Chapter 10: Football Practice

"Draco! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

I had been sitting in bed with a book before fully getting up to get ready for our early morning practice. It was calming and peaceful, always fun having my mind rest. That was until Draco came knocking in his aggressive way at my window.

It was raining this morning so I had quickly let him in through the window, not wanting him to get sick or hurt before the game Friday. After casting a drying charm over himself, he turned around to respond. "Well, I don't know what else you want me to do when I'm about to die on a broomstick outside your window" He shrugged.

I tried to keep my stern frown but his smirk made me break out into a smile. I walked over to him, seamlessly weaving my hands together behind his neck as his hands went naturally to hold my waist. He already moved them under my sleep shirt to feel my skin on his hands.

"So, are we not flying this morning?" I asked, making a point to look out the window at the pouring rain.

He shivered. "Bloody hell, no. That rain almost blinded me on the way up here" I laughed as he continued to run his hands up my sides. "We could just spend the morning here and relax," He said, wiggling his eyebrows at the end.

Stepping out of his hold, I shook my head looking back over my shoulder to say "Or, we can stay here and you can help me work on some things" I pointed over to my desk which you could hardly see under all the papers that were scattered over it.

I went over to my side table and opened the drawer for a pair of socks and all the papers with the boys' votes on them. I had decided to sort them this morning before our practice.

I sat them on the bed next to me so I could put the socks I grabbed on my cold feet. "You still haven't given me your vote yet," I said, nudging my chin over to the pile.

"I just don't have a vote," He said, sitting down next to me, getting comfortable.

I huffed, "But you said you needed to think about it, so you have at least two people in mind"

Rolling his eyes, laying on his back he said "I just can't decide, everyone has their own talents to lead the team"

I laid back, turning on my side to look at him as I asked "I thought you would want to be Captain"

"I would do it if I was voted, but not by choice. Father always wanted me to be Captain, but it's too serious of a role for me" He sighed, turning to look over at me.

"Everyone follows you though, you'd be really good" I pressed.

He shook his head, "It's not for me, Hermione"

I sat up, moving to grab the pile. He followed my movements as we sat across from each other on the bed with the pile between us. "I'll still need your vote," I said, looking at him expectantly.

Grabbing the first paper that laid on top he shook his head again. "We'll see" He opened the paper and the first thing he did was laugh.

I squinted my eyes at him, "Draco, be nice about who someone voted for"

He was grabbing at his chest from laughing so hard. Struggling for breath he said "I'm not laughing at them, I'm just eager for you to see who they wrote"

I ignored him, picking up my own piece of paper to read. My breath was caught when I read the name.

My name.

On the paper, scribbled in with a pen.

Hermione G.

"I assume someone else also wrote your name?"

I nodded numbly, quickly reaching for another paper, which also had my name. Draco had also grabbed one, looking at me knowingly when he put it down to keep reading through them.

"This can't be right" I muttered, continuing to read papers with a variation of my name scratched onto different pieces of paper. "That can't even be allowed, I'm not a Slytherin, nor am I even on the team. I don't even play quidditch!"

Draco was still laughing as he laid out all the papers in front of us. "I think I'm going to vote for you too"

Shaking my head in refusal, I frowned "This doesn't make any sense, I just help you all, I'm not meant to lead"

He shrugged, moving the papers off the bed to sit closer to me. He wrapped his arm over my shoulder, drawing me close to him. I sunk into his touch as he explained. "You practically already lead us. You planned today's practice, and already point out our mistakes or advantages"

I looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed "But I'm not Slytherin, and I don't play" I emphasized.

He grinned slightly, looking down at me "Yet you're still enough for us"

He pulled me to lay down on my bed. If my mind hadn't been spinning by the votes, I would most likely be freaking out that I'm lying in bed, being comforted by Draco Malfoy, but somehow these occurrences are becoming more and more normal for me.

"If you all win, I can't be announced as the Captain who led the team to victory, it wouldn't be right, or fair for everyone else"

He sighed, "We'll figure that out later when the time comes, if the time comes."

The rest of the morning was spent going over my thoughts, which seemed to all be jumbled. "-And I still have to finish my potions essay"

He scoffed, "That isn't due for two months, you have plenty of time"

I sighed, sitting up. "I'm aware, but after spending so much focusing on the team I'm worried about falling behind on my schedule"

He sat up, putting a hand on my thigh in a comforting way, "If you didn't work for a whole month you'd still be ahead of everyone else" I smiled, still distracted. He squeezed my thigh, bringing my attention back to him "So, are you going to tell me about today's practice?" He asked.

