Harry Potter and His New Standards

% Chapter 8 - Predictions; Birthdays; & Quidditch Plays & Plots %

"Acromantulas can sense evil? Haha...yeah right, 'Mione," Holly said, shaking her head and continuing to make a butter volcano with her mashed potatoes.

"Hermione, acromantulas are pretty much evil all on their own-how would they sense something else a bit sinister?" Ron said, puncturing Holly's completed volcano.

"Hey, I worked hard on that!" she said, scooping up a bunch of Ron's potatoes and dropping them in his goblet full of pumpkin juice.

"Okay, so there's evil lingering in the forest...that's not too surprising," Harry said.

"But there must be a greater amount present in those trees because Hagrid has never mentioned anything about Aragog and his family acting strangely before... and he's always been one of the first to tell us if something funny is going on," Hermione said.

"Not really," Ron corrected.

"Well," Harry said, "He did seem rather nervous this morning, though. We would have noticed if he had been paranoid about something before - even if he didn't tell us what it was about..."

"Yes. And I found an astronomy translations book... and around this time of the seasons in the current century the planets are aligned very strangely... they seem to be getting closer and closer to a straight line if I read the book correctly...it's in my dorm, we can look at it later if you like."

"Okay... let's look into it," Harry said with a note of finality in his tone.

"I don't understand what you guys are all so freaked out about... honestly I don't think anything is about to attack the school... Dumbledore probably would have sensed something weird goin' down and there would be signs of tighter security! But there aren't," Holly said in a reassuring tone.

"Isn't all of this just scaring you a bit?" Ron asked.

"Oh yeah, I'm as jumpy as a virgin at a prison rodeo. NO!" Holly replied. "I think you're just paranoid. All three of you..."

"We're going to be right...you just watch," Ron said.

"Yeah, okay," Holly said in a mocking voice.

When they got back to the Gryffindor common room, Hermione ran up to her dormitory and came back down with an enormous ancient-looking book in her arms. She put it on a table and opened it, flipping through the pages, until she found what she was looking for.

"You see this? This is the precise millenium, century, decade, year, and season that we're living in right now. And that," she pointed to a detailed diagram of the 9 planets that headed the page, "is the alignment of the planets. Read the translation, Holly."

Holly gave her a "you're-just-being-stupid" look but bent over the pages to read. "Okay, it says:

'The alignment of the planets at this particular point in the Earth's life is very unusual. They are nearly in a perfectly straight formation of a line, but still a bit scattered. These positions give us many signs to be wary of. Some of them are as followed: danger and evil, a great defeat with sacrifice, worldly celebration, bringing together and splitting apart, and unalterable fame."

"Yes, and look on... for each season of the next 12 months the planets get in a straighter line, and all the same signs are listed but all seem more dominant... stronger... throughout the summer months," Hermione said, flipping a couple pages.

"Hermione, this all sounds a bit strange to me," Harry said, "This is just like Divination. We don't even know that the planets are in this position...this book was written ages ago. This is all a bunch of fortune telling, you know that it is a very imprecise branch of magic!"

"Yes, but what if for once this is true? What if this is all a show of what is to come?" Hermione said.

"Now you sound like Professor Trelawney," Ron said. Hermione scowled at him.

"Okay," Harry said, "here's the plan. We'll just not think about all these weird things going on and if things really start to get abnormal, we'll trust what this book has to say. Deal?"

"Deal," Hermione and Ron said.

"Holly?"

"Fine. Okay!" she said, throwing her hands into the air. "I'm going to go and write to Dad," she said. She got up and left them sitting around the round wooden table.

*()*()*

Over a week later, nothing truly suspicious had happened that triggered the gang to start thinking about what that book had said again. Nothing new was really happening in their lives.

Holly had gotten enough crap about her "emerald" hair she was on edge for most of that past week. When her hair finally started turning back, she was in for a shock.

"BLONDE?!" she shrieked, when Dean had pointed out to her a new streak of color in her hair during one Charms lesson. Sure enough, it was turning a dirty-blonde color. Holly was horrified... she didn't want to be anything but a brunette. But, obviously, the 'cruel world' had left her with no choice.

