Chapter 7: Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin

Trying to keep with my routine schedule of, now, waking up at 3:30 in the morning, I was awake in bed with nowhere to go.

Malfoy hadn't come to practice last night. I was hoping he'd have calmed down and gotten in the extra practice before the game this afternoon, but sadly that wouldn't be happening.

I stretched my arms as I swung my legs off of my bed, feeling my back crack in the most satisfying way. Placing my feet on the stone floor, I quickly retracted them, forgetting how cold it is this early in the morning, and grabbed the pair of socks I keep in my nightstand. Once the socks were slipped on, I went over to my desk where I had started writing clearer notes to remind Malfoy of right before the game.

I picked up the paper, lightly reading over some of the bullet points;

- Loses sight of the snitch

- Isn't centered when reaching for snitch

- Speed decreases significantly when he gets close to snitch

What's going on with him?

I shook my head to myself.

What's wrong with me?

All I can think about is Malfoy. Whether it be him smirking at something I said or the night at the party when he offered a small amount of comfort when I didn't even know where I was.

Sometimes it felt like I was only around him, or the other slytherins. Daphne had started sitting next to me in Charms class, which earned me a confused look from Neville, who had to sit in another spot.

Pansy had started giving me her tight "friendly" smiles when we passed each other in the hallways. She even walked with me to a few practices.

Harry had pulled me aside during breakfast one morning, asking if everything was alright…

"Of course Harry, don't be ridiculous" I laughed, looking around us, trying to find a way out of this conversation.

Harry readjusted his glasses, "No one sees you anymore, not even Ginny!" He sighed, and moved closer, "If it's because of Ron-"

"It's not Ron. Nothing is wrong Harry, I've just finally started to take time for myself" I said, ending the discussion.

He knew I wasn't going to budge or admit anything, so he just nodded in defeat.

I hated lying to the others, but it kept me away from unnecessary conflict, making sure my mind stays focused.

I was reluctant at first with the slytherins. Over the past 7 years, they had done nothing to earn my respect or effort towards them. Yet, I don't know when that changed.

Adrian was the first to kindly approach me, but he didn't have anything to apologize for. I had hoped for some type of apology from Crabbe and Goyle, but after getting to know them, I learned it would never come. Not because they hated me, or wanted my filth out of their sight, but because they were too dumb to notice their past actions.

Always the followers, never the leaders. They even seemed to enjoy my company at times during practice. Once, Crabbe even thanked me for fixing his bat handle when the grip had worn down.

Yes, I shouldn't make basic human decency a big deal, but coming from the minions who made my childhood a living hell, I couldn't help but notice the change, a small change, but a change for the better.

Nott and Zabini were quite a pair as well, also having earned my respect enough to where I now feel comfortable occasionally calling them Theo and Blaise. They had actually asked me to call them that over their family names, saying they didn't want the names to be associated with me for my own sake, but I'm still having a hard time getting out of the habit.

But after everything, I have the most feelings about Malfoy. Obviously not romantic feelings, but strong feelings. Watching the passion he has while riding on his broom draws me in, wishing I was there beside him, experiencing the same thing.

At times I wouldn't be able to look away from him as he did mundane tasks, such as standing with his friends after practice, with his small, secretive, smile. I don't know how this little obsession formed, whether it be from our tension filled sessions at practice like in the closet, or at the party with the wine. Even at our own private practices it's started becoming difficult to hide my own small, secretive, grins when he says something witty. I hate it was Malfoy who had slightly caught my attention.

Not that anything would happen between the two of us, there's too much that could happen. I don't even want anything to happen. Imagine what Harry would think if he even knew I was considering Malfoy, his enemy since day one, as a friend, maybe even more.

What else attracted me to Malfoy, is I can't even figure him out. He has always been Harry's biggest rival. I used to despise slytherin vs gryffindor games. Harry and Ron would change their attitudes drastically, I wouldn't even be able to talk to them on game days. I've yet to see if the slytherins are the same, but I have a feeling the intensity is mutual.

