The next day Hermoine refused to hole up in her room and besides that Ginny wouldn't let her. So here she was watching the slytherin vs. gryffindor quidditch game. She even smiled waving to Ginny as the gryffindor team came out. When the slytherin team came out she booed with the rest of her house but couldn't help but eye their seeker.
Even if his hair hadn't given him away Hermoine would know that cocky stance anywhere even while he was on a broom. She wasn't sure he would be let back on the team after the whole death eater scandal but she found herself watching him as the game went on. The way Harry and Draco had always sped after the small snitch had always shocked Hermoine. It was so amazing to watch especially when she could never imagine herself doing something so reckless. She preferred to keep both feet on the ground.
Hermoine frowned as she thought about Harry. She hadn't seen him in months and being here at Hogwarts was weird without him and Ron. Even though now she didn't want anything to do with the later.
Hermoine clapped as Ginny sent the ball flying past Slytherin's keeper and into the ring. It was really looking up for Gryffindor; they were up by 40 points. Then she saw Draco whoosh by on his broom, hand outstretched. He was obviously about to catch the snitch even if Hermoine couldn't see it. Then she watched Draco flip his broom upside down. Before she could stop herself she gasped assuming he was falling. But he held on with one hand and his feet as he caught the snitch with the had to admit that was an impressive feat even if he was the enemy. He held it up proudly but few people clapped. Hermoine frowned looking over at the slytherin house, most of who was just glaring at the former death eater. He had just won them the game but they still seemed not to trust him. Besides Crab and Goyle his followers who were clapping and hollering loudly. Hermoine smiled at least the two of them were loyal to their friend.
After the match was over Hermoine walked back to her room knowing Ginny would be upset after the loss. The younger girl was very competitive when it came to quidditch and anytime they lost she would hole up in her room for hours. Besides, Hermoine just wanted to be alone. But as she was walking she heard heavy breathing.
She rolled her eyes assuming two of the students had snuck away for a makeout session while the quidditch game was going on had turned into something more. For Hermoine the thought of anyone doing such a thing in a public place where anyone might walk by was absolutely appalling. Then she thought about the nerve of Lavender and Ron, if she hadn't stopped them last night their makeout session might have turned into something else and she got angry again and whipped around the corner. The only problem was when she saw the culprit it was a single person and they were breathing heavily and clutching their sides obviously in pain.
"Malfoy"she called and he looked up at her before trying to scoot away. She could tell he was ashamed but she wasn't sure why. He was the one who looked like he needed help. She crouched down and saw that he also had a black eye and a busted lip which was still bleeding which meant it was still fresh.
"C'mon i'll take you to the infirmary"she said grabbing his arm but he yanked it away.
"No"he snapped, making Hermoine flinch. She was just trying to help so she didn't understand why he was so mad at her. Unless it wasn't her he was mad at.
"Well at least get out of the hallway, follow me"she said, fixing him with such a stare that he finally stood up and followed her. Hermoine smiled as she heard his footsteps behind her. At least he wasn't arguing.
When they got to her room Hermoine motioned for Draco to lay on her bed while she dug through her bag. She rummaged for a long time before finally finding her first aid kit.
"Lift your shirt"she ordered and Draco tried but once he lifted his arms above his head he couldn't lift them any higher and he hissed in pain.
"Here let me help,"Hermoine said, trying her best to be gentle which had never been her strong suit, at least not according to Ron. But Ron was always getting hurt because of his own foolishness while Draco obviously hadn't done that to himself. She wanted to ask but she knew by the way he refused to meet her gaze that he wouldn't tell her. Besides Draco had made a lot of enemies because of his pompous attitude and his family being death eaters definitely didn't help.
Once she got his shirt off she didn't see any bruises yet which was a relief but she was sure some would appear eventually. She looked up and saw Draco looking down at her mustering as much of a smile as he could manage with his busted lip. "Go ahead, Granger feel me up"he said, making Hermoine growl.
"I am trying to help you, if you want I could go drop you back off in the hall"she snarled and Draco stayed quiet keeping the same smug look on his face as Hermoine began to run her hands down his sides stopping when he sucked in a breath. Hermoine looked up and saw his face scrunched up in the same pained look it had been in the time she punched him. Only this time it didn't bring her the same satisfaction.
"I really think you should see a doctor, but if you insist i'll at least wrap your ribs,"she said, pulling out some gauze. Luckily she had read a few of her aunt's books about bandaging people up. Her aunt was a nurse and even if she was a muggle one her knowledge was helping Draco now. Even though he would probably hate to know that.
"Maybe I will go down there just to see slug boy"he said, smiling which made Hermoine laugh.
"The spell should have worn off by now"she admitted before she stepped back pulling away from Draco's chest. He had always been lean but now that she saw him shirtless she could see tight muscles along with some small scars. She continued looking up his pale skin going to his neck and then his face which looked terrible.
"So how do I look, charming as always"he asked, cracking another smile and Hermoine shook her head.
"Like you got hit by a train"she said instead and he smirked. But he stiffened when she brought a hand up to cup his cheek and run a thumb over his lip. When she did Draco looked at her for a minute and Hermoine could see a brief flicker of some new emotion she had never seen from Draco. It wasn't the anger she was used to but it always wasn't the almost friendly joking either. It terrified her and her eyes widened when she felt something stirring deep in the pit of her stomach.
"Flattery will get you nowhere Granger ''he said, pulling away and standing up. "I should go"he said, not even meeting her gaze as he strode out of the room. Hermoine couldn't help but realize he was walking quicker than usual so that had obviously terrified him as well. She just looked down at her hand which had been on Draco's surprisingly soft bottom lip. What had she been thinking touching Draco like that and even more puzzling what was he thinking with that look in his eyes?