Disclaimer: I don't own H/H. JKR does. She's a goddess! I'm just borrowing them for your entertainment. =)
Thanks for all those who read the first chapter of this!! More to come!
((You know the Happily 'Ever After'? That's what this story is about, just with a quidditch twist ;)
))
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Chapter Four: Quidditch and the Ever After
***
Harry didn't call Hermione that night. He wanted to. He wanted to call and convince her of every nasty thought
he'd conjured up about Eton, but he knew that would never work. She'd get angry with him or worse. He needed a
plan, but that would have to come later. What he'd needed was sleep, sleep to prepare him for the early morning
press conference that he was currently at.
***
Currently, Harry sat slumped over a chair behind a large velvet curtain. There was muffled talk coming from behind
the curtain, but he wasn't paying attention. He was wearing the expected suit, tie, and slacks, though his hair was
still up bit ruffled having simply rolled out of bed and Apparated a few minutes prior.
"The Minister of the Department of Magical Games and Sports is out there now," some assistant was briefing
the member of England's National Team backstage. "In a moment he will introduce Sonic DeLange who is
representing the executive board. It's his job to..."
Harry droned her out and looked over at William through half-closed eyes. He was snoring and about to drool on his suit. Harry suppressed a laugh and jabbed William in the side. He snorted a bit and sprang upright.
"Did I miss anything?" William wiped the corner of his mouth and adjusted in his chair.
No, it's the same thing every year," said Harry out of the corner of his mouth. "Some assistant comes out and talks, but all they are really saying is walk out, smile, and perhaps shoot off a little wave at the reporters, then take a seat in order. Make sure you stay in order though, you have a name plate in front of you."
"All right then," said William straightening his suit a bit. He looked paled and nervous now that he'd awoken and remembered what was facing him. In a moment, they'd all be walking out to a sea of reporters. While Harry was practically an old pro at this, it was William's first run.
"Don't trip," said Harry with a wry smile as he stood, leaving a further paling William to follow. He hadn't even noticed that they'd begun walking out.
"Without further ado, I give you England's Captain and Seeker, Mr. Harry Potter."
Harry stepped out from the split in the curtains and gave a friendly little wave to the crowd. The flashbulbs went wild trying to catch a shot of that cheeky grin that gets him on the covers of magazine. Harry took his seat and waited as the rest of the team filed in.
Once everyone had been announced, the reporters began shooting questions at them. Putting on his best game face, Harry began rattling off the usual and expected answers when he was asked. When he wasn't being asked anything, he was formulating his plan to get Hermione away from Eton. Nothing irked him more than thinking about that self-centered bastard using his best friend.
"Mr. Potter, are you currently seeing anyone?" A reporter from Witches Weekly snapped him out of his daze.
"Um, n-not at the moment," said Harry a bit flustered. He was used to getting these questions, but he wasn't really expecting it at this particular press conference.
"Anyone who catches your eye?" she shot right back but Harry had already slipped back into scheming in his mind. "Mr. Potter?"
"Yes," he snapped out of his reverie.
"Yes, you have a love interest?" she raised her eyebrows. There was a sudden clamor spreading around them room. More reporters' hands shot up in the excitement.
"Yes, err that's not what I …" Harry became flustered. He didn't really know where the reporter's question had come from since he'd failed to pay attention in the first place.
"I'm going to have to intervene and ask that you all go back on topic for this conference. If any of you have any questions for Mr. Potter pertaining to Quidditch, please ask away," Mr. DeLange interrupted.
Harry breathed a slight sigh of relief and loosened the tie on his neck a bit. He still didn't quite know what had happened. Was it really that distracting, him thinking about Hermione all the time?
Harry was more than happy to get home and pull off his tie and jacket. It was past lunch by the time the press conference had finished. As he was leaving, Harry was met by a crowd of reporters inquiring about his new romantic interest. The problem was, he didn't have one. He tried to explain the misunderstanding, but it got too frustrating and he ended up having security escort him to the Apparation point.
After ditching his formal wear, he rummaged around in the refrigerator before grabbing some take-out food from a few days ago. Sitting down on his couch, he turned on the telly and flipped to the Wizard News Station (WNS as it was appropriately named).
