End of the Season.
As the end of the season approached, Hermione found herself caught up with plans for the following season. While Harry focused on events on the pitch, ensuring The Cannons ended the season in their highest position in years, Hermione's focus was elsewhere.
The first thing Hermione had to deal with was the new stadium. Aside from some minor issues the stadium was ready and it was every bit as stunning as Hermione had imagined. Of course the pitch was the star of the stadium, but Hermione thought the rest of the stadium had plenty to offer. The entire ground floor was separated into retail units, where Hermione planned to base a club shop selling merchandise and some food and drink concessions. On the higher levels, were some rooms for corporate entertaining, all with boxes overlooking the pitch. Then there were the offices, which were so much better than the temporary ones they'd been using for the last year.
Since the stadium had been nearing its completion, Hermione had been there almost every day overseeing the decorating and final touches. By the time there was just one game to go in the season, Hermione had the stadium exactly as she wanted and the second the season was over, she planned for her and Harry to move bases into the stadium.
As well as sorting the stadium, Hermione also had to decide how much merchandise to commission for the new season. She'd been thrilled by how the limited merchandise they'd had over the first season had flown off the shelves. The most popular seller was the stuffed phoenix which was their new mascot, but the replica shirts were also hot sellers, both the match shirts and the training shirts they did. Hoping that having a permanent base to sell their merchandise would lead to them selling more, Hermione made the decision to order more merchandise to be made up.
Knowing that it was best to get outside catering to provide the best experience for the supporters, Hermione had decided to rent the refreshment units out to an outside business. After getting a few offers, she'd sorted through them and handed contracts to those she felt would best fit in with The Cannons. Now the stadium would have several places to eat and drink on match days, as well as a well-stocked club shop.
With the details of the stadium sorted, Hermione had turned her attention to selling season tickets. With no secure stadium, it had meant The Cannons season tickets had been cut price before, but now with the stadium it meant they could charge more and offer season ticket holders a permanent seat. Hermione was just hoping that enough people would buy season tickets, and tickets on a match by match basis otherwise the stadium was going to be a big flop. Thankfully, The Cannons resurgence had captured the attention of a lot of wizarding Britain and initial sales had been good. Now all they had to do was see if the tickets kept selling before the next season started.
By the eve of the final game of the season, Hermione was exhausted and she welcomed a quiet night in with Draco. Their relationship was going from strength to strength, and although they both had their own flats it was rare they spent a night apart. The only real problems were the evenings before matches, when Theo's sex ban came into play. Normally the couple tried to avoid getting too close on evenings like these, but the night before the final match they'd gotten carried away and ended up entangled on Draco's sofa, indulging in a heated kissing session.
"This is so hard," Draco muttered, his face buried in Hermione's neck as he tried to control himself.
"Yes, it is," Hermione replied as she teasingly ran her hand over the large bulge in Draco's trousers.
"Tease," Draco snarled, grabbing Hermione's hand before she tormented him further, while he lifted his head to glare at his girlfriend.
"Sorry," Hermione replied with a smile that indicated she was anything but.
"You're wicked, Granger," Draco growled, pressing his lips against his girlfriends.
Hermione eagerly kissed Draco back, her body arching up against him as his hands ghosted over her body. When his hand slipped under her shirt and his fingers danced up towards her breasts, she let out a contented sigh.
"Perhaps we should stop," Hermione muttered reluctantly as Draco's erection pressed against her thigh.
"I'm the one on the sex ban, not you," Draco replied, looking at Hermione with lust filled eyes. "You can still have some fun."
"But then you'll be left frustrated," Hermione pointed out as she pulled Draco's hand out from under her top and pressed a kiss to his knuckles. "I can wait and we can make up for it tomorrow night. We can celebrate a successful first season with The Cannons."
"I've never called finishing mid-table a successful season before," Draco said with a chuckle as he sat up.
