Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me, they belong to the brilliant J.K Rowling

However, the plot is mine )

Chapter One

The fight

The breeze caught Hermione's hair and tossed it wildly in front of her face. Although the wind was refreshing, it had gone just as fast as it had come and the warmth of the sun took control yet again. As she sat in the grass her legs began to tingle, interrupting her daydream so she steadily lifted herself off the terrain and marched over to the stadium where Harry and Ron were both practicing. She could already hear Ron cursing his missed catch from just outside the archway.

When she got into the stadium she found herself a seat where she could see the two practicing but far enough away so she didn't have to listen to Ron complain every time he missed.

Harry spoke, "Ron you should try to watch the ball. Then you can get an idea of where its gunna go instead of watching my hand motions, okay?" Ron then huffed and flew back to the middle post.

Hermione watched them for about a half an hour. Ron still hadn't gotten the hang of keeping his eye on the ball, instead he watched Harry's arm and every so often the seats in the stadium. Maybe looking up at the crowd was a nervous glitch of his?

Hermione was going to tell Ron that he was doing well but it seems that someone else had the truth in mind.

"You can't play for shit WEASLEY!" not to anyone's surprise, it was Malfoy's friends a few rows over in the slytherin section. Hermione glanced over at Ron and his face was flush with embarrassment. One of them yelled again, "If Potter hadn't been captain you would have never made the team weasel! BUT then again, I wouldn't be having this much fun watching you make a FOOL of yourself right now!" Pansy shrieked with laughter and Goyle just sat there looking proud of his comment.

Hermione soon stood up and yelled, "RON, your doing a great job! Don't listen to them! Keep going!" with a smile she waved to him and urged him to continue. In return his face got so red he looked as if he were about to explode. He continued on with his training but with no confidence at all.

This year was starting off very well for everyone except for Ron. Harry is captain of the quidditch team yet again and he was already offered a spot on the aurora training list for next summer. Hermione is a month ahead on her homework assignments and she had even been asked to accompany her father at his office. She wanted to work with Harry and Ron after school as an aurora so Hermione had to turn him down. However, Ron was grounded half the summer because he got in a fist fight with Percy and his foul mood is continuing into the school year. He seems to get extremely worked up over everything. if he doesn't calm himself he's going to get in some real trouble.

Hermione's thoughts were wondering over toward the lake and as they did she turned and something caught her attention. Over towards the woods Malfoy was walking out from behind one of the large gray trees. He was holding some sort of parchment in his hand and he was wearing a look that could fool even Dumbledore. He was smiling. Not a wicked smile but a genuine happy go lucky one. He started laughing and began walking this way.

Lately no one could understand him. He was more to himself than usual. He seemed like nothing else mattered anymore, not what people thought or how he acted with them. Ever since his father was killed over the summer he has definitely changed. Good or bad, no one has a clue.

Ron and Harry were still practicing when he gets here there would be no end to the taunting so Hermione wanted to see if she could get them to leave

"Harry! I think we should go now its getting late." Both of the boys agreed and flew down to begin packing their gear. She grabbed her bag and ran down the stairs in a desperate sprint. By the time she reached the bottom the two had their things in their hands and were ready to leave.

"you did real well today Ron but like I said, don't worry about our first game its only against Ravenclaw and they have a weak offense so you should be okay." Harry said

Ron scrunched up his face and replied, "Are you trying to say that I wouldn't be ready for anyone else?" Harry looked up at me and shot me a questioning look like I should tell him what to say next.

"Umm, no you're just going to have more time to get your focus straight. Yea know?" he then patted Ron on the back and grinned

Just as he said that Malfoy was dead ahead and coming their way.

Malfoy just scowled and went on his way until Ron mumbled something under his breath. Malfoy stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Ron.

"Weasley, if you're trying to insult me please do speak up. I figured you would have more balls since you've lived in one room your whole life with a handful of guys." He paused and looked quite confused. "Then again I guess it just made you gay." Ron was shocked and embarrassed at the comments exchanged but he took on a new face one that Hermione has never seen before.

Just then Ron clutched his broom behind his back, ran towards Draco and swung the end into the side of Malfoy's face. Almost immediately Draco blacked out and fell to the hard ground.

"RON! Oh..Oh no. What have you DONE?!" Hermione screamed and covered her mouth in astonishment

Ron just froze. Not out of worry, but of pure hate. "He deserved what he got, but we had better go before one of his friends finds us here. Come on!" Harry and Ron ran up the dirt path while Hermione walked slowly toward Draco. She absolutely could not believe he had just done that. She then stopped and realized that she couldn't just leave him their bleeding and unconscious. If she was going to help him she needed to get him out of sight before his friends leave the pitch or else she's going to pay the price.

"Wingardium leviosa!"

She thought that maybe she could bring him to the willow tree they would be well hidden until the sun goes down. Then maybe she could get him into the castle unnoticed. Hermione lay him on the soft grass under the tree and put her jacket under his head so his cut wouldn't contact the ground. He was so still and serene for a moment she forgot it was Malfoy.

"Oh! What am I doing? What do I do now!?" she was very nervous and tired of helping Ron cover up for his mistakes. 'ill kill him I will.' She thought then focused back on Malfoy. "I should probably fix your cut first. Ugh, Damn you Malfoy!" she huffed and surrendered to her tired legs as she sat down beside him.

"Sshh! Goyle, did you hear that?" a voice sounded a few yards away from the trees sheet of leaves.

"Did I hear what?"

"That noise in the tree?"

'Pansy, and she's coming closer'

"Well, No. What did you hear?"

"I heard a thump noise you idiot! Go check it out."

They were inching ever so close now and Hermione was in a panic. She whispered the first spell she thought of and Draco's body turned transparent to the ground beneath him. She made sure he was unable to be seen and quietly climbed the tree. As soon as she reached the top she performed the same spell on herself. It felt like an egg was cracked on her head and the sensation claimed the rest of her in a matter of seconds. Goyle walked into the trees shade, glanced around and quickly walked straight back out almost like he was scared to be there.

"It's clear Pansy, now come on we should get inside. I'm hungry" Pansy looked back and they walked into the castle without any other delays.

Hermione looked around one last time and decided it was okay to get down. She could see Draco's liquidized outline on the ground and stepped over him. She knew she needed to fix him up herself because Madam Pomfrey would ask many questions, it was just too risky. She decided to get the healing potion and a bandage from the girls locker room. There's always some their for the quidditch players. She turned her head again and checked that he was still under the spell and then ran off to the doors.

Okay, this is where I leave you hanging. )

Comments please!