Chapter 376
"I wouldn't mind reading it when you're done." Harry said. Ron sighed. "I swear if you could read a book on a broomstick you wouldthese days." Harry shrugged although there was a faint hint of red in cheeks that signalledhis embarrassment.
"I think it's a good thing." Hermione declared. And she did think it was a goodthing despite the fact that Harry was ahead of her academically in some of
their subjects and on a par with her in the others except for Potions (andthere
Hermione suspected it was because Snape just couldn't bring himself toaward Harry anything higher than an Exceeds Expectation).
"You would." Ron shot back. Hermione glared at him before she turned to Harry. "Is Sirius still planningtomeet with Professor McGonagall?" She kept her voice low. Harry nodded jerkily. "He wanted to do it this week but with the whole
tournament thing, Professor McGonagall's too busy and she wanted to confer
with the other Professors anyway. So, I think they're meeting a week
Wednesday?"
"What do you think will happen?" asked Hermione.
"I'm not sure." Harry admitted unhappily pushing back his sleeves. "It's
complicated because even though I'm ahead practically, most of the theorystuff is new to me although it kind of makes more sense now. So…" he liftedashoulder and dropped it, "Sirius thinks they'll give me an independent lessonplan."
"That sucks, mate." Ron commiserated.
"No, that's brilliant." Hermione said, refusing to acknowledge the kernel of
jealousy that had lodged in her gut at the idea of having an independent
lesson plan. She knew she was smart and she was keeping pace with Harry
on the theory side, but she couldn't match Harry's power or his practical
prowess anymore.
"I just hope I get to stay in the fourth year classes." Harry said. Hermione nodded. "I'm surprised Sirius hasn't suggested taking you out of
Hogwarts and home-schooling you."
"We talked about it but I don't want to leave you guys so…" Harry admittedwitha blush. Ron slung an arm around his shoulders. "We don't want you to go either. You're our star Seeker." Hermione and Harry simply looked at him. Ron caved. "Well, not just because you're our star Seeker." All three of them laughed.
"Speaking of…" Harry poked Ron. "We should head to the changing roomsandstart getting ready for the match."
"Right." Ron's face lost its colour again. "The match."
"I'll see you out there." Hermione said cheerfully.
"Bring a book!" Harry ordered as he dragged Ron away. Hermione shook her head, her hair spilling over her shoulders. She pushedit
away absently as she turned back to her book.
"Getheringmay's Theory of the Active Mind would be better." Luna slippedintothe seat next to Hermione and started helping herself to the remaining
platters of breakfast. Hermione glanced up, shot a look at a third year boy who was looking at Lunawith ill-disguised contempt, and turned to her friend. "Why do you say that?"
"Your mind is too busy for the exercises that Farringtomen recommends." Luna said serenely, tucking into an enormous stack of pancakes that shehadliberally drizzled in syrup. "You'll go mad thinking of nothing."
"But isn't that the point of meditation?" questioned Hermione. "To get tothat
point where your mind is clear and still?"
"For normal people," Luna said, twirling her fork at Hermione, "but you're not
normal. To make your mind happy it needs to be busy. It's not going to behappy if you make it shut up and that means it won't give you what you want." Hermione sighed and closed her book. She had a feeling Luna was right. "Areyou planning on going to the Quidditch match?" Luna cocked her head as though listening to something. "No, but you are."
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"I am," agreed Hermione morosely because she was a good friend who wouldgo and support her friends even if they said she didn't have to be there.
"Where's Neville?" asked Luna brightly.
"He and Hannah are on a practice breakfast date." Hermione explained withasmall grimace. She had actually been in favour of the idea when Harry had raised it. Theo'soriginal suggestion of fake dating was pragmatic and useful for giving Harrysome needed cover especially when the revelation of his sessions with themind healer increased his attractiveness rather than diminished it. The fact
that it would also provide some practice at dating was also a practical
advantage that Hermione appreciated. Maybe a part of her had been
disappointed that Harry would only want to date her as practice and to avoid
his stalkers but Hermione wasn't above taking what she could get; a datewithHarry was still a date with Harry. But unfortunately, Hannah and Susan had been overheard by Ernie and Justinwho had talked with Terry and Michael who'd been overheard by Lisa andPadma, and within a day the whole of the fourth year knew about it. Aday
later the whole school knew about it. Practice dating was suddenly all therageexcept with the person who it had originally been intended for: Harry. And, well, Hermione. Nobody had asked her to go on a practice date, especially not Harry. Shetriedhard not to feel discouraged by that. Other girls hadn't been asked out by
anyone either, she reminded herself briskly. As far as she knewMorag andLisa hadn't. And Harry wasn't the only boy who was shying away fromthewhole thing; Ron had so far ignored all the hints Lavender had dropped inhispath (Hermione was waiting for her just to jump him), and Draco had avoidedPansy like she was the carrier of some fatal plague.
