Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter's characters. Everything
belongs to J. K. Rowling. Everything unfamiliar is mine. 6/24
A/N: '' - Basically means that the character is thinking
"" - Basically means that the character is speaking
This is not a continuation to "Models Have Fun".
Thanks for the reviews! Any thoughts?
***Hey People! I asked for help last time. Please give me ideas on
what activities they're gonna do and names for the 2 teams. ***
Title: Summer Camp
Chapter5: Waterfalls
Draco Malfoy sneaked out of his cabin to his shelter. 'I suppose it's worth the risk of being caught if that's the only place I can sleep well. He slipped into the shadows. He let his feat do the walking leading him to anywhere. Then he heard the familiar flowing water and followed the sound. He knew he was near his cave when he saw the opening of the lake. He didn't notice the new flowers that seemed to magically overnight. He didn't care for such beauties. He headed to the falls and passed through curtain of water that served as the entrance of his cave.
As soon as he entered he settled against its wall. He started thinking of what happened earlier. He felt elated when he saw Weasley and the mudblood fight. 'That Granger has quite a mouth. She ought to be more careful at what she's saying to people.' He paused as he just realized what he had just thought. 'Hang on I don't care what happens to her. I don't care if the earth opened up and swallowed her. She's just a mudblood. A mudblood with a big mouth and awesome flier." Draco fell into a comforting sleep as he stared at the water falling from the falls.
Draco didn't know for how long he fell asleep. He tried to look through the curtain of water to see if it was morning already. He could hardly see anything past it. He put his hands out and found the atmosphere yet cold. He got irritated at waking up for no reason. When he settled in once again in the cave he started hearing sounds. He reached for his pocket to get his wand. He listened carefully who or what are making such noises.
He strained his ear to find out where the sound was coming from. He saw that the place was pitch black. He slithered away from the cave moving as silently and as carefully as possible as he realized what the sounds were. It was the sound of a woman crying pitifully. His heart suddenly ached to hear such sound. He began searching for the source. Just as his eyes started to adjust to the dark, he saw a silhouette of a woman sitting on a rock sniffling at a flower.
The woman was staring into the water and sometimes would tilt her head up in the skies. The woman stood up and started to take her shirt off. Draco became more curious as to the identity of the woman. He sneaked up closer. Then he heard a splash. He went to the woman's clothes to find a clue about her. In the pile that was her clothes he saw that it was a uniform that was used for the camp. He searched some more and saw a wand in the pile. He was about to reach for it when she appeared once again in the surface making little noise.
"I wished for some change but not this kind of change." She sobbed once more.
Draco was taken aback as he realized who the person was. "Granger?"
Hermione looked around to find the intruder. 'Wand! Where is it? Right it's in my clothes.' She went out of the water and started for her clothes.
"I didn't think Gryffindors would be skinny-dipping here especially since this is off limits to students." He gave her a smirk but since it was dark Hermione did not see it.
"Malfoy? What the hell are you doing here?"
"I asked first. What were you doing skinny-dipping here?"
"Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not naked." She stepped into the light and her bathing suit became evident.
"Still this is out of bounds of the camp's territory."
"Then may I ask you why are you here as well?"
"None of your business. I saw this place first so why don't you just leave and stop contaminating it."
"HA! I found this first. No doubt you only found this one today."
"Sunday morning."
"So, this was were you hid. You know you ruined my day. I was supposed to come back here to see it with sunlight but you had to go out. Everyone made a fuss about your whereabouts."
"Come back here? When did you."
"Saturday night after everyone settled in, right about this time."
"Liar!"
"I don't care if you don't believe me. we could get into trouble."
"You scared Granger?" He teased her. 'She looked adorable looking lost.'
"Not really. If you tell on me then I'd tell on you. You wouldn't like that would you?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"Where were you? I didn't see you when I came here."
"I have my ways."
Hermione scanned the environment and something in the waterfalls caught her eyes. The curtain of water separated as if they were really curtains. It was inviting her to come closer.
"Hey! I found that first." Draco demanded.
"There's something in that cave."
"There's nothing in that cave."
"How do you know? Did you explore it?"
"Don't have to. It's just a small cave. It has room only for 1 or 2 persons."
"Can I see it?" Hermione was eager to look at it.
"Let's make this clear. You claim you saw the lake first?"
Hermione nodded.
"And I claim I found the cave first."
Hermione nodded again.
"Why don't we put boundaries then."
"Boundaries? What for?"
"So you can't come near my cave and I won't bother you anymore with your nightly laps." He stared at her. "Do you get me?"
"Do we have to? We can share everything here. It's beautiful."
"NO! My cave is off limits."
