If you wanna come and take a look at this
Where there's a good story that you shouldn't miss,
Then I better tell you so (Hey, everyone is J.K.'s!)
Everbody knows they don't belong to me
Then just remember whose they gonna be
And now I know that you know (Hey, everyone is J.K.'s!)
Author's Note: Ah, the next chapter has arrived. I think this is probably the longest one I have written. I am kinda proud of this one. When I finished it, it was like beating a really hard level of "Tomb Raider", where you just wanna jump up and down and go "Yeah! Alright! I rock, I rock, ah, ah, I rock!" (Please tell me that SOMEBODY knows what I'm talking about!!!) Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this one as much as I enjoyed writing it, 'cause trust me, I did enjoy writing it!
Also, I thought you guys should know that I'm not updating until after June 20th, because I have my final exams in two weeks. By the 20th I should be done, and I'll try to update the next day. Hope you enjoy this chapter, anyway!!!
Chapter Ten: A Close Call
"I would like to welcome everyone to the first match of the Quidditch season this school year. The same rules apply as ever. Please pay attention at all times to the balls in play. The last thing anyone would wish are unfortunate accidents to take place," Dumbledore said into the microphone. He, Madame Hooch, Draco, and Hermione were standing in the middle of the field, a cool breeze sweeping cross their backs. Draco shivered and snuck a quick glance at Hermioine, who looked completely engrossed in what Dumbledore was saying.
"I wish I knew what she was thinking," he thought to himself, "Damn Mel Gibson! Why should he have the power to read women's minds and I can't?"
"I will now introduce you to the two senior students who will helping with today's game. Hermione Granger will be announcing the game from the stands...". At this point students started cheering. Draco watched Hermione blush and casually wave to everyone.
"... and Draco Malfoy will be the referee for the game, so I can be assured that there will be no accidents today," he said with a touch of humour, smiling at Draco.
Draco nodded to him. "No accidents," he repeated.
Dumbledore raised his hands. "Let the match begin!"
The crowd roared with anticipation as Hermione began to make her way over to the stairs, leading up to the Gryffindor stands.
"Granger?" Hermione heard behind her. She sighed and turned.
"What Malfoy?"
Draco motioned to his broom. "Need a lift?"
Hermione shook her head. "No thank you. I have legs. I can use them." She turned and began walking towards the stairs again.
Draco turned to walk away, but suddenly smiled. Getting on his broom, he kicked the ground and flew towards Hermione. Hermione barely had time to shout as Draco grabbed her around the waist, sitting her sideways in front of him on the broom.
"What are you... Malfoy! Put me down!" she shouted as the broom shot upwards.
Draco reached the Gryffindor stands and held the broom steady as Hermione jumped off the broom towards a shocked Ron and Ginny Weasley. She spun around.
"Don't you ever...EVER do that to me again! Do you understand?" she shouted at him.
Draco smirked at her. "No need to stop being a lady," he said, imitating Jack Nicholson. He barely had time to chuckle as something hit him right across the face.
Hermione had slapped him.
Hermione waited for him to hit her back, hoping there would be some sign of anger in him that would help her justify her actions for herself. But nothing came.
Draco smirked, ignoring his stinging cheek. "Now that's more ladylike." He said. He pushed off the side of the stands and pretended to tip his hat. "Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away," he began singing as he flew away, leaving Hermione standing there, feeling ashamed and embarassed at both her actions and Draco's.
She sat down in the seat next to Ron, centering herself in the front row with the microphone on her lap, her hands trembling slightly.
"Are you okay, 'mione?" he asked her.
She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Y'know, I was gonna get up and give him a good hit, but you beat me to it," he said, smiling, "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Hermione smiled faintly as she caught Dumbledore waving at her. "Time to start," she said, turning on the microphone.
"Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to the first Quidditch game of the season. Today's match will be Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Let the game begin!"
*****
Draco kept his eyes on the game unfolding in front of him, comfortably sitting on his broom high in the air. He was higher than most of the players so that he was able to see easier everything that was going on. Nothing had happened for the past twenty minutes, and he could only hope it stayed that way.
He pulled his cloak tighter as a cool breeze played down his spine. It was colder the higher you went. Most people would stay as low as they could, but not Draco. He liked the height. It was clean. It was clear. It gave him a chance to think.
And boy, did he need to think.
He tensed as he watched Lynx Dremply and Corvus Serpens score another few points. Then he found himself relaxing slightly as he heard Hermione's voice echo over the crowds. He couldn't help smiling to himself. He ran a hand through his hair. He really needed to figure out what was going on with her. Sometimes she was just a pain in the... but other times, he could see what Potter and Weasley must see when they look at her. A kind, considerate, intelligent...
