SORRY! I'm so sorry for not updating for all of you lovely people! I was kidnapped my pirates who took away my laptop. But no, in reality my laptop broke (but I prefer the pirate story) But here, have a chapter to celebrate the new year, over 2,000 words! And there's an exciting finish! Anyway dear readers read away!
Ron and Hermione both stared at Harry, trying to comprehend the note.
'Dumbledore wants privet lessons with you? But why?' Hermione asked, examining Harry with curiosity.
'No idea, but it must be important. It's funny; he's not mentioned anything of it to me, when he took me to yours,' here Harry nodded at Ron, 'over the summer.' Ron simply shrugged, whilst Hermione's gaze had shifted to the window, out over the rocky mountains and vast caverns, out over the grounds, and black lake. Harry was about to say something when he was interrupted by a soft hand on his shoulder. One glance up told him it was Ginny.
'Hey guys. Harry, I was just wondering when Quidditch try outs are?' Ginny paused hesitantly, nodding down at the scarlet Quidditch badge gleaming on his chest. Harry sat up, and scratched his tousled head as he replied,
'Oh, um, hi Ginny, uh not sure yet, I haven't planned it yet.' Harry admitted his voice trailing off as he got lost in Ginny's brilliant chocolate brown pools of eyes. Hermione cleared her throat pointedly, causing Harry to snap back to reality. 'I'll let you know yeah?'
Ginny grinned, and went to rejoin her friends who were watching her intently, and sprung into conversation as soon as she returned. Hermione was smirking at Harry, a knowing look on her face, whilst Ron was staring at nothing in particular.
'So anyway, I guess we'll find out what Dumbledore wants on Saturday. But now, I think I'm going to try and start on Song's essay before dinner.' And so the golden trio began work on the tortuously long essay their new teacher had set. Half an hour in, Ron burst out,
'How am I supposed to know what the Etymology, whatever that is, of a Dementor is!' He snapped, throwing down his quill.
'Wikipedia?' Hermione suggested dryly.
'Wiki-what?' Ron asked incredulously. Harry had forgotten that Ron had been raised in an all wizard household, so would not know the joys of copying Wikipedia articles and presenting them as an essay.
'Never mind.' Hermione sighed, making herself comfortable once more. 'The Etymology is the origin of a name. The name Dementor probably comes from the word demented, you know to be insane, and tormentor, like someone who makes others suffer, so you could define Dementor as 'one who inflicts insanity' you know? But then again, I guess it could also be a combination of the words demon and tormentor though…' Hermione pondered this thoughtfully as Harry and Ron swapped exasperated looks.
'Hermione.' Ron asked simply. 'How is it you know everything?'
'Honestly Ron, this is simple, Professor Song explained it all in class. Well it would be simple, if someone had been paying attention.' Hermione retorted. They went on like this for a few minutes, throwing insults back and forth until finally Ron snapped,
'Harry! What do you think?'
'Huh?' Harry had let his mind wander, drifting out of his friends bickering, 'I think that this essay is done for tonight.' With that he screwed the top back on his ink pot, and threw his quill and parchment into his bag, and ascended up the tower, to his dormitory, Ron in hot pursuit. Once they reached the 6h year boys dorms, Harry threw his bag down, and collapsed onto his bed, closing his weary eyes. The peace and quiet lasted a few minutes until Ron burst out,
'But seriously, Hermione's such a know it all. It's infuriating! What is her problem?' He snapped, crossing his arms. Harry sighed, and reluctantly opened his eyes.
'Just because you fancy her mate.' It was a thought that had been playing on his mind for a while now, the seemingly mutual attraction between his two best friends. Harry wasn't quite sure what to make of it yet.
'What?!' Ron spluttered, his face turning the exact shade of red as his hair. 'Fancy her? Are you nuts? Hermione? No, never.' Sighing once more Harry sat up, before proceeding to bend down and tie his shoelaces.
'For what it's worth though, I think she likes you too.'