Ron was still trying to summon enough courage to ask Almeda Darrels out...he was still quite taken with her. On the other hand, Harry and Cho hadn't had many 'close encounters' since the night that the footsteps of Professor Sinistra had pulled them apart. Cho seemed to be pulling a 'Serendipity' stunt... it seemed she was avoiding getting very close with Harry, as though fate had prompted her not to do it. Ginny had been making eyes at Cameron in Quidditch practice, Hermione was still keeping in touch with Viktor, and Holly was just not a pressing matter (since she was Harry's godsister and also didn't seem to express a profound love for any boys up to date).

Snape's classes were still a nightmare...and now Professor Trelawney was starting to predict Harry's death all over again as they advanced on to Emoskus in Divination. Hagrid had them caring for various creatures. Professor McGonagall was challenging them with tougher and more advanced transfiguration ("That's it, I give up. Who would want to transfigure beech tree bark into rats ANYWAY?!" Ron had said.). Professor Lupin was keeping them busy but not making his classes any less enjoyable. Professor Sinistra was still letting them star-gaze, but with more work attatched. Professor Sprout kept on surprising them with new plants.

Quidditch was becoming a more demanding part of Harry's life, now that he was captain. It took up more and more of his time, but at least it was worth it as the team was improving greatly.

When Holly had a full head of blonde hair with not a lingering trace of green, she decided to take her chances with a little revenge. She lost 10 points for Gryffindor and got herself a detention by performing the Teaganam hex on Malfoy... turning his hair a very vivid pink. They still remembered her skipping (literally) into the common room after she had done it. Naturally, Professor McGonagall knew who had performed the hex on Malfoy - and that's how Holly had gotten into trouble. But, really, it was all worth it.

On this day in particular the Gryffindor house Quidditch team was trooping into the common room, soaked but satisfied. It was their 2nd-to-last practice before the first match and they had done well. Well enough, Ron had pointed out, that it seemed they had the upcoming match in the bag. When Harry, Ron, and Seamus had entered their dormitory Dean asked, "How's the weather?"

"Not to state the obvious, but... it's raining," Seamus said. Ron shook the hair out of his eyes.

"I think I'll hook an umbrella to the back of my broom if it's raining like this November 2nd," Ron said, "Because this is just brutal..."

"At least it's Halloween tomorrow...we get to spend the afternoon at Hogsmede and there's the feast..." Harry said, trying to pull his sodden down robes off his shoulders to little success.

*()*()*

"You'll never believe what happened to Brandon today in practice..." Holly said, wringing her hair out and making a puddle on the floor.

"You had better clean that up!" exclaimed Lavender.

"I will, Lav, but not before I make a swimming pool out of it," she said.

"Well, what happened to Brandon?" Hermione asked.

"He was going in to shoot on Ron and Seamus pelted a Bludger at him when he was on this weirdly-positioned swerve and it hit him in new places," Holly exclaimed, smiling brightly.

"That poor thing!" Parvati exclaimed.

"Yeah right," Holly said, "I laughed 'till I peed - and then I laughed at that!"

"Seriously?" Hermione asked, giving her a dirty look and taking a second look at her puddle.

"Nope, I lied," Holly said. "I'm going to go and take a good long shower... the ones in the locker rooms are all freezing... not to mention the boys have to use the same ones..." She cleaned up the floor where she had gotten it wet. She bothered with all that wringing out of her hair just so she could put her broom somewhere safer than the broom shed, tell the girls about their good practice, and explain why Brandon was walking funny.

"Man, I need to get on the team!" Parvati said jealously.

"Oh yeah seeing all them boys all hot and sweaty must be really rewarding..." Lavender said, looking caught in a daydream.

"Oh yes," Holly said sarcastically, grabbing a towel and her soap, shampoo, and conditioner, "It's even better when they get so hot - they fly with their shirts and robes off... just the pants and pads girls, that's all..."

Lavender and Parvati squealed with envy and Hermione looked down into her lap, smiling and shaking her head. "Wouldn't the effects of the Cushioning Charm make it impossible for Brandon to get hit...there...?" Hermione questioned.

"Not a chance. Bludgers are made of iron, and the Cushioning Charm just gives you an effect...not the real thing," Holly said. Then she left for the showers.

