Quaffles, Anyone?

Chapter Six

The Beater Tryouts

“So” said Rapticon Sr. when he saw Ron's and Harry's faces when they saw the twig “I will just sit here till you two say something”

Professor Raptor moved inside the common room and sat on the squashy armchair looking at Harry and Ron.

“You know if you stand too long your veins will pop” Professor Raptor said whilst Ron and Harry looked at the twig “I'm not lying”

It took a while till Harry realized that he's been staring at the twig for the half hour. He looked around and saw Professor Raptor just staring happily around the common room as if he was a guest

“Hermione!” Ron shouted as he climbed the girl's dormitory staircase.

“Ron! You know you can't -” Harry said

Just like last year, Ron fell down the stairs which transformed into a slide.

“Only females can go up there” said Rapticon Sr. standing up

Harry looked at Ron who stood up and walked to Harry

“Harry, does this mean that Hermione is being beaten up with a broomstick?”

Harry looked at Ron with a shocked face. Hermione being beaten up by a broomstick?

“It all fits” Ron continued “she said she's going through with something and she's been having these injuries. Not to mention she wanted us to keep our noses out of her business”

“Now you're being skeptic” said Harry sarcastically

“Before this will be a heated argument, I will leave” said Rapticon Sr. walking to the portrait hole and leaving Harry and Ron, lost in thought.

- - -

Ever since last night, Hermione gave Harry and Ron the cold shoulder. Harry felt they deserved it after what they did to her during their third year.

“I feel horrible” said Ron when both he and Harry saw Hermione eating on the other side of the table in the Great Hall lunch time “but if she is being abused by someone, we have to tell her” he said prodding his chicken-and-ham pie

Harry looked at Hermione, she was sporting a cut on her cheek which reminded Harry of the Whomping Willow incident during their third year

“I think we should ask Professor Raptor to interrogate her. He mentioned at Hogsmeade he has the skills for interrogation” Ron said as he started eating his pie

“Ouch! Neville!”

Ron and Harry looked at Hermione who was glaring at Neville who accidentally hit her injured wrist. Harry looked at Professor Raptor who was talking to Dumbledore.

“I don't want to hurt her to get answers” said Harry

“It was just a suggestion” said Ron putting a spoonful of ham in his mouth

The rest of the day turned out good. Except for Potions Class when Hermione swore so loudly when Dean accidentally bumped her ribs which were bandaged when he was carrying his flask of Panacea Healing Potion.

“DAMN YOU DEAN!” she shouted making the class silenced

“Granger” said the drawling voice of Professor Snape “being a know-it-all doesn't mean you can throw words with your dirty mouth around my classes. Fifteen points from Gryffindor”

“I don't think you can dock points Severus” said a voice from the dungeon door. It was Rapticon Sr.

“Ah Rapticon Sr.?” said Snape “What is it that you need?”

“I just came here to get Granger over here” he gestured to Hermione who looked as if she was about to poke Dean in the eye with her wand

“Very well but I must say that she will have to take detention-”

“I read the handbook Severus, I'm not stupid” said Rapticon Sr. leaving the room with Hermione following the rear making Snape look taken aback.

“Hermione? Detention?” Ron said looking at Harry when they left the dungeons for Double Defense Against the Dark Arts “the last time she had detention was during first year”

Harry and Ron climbed up the Grand Staircase and entered the corridor of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, they were the first ones, no one was there yet. When Harry and Ron stayed at the beginning of the queue they heard talking.

“…and you won't be telling them because they might get a bit reckless?” said the voice of Rapticon Sr.

“Y-yes” Hermione's voice came “I don't want some early reactions till I'm ready to tell”

“That's the spirit! Just be tight lipped about the subject and be plain normal” said Rapticon Sr.

Harry told Ron to follow him, they walked to another corridor where the hospital wing is. They could hear a distant sound of a door opening and the voice of Rapticon Sr. and Hermione.

“Ron, I think it is true. I think Hermione is - you know” said Harry

“But why wouldn't she tell us?”

“C'mon, she will not tell us first because she knows we will take the news in a very negative way”

“But, we can control ourselves”

“You nearly bit her head off last night”

“Oh yeah” said Ron looking at the ceiling

“Come on, class is starting” said Harry as a group of Gryffindors passed by so they can start another escapade in Professor Raptor's class

- - -

Hermione still wasn't talking to them for the next three days, which was filled with happiness since Professor Raptor kept on telling his jokes in class.

“Wham! I threw the stone and it hits the guys you-know-what for crying out loud!” said Rapticon Sr. as the class started laughing “He said thank you though”

But the jokes of Rapticon Sr. didn't even made Hermione smile, she was still grim in every minute. Harry could spot her on the Hogwarts grounds doing her homework looking very lonely when she looked at the Quidditch Field. He wanted to come and talk to her but the thought of her ignoring him would be sad.

