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The van stopped outside Sheffied Ice, and two people got out. The man grabbed a news camera from the side door. As he came back, the woman glanced at her notes and asked, "You ready, Jake?"
The man nodded. “Let’s go make news.”
They reached out and bumped their fists together before heading up the stairs to the arena’s public entrance. Once inside, they walked up to the counter and requested to speak with the manager, then moved aside to wait.
Shortly thereafter, they were greeted by Ed, the duty manager, "Good afternoon. My name is Ed, and I am the duty manager today. How may I assist you?"
The young woman glanced over and extended her hand. “Good fternoon. I’m Erica Halburton from ITV News, and this is my cameraman, Jake. We received a tip that a talented young woman comes here to skate every few weekends, showing remarkable skill. We also heard she was here earlier today, so we were hoping to get some footage and perhaps speak with her.”
Ed immediately understood who they meant, and indeed, she was out on the ice at that moment. After thinking it over briefly, he nodded. "I don't see any problem with that. I assume you'll get permission from the young lady before you broadcast any footage you film?" He added, "I'm afraid I don't really keep up with the news or sports. Do either of you know much about ice skating?"
Erica nodded and said, “I'm the ITV ice sports commentator, so you could say I know a thing or two about the sport. I don’t usually do this sort of thing anymore, but when the tip came in, it was decided I should be the one to come out, so here I am.” She smiled at Ed and nodded towards Jake. “Jake here handles all the legal matters; waivers, permissions, and other boring stuff like that.”
Jake nodded. “Yeah, I do all the work; Erica just talks and looks pretty,” he joked, making it clear they’d worked together for some time. “But to answer your question, yes—we have a strict internal policy: we never use any footage or interview material unless it’s directly relevant to news that impacts the public and accompanied by the right paperwork. We also make sure not to let less reputable outlets know what we’re working on!”
Ed nodded and said, “Please follow me, there should be a good view point for filming from the open-air balcony. I believe she returned to the ice approximately ten minutes ago.”
The trio made their way across the lounge and stepped onto the balcony. Looking down, they saw the ice below, where around forty people were gathered.
“This is our, open advanced slot for the morning, the general rule is you have to be assessed as competent to be on the ice during this time, it limits accidents as beginners get in the way of more experienced people.” Ed explained, “the person you are looking for is the mid height brunette by the gate, the one with the taller guy with spikey black hair and the cute blond, the three of them come together, down the other end of the ice you will see Sophie Daniels currently working with one of her students”
Jake lifted the camera onto his shoulder, filmed the group by the gate, then turned to capture Sophie demonstrating a lutz landing to an older teen on the ice.
Erica followed his camera work with practiced ease, it was a natural habit so that she could comment on what the camera was showing the audience at home, as they focused on Sophie she commented, “That Lutz landing looked odd,” then she paused, “Oh I see, that one looed a lot better she must be trying to demonstrate a correction to her student.” Watching for a moment longer, “oh wow that was a nice double and the landing looked good, well I would say the student understood what Sophie was demonstrating”
“Yes,” Ed replied, “Tara is one of Sophie’s advanced students, we hope she will be making the move into international junior competition this year, and if she keeps going the way she has been perhaps the junior world champs next year!”
“Well from watching her the little bit I’ve seen in the few minutes I can say that’s almost assured, she’s good now and she is soaking up the little corrections that Sophie is suggesting like a sponge,”
The trio watched as Sophies coaching session seemed to end and the pair moved across the ice and pulled up beside the three that Ed had pointed out earlier. Ther were a few words spoken ad then they saw the brunette shake he shoulders and push off, she flowed down the ice move int and out of other skaters with ease, at centre ice she popped a Bellman spin and then after a series of rapid edge changes she circled 2 skaters once and then powered into open ice where she proceeded to execute a textbook triple axel that was quickly followed by a triple lutz.
Erica watched with amazement at the display of jump and spins that she saw executed with such ease, “Oh my lord, Jake stay here and film this while I go down and talk to Sophie”
“On it boss, say hi to hot stuff for me, will ya?”
Erica snorted as she walked out, “you live in the same city and she’s single, you are close in age, you could ask her out you know!”
~*~
Arriving rink side Erica approached, Sophie, Harry and Daphne, “Jakes wants to know if you finally have some serious competition hot stuff?”
The three turned to greet the newcomer.
“Yeah, no not at all! She’s no competition for me.” Sophie snorted, “Hi Erica how are you and where is lughead? You hear on official business”
Erica nodded and pointer to the balcony, “Yes, we got a tip that there was a new girl on the scene who came here most Saturdays, the network wanted me to come take a look. Jakes getting film”
“Well let me introduce you then, Harry, Daphne, this is Erica Halburton, Erica this is Harry Potter, her boyfeirnd and Daphne Greengrass, and out on the ice is Hermione, Erica here is probably one of the best skaters who didn’t make it in the country, knee injury wasn’t it?”
