Disclaimer: This is all a work of fiction. I gain no profit from it. I don't own any of the characters except for the names that I made up which are found nowhere in the books.
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Introduction to Quidditch and the Ever After
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Chapter One:
During his 7th year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter ultimately defeated Lord Voldemort with help from the Order of the Phoenix. Voldemort's death doubled Harry's fame. After graduation, Harry was immediately drafted to the Chudley Cannons. He began play on the reserve team as seeker. After only a few months, however, an injury on the Cannons' main squad left an opening for Harry to move up. Harry excelled and easily became the crowd favorite and youngest seeker ever to play for the Chudley Cannons. Since Harry began playing for the Cannons, every game has been a sellout and the Cannons have yet to last the league title; their first win streak since the title was last theirs in 1892.
Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley, couldn't be more thrilled of the Cannons success, they being his favorite team since before he could remember. Ron was doing very well for himself as well. After helping Harry to defeat Voldemort, Ron was offered a job with the Ministry of Magic. His excellent grades from numerous hours of Hermione's study help aided him also. He made such an impressive showing, and due to many openings left by former Voldemort supporters leaving their positions and going into hiding, Ron was quickly promoted to Junior Minister of the Department of Magical Games and Sports. Ron proudly works under his father, Arthur Weasley, whom after being an initial Ministry official to jump to the aid in the fight against Voldemort, was promoted to Minister of Magic. A title he earned after Cornelius Fudge quit due to poor decision making while the war against Voldemort was going on. With his excellent job, Ron's secured himself season tickets to every Chudley Cannons game to which he avidly attends all.
Hermione Granger, Ron and Harry's other best friend, graduated as Head Girl and top of her class at Hogwarts. After receiving some of the highest NEWT scores in school history, she turned down numerous job offers to work in the privacy of her London flat as a writer. She's excelled to the top of the best-seller's list with her novels chronicling her, Harry, and Ron's seven years at Hogwarts. Currently, her first three books in the series held the tops spots on the charts, and she was working on her fourth book. She's made quite a lot of money, but keeps most of it locked up in her Gringott's vault. Leaving a comfortable, yet not overbearing life away from the public's eye. Fortunately for her, she's change a lot in appearance since Hogwarts, leading most people to not recognize her for her work when she goes out in public. She'd gotten taller, a bit thinner, and yet more curvaceous. Her hair was now long and straight, and she wore a bit of daily makeup.
And so...four years after their graduation from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…our story begins!
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"Sonorus."
"HELLO QUIDDITCH FANS! IT'S A BRIGHT AND SUNNY DAY HERE AT THE PITCH. I'M ARCHIMEDES FLYNN, VOICE OF YOUR CHUDDLEY CANNON!!"
Large cheers erupted from the crowd below the announcer's high box at the mention of the home team's name. The stadium was packed full with not an empty seat in the house.
"Today's match-up brings us The Cannons versus the Wimbourne Wasps, the second place team in the league."
A few mixed boos and cheers were awarded to the visiting team.
"We've got Atkinson, Parker, James, Lukens, Burke, Anderson, and Long playing today for the Wasps." Seven yellow and black striped players buzzed out onto the field.
"AND NOW. HERE THEY ARE… YOUR FIRST PLACE, CHUUUUUUUUDDLEY CANNONS!!"
Archimedes Flynn passed to relax his vocal cords and take a sip of while the stadium erupted in cheers for the oncoming of the Cannons.
"Playing Keeper, five year Cannon, Brighton Lasky!" He paused to give ample time as the first brightly orange clothed played entered onto the field. After Lasky gently sailed his brown to a stop in the center, Flynn continued.
"And next, a two year Cannon starter, playing beater, William Duval!" A handsome, young blond sailed in the pitch and landed near Lasky.
"Next, our other second year Cannon starter, chaser Timothy Eton!" A tall, mid-twenties brunette sailed out of the to the field. He said proudly on his broom and just by looking at him, one would have assumed he'd come from a well to do family.
"Following close behind, in his first year with the Cannons, beater Briggs Alexander!" The crowd, particularity the ladies, cheer very loudly as another orange player sailed out on the field. Briggs was tall with short brown hair, a debonair smile, and the reputation of being the resident bad boy of the team, always looking for attention.
"WE LOVE BRIGGS!!" could be heard in sporadic yells of unison around the field. Briggs Alexander gave a full circle turn on his broom waving vivaciously to his fans.
