Cheer for me!

"Cheer for me!"

Chapter Eight-The Regional

Around six o'clock the next morning, Professor Lupin came to get us. We all changed into our uniforms and waited for him. The vans arrived right on time. We all piled into them again and pretty soon, we were off to the Regionals.

When we came up on the building, it was a one story white building with a white banner hanging over the doors which read 3^RD ANNUAL MAGICAL CHEERLEADING REGIONAL COMPETITION In red letters. I glanced around. The muggles seemed to not be able to see it. We pulled up right in front of the doors. The sliding doors slid open and we hopped out of the vans. Professor Lupin was next to climb out.

"I'm going to be staying here with you girls. Afterwards, we head back to Hogwarts. Good luck," said Professor Lupin, winking.

We murmured our 'thanks' and entered the building. We stopped and looked around.

There were about a hundred other cheerleaders practicing their routines on the floor. There were different colored uniforms and, just as Professor Lupin joked, an all boy squad doing difficult back flips and scorpions. Gillian winked and prodded me in the ribs.

I grinned and shook my head. We went over to the registration table.

"Hi. We're from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Amanda said.

(The other school Professor Lupin explained to us was just for the muggle motel clerk)

"Hi. Your squad will be going fifteenth. Good luck," said the registration witch, winking at us.

"Thanks," I replied as we found a spot.

I turned and faced the squad.

"Okay gang...this is it," I said.

"Yeah," said Lisa, looking around nervously.

"Relax! We're going to be just fine!" I said, enthusiastically.

The squad seemed to settle down now and nodded eagerly.

"Let's find a spot to practice," Emily suggested.

We walked around the floor and found a spot. We began practicing.

When we were done, we noticed one of the squads watching us. They were dressed in black and white uniforms with a large C on the front.

"What's with them?" asked Laura leaning close to Amanda.

"Dunno. Maybe they've got a staring problem," I muttered.

"Or they're imagining us nude in their minds 'cause we're hot!" Gillian joked.

We snickered and laughed. Even Ginny broke a smile.

Then, they began walking toward us.

"Great. Now they want closer looks. I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to feel violated," Gillian replied hugging herself as if to shield her body.

Again, we giggled.

The squad was standing right in front of us.

"Hi. Can we help you?" Emily asked, brightly.

"No. Just do us a favor and stay out of our way," one of the girls, probably the captain, said, coolly." Where are you from?"

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," Ginny replied promptly.

"Oh yes...the loser school," the girl smirked.

"Hey, why don't you kiss our witch asses," Gillian snapped, her eyes narrowed.

The squad sniggered behind my back.

"We don't mingle with losers. Just stay out of our way and watch the pros perform," the girl said, coldly as she and her squad, deliberately brushed against us as they passed. Probably hoping that that scared us.

"God. Whatever their school is, we definitely know they turn toward the Dart Arts," Emily muttered.

"I think I know what school they're from," Amanda said, quietly.

She had been the only one who was quiet the whole time.

We turned to look at her.

"Where?" Laura asked eagerly, her dark brown eyes shining with malevolence.

"Cazenstron Academy," Amanda said. "I don't know where they're from, but when I was competing, they always managed to grab second place. This will be perfect for them to try and grab first place."

"Well, they certainly are rude and obnoxious," Mary replied, looking in the direction the other squad went.

"Rude, obnoxious, eager, unstoppable," Amanda replied, bitterly.

"Well, they'll certainly be beaten again," Ginny replied, tilting her head up.

"That's the spirit!" Gillian cried.

Ginny just looked at her sideways coolly, and then turned to talk to Emily and Lisa.

Gillian looked at me with a pained expression on her face before she came over to me.

"I do hope Ginny forgive me," said Gillian sadly.

"I'm sure she will. Right now, I think she's starting to feel put out because Ron has you as a girlfriend and I bet she feels that he'll stop caring about her," I replied.

Gillian's pretty blue eyes widened.

"But that's ridiculous!"

I nodded in agreement.

"But you have to remember...Ron is the only one who really took an interest in her all these years. Fred and George are busy with their joke shop. Bill and Charlie are away doing their thing, Percy..." I paused trying to find the right words to describe how Percy acted.

"Percy changed," I said, flatly. "I honestly don't know what came over him. But he's gone and wants nothing to do with the Weasley's. Where does that leave Ginny to turn to?"

Gillian nodded, tears started to form in her eyes.

"Then I'll have to break up with Ron,"

I stood startled.

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I really don't want to come between two siblings. I don't like that. Ginny needs Ron,"

I was still completely confused. Gillian managed a weak smile before she stepped around me and went over to Emily. The minute she went over to where Ginny was standing, Ginny side stepped her and went to talk to Amanda. I could see the pain more clearly in Gillian's face. I exhaled loudly.

