NOTE: Hope you all enjoy this chapter. We are getting close to the end I think. I will not be posting a new chapter next Thursday, I will be in sunny Las Vegas with my wonderful husband and he says no writing while I'm gone (we'll see).

Thanks to the following:

whimsy43, TwilightHorseGal, roamingbecca, qlimegreen, PurpleSecret, Notsosecretgeek, Mbelcourt, kittehfluff, Ice-Kitsune-317, azertykeynes, hogwartswonderland, bluestriker666, JayFan67, SereniteRose and xXMizz Alec VolturiXx

Shout out to Gia for the beta read!

xoxo - BKC

Chapter 33

"Hermione, come on. You're being ridiculous." Ginny stood in front of Hermione's bedroom door, Harry and Ron having left a bit ago to purchase some food for Hermione's empty cupboards. In the meantime, Hermione had managed to remove herself from bed, shower, get her unruly hair somewhat tamed and had been in the process of getting redressed in comfortable lounging clothes when she had asked Ginny which day of the week it actually was. When she'd been informed that it was in fact Thursday as she had originally assumed, she began ripping her lounging clothes from her body, hurrying over to her dresser, pulling out instead her practice clothes for flying lessons.

"I can't miss a lesson, Gin. If there is possibly a small, slim, minute chance I'm not already fired, I can't risk handing the team over to Malfoy. I just can't." Pulling her shirt over her head, she quickly tied her long locks up and grabbed her trainers from her closet. "Don't you understand, Ginny?"

The redhead looked at her best friend in disbelief, shaking her head. "I'm not sure I do understand, but if you feel this is what you need to do, then who am I stop you?" Hermione gave the girl a small smile as she finished tying her lace. "But, I know two rather large men who would probably think you've gone batty and lost it, so if you're really going, I suggest going before they return from the store."

Hermione moved to hug her, her arms squeezing her just a little too tight. "Thank you, Gin, for everything. I know this is a mess I've created but you've stood by me. I just- just thank you again."

"Do you need me, you know, to come with you?" Ginny pulled back from their hug, hands still resting on Hermione's arms, her eyes full of concern.

"Thank you, Gin. But I think if I actually want a chance to finish the lesson, I'll need you here to keep Ron and Harry from coming after me and creating an even bigger problem."

"True. Very true." Ginny laughed slightly at Hermione's comment, releasing her arms. "How do you know he'll be there?"

"Malfoy will use any chance he has at embarrassing me. I doubt he'll let the chance to steal my job slide by." Ginny gave a firm nod as Hermione grabbed the powder from the bucket by her fireplace, dropped it in hearth and called out her destination.

"Oi Malfoy! Great practice today. Hit the showers." Coach O'Kelly gave him an approving smile from across the field.

"Thanks coach. If it's alright with you, I think I might fly around a bit. Clear my head." Draco hadn't waited for a response and climbed up onto his broom.

"Game's not until Sunday, so just be careful. Would you like me to have one of the trainers out here in case?" Draco kicked off the ground, hoovering just enough to kick his boots across the grass.

"I think I'll be just fine, but thank you coach." With a nod of his head, O'Kelly turned away, heading down the tunnel towards the locker room.

Draco leaned forward slightly, allowing his feet to drag across the length of the field before he looped around the goal post and push his broom up towards the orange sky. It had been a rough week. He hadn't seen Hermione's bushy mane since Monday before the game and currently, he couldn't keep the reporters away from him. He was tired of the camera flashes, the prying questions and the yelled insults. Thankfully, Michael was doing all that he could to keep the press out of the pitch during practices, but Draco hadn't been able to go out in public without the hounds of reporters following him. Hermione had managed to stay out of the papers. He assumed it was something Potter had put a stop to.

He did a few figure eights, quick corner turns and steep dives before he leaned just a bit too far to the left and tumbled off his broom to the grass below. The thud his body made as it hit the ground sounded much worse than it felt. He laid there for a moment, staring up at the red orange sky. Lacing his fingers together, the placed his hands behind his head. A cool breeze swept over him, but with a slick layer of sweat coating his body, it did little to cool him.

He closed his eyes, for just a moment, taking in his surroundings. He was going to miss this place. He was sure he would be traded before the year was up. Hermione had had Levski traded for just making snide comments about them possibly sleeping together, now he'd gone and actually slept with her. Sure, he could probably file a suit for sexually harassment as she was his boss and she was basically trading him because they'd had a sexual encounter together but after finally realizing his feelings for the brunette witch, he didn't want to do anything that could ruin his chances with her. Sure, she told him to get out, to leave her alone. But he was a Malfoy and he'd be damned if he was the first to be unable to obtain something he truly set his sights on.

He heard the shuffle of feet on grass and grabbed for his wand, cursing under his breath, realizing that he had left it in his locker. He lay still, not wanting to startle whoever was sneaking up on him. When the footsteps froze for a few moments, Draco carefully opened his eyes, expecting to see someone standing over him. However, the sky above him was empty, not a soul in sight. He rolled over, onto his stomach and was surprised to see Hermione Granger glaring back at him.

"Granger!" His voice came out in a bit of a squeak and he stumbled to his feet cheeks instantly turning red.

"Malfoy." Her voice was cold and distant causing the red on his cheeks to change from embarrassed to annoyed.

"What are you doing here? Heard you've been holed up for days. Finally realized you can't live without me?" He couldn't stop the words from rolling out of his mouth. He knew this was no way to win her over, but old habits die hard.

"Oh, please. Apparently you forgot it was Thursday. I'm just here for a lesson then I'll be on my way." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, jetting her hip to the side. He stared at her for a moment, a moment too long if you asked her.

"Fine. Where's your broom?"

"You didn't bring it out?" She hadn't been prepared for him to not be expecting her.

"Does it look like I have your broom Granger? Go grab it from the closet." She looked down at the watch on her arm. It was a quarter past five. The closet would be locked. Reaching down to her pocket, she let out a heavy sigh when her wand wasn't there. She had most certainly left it on her bedside table back at her loft.

"Can you unlock the closet Malfoy?"

"Does it look like I've got my wand with me? Can't risk breaking it while flying now can I?"

"Well what do you suggest then?" Her hands went to her hips this time as she stared at him, waiting for an answer.

"Well, I have a broom," he gestured to his broom which was still laying on the ground a few feet away.

"Are you crazy? I can't fly that! I can hardly fly the training broom you found for me. Your broom is much too fast." She shook her head and stepped away from him.

"I guess you don't have a lesson then Granger. Too bad, I heard you may have gotten to keep your job too…" Mentally, he slapped himself for the things he was saying to her. He didn't know if it was a need to be in control or a need to just speak to her. His eyes locked with hers and he watched the dilemma dance across her face. Draco swore he could see the gears turning in her head.

"I-Fine. Let's do this then."