A/N: Hey everyone… things may begin to move more… quickly now because I never planned for this to be a really long story… anyway thanks for the reviews!
DISCLAIMER: Own the plot and nothing else to do with Harry Potter.
Chapter Eleven: Love
It was the morning before the first Quidditch Match. Two weeks had passed, making it now November. Things between Draco and Hermione couldn't be any better. Yes, there were days where Hermione was too tired to really do anything, but most days she was like every body else, worrying about schoolwork, chatting to her friends, spending time with Draco.
Draco closed the door behind him and walked into the change room. The team was already there and sounds from people sitting in the stands were heard. At breakfast Hermione had told him, she would naturally be cheering on Gryffindor, but still wished him luck.
Draco quickly changed into his uniform and walked over to the team members, all were chatting and checking there Nimbus 2001's were in proper order.
"All right guys," snapped Draco, "This is the first match and I want you too play your best – no messing around out there! Gryffindor is quick and can be as sly as a Slytherin when it comes to Quidditch! Remember the tactics from practice and use them when you have the chance! Got it?"
They all nodded at him and Draco nodded back.
"Let's go," he ordered as he turned to match for the entrance area.
The team lined up in number order behind the closed doors. They could hear Dennis Creevy commentating animatedly, recapping over the previous year and announcing new players for this Season – a season Hermione wouldn't see the end of, by a month.
"And now, please welcome the first team entering the arena – GRYFFINDOR! Lead by this years captain Harry Potter! It is well known that Potter has played for Gryffindor nearly seven years, having been banned from Quidditch during his fifth year," commented Creevy, "Now please welcome SLYTHERIN! This year's captain was also captain last year – Draco Malfoy! Malfoy has been part of the Slytherin team since his six year and his team is yet to defeat Gryffindor in a match. Maybe today may be different, as Gryffindor has two knew Chasers – Ginny Weasley, who was a reserve last year and Pavarti Patil. Will they meet up to the standards shown by Keith Birmingham and Constance Undermine last year? Only time will tell."
"Does he ever shut up?" muttered Draco flying over the stands.
He caught site of Hermione and smiled at her when she looked up at him grinning. Hooch blew her whistle and Draco turned his broomstick towards the middle of the pitch and flew towards the ground, to land smoothly.
"Captains, shake hands," spoke Hooch.
Draco stepped forward and held his hand out to Potter, who took it. Both shook firmly starring at each other with determination in their eyes. Draco knew Potter had a good team. Female Weasley had shown her Quidditch skills in her fourth year and he'd heard she was skillful with the quaffle and a good flyer – much like her brother Charlie. Pavarti was speedy on a broom and his bullets were flying at her, she would be able to dodge them with ease.
"Mount your brooms… on my whistle… 3, 2, 1!"
Draco kicked off, level with Potter and Dennis began his commentating.
"The quaffle is thrown in the air… Gryffindor in possession… Patil making her way quickly to the gold posts… Dodges a bludger shot at her by Goyle… Potter and Malfoy searching for the snitch… Patil passes to Finnigan… Finnigan to Patil… Patil shoots…. Zabini blocks the shot! Slytherin is now in possession!"
"Focus," murmured Draco glancing at his chasers as he flew over the Ravenclaw stands.
"Hyde nearly drops the quaffle after being hit by a bludger from Thomas… Hyde to Lowell… Lowell easily swerves from an attack by Weasley… Lowell aims… Weasley blocks the goal! Gryffindor is in possession again… Patil to Weasley… Weasley to Patil… Patil to Finnigan oh! And that was close! Crabbe nearly knocking Weasley from her broomstick… Hooch calls a foul – a free shot for Gryffindor and Potter says Patil is to take it. Patil takes aim…. And she scores! That is 10 points for Gryffindor!"
Draco angrily thumped the handle of his broomstick and flew down to Crabbe.
"Crabbe! You don't try and knock them off with your bat you dunderhead! How many times do I have to tell you?" barked Draco angrily, "Play properly or you are off the team!"