"You've never finished mid-table before," Hermione pointed out as she snuggled up next to Draco. "You walked into a championship winning team straight from school."
"I did," Draco conceded. "But in a funny way, I feel as though this season has been my most successful and fulfilling. Harry was right, there was no challenge at The Tornadoes. He was also right about them not needing us to win. But I feel as though I'm a big part of The Cannons good season."
"You are," Hermione assured her boyfriend. "And I know Harry has high hopes for the team next year."
"I think we can get better," Draco said with a thoughtful nod.
"Harry also says that Ginny's had a bit of a turn around since mid-season," Hermione said.
Hermione knew all about the tantrum Ginny had thrown while she and Harry had been away, but she knew that since then she'd been like a changed person. In fact Ginny had even spoken privately to Hermione and apologised for anything untoward she might have said or done. She'd also suggested that Hermione and Draco join her and Harry for dinner one evening, but Hermione and Harry had been too busy with the end of season to even think about socialising.
"She's like a different person," Draco admitted. "I still think there's a part of her that resents me playing the dual role, but at least we're working better together in training. I have to say without her attitude, she's got potential."
"Harry's always thought so," Hermione replied. "I just hope she proves him right in the long run and makes a go of things with The Cannons."
"If she carries on this way, she will," Draco said. "But enough about Ginny, I think we should focus on us. How do you fancy getting away for a while once the season is over?"
"You want to go on holiday?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"I do," Draco replied with a nod of his head. "What do you say? Fancy a few weeks of sun and sex?"
"Sounds good to me," Hermione laughed. "I should be able to spare a week or two."
"Even bosses need a break," Draco said wisely, pressing a kiss to the top of Hermione's head. "I know The Cannons are important to you, but you do have a life outside of the club."
"It hasn't felt like it these last few weeks," Hermione replied with a sigh. "It's been non-stop."
"It'll be easier once the stadium is open and things settle down," Draco said. "Every season is not going to be this hectic."
"Promise?" Hermione looked up at Draco, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"I promise," Draco whispered, leaning down and connecting their lips in a soft kiss.
Given all the changes Harry and Hermione were implicating at The Cannons, it was only natural that their first couple of seasons would be the most hectic. But hopefully things would calm down in coming seasons, and it would give Hermione more time to concentrate on her growing romance with Draco.
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The final game of the season ended with a storming win for The Cannons. The win secured them their highest placed finish for several years and there was a genuine feeling of accomplishment within the team. Harry and Hermione were thrilled with their first season with The Cannons, and as a reward for the squad's efforts, they'd arranged for a big party to celebrate.
The party took place the night after the final match at a hotel just outside of London. Harry and Hermione had both booked rooms to stay overnight, and they knew a few of the squad had done the same. Hermione had also spoken to Harry about taking a few weeks off to go on holiday with Draco, and he'd urged her to take the time and he would hold the fort. In exchange, Hermione had promised to do the same once she returned so that Harry could have a break with Ginny.
With it being the end of the season, and the team having a few weeks of freedom stretching in front of them, the food and drink was flowing at the party and everyone was having a good time. Even Ron, who had barely spoken to Hermione since finding out about her romance with Draco, was in a good mood and he greeted her warmly when she ran into him.
"Having a good time?" Hermione asked warily, not sure what version of her best friend she was going to get. For the last few months all she'd gotten off him was the cold shoulder, but she would prefer that to the angry Ron who had confronted her at her flat.
"Yeah, it's a good party," Ron replied. He was swaying slightly on his feet and Hermione realised he was already half way to being completely and utterly legless.
"Enjoy yourself, Ron," Hermione said with a smile, before she grabbed a glass of champagne and disappeared into the crowds to find Draco.
Hermione found Draco with Blaise and Theo, and the trio were chatting with Alicia, Angelina and the twins. Hermione was happy to see the twins laughing and joking with the Slytherin trio. Unlike Ron, no-one else seemed to have a problem with Draco, Blaise and Theo being part of The Cannons set up, and Hermione was pleased to see the twins were being their usual friendly and welcoming selves.
