A Ripple In Time Keeperoliver Chapter 10
Albus was sitting at his desk, reading the Prophet, and feeling very happy by the way things were going in his world. There was no threat to the people, that couldn't be handled by the Auror dept. in the Ministry. The tournament was shaping up to be a good one, and the Hogwarts Team looked to be a strong challenge for the Favored Durmstrang Team. With their first game being against them in Bulgaria, Albus was looking forward to seeing how Hogwarts would fair against them. His biggest worry was the Durmstrang Seeker, Viktor Krum. He did after all play professionally, and was the best at the position. Hogwarts would have to rely heavily on their Chasers and hope their Seeker could keep up with Krum.
He was still thinking on this, when his floo flared and the head of Sirius Black asked if he and three others could come through and talk to him. He granted access, and soon the four friends were sitting across from him each with tea sitting before them. Sirius then began, "Albus, We were wondering if you would allow us to speak to Neville and Harry. We have something we wish to say to them. It shouldn't take too long, but then again it may take longer than we imagine. Depends on their response."
Albus agreed to this, and called for a house elf to bring Neville and Harry to his office. The elf left, and returned a few minutes later with the two young men. Neville was surprised when he saw His mum sitting there, and rushed over to pull her into a hug. Harry did the same with both Remus, and then a longer one with Lily. He still couldn't get over the fact he had a mother that was there for him.
Once seated, Sirius began once more, "Neville, Harry, I have something to ask both of you, and we want you to think about it carefully, before you respond. Neville, I asked for your mum's hand in marriage last night, and she accepted it, but she wanted to get your thoughts, before we went ahead with the planning. She respects your opinion, and will comply with your wishes. Please believe me when I say, I love your mum very much, and would never hurt her in any way. However, I also will comply with your wishes if you have any doubts about our being married."
Neville was thrilled by what he heard, and wanted to jump for joy, but, he thought what a great chance it was to prank Sirius and asked Harry to confer with him for a minute. Harry agreed and they moved to a corner of the room to talk.
"Harry." Neville whispered, "You don't know how happy I am right now, and want to jump up and Hug Sirius for making my mum so happy, but, I also see a great chance to prank Sirius. I just want to know if you will go along with me, if I do it?"
Neville watched as all of a sudden, Harry got a real serious look on his face, and looked over to his godfather. He looked back at Neville and whispered just as low, "I will follow your lead and try to keep this look on my face. Sirius needs to be pranked. It is just the thing to accept him into your life and family. It will show him this is where he belongs. This is how he has lived his whole life, and to see it will continue on after he marries your mum, will thrill him to no end. Go for it."
The two broke up, and both with serious faces returned to their seats. Neviile looked to his mum, and then to Sirius, "Look Sirius, to be truthful, I don't like this idea. No, not one bit. I asked Harry about it, and he agrees. He doesn't like it either. What makes you think you are good enough for my mum?"
The look of shock on Alice's face was one for the books. She couldn't believe her son was questioning an adult like he was. Why was he doing this, knowing this is what she needed to get past the pain of losing her Frank.
Sirius was hurt at the comment that Neville presented him. He thought about it for a minute then responded, "I understand your wanting to protect your mum Neville, but I thought you were alright with us being together? I thought you were happy for us? I feel I am good enough because you mum thinks I am good enough for her. I would think if she felt this, then you would as well. If this is not how you feel, then please explain why?"
Neville looked to Harry, and they leaned in and whispered to each other. Then Neville looked back to Sirius and replied, "Have you ever had a serious thought in your life Sirius, and please don't make a joke about me using your name twice in a sentence? That gets very old after a while."
Sirius was disappointed with that end comment, because that was exactly what he was going to do to ease the tension in the room. Then he realized that what Neville said had more truth to it then he thought. When was the last time Sirius considered answering a statement with a serious answer. Looking down at his shoes, he said, "Neville, you just made me realize that I guess I never have taken my life seriously. It was always one prank after another. I guess I did it, because while growing up, my mum and dad always took things too serious, and for all the wrong reasons. With the rise of the Dark Lord, and with them believeing in his ideals, and taking my brother with them in their thoughts, it made me promise myself to never take life as serious as they did. Perhaps it is time to change my way of thinking. I am sorry you don't like the idea of your mum and I being married, and I will adhere to my promise of following your wishes."
"Do you mean to tell me that if I say I don't like the idea, but absolutely love it, that you will marry my mother?" Neville answered.
"Of course I will. I will retract my pro...Would you repeat what you just said? I don't think I got it right?"
Neville couldn't hold it any longer, and neither could Harry. They both broke out in a fit of laughter, and Neville went to his mum and pulled her into a hug. He then went to Sirius and did the same saying, "So how soon will it be before I can call you DAD!"