"Fine then!" She dived back into the lake.
"I heard you crying!" He shouted at her. 'What the hell was that for?'
Her face faced him. "Excuse me?"
"I said I saw and heard you crying."
Hermione bowed her head and went out of the water. She sat at the rock again.
"Are you alright?" 'What's happening to me? I can't seem to control the words coming out of my mouth.'
"Why do you ask?" Hermione eyed him questioningly.
Draco shrugged trying his best to stop talking.
Hermione sighed, "Ron and I are on a break." She waited for Malfoy to say something so when he didn't, she continued, "You know it's your fault."
"Sorry." He whispered silently. Hermione heard it. She looked at him and saw pain in his eyes or was it guilt? She can't believe she's seeing this. Then without warning Draco slanted his head as his lips drew closer to hers. Draco was gentle at first but as Hermione moaned from pleasure, Draco couldn't contain his hunger. He probed her lips with his tongue, which caused a strange sound to escape from her mouth. His hands wake from their dormant state. His right hand pushed her clothes from the rock to make room for her back. He laid her on the rock carefully without taking his mouth from hers. He used his right arm for support while his left arm tangled with her hair. Hermione's fingers were pushing him closer eager to feel his body against his. They continued this for a long time. They only broke their kiss when one was endangered from suffocating of lack of air.
Just as soon as it came, it soon ended. Draco opened his eyes and saw Granger under him. He realized that he was kissing her and she was kissing him back as passionately. He backed up. He stood up and asked, "Granger?"
Hermione realized what was happening and blushed deep red. "Um, what happened?"
"Get dressed, they'll be looking for us now."
Hermione hated awkward situations and tried to think of a topic. "At least they'll be happy to know that we stuck with our partners."
Draco didn't face her but raised an eyebrow. 'What the hell's she talking about?' "Ready yet?"
"Yeah, I guess." She looked around finally being able to see the lake with the sun shining down on it. "Wow! They're all gorgeous."
Draco didn't appreciate nature, "Come on, we'll be in trouble if they see us coming out of the forest. Think what your boyfriend would say."
Hermione felt rage again towards the man who she had been kissing with. 'What would Ron say if he found out?' "Can you keep it a secret, you know, last night?"
"Why would I tell anyone that I've been with a mudblood?"
Hermione was taken aback. "It wasn't like you didn't like it either!"
"Whatever! If you spread this I swear-"
"You prat! If I remember correctly, you were the one who kissed me first!"
"Temporary insanity. Who'd want to kiss a mudblood?"
"Who'd want to kiss a dirty ferret such as you!?!"
They started walking towards camp not wanting to be scolded by their professors. They kept on shouting at each other on their way back. There were other students that were awake who were watching them. Most of the students who were still sleeping arose by their bickering.
"Hey you two, I suggest that you two keep quiet." Padma walked toward. She was the only one courageous enough to try to talk to them.
"Shut up!" Both Hermione and Draco shouted at her.
Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, it's just."
"Its ok Hermione just lower your voices." She then lowered her voice so that Hermione was the only one could hear. "Looks like you two were having a lover's quarrel eh?" She winked at her and then left.
Hermione glared at him and it was returned with more loathing. Hermione was the 1st to break their contact and decided to go to her cabin to change.
~~~~~~~~~~
This week was basically assigned for Quidditch so that the students would unwind. There's nothing better in providing teamwork than Quidditch. The professors were expecting the students mainly the teams to be closer because of the sport. Every morning team A would have the pitch to practice and the afternoon was for team B.
After breakfast the Gryffindors and the Slytherins gathered at the pitch as they waited for Madame Hooch.
The Gryffindor trio joined the others in silence. Harry didn't want to come in between his friends. He tried talking with them about safe subjects like for example Malfoy. But even their hatred for Malfoy wasn't enough to get Ron and Hermione closer. Both were quiet and responded by way of nodding or shaking their heads. Harry talked to Ron the night before. He said that it was silly of him to stay angry with her. She already apologized. Ron was thick headed. He wouldn't budge.
Hermione felt really awkward staying there with Ron without speaking to each other. She couldn't handle to awkwardness and decided to search for other company. She saw Parvati and Lavender under a tree talking at each other. She started heading there when she felt a hand closing around her fingers.
"Where are you going?" Harry looked at her softly. He wanted badly the two to make up. He also didn't want any of his friends to think of him siding with the other.
"I just thought that I'd talk with Parvati and Lavender." She said without looking at him.
"Oh. Ok I guess."
Hermione was heading to the girls but then she headed for a different tree. She sat and began thinking of yesterday, from Ron to Malfoy. Her train of thoughts was altered when she heard someone nearby.
