Chapter Thirty-three

Unexpected

Draco was flying around the pitch in desperation, trying to spot the golden flash he wanted to find so badly. Harry was looking for the snitch as well, but he couldn't stop looking at the blond boy out of the corner of his eye.

He knew Draco wanted to win for a good reason and, though he had denied it in front of the others, he was considering giving him a bit of a head start. He couldn't wait to find out what Draco was going to do if he caught the coveted snitch.

He spotted something golden fluttering across the lower part of the pitch and immediately Draco descended at full speed. Harry followed him, not knowing what to do. He was very curious but he also wanted Gryffindor to win, losing to Slytherin was always a humiliation for everyone.

He caught up to Draco and flew up beside him, just as they had done in second year. Their shoulders collided and they both looked at each other.

"It's mine, Potter! Get out of the way!" Draco shouted, glaring at him.

Harry frowned, snorting softly.

"Go ahead, you take it" he replied, still standing there.

"What?" asked Draco, looking back at him.

"I'm not going to push you, and it's closer to you... Get it now or I will!" Harry yelled.

Draco returned his gaze to the snitch, which was flying so fast right in front of them. He reached out as far as he could, leaning forward on the broom, and his shout of joy echoed throughout the stadium as his fingers closed around the small glowing ball.

"Malfoy has the snitch! Slytherin wins!"

Shrieks echoed all around as the Slytherin team gathered in the centre, waiting for each other to celebrate the victory and fly over the pitch together. Instead of going there, Draco turned his broom towards the Gryffindor stands, right to the area where he knew Hermione was.

She saw him approaching and began to hear her heartbeat in her ears.

What was he going to do? Would he give her the snitch? He was getting closer and closer and she didn't understand. He held out an arm towards her and Hermione felt even more confused.

Was he going to fly her away?

Just as he reached her height, Draco slowed down and gave her a very intense look. She got to her feet and reached out, so that she could take the hand he was offering her. When she finally grabbed his right hand, Draco leaned his broom down and kissed her passionately on the lips.

Hermione was petrified, she would never have expected him to do something like that.

The Gryffindor stands fell silent and shouts of surprise began to be heard. When they broke apart, her face couldn't have been redder and even Draco was blushing at such a public display of affection.

"We don't have to worry anymore, everyone knows now" he murmured with a shy voice.

He kissed the back of her hand and released it, flying over to where his teammates stood with their faces scrunched up.

A shout rang out from the Slytherin stands.

"With the mudblood? You've got to be kidding me!"

"Shut up and don't ever call my girlfriend that again, Smith!" Draco retorted angrily, pointing his finger at him.

Hermione was getting dizzy with shock, Luna noticed and grabbed her.

"Did he just call you his girlfriend in front of everyone?" Luna asked, smirking.

"And he kissed you! Bloody hell, that was a blast!" squealed Ginny excitedly. She had approached them on her broomstick at full speed when she saw the kiss.

Ginny flew away again, going down to the sandy ground, where the rest of the Gryffindor team was.

Neville was standing next to Luna and looked like he was about to have a stroke. Hermione couldn't say any word, still in shock at what had just happened. Even the commentator was speechless.

"Well... after this, which will give us a lot to talk about... Let's celebrate today's victory!"

It took a while for the stands to react, but the Slytherin side roared again as their team flew over the pitch, with Draco showing off the snitch. Hermione reacted as she heard the whispers of her Gryffindor classmates.

"Get me out of here" she muttered, looking at Luna with pleading eyes.

She smiled and grabbed her arm, heading for the stairs down from the tower they were in.

"Breathe, Hermione. It wasn't that bad" Luna commented with a chuckle.

"But did you see what he did in front of everyone?" she asked, still looking pale.

"I think it was very romantic" Luna added with sparkling eyes.

"Yes... it was, but he took me completely by surprise."

"I think that's what he wanted, to surprise us all."

Once they were on the ground, they walked towards the door where the Gryffindor team was leaving. Almost everyone ignored them and left, disappointed with the outcome of the match, but Harry, Ron and Ginny stayed behind to wait for them.

Harry threw himself on his best friend, hugging her.

"I'm so happy for you" he murmured in her ear.

She smiled and hugged him tighter, burying her face in his chest.

"I still can't believe he did that" Hermione said with a nervous laugh.

"It's a good way to show everyone that he loves you, and that what they think doesn't matter to him. I've officially started to like Malfoy" said Ginny, who had come up to them.

"They didn't do anything to you this time, did they?" Hermione asked, undoing the embrace to look her friend in the face.

Harry shook his head.

"He didn't even push me when we were chasing the snitch side by side" he admitted, smiling.

"Nor you pushed him" she said, raising an eyebrow.

Harry put a hand to the back of his head, rubbing his neck.

"Well... I think I've given him enough troubles for this year. Better to start being nicer to him, especially now that he's going to be a part of our lives by being with you."

