Hermione Granger and the Time of her Life

Hermione Granger and the Time of her Life

Chapter 6: More than Quidditch tips

Harry and Fleur had both just experienced the worst night of their lives

Hermione's had been bad too, but better than theirs, since she wasn't covered in mud.

Fleur, it turned out, didn't even know how to fly a broom properly. She fell at least 50 times from it and half of these falls ended with her landing on top of Harry. At last, she was at least able to fly a broom. Manipulating a Quaffle was another story. Not to mention getting it through the hoops.

The friends finished the so-called Quidditch practice at 10:30 p/m. Naturally, they were more than exhausted. They muttered a good night to each other after Fleur said at least a dozen 'Merci's' to Harry, and of course, to her best friend Hermione. Even then, Harry couldn't go to bed, for Fleur gave him a hell of a hug and didn't let go for at least five minutes. Half an hour later the three of them were able to settle into their rooms.

But Hermione couldn't sleep. She was feeling a little angry for some reason. She couldn't seem to get Harry out of her mind and kept picturing Fleur on top of her best friend. Every time her mind re-played this, she got a strange feeling; a mixture of anger and disappointment at the same time. Could it be jealousy? She knew it hadn't been the part-Veela's intention to fall on top of Harry, but still...why was she having such thoughts? She wished they could have gone on all night, but instead, her mind drifted to the events that had taken place in the library. How she had felt when Harry got so close to her...how she had wanted to...No! No way! She couldn't like Harry as a boy. He was her best friend! Besides, she couldn't take such a risk. No. Harry still liked Cho Chang and now that they were both prefects, they had a better change of getting together. Harry would never lose an opportunity like that. With that on her mind, she settled under her sheets and fell into a deep sleep. From now on, she was going to concentrate on her studies.

The next day was back to normal. Hermione took all her classes as well as Fleur and then they wandered to the Charms classroom so that Fleur could teach her new best friend some new spells, much to Hermione's pleasure. Or at least, it would have been, if it wasn't for the fact that Hermione couldn't concentrate on the spells. She was so distracted that she even turned Fleur's hair pale green.

" 'Ermione! What is going on?" Fleur shrieked, as she changed her hair back to its normal silver blonde color.

"I'm sorry Fleur. I just...didn't get much sleep." Hermione tried to cover her mistake, but Fleur, of course, didn't buy it. She knew that was not it, and was determined to prove it.

" You're terrible at lying 'Erm. It's 'Arry, isn't it?" She had noticed how the two friends stared at each other at every chance they'd get. This statement caused Hermione to almost fall off her chair.

"What? What are you talking about?" Hermione snapped, "Seriously Fleur, you're the one with a crush, not me."

"Is 'zat so?" Fleur asked sarcastically while continuing her little test, "Well, let's try 'zat again. Cho Chang!"

Hermione almost blew Fleur off her seat. The Ravenclaw seeker's name just infuriated her. But why? Fleur knew why all right.

"I rest my case," she said. But Hermione wouldn't have it. She wouldn't admit that she liked her green-eyed friend.

"What? I don't like Chang? So what? I don't like Draco either."

"If you insist," Fleur smiled and got closer to Hermione, not giving up," You know, I 'zink I saw 'Arry making out with Cho on 'ze Quidditch field 'zis morning. My guess is 'zat 'zey spend way too much time togezer since 'zey are boz seekers and now prefects. I wouldn't be surprised if Cho jumped into 'Arry's bed one of 'zese nights. Or who knows? She might've already done it." Fleur lied through her teeth, but of course, Hermione bought every word.

"She wouldn't!" This time, Hermione blew up all of Fleur's test potions, making the part Veela smile. She had gotten what she wanted.

"I rest my case."

Hermione was speechless. Fleur had been provoking her, and had gotten optimum results. Before she could think of another excuse, Oliver made an entrance.

"Ready?" Oliver asked Fleur. It was time for those Quidditch practice tips. Fleur looked at him and smiled seductively. She wasn't going for Quidditch tips. That much was certain.

"As ready as I'm going to be," she responded before looking at Hermione, who looked puzzled, "Oh, and 'Ermione, don't worry about the potions. 'Zey can be replaced." She assured her, before leaning to whisper in her ear: " 'Arry, on 'ze ozer 'and, can't be. Don't wait up."

