Chapter 73
Ginny POV
It was good to be back at Hogwarts. Tiring, certainly, but good. Ginny felt she may have underestimated just how much more work she'd have in her classes now that she was in her fifth year with O.W.L. exams approaching at the end of the year.
"Blimey, Professor McGonagall wasn't joking when she said fifth year was vastly different than fourth year, was she?" Ritchie said as he plopped down across from Ginny at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall for dinner.
"Awww, are our fifth years already exhausted? You're only two weeks in, buck up!" Ron called down the table as he reached for another chicken drumstick.
Ginny and Ritchie both shot him annoyed looks before turning back to each other. Ritchie piled up his plate with as much chicken as he could fit, earning a look from Ginny.
"What? I need protein!" he said defensively, biting into a chicken wing.
"Yeah, I can see that! Maybe leave a little for the rest of us? Speaking of, where's Colin, Demelza, and Katie?"
"Demelza and Katie are off studying for their O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, if that's actually what they're doing…" Ritchie said, giving Ginny a suggestive look. "And I've got no clue where Colin is," he said, shrugging.
Ginny began to fill her plate with food too, when Hermione appeared. She placed a quick kiss on Ginny's cheek, before sitting beside her.
"Ritchie," she said, acknowledging the boy across from her who was still stuffing his face.
He gave her a nod before reaching for another drumstick.
"A bit interesting that you've befriended someone quite like your brother…" Hermione said, nodding her head down the table at Ron, who was also shoveling chicken as he sat between Harry and Lavender.
"You know me, I strive to surround myself with disgusting boys," Ginny said plainly.
"Oi! I'm a man, thank you very much!" Ritchie exclaimed.
Ginny ignored him as she turned to face Hermione, "How was your day?"
"It was fine. Classes were exceptional, as always. I'm still having to help first years find their classes, which is understandable, especially since the staircases have seemed to be moving more than usual lately. How was your day? You look tired…"
Ginny gave her a small smile before fighting off a yawn, "I am tired. Getting back into classes has been harder than I expected, but I'll get used to it. I wouldn't mind a session with my study buddy though, if she happens to have the time," she said, flashing her crooked smile at Hermione.
"Is this the kind of study session that Katie and Demelza do, or an actual study session?" Ritchie asked sarcastically from across the table.
"Eh, probably a little bit of both."
"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, blushing slightly as she gave her a stern look.
"I mean an actual study session, of course! How could you even ask that Ritchie?" she said in faux-offense, making Ritchie laugh and Hermione narrow her eyes.
Ginny grinned at Hermione, and she could see from the hint of a smile on the older girl's face that she wasn't actually mad. At least, not that mad.
"We can meet in the library after dinner. You can join us too, if you'd like?" Hermione offered kindly to the boy across from them.
"Nah, I've got one last night of getting ready for the Quidditch trials tomorrow – you know, flying and nervous puking. Plus, I'm sure you two would prefer to study alone," he said, shooting Ginny a mischievous smile.
Ginny could feel Hermione's glare now, and it was felt angrier than the look she received before.
"Don't be gross, Ritchie," Ginny muttered.
Ritchie shrugged and continued on with his chicken.
"I'll see you in the library after dinner," Hermione stated flatly before swiftly getting up and departing the Great Hall.
"Look at what you did!" Ginny exclaimed, tossing a roll at Ritchie.
"What?"
"Don't talk like that around Hermione!"
"Hey, you played into it! Plus, what fun is it being friends with girls who date girls if I can't take the mickey out of you every once in a while?" he argued back, "It's not like I can give Colin a hard time, he's not dating anyone!"
"Why is my dating life coming up in conversation? Oh, is there a girl interested in me?" Colin said quickly, suddenly appearing and sitting beside Ritchie.
"Ginny here is mad that I was making jokes about her and Hermione's study sessions being more than study sessions…" Ritchie explained.
Colin gave him a look, "Well if she's mad, then don't do it?"
"Well, you're not dating anyone, so who am I supposed to do it to?"
"Maybe no one?"
