Discalimer: It ain't mine...
AN: I know I said soon...but real life caught up with me a bit... I wont make any promises this time...they tend to get broken, huh? As is, things will happen when they happen... that's the best that I can do... Thank you to all of you that actually take the time to review... It makes this worth it for us... I tried to reply to all my reviewers but unfortunately I just couldnt handle it, but I did read every single one of them. I took into account every piece of critism... Keep it coming... Many of you had a bit of a problem with how Mione is acting... well, I like her this way and I cant see her as some weakling letting others step over her for her whole life so... Oh! And the "facet" of Mione... it was never meant to be a big deal... sry to disappoint but it was mostly for character development... you will find out soon enough... Thank you and please tell me what you think...
Megz: Sry!!! I know what I said but unfortunately things havent been playing as they should be... sry... I will do it as soon as I can this time... just for you...Thanx for reviewing!
Best Friends
Chapter 12
By: Rodare
Beta: Rage
"WELCOME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" a familiar voice called in an amplified voice throughout the Quidditch Pitch. "To the Reunion Match of this weekend between the Lions of Gryffindor and the Furors! My name is Lee Jordan, and I will be your commentator for this match! Now, Professor, do tell us educated folk exactly what `Furors' mean."
"If you were properly educated, Mr. Jordan, I wouldn't have to tell you anything, now would I?" Professor McGonagall asked raising her eyebrow. Lee grinned at her with as much charm as he could muster and she sighed. "Furor is the Latin form of rage."
"Are they mad at each other or something?" Lee asked. He turned to look down at the pitch when he spotted something no one in their right mind would ever believe unless they were seeing it themselves; Hermione Granger, Most Brilliant Witch of the Age, Most Decorated Ministry Official (after Harry Potter), Hogwarts Bookworm, Harry Potter's Best Friend, was standing in the other side of the pitch without her shirt on. Lee gaped at her and then without thinking he whispered, "Bloody hell! She's hot!"
"Jordan!" Professor McGonagall cried snatching at the microphone. Lee blinked at her and then pointed down at the pitch. McGonagall followed his gaze irritably. She blinked and then narrowed her eyes as she spotted her star student. Before Lee could react she snatched the microphone away successfully and bellowed, "MISS GRANGER!"
Hermione looked up into the stands were she could make out the form of her mentor. Blushing a pretty pink she shrugged with the most innocent face she could muster. McGonagall gaped for another second before she thrust the microphone back at Lee, but not before harshly whispering, "If you so much as make another comment about Miss Granger…"
Lee nodded quickly never in the mood to damage the potentially greatest match Hogwarts had ever seen. He gave a nervous look to the Professor before he turned back to business.
***
"Are you ready?" Madam Hooch asked as she came walking behind an excited Parvati. Parvati grinned as did the rest of the former Gryffindor team.
"Madam Hooch agreed to referee for us and make it official since most of the guests turned out for the match," Parvati explained.
"Thanks Madam Hooch," the Gryffindors chorused making Hooch smile, her hawk-like eyes flashing.
"Miss Patil, I can handle it from here," Madam Hooch said. Parvati nodded and then grinned at Ginny and the others before she rushed off to join the others in the stands. "Captains?"
Angelina and Draco walked forward toward the center of the pitch. Angelina, Harry could plainly tell was in Quidditch mode. Draco sauntered over as if he had no care in the world. Angelina stood straight and extended her hand out even before Madam Hooch asked for them to shake it. Draco made a show of winking at George as he bent down to kiss Angelina's hand. She pulled away glaring and Draco merely raised his hands innocently.
"I want a clean game from all of you…"
Harry only had eyes for Hermione now. He tried to meet her eyes but her gaze was focused on Ginny who was looking at her with a smirk worthy of Draco. He glanced at Ron who was grinning foolishly at Luna and he couldn't fight back the grin that spread across his own lips at the sight.