Shaking my head, I smirked, "No, it's a surprise for everyone"

"Can I change your mind?"

I blushed as he leaned in, pressing his lips firmly to mine, then slowly opening them to deepen the kiss. I let him, he knew it was a weakness for me. I felt like I was floating when he kissed me. I placed a hand on his chest, relishing in the kiss before pushing him away. "As much as it's tempting, even snogging won't make me reveal my secret"

His shoulders dropped slightly, but he still smirked as he whispered "Maybe I just need to try harder" before leaning in again.

Even after all the heavy snogging and petting, I still wouldn't tell him. Luckily, in my favor, he still kept trying.

~0~

The weather was perfect for practice today. Barely a cloud in the sky, a constant light breeze.

I wore my trainers, a pair of athletic leggings, and a lightweight Hogwarts t-shirt. Usually, I didn't participate in any type of their training, but it was necessary for today. I hope today's practice will improve their communication, and help them all relax with each other, have a bit of fun together. I could tell the upcoming game is getting their nerves up.

Draco walked with Blaise, Theo, Pansy, and Daphne. I held my laugh at seeing these boys in such casual, almost too muggle-looking attire. Draco wore a white shirt that resembled his pale skin a bit, with a pair of black short athletic trousers and trainers. Blaise and Theo wore something almost like his with different colored shirts. I could see the others along the hill behind them, also wearing similar attires.

I looked at Pansy and Daphne, "Why are you two here? You usually don't come on Tuesdays"

Pansy smirked while Daphne answered, "Blaise told me that you planned today's practice and made them wear muggle-like clothing, I just had to see what you were up to"

I nodded looking over to Pansy, asking "And she forced you to come with her?"

She shifted weight, "Of course, but I have to admit, I'm a bit curious myself"

The girls had started walking away to their seats as I looked at Draco, my eyebrows raised in shock. "Did you hear that, she came almost on her own volition"

He huffed a laugh, along with the other two. "See, Hermione, she isn't so bad"

"Well, I don't know about that," I said playfully, moving over to greet the others. "Everyone put your brooms in the locker room, then meet me back out here for a quick meeting before we start today"

"You're not going to tell us what we're doing?" Crabbe asked before walking away.

I smirked, shaking my head "Nope," I said, popping my 'p' "Not yet"

~0~

They were all eyeing me skeptically as I asked them to stand in a circle. I felt giddy with excitement to see their reactions when I snapped my fingers and a net bag of footballs popped right next to me. Their faces remained, only changing their emotions to curiosity.

I excitedly gesture to the bag, "Well?!"

Draco, who was next to me, placed a hand on my shoulder "Hermione, what are they?"

I gaped, "You don't even know what a football looks like?"

Theo shrugged next to him "No, are we supposed to? It looks weird"

"Does it work like a Bludger?" Goyle asked, not taking his eyes off the bags.

"No," I said taking a deep breath "It isn't magical, it's a football from a muggle sport, called football"

Draco's eyes brightened "You used to play this sport, right?"

I smiled and nodded. I couldn't help but snicker to myself with how pleased he looked that he remembered.

"Is it like a quaffle?" Blaise asked expectantly.

I clapped "Yes, but instead of throwing it, you can absolutely not touch it with your hands, that's breaking the rules"

Blaise tilted his head curiously, "Then how is this supposed to help us, we don't kick anything in quidditch besides Graham" He said gesturing over to Graham who looked stone-faced as usual.

"It's a great game to learn how to work together, and I think you'll all like it, maybe relax everyone a bit" I explained. I was practically bouncing on my feet, eager to start practice.

Draco shrugged, looking at the others expectantly "I'm ready to learn, how about you lot?"

The others nodded, following my directions to get into two lines to start learning how to just kick the ball. As they did, I walked over to Montague "You'll have a slightly different role," I said gesturing to the goal space I had just snapped into place "That is the goal, and you'll block it, just like you do as Keeper with the post. This might even be easier than being a Keeper. You can also use your hands"

He looked over at the net, examining it before giving one stiff nod "Ok"

I didn't even reply before he walked over to the net, ready to play. I sighed, curious if Montague was like this with everyone. It's not that he's unkind towards me, it's just that he's...quiet? For a person so many people love and gush over, he speaks in only one-word sentences.

