AN-Wow this chapter took forever. Sorry about that everyone, I'll try to be faster next time. The next chapter will be the last in this story. I wanted to say that you to all of you reviewers, your comments is what drives me. THANK YOU Most of all I have to thank Coriander my Beta. You rock and I couldn't have done it with out you. Thanks.
Ok on with the show. . .
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Chapter 8
Crack!
They appeared right by the main entrance to the Quidditch field. Before anyone could check to see what the noise was Harry pulled Hermione behind one of the large hanging partitions. "Quickly before anyone spots us." Harry said. Hermione surveyed his face quickly then pulled down his jumper a bit into place, "Are you embarrassed to be seen with me like this?" her voice was soft and her eyes downcast.
Harry's right hand shook a little as he raised her chin up to meet his, "You're joking right?" His eyes flicked back and forth between hers. "Hermione I don't care what anyone thinks about me, accept you. I would write it across the sky with my Firebolt if it would make you happy. You're the only one I want to be with now and forever, understand?" This made her happier, but he could still see a bit of doubt behind her smile. Slowly he kissed her lips.
Suddenly their dark hideaway was flooded with sunlight as the partition was pulled away. Harry heard the signature laughter of Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy was standing off to the side with his arm around Pansy Parkinson, snickering he said, "Oh isn't this precious, the little Mudblood's here nursing Scarhead back to health."
Pansy gave Hermione a disgusted look. "What is she your girlfriend now Potter? I thought you had better taste then-this," she said, pointing a long finger at Hermione. "At least Cho was halfway descent looking."
Hermione reached for her wand stepping forward, but was stopped by Harry. He dropped his bag and stepped out from behind the partition wall. They all backed away slowly, for a look of murderous rage washed over Harry's face. He got right into Malfoy's face. "I would watch what you say, Malfoy, if I where you. You wouldn't want your head up there next to your fathers, on a pike above the Ministry."
Malfoy was turning redder and redder by the second; his anger was about to explode. At the close of the war the Ministry of Magic had reinstated some of their older more barbaric laws from the past. Anyone who was caught practicing Dark Magic against the Minister or the Crown of England was publicly beheaded for all to see, their head was then placed on a long pike and set out above the doorway to the Minister. Not only did this help to reassure the public that they were in fact winning the war, but that these people would never be coming back from the dead this time.
"You wait Potter. I'll get you one of these days." He and his minions backed away slowly towards their locker rooms. "One day when you're not with your friends, I'll avenge my father! It'll be your head up there!"
Harry was trembling with anger. He wanted to hurt Malfoy for all the damage he'd done over the years, and always seemed to get out of trouble some how. He hated him more then Voldemort. The feeling of warmth surrounded him from behind as Hermione wrapped her arms around him, "Forget about him Harry. He just wants to upset you. To keep you off balance for the game."
"That's a smart girl you got their Harry, you should hang on to this one," said a familiar voice from behind them both.
Harry spun around in Hermione's arms, "Wood?"
Oliver Wood was standing there with another man in black and white robes. Harry and Hermione walked over and happily shook hands with him and his friend who introduced himself as just Marcus. Harry could see by the symbol of his chest that he must play for the Montrose Magpies. All his thoughts of blasting Malfoy into fairy dust where quickly forgotten by the sight of his old captain.
"So what brings you here today Wood, I didn't think you pro guys paid to much attention to the school leagues. What gives?"
"Look at the turn out Harry. There's a few scout's here from the pro teams so McGonagall sent me an owl asking if I wanted to do commentary for the match. So me and Marcus here thought we'd drop in on the old team."
"That's great! Look I have to get in there before Ron has a panic attack and thinks I'm not coming. Want to tag along? I'm sure he'll be happy to see you," Harry said steering Hermione around towards the locker room.
Oliver pondered this for a minute, then shot Marcus a look, "Do you mind going up to the announcer's box without me. I'll be there soon - just want to check on my old team."
