Quaffles, Anyone?

Chapter Nine

Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw

“Is it true, Harry? Hermione's the new Chaser for Gryffindor?” Dean asked during Defense Against the Dark Arts. Rapticon Sr. was so bored with the topic they were learning, he postponed the lesson and allowed them to linger around the class till dismissal time.

“How'd you know that?” Harry asked puzzlingly

“I overheard you and Hermione talking about Chaser tactics the other day”

“I see. Well, it's true, Hermione is our new Chaser. But don't spread the news because her talent in goal-scoring is er - deadly”

“What do you mean?” Dean asked

“You'll see when the Season starts” Harry said

“Ok, I got it. Don't worry Harry, your secret's safe with me” and with that, Dean left Harry to his business.

- - -

Despite the fact that Hermione outlasted all the twenty-six hopefuls for the Chaser position, she told Harry and Ron not to pressure her when it comes to training. She's got school to worry about too.

“At least you get scholarship in sportsmanship” Ron said in the common room

“It would be a lot better if I had both in academics and sportsmanship” Hermione said as if settling the matter

After making promises not to pressure her, they would have training sessions every Friday night consuming one and a half hour of Hermione's time. Harry would feel like he was pressuring Hermione when he asked her to make one more goal, the reason? The Quidditch Season is drawing near and Harry felt like he wanted to make Hermione a powerhouse in goal-scoring.

“Don't push her too hard Harry” Ginny said during a session before Halloween “You did promise her”

“But its only three minutes overtime” Ron said looking at his wristwatch “She can make it”

Harry saw that Ron was half-right and half-wrong because after the session, Hermione started to fell backaches and semi-cramps around her legs and arms. When Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny went back to the common room, Harry would look behind him and see Hermione wincing every three to seven seconds. Maybe he was pushing her too hard and Hermione didn't even say a mere complaint which Harry felt a bit guilty.

“Harry, I think we are pressuring her too much” Ron said before the Halloween feast in the common room

“I know. That's why I cancelled the Hermione's training session for tonight” Harry said looking at Hermione at the other end of the common room. Her head could be seen beyond the mountain of books.

“That's good” Ron said looking at Hermione who was wincing. Probably her arm hurts, Harry thought “I couldn't help but pity the poor girl”

Harry, Ron and Hermione went down the Grand Staircase for the Halloween feast.

“Damn” Harry heard Hermione swore behind him. He looked behind and saw her leaning on the rails closing her eyes in agony

“What's wrong Hermione?” Ron asked walking up to her

“It's just this cramp” Hermione said

“Want to go to Madam Pomfrey?”

“No, I'm fine” Hermione said trying to fix her tie “It will go away in a moment”

When Harry entered the Great Hall it was filled with floating pumpkins above the tables, sweets that were stationed in the middle of all the food in the long tables.

“Where are Professor Raptor and Fiyuna?” Ron asked looking at the High Table as they took a seat beside Ginny. Harry looked at the High Table and saw two empty seats at Dumbledore's right side.

“You're right. I hope they'll come. The food looks great” Hermione said grabbing a turkey leg

It started raining when Harry started his second helpings of apple and cream pie.

“How can I practice with in this condition?” Hermione said looking at the magical ceiling which showed nothing but rain pouring down

“Oh” Harry said “I cancelled the training session”

“Really?” Hermione said looking at Harry as if he was some kind of valuable thing

Harry nodded

“Thank you Harry” Hermione said

Rapticon Sr. and Fiyuna didn't appear the whole feast. Harry heard the Slytherins wondering his whereabouts

“This feast would be the best if he was here” Harry heard Malfoy said “He promised me that we will have pumpkin dueling, whatever that is” he added looking excited

Rapticon Sr.'s absence became a bit of concern to Ginny, who, according to Ron, patronize him

“I wish he's okay. He looked mysterious this morning” Ginny said “He didn't even utter a joke”

The feast continued as people laughed and talked despite the rainy weather. It was a matter of time till a third year just three seats away from Harry said

“Wow! Look at the clouds!” he said looking up

Everyone followed his gaze and saw the clouds parting in an unusual fast speed as if a large hand divided it. The raining stopped eventually. Some looked at it in awe.

“Cool” Ron said taking a bite out of his chocolate chip cookie.

It was already the end of the feast when Filch, the caretaker, came in the Great Hall and to everyone's surprise, Rapticon Sr. who looked as if they were out in the rain followed Filch to the High Table.

