Through All the Pain // N. Longbottom

Sixth Year // Chapter 7

"You ready?" Hermione asked as I put on my Gryffindor Quidditch jumper and grabbed my gloves and broom.

"Oh yeah, I've been ready since I got out of the hospital wing last year!" I said kissing my broom. To practice I had been using one of the school ones, just to make sure if I did lose control it wouldn't be wrecking my own. 

"Well, I know everyone is ready for Gryffindor to win again," Hermione said wrapped her scarf around her neck. We both left the dorm in a rush and met up with Harry, Ginny, Neville, Ron, and Dean in the common room. 

"Let's go have a good breakfast and then go check the conditions," Harry told us. We nodded and followed his lead down to the Great Hall. As we walked in we got some "good luck's" and "give us another wins" before we even sat down at the table. However someone decided to taunt Ron, so I just grabbed a spoon and chucked in in their direction.

"HEY!" the girl shouted.

"Next time, it'll be a knife!" I shouted back in reply. The girl went back to her breakfast while I went back to mine. Ron had started up some small talk conversation with Hermione, but I could tell by his voice that his nerves were starting to get the better of him, and we weren't even on the pitch yet. So I rubbed his shoulder, as Hermione mentioned Slughorn's Christmas party.

"I expect you'll be taking McLaggen? He's in the Slug Club, isn't he?" Ron snapped suddenly. I lightly slapped his head as Hermione looked offended.

"I was actually going to ask you," she announced taking another spoonful of cereal. Ron muttered something but before he could say anything out loud, Lavender came over and tapped Ron on the shoulder.

"Good luck today, Ron. I know you'll be brilliant." She skipped off and once she was gone Ron leaned forward.

"I'm resigning, after today's match." He said. "McLaggen can have my spot." I groaned at the thought of playing Quidditch with the egotistical fucker, and I hope Harry would too and beg Ron to stay but, Harry just sighed and passed him a goblet of juice. 

"Have it your way." Ron took the goblet and raised it up to his lips.

"Don't drink that, Ron!" Hermione spoke sharply.

"And why not?" Ron asked placing it down on the table, but still holding it in his hand. Hermione looked over at Harry who tucked a vial into his pocket. My eyes widened and stared at Harry in disbelief. He would risk getting Gryffindor disqualified just so Ron would play, would he?

Ron downed the goblet of Pumpkin Juice in a flash causing Hermione to roll her eyes and storm away from the table. Almost instantly, Ron sat up straighter and started gaining his confidence. We all followed him as we went down to the field and started getting ready. The stands filled rapidly as it was the first match of the year, and between the houses with the biggest rivalry. 

Once everything was ready we walked out onto the field and took our positions. Slytherin had lost Draco, so they had a new seeker which looked like it might be a good thing for Harry but yet, not. The match was going really well. Ron was very rarely missing any goals, and Ginny, Dean, and I were all having the time of our lives. Scoring points left and right for Gryffindor. 

"And Lorrinda Weasley makes another score for Gryffindor, well any thought that she might lose her touch after the terrible accident last year with Draco Malfoy is gone or is it." Zacharias Smith commentated, causing me to miss my next goal. "OoOoOo spoke too soon, I guess."

"Oi! Peaks! Wanna send Smith a little present?" I said jokingly.

"I wish, but I don't want to hurt McGonagall." Jimmy took off to get stop a Bludger from hitting Ginny as I zoomed underneath her and took the Quaffle scoring some more points for Gryffindor. Eventually, Harry caught the snitch which meant we won! We all converged in midair to have a hug