Hello everyone, this is my submission for round two of Season 9 of the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition. Thank you to my teammates: Cupcakeyyy and Wellwick for betaing this. I do not own any rights to Harry Potter; they belong to J.K. Rowling.

Chaser 1 Task: write a story inspired by the song 'A Whole New World' from Aladdin.

Lyrics I was inspired by:

A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Optional Prompts used:

2. (word) solidarity

3 (colour) orange

5. (object) ornate mirror

Word Count: 2466

Hermione awoke a little earlier than usual, but then, it was her birthday after all. The dim rays of light had just begun to crawl through the dormitory windows but hadn't bothered the other girls who were still fast asleep in their beds. Hermione was relieved and pulled the curtain at the side of her bed open slightly so that she could take the small bag from her bedside table. Closing the drawer quietly, she took her wand from on top of the oak stand and shut the curtain so that she had much needed privacy.

She was intent on opening the gift she'd received from Draco the day before in Potions in the relative peace and quiet of her early morning dormitory. There was also the benefit of opening the present away from any prying eyes or abrupt questions that her friends would surely have had she opened it in their presence later.

Casting Engorgio on the bag brought it back to its proper size, inside of which was a neatly wrapped present. There was a small card which she pulled off to read.

Happy Birthday, Hermione,

I hope you like your gift. You will need it for this evening. What we will be doing is a surprise I think you will enjoy. Meet me after dinner this evening at the Quidditch Pitch. I'll be waiting.

Draco x

Hermione read over the message again, trying to discern what he had planned from his rather cloak-and-dagger note. As her intrigue piqued, she wracked her mind for what the surprise might be unless… oh dear, Merlin – the pitch meant flying would be involved, it had to.

Her hands shook nervously just at the thought; she hated flying. It wasn't the fact that she'd been unable to do so in the flying lesson in first year, though that was probably part of it. No, it was that from what she'd seen of Quidditch, flying seemed like a magical death trap. The speeds at which the players flew through the air didn't endear her to the concept in the slightest; it had been and still was one part of the magical world that she wasn't happy with.

Draco knew how she felt about the issue, they'd argued over it rather vehemently at one point, but it was clear he still wanted to show her that it wasn't a hazard the way she thought it was. Maybe she should just tell him when she saw him later today that the gift he'd bought her was more than enough, but then, at the same time, she didn't want to hurt him, not when whatever he'd planned for her he'd done with her in mind, as a surprise no less.

Everything is going to be just fine, she told herself, calming herself enough that she could finally unwrap the parcel that laid on her bed. Her eyes widened in delight as she gazed down at the stunning deep ruby red and emerald green checked wool scarf. As her fingers brushed the material, she let out a pleased sigh, it was as if her hands could just melt into the material, it was so soft.

She really couldn't wait another minute, so grabbed the scarf and pulled the curtains aside to slip slowly and quietly from her bed. The moment her feet hit the rug, she smiled at the smoothness of it against her bare feet, even though they were still being nipped by the cold of the draught that had slipped into the dormitory like a stealthy assassin. With the scarf wrapped around her neck, she felt a sudden rush of warmth, the toasty, contented kind, her heart skipping a beat at the kind gesture. Draco had had the scarf imbued with a permanent warming charm.

She smiled as she padded over to the long ornate mirror that stood in the corner of the girls' bedroom to see what it looked like. She couldn't help but smile regardless of the fact she was wearing it while in her pyjamas. It suited her perfectly and she simply adored it.

After washing and dressing for the day, she put the scarf around her neck and went down to the Common Room where her friends were waiting with presents and cards, while other students shouted 'Happy Birthday' when she entered. She thanked them and sat down on the sofa in between Ginny and Harry, while Ron was in the armchair. She had read the cards and opened presents, thanking them each in turn before Ginny was the one to clock her sights on the scarf.

