Jane and Tony are still as strong as ever, perhaps even stronger. We've completed our goals for this summer with one week to spare. Goal!
Yes, sadly, the camp will be officially over in just 6 days and everyone will go their seperate paths in life. There is a championship game; our team against team 1 and this takes place in two days. We're having intense practices until then. Malfoy really wants to win and so do I.
To me, winning the championship game will prove to the whole world that I am more than just a bookworm and a goody-two shoes. It'll show people I am capable to overcoming my fear of heights, and working as a team with a captain I used to despise. Of course, you know how that turned out.
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Today is the day of the Championship game. After two months of hard work, this is it. After two months of all sweat, we will see who comes out victorious.
Another thing that is special about today is that family members of the championship team will come out to the island at eleven until five to watch the game. I know my parents are coming since I owled them and they said they were.
The game is to take place exactly at noon, enough time for the players to put in some breakfast and warm up.
Jane and I departed to the Great Hut. I was shaking so much from nervousness and I just couldn't stop! People kept on coming towards us and wishing me luck. That actually made me more nervous! I couldn't eat my breakfast since my mouth couldn't stop chattering and my hands couldn't keep still.
"Hermione, calm down. It's just a game. Breath... You'll live through this," Jane slowly said.
"Just a game? Just a game!? This is the most important game of the summer! This is the championship game!" I whispered hoarsely.
Draco sat down next to me and kissed my cheek with me still quivering.
"Hermione, are you okay?"
"She's just nervous."
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Pre-game jitters. I always get them," I said.
"But you never get it this bad," he said worriedly. He wrapped his arms around me and made my head lie on his shoulder. "Relax. I want to win as much as you but being stiff in the game won't help."
"I can't help it!"
"Do you still have my lucky galleon?"
I shot up and gasped. "No I don't!"
Jane giggled. "Yes you do, Hermione. Check your back pocket."
I checked and found the coin. "I, uh, have it. No need to worry. How'd you know it was there, Jane?"
"I saw you put it there. Honestly," she said while shaking her head.
"Oh, of course," I mumbled.
"Don't worry, Granger. If you start to screw up, I'll save you," he replied while adding a kiss on the forehead.
"I know."
My shaking syndrome quieted down but didn't dissappear. We talked and I was able to eat a few bites.
I'm excited to see my parents again. I'm more excited of them seeing me play which means I have to do good.
Which reminds me...
"Draco, are your parents coming today?" I asked in a cautious voice.
"Nope. My dad is off during an errand and my mum isn't feeling well so they can't make it. I don't mind and I know you don't." He grinned.
"To be honest, I don't like your family. They give me the creeps."
He laughed. "They do that sometimes."
"I'm going to see Tony, okay? I'll root for you at the game," Jane said while leaving.
"Hermione," Draco said, "I'd really like to meet your family."
I coughed. "Are you sure? I mean, do you think we're ready for this step?"
"If it's okay with you, I would like to meet them. I realize that I don't want our relationship to be hidden away from the world but we both know there are some people who won't like our decision. We can't tell my parents but we can tell yours."
I felt defeated. I'm not at all comfortable with introducing him to my parents but I really like Draco and I want him to feel welcome. I don't want to lose him.
I smiled and kissed him. "I'd be happy to introduce you to my parents."
"Good. Because I would have greeted them either way," he said with chin up.
"You would, would you? Even if they're muggleborns?" I asked mockingly.
"They're a special case. You see, they're related to this amazing girl."
"Is that right?"
"Yes."
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Draco and I waited anxiously at 10: 45 at the beach for my parents along with other 20 players. The sun was high and warm with a small breeze flowing in the air. Nothing could seem to go wrong.
At exactly 11 am, we saw a yacht-like vehicle approach us and within minutes, families began to step foot on the island. Moms and Dads dressed sporty came and some with their kids. Others came by themselves. I spotted my parents easily.
I pointed to them. "Those are my parents right there. Wearing the straw sunhat and baseball cap. Do you see them?"
"I see them. Shall we go over?"
I nodded and we strode over, hands held together.
"Mom! Dad!" I yelled. I let go of Draco's hand to give them hugs and kisses.
"Hermione dear. How have you been? Keeping up with everyone else, I presume?" Dad asked. I nodded. "That's my girl."
"Oh, where is Harry and Ron?" Mom asked and searched behind her.
My eyes literally popped out of its socket. "WHAT! Harry and Ron are here?"
"Of course, dear. They're your best friends. Besides, you're always spending your summer at the Burrow. It's time we spend some time with your friends too."
"Of course," I said nearly fainting.
Draco grasped my hand. I turned to face him. He had a stern face and I knew he didn't want to back down. I love him for that but in this situation, I don't know if I like for it right now. I can handle with my parents since they don't know his past but Ron and Harry? They've been enemies since the very start!
"Hermione," he whispered. "Am I still meeting your parents?"
I tightened the grip.
"Mom, Dad. I want you to meet someone," I began. "Not just someone. I want you to meet my boyfriend."
