Draco picked up his broomstick and looked at himself in the mirror, satisfied. He was more than ready for the Quidditch match. The night before the team had had a late night practice, and afterwards he had given the team a pretty good pep talk. I'm going to beat Potter. I'm going to catch that snitch if it kills me. Draco had been plagued over the past five years of losing to Gryffindor. No matter how hard he tried, the one thing he couldn't do was catch the snitch before Harry Potter. And if there was anything Draco hated, it was knowing that there was something out there that he didn't- and possibly couldn't have. That's why you're suddenly attracted to Hermione. She's something you can't have. Get over it Malfoy, the attraction has come and now it's going to leave as soon as you win today. Draco walked down into the common room, irritated that Hermione wasn't ready yet. They had decided to go to the game together, since she was going to be cheering for her house, and she wanted to give him "a piece of encouragement." Draco rolled his eyes as he remembered the happy look on her face when she had wished him luck before going to bed.
Finally, he heard Hermione's door open and close, and he saw her coming down the stairs. Again, she was wearing Muggle clothes. A white turtleneck and black pants. Normally Draco would make a catty remark, and he wanted to, but his mouth was too busy hanging open as he gawked at her. Snap out of it, Malfoy! You act like you've never seen a girl before. Draco shook his head and headed to the door, not saying anything to her.
"Well good morning to you, too, Draco," Hermione called as she tried to catch up to him. He could hear her boots clanking on the floor. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye and saw her putting on her gloves and scarf over her black coat. "Hello? Are you going to talk to me or is this some pre game ritual?"
"Hey. I want to hurry up and get there. You know, I may be late since it took you forever to make yourself look," he stopped, flashing his eyes across her body. Gorgeous, was the first word that came to Draco's mind, but it would be a cold day in hell before he'd say that, "halfway decent." He noticed her nose scrunch up, which was a sign that she was irritated by his comment, but she didn't respond.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, to Draco's dismay, and when they got to the field Hermione started to walk away without saying good bye. "Don't I get a 'good luck' or 'hope you win' or any words of goodness?"
Hermione's shoulders immediately relaxed as she turned and he saw a smile spread across her face. "Good luck, Draco. I hope you catch the snitch." She walked over and gave him a hug. Draco was so stunned that it took him a moment to weakly hug her back. She then stepped away and ran towards the stands.
"Malfoy! Malfoy? Malfoy!" Draco turned as he heard someone screaming his name. He saw his team standing there, waiting for him to join them. You better win today, Malfoy, because if you don't, some serious shit could go down. Draco ran over and joined his team, ready to play a hard game.
"Okay, just remember what we talked about last night and we'll be fine. They can't beat us unless we beat us. Understand?" Draco looked around and made sure everyone was on the same page, finally satisfied, he looked over his shoulder to make sure they still had time. "Let's go."
They announced the Slytherin team and Draco flew out onto the field. The first thing that caught his eye was Pansy and her friends, who were all holding pieces of white board. He nonchalantly flew closer to get a better look and froze. He couldn't believe it. Pansy had made signs for him. He was going to kill her. Had he not told her yesterday to not make them? Yes, but then you gave in because you were hungry. You're such a wuss. Draco read each sign, which all contained something dealing with how Draco was either good looking, the "best" or, his favorite, they love him. Draco rolled his eyes and returned to Madame Hooch, catching Hermione's eye and watching her smile at him and mouth 'good luck.'
"I want a clean game. Any foul play and I'll disqualify you; understand? Good!" Draco watched her throw the quaffle up in the air. He flew as high as he could, getting out of the way of everyone else. He didn't want to get in the way of everyone else's playing when he was supposed to be looking out for the snitch. This was one of Draco's favorite parts of the game. It got boring at times, but he liked watching everything happen. He was usually high enough to not have to worry about a bludger hitting him, and he could sit in peace and not have to worry about anything.
After awhile, Draco finally caught sight of the snitch. His team was up, 40-30, and he was ready for this game to end. He took off after it, and was quickly joined by Harry Potter. Oh hell, go away Potter, he thought, focusing on the snitch and not acknowledging that Harry was even there. When he did that, he lost. He felt Harry dip way down and a rush of wind went through his robes. Draco sped up slightly and reached out as far as he could. He suddenly felt tremendous pain in his side and he fell off his broom and landed on the ground, hard. "Oh fuck!" he felt his ribs and didn't notice anything to be broken, but it wasn't light pain, either. He could hear people murmuring around him and he unclenched his fist to reveal the snitch. He heard a whistle, signaling the end of the match. At least I won.
"Draco! Oh Draco! Are you okay?" he opened his eyes and saw Pansy leaning over him, all worry. "I ran down as soon as I could. Are you in a lot of pain?" I am now that you're here.