With a flick of my wrist, I summoned each of the boys a football, including myself. I moved to the front of the two lines to start instructing the basics of the muggle sport, just like my old coach had all those years ago. It felt nostalgic being able to play the sport I had to quit in order to go to a magical school. Especially now that I get to teach it to other magical students.

After showing that you kick the ball with the inside of your foot, not your toes, balls were being kicked around everywhere. Theo kicked his far, with a grin wide on his face. But then he just stood there watching it roll. I gestured to the ball as I asked him "Aren't you going to chase after it?"

He looked over at me curiously "Why would I do that? Isn't this the game?"

I resisted the urge to laugh. Shaking my head, I told the others to get back in the two lines. As I started to explain how the actual game works, I saw them brighten at the idea of playing it. "Now," I said pointing at Montague who was just standing at the goal "Montague is going to be the Keeper, which is called the Goalie, in football. You are going to go in pairs, kicking the ball between your feet as you go and try to score against him"

Draco raised his hand "So he's going to try and stop us?"

"Yes. Just like he does with quaffles" I smiled.

Draco and Blaise went first. They had done decently kicking the ball up to the goal box, but once they arrived that's when miscommunication took place.

Blaise kicked first, going for the opposite corner of where he stood, but Montague effectively lunged in the way, grabbing hold of the ball. Blaise looked put out but I gave him an encouraging pat on the back as he made his way to the back of his line. Draco stood there, calculating. "Draco, in an actual game you can't just stand there!" I yelled from the other side of the area.

He huffed, clearly upset I ruined his concentration. He lined up his kick and, to my surprise, kicked the ball straight up in the air. I stopped breathing as I watched it go up, and up. Clearly, his broom thighs do more wonders than I thought. But while I was distracted with the flying ball, I missed Draco run and tackle Montague.

Montague was putting up a good fight, but Draco had the surprise attack at his advantage when he kneed Montague in the abdomen. "Draco!" I yelled running over. What in Merlin's name happened?

But before I could get to him, he was already standing as the ball landed back at his feet, so he could effortlessly kick it into the net. Montague was still on the ground when I arrived over to them. Draco turned "See, unlike Blaise, I was able to do it," He said smugly.

He was too proud of himself, so when he went to pull me into a "victorious" hug, I swerved past him with a roll of my eyes to kneel next to Montague. "Are you alright?" I asked, casting a diagnostic charm over him.

"Yes," He replied, sitting up slightly.

Even after being attacked by Draco he still only speaks in one word. After examining his diagnostics I determined he'd just have a few nasty bruises and that nothing was broken or fractured.

"Are you fine to keep playing?" I asked Montague once he was standing again.

"Yes," He replied, returning to his post.

Suppressing a groan, I turned to the rest of the group, appearing to be stifling laughs at Draco, who seemed utterly confused as to what was happening around him.

I walked up to him, giving him a good poke to the chest with my pointer finger "Draco, where did you get the idea that you tackle the goalie to make a goal?"

He stuttered slightly, looking around at the others for support. "I thought it was logical" He shrugged shyly.

Blowing out a long exhale, I straightened "I think I need to go over the rules more clearly this time"

They all nodded in agreement.

~0~

Once the rules were understood and they all managed to make at least one goal against Montague, I decided to assign them each a role and try to play an actual match.

"Won't we need another Kee- Goalie?" Adrian asked after I gave them roles.

I nodded, glad he caught on "Yes, I thought I would step in, it's been a while since I properly played"

Soon teams were in order and everyone was eager to play. "Wait," Goyle said, "How do we know who's on what team?"

"You could just remember," I suggested.

He bit his lip, obviously not liking the idea of that. Sighing, I said "Well muggles, when they play 'pickup' games like this, they play shirts and skins"

Adrian budded in, asking "So like one team wears shirts, the other doesn't?"

"Yes, it's an easy visual so you don't need to think twice about if who you're passing the ball to is on your team or not"

Theo raised his hand quickly "Our team skins!"

I frowned at him. He knew I was on his team. He sent me a playful smirk, knowing exactly what he just started.

"I think not," Draco said gruffly, before removing his shirt. I placed him on the other team, hoping it'd be fun for him to play against his closest mates rather than playing with them. I placed a hand over my mouth to hold in my laughter as Theo gave me a knowing look.

Draco hadn't noticed though as he was aggressively insisting the others on his team removed their shirts as well.