Sirius pulled him into a hug and answered, "A man after my own heart, and you can call me dad anytime you want to. However, it will be a while until it is official, as we have as yet not set a date."
The group sat and talked for a bit, before Harry and Neville had to go get something to eat before classes started. They were still laughing as they reached the hall, and joined their friends.
ARIT-}
The practice for team had been a long grueling one, and the players were beat, as they finished their showers and headed back to the dorm for the evening. Draco was holding Luna by the waist, as was Harry doing the same for Ginny. Ginny also saw Fred and Hermione walking, holding hands. She was glad that her brother found someone he could hold dear. George also joined the pairing party, as he and Katie had become close.
They were headed towards their dorm, when the Headmaster used a sonorus charm and announced the arrival of the first school, Beauxbaton had just arrived. The students were all asked to join in the great hall. Sighing, the team all changed directions and and dragged their feet to the hall. Taking a seat, they waited for the Beauxbaton students to enter the hall.
The doors to the hall opened, and first the male students of the school entered and practically floated up the aisle. Then the females entered, and most of the male members of Hogwarts were drooling at the sight of the beautiful ladies as they made their way up the aisle, the same as the males, like they were floating. They went to a table that was set off to the side and waited for the other to schools to join them.
Durmstrang was next, led in by their Headmaster and Viktor Krum. Like the males, most of the females were attracted to the sight of Krum. He did set an imposing figure. He was tall and muscular, with out being huge. While every one was impressed, Harry wondered how someone so big, could be such a good Seeker. He did not fit the normal build of one. But as he watched the other men enter, he saw that they were all of the same build. Although impressed, Harry did not look worried, as he felt Hogwarts would be the faster team.
Then, the Salem team arrived, and this group of students drew the strangest reaction of all. Comedy. The team was dressed in the weirdest uniforms Hogwarts had ever seen. They were dressed in their favorite sports uniforms. Some in American Football uniforms. Some in Baseball uniforms. Some wearing shorts and thin strapped shirts bouncing a basketball. And finally some wearing hockey uniforms and in line skates as they rolled into the hall carrying sticks. This was completely unexpected. They were the loosest looking group of the three.
Albus then made his next announcement, "If I can have everyones attention please, Since we are all here together, it is time we made every one aware of what to expect. As you all know, in two weeks, Hogarts will be playing Durmstrang in the first match. All of the schools will be attending every game. However, only the teams playing will be allowed to have the other school members attend the game. This is to allow enough seating for every one. We will be leaving in one week. Any Hogwarts students wishing to allend will sign up for the trip starting tomorrow morning. We hope you all wish to attend. Portkeys will be used as the means of travel, to avoid anyone getting lost. The teams will be the first to travel. If there are no questions, then I suggest you all prepare for the welcoming meal the house elves have prepared for us."
ARIT-}
At last, all of their hard work was ready to begin their start of the tournament. Draco, Oliver, Fred, George, Angelina, Katie and Ginny would start the game, with the Chaser switching out every 30 minutes, and the Beaters every 60 minutes. The Keeper, and the Seeker would not be replaced, unless there was an injury.
They stood in the middle of the pitch, gathered around the official for the game. He told them that he wanted a clean match, and would tolerate no attempt to intentionally hurt another player. He then released the snitch, and gave it a minute to disappear, then he blew his whistle and threw the Quaffle into the air signalling the start of the game. Angelina captured the Quaffle first, and passed to Katie who flew towards the Durmtrang Keeper. As she bared down on him, she faked him out of position and passed to Ginny. who scored firing the ball through the left ring. This brought the Hogwarts students to their feet with a roar.
Durmstrang began their attack, and were not as fast with their attack as Hogwarts was. Thye also were not as coordinated as the Hogwarts players, and their pass was intercepted by a streaking Ginny and she immediately passed to Angelina, who scored in the center hoop. Not even a minute into the game, and they were up 20 - 0. It did not get any better for the Durmstrang team. They clearly saw they were no match for Faster more agile Hogwarts team. Soon the score was 70 - 0 and Hogarts first player change took place, as their reserve Chasers entered the game. If Durmstrang thought that this was a blessing, then they were in for a rude awakening, Although they were able to score twice, they had also given up four goals, so the score stood 110 - 20, when the next substitution was made, and the original Chasers came back out, with the new Beaters.
Draco and Viktor were having a go at each other, trying to draw the other into making a mistake that could possibly get them out of the game, but both were too aware of the other's attempts. Viktor was flying a Celestial III broom designed for Seekers, and Draco a Firebolt. Their speed was evenly matched, but, Viktor's was quicker to respond to his commands. It gave him a couple of feet advantage on each faint they made. Draco saw this, and hoped he could somehow figure out how to get those two feet back.
