Disclaimer: "Dear Santa, please let me be JK Rowling for at least for a day. Love, 2booklover4. P.S. I also want Draco Malfoy for Christmas. Make him mine." - BUT SERIOUSLY, not mine, not yours. Only JK Rowling's.
A/N: Merry Christmas everybody! Well, it's not Christmas yet but whatever :D. Here's my Christmas gift to all of you, Chapter 9! Please do enjoy :D
Chapter Nine: Adrenaline Rush
"What am I going to do?" she whispered, horror visible on her face. A soft groan escaped from her lips as she slumped on the comfortable couch, hiding her face underneath a random throw pillow.
Her best friend looked at her pitiful form, his merry laughter never ceasing. He couldn't help it. The situation she had landed herself was too comical for him to just be a good best friend and pat her on the back, saying that everything would be all right.
Hermione gave him a one-eyed glare, her other eye still hidden behind the pillow. "Shut up," she growled. "Harry Potter, I called you here because I expected you to comfort me like what a good best friend should do."
"Ha ha. I'm sorry… too funny… can't stop laughing," he said in between gasps. His chuckle only worsened when the brunette weakly threw the pillow into his direction. It had landed a few meters in front of Harry, not even hitting Hermione's supposed target.
"You call that a throw?" Harry exclaimed, resuming his 'Quidditch Captain' voice. "Hermione, if I am the Slytherin Quidditch Captain, I am so gonna deny you the position."
"Not helping!" she said in a sarcastic, sing-song voice. Hermione forced herself to sit upright on the couch. She then brought her knees into her chest, resting her chin on top. A miserable look settled on her face as she shot a look at Harry. "Tell me when you are going to stop laughing, Harry. I think I'll just go back to the common room now and wallow in self-pity."
"Oh, the drama!" he exclaimed, plopping down beside Hermione. He leaned his head on her shoulder, which she rudely pushed away. "How immature!" he cried, pointing an accusatory finger on her. "Maybe Nott's childishness had rubbed off into you."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "This isn't a laughing matter," she retorted, glaring. "You know how terrified I am of flying."
"You've ridden an airplane countless times before," he pointed out.
"But that's different!" she said. "There's some educated pilot who knows how to drive the damn thing!"
"Uh-oh," Harry said, mock horror on his face. He knew that a cursing Hermione was a very, very angry one. "Calm down. Nobody had ever died while riding a broomstick, you know."
He actually thought it was the right thing to say. Alas, her nervousness only fueled. "Don't tell such lies, Harry," she said. "I've made researches about Quidditch before and according to them, about ten percent of Quidditch players, professional and non-professional, died because of Quidditch-related accidents. That's a lot already!"
Harry rolled his eyes, his face now turning serious. "Then don't go," he pointed out. "No one's forcing you…"
"Except Teddy," she said, making a sour face. "He expects me to go, Harry. He just… assumed that I can fly a bloody broomstick just because I went to the same school as Viktor Krum." Hermione groaned once again and hid her face with her hands. "What am I going to do?"
"Ditch it. No big deal," he said, frowning. "It's as simple as that. You don't have to be such a worrier over this matter."
"It is a big deal," she interjected, removing her hands from her face to stare at Harry pointedly. "You have no idea how Theodore Nott gets angry. He's childish, remember? He gets angry over petty things. And I…" She paused and scratched the back of her neck absentmindedly. She was trying to think of the right word to say. "I… don't want to upset him. You get me?"
Harry looked astonished. "That's how close you are with Nott… and Zabini already?" he asked in disbelief.
Hermione managed to crack a sheepish smile. "They… kinda remind me of both you and Ron. Blaise had been a good adviser, Harry. Just like you. And you do know how much I don't want to disappoint both you and Ron, right?"
The Gryffindor looked fairly surprised. He gently placed an arm over the brunette's shoulder and pulled her closer to himself. Hermione allowed her head to drop on his shoulders.
She slightly smiled. This stance was always the start of 'wise Harry'. And so, she closed her eyes, anticipating for Harry's sensible words.