"Malfoy obviously not impressed with Crabbe's actions… Slytherin in possession again…Hyde to Lowell… the pass is intercepted my a quick Weasley… Weasley to Finnigan… Finnigan dodges an attack from Bligh… Finnigan to Patil and Patil loops around a bludger attack… passes to Weasley, no, Weasley drops the quaffle and Bligh catches it… passes to Hyde… Hyde is taking aim… Hyde shoots and Hyde scores! Ten all!
Gryffindor with the quaffle now… Weasley is frustrated and she passes to Patil screaming at Hyde for getting in her way… Patil catches…passes to Finnigan… Finnigan flying across the field… Weasley catches a quick pass…Weasley shoots… GRYFFINDOR 20 – 10… wait Potter has caught sight of the snitch… Malfoy hot on his heels… Slytherin in possession… Hyde to Bligh… Malfoy gaining on Potter… Bligh takes aim… Weasley block the goal… Potter and Malfoy are neck to neck… Weasley shoots… Zabini blocks it… Both seekers reaching for the snitch… Bligh to Lowell oh! A hard knock from the bludger! Bligh is bleeding from the nose… gaining on the snitch… Weasley catches the dropped quaffle… AND POTTER CATCHES THE SNITCH! Oh sorry, reflex… no MALFOY CAUGHT THE SNITCH! SLYTHERIN WINS 160 – 20!"
Draco flew to the ground smiling as he held the snitch up above him in his hand. The Slytherin's were cheering like crazy, screaming, "WE BEAT POTTER! WE BEAT POTTER!"
As Draco landed his team gathered around him cheering. But Draco didn't care, as he pushed past them to reach Hermione who was standing away from it all smiling at him. He noticed Potter walk over to her and hug her before walking off to the change rooms.
"Congratulations," smiled Hermione hugging him tightly.
"Thankyou. Ever seen a snitch up close?" asked Draco.
Hermione shook her head no and Draco placed the one he caught in her hand. Hermione gripped it and looked at it smiling.
"No wonder they are so fast. They as small as a walnut. I can't believe that you fly around after one of these things."
Draco chuckled, "Well… small things amuse our minds in this world."
Hermione shook her head smiling, "Well you'd better go shower. I'll see you later okay?"
Draco nodded and gave her a soft kiss on the lips before running over to Blaise who was waiting for him.
"Congratulations Captain," grinned Blaise punching him on the shoulder, "Excellent catch, right under Potter's nose."
"Yeah. He was too distracted with what was going on around him, I think," replied Draco shutting the change room door behind him.
"That's not natural. What do you think it was?"
Draco looked around him and checked that the others were gone, which they were, "Voldemort's on the rise. Do you know anything about it?"
Blaise shook his head, "No. But I got a letter from your father."
"What did it say?"
"That he well… understands my misjudgment seeing as you are a hard person to understand most of the time and when you are confused your actions are erratic."
Draco just nodded as he pulled his uniform off and stepped under the steaming hot water. His thoughts drifted to the coming Christmas. What was he going to do? He didn't want to go to his home, he couldn't handle a week with his mother continuously going on about which pureblood is dating whom, who is cheating on who… argh, the thought of it was sickening. He then wondered what Hermione was doing. Would she be going home? Or would she be staying at school? It well, would be her last Christmas ever… the thought saddened Draco considerably as he turned the taps off and wrapped his black towel around his waist and walked over to his pile of folded clothes. He would have to ask her…
!D!
Draco entered the Great Hall that evening. After having a decent sized meal of lamb chops and vegetables with a glass of pumpkin juice Draco stood and walked over to the Gryffindor table. Yes, people still questioned the whole Draco and Hermione relationship, but just like how they got used to having Harry Potter attend Hogwarts, they were getting used to it. Hermione smiled up at Draco and said bye to her friends before standing and leaving with Draco.
