Chapter 3: The Locker Room

Unlike last time, I went early to the pitch. I want to be a part of the team meeting.

My plan was if I was already in the locker room before everyone got there, they couldn't lock me out.

As I walked up to the pitch I noticed I was in fact, the only person there, perfect. I pushed open the door to the locker room, finding it emp- not empty.

Malfoy was standing in the far corner, where his cubby is, in nothing but his training trousers, tight, low-rise, unlaced, tan, training trousers. His back was turned to me, and hadn't noticed me yet. I tried to look away, but I couldn't.

Even with the slightest of movements, his back rippled with muscle. He was not of the bulky type, but lean with muscle. And those pants even made me forget whose legs and arse I was looking openly at. I honestly hated it was Malfoy who was blessed with this body. Thank Merlin, I had my mouth closed already or I was nervous I'd find myself asking him to turn around so I can see the front.

As if reading my mind, he did turn around. Shit, he turned around. I had only a split second to act like I wasn't just ogling him in broad daylight. I decided smacking my hand over my eyes was my best bet. "Granger?" He asked, I could practically hear the smirk in his voice "How long have you been standing there?"

I could get out of this "I just got here"

"Liar" He whispered. I bet he could see my face turning red, even from behind the hand that was covering the top half of my face. I went to open my mouth to argue, or try to find my way out of this situation, but then he was walking in front of me.

I didn't breath as he stopped, only a stride or two away. I flinched as he grabbed my hand, removing it from my face. I kept my eyes closed, as if that was helping my cause any. "Granger, usually when two people have a conversation, they both have their eyes open"

"We aren't having a conversation" I stated.

He laughed, a loud laugh, "I would like to"

I couldn't get out of this, so I slowly opened my eyes, making a point of only keeping them on his face. I just ignored the toned chest and sharp V I would see if I looked down, even just a little bit. "Fine, about what?"

He was grinning at me, "Well let's start with the thing I'm most curious about, why are you even here this early?"

I averted my eyes from his too intense gaze "I wanted to be here so that no one would keep me from the meeting again"

I could see him nod his head once, "Did you parents ever tell you that you knock before entering a room that is used for privacy, and usually privacy of the other sex?". I resisted the urge to shiver with how easily the word 'sex' rolled off his tongue. I opened my mouth to answer but he interrupted "Eyes, Granger"

I rolled my eyes back to him, Merlin, he looked so amused with himself "Of course they did, but you weren't supposed to be in here"

"Well, I always am, remember that the next time you want to stand up against Flint."

"What's your issue with Flint? I mean yes he's a prick, but the way you and everyone else talks about him makes me think he's done something" The moment I asked the question his face fell.

"Now's not the time for that conversation" I opened my mouth to argue with him but he cut me off "Want to sit?" He asked gesturing to the leather couches.

I didn't want to be found by the others standing directly behind the door, so I nodded and moved to sit on the couch opposite of where he decided to sit. It was silent, awkward. I tried to ignore the fact he was man spreading in his still unlaced trousers, taking up over half the couch.

"Would you stop being so weird if I let you look?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Pardon?" I gasped.

He glanced down to his exposed torso then back up to me, "If I covered my eyes for 10 seconds and gave you the option to look, will you stop being so twitchy?"

I crossed my arms, huffing a breath "I'm not twitchy"

He grinned "Yes, you are" then he covered his arms over his eyes and leaned his head over the back of the couch, facing the ceiling. "I'll do it anyways and you'll get to look if you want to or just stay stubborn and curious"

I was not going to look.

"One…"

I could do this, I could sit here and not look.

"Two…"

He's probably peeking, seeing if I'm gonna break-which I'm not going to do.

"Three…"

His eyes do look very covered though, so it doesn't seem like he is peeking.

"Four…"

It's not like he would know if I did or didn't look.

"Five…"

Halfway there. I can do this.

"Six…"

I can't do this, it's too tempting, and I'm too curious. I flipped my eyes down his very impressive chest. Has he always been this fit? No way he has. His V line looks like it could cut me if I got too close, not that I would go anywhere near there. Just like I totally wouldn't want to trace my fingers up his very defined abdomen, over his pecs, down his broad shoulders.

"Nine…"

I should've looked earlier so I would've gotten more time, damn my stubbornness.

"Ten, times up Granger" He moved his head back to a normal sitting position, and removed his arms from his face. "What'd you think?"

"I didn't look"

He shook his head, "You're a little liar today aren't you?"

I sat up straighter "I'm not lying-"

"Save it, Granger, you pick at your cuticles when you lie" he said pointing to the hand that was, indeed, picking at my other hand's cuticles. I rolled my eyes while he smirked and moved from the couch back over to his cubby, finally deciding to finish changing.

Once Draco finished changing, the others soon arrived.

Nott, Adrian, and Zabini eyed me curiously from my spot on the couch, and Draco who was in his training gear, but they didn't comment on anything.

When Flint entered he let out a long sigh when he saw me "Bloody hell, what're you doing in here Granger?"