He met Draco's eyes as he turned back to face Hooch and the blond looked pointedly at where he knew Hermione stood. Harry turned and saw the almost hungry gaze of Krum on Hermione. He felt his jaw clench and he tightened his hold on his broom. Hermione looked up and finally met his eyes. Her expression softened instantly and her eyes were as usual full of the love she held for him. He grinned at her and she grinned back as Madam Hooch called for them to mount their brooms.
Harry felt the rush of air and the excitement of being free but this time it was intensified by the feeling of euphoria already running through his veins. The Furors raised their fists as they flew upward. They seemed to be cheering Hermione's success at handling a broom. He leaned on his broom so he could pass her as they moved to form a circle so that Madam Hooch could throw the Quaffle that would start the game. Hermione was already in her position but she extended her hand out as she saw him coming at her. He slapped her hand with his and winked at her as he rushed to take his position.
"Stop fraternizing with the enemy, Harry," Ron called to him as he settled in the air. Harry grinned at his best friend. Ron laughed and flew off to his posts as the others waited their eyes on the ball. Harry had lost complete sight of the previously released snitch as he'd taken extra time to go to Hermione. Krum nodded to him as they flew above the Chasers. He gave a curt nod and the Bulgarian grinned in an almost arrogant way, a side of Krum only those who played against him knew. Harry felt the anger already boiling his insides increase and forced his gaze downwards to where the Chasers waited.
Hermione watched as if in slow motion how Madam Hooch threw the large ball up into the air. It reached its peak and then it began to fall. Draco looked at her and she nodded almost imperceptibly. She glanced over to Draco's right and Luna grinned at her with her dreamy look, then she winked and Hermione knew she understood.
"And they are OFF!" Lee cried as the crowd erupted into cheers.
It all happened in mere seconds but to Hermione it was all too slow. Her heart was beating awfully fast and she was unconsciously holding her breath, praying to Merlin and Morgana to keep her on the broom long enough.
The instant the whistle made it to Madam Hooch's lips Draco leaned forward and he launched toward Angelina completely disregarding the falling Quaffle. Angelina barely had time enough to pull her broom upwards fast to avoid collision, her eyes wide in surprise. Katie moved left ducking under Draco, arms extended to catch the Quaffle but then she saw Luna coming at her head on. Cursing she managed to roll and avoid a sure collision with the giggling Ravenclaw.
Ginny blinked and realizing what they were doing she moved right to intercept the Quaffle she knew Katie wouldn't get. She spotted Hermione diving faster than she'd ever seen Hermione move on a broom a few feet ahead of her. She sped up and Hermione looked up to see her dive toward her.
Both of them were too stubborn to slow down and if neither of them swerved they were sure to collide head on whether they grabbed the Quaffle or not. Their eyes met and they both saw something in the other's eyes that made them realize how they were both behaving after years of being the best of friends. Hermione with an unsettling feeling of guilt in the pit of her stomach swerved to the left in the last second avoiding contact with Ginny and the Quaffle.
Ginny caught the Quaffle but she knew exactly what Hermione had done. She turned in the air and faced her…friend. Hermione nodded at her slightly and rushed off ahead ignoring Draco who was yelling at her for being a bloody Gryffindor. Ginny blinked and threw a hard pass at Angelina. Angelina caught it almost falling of her broom by the force of the pass. Ginny sighed and moved forward after Draco, who was rushing to tackle Angelina.
**
"Ginny Weasley takes control of the Quaffle and we begin the game after that phenomenal display of tactical attack from the Furors!" Lee commentated loudly. "Rather ingenious ... too bad it didn't work. It rather seemed as if Granger didn't have the…"
"Jordan," McGonagall snapped, knowing quite clearly what her favorite student had done.
"Right," Lee said clearing his throat quickly. "Johnson is the starting Chaser of the Irish National Team. The Lions aren't taking it easy. She rushes toward the goals, passes to Ginny Weasley, former captain of last years Gryffindor Team and new addition to the Wasps as reserve Seeker.
