" 'The winner takes it all . The loser has to fall.' "
Disclaimer: I don't have to do this all the time right?
A/N: I realized this is the World Cup?! How silly of me to put two British Quidditch Teams together? Or can you do that? Oh well...
& I realized Cho went for Tornadoes in the fifth book, but what the heck! ;) x
~O~
Draco danced around his room like a jolly disco man. Today was the big game and Malfoy's don't dance around their room for nothing. He was up early and getting ready for the game.
He slicked back his hair with a comb and waggled his eyebrows at his mirror. Oh yeah, who's king Wizard!
Draco had the most spontaneous vibes coming from him. He just knew that they were going to win! He could just see Granger doing everything he wanted.
"Draco!"
"Yes Mother?!" he yelled back, his tone light though.
Her mother opened his door briskly and walked in a few steps. Narcissa smiled groggily at him.
"Lovely. You're awake. Blaise is here." she informed, clearly irritated from her disturbed slumber.
"Tell him I'll be out in a few." he replied dully.
Narcissa opened her mouth about to speak when—
"No that's okay, Narcissa. I'll wait in Draco's room. Thank you. Go on, you go on right back to bed." he said smugly.
As soon as Narcissa smiled gladly and left the room, shutting the door with a slight wham, Draco's happy mood disappeared. He let out a low growl.
"Blaise! What the hell! I'm getting ready! And you pissed my mum off already!" he said, angrily.
"Mate, your mum's fine. And you always look good. But, hey. I get it, you wanna look extra tempting for Granger, and that's cool." Blaise said, a mischievous hint in his tone.
Draco glared daggers at his Italian friend. Blaise just grinned smugly, with a nonchalant attitude.
"Fuck you, no way," he hissed. "I'm getting ready because there happens to be real women at the game other than just Granger, Blaise."
"Calm your dragons tail, Draco. Merlin, can't take a joke. Granger's actually pretty fine, I'm telling you." he muttered indignantly.
Draco rolled his eyes, scoffing, and continued getting ready. Blaise rest silently on his bed, hands behind his head and staring at the ceiling distractedly.
Draco wore a Tornadoes baseball-like jersey, with straight black pants and American wizard trainers. He wanted to make sure he was screaming 'team spirit' and 'ridiculously hot wizard' at the game. Blaise had worn sporty like robes in the shades of the Tornadoes team.
"Why aren't you picking up Chang?" Draco asked, to break the silence.
"She said she'd meet me there. I told her she might not be capable to get in there early and she took it into offense! So quote, 'I'll show you Blaise! I'll be there by nine in the morning, saving your seat!' End quote. Honestly, that woman thinks she can beat me! But hey, I like a challenge when I see one." he recounted indifferently.
"Sounds like she keeps you on the edge."
"Oh yeah," he waggled his eyebrows. "You could say that."
Draco sniggered as he grabbed his wand and took one last look in the mirror.
"Alright, we just got to wait for Theo now." Draco said.
"Are you serious?! Cho will beat me now! Who knows how far that portkey will chuck us and have to end up walking the rest of the way!" he shouted, jumping off the bed hurriedly in frustration.
"You can go... I don't mind waiting by myself." he stated nonchalantly.
"Draco, you're an idiot. That's not the only problem! Theo has the damn portkey!" he yelled furiously.
Draco shrugged but chuckled amusedly at his suddenly furious Slytherin companion.
Blaise had muttered a few profanities and oaths of what Cho would do to him, whilst they waited for Theo downstairs in the main lounge room.
A swooping swish of the fireplace and a merry Theo came swaggering in. He grinned at the waiting men and gave a throat clearing.
"Goodmorning, Malfoy, Zabini." he said cheerfully, almost like a Hufflepuff.
Both Draco & Blaise grimaced, but the Italian retaliated first.
"Take your time much?! Theo! Cho's challenged me to beat her to our box! To our seat, Merlin-dammit! Lets go!" he hissed frantically.