I've never had a boyfriend before. Mom and Dad know that and they've never expected me to have one until I got married. Which is why this was a surprise to them. I could already see them getting nervous.
"Boyfriend?" Mom said as she held her voice from going high.
"Yes, his name is-"
"Great, we probably lost Hermione's parents."
"Maybe if you stopped writing to that Lena girl for just one minute, we wouldn't have!"
I could feel my hands sweating. What would they say if they saw me with Draco and holding hands, nonetheless.
Mom turned around and called them over. Harry and Ron seemed relieved but that dissappeared when they saw who was next to me. Both stopped dead in their tracks for what seemed like eternity.
"Hermione, why don't you introduce your friend to Harry and Ron?" Dad asked flatly.
"We know who he is," Ron hissed.
I let go of Draco's hand and rushed over to them. "Harry! Ron! How are you? I can't believe you're here!"
They completely ignored me but kept their eyes on Draco.
"What is he doing here with you, Hermione?"
"Erm," I stuttered.
I heard sand shuffling behind me but Harry stepped behind me.
"Get away Malfoy before I hurt you."
"No!" I screamed and hustled to Draco. I wrapped my arm around his arm. I took a deep breath and said, "everyone, I want you to meet Draco. My boyfriend."
Everyone was dead silent.
Draco took me away from the stunned Harry and Ron and walked towards my parents.
"Good morning Mr. Granger. Mrs. Granger. It's a pleasure to meet the parents of my girlfriend," he said and he emphasized the word girlfriend.
Something grabbed my hand. "We need to talk."
I met the furious faces of two men. "Okay." I turned to Draco and told him I really needed to talk to my best friends and excused myself.
"What the hell is going on here?" Ron asked. "Is the high heights getting into your brain or something?"
"Hermione, do you realize who that is?" Harry exploded.
"Guys, calm down," I whispered while looking at the floor. I couldn't bear to look at them in the eyes.
"How can we...! Hermione, we can't calm down! That is a dangerous guy right there. Your BOYFRIEND is a dangerous guy," Harry shouted.
"Have you forgotten his father is a Death Eater? His whole bloodline are associated with Dark Arts! What if he's playing you?" Ron shouted this time.
"I realize all that and I know very well who he is. In fact, I know him much better than you two so please listen to me." I asked politely. I'd like to shout at them also for thinking I was a stupid girl who is going out with some random guy.
"But Hermione-,"
"RON! Is it that hard for you to realize that someone else besides you is in a relationship? Listen to me before jumping into conclusions!"
"Hermione, I really don't like this. You realize that right? Choose your words carefully," Harry warned.
"Right. I know his past. I was there with you guys. I know his family's history. I've met them. I know how Draco's treated me and you guys. But this summer, we were forced to be teammates and he was chosen to be captain. I thought we'd have a row everyday. I thought I'd have to chew my hand off to survive this summer. But he was the one that helped me through it.
"He helped me practice every night to get me where I am today. He stood up for me and prevented me from being suspended. He helped me with Phillip. He fought for me, literally.
"We got close this summer. Really close. I know you don't like this situation but please be the friend that you've been since our first year together. I've grown up and I've realized that people change. He's changed."
I waited for a reply.
Draco came over. "Hermione dear, we should head to the locker room. Our game starts soon and we need to prepare."
He held my hand. "Okay. I've got to go. I'll see you guys after the game, okay?"
We walked away with fingers clutching the others.
"How were they? Should I try talking to them also? Or perhaps give them a black eye?" He asked with no tone of laughter.
"No, they'll be fine. They just need time to cool down. They always do." I replied grimly. "How was my parents?"
"I like them. A lot. They're very friendly. For muggles." He said. "I really like your dad."
I stared up at him. "That's wonderful to hear."
We entered the locker room and departed our seperate ways with a kiss to end it.
"So, you and Draco are really an item?" She asked in a low tone.
"Yeah," I answered. "We are."
"That's nice."
That was our last conversation together.
The team huddled together for one last time to go over our plan.
"They're good. Their beaters are very strong and so are their chasers. One of their chasers also has the latest Nimbus. Hermione, be on your toes. If you can, knock out their Keeper first. It'll be easier to score that way. Other than that, fly your best. This is it, gang. After this, your summer is pretty much over. We can do it."
He is such an inspirational speaker!
We put our hands in and shouted 'team' and headed out to the screaming viewers.
"Are you ready Herm," Draco whispered.
"Uhhu. I'm ready."
We kicked off and Draco went to greet the opposing captain. A whistle from the referee started the game.
No sooner had the quaffle been sent to the air that a chaser was already flying full speed my way.
I held my ground and put my hands readily in front of me. The chaser threw the ball to my left and I barely caught it. There were cheers and aw's as I threw the ball to Guy.
"Granger! Nice job!" Malfoy shouted.
Before I could respond with a white smile, he flew away.
I focused my attention at the field and not at the audience, although that was really difficult. I couldn't help trying to look for my parents and best friends in the crowd but I know I shouldn't.
