Chapter 4

We were awaken at six o'clock in the morning by a very loud rooster. Ugh, why does it have to be a rooster! The girls and I have been up late talking about normal girl stuff. We laughed, cried, became embarrased, and just about every other feeling one could possibly have. Everyone seems to really want to get to know each other, and seeing as there is only six girls compared to the thirty, fourty, maybe fifty boys, there were many to talk about.

I groaned but forced myself out of bed. The first practice would start in half an hour by the Quidditch pitch of course. Bags under my eyes, I led myself into the four sink bathroom, brushed my teeth, took a quick shower, and attempted to brush my hair. That last part didn't go too well as usual. Jane was already waiting for my on the couch. She looked different. Her hair was pulled back into a nice ponytail, her lips seemed glossy, and there was a fade eyeliner around her eyes. Nice.

"Oh no, I forgot about the first goal-'always look good'," I recited. I felt horrible. This was going to be the first day, and I don't look anything different than the old Hermione.

"It's okay, Hermione. Here, we still have a few minutes."

She took out her wand and pointed to my hair. Soon enough, the frizzyness had died down, and mines too was put into a ponytail. She handed me her lipgloss and I dabbed some on my lips. I rushed through putting my blush, but didn't have time to put on the eyeliner. Oh well.

We half walked, half jogged into the pitch. Many other students were doing the same relieving my stress of being late. Possibly thirty students were already on the field talking. Once we arrived, we weren't given more than a minute before the counselors started to show up.

A whistle blew loudly and every head turned his way. I recognized him at once, the man from the beach. He wore the same yellow collared shirt and denim jeans. "Listen up!" He shouted. "Welcome to your first day of training. Here, as many of you should have known, we work on flying, strategy, playing, and teamwork. Each and every one of those traits are important if you wish to succeed in the Quidditch world. We expect nothing but the best of you.

"Training starts at 6 o'clock sharp every morning, until 10, where you are able to eat and mingle for a few hours. At 6 o'clock, we begin once more until 8. There you will have dinner. Your curfew is no later than midnight. I suggest early slumber if you wish to have full energy for the following day."

I stood there listening to his lecture. This seems really intense, too intense for me. I know nothing of Quidditch except a few people flying on their brooms while balls float around them. Yea, I watch Harry and Ron play every game, but I'm just there for support. Ugh, if I'd known it was important for me to know the stupid game in the near future, I would've watch.

"Now, before we start, we will group you into your teams. Mind, it is much based on schools. First group..."

He paired us into groups of 6, and of course I am in the group with Malfoy. It's a stupid idea, teaming up with the people from your school. We're group 3, and sadly, Jane is in group 5. There's 9 groups total, our first game is againts group seven in 3 days. Yikes!

Draco hasn't said anything to me, but he has given me that stupid look he gives all Gryffindors. Seriously, if he doesn't stop that, his face'll stay like that forever. I mean, I don't mind but it does get annoying, right?

So far, all we've done is run around the pitch two times. What good would that do us? But I guess I shouldn't complain since I don't want to fly, not just yet anyways.

That was embarrasing. I was second to last out fifty, sixty people! I can't be that out of shape. Heh, I've actually never been in shape so I can't say that. Still, it is quite an embarrasement to myself and my team-mates. Plus it's not a very good first impression. Draco just looks at me disgustingly, like always.

My other team-mates seems nice enough though, especially this guy Phillip. He's been smiling at me since we became a group, and tried to slow down as we were doing the run, but he got yelled at and sprinted as fast as he could. I must admit though, he's a great runner.

"Hermione, right?" Asked one of my new team member, Sandra. I nodded, still out of breath. "Heh, I can tell you're new to the camp. You took that run rather roughly."

"Yea, usually new members come in tenth place and under because they don't prepare themselves for 'hell' week," Kevin, a beater, stated.

"'Hell' week?" I asked meekly. That's quite a title.

Everyone around her nodded.

"Yeah, its aweful. There's a lot of running and flying involved. Nothing else is done except that," cried Dillan, the chaser. "It's torture."

I gulped. No way was I going to pass this. I mean, I have the lungs of-of a bee! A bee who dies a few days later. I won't be able to play quidditch, then I won't be able to go to the university, and then, then... Then I won't have a job, and no guy would want me as a wife! No kids! My life is flashing before my eyes.

