NOTE: Sorry about the delay and the fact that this has not been beta read yet. I wanted to get it to you as soon as possible. THis chapter does bounce around a bit and takes place over the course of just over a week.

Thank you to:

Random fan (Guest), superstarem, Somnus Verus, bluestriker666, JayFan67, Beetle126, a fan (Guest), xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, mdb1106, mayhemunleashed, Draco lover 91, St. Joyce and PrettyPrincess1616.

xoxo

BKC

Chapter 35

"Please, please. We will take questions one at a time. I need you all to just quiet down and be patient." Michael cleared his throat and gave a glance over his shoulder, internally still trying to decide if this was the best decision. "Go ahead John, ask the question again."

A reporter in his mid-forties stood, glancing nervously down at the notebook in his hand. "Is it true Miss Granger, that you have taken up a romantic relationship with Falcon seeker Draco Malfoy?"

A hush fell over the crowd as all eyes fell anxiously to Hermione seated at in interview table to the front of the conference room. She gave a sideways glance to Draco who reached for her knee under the table and gave her an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward towards the magical microphone.

"That is correct. Draco and I tried not to take our relationship beyond a professional level but unfortunately given our history together as well as our current working relationship, it was just simply," she glanced to her right, flashing a smile at Draco. "Unavoidable."

The crowd noise grew to a loud rumble; Michael tried to once again control the conference room.

"Can you believe this shite?" With an angry growl, Dillon chucked his towel across the locker room towards the radio currently broadcasting the interview upstairs.

"I for one, am not a bit surprised. You could cut the sexual tension between those two with a fork since he got here. It was only a matter of time. They were the same way back in school," Ritichie paused before turning around. "Granted, as far as I know this whole thing wasn't going on then."

Dillon was standing in front of his locker when a smirk grew across his long face. He's heard the stories of the war heroes; hell the whole wizarding world heard those stories. It was now common knowledge that smarty pants Granger and rash Weasley shared a moment in some chamber. His smirk grew as he reached for his jacket before slamming the door shut with a hum and a skip in his step.

"I thought we were going to grab drinks." Ritichie stood from the bench casting his arms out to the side as he awaited an answer.

"Raincheck mate."

"Hermione, what the bloody hell is this?" Hermione jumped in her seat, startled. A very red faced Ron was staring down at her. She gave him a questioning look and reached for the paper.

"Ron, what are you-" Her heart stopped as she read the headline on the front page of The Daily Prophet.

'Granger's Caught with Her Hand in the Cookie Jar'

"Oh Godric." Her eyes raced across the article, her cheeks becoming redder by the second. She could feel the paper start to crinkle in her hands.

'It seems Miss Hermione Granger and Mr. Draco Malfoy's conference yesterday was simply a formality as inside source states the two have been together since their Hogwarts days. I, for one, am shocked at this news as I was sure Miss Granger had been romantically involved with fellow war hero Ronald Weasley. However, it seems, much like Miss Granger's fourth year, she had two men in her heart at the same time. It makes you wonder if Miss Granger was also seeing Mr. Malfoy during the Twiwizard tournament as well. We may never have an answer to these questions though, as Miss Granger still holds a close friendship with many of her past flames. We here at the Prophet highly doubt she'd want to upset these "LIFELONG FRIENDS".

By the time she reached the bottom of the article, Ron could swear he could see the flames in her eyes. He watched her face as her eyes moved from picture to picture. It seemed Rita Skeeter had chronicled Hermione's love life across page one.

"Ronald, you can't honestly believe the garbage this woman is dumping out of her mouth, can you?" She tried to hold the anger out of her voice, but the fact that Ron could even start to believe any of the words printed on the page hurt her heart.

A broad smile took place on Ron's face and he let out a laugh as he watched Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "'Mione, I know you aren't a harlot no matter what Skeeter thinks. But I'd figured you hadn't seen this yet. Thought it would be better coming from a friend."

"Oh Ron." She rose from her desk and raced around it, wrapping her longtime friend in a tight hug. "You have no idea how happy that makes me. I know you haven't been on board with many of my decisions as of late, but I- Just thank you." She hugged him tight again and he gave her a hard squeeze. Who was he to deny his best friend the happiness she deserved?

