Cheer for me!

"Cheer For Me!"

Chapter Seven-The Arrival at The Preliminaries

We started practice the next night on the Maret routine and I practiced the words to Celine Dion's One Heart every night as well.

Ron and Gillian were very serious about each other. They were rarely seen out of each other's company. Harry had pleaded with me to earn his trust back. I was learning to trust him...little by little. He assured me over and over that the kiss he had with Gillian meant absolutely nothing.

The Maret Routine was a lot harder than it looked. We still had slight trouble with the Venet! Charm. We either shouted it at odd times, which we had to duck several of those times to avoid being burned, or shouted it all together but late.

When practice was over, we all plopped down in Gryffindor's common room, exhausted and dispirited somewhat.

"We're never going to get it right," moaned Lisa.

"This is going to be hopeless," Emily said, sighing.

"I'm beginning to agree," Amanda offered quietly.

I jumped up from my chair and faced the squad.

"Come on now, that's not the talk of Gryffindors I know! The Gryffindors I know would not give up! They'd keep at it until they'd get it right! We can't give up! We are going to win for Hogwarts!" I said, enthusiastically.

For a moment no one spoke, then Amanda stood up.

"She's absolutely right! We can't give up! It'd be like throwing in our broomsticks! We've got to keep at it!"

"You're right!" Emily said.

"Yeah!"

The rest of the squad shouted eagerly.

We all cheered and headed to bed.

The next morning at breakfast was the usual. The Regional Competition was five weeks away and practice was getting grueling, but we kept at it.

Finally on the third week, we managed to get it right and everyone's moves were in sync and in step.

Professor Dumbledore had called us into his office that night.

We all crowded around his desk.

"On January third you will be escorted to London for the Regional Preliminaries. Professor Lupin has offered to take you. You will fly the night before to a meeting place just outside London. From there, you will be driven. If you don't have a broom, one will be supplied. Don't worry. No one will be left behind," said Professor Dumbledore, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles.

I could just ask Harry to borrow his Firebolt.

I glanced at Gillian. She was probably thinking the same thing about asking Ron to borrow his.

"The only thing I ask is that you be careful when you fly. You don't want to be seen."

We nodded.

"The Muggles might think they're seeing things and end up running and screaming up and down the block waving their arms in the air like lunatics and shouting, "I'm blind! I'm blind!" joked Gillian.

We all laughed, including Professor Dumbledore.

"Seriously though, that is a major concern. We try not to alarm the Muggles, or make them blind," Professor Dumbledore said, his eyes still twinkling.

A few giggles went around.

"Okay, you're free to go,"

We left his office talking excitedly.

When we entered the common room, Ron and Harry were waiting for us. They were sitting by the fire.

"Hey. What did Dumbledore want?" asked Ron eagerly as Gillian plopped down beside him. I sat down by Harry while the rest of the squad scattered around the common room in chairs and poufs.

"To tell us that the night before the Regionals, Professor Lupin offered to take us to a meeting place outside London. We've got to fly there first. Then, we'll be driven," I explained.

Ron's eyes widened.

"Wow,"

Gillian turned to him.

"Speaking of flying, mind if I borrow your Cleansweep?"

Ron looked like she had asked him to stop breathing.

"Are you mad?"

Gillian's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Ron quickly recovered himself.

"I meant are you mad to think I wouldn't let you borrow my broom. Sure!" Ron stammered.

Gillian still eyed him, but turned her attention to Emily and they started talking. I turned to Harry.

He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Let me guess...you want to borrow the Firebolt?" he asked, slowly.

I nodded.

He broke out into a grin.

"Absolutely!"

"I'll take good care of it...trust me," I said.

"I know you will," Harry said, as he gave me a hug and kiss.

Smiling, we went off to bed afterwards.

Ron and Gillian had become more bonded. I was even trusting Harry more. We practiced and practiced. Finally about three weeks later, we managed to get the routine down packed and perfect. We were all cheering and celebrating afterwards.

The night before the Regionals came all to fast. I packed an overnight duffel bag with extra clothes and the uniform, and hung it over my shoulders so it hung against my backside. I was wearing my black hooded robe over a pair of jeans, a white tee shirt, and a light blue hooded jogging jacket on top of the tee shirt. My hair was fluffed around my shoulders. I walked down to the Gryffindor common room and met up with the rest of the squad. They were also carrying overnight bags and were dressed in jeans, pants, sweat pants and jogging pants. Over their shirts were the black hooded Hogwarts robes. They were carrying their brooms. Ron handed Gillian his broom and Harry handed me his.