Hermione blushed and smiled, slightly embarrassed.

"But I'm never going to like him" Harry added, winking at her.

Ron came over and nudged Hermione.

"I'm happy for you too, but that was really weird to see" he admitted quietly.

They all laughed until they heard another one of the doors opening. Looking up, they saw the Slytherin team walking off the pitch. Everyone glanced at Hermione with a confused expression and continued on their way, except for Draco who started walking towards them.

"I think we should go and leave them alone" Luna said, tugging on Ron's arm.

Ginny nodded and did the same with Harry, walking away towards the castle doors.

By the time Draco reached her, Hermione was a nervous wreck and her hands were trembling. With his free hand, he lifted her chin and bent down just enough to kiss her. She sighed when they broke apart, that kiss had been too tender.

"Are you angry with me?" Draco asked, cocking his head slightly to one side as he looked at her.

"Angry? No, what I am is very surprised" Hermione replied, a smile on her lips.

Draco smiled as well. He got a better grip on his broom and mounted it. He gestured for Hermione to hop on with him and took flight as soon as she did, leaving behind all the students who were leaving the pitch and talking about them non-stop.

"What did your team say?"

"They were too freaked out to say anything, Hermione."

They both giggled and she looked away to take in the beautiful scenery. They were sitting on the edge of the roof of the astronomy tower, as they had done so many times before together.

Hermione moved closer to him and leaned against his shoulder.

"That was a very nice thing you did."

Draco pulled away a little.

"I'm sweaty, I haven't showered yet and I'm sure I don't smell good" he commented, a little embarrassed.

She rolled her eyes and flopped back down on top of him.

"I don't mind."

Draco smiled sideways and rested his cheek against her head.

"I did it because I wanted to, I wanted to celebrate the victory with a kiss from you."

"You had it in mind... Didn't you?"

"Of course, that's why I warned you to be prepared" Draco replied, chuckling softly.

Hermione sighed.

"I'm sure they won't stop talking about us now."

"Just focus on the exams and forget about everyone else. But if I hear anyone from Slytherin insulting you, I'll kick their arses. I hope what I said to that git who dared to call you a mudblood made it clear to them."

Hermione blushed at the memory of his words.

"I don't think all Slytherins are like him" she said quietly.

"No. Pansy came running over to give me a hug and tell me how proud she was of me, and that I was quite brave to do that" he said, smiling at the thought of his best friend.

"And I'm sure Marissa will be supportive too, she's a nice girl."

"Do you like your ex-boyfriend's girlfriend?" Draco asked teasingly.

"Of course I like her! I want Ron to be happy, and he's happy with her" Hermione said, giving him a little pinch in the ribs.

He let out a grunt of protest and they both laughed.

"Well... don't make any plans this Saturday, because we're going to Hogsmeade together" he mumbled, sitting up.

Hermione blushed again, accepting the hand Draco was offering to help her to her feet.

"And then... then... Where will we go?" she asked, stuttering.

Draco gave her a crooked smile.

"I told you...you're sleeping with me that night."

Hermione swallowed and he laughed at her nervousness.

"We have to go to the Great Hall now, or we won't get anything to eat" Draco said, swinging a leg over his broom.

Hermione smiled sheepishly and climbed up behind him, holding onto his waist. After landing next to the huge doors of the castle, she walked with Draco to the cupboard where the Slytherin brooms were stored.

When he let the race broom there, he grabbed one of her hands and intertwined their fingers. She blushed and her heart fluttered on her chest, they were walking around the castle holding hands.

Draco ignored everyone they came across, who were staring at them, and walked into the Great Hall with Hermione. He approached the Gryffindor table and, after leaving a short kiss on her lips, walked over to his house table.

Hermione sat down next to Ginny, her cheeks burning. As soon as they had entered, everyone had fallen silent and watched them. Draco gave the members of the Slytherin table an icy glare before sitting down, and slowly the students began to speak again and the usual murmur echoed through the huge room.

"I love it. I couldn't love you two more together" Luna said, sighing and looking dreamy.

Ginny patted Hermione's back affectionately and she reacted.

"It's going to be hard to get used to everyone staring at me" Hermione commented quietly, bringing one of the trays full of food to her plate.

"Welcome to my world, Hermione" Harry said in a mocking voice.

At the next table, Blaise stood with his arms crossed, staring at his blond friend with a confused expression. Theo kept glaring at Hermione and Pansy was watching the three of them with amused eyes. Gregory was eating quietly as if nothing interesting had happened.

"Do you mind explaining what the hell happened today?" Theo asked, looking at Draco for the first time since he had been sitting next to them.

"Do you need me to explain what a kiss is, Theodore?" Draco replied in a mocking voice.

Theo snorted and Blaise leaned his elbows on the table, sighing.

"I don't think I ever imagined I'd see you kissing Hermione Granger, mate. I still can't believe it" he confessed, looking at Draco sideways with his dark eyes.

