Okay, so here's the Quidditch Match! Yay! This chapter took foever to write, but I think it turned out pretty well. My beta rocks, as always.

So I still need costume ideas for the Halloween Party!!! And if you give me an idea and I end up using it, I'll give you credit in my A/Ns, AND send you a preview of that chapter!!! Really, I've only gotten one or two ideas so far... so please send me some!

The sun peeked its way in the window, creeping up his body towards his face. The black behind his eyelids turned to red and Draco groaned. "Too early!" He stretched his body, feeling his joints pop. Today was the big match against Gryffindor and he was ready. This, this is the day I'm finally going to beat Potter! Come on Draco, this is it, the last chance you'll ever have. You've got to do this! His internal pep talk was all he needed to shake the sleep form his body.

A quick shower was all he needed to energize himself for the day. Today was nerve wrecking enough without his added worry about Hermione. His thoughts should have been on the Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry, but he couldn't get his mind off of her. Today was the first day the both of them would be forced back into the student population. It had been days since she last cried, but he worried about her being thrown back into the mix. She's strong, but what if she can't handle it? I'll be flying around and won't be able to help her if she's too overwhelmed by being around everyone so soon… Focus, focus on the match! But, ugh… I'd feel horrible if she can't cope! Harry, Ginny, and I will all be on brooms… At least Ron will be too, so he won't be able to bother her… Oh Merlin, I'm going crazy here!

He tried to shake the thoughts from his head and ready himself. He grabbed his gear and broom and made his way to the Common Room. Hermione was there, waiting for him. Draco looked at her in awe; she was stunning. Yes, it was only a pair of jeans and a red, fitted t-shirt she was wearing, but he couldn't take his eyes off her. She giggled, which was out of character, especially for her. "You… ahh, you look great."

"Thanks. I would say the same for you, but Quidditch Robes aren't really all that stylish."

"Yeah." He chuckled and offered her his arm. "Ready for breakfast?" Really, he was asking if she was ready to emerge from her two weeks of solitude, and she knew it.

"Yes, very. I'm getting sick of cooking for myself and am definitely excited to see everyone again." A reassuring smile crossed her face, but he wasn't sure if it was genuine or an act.


"Draco, did you hear me? Are you even listening to what I'm saying? Draco!" Pansy was shrieking in his ear, obviously pissed about something.

His thoughts, which had been focused on the brunette Gryffindor, were ripped back to his own table. "What do you want Pansy?" He knew he sounded irritated and really didn't give a shit.

Pansy, with her stupid, pug face, was oblivious to his tone of voice. "I was just wondering…" She batted her eyelashes and moved closer to him, earning eye rolls from Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise. "Where have you been the past two weeks? I've missed you Drakey."

"I was working on Heads' duties. I already told you that."

"Yes, I know that pookie… but what were you doing?"

He sighed. "There's going to be a Halloween Dance. Hermione and I have been working to get everything prepared."

Pansy let out a blood curdling sound. His best guess was that it was a sound of excitement since she immediately turned to tell the other girls. Thank Merlin! He picked up a banana and kicked Crabbe and Goyle under the table. "Let's go before she comes back."

The air outside was warm and crisp. It would be extremely comfortable for the spectators and horrible for the teams. The robes were thick enough already without the added heat. Even with the heat, Draco had a good feeling. The feeling echoed throughout his body. Yes, he had a good feeling.


His speech to his team was short, sweet, and simple. Ginny was their biggest threat. He addressed his Keeper. "She favors the left hoop, so don't hesitate to shift further to that side. And you two…" He pointed at Crabbe and Goyle. "Make sure she sees a lot of the Bludgers." They nodded. "And keep them away from me AND Potter! This is my last chance to beat him and I want to make sure it is solely my skills against his." His team nodded, although he knew most of them thought he was being a stupid, stubborn git. "Alright, let's go!"

They heard the erupting cheers from the stands, which meant the Gryffindor team had entered the stadium. He groaned internally and prepared himself for the sound he knew would follow. Boo's announced his team as they emerged from their locker room. He took his anger from the sound and turned it into focusing himself on the other Seeker. Both teams lifted off as Draco strode to meet Harry and Madam Hooch at center field. The two men glared at one another, though the intensity wasn't as fierce as it had been before their truce. They shook hands and mounted their brooms as Madam Hooch blew her whistle to begin the much anticipated battle.

Draco and Harry were soaring high above the stadium, both looking for the golden glint from the Snitch. As he predicted, it was scorching hot with his robes. The only thing that made him feel better was knowing that Harry was feeling the same heat. It was strange weather for late September, but that was the furthest thing from his mind.

He was supposed to be looking for the Snitch, but a certain red shirt in the stands kept catching his eye. Everyone around her was blurry, but he saw her perfectly, even from his height. A look of horror crossing her face brought his focus back to the game. Crabbe was swinging his bat, aiming a Bludger right a Harry's exposed back. Harry was oblivious to his impending doom and nothing, it seemed, could save him. The crowd fell deathly silent and Draco yelled as loudly as he could. "Potter!" Harry whipped his head around, saw the Bludger, and dove out of the way.

"WELL, I'M NOT SURE WHAT JUST HAPPENED THERE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE MALFOY JUST WARNED POTTER ABOUT THE BLUDGER! I GUESS THAT WOULD BE SOME ACT OF HOUSE UNITY FROM OUT HEAD BOY!" Clearly, the entire student population was shocked by Draco's act, as well as many of the professors.

What, is it such a surprise that I don't want him out of the game!? I mean, seriously, can't those stupid gits just leave us alone to battle skill against skill? I'm going to strangle Crabbe for that!

