The Secret Admirer

Chapter 8

Author: Cornette

Hermione gazed through the window, to the Quidditch Pitch. However, she couldn't see anything outside. Not a single trees, or thing. The view was completely veiled by the heavy rain that thundered the ground. Hermione put her right hand on the window glass, and leaned stubbornly forward, pressing her small nose. She still couldn't see anything. Hermione breathed slowly, watched the falling rain came down.

She knew while she stood here on the dim corridor, the time wont stop. Harry and Malfoy will begin their Duel very soon. Hermione was furious to the both of them. They were equal in stupidity and ego. They were betting about her! And Hermione couldn't see the reason why Harry started it in the first place. And Malfoy…Draco Malfoy…

Hermione has been hating him for whole five years. That pale snobbish git, spoiled boy, smirking annoyingly while strutting around with his sidekicks and always tries to make Harry's life miserable, calling Hermione `mudblood` and insulted Ron. Then this year he evoluted into a strikingly good-looking boy, with his silvery hair that fell on his silvery eyes and his arrogant smirk. Still Hermione hated him. Hated the way girls dangling in his arms, hated his personality and the way he continued his hobby; insulting Harry and friends.

But then, then, Hermione sighed, Malfoy kissed her. Since then Hermione never quite sure that she knew the real Malfoy. He changed from time to time, so different and strange. Hermione had witnessed how his cold eyes blazed with anger, and his rough attitude. And she had just heard him confessed that he was her `secret admirer`. Now on, Hermione wasn't sure if she hated him. She wasn't that sure about everything anymore. She had tried to put those pieces of puzzles together, but her head seemed to stop working since this morning.

Hermione closed her eyes, the rhythmical pounding rain outside filled her ears. The rain had better take her with its magical sound, because she was dizzy inside. Faces and sounds swarmed in her head…

`HERMIONEEEE!`

Hermione jerked awake, turned back. Squinting her eyes, she could saw two tall figure approaching her, both running in their top speed. One wore a bright red robes and the other one has the same color of hair. Harry and Ron. They halted right on her place.

`Hermione! Phew! Where have you been? We are running everywhere! Been searchin` for you. Come on, lets watch the Seeker Duel together!` panted Ron, out of breath. Harry, who were sweating and carried his Firebolt on his shoulder, looked at her with great curiosity.

`You didn't meet certain person, did you?` pointed Harry to the point, his sparkling green eyes narrowed under his spectacles.

`Nope. Just wandering.` lied Hermione simply. She had to lower her gaze or else her friends will know that she lied. She saw Ron and Harry exchange relieved look, though.

`Well, then, let's go!` said Ron cheerfully. He walked forward in a hopped sort of the way. Hermione turned her head to Harry, who raised an eyebrow.

`Harry, why do you…`

It stuck there in Hermione`s throat. She didn't have any courage to continue, while Harry raised the other eyebrow higher.

`Oh! Oh, I have been searching for you, of course! That's why I'm still here! But we really need to hurry,` explained Harry, oblivious and undoubtedly honest. But that's not an answer that Hermione wanted.

`…And you forgot your Firebolt! Blimey, Harry!` yelled Ron, several meters in front of them.

`Shut-up-Ron!` yelled Harry back, blushing furiously. He swung his Firebolt securely back to his shoulder and beckoned Hermione to run with them. When they reach the Front Hall, they were almost feinting from running too fast. They controlled their breath for moment before Harry got ready.

`Now, I have to Duel with Malfoy. And the weather is not good at all.` muttered Harry darkly. His face looked unusually pale and nervous. Ron clapped Harry's shoulder good-heartedly.

`Nothing to worry about, mate! You are the best seeker in Hogwarts!` cheered Ron, and Harry grinned with thankful to him. `Right, Hermione? Hermione?`

`Ummm, yes.` said Hermione, feeling guilty inside when she saw Harry's hand clutched the Firebolt so hard. Ron groaned.

`Don't tell me you still don't agree with this,` hissed Ron, half-threatening her. Hermione founded her anger back and glared at Ron.

`Yes, I don't,` said Hermione angrily. They were tense for moment before Harry sighed.

`Hey, hey, c`mon, not now! And Hermione, wish me luck, will you? I need plenty of that right now` plead Harry and Hermione couldn't stand his expression, so Hermione nodded.

