When yet another Quidditch mishap lands both Harry Potter and Matt Santini in the hospital wing, they discover their brooms destroyed. However, when the two boys both receive mysterious replacements during Christmas, Hermione's seemingly only has their best interests at heart when she tells Professor McGonagall. Ron is less than impressed, even Harry is upset but Matt sees it differently.
"Lucky the ground was so soft."
"I thought he was dead for sure."
"But he didn't even break his glasses."
"Goddamnit all, Potter."
"He looks a bit peaky, doesn't he? Ow! What was that for?"
"A wakeup call."
Harry could hear voices and at first, they made no sense. Until he heard the American speak, and Ron must have annoyed his friend from across the pond. Matt had to have head-slapped Ron, up the back of his noggin. It was Matt's signature move when he was annoyed, and Harry had found that Ron tended to be the one to annoy him the most.
This also meant that, although he had no idea where he was, what he was doing there or how he had gotten there, he was most likely surrounded by his friends and fellow Quidditch players. Slowly Harry opened his eyes. He was lying in a bed in the hospital wing, surrounded by the mud splattered Gryffindor Quidditch team as well as Ron and Hermione, who looked drenched from the rain.
Matt the American was there as well, his arm in a sling sitting beside Hermione. She was tucked under his uninjured arm, for warmth Harry assumed. The two had been oddly inseparable this year, seemingly taking an impossible number of classes together. Harry still was not sure how they were managing to be in multiple classes at the same time.
"Harry! You're awake!" Hermione exclaimed.
"How're you feeling?" asked Fred, who was caked with mud and looking pale.
Harry's mind was flooded with memories of what had happened.
"Ah, there it is." Matt said with a smirk. Somehow, the brown-haired American could read everyone's face like a book, almost as if he were reading their mind.
"What happened?" Harry asked as he bolted up, shocking everyone into gasps.
"You fell off, must've been-what- sixty feet?" Fred replied.
"Thirty," Matt corrected. "Before he hit me, then another twenty after that for both of us." Hermione made small whimpering noises beside Matt; her eyes extremely bloodshot.
"We thought you'd died." Alicia Spinnet shakily added.
"But the match…" Harry began "What happened? Are we doing a replay?" he asked. After a brief recap in which Gryffindor's loss was confirmed and much discussion as to how they could still win, if the points landed right with the victories. The Quidditch team was ushered out by Madam Pomfrey, so they could get cleaned up, and let Harry and Matt rest.
Ron, Hermione, and Matt scooted closer, Madam Pomfrey checking Matt's injured arm before leaving them to talk quietly.
"You know, Harry…" Matt began, taking a breath. "This is three years running. First year, you got cursed off your broom and landed on me, knocking me off mine. Which admittedly, we at least won." The American said with a wince.
"That was not my fault!" Harry pointed out.
"I didn't say it was." Matt continued. "Then last year…that Merlin-forsaken Bludger! Not only does it manage to break your arm, but it then goes through you, hits me, off my broom again! And that time, your broom isn't cursed but you still fall off it, onto me! And then the Bludger broke my ribs! Thank Merlin Hermione was there to save both our asses."
"We won, didn't we?" Harry responded.
"Not my point!" Matt said. "I swear, it's like the first match every year is cursed. Something happens, usually to both of us. Wood needs to find a new chaser, just so I can fly under you as a new position: Harry Potter's Personal Landing Pad." Both Ron and Hermione laughed and even Harry chuckled at the joke as Matt smirked in mock anger.
"Well, obviously I fell and landed on you…how did we get here?" Harry asked.
"The Dementors came after you again. Dumbledore was furious." Hermione explained. "I've never seen him like that. He ran onto the field as you both fell and waved his wand. Apparently, though, he only had time to slow you down Harry…"
"Yes, I got the pleasure of a full force impact. If it hadn't been for the rain and the mud I'd've been in a lot worse shape…" Matt said.
"Then he rounded on the dementors, whirled his wand, and shot silver stuff at them. They fled the stadium straight away." Hermione continued.
