winter in hogsmeade - hermione granger fanfic

ch. 7 - the quidditch match

I could never stop thinking about what to do.

It had been four weeks since Harry found me crying in the library and it was November now.

I was sitting in the slytherin common room with Addi, Pansy and Blaise but I wasn't listening to their conversation in the slightest. Hermione was definitely who I smelled in the Amortentia, but Harry had been so sweet to me recently.

All this thinking about making a decision was causing my head hurt. It's not like either of them were pressuring me for a decision, I was just pressuring myself to figure out what I wanted. Hermione was even aware of the situation and I was somehow convinced she definitely knew.

I didn't want to hurt either of them.

Since that day in library, we have all had potions together and it's been awkward to say the least. I was made permanent partners with Hermione, and Harry and Ron were partners just across from us. So we were forced to interacted on a daily basis, whether I wanted to or not.

Things had been kind of weird for me and hermione, she never smiled at me like she used to. They were all half smiles with no truth behind them, it broke my heart but I couldn't seem to fix it no matter what I tried to do.

Hermione and I even regularly study in the library together and did homework, but it was mostly silent. She didn't like talking much anymore. Especially not to me.

Things for Harry and I were different and yet very similar to how they used to be. We hungout a lot more than before but there was nothing exactly romantic about it, we would just enjoy each other's company. We also never really talked about what we were or anything like that, so we just kept on being friends.

Today, was the first quidditch game of the year, they usually start in early october but they were postponed because the Ravenclaw team didn't have a captain until last week.

Pansy, Addi and I were getting ready for the game in our dorm. I just kept telling myself if I just focus on playing and not anything else, I can at least take my mind off things for an hour.

I have been the Slytherin team's keeper for two years, and I still get nervous before every game. I have what blaise likes to call "quidditch knees"

athat's something he made up just for me because he knows I get anxious before games, and my knees shake when I'm anxious. Plus, anytime he calls me that I can at least laugh it off.

I was pulling a thinly knit olive green sweater over my head when Pansy sat down on my bed looking at me, "Are you ready to have the most fun of your life?" I shook my head at her.

I was also trying to forget that tonight is Gryffindor's biggest party of the year, the very first quidditch match after party.

"If by fun, you mean a drunk mistake that I won't remember by tomorrow, then sure."

I always look forward to playing in the game more than the after party itself, but I was kinda looking forward to getting drunk and forgetting about things right now. Addi and Pansy were clad in thick wool sweaters and overcoats with jeans. It was raining so everyone was covered in layers.

We all make our way down the staircase to find Blaise and Draco waiting for us. Draco, Blaise and I in our uniforms caused an riot in the common room as the rest of our team members joined us to walk to the field. Before we even arrive can hear shouts and cheers coming from the stands. We slip inside to find our captain waiting for us impatiently, we all bunch together as our captain begins his pregame speech.

eventually, we all walk onto the unnaturally bright green grass field. I actually notice snow slowly beginning to form and fall on us, it was nice until I realized I have to play quidditch in it.

I spot Pansy and Addi in the crowd and wave at them, then i search for Hermione, knowing she's there to cheer on Gryffindor. I don't think she has ever missed a game. I finally spot her in the stands, held together neatly by a red Gryffindor beanie on her head and an oversized raincoat.

I return my attention to our team, and the game. I look at Blaise and he nods at me, that means, let's play some fucking quidditch.

We hear the whistle blow and before I know it, there's brooms whipping by and bludgers coming at me from every direction. After what feels like hours of catching, throwing, and dodging around. I finally have time to look at the score since we started playing. 20 - 17, gryffindor in the lead.

I look back at my fellow teammates flying around, and I watch as Harry chases after the golden snitch. Draco following behind him.

Seconds later, I hear lee jordan's voice booming throughout the stadium announcing "Harry Potter has caught the golden snitch, Gryffindor wins!" I'm not even surprised, but I lower my broom to the ground in disappointment.

Harry was the best seeker this school has seen in years, Slytherin had barely any chance from the beginning. I find the rest of my team to briefly discuss with them, before heading off.

"You know I think we played well considering." Blaise remarks as we enter the locker rooms.

"We have definitely played worse." Was all I managed to say. When we finally left the stadium, I was walking slowly back towards the castle and to our dorm trudging in the mud the whole way. I was basically avoiding the inevitability of this party for as long as I could.

I still somehow showed up before Addi and Pansy, which meant I got to shower all the mud and sweat off before they arrived.

The steam from my shower was still staining the mirrors in the bathroom when I heard footsteps by our door and I knew it was Addi and Pansy.

I walked into our room with a towel and flip flops on. As I enter, I'm greeted by shrieks of joy that made my ears ring. Pansy was jumping with excitement about the party tonight and how well I played, even though I had to explain to her many times that we in fact lost the game.

"Well... are you excited about tonight?"

I couldn't think of anything else but this party, so I guess in a way I was kind of excited.

"Totally." I was gritting my teeth, but I wanted Addi and Pansy to be excited, even if it means I would have to put on a brave face.

I slipped into a form flattering red dress, and Addi did my makeup. I wasn't as good as her, so whenever we had parties or special events I let her do it for me. After I was done getting ready and Addi started worrying about her own outfit. By the time they were done getting ready I felt like taking a nap from how exhausted I was.

"Come on, you won't feel tired once we get there and start drinking." Pansy says grabbing my hand to walk downstairs together. We finally join Blaise and Draco at the bottom of the stairs and Blaise offers his hand to Pansy for take and I see Draco mutter to himself under his breath.

The first quidditch match after party's were so big that they weren't actually held in any house's common room, but instead at the room of requirement. Also where no one could hear or find us, or so we thought.

"Who's ready for the best party of the year?" Blaise seemed more enthusiastic than usual, and I liked his energy, it made me feel better.

The doors swung open dramatically and we're practically smacked in the face with how strongly it smells of liquor inside. I take a deep breathe and try to prepare for this unforgettable night.