Draco slammed his broomstick onto the dressing room floor, causing his teammates to flinch. "How the hell did we lose to Ravenclaw?!"

No one said a word or even looked him in the eye. Blaise was shaking his head, angry with himself and his teammates for their horrible loss. Theo Nott was trying not to smile; seeing Draco upset made him very happy. Even if they lost, it was worth it to him.

"From now on, we're practicing five days a week. Every day after lessons I expect you to be down at the pitch; if you have prior commitments cancel them, or I'll find someone to replace you. This can't happen again." No one dared to protest.

Blaise and Draco walked up to the school together after everyone had already left. Draco rubbed his temples. "I can't believe we lost. I can't believe it."

Blaise patted his best friend on the shoulder. "You played the best you could."

"I didn't get the snitch."

"And I didn't save the four goals that Ravenclaw scored. But we'll both practice, and we'll get better. This won't happen again, Draco."

"No, it won't."

Hermione waited nervously for Draco in their shared Common Room, knowing that he would be upset. She wasn't sure how to deal with it. She had never been able to understand boys and their sports.

Hermione looked up when Draco entered, and smiled. He looked tired and worn out, and his hair, which was usually neat, was messy and wild. He had a lock of hair hanging in front of his eyes. Hermione actually thought he looked very handsome, but knew that now wasn't the right time to be having those kinds of thoughts. She closed her book, set it on the table and stood up.

"How are you feeling?"

He didn't look over. "I'm fine."

"I'm sorry about the match. I know how important it was to you-"

He spun around, suddenly angry. "It wasn't just important to me, it was important to everyone. Now, I am going to be the laughing stock of Slytherin. No one wants to follow a captain that looses the first match of the season, especially when the loss was to Ravenclaw, a team who has never been our equal." He laughed without humor. "What a fantastic start to the season."

She paused for a few seconds, unsure how to phrase her compliment. "I was at the game, and I saw you play. No one can say they don't want to follow a captain that played like you did." She then put her hands on her hips. "Now, I understand that you're mad, but don't take it out on me."

Draco appreciated her strength at that moment; she didn't take shit from anyone, and even in the midst of his anger, he could admire that about her.

She grabbed her bag to leave, when Draco sighed.

"Wait..."

She turned, and waited for him to speak.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I know it's not your fault."

She looked up at him, surprised.

"Thanks."

He smiled, and she stifled a giggle, but he noticed.

"What is it?"

"It's just...that was the first time you have ever called me by my first name." She smiled at him, and then impulsively kissed his cheek. But instead of letting her walk away, Draco grabbed her hips and held her close. Her chocolate brown eyes were sparkling in the firelight
and her pale skin had a soft pink tint in their cheeks.

He leaned down slowly, keeping eye contact, wondering if their might be consequences for this, but then deciding that he didn't care. He kissed her lightly on the lips, and smiled when she kissed him back. She tasted so good, he could drown in her. She bit his bottom lip and he moaned into her mouth. Her hands tangled in his hair, and pulled him closer to her.

He pushed her roughly against his bedroom door and kissed her harder. Her hands slipped under his Quidditch robes and she could feel his strong stomach muscles. Merlin, he was sexy.

Draco felt her hands slip under his shirt and his breathing picked up. He couldn't believe this was happening. She was so beautiful, so understanding; why she was interested in him, he would never know. She was breathing hard too, and Draco smiled into her hair. She smelled amazing, and Draco wanted her. He slipped off her sweater and her blouse, exposing her breasts. They were perfect. Draco's fingertips traced her flat stomach and she shivered. She could feel his hardness pressing into her lower stomach and reached for it. He moaned at her touch. She unzipped his pants, and began to lightly stroke him.

He moaned. "Hermione...please..."

She smiled, and then stroked him harder. He was still kissing her, but he was almost there when Hermione pushed him away.

He stuck his bottom lip out into a pout, and she bit it softly. She smiled deviously, and then got down on her knees. Draco shook his head. He couldn't believe he was watching Hermione get down on her knees to pleasure him. He groaned when her soft pink lips took him in. She used her hands and tongue well, and soon Draco came in her mouth, his hands bracing himself on the door behind her. She took all of him, then stood up and smiled. He kissed her hard.

"That was amazing, Hermione."

She blushed. "I hope it made you feel better. I know you were upset about the Quidditch match-"

"What's Quidditch?"

Hermione laughed, and then kissed him again.