It was the match between Slytherin and Gryffindor, Ron Weasley sat there looking incredibly nervous and for once he was sitting on the Gryffindor table without stuffing something down his throat.
"You got to eat Ron" Harry said helping himself to some bacon
"I'm not hungry" Ron murmured
"That's an achievement" Ginny commented
"har-de-har-har" Ron said sarcastically
"Ron you'll be brilliant" Ginny said "I mean didn't you do that super save last week? Harry said it was fantastic"
Ron turned red "that was an accident, I was trying to get back on my broom"
"Well a few more accidents like that and we'll have the game in the bag" Harry said waving a bit of toast in front of Ron's face "now eat or I'll take a leaf out of Ginny's book and write to your mother"
Ron snatched the piece of toast and shoved it into his mouth; he glared at Harry as he chewed.
There was a large roaring sound and the four of them jumped to see Luna standing behind them wearing a large lion hat.
"Hello Ronald, Hermione, Ginny and Harry" she said dreamily "I can't wait for the match"
"I see you got your Gryffindor spirit" Ginny teased moving up a space so Luna could sit down.
Luna sat down and smiled "I haven't worked out the charms for a snake." She said dipping her finger in marmalade "I wanted to have one for the lion to chew on" she sucked on her finger "mmm…. Don't you just love marmalade?"
Everyone blinked
"I'm more partial to strawberry jam" Harry said "but help yourself to more there's plenty"
Luna beamed "most Ravenclaws hate sweet foods, something about lowering brain efficiencies. But I think a world without sweet foods is a world invaded by daleks"
"Daleks?" Ron asked
"It's a muggle fictional villain" Hermione said
"Oh but they're real" Luna said happily, "have you seen Neville?" before anyone could answer Neville covered her eyes and whispered something in her ear, Luna's smile grew "hello Neville" she grabbed his hands and pulled him down so she could give him a kiss "we better go before the daleks take up all the seats"
The four watched Neville and Luna walk out of the great hall.
"Mental, completely mental" Ron said
"I don't see what Neville sees in her" Hermione said "how can someone so down to earth date someone so…. Airy"
"Airy?" Ginny said raising an eyebrow
"I can't really think of a word to describe her" Hermione admitted
"Luna, is a fantastic person, she excels in herbbiology and potions and she owns her own greenhouse" Ginny said "Neville while rubbish at potions understands the properties of plants. If you sat in one of their discussions about plants you would understand why they're so perfect together"
"Yes but a relationship can't consist of discussions about plants" Hermione said
"Luna gives Neville confidence, Neville gives Luna a reason to wake up in the morning. They're like Fleur and Bill, Tonks and Remus, Sirius and himself"
Harry snorted "please tell me you were joking about the last part"
"Maybe, maybe not but you heard from Fleur about what happened last weekend"
"He was drunk"
"I don't want to know" Ron said weakly.
Hermione looked at her watch and sighed "come on Ginny it's time to find a seat, good luck Harry, you too Ron" Hermione leaned over and gave Harry a hug "whatever you do not let Ron look at the Slytherin badges." She turned to Ron and gave him a quick peck on the check.
Ginny hugged Ron who looked far away and was touching his cheek and then kissed Harry firmly on the lips "good luck Harry" she said.
Ginny was furious. Not only did Goyle cheated and hit Harry with a bludger after the game and Malfoy insulted her family and Harry's mother but Umbitch has banned Harry, Fred and George from Qudditch.
"Oh when I get my hands on her, she won't know what happened I will make her wish that she never met Ginevra Molly Weasley" Ginny snarled pacing the common room.
Harry grabbed hold of her by the shoulders "Gin, listen to me" he said firmly "I want you to try out for my place. No arguments, I won't be able to bear it if some second rate Qudditch player lost the cup. I know you, you are brilliant, probably a better chaser but still a brilliant seeker"
There was a tapping sound on the window, Harry turned to see Hedwig outside, he opened the window quickly "what are you doing up here?" he asked
Hedwig flew to Ginny and dumped a large bundle of parchment on her lap. Ginny smirked "thanks Hedwig" she said stroking the owl "you should rest now"
"Ginny what did you do?" Harry asked looking nervous
"I wrote to Sirius, who probably told the others about the Qudditch match and I also suspect McGonagall told them about the ban somehow because it's mentioned five times here with a lot of swearwords" Ginny said holding out a letter written by Sirius. "Fleur's gone mental and has written in French, Remus has written advice, Tonks is offering support to help prank Umbitch and mum has written a short note saying behave"
"Ginny don't do anything stupid" Harry said "knowing Umbitch she'll get you expelled"
Hermione who was translating Fleur's letter giggled "I think Fleur is spending too much time with Sirius, she has used every French curse word known to man"
At that moment Ron came in looking pale and tad frozen. Hermione jumped up and hugged Ron.
"Are you ok?" she said "you're freezing lets get you by the fire and maybe we can get you a hot chocolate or something"
"It was all my fault" Ron murmured "I'm going to resign that way you can find a descent keeper"
"If you resign there will only be three players left on the team. Me and the twins are banned for life"
Ron paled "we're doomed"
Hermione rolled her eyes "it's only Qudditch" Everyone in the common room froze and looked at her. "Oh for Pete's sake" Hermione stormed over by the window and stared for a while, she then turned back with a grin on her face. "I know something that might cheer you up, Hagrid is back"