Lavender took up her space in front of the mirror and started checking that her hair was still perfectly sleek and straight. "Ah, Lavender," said the mirror, "I can tell you that as you age your wrinkles will only be laugh lines."

"With attitude," Parvati added, sniggering at the look of Lavender's terrified rage.

"WRINKLES?!! I'm sorry, Willow, but there is no way in Hell or High Heaven that I will have wrinkles when I get older... no way," she said.

"Lavender, that's what age brings..." Hermione said half-laughing.

"Yeah right! I will kill myself before I get all shriveled up! My mum always says age is just a state of mind..." Lavender insisted.

"Yeah right, tell that to my granny's thighs!" Parvati said, overtaken with the giggles.

*()*()*

The night passed and the morning came. Classes went through like usual. Professor Lupin had them learning defensive curses, and when they were practicing it was a bit chaotic but fun all the same. In Transfiguration they were turning quills into doves, and by the end of that class Ron had ink marks all over himself (his dove still had the end of a quill for a beak) and Neville was trying to make his dove move. In Charms they were working on making smokescreen-like barriers with their wands that would blind an on-comer temporarily. The day was rounded off (for Harry, anyway) with a good long sit in Advanced Astronomy - taking notes on astronomical movements ("Muggles think that it is the rotation of the earth which makes the stars to seemingly move, but truly the stars enjoy changing on their own, often switching places with other stars so they can know what it is like to be a part of a different constellation...") and Cho ignoring him completely.

When the time finally came for them to leave to Hogsmede, everyone was already exhausted. But as the village came into view it was as if their energy built itself up all over again. Holly was pretty much jumping up and down she was so excited. After all Fred and George had had told her about Zonko's and what all of the other people who had been to Hogsmede explained to her.

"We'll take you to Zonko's first, since you seem the most eager to get there..." Harry said, watching as Holly tried to get a better look at the community by standing on her tiptoes and craning her neck. She may have been tall, for a girl, but there were still a sufficient amount of individuals who towered over her.

"I'm so excited!" she squealed. They led her around the shops, and when a couple of hours had passed and their moneybags were considerably lighter, they stopped at The Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer each.

"I like this stuff," Holly commented. They all examined each other's shopping. Holly had gone crazy when she saw the levitating sherbet balls and sugar quills... other than a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans that's practically all she bought at Honeydukes.

"Did you see that they have started making purple and green Filibuster Fireworks?" Ron said, pulling his box out of his pocket. Harry enjoyed spending time with his 3 friends in Hogsmede a lot. It was relaxing, and it pushed his worries to the back of his mind.

"Harry, do you have to go to the Astronomy Tower with Cho, tonight?" Hermione asked.

"Nope. The tower is getting refurbished or something all this week," he said, shrugging. "Why?"

"Just curious," she replied.

Just then the door opened and the sound of the rain starting to pour outside along with rolls of thunder filled the room. In walked Lucius Malfoy trailed by about 5 Gringotts goblins. Draco must have been looking more like his father than ever, because it took Holly a couple seconds for it to register in her mind that a Draco aged 25 years had not just walked in the pub.

"My God I'm hallucinating," Ron said. Lucius sat down at the bar, looking as foul as ever, and ordered something from Madam Rosmerta, the friendly landlady. Then Mr. Malfoy started gabbing with the goblins, who were all looking pretty vicious.

"Wonder what's wrong with him-he looks pretty unpleasant today," Hermione said, watching Draco's dad and the goblins for a moment before turning back to Harry, Ron, and Holly.

"Is that Malfoy's dad?" Holly questioned.

"Yeah. You think he's erotic and kissable too?" Ron asked her.

"No!" she said looking disgusted, "He just looks impure and fetid to me..." She wrinkled her nose.

Harry and Hermione sniggered. "Malfoy isn't as beautiful as he used to be," Holly said.

"Ever since he turned your hair emerald and you retaliated and turned his magenta," Ron said.

"Yeah that's probably why he isn't as beautiful anymore...and I'd say I turned his hair hot pink... you know, classic," Holly explained, cheerfully.

"Sounds good, Holly," Harry said, rolling his eyes.

