Chapter Six: Return to Quidditch

Someone was knocking on the window of the girls' dormitory at Hermione's bedside. It was Ginny. She was outside flying on her broomstick. "Hermione! Hermione, wake up!" Hermione woke up, startled. She looked outside her window. Ginny called to her, "It's time for Quidditch warm-up." Hermione was surprised that Ginny was already outside on her broom. As soon as she went down to the pitch, Hermione got up and got dressed. By the time she went downstairs, breakfast had already been served. The house-elves were getting ready to clean up and do the dishes.

Once outside, Ginny and the others went up to the sky and Hermione was in the stands. Luna went to sit down next to her. "You look dreadful, Hermione. Are you all right?" Hermione saw that Luna was once again sporting her giant lion head. "Yeah," she said, "I just had a late night is all." Luna offered her some coffee and Hermione didn't hesitate in drinking it.

All of Hogwarts were out and about now. The stands were packed and the stadium was ready to be filled with players. Ginny and the rest of the Gryffindor team went flying out onto the field. The Slytherins weren't too far behind them. The Quidditch commentator started announcing: "Hello, Hogwarts! Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the new term. Today's game, Gryffindor vs Slytherin!" The crowds roared with applause and cheering. Luna and Hannah were clapping their hands. Hermione was clapping hers at more of a respectful pace. "The Quidditch stadium looks like it's seen better days," the commentator went on, "but it's standing up tall for the time being, so let's make the most of it."

Madam Hooch stepped out onto the field to begin the game. She kicked the chest open and the Bludgers came springing out, followed by the Golden Snitch. As soon as she picked up the Quaffle, she threw it up high and the players started going for it. "And the Quaffle is up!" the commentator shouted. Kirke went for the Quaffle, but the first Slytherin Chaser got to it first. Sloper tackled him, and passed it over the Robins. "Ooh, Sloper passes the Quaffle to Demelza Robins!" said the commentator. "Robins passes it Kirke, he shoots..." Kirke throws the Quaffle and it goes through the hoop. The audience cheered. "...he scores!" said the commentator. "Ten points to Gryffindor!"

"Sloper has the Quaffle, but he loses it to Vaisey!" Vaisey and Urquhart pass the ball back and forth. Urquhart throws it, Hooper misses and the Quaffle went through the hoop. The crowd booed. "Aw, man, so close!" the commentator announced. "Ten points to Slytherin." Hooper groaned. Ginny shouted out to Hooper, "Walk it off, Hooper, just walk it off!" The commentator announced, "The Beaters are on the lookout for Bludgers while the Seekers battle it out in search for the Snitch." A Bludger made its way towards Ginny and she dodged. Then the Bludger ran to Robins, but Peakes hit it with his bat. Vaisey and Urquhart tackled her and did the same routine. Vaisey threw it, but Hooper grabbed the ball this time and threw it to Kirke. "Hooper caught the ball! That a boy, Hoop!" the commentator shouted. Kirke threw the Quaffle and it went through another hoop. "Another 10 points to Gryffindor!" Cheering occurred.

After a while, the final score was 170 to 130. Gwen was in the Gryffindor stands with Willow, cheering on the team. Luna admired the look of them. "Oh, look at those girls over there. They really know how to have team spirit." "Oh," Hermione said, "that's Gwen and Willow.

First years. I met them first term when they were dying to meet me." "You don't look so happy."

"What? I was thrilled about it. Usually Harry's the one who gets noticed. Me, I'm just the brainiac."

"Hermione, you're more than just brains and beauty." "Well..." Hermione said.

The moment of truth was approaching rapidly. Ginny was zooming after the Snitch. The Slytherin Seeker bumped into her and Ginny bumped back. She reached out her hand as soon as possible. The crowd was on its feet. Ginny was almost at the Snitch...she grabs it! "Ginny Weasley has caught the Snitch!" the commentator announced. "Gryffindor wins the match!" Applause and cheering stamped in the stands. "Whoo!" Hermione called out, "Go, Ginny!" Ginny lifted her arm up and beamed. Gryffindor had won again. But will it be enough to secure the Quidditch Cup?

The Gryffindors were celebrating in the common room that night. McGonagall was duly impressed with Ginny's performance. "Well done, Miss Weasley. A job well done." "Thank you, professor," Ginny said, "but I can't take all the credit. It was a team effort."

Hermione was smirking. She was surprised to see that Ginny was basking in the glory of her victory, yet still gave credit to those who deserved it. Just like Harry did, but Ginny was a bit more open. Harry didn't always like confrontation, which in general was good. Most famous people only care about fortune and glory, but Harry was modest, humble and very honest — a quality some people lack. Now that Gryffindor had won the first Quidditch match of the year, but there were still two matches left in the season. Traditionally, that's all you needed to secure the cup. Ginny had to keep her wits about her, and the team had better get their act together in time for the second match.