"Then, he magicked you both onto stretchers and walked you both up to the school. Matt was moving thankfully, otherwise, everyone would've thought you both were…" Ron trailed off, not finishing the grim thought.
Harry could see the looks of anxiety on his friends' faces. Even Matt had his doubts, it was obvious to see as he glanced at the other two.
"Did someone get our Nimbuses?" he asked matter-of-factly. The three exchanged another look as Matt sighed heavily.
"Well…from a certain point of view…" Matt began, echoing a line from a sci-fi movie he had managed to watch with Harry over the summer while the pair were staying in Diagon Alley.
"What?" Harry asked, looking between the three of them.
"Well…when you fell off your broom and then knocked Matt off his broom, they got blown away…" Hermione began, very hesitantly.
"And?" Harry pressed.
"And they hit-they hit-oh, Harry- they hit the Whomping Willow." Hermione said in a rush.
Harry felt his stomach drop, like he was on a rollercoaster. The Whomping Willow was a very violent magical tree that he and Ron had crashed into the previous year attempting to land Ron's family car.
"And?"
"You know how the Whomping Willow is mate…" Ron said. "It's not fond of being hit, is it?"
"Professor Flitwick brought them back just before you woke up…well…what's left anyway…" Matt said as Hermione picked up a bag at her feet. She turned it upside down and two dozen bits of splintered wood and twigs fell onto the foot of the bed.
"You can't even tell what pieces belong to which broom anymore…" Matt observed and hung his head.
Madam Pomfrey kept Harry the rest of the weekend. However, Matt was allowed to leave. Additionally, he promised both Harry and the matron that he would be back anyway with their friends, when they came to visit.
Harry refused to throw out the broom remains, and Matt understood, but it did not seem as though Matt was terribly fussed about it. Harry thought his American friend might use it as an excuse to quit the team and focus on schoolwork. He was like Hermione in that way. But surely, he would not leave the team down a player and unable to play at all, would he?
#######
In the following weeks, the group made their second trip to Hogsmeade. Harry learned of his parents' close friendship with Sirius and a man named Peter Pettigrew. Even Matt had to admit their original group did not sound all that different from their own. The American pointed out that Harry was a stand in for his father, Hermione much like Lily, himself like Lupin and he unkindly compared Ron to Peter Pettigrew. This earned him a rude gesture from the freckle faced redhead. Matt had hoped that the banter between them might lighten his friend's mood, but it did little to help.
Hagrid's news of Buckbeak's trial was of little comfort either. Hermione and Matt jumped at the chance to help their favorite teacher research the trial. Even Harry and Ron seemed agreeable to joining in aiding Hagrid. The only thing that seemed to lighten everyone's spirits was the arrival of Christmas. With the term officially over, the castle seemed to relax and want to enjoy the upcoming holiday. This was aided by the fact that most students went home this holiday, leaving only the quartet and a few others to enjoy the decorations.
Harry thought he had seen Matt and Hermione scampering away from mistletoe that was hung, alongside holly throughout the corridors; their faces red, illuminated from mysterious lights that were seemingly inside every suit of armor. He wondered what was up with those two as he wandered the castle on Christmas Eve, admiring the twelve trees in the Great Hall. The halls were filled with the scent of cooking food, overpowering everything with delicious scents and aromas.
The following morning both Matt and Harry were awoken by pillows being thrown around by Ron.
"Oi! We've got presents!" came Ron's voice.
"We do? Great. I'm going back to bed." Matt quipped and pulled his covers over his head. Harry and Ron unleashed a fresh barrage of pillows at their sleepy friend. Once the duo was sure Matt was awake, Ron ripped into his pile of gifts.
"Another sweater from Mum…maroon again…see if you both have one."
