A/N: AH. I'm not even going to bother. Just remember, I will NOT give up on this fic. The story is going to be developing more now, so you'll get a hint at the real plot.
…that's all I'm saying.
Also, sorry if I gave you all a bit of a scare last chapter! I have no intention of breaking them up.
Chapter 31: Snake or Lion?
"Oh Hermione, don't go about thinking like that! You'll drive yourself mad!" Ginny exclaimed. "I've never seen you happier since you've been with Malfoy."
Hermioned managed a weak grin. "Thank you, Ginny. I don't know, I just want them to accept us."
"All in it's time, 'Mione, all in it's time."
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"I can't believe her, screwing that git!" Ron muttered angrily, as he threw down his quill.
"I know, Ron, I know. I haven't the slightest why the bloody hell 'Mione would go off and date Malfoy, but think of it this way." Harry began, "We both know Hermione is a sensible girl. Perhaps it's better to trust her and let her do what she wants."
"But it's Malfoy for Merlin's sake! Our enemy of seven years!" he cried.
Harry simply sighed and returned to studying his copy of Handy Charms You'd Like To Remember.
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Hermione wandered the grounds aimlessly, taking a bit to clear her mind. The light breeze along with the few rays of sun reminded her that spring was near.
'I'm going to miss this place when I'm gone,' Hermione thought sadly, gazing upon the lake that remained calm and still (except for the squid floating about, of course).
But if there was one thing Hermione chose to leave from her thoughts, it was the future. She had learned that thinking about the future wasn't best, especially when things didn't go her way.
Besides, if she thought about the future too much, the present would speed by much too fast.
One thing led to another and Hermione soon found herself in the library, her place of refuge.
'You can never have too much to read,' she smiled to herself, scanning the shelves of books.
Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms slide around her waist.
"Hello, my love," Draco whispered into her ear.
She smiled brightly and turned her head to see him.
"Where've you been all day? I've been looking for you," he told her, capturing her lips in a kiss. His hands moved further down her waist…
"Mm, Draco…" Hermione managed, as she pulled away, a grin on her face. "Not here, people will see!"
"I don't give a damn, Hermione, I will kiss my girl wherever and whenever I please," he stated jokingly, bringing her to him again.
"Oh, stop it," she giggled as he trailed kisses along her cheek.
He turned her around to face him and planted a final kiss on her lips.
"Well, I was going to do a bit of reading until I was so…rudely," Hermione emphasized, "…interrupted."
"Pardon me, Madame, but you do realize it is April, and the best of studying should be done together?" Draco grinned.
"Oh Merlin, how will I ever concentrate?" Hermione rolled her eyes with a sigh.
Draco laughed and sat down in a chair. Hermione plopped down next to him and pulled out a book.
She immediately began to flip through the pages, but Draco found himself unable to concentrate on nothing but her.
'She is so beautiful,' he thought, watching as her focused brown eyes scanned the pages.
Her soft, pink lips, her perfect nose, even her eyebrows…not dramatically thin, but elegant…he loved everything about her.
Hermione looked up to see Draco staring.
"Focus, Draco," she attempted to say sternly, before a grin crept onto her face.
Professor McGonagall, who happened to be exchanging a word with Madame Pince, noticed the two teens flirting at their table.
"We are making great progress," she thought with satisfaction.
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Blaise patted Draco on the back.
"Ten minutes 'till game time," Blaise told him. "How do you feel?"
Draco looked up at his friend. "Just peachy, thanks, doctor."
Blaise grinned. "At least you've got a gorgeous girl out there."
"And, what of that? So do you, you wanker!" Draco said, as the two burst out laughing.
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Hermione watched as the orange sun slowly disappeared behind the mountains. Remnant ribbons of orange and pink shot through the sky; a few scattered clouds were visible. A slightly crimson lining accentuated each cloud. Ah, nature's perfect painting, unlike any human's ability. In a way, Hermione thought, the scene before her applied greatly to her relationship with Draco. So strangely perfect in ways never imagined. Yet almost as certain that the sun would rise the next day, Hermione truly believed that what they had would last. And just like everything else in the world, there were always those unexpected events that caused doubts.
Hermione snapped out of her ponderings and turned toward the castle. Glancing at her watch, she noticed it was about time for the final Quidditch game—Slytherin vs. Gryffindor.