"Isn't this the third practice date Neville and Hannah have had?" hummedLunawith an innocent expression that was completely faked. Hermione smiled. "Fourth, if you include the last Hogsmeade weekend." Neville and Hannah had gone to browse the shops just the two of themwhileSusan had ended up tagging along with the original Gryffindor trio to see
Sirius at the School House where Dobby had plied them all with cookies and
hot chocolate.
"Do you think they'll still call it practicing when they get married?" joked Luna. Hermione chuckled, her mood lightening. "It's a possibility." And it was apossibility; Neville and Hannah seemed really happy together and their
families both approved of the fledgling relationship. She decided to changethe subject. "So what are you up to today?"
"Charms essay." Luna said happily, finishing her pancakes. "I'mgoing tospendthe day in the library." Tactically it was a good move since most of the rest of the school wouldbeat
the Quidditch match. Hermione checked her watch and sighed. "I'll walk with you and pick up that
book you recommended. You really think it'll make a difference?"
"I think you'll see what you need to see when you need to see it." Luna saidmatter-of-factly. "But the book couldn't hurt?" They chatted all the way to the library. The book turned out to be a hefty
volume and Hermione tucked it in her satchel under the watchful eyes of
Madame Pince. She said goodbye to Luna and raced to the tower to get her
outdoor cloak.
She was surging down the steps of the Gryffindor girls' stairwell when sheheard crying in the third year dormitory. She paused, torn between the urgetoget to the match and the sense of obligation to check nobody was injuredor
truly upset. She hovered for a long moment on the landing before she sighedand tapped on the door. There was no answer but Hermione pushed the door open and peered intotheroom. It was empty save for Ginny curled up on her bed, crying.
"Ginny!" Hermione hurried over to the younger girl. "Are you OK?" Ginny hunched away from the touch of Hermione's hand on her shoulder. "I'mfine." Hermione debated whether to leave the younger girl to it, but Ginny was
clearly not fine and Hermione's compassion stirred. She sat down tentativelynext to Ginny, ignoring the vibe of 'leave me alone' emanating fromGinny inwaves.
"What's happened?" asked Hermione softly.
"You wouldn't understand!" Ginny sobbed, not looking at her.
Hermione resisted the urge to sigh. "I understand you were supposed tobepitch-side as a reserve for the team so I'm assuming something happenedtostop that?" Ginny swiped a hand at her face and nodded.
"What happened?" Hermione pressed with a sinking sensation that whatever it
was she wasn't going to like it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 378
"You're going to yell at me like Angelina did." Ginny said simply, sniffling. Hermione stayed silent and waited her out.
"It was stupid," Ginny admitted, "I mean, I know it was stupid but Lydia andJessica wouldn't stop asking and…"
"And?" prompted Hermione impatiently, although truthfully she could seewhere Ginny's confession was heading.
"I let them into the changing rooms." Ginny blurted out, wiping her hand over
her wet cheeks. Of course she had.
"There are separate areas, aren't there?" Hermione asked. "What did they thinkthey were going to see?"
"It works like the stairs here." Ginny explained with a huff. "The boys can't get
into the girls' changing rooms but…"
"But the girls can get into the boys." Hermione sighed heavily and pinchedthebrow of her nose. "You tried to sneak Lydia and Jessica into the boys' changing room."
"We didn't actually see anything." Ginny complained with a sniff. "Fred spottedus and George chased us out." She gave a hitching little sob. "Angelina went
ballistic." Completely understandable, Hermione thought dryly. She would have goneballistic in Angelina's place.
"She told me that I was banned from playing as reserve today and…and…" Ginny started crying again, "she's going to talk to me later about my placeonthe team! She's going to drop me! I know she is!"
If Angelina did, Hermione wouldn't blame her; Ginny's lack of regard for
Harry's – well, all the boys' privacy was appalling.
"She'll give you a second chance." Hermione said to Ginny confidently. "Youmade a mistake but as long as you sincerely apologise and don't even thinkof
doing it again, it'll be fine." At least Hermione thought Angelina would be OK with it although if she hadany hint that Ginny's interest in Quidditch was primarily to get closer to Harryshe'd probably not give Ginny a second chance. It could be worse, Hermionereminded herself; Ginny hadn't followed Romilda Vane's example and headedto a mind healer to have something in common with Harry (although after theevents in the Chamber of Secrets with the basilisk Ginny really did needtoseeone in everyone's opinion except for Ginny's it seemed), and Ginny was
genuinely interested in Quidditch beyond Harry.