Blaise, who was also on my team, was snickering to himself as well. I looked over to the stand, finding the girls outwardly laughing. When Draco stopped yelling at Crabbe to remove his shirt, he turned and looked at everyone who was laughing. "What's so bloody funny?"

Blaise shrugged "Oh, nothing mate," He smirked "I just never would have thought you'd be so eager to have your teammates take off their shirts" He ended his teasing with wiggling eyebrows.

Draco was biting his cheek, definitely holding back any type of humor "Fuck off, and let's play"

~0~

I forgot what it was like to play a full game of football. It had to have been at least seven years since I kicked a ball. Granted I wasn't as worn out as expected considering I was playing against amateurs. Yet, they all held themselves pretty well. None of them broke any of the rules which was surprising, and we all even had a few laughs at points.

I laughed the hardest when Draco came up to score against me and threatened with a smirk if I would rather just be tackled by him, to which I responded with a wink "The only time I wish for you to tackle me is in the bedroom" It had thrown him so off guard that Adrian was able to steal the ball back.

Completely drained we all sat around the couches in the locker room, passing out water like it was a lifeline. "So," I started once the chatter went down "What did we think of football"

"Bloody fantastic!" Adrian shouted, raising his glass in false cheers.

I sat up straight from where my head was resting on Draco's shoulder. "Well, I hope today was a good day to let loose and get comfortable with each other because I don't want to see what I saw Monday out on the pitch tomorrow" I scolded.

"Agreed," Theo said, giving me a salute.

I laughed leaning back on Draco who rested his arm over my shoulders, squeezing me as he spoke "Don't you have something you need to tell the group, Hermione?"

I glared up at him, especially when I saw everyone grow these sly looks on their faces. "I guess I do, but it seems everyone already knows what I have to announce"

Blaise scrunched his brows "No, Hermione, I'm afraid I don't know"

"Me as well," Theo said, looking just as confused, but it was obvious they were faking it, messing with me.

I crossed my arms "I reviewed the votes for who team captain is"

"And?" Draco said, nudging me with a grin.

I huffed, "And I was voted as captain"

Cheers filled the room, but before I could let them continue, I cut them off "But I don't understand why"

"How does the Brightest Witch of Her Age not know why?" Theo asked, exasperated.

Adrian bent over from his chair, ignoring Theo, drawing in my attention "It's because you already do it, Hermione"

I felt nervous about how much confidence they had in me for this role. Yes, I filed everything, told them everything, directed everyth… okay so maybe I already do have a pretty strong role. "But it just doesn't seem fair. You all already work so well together, I just make sure everything is organized"

"So what was today?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow "I don't remember planning and coaching a whole practice being just 'organizing'"

Rolling my eyes, knowing he had a point, I continued "Well, what will we do when you all win the House Cup? The captain gets the trophy and does a speech. Then the group pictures are taken with the captain holding the cup. I can't do those things"

Blaise tilted his head, asking "Why can't you?"

I started growing frustrated, I knew my logic was there "Because I don't play quidditch, and I wasn't even with the team all year, Flint was!"

"And Flint's not here anymore, so it doesn't matter" Draco gruffed, tightening his grip on my shoulder.

I slumped against him giving up, "But if something happens, and I can't do it, I want someone else to do it"

Montague astonishingly asked "Who?"

Not knowing, I anxiously picked at the hem of my shirt. "I don't know" I whispered, but everyone caught it.

Theo went on to ask another question but Draco cut him off with a scowl. "I think it's time we all head back"

~0~

Draco and I walked back to the castle together and once we reached the main doors, to my surprise he asked "Want to finish some of your homework in my dorm? Turns out the other Slytherins don't mind your company"

I smiled, loving the invitation, but sadly had to decline "I want to, but I think I need to sort some things out in my head back in my dorm"

His shoulders deflated a bit, but he inclined his head, giving me a fast peck goodbye before making his way to the dungeons.

It hurt saying no to spending time with him because it seems all I do now is spend time with him. Ginny had once again pointed out my absence, so I feel it's best I try to add a bit of space between myself and the Slytherins.

Climbing into bed that night I started getting that sickening feeling of guilt. Within the next week, the Gryffindors will most likely find out what I've been hiding from them, and it will not go well.

A/N: hey y'all i just wanted to pop in and thank every single one of you for your reviews and stuff. i have lots of medical and personal issues i have to deal with so i'm sorry chapters have been getting out late. the support for this fic keeps me going so thank y'all again

love y'all3