In the Melancholy Moonlight, Part 5: Dark Matter

Chapter 213: Not a Trace of Doubt in My Mind

HARRY:

"Harry," someone murmured. "Harry, I'm sorry, but you really should wake up, we need to talk."

I fumbled for my glasses on my nightstand, but someone placed the frames gently in my hand.

"Oh, hi Lu," I whispered. I realized once my eyes adjusted that she looked distressed, and that Ginny was with her too. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I know it's the middle of the night, but Katie's been taken to St. Mungo's," she replied.

"Oh no. That's awful."

Lucy nodded. "Professor McGonagall told Leanne who told me — "

"And me, by extension," Ginny interrupted, "because I was with Lucy, and I realized that Katie being gone means we're down a Chaser on Saturday."

"What?" Ron asked, sitting up in bed. "What happened to Katie?"

"She went to St. Mungo's," Lucy answered.

"Meaning Dennis needs to play in her place on Saturday," Ginny added.

Ron whistled. "Blimey."

"Anyway, co-captains, what are we going to do?" Ginny asked.

Lucy shook her head. "I just — I know Dennis is our reserve player, but we're playing Slytherin and I don't want him getting hurt. They play so rough, and I — well, no offense, Harry, but I assumed he'd be replacing you if he ever had to replace someone, because — you're you, and you're a bit — accident-prone."

"We all assumed that Dennis would be replacing you, no offense, Harry," Ginny said. "But now what? I'm with Lucy, I'd hate for Dennis to get hurt — "

"Lucy? Ginny? What are you doing in here? And what's this about Dennis getting hurt?" yet another voice interjected.

Lucy winced. "Sorry, Dean, didn't mean to wake you. Katie's been taken to St. Mungo's, meaning Dennis is going to have to play as a Chaser on Saturday, and I'm just worried about putting a third-year in a match against Slytherin for his first match as a Chaser. He's been playing well as a Chaser in practice, it's just — I don't know."

"Er, Lucy, you started playing as a Chaser your second year," Ron pointed out.

I sighed. "That's true, Ron, but I understand her concern. Her track record for getting hurt in games is worse than mine."

"It is not!" she protested.

"Yes it is! You broke your nose and went blind in your first match as Chaser."

"You broke your arm in that same match and had to grow the bones back."

"You fell off your broom in your first match as a third-year."

"You fell from higher in that same match."

"In our last match third year, you got grabbed around the neck and you got hit in the head with a Beater's bat and you got hit with Bludgers on four separate occasions."

Lucy cocked her head. "You remember all of that?"

"Yes! It was very concerning!"

"Aw, Potter, I didn't realize you cared so much about little old me."

"Well, yeah, of course! I always have!" Lucy's eyes widened as she blushed, and I realized too late what I'd said in front of several of our friends. I tried to play it off by crossing my arms over my chest playfully. "Especially when it proves my point. Your track record for getting hurt in Quidditch matches is worse than mine, and I just proved it."