Harry and Matt both did. Mrs. Weasley had sent Harry a scarlet sweater with the Gryffindor lion knitted on it while Matt had gotten a green one with the Hogwarts crest emblazoned on it. Harry had also gotten a dozen home-baked mince pies, some Christmas cake, and a box of nut brittle. Matt on the other hand had a book about Magical Cores from Hermione, a brown leather jacket from his parents and a matching brown fedora that had come from Ginny. Matt was convinced that somehow his parents had coordinated with the Weasley daughter on this particular gift set, but he was not sure how they had done it…
Harry looked puzzled as he moved his gifts aside, seeing a long thin package lying underneath.
"What's that?" Ron asked, looking over his freshly unwrapped maroon socks. "Matt, you've got one too."
"Huh…" Matt raised his left eyebrow in curiosity. Carefully he took the package and at the same time as Harry, unwrapped it. The two boys revealed a pair of magnificent and gleaming broomsticks. Ron dropped his gifts and jumped out of bed to look more closely at the newest presents.
"I don't believe it…" he said in a shocked, hoarse voice.
There were two Firebolts now in the Gryffindor boys third year dormitory. Matt turned the broom over in his hands and it felt good, it hummed as he let go and it floated in place. Matt was a little taller than Harry but both glistening brooms hung in suspension at perfect mounting heights.
"Incredible…" Matt said in awe.
"Who sent them?" Ron inquired quietly.
"Mine didn't have a card." Matt offered and paused. His mind went to work, something was off. Why would someone spend thousands of galleons on both him and Harry? What would the purpose be? And who even knew they needed new brooms outside of the school? Parents rarely attended Quidditch matches, and he knew for a fact his parents had not been there and Harry did not have relatives to attend. Ron confirmed that Harry's did not have a card either.
"Why're you looking so down? This is great! These brooms are the best in the world! The professional players use these!" Ron raved. "But who'd spend this much on you, Harry? Matt, I get, his parents are loaded."
"Except mine sent me a jacket." Matt countered. "And they would have told me it was from them. Something seems off."
"Oh, come off it! I bet it was Dumbledore." Ron replied as he walked around the Firebolt. "He sent Harry the Invisibility Cloak anonymously…"
"But that was my dad's." Harry replied. "Dumbledore was just passing it on to me. He can't spend hundreds of galleons on two students. Not like this…"
"That's why he wouldn't say it was from him!" Ron retorted. "That way some git like Malfoy couldn't say it was favoritism. Oh wait 'til Malfoy sees you both on these." Ron had moved over to look at Matt's broom now. "He'll be sick as a pig! These are an international standard broom, they are!"
"I can't believe this…" Harry muttered as he ran his hand along the handle of the Firebolt. Ron sank onto Harry's bed laughing his head off. Matt meanwhile shook his head at Ron and continued to contemplate he and his closest friend's good fortune.
"I know!" Ron said finally getting control of himself. "I know who it could've been – Lupin!"
"What?" Harry said and laughed incredulously.
"Do you hear yourself when you talk, or does it get drowned out?" Matt asked. "Think about it Ron. Lupin, who carries around a secondhand trunk and can't afford new robes, drops a ridiculous amount of gold on Harry and me? I mean sure, I like Lupin, he's a fantastic teacher but I highly doubt he has this much gold just hanging around burning a hole in his robes."
"But he likes the both of you. And besides, he was away when your brooms got smashed. He could've heard about it and stopped at Diagon Alley and got these for you both." Ron countered.
"What d'you mean, he was away?" asked Harry. "He was ill when we were playing that match."
"Well, he wasn't in the hospital wing. I was there, cleaning out bedpans for detention from Snape, remember?" Ron replied. Harry frowned.
"Lupin could not afford something like these." Matt said looking up as another voice entered the conversation.
"What're you three laughing about?" Hermione asked as she came in, wearing her dressing gown, clutching Crookshanks, who looked none too happy, with a wreath of tinsel tied around his neck.
"Don't bring him in here!" Ron exclaimed and quickly scooped up Scabbers and stowed him in his pajama pocket. Hermione did not listen and dumped Crookshanks on Matt's bed. Matt grinned at the ginger cat and scratched him behind his ears.
"Who's a good kitty? Huh? Who's a good kitty?" Matt cooed at the animal in a baby voice. Hermione was staring shocked, looking between the two broomsticks.