"Oh yeah, that's fun – "
"Guys," Ginny interrupted the two boys across from her. "It's not that big of a deal. Ritchie, if you want to poke fun at me when Hermione's not around, then fine. Colin, thank you for sticking up for me, but I've got it covered. If Ritchie crosses a line, he'll know," Ginny said with a grin, twirling her wand between her fingers. "Now, I'm off to the library. Don't stay up too late flying tonight Ritchie, you'll want to be well-rested for tomorrow."
Ginny got up from the table and exited the Great Hall, headed for the library. She was a few corridors away, when she was grabbed by the arm and pulled into a classroom.
"What the – Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed, quickly putting her wand back in her robes pocket and grinning at the girl standing in front of her. Hermione, however, was not amused.
"I'm sorry about Ritchie, he truly can be such an idiot sometimes. But I've taken care of it, I promise," Ginny explained.
"You're the one who started it, Ginny," Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.
"I know, and I promise I won't do it again. I swear, I keep things that happen between us just between us. If I ever say anything, it'll only be to make Lavender uncomfortable, and even then, I know what lines not to cross," Ginny insisted, giving Hermione a crooked grin before giving her a genuine look. "I am sorry, Hermione, and it won't happen again."
Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled, "Fine, I forgive you. I know neither of you meant any harm by it, I just don't know Ritchie that well for him to be joking about it."
"That's understandable."
"So, how are you going to make it up to me?" Hermione asked. She'd raised her eyebrow again, but pairing it with a smile had given Ginny less of a feeling of guilt and more so of… Something else…
"I mean, I can think of a few different ways…" Ginny smiled, closing the gap between herself and Hermione.
With a swish of Hermione's wand, the door to the classroom was shut and locked, and the last words out of her mouth were to cast the Imperturbable Charm before Ginny crashed their lips together.
The next morning arrived much quicker than Ginny would've liked. She sat up and moved to the edge of her bed, stretching and slowly rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She looked over at Demelza's bed, where the small blonde girl was still deeply asleep. Ginny got up and quietly walked over to Demelza.
"Hey… Wake up," Ginny whispered.
"What…? What for…?" Demelza whispered back rolling towards Ginny.
"I thought you wanted one last session this morning, while everyone else was asleep? I believe you said it would be the perfect start to what would end up being a perfect day, after you were selected for the team this evening?"
"Ugh… Are you sure I said that?" Demelza whined lightly.
Ginny smiled, "Come on, it'll be worth it. Get up."
"Fine…"
Once they were both up and dressed, Demelza followed Ginny down to the Quidditch locker room, brooms in tow.
"So, how was your evening last night? Ritchie mentioned you were off studying with Katie?"
"Mmhmm," Demelza nodded in response. Ginny could see a hint of pink coloring her cheeks.
"Getting a pretty good head start on your O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s, are you?" Ginny asked, smirking slightly.
Demelza now fully blushed, and looked at Ginny with a slightly embarrassed grin, "Yes, we are. How was your evening?"
"Hermione was helping me prepare for my O.W.L.s…" Ginny said with a grin, blushing slightly as well.
"Hey, they are important exams!" Demelza exclaimed, laughing. Ginny laughed along with her as they entered the Quidditch locker room and walked through to the other side leading to the Quidditch stadium.
It was a very brief training session, just so they could both do some final touch ups. Ginny was more nervous than she thought she'd be about the Quidditch trials that evening. There was no reason for her not to make the team, but she couldn't stop thinking of the slim possibility that she didn't. She knew it was just her nerves getting her all riled up, but still, she shouldn't shake the awful thought of having done so much training and having her family so invested, emotionally and financially, in her Quidditch future, that what if she really didn't make the team? She didn't want to disappoint anyone, especially not herself.
"Hey, are you okay?" Demelza asked as they landed on the pitch and started walking back towards the locker room.
"Yeah, I'm fine… Just thinking…" Ginny muttered. She didn't want to admit how nervous she was, as Demelza would probably find that to be ridiculous.
"Nervous?" Demelza asked.
Ginny was silent.
"It's alright if you are. Last year, we were all just trying for the reserve slot, but now there are four actual open positions, so I get it."
"I mean, I really do think the two of us have a great shot of becoming the new Chasers," Ginny said, running a hand nervously through her long red hair. "It's just the unknown that's killing me. What if Dean or Seamus are suddenly significantly better than they were last year?"
"Did you train all summer?"
"Yes…"
"Did you give it your best shot?"
