~*The Passion of a Dragon*~

By: xKatx

Author's Notes: Oh my gosh! You guys are so awesome!! I've gotten a lot of reviews telling me you like my story! I'm so glad you guys like it! Please, if there are little things you don't like about it, don't be afraid to let me know! Constructive criticism is welcome, but be gentle—I'm very sensitive ;)

Big Shoutout To All The Reviewers So Far!: ~ Cloud of Mercy ~ Suisei ~ FireSorceress1 ~ Dark Angel Lashana ~ Alcapacien ~ Pigwidgeon188 ~ Angel Moon Princess ~ Ookami-chan!! BY THE WAY: some of the questions you guys asked… here are the answers: I don't know how in the world I came up with the beginning poem and the Sorting Hat's song… It just came out! Hope you liked them, cuz I luv writing for you guys! And I'm a 15 year old girl! ;) Anyway, on the with the story…
Disclaimer: I don't own HP stuff—I'd be in the mountains right now if I did—I own everything you don't recognize.

Characters You Will Meet In This Chapter:
The Hufflepuff Quidditch Team                                      The Slytherin Quidditch Team

Susan Bones, Captain and Chaser                                  Draco Malfoy, Captain and Seeker

Owen Cauldwell, Keeper                                               Blaise Zabini, Keeper

Justin Finch-Fletchley, Seeker                                        Damien Sutherland, Chaser

Ricki San-Stevenson, Chaser                                         Willem Neversen, Chaser

Eleanor Branstone, Chaser                                            Devin Steele, Chaser

Kevin Whitby, Beater                                                   Ivan Braizen, Beater

Graham Pritchard, Beater                                              Mikail Winslow, Beater

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The morning of the first Quidditch match dawned bright and crisp. The members of the Hufflepuff and Slytherin teams were dressed in their team robes; the Hufflepuffs' were the same bright canary yellow, but the Slytherins' were now a deep black with emerald green strips outlining the hems of them. They looked quite impressive, Hermione thought--especially on Malfoy.

        I thought we'd gone over this, she told herself irritably, you don't need to be thinking about Malfoy. Remember all he's done to you.

With this firm reminder to herself, she brushed her hands on the thighs of her faded, low-slung, hip-hugging jeans, straightened her black baby tee, and slung her House cloak over her forearm--she was going to have fun watching the match; with as little looking at Malfoy as possible.

Ginny, Hermione, Parvati, and Lavender started down to the Quidditch pitch while the boys finished their breakfast.

        "So he actually talked to you a little bit?" Ginny questioned as they walked down the lawns toward the Quidditch pitch.

Hermione shrugged, "We held a slightly-civilized conversation."

        "Slightly?" Parvati questioned, "Did it end on a good note?"

        "If you consider me telling him his downfall and destruction would be a welcomed event, then yeah--it ended on a great note."

Lavender raised her eyebrows, "You said that, 'Mione?"

Hermione nodded.

        "I'm impressed," Lavender said with an awe-filled grin.

        "He's not as big and bad as he comes off as," Hermione said, "Did you see that bruise on his cheek this morning?"

The girls nodded. Hermione raised an eyebrow, clearly telling them she was responsible.

They all gasped and giggled, "You did that?"

Hermione nodded.

        "Now I'm even more impressed!" Lavender said, "Not only did you hit him, push him around, and taunt him, but you bruised him? That's almost as good as that scar you left on his chest."

        "How did you know about that?"
She shrugged, "I've seen him at Quidditch practice!" Lavender giggled, "He, Blaize, Ivan, Mikail, and Devin all have tendencies to remove their shirts."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "He's not that fit!"

Parvati's eyes went wide with shock , "Oh you have got to be kidding me, Hermione! He's the hottest guy in this whole school, and you know it," Parvati looked toward the field, "Whoever dates him this year is going to be the luckiest damn girl in the whole school."

        "You guys insist on saying that," Hermione groaned, "If you guys think so, why don't you make a move on him?"

Lavender shook her head, Ginny held her hands up, and Parvati rolled her eyes, "For one, Ginny is already dating Harry," Parvati said, "For another, Lavender is interested in Ron," Parvati smirked, and Hermione raised her eyebrows at the new information, "And he would never go for me."

        "Why not?"