They went back up to the castle and indulged in the delicious Halloween feast with its usual live bats and floating pumpkins.

*()*()*

On November 2nd, Harry awoke very early, not being able to sleep another hour. He sat in the empty common room for a while, looking at the recently re-lit fires. It was a cloudy day, but not too dark. After about an hour of staring blankly at the flames, the rest of the team was up. They all looked tired but wary, but when Holly entered she was bouncing.

"I am 16 years of age today, legal to drive back in my home-state in America! Wahoo!" she said, sliding around on the wooden floor in her socks. "It's a beautiful day."

"You're only 16 today? You're not old enough to be a 6th year..." Brandon said.

"You may think not, but Dumbledore does!" Holly said. "The Sorting Hat judged my academic level along with what house I should be in. I'm smarter than all of you!"

"I seriously doubt that," Ron said.

"Me too," Holly agreed. "But oh well, it's my birthday and we're about to kick Slytherin ass - and although I've probably never been so nervous in my life, it's a good day."

Harry couldn't help but think Dumbledore and Sirus put Holly in the 6th year along with him for a reason...but it didn't trouble him too long. "Well, happy birthday!" Ginny said. She got 6 more 'happy birthdays' from the rest of the team before she sat down on the floor.

They sat there in semi-silence for quite a while. There were a few feeble conversation starters from a couple people. But the babble didn't break out until the rest of the Gryffindors started coming downstairs. "My butt's asleep," Holly said, watching people filtering down from their dormitories.

"Fine," said Ron, "We'll keep our voices down." Slowly each of them left for breakfast then came back to anxiously await the match. No matter how confident Harry was that his team was in top-shape... he couldn't help but get nervous, and he was sure that the rest of the team felt the same way.

At 10:30 the team left to the locker rooms to change into their robes and a pep talk. "Okay, team, first match of the season. The sun isn't out and we aren't flying in the clouds so there shouldn't be anything to impair our vision. I want you all to focus, and remember the signs that go along with each play. And, Holly, if you dive out of that waiting position in play 2 without the sign you are in trouble," Harry said.

"Don't worry, I don't intend on messing things up," she said.

"Good. Now, everybody, we need to have faith in our team and we can't be slacking off because each game of the season is crucial. We will win...I know it. Let's make the Slytherins regret the day they were Sorted!" he said.

There was a general echo of anxious/excited agreement. "Any wise words?"

"We will, we will rock you?" Holly suggested.

"Wise, not pre-technology," Harry said.

"How about be determined-stick to what you need to do and don't chicken out. Take risks, but don't kill yourselves," Ron said.

"Well...I guess that's better than Holly's," he replied. "Ready?"

The team walked out onto the pitch to multisonous cheering, and 200 people booing and hissing. "Sound like a bunch of disoriented and angry snakes, don't they?" Brandon said loudly to Cameron who sniggered. The Slytherin team, all in green, were going over some last minute discussion of tactics in a tight huddle. Harry only just heard a couple words Malfoy was saying.

"Crabbe, Goyle, remember the plan. Precision, remember that, and wait until the sign. Okay? Olimb, Martell, you know the back up..." he was telling them.

"Captains, shake hands!" said Madam Hooch. Harry and Draco stepped towards each other and reluctantly grabbed each other's hands. They withdrew from each other very quickly.

"On my whistle..." Madam Hooch said. The 14 players mounted their brooms. The whistle blew and all the players rose high into the air, Harry higher than the rest.

Dean Thomas had taken over commentary after the leave of Lee Jordan (A/N: How I will miss his wise words...), and was just nearly as interesting. After 5 years of watching Quidditch and listening to the Gryffindor boys talking about it, he was well educated with the prospect of the game.

