The following morning rolled around and Y/N sat at the Gryffindor table for breakfast. He was the first from his house to arrive. He was still sore. Still tired. He had still gone alone for his morning workout. No excuses. No days off. He had to push through.

As he sat there quietly eating his eggs Katie Bell entered the Great Hall. She smiled to herself seeing Y/N alone and rushed over to him. She sat right next to him, side hugging Y/N and kissing him on the cheek before asking happily:

"Good morning Y/N. How are you feeling?"

"Shithouse" Y/N said with a dry chuckle.

"Can I ask you something Y/N?" Katie asked bashfully.

"You can ask whatever you want Katie. Doesn't mean I'll answer though"

Y/N smirked as he answered, Katie giggled and shook her head before asking with sincerity:

"Are the stories true? Did you really fight Professor Quirrell and You-Know-Who? Did you really kill the Professor?"

"Yeah. I did" Y/N answered emotionless.

"And they used the Cruciatis curse on you and you grinned at them?"

Y/N remembered the pain of Voldemort's curse. The searing hot steel being stabbed into him over and over and over. He remembered pushing through. Fuck Pain!

He answered again emotionless:

"Yeah"

The two sat in silence for a few moments as Y/N turned to Katie and asked:

"I bet you think I'm a monster now, hey?"

Katie looked into Y/N's eyes. Her eyes were warm, inviting. There wasn't a hint of fear in them as she answered with a smile:

"Are you serious? I think you're incredible".

Y/N was genuinely taken back as he answered sheepishly:

"Oh. Thanks. Didn't expect that to be honest".

Katie smiled warmly again as Harry sat across from the pair, with Ron joining him moments later. The redhead gulped at the fierce glare Y/N gave him.

"Morning Harry. Ready for the match?" Katie asked cheerfully.

Harry grunted in reply. Katie raised an eyebrow as Y/N chuckled.

"Don't worry about him Katie. Harry isn't a morning person".

Katie giggled at Y/N, batting her eyelids.

-~-

Hermione and Lavender walked into the Great Hall. Hermione had been awake since 5am. She had wanted desperately to go down and meet Y/N for his workout. In the end she chickened out.

As the pair walked in they saw Katie and Y/N sitting next to each other. Hermione turned to leave before Lavender grabbed her hand and dragged her over. Lavender sat two spots down from Y/N, pulling Hermione between the two of them and then pushing over, tightly squeezing Hermione up against Y/N's side.

Subtle Lav Hermione thought to herself. Y/N picked up on Hermione's discomfort at their physical proximity. The anger inside him grew, even more thoughts appearing in his mind, screaming at him internally:

She hates you now.

She's afraid of you.

Who can blame her? You don't deserve love. You don't even deserve pity. You are nothing!

Y/N didn't know where the thoughts came from but his mood soured even more. He felt so low, so alone. He'd lost Hermione, Jacob was furious with him. He'd failed his job, his duty, to keep Harry out of harm's way.

He had nothing. He was nothing!

As these thoughts raced through his mind the cutlery on the table in front of the group started shaking violently. Y/N attempted to calm himself and the cutlery slowly stopped vibrating.

Everyone looked around confused except one. Hermione made eye contact with Y/N, discreetly tapping her temple.

Was that you?

I think so

What's wrong?

I was upset

Why?

You're obviously uncomfortable being close to me.

No Y/N it's not that it's just...

"So how did you sleep Y/N?" Lavender asked coldly. Hermione felt Y/N withdraw from her mind.

"Like a big dumb muscular baby Lav. You?" Y/N snapped.

"Not well at all Y/N. Neither did Hermione"

"Well I'm sorry to hear that" Y/N replied, less coldly than his previous statement.

"Are you?" Lavender snapped again.

Y/N inhaled and exhaled heavily. What exactly had he done wrong? Harry drank the potion, despite Y/N's objections. Y/N did everything he could to protect the Boy Who Lived. Fuck, he was 36 hours out from being tortured by the Dark Lord himself protecting him.

Hermione was the one who wanted to put some distance between them. Not him. Did he whine? Complain? Chuck a wobbly? No! He fucking respected her wishes. What did he get?

Everyone calling him a shitstain on the arse of the fucking universe.

Y/N got angrier and angrier. As he did the cutlery vibrated. Then the table. The lights flickered- the Great Hall itself seemed to get darker as a cold breeze flew through.