"And the big new today is disappointing to hear for all you ladies out there. It seems that at a press conference this morning, while talking about earning yet another position for this year's Quidditch National Team, Harry Potter admittedly said he had a new love interest. Who she is or where he met her failed to come up, but I'm sure we'll be hearing more about this in the near future.."
Harry flipped off the television in disgust and sat his food down. He'd suddenly lost his appetite. It was complete rubbish. These were the times that he most hated being a celebrity.
He needed to hear a familiar voice, maybe it would help to clear his head. Before he knew what he was doing, he'd picked up his telephone and dialed Hermione.
"Hermione Granger," her soft voice filled his ear. Instantly Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He could feel the calming effect just hearing her voice had on him.
"Hey Gorgeous," said Harry with a smile on his face.
"Why if it isn't the famous Harry Potter. I assumed you'd be too wrapped up with Quidditch to call me this soon. Or maybe it's that you were wrapped up with a certain someone?" said Hermione. Her voice was almost giddy like she'd been waiting to spring it on him. Of course Hermione would have heard what was all over the news.
"Not you too," Harry wrinkled his nose in disgust at the thought his name being in all the papers tomorrow. "Now you know that just isn't true. The only woman in my life is you."
"I'm sorry that I'm the closest thing to a new love interest that you have," she giggled, "I guess we'll just have to report that torrid affair we've been having to the papers and make it all official with an interview or two then."
"But of course darling," he said dramatically as she laughed back, "right before I take a jump off my broom in mid-flight."
"Oh quit that," Hermione chastised. "Now is that all you called me for, to mope that some half-wit reporter took your flustered comments as a revelation of your secret tryst?"
"You know me too well."
"I know. So since we're having this affair and all, does that mean I get another flying date with you soon?"
"Ya, I'm sorry I didn't call you back yesterday to set up another time. How's tonight?" said Harry rubbing the back of his head as he stood up and began wandering around his sitting room.
"Oh I'd love to, but Timothy has reservations at. . ."
"You know, don't worry about it, we'll just try another night," said Harry cutting her off. He couldn't stand to hear anything about Timothy, especially when it was about her and Timothy.
"But I was just going to say, I can cancel. I mean, I'll just tell him my editor called and wants the draft of my next book sooner than I'd expected. It's just that, I know your time is precious little right now. If you're available, I really want to practice. I need a lot of work. There isn't much more time before I wanted to surprise him."
"Really," he broke off her long-winded response, "if you have other plans, we'll just reschedule."
"No, I insist. I'll call Timothy in just a moment. See you at five then?"
"Well, all right," said Harry not quite sure if he should be happy that she was ditching her date since it was to do something for her no good boyfriend. No matter what, he lost. At least he'd spend the time with her instead of Eton.
"Great, see you then!" The phone clicked off. He looked at it in disbelief then shook his head. There was no arguing with that woman when she made a decision. Besides, this could be the perfect opportunity to start slipping in comments about his disdain for Eton. A small smile of satisfaction slid over his face as he realized that Eton was ditched in order for Hermione to spend more time with him.
***
Harry spent the rest of his day at Quidditch practice. The Cannons needed to run through plays in preparation for their game against Caerphilly the following day.
By the time he got back to his flat, it was fifteen minutes before five. He didn't take time to shower at the stadium. He knew he might be late to meet Hermione so he wanted to get ready at home.
Without much thought to it, Harry tossed his broom on his bed and stripped off his practice robes. Within minutes he was in and out of the shower. Rifling through his closet, he yanked out a jumper and trousers and threw them on.
When the dust had settled, Harry looked at the clock in his room, two minutes to spare. With a sigh, he grabbed his broom, shrank it, stuck it into his pocket along with his wand, and set off to the Apparation point around the corner from his place.
***
"Coming," called Hermione's voice as she walked to answer her door. She opened it to find Harry tugging on all ends of his outfit and trying to brush the fresh droplets of water out of his hair.
"You could have just called and said that you'd be late. I would have understood," smiled Hermione as she reached out and playfully batted the water out of his disheveled bangs.
"And leave my hot new romantic interest waiting? Never," joked Harry as he stepped in to Hermione's flat. She giggled and closed the door behind them.
"I'm really sorry those reporters are after you again. Hopefully they'll give up sooner this time," she spoke as she led him into the sitting room. "Can I bring you a cup of tea?"