"Quaffle taken by Ginny Weasley for Gryffindor. She's streaking up the field towards the Slytherin end... c'mon Gin-Girl! Bludger! Bludger! Oh no-Quaffle intercepted by Bobby Olimb. Olimb for the Slytherin side... behind-the-back over to Martell. Jack Martell for Slytherin-oh no! YES! Superb save there from Gryffindor Keeper Ron Weasley. Hand-off to Gryffindor's Brandon Emerson. And the Gryff' chasers start to zigzag... Lord, I can't keep up with this... um... Emerson, Weasley, Black, Weasley, Emerson, Black, Weasley, back to Black, all right I'm confused... oh! Here we go Holly Black for Gryffindor dodging various Slytherins, hands the Quaffle off to Ginny Weasley. Weasley approaches the goal posts... yes! She made it! First goal of the game from Ginny Weasley-10 points to Gryffindor. We're off to a good start-Quaffle taken by Martell..."

Meanwhile Harry looked around for just a glimmer of gold. Malfoy was looking for the Snitch as well, instead of tailing him, which it seemed most opposing-team Seekers did. It was a nice break from the usual inimical remarks. Although now Harry had to keep an eye on Malfoy, who might see the Snitch before he did.

"We have seen a few nicely-functioned professional maneuvers throughout the course of this game... currently it's 50-20 in favor of Gryffindor, amazing. We even witnessed a Transylvanian Tackle from female Chaser Kelly Prelvetz...that was interesting. Back to the game, Black skyrockets upward, drops the Quaffle down to Emerson. Now she's stationary at, what, 80 feet? Emerson and Weasley swerve around with alternate hand-offs, Black dives. Quaffle dropped to Black, now barely above the ground, goes up again... back to Weasley, nice Reverse Pass to Emerson, now Black's in possession again. Nice block there from Finnigan, Black flies high again, swerves, YES! 10 points to Gryffindor, nice job, Blondie!"

"Hell yeah!" Holly exclaimed, smiling widely and flying back towards the centerline of the field to block the oncoming Slytherins. It started to rain, but the sky wasn't black and it wasn't pouring. They were up 40 points, and the game had been going for quite a while. Slytherin was putting up a fairly strong defense, as Gryffindor's offense was probably the team's healthiest feature, and Harry wanted to catch the Snitch soon.

Soon it was 90-30, as the Slytherin Keeper didn't seem up to his job. Holly was up 80 feet in the air once more. Then something happened. It all took place in a tiny amount of time but it seemed to be witnessed in slow motion. Goyle sent a Bludger straight at Holly. She didn't see it and it hit her just under her ribs. She was coughing and gasping for breath instantly. Then Harry saw something that made his heart stop. Malfoy was plummeting at top speed, the Snitch ahead of him. Harry dove after him, flat on his broomstick.

Holly had only dove about 10 feet down as the next Bludger came pelting at her from Crabbe. She couldn't see it this time as it hit her in the back of the head. She swerved, her broomstick still pointing down, and slipped.

Harry was neck-in-neck with Malfoy, nearing the Snitch, when screams from the crowd drew his attention elsewhere. Holly was falling, getting nearer and nearer to the ground. He didn't give it a second thought. He swerved, purposely hitting Malfoy with the end of his Firebolt and shot to his left.

Just in time, he swooped under Holly and caught her. She was hardly breathing, her head was bleeding, and she was out cold. He heard the whistle blow and went straight to the ground, holding Holly's inert form in his arms. He could hear Dean bellowing something into the magical megaphone, and Cameron yelling at Madam Hooch. Malfoy strutted over to where the Gryffindor team was gathering around Harry, something gold clenched in his hand. His pink and blonde hair was hanging in his eyes and he was grinning.

"What on earth happened to your sister, Potter?" he asked.

"GO AWAY, MALFOY!" Ginny shouted.

"Sorry," Malfoy said, before turning on his heel and leaving to celebrate with the rest of his team. Professor McGonagall was now standing next to Madam Hooch, looking grave, and saying something to her angrily. Cameron came over to the team, all of whom were looking fairly panicky minus the unconscious Holly.

"I'll take her, Harry," said Ron. He gazed at Holly who was pale and limp in his best friend's arms. Somehow she looked pained and unrested.

"No, Ron, I-" Harry began, but Ron shook his head.

"Harry, go and talk to Malfoy. He planned this... you know it. Malfoy may be an evil bastard and I doubt he even has a trace of a soul... but he's not exactly a dumbass either. He knows you're brave... and loyal... and you're selfless, Harry, and he knows you'd do anything about the one's you care about," Ron said. He looked torn between great anger and admiration. "Give - her - to - me," he said. He had a determined and demanding look in his eyes. "Harry, she needs to get to the hospital wing now. But, you can't wait to talk to Malfoy either."