At dinner, Ron and Hermione were still on tenterhooks with each other. Harry sat between them, trying to force conversation but neither of them were complying. Eventually Harry gave up, and the three of them sat there, Ron staring into his pea's angrily, whilst Hermione chatted with Ginny, completely ignoring the boys.
'Oi Potter! Did Weasel and beaver teeth have a lover's spat or something? They don't seem to be getting along!' Draco Malfoy's sneering voice floated across the great hall, his malicious face holding a mocking smile. For some reason he looked more tired than usual. Ron's ears turned pink, and he stared embarrassed into his food.
'For your information no. And what would you know about lover's spats, apart from your parents Malfoy.' Harry snarled back, barely containing his anger. His hand holding his fork shook. Malfoy's smile, slowly turned into a snarl as he spat out in a dangerous voice,
'What, did you say Potter.'
'Leave it Harry, it's just Malfoy. I don't care what he says, and I don't want you get into trouble!' Hermione whispered tugging on Harry's arm. Harry turned to look at her, examining her worried face for a second. All the Gryffindors around them were watching eagerly, seeing what Harry's response would be. Without taking his eyes from Hermione's Harry raised his left hand and one by one, put every finger down, until only his middle was left. The Gryffindor exploded with laughter, and Harry sheepishly put his hand down, winking and mouthing sorry to Hermione. She scowled at him before turning her back on him and very pointedly began talking to Ginny again. Ron clapped Harry on the back, grinning at him. Harry knew he was thankful, without exchanging a word.
'Oh Mr Potter.' An amused voice behind him rang out. The Gryffindor table went silent as Harry slowly turned around to find the curly haired Professor Song smiling sweetly at him. 'A word, if you will?' Harry stood up, and followed her out of the great hall, ignoring Hermione's look of 'I told you so' and Malfoy's smirk. Once outside, Song turned to him and said,
'Don't look so worried, you're not in trouble. In fact I want to congratulate you on how you handled it.' Song laughed, her curls bouncing softly, 'In fact I would've handled it similarly; anyway, what I wanted to ask is how you are.'
'Erm, I'm good?'
'Sure Harry?' Professor Song's voice was soft, and concerned. Harry wondered why she cared so much, after all, she had only just met him.
'Anyway, if you ever not alright, my door is always open for a chat. And I make a mean Butterbeer with my own secret recipe!' Song winked, and swept back through the great hall doors, her killer heels clicking on the floor. Bemused Harry stared after her, before realizing he was no longer hungry, and wandering off in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
Hermione and Ron entered the common room about half an hour later, looking cautious. Finding Harry curled up asleep on one of the large armchairs near the blazing fire, the double exchanged a worried look. Shaking his shoulder, Hermione softly called,
'Harry? Harry wake up.' Stirring, and then blinking blearily Harry awoke, and sat up, pulling his knees up to his chest, his shoes lying abandoned on the floor.
'Oh, hi guys.' He grinned sleepily, running a hand through his inky hair. 'So I was working out a date for quidditch try outs, tomorrow by the way,' here he addressed Ron, who nodded, 'and I pinned the sign up. But then I felt really dizzy and felt this weird searing pain in my scar so hat to sit down, and I guess I fell asleep.' Harry smiled, looking down at the floor briefly before unconsciously rubbing his unusually red scar.
'Oh, okay then. You didn't come back to dinner, and I – I mean we, were worried.' Hermione stated, shuffling onto the arm of the chair, fixing Harry with a worried look. 'What did Song say.'
'Oh that. Um, nothing much. I thought she was going to yell at me but she congratulated me… I think?' Harry said slowly. 'Oh, and she told me to come talk to her if I want, and apparently she makes a mean Butterbeer.' Harry laughed, standing up.
'Come on guys. Time for bed.'
The next day passed slowly for Harry. Most lessons were spent with him agitatedly staring at the quidditch pitch through the window, his knee bouncing up and down at the prospect of the first proper quidditch event since he was made captain. It scared him, but he was also excited at the challenge it presented. Finally four o'clock struck. Harry hurried down to the pitch to find it swarming with people, from seemingly all the houses, excluding Slytherin. Harry was taken aback by the noise and hubbub the crowd was generating, but bit his cheek and strode into the packed arena.