"And here comes the other first year Cannon, Chaser Kindelle Covington. Kindelle is one of the only six females player in professional main squad Quidditch, and the Cannons are proud to have her skill." There were a few catcalls that emanated around the stadium as Kindelle soared out. She simply smiled at them, seeming to enjoy the attention. She was a tall, young blond, obviously a favorite with the male fans.
"Following Covington is the Cannon's other five year veteran and two year England National team player along with Lasky, chaser Augustus Barshop." A tall, tan, late twenty-something man rode out. He had medium length brown hair, and by the cheers of the crowd, was an obvious fan favorite.
Barshop landed with his other teammates, all blaring orange dots in the center of the field. The crowd's cheering began to die out and a hush of anticipation swept through the stands.
"AND HERE HE IS." Flynn bellowed, "THE THREE YEAR CAPTAIN OF THE CHUDLEY CANNONS. STARTING HIS FOURTH FULL YEAR, HIS FIFTH IN TOTAL, A FOUR TIME ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER AND TWO-YEAR CAPTAIN, THE YOUNGEST PLAYER IT'S SEEN IN OVER A CENTURY."
Flynn took a quick pause for dramatic effect. The silence in the crowd became thick with anticipation.
"THE ONE, THE ONLY… Harry Potter!!" The crowd sprang to life. The cheers were deafening for the last Chudley Cannon's team member. With a burst of speed, Harry shot onto the field. After taking a lap around the field, he came to stop, waving at the fans along with his fellow teammates.
"Quietus."
Flynn taped his throat with his wand and ended the spell. His voice dropped back to normal. "I'm getting to old for this," he muttered to his assistant who'd just handed him a cool glass of ice water. He drunk it in one swift gulp, then grabbed his wand and again, tapped his throat.
"Sonorus."
"There they are, your Chudley Cannons." The cheers continued for a moment, but quickly began to die down as the crowd awaited the start of the match.
"And here is today's referee, Luther Mulvany. He's got the quaffle. The teams take sides around him; the keepers to each end of the field, the Chasers around Mulvany, and the Seekers, shooting up skyward. Mulvany makes his way to the center circle, whistles. AND THERE GOES THE QUAFFLE!" The crowd burst into cheers and eagerly stood to watch the beginning play of the game. "It's Covington. Covington has the quaffle and she's jetting down the field to Wimbourne's end of the field."
Kindelle ducked as a bludger blew over her head. On either side behind her were to of Wimbourne's chasers, James and Lukens.
"And here comes Duval up to fly by Covington and protect her from oncoming bludgers."
William took a might swing as another bludger neared Kindelle. He nailed the oncoming bludger right at one of the chaser tailing Kindelle. It pummeled James in the shoulder and he had to slow to stop from falling off his broom.
Quickly stopping, William lay dead in the air, directly in front of the other oncoming Wimbourne chaser, Lukens, who'd been tailing Kindelle. He was forced to swerve in order to avoid colliding with William.
Kindelle, now alone, streaked ahead. Atkinson, the Wimbourne keeper, was no match for her and she easily scored.
"CANNONS GOAL! Covington takes the first ten points of the game for Chudley with help from some excellent defense by beater William Duval." The crowd on the Cannons' side, mainly dressed in pure orange themselves, burst into cheers.
The referee returned the quaffle to James waiting in the center circle for Wimbourne's tour at the goal. "Midfield, and its Wimbourne's quaffle. Ouch, tough hit! Briggs Alexander sends a bullet of a bludger right at the James who's holding the quaffle." Briggs did a small victory flip and watched triumphantly as the quaffle fell from the chaser's hands while he doubled over in pain.
"And just like that, possession is back with the Cannons as Barshop recovers the fallen quaffle. With an unexpected move like this, there's no one on him. GOAL!!! Cannons lead 20-0. The crowd leapt to their feet again in cheers.
Overhead, two small dots were scanning the field in large swooping patterns.
"Official game time is five minutes, thirty-eight second, and no sign of the snitch yet," Flynn made note to the seekers stalking the skies above. "It's Parker with the quaffle for Wimbourne. He's going down the field followed by fellow chaser, Lukens. Duval sends a bludger their way, but it misses. They're nearing the goal. OH! Brilliant save by the keep Lasky."
The Cannons side stood and cheered madly. As they did, a small glint of gold shown near center field. Suddenly, two blurs shot from the sky.
