Harry Potter and the Quidditch Tournament

Disclaimer- I don’t own this so don’t sue me.

Chapter 8 –

Harry and Hermione walked into the Leaky Cauldron hand in hand, laughing about Cho’s reaction. When he spotted them, Tom, the owner, led them into the back room when all the Weasleys were.

“There you two are, when you didn’t come back with the others I was a little worried.” Mrs. Weasley said. “Bill is here with Fleur, and Charlie has even taken time off from work in Romania. Even Percy has come to his senses.” She said sniffling.

She led them over to the group where the twins, Bill, and Charlie were having an intense discussion on Weasley Wizard Wheezes. “Ah, here’s our generous financial backer now.” Fred said as he dragged Harry over to where they were talking.

“So that’s how you two got the money to open the shop in Diagon Alley. Mum was afraid that you were doing something illegal. What made you decide to give them the money Harry?” Bill asked. Harry glanced over and saw Hermione glaring daggers at him. She obviously didn’t approve of the encouragement to play pranks that the money gave the twins.

“Well... you see... the money I gave them was my winnings from the Tri- wizard tournament. I didn’t think that it was right to keep it considering...” Harry let the thought remain unsaid. Everyone listening knew what he meant. “I made them promise that they would use part of the money to get Ron some new dress robes so he didn’t have to wear the ones he wore to the Yule Ball.” He finished.

“Don’t worry Harry, we got him some. Even we aren’t cruel enough to make him wear those atrocious robes. I think something was growing on them.” George assured him.

“Come and eat everyone, then you children need to be off to bed. You don’t want to miss the train in the morning.” Mrs. Weasley told them. The table was filled with dozens of dishes of delicious food. Harry filled his mug with butter beer and started to load his plate with food. Harry, Ron and Ginny were listening to Charlie tell about the new dragon that had been brought to the reserve. Something that Percy was talking with Mr. Weasley about sort of caught his attention. He heard bits and pieces of their conversation, but from what he could gather it was about quidditch, Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons. It sounded the same as when they were talking about the Tri-Wizard Tournament before 4th year. After they had been eating for a few minutes, Bill stood up.

“Can I have everyone’s attention? I have an announcement to make. As of yesterday Fleur and I got engaged.” He said. Everyone was stunned into silence. Suddenly Mrs. Weasley started crying.

“My baby’s getting married.” She cried as she enveloped Bill in one of the bone-crushing hugs. She then turned to Fleur and did the same. “Welcome to the family dear.” The room was filled with the noise of everyone wishing them congratulations all at once. Mr. Weasley stood up and offered a toast to their happiness.

As they were walking up to their room Hermione pulled Harry aside. “Harry when I first heard that you gave Fred and George the money for their shop I was a little angry. You encouraged them to break the rules, but I understand you not wanting to keep that money when part of it would have been Cedric’s. I though it was really sweet of you to make sure that Ron got new dress robes.” She told him and kissed him on the cheek.

“I wasn’t sure how you would react, but I’m glad you understand. Good night ‘Mione.” Harry said as he kissed her good night. The next morning Harry was woken up by Ginny pounding on their door yelling, “Wake up, you only have 20 minutes to eat before we have to leave.”

Ron and Dean scrambled out of bed and started throwing their school things into their trunk. ‘I glad I had all my things packed up already’ Harry thought to himself as he headed down stairs with his trunk. He sat down next to Luna and Hermione who were already eating breakfast.

Ron came down a little later wanting food. “Honestly Ron, you’d think mum didn’t feed us at all.” Ginny told her brother disgustedly. Ron glared at his sister.

“Ronald, please chew with your mouth closed and stop glaring at your sister.” said Luna without looking up from the copy of The Quibbler she was reading.

“Sorry” Ron said.

Ginny, Harry, and Hermione all cracked up laughing and Harry mimed using a whip. Ron scowled at them as he turned as red as his hair. Seeing this made them laugh even more. Just then Dean came down and asked what everyone was laughing at. Ginny told him what had happened and he started laughing too.

“It’s time to leave.” Mrs. Weasley called. Everyone picked up their trunks and headed out to the street. As they passed her she shrunk their trunks so they wouldn’t have to drag them all the wo tho the train station. Once they got to school they would be able to enlarge their trunks.

