Part VIII

Quidditch. The one reason for any red-blooded male and sports loving female to be up in the air during a frosty late-November morning. Quidditch. Another reason, according to sane and rather swotty know-it-all bookworms, for people to find joy in inflicting pain each other with different sized flying objects. Quidditch. The sole reason why Draco and company, along with a smattering of third to seventh years were huddling in the middle of The pitch for training. The game against Gryffindor was to be in a week or so.

''Remind us why we are here, cousin.'' Cassie drawled as she tightened her scarf as a wind blew strong. She felt a heavy robe placed on her as the ever manly scent of Adrian Pucey engulfed her breathing space.

''Support.'' Blaise simply said, not waiting for Draco to reply, as he mounted his broom. Pucey, by majority vote, was elected captain over Vaisey. Vaisey, the rightful seventh year, had been out-voted by Adrian Pucey due to the latter's intelligence and higher cognitive abilities. Despite being captain last year, he had returned as he chose to sit a couple more N.E..

''Right, you lot.'' He addressed the bunch of boys. ''Let's get a start on practise, shall we?'' It was more an order than a question. Soon there were green and black dots racing around the sky in furtive practise.

Sending apologetic glance to Draco who had flown slowly passed them, the girls made their way to the library. Fishing out her Divination book, Cassie flipped through mindlessly as the first years quickly made way for her. Lyra on the other hand, chose to summon her Arithmancy and Ancient Runes book mere moments before they passed a gathering of gaping gentlemen. The zooming books caused said men to duck down as she masterfully plucked them from the air. Entering the quiet sanctuary that the library provided, the found an empty table and set to work. Several hours and many frustrated attempts at writing essays and proofs later, they were joined by newly washed and smirking boys.

Thinking that their work was a lost cause for Now,'' the girls shared a secret smile and their eyes twinkled mischievously in Draw's direction. ''I think you should go check on.'' Cassie said playfully waiting for Lyra to finish the sentence. ''Granger. I mean... Hermione.'' she finished of silkily. This earned a glare from the albino blonde whose last destination would be the Infirmary where Herm-Granger lay prostrate in one of the many beds. Looking over to Blaise and Adrian, Draco found they had identical mischievous smirk on their faces; he heaved a sigh of resignation. Wait until his father heard about the jaunt in mudblood-caring waters.

Making entirely sure, by sending Crabbe and Goyle to the Infirmary first, that Potter and the ever blundering side kick were nowhere to be seen; Draco made this reluctant way to the Hospital Wing, followed by his friends. The Infirmary was quiet and so clinically white; he remembered being left here during third year. The cause? The very same person he was here to check upon. Two weeks on that wretched bed and the mark on his nose couldn't be vanished, a constant reminder of why not to anger her.

The elderly matron pointed the group of Slytherins to Hermione Granger's bed with an inquiring eyebrow which Blaise answer with a small smile.

Sleeping peacefully, her potion-induced slumber got interrupted by several male voices and a few decidedly female tones. Snapping on eye open she took notice of black and green robes. Not bothering to remove the bleary tone of her ice she spoke. ''Blaise?'' she whispered her voice coming out somewhat husky.

The boy in question stepped up and spoke, ''Mm. It is I.'' he said slightly worried for his friend. ''Draco, Pucey and the Lestrange sisters are present as well.''

''Malfoy?'' she questioned. ''What are you doing here?'' there was o alive or ill will in her voice.

''I brought you here. Fainted into my arms, you did.'' He said, she could practically hear the smirk she no doubt knew he wore. ''Didn't know that you fancied me.''

''When I get out of this bed'' she began as she gained full consciousness. ''I'm going to slap you into next century.'' catching his surprised yet slightly heated gaze she scoffed. ''Not in the way you great prat. Get your mind out of the gutter. Come over here now.''