"Yes…"
"Are you going to give it your best shot tonight?"
"Of course! Why would you ask me – "
"Then at the end of the day, if you've done all that you can, you can't really be upset about it, can you? You can't control who else is at the tryouts and how they do. Really, all you can do is your best. It's going to be fine. You're going to be fine, I promise," Demelza said, giving Ginny a reassuring smile as they walked through the corridors headed back up to Gryffindor Tower.
"Thanks, Demelza," Ginny smiled back.
"Thank Katie, she gave me this same pep talk last night when I was nearly in tears because of my nerves."
Ginny nodded, "She's such a good teammate and friend. I don't know what I'm going to do without her the next two years…"
Demelza was silent, and Ginny realized how insensitive she was in saying that.
"Oh, Demelza, I'm sorry. I didn't even think – "
"You're fine… You're just, right… Two whole years without her at Hogwarts is going to be awful…"
"Don't think about it now. I shouldn't have said anything. Just focus on the year ahead, alright?"
Demelza nodded, tears starting to form in her eyes, "That's what Katie and I agreed to, only thinking about this year…"
They had reached the portrait of the Fat Lady at that point, and Ginny paused before giving the password, as Demelza had really begun to cry now. She hesitated, but decided to take a risk anyway, and pulled the girl in for a hug. Demelza willingly wrapped her arms tight around Ginny, burying her face in her chest. Suddenly, the portrait swung open, and they broke apart quickly.
"Just the two I was looking for! I was about to head down for breakfast and – What's wrong?" Katie said, finally realizing that Demelza was crying.
"Uh – I may have mentioned that I'll miss you after this year…" Ginny admitted.
Katie pursed her lips and immediately took Demelza into her arms, consoling her, "I see…"
"I wasn't thinking, I'm sorry. She was just sharing with me the pep talk you gave her about the trials this evening and I was complimenting what a good teammate and friend you are and – "
Katie waved her off, "Really, it's alright. We're going to be just fine, aren't we love?" Katie said to Demelza who nodded, her face now buried in Katie's chest.
"I'll meet you two down at breakfast, I'm going to see if Hermione wants to join, if that's okay?"
Katie smiled, "Of course it's okay. I'd love to get to know her a little better outside of Slug Club meetings. Speaking of, we've got one tonight, and I was planning on asking her if she'd like to go together."
"What about Quidditch tryouts?" Demelza mumbled quietly into Katie's chest.
"The dinner is after tryouts. Slughorn appears to be more than willing to accommodate for Quidditch players," Katie smiled down at Demelza.
"Alright, see you at breakfast?" Ginny asked as she stepped into the portrait hole that Katie had left open.
Katie gave her a nod then turned her attention to Demelza.
As Ginny entered the common room, she saw that not many Gryffindors were up yet. She walked up the stairs to the girls' dormitories and stood in front of Hermione's dormitory door. She really didn't want to deal with Lavender this early in the morning, but wanting to see Hermione certainly outweighed an interaction with the annoying sixth year. As Ginny raised her hand to knock, the door opened.
"Good morning," Hermione smiled as she stepped out into the hall, closing her dormitory door behind her softly.
"Just the girl I was looking for," Ginny said before pulling the girl in for a kiss.
"How was your training session with Demelza this morning?" Hermione asked as they descended the stairs together.
"For the most part, it was great."
"For the most part?"
"I may have mentioned how much I'll miss Katie the next two years after she leaves Hogwarts…"
"Oh, Ginny…"
"I know, I wasn't thinking…"
"For someone so bright, you can be a little thick sometimes," Hermione said, shaking her head.
Ginny was quiet as they exited the portrait hole.
"What?" Hermione asked.
"It got me thinking about how you won't be here during my seventh year…"
"Oh…"
"Yeah…"
"We don't have to think about that now. And it'll only be one year. Compared to the rest of our lives, that'll feel like nothing," Hermione said very matter of factly.
Ginny stopped, causing Hermione to stop too and turn to look at her.
"The rest of our lives, huh?" Ginny asked, smirking at Hermione, who immediately turned red.
"I – Uh – I didn't mean our lives together, I just meant – You know – If you're looking at how long each of us will live, one year is nothing – I didn't mean – "
Ginny cut her off with a kiss, "You don't want to be with me for the rest of our lives, Hermione?"