"Lovegood attempts to tackle but Ginny manages a pass. Bell grabs it!" Lee said excitedly. It was quite obvious to those who knew him where his loyalty lay. He was a Gryffindor through and through. "Bell made it to the regional semifinals with the Tornadoes this year!
"Whoa! Another failed attempt at a tackle from Lovegood! Bell passes to Johnson, and back to Ginny Weasley. The Furors don't seem to be trying at all against these superb Chasers! Ginny Weasley to Bell … oooh! Katie rolls to barely dodge a Bludger sent by Seamus Finnegan. Finnegan works in the Department of Magical Sports, Quidditch Division. Have never personally seen him play until today, which can be said of most of the Furors! Although, one can't honestly deny that the girls in that team are bloody attractive!"
"JORDAN!" McGonagall cried reaching for the microphone. Lee jumped out of the way in time.
"Sorry!" he cried keeping out of reach. "Look! Granger moves in after Bell! I never thought I'd see the day when Hermione Granger would willingly be up in a broom! She seemed a little unsure at first but she must have had a good teacher! You go, Granger!"
Hermione tried to block Lee's voice, which was only making her more self-conscious. What on earth had possessed her to let Ginny get to her, she had no idea. It was your damn pride!, a little voice in her head taunted. She cursed under her breath surprising herself and she vowed to stop hanging out with Ron so much. Merlin, she was half-naked for everyone to see and she was doing something she'd only done before a few times. Thank Merlin, Harry had been patient with her, and now she could hold her ground… or was it air?
She leaned on her broom and even she could tell was far better than the others. It responded to her slightest touch and for the first time she could begin to fathom what Harry, Ron, and the others found so liberating about flying. It was the freedom and not so much a lack of control but rather the knowledge that you were under control of such a wondrous situation. She smiled to herself and vowed to never condemn something again without truly trying it first.
**
Harry met Krum's piercing gaze as they looked up from watching the chasers battle for control of the Quaffle. Gryffindor was up by 20 points. Malfoy and Luna had scored three for their team. Angelina had scored three, Katie one and Ginny the other for Gryffindor. Hermione had been mostly assisting as if unsure of what she really could do.
He saw Krum focus on something somewhere above his shoulder and he cursed under his breath. He ducked a second before a Bludger rushed past his ear. He was about to curse Krum for not warning him but before he could so much as look up he felt more than saw Krum rush past his side on a Firebolt exactly like his but in the Bulgarian colors.
Cursing in a way that would make Hermione refuse to talk to him for a week he forced his stationary broom to turn around and rushed after the Bulgarian. Krum's large frame was completely obscuring his view as he rushed after him knowing fully well why the Bulgarian was rushing like that. He flattened himself on the broom and sped almost bullet-like after him. There was no way in Dumbledore's name that he was losing to the git.
He thought he heard someone yell his name but he ignored it as a trick of the wind rushing in his ears. He saw something out of the corner of his eye that made him turn. He cursed once more and barely managed to roll as another Bludger narrowly avoided him. He wondered where on earth were the twins when he heard one of them call his name. He finally looked forward and saw Krum raise his broom sharply upwards, too fast and unexpectedly for him to follow. He closed his eyes wondering what god he had offended this time before he flew straight into the Hufflepuff stands. There was a collective gasp as he crashed into the stands. His body slammed against the wooden benches. A whistle sounded somewhere far away. He heard screams, curses, and gasps and then felt someone hoist him up out of the rubble. He opened his eyes with a grimace and saw the chubby face of Ernie McMillan.
"Are you alright, Harry?" he asked concernedly. Harry mentally checked himself for any broken limbs but apart from a few scratches, bruises, and a busted lip he was perfectly fine.
"I'm alright," Harry said reaching down for his broom. "Did Krum get the snitch?"
"He wasn't chasing the snitch, Harry," Ernie said almost apologetically. Harry turned brusquely to face him and he shrugged pointing down to the pitch where Krum was flying toward his goal posts. The twins blocked his view as they rushed toward him.