Slowly Harry handed Holly over to Ron. It was a relief to his arms as she was very heavy. Not to mention wet. Then again... everything else was wet too. "Go," Ron commanded. "Come to the hospital wing afterwards. Bring Holly's broom." Harry nodded. Luckily, Holly's broom had continued to shoot towards the ground and landed in the mud, unscratched. Harry nodded and ran to find and confront Malfoy. Ron conjured a stretcher, and carefully lowered Holly onto it. He, too, set off at a run. She was beginning to look blue.

*()*()*

Harry stood outside of the Slytherin locker rooms. He waited for about 5 minutes, and observed the rain coming down harder. Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall found him. "Potter, I'm sorry to say there will be no re-match as Mr. Haynes has demanded on behalf of your team. Has Black been escorted to the hospital wing?" Professor McGonagall said looking more grave than ever. Harry nodded.

"We cannot prove that the Slytherin team did this deliberately, Malfoy caught the Snitch, and they won, doubling your team's score. I'm sorry, Potter," Madam Hooch said. Harry nodded again. He had trouble believing that they could just give Slytherin the win - everyone knew that it had been plotted out. Harry now knew what Malfoy was talking about when he was telling Crabbe and Goyle to be precise and wait for the sign... as soon as Malfoy went after the Snitch - they attack Holly as a diversion. He remembered Ginny insisting she saw 3 people watching them practice a couple times - it must have been Slytherins. They saw Holly's least-favorite play, and the fact she was unmoving and venerable must have conjured up their plan. It all fit.

Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall left, discussing something like going up to the hospital wing to check on Holly. Harry waited a bit longer and then the Slytherin team started filtering out. "Come to congratulate us?" Kelly Anacabe sneered.

"Actually, I need to talk to Malfoy," Harry said, trying hard to keep his cool.

"Potter, there's not going to be a re-match, what else must you know?" Malfoy drawled. The Slytherins sniggered.

"We need to discuss something," he said slowly through gritted teeth. Malfoy rolled his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh.

"Fine, Potter," he gave in. Harry motioned for him to come with him off to the side. Crabbe and Goyle followed.

"Alone," Harry growled. His green eyes flashed menacingly and Crabbe and Goyle backed off. They were still gigantic compared to Harry, but Harry was quite capable of defending himself, even against the two of them.

"What is the problem, Potter?" Malfoy said, pushing his hair out of his face.

"Look, I don't know what the hell is wrong with your mind, Malfoy," Harry fumed. "You plotted all that out, didn't you? Try and get Black killed so Potter doesn't catch the Snitch. Clever, Malfoy."

"You and your little sister make quite the team, you know that? Black has a bad attitude and puts herself above others, then there's you. You lose a game just to protect her. This would be touching if I liked you more," he said, smiling.

"You wouldn't do anything to benefit anyone but yourself. That's your problem, Malfoy," Harry replied, "I thought you had more pride than to risk making your reputation worse, whether you won a Quidditch game or not. I don't want to know what goes on in that fucked up little mind of yours, Malfoy. Do you realize that you could have killed her?"

"Excuse me, Potter, have I given you any indication that I care?" Malfoy asked, shaking his head.

That did it. Harry couldn't hold back-he punched him right in the nose. Malfoy yelped and held his hands up to his nose, and as he drew them away they were thick with blood. "Potter!" he barked. Before the rest of the Slytherins could sort this all out, both Harry and Malfoy were on the ground, fists swinging like mad.

Crabbe and Goyle both grabbed Harry and threw him off of Malfoy. Harry could taste blood from a cut on the inside of his lip. He could feel bruises forming in a few places. Harry and Malfoy glared at each other, each of them panting, for a few seconds before Harry managed to stalk away. He was amazed that the rest of the Slytherins didn't make attempts at killing him as he passed.