"Well," he started, seemingly unsure of what to say. Hermione's eyes popped open in surprise. "I… don't really know what to advise to you, Hermione. All I can say is that… the final decision will be always yours and no one is going to blame you if you chose either."
Harry grew silent for a few seconds before chuckling whilst running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry. That wasn't really helpful."
Hermione slowly lifted her head once again and looked at Harry. "You're right," she said.
"That what I said wasn't helpful at all?" he asked, humored.
The brunette laughed and shook her head. "No, no – the final decision will always be mine." She grew silent, thoughtful. "I think I'm going to hate myself for this but… do you think it's time for me to face my fear?"
Harry looked genuinely surprised. "Are you sure?" he asked, disbelieving.
Hermione, despite her sudden paleness, nodded in conviction. "Yes, I am sure. Absolutely sure," she answered, balling her hands into fists.
The Gryffindor chuckled, amused. Who knew some childish Slytherin would be able to coax Hermione into flying. He and Ron had tried for years but all they received was a stubborn 'no' from their best friend.
Someday, when everything was all right already, Harry thought that maybe he owed Theodore Nott a simple 'thank you'. "If you say so, Hermione," he said. "If you say so."
The weather was fairly well today. It had helped calm Hermione's frayed nerves to know that it was not too windy at all, therefore, she would be able to fly her borrowed school broomstick without being bothered by the wind.
She was now on the Quidditch Pitch, waiting for the start of the Quidditch try-outs. She kept on fidgeting with her borrowed school Slytherin Quidditch robes (she would have a new one if she officially became a member of her House's Quidditch team).
Her eyes nervously surveyed around the pitch and noticed that there were a few Slytherins who wanted to try-out. Teddy was nowhere to be found yet and she scowled. 'So much for being early,' she thought, plopping down on the Quidditch stands.
She could not believe that she was actually here, wanting to try-out to be one of the Slytherin Chasers. Years and years of Harry and Ron's persuasion for her to at least ride a broomstick with them always fell on the deaf ears. Hermione was always defiant, refusing to at least hover a feet off the ground whilst riding the magical broomstick.
But she was here and Teddy was partly to blame. And she slightly hated him for that.
Hermione actually practiced a few times with Harry, who was patient enough to help her. He truly deserved to be the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain because he never screamed or insulted her when she was being a wuss and freaking out every time her broom stick hovered.
A few days of practicing had paid off (or so she just wanted to convince herself). She was able to fly off the ground for an hour, as high as the highest hoop in the Quidditch Pitch. She was so happy she was able to manage without screaming in fear but when she looked down below to scream a loud 'I did it!' to Harry, she instantly regretted it.
Her terror had hit her like a Bludger, full force. And if Harry was not there to slow down her fall, she might be dead right now.
'Maybe my fake grave would be useful soon,' she sarcastically thought inside, leaning her forehead against the handle of the broom. 'I'm going to die.'
"Hermes! Hermes!"
She looked up and was able to see eager Teddy, his right hand waving wildly in the air. He was already geared up, wearing his brand new Quidditch uniform with a very expensive broomstick clutched tightly in his right hand. He was looking handsome, she observed. The Quidditch uniform suited his energetic form.
Teddy had finally reached her side, inviting himself to sit beside her. "I'm so glad you came," he gushed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
Hermione's slight anger for him diminished. He was genuinely happy she came; just look at his face. And she thought that seeing him happy had slightly eased her frayed nerves.
"This is going to be awesome!" the Slytherin continued. "I'm in the Quidditch team. Blaise is in the Qudditch team. Draco is in the Quiddtich team. And if you passed, you'll be in the Quidditch team! Now, we can discuss Quidditch tactics in our room anytime we want."
"Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. What?" she cried, eyes wide in terror. "What did you say?"
Teddy's smile slightly faltered. "Um… that we can discuss Quidditch tactics in our room anytime we want?"
Hermione shook her head vigorously, her short hair bouncing wildly on top of her hair. "No, no, something you said about Blaise and Malfoy," she corrected.