Shake it off! Shake it off Draco! Find the Snitch! He doubled his efforts at looking for the golden, winged ball. Stop looking at Hermione you stup- There! There it is! Harry was looking in the opposite direction as Draco dove. "AND MALFOY SEEMS TO HAVE SEEN THE SNITCH! POTTER IS ON THE CHASE!" The ball was dancing right in front of Hermione's face, everyone but him completely oblivious. How could I have missed that before? I was practically staring at her the entire time!

He could feel the electricity in the air as Harry chased him, chasing the Snitch. Hermione's eyes widened in fear as the two men flew directly for her. For a moment, it looked as if they would crash into the spectators, but the Snitch darted away at the last second. Turning abruptly to follow its path, Draco caught a whiff of Hermione's mango scent. The scent only motivated him further. He wanted to win. He wanted to win for her! He knew it was stupid to think that, since catching the Snitch would mean her team would lose, but he didn't care.

He was so close now; there was no way Harry would be able to catch him, not even with a faster broom! He stretched out his left hand. He was close enough to feel the delicate wings beat against it. A blinding pain shot through his right side at the same moment his hand encased his victory.

The force of the blow, combined with his compromised balance from reaching for the Snitch, knocked him from his broom. He was high above the ground. It wasn't high enough to kill him, but still high enough to earn him an extended visit to the Hospital Wing. Shit, this is going to hurt! He closed his eyes and tried to brace for the impact, hands desperately trying to reach the wand tucked in his shirt. Just as he expected to feel the ground, a hand grasped his forearm.

Draco looked up, shocked to see Harry had caught him. Okay, the world really MUST be ending! Harry carried him low enough that he could jump down and land safely. Harry dismounted beside him. "Th-thanks."

Harry smirked. "Yeah, I figured I owed you one after earlier… Besides, Hermione probably would've never talked to me again if I let you die like that."

"Well, I guess I should be thanking her then."

"Draco! Harry!" Hermione was sprinting through the crowd of students Draco hadn't noticed forming. She threw herself into both of their arms. "You- you both! I- ohh!" She looked close to tears. They both leaned in to kiss her on either check and laughed at the hilarity of what had just happened.

Ginny pulled Harry away to console him for the loss and to admire his act of heroism by saving Draco, which, knowing the way the gossip worked in Hogwarts, would probably be all that was remembered of this match tomorrow. This left Draco and Hermione alone, surrounded by a mass of students. The Snitch was still in his hand and her arm still around his waist. He looked at her, surprised by how close they were. Her eyes met his and she smiled.

Not knowing what possessed him to do it, he leaned closer to her. "It was for you. I caught it for you." She didn't even have time to gasp at his confession before he crushed his lips against hers. At that moment, everything was right. It was perfect; the rest of the world had disappeared. At that moment, he knew that he loved her.

They pulled away after Merlin knows how long, noses still touching, and panting heavily. "Be with me…" His silver eyes burned into her.

"Yes!" A smile broke across her face as she pulled him into her again.

Gasps and other sounds of surprise broke them out of their paradise. Shock was present on the faces of most around them, anger on the few others. Neither noticed, or cared, as Ron turned and left, his face red with fury. Harry, who was still closest to them, was first to verbally express his shock. "I- you- What!? Hermione… you said…"

They both looked at him, sheepishly. Hermione seemed to be able to find her voice before Draco. "Well… it just kind of happened. We've gotten to know one another the past few weeks, and well… I guess it just couldn't be helped."

Instead of looking pissed, like Draco expected him to be, Harry looked accepting. Accepting? He's not going to kill me? Harry wasn't looking at him; he was looking at Hermione. "Are you sure Hermione? You want this?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Harry, I want this." She looked confident, proud, and slightly embarrassed. "I really don't care about the past. All I'm concerned with it right now. And, right now, I want this with Draco."

Somehow the professors had managed to usher away most of the students, so they were now only surrounded by the two Quidditch teams and a few other students. Harry sighed and turned to Draco. "Alright, you know if you hurt her I'll Avada your ass so fast you won't know what hit you."

Draco laughed as Hermione and Ginny scolded Harry. Seriously, someone pinch me! Not only did I just, FINALLY, beat Harry, but Hermione agreed to be with me! Did someone dose my breakfast with Felix Felicis? He was broken out of his thoughts be Ginny. "Sooo… what do we do now? I mean, well, none of us," she gestured at the two teams standing there, "have EVER gotten along before…"

"Well, I don't think that will be too much of a problem. I mean, Draco and Harry are able to get along, so why can't everyone else?" Hermione squeezed Draco's hand. She looked around, but mostly to the Slytherin team. "How about all of you come up to the Heads' Tower and get can hang out?"

The two teams eyed each other wearily, but no one protested Hermione's suggestion, much to Draco's surprise. "Sounds like a good idea to me." Harry looked around. "Hermione's right, if Malfoy and I can get along, then we all can." 'Yeah' and 'Okay' resounded throughout the small crowd. "Do you mind if Neville and Luna come too? They are our friends, after all."

Draco answered before Hermione could get the chance. "Sure, why not. If we're going to do this, we might as well do it right." Most of the group seemed excited at the prospect of being able to see the Heads' Tower; he couldn't tell who was actually excited to hang out with their rivals. "Just… well, sorry, but Ron isn't invited."

Harry smirked, but Ginny broke in. "DUH!"

Woot! Yay for more Draco/Hermione lovin'!!! Leave me some reviews to let me know what you think of everything!