Next week is our off week while ravenclaw plays gryffindor, which means if we win today and gryffindor wins against ravenclaw, we'll play gryffindor in the finals. Today is hufflepuff's last chance at getting close to the Quidditch House Cup, making the stakes higher for everyone.

I pray in the end it isn't between my two teams, there will most likely be a physical fight, it happens every game. I hated the fights even before I knew the slytherins, but now I have friends, people I know, and some I enjoy, on both sides, with me being the medical examiner for one of the teams. I would hate for the gryffindor boys to find out I work for the slytherins by healing someone like Nott.

Even after everything, I don't know what's changed for Malfoy.

I sighed, dropping my head into my hands. I hate how much I want Malfoy and the others to do well.

Picking my head back up, I looked out over the foggy, early morning from the window in front of my desk. I always loved how high the gryffindor towers were, giving me a beautiful view no matter the time of day. I thanked Professor McGonagall significantly for letting me have a dorm directly at the top of the tower, taking up the whole top floor, like an attic.

I could see the edge of the Black lake in some panels of glass, but the majority of my sight line is spent looking at the Forbidden Forest and the pitch. If you looked closely enough, occasionally you might be able to see some of the magical creatures you read about, moving around in the forest.

I was looking, hoping to spot one of these critters, when I spotted a flash of something else instead. I speck of white, platinum hair, zooming around in the pitch, sometimes leaving the pitch.

Is that? No, it can't be.

I'm not watching Malfoy practicing by himself, at 3:45 in the morning.

Without thinking I grabbed my wand, chucked on a jacket over my pajamas, slipped on some shoes by my door, and made my way to the pitch.

It is still considered after hours even this early in the morning. The only reason you won't get in trouble is if you have a pass, like mine and Malfoy's reservations for the pitch usually at 4.

I don't have a pass this morning, and since being out after hours got me into this whole mess, I'm doing everything to try not to get caught, especially by Professor Snape again.

Sadly who I ran into was much worse than Snape.

"Sorry I-" I stuttered, backing off of the body I just slammed into as I rounded the corner with the corridor that leads to the pitch. I wanted to turn around, running for my life as I met the too familiar eyes of grey, only, these weren't Malfoy's.

Lucius Malfoy stared down at me with such disdain I wanted to crawl into a ball. "Miss Granger isn't it?" He asked, not even looking me directly in the eyes.

I quickly straightened myself, pulling self consciously at my not so school appropriate attire. I gave a shy smile, "Yes sir, you must be Mr. Malfoy"

His scowl turned into a cold grin, "To you," he stepped to the side of me, almost as if he was going to leave, "You address me as Lord Malfoy". I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Now I see where Malfoy learned everything from. He turned his head slightly, now looking down at me from an angle.

"You are topping Draco in all his classes, correct?"

I gave a proud smile. I wanted him to know me, a mudblood, topped his pureblooded son. Even though I may be growing a soft spot for Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy is not someone I will ever grow to care or have respect for. "I am, and have since 1st year"

He took a heavy breath, eyeing me over once more, then shaking his head, "Pathetic that son of mine is, if you," He gestured with his walking cane up and down over my form, "a mudblood witch can excel better than he." He turned and walked closer to me, he wasn't as tall as Malfoy, but the experience felt familiar nonetheless. "He's told Narcissa and myself enough about you, but now that I get to really see you," He leaned down, eye level with me, " you are really not that special after all"

I felt my face heat, not from embarrassment, but from anger. How dare Lucius Malfoy talk down to me, when I would most likely out-do even him in any subject. "You don't even know what you're talking about, Mr. Malfoy" He had already leaned back but I watched as his grip tightened on his cane, opening his mouth, no doubt to say another slur or try to tear me down, but I interrupted him before he could get out a peep. "It was a pleasure to meet you, but I can not say I wish to see you again"

I spun on spot, continued my trek to the pitch, not looking back to see if he'd curse me.

