Straight to Chapter 11....................
Chapter 11
A week had passed before Hermione and Draco had a chance to talk more than a few words together. The beginning of the school term was quite busy and it took some time for the two to adjust.
Draco was on his way to dinner when he spotted Hermione entering the castle with Hagrid. He started to wave until he noticed who was entering behind them. Potter and Weasley. Not far behind was Ginny and Luna.
He stopped in his tracks. They must be staying in Hogsmeade for the Quidditch match that was going to be played the next day. He was sure how to approach Ron and Harry. He hadn't seen Ron since the day after Voldemort was killed. He was in St. Mungo's recovering from some nasty injuries. For a bit, noone thought he would live. Now he is playing professional Quidditch, healthy as ever. Also, engaged to Luna Lovegood of all people. Always a little strange, but cute in a her own dazed and confused kind of way.
And Harry, he saw just a little over a month ago now, when he told Draco about Hermione teaching at Hogwarts. Now an Auror, a damn good one at that. And married to Ginny Weasley for a good year now.
"Malfoy! Hey there!"
He shook his head and came back to reality, "Er, hey Potter, Ginny," he held his right hand out and shook Harry's, "What brings you out here?" Draco now saw the rest of the party coming nearer, almost scared, but he knew that he was in good company.
"Tomorrow's match of course, want to see just how good Dennis Creevey is at catching that snitch!" Harry looked over at Ron, "We've got a bet at how long it will take him, care to wager?"
Draco smiled, "Well, I may be a bit in advantage since my Slytherin seeker will catch it first."
Harry laughed, "Right oh, so how is Slytherin this year?"
Draco looked over at Hermione, "Er, well, not bad. Watched practice last night, they are clean. Pretty quick."
Harry nodded, "I see, guess we will find out tomorrow huh?"
Draco nodded and turned to Ron, "Good to see you," he stuck out and shook his hand.
"Same to you, how are things around here?"
"Well, I am getting more used to being the authority figure, but hey, I don't mind it. I always enjoyed being in control," he laughed and the rest did as well.
Hermione broke in, "I am starving, are you sure you don't want to stay and eat?"
Harry shook his head, "We would love to Herm, but we have to meet Ron's parents and Luna's father at the Three Broomsticks," Harry saw the disappointment on her face, "Hey we will see ya tomorrow, k?" he gave her a hug and turned back to Draco, "May we speak to you privately?"
Draco nodded and he followed Harry and Ron, walking from the group who were in the middle of their goodbyes.
"What's up?"
Harry sighed, "Well, we are worried about Hermione. She doesn't seem too happy. Has she said anything to you?"
Draco tilted his head, "Really, unhappy?" Draco shrugged, "It's been very hectic, this week. She may just be trying to adjust. I know she misses you all very much. It's hard for her to be here without you two." Draco mentioned the tears Hermione had shown the day they arrived.
Harry nodded, "Well, I am glad she didn't come unaccompanied, never know who may come out of a dark alley."
Draco hid his smile from Harry after that comment. She's right, he is paranoid, "I will try to find out if anything else is bothering her, well..." then he hesitated.
"What?"
Draco told them about the standing ovation Hermione had received from the students and how she seemed somewhat upset over it.
Ron had a puzzled look, "Really, I would think she would eat that all up, anyways, we were thinking," he lowered his voice, "maybe you could just keep an eye out for her, make sure she is alright?"
Draco was surprised. What he knew of Hermione was she was a very strong willed woman and if she knew what they had just asked of him, she would flip her lid, "Yeah, no problem, I won't tell her though."
Harry's eyes widened, "God no! She would have our heads!"
"What are you two plotting over there?" Ginny's voice had drifted over.
Harry spoke up, "Nothing sweety," he turned to Draco and they nodded in secret agreement, "You two ready?"
Ginny looked at her husband with suspicion, "I don't believe you."
Harry laughed, "What else is knew, Hermione," He kissed her on the cheek and hugged her, 'We will see you tomorrow."
Hermione nodded and waved at the four of them as they left. Draco walked over to her and saw the tears in her eyes. He placed his hand on her back, "You need to stop that crying thing, it's quite depressing," he winked at her.
She smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes, "I know, I just miss them so much."
"I know you do, I – " he looked up and frowned, "Can I help you Mr. Flint?"
Billy Flint was leaning at the doors the Great Hall, he stood tall and took his eyes from Draco to Hermione, "No Professor Malfoy, I am just fine," and the boy turned and headed into the Great Hall.