"So you like her now?" Theo asked, still very surprised.

Draco rolled his eyes, but before he could speak, Pansy answered for him.

"It's more than that, you idiots. He's been in love with her for months."

Theo dropped his fork and stared at Pansy with a neutral expression.

"I don't believe you" he muttered under his breath.

Blaise twisted his lip into a pout and looked back at Draco.

"Is that true?"

"Yes. And I don't give a shit what you think, really" Draco admitted with a low growl.

His two friends fell silent as Greg continued to devour his plate of meat.

"I guess... I guess I'm fine with it. It's your life, Draco. And she, well... despite being a Gryffindor and a mud... I mean, a muggleborn, she's nice."

"And she's hot" Blaise added.

Draco gave him a poisonous look and Pansy chuckled.

"It's the truth" Blaise said, shrugging and smiling.

"And what do you think?" asked Pansy, looking at Gregory.

"It's all the same to me" he replied, still eating.

Theo snorted and Draco pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. He hadn't expected his friends to take it so well, though he liked having their support. He would have to deal with enough shit once his parents found out.

The sun was setting as Hermione and Ginny discussed everything that had happened at the Quidditch match that morning, lying on one of their beds. They stopped talking when they heard tapping on the nearest window. When they looked up, an owl was perched on the sill.

"This looks familiar" Ginny commented, remembering when the same thing happened at the Burrow.

Hermione smiled and walked over to the window, letting Dark in. The owl perched on one of the lamps and Hermione saw that he was carrying a small parchment tied to his leg.

I'll be in the fifth floor corridor

Don't be long

D.M.

A small electric impulse ran through her body as she read it.

"What are you waiting for?" Ginny said, nudging her. She too had gotten up and was standing next to her.

Hermione sighed and walked out of her room, down to the common room to go through the portrait hole.

What did Draco have planned now?

Her footsteps echoed down the long corridor as she searched for Draco's platinum blonde hair. She barely passed anyone, most of the students were taking the opportunity to rest before dinner.

As she passed a statue, the door next to it opened and an arm grabbed her wrist. Before she knew it, someone had dragged her inside, and she found herself trapped between the door and a glaring Draco.

"What are you doing here? You shouldn't know the password, we're not prefects this year" she protested quietly.

He let out a chuckle and moved closer, until their lips brushed.

"I have my sources... besides, this bathroom is great and we can use it together."

He kissed her for a few seconds and pulled away, crouching down next to the huge bathtub in the prefects' bathroom and touching the row of taps, three of which were pouring water.

"You know I like the way you smell, but today we'll try another aroma... Which one is your favourite?"

Hermione stammered nervously.

"Well... that one on the left is lavender scented" she murmured, pointing to one of the taps.

The bathtub was already full of hot water, Draco nodded and turned on the one she had said. Violet foam began to rise, covering the entire surface of the water.

"Why don't you come closer?" he asked, watching her and frowning.

She hugged herself and moved closer to him, trying to hide her shyness.

"I... it's just that... I'm a little shy about bathing with you" she confessed, looking away.

"But I've seen you naked many times before."

"It's not the same. Besides, it's been a long time since we've... you know."

He rolled his eyes and walked over to the chair where he had left the robe, pulling out his wand. After silencing the room and sealing the entrance, he turned to her.

"Take off your clothes."

Hermione made a face and a smirk curved Draco's lips.

"You said you trust me, Granger."

She sighed and began to undress, leaving all of her things on another of the chairs. When she was in her underwear, Draco raised his wand and transfigured her outfit into a green bikini. He then turned his boxers into a swimming costume and stepped into the water without looking at her.

Hermione smiled and followed him. It was quite warm and the smell of lavender was very pleasant. She walked over to him and traced one of the scars on his chest with her index finger. When she looked up, his grey eyes were fixed on her.

"It was Harry... am I right?"

Since the first time Hermione had seen those scars, she had wanted to ask him if they were from when his best friend had come very close to killing him... using a spell he didn't know.

Draco nodded, he didn't want to remember that day.

"You know... I've never taken a bath with another person" he whispered, tracing the line of her jaw with his lips.

"I haven't either."

He grinned, running his fingers along the straps of her bikini.

"You really like green, Malfoy."

"And it looks so fucking good on you" he growled, pouncing on her mouth.

She kissed him back with the same intensity and clung to his neck, sighing.

"I just want to kiss you today. I'd rather wait for when we spend the night together on Saturday" he murmured, moving down to her collarbone.

Hermione felt his fingers trace the edge of her bikini top and she bit her lower lip to stifle a moan.

He began to stroke her gently all over, his other hand tracing down her back as he left kisses down her shoulders. Hermione sighed and lowered one of her hands to his waist. She could feel Draco's smile on her skin every time she let out a sigh.

"Fuck... I like you too much, Hermione."

They melted into a deep kiss again, and they didn't get out of the bathtub until the moonlight began to stream in through the windows.