AN: This is the final chapter. But not the end if you know what I mean. There will be more stories to follow released under the "1001 Hogwarts Nights" title, but they will be separate stories in themselves. Thank you all for taking the time to read and review!
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Hermione edged her way along the seats towards Hagrid. "Hey Hagrid!" she called out.
"Hello Hermione! How's Harry? Is he playing today?"
"He's fine and yes he is playing, I think today's going to be a very good game," she said scanning the Quidditch field watching each member fly by, her eyes rested on Harry who was hovering not too far away. Catching his eye she winked at him, and laughed as Harry smiled and shied away.
"Fancies you a lot, he does," said Hagrid raising his eyebrows and smiling.
"Ladies and gentleman," Lee Jordan had started his commentary, " welcome to the Hogwarts Quidditch finals- Gryffindor versus Slytherin!"
The crowd erupted with cheers as the players took their places and Madam Hooch stepped on to the field to begin their game. As soon as the snitch erupted from the trunk Harry watched it zoom up to him and take off towards Malfoy as if it were sizing them up, then disappeared in the distance. The quaffle was finally tossed and the game began. Harry wasted no time in zooming off to search for the snitch with Malfoy trailing behind him.
"Hey Potter!" Malfoy yelled, " shouldn't you have a bucket attached to that broomstick?"
Harry ignored him, his eyes still scanning when he heard the crowd cheer madly, Gryffindor scored. He glanced behind him to see Malfoy taking off in the opposite direction. Had he seen the snitch? Not wanting to risk it Harry gave chase. He leaned forward on his broomstick, his hair being whipped away from his forehead as his speed increased. He was catching up, first at Malfoy's tail end and then they were head to head. The crowd was on their feet in anticipation watching a blur of red and green, hitting each other, during the chase. Then without warning Malfoy pulled up, and before Harry knew it a beater's club had connected with Harry's face.
CRACK!
Harry's upper body flew back, as blood came gushing out of his nose. He desperatley leaned forward to seize hold of his broomstick unable to see through the blood and the cracks of his glasses. Hermione stood up straight and watched with horror as Harry clumsly landed and fell to his knees. There were angry yells from the crowd and the entire Gryffindor team rushed to Harry's side and Madam Hooch looked as if she was about to explode with anger. Harry could hear Lee Jordan scream obscenities through the megaphone while Professor McGonagall was shouting at Snape on the other side of the field, Slytherin was given a penalty, though Malfoy just hovered there and laughed giving the accused beater a slap on the back. Ron was being held back by Katie, while Angelina and Alicia had their hands full with the twins. Hermione and Hagrid were pushing their way through.
Harry was slowly rising to his feet, blood pouring down his face. If there was ever a time to see Harry angry- this would be it. His eyes glared dangerously through his broken glasses at Malfoy. He forcefully wiped the blood off his face when Hermione approached him. She didn't have to speak, she could see it in his eyes.
Determination.
She whipped out her wand and pointed it at Harry's glasses. " Occulus Repairo."
She picked up his broom and handed it too him, he was breathing heavily with anger but accepted it gently, but she held on to it to meet his gaze. He looked at her, his eyes were angry.
"Wronski Feint," she said sternly.
Harry smiled dangerously at her and mounted his broom stick and pushed up hard from the ground. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and the game resumed with Gryffindor taking the penalty shot and scoring. Hermione and Hagrid joined in the cheers as they found their way back to their seats.
"What did ya say ter him?" asked Hagrid.
"Just a little encouragement," she said watching Harry through her binoculars.
Harry circled the field to make sure that Malfoy would follow, and also to make sure that the snitch stayed out of site. He pulled to a stop with Malfoy hovering slightly below him. Harry's eye's suddenly widened and took off in a second. Malfoy wasted no time in chasing after him, he was oblivious to the fact that Slytherin was down 80 to 20, he wanted to beat Harry, that's all that mattered. Soon Malfoy was level with the tail of Harry's Firebolt. Suddenly Harry pulled into a dive with Malfoy hot on his tail.
Hermione stood up and moved her binoculars away. " This is it!"