"THE SNITCH HAS BEEN SPOTTED!!" A murmured hush of excitement fell over the crowd as they watched the two seekers streak from above. "Potter is easily three broom lengths ahead of Long. Potter is riding the yet to be released to the public, Firebolt LX. His new, luxury edition broom comes from his endorsement with the Firebolt Company. His teammates all ride the original version of the broom, still considered to be the fastest in the sport next to Potter's prototype."
Harry made a fantastic flip near the ground to prevent from hitting it dead on as his hand closed around the snitch. Landing gracefully, he raised his hand up high in the air, the snitch helplessly fluttering to a dead stop in his grasp.
"AND POTTER GETS THE SNITCH! It's another unanswered victory for the undefeated Cannons who beat Wimbourne today, 170-0. A complete wipeout!" The crowd stood and cheered vigorously as Harry's teammates surrounded him to offer their congratulations and celebrate the team's victory.
"That's it for today's game. This is your announcer, Archimedes Flynn, reminding you to enjoy a cool glass of pumpkin juice at the end of the game by producing your ticket stub at any Witch's Brew drink hut.
"Quietus."
~*~
"Thanks guys, see you later and the pub!" Harry waved over his shoulder as he exited the team's locker room. His hair was wet and spiky from recently showering and he was wearing khakis and a button-up dark blue dress shirt, his required game day wear.
"Excellent game today, Harry!" A loud, familiar voice stole his attention. It was his best friend Ron, standing outside the locker room waiting for Harry to get out. He was dressed in his ministry-approved robes. Next to him, stood their other best friend, Hermione Granger.
"Thanks!" he smiled giving Ron a celebratory high five.
"Yes, excellent catch, Harry," Hermione looked up at him smiling. Harry now towered over her by nearly a foot.
"Thanks 'Mione," he smiled at his best friend of twelve years. "What brings your all the way down here? Just waiting to congratulate the famous Harry Potter?" Harry winked at her as she slapped him across the chest.
"I'd never do such a thing Mr. Full of Himself," she smiled. "It's true. She was already here before I came down to pick you up," Ron chimed in.
A small frown crossed Harry's face. He knew exactly why she was there. "Timothy's not out yet." Ever since Hermione had met Timothy Eton at a Cannon's victory party earlier that year, she'd spent off her spare time with him. They'd only been officially dating for a month, but they acted as if they were the only two people around.
"Or you could just forget him and come with me and Harry," Ron opted. He too disliked how much time Hermione spent with Eton.
"We have dinner reservations," said Hermione flatly, obviously not appreciating their distaste for her boyfriend.
"Fine then. I expect we'll see you at the victory party tonight," Ron grabbed Harry by the elbow and yanked him to follow.
Harry sighed and called over his shoulder, "Bye Mione," as Ron pulled him away.
"She's being very pigheaded. Spending all her time with that prat," Ron fumed as soon as they were out of earshot, "What about us? We're her bet friends!"
"Supposed best friends," said Harry in disgust. He was more than fed up with the situation. Usually, he let Hermione mind to her own business, especially when it came to her boyfriends, but he wished she'd never met Eton. He knew the way he acted in the locker room and away from her was much different the that out in public image that he put up.
"Do you think she'll ever come to her senses? He's all wrong for her," Ron had become overprotective and brotherly ever since Hermione had begun dating Timothy.
"I couldn't tell you, but I sure hope she does realize they're not meant to be sooner more than later," Harry sighed as the two walked to the Apparation point at the end of the tunnel. It was set up solely for the team, and those people team members have given access to in order to meet them before and after games.
"Can we go back to my place first? I want to change," said Harry as he and Ron stopped at the Apparation site.
"Sure thing," Ron answered as both disappeared with two soft pops.
~*~
Hermione frowned as her two best friends disappeared around the corner. They'd been anything but supportive of new newfound relationship with Timothy. They had no right in her opinion to be saying anything bad about him. He was nothing but a gentleman to her. Always taking her out to fancy dinners or the newest nightclubs. And he was only three years old than see. Twenty-two was not that young, she could handle making her own decisions. Timothy was from a very high-class pureblood family and could offer her anything she'd ever dreamed of. He was absolutely perfect.
As if on cue, Timothy interrupted Hermione's thoughts of himself by exiting the locker room. "And there's my darling," said Timothy with his trademark debonair smile as he walked over and kissed Hermione, wrapping his arms firmly and possessively around her waist.
"Good game today," she smiled.