Those were Fleur's final words before she exited the classroom with Oliver by her side. Hermione was again left speechless. Was Fleur right? Could she have a crush on her best friend? Or was it more than a crush? All she knew was that the thought of Harry with Cho Chang repulsed her. And that was the answer to all her questions.

"Hermione, are you okay?"

Harry came in, noticing that Hermione was all alone and covered with the remains of the potions practice, the result of the recent explosion.

"Oh, fine Harry. Just a little accident." She gave him a weak smile.

"I can see that. Here's your book. I forgot to return it last night," he said. He hadn't read a single page.

"Thanks."

Harry got on his knees and took his handkerchief out, taking the liberty of cleaning his best friend's face. But he didn't want to just clean it.

Within seconds, Harry became spellbound by Hermione's eyes. The handkerchief dropped to the floor unnoticed as he gently ran his hand through her hair, his heart pounding hard and fast. Having seen that she didn't pull away and was looking at him intently, he lowered his face hesitantly towards hers.

"Harry! Harry!" came a childish voice.

"In here!" Harry responded, putting distance between Hermione and himself, much to her displeasure. Ginny ran towards him and gave him a miniature Hedwig figurine, a little deformed, but it was still Hedwig, at least, it seemed to be.

"I made this for you in Transfiguration," she said excitedly.

"Oh, thanks," he said lamely. If it weren't for her interruption, he would be tasting Hermione's lips right now.

"Hi Hermione," Ginny smiled. Hermione only returned her smile partially, her disappointment evident.

"So Harry, I was wondering if..." Ginny started asking, before being interrupted by the Head Girl, Katie Bell.

"Harry!" She stormed in, "Do you know where Oliver is?"

"He's practicing Quidditch with Fleur," Harry answered.

"Wonder how he's going to do that," Katie replied sarcastically.

"What do you mean?" asked a puzzled Harry.

"Well, he can't practice Quidditch without his supplies, can he? He left the locker room's key and his wand in Professor Dumbledore's office," Katie replied.

"I'll give them to him." Harry took them.

"Harry, I don't think you should..." Hermione tried to warn him. She was more than sure that Fleur wasn't going to practice Quidditch. She had other plans.

"Later Hermione." He left for the field, leaving Hermione before she was able to properly warn him.

Meanwhile, Oliver and Fleur settled on the Quidditch field.

"Okay, stay here while I go get the trunk and brooms." Oliver smiled, making his way to the locker room.

But when he didn't come back for a while, Fleur went after him.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't find the key!" He was going berserk.

"Don't worry. I'll 'andle it. Alohamora!" Fleur opened the door in an instant.

"Well, aren't you the smart one?" Oliver praised her.

"Merci." Fleur closed the door after him.

"Don't bother. We'll be out in a second." Oliver took the trunk.

But before he could move, Fleur pushed him on purpose against his locker.

"Sorry. I 'ave weak ankles," Fleur smiled. Oliver bought her every word.

"That's quite all r..."

Fleur brushed her lips gently against his. To her surprise, Oliver's mouth opened over hers and...

"Oliver!"

They pulled away instantly.

"Harry?" Oliver was still catching his breath as Harry entered.

"You forgot...how did you get in?" asked a puzzled Harry.

"Oh, Fleur did an unlocking spell." Oliver answered, taking the trunk and the brooms while going outside, Fleur behind him.

"Damn rotten luck!" Fleur protested as they got to the Quidditch field.

To her displeasure, Harry decided to practice with them. Due to that fact, they practiced for over three hours. Fleur had done an amazing turnaround, to Harry's surprise and he bought the whole Quidditch story.

Finally, they were back in the locker room. Fleur went to have a shower, whining, for every part of her body screamed in pain. She couldn't believe that after she had gotten Oliver where she wanted, Harry had interrupted them.

Harry left and Oliver stayed to wait for Fleur and close the locker room.

"Fleur, are you finished?" he asked.

"Almost."

He caught a glimpse of her in a towel. She looked breathtaking. His mind drifted to the previous events...the kiss....

"Oliver, what are you staring at?" Fleur asked, now fully dressed. The captain came back to reality, realizing that he had never taken his eyes off her.

"Nothing!" He stood up, "Are you done?"

"Oui."

"What?"

"I mean yes."

"Then let's go." Oliver made his way towards the door.

But not being able to resist a second more, he pulled the part-Veela to him. He put her arms around his neck and his on her waist and claimed her mouth instantly. Of course, Fleur didn't mind this. What do you know? Maybe it wasn't rotten luck after all.