Warning Signs

Note: This is a brand new chapter. I had to add Quidditch into the mix because I love it so much! Hope you enjoy it. - Tonks

I saw little of Hermione as the weeks pressed on. Classes were dull for me because I had already gone through them during my own teenage years. It seemed like I was re-learning everything, which was nice, but on the other hand it was incredibly boring at the same time.

Quidditch tryouts had gone smoothly and once again I was Ravenclaw’s Seeker. I had bested Cho Chang for several years during the tryout period, and though she was disappointed the first year it happened she was now Ravenclaw’s most favored of three Chasers.

Quidditch was the best part of being back at Hogwarts. I had always favored the game since I was a child but had never been able to play during my time at school due to my lack of experience on a broom. However, broom handling was a vital role in being an Auror. You never know when you’re going to have to give chase to a Death Eater by broomstick. Simply speaking, I was as close to an expert on a broom as an adult can get.

Our first game seemed to come quicker than ever and before I knew it I found myself in the locker room with the other Quidditch players, listening to Cho Chang (who had been appointed Captain this year) drone on about strategies we should use when we’re out on the field. I paid no attention; I was a bit nervous because we were playing Gryffindor. That meant I was up against Harry Potter. A part of me didn’t want to defeat him, but another wanted to see Ravenclaw with the Quidditch World Cup for once, and the first and final games of the season were always most important.

By the time we reached the field it was raining terribly and we could hardly see through our goggles, which we had cleverly placed a charm on to prevent them from fogging up. It began to thunder and lightning as soon as I kicked off the ground and glided effortlessly through the air on my brand new Firebolt, courtesy of the Ministry itself.

Harry and I stayed close to one another, both eagerly awaiting the appearance of the Snitch. I had no idea what was going on below in the field, the rain seemed almost as thick as snow and it was becoming increasingly difficult to see anything a foot away.

And then suddenly Harry’s hand grabbed empty air and a glint of gold could be seen out of the corner of my eye as I took off after Harry, both of us racing after the Snitch. We were equal in speed but I had been slower during take-off so I was gliding along behind him just a foot or so when I saw something large and black headed towards Harry’s body.

“HARRY, WATCH OUT!” I yelled, but it was too late. The Bludger hit him square in the stomach and sent him off of his broom and I knew the fall would kill him.

I cursed my luck and shot downward as I heard shouts of shock from the stands at the sight of Harry falling through the sleet-like rain. I caught Harry with one hand by his cloak and held on to him, soaring to the ground and letting him go. He hit the ground with a soft grunt and I blinked when the Snitch suddenly fluttered teasingly in front of me.

I grabbed for it but it slipped through my fingers, heading off towards the stands. I followed closely, hand outstretched, as the Snitch flew just out of my reach, zipping back and forth so fast I could barely see it. Lightning flared and I was temporarily blinded and I realized with a start that I was so high into the sky that the Quidditch pitch couldn’t even be seen below me.

Thick clouds enveloped me as I accelerated my Firebolt, and I gave a gasp of shock as the Snitch suddenly changed track and dive-bombed back towards the ground. The combination of wind and rain was so harsh that I now had several small cuts on both of my cheeks, which seemed to be burning, though I was doing well at ignoring it. I’d felt worse, after all.

Just as I thought I was surely going to hit the ground, the Snitch alternated its course and decided to go straight ahead. Holding tight onto my broom, I began to inch myself forward on it, my hand getting closer and closer until…

A sudden jerk sent me off the broom and as I fell my hand latched firmly onto the Snitch and I rolled over on the wet grass, a triumphant smile on my face as I held up the Snitch. A roar of praise erupted from the Ravenclaw stands and I knew we had won the match.

I sighed with relief and lay back on the grass, not a care in the world. That had been the most intense Quidditch game in my life.

***

Before I attended the Ravenclaw celebration in the Common Room, I wanted to make sure that Harry was all right. They had rushed him off the field and to the infirmary for Madam Pomfrey to look over.

I walked in to see Hermione and Ron, a tall and gangly redheaded boy that was Hermione’s other best mate, standing beside Harry’s bed, who appeared to be sleeping.

Hermione saw me and smiled, immediately walking over and pulling me into what I assumed was a friendly hug. I held her tight for just a moment and then reluctantly pulled back. “Is he okay?”

“Madam Pomfrey says he will be fine, but according to Professor Dumbledore if you hadn’t of reacted so quickly, Harry’s fall could have been fatal. That was so noble of you, abandoning the game like that to save someone who you don’t even know… It really means a lot,” she said, with a smile that made my stomach tie into knots. And then my eyes widened as she kissed my cheek, a lingering kiss that sent chills along my spine.

I grinned from ear-to-ear. “It’s really not a problem.”

I noticed Ron glaring at me from next to Harry and cleared my throat, knowing he was quite jealous because Hermione was showing affection to an outsider. Ron was quite protective of Hermione and from what I heard had a crush on her, though I wasn’t sure if Hermione returned his feelings or not, sometimes it was hard to tell because they fought so often. “I better get going to the party.”

Hermione kissed my cheek again and I felt my face flush. Ron’s scowl was intensifying by the second and I knew I had better leave before poor Hermione and him ended up in another bad row. “Thanks for all your help. Do you want to study with me some time?”

I smiled. “Yeah, that would be brilliant!” I beamed. “Let me know when.”

She nodded and gave me one last hug. I was shocked at how much affection she was showing and I was sure that Ron was too because his face and ears were bright red and I knew he must be furious. “See you then.”

I walked out of the hospital wing with the knowledge that I had one more good thing to look forward to this semester.