Erica grimaced, “Yes, lost a jump and ran into the boards shattering my kneecap. I didn’t have the range of motion anymore, and by the time I got it back, well now im just too old”
There was a spray of ice as Hermione slid to a dramatic stop in front of Harry and then leaned in to kiss him. “God, I love this!”
Sophie laughed, “What’s up Hermione, you slacking today? Oh, this is Erica, she came down to see some real skating today, why don’t you sit down and let me show here how to actually do that Lutz?”
Hermione huffed, “Bitch, I’ll show you a lutz. She kissed Daphne, get this world class failure off the ice for me,” she spun on the spot and burst off as Sophie raised a whistle to her lips and blew 2 long blasts that signalled all the other skaters off the ice.
As the ice cleared Sophie turned to Harry, “Do you think that worked her up enough to actually show us what she’s got?
“Well,” Daphne drawled, “I don’t believe I have ever call anyone but Ginny a bitch before so, yes probably,”
Turning to a shocked looking Erica Sophie remarked,” Hermione and I started skating at the same rink when we were five, with luck you are about to see why she is no competition for me!”
All four watched Hermione fly around the perimeter of the ice as the other skaters came off. As soon as the ice was clear she came to a dead stop close to the dead centre of the ice. After a brief pause she turned to face Sophie and poker her tongue out, then with a dramatic hand movement slowly started to move.
Starting softly, her arms extending gracefully as she executed a series of elegant spirals, each movement smooth and precise. Her body exuded confidence and artistry, drawing the growing audience into the performance. Without hesitation, she changed tempo and launched into a flawless triple Axel, her landing so sharp and controlled that there was an audible intake of breath from those watching.
Sophie snorted, “Ooh, a triple watch out world!”
Transitioning seamlessly, she flowed into a new sequence of jumps. She executed a quad Salchow with perfect height and tight rotation, followed by a beautifully landed quad loop. Erica, fully aware of the difficulty and skill required to perform those sucked in a deep breath. A sharp turn bought her back away from the side wall and hit a quad Lutz, her landing gentle yet powerful, demonstrating her mastery of the air and ice.
Sophie chimed in again, “That’s it, bring the difficulty up bitch!”
Hermione executed some textbook spins: centered, fast, and held with remarkable control. Then her signature spin, a fast camel spin, transitioning into a deep, slow scratch spin, all while her movements remained expressive and fluid. holding each position long enough to captivate, then quickly shifting into a dance sequence that showcased her precicse footwork.
Weaving across the ice with rapid, precise steps. Her arms and torso moved in harmony with an unheard internal rhythm conveying passion and intensity. She elevated her performance with a series of nuanced gestures, her face telling a story of longing, joy, and determination.
“Ohhh, Artsy stuff time” sniped Sophie.
In the final act, she approached her most difficult technical challenge: a combination of triple and quad jumps, executed with near-perfect timing. Her last jump was a quintuple flip, landing beautifully on the back outside edge of the blade, her body soaring with momentum. She then immediately launched into a final, breathtaking spiral, stretching her free leg behind her in an extended arabesque, her arms reaching outward.
“And that’s why I hate you so much! Five, where the fuck did you pull that shit from!”
The crowd was silent as the performance reached its climax, striking a final pose, Hermione stood tall in an arabesque, her body aligned and poised. Time seemed to freeze for a moment, then she came down in a dramatic wilting motion. A moment later she rose and skated over to Sophie, “how were those lutzes?”
“Hon you have no idea how good you are for my ego,” turning to Erica, “yep she’s no competition for me simply because she is so far ahead of anyone, I have ever seen that it defies belief.”
Tara approached the group, “Hi Coach,” she greeted Sophie then holding out a white gym bag and a sharpie to Hermione she asked, “Can I please have your autograph, that was amazing
Erica could only shake her head in astonishment, her eyes wide with admiration. “That was absolutely incredible,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. Even Daphne, never one to easily give praise, looked momentarily speechless, a genuine smile breaking through her usual composure. The energy in the rink shifted, the audience erupting into applause, clearly recognising they had witnessed something extraordinary.
Hermione smiled warmly, feeling the exhilaration of the moment. She took Tara’s gym bag and signed her name with a flourish, adding a small heart next to it. The small crowd’s enthusiasm lingered in the air, echoing through the rink as other skaters and spectators gathered around, eager to congratulate her and share in the excitement. Sophie gave Hermione a proud nod, her eyes twinkling with approval, while Erica looked still looked in awe, aware that what they had just witnessed a performance that would not be seen again for a long time.
