except for Ginny. Dean was just about out of the locker room when he called to her.
"Um…Ginny! There's someone here to um…speak with you."
Ginny looked up and saw a woman approaching her with a smile, she held out her hand to shake the redheads.
"Miss Weasley…it's such a pleasure to finally meet you face to face. My name is…"
"Tailia Moran….owner and head recruiter for the Holly Head Harpies…blimey, of course I know you! The pleasure is all mine!" Ginny said, shaking the woman's hand wildly with a huge grin.
Mrs. Moran chuckled. "Yes, well Ginny, I'll get right to the point. I'm sure you have some celebrating to attend to so I won't keep you but a moment. You had an excellent match. Better yet, an excellent match and career whilst here at Hogwarts. Not even an injury this year could stop you. That's why I'm here, see? On behalf of the entire Harpies organization, we would like to praise your immense dedication to the sport and would like to ask you if you would maybe like to meet with us up at our main offices after you graduate to discuss your possible future with us?"
"…You…you mean I can play? Professionally?"
"Nothing is set in stone yet, of course…but let's just say it's very easy to picture you playing for us next season. Raw talent like yours in very rare, Miss Weasley. We'll definitely be in touch. Congratulations again. Good night."
And with that, Tailia Moran disapparated, leaving Ginny in the best type of shock. She was literally beside herself. Her dream of playing professionally was quickly becoming more than just a dream. Finally, she gathered herself up enough to be able to walk and exited the locker room. She spotted her friends outside awaiting her on the field. She couldn't hold it in any longer. She ran full speed toward them all, squealing the whole way. When she reached them, she attacked them all with a flying hug.
"What did she say!?" Neville asked excitedly.
"Yes! Tell us!" Hermione urged with a smile.
"I MIGHT GET TO PLAY!" Ginny bellowed, practically exploding with glee.
"That's brilliant!" Seamus told her. "Knew you had it in you!"
Dean nodded at her with a smile of approval.
"Thanks so much guys. Without your support this year…I'm not sure it could've happened.
"Oh come off it already."
Everyone stopped, and turned. It was the voice of the Ravenclaw seeker, and his friend. The two from earlier. They were quickly approaching Ginny and the group.
"Excuse me?" Ginny spat.
"Ginny…no…they're only trying to get a rise out of you." Hermione whispered.
"You heard me, red. I said, shut. Up."
"What's got your wand in a knot? That sour about the loss, are you?"
The chaser smirked. "Oh please. Gryffindor cheated and you know it."
"Do elaborate…how did we cheat?"
"Are you really that blind? You saw how many times that fruit loop idiot fouled me without repercussion." He was pointing directly at Dean.
"What did you say?" Dean shot at him quickly.
"You heard me, fruity. Although, I'm not as mad about you fouling me. It's more…your type. I mean, the entire match I was worried that you might try and…kiss me. Merlin forbid."
"Why don't you just move along and shut up!" Seamus piped up moving toward them. Neville and Dean had to hold him back, but he wouldn't back down.
The chaser and his friend laughed. "You two make…me…sick." He turned his attention to Seamus and got directly in his face. "Better watch out Irishman…don't want your boy toy to get hurt, would you?"
Seamus could no longer control himself. With all his might, he punched the chaser right square in his teeth, causing him to fall on the ground. Every one of his friends was in shock as they looked at him. They urged him to calm down and to come back to the castle. As they were leading him away, they all heard the Ravenclaw chaser say one last thing.
"Watch your backs you bloody freaks! You're going to pay!"