Hermione scowled, "that boy, I swear," she looked up at Malfoy, "He is a walking copy of his brother and it scares the living daylights out of me."
"Has he said or done anything," Draco tensed up.
"No, he just stares at me with such hatred, sometimes I think he is going to attack me the way he looks at me."
Draco rubbed her arm, "Don't worry about him, I have him under control."
"What does that mean?" asked Hermione. Draco told Hermione about his confrontation with Billy the night of the welcoming feast, "Ugh, if that boy only knew."
"Yes well, I think that is why he hasn't said anything else, afraid I will tell him," he sighed, "Kinda hope I do catch him doing something, so he can learn the truth."
"Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the school year! Today, it's Gryffindor vs. Slytherin!!"
The crowd in the pitch cheered loudly. Draco was sitting in the box with Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Luna. They were all dressed in Gryffindor colors except Draco, who had a green and silver scarf around his neck. The whistle blew and the teams shot into the air.
Harry leaned to Draco, "Do you miss it as much as I do?"
Draco looked at him, "Oh yeah, terribly. You've still got the Firebolt?"
Ginny grunted and looked at Draco from the other side of Harry, "He refuses to get a new one, not that he can't afford it."
"Hey, that broom has done great things! I won't get rid of it, I won't!"
Ginny rolled her eyes and returned to watch the game.
It was now Gryffindor 20, Slytherin 30
"That chaser's good, who is it?" Harry was watching the boy who had just scored another goal.
Hermione groaned, "That's Billy Flint."
Ron choked, "FLINT! Marcus Flint's brother?"
Draco nodded, "The very same!"
"He looks different, I remember him being scrawnier, he's huge!" Ginny was watching Billy as he dodged a bludger, "Oh!!"
"PENALTY AGAINST SLYTHERIN"
The score was now 40 to 30, Gryffindor was ahead by ten.
"I can't believe he is still here. I thought he joined the Death Eaters."
Draco shook his head, "No, he was never quite stupid enough to do that. But he is pretty stupid about his brother. Doesn't really –"
Cheering insued..."CREEVY'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH!! GRYFFINDOR WINS 190 TO 30"
The group stood and exited out of the pitch. As they walked the Slytherin team passed them. Draco shouted at them, "GOOD TRY BOYS, WE'LL GET EM NEXT TIME!"
Most of them smiled weakly and waved, but Billy stopped and looked over at the group. He started walking towards them.
"Yes Mr. Flint," Billy walked right passed Draco and over to Ginny, "Weasley, Ginny Weasley?" he looked her up and down, "You have grown up, very well I must say."
Harry stepped between them, "Yes she has, and I am proud to be married to such a beautiful woman."
Billy huffed and looked back at Ginny, "You married this git? Could've done a hell of a lot better," and he ran a finger down here cheek.
At this Draco grabbed the back of Billy's uniform and Ron grabbed Harry and pulled them back to separate them.
Hermione stepped forward, "Mr. Flint, gladly go to the locker rooms and get the hell away from here before Ron releases Harry. He is pretty good with that wand of his, and at using his fists if you prefer it that way!"
"Screw you, Mudblood!"
Draco tackled Flint to the ground and placed his foot over his neck. He pointed his wand at Billy's face, which was filled with horror, "I thought I told you never to say that word in my presence again!"
Billy smiled, Draco pressed harder on Billy's throat.
"WHAT IS GOING ON!" McGonagall was running up to them, "What happened?"
Draco looked back to Hermione and she nodded, "This student has just verbally attacked Professor Granger. I am hardly going to stand for that!"
McGonagall looked from Draco to Hermione, and then down to Billy Flint, "Let him up Mr. Malfoy."
With a hesitation, Draco let off Flint. Billy stood with trouble but managed to his feet.
"Hermione, Draco, I will allow you two to decide this boys punishment," she looked over at Billy, "Get to the dressing room quickly. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are not teachers therefore they won't show much restraint if they get their hands on you."
McGonagall had noticed Ron holding Harry back, both with faces ready to pounce. Billy nodded at McGonagall and turned at winked at Ginny, "Later beautiful," and walked away. Draco was now helping Ron restrain Harry and Hermione was holding back Ginny who was just about to jump him as well. Luna was standing near by, yawning.
Hehe, this is fun! Hope you enjoyed it. Please review!!