Hermione's blush now rivaled some of Ginny's darkest blushes, which made Ginny smile further.
"I – We'll have to see… What if you turn out to be one of those conceited, egotistical Quidditch stars?" she said, trying to regain her composure.
"Oh, I certainly will be. You don't want to be with someone like that?" Ginny asked with a laugh.
"I mean I want to say no, but if it's you…"
"Oh, you've got it so bad," Ginny said, laughing again.
Hermione just shook her head and smiled as she grabbed Ginny's hand, pulling her along towards the Great Hall.
The day flew right by, and before long, Ginny found herself in the Quidditch locker room, getting ready for the Gryffindor team trials. There was a lot of nervous energy in the air, but less was coming from Ginny after her morning with Demelza. Demelza also seemed to be much more calm compared to how she was before last year's tryouts, but Ginny figured that was mostly due to the fact that she was sitting on a bench with Katie standing behind her, affectionately plaiting her blonde hair.
Sitting beside Katie and Demelza was Ritchie, who looked like he might be sick. Jimmy Peakes was standing off in a corner of the locker room, stretching with a Beater's bat in hand. Seamus and Dean were talking nervously with Ron, who appeared much more confident than last year, but had still managed to put his Keeper's helmet on backwards. Behind them were a few other hopefuls chattering away, but no one Ginny really knew well.
Suddenly, Harry arrived, and Ginny immediately clocked that he was the most nervous of anyone in the room by far. He walked to the front of the locker room and faced the group, looking as if he was trying to find the words to quiet them down. Ginny sat silently and respectfully, looking at Harry, waiting for the others to catch on. Harry opened and closed his mouth wordlessly many times, growing redder each time, before Ginny took matters into her own hands.
"Oi! Shut it!" she shouted, throwing an irritated look out across the locker room, motioning to Harry at the front of the room.
Harry gave her an appreciative look, while most everyone else looked at her terrified. Of course, Ron rolled his eyes, and Demelza, Katie, and Ritchie grinned at her, but everyone else fell in line.
"Uh, thank you Ginny. So, I wanted to welcome everyone to the Gryffindor team Quidditch trials. First off, I want to make it clear that just because someone was on the team last year, it does not mean they will automatically be on the team again this year. Every position will be earned. Is that clear?"
"Crystal," a deep, smug voice rang out.
Everyone looked over to find McLaggen leaning against the doorway to the locker room, broom slung over his shoulder, looking as cocky as ever. Ginny looked at Ron, who had turned a pale shade of green, before turning to Demelza. The blonde was trying her best to keep her eyes on Harry, while Katie was glaring openly and fiercely at McLaggen, her hands firmly on Demelza's shoulders.
"Uh, alright, ready to fly?" Harry asked the group.
"Sure thing, Harry!" Ritchie answered enthusiastically, jumping up and heading out towards the pitch.
Demelza and Katie were close behind, followed by the rest, McLaggen swaggering out last. Ginny had hung behind with Harry, who was nervously fiddling with the tail of his broom.
"You alright captain?" Ginny asked.
Harry nodded, "Just first day jitters, I hope. I've never been the one in charge before, so I'm just getting used to it. How do you feel?"
"Fine about the trials, less than fine about McLaggen."
Harry nodded, "I know, but I really do think Ron's up to defend his spot."
Ginny shook her head, "No, it's not that. It's Demelza."
Harry looked at her in confusion, "What about Demelza?"
"McLaggen threatened her last year…"
"What? What do you mean he threatened her?"
"I'm not going to go into the details, I just wanted to let you know that he threatened her, and I'm going to be keeping an eye on them today. I know you've got a whole tryout to run, so I don't expect you to focus on that, but I felt it was important to let you know."
"That is important, thank you for telling me, Ginny," Harry said, running a hand through his unruly dark hair. "What should we do for scrimmages? Do you think it'd be better for her to be shooting against McLaggen or on his team?"
Ginny paused, "Ask Katie when we get out on the pitch. Ron and I will lead warmups, pull her to the side and ask."
Harry nodded, "Will do."