"So I guess there will be a party in the Slytherin Common Room tonight?" asked Hermione as they started walking through the corridors.
"You know, the whole thing about Slytherin's being party animals is a complete myth. If Snape hears or smells the scent of Butterbeer he comes charging in like some crazy lunatic who escaped St Mungo's. He won't let us party."
"So, how do you celebrate?"
"We don't. Its just congratulation's to each other and that's it. Why do Gryffindor party?"
Hermione nodded, "McGonagall let's us until about midnight then she comes in a breaks it up… about three times."
"And to think, we all think she's an uptight Grandma."
Hermione laughed a little before they fell into a comfortable silence. Draco pulled Hermione closer to him and slipped his arm around her shoulders to keep her warm. As winter was drawing closer, the corridors were becoming considerably colder.
"What are your plans for Christmas?" asked Hermione quietly.
"Well… most likely, I'll be staying here. What about you?"
"I'm going home. It will most likely be the last time I see my parents in good… well good health with my condition. And… I was wondering, Draco… do you want to come to my place for Christmas? My parents want to meet you; they actually asked me to ask you. What do you think?"
Hermione was looked up at him, from where her head rested on his shoulder. Draco looked down at her smiling and leant down and kissed her gently on the lips.
"I'd love too."
!D!
The next couple of weeks passed. Ravenclaw defeated Hufflepuff, and the two weeks after that Gryffindor defeated Hufflepuff. If Slytherin beat them when they played them in a few weeks, Hufflepuff were knocked out of the competition.
But now it was time to leave for Christmas holidays. As the holidays drew closer, Hermione got more excited at the prospect of seeing her parents, and Draco meeting them. Draco on the other hand was nervous as hell. His mother, well, she wasn't the least bit impressed about him spending the holidays with his 'mudblood' girlfriend. Her words were, "Draco I don't understand you anymore! You are dating a dirty mudblood, a dying one at that! Have you gone mental? Your father will be utterly disgraced, IF I told him. But I won't for the sake of your life."
But Draco really didn't care what her howler had said. He wanted Hermione to be happy and that is all that mattered.
The morning of departure arrived finally on the 22nd of December. As Draco carried his trunk to the area where all trunks were to be placed, his thoughts drifted to something he'd sworn to himself he would never think about. It was December and Hermione had till March to live… that was under four months… nearly three. The thought scared Draco considerably as he walked towards Hermione when he saw her… he'd grown so used to having her in his life now, he didn't know how he would cope without her. She was his Angel; she was his reason to live. He knew he would never love another liked he loved her… hang on love?
"Good morning," greeted Hermione grinning up at him as she hugged him, "Nervous or excited?"
"Morning and nervous more then anything," replied Draco wrapping his arms around her and smiling down at her.
"Well don't be. My parents will love you, I'm sure of it. So you are sure your mother doesn't mind you not going home for Christmas?"
"My mother will be too drunk to even process the thought. Come on, Filch is marking names off."
Draco entwined his fingers with Hermione's and both walked to the door chatting about random things that came to mind.
!D!
They'd been on the train for over an hour now and Hermione was lying on his seat asleep. Draco stood and found a blanket on one of the shelves and placed it over her to keep her warm. Both his and Hermione's friends were remaining at Hogwarts for the Christmas saying they had things to do but Draco guessed they thought they'd like the train ride alone or something.
Hermione stirred in her sleep and turned her head into the light. Draco peered at her and frowned. Her cheekbones were slightly more noticeable then a few months ago and her skin, slightly more paler. That is when Draco realized that the cancer was starting to begin its final stages of her sickness… and time would tell how much longer she really did have.
!D!
"There they are!" grinned Hermione pointing to two people standing in the crowd of the muggle Kingscross Station.
Draco steered the trolley luggage towards the two people, while Hermione ran ahead, running into a hug from the male, obviously her father. He could see the tears of happiness in there eyes and smiled. They really did care about their daughter and like Draco; they were going to be lost when she finally left. He watched still as she broke from her father and was engulfed in a hug from her mother.