Walking out from under the atrium onto the field, I couldn't see where Malfoy had gone.

"What brings you here, Granger?" Malfoy said from directly behind me, still hovering on his broom. Much to my blessing he was practicing without a shirt, and wearing his tight, white, training pants.

I quickly drew my eyes up to his, as I realized I was, not so slickly, checking him out. The smirk I met on his face made me look away. "I saw you were practicing, thought I would come and keep you company" As I finished my answer, I regretted it immensely.

He laughed, "So we could spend time together?"

I pushed him back lightly, but sadly he didn't stumble or need to regain control over the broom, he stayed rock solid.

Rock solid just like his muscles.

I shook my head, shaking the unnecessary sexual comment from my head. He looked at me curiously, then started to move his broom, circling me as he talked, "I actually wasn't practicing"

I slowly moved in spot, rotating my body as he lazily flew around me, I crossed my arms, "Oh really? Then what were you doing?"

I watched his right bicep expand and contract as he moved it to lean back on, on his broom. "Flying"

I had forgotten my question, too focused on his muscles, or not trying to think about his muscles. "Flying?"

He smiled, one that reached his eyes, "Yes, flying, Granger. Ever heard of it?" He mocked.

I made a step to shove him once again, but he quickly maneuvered out of the way. I fell forward, but one of his hands wrapped around the top of my arm, keeping me somewhat steady.

The pressure of his hand on me made my face blush. Merlin, I feel like a little girl in primary school, harboring a crush on some boy. I stepped out of his reach, mumbling my appreciation before stating "I know flying, but I don't get why you're doing it when you don't seem to be practicing"

"Don't like flying?"

I shook my head vigorously, "No, I didn't even finish the class with Madam Hooch"

He frowned, "How? That's not allowed is it?"

I shrugged my shoulders, tilting my head, "If you're as bad as me, or as scared as me, then it is"

I watched as he calculated this information. He surprised me by throwing his head back, barking a laugh, filling the chill air with his sound. I crossed my arms, shifting to one hip as I glared at him, then asked him what he thought was so funny. He kept laughing as he responded, "The brightest witch of our age can't ride a bloody broom"

I looked away, slightly embarrassed. I'm now regretting coming down, especially after my interaction with Lucius.

Once he controlled his laughter he looked back over to me, and as if he sensed my embarrassment, asked "Come fly with me"

My eyebrows shot up, not because of the question, but more so that he's the one asking me. I shook my head, "No, I refuse, not even Harry can get me on a broom"

"Well you haven't even let me try yet, and obviously" he shrugged looking around and between us, "you're opinions can change with certain people"

I squinted my eyes, "What do you mean by that?"

He looked me directly in the eye, "There's no way you think you just became friends with the other boys on your volition?"

I lowered my gaze away from his, hiding the small rose tint that started marking my cheeks. He was right, I'm definitely not who I was at the beginning of this.

I was so distracted with my own thoughts, I hadn't noticed him move the broom to my side. "Now, you either get on yourself, or I force you on, your choice, Granger"

I went to step back, but he raised a brow in a silent warning. "I don't want to go flying," I growled.

"Too bad, you can't expect me to listen to your critics if you can't even fly"

I resisted to stomp my foot as I said "It doesn't matter that I can't fly, what matters is that you and the others can fly and don't notice your own faults"

He grinned, nodding his head in understanding, "But, it would be nice for you to at least try" he said, holding his hand out to me, I just glared at it. He sighed keeping it out for me, "How about this, if you fly with me, I'll be sure to win the game tonight"

I laughed, "You can't promise something that comes from odds"

He shrugged, "Maybe, but I can promise I'll try my hardest to win. If I don't," He sighed, but keeping his hand outreached "I'll make sure to let you lead us through that weird muggle workout"

I tilted my head "Which one?"

He closed his eyes, obviously regretting what he was about to say without even saying it yet "The muscle workout thingy you wanted us to do so badly, saying it was good for our muscles."