"I'm fine, Pansy, thanks," he started to sit up and felt Pansy holding his arm as support. He had to admit, she did try very hard to get the point across. "Thanks." He smiled, hoping that it would convince her of his sincerity. He looked around at all the people, hoping to find Hermione in the crowd but she was nowhere to be seen.
"Mr. Malfoy," he saw Madame Hooch walking towards him, "do you think you need to go to the hospital wing?" she started feeling for broken bones, and when she was satisfied there weren't any she looked back at him. "Nothing seems to be broken, but if you want to go, you can."
"No, I'm fine, thanks. I just need to go back to my room." He started to get up and suddenly felt Pansy there with him, as a way of support. He looked at her funny but didn't have the strength to protest.
"I'll take you up. It's the least I can do." Draco nodded and they started to walk towards the school. Something tells me I'm going to regret today.
Hermione watched as Pansy Parkinson helped Draco up and started walking him towards the school. Relieved that Draco was okay, Hermione couldn't help but feel jealous. She had tried to get to the field, but there were too many people blocking her path, and Ron and Harry had cut her off, asking where she was going. Unable to tell them she was worried about Draco, she said she was looking for them, and went to Gryffindor Tower to console the team.
"I can't believe that stupid git caught the snitch!" Ron said for maybe the hundredth time that afternoon. Hermione was becoming annoyed that they thought Draco to be so helpless, but was unable to defend him in any way.
"I know, I saw the bludger coming, I had to duck. Draco must have been blindsided by it," Harry picked up his cup and took a drink, setting it down on the table with a bang. "First game of the year and we lose! Not exactly the note I wanted to start off on."
"Oh, it'll be okay, guys. You have another game in a few weeks. You'll win that one," Hermione knew that her words wouldn't mean much to the boys. When they lost a game, they were always irritated by her rationale and were mad that she could speak so lightly. She knew that Ron was always annoyed by her airy voice, and especially at times like these.
"Oh, shut up, Hermione! No one asked you," Ron shouted, sinking down into his chair. Hermione looked at Harry, who gave her a weak smile as to say he was sorry. Hermione shook her head. She couldn't hide out there anymore. She had to go back to her room. You have to face Draco sometime. Unless you don't want be Head Girl and move back into Gryffindor. Hermione got up and walked towards the door.
"I'm going to head back to my room. I don't know if Draco is there or not and it would be nice to know if he's really hurt." Before either boy could protest, Hermione was gone.
Back at the common room, Hermione walked into silence. The room was dark, and the only light was coming from the staircase leading to Draco's room. She slowly walked up the stairs, not wanting to wake him if he was resting. She lightly knocked on the door and entered to reveal an annoyed Draco and a flaky Pansy. "Eat, Draco! You have to eat!" she was saying, shoving a spoon in his face like he were a three year old child.
"Would you get away from me? I'm not three! I can eat on my own! My hands do work you know," he looked over and noticed Hermione and looked thankful that someone else was there. "Hey Hemi," he said, smiling slightly, making Hermione's heart skip a beat. What is wrong with me?
"Hey, Draco. How are you doing?" she walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, in front of Pansy, who got off the bed, forcing it to bounce. Someone's annoyed, she thought, turning her attention back to Draco.
"I'm okay. Just bruised," he sat up straighter, looking her in the eye. Hermione noticed that he looked extremely sexy, his hair tousled and a plain white t-shirt. Stop! "I was hoping to get some rest." Hermione noticed him eyeing Pansy, and Hermione took that as a hint to get her out.
"Well, I'm here now, so, I guess you can leave, Pansy. Thanks so much for being here with him! I'm more than certain he appreciates it." She got up and walked to the door, as if to usher her out. Pansy looked from the door, to Hermione to Draco. Her face gave the impression that she was ready to cry, but she simply put the bowl down, kissed Draco and left the room. Hermione closed the door and sighed. Now what do I do? She turned and looked back at Draco. "Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm okay. All my muscles hurt, but I'm okay. I'll sleep it off." He slouched down in bed again and Hermione noticed the pain going across his face.
"I know what will help. I'll be back in a second." Hermione walked into Draco's bathroom, taking a basin off of the sink and filling it with hot water. She then got a soft washcloth and went back into his room, setting the basin down on the nightstand. "Here, it'll make you relax." Hermione got the cloth wet and started applying pressure to Draco's ribs. After a moment, the pain left his face and he started to relax as Hermione had said. "Better?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Hemi." Draco closed his eyes and Hermione continued to apply pressure. She couldn't help but notice that this was the closet they had ever been to each other. She also could hear her heart beating and was almost certain he could too, the room was so quiet it sounded like a drum. "Hemi?" he said her name so softly that she barely heard it.
"Yeah?" Hermione put the cloth down and leaned in closer to his face, so as to hear him.
"Thank you."
She smiled, knowing that it meant a lot to him. "You're welcome."