Oliver was playing brilliantly although he was not tested very often. He was pleased with the play of Roger and Tracy as reserves for Fred and George. They were almost as good as the twins, and were a little bit faster than them. Fred and George were more accurate with hits from their bats. They never seemed to miss their targets.
The Chasers were able to run the score to 170 - 40, when the snitch was finally spotted by both Viktor and Draco. Both teams continued their play like nothing was happening. Viktor once again had the slight lead at the start of the chase, and Draco was driving hard to make up the distance. He just didn't have enough time, and Viktor caught the snitch just ahead of the reaching Draco. Viktor's reach was just a bit longer, as their brooms were neck to neck. Draco landed displeased with his play. He felt he let his team down, having such a large lead only to let him blow it.
Durmstrang was celebrating their victory, except for Viktor. He came to Draco, and shook his hand. "You vere very good, and provided me a very difficult challenge. Don't feel like you lost this for your school. I have played professionals that vere not as good as you vere. Be proud of you accomplishment. You vould have vun if my arm vas not longer than yours."
Draco beamed at the praise that Viktor gave him. he thanked him and walked over to his teammates, and was surprised when he received hugs from all the girls, and handshakes from all the guys. He also heard the cheers coming form the other students. They were proud of their team. With the final score 190 - 170, Hogwarts was cheering their first loss, like it was a win.
ARIT-}
Back at school, Harry approached Draco, and dragged him to the pitch. He reached inside his robes and pulled out the Pride and handed it to Draco. "I want you to train on this and use it the next game, Draco. I should have thought of this for the first game. I'm sorry I didn't as it may have given us the victory. Needless to say, I don't think we can afford another loss."
Draco took the broom, and looked at it with a smile on his face. He jumped on the broom and took off. As soon as he did, he knew that if he was flying this broom during the first game Hogwarts would have indeed won. This was his second time on this broom, and although he liked his Firebolt, it did not compare to the Pride. With this broom he wondered if Ginny felt the same as he did. He was surprised when he was joined by the flame haired beauty. And soon they were compeating againt each other seeing who was the fastest.
Harry was smiling as he saw the two racing across the pitch without a care in the world. They were soon joined by the other players, and decided to have a scrimmage game. They played this one for fun and enjoyed their themselves immensely, not caring who won.
They returned to the palace when they were done, and went to the kitchen to enjoy a snack before returning to their dorms for the evening.
Harry and Ginny had their arms around each others waist, and before they entered the dorm, Harry pulled her off to the side, pulled her into an embrace, and initiated his first kiss with her. Ginny became dizzy by the affect the kiss had on her, and was kissing him back to let him know she liked his taking the step of his first for her, rather than her starting the kiss.
He broke it off, but still held her close, and looked into her eyes. He did not see lust there, he saw love. He saw the beautiful vision falling in love with im, and he felt it also. He finally admitted to himself he loved this woman in his embrace, and swore to himself that this was what he wanted in his life. He wanted him and her like this forever.
He gathered his courage and said to Ginny, "I hope you feel the same as I do Ginny. I have finally accepted the fact that I think I love you, No I don't think it, I know it. I love you Ginevra Molly Weasley. With all my heart."
Tears formed in her eyes, and she hugged Harry close as she whispered, "I love you too, Harry James Potter Lupin, with every fiber of my soul."
They kissed once more, and they both felt the start of a bond form in their hearts. They both accepted this with open minds and love in their hearts. They were meant for each other, and now they were guaranteed it would last forever. They walked back to the entry, and the Fat Lady smiled as she opened the portrait with out asking for the pass word.
Harry saw Ron sitting at the chess board with Fred as his opponent, and George sitting beside them observing the game. Harry got their attention. "Guys, I know we should be sharing this with your mum and dad first, but, since they are not here, and you are, we wish to tell you, especially you Ron, that Ginny and I are in love with each other. Just please take it easy on me, as you beat me up."
The three looked up at Harry and just shrugged their shoulders, George finally said, "Why are you telling us something we already knew? It's not like you were hiding it from us. Fred and I knew that day in the hospital wing. It just took our dim witted brother a bit longer to accept it, but he finally did."
Harry and Ginny just stood there in awe, and it only got stranger when Fred said, "Oh and you don't have to worry about mum and dad, as we already told them, and they are very happy for you both. Oh, and sis, you will never guess what our second oldest has done?"
Ginny screwed up her face, and then smiled, "He finally asked her, didn't he?"
"Yup. About a week ago I guess. He and Tonks will be married during the Christmas Hols. Quite a Christmas present for the two, don't you think?"
Ginny just nodded her head. Charlie, the confirmed bachelor, was breaking his own oath. Ginny now had something else to look forward to this Christmas.