"Granger, what are you doing hiding out here?"
She looked at the source and saw Malfoy. She didn't want to argue at the moment. "Nothing."
"I thought the Gryffindor trio never separated."
"Look Malfoy, I am not in the mood. I would thank you if you'd leave me in peace."
Draco shrugged and stared farther into the woods.
Hermione felt really depressed. She wanted Ron to come after her but obviously he didn't. She became teary eyed. She closed her eyes to prevent the tears from pouring in.
"Stop crying. I thought Gryffindors are supposed to be brave?" His face softened but still hard in a way not letting his guard down.
"I'm sorry I just-" She started to stand up and leave. This was the 2nd time somebody stopped her. "What?"
"We need to talk." He looked at her sincerely.
Hermione stared at his face and felt calm. "What about?"
"Last night."
"That was a mistake."
"Maybe."
Hermione raised her eyebrows, 'Maybe?'
"There was something in that lake. I lost control and it happened."
"Something was in the lake?" Hermione didn't want to believe him.
"What other explanation can you come up with? Both of us weren't acting normal that's for sure." Draco admitted that he got out of control and this troubled him. He didn't want to be out of control. If he find out what made him do that the easier for him to avoid another situation like that.
"I don't know? I don't care? Let's just forget it ever happened. I'm sorry but I have other things to think about." She turned and headed for the 2 girls and was surprised to see both Harry and Ron with them.
"Hi Hermione." Parvati saw her first. She saw Hermione hesitated before she came any closer.
"Hi."
"Where were you? I thought you were supposed to join them?" Harry asked concernedly.
"I just. walked around." She carefully chose where to sit and sat beside Harry who was across Ron.
"Did you find anything interesting? Lavender and I walked near the coast and picked several corals. They were breathtaking. Would you like to see them?"
Hermione started to talk but was cut off by Madame Hooch's whistle. "Gather around."
Hermione stood up and was startled by Harry's arm locking into hers. She looked up at him and he smiled.
They went hand in hand to Hooch.
"Everybody here?" She looked at Malfoy who nodded then to Hermione who also nodded. "Good. I remember Professor McGonagall pairing you all up. Go to your pairs."
Hermione looked at Harry who gave her a sympathetic look. "I'll go talk to her, ask her if we could swap partners."
"But then you'd get stuck with Malfoy?"
"Doesn't matter." He winked at her before he headed to Madame Hooch.
Draco didn't agree with pairing with Hermione but he had no choice so he headed towards her. Ron saw him heading towards Hermione. He was closer to her and was able to reach her before Malfoy.
Hermione was shocked when Ron faced her. "Hi."
Hermione couldn't find words to say.
"Come on Granger."
Hermione turned and saw Malfoy approaching and everything made sense. 'Ron only came because Malfoy was coming over. Fine then. If he would continue to avoid me then fine.' She faced him and nodded.
"What-" Ron was getting red from being snubbed.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted at her as Madame Hooch followed him. "Wait up."
Hermione turned her head and smiled at him. "What?"
Draco stopped in his steps and faced Harry as well.
"Madame Hooch has agreed to swap partners."
Ron and Malfoy looked questioningly at their professor.
"Only if all the parties involved agrees."
"Agrees about what?" Draco was curious at what was happening.
"Mr. Potter had asked for a change of partners. I want to question everyone involved. Mr. Potter who is your partner?"
"Parvati."
Parvati came closer.
"Ms. Patil would you consent on these changes?"
"Um, who would I be paired with?" She looked at Malfoy dreadfully.
"Ms. Granger."
Parvati shrugged, "Sure."
Hermione smiled at her and mouthed 'thanks'.
"Wa-wait! That leaves me with Potter!" Draco protested.
Harry eyed him dangerously.
"I'm sorry but I can't allow this change to happen as not all the parties have agreed."
"But Madame Hooch, he's the only one who didn't agree."
"Mr. Potter I already told you before that if someone objects then I will not allow it. Besides, don't you like being paired with Ms. Patil?"
Harry sighed in his defeat. "Sorry Hermione."
She smiled at him, "You did what you could." She then followed a smirking Malfoy across the field.
~~~~~~~~~~
When they were alone Draco asked Hermione, "Did you and Ron fight because of Potter?"
"What? No! Harry and I are just best friends. I already told you that you were the reason we fought."
"It seems like Potter likes you a lot since he would chose being paired with me so that you can have a different partner."
"He just doesn't trust you to play fair and wanted to protect me that's all."
"What do you think then?"
"About what?"
"About being paired with me."
"I can handle you. Besides, Madame Hooch is watching."