"Thank you, even if I never got the chance to touch the quaffle. It was one of our quickest victories yet," said Timothy as he put his arm around Hermione and began leading her toward the Apparation point.
Hermione smiled up at him. "So where are you taking me for dinner?" She asked as they stopped at the Apparation point, needing to know where to Apparate herself to.
"C'est Si Bon," he smiled at the mention of one of the most expensive French restaurants in London.
"Timothy! You don't have to take me anywhere that fancy! And look at me, I'm dressed up, but not that much," said Hermione, blushing at her appearance.
"You look gorgeous. Now no arguing, let's go," he smiled as the two disappeared with small popping noises.
~*~
It was half past eight and the majority of the Chudley Cannon's players had gathered at Alabaster's Pub on the Wharf, a favorite hangout magically hidden in Muggle London.
Ron and Harry, who each at a few Muggle beers and after a few bad games of pool, were now playing arrows.
"I don't like him," said Harry as he stood at the line, aiming another dart.
"What?" asked Ron, sitting at a table next to Harry sipping another mug of beer.
"Eton. He's pompous," said Harry as he vigorously chucked a dart at the board. It stuck hard within the center circle.
"She's happy, you know," said Ron, the alcohol having relaxed him a bit.
"Yes, but I still don't like him," Harry chucked another dart at the board. It stuck firmly just to the side of his first one.
"BRIGGS! BRIGGS! BRIGGS!" Sudden cheers came from across the bar. Ron and Harry looked over to see Briggs Alexander pounding down a pint. Next to him on a high barstool sat Kindelle Covington, laughing and clapping him along with the crowd. Her long, blond hair now hung freely around her shoulders and she'd changed into tight jeans, and a rather revealing low-cut shirt.
"You'd think he was the one who'd caught the snitch," smirked Ron as Briggs slammed the empty pitcher down on the counter and his eager fans cheered.
"Alexander just has a big head. He live for the attention," Harry shrugged him off before turning and throwing another dart.
"Kindelle seems to be enjoying herself," Ron rolled his eyes. "Moved on to another interest already, I see?" Kindelle now had her arm draped over Briggs shoulders and was laughing with her head thrown back.
"We were never serious and that was five years ago. If you even consider it dating. It was barely a few weeks back while I was on the reserve team," Harry threw another dart. All had somehow managed to stay in the center circle, even though he was beginning to feel the effects of the alcohol a bit.
"She still likes you," said Ron with a scoff, watching the way she practically through herself at Alexander.
"Well the sentiment is not returned," Harry threw the last dart in his hand, the sat down next to Ron. He grabbed his beer mug and took another swig. "I have no idea why she's all over Briggs anyway. Must be her need for the spotlight because all I ever here her tell me is how pompous and pigheaded she thinks he is. Not that I care one bit," Harry took another drink.
"Would this be Kindelle and Mr. Full of Himself over there you're talking about?" said a voice behind Harry. He looked over his shoulder to see a smiling William Duval combing over.
"Hey Will, what took you so long to get here?" Harry smiled, giving William a high five as he stopped.
"You know me, off with some girl Friday," he winked before reaching across the table and shaking Ron's hand, "Nice to see you today in good spirits, Ron," he smiled.
"Same to you, Will," Ron smiled as William took a seat at their table. A waitress wandered over and brought him a beer mug for himself having seen him come in. It was a tradition for the team to go to Alabaster's after the games. Only certain people who made the Cannon's guest list were allowed to come inside after game nights.
"Jealous Kindelle isn't throwing herself at you, mate?" William laughed looking over at her pathetic attempts to flirt with Briggs.
"Shut up man," Harry laughed, giving his closest teammate a playful punch to the arm. William knew full well that Harry couldn't stand Kindelle and that her advances were very, very unwanted.
"At least it's him right now and not you, ay Harry?" Ron laughed. Since William had moved up to the main squad last season, it had been a post-game ritual for he, Harry, and Ron to hangout during the team's afters. William and Harry had easily became very close friends, William and Ron pretty good friends as well.
"I heard Alexander talking about Kindelle in the locker room after the game today. Apparently all he's after is a little action, then hitting the high road, if you know what I mean," William rolled his eyes in disgust.
"Wouldn't surprise me," Harry frowned, looking down at his drink. A moment later, a small jingle at the door alerted everyone to someone's entrance. Harry looked up to see Timothy Eton, his arm possessively around Hermione, enter the Pub. There were a few cheers and shouts of hello as the two made their way over to where Briggs and his followers were sitting and found a table.