“Headmaster!” Filch called as he walked up the steps to the High Table

“What is it Argus?” Dumbledore asked

“Dementors headmaster!” Filch said looking all white. The Great Hall has quieted down “I spotted them in the east courtyard”

There was murmuring of panic in the Great Hall. Harry looked at Hermione and Ron who looked shocked at the news. Dumbledore looked at Rapticon Sr.

“There were more than thirty of them Dumbledore” Rapticon Sr. said seriously “I told Filch the moment I saw them”

“What were you doing out in the rain then?” McGonagall asked

“I was… walking” Rapticon Sr. said

The students started to murmur loudly when they head the number of dementors lurking outside of Hogwarts.

“Silence” Dumbledore said standing up “We all know the routine. Head Boys and Girls and Prefects, guide your houses back to your common rooms at once. The Heads of Houses and teachers come with me to the courtyard”

“Alright, first years follow me!” Hermione said as she called all the first years

Harry followed her and Ron who were assembling the first years. He could here them say in panic

“Dementors? Here?”

“I want my mummy”

“Hey, where's Mark? He's not here at all”

“Just follow us and you'll be alright” Hermione said

But the first years started saying things that Harry nor Ron nor Hermione knew

“But what about Mark? He's missing” said a female first year

“We can't leave him” said a boy

“He's probably in the common room” Ron said “And besides, no one in their right mind will frolic around the castle with dementors around”

Ron turned to Harry and muttered

“Right, Harry?”

Harry gave Ron a nod. They climbed the Grand Staircase a little later on. It was filled with Prefects and Head Boys and Girls leading their Houses to their respective common rooms. The air of panic and fear was flying around the area.

“Isn't Mark that beater we accepted?” Ron asked Harry

“I think so” Harry said

“But I thought first years aren't allowed in the team”

“Ahem” Harry said

“Oh, sorry Harry”

They entered the common room which was now filled with Gryffindors. They were talking about who sent the dementors

“All signs point to You-Know-Who” Ron said when he, Harry and Hermione stayed at a corner in the noisy common room.

“I know. But why would Voldemort - oh please Ron - try to send dementors under the nose of Dumbledore?” Hermione said

“I don't know. Whatever Voldemort's planning -”

“Can you say `You-Know-Who' for crying out loud?” Ron said know looking pale since his two best friends are saying Voldemort's name without difficulty.

“Sorry Ron” Harry said

- - -

Dumbledore became tight lipped on the dementor subject the following day. He didn't give any announcement whatsoever but what really got the students wondering is was why Rapticon Sr. wandered around in the rain.

“I can't say Harry” Rapticon Sr. said when they asked him his whereabouts last night “I rather not talk about it. Shoo!”

Despite everyone's worries, the first Quidditch match of the season is coming close. This Saturday, Gryffindor will fight with Ravenclaw.

“Michael Corner's the seeker” Harry said to the team three nights before the match. Mark and James joined them in the Gryffindor training session.

“It's a good thing Ginny became Chaser” Ron said “or it will be the most heated Seeking chase this school's ever seen”

“Shut up Ron” Ginny said

The team did a great job in the session. Especially Hermione, who Ginny began to hero-worshipping in a teasingly way

“You're the best Chaser I've ever seen” Ginny said to Hermione

“C'mon Ginny, I'm not the best” Hermione said modestly

It was already Friday night when the team had their last training session.

“Good job Mark!” Harry said as Mark grinned when he whacked his seventh bludger. Harry went to check on Hermione but couldn't find her. He then asked Ron if he saw her, Ron pointed to a direction and Harry looked at were he was pointing at. There was Hermione talking animatedly with a very attractive boy, he was tall, had blonde hair and had topaz colored eyes.

“Hermione met him two weeks ago” Ginny said who appeared beside Harry

“Two weeks ago? Was that the -?”

“Chaser tryouts, yeah” Ginny said “He was next after Hermione, he's good but Hermione was the best of course”

“Why Hermione didn't mention him when she told me what happened in the tryouts?”

“Oh look at the time!” Ginny said ignoring him “I gotta go Harry. Must train for the match”

“But -”

Too late, Ginny already flew up to the sky with Katie. Ron came to Harry and said

“If you want to know Hermione told me his name. His name is Alex”

“Is that so” Harry said seeing Hermione swaying in an adorable way while she held her broomstick talking with Alex “is he a seventh year?”

“Yup” Ron said “I think Hermione's not aware of her surroundings”

“Why not?” Harry asked as she saw Hermione smiling and laughing

“She doesn't want you to know” Ron said as Harry shot him a look of confusion

“What?”