I couldn't help the smile that spread on my face "You mean I can lead you lot in yoga!?"

He grimaced, "Yes, but only if we lose"

I bit my lip contemplating. This was a very good deal. I tried to get the boys to try yoga to stretch their muscles after practice so they would stop complaining, but they proceeded to tell me it was unnecessary. Malfoy could always win, which means, yes, the team I work for won and we'll go to finals, but I don't get to teach them yoga.

I reluctantly took his hand letting him help pull me up onto the broom. I expected to sit behind him, but when he placed me in front of me, it took all the power in me not to redden like an idiot.

I was very stiff as I sat on the broom, with plenty of space between us. I heard him chuckle to himself before grabbing hip and pulling me back, flush against his exposed skin. I held my breath, my body going rigid.

"If you sat that far forward, I wouldn't have been able to steer us, Granger" He said, moving his head beside mine. Even sitting he was still much taller than me, his body framing over mine as he grabbed the broom with one hand in front of me, then wrapping the other around my waist making me secure.

This felt too intimate and it hasn't even been 5 minutes. I still wasn't breathing, but his laughter from my side brought me back, "If you don't relax, we'll probably die, so do me a favor and put your hands on the broom" I didn't realize my hands were crossed, I quickly followed instruction.

I leaned forward to firmly cover the broom between my hands. I felt his body lean forward as well, keeping our contact. "Now you'll be able to feel me controlling the broom, this will help when you're actually trying to learn how to fly by yourself"

I wasn't ready for his words to be genuine, not snarky or mocking me for not knowing how to fly. Maybe this was a good idea. Harry, Ron, and Ginny always tried, but there was no comfort there, no direction. With Malfoy, there wasn't a pressure to learn right here, right now. It seemed purely for our own enjoyment.

"We'll go slow and I won't go high, unless you piss me off" I elbowed him in his abs, I don't know if I hurt him as much as I hurt my elbow. But my ears were rewarded with the grunt of pain. "I was kidding" He hissed as he started moving in a small circle, slowly growing to do small paths around the pitch. I could do this part, it was the actually flying around part that had me wanting to cry.

"Ready to go up?" He asked, his mouth right next to my ear.

I took a deep breath and nodded "Fine, but if you let me fall I'll hex your balls off"

He chuckled as he raised us.

I had kept my eyes closed the moment we lifted away from the comfort of the ground. I could feel the crisp morning air hitting my face and the sound of the wind whooshing past my ears. "If you open your eyes this will be more pleasant" Malfoy said against the back of my head.

I could barely hear him, but I still hesitantly opened my eyes. I gasped, realizing we weren't anywhere remotely close to the pitch. Are we going that fast or was I just oblivious to how long we've been flying? I dared sneaking a peek at Malfoy who seemed quite pleased with himself.

After flying around a bit more, I slowly grew more comfortable and more relaxed. I'm honestly a bit mad at myself that I hadn't taken up flying earlier in life, but who knows if the experience would've been the same like right now, with Malfoy.

I couldn't even believe I was enjoying myself this much, with Malfoy's strong build pressed tightly up against my back. He led up to the stop of the Astronomy tower, but not the main part, but the actual top, the roof.

"What are you doing? We're not allowed up here" I asked nervously when he started to lower us onto it.

I could practically feel him roll his eyes as planted his feet on the slightly flat section of the roof. "Who's going to catch us?" he didn't wait for my response "No one is, lets just take a break then we'll fly some more"

I got off as soon as I felt it was safe enough to. The view was amazing. All I could see was the Black lake. It was dark out, but the remaining rays of the moon were still able to be casted on the water.

I sat down next to Malfoy who was already sitting on the edge. Our legs brushed, but he paid no attention to it, so I didn't move.

After sitting in a heavy amount of silence, I looked over at Malfoy. He had just been sitting, watching the lake. "Why did you get so shitty at playing seeker?"