"Mother, I know. I should have informed you first."

"Draco darling, you know I support you and your dreams. Why did you think I wouldn't support this?"

"To be fair mother, you've only been openly supporting my dreams since father was locked away. You must understand my hesitation."

"I am your mother Draco. I will always be behind you. That's possible now. She helped with that."

"She's amazing mother. There is no one like her."

"AND DRACO MALFOY CATCHES THE GOLDEN SNITCH! THE FALCONS HAVE BEATEN THE CATAPULTS!" The stands erupted in cheers. As he flew done, snitch clutched tightly in his hand, he glanced up at the owner's box. A bright smile littered her face and he swore he could see every freckle she had as she beamed down at him.

This, moments like this. He wanted to remember forever.

"It's a beautiful Saturday here at Harpies Stadium. The Harpies have gone undefeated this season and hope to clench the first place spot on the bracket for finals. However, that could prove to be difficult. The Falcons have certainly had an incredible season this year. It's blatantly obvious that bringing in both Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy have made a huge difference in this team. After their win over the Catapults just a week ago, they clenched their last home win Monday against the Appleby Arrows."

"The stands are certainly filled with some celebrities today. I got a peak at the owner's box earlier. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger looked pretty cozy up there. This will be the first time seekers Ginny Weasley and Draco Malfoy have competed against each other and we hear the two have created quite the rivalry."

The players were in position and the balls were released. Draco watched as the snitch gave a quick loop around his head before doing the same to Ginny.

"Ready Malfoy?"

"Bring it."

A whistle sounded below and the quaffle was tossed up. Ginny quickly shot past Draco, headed for the far end of the pitch. Draco instead climbed higher, hoping for a better vantage point. He was determined to catch the snitch before Ginny could get her grubby paws on it.

The two had had quite the week tormenting each other. It amazed Draco how quickly he could fall into a sense of welcoming with a group of people who'd hated his existence for so many years. When Hermione had brought them to the pub after their win on Monday, to say he was nervous was an understatement. But thankfully, after one shouting match with Potter and a quick fist fight with Weasley, Draco found a companion in little Ginny.

After many drinks, she'd sworn she'd quit if he managed to beat her on Saturday. Apparently this was a common debate in the Potter/Weasley home. Harry was ready to start their family but Ginny was sure she had a few good years left in her. A few drinks later and hands were being shook. They'd struck a deal. The first time Ginny loses to Draco, she retires.

And that was how Draco ended up in private training sessions all week with Harry. He shook his head at the thought. Who would have ever believed this would be his life?

He saw a flash of gold to his left and took off, quickly followed by Ginny who had apparently seen the same flash. They raced across the pitch, taking no notice as Rhys tossed the quaffle threw the hoop.

Draco took a quick glance to his right and saw Ginny glaring him down. He sent a sneer back her way. When he looked back in front of him, the snitch was gone. Ginny was throwing her head back and forth, looking everywhere for where the little golden ball got away to but saw nothing.

"I won't go easy on you Weasley."

"I don't expect you to Malfoy. When I beat you, I want it to be because I'm better then you." He gave her a quick raise of the eyebrows and shot off once again.

"Oh this is too much. They are going to hate each other when this is over." Hermione was on the edge of her seat, eyes glued to the duo below.

"Calm down 'Mione. She can't possibly hate him more than she already does." Harry sent Ron a sideways glance and shook his head at his friends comment.

"This whole mess is your fault Harry Potter."

"My fault?!"

"Yes your fault. If you hadn't made that stupid bet with Ginny, I wouldn't have to worry so much."

"Come on 'Mione. You know Gin will never let Malfoy beat her and when she finally does it'll be because she's ready to." Hermione just gave Ron a hard shove. "What'd I do?"

It'd been an hour since they'd last seen the snitch. The score was quickly climbing for the Falcons but it wouldn't do them much good if Ginny caught the snitch before he managed to. He heard the crowd roar to life and assumed the Harpies had finally made another basket, that is, until he saw a flash of red shoot up towards the sky. Draco whipped his broom around and took off after her, but he watched her small hand clasp around the snitch and brought himself to a halt.

He'd lost. To a Weasley.