"Ron wasn't giving you a hard time, was he?" Fred asked as Hermione joined the group.
"He was fine," Hermione replied. "Although I do think he's going to end up drunk."
"As long as he doesn't do anything to embarrass the family," George said.
"The only one Ron will embarrass is himself," Fred predicted.
Sure enough an hour later Fred's prediction came right when Harry got up to make a speech. While the rest of The Cannons and their partners cheered and clapped as Harry paid tribute to everyone who'd helped The Cannons turn a corner, Ron just continued to drink and just before Harry was due to finish speaking he stumbled up to his friend.
"Let's all hear it for The Cannons," Ron spat. "Not that all of us have had a chance to shine, have we Harry? You're happy for the likes of Malfoy and Zabini to play for you, but not your best friend and girlfriend. What did we do wrong, Harry? Where's your loyalty?"
"This isn't the time Ron," Harry hissed at his friend. "You're drunk, so I suggest you go home and sleep it off."
"I'm not going anywhere until I get answers," Ron yelled. "What have we done wrong, Harry? Tell me why you won't play me?"
"Ron, don't," Harry said warningly.
"Tell me," Ron screamed.
"Because you're not good enough," Harry replied more sharply than he'd intended. "Sorry," he apologised with a wince when he realised everyone was listening and everyone had heard what he thought of Ron's capabilities.
"Don't stop Harry, say what you really think," Ron sneered. "Tell everyone how Ginny and I aren't good enough for you."
"I never mentioned Ginny," Harry said, annoyed that Ron was making an unnecessary scene. "Ginny is working her hardest and first team quidditch is in her future."
"But not mine?" Ron questioned belligerently. "Why do you want to kill my career?"
"You're doing that all by yourself, Ron," Harry replied. "Maybe if you focused on your quidditch instead of bitching, you could reach your potential. Stop blaming other people for your own failings and admit you haven't worked at all this year. You've just coasted along, thinking you're going to get on the team because Hermione and I own it."
"Boy was I wrong," Ron spat. "It turns out my best friends prefer Slytherins to me."
"No Ron, we just want the best players for our team and right now, you don't meet the grade."
"More like I'm not shagging the boss."
Ron's latest insult cause ripples of shock around the room, and several people, including Draco, the twins, Blaise and Theo, moved forward. Holding out his hand, Harry stopped the advancing people and turned to Ron with a serious expression on his face.
"Leave," he ordered. "We'll talk about this when you've sobered up, but this is your last warning Ron. One more wrong move and you're gone."
"Like I care," Ron sneered as he turned around and staggered out of the room.
"Sorry about the interruption," Harry said with a tight smile. "Let's just move on and have a great night as we celebrate The Cannons and their success. Here's to winning the league next season."
As the party got back underway, Harry walked over to where Hermione was standing with Draco. The couple were still standing with Draco's friends, the twins and their girlfriends, and Ginny had also joined them. Even Ginny looked appalled at Ron's outburst, and Harry arrived at the group just as Ginny told Hermione that not everyone thought like Ron and that he was just drunk.
"I don't want to talk about Ron," Hermione insisted. "Let's celebrate The Cannons success."
For the rest of the evening the subject of Ron didn't come up again as everyone enjoyed celebrating the end of the season and the good job Harry and Hermione were making of turning the team around. In the end it was a good night and everyone enjoyed the party, despite Ron's outburst.
As for Ron, he was full of remorse the next morning when he woke with a pounding headache and a stinking hangover. Once he'd recovered, he apologised to Harry and Hermione and they both agreed to give him a final chance. Although they both made it clear that unless Ron bucked up his ideas and changed his attitude like his sister his days at The Cannons were numbered, and next time he did anything wrong they would sever his contract in a heartbeat.