The two of them exited the locker room together, into the late summer sun, to address the group waiting for them. As they walked out onto the field, Ginny looked up into the stands and saw Hermione, who waved at her warmly. Ginny smiled and waved back, suddenly filled with all of the confidence in the world.
"Ron and Ginny are going to lead warmups," Harry said as firmly as he could. "I expect you all to follow what they say and do. The ability to respect and listen to teammates is something I hold in high regard, and will be expected of everyone representing the Gryffindor side," he added, his eyes landing on a smirking McLaggen.
Ginny walked over to Ron, adjusted his Keeper's helmet so it was facing forward, and looked at the group in front of her.
"You lot ready?" she asked confidently.
She mounted her Comet 260 and kicked off the ground hard, bursting into the sky with full force. Everyone else followed, some matching her speed and height, some remaining closer to the ground, seemingly scared to fly so high. Ron hung down lower with those that appeared to be lesser inclined to make the team, while Ginny warmed up the more viable candidates – Demelza, Ritchie, Jimmy, Seamus, Dean, and McLaggen.
"Alright, let's start with a three-man weave flying pattern. Demelza, you work with Ritchie and Jimmy. Dean and Seamus, you're with McLaggen."
Ginny left the two trios and flew over to Ron, who was watching the rest of the group essentially just fly in small, low circles, often into each other.
"What have you got them doing?"
Ron gave her a look, "They can't do much of anything, it appears," he said irritably.
"Ron!" Ginny scolded, before giving a kind look to the clearly nervous group. "How about you just start off by flying a few laps? Just a few times around the pitch, try to fly higher each time around and avoid running into each other, got it?"
The young group nodded, then took off. Ginny turned to Ron and glared at him.
"What?"
"They're obviously nervous, be a little more understanding and supportive!"
Ron rolled his eyes.
"She's right mate, remember how nervous you were last year? A kind word or look goes a long way," Harry said, flying up between the two.
Ron sighed heavily, then took off to fly laps with the younger group.
"What did Katie say?" Ginny asked, spotting that Katie had flown up to join the more promising group.
"She said to let her shoot against McLaggen, and to make sure either you or her are on her team at all times. What do you think?"
"I think Katie knows her best, and I trust what she says to do," Ginny said definitively.
Harry nodded, then followed Ron to help warm up his group. Ginny flew to join Katie watching the other group.
"Thank you," Katie said quietly as Ginny flew up beside her.
"Of course, you know I care about her," Ginny said, giving Katie a small smile. "Think she'll be okay?"
Katie nodded confidently, "She's got it in her. She's not going to let him stop her from earning what's rightfully hers."
"Good, I hope she destroys him. I'll do anything I can to help her do so."
Katie smiled at Ginny, then the two of them sped off to swap out with Ritchie and Jimmy and join Demelza in the three-man weave.
Once everyone was fully warmed up, Harry split the group into teams. For the first round, Katie was on Demelza's team. With the help of Dean, they scored on McLaggen nine times, Demelza scoring seven of the nine times. McLaggen was livid after the ninth goal went in, slamming his fist against the center hoop hard.
"Calm down, McLaggen. A good Keeper wouldn't let a few goals throw them off that much," Harry called from where he was observing up above the pitch.
"So, what does that make Weasley, then? Certainly not a good Keeper, seeing as he choked during last season's matches…" McLaggen responded with a smug grin.
"Shut your mouth, McLaggen!" Ginny shouted, flying towards him, his stupid grin growing larger.
"Ginny…" Harry warned.
"Ron's only been scored on twice so far to your nine, or is my math off?" Ginny asked, getting in McLaggen's face.
"You're not wrong, but you're also shooting on him, obviously taking it easy on your dear brother," he said, flashing his irritating smile at her.
Ginny rolled her eyes and pulled her broom around to fly away from McLaggen.
"Hey Weasley, how's Granger?"
Ginny turned back to McLaggen, clocking the malicious glint in his eye.
"Is it just me, or is she even more fit this year? I know I certainly wouldn't mind getting to know her a little better, if she's finally ready to come back to the right team."
Just as Ginny was about to rush McLaggen, a strong hand grabbed her by the robes.
"You know it's not worth it, don't risk your spot on the team," Ritchie muttered, shooting a glare at McLaggen who was clearly thrilled to have gotten under Ginny's skin. "Ron's doing great, there's no way Harry will pick this prat up over him. Keep it together, alright?"