Y/N looked at Harry with eyes that seemed to be darkening by the second.

"Harry. You remember that night I lost it at you in the dorm?"

Harry looked at Y/N fearfully, like a deer in the headlights.

"Ye-yeah" Harry answered nervously, nodding his head.

"Do you remember what I said?" Y/N growled.

"That everything is always your fault" Harry asked, still in fear.

"Right. This crap..." Y/N pointed towards Lavender "... this is exactly what I was talking about".

"Y/N..." Hermione started to talk gently, she was interrupted by Wood approaching, oblivious to the atmospheric changes in the hall, as well as the frightened whispers echoing around the large room.

"Hello boys and girls. Ready to win the Quidditch Cup? How are you feeling this morning Y/N?" Wood asked happily.

"Thoroughly pissed off Wood. Let's go kick the shit out of some Ravens" Y/N growled.

"That's what I like to hear" Wood chuckled. Hermione felt her stomach feel weird again.

"I love it hearing you talk like that" Katie grinned at Y/N as he stood, leaving most of his plate full.

"Wait Y/N, aren't you going to finish your breakfast?" Hermione asked in a worried tone.

"No I've lost my appetite. Can't imagine why" Y/N answered, glaring at Lavender.

"No, please Y/N sit and eat. You need the protein from your eggs. Your body has been through a lot of shock the last few days. you need your strength. Please?"

Hermione looked up at Y/N, her full pleading chocolate puppy dog eyes on display. Despite everything, he couldn't say no to those eyes. He sighed.

"...Fine"

He sat down and began to eat again. Katie leant in on his right side and whispered in his ear

"It's ok Y/N. I'll wait for you."

Hermione's face turned to a look somewhere between sadness and anger.

At this moment the cousin Y/N wished was never born decided to saunter over to the Gryffindor table. He'd heard, like everyone else in the school, how brutally Y/N had been tortured. He figured he would have an advantage over Y/N in his weakened state. He smirked, Dumb and Dumber behind him.

"So L/N. Reckon you'll be able to keep out the hospital wing long enough to play a whole match of Quidditch?"

Crabb chuckled. He quickly stopped as Y/N looked up with a dead eyed glare. The others watched in silence, Y/N and Draco stuck in eye contact before Draco grabbed his stomach, retched, and ran out of the Great Hall. Y/N stared at Crabb and Goyle before whistling and motioning towards the door with his head.

"Go on, fuck off!"

The two ran out quickly, following Draco. Y/N looked over to the teachers table, where Snape was shaking his head disapprovingly.

You have my sympathy Professor. I can't imagine how much willpower it takes to pretend to like those idiots.

Severus chuckled to himself, Professor McGonagall who was next to him looking at him shocked- Snape didn't chuckle often. Y/N's attention was drawn back to the table:

"He seems to run off and vomit like that a lot doesn't he" Katie thought out loud.

"I wonder why" Harry asked no one in particular.

"He thinks he has a goat fetish" Y/N answered, not looking up from his plate as the others looked at him shocked.

"Why would he think that?" Lavender asked with revulsion. Y/N answered without looking up:

"Because every time he's a prick I implant an image of him French kissing a goat in his head."

Jaws around the table dropped as people stared in disbelief.

"You what?" Ron asked.

Y/N chuckled.

"The funny thing is. I haven't done it the last few times. He's giving himself the reaction now. I think I trained him. Kind of like a puppy".

The whole group erupted, laughing hysterically. Even Katie and Lavender were laughing. A small smile crossed Y/N's lips for the briefest of moments. After the laughter died down Katie turned to Y/N with a devious smile.

"So you can really read minds?" she asked. Y/N heard Lavender scoff from behind. He ignored it as he answered:

"Yes, although apart from Malfoy I don't do it unless I let the person know first".

Katie smirked.

"Ok then. What am I thinking right now?"

Y/N looked at her and entered her mind. His cheeks flushed and he turned back to his plate.

"I'm not saying that out loud Katie"

She chuckled.

"As long as you saw it. I'll see you at the pitch".

Katie stood, leant down and kissed Y/N's cheek before walking off towards the main doors.

Y/N watched her leave for a moment before he heard Lavender. She was not happy:

"Can't believe you want to date her Y/N"

The venom in her voice was evident. Y/N chuckled.

"Didn't say I did Lav, didn't say I didn't. But aren't I entitled to be happy for once in my miserable life? I thought we were friends and you would want that".

