Chapter 7

Quidditch was a weird sport. One I still can't quite wrap my head around. Why on earth would you volunteer to be that high up in the air, batting around balls with large clubs, when anything could go wrong? It's insane how some people get so excited for try outs and cry when they don't get it. From my perspective, the team was doing you a favor by not accepting you.

As I was walking to the pitch I shared my views with Draco, whom only replied with, "but, it's quidditch." With a deer in the headlights kind of look. As though he couldn't understand how anyone didn't like it.

"Honestly Draco," it had become natural now for us to call each other by our first names, "It is a 50/50 chance you'll get injured almost every single time you go out there. Why would you think that it's worth it?" He shook his head, and I watched the people pass us by with silent confusion, mulling over his stupidity. We decided to take our friendship public, and while some accepted it, most were just confused. I didn't care.

"Well Mione, it is just the perfect combination of feeling free, and feeling like you have an important duty to complete. Plus, I do love a little risk" He said with a wink. I fought to keep the butterflies down, I knew while our friendship was ok, anything more might induce a permanent shock on all of Hogwarts. And I wasn't sure he felt even remotely the same... Heck, I wasn't even sure of how I felt.

I carefully raised an eyebrow, "Freedom... And duty? Seems very compatible." I giggled slightly as he mocked glared at me. "You know what I meant", said Draco.

"Sure, sure, you tell yourself that. Whatever helps you sleep at night." Now he chuckled, a sound I loved to hear. We reached to changing rooms and stopped. He turned to me and smiled, "Well time to go win against Gryffindor." "Mhmm", I said as sarcastically as I could.

He smirked and played with my Gryffindor coloured scarf, "even though you're wearing these I know who you'll actually be cheering for." I rolled my eyes but smiled, because I knew also who I would be secretly cheering for.

"You know me too well" I said as I watched his face transformed into one of those rare genuine smiles. "Well," Draco said, "are you going to give me a hug for good luck or what?"

Omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg... my thoughts went to mush, and my heart started to race. I barely kept a calm composure as I leaned in and stretched up onto my tippy-toes to wrap my arms around him. He seemed a little shocked at first that I actually hugged him but after a moment's hesitation, he pulled me in closer and squeezed me tight. I thought my heart would burst.

I pulled back, slightly unwillingly I may add, and stared into his eyes, "Good luck Draco". Then I smiled and walked away, only glancing back once I may add! (Used a lot of willpower to keep it to one) And when I did he was staring at me, with something in his eyes that I did not recognize.

The butterflies were a real pain in the ass.

The crowds roared as the teams came flying out. Green and red flashed by and formed a river of christmas. Time slipped by as I watched intently and soon the two seekers were chasing the snitch. Everything counted on the one who caught it, the pressure and focus could be felt by all watching.

Suddenly I turned to Victoria, "how do you know if you like someone?" I asked. She was startled by the abruptness, and looked at me curiously before a look of knowing crossed her face. Vic slightly smirked and said, "well honestly Mione, you just know."

I sighed, that was a lot of help.

"If it helps," she said, "I think he maybe starting to like you too." I looked up and onto the pitch. I watched the way his blonde hair flew everywhere and the intensity of his eyes burned a hole in me. Even though it wasn't me he was staring at.

"Really?" I whispered in a state of hope and disbelief. Victoria snorted at my hopefulness, i guess it was really obvious who i liked...

"Well duh, I totally watch you guys all the time," Vic winks, "in like a totally stalkerish way." She giggles and I can't help but join in, something about her is just so easy to love. Even when she's being an annoying jerk. We stop after a bit and I look up to see Draco smiling at me, directly at me. He quickly looks away, and I think that it might have just been my imagination. Yet, when I turn back to Victoria my voice shakes in a nervous, childish way, "Let me guess, it's the way he looks at me?"

I say it as joke, but it comes out like a curious animal peeking out from the bushes. She doesn't respond for a while and I force a fake laugh to ease the tension. It's so obvious. I think I may be starting to care way too much, especially when he might not even care about me. My hands squeeze together and I look down at my lap.

"Yes." Victoria says it so quiet, I wonder if she actually said it or I just wanted her to. My eyes meet hers and she says it again, "Yes, god yes. Heck, I get butterflies when he looks at you. You are the only one who turns his grey to silver" She sticks her tongue out and jabs me between the ribs jokingly. I smile and hug her, squeezing her until I hear Vic giggle and hug me back.

"Thanks" I say as I lean back into my seat, "I think I needed to hear that." She smiles knowingly and I switch my gaze back to the field. I watch the green boy soar and all of a sudden drive vertically towards the ground, a red flame licking his heels, at the last minute both swoop up and over one of the stadiums. Merlin, who on earth would do that for just the honour of saying they play quidditch?

I feel the corners of my mouth edging up, because, I knew exactly who.