Mischievous Glint | George Weasley

Chapter 39

As the Quaffle rocket into the air, Instantly the Slytherin snatched the Quaffle and rushed toward Gryffindor's end, weaved and passed with wicked skill, culminating in a vicious, slicing shot on goal. Just when it appeard, it cleared the hoop. Ron streaked out of nowhere and sent the Quaffle screaming in the opposite direction. Ginny paused on her broom, stunned.

She glanced up at Harry, circling high above and he grinned. Just then Dean streaked by.

"Ginny! Let's go!" I heard Deam shout.

Instantly, she rolled backward and jet off and raced down her fellow Chasers. Flying in spread formation, Dean on the far wing started the Quaffle 'up the line' until it landed in Ginny's hand.

Pitching herself into a wide slide to avoid a pair of whistling bludgers, she leaned recklessly off her broom and whipped the Quaffle through the goal untouched. As the crowd screamed, Harry eyed the Gryffindor section, where Luna's lion hat roared. Lavender clapped for Ron and Hermione sat with her arms crossed, a look of supreme annoyance on her face. Harry grinned and, jet off.

Later, Ron invited me to the Gryffindor common room to see him celebrate their win against Slytherin. The room teemed with students celebrating Gryffindor's victory. It felt like Mardi Gras. Or a mosh pit. Or a riot. And Ron was right smacked in the middle of it.

"Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!" The crowd cheered. Harry took his backslaps on the periphery, smiling as he sipped a Butterbeer and enjoyed Ron's turn in the spotlight.

"Ron seems to be enjoying himself." Hermione muttered as I stood beside Harry.

"Yep. Apparently it's his lucky day." Harry said as I agreed.

"You shouldn't have done it, Harry." Hermione said.

"Yeah. I suppose I could've just used, I dunno... a Confundus charm?"

"That was different. It was tryouts. This was an actual match." Hermione stopped. The corner of my lips started to turn up.

Harry dangled the vial. The sealing wax was unbroken and the bottle was full.

"You didn't put it in?" Harry shook his head as I grinned.

"And you knew?" She pointed at me.

I pouted then nodded. She let out an annoyed sigh.

"Ron, only thought you did?" She asked and he nodded. She popped him playfully on the arm when whistles and catcalls rose. We turned to see what the commotion was about and found a smack dab in the center of the room.

Ron and Lavender was in a clinch. Kissing each other. Harry and I stared, blinked then turned back to no one. Our eyes shifted and tracked Hermione as she bumped through the crowd towards the portrait hole.

I nodded at Harry and left the roar of the party for the quiet of the corridor. Ahead, a door stood ajar. Chirping could be heard.

Hermione sat atop a stair, a small ring of twittering birds circling her head. The birds changed color as they orbited, from sunny yellow to a dark, angry scarlet. I quietly approached her.

"Charms spell. Just practicing." She spoke up.

"I can see that. They're really good."

"How does it feel, Y/N?" She asked studying her wand.

"When you see George with someone else?" I looked down, had no answers. "I know,
Y/N. You're my best friend. I see how you look at him and he you."

Just then the door bursted open and Ron rushed in, pulling a giggling Lavender by the hand. They stopped as soon as they saw us.

"Oops. I think this room's taken." As Lavender pulled Ron out, he cut his voice low to me.

"What's with the birds?" Before I could reply, Hermione rose up and pointed her wand.

"Oppugno!" Instantly the birds raced like angry red bullets toward Ron, who fleed slamming shut the door. As the birds hit the door, they exploded softly into small feather clouds.

Hermione coverd her face and sobbed. I went to her immediately then tentatively draped my arms over her. As she turns, she buried her face into my shoulders. Harry appeared as I gave him a knowing look. He joined in and drapped his arms over her the same like me. We watched across the room, the last scarlet feather drifted to the floor joining the pool already there.

"It feels like this." I whispered.

     ♠️

Hermione and I were at the library. Harry appeared after sometime.

"Hey you both." I turned to Harry.

"Hellooo." I cooed.

"You okay, Hermione?" Harry asked as Hermione looked at him.

"I'm totally fine thanks." We both stared at her. She glanced at us both then started to speak. "If you think this is about Ron, then you're wrong. He's at perfect liberty to kiss whomever he likes. I really couldn't care less. Was I under the impression that he and I would be attending Slughorn's Christmas party together? Yes. Of course, now, given the circumstances, I've had to make other arrangements." She elaborated but I could tell she was lying.

"Have you?" Harry asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"I just thought, you know, since neither one of us can take who we'd really like... maybe we'd go together. As friends. And I suppose you have George, yes?" Harry asked as I turned red. He nodded slightly taking that as a no.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Hermione stopped.

"So who are you taking?"

"Um... it's a surprise. Besides, it's you we need to worry about. And you can't pick just anyone." Hermione said evasively.

"And see that girl over there. That's Romilda Vane. Rumor has it she's trying to slip you a love potion." I informed.

"Really...?" Harry looked behind us. A fine-boned girl with raven hair. Harry stared at her.

"Earth to Harry!" I snapped my fingers at his face.

"She's only interested in you because she thinks you're the Chosen One. You know that, right?" Hermione asked.

"But I am the Chosen One." Harry whispered smirking.

I cocked my head at him exasperated. Hermione wacked him with the daily prophet.

"Okay. Kidding you two. I'll just ask someone I like. Someone cool." He assured.