Another quaffle went my way but I was too busy looking at the crowd that it went in. Cursing at myself, my attention went back to Quidditch.
The score is currently 30 - 10 with us in the lead. The beaters took Draco's plan into action and knocked down their keeper. He's still flying but it seems he can't think all that straight.
I saved another four quaffles but had no luck with the five that did go in. That brought us down ten points.
Draco searched constantly for the snitch, zooming here and there.
Guy was knocked off his broom by a bludger so we're short a chaser. We really need that snitch and Draco knew that.
Suddenly, I saw Draco blurrily pass by with hands out in reach and the opposing seeker on his tail. Within seconds, the whistle blew and Draco flew around with the snitch in his hands.
-----------------------
There was a party held at the beach for everyone and their family. The music was nice, the atmosphere was pleasant, the people were friendly. During this party, trophies will be presented to the winning team, which would be US!
I took a shower and cleaned myself up before meeting up with Draco and heading to meet my family and friends at the beach.
Instantly mother and father appeared and congradulated me for the win.
"That was an amazing performance! From the both of you! Congradulations," mother fawned. "I knew you had it in you, Hermione."
"Thanks mum," I smiled.
"So, how does it feel to fly?" Dad asked with a grin. "Is it a rush?"
I giggled. "It is. But perhaps Draco can tell you more about flying. I need to talk to my friends for a little bit."
"Call me if you need any help," Draco whispered.
Harry and Ron were talking to some girls near the punch table. I'm surprised there aren't more people crowding Harry, though.
I coughed. "Excuse us for a second, girls. I need to talk to them."
The two of them turned around with a flashy smile.
"That was a fantastic win, Hermione! Who knew you could fly so well!" Ron shouted. "Next time we play in the Burrow, you're on my team, okay?"
"I must say, you're much better than I'd expect. That's quite a big achievement in such a short time," Harry said impressed.
"Really? You mean it?"
"We mean it. And we've been thinking about the whole Malfoy thing. We've realized that if you've been trained by that git and can play like you've played, we believe he's changed just a little bit," Harry said approvingly.
"Yeah. But if he's still a bloke, don't expect us to be all buddy-buddy with him. WE still don't like him all that much. And if he gives you any trouble, tell us immediately and we'll take care of things," Ron threatened.
I laughed. "I didn't expect anything else." I could just burst into tears. "Oh, you guys are the best!"
"Hermione, can you not hug me right now? I don't want the girls to get the wrong impression of you and us, you know? I want to be known to be single," Harry joked.
"Yeah since we are single," Ron exclaimed glumly.
I raised my eyebrow. "What happened to your girlfriend, Lena?"
His eyes widened. "How did you know about her?"
"I have my sources," I said with a wink. "Look, I have to get back to my boyfriend-"
"Ugh, please don't say that word when referring to him." Ron shuddered.
"You guys, grow up. Anyways, I have to get back. I'll meet up with you later, okay?"
I walked back to Draco and the parents who were sitting in a nearby picnic blanket. They seem to be talking closely and laughing about something.
"What's going on?" I asked and sat by Draco. My father flinched but didn't show it much.
"Draco was just telling us about an incident he had at school. I believe someone he knew was turned into a ferret?" Mother asked with a giggle.
"Someone, is it? Was it a close friend, Draco?" I grinned.
He nodded. "Oh yes, very close. It was like he was the other part of me."
"Of course."
Suddenly a song played. A song I knew very well.
At the Beginning by Donna Lewis.
"Draco, we have to dance. My favorite song is playing," I exclaimed.
"Wha-, Hermione I don't..."
I pulled him to his feet and dragged him to the area where others were dancing. I placed my hands around his neck and his hands wrapped my waist.
"Hermione, I don't dance that..well," he mumbled.
"A flaw of the great Malfoy? Oh, my!" I mocked.
"Yes, whatever shall we do?" He rolled his eyes. I laughed. "Stop laughing!"
I cleared my throat. "It's a slow song so there's nothing to it. Just rock your feet and that's pretty much it."
"Really? Well then, I'll master that in no time."
His eyes are stunning gray and blue. His hair is unusually lively. His skin is rough but smooth. I stared right into those eyes that stared back.
He kissed me.
"You know I'll protect you from anything, right?" He asked. I nodded. "You know I'll never do anything to hurt you, right?" He asked. I nodded. "You know I love you, right?"
"I love you, too." I whispered.
'We were strangers starting out on a journey.
Never dreaming what we'd have to go through
Now here we are, I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you.
No one told me I was going to find you
Unexpected what you did to my heart
When I was lost you were there to remind me
This is the start
And life is the road and I wanna keep going
Love is the river I wanna keep flowing
Life is the road now and forever
Wonderful Journey.'
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That is the end of the story. After half a year or more, the journey Hermione faced in her seventh year summer at a Quidditch camp is complete with the happy ending involving her with Draco.
As the author of this fanfiction, I can't believe it's over. It seems like a project that shouldn't end but did.
I hope you enjoyed it nearly as much as I loved writing it. Sayonara.
Deasy