Lavender looked down with a scowl. No one else spoke as Y/N finished his breakfast, got up and muttered "see you at the pitch" to Harry who nodded.

As Y/N walked off he heard Hermione yell good luck. He gave her a thumbs up without turning around.

-~-

Harry arrived in the Gryffindor change rooms and was the last of the team to arrive. He looked across to Y/N and saw him sitting, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his head on his hands.

He couldn't help but notice one of Y/N's hands was balled in a fist so tight his knuckles had been drained of all their colour. Katie was sat next to him, gently running her hand up and down his back, rubbing him with a smile.

"Watch out for our godbrother today Harry" one of the twin's stated.

"He's in a frightful mood even for him" the other added. Harry quickly got changed in the shower room and sat in a circle with the rest of the team, listening to Wood give his prematch address.

Wood smiled nervously and looked out at his team.

"None of us matter today. Only you Y/N"

"Charming" Fred muttered

"Motivational" George chimed in.

The girls giggled.

Wood didn't miss a beat as he continued: "The rest of us will go out there and play as hard as we can. But it's all up to you. Get that snitch and we are eternal champions. Don't and no one will remember our names".

"So no pressure then" Y/N said blankly.

Wood dismissed the team for final prep. Y/N got his Walkman out of his Quidditch bag and got it ready as the team heard Lee's booming commentary begin.

"Here we are at the final of the Hogwarts Quidditch cup. As both teams beat Slytherin and Hufflepuff by similar margins, points don't really matter in this contest. It's all about the snitch. We have two seekers at opposite ends of their Hogwarts Quidditch careers today."

The crowd cheered loudly.

"Ravenclaw has Aaron Davies, Captain of the team and playing in his last ever Hogwarts match as he graduates next week. Gryffindor has first year sensation Y/N L/N who holds the all time Hogwarts record for fastest end to a match in two minutes and fifty eight seconds. Both will be desperate to catch the Snitch today. Winner takes all".

The crowd roared much more loudly.

"As has become traditional for games in which Y/N plays we are expecting a muggle rock classic any minute. I'm told he didn't ask permission to do this. He just does it. But the dude fought You-Know-Who and won only two days ago so I think he gets a pass".

The stadium erupted in deafening applause this time.

"Last match he played a love song dedication called 'I was made for loving you' by Kiss but I've been told his mood is a lot more sombre these days, so let's see what selection he comes up with".

Y/N started his song and lined up by the door with the rest of the team.

"What's this one called Y/N?" Katie asked, grabbing Y/N's hand gently.

"Spoilin' for a Fight by AC/DC."

"Nothing for the girlfriend today".

Y/N gave her an annoyed glance.

"You know she's not my girlfriend Katie. We decided not to because... it doesn't matter. Anyway, I just want a fight today. I'm feeling unusually pissed off".

Katie giggled "I had noticed" before leaning in, placing an especially soft kiss on Y/N's cheek before whispering:

"She is seriously nuts for letting a guy like you go. I still need to talk to you alone. Ok. After the match?"

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Y/N nodded as the music blared and they flew out on the pitch. Usually Y/N would be flying around, interacting with the crowd, talking with Hermione, getting in the heads of his opponents.

The crowd, both teams and Madam Hooch were all surprised when he silently rose up to his starting position, death staring through his seventh year opponent. The song backed up his mood. Y/N was just spoiling for a fight.

-~-

Hermione sat in the front row of the Gryffindor stands between Lavender and Neville. Ron was sat on the other side of Lavender. AC/DC blared and Hermione looked down sadly. The previous match had been a song dedicated to loving her. This one was just about fighting. She felt Lavender squeeze her hand.

Hermione looked up and smiled at her best friend and then looked out and saw Y/N fly out with his team. She smiled, waiting for him to fly over and look for her like he always did. Instead he just flew out to his starting position. No singing, no playing with the crowd. Hermione felt like she was going to cry.

"I don't know what to do Lav". Hermione said as she felt a tear fall from her eye and run down her cheek. Lavender sighed.

"You know I love you so I'm only saying this because I care, but you've got to tell him how you feel or let him go. All this messing around isn't fair on either of you".

Hermione was taken aback initially by the harsh truth of her best friend before she nodded. Lavender pulled no punches and besides was right, but Hermione didn't know what to do. She was pulled from her thoughts as the match started. She watched Y/N immediately charge the Ravenclaw seeker.