Beckoning said boy with a wave of her hand he hesitantly came forward. ''come closer'' she chided. ''I don't bite.'' His face neared her and her hand was still raised, now hanging behind his head. She jerked her arm accidentally causing her hand to meet the back of his head.

''Bloody woman!'' he said as he gingerly rubbed his head ''That's what you get if you think with your mind elsewhere, Malfoy.'' she said as she laughed weakly. The boys snickered openly while the girls giggled behind their hands.

''Feisty one.'' Cassie said ''She knows how to put you in your place, cousin.''

''Now, the question is.'' Lyra began as she caught sight of Blaise's knowing glance. ''Actually, no. I think I already know. She's a keeper, this one.'' she winked roguishly at Draco who blushed profusely before Pomfrey showed them away.

''Ravenclaw and Slytherin?'' Lyra whispers to the bedridden witch before she left. Hermione nodded and whispers back. ''Apparently, the hat was not thinking of me for Gryffindor.'' The two brunettes laughed silently.

''You're not too bad for a muggleborn, Gryffindor'' Lyra said.

''You're not too bad either.'' Hermione said ''For an evil Slytherin and a Lestrange, at that. Just don't tell Harry and Ron I said that.''

Cassie, who was also by the bed while the brunettes conversed, smiled. ''Lyra, come on.'' she said. Turning her attention to Hermione. ''Join us. Studying, one day.'' it wasn't a request, more of a friendly order. ''Blaise needs someone who can deal with Draco and his constant whinging.''

A muffled ''I heard that!'' came from down the hallway and the girls laughed before departing. Hermione felt unsure about this new foray into friendships with Slytherins; the supposed enemy.

Saturday rolled around with much anticipation. Hermione had risen from her bed in the Infirmary fully healed; the Quidditch teams of Slytherin and Gryffindor were slowly eating and making their way to the Quidditch change rooms.

After Harry and Ron left for the match Hermione waited by a pillar in the Entrance Hall for to two Lestrange girls. She accosted them the moment they stepped out of the Great Hall. ''Gryffindor will win.'' she said strongly, but the girls caught the playful smile before it disappeared and understood. ''Polyjuice Potion. Come to the after party, bring some... Food. I'll let you in myself.''

Settling down in the Slytherin stands, the sisters watched as the Slytherin templates flew onto the field and he pleasantries took place. Hooch kicked the box and out care the budgets and the snitch. The teacher then picked the quaffle up and tossed it in the air. The chases were quick to zoom forward, but none quicker than Blaise; who snatched it up AND flew straight to the goals. His teammates shortly followed inaugurated flying V formation.

Snow hundred a clear view and he only heard the opposing teams phaser as she hurled towards him. Partly seeing, he threw the ball to Pucey who expertly thumped it back atari Blaise who attempted to score but was sadly disappointed. The Gryffindor stands rejoiced.

This continued on, much to the Slytherins' chargrin, for most of the match. It seemed Weasley had gotten lucky. Intercepting the quaffle, Ginny Weasley boomed forward with a vengeful Adrian Pucey tailing her. He soon let up as he instructed his other phaser to go after her. Flying close to the ground, she swerved and caught the Slytherin off guard. Thus forcing him to plow face first into the snow laden ground. Gryffindor scored.

The score was dismal by the last 20 minutes of the game, Slytherin team morale was low and Draco was yet to spot the snitch. Another saved goal by Ronald Weasley sent the Gryffindor stands into a chant. 'Weasley! Weasley!' they chanted in joy.

Then, by chance, Draco spotted the snitch. Turning around, he realised Potter was hot on his heels.

''Oi, Malfoy!'' Potter yelled wanting to distract the Slytherin. ''How much did Pucey pay Nott to curse Katie Bell?''

Draco didn't men to lose his concentration, but he turned and did a double-take. That caused him to fumble the Snitch, it shot through his fingers. Accelerating towards the Snitch and leaning forward, he caught it.

The whistle was blown. Another failed attempt by Draco to beat The Chosen one. His father won't be pleased