        "Because she's too bossy," Ginny chirped, receiving a slap from Parvati, "Oww! I was only telling the truth!"

Hermione laughed and attempted to change the subject, "So, Lavender," she began as they filed into the stadium and sat down, saving three seats for the boys, "Since when do you like Ron?"

Lavender blushed until her ears turned blood red, "Parvati....!"

        "Hey, she was going to find out sooner or later," Parvati defended herself.

        "So? How long?" Hermione asked, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

Lavender sighed, "Two weeks."

Hermione looked shocked, "So you've liked him since we arrived here and you never told me?!"

        "I don't want him to know!" Lavender said, "And I know you're really close to him..."

        "Yet his sister knows?" Hermione said, pointing to the red-headed sixth year next to Lavender.

Lavender looked at Ginny, before looking back with a sheepish grin, "Oh yeah... forgot you were related, Gin."

Hermione rolled her eyes and Parvati grinned as Harry, Ron, and Seamus appeared.

        "Sorry it took so long," Harry apologized as he pressed a quick kiss to Ginny's lips, sitting down next to her. Seamus and Ron nodded their apologies as Seamus sat inbetween Hermione and Parvati, and Ron sat on Hermione's right. Hermione looked down the row, seeing Harry on the end, then Ginny, then Lavender, then Parvati, then Seamus, then herself, then Ron. At that moment she felt a swell of happiness in her heart; any thoughts of Malfoy were pushed from her mind and replaced with thoughts of her best friends.

        "WELCOME EVERYONE, TO THE FIRST QUIDDITCH MATCH OF THE SEASON!" Dean Thomas, the commentator, welcomed through tbe megaphone. The stands cheered, the Hufflepuffs holding yellow and black flags and banners with the badger on them; the Slytherins held black, silver, and emerald green flags with the signature serpent on them. Pansy Parkinson, who was notorious for being head-over-heels in love with Malfoy, held a sign that read, "Malfoy is my Slytherin Hero!" Many of the other Slytherin girls held identical signs, along with ones for some of the other Quidditch team members, including Blaise, Ivan, Mikail, and Devin.

        "FIRST LET'S WELCOME THE HEADMASTER, PROFESSOR ALBUS DUMBLEDORE!"

Every stand cheered loudly as Professor Dumbledore took his seat in the teachers' stand. Hermione, Harry, and the others clapped the loudest of all.

        "SECOND, LET'S WELCOME OUR NUMBER ONE BENEFACTOR, MR. LUCIUS MALFOY!"

The Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and Gryffindors clapped politely, and the Slytherin stands exploded loudly. It was tradition to introduce the important adults at the beginning of the first game of every season. Hermione hated the tradition, considering Slytherin always played the opening game, and she'd have to applaud for Lucius Malfoy.

        "NOW, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE HUFFLEPUFF TEAM, LED BY THEIR CAPTAIN AND CHASER, SUSAN BONES!"

Susan Bones flew out onto the field, and circled around before landing in the center.

        "NOW, WELCOME THE MEMBERS OF THE HUFFLEPUFF TEAM: KEEPER CAULDWELL, SEEKER FINCH-FLETCHLEY, CHASER SAN-STEVENSON, CHASER BRANSTONE, BEATER WHITBY, AND BEATER PRITCHARD!"

One by one the shots of canary yellow appeared in the air as they circled the stadium before landing in the center behind their captain.

The Hufflepuffs cheered loudly, stomping their feet and screaming at the top of their lungs. The Ravenclaws and Gryffindors clapped and cheered loudly (though not as enthusiastically as the Hufflepuffs) and the Slytherins clapped politely.

        "NOW, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE SLYTHERIN TEAM, LED BY THEIR CAPTAIN AND SEEKER, DRACO MALFOY!"

The Slytherin students exploded in loud cheers and screams, their feet stomping and their hands clapping as a shot of black, silver, and green came onto the stadium. Malfoy flew around in the circle before landing gracefully in the center of the stadium, about ten feet away from where the Hufflepuff team stood.

Hermione noticed his face was emotionless, and she could tell his focus was on the game. She already knew Slytherin would win--it was an undeniable fact; the Hufflepuffs were just not good enough. In fact, the only house who had ever defeated Slytherin was Gryffindor. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were too weak.