Marcus didn't look put out at all. "Sure no problem. If anyone's in our seats I'll toss 'em over the edge." They had a quick laugh and they were off. When they where close to the locker room door Harry stopped Oliver, "So tell me Wood are we screwed? What are they flying now? I know they got a donation from the alumni last week. What did they get?"
"Harry, you know I can't tell you that mate." Wood said trying his best to look shocked. Hermione was quick to chime in, "That's against the rules Harry! Oliver is supposed to be neutral here today, right?" she finished, looking to Wood for his endorsement.
"This is true," he said, but held his finger in the air to stop Harry's pleas. "But! I'm still a Gryffindor and would hate to see my mates lose to those wankers." Hermione crossed her arms but Harry looked hopeful. "They got new Thunderbird 420's from America."
Harry's shoulders sunk and he rested his head on Hermione's shoulder, "We're doomed! Those brooms are ridiculously fast. My Firebolt's going to look like it's sitting still next to Malfoy's broom." Hermione snuck her hand behind his back and rested it on his ass, which caught his attention. "Well at least the match will be over fast," she said with a coy smile.
Harry glared at her, "Ha Ha. I don't want it to be over fast. I want to win. We need this victory, Ron needs this win."
Wood held up his hands in demonstration for Harry, "Look, Harry the thing to remember is the Thunderbird is build for flat out speed." Wood swooped his fingers down and up quickly. "Their drawback is turning. You can out maneuver him any day on the Firebolt, just don't try to outrun him for the snitch . . . OK?"
Harry smiled weakly at Wood, "Well I hope the snitch will cooperate and move around a lot. Come on let's see what's going on in there," he said motioning to the door. They opened the door and where assaulted by the sounds of screaming voices.
"I DON'T CARE WHAT SHE SAYS! I'm the captain we're using MY plays! GOT IT!" Ron screamed at Seamus.
Seamus threw his pads to the floor, "I never said we can't use your plays!"
"Yeah but you didn't stick up for me when she was here, did you?" Ron yelled stepping closer to him.
Harry dropped his bag and darted between them. "Hey, Hey, cool it you two! What's going on here anyway?" Oliver and Hermione slipped into the corner, unnoticed by all.
Ron looked visibly relived to see Harry and said, "Well McGonagall paid us a visit a few minutes ago, and started suggesting some plays she thought would be good for today's game. The nerve of that woman! Trying to…"
"Ron! She's our Professor and the Head of our house! Don't you dare talk about her like that!" Hermione yelled. Ron spun around looking astonished, "What are you doing here?"
"I came here with Har. . ."
"WOOD! Oh my god is it good to see you." Ron jumped over a bench and grabbed Oliver pulling him over to the blackboard. "Let me run this play past you ok? Tell me what you think alright?" Oliver laughed a little at Ron's enthusiasm. "OK, but I have to get out of here soon so make it quick."
Hermione watched as Seamus thumped Harry on the back from behind thanking him for saving him from Ron. Harry grit his teeth and his face tightened. Harry patted him on the shoulder and walked back over to Hermione his movements were slow and planned. Outwardly no one noticed anything wrong, but she knew inside he must have been in pain. She reached down and retrieved his bag. He flashed her a quick smile. "Thanks."
"Have a seat. I'll help you get ready," she said pulling out his pads. He didn't refuse her offer, but sat still as she fastened his shin guard on. The concern was clearly written all over her face when she held out the forearm pads waiting for him. Harry placed his hand on hers, "Please don't worry - OK? It'll be over 1,2,3 you'll see."
Hermione sighed slipping the guard over his arm, "I know, just be careful, OK?"
"I will be. No banzai dives, OK?" he said looking into her eyes. 'My god she's beautiful even when she's worried . . .amazing.'
"Promise?"
He leaned down and kissed her softly and said against her lips, "I swear to you."
Ginny let out a deep sigh and punched Neville in the arm, "Why can't you act more like that?"
Neville looked around the room quickly, not understanding what she was talking about. "What . . .what did I miss?"