"Good luck, Hermione," he said, giving me a hug.

"Thanks," I whispered.

The hug lasted for several minutes before he released me.

Ron gave me a hug and then hugged Gillian. Once the good-byes were said, we all filed out of the common room and downstairs to the Great Hall. Professor Lupin, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall were waiting.

"Hi!" said Professor Lupin brightly.

"Hello Professor," I said, softly.

The rest of the squad said hello and then fell quiet, anxiously awaiting instructions.

"It's a bit rainy and windy out there. I suggest putting your hoods up and tightening your robes," said Professor McGonagall.

We all pulled on our hoods. Mine almost covered my eyes. The only thing that hung down was my hair over each shoulder.

"All right. Now, listen carefully...you will fly close together behind Professor Lupin. The rain should give you some cover, but still be careful. When you land, hand your brooms to Professor Lupin. He will keep them in the back of his car. He will be driving you to the motel,"

The girls began getting excited now.

"You will be as normal and Muggle-like as possible. But there is an anti-Muggle charm surrounding the building, so Professor Lupin will get you in. Good luck," said Professor McGonagall.

We nervously looked at each other, but there was an air of excitement as well. The squad's faces showed the excitement and yet nervousness with a small hint of fear. I knew some of them have never really flown long distances. Gillian and Emily were fairly good at flying. Amanda was good also. We pulled our robes tighter against us and followed Professor Lupin outside onto the grounds. The rain poured down, creating small puddles on the grass and it hammered against the windows and turrets of the castle. Professor Lupin mounted his broom and kicked off the ground, hovering several feet above the rain-slicked grass. We all mounted our brooms and kicked off gently, all of us hovering in the same height as Professor Lupin. I gripped the handle of Harry's Firebolt and rested my feet against the footrests which, extended slightly out to the side of the broom. His broom handled nicely. It was quite comfortable. The rain began streaking down my face. I took my right hand off the broom to wipe my face, and push some of the damp strands of my hair out of my eyes.

"Ready?" Professor Lupin asked, looking into each of our faces.

We nodded.

"All right then. Follow me," he said as he urged his broom forward.

We followed him. The rain and wind blew against my face, almost forcing my hood off my head.

My hands began to freeze and my grip started slipping slightly, but I managed to keep a good hold on it. To my left were Gillian, Emily and Laura. On my right, were Amanda, Mary, Lisa, and Ginny. Professor Lupin was in front of us, leading the pack. I glanced over at Ginny. She looked pale and slightly irritated.

"Are you all right?" I asked her, shifting my weight on the broom.

"Fine. Just fine," she replied, glancing at Gillian with slightly narrowed eyes. Then her eyes moved to Ron's broom, which Gil was riding. I began to understand.

Ginny felt that since Ron was her brother, why he didn't just offer his broom to her before his 'girlfriend'. Which, on one hand, I could understand how she felt. But Ginny didn't say anything before. Ron had no way of knowing how Ginny felt. My hood blew off. I frantically reached to pull it back on. By now, most of the squad was drenched and shivering.

"How much further, Professor?" asked Laura as she almost slid off her broom and had to readjust her seat and grip.

"Another three minutes girls. I know how cold and wet you must be. But just think of this...there are all male cheerleading squads going to be there," said Professor Lupin, glancing over his shoulder and grinning.

We all looked at each other.

"Lead the way, Professor!" Emily joked enthusiastically.

We all giggled. Professor Lupin shook his head and laughed.

Three minutes later, we landed. It was a small park with a large chain link fence surrounding it. There was a dirt path, which led from the street into the park, where three Muggle vans were parked in a line. We landed in front of them and dismounted our brooms.

"Hand over your brooms. I will be placing them in the back of the first van. They will remain in the back until it is time for you to come home. They will be safe, don't worry," said Professor Lupin smiling.

We all handed over our brooms. The rain was still coming down heavily.

"Hop in. Three to a van. There's plenty of room," said Professor Lupin.

There were two wizards, and one witch driving the vans. They were dressed in muggle clothing.

Ginny, Gillian and I climbed into the first one. Emily, Laura and Lisa were in the second, and Amanda and Mary were in the third. The vans were black Dodge Caravans. The windows were slightly tinted. Now, I was beginning to feel terribly nervous about singing. It was one thing to sing in front of friends...but now, I was singing in front of strangers. I swallowed nervously and scooted over so Ginny could sit next to me in the middle bench seats. Gillian was in the front seat with her seat belt on. Ginny and I buckled ourselves in as well. Professor Lupin climbed in behind Ginny and I in the backbench seat. The sliding door was closed. I turned around and looked out the back windshield past Professor Lupin. Everyone was already in the vans, waiting to go. The witch that was driving our van started the car, and we began pulling out of the park. The rest of the vans followed. It looked like a black train almost. Gillian turned around in her seat to look at Ginny and I.