They arrived at the train station with only minutes to spare and found an empty compartment at the ef thf the train. Just like every other year about an hour into the train ride Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle showed up.

“Hope you weren’t planning on playing quidditch this year Potter. There’s going to be some changes and you don’t stand a chance of making it.” Malfoy said smirking. “Hey Weasel; I heard that your brothers opened up a joke shop. Maybe now your parents can get a two room house instead of the one- room shack that you live in now.”

If looks could kill Malfoy would have burst into flames on the spot. Ron got up with every intention of punching Malfoy but a hand on his arm stopped. “Ronald, violence is not the answer. You don’t want to stoop to his level, crawling on the floor like the snake that he is. Run along now Draco, I know all these insults are straining your already overworked mind, since the only people who resort to name calling are ones with limited intelligence.” Luna stated calmly. Malfoy stood there gaping like a fish. No one had every gotten the best of him. “Stop gaping like a fish, a bug might fly in.” she said.

Malfoy gave his usual “wait ‘til my father hears of this” and “you’ll be sorry” as he stormed out of their compartment, with his sidekicks trailing behind. Everyone in the compartment started laughing. “I don’t think anyone has ever stunned Malfoy into silence.” Hermione choked out. Once they had calmed down they started talking about what he might have meant about Harry not playing on the quidditch team.

“Didn’t he say something like that when he knew about the Tri-Wizard Tournament and was bragging about knowing?" Harry wondered.

"Yeah, he did. He came in and asked if you were signing up Harry. You don't think there's going to be another Tri-Wizard Tournament, do you?" asked Ron.

"Of course they won't have another one this year. The last one was only two years ago.

"Ron, at dinner last night your dad and Percy were talking about something like that. I only heard part of it but it had to do with the three schools and quidditch.” Harry said. "Maybe we'll have to play the other schools in Quidditch, and Malfoy thinks he'll win the spot for seeker."

"Hey, maybe you're right, but Malfoy shouldn't hold his breath. You could beat him at seeking with a broken arm. Oh wait, you already did." Dean told him. Just then Neville walked into the compartment and told them that they should get their robes on since they would be arriving any minute. After the last first year had been sorted (Zabini, Jaimie; Slytherin), Prof. Dumbledore stood up to make some start of term announcements.

“First, I would like to welcome everyone back to another year at Hogwarts. Secondly, please note that the Forbidden Forest is just that, forbidden. Also, Mr. Filch has an updated list of banned item which now includes any products sold by Weasley Wizard Wheezes. I would like to welcome our new Defense teacher, which many of you will remember from two years ago, Prof. R. J. Lupin” Dumbledore stated. The Great Hall was filled with the cheers of the students that had him before, the Gryffindors the loudest of them all. The newer students and the Slytherins just clapped politely.

“I have one final announcement. The regular tournament for the Quidditch Cup has been canceled, but before you cry outrage we will still have quidditch. We will be having a tournament against Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. There will be try-outs for the combined Hogwarts team in two weeks. This will give us the chance to show our school unity to the other schools. Now let’s eat.” Dumbledore finished with a flourish and sat down to eat.

Discussion immediately broke out in the Hall, about who was going to try out and who they thought would make it.

“Harry, you’re a shoe in for seeker. I only wish that were the case with me for keeper.” Ron said sadly.

“Ron, you’ll do great. You were the main reason we won the Cup last year.” said Harry, tying to cheer him up.

They rest of the meal was spent in relative silence as everyone was filled with the wonderful food the house elves had prepared. Once they were finished they headed up to their dorms to get some rest since classes would be starting the next day. When they reached the common room Harry leaned over to give Hermione a kiss on the cheek good night. At the last second Hermione turned and kissed Harry full on the lips. When he tried to pull away she grabbed his shirt and pulled him back down. They heard cat calls and whistles as they broke apart, Harry with a goofy grin on his face.

“Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?” Harry asked her after he regained his composure.

“I just want certain dorm mates of mine to know that you’re mine. They’ve had their eye on you ever since they found out things with Cho didn’t works out.” Hermione replied with possessiveness in voicvoice. “Good night Harry, sweet dreams.”

“After that kiss my dreams will be more than sweet.” he whispered in her ear, smirking when she blushed. “Good night.”

Harry headed up to his dorm and after changing out of his robes he took off his glasses and went to bed. For the first time since Voldemort’s return Harry didn’t dream of anything except Hermione.