        "NOW, WELCOME THE MEMBERS OF THE SLYTHERIN TEAM: kEEPER ZABINI, CHASER SUTHERLAND, CHASER NEVERSEN, CHASER STEELE, BEATER BRAIZEN, AND BEATER WINSLOW!"

Several other black, silver, and green spots shot out onto the field and circled it, before landing behind their captain, who, in Hermione's opinion, looked the most intimidating and impressive of all. She glanced at where Lucius Malfoy was sitting, and saw a flash of pride swipe across his pale, pointed face. She knew he was proud of how impressive the Slytherin team looked; with his only son standing in front of them.

The next three minutes were spent deciding who would get possession first. Hermione saw Malfoy's and Bones' mouths move as they called heads or tails. Madame Hooch signaled to Dean, who announced..

        "AND SLYTHERIN HAS POSSESSION FIRST!"

The Slytherin stands cheered as Malfoy turned around, telling his team members some final instructions.

        "Shake hands, Captains!" Madame Hooch called. Hermione watched as Malfoy turned around, extending a hand to Susan Bones, who shook it, her face hard and her eyes narrowed.

Madame Hooch held up her hand, and as she let it down, she whistled.

        "ANNNNDD WE'RE OFF! CHASER NEVERSEN HAS THE QUAFFLE. HE SPEEDS TOWARD THE HUFFLEPUFF GO--WAIT! HE JUST PASSED IT TO CHASER SUTHERLAND, WHO'S GOING TOWARD THE GOALS AGAIN...  HUFFLEPUFF BEATER WHITBY SENDS A BLUDGER TO CHASER SUTHERLAND-- WAIT! HE PASSED AGAIN! CHASER NEVERSEN HAS THE QUAFFLE...BLOCK IT OWEN! BLOCKED BY KEEPER CAULDWELL OF HUFFLEPUFF, NO SCORE."

Malfoy barely heard any of Dean's commentary as his sharp gray eyes scanned below where he hovered, looking for any hint of gold. He easily dodged a Bludger that was sent his way as he continued to look. Any hint of gold and he would go for it.

        "HUFFLEPUFF CHASER BONES HAS THE QUAFFLE--THIS IS BONES' SEVENTH AND FINAL YEAR OF PLAYING QUIDDITCH, AND SHE'S BEEN A GOOD PLAYER--WATCH OUT SUSAN, THAT'S A BLUDGER!" There was a sickening "SMACK!" sound as the Bludger slammed directly into Susan Bones. Hermione squinted in disgust as Susan's lip began to bleed.

        "There's no way Hufflepuff can win this," Ron said to her, "Justin's a good Seeker, but I hate to say Malfoy is better."

        "Malfoy is better," Hermione agreed as they returned their attention to the game.

        "SLYTHERIN CHASER STEELE HAS THE QUAFFLE--HE'S HEADED DIRECTLY FOR THE CENTER HOOP... WAIT! TO THE LEFT, OWEN! TO THE LEFT!" Dean sighed, "SLYTHERIN SCORES, TEN TO ZERO."

Draco had definitely underestimated Own Cauldwell, the Hufflepuff Keeper. He'd blocked most of the Chasers' attempts to score. Then again, Blaise was blocking every shot of Hufflepuffs' too. Draco saw a flash of gold to his left, and sped that way to investigate.

        "HUFFLEPUFF CHASER SAN-STEVENSON HAS THE QUAFFLE--SHE'LL HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING PAST BLAISE ZABINI, WHO HAS PROVED AN INVALUABLE MEMBER OF THE SLYTHERIN TEAM--THAT WAS A FOUL!" Dean insisted as the crowd looked up. Mikail Winslow, a Slytherin Beater, had just grabbed the back of Ricki San-Stevenson's broom and had swung her around, sending her sprawling toward the edge of the stadium, holding onto her broom with her legs. The Quaffle fell from her grasp. However, Madame Hooch didn't call a foul.

        "SLYTHERIN CHASER SUTHERLAND HAS THE QUAFFLE--IT DOESN'T SEEM THE SEEKERS OF EITHER TEAM IS SEEING THE SNITCH. MALFOY, THE CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM, IS THE ONLY SON OF OUR BENEFACTOR, LUCIUS MALFOY--IS THAT THE SNITCH?!"