"My darling Miney," he heard her say as he reached them, "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too Mum," replied Hermione pulling from the hug and stepping beside Draco, "Mum, Dad this is my boyfriend Draco Malfoy. Draco, these are my parents, Celina and Tim."
Draco stepped around the trolley, smiling as he shook there hands in turn, "It's nice to meet you both Mr and Mrs Granger. Hermione has told me lots about you."
"It's nice to meet you too Draco," smiled Celina, "Hermione has told us plenty about you as well and we knew we had to meet you."
Draco smiled, noticing Hermione had inherited her mother's smile and eyes, while she had her father's coloured hair and nose.
"Well, let's get home shall we? Your mother is cooking your favorite meal tonight – beef stir fry," said Tim.
The four started walking with Hermione chatting away about school. As they walked Draco couldn't help but notice the sadness in their eyes whenever they looked at their daughter smiling.
!D!
"Oh mum, that was wonderful," smiled Hermione pushing he half eaten plate of food away, "I think I might go and have a shower. Is that okay?"
"That's fine," replied Celina as Hermione stood and left with a bounce in her step.
Draco felt awkward. What should he say? He'd never had to meet his other girlfriend's parents before, but Hermione meant the world to him and he was glad he came to her house with her for the Christmas break.
"So Draco. Tell us about yourself," spoke up Tim, "Hermione tells us you are the Head boy and Quidditch Captain. What house are you in?"
"Slytherin, sir," replied Draco politely.
"Call me Tim. Sir makes me feel old."
Draco nodded smiling a little, "Hermione is a wonderful young woman."
"She is," nodded Celina, "Can I ask you something, Draco?"
"Anything."
"Now, I know this may come across nasty or rude, but believe me when I say I am just confused. Why are you dating Hermione when you know she is going to die… soon?"
"I had feelings for Hermione before I found out about the cancer… and they didn't stop or change afterwards… I couldn't of lived with myself if I didn't do anything about those feelings… and nothing anyone says will make me break up with her. She means the world to me and I am going to stay by her side till the end."
"But you going to be in so much pain…"
"I know that, but can you imagine how I would feel if I didn't act upon my feelings? Worse. I will live a happy life, knowing I acted upon my feelings and was with her for as long as I could be."
Celina and Tom nodded.
"You are a wonderful person Draco and I'm glad my daughter found love before her time came to an end," nodded Tom.
"You aren't killing him are you?" came Hermione's voice as she entered the dining room with a smile on her face.
"No they weren't," smiled Draco.
"Hermione, how about you show Draco to his room and where the bathroom and toilet are?" asked Celina standing up and helping her husband.
"Sure. Follow me Draco," smiled Hermione holding her hand out for Draco.
Draco walked over to her and took it, following her up the staircase, down a hall to a wooden door. She opened it to reveal a medium sized room with a double bed, white walls, maroon curtains closed over a rectangle window, a dresser connected to a cupboard.
"This is where you will sleep. My mum wanted more kids but then she found out she couldn't have anymore after me, so they devoted there whole life to me… and now I'm… well you know," spoke Hermione softly before smiling, "My room is across the hall and next to my room is the toilet. The bathroom is next door to your room, to the left. So what do you think of my parents?"
They both sat on the bed; Hermione was sitting Indian style looking at Draco, while he had his legs hanging over the side touching the floor.
"Really nice. They love you to bits," replied Draco, "Just like I do."
Hermione's eyes went wide, "What?"
"I love you Hermione… crazy as it seems I think I have all along."
"Draco… I… really?"
Draco smiled and took hold of one of her hands, "Yes."
"I love you too… this is the best Christmas holidays ever. You've made it complete."
Draco smiled and hugged Hermione thinking exactly the same thing.
A/N: There you go. A few more chapters to go I dare say before we come to the end.
Please review because I love reading your honest comments.
Bye for now!
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