Ginny stomped her foot and turned away from him smiling, "Jerk! You never listen to me."
Now he looked even more confused than before and slowly turned her back around, "Ginny I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I was just looking for my bat - swear. Don't be mad."
She giggled and leaned up into his chest smiling playfully, "I know, I'm just messing with you." He bent down to kiss her, but Ron had other ideas.
"Oi! Longbottom get your hands of my sister!" Ron said with a fiery stare at him. Dennis, Dean, and Seamus all laughed. Ever since Neville started dating Ginny over the Christmas break in sixth year, Ron was forever locked in his over-protective mode. Although, he did tell Harry once that Neville was an good choice for her, he couldn't help himself, it's just what he does.
Ginny snapped him a smirk and kissed Neville dead on the lips, "Give it a rest Ronniekins!" Ron crushed the chalk in his hand. Just then the five-minute whistle was billowed.
Everyone started scrambling around gathering his or her gear. Dean walked over to Neville and they clinked their Beaters bats in greeting, "Ready?" Neville just nodded. Seamus flung his broom over his shoulder and handed Ginny hers, "Come on Dennis get a move on."
Dennis Creevey was new to the team this year and was still unsure of himself most of the time. That is until you got him on the field then he was the 'Jr Snitch' as they called him. He was so small that he offered little resistance to the speed of his broom. He could dart in and out of the tightest spots and still throw the quaffle with great aim. The team loved him.
As Hermione slid Harry's gloves on, she couldn't help but notice how his right arm would shake every so often, "Are you sure you going to be alright?" she asked, looking very worried now.
Harry stood up and wrapped her in a warm embrace running his hands up and down her spine. "I'll be fine. Don't worry ok? 1,2,3 right?"
She sighed lightly and nuzzled into his neck. "I'm scared something bad is going to happen today. Don't underestimate Malfoy out there . . .please."
He stopped his soothing motions of his hands and pulled her in tighter. "I won't. I promise. Now go with Wood so I know where to find you in the stands alright?" She gave him one final kiss and met Oliver at the door; she waved and mouthed 'I love you' before leaving.
Wood took Hermione by the hand as they walked through the throngs of people. She'd never seen this many people at a school game before. A cool wind blew off the lake kicking up the dust and dirt from the worn path leading to the stands. As they approached the stairway upwards the crowds bottlenecked and they started to become crushed in the rush of spectators.
Someone was pushing Hermione from behind right on her bum. She whipped her head around to tell them off, but was met with an older woman looking rather embarrassed. She looked down at her son in front of her and smiled weakly. "Roger! Stop that this instant!" she grabbed his arms that where firmly planted on Hermione's rear and smacked his hand. "Sorry about that." Hermione blushed deeply at the little boy no more then nine or ten years old in cute little Gryffindor quidditch robes. He just looked up at her and smiled.
After about three minutes they where headed up towards the top box. Before they even reached the halfway point in the stairs they heard Marcus start announcing the Slytherin team as they hit the pitch. "Lets hear it for the Slytherin team! Malfoy, Bulstrode, Parkinson, Crabbe, Warrington, Nott, Goyle . . .They're coming into this match with a huge 220-point lead today. If they can hold Gryffindor off long enough to get the snitch they take back the Cup."
From the other end of the field Hermione could hear the loud response from the Slytherin fans echo off the wooden staircase. As they reached the top Oliver turned to her, "OK, I've got to go, will you be all right?"
She was a little out of breath, but fine, "Yes thanks, Lavender is saving me a seat. Go on hurry." With that done Wood popped up to the back of the box, past Dumbledore and McGonagall to Marcus. Hermione pushed her way past all the standing students and their families to the front row.
Parvati was watching the stairs, and when she spotted her she waved her down, "Hey! Down here." Hermione cut past a few boys that had gotten in to the team spirit a little too much in her opinion. Lots of the boys had taken to the idea of changing their hair color to Gryffindor red for the games. Ron of course loved this idea, and said it looked like a Weasley family reunion up in the stands.
