A Ripple In Time Keeperoliver Chapter 9 Ron's Dilemma
A/N: Yes, another annoying author's note. I'm pretty good at that. I just want to let all my readers know that I will be posting every other day until the story is complete. With the grand kids out of school, and the demand they put on my time, and with the fact that I am preparing for a visit from my brother, I need to slow down and get every thing done. Sorry if this upsets you, but, I have to do this. As always, Ollie the Keeper.
ARIT-}
Harry left the hall, to be pulled off to the side by Ron. Harry noticed he didn't have an angry look on his face, but it was not friendly either.
"Sorry Harry but this was the only way I could get to talk to you with out interference from Ginny. I am sorry for the way I reacted the other day, but it was the first time I ever saw Ginny being kissed. I wasn't thinking straight, and didn't think to see it was Ginny doing the kissing. That being said, don't hurt her Harry. She is very vulnerable. She has never felt close to another male. She is susceptible to any attention she receives. She is my only sister, and I don't want her to feel the pain of rejection, should you realize that she is not what you want in life. Do you understand what I am asking you? If you really don't have feelings for Ginny, please don't lead her on."
Harry did understand what Ron was saying, and for the first time he knew how much Ginny's family really loved her. "Ron, I am not going to lie to you and say there is nothing between Ginny and me. When she kissed me, I didn't want it to stop with the one kiss. I wanted more. Just the kissing mind you, and maybe hugs. I do love her hugs too. I would never compromise our relationship with any thing more. Do I love her, maybe, but I know for a fact I care for her. It could very well develop into love. Does this bother you?"
Ron thought about it for a second, and then, "I guess that love has to have a beginning doesn't it. No it doesn't bother me, but if you should have a change of heart, and don't feel the same way towards her, please let her down easy."
"Ron, I would never hurt Ginny. I care for her too much. She has let herself into my heart, and besides, I know what you Fred and George would do to me, say nothing of what Ginny would do to me. She can be right scary."
Ron snickered, "Tell me about it. I only know of two people that scare Fred and George. Mum, and Ginny. Of course they scare all of the men in the Weasley family, including dad. But, she can still be hurt, and that is what I wish to avoid."
"I understand Ron. Not to worry." And the two shook hands and left the alcove Ron drew Harry into.
ARIT-}
The team had been given the schedule for the games. Each team would have one home game, and two road games. Hogwarts had Beauxbaton at home and would open play In Bulgaria, then Beauxbaton, and finally Salem. Their first game would be the weekend before Halloween. They were to stay a week in the home teams country, and would practice three of the seven days to prepare for the game, the rest of the time would be for sight seeing and fun. Any one wishing to go, could go, but if not on the team, they had to find their own way there. Each of the Headmasters would make sure that every student had a way to make the trip.
The practices were set for twice a week and they were exhausting, but, fun. most of the time, it was exercise for the first 15 minutes, then 45 minutes of drills, then 60 minutes of scrimage, where the reserves would play the starters. Other than the chasers, the two teams were evenly matched. The chasers were so far apart in skills and ability, that the coach decided to start splitting them up and see how they worked together. None of the teams worked as good as the original three chasers. They were like a a well oiled machine. Their moves were fluid and with style and grace. Like the twins, the chasers seemed to know where her mates would be at any given moment of play. Almost like reading each others mind.
The Beaters were very close, as they were Fred and George, And Roger and Tracy Davis, a brother and sister, on two different house teams. Roger was in Ravenclaw, and Tracy was in Slytherin. Both of them were playing positions different from what they played for their house. Roger was a Seeker, and Tracy was a Chaser, but each knew that they were not good enough to be on the team in those positions. Roger was surprised when Harry Potter made the team over Cedric Diggory, but, Harry did catch one snitch, and Cedric didn't catch any. Even with Harry's collision with the bludger, when he saved Ginny Weasley, he knew Harry was the better of the two between Cedric and Him. Ginny Weasley was the surprise for Tracy. She was a complete unknown, not being on the house team. She was glad her and Roger decided to try out the way they did as neither thought they would make the team other wise. Besides they did work well together.
Ron and Oliver were very close in their performance. Even with his bragging, Ron backed this up with his brilliant play. Ron's biggest challenge was from his own sister. But to be fair it was also Olivers challenge. It seemed neither could stop the flame haired whirlwind.