Tara looked up at Sophie, “I take it you can’t teach me that flip either, a quintuple if I managed to count right.”
Sophie mock scowled, “scamp, you know full well my flip is only good at best, there are days I struggle with a double”
Hermione grinned and handed back the gym bag. “If you want to learn, it’s all practice and a bit of stubbornness,” she teased. Tara clutched the signed bag to her chest, beaming with delight as she rejoined her friends, already replaying Hermione’s routine in her mind.
Turning to Sophie Hermione remarked, “Your flip problem is the pick timing on your launch, I was watching you before and you are about half a second late on it. Your other pick jumps are fine because the rotation you have in them is a touch slower so they don’t have such tight timing, you either need to slow the rotation a touch and that will make your Flips look rubbish or sort out that entry timing. If you fix the pick timing of all your toe pick jumps you will have to fuss with the exits of some but that’s an easier issue to adjust.”
Sophie thought about that for a moment, “so slightly earlier on the pick?”
“With most of the music tempo you skate to,” she thought briefly, “About a beat should do it”
Sophie turned to the control box that was a few meters away, “Hey do you guys still have my routine music handy”
The tech nodded and gave her a thumbs up then turned to fiddle with his equipment.
Sophie looked up to where Jake was, “Oi, Lughead, make sure you get this for me will ya?”
Jake also gave her a thumbs up, Sophie reached down and pulled off her tracksuit pants to reveal long shapely dancer’s legs that disappeared into a light blue leotard over form fitting hot pink shorts. “If I’m going to test this, lets do it right, stepping onto the ice she assumed her starting position, “one beat?”
Hermine nodded, “probably, it will be a lot closer, drop all your toe jumps by a rotation and work on changing all the launches, then you can work on raising the rotations again”
Sophie nodded, “yeah good idea”
As the music came Up Sophie started her routine the first few non toe jumps went well. her focus entirely on adjusting her timing, just as Hermione had advised. The rink was silent but for the music and the sound of her blade. As she approached her first toe jump she was counting beats in her head and launching just that fraction earlier.
The adjustment was subtle but instantly noticeable to Hermione, who watched intently from the boards. Sophie's jump was smoother, the take-off appeared more confident, and the rotation landed cleanly, with no awkward delay on the exit. Sophie gathered herself quickly, maintaining her rhythm through the rest of the sequence, the improvement evident in her posture and the flow of her movements.
“That’s it,” Hermione murmured.”
Hermione exchanged a quick glance with Jake, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Even the tech, half-distracted by his console, paused to watch as Sophie continued, clearly impressed by the technical precision on display. The subtle shift in timing transformed not just the jumps, but the transitions between them, lending a fresh fluidity to the entire routine.
The routine came to an end and Sophie came around to the group, “Ok well that worked, the difference is subtle on take-off but its night and day on landings, lets run that again I want to try it with full rotations.”
She went back to her starting location and signalled the tech who restarted the tracks.
Jake grinned, raising his camera and flashed another thumbs up , Sophie rolled her shoulders, a spark of determination in her eyes. “Alright, everyone, let’s see if lightning can strike twice.” She started the routine again, this time with even more focus, ready to push the adjustments to their fullest.
This run, Sophie’s movements showed a newfound confidence—her take-offs snapped crisply, and each rotation was completed with an extra degree of control. The echoes of her blades on the ice matched the up-tempo beat of the music as she made each jump, pushing herself to refine every detail. Jake captured the sequence, his lens following every leap and landing. Finishing off the performance Sophie pushed the final pic jump a lutz to a quad and it landed seaming effortless.
Returning to the side of the rink she threw herself into Hermione’s arms, “I hate you; you know that right. That small change made all the transitions feel so much cleaner and that quad at the end is the first time I have landed it ever, my coach and I have been wracking our brains trying to work out what was going wrong, and you pull it out of your ass in five minutes.” Sophie reached up and took Hermione’s face kissing her deeply,
“Thankyou so very much, every time I see you skate you are an inspiration to me, a prod in the ass to continue to get better and a pin in my ego that keeps me grounded. Do me on favour though.”
Hermione blushed, “What’s that Soph?”
“Never take up competition skating, I’m getting used to winning, and this improvement is going to vault me up scorecards!”
Hermione laughed, “No issue there I have more important things to do with my life, like get married,” she pulled Harry into the hug.
~*~
The group had changed into street clothes and just exited the locker room to see Erica and a young man holding a news camera waiting for them, as they approached Jake put the camera down and wrapped Sophie in a hug, “That was inspired hot stuff, I have it all on tape for you. It also has,” he looked at Hermione, “Hermione was it,” Hermione nodded and he looked back at Sophie, “it has her routine on it too so you can look at how she moves as well.”
