Chapter 22: the game

Harry stepped unsteadily out of the fireplace at the burrow. It was Saturday, the day of Ginny's first game as a professional quidditch player. He was meeting her family before heading to Holyhead. It had taken some doing, since her family was so large, but Ginny was able to get tickets for the entire family including Harry and Hermione.

'Hey Harry', said Ron, who was seated at the kitchen table with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, George, Hermione and Fluer.

'Hi everyone', said Harry, pulling out a chair and taking a seat. 'How much time do we have', he asked.

'About an hour and a half', said Bill. 'We should probably leave soon though. It's probably going to be crowded.'

'Where are our seats exactly', said Ron, examining his ticket closely.

'A special box reserved for family', said Harry. He pulled a blue baseball cap from the inside pocket of his jacket and sat it on the table.

'What's that for?', asked Ron, pointing to the hat.

Harry sighed. 'Well, I was going to wear it to the game', he said. Ron gave him a questioning look. 'It's going to be crowded today and this is the first big public event I've gone to since . . . you know . . .'

'Yea. I guess I see what you mean, but will the hat really help?', asked Ron skeptically.

'I guess there's only one way to find out', said Harry. He picked the hat up off the table and placed in on his head, pulling it low over his eyes. 'What do you think?', he asked.

'Still looks like you', said Ron. Harry yanked the hat off and tossed it back on the table.

'Would it really be that bad if you were recognized', asked Hermione.

'It wouldn't if I knew reporters weren't going to be swarming all over the place', said Harry.

'Don't worry about it Harry', said Bill. 'All of us will be with you.'

'Yea Harry. We'll all be right there with you. Sooner or later you're going to have to face them. They might leave you alone then', said Hermione.

Harry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. 'I know', he said. 'I've been thinking about that. I just want today to be about Ginny.'

'Put the hat on and stay with us', said Charlie as he stood from the table.

'Everyone ready?', asked Mrs. Weasley. Harry pulled the hat off the table once more and placed it back on his head as they all stood and headed into the back garden to apparate. They decided it would be best if they apparated in pairs in case they got separated. Once they reached the edge of the garden, Harry looked around at the others. He noticed that Ron and Hermione were holding hands.

'Things are going good with you two I see', Harry said to Ron and Hermione causing them to blush.

'Come on Harry. I'll apparate with you', said Charlie. Harry gripped his arm and they turned on the spot, reappearing a moment later outside the busy quidditch pitch. When they were joined by the others, they made their way to the entrance. Harry self consciously adjusted his hat to ensure his scar was hidden and walked with his head down as the Weasley's formed a circle around him, hiding him from view. Once inside, Harry slumped down in his seat.

'You think anyone saw me?', he whispered to Ron.

'I don't think so', Ron whispered back. Harry sighed in relief.

'Good', he said.

Harry turned his attention to the quidditch pitch where both teams were now walking out with their brooms over their shoulders. Harry immediately spotted Ginny among her teammates. From where he was sitting, he could see the anxious expression on her face. Today they would be playing the Tutshill Tornados. The players all mounted their brooms before the whistle blew and took to the sky. Harry spotted the snitch right away but tore his gaze away from it to watch Ginny. She had the quaffle tucked under her arm and was heading toward the right goal hoop with a determined look on her face. The other team's keeper flew toward her to save the goal but Ginny turned left at the last minute and tossed the quaffle through the center hoop.

Harry sprang to his feet and cheered her on, his hat falling to the ground. He quickly bent to retrieve it and placed it back on his head, looking over his shoulder to check in anyone spotted him. Fortunately, the moment's excitement successfully masked his mishap. He turned his attention back to the game to watch Ginny miss being hit by a bludger by inches as she soared toward the end of the pitch determinedly to score yet another goal.

By the time the Harpies' seeker caught the snitch, ending the game 210 to 40, Ginny had scored four out of the six goals. Harry watched her walk back into the changing room with the rest of them team from his place in the stands. She was absolutely beaming.

'Where are we meeting Ginny?', asked Ron as they allowed themselves to be ushered outside in the sea of people leaving.

'She said to meet her outside the changing room', said Harry, grabbing Ron's arm and pulling him in the opposite direction.

'Are we allowed back here', asked Ron.

'Yea. The passes Ginny gave us allows us access', said Harry. He raised his arm in the air to catch the attention of the other Weasley's and beckoned them to follow him. They made it to the changing rooms just in time to catch Ginny walking out. When she spotted her family, her face split int to a wide grin.