This was not going good so far.

We waited until our squad was called. The squads before us were good, including the squad that 'liked' us.

They did a routine that was all magical with their wands and difficult spells. The floor where you actually performed was through two double blue doors. Bleachers were set up all around the floor, to give the spectators different angles to see the routines. The crowd was all witches and wizards, some of which were our age, and parents were there as well.

Some of the younger witches and wizards waved flags with their favorite squads colors.

"Next up...Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They will be performing the Maret Routine to Celine Dion's One Heart. Singing the lyrics, is Hermione Granger!" the announcer said.

The crowd cheered and clapped, although, we heard boos from someplace where we knew who the boos belonged to. My heart was pounding in my chest. I was totally nervous. I was even startled to realize I remembered the words to the song.

I was given a small headpiece. It put it on my head. On the left side, was a microphone which, extended down to the corner of my mouth. The other side, was a small cushion which, rested against my head above my ear. We headed out onto the floor. On the floor was a dark blue mat. We took formation. Once the music began, I really froze. I didn't open my mouth.

The music started again. But again I froze.

I saw the spectators leaning close to each other, whispering and shaking their heads. I saw Professor Lupin waving a flag with the Hogwarts shield and color. He smiled and winked. For some reason, that gave me the energy.

When the music began for a third time, I started singing. We all performed the routine. Not one mistake. It was done perfectly, on time, and flawlessly. We got the crowd into it as well.

I sang the lyrics, my voice somehow managing to match Celine's. When we did the Venet! Routine, the crowd even got louder and more enthusiastic. Once the routine was over, we got loud catcalls and cheers. Gillian suddenly collapsed to her knees, clutching her shoulder.

"Gil?" I asked, as we began helping her off the floor.

"My shoulder. It hurts badly," Gillian winced.

"You weren't supposed to be cheerleading! Why'd you come?" I asked.

"Pride," Gillian responded sheepishly. "You guys should've stopped me too!"

She was scolding lightly, but she was right. We should've stopped her.

"I know. We're sorry. Right now, I think we should just get you back to Hogwarts and Madam Pomfrey," I said.

"Good idea," Gillian admitted.

Just as we hit the double doors, the announcer came back on.

"We have the results! In third place, E'Lourdes Academy!"

Apparently, we were the last squad to go. There wasn't any after us.

The crowd cheered loudly. We paused to listen.

"Second place...Cazenstron Academy!"

We looked at each other. They nabbed second place again! I bet they weren't happy.

We peered out. The captain had a sour expression on her face.

"Yeup! They aren't too happy!" Gillian giggled, then winced from the pain.

"In first place...Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!"

We ran back out onto the floor. Gillian walked and grinned, occasionally wincing from the pain in her shoulder. The judges handed us a large trophy and we received small medals which, were hung around our necks.

We were grinning from ear to ear.

Professor Lupin drove us back to the park that night. He took our brooms out from the back cargo area of the vans. Gillian couldn't hold on to her broom, so Professor Lupin had her sit behind him, with her arms wrapped around his waist. The rain had stopped. The ground was wet and slick. I mounted the Firebolt. Professor Lupin made sure Gillian was secure on his broom before he kicked off and hovered. We kicked off and hovered until he urged his broom forward. We began flying back toward Hogwarts. We were dressed in the clothes we wore when we flew to the Regionals. My robe was pulled tightly against me as it was still damp. It was late, like around 10:00 PM. I was tired, and started nodding off on the broom. Suddenly, I felt myself falling sideways off the broom, which was now hovering.

I was now clinging to the broom, while my feet dangled dangerously.

"HERMIONE!" Gillian screamed, as she looked at me from behind Professor Lupin. Her arms were wrapped around him tightly. Her hair was blowing in her face, but she dared not let go of Professor Lupin.

"Grab her!" Professor Lupin shouted urgently.

My fingers were slipping. I struggled to keep my grip. Professor Lupin stopped and hovered in the air. So did the rest of the squad. Emily leaned over and extended her hand for me to grab. She was holding on with one hand as well. I shakily reached for it. I felt my other hand sliding.

"NOOO!" Gillian screamed as I felt myself falling.

I landed in a tree, on a branch on my stomach. The wind was knocked out of me. I felt some of the twigs scratch my face and arms. I felt small cuts forming and blood trickling from those cuts. My arms and legs dangled over the side of the branch.

"Emily, fly down and carefully get her!" Professor Lupin said urgently.

I could tell he was anxious and concerned to get me as quickly as possible.

Emily flew down and hovered right next to the branch where I was.