"He wants to beat her, might as well, before he throws a girly tantrum." Draco drawled half-heartedly.
"Yeah, alright. Thanks for wishing me a good morning." Theo chuckled with a roll of his eyes, he pulled out a little black box from his pants pocket and looked at the two.
"Alright, there's some old chain in this box. We all touch it on three." Theo explained.
He opened the box zealously to reveal a bronze chain and the three gathered around the box.
"One... two... three!"
All three hands touched the chain simultaneously and they felt the twist and pull of the portkey.
Draco was quite use to this feeling. As you neared the destination, you would feel as light as a feather, or well to some people perhaps. He caught sight of Blaise hurtling past him like he had been sling shot, and landed almost steadily on his feet. Theo was quite use to it too, as he was gracefully padding towards the ground beside him.
"Stop being bloody ballerinas and move it!" Blaise yelled.
Draco and Theo sniggered and followed after a fuming Blaise. Draco could her the loud chatter of many witches and wizards arriving. He could hear the disputes of which team will win and which team will flog who. He smirked to himself. Oh Granger, today's the day.
~O~
"Tessa! You're here! Have the boys arrived?" Hermione exclaimed, giving her a hug.
She had just arrived at the Quidditch arena and was currently in her assigned box. The sun was already beating warmly, a clear baby-blue sky, not a cloud in sight and thousands of witches & wizards from everywhere were beginning to take there seats.
"Hey Mione! No, unfortunately not," Hermione gave a snort. "But Cho's here. She just went to buy a few Puddlemere merchandises for us." she said, with a smile.
"Ooh, I hope she gets me a flag."
"She's probably buying the lot, to rub it in the boys faces," Tessa chuckled and gave Hermione a quick once-over. "Aren't you looking cute, for a certain someone perhaps?" she commented cheekily.
Hermione's mouth tightened and gave Tessa a playful glare. She had worn a Puddlemere baseball-like jersey (that was quite big on her in fact), with faded vintage shorts and muggle wedge sneakers (Isabel Marant hi-tops). It simply made he legs look long and attractive. She looked sporty and adorable at the same time. Her hair was done up in a simple ponytail and cascaded like soft waves.
"No one in particular, Tessa. It's just dressing up to support my team." she said matter-of-factly.
Tessa grinned but her face said something otherwise.
"Hermione! You made it." A voice called.
She turned around to see Cho smiling softly, with bundles of Puddlemere merchandise. She smiled back happily.
"I got these. You can take whatever you like." she said, passing around some items to her and Tessa.
As Hermione got a hold of her Puddlemere flag and a toy Oliver Wood, a voice startled the three witches.
"Dammit to freakin' Salazar!"
They all turned abruptly to see a puffed out, almost seething Blaise Zabini. Cho gave a chuckle and walked over to him cupping his cheeks.
"I told you I'd win, Zabini. Don't doubt how smart I can be." Cho giggled and patted his cheeks.
"Yeah, well that's cos.. you didn't have to wait... for two slow ass gits to get a move on." he growled lowly through deep breaths, taking his seat next Cho and Hermione. She caught Cho roll her eyes in a mock exasperated expression.
"Oh, morning Granger." Blaise greeted, waggling his eyebrows.
"Good-morning Blaise." she replied amusedly.
"You and Draco are sure making yourselves look good for another aye." he quipped quietly.
Hermione gave him a knife slashing glare. "No, I am not." she said, lifting her chin up in indignation.
Blaise chuckled before she heard the two late coming voices.
"Seriously Zabini, there was no need to rush–"
Malfoy stopped mid-rant as he spotted Hermione. His scowl had turned into an arrogant sneer and gave her a quick once-over. An eyebrow on Hermione's face shot up in question.
"Yeah mate, look you're here and Chang didn't beat you up! Hey Tessa!" Theo finished nonchalantly, waving to Tessa.
As Theo passed Cho and Blaise having a quiet squabble, he grinned at Hermione and gave her a surprising new gesture— a hug.