"Oh Harry, Matthew! Who sent the two of you those?" she asked.
"Not a clue." Matt said looking up from petting Crookshanks, who had rolled over onto his back for belly rubs.
"No idea. There wasn't a card or anything with it." Harry said.
Hermione did not appear excited or intrigued by this news. Her face had fallen, and she was biting her lip.
"Oh, what's the matter with you? Don't start acting like him, now." Ron said gesturing to Matt. Hermione looked across the room and for the briefest moment smiled. It was so fast only Matt, who had not taken his eyes off her, caught it.
"I don't know, it's a bit odd, isn't it?" Hermione began. "I mean, this is supposed to be quite a good broom, isn't it?"
"It's the literal best broom there is, Hermione." Ron replied exasperatedly.
"So, it must be really expensive…"
"Incredibly. The most expensive, actually." Matt added.
"Well…who would send Harry and Matt something so costly and not even tell either of them they'd sent it?" Hermione had a good point. Matt saw where she was going and, even though it was against his own self-interest, he had to agree with her logic.
"Who cares?" Ron said impatiently. "Listen, Matt, Harry, can I have a go on one of them? Can I?"
"I don't think anyone should ride that broom just yet!" Hermione said, her voice shrill with worry. Harry, Ron, and Matt looked at her. Matt nodded his head in agreement, not that either of the other two boys saw it.
"What d'you think Harry and Matt are going to do with them? Sweep the floors?" Ron retorted. Before she could answer Crookshanks leapt from Matt's bed before he could grab the cat. Ron screamed at Hermione and Crookshanks as the cat latched onto Ron's chest. He did his best to keep Scabbers out of Crookshanks' reach. Hermione recovered her pet before Ron could kick him successfully and took him from the room. Matt followed Hermione and waited in the common room for her to come back down.
"Honestly! Ron only cares about that stupid rat because Crookshanks is after it. It's in a cat's nature!" Hermione complained after closing the third-year girl's dorm so Crookshanks could not get to Scabbers.
"I know. It's stupid. He complains about the thing year-round, how boring, and useless he is. Yet it's the end of the world if something happens to it…" Matt agreed, sitting on the couch nearest the fireplace. Hermione sat next to him and snuggled close.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"For what?"
"For understanding and being my friend."
"You're welcome, 'Mione." He said and put his arm around her. Hermione would not tell anyone, but she liked the nickname. Matt was the only one though, she would ever let use it. And only because he only used it when no one else was around. It felt special to her, in that regard. Conversely, she was the only one he would ever let call him Matty. If anyone else ever attempted to, they would be unconscious or worse before they finished their sentence.
The Christmas spirit was thin that morning in the common room. Hermione was furious with Ron for attempting to kick her cat, while Ron was fuming about Crookshank's latest attempt on Scabbers' life. Matt had not intervened to make them talk to each other but was instead firmly on Hermione's side. Harry gave up trying to mend the three's argument and instead brought his new Firebolt down to the common room and was examining it thoroughly. Hermione seemed annoyed at Harry as well though, throwing him dark looks as though his broom had insulted Crookshanks, Hermione herself or Matt.
At lunchtime, the quartet went to the Great Hall to find that the house tables had been replaced with a single table set for fourteen. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick were joined by Filch the caretaker, who was wearing an old and moldy looking tailcoat. Four other students were there, two extremely nervous first years, a sullen faced fifth year Slytherin and Cassidy Curtis, the other American student. Cassidy was a very pretty girl with a round face, almond shaped bright blue eyes and flippy short straw blonde colored hair. She had transferred in as a second-year student the same year Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Matt had started. Matt had known her growing up before moving to England with his family. Hers had followed and the two were close friends still, even though she was in Ravenclaw.
As Dumbledore wished them a Merry Christmas the group sat down and began to eat and talk. Dumbledore handed Snape a cracker that went off and turned into a hat with a stuffed vulture on top. Matt nudged Hermione and Cassidy, as he sat between the two girls and surreptitiously pointed out the hat. The pair laughed behind their hands as they were both in the class with the boggart.
