Masay De Aiden

"MASAY DE AIDEN"

Chapter Two-Night Gallop

"Hey, she's coming around," a voice said from somewhere above me.

I slowly opened my eyes as pure pain shot through my body. I blinked. Harry's, Ron and Professor McGonagall's faces appeared.

I slowly sat up. At that moment, I realized where the pain was coming from. My left arm.

I winced and cradled it against my body.

"Are you alright?" asked Harry worriedly.

He was crouching down beside me, along with Ron.

"Yeah. What happened? All I remember was going toward the fence and then sailing over the horses head," I said.

"Yeah. Your horse refused and threw you off," said Ron.

He was as pale as a ghost was.

Professor McGonagall checked my arm.

"It's broken, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall. "Madam Pomfrey will tend to that."

"I have to be able to ride!" I cried as Harry and Ron helped me up.

"I suggest taking it easy for a while, Miss. Granger," said Professor McGonagall.

My horse was standing at the base of the hill, with the reins still loose over her neck. A gentle gust of wind came along and ruffled her mane and tail.

I looked around.

The rest of the volunteers were standing around still mounted on their horses in an arc. Neville looked pale.

"Don't worry, Neville! I'll be just fine!" I called to him.

He smiled and nodded.

Harry and Professor McGonagall helped me toward the castle. Ron offered to take my horse back to Hagrid for me. He grabbed a hold of the reins and pulled them over the horses' neck and held them. He began leading the horse back. Her head was low as she walked along beside him. As he passed us, I noticed something sticking out from underneath the back of the saddle under the white saddle pad.

"Wait!" I called.

Ron stopped and looked up.

"Look under the pad! There's something there!" I called.

Ron nodded and pulled gently on the reins to signal the horse to stop walking. He walked around to the side of the horse and lifted the pad up. He pulled out a circular object, which was covered in spines.

"A Loric ball! Now wonder she stopped dead and threw me! It was digging into her back!" I cried.

A Loric ball was similar to a burr.

I glanced back at the group. Draco and Crabbe were doubled over laughing in their saddles. They slapped each other a high five. Neville, Cho and the rest came trotting past us. They all dismounted and returned the horses to the paddock, then un-tacked them putting the saddles and bridles back on top of the railings.

Draco and Crabbe came cantering toward us.

"Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Crabbe, did you put that under Miss. Grangers saddle pad?" asked Professor McGonagall sternly.

"No," said Malfoy.

I recognized that smug tone in his voice. I think Professor McGonagall heard it too.

"Well, if that's the case, you and Crabbe are pulled from the tournament," said Professor McGonagall.

At that, Malfoy's jaw dropped.

"I didn't Professor!"

"I saw you laughing and giving Crabbe a high five! I'm not blind!" I snarled at him.

"Tell me the truth...did you put that Loric ball under Miss. Granger's saddle pad?" repeated Professor McGonagall sternly.

Malfoy was silent. I could see him seething.

"No,"

"Well, you're pulled from the tournament until you tell me who did," said Professor McGonagall.

Ron had continued to lead my horse back to Hagrid's. He un-tacked her and put the saddle and bridle with the rest. Then, he came hurrying up to catch up with us as we continued toward the castle.

Madam Pomfrey mended my arm. She told me to take it easy for a few days. I didn't want to.

"Hermione! Suppose you're killed next time?" asked Harry as we sat down at Gryffindor table that night for dinner.

"Harry, that wasn't my horses' fault. Malfoy put that ball under the pad. I guess when she was going down hill she felt it more. Don't forget I wasn't sitting in the saddle entirely. There wasn't pressure," I said, helping myself to some beef casserole.

"Still, Professor Dumbledore was right when he said only people that knew how to ride should participate. You might just be a little rusty," offered Ron.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"For your information, I am not rusty. I know how to ride," I said stiffly.

"We know you know how. But just take precautions, okay? We don't want to see something worse happen to you other than a broken arm," said Harry, helping himself to a pork chop.

"Fine. Would you like me to go to my little corner with a book and stay there?" I growled.

"No! Hermione, we just care about you and don't want to see you get hurt!" said Harry looking taken back.