The closest play among starters and reserves was the Seekers. Harry and Draco were even in the catching of the snitch during the scrimmage games. Even when it was caught, they were both there neck and neck at the end.
The team was then told that they would be allowed to use their own brooms for their next practice, and then for the games once they started.
At breakfast the next morning, Harry was surprised when Hedwig delivered Harry a package, about six inches long. Harry gave her several strips of bacon, and a glass of water to wash them down. He then turned his attention back to the package.
Harry opened it, and was amazed when it grew to the length of a broom with a note tied to it.
Dear Harry:
This was your father' broom while he attended school. There is no other broom like it in the world. He called it Marauder's Pride. He had it made with his own specifications. No one could beat him in a race when he was on it. I imagine it will be the same for you. Use it well Harry, and take care of it, and your self.
We love you Harry.
Love from:
Remus and Lily Lupin.
Dad and Mum
Harry smiled as he looked at the Broom that was his father's. It was beautiful, and he received many stares as he handled it. All four Weasleys crowded around him as he felt the power of the broom. Fred and George both wanted to give it a try, which he granted, but, only after Ginny tried it out first. Ron also wanted to give it a try, as did Draco. Harry assured them he would give them a try on it, after classes. They all patted him on the back, except Ginny, who gave him a Hair curling kiss.
After the classes, they all headed out to the Quidditch pitch, and Harry handed the broom to Ginny. She held it out in front of her to admire it's sleekness. Then she pulled it into position and mounted it. She took off faster than she ever had in her life. The Nimbus 2000's were the best Broom she ever flew, and this put it to shame. It was almost twice as fast, turned quicker and sharper. Stopped smoother and faster, and was faster to respond to commands. Ginny didn't want to end the flight as she was enjoying it so much. But she finally brought it back to the others, where George said, "About Bloody Time. Didn't think you were ever going to bring it back?"
The rest all got their ride on it, and They all fell in love with the broom. What they didn't see was a big black dog and a huge wolf watching them enjoy the broom. Once they were all gone, the two changed back into Remus and Sirius. Remus said, "Did you see the look an their faces? I swear, Ginny didn't want to give the broom back to any of them. And then the rest. I think Draco is in fear of losing his starting job now that Harry has the Pride. What do you think Pads, Should we?"
"We only have one though? Who should get it?"
"I think I know. Come on, let's get it ready for delivery." And they were gone.
The next morning, It was Ginny's turn for a surprise. A strange owl delivered her a package that was like Harry's. She gave the owl some toast and bacon, along with some water which he wolfed down and drank to satisfy his thirst, then left.
Ginny opened the package and was delighted at was she held it in her hands. It was another broom, with a bright green ribbon tied around the handle. Attached to the ribbon, was a letter.
My Dear Scarlet:
Hope you didn't mind the nick name, but it fits perfectly.
Hope this doesn't scare you, but, we saw the look on your face when you flew the Pride yesterday. Yes we were there as well, in the stands. The look on your face as you flew it was absolutely brilliant. That is why we sent you this. This broom, called Dominator, was the broom I used as a chaser. It is every bit as good as the Pride, with one exception. It is impossible to fall of this broom, once in the air. Sorry to say that was my one fear while flying.
I hope it serves you as well as it served me. Take care of it, as well as your self.
Have fun. Stay safe. Enjoy the ride.
With Love
Remus, Sirius and Lily.
PS: You will have to guess which one of us it belonged to.
Ginny was smiling at the letter, as Harry handled the broom. He liked it as much as he liked the pride. It looked like there would be another test this afternoon after classes.
After classes were through for the day, Harry, Ginny and the rest went back to the pitch, and Harry and Ginny mounted their brooms and took off into the air matching each other speed for speed and move for move. Ginny decided to search the stands for her secret fans, but all she saw was two dogs watching the two fly. One was black, and one was silver. The silver one looked like a wolf. The black one looked like a grim. Ginny felt for some reason like these were her benefactors, and she flew close to the two, and saluted them as she passed over them, Harry doing the same.
Ginny felt she wanted to test the thing about not falling off her broom, and flew upside down, and released her grip. It was like the note said, she felt the broom stick to her butt while upside down. She laughed at this, and tested it further by doing barrel rolls and other things that might throw her off, but, she never once had the feel of falling off the broom.