She managed to get really close.

"Hermione," she said, urgently.

"Huh?" I asked, groggily as I managed to prop myself up onto my hands and knees on the wobbly branch.

"Carefully swing your leg over my broom," Emily said, urgently.

The rest of the squad were hovering and watching alarmed and intently. Ginny was probably biting her bottom lip.

I shakily swung my left leg over her broom. Then, I managed to pull myself completely onto her broom behind her. I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Got her Professor!" Emily shouted up at the rest of the squad and Professor Lupin.

"Good! Are you alright, Miss Granger?" Professor Lupin called as we flew back up to them.

"Yeah. Just shaken," I replied, tightening my grip around Emily's waist.

"Let's continue. I will run and get Madam Pomfrey for Miss Moss and Miss Granger," said Professor Lupin as we continued to fly back to Hogwarts.

The minute we touched down on the damp grounds outside Hogwarts, I just plopped down on the grass. Professor Lupin ran into the castle. Emily sat next to me with her arms wrapped around me.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, worriedly.

"Aside from the scratches and bits of twigs sticking out of my hair, yes," I lied.

The truth was, I was badly shaken. That really scared me. I was afraid to almost get on a broom again. Professor Lupin came back, but not with just Madam Pomfrey, but with Ron, Harry and Neville. Ron immediately rushed over to Gillian, scolding her about why she still went to the competition and why no one stopped her. Laura explained to him that we were sorry and that we should've stopped her. Ron nodded that he understood. Neville went over to Amanda. They began talking. Harry rushed over to me.

"Are you alright?" Harry demanded, crouching down in front of me.

"I think we should get them to the hospital wing first," said Professor Lupin kindly.

They helped Gillian and I into the castle and up to the hospital wing.

Gillian's shoulder had been torn slightly and Madam Pomfrey had to re-apply the liquid to mend it. She was lying in a cot next to me fast asleep. Madam Pomfrey checked me over.

"Nothing's broken internally. She'll be just fine," said Madam Pomfrey as she had applied a liquid to the cuts on my face to help them mend.

Ron was sitting by Gillian's bed, watching her anxiously.

Ginny was sitting beside Ron. Lisa, Laura, Amanda, Neville and Emily were standing around my cot.

"I heard Gillian wants to break up with Ron," Emily whispered leaning close to me.

"Yeah. She's afraid that she's coming between two siblings. She doesn't want that," I replied.

"Ginny's being a bit unreasonable," Lisa replied.

At the mention of her name, Ginny looked up and watched us, but we didn't know.

"No, she's not. I can kinda understand how she feels. I mean, not entirely, but to some level. She's got brothers who went off to do their own thing. Ron was the only one who really took an interest in her. I guess she's feeling that if she loses him, that's it," I said.

"But Ron would never just forget Ginny! He's not like that," said Harry startled.

"I know. But I think it's best to leave it alone and not get involved," I said.

Just then, Ginny came over to me.

"Hermione? Is it true Gillian wants to break up with Ron because of me?" she asked, quietly.

"Yes. But we all understand how you feel," I replied, softly.

Ginny looked upset.

"She can't! She can't break up with him! I am being stupid!" Ginny said. "I'm so sorry I gave her a hard time! I know she would never take Ron away from his family. I was just upset that Ron didn't offer his broom to me first! I was being selfish!"

"Ginny. Your other brothers don't really get involved with you...do they?" asked Harry.

"No! You're right! Ron is the only one that looked out for me! Gillian can't break up with Ron! She can't! It'll be my fault and I couldn't bear the thought that she broke up with him because I was being selfish!"

Ginny really looked upset now and turned and went back over to Gillian. She prodded her awake.

"Huh? What?" Gillian asked, alarmed.

"Gillian, you can't break up with Ron because of me!" Ginny exploded.

Ron was looking confused and upset.

Realization formed on Gillian's face.

"Ginny, I would never intentionally take your brother away! I love him too! I would never split family up!" Gillian said, calmly.

Ginny burst into tears and threw her arms around Gillian.

"I'm so sorry!" Ginny sobbed.

Gillian hugged Ginny.

"It's okay. Let's just forget it, alright?" Gillian replied, pulling back from the embrace.

Ginny nodded as she too, pulled back.

Ron was still looking confused.

Gillian and Ginny began explaining everything.

Ron hugged Ginny and apologized. Things were back to normal.

Just before everyone left, Professor McGonagall poked her head into the hospital wing.

"Tomorrow, there will be a special assembly for you," she said. "You're squad received a name."

"What is it?" Emily asked eagerly.

Professor McGonagall smiled. A first since we've known her.

"Gryffindor Spirit,"

We all looked at each other and grinned.