Mine Forever ( a Harmione fanfic )

Chapter 26

The early morning sunlight cast a golden hue over the Quidditch pitch, highlighting the dew clinging to the grass. The air was crisp, charged with excitement as students gathered for the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts. Harry, the Quidditch Captain, stood at the center of the field, his broom in hand, scanning the crowd with a practiced eye. The familiar rush of Quidditch had always been a balm for him, and today felt no different.

Beside him, Ginny Weasley stood with her arms crossed, her presence commanding attention. Her fiery hair caught the sunlight, and her expression was sharp and focused. Though the trials were for Gryffindor's team, the entire school seemed to have turned out to watch, and among them, standing a little apart, was Draco Malfoy.

Harry couldn't help but notice him. Dressed in casual attire rather than his Slytherin robes, Draco's demeanor was uncharacteristically subdued. He leaned against the stands, arms loosely crossed, his eyes following the activity on the pitch. For once, there was no trace of mockery in his gaze—only curiosity.

"Alright, everyone!" Ginny's voice rang out, snapping Harry's attention back to the task at hand. "You know the drill. Keep it clean, keep it fast. And if you can't even stay balanced on your brooms, don't bother wasting our time." Her bluntness earned a chuckle from the assembled crowd and a few nervous laughs from the hopefuls.

Harry smirked, raising an eyebrow at Ginny. "A bit harsh, don't you think?"

Ginny shrugged. "We're here to win, aren't we?" She shot him a grin before turning back to the candidates. "Alright, chasers first! Let's see what you've got."

The tryouts unfolded in a flurry of activity. Students darted through the air, dodging Bludgers and tossing the Quaffle with varying degrees of skill. Ginny and Harry worked seamlessly, their commentary a blend of constructive criticism and occasional jokes that lightened the tension. The camaraderie between them was evident, drawing approving murmurs from the crowd.

Hermione sat in the stands, a book open on her lap. Though her eyes occasionally skimmed the pages, they often drifted to Harry as he barked instructions and encouraged the players. She couldn't help but smile when he glanced her way, his confidence radiating from the field. During a quiet moment, Harry took advantage of the distraction on the pitch, swooping his broom right next to her. She gasped, startled, as he leaned in for a quick kiss.

"Harry James Potter!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "You're supposed to be leading tryouts!"

He grinned, the mischievous glint in his eyes impossible to resist. "I am leading. Just thought I'd check on my favorite spectator." With a wink, he was off again, leaving Hermione shaking her head, unable to hide her smile.

The tryouts continued, with a mix of massive successes and hilarious failures. One student managed an impressive loop but lost control and spiraled into the stands. Another sent a Bludger careening dangerously close to Ginny's head as she soared near where Malfoy was seated. Startled, Draco instinctively grabbed her hand and pulled her away, though the action caused her broom handle to scrape against the bench.

"Careful, Weasley," Draco muttered, releasing her hand. "Wouldn't want to ruin your broom."

Ginny scoffed, inspecting the scratch with a glare. "Thanks, Malfoy, but I can handle myself." She shot him a withering look before flying off. Harry, watching from above, noted the interaction with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

When the tryouts ended, Harry rallied the team around him to review the lineup. His leadership shone as he encouraged the players, highlighting their strengths and offering pointers where needed. Ginny chimed in, her sharp observations and wit keeping the mood upbeat yet focused. The pair's dynamic was seamless, earning respect and admiration from the team.