Summer Writing Series Challenge (June 9)
Challenge: Quidditch match at the Burrow: Hermione plays too and she's good at it!
Title: Finders Keepers
Word Count: 1,000
Summers at the Burrow meant several things to Harry Potter. He had a family that supported and cared for him, was able to spend even more time with his best friend Ron and girlfriend Hermione, Mrs. Weasley's wonderful cooking, Hermione, and Quidditch.
This summer had been the most eventful of his young adult life. He'd started dating Hermione quite by accident. He also found out just how talented a witch this young woman was. She claimed that she didn't like flying, but like everything she plied her gloriously brilliant mind to she was good, very good and as always made him proud and Ron furious.
Last summer started as it always did, being stuck at the Dursleys' and thoroughly miserable until his best friend kept her promise and visited him a week after they had parted. She had convinced the head of the Order to allow Harry to move in with the Weasleys and she wanted to be the one to share the news.
The death of Sirius was the hardest thing that he'd had to deal with in his short life but without the oppressive atmosphere of his malicious relatives and the polar opposite environment that the Burrow gave him, his wounds healed quickly. Hermione was the single most important catalyst in his recovery and he quickly realized just how much the bookish young woman meant to him.
That summer was a time of discovery, awkwardness, sadness, and forgiveness as the two found each other in a romantic fashion then dealt with an angry and jealous best friend. Ron was furious with the new couple and old wounds were reopened. By the end of the long holiday, that rift was partially mended and once they had returned to the Hogwarts Express, the strength of their friendship won out and the chasm between the three was finally crossable.
One year had passed and once again it was time to enjoy the summer at the Burrow. The protection Harry was afforded by living at Privet drive was discovered to continue as long as one week a year was spent on the premises and afterwards, he was whisked off to the wonderfully eccentric house just outside Ottery St. Catchpole.
The usual occupants were in and out performing their daily chores, lounging around the pond, enjoying games of Quidditch and wizard's chess, and for Harry and Hermione, studying diligently for their N.E.W.T.s.
The summer soared by with little incident. The days were hot and the nights were humid. Boredom reached an all new high for everyone, including the studying duo. The visit of the remainder of Ron's siblings and their significant others sparked the Quidditch match that would surprise them all.
The twins and their wives alleviated the boredom somewhat, but even the antics of the jokesters weren't enough to break everyone out of the doldrums they were settled in. The surprise appearance of Bill, Charlie, and their families lifted the curtain of laziness from the group and the unheard of return of the wayward Percival completely stirred the gathering into action.
Percy had brought his wife, Penelope, and their first born son to meet the family. This had hidden the true nature of his visit: pure, unbridled begging for forgiveness and severe apologies to his family and unofficial brother. The Weasleys were known as a caring family for a reason and that day was no exception. At the sight of their grandchild, Molly and Arthur broke down in fits of laughter and tears. They welcomed their wayward son back with halting, yet open arms and by the end of the week, it was almost as if he had never left.
That Saturday was the first time since the last World Cup that the entire family was together and that meant one thing: Quidditch. You couldn't swing a dead cat around the house without hitting someone with that subject on their mind, even Hermione. She was not fond of the sport but invariably was swept up in the excitement of the rest of those present.
She sat on the sidelines as everyone gathered to choose teams. Ginny's boyfriend, Dean Thomas, and his best friend Seamus had arrived earlier that morning to a whirlwind of planning for a shortlist set of teams ready to hit the pitch. With their arrival a new level of excitement burst forth and engulfed the excited Weasleys. Mr. Weasley offered to play as well which left them one member short. To everyone's astonishment, Hermione stepped up to the plate. She said she'd read all there was to read about Quidditch and she wouldn't mind giving it a go as long as she didn't have to fly too fast.
Team Captains were quickly chosen and coincidentally, they happened to be the two best seekers Hogwarts had seen in the last twenty years. Teams were quickly chosen and soon, Harry, Hermione, Fred, Angelina, Ginny, Mr. Weasley, and Percy were facing off against Charlie, Ron, Katie, George, Dean, Seamus, and Bill.
Hermione was her teams keeper and one look at her face could tell you that she was in her zone, the same one she reserved for exams and studying. That mindset served her well as time after time, the Quaffle never made it past her. A stunned Harry and Ron could only watch in awe as her mind quickly calculated angles and the deflection needed to put the Quaffle in her chasers' hands. They were so stunned that every goal the Lightning bolts shot scored and Harry couldn't find the snitch until he saw Charlie diving at his girlfriend. With a quick look he saw the golden orb and using the full power of his magnificent broom, swooped in and scooped up the flitting object with ease.
Hermione was hoisted upon the shoulders of her teammates and paraded around the pitch to a stirring rendition of Hermione Is Our Queen. The remainder of the visit was filled with crowing from the Lightning Bolts to the taunt of 'Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers.'
A/N: For this challenge, I thought it would be fun to try an all narrative piece. Already pointed out: It wouldn't make for a no-dialog book, but as a one-shot, this is fine (Thanks, Tawny!) ;)