Down, down they went Malfoy was almost level with Harry now, but was also a little worried because the ground was inching closer and closer, but he didn't care- he wanted that snitch. His eyes scanning frantically in the same direction as Harry's, was unable to see nothing but grass, then it dawned on him- there was no snitch. Malfoy looked next to Harry, to see him smiling and pulling out of the dive, Malfoy tried desperately to pull out but it was to late. CRASH! He was slammed against the ground bouncing at least once or twice before rolling on to his back. Hermione punched the air with her fist screaming 'He did it!'. The whistle blew to stop the game. Unaware of his dislocated shoulder (more like he didn't care, Harry had to pay) he mounted his broom and the game resumed. Faster and faster Malfoy went to catch up to him only this time he saw a sparkle of gold out of the corner of his eye. The snitch was hovering against one of the walls. Harry saw it too as they raced each other again. The snitch darted out of the way and zoomed this way and that, trying to avoid the clutches of two very desperate seekers. Gryffindor was up 150 to 60, so Malfoy still had that chance. But Harry wouldn't let him. Not today, not ever.
A few specs of blood had landed on Harry's glasses but he didn't care, nor did he care that Malfoy was repeatedly elbowing him in the ribs (a favour which he retuned even harder). Leaning against his broom Harry gained speed- even a mighty Nimbus 2001 wasn't fast enough for a Firebolt. With one frantic swipe Malfoy made a reach for the snitch and missed, nearly hitting Harry in the face. The snitch shot up in the air, and with one final burst of speed Harry swiped the snitch out of Malfoy's reach. The crowd below errupted when Lee Jordan shouted "POTTER'S GOT THE SNITCH! GRYFFINDOR WINS!"
Harry and the rest of the team landed on the Quidditch pitch to receive the cup. He was most pleased to see the Slytherin team looking very disgruntled and nearly cried with laughter to see Malfoy beating the goal post with his Nimbus, shouting obscenities. The crowd gathered as the team pushed him up to the podium where Dumbledore was standing. He took one step up but stopped and turned around to grab Ron by the sleeves.
"I think it's time to have one of those Erised visions come true," he said pushing a stunned Ron on to the podium.
Dumbledore looked approvingly at them both and handed Ron the Quidditch Cup. Fred and George whooped and clapped shouting 'That's our brother!' Harry smiled and laughed as Ron hugged the cup, and he was almost positive that Ron was crying. Harry and Ron were hoisted up on the team's shoulders punching their fists in the air and clapping. In the distance he could see Hermione making her way through, he tapped his carriers on the shoulders to let him down and made his way to her. They hugged, and when they pulled apart Hermione wiped away the last few traces of blood with her sleeve. Harry however, grabbed her arm and gently pulled it down.
"You always have good ideas," he shouted over the crowd.
"Well, I'm glad you noticed," she said smiling.
Harry cocked his head to the side and leaned in for a kiss, Hermione tightened her hold around his neck and did the
same. They could hear Colin Creevy's camera go mad, and there was a collective 'Awww' from the Gryffindor
team. They pulled apart and blushed, but they laughed and continued to hug as Harry swung her around. This by far, was
the best game Harry ever had.
*****
"How did you get the common room empty that night?" Harry asked Ron on their way to breakfast the next morning.
"Huh? Oh you mean the night of your 'potion's essay'? Simple, a dung bomb."
"But the common room didn't smell," said Hermione linking arms with the both of them.
"Ginny cast a few spells on the room to get rid of the scent," said Ron, "and then we stood guard on the stairwell to make sure none of the students came back down, plus we can keep an eye on you two- especially Harry, in case he did anything stupid or didn't pluck up the courage."
Harry stopped and stared at him. "Thanks for the confidence."
"What are best friends for?" said Ron holding open the Great Hall doors for them. As they made their way to the table Ron and Harry were greeted with pats on the back and a 'well done' on the Quidditch game. Even Cho Chang came up to Harry to congratulate him personally.
"You're flying was amazing!" she said touching his arm.
Ron looked over at Hermione, stiffling a laugh. Indeed, Hermione did not look impressed.
"And that Wronski Feint! I can't believe how well you pulled that off-"
"Well," he interrupted, " it was Hermione's idea really- you should be congratulating her."
Hermione raised her eyebrows with surprise as Cho offered her a pat on the shoulders.
"Great idea" said Cho and with a ' good job on being Keeper' to Ron she departed to her own table. Ron chuckled as he watched the corner of Hermione's mouth lift with a smile.
"Hey guys!" called Neville walking briskly over to them but slipped and nearly fell on a wet spot on the floor, " I'm okay!" he said raising his arms in confirmation,
"My Grandma didn't want to know but she sent it just the same," and he handed Hermione a small white package.
