I'm back people! And it's a bit of a shorter chapter today but it's setting up a bigger plotline that I'm wishing to run with for a while and I hope you like it and think it is plausible. I have no doubt that some of you will perhaps take it at face value but it actually isn't what it originally looks like so I hope you all will enjoy.

katrin lily – thank you for thinking this is well written! I'm very excited to shove that fact in my siblings faces lol. Also thank you for saying it was okay just to focus on my exams cause like, I knew I should but it still felt a bit guilty for abandoning this to yk? However exams are over (very happy about that!) and we are back on posting more regularly!

happylady – I'm glad you like that I've started this plot idea! It's not going to be the main focus of the story, I've got a bigger plotline being set up in this chapter however it will be continued and certainly referenced as well.

jkarr – thank you so much! I'm glad you think so, though because I can't let everyone be happy for long I'm throwing something else into the mixing bowl haha which I hope you enjoy as well

dennisud – I completely understand where you are coming from! I'm kinda considering it as a subplot so it may pop up now and again as well as being referenced by characters but it won't be an every/every other chapter kinda thing since I'm getting the big driving force going now that will form the basis for the rest of the story.

Chapter 23

Hermione nibbled on her fingertips anxiously as she leaned over the stands. Sirius had managed to procure them a top box for the game with her, Ron, the rest of the Weasley's and the Gryffindor Quidditch team crowded in. Tonks and Charlie's girlfriend had also made an appearance, thrilling Fred and George who had been pestering Charlie about meeting her ever since her name came up in conversation.

Hermione felt Fleur sit delicately next to her, gleaming eyes resting on her face while she stared out at the pitch. Merlin, she felt terrified and it wasn't even her flying professionally! Feeling a bit stupid she still couldn't bring herself to turn away and face Fleur, guilt also bubbling in her at her less than favourable view based on little more than prejudice.

" 'arry will be fine. You've seen 'im play many times before, why is zis any different?"

"I know, I know," Hermione sighed. "I'm the first person to say how stupid my nerves are, but I've never liked flying and this isn't just a Hogwarts game, it's a professional game. I know he's only standing in for the seeker but it still makes me anxious, especially since I've only been to one quidditch match before and we all know how that went."

Fleur hummed in response, leaning over the stands to peer at the shrieking crowd as the players flew out. "Zis is a little less impressive than I thought."

Hermione snorted at the statement, watching as everyone in the box rushed to their seats to catch a sight of Harry. "Well it's not world cup level if that's what you were thinking of."

The brief feeling of cheer in her died a swift death as she caught sight of camaras. Specifically, paparazzi camaras. They were going to be a nightmare when they realised Harry was playing, something they'd kept a tightly held secret to improve security.

"Trying to get out of here will be fun," Ron grumbled from his seat next to her, leaning worryingly far over the edge. Hermione had half a mind to grab onto him to stop him from falling but he wouldn't appreciate it, not to mention she really didn't want to be going over the edge with him. Though Harry wouldn't let them fall, he'd catch them. She could feel her cheeks heating up as she thought of him diving to catch her and hurriedly diverted her thoughts back to the game, glancing to the sky to catch sight of Harry.

Smiling as her eyes settled on him she relaxed back into her seat. He was fine. Not injured, not dead. Honestly it said a lot about their school career that she seriously worried about that when he wasn't in her sight. Hermione sighed as she saw the looks of lot of girls – and some guys – were giving her boyfriend. Nope, scratch any type of enjoyment, after the match is going to be a nightmare.

"Alright and Griffiths has the ball to start off! Puddlemere United looks as strong as ever, even with their reserve seeker subbing in for their injured seeker Williams, who is none other than the Wizarding World's darling, Lord Harry James Potter."

Hermione grimaced at the commentators talk. Logically she knew that he was not only there to narrate the game but make it entertaining (though she doubted he could ever match up Lee Jordan) but it didn't mean she had to appreciate the reminder that she was, at least in terms of the Wizarding World, shooting far above her station. Brains were something still not particularly valued in a woman, even though it was the 90s. Not to mention the very hierarchal nature they had yet to leave behind.