"Ginny. I hope you aren't mad at me," said Gillian anxiously.

"Why would I be mad?" Ginny asked, but there was a strange tone to her voice.

"'Cause I asked Ron for his broom," said Gillian meaningfully.

Ginny shrugged.

"If he wants to give his girlfriend his broom, instead of his own sister, that's his prerogative."

But beneath her carefree, forced tone, there was some sadness and anger there.

"Ginny, I never meant to come between you and Ron," Gillian said, quietly.

Ginny smiled.

"I know you didn't. Look, don't worry about it okay? I'm not mad at you,"

Gillian smiled relieved and turned around in her seat. Obviously, she had the same feeling I did when Ginny looked at her when we were flying. I didn't think Gil saw her, but apparently, she did and understood why Ginny was looking at her like that.

I heard Ginny muttering under her breath, "But I'll gonna kill Ron."

I turned to Ginny.

"Gin, Ron didn't know either. No one knew. You didn't say anything beforehand," I whispered.

"Stay out of this, Hermione. This has nothing to do with you! You don't know what's it's like having brothers or sisters! You're an only child!" Ginny snapped.

Startled, I fell silent and looked out my window.

The rain was still falling hard and droplets of rain streaked down my glass.

Naturally, she was right to a point. I didn't know what it was like to have siblings. I was an only child. But on the other hand, I just wanted to help and voice the truth. Why Ginny wasn't listening I had no idea.

En Route, Professor Lupin informed us that he had made reservations at the nearest motel to keep as Muggle as possible. There were other cheerleading squads staying there. As for the Muggles, they simply thought they were cheerleaders from nearby colleges and schools here for a regular competition. I had just made up with Gillian...now, I was going to have to make up with Ginny as well.

The black vans pulled into the parking lot of the motel. Professor Lupin, thankfully, was also dressed in Muggle clothing. He went into the office to confirm the reservations. He came out and gestured for Gillian to role down her window. She did.

"All right. Now, here's what's happening. You are registered under St. Anne's Academy for Girls if anybody asks. We've got room assignments...listen carefully...Laura and Emily are in room one. Mary and Lisa, room two. Hermione and Ginny, room three. And Amanda and Gillian are in room four," said Professor Lupin smiling. "Let's go girls."

We all piled out of the vans and Professor Lupin handed each of us a key. We paired off.

"In the morning, around six o'clock, I will be by to pick you up. You must be dressed in your uniforms. Have a good night, girls. I will drive back to the park and Apparate, if there is no one around of course."

We watched him climb back into the first van and the rest followed him back toward the park.

"Well, goodnight! I know who I'll be dreaming about tonight!" Gillian called, jovially as she grinned as she and Amanda headed down to room four.

Everyone laughed, except Ginny. They called their goodnights and entered their rooms. Ginny and I entered the third room. I checked my watch. It was after nine.

"Wow. I'm pooped," I said, yawning and stretching as I entered the air-conditioned room. Ginny closed the door behind me and locked it.

"Burrr," I said, shivering as I lowered my hood off my head and unclasped the latch in front of it. I swung the robe onto a nearby chair. The room was nice. Two twin beds separated by a nightstand, which was in the center, a small table and chairs in the corner by the bay window. The navy curtains were drawn. Ahead of us were two sinks and to the left of that, was the bathroom.

The beds were made and had floral bedspreads on them. I pulled off my overnight bag and dropped it onto the first bed.

"Which one do you want?" I asked, brightly.

"Whatever," Ginny muttered as she dropped onto the second one. "I'm going to bed."

She unzippered her overnight bag and pulled out a pair of pajamas and headed into the bathroom. About four minutes later, she emerged dressed in the PJ's. She went over to the bed and pulled down the bedspread and sheets, climbed in and slid down, then pulled the covers up on her. She laid her head down on the pillow and that was it. She didn't move. Shortly, I heard her gentle snores. Sighing, I gathered my PJ's and went into the bathroom. I changed and I too, climbed into bed and laid awake for a few minutes. My mind was back at Hogwarts with Harry and Ron and the fellow Gryffindors. I wasn't nervous about singing in front of the Hogwarts students...I was more nervous about singing in front of total strangers. I finally managed to turn over and fall asleep.