Ginny was clenching her teeth so hard that she was worried they might break, but she managed to nod at Ritchie, who let her go.
"New teams! Katie and Ginny switch, Ritchie and Jimmy switch, Dean and Seamus switch," Harry called out.
Ginny looked up and made eye contact with Harry, who tipped his head towards McLaggen, who seemingly had suddenly lost some of his overconfident demeanor now that Ginny would be shooting against him. As the newly formed teams lined up, Ginny looked over at Hermione from her place hovering over the center circle. Hermione gave her a blazing look, and mouthed "Crush him." That pushed Ginny over the top.
Ginny and Demelza went on to combine for 12 more goals against McLaggen, while Ron held his own mightily, only allowing four more. McLaggen was an angry, sweaty mess by the end of the trials, and of course, let it be known that the trials had been biased all the way through.
"The only thing that didn't change was you and Ron not being on the same team, or did you want Ron guarding your hoops as well?" Harry asked calmly.
McLaggen glared at him before stomping off towards the locker room.
"Alright, thank you to everyone who came out and gave it your all! You've made my job in choosing the team very hard, which is what I wanted. Regardless of if you've made the team or not, I'll be letting you know in person, so if you've got any questions about why decisions were made or what you can do to improve, you can ask me then. Have a great night, I'll speak to you all within the next few days," Harry said, smiling at the group.
Many of the participants shook Harry's hand, thanking him before heading off to the locker room. Ginny again stayed behind, waiting until everyone had left.
"Hey, Harry, I want to apologize. I know better than to let McLaggen get the better of me, he just knows exactly how to get under my skin…"
Harry shrugged, "Don't worry about it. You know I like that Ginny Weasley fire, and I want you to keep it for when you're starting for us this season as Chaser," he added, a huge grin on his face.
Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't really doubt that she'd make the team, especially after going through tryouts today, but it was still incredibly reassuring to hear. She was officially on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Finally.
"Thanks Harry," Ginny said, returning the grin. "Uh, who else will be starting with me?" she asked.
"Nice try. You'll find out when they do. I'm going to get a few more laps in, but I believe you've got someone waiting for you," Harry said, his eyes flicking over at the stands.
Ginny followed his gaze and landed on Hermione, who was still in her spot in the wooden stands, beaming down at her. Ginny mounted her broom and flew up to Hermione, effortlessly landing in the stands beside her.
"You know what I love?" Hermione asked.
"Me?"
"Well, yes, but besides you?"
"What?"
"I love watching you fly. Ginny, you're beautiful to watch out there. Beautiful and intense and so incredibly impressive," Hermione said, smiling at her.
"You're not the only one who thinks so – I made the team," Ginny said, grinning.
Hermione laughed, "That must've been a really difficult decision for Harry to make – I hope he doesn't lose sleep over it. Of course you made the team, you were the best one out there, by far."
"Sure you're not just a little biased?" Ginny grinned.
"Not in the slightest bit. Ginny, you're amazing."
Ginny blushed and leaned in for a kiss, "Thank you," she whispered against Hermione's lips.
"I'm so proud of you," Hermione whispered back, before brushing a few strands of red hair out of Ginny's face and planting another kiss on her lips.
"Well, I've got to go get changed, but would you like to join me for dinner after? I'll be quick."
Hermione gave her an apologetic look, "I can't. It's the first Slug Club meeting tonight – supper in Professor Slughorn's office. I'm meeting Katie outside the locker room once she's ready."
"That's right, I forgot. That should be pleasant, with how foul of a mood McLaggen is in."
"It's his own doing, playing poorly then having the audacity to whine about it and make excuses. I'm hoping he just doesn't show. He's only been invited to be in the club because of some uncle he's got with connections at the Ministry. It seems Katie and I are the only two who are there on merit," Hermione frowned.
"Well, at least the two of you can attend knowing you actually deserve to be there. Maybe next year I'll be invited for Quidditch, just as Katie was?"
Hermione smiled at Ginny, "I'd love that. Go on, go get changed. I'll meet you outside the locker room to say goodbye before Katie and I head off to Professor Slughorn's office."