I stood from my spot, letting Nott have that seat next to Goyle. "I thought I should be included in these meetings, I might not play, but I do have things to say that could possibly benefit you all"

Flint plopped in one of the chairs near me, then motioned with his hand to go on, but he looked like he didn't have much interest in what I had to say.

Yet, I still wiped a smile and started "I spent the majority of my time last night going over previous reports of past games from all houses. I recorded the stats they listed for each player, main tactics from each game, and even more little tedious things such as how many bludgers were hit from each beater"

"Swot" I heard Crabbe say under his breath, which earned him a kick to the shin by Adrian.

"Based off my findings, I have found different techniques and advantages you all could use against all the other teams, ensuring your wins."

Flint raised his hand. I stopped for him to speak, "How do we know you actually want us to win, wouldn't you want your little gryffindorks to win?"

I smirked "Not when Cormac McLaggen and Ronald Weasley are on the team"

"Understandable, go on"

I passed out a paper designated for each of them with everything they need to improve on, use against certain players on other teams, and their ranks in their division of the school.

I told them their goal should be that slytherin tops all the divisions.

Draco should be top seeker, Flint top keeper, Zabini top chaser, and Crabbe top beater, with the other chasers and beater following right behind them. This will no doubt lead to victory, and their goal, nationals.

They were all grinning when I was done.

"Anything else Granger?"

I smiled. "My final announcement is that at the next game Zabini, Flint, and Crabbe each have scouts coming to watch them." They all shortly cheered for each other. I was a bit shocked considering slytherins are supposed to be selfish. I don't think the gryffindor team would've cheered. "Zabini's scout is Mr. Walfred from the Pride of Portree, Crabbe's is Ms. Kultip from the Chudley Cannons, and Flint is Mr. Bondum from Puddlemere United"

Nott laughed, pointing at Flint "Ha, you're wanted at Puddlemere"

Flint did look very disappointed with his scout "At least I have a scout, Nott"

"I'd rather not have one then play for Puddlemere-"

"Shove off" Flint spat, but Nott just shook his head laughing, some of the others joining in. I snuck a look over to Draco, and he didn't have a readable expression. I wonder if he's had scouts yet, or if he wanted scouts. If I were a coach, I would definitely want someone like Malfoy to play as my seeker.

"Well," Flint said rising from his seat, clasping his hands "Turns out you're not shit Granger"

"Thanks?"

He laughed, placing a hand on my shoulder, "I think you'd actually be useful at pactices now"

I shrugged his arm off, "Good, I was going to sit in and watch anyways"

Flint squinted his eyes a bit, a little warning glare, "Leave Granger, it's time for us to change"

I wasn't arguing as I moved towards the door and opening it, but before stepping through I turned over and looked at everyone who had moved to their assigned cubbies and said "A 'thank you' would do you all well, especially now that you have a place to change" and with that I left not wanting to hear their lame 'thank yous'

Who would've thought they would actually listen to my corrections, they have improved so much with this practice. Both beaters had put more effort into staying stable on their brooms while Nott had gotten even more accurate with throwing the quaffle side-ways through the hoop. The team was already fantastic, but with these small improvements, nationals is definitely in their future.

Malfoy, once he was actually willing to reach for the snitch, did grab hold of it a lot easier. Flint had been watching him the majority of their practice, mostly with a scowl on his face the whole time. I need to see if Nott would want to tell me about the feud between Malfoy and Flint.

A little bit before they started ending practice and going back to the locker room, I thought I would go get my stuff that I left when I was presenting to them. When I got in there, my bag was nowhere near where I left it. I checked to see if it got kicked under the couch, put near another couch, put on the kitchenette, but it was nowhere.

I went to the attached equipment closet and saw the end of my bag dangling off the top, highest shelf. How the hell am I supposed to reach that? I had a good guess on which asshole put it in here too. When I was about to jump to try and reach it, the door to the locker room slammed open, the other room filling with laughter and conversation from the players.

I had left the door cracked, they weren't able to see me, the only space I could see was the cubby of-no, fuck no- Malfoy. When he walked into view he was still fully dressed, laughing at something Zabini said. I knew if he turned a certain way he could definitely see me. I heard clothes being thrown already into the hamper, letting me know I can't leave now that they're changing.

I made a move to sit down near the bottom of the shelf but a chuckle from Malfoy drew my eyes to him. He was discreetly looking at me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. I quickly moved my pointer finger over my mouth, silently asking for him to not say anything. He gave a very subtle nod, but I should have known there would be a price for his silence.

"Granger's gotten a bit fit hasn't she?" He asked looking at the others while he peeled his sweat soaked jersey off. Merlin, I'm going to snap, and I don't know in what way.

I could hear Nott practically roll his eyes as he said "Not this again Draco, we've been through this already"

Malfoy pinked a bit, but as he went to retort, whatever he was planning on saying, Adrian budded in " Hate to say it, but you aren't wrong Malfoy"

Malfoy's smirk grew back, he peeked over at me for a split second, as if to make sure I was reacting. "Planning on doing something about it Adrian?"