Both Harry and Ginny landed and let the others try the broom, and it was another hour before they went in for dinner. With one last look into the stands, Harry and Ginny made their way back into the Castle to eat. They saw the Grim, and the Wolf still sitting there.
Remus and Sirius changed back into their selves and high fived before they left the pitch to return home, and their loved ones.
Once home, Remus went to Lily and Sirius to Alice and told them of their gifts to Harry and Ginny. The ladies asked them how the others took it, and Remus said, "Draco looked like he feared he lost his starters position, Ron looked jealous, and Fred and George were delighted at their gifts, and wished them luck.
They all sat down to dinner, carrying on their conversation while they ate. They then went to the living room and cuddled with their mates. Lily watched as she was thrilled that Alice was finally beginning to break out of her shell she put herself in when Frank died. Sirius was able to get her to laugh, which she hadn't done in a long time. He got her to show affection which she only showed to Neville. He just got her to enjoy life. Remus wondered if Ginny was trying to figure out who gave her the broom. He would never admit to his fear of flying, but, once James and Sirius made this broom for him, he took to it like a duck to water. James was the Seeker on the school team, Sirius was a Beater, and he, Remus was a chaser. They were the best at their positions in the school. Sirius and James were never ones to not let every one know it either. This is what Lily started her dislike for James. Sirius was always joking when he made his statements. James was always serious about his statements.
Her and Remus fell in love during their fourth year, after a match where Remus had scored 15 goals, and Gryffindor won by the largest margin of victory ever. 780 to 30 was the final score. Of course it was James who felt he was the reason they one, even though both him and had scored 150 points each. Remus doing it the hard way, and James all in one catch of the snitch. But to hear him tell it, the game was close until he ended the game. I mean, 630 to 30 was hardly close. Even the reserves scored at will. Hell, Sirius him self scored thirty points, using a sweep of his broom tail to knock the quaffle through the hoops.
After the match, James tried to sneek a kiss in on Lily, during the victory party, and Remus pulled him off her, when she was complaining, but James wasn't listening. Alcohol may have had some influence on James.
What ever the reason, Lily and Remus became close after this, and have been together ever since.
Sirius and Alice were snuggling in the love seat, and Sirius was whisperuing in her ear, as he kissed it, sending goosebumps down her arms.
Then Sirius did the unbelieveable. He broke away from their hug, and got down on his knee. "Alice my love, we have been together now for five months, and I for one would like it to be for the rest of our lives. To ensure this, I ask you now, would you consent to be my wife. Would you marry me Alice?"
Lily, Remus and Alice were all stunned into silence. Sirius took this as a bad sign. He got back up, and sat down next to Alice and said, "Never mind I asked. Perhaps I asked too soon. Or maybe you don't feel the same as I do. What ever the case, just forget I asked." And Sirius got up and left the others for his room.
Still no one moved. Then Lily looked to Alice, "Did I just hear right? Did Sirius just ask you to marry him? Was Sirius being serious?"
Alice just nodded her head, unable to speak. Then she realized that Sirius was no longer sitting beside her, and she had not answered him. "SHITE! He must think I don't care about him. I'll be back in a bit. By the way, Lily, in case you're wondering, my answer is YES!"
Remus and Lily laughed at their friend as she ran up the stairs to find Sirius. She found him in his room covering his eyes with his arm, laying down. She went to his bed and sat next to him.
"Sirius, you left before I could answer you."
"There was no need to stay. Your silence was more than enough of an answer. Sorry if I upset you with that stupid question."
Alice got indignant with her remark, "Stupid Question. You call a marriage proposal a stupid question. You git. A proposal is a very beautiful event in a girls life, not to be talken lightly. Some times it evens stuns her into silence, like it did a few moments ago. Did you not see Lily and Remus stunned as much as me. Now, to answer your stupid question, yes, I will marry you. Does that make it a stupid answer?"
Sirius pulled his arm off his eyes to look into her hazel eyes. "Do you mean it? The yes I mean?"
"Of course I do, with all my heart. Don't get me wrong, I loved Frank as well, but, Neville needs a father figure in his life, and I can think of none better. Now I suggest you get your Arse off this bed, and come back down stairs so that we can celebrate this occasion in a correct way, with our friends."
They did indeed share their joy with Lily and Remus, and made plans to tell Neville and Harry in the morning. Sirius hoped Neville took it well. He knew Neviile didn't mind them being together, but, this was beyond that. This was forever.