"Are you alright, mate?" George or Fred asked. He nodded practically seeing red as he focused on the Bulgarian.
"Can you fly?" the other asked glancing distractedly toward the pitch where Madam Hooch was holding her palm up.
"Yeah," Harry said climbing back on his broom. "Bloody bastard."
"You got that right," Fred said with a grimace.
"Even Malfoy was surprised by that little display," George said. He looked at Harry again and saw him focus on Krum who was flying close to Hermione. Hermione was looking concerned obviously trying to see whether Harry was fine or not. Harry's eyes went impossibly dark and anger flashed in them. George was slightly surprised by this and he glanced at his twin who shrugged slightly.
"You alright, Harry?" asked Angelina as they moved toward her and Madam Hooch. He nodded and so did Hooch as he glanced at her.
"Your time-out has ten seconds left, Captain Johnson," Madam Hooch said all business. She looked at Harry and shrugged imperceptibly. "It was a legal play you understand, Potter?"
"Yes, Madam Hooch," Harry answered through clenched teeth. He saw Hermione look at him searchingly before she turned and faced Krum. Harry saw the black dragon adorning her lower back and he gulped almost audibly, before he turned sharply away as Madam Hooch called his name. "Yes, Madam Hooch?"
"Make sure your play is also legal, Mr. Potter," she said catching his gaze firmly in hers. "It won't do for a Hogwarts team, former or not, to lose a match for foul play."
"No, Madam Hooch," Harry answered. She nodded and after a nod from Angelina she blew her whistle for the game to begin once more.
**
"After that disgusting piece of work from the Furors' seeker," Lee began angrily.
"Jordan!" McGonagall warned and he almost bit his tongue to keep himself from lashing out at the Bulgarian. He turned almost indignantly toward his professor and saw the barely contained anger in her eyes. He grinned at her and she sighed shaking her head.
Harry couldn't help but have his anger abate somewhat as he saw the scene in the stands beside him. McGonagall and Lee could be trusted to make this match as memorable as the ones during school. Krum was perched on the other side of the pitch watching for any sign of the snitch for now content to be stationary. Harry pulled his gaze away and began his own search for a little glint of gold and a flutter of wings.
His gaze was instead drawn to the one thing he had no trouble spotting among others; Hermione. She was flying after Katie who was rushing to keep ahead of the superior quality and speed of Hermione's broom. He smiled as he remembered all the time and patience they both had spent during those Quidditch lessons.
He remembered that every time she either fell or failed, even though she was tired, bored, hungry, angry, and frustrated she would get up again and again until she got whatever he was teaching her right.
He remembered her telling him how it had always bothered her to not be able to do something that was so much a part of their world. He remembered laughing and telling her that even she couldn't be perfect. He could perfectly recall her indignant glare and the way she told him she would show everyone that nothing was impossible. Even if it meant that Hermione Jane Granger had to learn how to properly fly a broom.
He saw Draco tackle Angelina almost viciously. The Quaffle fell out of her hands and into the waiting arms of Luna. Luna flew off almost luxuriously but then she threw a surprisingly long pass to Hermione. Hermione caught it with the tip of her fingers, a look of concentration on her pretty face. She fumbled a bit as she turned her broom a little insecurely, but managed to keep a hold on the Quaffle as she flew toward the goal posts.
Harry was once more graced with the sight of the enticing black dragon on her perfectly smooth, tanned back. He felt a sudden rush of desire as he watched a drop of sweat run down her spine as if caressing her in the way he longed to do. It ran down slowly between her shoulder blades, down her spine, reaching the dragon and then disappearing into her low riding jeans.
She slowed a bit a she reached the post and it was only her and Ron now. A part of him could see that her mind was working overtime on something. A pleased look cross her eyes and determination took over. She gripped her broom tighter with one hand and then slid as far as she would dare across the handle of the broom in a way that made all the blood leave Harry's brain altogether and rush southward. She pulled her arm back and threw the shot.