"Harry don't." said William in a knowing voice as to suggest he try and not worry about it. William knew full well how much Harry detested that relationship.
"It's hard not to," Harry knocked back the rest of his mug and put the glass back on the table a little too loudly.
"It's just not right," Ron glared across the room. "She can do so much better than that."
"Ron you too," William sighed, "Don't make me cut you off." William smiled at his friends. He knew both of their bloods boiled at the mere sight of Eton now. And, especially with alcohol in their systems, they could act at any moment.
"Sorry," Ron mumbled, taking another drink. Finally, they turned their attention away from the couple.
"So only three more games left, ay Potter?" William smiled, trying to cheer his friend up by talking about Quidditch.
"Yes, I figure our game against Caerphilly will be a no contest, Montrose should put up quite a fight, they have a pretty good team this year, but, Appleby that will be a joke. They haven't had any talent since Martinsen left in 1995. I suppose we'll be facing Wimbourne again in the finals, but obviously the title is still ours," said Harry, perking up at the mention of his favorite topic, Quidditch.
"You're up for captain of the England National team again, aren't you?" William nudged his friend in the shoulder.
"I hope. It's a fun gig," Harry smiled.
"Figure it's you, Lasky, and Barshop as per usual. Lukens and James from Wimbourne, maybe Wiggins from Puddlemere. I don't know. Never me," William shrugged.
"You're a damn fine chaser!" Ron bellowed as he waved over a waitress to refill his mug.
"Thanks mate, but I'm a beater," William laughed.
"Right, must be all that beer. I knew that," said Ron, blushing as the waitress handed him yet another drink.
"Hello," said a soft, feminine voice beside them, suddenly cutting into their conversation. The three looked up to see Hermione, without one Timothy Eton, come to see them. "Sorry for interrupting, but I was wondering if I could borrow Harry for a moment," she said sweetly.
"Uh, sure," Harry gave his friends each a small nod before rising and following Hermione out of earshot from everyone.
"Harry, I need to ask you a favor," said Hermione in a hushed voice.
"Alright," he replied warily. Suddenly, he noticed how attractive she looked in the dim pub lights. 'Where did that come from Potter?' He shook his head a bit and focused. 'Must be the alcohol. Not that she's not been pretty before…oh shut up Potter!'
"Harry, are you listening?" she leaned in a bit closer, a perturbed look on her face.
"Yes, sorry," said Harry, trying to lean back and not take the urge to breath in her scent.
"Right, I was hoping you could, well, teach me how to fly," said Hermione shyly.
"Hermione, you know how to fly," said Harry, "Everyone at Hogwarts had to learn."
"But I was never any good. Besides, you know I'm terribly afraid of heights and, well, I'd like to learn as sort of a surprise for Timothy's and my two-month anniversary. I'd like to show him that I have interest in what he does," said Hermione, beaming with pride at her idea.
"Mione, I don't know. Eton's such a, well, he's a jerk Hermione," said Harry.
"Harry, I know you don't seem to get along with him, though I can't picture why, you are teammates and all, but I'd really appreciate if you'd do this for me," said Hermione, leaning in and placing a caring hand on his shoulder.
"Alright," Harry relented with a sigh, his gaze cast disapprovingly downward.
"Thank you so much!" said Hermione, throwing her arms around him. Harry lazily slid his arms up around her. "I'll owl you soon with details!" With that, she ran back off to Timothy.
Harry slumped as he walked back over and took a seat with William and Ron.
"What did she want?" said Ron and he set down yet another empty beer mug.
"For me to help her surprise that egotistical bastard Eton. I don't why I said yes," said Harry, picking up his own mug and quickly finishing off the rest of its contents.
"You said yes?!" said Ron, sounding rather ballistic.
"I can't say no to her," sighed Harry, leaning back in his chair.
"Women are hard to deny," William laughed.
"V true, I'll drink to that!" Ron smiled as the waitress brought he and Harry another drink each.
"CHEERS!" All three said together, setting off a night of celebration in recognition of the Chudley fantastic victory earlier that day.
~*~
OKAY, there's the introduction and first chapter. Now, here's a bit of the basic idea. Harry's jealous, but
doesn't realize why. He spends time with Hermione and finally realizes he likes her.yadda, yadda, get my drift. But
why is she dating a jerk?! PLEASE REVIEW IF YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE!!!