Looking back at Hermione, “I have tape for you too if you want it, that performance you put down was, well world class doesn’t do it justice.”
Erica took the resulting lull in conversation to interject, “Hermione, What Sophie didn’t tell you before is that I’m a commentator for British Ice Skating and a sports reporter and commentator for ITV, I cover national and international competitions, now with that out there can I ask you a few questions?”
Hermione blinked in surprise but offered a small, gracious smile. “Of course, Erica. I’m happy to answer anything you’d like to know.” The group settled onto the benches, exchanging curious glances as Erica flipped open a notebook, the young cameraman steadying his equipment to capture the impromptu interview. The air buzzed with anticipation, everyone eager to hear Hermione’s interview.
Erica glanced down at her notes, then looked up at Hermione, her voice warm but professional. “So, Hermione, what drew you to skating in the first place? Was there a particular moment or influence that sparked your passion?”
Hermione considered the question for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. “I suppose it was a combination of things—watching competitions as a child and seeing the artistry and athleticism, but also the sense of freedom on the ice. It became my way of expressing myself, and I’ve always found it both challenging and deeply rewarding.” The group listened intently, the cameraman capturing every word.
Erica nodded, “can I ask why we haven’t seen you compete, you are quite clearly world class, yet if it wasn’t for the tip I received from a local I would never have seen you, or witnessed that performance!”
Hermione offered a modest shrug, her cheeks colouring faintly at the praise. “That’s kind of you to say, Erica. The truth is, I’ve always loved skating, but I never really sought out the competitive circuit. My focus has mostly been on personal growth and the sheer joy of the sport; it’s something that grounds me. Besides, I value balance in my life, and pursuing competitions at a high level often requires sacrifices I wasn’t willing to make. I prefer to skate for myself, and for the connections it brings with friends and the community.”
She paused, glancing at her friends with a fond smile. “I suppose, in some ways, skating has always been about joy and connection for me, rather than medals and recognition. It’s given me confidence and lifelong friendships, and that’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything.”
“School is also a priority, my education matters more to me than skating, and because I attend a prestigious private school, it's difficult to travel as often as I would need to.”
Erica smiled, clearly moved by Hermione’s heartfelt response, and jotted down a few quick notes. “That’s beautifully put, Hermione. Do you see yourself mentoring younger skaters in the future, or perhaps contributing to the sport in another way?”
Hermione’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. “I can see that happening, I have honestly never thought of it before. However, I believe sharing knowledge and encouragement is important in all things, whether it’s through coaching, being a teacher or simply being a supportive presence for people in their lives.” The group nodded in agreement, the sense of camaraderie in the room growing stronger as the interview continued.
Erica leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “That’s wonderful to hear. Do you have any advice for young skaters who are just starting out, especially those who might feel intimidated by the sport?”
Hermione smiled thoughtfully, considering her words. “I’d tell them to focus on enjoying the process and not to be discouraged by setbacks. Progress in skating, as in life, comes in small steps, and it’s important to celebrate every achievement, no matter how minor. Most of all, remember that everyone starts somewhere, what matters is persistence and finding joy in each skate. Additionally supportive parents and partners are essential, that support must be tempered though and not transition into a place where skating is the only thing that is important. This advice easily transitions to all activities.” The group listened, visibly inspired by Hermione’s wisdom.
Hermione’s words lingered in the air, the atmosphere in the room both reflective and energised. Erica glanced around, noticing the spark of inspiration in the young skaters who had gathered to watch the interview. It was clear that Hermione’s perspective resonated deeply, reminding everyone present that the true value of skating—and indeed any passion—lies not only in accolades but in personal growth, community, and the simple joy of participation.
After the interview wrapped up, several of the younger skaters approached Hermione, eager to thank her for her openness and encouragement. She took the time to chat with each of them, offering a reassuring smile and a few words of support. It was a simple gesture, but it meant a great deal to those who had watched her skate.
Sophie pulled Jake into her, “Erica we are off out to dinner now, I’m going to steal this one but you are welcome to join us if you want,”
The older woman laughed, “Thankyou but no, I’ll let you young people go and head back to the office I have to think about how or if this story should be told, I definitely wont be able to say much about the performance Hermione put on or you will be hounded to complete, and if that’s not your focus, I will ensure its honoured.”
The group of five headed out into the early evening to find a place to eat. As they walked down the stairs Daphne took Hermione’s free arm and as the other two got a little ahead asked, “Just out of interest why don’t you really want to compete?”
Hermione sighed, “Skating for me is magical, I can’t control it, and I wouldn’t be able to turn that off in competition, and I’m sure you can agree that is just not fair.”
Daphne nodded, understanding evident in her expression. “