Harry couldn't tell anyone whether she made the shot or not, even if his life depended on it. He was painfully aroused by the sight of the Hermione he knew being so physical and so determined. That instant he could imagine her almost vividly, riding him, holding him as she was that broom.
He didn't know why but if he had an inch less of self control he would have rushed that instant and taken her somewhere where he could have his way with her. He was surprised by his own thoughts. He had never been so…savage, even when it came to things such as desire. He was rock hard and all he wanted was to have her writhing under him.
Sure he was a little reckless from time to time, he was possessive, and he'd been known to suffer from a chest monster, but he'd never felt the need to have a woman like he did Hermione. He didn't just want her. He needed her, and yet he knew that he would never ask it of her until she was ready, and if she ever was ready. He loved her and he was man enough to know that some instinct within him wanted her to know that he loved her in such a physical way.
The roar of the crowd was deafening, the blood rushing out of his head didn't let him think straight, and the sight of her …
"HARRY!"
He whirled around and saw one of the twins pointing at the other side of the pitch. He saw the snitch a second before he saw the blur that was Krum trailing behind it. He felt the painful pang of his arousal as if calling for attention. He cursed his damn body and his hormones for distracting him. The sound of the crowd died on his ears as he froze there. Another yell calling his name broke him out of his stupor and he moved into action. He leaned almost flat on his broom and skyrocketed in the direction of Krum and the snitch.
He felt the air break as he sped through it like a bullet. He was getting closer and closer but Krum was diving like there was no tomorrow. At the angle that he was flying he would be able to intercept Krum but he didn't know whether he would be able to dive fast enough to tail the snitch. If he avoided collision with Krum, that is.
**
Hermione watched the way Ron moved. She could read him almost as well as she could read Harry. She quickly analyzed the angle of his current position and the angle she, herself, was flying. She then quickly calculated the speed of her broom and his, and then the reach of her throw. She did it so quickly to an outsider who didn't know any better it would appear as if she had done nothing but shoot without thinking. Instead she calculated her distance and gripping her broom in the way Harry had taught her she slid down the handle and threw the large ball as hard as she could at the precise angle she had designed in her mind.
Ron spotted her and rushed to intercept her shot. She was slightly taken aback by his speed that was slightly better than she had first thought. She bit her lip in anticipation as she watched the confident look in Ron's face as he extended his long arms toward the oncoming ball. Hermione could see it in her mind as easily as she could any Arithmancy equation.
She knew it a second before it actually happened. Ron in his overconfidence had released his broom and reached out for the ball a second to early, even with her miscalculation of his speed there was no way he could save the shot. She watched in shock, as her brain was proven correct once more. It all happened in mere seconds, but she could see the exact moment when Ron realized what she had already known. The Quaffle entered the goal with a loud magical clang a second before he made contact.
She stood there rooted to her spot in midair. He turned to her shocked and she waited, holding her breath without meaning to. He blinked as if he'd just seen her for the first time and then he grinned. He smiled the biggest smile she'd ever seen in his face and she knew that he'd never been prouder of her than he was at that moment. She released her breath and felt Luna slam into her side to hug her excitedly.
Even Draco flew over to them when she saw over Luna's shoulder Viktor diving at a breakneck speed, and Harry moving even faster, if it was possible, to intercept the Bulgarian. She was already mad at the disgusting way in which Viktor had tricked Harry. She'd almost had a heart attack when she saw him out of the corner of her eye ram into the Hufflepuff stands. She had wanted to rush over to him, but Luna had held her back and assured her that he was okay. She had felt her soul return to her body when she saw him get on his broom once more.
She watched in something close to horror as Harry and Viktor came closer and closer to each other. Harry was flying too fast to be able to turn downward at the steep angle that Viktor and the snitch were traveling. She felt her heart stop as she watched them.