Trelawney eventually joined them, happily sitting down as fourteen became fifteen and thus awakened no superstitions in the Divination professor. Although when Professor Lupin's noticeable absence was brought up, Matt and Hermione shared a knowing glance. Cassidy, Harry, and Ron all seemed confused though. The pair were the only ones that had solved one mystery already that term it seemed.
As the lunch wound down, Harry, Ron, and Matt all stood. The trio were bursting with delicious food and were ready for a nap. Ron and Harry at least were. Matt was eager to dig into his new book Hermione had gotten him.
"You comin', Hermione?" Matt asked affectionately.
"Not yet, I want a quick word with Professor McGonagall." Hermione replied with a shake of her bushy hair. Matt gave an understanding nod.
"Probably trying to see if she can take any more classes." Ron said as they walked into the entrance hall. "Ow! What was that for?" Ron rubbed the spot on the back of his head where Matt had just slapped him.
"For being an ass." Matt replied coldly and walked ahead of them.
"Hermione, what's up?" Cassidy asked, knowing that she would not just let Harry and Ron walk off without her, to say nothing of Matt. She had seen how the two were in literally every class together and still could not work out how the pair were doing that.
"I'm worried about Matt and Harry. They received…well…they received some really expensive brooms for Christmas with no explanation of where they came from!" Hermione said. Professor McGonagall was leaning in closely to listen as well.
"I see, Miss Granger. And your concern is?" the wise professor asked.
"What if…what if Sirius Black sent them? What if the moment either of them mount those brooms, something happens and they get cursed or worse, what if they're rigged to drop them from a great height or something?" Hermione ranted. "If Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban to try and Kill Harry…oh! Everyone knows that Matt's always protecting him and so the easiest way to get rid of Harry is to off Matt at the same time!" Hermione's eyes were watery, tears threatening to spill out at the thought of her two closest friends dying. One's loss would hurt more so even, than the other. Especially to her.
"Oooh, you know, professor. She's got a point. I read about that happening once. Someone cursed a broom to get revenge on a person and the person died because of it." Cassidy piped up. "Broom flew like normal until it got about twenty feet off the ground, then it went up and up and up and then just stopped working all together. Dropped the poor guy over a hundred and thirty feet."
"That is most serious indeed. Thank you, Miss Granger." McGonagall spoke and stood with Hermione and Cassidy as they left the Great Hall, Hermione and Professor McGonagall made their way to Gryffindor Tower while Cassidy headed towards Ravenclaw tower. She knew her fellow American would understand. Especially since it was coming from Hermione. At least she hoped he would. They were such a cute couple, even if it was unofficial for the moment.
Back in the common room, Harry and Ron were admiring Harry's new broom, while Matt was sitting in his favorite spot by the fire, engrossed in his book. The portrait hole opened, and Hermione slipped in, followed by Professor McGonagall. Matt's left eyebrow raised for the second time that day in curiosity.
The only other time the head of house had been in the common room was to make a grave announcement. Matt shuddered at the memory, especially since it had happened because of Hermione's petrification. He was still haunted by the memory of her being helpless in the Hospital Wing.
Hermione slipped around the others, and sat on the far side of Matt, picking up a book and hiding behind it. Matt looked at her amusedly and decided not to point out to her that the book she was holding was upside down.
"So, Mr. Potter, Ms. Granger informed me that you and Mr. Santini have been sent new broomsticks." Professor McGonagall began, walking over to them beside the fireplace to stare at the Firebolt. Harry and Ron looked over to Hermione, whose forehead was peeking above the book she had in her hand, and she was clearly turning red behind it.
"May I?" McGonagall asked and took the broom before either of them could answer her. She examined it carefully, turning it over in her hands, looking it over from twig-ends to handle. "Hmm, there was no note at all Potter? Santini? No message of any kind?" McGonagall was curious.
"No." Replied Harry.
"None at all." Matt confirmed.