Their conversation was stopped by Hooch's instructions. "Today, we will practice your skills with bludgers. Your partners will be your teammates. Two pairs will be fighting each other. When a bludger hits someone, s/he will come down. When a team gets hit they are to be replaced with another team. This will continue until there is only one team left."
Hermione raised her hand. Draco looked at her and shook his head as he smirked.
"Yes Ms. Granger?"
"What if the team that won had his/her partner down, would the one left behind continue on his own?"
"Very good question. Whenever a team wins, the fallen teammate may join his/her partner for the next round. Are there anymore questions?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Good, let the games begin. Let's start with Crabbe and Goyle's team."
Everyone watched as the two tried to ram each other. Their partners were already on the ground. The two were just having fun. Draco however was not amused. "Go on now, finish it up!" The two nodded and became serious. Crabbe was victorious in hitting Goyle.
"Next?" Hooch asked.
Draco didn't have to answer; he mounted his broom and flew away.
Hermione shook her head. She didn't want to be up there with a monster aiming a bludger at her. She looked at Harry who was sympathetic and gave her a thumbs up. She smiled at him thankful for the support.
"Hey Granger what's taking so long?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and left the ground. Ron focused his gaze at her carefully watching to look for the bludger. He wanted to warn her if something came close. He held his breath as she dodged a bludger inches away from her head. He looked at Harry who was intent at watching her as well. He heard him gasp and looked at what happened. Hermione was falling from her broom. There were a lot of snickers coming from the Slytherin. Parvati and Lavender screamed and closed their eyes. Harry drew his wand and said a spell. Before she hit the ground, a mattress appeared below her and caught her. "Thanks Harry." She smiled at him and walked towards him.
The match ended with Malfoy winning against Crabbe. Hermione didn't want him to win so that she wouldn't come back up.
'You were great up there. You know." Harry encouraged her.
Hermione sighed as she joined her partner up.
"Next?" Asked Madame Hooch.
Harry and Ron refused to fight Hermione but when they won every match, they didn't have a choice. Ron and Lavender mounted their brooms and joined the 2. Harry watched as both Lavender and Hermione avoided the range of 2 guys. He noticed how Ron was getting better at handling the bludger as it narrowly hit Malfoy. Their match took a long time to finish. Lavender was hit when she wasn't looking. Hermione fell almost at every match before but this match was different. Malfoy wouldn't hit her since she's his teammate and Ron wouldn't let a bludger near her. Malfoy devised a plan on faking to hit Hermione so that it would hit Ron instead and they finally won.
Harry's team was next. Parvati mounted her broom dreadfully. Harry noticed that there were Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw members gathering around. 'Their class must have be over by now.' He sighed before he joined Draco and Hermione. The game started with a bludger going towards Harry's head. He avoided it with great ease. Being a Seeker has its rewards. He was used with close encounters with bludgers. The game went on longer than Ron's. When Parvati fell, everyone on team B was watching, admiring the show. Harry was very skilled, he had no problem avoiding the bludgers so did Malfoy. The match was focused on Harry and Draco. Hermione was practically safe. Draco wanted the match over with him winning. He wanted to make fun of Harry in front of everybody so he tried his play where Ron got hit. Harry was faster than Ron and was able to rally the bludger back to Draco. Draco was hit and fell. Harry smiled and then remembered that the match was not over. There was still Hermione. He didn't have the heart to go hit her so he told her, "Go on, hit me."
She didn't like the idea either and hesitated before she rammed the bludger at him. Harry avoided full impact but was technically hit so therefore Draco and Hermione's team won.
When Harry came down Madam Hooch approached her, "You'd make a fine Beater." Harry then remembered Oliver Wood on his 1st year saying the exact same thing to him.
Madame Hooch gathered them round, "You all did exceptionally well. Remember this is technically not a competition to know who is better but to give you all a chance to experience being a Beater. There are a few of you that have better chance with being a Beater than with their current role. Today's session is over. I'll see you tomorrow."
Harry and the other Gryffindors came to offer their congratulations to Hermione who didn't think she deserved any. The only person she hit with a bludger was Harry and that didn't even count. Harry asked her to join them but she refused. She stayed behind as she looked into the pitch. 'Maybe I should rethink my feelings toward Quidditch. It was fun being up there, maybe not as a Beater. But it was really fun."
"You alright now?"
Hermione turned around to look at who talked to her. "Yeah."
Malfoy brushed his hand into his hair, "I would've enjoined it more if I took Potter out but I guess winning would have to do."
"Madame Hooch said that it's not about winning."
"It's about having fun and forgetting about your problems."
Hermione understood and was about to say thanks but he was already walking away. 'What's going on with him? What's going on with me for that matter? Am I starting to like him?' She wondered as she headed to her friends to have her lunch.