`Good luck, Harry,` said Hermione with all her heart. She wanted Harry to be alright, to be safe and happy. But she didn't want Malfoy to lose…

`Thanks.` replied Harry, flashed her a smile that made Hermione`s heart sliced by a guilt again.

`Why you two pick me up, huh?` teased Hermione, to release her feelings. `You both know I don't have any intention to watch the Seeker Duel.`

To her surprise Harry and Ron burst out laughing.

`Because you are our Fortune Goddess, that's all.` said Ron, with a wicked grin.

`Eh?`

Harry grinned at Ron then at Hermione sheepishly. Then Ron pointed out that it was time already. Harry nodded, his face was set, and he slipped the Front Door quietly. To the Quidditch Pitch.

* * *

Hermione and Ron stopped right in front of the Front Door, and Hermione shivered as the chilling wind hit her. The rain hadn't stop, but grew steadily heavier. Hermione looked up, feeling the rain in her bare hand.

`Harry is going to catch cold,` she murmured absentmindedly, as her hand started to feel numb in the splattering water.

`You too. Wear this.` Ron had handed her his long coat that looked slightly battered. Hermione shook her head, a bit amazed. Ron could be so considerable, sometimes.

`Wear this, its water-proof inside.` insisted Ron and Hermione was not capable of refusing something so kind so she wore it. It was long and very warm inside.

`Let's run to the Quidditch Pitch.` said Ron, and Hermione nodded.

They made their way across the wet grass, while the rain hammering their head. Hermione was sorry she didn't bring her umbrella with her but the mistake was done. Already damp and shivering, they climbed the Gryffindor`s supporter tribune. The crowds were full of drenched supporter, everyone was feeling cold.

A flash of lightning strike so near, followed by one booming thunder. Most of the supporter screamed. Hermione shivered and snug nearer to Ron, who sat beside her. She laid her gaze to the Teacher's Tribune. There was Lee Jordan, ready with his megaphone, Prof. McGonagall, sour-faced Snape, and most of the teacher. Well, except Dumbledore, which was strange enough, for he usually comes.

A blurry red figure zoomed into the Pitch and the tribune cheered spontaneously. Hermione felt her heart made a long skip when the tribune across them made shouts and cheers. His green robe was not too visible in the rain, but his silvery hair was. Malfoy hovered slightly before landed in the ground.

Madam Hooch small built made her way, and looks like they shook hands. First the twin Bludger were released, they flew menacingly, already tried to tear each other apart. Then she opened a smaller box With a sparks from her wand, and the tiny Golden Snitch was gone in a flash. Hermione could saw Madam Hooch had given up her shouts and raised three fingers and let it down one by one. Three…two…one…a shrill blast of her whistle into the thick air and both Harry and Malfoy soared up.

`Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the long-awaited Seeker Duel! Here are infamous Harry Potter from Gryffindor and Draco Malfoy from Slytherin! And I'm Lee Jordan as your commentator! `commented Lee brightly and all the tribunes let out a deafening applause from all the tribunes.

`Both are expected to be the next Quidditch Captain for their teams. Course Potter is the best Seeker that Gryffindor have, that Hogwarts have. And everyone know he was far above Mal-`

Loud BOOO! From the Slytherin ends drowned Lee's word.

`Its true!` protested Lee. ` I'm betting 25 Galleon for Harry Potter! Harry, go kicked that sc-

`JORDAN! LANGUAGE!`shrieked Prof. McGonagall to the megaphone. More boos were audible from the Slytherin`s end, but most of the Gryffindor`s supporter laughed. It was always worth watching when Prof. McGonagall and Lee struggled to get the megaphone.

`Sorry, Professor! We're back to the Duel, everyone! Let's watch the difficult legendary Seeker Duel! Yes, with faster Snitch and rougher Bludger! It's raining now, but Go, Harry, GO!` said Lee on his Megaphone.

`Jordan, take fair side, please.` warned McGonagall again.

The wind came howling wildly. Slapping the crowds with its hand. It makes the comments flew away, and Hermione couldn't hear a single thing. Only a whirling sound in her ears and the rain thundered back. There was no trace that Harry or Malfoy had got the Snitch yet. There were only blurred flying shadows, dived, rolled, soared, and avoiding the nasty Bludgers.

` How long do you reckon this Duel will last?` asked Hermione, tugged Ron`s robe to attract his attention.

