NOTE: A thank you to the following people.

My reviewers for last chapter: xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, CharmQuest and SmileSimplify

My new followers: jlcash, CharmQuest, 90 and pharm555

New story favorites: jlcash and pharm555

I am going to try and thank everyone who did one of the above for the previous chapter.

As always thank you Gia1802 for beta reading!

love always,

BKC

CHAPTER 10

Thursday came much too soon for Hermione. After her conversation with Draco Monday night, Hermione found herself, contract in hand, marching to Michael's office demanding an explanation. She'd tried her best to keep her temper again, but failed and ended up shaking the contract wildly in the air. Nigel excused himself after a few moments, not returning until he could no longer hear her shouts. She'd finally ended huddled in a ball on the floor next to Michael's desk. It had taken every restraint she had not to fire him, as had been a common theme since she'd started with the Falcon's two months before. When Nigel returned, he had a warm cup of tea in hand.

"Honestly, Miss Granger," Michael was trying to rub her back in an attempt to comfort her, "I allowed the clause to be included as I knew you would keep your word. It was my mistake however, in not checking with you first. It's just I knew you wanted Malfoy's contract signed as soon as possible." Nigel handed the tea cup down to her, her tear stained faced nodding in thanks. She stared at the steam rising from the cup for a long moment, breathing in the smell. Wrapping both hands around the cup, she brought it to her lips, taking a drink. The tea seemed to calm her instantly. Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath. When her eyes opened, she placed the cup on Michael's desk, shifted so she was on her knees and began to pick herself off the floor. Relocating to the chair in front of Michael's desk, she grabbed her tea once more and both men sat, waiting for her to speak.

"Okay," she took another breath and rubbed her forehead with her left hand. "So what do I need to do to make this go away?" Nigel quickly turned his attention to Michael as well, who fumbled through Draco's contract on his desk. He quickly scanned the text, trying to remember if any loopholes had been added. Hermione's hope faded the longer it took Michael to read. She watched his eyes carefully, looking for any signs of good news. When she finally noticed them open wider and brighten, a smile came to her face. "Well?"

"If Miss Granger learns to fly and successfully passes a flying exam, Mr. Malfoy will forfeit right to manage the Falcon's." Michael looked up from quoting the contract to study Hermione's face. Her smile was still plastered across her face. 'I hope that's a good sign'.

"All I have to do is pass a test and this is no longer a worry?" Hermione looked to Michael. He nodded his head as he read through the line again.

"It seems as simple as that, Miss Granger."

"Get an owl to Madam Hooch at Hogwarts. We are going to need to get qualifications as to what this test entails. Nigel, I'm going to actually need you to clear my schedule on Thursdays. I'll show that no good prat he's not taking my team away."

She walked on to the pitch, broom clasped firmly in her right hand. It felt foreign in her fingers, she found them twitching as her grip tightened. Draco was already waiting for her, he feigned checking his watch.

"Well lookie there. Right on time Granger. I see you even came prepared." He nodded to her broom, noting she must have grabbed an extra one from the storage room, "That, however, isn't the broom you'll be using."

Her eyes flashed as she nervously looked to the broom in her hand. Michael and Nigel had selected this broom for her based on her size, ability and lack of skill. They had promised her this was the best broom to start with.

"You'll be riding my broom. With me." Any nervousness she had a moment ago quickly left her body and was replaced with annoyance.

"Malfoy, I'm not riding doubles with you. I'm fine. Can we please just start the lesson now?"

"Granger, you and I both know you are afraid of heights and brooms in general. Until you get over that fear, there is no point in teaching you anything else. Now, unless you want to lose your position, get over here." Dropping the broom with a thud on the grass, she angrily made her way over to Draco. Grabbing her upper arms, he positioned her in front of him, his broom lying on the ground next to him. Her body tensed as he ran his hand down her right arm, pulling it away from her as his hand reached hers. He pulled her hand so her palm was flat, hovering about the broom. Draco leaned into her, speaking low into her ear.

"Just like first year Granger. Be forceful. Make the broom believe you know what you're doing." His voice once again sent shivers down her spine. Hoping he hadn't noticed, she tried to regain her self-control.

"Up!" The broom shook a little, moving side to side as it had all those years ago. Her hand flattered a little in disappointment.

"Come on Granger! Is that really all you got? Say it like you mean it." His hand was resting just on top of hers. He forced her to fully open her palm once more. Taking in a deep breath and letting it back out, with as much force as she could muster she spoke.

"UP!" To her surprise, the broom shot from the ground to her palm, she lost her balance from the force of it, falling back into Draco's chest. Her cheeks flushed in a blush as she rolled her feet forward to stand on her own.

"Great, excellent job Granger." Draco, too appeared to have a slight blush on his cheeks as he took a step away from her. He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep himself from touching her again so soon. "Now put it back and try again."

This continued, each time Hermione successfully bringing the broom up to her hand with every command. Her eyes sparkled each time the wooden shaft slapped her palm. She had finally willed a broom to listen to her and Draco had been the one to make that a reality.