"Oh," he said, realization dawning. He ruffled his hair and gave her a goofy smile. "Blaise and Draco are in the Quidditch team. You seriously don't now?" Upon seeing her blank stare, he laughed. "Blaise is one of the Chasers! But he's not here right now. He's supposed to serve detention with Professor McGonagall. And Draco… he's the Quidditch Captain."
The brunette blanched.
Teddy frowned, alarmed. "Hey, you all right?" he asked. "You look a little… pale… Hermes?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine," she asked, voice barely audible. "I just started to feel nervous, you know."
"Oh, you'll be fine!" he encouraged. "I'm sure you will." He offered his fisted hand. "Good luck."
Hermione's eyes landed on his hand and reluctantly gave him a fist bump. "Thanks," she said.
Teddy's eyes roamed around. "Oh, here's our Captain! We better make haste! I told you he doesn't tolerate lateness. Come on."
He enthusiastically stood up while Hermione slowly took her time. Teddy practically flew towards the gathered group with Malfoy in the middle, eyes trained intently on his magical watch.
Hermione arrived into the group a few minutes after Teddy and mere minutes before the official starting of the try-outs.
Draco had said some instructions and Hermione never heard any of it. Instead, her mind was set on her impending doom. Now that she knew that Malfoy was the Quidditch Captain, there was no chance that she would be able to pass the try-outs and become an official Chaser for the Slytherin Quidditch team.
'Malfoy doesn't want some accident prones in his team,' she sourly thought, making a face.
Hermione was surprised when the group started to disperse, the try-outs already starting. Teddy came bustling to her sight, giving her a cheerful 'Good luck!' before flying off to his position: in front of the fifty-foot high goal posts.
Teddy's thoughtful encouragement had apparently attracted Malfoy's attention and as soon as Teddy was gone, he was staring at her in mild amusement and unmistakable disdain.
"Trying-out, Austen?" he asked, a sneer clearly visible on his face.
Hermione buried her nervousness inside and instead lifted up her chin proudly. "Yes," was her curt reply.
Draco scoffed. "Hmm… I'd like to see you try," he said. "But please do keep this in mind: I do not want some accident prones in my team."
With that, he turned away from her and started to call out names.
The brunette fumed behind his back and stubbornly screamed inside her mind, 'I'll do my bloody best, Malfoy! Just wait and see.'
The try-outs were half-way done. Students who wished to try-out for the position of a Beater were already done. A sixth year Slytherin by the name of Ivan Raft succeeded against the other Slytherins.
And now, the audition for the position of Chasers had started. So far, nobody had been able to shoot five out of five Quaffles through any of the three hoops. The highest number of goals that was ever made by the students who were trying-out was three out of five.
Teddy was doing exceptionally well. He had the talent and when it came to Quidditch, all of his immaturity was placed aside. Hermione did wonder what Quidditch meant to all of her friends that they had to be so professional and focused when they were on the playing field.
She actually wished that since she was his friend, Teddy would not be too hard on her. Hermione immediately realized what she wishfully thought and reprimanded herself. Doing that would have been considered as cheating and she never tolerated cheating in any form.
'What should I do?' she asked herself, placing her chin on top of her hands, eyes still intently trained on the Quidditch Pitch.
"Austen!"
'They are all so good…' she wistfully thought, absentmindedly rubbing the handle of her broomstick with her thumb.
"Hermes Austen!"
'What if I wasn't able to shoot any goals at all?' Her eyes widened upon this thought. 'Oh Merlin, what if I wasn't able to shoot any goals at all?'
"For Merlin's sake, Austen, drag your lazy butt over here!"
Hermione snapped out of her stupor, cheeks reddening upon seeing an irritated Draco Malfoy and some laughing Slytherins. "Damn," she muttered under her breath as she stood up and dragged herself in front of Draco.
He was shooting daggers at the brunette, which she chose to pointedly ignore. 'So much for not paying too much attention,' she thought, frowning at the Captain. "Well?" she asked.
"Well what?" he roared, narrowing his mercurial eyes. "You are supposed to be flying with your broomstick now, Austen. Didn't you listen to my instructions a while ago?"