Chapter 11
A week had passed before Hermione and Draco had a chance to talk more than a few words together. The beginning of the school term was quite busy and it took some time for the two to adjust.
Draco was on his way to dinner when he spotted Hermione entering the castle with Hagrid. He started to wave until he noticed who was entering behind them. Potter and Weasley. Not far behind was Ginny and Luna.
He stopped in his tracks. They must be staying in Hogsmeade for the Quidditch match that was going to be played the next day. He was sure how to approach Ron and Harry. He hadn't seen Ron since the day after Voldemort was killed. He was in St. Mungo's recovering from some nasty injuries. For a bit, noone thought he would live. Now he is playing professional Quidditch, healthy as ever. Also, engaged to Luna Lovegood of all people. Always a little strange, but cute in a her own dazed and confused kind of way.
And Harry, he saw just a little over a month ago now, when he told Draco about Hermione teaching at Hogwarts. Now an Auror, a damn good one at that. And married to Ginny Weasley for a good year now.
"Malfoy! Hey there!"
He shook his head and came back to reality, "Er, hey Potter, Ginny," he held his right hand out and shook Harry's, "What brings you out here?" Draco now saw the rest of the party coming nearer, almost scared, but he knew that he was in good company.
"Tomorrow's match of course, want to see just how good Dennis Creevey is at catching that snitch!" Harry looked over at Ron, "We've got a bet at how long it will take him, care to wager?"
Draco smiled, "Well, I may be a bit in advantage since my Slytherin seeker will catch it first."
Harry laughed, "Right oh, so how is Slytherin this year?"
Draco looked over at Hermione, "Er, well, not bad. Watched practice last night, they are clean. Pretty quick."
Harry nodded, "I see, guess we will find out tomorrow huh?"
Draco nodded and turned to Ron, "Good to see you," he stuck out and shook his hand.
"Same to you, how are things around here?"
"Well, I am getting more used to being the authority figure, but hey, I don't mind it. I always enjoyed being in control," he laughed and the rest did as well.
Hermione broke in, "I am starving, are you sure you don't want to stay and eat?"
Harry shook his head, "We would love to Herm, but we have to meet Ron's parents and Luna's father at the Three Broomsticks," Harry saw the disappointment on her face, "Hey we will see ya tomorrow, k?" he gave her a hug and turned back to Draco, "May we speak to you privately?"
Draco nodded and he followed Harry and Ron, walking from the group who were in the middle of their goodbyes.
"What's up?"
Harry sighed, "Well, we are worried about Hermione. She doesn't seem too happy. Has she said anything to you?"
Draco tilted his head, "Really, unhappy?" Draco shrugged, "It's been very hectic, this week. She may just be trying to adjust. I know she misses you all very much. It's hard for her to be here without you two." Draco mentioned the tears Hermione had shown the day they arrived.
Harry nodded, "Well, I am glad she didn't come unaccompanied, never know who may come out of a dark alley."
Draco hid his smile from Harry after that comment. She's right, he is paranoid, "I will try to find out if anything else is bothering her, well..." then he hesitated.
"What?"
Draco told them about the standing ovation Hermione had received from the students and how she seemed somewhat upset over it.
Ron had a puzzled look, "Really, I would think she would eat that all up, anyways, we were thinking," he lowered his voice, "maybe you could just keep an eye out for her, make sure she is alright?"
Draco was surprised. What he knew of Hermione was she was a very strong willed woman and if she knew what they had just asked of him, she would flip her lid, "Yeah, no problem, I won't tell her though."
Harry's eyes widened, "God no! She would have our heads!"
"What are you two plotting over there?" Ginny's voice had drifted over.
Harry spoke up, "Nothing sweety," he turned to Draco and they nodded in secret agreement, "You two ready?"
Ginny looked at her husband with suspicion, "I don't believe you."
Harry laughed, "What else is knew, Hermione," He kissed her on the cheek and hugged her, 'We will see you tomorrow."
Hermione nodded and waved at the four of them as they left. Draco walked over to her and saw the tears in her eyes. He placed his hand on her back, "You need to stop that crying thing, it's quite depressing," he winked at her.
She smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes, "I know, I just miss them so much."
"I know you do, I – " he looked up and frowned, "Can I help you Mr. Flint?"
Billy Flint was leaning at the doors the Great Hall, he stood tall and took his eyes from Draco to Hermione, "No Professor Malfoy, I am just fine," and the boy turned and headed into the Great Hall.