“She thought you might take it in a different way”

“What do you mean a different way? Will I be jealous?” Harry said looking irritated

“That's the idea” Ron said sweeping his broom idly on the ground

“But Hermione and I are best friends” Harry said “We made a pact that we should not have any physical or mental attraction to each other”

“When did you two made a pact?” Ron asked

“When we talked about the incident last month” Harry said “you know, the time when I accidentally slapped -”

“I get it” Ron said quickly “I wonder why Hermione thinks you'd be jealous”

“I don't know” Harry said as Alex left the pitch with Hermione looking at him dreamily.

For the first time in his life, Harry couldn't help but feel a bit jealous since Hermione hadn't told him about Alex.

- - -

“Harry? Can I talk to you for a moment?” Hermione said at the Quidditch locker room hours before the match

“Sure” Harry said putting on his armguard “What is it?”

“Er - yesterday, during practice, did you see er… me talking with a boy?”

Harry didn't want to lie to her

“Yeah… why?”

Hermione bit her lower lip as if she didn't want Harry to say `yes'

“Do you want to know why?”

Harry half-heartedly nodded

“Well, there was one thing that slipped my mind when I told you what happened during Chaser tryouts” Hermione was turning red “There was this guy named Alex and he kind of said I looked pretty and said other nice stuff to me. I talked to him of course and after that we've been meeting in Arithmancy since he's also in my class and - you're okay with that are you?” Hermione said nervously

Harry couldn't find his voice

“Y-yeah s-sure Hermione”

Hermione still looked nervous

“I don't sense any concrete decision right?” she said holding her armguard rather sheepishly

Before Harry could answer, Ron came in

“C'mon you two! The match's about to begin! Professor Raptor's throwing peanuts at everyone thanks to the delay of the match!”

Without a word, Harry nodded at Ron and followed him with Hermione taking the rear.

“STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND OUR DEAR HEADMASTER! WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THE FIRST MATCH OF THE INTER-HOUSE QUIDDITCH CUP CHAMPIONSHIP!” called the announcer from outside as cheers and applauses came to. The announcer's voice sounded like someone he knew.

“Are you nervous?” Harry asked Hermione who was beside him as they stayed behind a door which leads to the pitch

“Y-Yeah, sort of” Hermione said shakily

“Don't worry” Harry said remembering the first time he had his Quidditch match “I was scared too. But I turned out well, didn't I?”

Hermione didn't say anything but nodded

“To begin the game we shall introduce our fellow teams!” called the announcer “Bred from the West Tower, their talons can tear their way through the tournament. They are the ones who'll teach others that we are more than brains that meets eye! Ladies and Gentlemen! Ravenclaw!”

Harry could hear a wild cheer from his right side as the announcer called on the names of the players

“Great entrance Ravenclaw! But could they stand a chance against the undefeated champion? Ladies and Gentlemen, from the highest of the high! These players are molded with courage, brawn and nerve, they are the three time champion and not to mention the undefeated champions! I give you… GRYFFINDOR!”

The doors in front of Harry opened as the area became flooded with light. Harry mounted on his broom as he and the others zoomed out whilst the announcer called out their names.

“We got Bell, Weasley, Granger, Rosenberg - er… what's this guy's family name? - er… Mark, Weasley and of course, the famous HARRY POTTER!”

Harry couldn't help but wave sheepishly to the crowd. He abandoned what he was doing and went to his place. After a few moments, Madam Hooch came in and did the usual routine in a Quidditch match: telling the team to play a nice fair game, opening the ball crate to release the four balls to start the game with a whistle.

“And they're off!”

Harry whirled around the pitch looking for the snitch and also watching Hermione just in case something happens.

“It's Gryffindor in possession - Weasley holds the ball - she does a little swerve as she dodges does bludgers - she passes it to Bell - Weasley - Granger. Wow! She's fast! Anyway, Granger runs straight to the ring post… she is almost there… she's only few feet away…”

Harry looks at the end of the pitch. Hermione threw the ball up in the air and did a spike. The quaffle became a red blur due to the speed of he throw, it was so fast it was like about to ram the Keeper.

“GRYFFINDOR TEN TO ZERO!”

Harry's eyes widened in surprise, Hermione shot her first goal when the Keeper missed her shot by a few inches and he saw Hermione give Mark a high five as he swung his bat on an upcoming bludger.

“Wow! Did you all see that? Better watch out Ravenclaw! Granger has a shot that is deadly as basilisk bite!”

Hermione passed by Harry and winked at him. Harry smiled and looked around for the snitch.

“Ravenclaw in possession - wait! Weasley intercepted - Gryffindor in possession - Weasley - Bell - Granger. Watch out here she goes again - SCORE! GRYFFINDOR SCORES TWENTY TO ZERO!”