“Let's talk to her” said Ron making a couple of first years jump in the common room Friday night “we have Beater tryouts tomorrow and I can't pick someone with a with a heavy conscience”

“Alright, alright! I'll talk to her” said Harry putting his quill down and scanned the room for Hermione but she wasn't there

“She's not here” said Harry writing his Star Chart

The common room silenced when the portrait hole opened and Hermione came in with a bloody forehead

“Hermione!” Lavender screamed

“Call Professor McGonagall!” called a second year

“DON'T!” Hermione shouted “if you do, you will be very sorry!”

“Hermione! What's going on?!” Ron finally shouted

She looked at Ron for a minute and was about to open her mouth to say something but Ron beat her to it

“You get these injuries and wounds and you won't even give a damn to tell me and Harry?” he said angrily “We are your best friends and you still won't tell?”

There was a dead silence in the common room. All the Gryffindors stopped what they were doing. She looked at Ron and limped to the girl's dormitory without saying a word.

- - -

Harry, Ron, Ginny and Katie made their way to the pitch Saturday morning.

“So, Ginny? How many signed up for tryouts?” Ron ask as they passed the lake

“Forty-Eight” said Ginny waving a roll of parchment as they entered the pitch “surprisingly, Dean and Seamus are in it. But I doubt they will make it” she added

The field was filled with Gryffindor hopefuls. Most of them were practicing by throwing rocks at each other and batting them with beater bats. Harry could see some fourth years looking nervous as they swung their bats idly. The forty-eight hopefuls became quiet when Harry came. He went to the middle of the throng and said rather nervously

“Gryffindor are two beaters short and two lucky Gryffindors will take those spots. And I, being the captain, will judge and evaluate your performance together with my colleagues” he said gesturing to Ron, Ginny and Katie

“The best will be chosen while the, er… the one whose not the best will be out”

He looked around and saw a desk and four chairs behind it. He walked and sat on the third chair and said

“Let the tryout begin!”

A little later on, Ron and Katie released the bludgers from their prisons so they can test the first beater on the list of forty-eight: Louie Thompson

He flew up on his Cleansweep Six (“Mine's a Seven” muttered Ron) and started to avoid the bludgers from hitting him.

“Good reflexes” Harry heard Ginny

“I agree” said Katie Bell nodding

“For an amateur” said Ron receiving glares from Ginny and Katie

Louie was able to hit the two bludgers in one swing which made the other hopefuls go “Oooh”. He then did a dive to avoid the first bludgers but was finally hit by the second one making him hit the grassy soil.

“Ouch” Harry said giving Louie a good score. He was good, if only he saw that second bludger

“Who's next?” Katie asked

“A fifth year by the name of Paul Kriston” Ron said looking at a parchment paper “He says that he's been flying since six. That's a thing I should be skeptic about” he said hitting the bell that signaled Paul to start his practice

Paul was good but not as good as Louie, after four minutes of being chased by two bludgers, he gets hit when he was about to make his first bat on the bludger

“He's out” said the four of them in one time

The first four hours of the tryouts were dedicated to the next twelve beaters who did a fair job except for the seventh one who was able to whack the two bludgers with his bat and the tail of his broom.

“Wow!” yelled Ron clapping at the boy named James Rosenberg “You've got my vote!”

The next five were bad and Professor Raptor stopped by to see the tryouts closer since he was watching it from his office

“Hey professor” said Harry as Rapticon Sr. conjured a stool and sat on it

“How's progress?” he said looking at the evaluation

“Kinda good” said Harry as a beater was nearly knocked flat on his broom

“Geez, I though this guy was good” said Rapticon Sr. looking at the evaluation of Harold Florence “he kept on yapping that he will be the next beater of the Gryffindors two days ago. Braggart”

The next batch of beaters was bad. So bad that Rapticon Sr. shouted “You're so blind! It was only three feet from you!” he tossed a quaffle at an owl who was hooting idly.

“Professor!” said Ginny as the owl started screeching

“Sorry” he said settling himself down.

There were five left.

“Let's have some music” said Rapticon Sr. conjuring a small radio out of nowhere “don't worry, it's magically powered so it will work” he opened the radio and it started playing a lively jazz music which made Ginny nod her head in every beat

“I like it” she commented on the music as the third to the last beater ended his beating spree

“I love pineapples” Harry heard Rapticon Sr. mutter absent-mindedly

After the second to the last beater, the last one came in. He was wearing a blue sweat shirt, a pair of jeans and kept his hood up. He had strands of brown hair coming out from his hood.

“That's strange, your name's not here” said Ginny

“Over here” said Rapticon Sr. pointing at the name `Mark'

“Okay Mark” said Harry “Show me what you got”

Mark got his broom which was a Firebolt and flew to fight the bludgers.

“Here we go again” said Ron

But the results were different; he was fast as a speeding bullet. He was able to hit the bludgers in quick succession. He was able to toss his beater bat like a boomerang to hit the first bludger and grabbed it just in time to whack the second one. He then started being chased by a bludger, the other one was coming from his front. He was going to be sandwiched by the bludgers.

“He's toast” said Ron

“Wait” said Ginny

Mark took a dive and the two bludgers rammed at each other causing them to go boom.