A/N: '' - Basically means that the character is thinking
"" - Basically means that the character is speaking
This is not a continuation to "Models Have Fun".
Thanks for the reviews! Any thoughts?
***Hey People! I asked for help last time. Please give me ideas on
what activities they're gonna do and names for the 2 teams. ***
Title: Summer Camp
Chapter5: Waterfalls
Draco Malfoy sneaked out of his cabin to his shelter. 'I suppose it's worth the risk of being caught if that's the only place I can sleep well. He slipped into the shadows. He let his feat do the walking leading him to anywhere. Then he heard the familiar flowing water and followed the sound. He knew he was near his cave when he saw the opening of the lake. He didn't notice the new flowers that seemed to magically overnight. He didn't care for such beauties. He headed to the falls and passed through curtain of water that served as the entrance of his cave.
As soon as he entered he settled against its wall. He started thinking of what happened earlier. He felt elated when he saw Weasley and the mudblood fight. 'That Granger has quite a mouth. She ought to be more careful at what she's saying to people.' He paused as he just realized what he had just thought. 'Hang on I don't care what happens to her. I don't care if the earth opened up and swallowed her. She's just a mudblood. A mudblood with a big mouth and awesome flier." Draco fell into a comforting sleep as he stared at the water falling from the falls.
Draco didn't know for how long he fell asleep. He tried to look through the curtain of water to see if it was morning already. He could hardly see anything past it. He put his hands out and found the atmosphere yet cold. He got irritated at waking up for no reason. When he settled in once again in the cave he started hearing sounds. He reached for his pocket to get his wand. He listened carefully who or what are making such noises.
He strained his ear to find out where the sound was coming from. He saw that the place was pitch black. He slithered away from the cave moving as silently and as carefully as possible as he realized what the sounds were. It was the sound of a woman crying pitifully. His heart suddenly ached to hear such sound. He began searching for the source. Just as his eyes started to adjust to the dark, he saw a silhouette of a woman sitting on a rock sniffling at a flower.
The woman was staring into the water and sometimes would tilt her head up in the skies. The woman stood up and started to take her shirt off. Draco became more curious as to the identity of the woman. He sneaked up closer. Then he heard a splash. He went to the woman's clothes to find a clue about her. In the pile that was her clothes he saw that it was a uniform that was used for the camp. He searched some more and saw a wand in the pile. He was about to reach for it when she appeared once again in the surface making little noise.
"I wished for some change but not this kind of change." She sobbed once more.
Draco was taken aback as he realized who the person was. "Granger?"
Hermione looked around to find the intruder. 'Wand! Where is it? Right it's in my clothes.' She went out of the water and started for her clothes.
"I didn't think Gryffindors would be skinny-dipping here especially since this is off limits to students." He gave her a smirk but since it was dark Hermione did not see it.
"Malfoy? What the hell are you doing here?"
"I asked first. What were you doing skinny-dipping here?"
"Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not naked." She stepped into the light and her bathing suit became evident.
"Still this is out of bounds of the camp's territory."
"Then may I ask you why are you here as well?"
"None of your business. I saw this place first so why don't you just leave and stop contaminating it."
"HA! I found this first. No doubt you only found this one today."
"Sunday morning."
"So, this was were you hid. You know you ruined my day. I was supposed to come back here to see it with sunlight but you had to go out. Everyone made a fuss about your whereabouts."
"Come back here? When did you."
"Saturday night after everyone settled in, right about this time."
"Liar!"
"I don't care if you don't believe me. we could get into trouble."
"You scared Granger?" He teased her. 'She looked adorable looking lost.'
"Not really. If you tell on me then I'd tell on you. You wouldn't like that would you?"
Draco rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"Where were you? I didn't see you when I came here."
"I have my ways."
Hermione scanned the environment and something in the waterfalls caught her eyes. The curtain of water separated as if they were really curtains. It was inviting her to come closer.
"Hey! I found that first." Draco demanded.
"There's something in that cave."
"There's nothing in that cave."
"How do you know? Did you explore it?"
"Don't have to. It's just a small cave. It has room only for 1 or 2 persons."
"Can I see it?" Hermione was eager to look at it.
"Let's make this clear. You claim you saw the lake first?"
Hermione nodded.
"And I claim I found the cave first."
Hermione nodded again.
"Why don't we put boundaries then."
"Boundaries? What for?"
"So you can't come near my cave and I won't bother you anymore with your nightly laps." He stared at her. "Do you get me?"
"Do we have to? We can share everything here. It's beautiful."
"NO! My cave is off limits."
"Fine then!" She dived back into the lake.
