Megan Potter - A Saga of the Heart - Book 6 - Dark Temptation-

Chapter 21 - Quidditch tryouts

As they went to the Entrance Hall, Megan noticed Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown huddled together and talking animatedly, looking distressed. If the Patils were going to be withdrawn, Megan could see why they would be worried. But when they caught sight of Ron, who was in front of her, Lavender looked up and smiled at him. Ron faltered slightly, and then smiled back uncertainly, and his walk distinctly resembled a strut from then on. Hermione, on the other hand, looked cold and distant. When they reached the stands, however, Megan caught Hermione's wrist.

"You and I need to talk," she whispered.

Hermione seemed to search her face, probably for signs of madness.

"Uh... okay."

She turned to the others.

"I'll be there in a minute, you go ahead."

"Okay, then." Harry said, glancing at them uncertainly.

And they headed off. When they were out of earshot, Megan turned to Hermione.

"Okay. What did he do this time?"

"What? Who?"

"Ron! You didn't speak to him all morning."

Her surprise was replaced by anger.

"Oh, didn't you see? He was ogling at Lavender the minute she smiled at him! It's pathetic! And not two days ago he was all over Samara!"

Samara was actually in the stands, too.

"Hermione, you told me he was always more attention-hungry than me," Megan said patiently. "And think about it, he's never had any girl really interested in him. I expect he just doesn't know how to handle it."

"Oh, don't try finding excuses for him! Samara doesn't deserve to be led on like that!"

"Hermione, there's nothing official between them yet, or with Lavender. Don't waste energy flying off the handle."

"I'm not flying off the handle!" Hermione retorted frustratedly. "But I like Samara, I don't want him to be... him. I know he can be better than that..."

"As a friend," Megan put in quietly. "Being in a romantic relationship is something entirely different."

Hermione sighed, her eyes glinting with annoyance.

"God, he drives me nuts, sometimes..."

"People we care about can do that," Megan smiled. "But if he does disrespect them, we will step in. Okay?"

She nodded. Megan then glanced at the many candidates for the Quidditch team.

"Ugh... tell me why I ever thought I could do this?" she asked, realising there were even more than she'd thought.

"You're a born leader," Hermione said, softening. "You made the DA what it was, didn't you? You can handle this, too. Plus, most of them will probably be lousy players anyway, so they'll be easy to sift through."

She turned Megan towards her, her small hands on her shoulders.

"You always see the good in others, the talent. This is no different."

Megan sighed, but smiled and hugged her.

"You'd better get started," Hermione added, "they look like they're getting a bit jittery. Good luck!"

She squeezed Megan's hand and headed off into the stands, leaving her alone to face the candidates.