*()*()*

Meanwhile Ron had gotten to the hospital wing very quickly. He burst through the doors. Carefully he picked Holly up off of the stretcher and it vanished. Madam Pomfrey came over and nearly screamed as she saw Holly. Ron was now certain she was looking blue... he shuddered as he saw the color of her lips... she looked as though she were dead. Ron hurriedly explained what had happened as Madam Pomfrey got to work. She used a spell Ron had never heard of to detect broken bones. She held her wand over Holly and moved it around and it would start to vibrate when it was held over a fracture. She fixed a couple broken ribs, and mended the cut on the back of her head. Holly started to breathe easier, but she was still out cold. "I don't understand how a Bludger could give her a gash like that..." she said, as she used a spell to remove the blood from Holly's hair.

"She's going to be okay, right?" Ron said.

"Of course. I think she has a pretty severe concussion... I'm going to go and get the potions to wake her up and relieve her of confusion," she replied. She got up and strode off to her office.

Ron was by far extremely relieved that Holly was going to be fine. He had been so nervous. But, now, for some reason, he couldn't wait for Madam Pomfrey to return with the revival draft to wake Holly up. He couldn't bear to think about what he would have felt like if she had died, or something, and he had never told her that he did care about her, and he wanted to be friends with her-without all their little fights.

He began shaking her. She didn't wake. "Holly-" he started to whisper desperately. Her eyes opened. She looked at Ron for a few awkward seconds. Holly's gaze seemed unfocused as though there were a thick haze enclosing her. She didn't seem aware of where she was, and who he was. She began to push herself into a sitting position when Madam Pomfrey returned.

"Oh, good, she woke up..." she said. Holly looked at her with the same lost and confused expression before she forced her into drinking the thick, silvery potion. Madam Pomfrey started asking Holly questions, all of which she answered correctly. "Now, Mr. Weasley, this girl needs rest. Would you-" but Holly cut her short.

"Madam P., could you let him stay with me?"

Ron was puzzled. Why did she want him there? "She probably just wants to know what happened," he thought, "That is obvious."

Madam Pomfrey looked at her with a slightly lamented expression. "Very well," she sighed. She left them there, Ron sitting on the side of the bed and Holly leaning against the pillows. He told her that he had brought her there and how Harry didn't want to let her go. He explained about how Madam Pomfrey had detected her fractures and repaired them, where her bones had been broken, and excetra. He told her that Harry was probably talking to Malfoy right then, and explained the Slytherin team's plan. When he had finished Holly just sat in silence, pulling her knees up to her chest and staring in the general direction of the foot of the bed.

"Harry didn't get the Snitch, did he?" she said hollowly. Ron didn't reply. He had a bad feeling she would take it out on herself. She looked up, straight into his eyes. "Answer me," she said in the same dead tone. Ron slowly shook his head. "Why not? He should have left me! We could have won! If he had just let me fall... the ground was soft I-"

"Holly, don't be stupid, you would have died!"

"Why does he have to be so noble? He could have just let me go. Why does he insist upon saving the world?!"

"Holly stop being an idiot! I'd rather lose a Quidditch match than you!" Ron exclaimed.

"R-really?" Holly said hopefully. She was on the bride of tears.

"Of course. And everyone else feels the same, I bet you," Ron sighed.

"Except for the Slyths," Holly injected.

"Who cares about them? All they are are a bunch of mad schemers who are overly ambitious. Stop worrying."

Holly was silent, but now she was shaking and her nose was turning red. "I'm really glad you... you don't hate me Ron."

"Why would I hate you?" Ron asked.

She shot him a dirty look through her tears. "Because I'm not exactly good to you... I degrade you. Remember? I should really be nicer to you." She was positively quivering now.

"You don't degrade me, Holly. You just...challenge me. Often," he added.

Holly sighed. "Yeah okay. But, I'm really glad you care about me, Ron," she said. "Thanks for telling me that... it's the best birthday present I could ask for. Some birthday I've had..." she said.

Ron watched tears start rolling down her cheeks, one by one. He had such an ache inside for her it even amazed himself. "I lost us the match..." she sniffed in a muffled voice. It was then they both surprised themselves, and each other. They leaned into each other - Holly threw her arms over Ron's shoulders and around his neck. She cried, shaking as great teardrops rolled off her cheeks. Ron wrapped his arms around her. She stifled most of her sobs, for she already felt the pain, she didn't need to hear it. He felt Holly pull herself closer to him and he let her rest her head on his shoulder, tears wetting his neck.