"I heard you crying!" He shouted at her. 'What the hell was that for?'
Her face faced him. "Excuse me?"
"I said I saw and heard you crying."
Hermione bowed her head and went out of the water. She sat at the rock again.
"Are you alright?" 'What's happening to me? I can't seem to control the words coming out of my mouth.'
"Why do you ask?" Hermione eyed him questioningly.
Draco shrugged trying his best to stop talking.
Hermione sighed, "Ron and I are on a break." She waited for Malfoy to say something so when he didn't, she continued, "You know it's your fault."
"Sorry." He whispered silently. Hermione heard it. She looked at him and saw pain in his eyes or was it guilt? She can't believe she's seeing this. Then without warning Draco slanted his head as his lips drew closer to hers. Draco was gentle at first but as Hermione moaned from pleasure, Draco couldn't contain his hunger. He probed her lips with his tongue, which caused a strange sound to escape from her mouth. His hands wake from their dormant state. His right hand pushed her clothes from the rock to make room for her back. He laid her on the rock carefully without taking his mouth from hers. He used his right arm for support while his left arm tangled with her hair. Hermione's fingers were pushing him closer eager to feel his body against his. They continued this for a long time. They only broke their kiss when one was endangered from suffocating of lack of air.
Just as soon as it came, it soon ended. Draco opened his eyes and saw Granger under him. He realized that he was kissing her and she was kissing him back as passionately. He backed up. He stood up and asked, "Granger?"
Hermione realized what was happening and blushed deep red. "Um, what happened?"
"Get dressed, they'll be looking for us now."
Hermione hated awkward situations and tried to think of a topic. "At least they'll be happy to know that we stuck with our partners."
Draco didn't face her but raised an eyebrow. 'What the hell's she talking about?' "Ready yet?"
"Yeah, I guess." She looked around finally being able to see the lake with the sun shining down on it. "Wow! They're all gorgeous."
Draco didn't appreciate nature, "Come on, we'll be in trouble if they see us coming out of the forest. Think what your boyfriend would say."
Hermione felt rage again towards the man who she had been kissing with. 'What would Ron say if he found out?' "Can you keep it a secret, you know, last night?"
"Why would I tell anyone that I've been with a mudblood?"
Hermione was taken aback. "It wasn't like you didn't like it either!"
"Whatever! If you spread this I swear-"
"You prat! If I remember correctly, you were the one who kissed me first!"
"Temporary insanity. Who'd want to kiss a mudblood?"
"Who'd want to kiss a dirty ferret such as you!?!"
They started walking towards camp not wanting to be scolded by their professors. They kept on shouting at each other on their way back. There were other students that were awake who were watching them. Most of the students who were still sleeping arose by their bickering.
"Hey you two, I suggest that you two keep quiet." Padma walked toward. She was the only one courageous enough to try to talk to them.
"Shut up!" Both Hermione and Draco shouted at her.
Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, it's just."
"Its ok Hermione just lower your voices." She then lowered her voice so that Hermione was the only one could hear. "Looks like you two were having a lover's quarrel eh?" She winked at her and then left.
Hermione glared at him and it was returned with more loathing. Hermione was the 1st to break their contact and decided to go to her cabin to change.
~~~~~~~~~~
This week was basically assigned for Quidditch so that the students would unwind. There's nothing better in providing teamwork than Quidditch. The professors were expecting the students mainly the teams to be closer because of the sport. Every morning team A would have the pitch to practice and the afternoon was for team B.
After breakfast the Gryffindors and the Slytherins gathered at the pitch as they waited for Madame Hooch.
The Gryffindor trio joined the others in silence. Harry didn't want to come in between his friends. He tried talking with them about safe subjects like for example Malfoy. But even their hatred for Malfoy wasn't enough to get Ron and Hermione closer. Both were quiet and responded by way of nodding or shaking their heads. Harry talked to Ron the night before. He said that it was silly of him to stay angry with her. She already apologized. Ron was thick headed. He wouldn't budge.
Hermione felt really awkward staying there with Ron without speaking to each other. She couldn't handle to awkwardness and decided to search for other company. She saw Parvati and Lavender under a tree talking at each other. She started heading there when she felt a hand closing around her fingers.
"Where are you going?" Harry looked at her softly. He wanted badly the two to make up. He also didn't want any of his friends to think of him siding with the other.
"I just thought that I'd talk with Parvati and Lavender." She said without looking at him.
"Oh. Ok I guess."
Hermione was heading to the girls but then she headed for a different tree. She sat and began thinking of yesterday, from Ron to Malfoy. Her train of thoughts was altered when she heard someone nearby.
"Granger, what are you doing hiding out here?"