'SHUT UP.' Harry yelled at the top of his voice, causing some people to look at him, but most ignored him, and carried on chatting. Ginny tapped him on the shoulder from behind, and handed him a shiny whistle.
'Thought you might need this.' She explained simply, smiling that smile that Harry loved so.
'Oh, um thanks.' Harry cleared his throat, smiling back. TWEET. The piercing sound struck the air, getting everyone's attention. This time, Harry's call of 'SHUT UP OR GET OUT' was heard and accepted by all. 'Alright, first of all, those NOT in Gryffindor, just go away. Please?' About a quarter of the huge mass of people left, some scowling, but most giggling. 'Next if you're a first year, I'm sorry but there are rules, so can you please… you know.' A few tiny, disappointed first years clutching broomsticks twice their size plodded off, leaving Harry with a now controllable crowd. And so it began.
Half an hour of 5 people who cried when they weren't picked, 4 bleeding arms, 3 lost watches, 2 splintered broomsticks, and one suspected broken leg, Harry finally had a team, his team. Ginny Weasley and an odd girl but an excellent flyer called Demelza Robins replaced Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet and joining Katie Bell as the new Chasers. For Beaters, two small boy's called Jimmy Peakes and Ritchie Coote were eventually chosen, despite Harry's worries that they would be blown over by a gust of wind and Ron was chosen as Keeper, after a trying time. Harry had arranged a mini sort of match, with the new chasers throwing the quaffle to each other, attempting to score goals. The first keeper to score 10 would get the Keeper post. Simple. Both Ron and a rude seventh year called Cormac McLaggen were equal with 9 saved goals, until Cormac, who much to Ron's disgruntlement had been making eyes at Hermione all tryouts, called out,
'Hey Granger! When I get the position of keeper, and I will, fancy a date?' At this Hermione looked disgusted and was about to reply when a quaffle went flying past McLaggen's head, nearly knocking him of his broom, and into a hoop. Ron had heard the comment and had smashed a spare quaffle the team were also playing with, that had been headed towards his goal right at McLaggen, and somehow managed to score.
' Sorry McLaggen, looks like Ron's Keeper.' Hermione called out mockingly, 'But the answer would have been no anyway. I don't date creeps.' She grinned smugly as she made her way down to the pitch.
'Okay, Ron your Keeper, Cormac, sorry mate you didn't make it. If you could leave now that would be great. Okay, TEAM FALL IN.' Harry bellowed, standing on the ground as his team flew towards him, and a very angry McLaggen stormed off the pitch. 'Okay great, this is the team now guys. Please don't fight with each other, we need to work together if we going to win the quidditch cup this year.' Everyone cheered, and a few fist pumps were thrown in the air. 'So practice will be every Thursday, starting from this week, so I guess I'll see you then Now go shower and get dressed.' Harry finished with a smile, as the new team left the pitch, and made their way to the changing rooms. After 10 minutes everyone had left, apart from Ginny and Harry.
'Uh, bye Ginny, I'm off then.'
'Harry … wait.' Harry turned to face Ginny who looked worried about something. He walked over and sat next to her,
'Yes Ginny?' He questioned, green eyes scanning brown. Ginny looked away before muttering,
'Um, I still… kinda… have feel- feelings, um, for you.' Ginny blushed fiercely, not daring to look at Harry. Without thinking, Harry did the thing that seemed the best thing to do to him. He kissed her.
YAY CHAPTER FOUR. Did you like it? And a cheeky little cliffhanger! As always please leave reviews with your thoughts, and maybe even follow/favourite. 'cause you all love me so much. As for my question last chapter, I will post the winner hopefully next chapter. Thank you guys, I couldn't write if it wasn't for you lot! btw my birthday's coming up in the next few weeks, and reviews would make a fabulous birthday pressie! xoxoxox