"I see…I'm afraid I'll need to take this. Same with you, Santini." McGonagall said. Matt nodded glumly and sighed, standing up and going up to the dorms. He returned a moment later and handed McGonagall his broom as well.
"Wha-What? Why?" Harry asked as he got to his feet.
"They'll need to be checked for jinxes." Professor McGonagall replied. "Of course, I'm not an expert but I daresay Madam Hooch and Professor Flitwick will strip them down- "
"Strip them down!?" exclaimed Ron, as if his head of house had grown two extra heads.
"It shouldn't take long. A few weeks at best." Professor McGonagall explained. "You will both have them back if we are sure they're jinx-free."
"There's nothing wrong with it. With either of them!" Harry said in a shaky voice. "Honestly Professor-tell her Matt!"
"Eh, I'm gonna agree with Professor McGonagall on this one. Better safe than sorry." Matt said, immediately relenting.
"You should listen to your friend, Potter. In any case, you can't know that it's jinx-free until you've flown it." The professor explained, kindly. "And I'm afraid flying either of them is out of the question until we are certain that neither has been tampered with. I shall keep the two of you informed."
Professor McGonagall turned and left, slipping out of the portrait hole, both Firebolts in hand. The portrait closed behind her, and Harry stood staring after the head of house. Ron, however, had other ideas.
"What did you go running to McGonagall for?!" he shouted. Hermione threw her book down and stood. She was still blushing from embarrassment but faced Ron defiantly.
"Because I thought – And Professor McGonagall agrees with me – That those two brooms were probably sent to Harry and Matthew by Sirius Black!"
"Sirius Black?! Are you mental?" Ron snapped back ferociously. "How did he get to Diagon Alley? He would have been caught instantly." Ron would not back down.
"I-I don't know! But it makes sense!" Hermione argued back.
"No! It doesn't! Why would he even bother with Matt in the first place? It's not like he's not got a family of his own!" Ron had not considered how his words might hurt Harry at the same time. He was only focused on Hermione.
"Honestly, Ronald! Everyone knows how close Harry and Matt are! And it's common knowledge that Matt's protected Harry several times. Everyone in the school knows about the Philosopher's Stone and the Basilisk. Do you really think that other students' families don't know? Or at least have some kind of idea what goes on here?!" Hermione shot back.
"Oh, come off it! You're just jealous that you didn't get something as nice or expensive as a Firebolt!" Ron countered.
Hermione crossed her arms and glared at Ron.
"Really? You think I'm jealous over a stupid broomstick?! If you must know, Matt got me an original First Edition of Hogwarts: A History. It's even signed by Bathilda Bagshot herself! That's better than some dumb old broomstick anyway, even if it is really good one!" Hermione responded continuing to glare at Ron.
"What?! That's it? That's your big gift? Some useless old book?" Ron scoffed and laughed cruelly. "You won't win the Quidditch Cup riding around on a book. Guess you're not that smart after all, are you? You're just like Snape said, an insufferable know-it-all!"
Matt stood up and attempted to get to Hermione as she stormed off, her eyes brimming with tears. He was about to round on Ron, but he had already brushed past everyone and was on his way up to the dorm room. The crash from the door being slammed shut echoed through the nearly empty common room.
"Hermione wait!" Matt called after her, grabbing her hand just as she was about to go up to her own dorm. Harry was turning to follow Ron but something about Matt's tone made him stop and he sat on the stairs. He felt like he was spying but Matt had not asked for privacy and was still in the common room. So, he was apparently not worried about it.
"What do you want? You've been awfully silent this whole time." Hermione pointed out. "I suppose you want your turn at me now too, do you? Well, go on then." She stepped off the stairs and looked at Matt, her arms crossed. This was the moment she had been dreading. She was willing to face Harry's wrath, even Ron's. But Matt…she had never seen him truly angry, and she did not know how he would take this loss. She was afraid, trembling, he was her closest friend. The last thing she wanted was to lose him too. But if it meant keeping him safe, alive, it would be worth it to her. Even if that meant they were not to be in each other's lives anymore. At least he would be alive.