She looked at the source and saw Malfoy. She didn't want to argue at the moment. "Nothing."
"I thought the Gryffindor trio never separated."
"Look Malfoy, I am not in the mood. I would thank you if you'd leave me in peace."
Draco shrugged and stared farther into the woods.
Hermione felt really depressed. She wanted Ron to come after her but obviously he didn't. She became teary eyed. She closed her eyes to prevent the tears from pouring in.
"Stop crying. I thought Gryffindors are supposed to be brave?" His face softened but still hard in a way not letting his guard down.
"I'm sorry I just-" She started to stand up and leave. This was the 2nd time somebody stopped her. "What?"
"We need to talk." He looked at her sincerely.
Hermione stared at his face and felt calm. "What about?"
"Last night."
"That was a mistake."
"Maybe."
Hermione raised her eyebrows, 'Maybe?'
"There was something in that lake. I lost control and it happened."
"Something was in the lake?" Hermione didn't want to believe him.
"What other explanation can you come up with? Both of us weren't acting normal that's for sure." Draco admitted that he got out of control and this troubled him. He didn't want to be out of control. If he find out what made him do that the easier for him to avoid another situation like that.
"I don't know? I don't care? Let's just forget it ever happened. I'm sorry but I have other things to think about." She turned and headed for the 2 girls and was surprised to see both Harry and Ron with them.
"Hi Hermione." Parvati saw her first. She saw Hermione hesitated before she came any closer.
"Hi."
"Where were you? I thought you were supposed to join them?" Harry asked concernedly.
"I just. walked around." She carefully chose where to sit and sat beside Harry who was across Ron.
"Did you find anything interesting? Lavender and I walked near the coast and picked several corals. They were breathtaking. Would you like to see them?"
Hermione started to talk but was cut off by Madame Hooch's whistle. "Gather around."
Hermione stood up and was startled by Harry's arm locking into hers. She looked up at him and he smiled.
They went hand in hand to Hooch.
"Everybody here?" She looked at Malfoy who nodded then to Hermione who also nodded. "Good. I remember Professor McGonagall pairing you all up. Go to your pairs."
Hermione looked at Harry who gave her a sympathetic look. "I'll go talk to her, ask her if we could swap partners."
"But then you'd get stuck with Malfoy?"
"Doesn't matter." He winked at her before he headed to Madame Hooch.
Draco didn't agree with pairing with Hermione but he had no choice so he headed towards her. Ron saw him heading towards Hermione. He was closer to her and was able to reach her before Malfoy.
Hermione was shocked when Ron faced her. "Hi."
Hermione couldn't find words to say.
"Come on Granger."
Hermione turned and saw Malfoy approaching and everything made sense. 'Ron only came because Malfoy was coming over. Fine then. If he would continue to avoid me then fine.' She faced him and nodded.
"What-" Ron was getting red from being snubbed.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted at her as Madame Hooch followed him. "Wait up."
Hermione turned her head and smiled at him. "What?"
Draco stopped in his steps and faced Harry as well.
"Madame Hooch has agreed to swap partners."
Ron and Malfoy looked questioningly at their professor.
"Only if all the parties involved agrees."
"Agrees about what?" Draco was curious at what was happening.
"Mr. Potter had asked for a change of partners. I want to question everyone involved. Mr. Potter who is your partner?"
"Parvati."
Parvati came closer.
"Ms. Patil would you consent on these changes?"
"Um, who would I be paired with?" She looked at Malfoy dreadfully.
"Ms. Granger."
Parvati shrugged, "Sure."
Hermione smiled at her and mouthed 'thanks'.
"Wa-wait! That leaves me with Potter!" Draco protested.
Harry eyed him dangerously.
"I'm sorry but I can't allow this change to happen as not all the parties have agreed."
"But Madame Hooch, he's the only one who didn't agree."
"Mr. Potter I already told you before that if someone objects then I will not allow it. Besides, don't you like being paired with Ms. Patil?"
Harry sighed in his defeat. "Sorry Hermione."
She smiled at him, "You did what you could." She then followed a smirking Malfoy across the field.
~~~~~~~~~~
When they were alone Draco asked Hermione, "Did you and Ron fight because of Potter?"
"What? No! Harry and I are just best friends. I already told you that you were the reason we fought."
"It seems like Potter likes you a lot since he would chose being paired with me so that you can have a different partner."
"He just doesn't trust you to play fair and wanted to protect me that's all."
"What do you think then?"
"About what?"
"About being paired with me."
"I can handle you. Besides, Madame Hooch is watching."