Hermione got up and went downstairs to the common room. She walked to the table and saw a letter sitting on it addressed to her. It was from Kate. Eager to read, she forgot all about the intense moment with Draco and sat on the couch.
Hemi,
You are so missing some kick ass action down here! My classes are going better (ever since the cute new guy, Ben, has been 'tutoring' me.) and, of course, I miss you. About your recent letter, here's what I have to say.
You're fate is so cool! I wish I had something like that! You need to believe in it. Something great is out there for you, Hemi, you just have to let yourself go!
Draco Malfoy? The hot guy that you said is a complete ass? Well, if you're attracted to him, it's merely based off looks. Don't let it get to you, Hermione. He's trouble. All he'll do is use you and then dump you. All you are is a conquest. Once he's bored, he'll move on to a new one and you'll be left broken hearted. Stay away from him!
Come home soon, Hemi, I miss you and so does everyone else!
Love,
Kate
P.S: Brad Concade has been asking about you… I think that's enough said. .
Hermione finished the note and leaned her head back against the chair. She knew Kate was right. She had always known that it was Draco's intentions to conquer as many people as possible. Hermione was just happy that she had been given this wake-up call before she went and did something stupid. She got up and walked up the stairs to her room and felt herself start to cry. As much as she knew that staying away from Draco was the right thing, she couldn't help but feel bad about it. The two had started to bond and it felt as though they were creating a deep relationship. But you aren't. He is not going to change. Not for anyone. Hermione knew this, but in a way didn't want him to change. Part of the reason she was attracted to him was because he was such a "bad boy" type. It doesn't matter, after this year, you may never see him again. You'll never see any of these people again.
This thought made Hermione cry even more, and just created even more confusion for her. Her mind was constantly going back and forth, and she knew she was never going to win. She crawled into bed, not caring to change her clothes, and fell asleep.
Draco woke up the next morning totally relaxed. He looked out the window and thought it to be very bright for so early in the morning. It's Saturday, you get to sleep in. He stretched out his legs and laid in bed for a moment, allowing himself to wake up more. Just then a vivid picture formed in his head of the night before. Had he really told Hermione that he was thankful? There was no way. But he had. She had been so close to him that he would have kissed her had he not felt how nervous she was. Thank God that didn't happen. Right about now she'd be thinking happy thoughts about you being a couple and doing fun things together. The thought disgusted Draco. If there was one thing he'd never do, it'd be lowering himself to the level of the helpless, whipped boyfriend. There was no girl worth his independence.
Draco got up and slowly walked down stairs, seeing that Hermione was already up, doing her homework. Draco smirked at her predictability and walked over to the couch and sat down beside her, causing her to jump slightly. "God! Draco you scared me!" she put her hand over her chest and looked at him with big brown eyes.
"Sorry, I'll never do it again," he watched her smile and then turn back to her work, which only aggravated him. Shouldn't she be engaging in conversation? Did she not want to know if he was feeling better? "So…the game was pretty good yesterday, huh?"
"Uh-huh. Great," she didn't even look up. Draco let out an exaggerated breath and got up. She was being very difficult. "Are you feeling better?" he looked down and saw her looking up at him, amused at his aggravation.
"Yes, very much. Thanks for asking." They looked at each other for a minute, and Draco thought that he was never going to move, he could just stand there forever, waiting for her to flinch first.
There was a loud knocking on their door, causing the Princess to scream. Draco blinked rapidly and walked to the door, opening it to reveal Harry Potter, very annoyed. Draco groaned, what the hell does he want? "Good morning, Potter, always nice to have visitors." He ignored Draco's comment and walked in, heading straight to Hermione, who looked very shocked to see him.
"Harry! What a pleasant surprise! What are you doing here?" she smiled sweetly, which Draco had come to know as her polite smile. Not the genuine one she had given him only moments ago.
"I have to tell you something and it can't wait. If I don't say it now I may never be able to." Harry was talking very fast and he had grabbed Hermione's hands, grasping them in his own. Suddenly Draco didn't like the idea of Harry being there. True, he didn't like him anyway, but this really bugged him. "I…I…well, Hermione, I like you. A lot. More so than I ever realized. I didn't really know how much until I saw you standing in the train car the first day of school. I can't explain it. It's just there, and I get this jumpy feeling every time I see you." He stopped, apprehensively looking at her eyes. Draco looked at her too, expecting her to kick him out, embarrassed that someone had to witness that little display of shame. But to his astonishment, she smiled politely again, and Draco smirked, knowing that she didn't feel the same. Why do you care? Why are you still standing here? Are you crazy? It suddenly hit Draco, he too was attracted to Hermione. His attraction was, as he knew, based purely off a physical level, but it was an attraction nonetheless, and he was jealous that Harry was there, expressing the same feelings. Sort of.
"Harry, I…" she trailed off, trying to find the right words, and Draco found himself staring straight into her eyes.