NOTE: Wrong day again, I know. I'll get back on track next week!

Thanks to xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, JayFan67, DownWiththeShip0390 and a fan (Guest) for your reviews.

Thanks to WinterOrchid99, stupid34, Musicangel913, Kira-Chu-Alana and cool bnr for following.

ENJOY!

-BKC

Chapter 24

"Jeeze Hermione. How high up is your box?" Hermione gave a roll of her eyes as they continued their trek to the owner's box. After a string of away game wins, the Falcons were once again at home and after much pleading from Ron and a little from Harry, the trio was on their way to get their seats for the Falcons verses the Kestrels.

The game however, was the last thing currently on her mind. In fact, she'd been so out of it since Thursday night, Nigel and Michael sent her home early yesterday and requested she skip interviews today. She had to admit, that she wasn't too upset about being benched for interviews. With how distracted she'd been, the details of her kiss with Draco were bound to slip out of her mouth at any moment. A small sigh escaped her lips as she once again had a flash back to the moment his lips touched hers.

His fingers intertwined deep in her curly locks, his lips soft but the kiss was anything but. It was hard, fast, and desperate. Her gasp of surprise had given him perfect access to explore her mouth with his. Her first instinct was to pull away, but with one hand in her hair and his other snaked around her waist, she found no way out. Eyes wide, her hands were shaking in panic. This was not supposed to happen! This is her career he was playing with.

'But he tastes so sweet and this feels so good!' Feeling her eyes fluttering close, Hermione's hands found their way around his neck and she just relaxed into his embrace. When they both finally decided air was a necessity, they pulled apart slightly, Draco resting his forehead on hers. Her breaths were heavy and her mind was racing. Draco smiled down at her, letting out a small laugh and she did the only thing she could think of at the time.

She ran.

Hermione hadn't spoken to him since. She'd received five owls Thursday night and Nigel had informed her Friday before she left, Draco had been camped outside her office door between practice sessions, refusing to leave. Thankfully, with the addition of Ron and Harry and the fact that she was not needed anywhere near the field, she was hoping to avoid him again today.

"Finally!" Hermione turned to give a stern look at Ron who in turn gave her a 'what?' look. Pushing the door open, Hermione heard the boys' excitement as they followed her in.

"Wicked!"

"Hermione, this is brilliant!" Harry had accompanied Hermione to a game once before, but as that game had been away, their box had not been quite as lavish. Hermione quickly greeted a gentlemen the boys knew as the team owner. They both managed to stay quiet, one of them doing a better job than the other.

"Harry. Harry! They have a snack bar in the box!" Harry fought hard to keep his eyes from rolling at Ron's behavior. This box was defiantly nothing like the box they were in for Ginny's games. He ran his hand over the grey fabric covered seats, each with the Falcons logo stitched in. Harry glanced over to Hermione, smiling to himself at the smile plastered on her face as she laughed at want he assumed was a joke. When she took this job, he'd been worried for her. She was never a fan of Quidditch but she didn't seem in love with her job at the Ministry either. Although she worked long hours, those hours no longer showed on her delicate face. Her puffy, red eyes, tangled mess of hair and oversized clothes were long gone. Had he not watched her grow and change in the last few months, Harry would have assumed someone had taken over her body. Snapping from his thoughts, Harry returned his attention to Ron.

"Ron! Stop that! I'm sure he'll be here for the entire game."

"Buftitsallsogooofd!" His mouth and arms were both full of treats and snacks. The expression on his face lead Harry to believe that Christmas had come early for his red headed best mate. With a sigh and a shake of his head, Harry ushered Ron to an empty seat and ordered him to stay there, hoping to keep him from embarrassing Hermione.

"Welcome to Falcon Stadium!" There was a loud roar from the crowd as the announcer welcomed the team to the field, introducing each starter. Hermione clapped and cheered for each name, omnioculars following each player as they did a lap over the crowd.

"Starting Seeker, standing tall at 6'1" with his Nimbus DL7, Draco Malfoy!" Her cheeks turned pink as she watched Draco seek her out in the stands, slowing slightly in front of their box before heading back to the pitch.

"What's that prats problem?" Hermione chose to ignore Ron's comment and instead waited for the starting whistle. The bludgers flew up quickly, followed closely by the snitch. The quaffle was tossed and the game had begun.

Hermione had to admit, as frustrating as Ron could be sometimes, watching Quidditch with him was a highlight. He followed every movement closely, refusing to use the omnioculars as they ruined the game in his opinion. He said many facts and tidbits of information before the announcer could manage to get them out. His play by play was accurate; he needed no listed roster in front of him to know which player was which. The few foul calls that were made, he spotted easily. After some time, a silencing charm was placed on the loud speaker in the box, those in it preferring to listen to Ron's commentary.

"Falcons score again! What an assist by Coote! The bludger was aimed perfectly to open the goal for Craggy. 160-140 Falcons!" Hermione clapped and cheered, happy to see an air high five exchange between the two players below. Her omnioculars searched to field, looking for any signs of the snitch. A flash of gold catch her eye and was quickly darting away from a blur of grey and white closely behind it, followed by green and yellow. The snitch came to a halt in the middle of the field and both seekers lost it for a moment. Hermione found herself bouncing up and down in her chair as she found the snitch once again, sneaking its way towards her. She heard Ron call out another goal but this time for the Kestrels.

"160-150. Still Falcons." If Draco didn't hurry, they would lose their first game since the season opener. Her attention turned to Draco, she watched as he circled the pitch, looking for a speck of gold. Her eyes roamed the field; she had once again lost sight of the snitch. Turning her omnioculars back to Draco, she was more than confused when she saw him flying right towards her. His broom came to a halt in front of her and she jumped out of her seat, panicked expression on her face.

"Malfoy! What the hell are you doing? Get back out there!" He gave a laugh at her high voice and rushed tone.

"I thought it was obvious Granger. I'm looking for the snitch."

"Then go look for the bloody snitch then! Now is not the time to converse!" Hermione darted her eyes back out towards the field. Thankfully the Kestrels seeker still hadn't caught sight of the snitch either.

"I believe this is the perfect time to converse. I have a proposition for you." Her eyes widened as she looked to see if he was joking.

"Malfoy, the game!"

"The game will be finished when you answer my question Granger." She let out a frustrated sigh before a voice behind her caught her attention.

"Well, get on with it boy!" Draco gave a stern nod to a voice Hermione recognized as the owners.

"Dinner. With me. Monday night after the Portree game." Her mouth went dry and she suddenly found it very difficult to swallow. The color had drained from her face and had apparently taken place in Ron's.

"I'll kill you Malfoy. You stay the bloody hell away from Hermione!" She heard Harry trying to shush him, although the grip on Harry had on her arm let her know he was not too happy about this either. She could hear the shouts behind her, begging her to say yes so the game could be finished. The breeze must have picked up because she could feel her hair flying in the wind. She batted it down, trying to keep some sense on control.

"Fine." He reached forward towards her neck and for a moment she was worried he'd kiss her again but this time in a full stadium. Her eyes clenched tightly closed as she waited for his lips to meet hers. But that moment never came. She heard the crowd roar to life and Ron's disbelief next to her.

"Draco Malfoy has caught the golden snitch!" Opening her eyes quickly, Hermione's jaw dropped at Draco's smug look as her hair flopped back down. "The bloody thing was caught in her hair. Unbelievable!"