Hermione was stunned but hugged him back in return. It was warm and comforting. And than they both let go at the same time. Malfoy mocked a hurl.
"Hey Hermione, looking team spirited. Shame it's the wrong team you've got on." he quipped, a light sneer on his face.
Hermione rolled her eyes playfully, "Whatever. You'll be sorry when you realize I've got the winning team on."
Theo scoffed and smirked at her, then made her to Tessa, giving her a more affectionate hug. Malfoy swaggered next to Hermione, his seat obviously next hers and Theo's. (Tessa, Theo, Draco, Hermione, Blaise, Cho— seating order.)
"Theo's right. Shame you got the wrong team on." he said cheekily to Hermione.
Hermione couldn't help but smile slyly hearing Malfoy's cheeky, almost flirty, egging on tone. Never in a million years would she have thought to hear it, especially aimed at her. She gave an airy laugh. Malfoy quipped an eyebrow up but his mouth was twitching to smile at her nonchalant antique.
"Right back at you Malfoy, right back at you." she retorted.
Draco's urge to smile disappeared and his lip curled in dissatisfaction. He gave Hermione a roaming stare.
Hermione didn't see that unnoticed. She could feel his stormy eyes grazing herself. She felt suddenly flustered and only a little bit uncomfortable. She looked down at her Oliver Wood figurine toy and fiddled around with it.
"What are you wearing?" Draco blurted abruptly.
Hermione looked at him in confusion and realized his cheeks were fading pink. She smirked slightly.
"What do you mean 'what am I wearing?' Obviously Puddlemere attire?"
"No... I meant, is this how Muggles dress?" he stammered, but yet he still sounded stern.
"Yes? Why? Never seen shorts or sneakers before?" she replied curtly.
"No, no, Granger. It's just er... yeah I mean, it's unusual to see you... in them." Malfoy said, a blush creeping and a scowl on his face.
Hermione had a shocked expression. What's his point? He was so checking me out a moment ago. Gods I hate him. She wanted to rake her hair out.
"Just stop talking to me. If that was your try of a compliment Malfoy, it didn't work," he let out a predatory growl. "And if I don't say so myself, you look like a Muggle right now."
He gave her an incredulous look, flushing slightly. "What! No, no! This is a hundred percent Wizard attire!" he hissed lowly.
"Yeah," Hermione scoffed. "And those look like Muggle trainers." she said, pointing to his shoes.
"They're Wizard trainers, Granger."
"Right," she muttered, uninterested. "Your mood changes faster than a pregnant woman, you know that?"
"You're so infuriating that a hot-blooded man would think twice about hitting on you." he spat.
"Arrogant cad!"
"Self-righteous bitch!"
"ARGH!"
"Will you two calm down! Seriously, did you two not have breakfast or something?" Theo reprimanded.
Draco huffed. "Tsk. I'm going to get some Tornadoes merchandise. Your bloody Puddle-monkeys flag is annoying me, Granger."
Hermione glared heavily upon the leaving blonde wizard. Blaise gave a quick kiss on Cho's cheek before following Draco.
She let out a deep sigh. How frustrating! And what a way to start the morning! Honestly, can't he try to be civil for once!
"Hermione?"
She looked over at Theo who was smiling amusedly at her. Tessa was smiling softly too, before opening up Bertie Bott's beans box.
"Yes Theo?"
"You know... Draco actually was complimenting you, believe it or not." he said, lightly chuckling.
She scoffed. "You heard that? It sounded more like an insult, like he was trying to make it sound that Muggles don't know how to dress or something..."
"I think he liked what he saw—" he leant in so it was for Hermione's ears only. "Because I do," he winked.
"Theodore—"
"I'm just messing with you," he cut in, smirking, and leant back towards Tessa. "Draco's in denial. He's got the hots for you. He just can't function."
Tessa than started giggling. Hermione couldn't help but laugh with her. She rolled her eyes.