She sighed. Of course, this put her in a bad position. Which team should she root for?
"Well, maybe a bit of both I suppose," she mused aloud.
She pulled a light sweater over a blue, laced camisole and made her way to the Pitch.
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"GRYFFINDOR! GRYFFINDOR!" the loud cheers greeted Hermione as she climbed the stands.
"And they haven't even got on the pitch yet," Lavender sighed, flipping idly through a magazine.
Hermione took a seat next to the girl and stared off into the distance. Eager students waved flags with their respective colors, cheering their team's name.
Finally, the two teams stepped onto the pitch. The cheering grew louder.
'I'm going to have to restrain myself,' Hermione thought, as she gazed longingly at Draco, who was standing tall and proud as Captain of his team.
Hermione watched as Harry and Draco shook hands, with, if possible, more hatred than ever before. Madame Hooch muttered her usual pre-game words and blew the whistle.
The game began.
The players zoomed off to their positions in the sky. Harry and Draco sped off at equal speed, seeing as they were both riding the newest Firebolt 5000.
Dodging a bludger, Draco positioned himself at a high point above the pitch. He scanned the crowds, looking for—there she was. He spotted her, cheering along side that Longbottom boy…but for who, he wondered.
"And a score for Gryffindor!" yelled the magnified voice of Dean Thomas. "Of course, we all knew that was coming…"
"Mister Thomas!" McGonagall scolded. "I was hoping you wouldn't follow in the footsteps of Mister Jordan!"
"Sorry Professor…" Dean rolled his eyes subtly, earning laughter from the crowds.
Ron hovered in front of the goal posts, as Keeper. He successfully blocked the incoming Quaffle.
"And an amazing save by Weasley! Give it up, Goyle, Weasley is our King—sorry, Professor," Dean said, earning him a stern look from McGonagall.
'Stupid Gryffindors,' Draco thought to himself. 'Well, all except one of course,' he smiled, circling the pitch.
Ginny sent a bludger flying in the air with her bat, right as a speck of gold flew past her.
"Bloody hell, Harry!" Ginny cried out to Harry, who was only a few feet away. "There it goes!"
Harry looked toward Ginny, who pointed down below her.
Draco watched as Harry dipped into a dive, and he quickly followed suit.
"And it seems our two seekers are on the chase! But where is that little bugger?" Dean's commentary echoed throughout the stadium.
'There they go,' Hermione thought, secretly hoping for Draco to catch it.
"And in the meantime, a score for Slytherin…thrilling," came Dean's less-than-thrilled voice as the familiar 'clang' resounded.
"Ye—" Hermione reflexively jumped out of her seat, only to restrain herself when she received strange looks from Lavender and Neville. "Sorry, wrong team," she mumbled, blushing.
Not even five minutes into the game and the two seekers were already zooming after the golden ball, neck and neck.
'For…Hermione…' Draco thought to himself, as he reached out for the Snitch.
Suddenly, a stray bludger came straight for the two, causing both players to make unexpected turns. Unfortunately for Draco, with one swift tilt upward, Harry already regained hot pursuit of the ball. Draco turned and attempted to catch up with his opponent, but to no avail.
Hermione, along with many other anxious fans, watched intently as Harry clamped a hand around the fluttering Snitch.
"HARRY POTTER HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH, EARNING GRYFFINDOR 150 POINTS AND WINNING THE GAME!" Dean cheered (as if his voice were audible among the cheering of the students).
The stands exploded with shouts and cheers from all the students (all those except Slytherin, of course).
The Gryffindor team all gathered in a wild crowd to congratulate each other, as Professor Dumbledore presented Harry with the Quidditch Cup.
"Many congratulations to the Gryffindor Quidditch team! I believe we can all agree that was an exhilarating game," the Headmaster said, as the supporting students flowed onto the field.
There would be much celebrating in the Gryffindor common room tonight. Surprisingly, Hermione did not find herself as thrilled.
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A/N: Once again, sorry for the delay! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. NEW CHAPTER UP TOMORROW, FOR SURE!
Also, what did you all think of Goblet of Fire? I thought it was great; however, the book was massacred.
Thank you all for remaining faithful, and please remember, I am still dedicated to this fic! School has been crazy, but my story is always on my mind.