Chapter Five
Hermione and Jack entered the kitchen the next morning to find Ron battling with a frying pan while Harry looked on in amusement, Ron swearing under his breath. Hermione giggled.
"It's ok Ron, I told him. You can use magic to cook now." Ron sighed with relief.
"Oh thank God. I just can't get the hang of these Muggle cooking things." He said exasperatedly.
Harry looked at Hermione intently and she gave him a smile to let him know things had gone ok. He smiled back.
"So Jack, she gave you a bit of a shock with that one then?" He asked him good-naturedly.
Jack nodded, though his gaze was distracted by Ron who's wand was now controlling kitchen utensils which flew around the kitchen seemingly at their own will. Harry followed his gaze and laughed.
"You haven't seen anything yet. This is all just day to day magic." Harry teased.
"Well, Jack wants to come to the game today with me." Hermione said cautiously. Ron and Harry shared worried glances, which Hermione caught.
"I warned him it would be a big leap, but it's important he comes to understand the Wizarding world." Hermione told them gently. Harry nodded in agreement.
"Ron, you've still got some guest passes lying around haven't you? Then Jack can stay with Hermione the whole time rather than having to sit in the stands with the mob." Ron nodded.
"I'll get them out after breakfast." Ron said, returning his attention to the food now distributing itself onto plates. The four of them grabbed a plate each and sat down at the table.
Harry and Ron were soon discussing tactics and plays for the upcoming game, and Jack listened intently, fascinated though he didn't understand most of what they were saying. Hermione watched him with a smile, glad to see that he was finally beginning to get along a bit better with Ron and Harry, and glad that they were making the effort to help her get Jack acclimated to the magical world. She was drawn back to the conversation as Ron asked her a question.
"So, are you two both coming to the Burrow tonight?"
Jack shrugged, not understanding the question.
"Dinner at Ron's parents? You'll get a chance to meet all the family properly." She explained.
"Sure. Might as well do everything at once." He said with a nod.
"Ok, I'll just let Mum know. You know she's been dying to meet Jack and see if he's good enough for her favourite surrogate daughter." Ron teased as he made her way to the fireplace.
"Stop trying to scare him away Ron!" Hermione teased back.
Ron grabbed a handful of Floo powder and stuck his head into the fire. Jack looked at him in horror, and Hermione jumped, realising that was yet another thing she hadn't explained yet.
"Ah, it works like a telephone system. We can communicate through fires and travel through them as well…" She said softly. He nodded, but his eyes were still wide as Ron withdrew his head from the fire.
"She was practically bouncing up and down with excitement `Mione. The whole gang's going to be there tonight, even Remus." Hermione smiled. Remus could make anyone feel at ease, and he was one of her favourite people in the Wizarding world. Maybe today wouldn't be a complete disaster…
Hermione managed to ignore her nervous unease as they prepared to leave for the Quidditch Stadium as she tried to explain to Jack that he wouldn't be at any risk if she apparated him there. Jack was looking distinctly nervous however as the time approached, and a quick glare from Hermione in Ron's direction prevented him from mentioning the word `splinch' or explaining its meaning.
Jack was shaken when they arrived at the player's apparating entrance to the stadium, so Hermione simply took his hand and led him into the building, past the security checks and into the pre-game area while the boys headed to the changing rooms. Hermione distracted herself and Jack by briefly explaining the basics of the game, and a brief explanation of the importance of the coming game against the Wimbourne Wasps. She stood as she saw the players file in from the changing room and motioned for Jack to do the same. Hermione greeted her friends, hugging Laurie who gave Jack a big smile, and soon the seven Canon's stood in a semi-circle. Hermione and Jack stood at the edge along with the trainer and healer as the coach addressed the team.
The team briefly discussed tactics and the weaknesses of the Wasps, going over the final game plan before entering the players chamber through the doors behind the coach to have their brooms checked briefly. Jack looked a little startled as the team filed past Hermione on their way through to the next room, each getting a kiss on the cheek. Harry as the Seeker was last in the line of players and winked at Hermione and gave her a hug as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Have fun out there. And don't you dare hurt yourself again." She ordered him as he walked off with a wave, his Firebolt3000 under his arm. Hermione turned to see her extremely confused fiancée and blushed as she led him out of a different door to an open-air staircase.
"It's a silly thing. I always used to give Harry and Ron a kiss on the cheek before every game for Good Luck, and I'm at every game and the others teased that they felt left out…so now it's a silly team tradition." She said quickly, still blushing. Jack laughed.
"I can see why you're their Good Luck charm Hermione, I'd want a kiss from you before going out there as well." She smiled at him and stopped walking for a moment as they reached a corner on the stairway.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" She said cautiously. The sound of the crowd was now thundering around them, and they were only feet from the entrance to the public area of thee stadium. Jack nodded and she turned around, straightened her shoulders and turned the corner, emerging onto a platform halfway up the stands of seats, which were packed with spectators.