Ginny snuck one last kiss in before flying back down to the pitch, hopping off her broom, and hustling into the locker room. Most everyone had already changed and gone, besides Katie and Demelza, who had changed but were waiting for Ginny.
"What took you so long?" Katie asked.
"Hermione hung back to say hi. I forgot the two of you had a Slug Club meeting tonight," Ginny responded, taking off her Quidditch robes, followed by her pads.
"Yes, I'm meeting her in just a moment."
"Have you got plans, or would you be interested in going to the Great Hall with me for dinner?" Ginny asked Demelza.
Demelza nodded, "Of course! Ritchie already left with Colin."
"How are you?" Ginny asked.
"Better than when McLaggen first showed up, that's for sure. Katie's plan to have me always shooting against him ended up being the right call," she said, smiling up at her girlfriend.
Katie kissed the top of Demelza's head affectionately, "I'm so proud of you for showing him you're not afraid of him."
"Not only that, you dominated him!" Ginny added, patting her on the arm.
Demelza blushed at this, "Hopefully it was enough to make the team, or at least grab the reserve slot. Dean flew better than I thought he would."
Ginny nodded, "Yeah, but not better than you. And he didn't score nearly as much as you, either," Ginny pointed out.
Suddenly, Harry entered the locker room, "Uh, Demelza, can you come talk to me out on the pitch?"
Demelza looked from Katie to Ginny, and then nodded at Harry and stood up, following him out to the pitch. Katie and Ginny exchanged smiles as Ginny continued getting changed, knowing there was no way she didn't make the team in some capacity. Moments later, Demelza reentered the locker room, a huge smile on her face.
"I made the team! The actual team!"
"Congratulations!" Ginny cheered as Katie pulled Demelza into a kiss.
"Katie? Quickly, before you go?" Harry asked, beckoning her outside.
Katie jogged out to talk to Harry, and Demelza grinned at Ginny, "He told me you made the team too. The three of us as Chasers, we'll be unstoppable!" Demelza exclaimed, wrapping Ginny up in a hug.
Katie walked back in after an even shorter conversation than Demelza had with Harry, also smiling.
"The reign of female Chasers for Gryffindor continues!" she shouted, pulling Ginny and Demelza in for a hug.
Harry smiled as he walked in on the scene, "You three will surely make Gryffindor proud. Now go on, off to dinner! You'll need your strength for our upcoming practices, only six weeks until the match against Slytherin!"
Ginny nodded, storing her things in her wooden locker, "Alright, ready Demelza?"
The three of them left the locker room, with Harry staying back to change. Hermione was waiting for them just outside.
"Ready?" she asked Katie, nervously.
Katie nodded, then gave Demelza a kiss goodbye. Hermione did the same with Ginny, before the two pairs parted ways.
Hermione POV
"So, how do you feel the Quidditch trials went?" Hermione asked Katie as they walked down the corridor headed for Professor Slughorn's office.
"The only thing that would've made them better would be if McLaggen hadn't shown up at all, but honestly, they went very well," Katie said, smiling at her. "I'm sure Ginny already told you she made the team?"
Hermione nodded, "And I assume you made the team again as well, sixth year in a row?"
Katie smiled wider at this, nodding.
"Very impressive," Hermione noted.
"I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but Demelza made the team too," Katie said, smiling even larger still.
"Oh, that's great! The three of you will be fantastic together, honestly, you were by far the best fliers."
"Thanks," Katie said, as they continued down the corridor.
"So, what do you think we can expect from this?" Hermione asked.
"No idea. It's such an exclusive group that no one seems to talk about what actually happens when you're in it."
Once they arrived at Professor Slughorn's door, Hermione knocked a few times before it was swiftly pulled open, letting all sorts of savory scents out into the corridor.
"Ahh, Miss Granger, Miss Bell, come in, come in!" Professor Slughorn said, welcoming them in.
They walked into his office to find a circular table with seven chairs set up around it. The table was set with beautiful dishes and extravagant food on platters throughout the table. They were the last two to arrive, as all of the seats were taken already, with the exception of the two on either side of Neville, and the obvious head of the table, which was surely Professor Slughorn's seat.
"Sit, sit, what would you like to drink? Butterbeer, Gillywater, pumpkin juice?" Professor Slughorn offered.