It took a few seconds before Adrians voice sounding the room, "Maybe, unless you want her that bad Malfoy, that you call dibs"

The blond barked a laugh that echoed off the walls. I crossed my arms and turned my head as he started to shuck off his trousers, purposefully facing me. He knew I wanted to look. Fuck him.

Then Goyle's voice floated around the room "Now that you mention it, she definitely has the type of arse I wouldn't mind hitting from behind"

Crabbe laughed, agreeing. My head snapped back to Malfoy who was only in his pants, but he seemed just as shocked as I was with what Goyle had said.

"No, no, no, Greg, Hermione isn't the type you'd hit from behind" Flint said, way too confidently, when Goyle asked what Flint would do, he continued "Hermione has that pretty little face, use it. I'd either have her on her knees or having her ride me"

"You're disgusting Flint" Adrian spat.

Malfoy had stopped changing and was just listening to the conversation, he had lost his amusement.

"It's only right" Flint said, I just know he shrugged.

Then that part of the conversation ended, I just kept my death glare on Malfoy, who was now changing away from me. He stayed as everyone else left.

"Want us to wait?" I heard Zabini ask him, but he shook his head 'no' and said he wanted to stay for a bit and go over his notes.

When the main door closed, Malfoy opened the door I had to stay behind, "You arsehole!" I shouted moving over to him.

He stood straight and sighed "Apologies, Granger, I didn't expect it to go that far" He said, he almost sounded genuine, but I wasn't going to fall for it.

"I should smack you" I stated "I won't considering it seems you had a little crush on me, which must be torture enough for you"

"Oh," He laughed, "You have no idea"

I noticed our proximity, which was close. "Why'd you do it?" I asked, looking up at him, as he looked boredly down at me.

"I thought a creeper should learn her lesson about peeping in boys' locker rooms" He shrugged.

I put my hands on my hips "Trust me, I didn't need all that to learn my lesson and I wasn't peeping"

He rolled his eyes, but they then landed on my bag that was still sitting on the shelf "Ah, you found your bag"

"You moved it here didn't you?" I asked. He smiled then took a step closer to me. I moved to step back and bumped a bit into the shelf. We're going to need a bigger closet.

"I would be careful where you put your stuff Granger, I wouldn't always trust teenage boys" he whispered, reaching over me, moving closer to me. He rested his right hand near my head on the shelf, while he reached up, not taking his eyes off me to grab my things with his left. "But I guess a naughty girl like yourself wouldn't mind the consequences, would you?"

I wasn't breathing, he was right there. I could reach out and finally feel him. Be able to freely run my hands all over him, feel his body heat against mine. I don't know what I'm feeling, or why I'm feeling like this. I had never felt like this with Ron, not at all. I just knew I was bright red staring into those grey eyes.

I could feel his minty breath on my face as he whispered "Planning on answering my question Granger?"

I shook my head 'no', not trusting my voice. He moved his left arm, bringing it in the small space between us, his fingers brushing just underneath my chest, offering me my bag. I shakingly brought a hand up, grabbing hold of it. As I did he let go, stepping away, and turning with a grin growing wide on his face.

What in the hell just happened?

I walked back to the common room, very flustered. I couldn't get the scent of his cologne out of my nose. What's wrong with me, am I cursed or something? I never get flustered, or this aroused. I almost feel ashamed how turned on I am. It's Malfoy for Godric's sake!

"Hermione?" I heard Ginny ask from her seat by the fire.

"Oh...hey Ginny" I said, trying to smile and act normal, but then I noticed myself picking my cuticles, damnit, I do pick at them when I lie.

She got up from her seat, making her way over to me, her eyebrows raised in question "Everything alright?"

I answered too quickly "Of course"

She shook her head, "No, no it's not" after a few seconds she squealed pulling me into a hug "Oh my! It's a boy isn't it?!"

I started sputtering 'no's' but she suddenly gasped and asked "It's Adrian Pucey isn't, that very attractive slytherin"

"How do you know of Adrian?"

"Ha! I knew it, I saw him walking with you last night when I snuck out to see Harry by the lake" She said wiggling her eyebrows.

I grimaced "Ew"

She laughed, her eyes sparkling "I honestly never thought you'd meet another guy, at least not this quickly." I scoffed "But even though he's a slytherin, he's not that bad, I would have killed you if it were some one like.." she paused, thinking "Malfoy"

I hope I didn't pale "Right," I nodded laughing as she laughed.

"Is that where you've been lately?" She asked.

"Yes" I nodded quickly, "I'm going to always be with him, he has a very busy quidditch schedule so after school it's me and him time" I hated lying but this was a great back up for helping the slytherins "Don't ask him about it though, it's secret"

She smiled wickedly "So his dick is that big?"

"Ginny!"

"What, now I can actually talk to you about this stuff!"

I faked a yawn "I'm a bit tired Ginny, I'll tell you everything another time-" I said moving towards the stairs as she stayed in place "-probably say after quidditch season, I don't want you to be distracted or anything"

She furrowed her brows "That won't distract me-"

"Yes, it will! Night! " I hollered from the stairs as I sprinted the rest of the way up. That was a close one, I need to get better at lying.

Sleeping was hard that night, all I could think about was Malfoy in the locker room.