Chapter Five – Promises

"OK guys, welcome!" Harry yelled at all the hopeful Gryffindor's who had turned up for Quidditch tryouts, "We are looking for a new chaser, so I want you to get into groups of three and, one group at a time, pass the quaffle around."

While the students got into groups, Harry flew up to the stands where Hermione usually sat. Fred and George were with her.

"Any promising talent?" Fred asked.

"I can rule out a few straight away," Harry answered as the first group started passing the quaffle around. Their throwing was strong and fast but accuracy was a problem. Their catching was appalling. Harry flew back down to the pitch and looked at his five team mates. The all looked bewildered. Harry knew they agreed with him.

"OK you three, thanks for coming – better luck next year," he said as cheerfully as possible.

After a few more drills, Harry had narrowed the group down to three possible candidates. He huddled with the team to make a group decision.

"Personally guys, I think we should go with Rae," Harry declared, "And that's an unbiased opinion."

"No sweat Harry – I agree," Ron said. The rest of the team nodded their heads.

Harry turned back to the three hopefuls with a smile, "Welcome aboard Rae!"

Once the other two hopefuls had left, Harry turned to his team and announced, "OK guys before we get into some training, we have a couple of visitors. I'm sure you all know Gryffindor's ex-star Beaters, the Weasley twins. Fred, George the floor is yours."

"Thanks Harry," George said, "We have recently found success in our joke shop and wanted to pay a debt back to Harry here."

"But we know he's too stubborn and selfless to take a personal repayment," Fred continued, "Lucky for you guys, we thought we'd hit his soft spot."

"The Gryffindor Quidditch Team," George took over, "So we have something for all of you. All we ask in return is that you win the Cup!"

"And I'm sure it will be easy on these!" Fred exclaimed as he summoned towards the stands with his wand. The team turned to see seven Firebolt Blurs floating down to them.

"NO WAY!" Ron yelled in disbelief.

"Blurs? Guys those are expensive," Harry objected as the rest of the team acquainted themselves with their new brooms.

"Doesn't matter, just win the Cup, OK Harry?" Fred argued.

The rest of the team had taken to the air to test their new rides. Squeals and cheers of delight could be heard all around them. Harry however was not satisfied.

"Fred, surely with the wedding and the baby you could do with the cash?"

"Rubbish, we got plenty, besides we were going to get Blurs for Ron and Ginny for Christmas. You're basically family, and now so is Rae, so technically we only splurged on an extra three brooms." Fred said with a grin.

"Come on Harry, these guys aren't doing the Blurs justice, show us what they can do!" George seemed eager to see a show.

The twins returned to Hermione in the stands as Harry grabbed the last Blur. As Harry took off, he couldn't help but smile. The Blur was fantastic.

Harry woke up unwillingly – his alarm had just rudely disturbed his rest. It was Saturday, "Just let me sleep in!" Harry grumbled form beneath his pillow. Then it dawned on him – it was Hermione's birthday.

"What time is it anyway?" Harry looked at his watch, "11.30 am! Wow that alarm must have been going for a while."

Harry got up and noticed that Dobby had left him a picnic basket, just as he had asked. Walking over to the window, Harry threw the curtains open and was greeted by rain. So much for the picnic idea.

Harry entered the common room he shared with Hermione, to find her curled up on the couch reading a book called 'Famous Witches Through The Ages'.

"You'll be in a book like that one day," Harry predicted leaning over the couch to kiss her, "Happy Birthday, Mi."

"Shortening my name again? I won't have one left soon," Hermione laughed, "Ron gave me the book, what's that?" She motioned at the picnic basket.

"Well I was going to take you on a picnic but it's raining."

"How about we have it here?" Hermione was touched by Harry's thoughtfulness.

"Would you like to eat first or open your present?" Harry asked as they settled on the picnic blanket, in front of the fire.

"I thought this was my present."

"No, Mione, there's something else," Harry shifted his weight so he was sitting cross-legged in front of Hermione. He pulled a small package wrapped in red and gold, form his robes and gave it to her.

"Harry," Hermione whispered as she opened the box to reveal a sapphire ring, "It's beautiful." She looked at his with tears in her eyes, then looked back at the ring, "I promise…" she read the words that were engraved on the band. She looked at Harry, confused.

"There was a poem that came with the ring," Harry said, pulling a piece of parchment from his robes and reading,

"I promise you,

From the bottom of my heart

That I will love you

Till death do us part

And I promise you,

As a lover and a friend

I will love you

Like I'll never love again

With everything that I am."

"Harry, I love you," Hermione whispered.

Harry took the ring and slipped it on Hermione's finger, "Hermione, I promise I will always love you, I will always protect you. And I-I promise one day I'm going to marry you."

Hermione smiled and hugged Harry, "Thank you sweetie, I love it and I love you."

The two leaned in to join in a kiss, neither noticing the ring glow oddly for a few seconds.