His emerald green eyes were wide behind his glasses. His hair was it's usual untidy self.

I sighed and crossed my arms on top of the table. I rested my chin on them.

"I just want to beat Malfoy so badly. Gryffindor could use the points," I said, quietly. "Plus, I have something special in mind for that money."

"What?" asked Ron eagerly between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes.

"I'm not saying anything," I said, coyly.

Ron kept at me every once and a while, hoping I'd blurt out what it was I wanted to do with three thousand galleons. Harry, watched me intently with narrowed eyes and his head was tilted slightly.

The truth was, I wanted to buy Harry a new broom. It was called "The Laser". It was faster than a Firebolt, and Nimbus Two Thousand and One put together. The Laser was supposed to go 250-290 miles an hour. It was priced at two thousand and thirty galleons.

The remainder of the money I was giving to the Weasley's. I was still afraid to tell Harry how I really felt about him. He looked so cute in his black robe. He lowered his eyes to his food and started eating.

My arm still hurt a little, but not as bad. I was still going to compete.

After dinner, we all went up to the Gryffindor common room. I pulled Harry aside as the Gryffindors past us.

"Listen, can I borrow your dad's cloak?" I whispered to him.

"The cloak? What for?" asked Harry, raising an eyebrow. Then, he cottoned on.

"Hermione, you aren't going to tackle that course in the dark are you?"

I was silent.

"You're bonkers! Are you sure you didn't hit your head too?" asked Harry shocked.

"No, and are you going to lend it to me or not?" I hissed at him.

"I'm coming with you," said Harry flatly.

"Fine! Just come on!" I said.

"Wait here,"

Harry disappeared into the boys' dorm, and a few minutes later, he came back with the Invisibility cloak. He wrapped it around us and we silently crept out of the castle.

The grounds were silent. A crescent moon hung in a midnight blue sky above us, casting a silvery glow over the grounds and tops of trees of the Forbidden Forest. Hagrid's hut was dark. The horses were silent and some were sleeping. My horse had one of her hind hooves bent slightly; the toe of her hoof was touching the ground. As we approached her, she raised her head with her ears pricked forward.

Harry took off the cloak.

"Get her saddle and bridle for me," I said to him.

He went over to the saddles and pulled the English saddle and pad off the railing. I ducked underneath the paddock railings and stood beside her, stroking her neck. She playfully arched her neck around and nipped at the sleeve of my robe.

I grinned. Harry handed me the saddle and pad. I hoisted it onto her back. The girth hanging down. I slid the saddle forward slightly, so it was just before her whithers.

I bent down and reached under her belly for the girth. I pulled the girth under her and lifted up the saddle flap. I fastened the billets and then lowered the stirrups. Harry then handed me her bridle. I slid the bridle on. She eagerly took the bit. I slipped the crown piece over her ears and began buckling the cheek piece. I put the reins over her neck. Harry opened the small gate for me and I led her out of the paddock. She walked beside me with her head low. Harry walked beside me on my left. We headed toward the field.

"I'm going to get Malfoy for putting that Loric ball under the pad," I growled.

"I know. He is such a git," said Harry shaking his head. "I wish he would just confess."

"You know he won't. He's not going to get himself into trouble. He won't think twice about getting others in trouble though," said Harry, as our shoulders bumped on occasion.

"I know. I hope his horse stomps on him," I muttered.

Harry laughed.

"Yeah. Or even better, takes a dump on him!"

At that, I burst out laughing and playfully pushed him to the side.

"That's just gross, but yeah, he'd deserve it,"

We continued to walk and lapsed into silence.

"Listen, just be careful, okay? I don't feel like seeing Malfoy win the tournament," said Harry, turning his eyes onto me.

"Is that the only reason?" I asked, deadpan.

I was going to have a little fun with him.

Immediately, Harry's face fell and guilt came across it.

"No! I care about you more than a stupid tournament!"

I broke out into a grin.

"Relax. I was just teasing. I knew what you meant,"

He relaxed.