Hermione's cheeks reddened once more and chose to be silent.
Draco released a frustrated grunt whilst running a hand through his hair. "I need people who are good listeners in my team," he said.
The brunette glared, her complexion pale. She hated herself for blurting out the next thing that came into her mind – "Can I try-out last?"
The blond looked fairly surprised, before sneering. "Scared, Austen?" he asked.
Hermione, unable to help it, blushed. She tried to rack her brain for any good retort she could say to his sudden question but failed miserably. Her fear of flying was clouding her logical reasoning.
"Aw, come on, Draco," Teddy suddenly said, coming into her rescue.
Hermione gave him an appreciating glance, which he returned back with a playful wink of his own.
"He's new in Hogwarts," the carefree Slytherin continued. "Maybe he's not used to our Quidditch system here. I heard that Durmstrang have international training and our mate here wants to observe first before trying-out. Right, Hermes?"
"Right!" she cried a bit enthusiastically.
Draco only sneered and turned away from her. She distinctively heard him mutter words like 'royal treatment' and 'nuisance' under his breath. He then called the next student, completely ignoring Hermione. "Nott, go back to your position."
"Aye, aye, Captain!" he exclaimed, complete with a hand salute.
"Thanks, Teddy," Hermione whispered as Teddy was readying to fly back into the air.
"No problem, Hermes mate," he whispered back, grinning widely. "I figured out you're kinda… nervous and maybe stalling your turn will put your nerves at bay."
She only chuckled and told him to go back to guarding his goal posts, which he followed without hesitation.
That was it… her turn. She was the last one to try-out.
Hermione forced her lead-like legs to bring her to the Quidditch Pitch. "No backing out," she told herself firmly, clutching her broomstick tightly.
And so, she just sighed, mounted her broom, and shot up into the air.
As soon as she was airborne, her fear resurfaced. "Don't look down. Don't look down," she told herself again and again like a mantra, eyes firmly trained on Teddy, who was guarding the goal posts.
'This is it,' she thought. Teddy threw the ball towards her and to her horror, she was not able to catch it. She leaned down slightly to catch it once more, knowing that Malfoy was probably bristling in annoyance with her already.
"I have to do this," she said aloud. "No backing out!"
Hermione stared at the Quaffle, determination etched on her face. She had to perform well, if not better than the rest, so that Draco would not have another reason to mock her.
Fueled with unadulterated fear and the fact that she did not want to make a fool out of herself in front of Draco Malfoy, she threw the Quaffle with all her might towards the middle goal (since Teddy was guarding the right post).
It hurtled until…
… it passed through the goal.
Teddy seemed dumbstruck. Hermione, on the other hand, could not contain her enthusiasm.
"NOTT! DON'T BE SO… KIND JUST BECAUSE HE'S YOUR ROOMMATE!" Draco hollered from below.
Teddy grew sheepish, waving an apologetic arm in the air. "I was caught off guard!" he screamed back. "I actually thought it won't pass through!" He winked at the annoyed Draco before averting his eyes to Hermione. "That was an awesome start, Hermes! Keep up the good work!"
And good work she did. Hermione was able to shoot two more Quaffles and missed one.
The brunette couldn't believe her luck. She actually thanked her newfound fortune to adrenaline rush. After all, adrenaline rush could really be handy every time you are in a tight situation.
Hermione only had one Quaffle to shoot. It could make or break her situation – if she was able to shoot a Quaffle, she'd be officially part of the Slytherin Quidditch team; if she wasn't able to shoot, then all those who were able to shoot three out of five Quaffles would have to have a tie-breaker. And for Hermione, she thought that trying to shoot five Quaffles for a day was enough.
She looked at the Quaffle tightly clutched on her right hand. 'This is for you, Mom, Dad,' she thought, zooming around the Pitch, eyes intently trained on Teddy.
She motioned to throw the Quaffle on the third hoop, feigning. Fortunately, Teddy was able to fall into her trap and zoomed in front of the third hoop, guarding it possessively. Harry had taught her some feigning tactics in Quidditch and she thought it would be useful.