-~-

The match started and Y/N made a beeline at full speed straight for the Ravenclaw seeker, Aaron Davies. Davies saw Y/N coming at the last second and just managed to dodge out the way.

"What the hell are you doing Y/N?" He yelled at Y/N. Y/N couldn't tell if Davies was angry or scared. It didn't matter with the mood Y/N was in. He simply smirked at his older opponent.

-~-

The game had been going for about ten minutes and there had been no sign of the snitch yet. As the play progressed Katie scored a goal, giving Gryffindor a 70-20 lead when one of the Ravenclaw beaters smashed a bludger straight at her. The shock nearly sent Katie off her broom as the bludger had missed her by the barest of margins. Y/N saw red and charged the beater.

-~-

Hermione watched the game while simultaneously listening to Lee's commentary.

"... and Jason Corner sends a bludger towards Katie Bell after that goal. She narrowly avoids it and... phew I thought she was going to fall off her broom there. That was sent with bad intentions..."

Lavender snickered next to Hermione

"...and it looks like it has angered her teammates as well. L/N has snatched the beater bat off one of the Weasleys and..."

The whole crowd moaned at the same time. The Ravenclaws start booing incessantly.

"... He has just used it to knock Corner unconscious. That was a vicious head shot. Madam Hooch calls a penalty and Wood calls a time out. Not fully in the spirit of the game by Y/N but a man has to defend his teammates... I guess".

Hermione saw Y/N run over to Katie in the time out and she felt her lip quiver.

-~-

Y/N was furious. That internal monologue of his went into overdrive...

Kill the fucking prick...

Y/N flew passed Fred at full speed, snatching the beater's bat out of his hand. He sped towards Jason Corner at full speed, leaning back and smashing the bat into his skull. Corner was immediately unconscious, falling from his broom only to be levitated to the ground at the last second by Hooch. The Ravenclaw crowd erupted in anger and abuse as a penalty and then time out were called.

Y/N flew down, landing in a running stop as he raced over to Katie. She was standing there shakily being comforted by Alicia.

"You ok?" Y/N asked as he checked over Katie's head. He was relieved she was physically ok and it had missed her. Just.

Katie wrapped Y/N in a massive hug and then, after an awkward moment, Y/N hugged her back.

"Yeah I'm ok, just shaken up. Thank you for defending me" Katie said into Y/N's ear. He whispered back into hers:

"It's not a problem Katie. I protect my friends".

Wood flew down having blocked the Ravenclaw penalty just as the two released the hug. He looked at Y/N momentarily before addressing the team.

"That wasn't... ideal Y/N but good job. You stood up for a teammate and now they are a player down"

"You knocked seven shades of shit out of him" George laughed.

"Remind us not to piss you off" Fred replied in laughter as well.

Y/N chuckled looking at his captain asking:

"What's the score Wood?"

"We're up 70-20. It doesn't matter though. Any sign of the snitch yet?"

"Not yet, but I've been stalking and charging at Davies. He's too scared to focus on anything but me at the moment. He's not even looking for the Snitch. He's jumping at shadows". Y/N chuckled. Being a prick really seemed to come easy to him.

As the team got ready to remount Katie grabbed Y/N's hand and kissed his cheek again. She smiled sweetly and added:

"Thanks again for protecting me big guy".
Y/N smiled and nodded before noticing Harry looking at them sadly. Y/N was puzzled, wondering if Harry liked Katie, before Wood spoke again.

"Enough! You two can make out after the game..." Y/N swore he heard Katie squeal "...we've got a cup to win. Y/N- snitch and nothing else. Focus. Let go guys"

Y/N flew up high to get a good view, looking for any sign of the snitch. As he got to about the height of the highest stand he noticed Hermione and Lavender looking up at him. Hermione smiled and waved. Y/N smirked and nodded at her, noticing Lavender glaring at him. He had no idea what her fucking problem was.

He suddenly caught sight of the snitch and took off after it like a bolt of lightning. He shot across the pitch, dodging and weaving between players at break neck speed as the crowd oohhed and ahhhed.

Davies came in next to Y/N from the left hand side. All of Y/N's ground work from the game paid off. Y/N fake side checked him, Davies veering off course in a panic as Y/N kept flying straight, gaining on the snitch.