"'Mione, that's absolutely gorgeous. Who did you get…" the red-head trailed off, instantly realising who had bought the gift for her friend from the way Hermione's chestnut-brown eyes seemed to sparkle.

Hermione nodded almost conspiratorially, even though the boys were there too. Not bothering to whisper in her friend's ear as she had nothing to hide, Hermione said, "It's from Draco. From what the message said on the card that was attached, I think he wants me to wear it tonight. It seems he has a surprise in mind." She didn't mention that she thought it had flying involved or the fact that she was worried, they didn't need to know. Especially not Ron.

"Malfoy has a surprise, does he? A million guesses as to what that will be. I wouldn't be surprised if it's to tell you he took the Mark over summer," Ron quipped, his words dripping with disdain and - if Hermione wasn't mistaken – jealousy.

"Ron," Harry warned, glancing at his best friend, shaking his head.

"Harry, it's fine," Hermione said. Turning to Ron, she replied in a clipped tone, "Yes, Draco has a surprise for me because he's my boyfriend, Ron. And really? Saying things like that when you don't know him at all! Not that you've ever bothered to try and get to know him or even be civil like Harry. But then I shouldn't have expected anything less from you, should I?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means, Ron. But I am not going to let you ruin my day! Now, I'm going down for breakfast, you coming, Ginny?"

Ginny nodded, jumping up from her seat, giving her brother a glare from over her shoulder before leaving with Hermione through the portrait hole.

Hermione knew that Harry would hang back and try and talk some sense into Ron, not that it would do much good. Jealousy made him bitter and it was something she didn't like to see in him, but it wasn't as if he was going to change.

She chatted with Ginny as they made their way down to the Great Hall, joined by Luna who had caught up with them along the way. Talking to her friends took her mind off the bust up with Ron. When they entered the expansive, long hall, there were a number of shouts wishing her 'Happy Birthday' again and she couldn't help but smile as she sat down in her usual place at the Gryffindor Table.

As she started to put food on her plate, she took the time to glance over at the Slytherin Table, smiling the moment she caught Draco's eye, a pleased yet admiring smile on his face, his grey eyes bright with happiness.

She still couldn't believe how their relationship had come about. It had been last year when the DA had formed due to students from all four houses being in solidarity. They had all wanted to learn to defend themselves and Harry was the best teacher they could have had. What she hadn't known at the time was Draco had only joined the Inquisitorial Squad to watch out for his friends – Astoria Greengrass and Theodore Nott, who had decided they wanted to be part of the DA. The argument between Hermione and Draco had come about when, after leaving the Room of Requirement, they'd been caught by him but he had turned a blind eye. Hermione had wanted to know why.

Needless to say, her wanting to know had started an argument between the two until he had kissed her, effectively shutting her up. From that day onwards, they had traversed the rocky ground that was their slowly budding relationship with extra care. The secret meetings had been something they'd both agreed on, but that changed after the fight at the Ministry when she had been injured by Dolohov. Harry had been the one to find Draco at her bedside and when he had put two and two together, words had been exchanged.

It had taken some time but eventually Harry had come round when he had seen the sheer difference in Draco when he was with Hermione. The misunderstood Pureblood had met his match in the know-it-all Muggleborn. Hermione was glad that Harry and Draco were on civil speaking terms but Ron was an issue. She had a feeling he always would be as long as she was with Draco. He would never see eye to eye with the blond, too stuck in his ways, almost as though their roles had reversed.

After breakfast, she spent the morning in lessons, though she was relieved to have a moment with Draco after Transfiguration had ended. When she left the classroom, she found him waiting for her, a gentle smirk on his pale, alabaster face, lighting it up in his own way.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione," he murmured before pressing his lips to hers in a gentle kiss, his arms slipping around her waist with ease. "I know I never had the chance to say it this morning at breakfast but it suits you, the scarf."

"Thank you, Draco, I love it."

"Then why do I sense a 'but' coming?" he asked, his grey eyes inquisitive, yet shaded with concern.