Their conversation was stopped by Hooch's instructions. "Today, we will practice your skills with bludgers. Your partners will be your teammates. Two pairs will be fighting each other. When a bludger hits someone, s/he will come down. When a team gets hit they are to be replaced with another team. This will continue until there is only one team left."
Hermione raised her hand. Draco looked at her and shook his head as he smirked.
"Yes Ms. Granger?"
"What if the team that won had his/her partner down, would the one left behind continue on his own?"
"Very good question. Whenever a team wins, the fallen teammate may join his/her partner for the next round. Are there anymore questions?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Good, let the games begin. Let's start with Crabbe and Goyle's team."
Everyone watched as the two tried to ram each other. Their partners were already on the ground. The two were just having fun. Draco however was not amused. "Go on now, finish it up!" The two nodded and became serious. Crabbe was victorious in hitting Goyle.
"Next?" Hooch asked.
Draco didn't have to answer; he mounted his broom and flew away.
Hermione shook her head. She didn't want to be up there with a monster aiming a bludger at her. She looked at Harry who was sympathetic and gave her a thumbs up. She smiled at him thankful for the support.
"Hey Granger what's taking so long?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and left the ground. Ron focused his gaze at her carefully watching to look for the bludger. He wanted to warn her if something came close. He held his breath as she dodged a bludger inches away from her head. He looked at Harry who was intent at watching her as well. He heard him gasp and looked at what happened. Hermione was falling from her broom. There were a lot of snickers coming from the Slytherin. Parvati and Lavender screamed and closed their eyes. Harry drew his wand and said a spell. Before she hit the ground, a mattress appeared below her and caught her. "Thanks Harry." She smiled at him and walked towards him.
The match ended with Malfoy winning against Crabbe. Hermione didn't want him to win so that she wouldn't come back up.
'You were great up there. You know." Harry encouraged her.
Hermione sighed as she joined her partner up.
"Next?" Asked Madame Hooch.
Harry and Ron refused to fight Hermione but when they won every match, they didn't have a choice. Ron and Lavender mounted their brooms and joined the 2. Harry watched as both Lavender and Hermione avoided the range of 2 guys. He noticed how Ron was getting better at handling the bludger as it narrowly hit Malfoy. Their match took a long time to finish. Lavender was hit when she wasn't looking. Hermione fell almost at every match before but this match was different. Malfoy wouldn't hit her since she's his teammate and Ron wouldn't let a bludger near her. Malfoy devised a plan on faking to hit Hermione so that it would hit Ron instead and they finally won.
Harry's team was next. Parvati mounted her broom dreadfully. Harry noticed that there were Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw members gathering around. 'Their class must have be over by now.' He sighed before he joined Draco and Hermione. The game started with a bludger going towards Harry's head. He avoided it with great ease. Being a Seeker has its rewards. He was used with close encounters with bludgers. The game went on longer than Ron's. When Parvati fell, everyone on team B was watching, admiring the show. Harry was very skilled, he had no problem avoiding the bludgers so did Malfoy. The match was focused on Harry and Draco. Hermione was practically safe. Draco wanted the match over with him winning. He wanted to make fun of Harry in front of everybody so he tried his play where Ron got hit. Harry was faster than Ron and was able to rally the bludger back to Draco. Draco was hit and fell. Harry smiled and then remembered that the match was not over. There was still Hermione. He didn't have the heart to go hit her so he told her, "Go on, hit me."
She didn't like the idea either and hesitated before she rammed the bludger at him. Harry avoided full impact but was technically hit so therefore Draco and Hermione's team won.
When Harry came down Madam Hooch approached her, "You'd make a fine Beater." Harry then remembered Oliver Wood on his 1st year saying the exact same thing to him.
Madame Hooch gathered them round, "You all did exceptionally well. Remember this is technically not a competition to know who is better but to give you all a chance to experience being a Beater. There are a few of you that have better chance with being a Beater than with their current role. Today's session is over. I'll see you tomorrow."
Harry and the other Gryffindors came to offer their congratulations to Hermione who didn't think she deserved any. The only person she hit with a bludger was Harry and that didn't even count. Harry asked her to join them but she refused. She stayed behind as she looked into the pitch. 'Maybe I should rethink my feelings toward Quidditch. It was fun being up there, maybe not as a Beater. But it was really fun."
"You alright now?"
Hermione turned around to look at who talked to her. "Yeah."
Malfoy brushed his hand into his hair, "I would've enjoined it more if I took Potter out but I guess winning would have to do."
"Madame Hooch said that it's not about winning."
"It's about having fun and forgetting about your problems."
Hermione understood and was about to say thanks but he was already walking away. 'What's going on with him? What's going on with me for that matter? Am I starting to like him?' She wondered as she headed to her friends to have her lunch.