"Harry hates me!" Ginny sobbed. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Harry doesn't hate you."
"He barely talks to me!" Ginny argued angrily. "He avoids me!"
"You and your friends are basically stalking him everywhere!" Hermione
retorted. Ginny turned over and glared at her. "We do not stalk him!"
"Ginny, you've just tried to get you and your friends into the boys' changingrooms to spy on him!" Hermione pointed out. "You're hardly in a positionto
argue the matter." She held up a hand. "Do you remember our conversationat
the end of the last school year? If you want to be Harry's friend, then youneedto start acting like his friend and not some…some obsessed girl who doesn't
know he wouldn't appreciate being gawked at in the changing rooms!"
"You don't understand!" Ginny snapped, her eyes flashing stormily at
Hermione. "It's alright for you – you share classes with himand you're alwayswith him!"
"That's an exaggeration and…"
"And you're the one he's most likely to ask on a practice date!" Ginny brushedaway another set of angry tears. "Or a real date! Everyone says so!" Hermione's heart started to race at that. What did Ginny mean? Did everyoneknow Hermione liked Harry? And why was everyone – the mythical everyone–so sure Harry would date her? Did they think he liked her? A flicker of hopesprung up before Hermione could stop it. She ruthlessly suppressed it again.
"Well, if everyone thinks that," Hermione began officiously, "it's only becauseHarry and I are friends." Ginny turned away from her again, crossing her arms over her chest, her chinsticking up stubbornly in a manner that reminded Hermione of Ron.
"And I believe I told you that being Harry's friend was the most important
thing." Hermione added.
"I am his friend!"
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"Do you really think that sneaking Lydia and Jessica into the changing roomsto spy on Harry is an act of a friend?" Hermione shot back.
"Lydia and Jessica asked me to help them! What was I supposed to say?
They're my friends!" And that was more evidence that the two girls who'd befriended Ginny hadn't
really befriended her at all. Hermione felt for the younger girl.
"No would have been a start." Hermione said sternly. "If that's the kind of
things they ask you to do maybe they aren't your friends." She glanced aroundthe empty dorm. "Where are Lydia and Jessica anyway?"
"At the game." Ginny said. Which just proved the point, Hermione thought.
"I'm going to head there now." Hermione stated firmly. "Would you like tocome with me?"
Ginny threw her a disbelieving look before she shuffled off her bed hurriedlyand stormed off to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
"I'll take that as a no then." Hermione said to the empty room. She threwonher cloak and made for the pitch. The stands were already heaving with people, the game already begun whenHermione made her way towards a waving Neville. He made Parvati budgeupso Hermione could sit next to him in the seat he had ostensibly saved for her. She waved to Sirius who was seated next to Professor McGonagall in theteacher's section and he waved back at her.
"Where've you been?" asked Neville, blowing on his hands to warmthem.
"Ginny." Hermione shook her head. "I'll tell you later. What's the score?"
"Sixty-all." Neville grimaced unhappily waving at the hoops where Ron wasplaced as Keeper. "Ron's been unable to save any and it's sheer luck that our
Chasers are good enough to keep up." He motioned to the other side of thepitch where Harry was helping to distract the Ravenclaw Chasers, doggedbythe Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho Chang. "We're pretty much hoping Harry gets theSnitch at this point." Hermione settled into watch as the game progressed. The Gryffindor Chaserswere good and maintaining their possession of the Quaffle; Fred and George
had fallen back to help guard the hoops; Harry was contributing more thansimply searching for the Snitch. The team was working as a teamto helpRon's failing nerves, Hermione realised.
"I think if he could save one then he'd have some confidence and be able tosave others." Neville murmured.
"He'll save one," Lavender said brightly from beside Parvati, "he's just warmingup!"
"I'm sure you're right, Lavender." Hermione agreed because even if Lavender
was only saying it because she wanted to date Ron, Hermione was Ron's
friend and she was going to join in any effort to show Ron support.
"Cho hasn't left Harry's side." Parvati complained.
"I think they're hoping she'll distract him." Lavender said authoritatively. "It'satactic the Holyhead Harpies use against male players all the time."
"She is very pretty." Parvati allowed. Hermione tried to ignore the flare of jealousy. Harry wasn't interested in Cho. He wasn't.