"It's about tonight. I'm sure I'll love your surprise, whatever it is you have planned, but there's going to be flying involved, isn't there?" Hermione replied, her brown eyes somehow pleading with him to say that she was wrong.

"There will be flying involved, yes, Hermione. I remember very well what your thoughts are on it, but it's needed for the surprise. It's for one night. We'll be on my broom and I swear you'll be safe; you know I won't let anything happen to you. Potter would have my head if I did."

She didn't know whether it was the honesty in his words or the way he was looking at her that made her drop her guard and agree to it, but she did.

As they walked together towards the Great Hall for lunch, she couldn't help but ask, "How did you get around Hooch?"

"Well, I explained to her that I wouldn't be using any Quidditch equipment and would only need use of the pitch for a short time. Seeing that it would be a one-off and the fact Professor Snape had already agreed to it, she said it was alright."

"So, you used your Slytherin charm then?" she said, giggling. "Honestly, you're incorrigible at times."

"Perhaps, but if I wasn't, you wouldn't be with me," Draco replied.

Hermione acted as if she was offended, but it didn't last long as she touched his face softly and kissed him. "You may be incorrigible, an attribute I can deal with, but I'm with you because I see you, Draco."

The kiss lasted a few moments longer until she pulled away and tugged gently on his hand, her stomach grumbling, causing her to blush.

When they reached the Great Hall, Draco sat at the Gryffindor Table beside Hermione, much to the chagrin of Ron.

As the couple chatted amicably with the others at the table, Hermione's stomach was doing somersaults. She was both excited and nervous for the evening, wondering what his surprise was.

She didn't know whether the afternoon going by rather quickly was a good thing or a bad one, but she hadn't been able to stomach much at dinner with how she was feeling. Once she was finished, with her scarf wrapped comfortably around her neck, she left the castle and made her way along the grassy path, down towards the Quidditch pitch. While it was still light outside, the cold had set in and she was glad she was wearing the scarf.

Entering the stadium on ground level, she found Draco waiting for her in the middle of the field, his sleek mahogany broom hovering beside him.

"Ready?" he asked.

Hermione nodded and mounted the broom shakily. Her nerves eased slightly when she felt the warmth of Draco's body behind her, his arms coming around her waist, his hands settling over hers that held onto the handle, her knuckles white, even though they hadn't left the ground yet.

"Relax, Hermione. Breathe with me," he said, reassuringly. When it seemed that she was in sync with him, he smiled, kissing her cheek softly. "Now, kick off from the ground like you mean it."

The moment she did, they were floating in the air; it was as if his broom listened to her perfectly. She listened to Draco as he explained what they were going to do before they moved higher and at a faster speed. As they banked to the left, leaving the pitch behind to head towards the castle, she could feel goosebumps rising on her skin at how high in the sky they were. With the wind blowing in their faces and seeing how small things looked below, her heart was pounding not in fear but because she found it exhilarating. They may not have been as high as the clouds but even so it was a completely different atmosphere and she was enjoying every minute. She felt not just alive but free and it was all down to Draco.

They slowed and just hovered when they reached the tower that faced the Black Lake. She was about to ask him what it was that they were up here for but gasped the moment she saw the view before them.

It was the sun setting, its orange hues seemed to be flickers of flame, dancing on the water. It was a magical sight to behold.

"Oh my… Draco… this is…" For once she was speechless, it was simply breath-taking. She rested back against him, her head against his shoulder, smiling so contentedly while happy tears glistened in her eyes.

Turning slightly so she could meet his gaze, she kissed him. "Thank you for this wonderful surprise, it's the best end to a birthday I could ever wish for. I love it and I… Draco, I love you."

He smiled, his face lighting up. "I love you too, Hermione."

They stayed up in the air, watching the sunset together, in love.

If you enjoyed this, let me know what you thought by leaving a review.

I'll see you all soon,

S L Blake x