I didn't mean to ask the question so harshly, but it needed to be asked.

He leaned forward, spiking my anxiety a bit as he rested his elbows on his knees. He shook slightly with laughter, but then shook his head as if he didn't know. "Guess I just lost my spark"

I was studying him intensely, thinking back to him flying to training and games. He was a great flyer, but not a great seeker, or at least not right now. I thought back to us flying together just moments ago, seeing the pure content on his face. That's when it hit me. "Is it possible you don't want to catch the snitch?"

He looked at me, confusion marked all over his face "Of course I want to catch the snitch, don't be daft"

I frowned but went on, "You love flying right?" He nodded wearily "Maybe you're just trying to get more time flying than actually seeking, but you just haven't registered you're doing that"

He shook his head sighing, "Granger, that's a crazy idea, I know what I'm doing every second of every day, I wouldn't just be flying around to fly around at a game"

I huffed angrily, I know I'm on to something. "Why was your father here at, at least 3:30 this morning?"

His eyes shot over to me, a scowl breaking on his face " How did you know that? Are you stalking me or something?

I smirked "I ran into him on the way to see you, lets just say it didn't go pleasantly" I saw in the corner of my eyes his hands tighten on the edge of the roof. "Now tell me, why was he here?"

He ran his tongue on the inside of his cheek, thinking about whether or not he should tell me. I couldn't help but follow the motion to his defined jaw and cheekbones. I bet if I ran my hand along them, they'd be so sharp I'd almost hurt myself.

"He comes the night before every game of mine" His soft voice brought me back to the conversation. I nodded for him to continue, afraid that if I spoke he'd stop "He goes over sequences and strategies till I have every single one memorized, he only just left around 3:50 today"

I looked at him in bewilderment "So he's been with you at the pitch since last night?"

He sighed a deep breath "Yep, he'll do anything to make sure I don't embarrass him, the other boys, or even just the slytherin house"

I scoffed, "That's ridiculous, I can't even imagine having that much pressure on myself ever since 2nd year"

"Imagine what it's like then when I lose"

I was taken back by his statement. I never thought about that before, he's lost many times to Harry. Harry has only lost a few times, never having any consequence other than disappointment in himself, but he always had his friends there to comfort him.

The slytherins were more closed off, most likely not comforting to each other when they lose. With how passionate Lucius seems about quidditch, I really don't want to think about it when Malfoy fails him.

"I'm sorry" I found myself saying without a thought.

He shrugged "Don't be, I don't need your pity"

I shook my head looking away "When will you realize I don't pity you and genuinely want to help you"

He didn't respond.

I waited a couple minutes before asking "Do you get to fly freely often?"

He shook his head 'no', apparently not wanting to speak anymore.

I turned my body to his, leaning my head forward so he could see me clearly "I think to help with your seeking, you need to start flying for fun instead of flying for others"

"Like that will cure me-" He scoffed, looking away, but I grabbed his face in my free hand, keeping it towards me.

"If you aren't able to fly for yourself, why fly for anyone?" I asked, looking between his grey eyes. I didn't feel myself move closer, but he didn't move back. "You aren't doing well anymore because you're not doing it for fun, for your own personal gain"

I was surprised how soft his eyes were when they were looking into mine. I expected him to retract away, saying my theory was rubbish. It might be just rubbish, but it's reasonable. Our breathing had slowed as I waited for an answer, anything that would get me a lead on his emotions, but what I didn't expect was for him to close the distance between us so quickly.

His lips were soft on mine, but needy. One of his hands moved from the roof to grab mine, the other going into my hair, gripping hard. I didn't mind the urgency of the kiss as I kissed him back with the same amount of force.

I let my other hand, that was free of his hand, round over his shoulder, before settling at the nape of his neck. His hair was as silky as I had imagined. I let myself freely roam through the platinum strands.

I could stay here forever, the heat of our body's keeping us warm. The way he easily dominated the kiss made me feel light headed, almost like I was flying.