"Shh... it's not your fault, Holly. It's going to be just fine... it's okay, Holly, don't cry," Ron said quietly, although he saw it quite pointless as she was already crying and didn't seem about to stop. He rocked from side-to-side slightly, trying to be as comforting as he could. He didn't feel awkward or embarrassed in any way-as he did when anyone had thrown their arms around him and sobbed before.

Holly simply loved being able to hold onto Ron, and he didn't push her away. She was so furious with herself and pretty depressed - but she was comforted with his warmth. Holly felt then that she could trust Ron with her life, as she felt strong and protected in his arms, whether she was crying or not. Her mind kept repeating "I'd rather lose a Quidditch match than you!".

"Ow...ow...contact...ouch..." Holly said.

"Wh-what?" Ron asked. You can imagine what this sounded like to him. She pulled away from him quickly and picked something off of his neck.

"I lost my contact... now it's all folded up. Hmph. At least I found it..." she said.

"Oh! You wear those contact things? Hermione told me about those..." Ron said. Holly looked up at him and he gasped. "Whoa!"

"What?"

"One of your eyes is blue!" he exclaimed. Sure enough the eye that she was about to put her contact back into was a blue-gray color with just a line of yellow around her pupil. It wasn't a very pretty color.

"I have colored contacts," she said, managing a smile. "I send some money to one of my friends when I run out so she can run over to the eye-doctor and pick some up for me."

"You can get those things in different colors?" Ron asked. "Wicked!"

Holly actually laughed at this. "Yeah. You didn't think I actually had pretty brown eyes, did you?" She placed the contact in her eye and blinked several times. "Ouch...it was dirty...I should have gotten my solution..." she mumbled.

Ron smiled. "I did. But your real eye-color is even more beautiful," he said. "Did I just say that? Jesus Christ..." he thought. Holly stopped blinking and looked up at Ron, blushing scarlet and smiling.

"Th-thanks," she stuttered. Then Harry burst through the doors, looking troubled.

"Oh, Holly! You're okay," he said, coming over to the bed. Holly didn't look happy anymore. "Thank goodness..."

Ron assured Harry that her full recovery only took minutes, a couple broken ribs, a cut, a big and round bruise, and a concussion were nothing that Madam Pomfrey couldn't handle. Then Holly launched into her "I'm sorry..."s, "You should have just left me..."s, "I didn't want to lose you the match..."s and whatnot.

"Holly. Holly. HOLLY!" Harry interrupted. "Calm down, please. You didn't do anything wrong, it's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself. We're still in the running... don't worry... if Slytherin gets slaughtered by Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff our chances are fine. I've talked to Malfoy, this was all his plot... we got in a little scuffle, but that's fine because I assure you he came off worse."

Holly grinned weakly and Ron laughed. "Way to go Harry!" he said. Holly crossed her fingers and hoped that a comment against her on the subject of Malfoy didn't come at her, and amazingly enough - her silent prayer was answered.

Then Madam Pomfrey came back and insisted they leave as she handed Holly a pair of pajamas. She said she wanted Holly to spend the night there. "Thanks for risking our chances at the Cup and catching me, Harry," she said. "And-Ron... thanks," she added. She looked at her feet and blushed. "That was feeble. 'Thanks' for what? Ugh..." she thought.

"Holly, don't worry about it, I wouldn't have done anything different," Harry replied. He jerked his head at Ron and headed for the door.

"No problem..." Ron said to her. "Just a second," he added to Harry. Ron hesitated for a moment and then bent down and gave Holly a very short peck on the forehead. After he realized what he had done he went redder than his hair, as did Holly. "I-I'll see you later," he said quickly. Holly smiled up at him then looked back down at the floor. He scampered off to join Harry.

As they got outside of the hospital wing, Harry looked up at Ron, still flushed, and cleared his throat. "You missed her lips," he said.

"I know... I didn't try...!" Ron paused. "It was just a comfort-thing. She was in floods about the match... just a comfort-thing."

Harry glanced at Ron again. "Alright then."