Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
A/N- So thank you to everyone who has kept reading so far, it has really meant a lot to me, especially because I have been in a really rough place lately, this is sort of how I get over a lot of things and writing is defo something that is keeping me going. All your reviews mean the world to me and even though you don't know me personally, it has still made such a difference to me. So here are a few shout outs; FivePhoenix - Thanks for you reviews but due to them being on my early chapters, I will not be able to change any of the story I have already written. I understand that my grammar and spelling are not excellent but at least I try. I will be editing my whole story once I have finished but untill then I hope you can oversee the few errors and keep reading. I will be trying to be better from now on. Clarabelle - Thank you for still reading :D it means the world to me that you are, I always love reading your reviews :) Guest- unfortunately I do not know who you are but hopefully you will read this. The romance will slowly progress but they have to begin to understand each other first. Keep reading and I promised it will be worth while 3 TigerMusic -Thank you SO much! Emily Moyle- Thank you! That means so much to me! IamACritic - Thank you, despite how things may not turn out how you expect them to, please keep reading it will be worth it in the long run and I have chosen everything deliberately! Donaj13 - Keep reading :D Jen- keep going :) NelleA92- I do it like that every so often to show how they are "re-living" their earlier life, but don't worry everything changes by third year! So it wont continue like this Thank you for your support anyway :) PinkSlytherin- well what do you know ;) Ramyfan- cough .. :)
Two weeks had passed and Draco was getting dressed into his Quidditch gear ready for tri-outs. He couldn't wait, he knew there was no way he could be beaten, he had been seeker for the past five years for heavens sake. Smirking smugly into the mirror he was glad that he was growing slowly back into the body he was use to. Over the past year his shoulders had gotten broader and he had grown taller. Despite his second year body, he knew he still had the skills to get back onto the Quidditch team. Wait, it's been a whole year. He tought quickly realising how long it had been, he had basically forgot about the potion but now it seemed to have come back round and electrocuted his thoughts. I'm going to need to talk to Granger.
Pulling his broom out of its box for the first time this year he gripped the firm handle and nodded towards himself before turning on his heel and walking calmly out of the bedroom door. Stopping suddenly he called out a 'see you at dinner' to Blaise before moving to the common room.
Hermione stood awkwardly in her bedroom chamber alone. Her father's letter laid on her pillow, her Quidditch gear on her bed and in her hand she held the potion her mother had made for her which she had received a week ago. She gently traced the glass pattern on the small bottle before letting out a loud sigh and got dressed. Tying her hair up into a pony tail she sat on the edge of her bed and pulled on her finger-less gloves. She picked up the broom her father had given her, put the letter away and the potion bottle in her pocket before leaving towards the Quidditch pitch.
When she arrived everyone was stood in a semi-circle, dressed like her, waiting instructions. No one acknowledged her as she pushed her way to the front of the crowd, as she was smaller than the rest and if she had any chance of pleasing her father she is going to need to hear the instructions given.
After standing awkwardly for a few minutes she noticed something had caught everyone's attention as silence fell over the group. Looking up she saw a tall boy with short black hair, stubble and large teeth. Hermione had to admit he was very muscular, which made her realise how small she really was for the job.
"Right, lads... as you know Slytherin are here to win the Quidditch house cup. So, in all seriousness, I am about to show you how tough we are. Today I will push you to your limits, humiliate you, hurt you and you might even end up in the hospital wing, but it will show me which ones of you are dedicated, strong and are determined, compared to being a wimp and disgracing the Slytherin name." Marcus Flint said the big group, his eyes scanning theres with a dark look in his eyes. slowly they landed on Hermione's slightly nervous and small face.
"Wait a minute...what's this? A girl?" He laughed pulling Hermione out of the crowed and shoved her onto her knees in front of everyone." Look at how small you are... do you really think you are strong enough to play with my lads? I don't want anyone crying." He stated spitefully"Who are you and what year are you in?"the crowed of older boys laughed at her. Pushing herself roughly back onto her feet she stared into Flint's eyes.
"My name is Hermione Granger and I am in my second year." She said back just as spitefully. A half satisfied smirk crept onto the boys face.
"A Granger, well let's see how good you really are.. " He muttered, summoning his broom and climbing on. " Pucey, Bletchely, Higgs get on your brooms. Oh and Malfoy, I see you over there. Get on your broom, we are about to teach you second years how it is done."
Hermione watched as the boys made their way high up above her. The group moved towards one of the stands as she summoned her own new broom. Nervously she made her way up to the boys and watched Flint's eyes narrow as he stared at her broom. Sending a small shrug and half-smile in their direction she turned her back towards them. Pulling out the small potion in her pocket she gripped her handle tight and downed the clear mixture.
Coughing loudly she lost grip of the bottle and it fell from her hand. Her vision blured for a moment before clearing and her head burned as she heard her name being called.
