THE AFTERMATH | RON WEASLEY [BOOK FOUR]

7. HOW GRAND IT MUST BE

Quidditch trials had soon begun, taking first priority for Harry and Ron, though Gene had no intention of watching at first. But Hermione and Lorelai had both dragged her there, offering the Gryffindor boys as compensation, though Gene didn't agree.

"Hardly." Gene snorted in response.

She had to pretend her stare hadn't lingered on Ron in his Quidditch uniform for a little longer than necessary, before Hermione and Lorelai sandwiched her between them, making sure that she couldn't leave.

Lorelai gave her a long, hard stare, "Hey, number two!" she yelled toward the pitch, causing the students to stare at her, particularly player number two, who just so happened to be Ron.

Gene quickly elbowed her in the side, panicking as Harry and Ron glanced over with a smile and a wave. Hermione laughed madly, her head falling back as Harry and Ron looked to one another in confusion.

"You're laughing now, 'Mione." Gene muttered, "I wonder if we'll be having vanilla cheesecake after dinner tonight– ow!" she yelped, rubbing her ribs where Hermione had elbowed her firmly.

Ron looked over, his brows furrowed as her voice carried all the way across the field. She could only muster a smile, which he barely returned, before turning back to Harry in a whisper.

"My god." Lorelai sighed, shaking her head, "You're both hopeless. And strangely romantic." she furrowed her brows at the two, before turning to the pitch again.

"Who's romantic?" a familiar voice asked from behind, causing a great smile to form on Gene's lips.

She could feel Hermione's grip on her knee tighten as Finn walked around to sit beside her, but Gene offered her an assuring smile before they fell into conversation.

"I think McLaggen's smiling at you, Gene." Finn suddenly said, causing her to tear her eyes from Lorelai and look out into the field.

Finn was right. He was staring directly at her, a half-smirk playing upon his lips. Gene didn't really know what to think. She'd never really spoken to him before, given that he had actually openly disliked her until fourth year. Gene simply gave a weak smile, averting her eyes so that she could watch Ron instead.

"Look! It's starting." Lorelai said excitedly and they all turned to watch them play.

The crowd watched on as Ginny flew swiftly, handling the Quaffle with ease and ducking and diving past offenders. Gene was hardly surprised. She'd seen Ginny beat birds in the sky.

Cormac made one brilliant save after another, though Gene was more concerned about Ron, who managed a fair few saves of his own, though they were lucky. Except, it seemed as though luck was on his side as the crowd cheered him on wildly.

It was between Ron and Cormac now, the two fighting for the position of keeper. The Quaffle headed Cormac's way and Gene was almost convinced he wouldn't miss. She simply couldn't have that.   

"Confundus." she whispered, covering her mouth with her hand as she disguised it with a cough.

Gene looked up in time to watch as the Quaffle sailed over his shoulder, glancing around in bewilderment while she tried extremely hard to hide her smile as Ron cheered.

"Isn't he brilliant?"

Gene glanced further down the stands, her smile faltering as she watched Lavender cheer Ron on wildly, doing a whole lot more supporting than she was. She looked away, instead finding Cormac eyeing his broom incredulously and decided it might have been time for her to slip away quietly.

As they made their way to dinner in the Great Hall later that evening, Ron had been going on about his fantastic skills in the tryouts earlier. Somehow, as unashamedly cocky he sounded, she couldn't help but smile as she overheard him.