'Not bad, little sis', said Bill, pulling her into a tight hug.

'Thanks', said Ginny, beaming up at him.

'Yea. When did you learn to play so well?', asked George jokingly. Ginny smacked him on the arm lightly. Mrs. Weasley rushed forward and gathered her up in one of her famous, bone crushing hugs.

'You were wonderful, dear', she said.

'Thanks mum', said Ginny.

'We're very proud of you Ginny', said Mr. Weasley.

'You were brilliant', said Harry. Ginny looked up at the sound of his voice and rushed forward, jumping into his arms. Harry wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground. In the process, his hat was once again knocked to the ground. Ron bent down to retrieve it and placed it back on his head lopsided.

'What's the hat for?', asked Ginny.

'Oh. Just trying to stay incognito', said Harry. Ginny laughed and reached up to pull the hat off his head. They both turned to the sound of voices behind them. Gwenog was standing a few feet away from them talking with some reporters.

'Miss. Jones, how do you feel about your first win of the season?', asked one of the reporters.

'I'm very pleased. Everyone on the team played exceptionally well today', said Gwenog.

Harry turned to Ginny. 'Do you need to stay or are you ready to go?', he asked.

'We can go', she answered. 'We have a lot to get done today.'

Before they could move two steps, they were spotted by the reporters, who instantly swarmed around them, snapping pictures and asking questions at the same time.

'Miss. Weasley, are you happy with your performance today?'

'I think I did well. Always room for improvement though', said Ginny.

'Mr. Potter, how do you feel about your girlfriend playing professionally?'

'Any plans to play quidditch yourself, Mr. Potter?'

Harry looked at Ginny, who just nodded and squeezed his hand reassuringly. Harry took a deep breath and said, 'I couldn't be happier for Ginny. She's an excellent player. And no, I don't plan on playing myself.'

'Miss. Weasley, Mr. Potter. Can I get a picture of the two of you for the Prophet?', asked another reporter.

Harry sighed. 'Since this is the first time you've actually asked, sure', he said. He wrapped his arm around Ginny's waist as the photographer snapped a few photos.

'Thanks everyone but we really do need to be going', said Ginny. She looked back at her family and mouthed for them to meet them at they flat she's sharing with Becca. They nodded and Harry grasped her hand firmly, turning on the spot. A moment later, they were standing outside of Ginny's temporary flat. She tapped the door with her wand and the door swung open.

'I already have most of my things packed up', she said, pulling him inside.

'Becca's not here, is she?', asked Harry, looking around the small flat.

'No. She went out with a few girls on the team to celebrate', said Ginny.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. 'Good', he said. 'When's everyone else getting here?'

'They should be here any minute', said Ginny. 'Come back here and help me with these boxes. It's a good thing I didn't really have time to unpack when I got here.'

Fifteen minutes later, they had all of Ginny's things packed away and the boxes stacked neatly in the sitting room. When the rest of the Weasley's and Hermione arrived, they all grabbed a box and apparated into Harry's flat.

'Where do you want these?', asked Percy.

'Uh . . . just put them anywhere', said Harry. 'We'll go through them later.'

'That was a lot easier then when we moved you in here, Harry', said Ron.

'I still have things at the Burrow, Ron', said Ginny causing Ron to groan.

'Do you always have to complain?', said Hermione.

'Yes', said Harry, George and Ginny in unison.

'I do not', protested Ron.

'Is everyone coming back to the Burrow for dinner?', interrupted Mrs. Weasley, sensing the start of an argument.

'We'll be along in a bit', said Ginny, indicating herself and Harry. 'You guys go ahead, we'll meet you there in about an hour or so.'

When everyone finally left, Harry and Ginny flopped down on the sofa.

'I thought they would never leave', said Ginny.

Harry flicked his wand, conjuring two glasses and a bottle of wine.

'I thought we could celebrate here before going over for dinner', he said, pouring the wine and handing one to Ginny. 'To the best chaser the Harpies' ever had', said Harry, holding up his glass.

'I'll toast to that', said Ginny, taking a sip of her wine. 'You know, I think we would be much more comfortable in the bedroom', she added playfully.

'You read my mind', said Harry. He relieved Ginny of her glass and sat them both on the side table before jumping up from the sofa. He took Ginny by the hand and pulled her to her feet.

'I could get used to this', murmured Ginny before she pulled Harry down the hall.

'Me too.'

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A/N: Make me happy . . . please review! :)