The snitch darted lower as Y/N narrowly avoided a Ravenclaw chaser, gaining on it with every passing moment, completely focused on his one golden goal. He edged closer and closer before stretching out and grabbing it.

The crowd erupted, Lee screamed from the commentary box, sounding like he was in tears:

"He did it! He did it! Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup!"

Y/N landed, jumping off his broom on his feet. He looked up at the adoring crowd as he extended his arms, looking up at them.

His internal monologue was back as he heard it roar: Yeah that's it. You're the motherfucking man!

Moments later Y/N was swamped by his teammates. Wood, Harry and Katie arrived first and engulfed him in a hug, quickly followed by the twins and Angelina. The Weasleys lofted Y/N up on their shoulders as the crowd descended onto the pitch for the presentation ceremony.

-~-

The ceremony had began, Professor Dumbledore commiserating Ravenclaw and congratulating Gryffindor. Wood went up and collected the Quidditch Cup and Y/N was overjoyed for him. Wood had worked hard for four long years for this moment. The team were awarded plaques for their victory, relative to their position. Y/N looked down at his proudly.

Dean had a full set of all four, having spent a year as a chaser, one as a beater, one as a keeper and three as a seeker. He delighted at Christmas in teasing Y/N about his six straight championship wins for Slytherin. Well, Y/N had one up on him now. Dean didn't make his debut until second year.

After the team were given their plaques and the Quidditch Cup McGonagall transfigured the teams' names onto a shield that would go into the Gryffindor Trophy cabinets in perpetuity. Y/N looked at the shield and smiled.

Quidditch Champions 1991/1992
Gryffindor

Oliver Wood
Keeper
Captain

Harry Potter. Fred Weasley
Chaser Beater

Katie Bell. George Weasley
Chaser Beater

Y/N L/N Angelina Johnson
Seeker Chaser

He smiled, thinking back to the pride he felt seeing his father's name on his Championship Shields. He hoped he would have kids one day, that they would feel the same sense of pride seeing his name.

He looked up from his daydream as Hermione, Lavender and Ronald approached. Hermione wrapped Y/N in a tight hug.

"You were incredible Y/N. I'm so so proud of you".

Hermione spoke with a smile as she held the hug. And held it. And held it. Y/N thought it was odd, but didn't let go either, simply whispering:

"Thanks 'Mione"

Hermione smiled brightly.

"That's the first time you've called me that for a few days".

"Sorry I won't if you don't want me to".

"Don't you dare stop Y/N".

Hermione had that adorable 'don't mess with me' tone in her voice. Y/N chuckled.

"Yes ma'am"

The pair were interrupted up as Wood walked over and grabbed Y/N's shoulder.

"Ok guys time for the team to change. Then it's party time in the common room".

Y/N smiled and said his goodbyes to the guys and headed to the Changing Room with the others. They put their brooms away and Y/N sat on one of the chairs in the team meeting area.

He pulled his jersey off with a heavy groan. Harry came and sat next to him while Katie sat across from Y/N, she was staring pretty hard.

Y/N groaned a second time.

"You ok Y/N?" Harry asked concerned.

"Yeah mate. The scar has been hurting since the attack. Some days are worse than others. Today's just a bad day Harry. Even clothes aggravate it. The breeze helps though".

"Will it go away in time?" Harry asked sadly.

"Who knows mate. It was a dark curse, like yours. But never mind that, we've got a win to celebrate."

Harry smiled and walked to the boys shower room. Katie giggled at Y/N.

"Wait for me after to have that talk, Y/N?"

Y/N chuckled, answering:

"Yeah will do Katie".

She smiled and nodded, getting up to leave before coming over and kissing Y/N's cheek again.

-~-

Y/N emerged from the showers topless with just his pants on. Even the water hurt his chest so he wanted to wait as long as possible before returning to the common room and putting his top on. It had been a while since his last teammate left. Y/N enjoying the quietness of his solitude.

He stood at the doorway, reaching up to the door's top and holding on, allowing the cool breeze to hit him gently. He smiled with his eyes closed, enjoying the sensation before he was aware of someone behind him.

He turned to see Katie, in a tank top and jeans, looking at him and blushing heavily.
She didn't speak as she approached him, looking into his eyes as she stepped forward and placed her hand on his chest.

She looked up into his eyes. He was about 5' 8" now, taller than any other first year. Taller than most second and third years. She placed a hand behind his head as she gently pulled him down, her eyes closing as her soft lips pressed against his.