"Malfoy, you follow Adrian Pucey as chaser. As for Granger, lets see you struggle...try and keep up with Terence Higgs as seeker." Flint shouted from behind her. Turning quickly to face her house mates she straightened her posture, catching Malfoys deadly eyes as the autumn breeze played with her hair.
"Alright." She said as she took up place next to Higgs. He nodded in her direction before looking for the snitch. Flint blew the whistle and the others moved away from her. Suddenly she felt very alone. As if it was just her and Higgs on the pitch. It was their contest this time and she needed to prove herself, for her fathers sake...for her sake.
Gripping tighter on her broom she narrowed her eyes forgetting about everyone else untill something caught her attention to the right of her. Suddenly, before realising what she was doing she had moved off after the snitch. Speed meant nothing to her as Higgs struggled to keep up. The snitch moved through the players and as she sensed a Quaffle heading her way she narrowly missed a determined and angry-looking Malfoy catching it in front of her. They locked eyes for a moment and that's all that it took to lose the snitch. Higgs caught up with her;
"Granger, you're really fast, you must be pleased to have such a good broom." He stated in a deep voice.
"Of course, but it isn't all about speed is it, if you want to actually catch the snitch, then you need skill." She said lightly, turning towards the boy next to her. She watched him smile at her and looked into her eyes as if searching for something.
"Alright then, you're on. The first one who catches the snitch will forever hold the title as the best seeker." He said confidently. Hermione laughed softly and smiled.
"You're on." She whispered and continued to engage with her senses in hunt for the small golden ball.
Twenty minuets passed untill Draco stopped next to her.
"How could you?" He spat towards her. She looked up in shock and confusion.
"Pardon?"
"You heard me. You're not even good at Quidditch ...in fact you don't even want to be on the team, First you come into my house, then you steal Blaise and my friends and now you are trying to steal my place on the Quidditch team?! What is your problem, why do you always need to be center of attention. All you are is a know-it-all, stuck-up-her-own-arse mudblood." He shouted at her before spitting in her direction and pulling his broom away. Hermione sat there for a moment thoroughly shocked.
Anger rose in her before gritting her teeth and closing her eyes. Thanks to the potion; in the distance below her she heard the golden snitch's wings flutter and opening her eyes, locked sight of it. Realising Higgs had also noticed where she was looking she pointed her broom vertically to the ground and at full speed began to fall. Beside her Higgs was doing the same, but what she noticed was that they were both laughing. Occasionally she felt his gaze on her and it was comforting.
Draco froze for a moment, the Quaffle in his hands and his breath caught in his throat. From a distance he watched as Granger and Higgs looked as if they were falling from the sky, circling each other so gracefully towards the floor, it was a beautiful yet tragic sight. Due to their speed it left a type of emerald path behind them. The rest of the players, waiting for their chance to tri-out raised to their feet, pointing at the two figures falling in the sky. Draco's gaze focused onto the snitch below them and soon enough the two seekers reached out before pulling away and landing on the ground. Marcus called for the others to join them on the ground so Draco gripped onto the handle, bit his lip, sighed and then followed the other boys.
When he landed something small glistened in the corner of his sight, turning he walked away from the group of boys and picked up the small glass bottle.
Hermione was smiling and laughing as everyone complimented her and Higgs laughed gently.
"Well done Hermione, may you forever be known as the best seeker." He said laughing and pulled her into a quick hug. Flint strutted towards her, gave a half smirk and nodded towards her. She felt him pat her a little too forcefully on the back, "looks like we have a new seeker." Hermione nodded and looked back down to the snitch in her hands.
Just as Flint was about to continue the tri-outs for the other players, Malfoy walked over and pushed in front of Hermione with the bottle in his hands.
"Looks like someone cheated...had a good case of vertigo Granger? Looked like you had to get help from your parents..." Malfoy spat out towards her, loud enough for everyone else to hear. Looking up Hermione locked eyes with Draco, who's gaze was burning into her. Just as Hermione was about to open her mouth to explain Flint spoke up.
"Woah, that was pretty clever, you really are a Slytherin. Hey Granger, do you think your parents would be able to make more, ready for us to play against Gryffindor in November?" Hermione's eyes widened.
"But, but that's cheating." She said awkwardly, fidgeting on the spot.
"Oh come on Hermione, you just used it... besides it doesn't affect how good we are, just stops us getting nervous due to the heights! Why I hadn't thought of it before I don't know!" He said grinning as the boys all nodded and Draco stood there completely pissed off and shocked. "How about if your parents make us some for our next game, I will personally write to your father to explain how amazed I was and how you have done him proud? I'm sure that will then work in everyone's favour."
Hermione looked around her at all the pleading faces and bit her lip deep in thought. Giving up she sighed and nodded. "Fine." She stated before looking up at Malfoy who was the angriest she had ever seen him.
The boys cheered and tapped her on the back before continuing on with the tri-outs. Draco continued to stand there for a moment as if to say something before shaking his head, dropping his gaze and kicked off the ground to join the others.