"No, don't say that! That's so weird!" Hermione said, with horrified amusement.
"Believe it." Theo whispered, his eyebrows jerked up for a second, to show seriousness.
Hermione gave him a passive smile and turned to Cho, who had no one to really talk to while Blaise was gone with Malfoy. They began to chatter comfortably about everyday life.
Malfoy and Blaise returned back after a few minutes with Tornadoes merchandise, some for Theo too. Malfoy was giving Hermione the silent treatment. She was a master at this game because of Harry & Ron back in Hogwarts. All she needed was something to distract her and she couldn't careless if no one talked to her.
Theo's words were etched in her mind. Malfoy? In denial for me? No, he's a typical man... that would be expected. I hope these two months fly by.
~O~
The game had began, as of ten minutes ago. No one had scored because both teams were brutally skilled. The group of six had all stood up by the railings and were yelling and watching anxiously at there team. The beaters on the Tornadoes were exceedingly good and had almost hit a Puddlemere player every-time one had neared.
"There goes Melrose with the Quaffle... he passes it to Fitzpatrick... oh, that was a close bludger to his head... Here comes Bellholm hot on Fitzpatrick's tail... He passes it to Halliway... Are they going to score?! Are they..?! Finally!"
The crowd roared to life. Halliway had just scored a goal for Puddlemere.
"Ten points to Puddlemere United for Halliway's first score of the afternoon!"
Draco was hissing and booing with Theo, Blaise and the rest of the supporting Tornadoes crowd.
Draco gave Hermione a look of contempt. She caught his glare and stuck her tongue at him childishly.
"We let your petty team score first Granger." Draco growled.
"Oh Malfoy, thank you so much!" she gushed in a fake mannerism.
He just wanted to snog her smug expression right off her pretty face. Darn her for being compatibly evil! And snog?! What the...?! Merlin, she has to stop looking so good!
"Halliway's got the Quaffle... he passes it to Temoc ... oh! Intercepted by Tornadoes player, Gordon... he just did a slinky slide between Fitzpatrick and Melrose... Gordon passes it to Riel... Riel's got the Quaffle... what's that Wood?! Has he seen the Snitch?! ... No? False alarm... Riel passes it to Pucey... Pucey scores!"
A waver of loud cheers came from the Tornadoes crowd, loud yells from Draco, Theo and Blaise.
Draco was feeling ecstatic. He waved his Tornadoes flag in the air and threw a smirk at Hermione.
"We caught up Granger." he quipped impishly.
She didn't look one bit affected. She just gave him a complied look and turned her gaze away.
"Good for you, Malfoy." she muttered.
Draco's smirk faltered but he looked away before it could turn to concern. So she can react all smug and oh my highness when they score but when we score she can't act a bit hurt! What sort of rivalry is this!
"Sad Granger, that we scored?" he sneered.
"Malfoy, honestly it was just one goal. We can make hundreds more." she said heatedly.
"That's more like it." he replied smugly.
"You're so immature, you know that."
He just shrugged and continued watching the game. The sun was beating and a slight summer breeze would pass. The Quidditch match dragged longer & had now turned more interesting, as more scores tallied up. Draco turned to look at Hermione just for a second, but noticed her biting her lip. Her sugar pink lips. She looked anxious, distracted and ... mesmerizing. Her face contorted to many expressions of awe and shock as she watched the game. Draco seemed to study her carefully, taking in her beauty. He would never have thought of looking at Granger like that. I better stop before she catches me looking at her, or worse before anyone else does.
"Temoc's got the Quaffle... Riel on his tail... Oh that was near bludger to Temoc! Blimey! Tornadoes are down right mean players... Temoc passes it to Halliway... What's this?! Wood's spotted the snitch?!... There goes Tornadoes Seeker, Ardorla..."
Hermione and Draco both looked at each other simultaneously with a mischievous glint in their eyes.
"We're going to catch it, Granger! Hoo hoo, I can see you being my little slave right now!" he quipped.