"Um, sure all right," said Harry as he had a seat of Hermione's huge, fluffy couch and breathed a sigh of relief to finally be relaxing after his long day.
Harry looked around at the tasteful art pieces on the walls while Hermione fixed their tea. Her place was very nice. She just might be the richest woman in Britain (Harry hadn't quite kept up on the entertainment news) but her place didn't exactly show it. Everything she owned was very nice and her flat was smartly decorated, yet the flat itself was small and out of the way. Nothing inside was all too extravagant either. That was just his Hermione though. She liked things simple. It wasn't the money that drew her to writing; it was simply her love of doing it.
"All set," sang out Hermione's voice as she popped back into the room with two cups of tea. She handed one to Harry who murmured a thank you as she took the seat next to him. "Are you all right, Harry?"
"Just tired, thanks," he took a sip and smiled up at her, "So was he upset?"
"Who? Oh, Timothy, well, yes, he was disappointed. I told him we'd go out tomorrow, but he said he wanted to go to the after game party at the pub," Hermione looked up with a half smile.
Harry frowned. He didn't like it when Timothy drug her around like a prize trophy. He knew Hermione didn't like those after parties.
"Hermione, why don't you just tell him that you don't want to go? Doesn't he ever let you make the plans?" sighed Harry attempting to hide his frustration toward Eton.
"Well, not really, but Timothy is so busy. I try and make it as easy on him as I can. And really, I just want to spend the time with him," Hermione gave him a weak smile.
Harry felt the anger begin to boil up inside him. If Timothy was there, he'd punch him right now just for using
Hermione. Instead, he took a deep breath, set down his tea cup, and stood up. "Ready for some
flying?"
***
"You're doing great!" said Harry standing on the ground and watching Hermione try her first solo fly only ten feet off the ground. Just being outside with his broom was enough to make Harry forget all the prior day's events. He was so proud watching her fly around. She'd managed to stay up for at least ten minutes on her own so far.
"HARRY!" she screamed as the broom wobbled a bit, "How do I get down!"
"You know this; just gently direct the handle," said Harry calmly looking up with his arms folded across his chest.
Hermione gave the broom a big yank. She screamed as the broom took a quick jut and tossed her off. "Harrrrrrrrrrrrry!!!!!!!" Her small frame flailed as tumbled through the night's sky.
Harry grunted as the screaming Hermione fell into his arms. "Now it wasn't that big of a fall. You
weren't that high up. Besides, I promised I'd catch you if you fell." He flashed her his debonair
smile.
"Thanks," said Hermione breathing a sigh of relief as she laid her head on his shoulder. He was looking at
her with such caring eyes. She couldn't exactly yell about her falling since he'd just rescued her and was
being so gentle.
*FLASH*
"What was that?" said Harry, turning toward the bushes surrounding his private flying lot. Hermione was still
safely tucked away in his arms as he spun.
"What was what?" she asked blinking her eyes at the darkness and looking around.
"Must have been nothing," said Harry as he gently set Hermione down. "I thought I heard something, but no one can find this spot unless I've taken them here myself." Harry walked over and picked up his broom. "Come up with me again?"
"I just fell off that thing! You expect me to get right back on!" said Hermione incredulously. Now that he'd put her down she didn't feel like holding back her anger from falling anymore. His charm couldn't always keep a hold of her.
"Yes, I do," Harry gave her a wry smile and extended his hand.
Hermione smiled and tried to put on a pout, but she failed. So maybe his charm did always keep a hold of her. She giggled as he wiggled his eyebrows while she accepted his hand. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had this much fun. Actually, she could. It was the last time she went flying with Harry. As she took his hand and walked over to his broom, she felt more content than she had during her entire relationship with Timothy. How could small gestures of friendship from Harry mean more to her? 'Timothy and I will be like this soon. We just haven't known each other long enough,' Hermione rationalized as she climbed onto Harry's broom. Still, she couldn't help but sink back into his arms as they took off. She felt so incredibly safe and happy there.
As they flew, they both failed to notice the flashes of light coming from the ground below.
***
As per usual, sorry this took so long! The quarter ending always gives me extra time to write though so enjoy! R/R and I think I'll get another chapter out before I head back to school!