“Damn” Harry heard say Ron as Mark came down with his Firebolt

“You're in!” praised Rapticon Sr. as he stood up and clapped

- - -

“So who's in?” asked Dean, who looked gloomy since his performance wasn't good this morning. Hours has passed since the Bludger tryouts and Harry was resting in the common room after the hard day

“Ron will post it this coming Monday” said Harry

During the deliberation, Harry, Ron, Ginny and Katie chose two people for the beater slots. James Rosenberg and the boy named Mark who is a first year.

“Okay” said Dean and left Harry with his own business. Harry looked out the window and saw Hagrid reading a book just outside of his hut.

“I think I'll meet Hagrid” Harry said as he left the common room

“Oh Harry!” said Hagrid joyfully when Harry arrived “Come for a cuppa?” he asked when he stood up and entered his hut with Harry following suit.

“I `ear dat ya found your beaters” said Hagrid as he pour tea on Harry's mug “'ave been watchin' from me hut”

“I see” said Harry as he took a swig of tea. He noticed the armchair of Hagrid has bloodstains

“Hagrid, why's there blood on your armchair?” Harry said putting down his mug

“Oh that? Hermione came `ere earlier -” he paused and look at Harry “aren't you and Hermione talking? She `ardly mentioned you or Ron”

“Never mind” Harry said “Was she bleeding?”

“'er fore 'ed was bleeding she came tah me and asked me tah wrap `er head with some cloth” Hagrid said looking out at the window “she was bit of a hurry if you ask me”

“Yeah” said Harry trying his best not be worried

“I `ave tah say summats goin' on with her. I'm worried. Are you?” Hagrid asked looking at Harry

“I dunno” said Harry feeling more guilty that he's ignoring her more and more than ever.

“C'mon” said Hagrid “she's your best friend and your just goin' tah ignore her?”

“Hagrid! Please stop!” Harry said angrily feeling guiltier “she's hiding something from me and she won't say it!”

“That sounds like summats in love” Hagrid said smiling

“What?” Harry said looking stunned

“I see your passion tah know Hermione's secret. That sounds like you like `er”

“I don't” said Harry

“She's beautiful an' dat and I'm surprised you and Ron fancied her”

“I won't” Harry said “Never”

“Dat's wat you think” Hagrid said as he scratched Fang's ear

- - -

Harry observed Hermione's status during Sunday, she looked very sick. She would sleep during breakfast, and run to the bathroom when given the opportunity. The bandage on Hermione's forehead has turned red due to the blood flowing. Lavender and Parvati tried to bring her to the hospital wing but got nearly hexed by her when they grabbed her by the arm.

“We got to talk to her again” said Ron

“I don't care” Harry said

“Harry, she's our best friend”

“She says leave her alone”

“You sound like you -”

“Ron would do me a favor and shut up!”

Monday came in a sad note because the moment Harry came to the Great Hall, he saw Hermione staring at her bacon looking lost which made Harry pity her. Even her status made her fail in subjects, especially in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

“And the sarcophagus of the Egyptian tomb is the symbol of… HERMIONE JANE GRANGER!” Rapticon Sr. bellowed waking her up

“Yes Professor?” she asked

“If you find it a luxury to sleep in my class tell me, what does a sarcophagus mean?”

She yawned and said sleepily

“It is the symbol of the homes for the dead Egyptian kings” she yawned and continued “and it houses the cadavers of the former Kings of Egypt”

“That's right” said Professor Raptor smiling at her “you can go to sleep now”

Hermione yawned and her head fell on her desk and started sleeping

When Harry entered the common room that evening, he saw Hermione sleeping with her head on top of her Ancient Runes book at the corner of the common room. Harry walked up to her and saw her smiling, the first time he saw her smile in days. Harry smiled back and was about to stroke her hair when Ron's voice lurked behind Harry.

“So, you do want to talk to her again”

“Ron, I just wanted to -”

“I don't believe it” said Ron shaking his head smirking

“Ron!”

“If you weren't there to apologize, then what were you doing there anyway?”

Harry opened his mouth till he heard moving behind him. He turned and saw Hermione opening her eyes and scratching head, when she looked up and saw Ron and Harry near her, her eyes widened and walked straight for her dormitory.

“Thanks a lot Ron” said Harry

“No problem” said Ron sarcastically as he left for the boy's dormitories

Harry didn't know what to do, he wanted to talk to her again but in the same time don't give a care about her but his guilt of Hermione being injured and him not doing a thing about it grew even larger.

He heard footsteps behind him and saw Hermione walking past him as if he wasn't there. She grabbed her books and started walking back to her dormitory till she stopped dead and came back to the table for a green one that Harry recognize was Quidditch Through The Ages. This time her foot was already at the steps when Harry said

“I wonder what happened to friendship.” As he sat at one of the squashy armchairs “I think someone in this room forgot the meaning to it”

Harry didn't know what was happening but he felt from behind that someone's arms were wrapping around his neck which he recognized as Hermione's. She was trying to force a sob from coming out when she released him and walked up to her dormitory leaving Harry guilty.