"What's that?" asked Harry.
"Follow my lead," she said making her way to the Slytherin's. Hermione casually leaned against the table after handing Ron the package. As if on cue, Draco, Crabbe and Goyle entered. Harry couldn't help but smile at the look of discontent on Malfoy's face.
"What are you doing here Potter? Slytherin's don't need Mudblood and Weasel germs at the moment- we happen to like keeping our breakfast down," said Draco crossing his arms while his cronies laughed stupidly.
Harry stood up straight but Hermione put up a resisting hand against Harry's chest,
"It's alright," she said, " Malfoy's not quite used to loosing yet, what does this make it- the third time you've lost to Harry in Quidditch?"
Harry could hear Ron rummaging in the back ground but kept his focus on Draco.
"So now Potter is too famous to speak for himself is he?" spat Draco.
"Jealous," said Ron emerging from behind Harry, with that they carried on to their own table. The three of them sat down, joined by the rest of the Gryffindors arriving for breakfast.
"Ron, what were you doing?" said Harry double checking his goblet for any signs of mysterious powder.
"Revenge is fun!" he said through a mouth full of toast. Harry looked over at Hermione who was wearing a broad smile.
"What's going on?" he asked, but unfortunately the two of them shrugged their shoulders and acted
innocent....until potions.
Snape was carrying on in his usual way, he even deducted five house points from Gryffindor because he missed Harry that much. Harry was right in the middle of adding ground spider legs to his potion when Ron nudged him and Hermione.
"Look," he said pointing in Malfoy's direction. Malfoy was holding his stomach and looking a little worried. He shook his head abruptly and carried on with his task. Harry, Ron and Hermione continued to watch Malfoy who placed his hand on his stomach again and exhaled deeply.
"Alright, what's going on, what did you do to him?" Harry whispered, wishing desperatly to be let in on
the joke.
Then without warning Malfoy shot his hand in the air, with a look of extreme worry and hesitation on his face.
"Yes Mr. Malfoy?" said Snape, sweeping over.
"Sir, I-I really need to be excused," he said holding his stomach with his entire arm.
"Class is almost over you can wait until the end."
"Sir, I don't think you understand, I REALLY need to-"
"Mr. Malfoy I'm sure it won't kill you to wait two minutes, put your hand down."
"Patience is a virtue Harry," said Hermione adding the last few ingredients with a smile. Then with out warning Malfoy let out a yell of desperation and bolted out of the room, leaving Snape with a puzzled look on his face and the class in hysterics.
"So is Turbo Lax," said Ron, pulling out a bottle out of his pocket that read:
Mrs. Wiggaworms Magic Lax :For relief due to constipation- two tablespoons for fast effective relief.
Harry had to cover his mouth to stifle the outburst of laughter that was threatening to take control of him. Hermione's shoulders were shaking with laughter as she hid her face away from Snape and Ron's face turned beat red as he pursed his lips together to stop him from making any noise.
"We gave him more than two tablespoons though," squeaked Ron, as he shook the nearly half empty bottle, " mixed it in with his pumpkin juice!"
"Not exactly bright is he?" said Hermione gasping for breath.
******
Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting on the couch discussing the day's hysterics.
"Did you see the look on his face? Made me wish Colin Creevy was around to take a picture of it," then Ron did a bang on impression of Malfoy's constipated face, which even made Hermione laugh out loud.
They had settled down though after awhile, when the rest of the house went to bed. The three of them felt too comfortable to move as it seems. So Ron stretched out and leaned against Hermione, who in turn kissed Ron on top of his head (which made him say a small ew). Hermione looked up at Harry and kissed him goodnight as she leaned into his chest. Harry lazily grabbed a blanket from a chair nearby and placed it over the three of them. Wrapping his arms around Hermione's stomach he rested the side of his face on Hermione's head and smiled as he closed his eyes. There was no other place he would rather be, no other person he would rather share this moment with. Other than the girl that he loves, and his best friend, his brother, for life. Colin Creevy was walking down the stairs when he stopped dead in his tracks. He tip toed over, careful not to wake the sleeping trio (Ron had begun to quietly snore) and turned off the last remaining light, as he headed back up stairs he turned to look at them. There was a small *click* noise. Smiling, he lowered his camera. It is possible to photograph love after all, he thought turning on his heel and walking off to bed.