"Hermione…" Matt began.
"Go on, give me what you think I deserve." She said coldly.
"Are you sure?" Matt asked.
"Now you're just being cruel…" Hermione hated that he was dragging this out.
"Ok." Matt took a deep breath and pulled Hermione into a hug. Of all the things Hermione thought was going to happen, this never even made the list. Her eyes were wide, and he was holding her to him, not hard or painfully, but affectionately. This was unprecedented. Matt never initiated hugs; he was always too macho to do that. But he would return them if someone else did. She had hugged him numerous times, even Ginny had a couple of times. But he never started them.
"Matt?" she asked, her voice shaky. Slowly he pulled back from her, his hands rubbing her shoulders before moving down her arms to clasp her hands gently.
"Hermione. What you did…was not wrong. I wish you had told me first, before you did, bought me a little time. I might have saved the argument or at least blunted it anyway. But you were right. You meant well. And yes, it stings a little, more so for Harry than me." Matt started. "But what you did was incredible. It took so much bravery and courage to do what you did. You risked literally everything. It could have cost you all your friendships, everyone you cared about, all just to protect us. You were more concerned with our safety than your own happiness. You were completely selfless."
Hermione felt fresh tears forming in her eyes. She could not believe what he was saying. This was the exact opposite reaction he should have had, that she expected him to have, why?
"What are you saying?" Hermione asked.
"That you had to have done what you did, out of love, not jealousy. And the fact that you cared so much about my own and Harry's well being that you were prepared to throw it all away in order to keep us safe…well there's only one thing I can say to that…"
"And that is?" Hermione was more afraid of what he was about to say than perhaps anything she had ever been afraid of her whole life.
"I love you, Hermione. And I think you feel the same way about me?" Matt said.
From the steps he was sitting on, Harry's jaw hit the floor.
"I…do." Hermione said, her face flushed, her true feelings revealed. Matt gently squeezed her hands and let go of her so he could hug her again, pulling her close and nuzzling the top of her bushy-haired head. She buried her face in his chest and let out a sob. He was on her side and had never left it. Matt was standing by her, despite what she had done to him.
"I care more about you and our relationship than I do about a damned broom any day." Matt said to her, and Hermione cried, not tears of sadness but ones of joy at his words.
Harry was stunned at seeing his two closest friends admit they had feelings for one another. He had no idea the two of them had grown that close to each other or that they were in love. The mistletoe was starting to make more sense now, however. Harry watched as Matt led Hermione back to their couch in the common room and cuddled close to her by the fire. Neither had noticed him, he felt a bit guilty at not being straight forward.
However, something ate at the back of Harry's head. Matt's words. Hermione's actions were not just well-meaning, they were an act of love. She did not have the same feelings towards him as she did for Matt, that much was clear. However, she did feel a lot like the sister he never had. And she understood him better than Ron ever had. Hermione had always been able to get through to him unlike Ron or even Matt ever could.
Now, Harry contemplated, why was Ron acting the way he was? It was not his broom, as much as he might have wanted it to be. It was Harry' broom, Matt's broom. Ron became extremely angry in his defense. But Harry was more than capable of defending himself. Was Ron just looking for an excuse to distance himself and Harry from Hermione? Even Matt? Was Ron trying to keep Harry all to himself? Why? So, he could claim to be the famous Hartry Potter's only friend? Why would Ron want that kind of fame?
Harry shook his head, none of it made sense. He did not want to try and unravel this all tonight. He looked back at Matt and Hermione, happily reading on the couch together. He sighed and went up to his dorm.
In the years that followed, Matt and Hermione both would credit Sirius Black as being responsible for them getting together when they did. It always amused the former prisoner, as he never stylized himself as a matchmaker. Yet he was, albeit an unintentional one. They were quite proud of the fact that they had uncovered his innocence later that same school year and were allies of Black's until his untimely death in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
And Harry never revealed that he knew the exact time and date their relationship became official, even after they had announced it themselves the following year at the Yule Ball in a passion filled kiss during the dance in front of three entire schools of magic.