`What?` asked Ron loudly. Hermione repeated her question with higher tone. Ron shook his head.

`Dunno! Maybe-`

`OUCH! BECAREFUL POTTER!` suddenly the Megaphone boomed again. `The Bludger had hit Harry's back…is he okay? He is, Potter fly , searching for the Golden Snitch again!`

Hermione thought that she had died from shocked and anxiousness. She thought that something worse happened to Harry. She glanced and saw that Ron was very tense too. Well, the Duel continues like that for some moment, with Lee's hyperbolized comments. And the sky grew murkier and became really dark. Hermione could saw two boys staggered on their brooms, fought bravely with the violent wind. They zoomed in and out of her view, beneath the cold pouring rain.

Suddenly things went so tersely. Everybody hold their breaths as Lee yelped;

`…it's the Snitch! The Golden Snitch! Malfoy accelerated first, Potter from the other way…-No! It gave a sharp turn! Go, go, it's close from you, Harry! WATCH IT! Potter fail, NO! Blasted Bludger! It's gone now…`Lee breathed, disappointed and Hermione, too. Then a fast golden thing past right in front of Hermione and Ron, tailed closely, was Malfoy, his green robes flying behind. Lee gasped in the megaphone.

`Ooooh, Malfoy`s following it! It is right in front of him! He begin to stretch his hand… Potter dive in the other part of the pitch…Ow, the Snitch ran to the tribune! No, it`s only rounding it! Can't believe it, Malfoy still tailing!` Lee half-groaned in the silent crowds.

Most of the supporters had stood up to get a better view of them. Hermione herself, squinting her eyes through the rain. Fortunately it was getting more and more thinner. She saw Harry moving very speedily towards the Snitch and Malfoy. Then two Bludgers approaching…

`BEHIND YOU!` howled Lee. Both Harry and Malfoy ducked in time to avoid the vicious Bludger. `Good-oh, guys! The Snitch hover up! Look!`

Hermione noticed that Ron had crossed his fingers and raised it high for luck. She followed him. After all, if one of them got the Snitch it will be over at last. Catching it was the main idea of this Seeker Duel…right?

Then twisted view of green and red raced upwards was visible for them. Everybody went silent, watched with great excitement as the Snitch soared high and high to the cloudy sky. Hermione prayed…

`HARRY POTTER GOT THE SNITCH!` shouted Lee Jordan as loud as he can, pulled Prof. McGonagall`s hand and danced around with her.

Hermione looked up in disbelief, but in deep relief too. Harry had tossed his hand to the air, only several inches higher than Malfoy, and an undeniable golden wings fluttered in his hand. The Golden Snitch.

`HARRY WIN THIS DUEL! HE WIN! GRYFFINDOR WIN! I WIN! 25 GALLEON! FRED,GEORGE, PARTYYYY!` shrieked Lee uncontrollably, and Prof. McGonagall had to hit his head to stop Lee's shrieks.

The now-conscious crowds erupted into roar of applause and booming cheers. Noises so loud it drowned the sound of wind and rain. The Gryffindor`s supporter flooded the arena, made the hazy green Quidditch Pitch scarlet with their damp robes. As always the Weasley`s was in the front row –including Ginny, and Ron, who was gone from Hermione`s side like a ghost, Fred and George- ready to hug him, to slap his back, to congratulate Harry.

The cheering crowds hauled Harry to the air, singing the Gryffindor anthem. Hermione couldn't help let out a choked laugh, as she saw Harry's face shone with happiness. Harry… won. Hermione was going to climb down the tribune when a flash of blue lightning illuminated the scene behind.

A boy in his green robes leaning on his broom. Stood alone, under the misty soft rain. His silvery hair was drenched, and covered Hermione`s view from his face. Water, maybe rain, or sweat or tears trickled down his face. In the end, the proud head of Draco Malfoy was bent, defeated.

To be continued……….

Whooooo! I`m finished! Heeheehee! Review is always welcomed!!! You know guys, I`ve sent this one to some people to check it but it failed! It came back to my e-mail and I`m sad! So, I decided to just send it to ff.net. Sorry all, this is full of grammar mistakes. (Sorry, sorry, sorry!). But if you want to revised it, please send me the revised chapter! I`d be thankful! Well, stay tune to chapter 9! Harry won, and we`ll see more about cute guy named Draco Malfoy!! It`s not finished yet! And please review!!!! Thank you all!