Oh god...

Breath Hermione, breath.

I took a few breath, while watching my team-members expressions changed rapidly from flushed to worried to relieved. Malfoy just watched blankly.

A few moments later I regained my composure.

"So, erm, are any of you guys new?" I asked.

"No, we've known each other for a few years now. I go to France for the gifted with Guy and Tristan. Dillan and Phillip go to Kenton," Charles said.

"That's right. Kenton, a small, but fun, private school for boys." Phillip said.

I giggled. He winked smoothly at me again, and I gave him an obvious one in return. He chuckled. I guess it's good he doesn't know the brainiac part of me.

"So, I see that Draco here is the only person from your school?" Guy asked.

"Erm, it seems so unfortunately. I don't recall anyone else I know." I answered grimly.

I felt a pair of eyes darting towards me.

"Unfortunately?" Lauryn laughed. "Malfoy has been our top quidditch player for three years running!"

I coughed. I looked at Malfoy who was standing in the corner, arms folded across his chest, face expressionless, and feet together.

"Really?" I said amused. I knew he was good, but to be the best player out of sixty, seventy others? That can't be. "Are you sure about that?"

"Oh, there's no doubt. He's the fastest runner, the best flyer, the greatest seeker. It seems no one can top him." Lauryn siad. "That's why we're very glad he's on our team this year."

I swear I saw blue eyes twinkle.

"Hey now, there are others here who would love to be glorified too, you know," Guy teased.

Lauryn smiled. "Of course you would. Let's see. You would be number one at the slowpoke division, the best person to be a practice beater's target, and the fastest eater in the pig-eating contest." She joked.

I laughed, and slightly snorted. Hey, I couldn't help it. I do that when something is really funny, which was rare; very. I felt Phillip wrap his arms around me, making my laughing and snorting session come to an end.

"So, Hermione," he said. The group decided to have a bit of lunch at the Great Hut. Lauryn and Guy was at the front, followed by Dillan and Tristan. We were, I guess, in the middle of the bunch.

"So, Phillip," I started.

He smiled. I smiled. I can't believe a little bit of make-up actually works! A little chemical on a girl's face can make guys want to hug. Huh. Go figure.

"Are you doing anything tonight, say, after the evening practice?" He asked. My heart jumped a bit. Oh my gosh. The number two goal,-'Have an Official Date.'

"I don't think I have anything planned," I answered him. Maybe I shouldn't sound too happy about it. "It depends on what my hut-mates are doing. Why do you ask?"

He pulled me closer. I heated up instantly. "We should go out tomorrow," he whispered.

I felt my ears grow a dark shade of red as he said those words. I nodded, "sure, I'd like that," I replied.

He kissed my on the cheek, pulled back saying,-"great, I'll see you tomorrow then," and he left, joining his friends in the front. I followed still, happy as a humming bird.

So, I have a date. I have a date, tonight. I've completed, well almost, my second goal of the summer. I kept on smiling even though Malfoy showed up walking next to me. Actually, I didn't realize he was there because I was so happy, but his presence didn't stop me one bit.

"I always thought Phillip wasn't too bright," he exclaimed.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" I asked in a sweeter voice than usual. The smile was still plastered on my face, and I had no intentions of getting rid of them.

"Nothing. I was just saying, he practically goes out with any girl who looks at him, that's all." He said. He shrugged, and placed his hands in his pocket.

"Well, for your information, he approached me. I didn't notice him at all, actually. Isn't that peculiar?" I didn't know why I was telling him this, but I guess I forgot our past for a while. My mood couldn't be better and he didn't seem to bother me at all right now.

"Granger, just be careful." He sighed. His pace slowed down slightly along with his head.

I turned around,-"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

He looked up at me with an unreadable expression. "I said, just...never mind. I think you can take care of yourself."

"I know that Malfoy. Do you have any new news, or was that it?" I questioned. He shook his head slowly, and I turned back around.

Author's Note: Hiya! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Again, please review. I've enjoyed reading the reviews I've recieved and it felt great to hear the opinions of my readers. I'll update as soon as possible, so it'll be up within a few days. Maybe more than one chapter if you're lucky ;). Anyways, Thanks for reading the story so far.

Deasy