Lavender was looking enthusiastically down towards the end of the pitch, "Where are they?" Parvati finished, "Yes, they're late."
The Gryffindor team walked in silence down the long hallway towards the field. No one spoke until they reached the entrance. Seamus looked around and said, "Where's Harry?" Ginny just shook her head at him, "You know where he's at. So just shut it, he'll be here."
Back in the now empty locker room Harry stood by his open locker. He reached in and pulled out his Firebolt. It wasn't the fastest broom anymore, more improved and faster models had come out, but he didn't care. This was a gift from his godfather, and the only link he still had to him in this world. He promised himself he would fly it until it wouldn't fly anymore, there would never be another. The polish had dulled where he gripped it, the twigs where frazzled and frayed, and there were a few repaired cracks in the handle, but it still was a good broom. His broom. Gripping it tightly he held the handle to his head, "Sirius . . .I know your out there somewhere. If you can see me, this is my last game at Hogwarts. I wish you where here with me." He bumped his head against the handle hard as a single tear rolled down his cheek. "I miss you-so much. If you're out there . . . see me now. I need you . . ."
Harry brushed the tears aside and walked out to his teammates. Quietly he padded down the long hallway to the rear of the group. Ginny didn't speak when he stood next to her, but only patted him on the arm and nodded. He looked at her and a small smile appeared across his face. He was grateful for Ginny; she always hung back and never let the other guys go back to the room when Harry was in there saying his silent prayers.
The high-pitched sound of Madam Hooch's whistle pierced the stadium and signaled their entrance to the field. Thunderous applause and stomping feet filled the stands so much they could see the rafters above them shaking. In ones and twos they flew out over the pitch. Harry could feel a knot in his chest rising as he whipped around the pitch. The stands where like a field of red and gold grass flailing in the wind. It was a mix of waving arms, flags, and smiling teeth all watching them. Oliver Wood's voice boomed out their names as they entered.
"Lets welcome the Gryffindor team Weasley, Longbottom, Finnigan, Thomas, Creevey, Weasley, and Potter! Is this your Team Gryffindor?"
Everyone on in the red and gold stands screamed, "YES!"
Marcus voice sounded sad, "I don't think they heard the question Wood. Better ask again." Wood yelled in to the mic, "I said, 'Is-This-YOUR-Team-Gryffindor?'"
The response was so loud and clear Ginny was forced to cover her ears, "YES!" Followed by a rolling chant of, "Lions-Lions-Lions-Lions"
As everyone floated down in to their positions Ron came up next to Harry and they clasped forearms in a very Spartan style handshake, "Ready?"
Harry just smirked and cocked an eyebrow at him, "It's a little late to turn back now don't you think?"
Ron gave him a very devilish smile, "Heh, just listen for my calls and we'll have these blokes cryin' for mum in no time. Just keep him away from the snitch long enough for me to work my magic."
Harry didn't speak, but only nodded as Malfoy took his position across from him in the sky. Ron slowly passed by the rest of the team taking his place at the goal posts.
Madam Hooch stood in the center of the pitch whistle in hand. "Alright, now this one's for the Cup. I want a clean game and remember you're not just representing your House here today, but Hogwarts as well. Give them a good show. Now on my signal."
Harry's attention on Malfoy was broken by the desire swelling in his stomach. 'Where are you? . . . Show yourself to me.' His eyes flicked up and down threw the bleachers.
"The Bludgers are released! - And their goes the Golden Snitch!"
Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of gold whip past his head and the buzzing of it's metal wings. His first instinct was to track the flashing gold of victory, but he couldn't pull away from his search. His desperate search for - her, then he found her sitting in the front row of the middle tower. She was staring right back at him with a casual smile on her face, and then she shook her head just a bit and pointed down to the field. He could hear her in his head saying, "Think you should pay attention Harry. This may be important." He laughed a bit and looked down as the Quaffle flew from Madam Hooch's hands and her whistle signaled the start of the game.
"The Quaffle is released and the game is on!"