I hated myself for how closer I wanted to get to him, the snogging not being enough. As if thinking the same thing, he gripped my hair, wanking it back. It didn't hurt, but it did surprise me. He started kissing down the sides of my neck, sometimes going over to tease my ear. I couldn't believe the sounds I was making, Ron had never made me make these noises.

He let go of my other hand, using it to hold my waist as I started to go slack in his hold. Finally having both hands free, I was able to feel all over his body. I thanked Merlin he was shirtless so I was able to feel his muscles as he clenched and stretched them, moving all over me.

I loved the groan he made as I lightly tested what it would be like to scrape my nails against his back.

I felt my body leaning back, laying down on the roof. His body rose to hover over me as he ran sloppy, yet precise, kisses down my throat to the top of my chest, where the peak of my pajama shirt buttons were.

Pulling us back to reality, the hoot of an owl flying next to us, finally separated our lips. We were both breathing heavily as we stared at each other in amazement. Had we really just snogged?

I couldn't help the laughter that bubbled from my lips. "Sorry- I-" I couldn't stop laughing to get the words out.

After looking at me strangely, he joined in, moving to sit next to me, letting me sit up as we laughed.

He ran a hand through his hair, shaking with laughter "We really did that?"

I nodded, my eyes squinting so hard from my smile. My laughter started to die when I noticed he had gotten up and went over to his broom, but when I saw he was still smiling as he picked it up, my worries went away.

"Let's get going, don't want to miss breakfast" He said, his eyes bright.

I took a second to take in my life at this very moment. I had just been flying with, thoroughly snogged by, and laughing in the company of Draco Malfoy, while the sun was starting to rise on the roof of the Astronomy tower.

A few moments later I joined him on his broom, not minding the fact that he held me tighter and closer.

On our way back to the pitch, I started to think. What does the kiss mean?

Was it to shut me up?

To humiliate me for later?

Did he actually like me?

Did I like him?

Could it have been only just a one time thing? Godric, I hope not. I had never been that aroused in my life!

I got off the broom as soon as my feet touched the grass beneath me. I held myself as I looked towards the ground, not wanting to watch Malfoy as he returned to the locker room.

"Granger," I was startled to see he was still standing there with a smug smile. "What's wrong?"

I could avoid it and let it tear me up, or ask and embarrass myself for the end of time.

"What did the kiss mean?"

He raised his brows, but kept smiling "I should've known that it would stress you out" He moved forward, taking my hand to pull me close to him. I had to lift my head to keep eye contact as he rested his hands on my waist, while mine went instinctively to his shoulders. "Take the kiss as you want to take it"

I looked down "But I don't know how to take it"

He squeezed my hips, then stepped out of my hold as he said, with a smaller smile "Then let me know when you figure it out"

I stood in utter shock. Was Malfoy suggesting a relationship?

And was I actually considering one?

I was pacing in front of the others, already wearing that rusty old slytherin jacket from the closet. "You need to really watch out for Ernie Macmillan, he's currently ranked first, one above Flint, which means he's really good and-"

The hand on my shoulder stopped me completely. I quickly shoved off Flints hand as he interrupted me "We know Hermione-"

"-Granger" I corrected.

"- That Macmillan is good, but I have no worries about our fierce chasers here"

I was fuming as I let Flint talk about things he didn't really know. Everything he was saying was taken directly from my notes. The others seemed to know it too.

"Hermione," Theo asked from the spot next to me, cutting off Flint, "any scouts at today's game?"

I smiled, "Yes, quite a few too!"

I stood pulling out my list "Everyone except Flint and Crabbe have a scout." I saw Malfoy- no, Draco- Lift his head up. " Blaise, Draco, and Theo have a scout from Caerphilly Catapults. Goyle's is from the Chudley Cannons, and finally Adrian's is from the Ballycastle Bats"

Everyone besides Goyle looked quite pleased with their possible offers. Draco seemed to be pleased enough to send me a very heated look. I felt my inside melt from the way he looked at me. I quickly collected myself as they all started to leave, doing their ritual of hitting the tip of their brooms on the doorframe on the way out.

