Note: I am so sorry about the late update! I was trying to get this out earlier but the site kicked me out and deleted all of my love from you wonderful readers! It just isn't my morning. I want to thank everyone that reviewed and favorited and followed last chapter. I had already deleted the email responses so I have no quick way to thank you all.

This chapter also has not been beta read as I wanted to get it to you as soon as possible. I'm sorry in advance. With summer coming up and work getting busy, I may only be able to update once a week (sorry!) so please let me know if you would rather read on a Tuesday or Thursday when you review.

Hope you enjoy!

-BKC

Chapter 25

"Hermione, I know why you said yes, but you need to be very careful. These are rough waters." The newspaper plopped on her desk with a thud. Looking back at her was a picture from Saturdays game front on center on Sundays edition of The Prophet. Her elbows were setting on her desk, supporting her chin. The picture replayed like a bad dream over and over in front of her.

'Draco Malfoy Catches More Than Just the Snitch'. The headline read like a cheesy romance novel. With a grumble of frustration, Hermione tried not to read the ridiculous words of Rita Skeeter and looked up at Michael.

"I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't risk the game. Stupid prat is out to make a fool of me." Throwing his arms up in the air, Michael took a seat in the empty chair in front of her desk.

"I'm not saying you did anything wrong. Hell, Timmions was right there. They can't blame you for wanting your team to win. I know Timmions wasn't mad. But, that was just one game Hermione. Draco has got to get his behavior under control." Looking down at the picture once more, a frown graced her face. Did she really want Draco to control his behavior around her?

Draco approached her with a smug look on his face, golden snitch still in hand. Pursing her lips, she had secretly hoped Portree would win just so Draco would be in a foul mood and maybe change his mind about their dinner date. The flash of the cameras as he approached her though, only seemed to fuel his attitude.

"Granger." Hermione wanted to slap the smirk of his arrogant face. She found a frown gracing her face as a camera flashed to her left. This was sure to be a long night.

"Let's go." She turned away from him, heading down the tunnel towards the exit.

"Granger. GRANGER," he called to her retreating back. "I need to change first."

He snarled in annoyance when her hand went up in the air and dismissed his comment. Shoving the snitch he was still grasping and his broom into the arms of Kenneth, stripping his pads as he ran after her. Reporters yelled questions at his retreating figure, which he ignored, still yelling after Hermione to wait.

"For gods sake woman, what is your problem?" He was out of breath when he finally caught up to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. Hermione gave a hard jerk, removing her shoulder from his grip. Her eyes were cold and her expression just as cold.

"What's my problem? What's MY problem Malfoy? I would think that would be very obvious to you." He stared back at her with a blank expression, awaiting more of an explanation. She threw her hands up in the air in annoyance. Was he honestly this thick? "You Malfoy. You are the problem! I didn't bring you to this team to have you make a fool of me. I brought you here to win. I don't know what kind of game you are playing at, but I'm not interested in playing with you. I would appreciate if you would stop trying to spend unnecessary time with me. Thursday lessons are bad enough."

He felt as if she'd knocked the wind out of him. Sure, maybe he had some alternative motives in the beginning, getting her job being one of them. But something had changed between them, surely she felt it too. The lingering glances, the extra attention. How could she not feel it? He'd tried to push the feelings down, telling himself time and time again she wasn't good enough for him, but something about her was drawing him in. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but the feelings were becoming real and the kiss they'd shared on the pitch last week? It had made him week in the knees. Her hair had felt like silk in his hands. For a moment, it was bliss. Until she ran.

His expression turned cold at the thought of the warmth of her body leaving his hands so suddenly last Thursday. For a moment, he saw the fear in her eyes as hers searched his face. His body went ridged and he took a step away from her.

"Well. I hadn't realized that was how you felt Granger. Sorry to be an inconvenience to you." His words came out with venom she hadn't heard in years. She was taken aback at his tone. When he turned and began walking away from her, her bottom jaw slacked open slightly; she could see the flash of the cameras in the distance.

"Where do you think you're going Malfoy? You wanted a bloody date, you've got one. Now get your arse over here and let's go." Had she been watching this argument from afar, she surely would have scolded herself for stomping her foot on the ground. The sound of her heel hitting the cement echoed through the hall.

He stopped in his tracks, glancing at her over his shoulder, scowl still present on his face. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her hip was cocked to the side. Oh how he loathed this bossy, bitchy woman. He rounded on her quickly, watching as she backed up rapidly before running into the wall behind her. She lost her balance slightly and flinched as he placed each hand on either side of her head against the cold wall.

"No one," his voice was barely above a whisper and Hermione felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as his breath tickled her ear. "Tells me what to do Granger. Especially not the likes of you."

Her expression quickly changed from one of fear to one of anger. Hermione could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. Her eyes darted up to his and he swore he could feel the daggers she was glaring at him. His sneer stayed in place as his eyes darted from her eyes, searching her face before landing her lips and then coming back up to her eyes. She could feel her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. Hermione tucked her bottom lip in, chewing on it gently.

Draco couldn't take it any longer. His body crashed into hers, molding against it as her back straightened against the frigid wall behind her. His mouth crushing hers as he took her bottom lip between his. A content sigh escaped her lips as her fingers buried themselves deep in his sweat covered hair. She could feel him growing under the pants of his uniform and she felt herself go damp in her skirt.

When he pulled away, it was as if all the air had been sucked from her lungs. Her knees went weak and her balance faltered. Draco's hands quickly went from the wall to scope her up, bridal style. His eyes bore into hers, a silent pled for more. Giving a sure nod of her head, Draco headed towards the door, unaware of a set of eyes following their every move.