Malfoy looked below him, and saw it. The tiny gold ball was hovering beneath him. It was a twenty-foot dive, and if he didn't pull up in time, he would hit the ground no doubt. However, it was worth it. He pulled himself into the sharp dive, and saw Justin following his action.

Malfoy urged his broom on, willing it to go faster. Just as he was about to touch it, two things happened at once. Both he and Justin were hit with a Bludger.

        "OH! THAT'S GOT TO HURT! SLYTHERIN BEATER BRAIZEN SENDS A BLUDGER STRAIGHT AT FINCH-FLETCHLEY, SENDING HIM OFF COURSE, AND SEEKER MALFOY IS HIT BY A BLUDGER SENT BY HUFFLEPUFF BEATER PRITCHARD!"

        "Shit!" Malfoy cursed. His upper right arm throbbed with the pain, but he ignored it. He'd lost sight of the Snitch--only seconds before he caught it.

        "Damn, bad luck!" Ron muttered, and Hermione grinned, leaning toward him.

        "The Slytherins just used the left Hawk Eye maneuver."

Ron raised an eyebrow, "You know what that is?"

She winked, "I spent some time learning over the summer."
Suddenly their ears were met with the sounds of, "SLYTHERIN SCORES AGAIN, TWENTY TO NOTHING."

        "You spent time over the summer learning Quidditch? Were you bored, Hermione?"

She shrugged, "I was interested after Ireland won the Quidditch World Cup," she replied, as, "SLYTHERIN SCORES, THIRTY TO NOTHING!"

Her best friend gave her a big grin, pulling her into a one-armed hug, "You're learning, Hermione," he assured her.

They continued to watch as "HUFFLEPUFF SCORES, THIRTY TO TEN!"

        "They won't catch up," she informed Ron, and Seamus listened in, "Malfoy will find the Snitch after Slytherin reaches a fifty point lead."

Ron was about to comment as, "SLYTHERIN SCORES, FORTY TO TEN,"

        "Maybe," Seamus agreed, having to raise his voice against the noise being made by the occupants of the stadium, "I hate to admit it, but Malfoy is a really good Seeker."

        "Not as good as Harry," Hermione commented, gaining a smile from her other best friend, who had overheard the compliment.

        "HUFFLEPUFF IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME STALLING SLYTHERIN--A BLUDGER HITS CHASER BRANSTONE AS THE QUAFFLE IS SAVED BY SLYTHERIN CHASER STEELE--WATCH OUT, OWEN!" Owen Cauldwell missed blocking the shot by two feet, "SLYTHERIN SCORES, FIFTY TO TEN!"

At that moment, Malfoy spotted the Snitch, hovering in front of the Hufflepuff goal posts. He saw Justin below, looking toward the Slytherin end. If Malfoy could sneak over and get it before Dean opened his damn mouth, he could get it--

        "SLYTHERIN SCORES, SIXTY TO TEN!"

If he got the Snitch now, they would definitely win. It would be a short game, but if he didn't get it now, Justin could get it later. Malfoy was not prepared to lose the very first match of the season to the Hufflepuffs.

        "SLYTHERIN SCORES, SEVENTY TO TEN!"

He shot off toward the Hufflepuff goalposts...

        "IT LOOKS LIKE MALFOY HAS SEEN THE SNITCH---THAT DIRTY ROTTEN...!"

        "Dean, could we keep personal opinion out of this?"

        "SURE PROFESSOR... SO THE NASTY FILTHY SLYTHERIN CAPTAIN SEES THE SNITCH.. just kidding, Professor, it's just a joke...HUFFLEPUFF SEEKER FINCH-FLETCHLEY FOLLOWS!"

Justin saw Malfoy heading toward the Hufflepuff goalposts, and shot off after him. If he could get there before the Slytherin Captain could, Hufflepuff would win. He had almost caught up with Malfoy; he was shoulder to shoulder with the Slytherin. Whoever could reach it first would win; it was a matter of will and determination.

Lucius Malfoy watched as his son fought with a Hufflepuff over the victory of this Quidditch match. Draco had always been a keen athlete and a swift, silent maneuverer. Lucius felt immense pride as his son's hand clasped over the golden ball, and Dean's voice shouted over the thunder of the crowd,

        "SLYTHERIN WINS, TWO-HUNDRED AND TWENTY TO TEN!"