Smiling as I turned around to see Draco standing there, I walked up to him "Shouldn't you be going?"

He grinned down at me, then dipped to put a searing kiss on my lips. He pulled back faster than I had wished him to, "I wouldn't leave without a good luck kiss"

I bit my lip from reaching out for him once again, as I watched him leave, hitting the doorframe on his way out.

It started raining as soon as the game started, I was a bit nervous, we had yet to have practice in the rain. The boys didn't seem bothered by it at all.

With Macmillan as hufflpuff's keeper, we wouldn't have stood a chance without Draco getting the snitch within 25 minutes of the game.

The relief that washed over me the moment I saw his hand close around the snitch was overwhelming.

I only needed to tend to Crabbe medically after the game. The others sat around and chatted till I was done. Cleaning up my medical bag I said "Honestly, great game today everyone"

"Couldn't have done it without you Hermione" Blaise said winking, I laughed, swatting at his shoulder.

Going to put back the bag in the equipment closet, I started feeling a bit light headed. I shook my head. Had I eaten today? Yes. Had I had enough water? Yes. I had to grab onto the doorframe to steady myself as I started to lose balance. I could hear someone talking to me, but my ears had gone fuzzy.

Within a second everything had gone black.

I'm in a hallway.

I'm on the ground, crawling. "I need to get away" I keep telling myself.

These hallways are like mazes. Every door looks the same. I could hear someone calling out after me, so I got up, stumbling, holding the wall as I quickened my pace.

"Hermine, come back at once!"

I wanted to listen, but my body urged me not to, and continued to follow along through the maze.

I had turned a corner quickly, regretting it instantly. It was a dead end.

I fell back to the floor, my body feeling like the weight of the world. I pulled myself over to one of the corners, next to a door, having given up.

Who ever I was running from can have me.

Pulling myself into a ball, I felt a poke of my wand from the holster attached around my thigh. I pulled it out and with my last bit of energy casted a disillusionment charm on myself.

I waited quietly for the boy with dark hair to leave. When he did, I blacked out once more.

I felt cold and wet. I opened my eyes to see Theo holding a bucket above my head, his eyes watching me curiously. "What-"

"You collapsed again" Draco said from beside me, he was holding my head gently, but I wished he was holding me. He must've read the look in my face, but he looked at the others, as if silently telling me he couldn't infront of them.

I sat up cautiously, my head still feeling light. "Did I say anything this time?"

They all shook their heads. Blaise was the first to speak, "What did you see?"

Flint, who had been sitting on the couch near the ground where I fell, tensed, then got up, mumbling about how he needed to shower and get ready for the party tonight. I watched him curiously as he left, before I responded "The last time I was with someone, and I wasn't comfortable, stressed that I couldn't find my wand"

The others listened closely, all uncomfortable by the fainting spell as well. "Then today I was running, in a maze of hallways, running from the person from the last dream. It ended with me giving up and casting a disillusionment charm and hoping I wasn't found"

"Did you recognize the hallways?" Adrian asked, as if he was wanting me to dig for something deeper.

I went to say 'no' but it hit me. "The slytherin dorm hallways!"

Draco furrowed his eyebrows "Do you think you're finally starting to remember last weekend?"

I nodded, sure of myself. "I don't know what happened, but it wasn't good if I can only remember by fainting"

Theo scoffed. "Obviously, whoever the other person was, didn't want you to remember" He said, eyeing the others.

Draco moved a hand to my back, rubbing slightly, ignoring the presence of the others. "As soon as you remember who they were, tell me"

I felt conscience under their serious gazes but nodded, "Of course"

Draco helped me up "Go back to your dorm, no party for you tonight"

I would've argued, I didn't like that he thought he could tell me what to do, but I couldn't have agreed more.