"AND GRYFFINDOR TAKES THE LEAD OF SLYTHERIN, 70 TO 30!" It was the first Quidditch game of the season. Oliver Wood, Alicia Spinnet, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Fred Weasley, George Weasley, and Harry Potter were all flying magnificently on their broomsticks, each looking for a different ball. The Slytherins sat on one side of the Quidditch field, scowling every time Wood blocked a Quaffle, or every time Fred and George whacked a Bludger conveniently in the direction of Slytherin's captain, Marcus Flint. Hermione, however, had a hard time choosing sides.

"Ooh, YES!! Slytherin scored!" she cheered. Her best friend, Ron Weasley looked at her with a look of uttermost disgust. "What do you think you are saying? Have you noticed that you are NOT a Slytherin?" he asked sarcastically, pointing to the Gryffindor crest that was sewn on her robes. "Well, yeah... I -have- noticed," she started, "but can't I be a good sport and cheer for two sides?" she demanded. Ron's brow crinkled as he thought. "No," he stated, "Not when the other side is -Slytherin-." Hermione shifted uncomfortably. She hadn't told Ron about her feelings towards Draco Malfoy, and she didn't intend to. Not for a while at least. There was a loud ding, and Lee Jordan announced, "ANOTHER 10 POINTS TO GRYFFINDOR!" Hermione squealed out loud. "YES!! We scored, Ron!" she said as she turned to him. He had a mixed look of excitement and confusion pasted on his face. "-I- thought you were rooting for Slytherin," he said, rolling his eyes, "DO make up your mind Hermione. I want to know whether I should be mad at you or not." Hermione punched his side playfully.

The whole crowd saw a stream of green and scarlet whoosh by. Apparently both Harry and Malfoy had seen the tiny blur of gold that was the Golden Snitch, and both were frantically chasing after it, begging to win the first game of the season. Harry was urging his Firebolt to go just a little faster so he could grasp the tiny ball. Malfoy was asking the same of his Nimbus 2001. Harry wanted to make sure that his crush, Cho Chang, could see him win, for he was sure he would. He looked over to the Ravenclaw side and spotted Cho. Harry got lost in time, staring at her, and his Firebolt gradually turned away from the snitch. He snapped back to reality by the loud boo's coming from the Gryffindor side. Ron's face matched his hair partly from screaming at Harry from the stands, and partly from screaming at Malfoy for gaining on the snitch. Malfoy was now inches away. Fred whacked a Bludger towards Malfoy, who swerved away, the Bludger just skimming his blonde hair. The Snitch took a wild turn left, straight towards Harry, who sped up further, trying to grab it. Malfoy saw Harry's burst of speed. "Come ON, sweetie! Don't fail me now!" Malfoy said to his broomstick, his arm still stuck out, groping for the golden ball. Hermione was silently rooting him on. "Come on, Draco!" she said under her breath. Ron was now shouting rude insults to Draco, trying to shift his concentration. Draco ducked to dodge a Bludger. The snitch slowed to miss a Bludger itself and Malfoy's fingers touched the golden ball. Draco locked the snitch firmly in his fist, and the Slytherin side erupted with cheers. He landed on the field, followed by his teammates, who all slapped him on the back. "Well done, Draco!" Flint told him.

Harry landed far away from him with a soft "flump". Not only had he lost a game, but he had lost a game to -Malfoy-. How was he ever going to show his face -anywhere- on campus again? Ron stormed out of the bleachers, muttering something about "stupid brainless crushes". Hermione stood up to get a better look at Draco. She planned to find him and congratulate him later at dinner, after protecting Harry from Ron's anger venting. She would take any chance she could get to talk to him.

A/N: Okay, this is my very first ever story, so tell me honestly what you think. the good and the bad! Thanks much!!! R&R!!! yeah.. thanks!