Shrieks and boos then rang around the stadium and Hermione uned back in, heart thudding as she saw someone spinning uncontrolled on a firebolt. Taking a shaky breath her chest loosened as she caught sight of Harry gliding above, eyes flickering around for a glint of gold and scolded herself. This wasn't Hogwarts quidditch, this was a professional team. By now most pros had firebolts, it wasn't something she could use to differentiate him on the field anymore.

She kept focused on Harry and tuned out the commentator, not wishing to spoil this moment of his first pro quidditch match by becoming frustrated at the thoughtless comments. Getting bored, she glanced over to Sirius and smiled softly to herself at his gentle look as he watched Harry, so different from the cruel prisoner he was once portrayed as. He loved him so much. It made Hermione's heart melt that finally Harry had someone in his corner, finally someone who could give him the parental love he so deserved.

Suddenly frantic movement surrounded her as Ron screeched in her ear "Harry! To your left!"

Head snapping back to the game, Hermione gasped as Harry swerved violently, narrowly avoiding a premature beheading from a bludger. Clenching her hands she revelled in the pain as her vails dug into her palm, taking her focus off the game until Harry had shaken it off. It was awful. Her stomach churned just thinking about it, how far he could have fallen.

Still, that didn't stop her cheering and whooping at the top of her lungs when he caught the snitch, winning the game to the triumph of the team and his family. Hermione flushed as he turned in the air, twisting around till he caught her eye. He had looked for her! Flashing her a bright grin he swooped down to her, the roar of the stadium rising as he did so. Cries rang out around her and Tonks gave an excited shriek as he hung off his broom, leaning down. Tilting her head up their lips met and she felt on top of the world. Nothing could be better than this.

Clutching Harry's hand tightly, she thought she may be slightly regretting such a public kiss. Sirius – grinning gleefully to himself – steered them through the sea of camaras, words washing over them from journalists desperate for a comment. It was like she was a child again at preschool where everyone had to hold hands so no one got lost.

Maturely ignoring the wolf whistles from who were quickly becoming her least favourite Weasleys she smiled back at Vira in solidarity, who had finally shaken off the spotlight of being the newest introduction to the Weasley clan and instead was enjoying Charlie's arm wrapped around her waist.

"Well, no need for any interviews anymore. Everyone will know it's true love now," Ron said, smirking. Face heating up, Hermione was gratified to see Harry's cheeks stain pink too. At least she wasn't the only one bothered by the teasing. Glancing away from him she ended up look towards Sirius who waggled his eyebrows at her and she sighed.

"We are surrounded by children," she muttered to Harry who gave a small snort of acknowledgement.

"You just worked that out?"

She gave him a shove and laughed as he stumbled, arms flailing to keep his balance. Scowling at her and then at Ron who was doing a great impression of a cackling Disney witch whose plan was coming into fruition. Jerk. As if he was any better with Lavender. Merlin they could be disgusting, all over each other like they were. Like have some class.

BANG! Hermione jerked around to the direction of screams, heart hammering, thoughts flashing back to fourth year. Getting separated from everyone, stumbling through the woods alone in the dark, Harry getting attacked. Not again. She couldn't do this again. It was supposed to be over. Explosions and screams began to echo from all around, the rain starting to really hammer down with a wail, no longer a light drizzle, instead amplifying the wet squelch of running as people slipped and scattered. Squeezing Harry's hand she felt herself tugged against him, Ron pressing up against her other side and wand at the ready.

"Don't!" Hermione's head snapped to Sirius. His arm was outstretched to Harry but still facing the direction of the first screams. "Just – just stick with Bill and Charlie, you don't need to get involved. This isn't your fight. It's probably nothing."

Lightning crackled down and thunder clouds parted. Hermione's heart thudded and her skin prickled, a cold feeling running over her. Not again. Not again. Taking a shaking breath her hand trembled around her wand as she stared at the symbol that had caused everyone so much suffering. The snake twisted around and appeared to smirk, like it was mocking them all for thinking it was over. Why wasn't it over?

Silence seemed to settle over the crowd, everything stock still like nature itself was in shock. A heavy blanket of unhappy truths. It was supposed to be over. They were supposed to be happy now, all the death eaters locked up. How had they missed any? They had been so careful, even using veritaserum to squeeze every last name out of them. This shouldn't be possible. How could this have happened?