Chapter Twenty-Two
"Well we're not sure what that hold-up was with the Canons back at the start of the game, but it most certainly wasn't a problem with their Seeker…Harry Potter played the best Quidditch I've ever seen him play, that final catch was pure poetry in motion, and I'm sure it's one for the textbooks…" The commentator continued, though his amplified voice was drowned out by the screaming and shouting of the Canons fans. Hermione and Ginny were jumping around the VIP box laughing and celebrating with Draco. Hermione was unable to keep the Cheshire Cat grin from her face. Ginny caught a glimpse of her friends face and giggled again, leaning closer to whisper in Hermione's ear.
"Well, if he plays that well after one kiss, just think…"
"Do not finish that sentence Ginny!" Hermione squealed, blushing, though she laughed as the friends quickly made their way back to the Team Rooms.
Hermione's first glimpse of Harry in the changing rooms was a mop of black unruly hair under a teams worth of orange robes and shouting and laughing filled the room. She leant against the doorframe for a moment, simply taking in the sight and allowing Harry to enjoy his moment. He had played a spectacular game, and his win meant the Canons were almost guaranteed the Championship.
She watched as the crowd separated around him and he grinned sheepishly, accepting all their hugs and gradually moving towards the doorway. As he moved, he happily accepted everyone's congratulations but his eyes remained locked on Hermione's as they grinned at one another. Communicating silently they both acknowledged that they wouldn't be able to keep their new relationship a secret among their friends, and they were kidding themselves if they thought they could keep it from the press for very long. Hermione grinned and inclined her head slightly, nodding, Harry grinned back as he walked towards her.
Hermione's eyes flickered to the left for a moment as she took in the audience of team members pretending not to be watching herself and Harry. They all appeared to still for the tiniest moment when Harry reached her and kissed her lightly on the lips in greeting, and then she was unaware of the others in the room.
"Good game today Mr. Potter." She said softly with a grin, as he pulled her into a hug.
"Why thank you Miss. Granger. Any broken chairs today?" He replied with a teasing grin as he released her from the hug but kept an arm loosely slung over her shoulder.
"Not today, just ruptured eardrums."
"Oh well, as long as it's nothing serious."
Hermione laughed and smiled as she noticed Ron and Laurie approaching.
"So Hermione, about these pre-game kisses…" Laurie began as they reached Harry and Hermione. Ron and Harry both held back their laughter, awaiting Hermione's reaction.
"You know we have to keep those moments private Laurie sweetie, the boys wouldn't remember how to fly their brooms otherwise!" Hermione replied in mock horror.
Laurie nodded sagely.
"You're quite quite right Hermione, I don't know what I was thinking. Our private moments should remain private."
The two girls hugged grinning, and giggled at the boys raised eyebrows before running off to chat to Ginny, leaving Harry and Ron in their wake.
"We make it too easy for them to do that." Harry remarked with a smile in his voice.
Ron nodded in agreement as they watched the girls talking to Ginny.
"Seems like everything worked out for you two then mate?" Ron said, clapping Harry on the shoulder.
"Everything worked out pretty perfectly actually." Harry admitted to himself and Ron.
"What's next then?"
"Well, I guess we tell all the family, and take it from there. It wont be long before everyone finds out, and it would be better if we could make the announcement ourselves before it leaks, but, we'll wait and see. 'Mione's most likely planned it all out anyway." Harry admitted. Ron smirked.
"You ready to have your whole life planned out for you then?" He teased.
Harry raised an eyebrow in response.
"As if she hasn't had our lives planned out for us since we were eleven years old? I'm just waiting for those homework diaries to make a reappearance." Harry laughed.
Ron snorted with laughter.
"Good luck with that mate!" He shouted back to Harry as he headed off to the showers.
"I heard that Mr. Potter." A mock stern voice came from his left. He turned grinning.
"And you think I didn't know you were there all along?" He said with a wink.
"Just for that, you and Ron may get the latest versions of those diaries for Christmas…unless you're very nice to me in the meantime that is…" Hermione said with a hint of a grin.
"I'll see what I can do about that." Harry said over his shoulder as he himself headed off to the showers.