“EAT DUNG, RAVENCLAW!” Harry heard a Gryffindor shout from the bleachers below

“What a debut match for the teen witch! Anyway - Prewett - Fawcet - London - He's going to Weasley! London's aiming for the goal! Can Weasley prevail?”

Harry looked at Ron but during mid-turn he heard an “Ooooooh!” sound which sounded disappointing from the Ravenclaws. Ron has saved the goal.

“Well done Weasley! Now it's Gryffindor in possession, Granger - Bell - Weasley - Whew! Near miss by a bludger and Rosenberg whacks it to the Corner - Wait a minute… was that a golden flicker I saw?”

Harry looked around and saw a golden ball with silver wings flying over the high stands where the teachers and headmaster was seated.

“GRYFFINDOR SCORES THIRTY TO ZERO! Great shot, Weasley!”

Harry turned to look at Ginny who gave a high five to Hermione. Harry turned back to the golden snitch and saw it flying behind the high stand. Harry zoomed to it like dart. He felt a presence behind him and saw Corner tailing behind him. Harry went back to the snitch which was inches from his grip.

“RAVENCLAW SCORES TEN TO THIRTY!” Harry heard the announcer shout

He was this close to the snitch if he could only force his broom to thrust one more inch…

“GRYFFINDOR SCORES WHICH MAKES THEM THIRTY POINTS HIGHER! Granger's a natural, don't you think Headmaster?”

Asking the headmaster's opinion gave Harry the impression that the announcer was beside Dumbledore.

“Ravenclaw in possession, they are flying like ravens! Hence their House name. Anyway, they're coming closer - closer - closer… SAVED!”

Harry didn't want to look back and see Ron's satisfied face for making a save, he was focusing on the snitch which was already dancing in his fingertips…

“ARGH!”

Harry cocked his hand forward and grabbed the snitch as the whole stadium exploded with cheers and applause. They've done it, they've won.

“Potter has caught the snitch in a fast time! This means Gryffindor's awarded with one hundred and fifty points! GRYFFINDOR WINS!”

Harry landed and was met by the team who were shaking hands with him. Harry went to Ron and Hermione who were beaming at him with great happiness. He hugged both of them and joined the Gryffindors to celebrate.

“Potter may be the best in Seeking but this match wouldn't be a match without Granger's goal-scoring ability!” called the announcer

Harry tuned to Hermione who was buried by Katie, Ginny and Ron who were hugging her only her hair was visible.

“What a match! Thank you ladies and gentlemen for joining us this is Fred and George Weasley, special commentators of this match!”

Everyone looked up and started waving at them

“And don't forget” Fred said “Weasley's Wizards Wheezes is in Diagon Alley! We accept discounts to members of - AAHH!!!”

Everyone laughed when McGonagall. started chasing them around for making such advertisements

“Well -” Fred said trying to hold the speaker phone away from McGonagall “We want to say to all the Hogwarts students that - ” Fred tossed the speaker phone to George who continued what Fred said “If you want to order our `stuff' just owl post us anything you like from Skiving Snackboxes to Extendable Ears! Professor!”

Harry laughed as McGonagall grabbed the speaker phone from them and started waving a threatening finger at them.

- - -

The excitement of the Quidditch match hasn't died yet since yesterday. Harry was always greeted by Gryffindors every time he passed. He felt so good he wanted to go down to meet Hagrid but someone stopped him from going there.

He saw Alex walking pass him.

“Are you Harry Potter?” he asked joyfully

“Er - yes” Harry said

“I love your Seeking ability! Very brilliant!” he said looking at Harry

“Thanks” Harry said

“Hermione keeps on talking about you” Alex said

“Really?”

He nodded curtly and said

“She keeps on saying you're always - ”

Alex was cut off when they heard Hermione rushing to them looking very happy

“Guess what?” Hermione said to Harry

“What is it?”

“Well, I was on my way to the common room and Professor McGonagall comes to me and tells me that after my performance in the match yesterday, she said I might get a scholarship in sportsmanship!” she said smiling

“That's great Hermione” Alex said behind her

She nodded and turned to Harry

“I can't wait!” she said “This is great!”

Harry was very happy for her he was about to hug her but in a blink of an eye Hermione turned to Alex and gave him a hug.

“I've never felt happier since last month” Hermione said as she was hugging Alex who was patting her hair

Harry couldn't help the fact that he was so irritated at the fact that Hermione would hug Alex over him then something came to him… He stood there thunderstruck at the very thought that he could be - or possibly… jealous.

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