"Hold it Malfoy," he said to himself, "This is Granger we're talking about. Not some rich pureblood."
Draco sighed and glanced into the stands. He spotted Hermione, every now and then talking to Ginny Weasley, laughing together. He was ready to turn away when something caught him off guard. She squinted and looked closer. Suddenly his breath caught in his throat. His eyes bulged.
Jim.
He shook his head and looked agin. This time he saw Hermione sitting there, still talking to Ginny and laughing. He let out a frustrated sigh. He looked at Hermione again for a moment, taking everything in that had happened. He sighed.
He didn't know what he wanted. And he couldn't help thinking about Jim. How beautiful she looked in the sunlight, how witty and quick she was on the train... how warm her hands were as she said goodbye...
Draco shook his head again as the cool breeze came up, a reminder to keep his eyes on the game. He watched carefully as Lynx flew towards the ring. He watched as he grabbed a bludger that was flying past and threw it at a Gryffindor player next to him.
Draco blew his whistle, a loud, piercing scream echoing throughout. He flew down like a shot until he reached Lynx.
"You're off for ten for inappropraite conduct Dremply," he said, his voice cold.
"What the hell are you talking about Malfoy? I didn't do anything illegal," he shouted back. "I didn't do nothin'!"
Draco took a deep breath and simply stared at Lynx. There was an uneasiness among the Slytherin team standing there, waiting for Draco to react. Draco didn't smile.
"Ten minutes. Unless you want another five for correcting an official, I suggest you get your ass off the field."
Lynx stared at Draco. "Fine. This is two times you've bothered me Malfoy. One more and you're gonna start praying," he said, taking a few steps backward. He turned and began to walk away, as did Draco.
"Oh, Malfoy," Draco heard, barely having gained three steps. He turned.
"That was some nice riding you had going there. I knew Granger was that kind of girl. I just didn't know you wanted in on her too," Lynx said, smirking.
Draco grinned. "Twenty minutes off for inappropriate conduct. I think if you get five more minutes you get another ten for free!"
Lynx just stood there for an instant.
"Get off the field, Dremply," Draco said, his voice menacing.
Lynx scowled. "Fine. I'll get you."
Draco smiled. "Who are you, Dirty Harry? Get going."
Finally Lynx headed towards the sidelines to wait out his time. Draco started to kick off the ground as he heard the crowd cheer. He looked up to the Gryffindor tower. Although he was too far away, he could have sworn he saw Hermione smile. He saluted to her and kicked off the ground. He flew over to her.
"I gave him twenty minutes, but I think ten will be enough for Harry to find the snitch, so leave it at ten minutes."
Hermione nodded to him as he flew away, his broom shooting straight up in the air.
"Back to thinking time," he muttered to himself, the cheers dying out below him as his broom climbed through the sky.
*****
Ten minutes had passed and Harry still hadn't gotten the snitch. Lynx went back on and shouted at his seeker, telling him to make sure he got the snitch. Suddenly, Lynx turned towards Hermione, his eyes meeting hers. Hermione suddenly felt her blood run cold, chilling her body. He sneered at her and took off, leaving Hermione to wonder what had been said on the field between Draco and Lynx.
She found herself thinking about Draco and what had almost happened as the game raged on. What had happened just a few hours ago? Why had she panicked? Why had she acted like it didn't happen? He could be the biggest jerk the one minute, then concerned and sensitive the next. She sighed. She would never be able to figure him out. She decided that any of him she had seen on the train ride down was just a fluke. A reaction to the summer's events. Now he was in a more comfortable setting where he was able to act like himself, to be himself.
Hermione snuck a glance upward to where he was sitting on his broom, almost appearing as dazed as she. She smiled to herself and turned back to the game at hand. Harry had just spotted the snitch, and was gaining on it quickly. Suddenly, he lept out and grabbed it, clutching it tightly in his hand. She grinned as she leaned into the microphone.
"And Harry Potter has got the snitch! Gryffindor wins!"
*****
Draco smiled in spite of himself at Gryffindor's excitement. He came down slightly on his broom to the level where Hermione was sitting, Harry hovering in front of her, talking.
"Took you long enough to get the snitch, Potter," Draco said, "For a while there I was having my doubts."
Harry stopped talking and turned to Draco, saying nothing. There was a moment of silence and tenseness between the two. Suddenly Draco gave Harry a faint smile and held out his hand.
"Nice job, Potter," he said, his voice absent of any venom or sarcasm.
Harry looked taken aback. Then he smiled faintly as well, taking Draco's hand.
"Thanks Malfoy."