She saw Viktor glance to the right. She watched as his eyes widened in surprise as he spotted the blur that was Harry hurling himself at such a speed toward him. Perhaps it was instinct or perhaps it was fear. Perhaps it was purely survival but Viktor pulled out of the dive an instant before Harry reached him. The crowd gasped and Hermione felt her breath hitch in her throat. Harry turned his broom with inhuman accuracy and assumed his dive. Viktor frowned and without another thought he followed after Harry, flattening his broader if slightly shorter body than Harry's on his own broom. They dived, seeming more like blurs flying faster than a bullet straight toward the ground.
Hermione held her breath and prayed to whoever was listening to make sure Harry didn't kill himself. No, by Dumbledore, Merlin, and Morgana that right was rightfully hers. Yes, as soon as she made sure he was fine she would kill him with her bare hands.
**
Harry saw Krum glance at him and he saw the instant hesitation in his eyes. Harry almost grinned and sped up knowing, hoping, that Viktor Krum, Best Bloody Seeker in the World, would pull up out of the dive as he thought he would. A second later Krum pulled up sharply out of the dive rolling slightly because of the speed he'd broken out of. Harry grinned and hoping to Merlin that his trust in his Firebolt would not prove itself without base he fell into a dive at an impossible angel. He heard a gasp but ignored it. He heard Krum speaking Bulgarian in a way that Harry knew he was more than likely cursing. He couldn't help but smirk thinking that the sooner he caught the damn little ball in front of him the faster that he could get to hold Hermione once more.
He was instantly conscious of his body and how much it yearned for her as much as his heart did at that moment. He would talk to Ginny as soon as possible so there would no longer be anything between them. Yes, as soon as he caught the snitch, and talked to Gin he would find a place to show Hermione Jane Granger just what he had endured through half the game because of her and her…sexy dragon.
**
Everyone watched with bated breath as Harry Potter and Viktor Krum flew straight towards the ground. The Chasers were frozen midair. The Quaffle lay forgotten in Ron's hands after Hermione's shot. Their eyes were transfixed on the two men hurling down.
Krum had caught up, his body weight now helping him instead of hindering him. He was heavier and at the angle they were flying it had helped to catch up with Harry. They were neck to neck. At a sharp twist of the snitch the crowd gasped as both men knocked against each other. Harry was slightly taller but Krum was bigger and Harry was pushed of the course. Harry righted himself quickly and with ease, but he'd fallen back slightly. He flattened himself to the point where his aroused body complained loudly but he ignored it and managed to catch up within seconds.
Bloody hell! , A voice that sounded awfully like Ron's cursed in Harry's head. The voice was right which was scary enough. They were going to crash. The snitch seemed intent on flying straight into the ground. There was only a minimal chance of being able to right the broom, and if the snitch didn't change its course soon then it would be too late…
There! The snitch moved parallel to the ground a foot ahead of them. They were no more than two feet away from the ground itself when it did.
Harry reacted as if by instinct. He used his feet as a lever to push down on the tail of the broom in order to make it parallel to the ground. He thought he wouldn't be able to make it when as if by a whim of the gods the broom righted itself.
Krum didn't have as much luck. He had been using his heavier frame as a way to gain an advantage during the free fall, and when he saw the snitch move and the ground so close he knew he had no chance. He cursed in his mother language and knowing he must be paying for some past sins he closed his eyes.
Harry extended his arm as he balanced himself on top of his broom. Just a little more and then… He literally threw himself forward to catch the little golden ball. He grinned as he felt the flutter of wings died as his fingers wrapped around the ball. He closed his eyes and with the forethought to tuck his arms in, he fell…
**
"Mansuetus terra!" Hermione cried pointing toward the ground with her palm, as she saw Harry jump off his broom the instant Krum crashed. The thought that her wand was somewhere between the folds of her discarded sweatshirt somewhere near the locker rooms never crossed her usually over observant mind.
A soft blue light beam burst from her palm and impacted the floor of the Quidditch Pitch. Hermione was only half conscious of the feeling of her magic as it surged through her extended limb. Her whole attention was on the man she'd love since she was eleven.
*****
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