"Not so fast! Oliver spotted it first!" she retorted matter-of-factly.
"Ardorla's better than Wood!"
"Oliver's determined! Shut up will you, so I can concentrate on the game!"
Draco grinned impishly and focused back on to the Quidditch match.
"Looks like the snitch wasn't found... but a score to Tornadoes... That's one hundred and ninety points to Puddlemere's score, of two hundred and ten... Right... Gordon passes it to Pucey... Now, was that fast!... Hold on! I think Wood's actually spotted the snitch this time!"
Sure enough, Oliver Wood was zooming afterwards something glinting and fast. The Tornadoes seeker, Fabian Ardorla, tagged straight after Wood, gaining rocket speed. Both flew high up into the sky, past the highest seating floor of the arena. The crowd gasped as they watched both Seekers toying for the snitch in plain air. Draco was squinting ravenously at Ardorla.
You better fucking catch this!
Hermione looked at Wood, and prayed to Merlin, to Dumbledore, to every freaking amazing Wizard and Witch that ever existed, that Wood would catch the Snitch!
Oh please! I promise I'll never do something stupid like this ever again!
Draco looked over at Hermione. Her gaze was occupied intently on the two Seekers. He gave her a smirk.
"I think you should start packing for my place as soon as you get home Granger. I'll set up a room for you, after all, I need my elf with me at all times." he whispered mischievously, as he leant a fraction closer to her.
He caught her scent. It was like sugary strawberries. It was scrumptious and intoxicating. He pulled away from her because she was just too much.
"And the Snitch has been caught!... I can't tell but the first floor seems to know who's won..."
Draco and Hermione's heads both looked intently at the two Seekers flying down dramatically. There seating was on the third highest floor, soon they would see who caught the Snitch. As soon as both Seekers flown past smoothly, the nemesis' let out shocked gasps. Wow. What. Can this be for real? I can't believe it!
"The snitch has been caught by... Oliver Wood!... Congratulations to Puddlemere United, winner of this year's World Quidditch Match!.. Well done!..."
Draco paled. Theo looked nonplussed. Blaise looked defeated. Tessa smiled giddily. Cho was grinning and cooing mock endearments to Blaise. Hermione smirked smugly and turned to Draco.
"What's that Malfoy? I think it's you, I have to prepare a room for," she teased slyly. "Told you I was this years lucky charm. You know what, I'll be extra nice: I won't start this bet till the first of June. So we start at the beginning of a month? Hmm?" she was clearly enjoying this.
Draco scowled and gripped his flag tightly in his fist. Stupid, stupid, stupid me! Two months extension! What was I thinking! At least she's letting me have a week of freedom before I... give myself up to her. He let out a groan. What have I gotten myself into?
"Sounds good." he grunted, sarcasm evident.
"Fantastic! I'll owl you on the last day of the month." she replied nonchalantly.
Draco just wanted to get the heck out of there! He couldn't handle the humiliation any longer! And Malfoy's hate humiliation. They had the power to banish these feelings away, but no, this was clearly his fault anyways. He stood up to leave, or just get Hermione out of his sight.
"Oh! And Draco... Have a lovely day." Hermione cooed devilishly.
Draco's eyebrows shot up and stared at Hermione with intrigued shock. She had the most smug expression out, she could've past for a Slytherin. And his name sounded delicious coming from her too. He's breath hitched and was caught stuck in the mud, but than he remembered he was furious. He gave her cold, hard glare before exiting the box, not caring about the others.
Oh Merlin, why did I lose! And why! Why to the most annoying, bulk headed, Potter-Weasel associated, nerd turned hottie, drop dead damn, minx of witch?!
I don't know Draco, I don't know.
~O~
A/N: Sorry it's been a while! But OMG! did you like this chapter?! Hehe.
Got lots of school assignments, so sorry, but dont worry, I'm doing my best to write and upload the next chapter by this Friday!
Til next update! Read & review because Lily & James. Nuff said.