We reached the field. The bleachers reflected the moonlight and looked almost ghostly. The course was dark, except for the moonlight lighting it.

I stopped walking and the horse stopped at the same time. I went around to the left side of the horse, grabbed a hold of it and was just about to put my left foot into the stirrup, when Harry grabbed a hold of my arm. I looked at him.

"Please, I'm serious. Be careful," he said pleadingly, his emerald green eyes were filled with concern and fear behind his glasses.

He looked so cute in his robe and in the darkness.

The horse let out a snort and stood perfectly calm.

I look at you and I can't believe those beautiful eyes are staring back at me.

I feel your touch and it moves me so much 'cause I feel the love inside you.

It took me so long to find you, now I only wish that I could stay beside you.

I managed a smile.

"Trust me. I know what I'm doing. I will be careful,"

He swallowed nervously.

"If anything happened to you, I'd never forgive myself,"

25 hours a day, that's what I need to show you the love that's inside of me.

Want you so much, I wish that I could hold you near 53 weeks a year.

I lowered my foot from the stirrup and stood in front of him.

"I know you wouldn't. I'm not doing this for the money or anything. I'm doing it for myself. I need to prove to myself that I could do this," I said, softly.

"Is that the only reason?" asked Harry, grinning.

"No. Maybe I'm doing for you," I said grinning back teasingly.

"You don't need to prove anything to me," said Harry earnestly.

"I know. Okay, I need to start," I said.

"Right. Sorry," said Harry nodding.

I put a hand on the side of his face.

"Relax. I'll be fine,"

I stood on the left side of the horse again and put my left foot into the stirrup. I grabbed the cantle piece and pommel and lifted myself up, swinging my leg over the saddle. I settled into the saddle and slipped my right foot into the stirrup. I gathered up the reins. Harry looked up at me.

"Good luck,"

He patted the horse's neck.

"Thanks," I said. "Time me."

I grinned and then lightly tapped my heel against the horse's side.

She began cantering, then I nudged her into a gallop.

Her mane flew back and bounced. I felt so free as my hair blew back as well. We approached the first jump. We cleared that. Then, the hedge. Once we were over that, we began galloping up the hill...then down. We approached the fence that she refused earlier. She tucked her front legs against her and pushed off with her hind legs, eventually tucking them underneath her. She extended her front legs, lowering her rear ones and we took off for the rest of the obstacles. Apparently, the boggart wasn't there, so we breezed right through that section. I gently pulled on the left rein to turn her toward the lake section. All I could hear was the thundering of hooves and the horses' snorts. I again rose out of the saddle and kept a tight rein. We approached the lake. I slowed her down to a trot. The horse began trotting across the lake on the large stones. I posted. I looked over my shoulder as we hit the middle of the lake. The stones behind me that we touched already had disappeared briefly, then reappeared. We reached the shore. I spurred her into a gallop again and turned the left rein, turning her left to gallop down a race track part. The horses' hooves kicked up dirt as we headed back to where Harry was standing. The horses' ears flicked back as I let out a happy yell. Then, they flicked forward. We reached Harry. I pulled back on the reins and the horse stopped right beside Harry. I pulled my right foot out of the stirrup, then placed my hands on the pommel and swung my leg over the saddle to dismount. I dropped down and rushed over to Harry.

"What was my time?" I asked eagerly.

Harry checked his watch.

"One minute and twelve seconds! That's pretty good!" said Harry, breaking out into a huge grin.

"I'd say so!" I said, grinning.

I happily threw my arms around him and hugged him.

A slight pain shot through my arm, but I ignored it.

He hugged me back.

We pulled back after a few minutes.

Our faces were inches apart.

I cleared my throat.

"I think we'd better get back to the castle. It's getting late," I said.

"Good idea," said Harry, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

I pulled the reins over the horse's head and held them as we began walking back to Hagrid's hut. I un-tacked the horse and put the saddle and bridle back on the railing. I closed the gate behind me and Harry threw the Invisibility cloak over us again. We walked back to the castle.

We entered the castle and snuck back up to Gryffindor Tower. Luckily, no one was up. I said good-bye to Harry and went into the girls' dorm.