'Perfect,' she mused, before throwing the Quaffle to the first hoop with all her might. Once again, Teddy was caught off-guard and he just watched as the Quaffle passed through the hoop, goaling.
Silence was heard around the Quidditch Pitch. After all, only Malfoy, Hermione, and Teddy were present.
Teddy snapped out of his surprise, zoomed towards Hermione, and gave her a huge smile. "That was an awesome try-out, Hermes!" he cried. "I didn't know you had the Quidditch ability in you. I actually thought that you would back-out today." He shrugged, leaning his broomstick downwards, and was soon back on the ground. Hermione followed suit. "Not that I mind if you backed out. It would be all right… though, a bit disappointing."
Hermione stared at him, disbelief etched in every corner of her face. "You wouldn't get angry if I… backed-out?" she asked, breathless.
The carefree Slytherin laughed while playfully ruffling her hair. "Angry? Why would I get angry?" he asked, amused. "It's your decision, after all."
"Ha ha," she laughed, mentally beating herself into pulp. "Yeah."
Teddy looked over Hermione's head and smirked. "Draco sure looked pissed," he mused aloud, watching as the blond walked back to school.
Hermione followed his line of vision and couldn't help but flash a smirk of her own. Teddy was right; Malfoy looked annoyed. A huge scowl was seen on his face and he was stomping back to Hogwarts.
"I guess this means you'll be part our team soon!" he exclaimed happily, drawing back Hermione's attention.
The brunette, embarrassed, scratched her hair. "Eh, the results will be announced tomorrow, Teddy," she shot back.
Teddy rolled his eyes. "You managed to shoot four out of five goals, Hermes," he reminded. "And remember that the highest goal a Slytherin made before you was three. That just means that you goaled more."
"Sheer luck," she muttered and meant it. 'And determination,' she added inside, knowing how she was suddenly determined to not make a fool out of herself in front of Malfoy.
"Anyway," Teddy cut in. "Are you starving? I'm famished! Quidditch always makes me hungry. Come on; dinner will be served soon."
The brunette nodded and followed Teddy back to Hogwarts.
"Don't look at me like that," Blaise said, amused (and embarrassed, though he hid it perfectly well).
Hermione forced to close her lips and bring her eyes back to their normal size. "How… how…" she blubbered, looking at the brand new broomstick on her hand. She distinctly remembered Harry and Ron gushing over this broomstick, Meteorite 1997, voicing out their awe and yearning for the said broomstick.
And now, here it was, clutched by a dumbstruck brunette. And for goodness' sake, it was hers!
"But… Blaise," she started once again, breathless. "You… didn't have to give me a new one. I can tolerate the school broomsticks. And besides… this is so expensive!"
"You'll tire out of the school broomsticks. Trust me," he said, softly chuckling. "And don't think of it as something expensive. Treat it as a congratulatory gift from a friend because his friend passed the Quidditch team."
To his surprise, Hermione's nose scrunched up in slight disgust. "You rich people treat money like rubbish," she said with humor. "You just throw it away anytime you want."
She sighed once again and gave Blaise back his 'congratulatory gift'. "I can't take it. This is too much, Blaise," she said. "And besides, why not use it as yours?"
"My broom's also Meteorite 1997," he butted in with a raised eyebrow. "What am I going to do with two identical broomsticks?"
Hermione sighed, this time a resigned one. "But seriously… thank you," she said, genuinely meaning it. "I still think this is too much, Blaise Zabini, but I think it's also pointless arguing with you. So, thank you very much."
Blaise chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "We're mates, right?" he asked.
The brunette grinned and nodded her head. "Yeah," she said.
Mentally, she wondered what she would do for the rest of her ten months in Hogwarts if Blaise Zabini was not her roommate.
A/N: Aww, lucky Herms! I want an expensive broomstick to for Christmas :D Anyway, that's it for now. Do leave your reviews. Ciao for now! And again, Merry Christmas everybody!
With love,
2booklover