Both girls accepted Gillywater from Professor Slughorn, before looking at their choice of seats. The seat to the left of Neville was to the right of Professor Slughorn's seat, while the seat to the right of Neville was to the left of McLaggen. Hermione exchanged a glance with Katie, before Katie pulled out the seat between Professor Slughorn and Neville, offering it to Hermione. Hermione smiled appreciatively at Katie, before sitting down. Katie then plopped down between Neville and McLaggen, giving the burly boy to her right a stony look.
"So nice of you to join us, girls! I know that you, Katie, were coming from the Gryffindor Quidditch trials this evening! How'd they go?" Professor Slughorn asked as he passed a plate of lamb chops to Malfoy, who was sitting to his left.
"Oh, they went wonderfully Professor!" Katie said politely, "We had a lot of open spots to fill since we had four seventh years on the team last year, but at the very least it's looking like we'll be retaining those of us who were on the team last year," she said with a smile and a quick look at Hermione.
Hermione could see that McLaggen was fuming, but trying to maintain his composure. Surely, he knew the value of the Slug Club and that he couldn't afford being kicked out for something as trivial as this.
"How did Ginny and Demelza do?" Neville asked Katie innocently.
Hermione had to suppress a laugh at this, as did Katie it seemed.
"Why don't you ask McLaggen, here?" Katie suggested, trying to keep a straight face.
"Oh Cormac, did you attend the Gryffindor trials too? How'd you do?" Professor Slughorn asked.
"Just fine, Professor, thank you for asking," McLaggen responded as if he were in pain.
"Strapping young man like you, no doubt we'll see you out on the pitch as a Beater this year?" Professor Slughorn elaborated.
"Keeper," McLaggen responded stiffly, "And I guess we'll just have to see what team Potter comes up with…"
"So, Zabini, how is your mother after her most recent loss? I was so sorry to hear about it…" Professor Slughorn changed the subject, focusing on the Slytherin between Malfoy and McLaggen.
"How did Ginny and Demelza do?" Neville asked Hermione in a whisper.
"They did great, crushed McLaggen," Hermione answered with a small smile.
"Good," Neville said, returning the smile. "Seamus and Dean?" he asked.
Hermione shrugged, "I think it'll be down to one of them as the reserve player. The girls really outflew everyone."
Neville nodded, then returned his focus to the main conversation at the table. Hermione made eye contact with Katie, who winked at her and smiled. Hermione looked down, worried she'd laugh again at the thought of McLaggen's pained face, and began to eat her lamb chop.
About two hours later, they were departing Professor Slughorn's office.
"Well, that wasn't so bad," Neville stated as the three of them made their way back to Gryffindor Tower.
"It really wasn't. The stories Slughorn told became a bit much at the end, but still. If it means I might get to meet Gwenog Jones, I can sit through a few long stories," Katie agreed.
Hermione nodded, "It'll be worth it. I'm glad I have the two of you there with me."
Neville put his arms around the two girls, "So am I! I can't imagine having to sit in the room with just those other three and Slughorn, I'd go mad!"
Once they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Katie gave the password, and the three of them climbed through the portrait hole to an empty common room.
"Well, goodnight!" Neville said before starting to climb the stairs leading to the boys' dormitories.
Hermione followed Katie up the steps to the girls' dormitory. Before Hermione entered her dormitory, Katie stopped her.
"I'm really glad that we can go to these meetings together and get to know each other a bit better," Katie said.
Hermione nodded, "It is quite nice."
"I'm also really glad that you're with Ginny. She's a great kid, and she really loves you," Katie said, a bit more seriously.
Hermione nodded again, "I know she is. I'm very lucky to be with her, and I love her too."
Katie looked at her for a moment, before nodding, "Good to hear it. Goodnight, Hermione," she said with a small smile before turning to walk towards her dormitory.
"Katie?" Hermione called out, causing Katie to turn back around.
"Yeah?"
"I'm not going to hurt her, if that's what you're getting at. I appreciate you being such a great friend to Ginny and being protective of her, but you don't have to worry," Hermione said sincerely.
Katie looked at Hermione, seemingly trying to read her, before smiling again, more genuine this time, and nodding, "I believe you."
"Goodnight, Katie."
"Goodnight, Hermione."