"Cho's going out on a practice date with Cedric Diggory." Neville said. All three girls turned to stare at him.
"What?" Neville said, flushing bright red. "It's the talk of Hufflepuff!" Lavender winked at him. "Well, you should know, Neville, the amount of timeyou spend practicing with the Hufflepuffs these days." Her smile was friendlyand teasing rather than bitchy and Neville simply looked chuffed. Harry flew across the pitch in a sudden move that distracted the Ravenclawscompletely and allowed Katie Bell to score another goal. The Gryffindor standerupted in cheers. Harry stopped just in front of Ron for a moment beforeheflew off again. Suddenly, there was a shift as Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Captain, intercepted the Quaffle and flew with intent towards the hoops. Hermione felt her heart pounding. "Come on, Ron!" She muttered. "Come on!
You can do it!" Roger was lining up, the Ravenclaw Beaters were sending the Bludgers
towards the Gryffindor Chasers keeping them at bay and Cho was followingHarry…
Roger threw the Quaffle…
Ron moved! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 380
He swept across the hoop and threw out his long arms and… He saved the Quaffle, punting it down where it was picked up by Angelinawhoyelled something at him that was lost in the noise as the Gryffindor standwhistled and cheered.
"Weasley is our King!" commented Lee Jordan delightedly. The chant was taken up and Hermione joined in, so pleased for Ron that her
face hurt from smiling. The game progressed with alacrity after that; Ron saving more than he let
through; the Gryffindor Chasers adding to the score bit by bit to keep the lead.
"Oh Merlin!" Neville clutched at Hermione suddenly and pointed. Harry was diving, racing towards the ground at high speed…Cho on his heels
and…
The Snitch was almost on the ground, darting around the blades of grass, before it took off sharply shifting upwards.
"Pull up, pull up, pull up!" Hermione muttered. Harry changed direction as though he'd heard her but he levelled out
and…reached…Cho just behind him…
The Snitch was his!
Harry raised his arm, the Snitch fluttering in his clenched fist, and he flewbackto the hoop level where his team-mates flew over to congratulate him. Hermione hugged Neville before she turned back to the pitch and clappedalong with everyone else.
"Brilliant!" Neville said. "Just brilliant!" The players started to descend and Hermione grabbed Neville as she startedto push her way through the mass of the crowd to get out of the stands andtothe ground as quickly as possible. By the time, she and Neville had reachedthe Gryffindor team, Harry was shaking hands with Cho and Ron had been
hoisted onto his brothers' shoulders where he was laughing with glee as therest of Gryffindor surrounded him. Hermione was pleased when Harry immediately left Cho as soon as he
spotted her. She closed the distance between them and hugged him.
"That was fantastic!" Hermione said, vaguely aware that everyone else
seemed to be leaving Harry to her and congratulating Ron instead. Harry grinned. "You didn't read a book."
"You were watching me?" asked Hermione, loosening her hold on himtolookat him properly. Harry nodded, letting go of her with one hand to adjust his glasses. "Maybealittle." She smiled at him happily. Maybe everyone was right, Hermione thought
hopefully. Maybe Harry liked her liked her; maybe he would ask her on a date. Eventually, if she knew Harry, which she did. But she could be patient.
"The game was too exciting to read a book." Hermione declared belatedrealising Harry was waiting for her answer.
He smiled again, a little shyly. "You read a book during the World Cup." Hermione shrugged and slipped her hand into his relieved the crowd was still
amazingly leaving them alone. "Well, you weren't playing in the World Cup." She said. His answering smile was affectionate and bright with a hope that flaredtolifein Hermione too. A cough behind them had them both turning.
"Hey! You have one of those hugs for me?" Sirius grinned at himand Harry
shot her an apologetic look as he let go and enthusiastically moved intoSirius's waiting arms. Hermione didn't mind because she still had that burning flame of hope alight
in her and for once she didn't ruthlessly suppress it. o-O-o
28th October 1994
The Parisian café was everything good that Remus remembered about Paris;
an outdoor table in view of the Eiffel tower, strong black coffee and
wonderfully sweet petit fours. Opposite him, Richard Bones scoffed downanother of the miniature pastries and Augusta sighed with contentment asshe scooped up another. Remus watched them with amusement before helifted his face to the weak sunshine and gave thanks that the weather hadturned out so nice. It was a warm day for the end of October but he was gladof the lycanthropy for once; his elevated body temperature kept off the worst
of the chill whereas his companions were bundled up in muggle tweed coats, thick woolly scarves and leather gloves.