Hermione scowled, "that boy, I swear," she looked up at Malfoy, "He is a walking copy of his brother and it scares the living daylights out of me."
"Has he said or done anything," Draco tensed up.
"No, he just stares at me with such hatred, sometimes I think he is going to attack me the way he looks at me."
Draco rubbed her arm, "Don't worry about him, I have him under control."
"What does that mean?" asked Hermione. Draco told Hermione about his confrontation with Billy the night of the welcoming feast, "Ugh, if that boy only knew."
"Yes well, I think that is why he hasn't said anything else, afraid I will tell him," he sighed, "Kinda hope I do catch him doing something, so he can learn the truth."
"Welcome to the first Quidditch match of the school year! Today, it's Gryffindor vs. Slytherin!!"
The crowd in the pitch cheered loudly. Draco was sitting in the box with Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Luna. They were all dressed in Gryffindor colors except Draco, who had a green and silver scarf around his neck. The whistle blew and the teams shot into the air.
Harry leaned to Draco, "Do you miss it as much as I do?"
Draco looked at him, "Oh yeah, terribly. You've still got the Firebolt?"
Ginny grunted and looked at Draco from the other side of Harry, "He refuses to get a new one, not that he can't afford it."
"Hey, that broom has done great things! I won't get rid of it, I won't!"
Ginny rolled her eyes and returned to watch the game.
It was now Gryffindor 20, Slytherin 30
"That chaser's good, who is it?" Harry was watching the boy who had just scored another goal.
Hermione groaned, "That's Billy Flint."
Ron choked, "FLINT! Marcus Flint's brother?"
Draco nodded, "The very same!"
"He looks different, I remember him being scrawnier, he's huge!" Ginny was watching Billy as he dodged a bludger, "Oh!!"
"PENALTY AGAINST SLYTHERIN"
The score was now 40 to 30, Gryffindor was ahead by ten.
"I can't believe he is still here. I thought he joined the Death Eaters."
Draco shook his head, "No, he was never quite stupid enough to do that. But he is pretty stupid about his brother. Doesn't really –"
Cheering insued..."CREEVY'S CAUGHT THE SNITCH!! GRYFFINDOR WINS 190 TO 30"
The group stood and exited out of the pitch. As they walked the Slytherin team passed them. Draco shouted at them, "GOOD TRY BOYS, WE'LL GET EM NEXT TIME!"
Most of them smiled weakly and waved, but Billy stopped and looked over at the group. He started walking towards them.
"Yes Mr. Flint," Billy walked right passed Draco and over to Ginny, "Weasley, Ginny Weasley?" he looked her up and down, "You have grown up, very well I must say."
Harry stepped between them, "Yes she has, and I am proud to be married to such a beautiful woman."
Billy huffed and looked back at Ginny, "You married this git? Could've done a hell of a lot better," and he ran a finger down here cheek.
At this Draco grabbed the back of Billy's uniform and Ron grabbed Harry and pulled them back to separate them.
Hermione stepped forward, "Mr. Flint, gladly go to the locker rooms and get the hell away from here before Ron releases Harry. He is pretty good with that wand of his, and at using his fists if you prefer it that way!"
"Screw you, Mudblood!"
Draco tackled Flint to the ground and placed his foot over his neck. He pointed his wand at Billy's face, which was filled with horror, "I thought I told you never to say that word in my presence again!"
Billy smiled, Draco pressed harder on Billy's throat.
"WHAT IS GOING ON!" McGonagall was running up to them, "What happened?"
Draco looked back to Hermione and she nodded, "This student has just verbally attacked Professor Granger. I am hardly going to stand for that!"
McGonagall looked from Draco to Hermione, and then down to Billy Flint, "Let him up Mr. Malfoy."
With a hesitation, Draco let off Flint. Billy stood with trouble but managed to his feet.
"Hermione, Draco, I will allow you two to decide this boys punishment," she looked over at Billy, "Get to the dressing room quickly. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are not teachers therefore they won't show much restraint if they get their hands on you."
McGonagall had noticed Ron holding Harry back, both with faces ready to pounce. Billy nodded at McGonagall and turned at winked at Ginny, "Later beautiful," and walked away. Draco was now helping Ron restrain Harry and Hermione was holding back Ginny who was just about to jump him as well. Luna was standing near by, yawning.
Hehe, this is fun! Hope you enjoyed it. Please review!!