They both released their hands and Draco nodded to him. He cast a quick glance at a surprised Hermione, Ron next to her just as shocked.
"I'll let you finish up your conversation," Draco said, backing up on his broom. "Sorry I interrupted."
He headed across to the other side of the field, leaving the surprised looks of the three behind. He was about to turn to fly towards the school when he heard a voice.
"Hey Malfoy!"
He turned his broom. Lynx sat on his, a bludger clutched in his two hands. Corvus sneered next to him. Draco sighed.
"What are you gonna do Dremply? Are you gonna throw that bludger at me? Go for it. I don't have time for your stupid games."
Lynx sneered. "I am going throw it Malfoy. But unfortunately, not at you," he paused for a minute, glancing elsewhere. Draco followed Lynx's gaze, leading to Hermione, who leaning over the side of the stands, talking to Harry below, now on the field. Draco tensed up.
Lynx laughed. "Think she can fly Malfoy?" he asked. "For her sake, I hope one of you can fly fast enough." Swinging back, he hurled the bludger straight towards Hermione.
*****
Hermione leaned over the stands, waving as Harry walked away across the field. She tucked her hair behind her ear and picked up the microphone, casually glancing up as she did so. She didn't have time to react as she spotted a bludger hurling towards her. She froze, waiting for impact. Suddenly, all she saw was a flash of blond and black in front of her. She heard the sickening "thud", and watched with horror as something began falling to the ground below, slowed down only by his broom.
Leaning over the side, she watched as Harry came running back across the field, over to the motionless heap that now sat at the base of the stands. Without hesitation, she ran down all of the stairs of the stands and over to Harry. He was hunched over the body of someone. He turned the person over and sighed. Hermione leaned forward and gasped.
Draco Malfoy.
*****
Author's Note: Oh no! Malfoy is sacrificing himself for Hermione! I hope he's not dead... like in that book Misery by Stephen King where the main author in the book kills his female character to prevent him from writing about her anymore... okay, I SO need to get out more. Anyway, I'm leaving the same review as the last one, because I'm kind of proud of it too, so enjoy again.
Review, said the cat, don't be shy, speak your peace!
The author will read it and comment at least
You know, said the cat, you should to just that
You shall go review, said the cat in the hat
Please go to the bottom left corner to review now. You must be 18 months or older.
To My Reviewers:
Girl-named-Belle: I did! I did! Look! I posted more chapters! (By the way, I love how you use the repetition. It's very good. Gets the point across. I like that.)
Emilie: Woo-hoo! A movie buff like me! I'm telling you, it's people like us that make the world go 'round. I'm telling ya, if we weren't watching the movies that the studios spit out, then they'd stop making them, and then life would become a very boring place to be my friend. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the chapter. Thanks for reviewing!
Tom*Feltons*Babe: Thanks a lot! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. I think this chapter though has been my favourite one to write so far. Let me know whether or not if you like it. Thanks for reviewing! Y'all come back now!
Alexa Donaghy: Woo hoo! Cheers to all those people who have lives! I feel so bad when I'm relaxing or something though because I think * Ah, this is nice, not doing anything... I could be writing the next chapter to the story... why aren't I?... Think of all those people who want to read it...* and so on and so forth. Damn the voices in my head. Damn them all! Anyway, thanks again for reviewing!
PsYcHoJo: Thanks for the review! Hee hee hee... blonds... You're right you know, Draco totally is a blond. You've actually also given me an amazing idea that I never thought about before! Interesting... ahem, sorry. Thanks again! Let me know what you think of this chapter!
fReDAnD GEoRGeWeASleY ArE gODs: Okay, first of all, I am sorry it took so long guys. Second, I just like torturing people, so that's why I gave them that moment there, and third, as you can see, this chapter is all about the Quidditch! (I wrote it right after the chapter with the "almost" kiss.) Anyway, thanks for the review! Drop in again soon!
Lily of the Shadow: I'm glad you liked that section. Sometimes it can be hard incorporating quotes into the conversaton, but I try to pull it off as well as I can with as little mess as possible. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Rebeltawn: Hee hee... I'm glad you liked the chapter. Actually I hope you like this chapter even more, because I know that it's my favorite so far that I've written. Oh, and I know about that compulsive feeling that you get when you want to read more, but of course, there's no one to tell. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, and I hope you'll do it again!
MysticalRing: Thank you so much for reviewing. You have no idea how much it means to me and all of the other writers whom you so kindly review. You are such a considerate person. Really. Thanks again for reviewing. You're the best!
AndinaofRivendell: Well thank you very, very, very much! I'm glad you're enjoying it, and I hope you enjoy this chapter even more! Thanks so much for your review! Write me another one sometime!