Chapter Four
Draco Malfoy, now in his fifth year at Hogwarts, found himself in the midst of conflicting emotions. The lines that once defined his relationship with Hermione Granger had become blurred. He couldn't deny the growing admiration he held for her—her beauty, her intelligence, and her exceptional skills on the Quidditch pitch. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to acknowledge these feelings, fearing the vulnerability that came with them.
Draco had stopped teasing Hermione, realizing it no longer felt right to taunt her. He found himself avoiding her more frequently, seeking solace in the safety of his own thoughts. The more he distanced himself, the more he longed for her presence. It was a torturous cycle, his conflicting emotions tearing at him from within.
Draco Malfoy was in love with Hermione Granger, but he would snap his wand before admitting it aloud.
Avoiding her was the best option, then he wouldn't have to worry about admitting his feelings to himself. Just one look at her and he knows he would kiss her senselessly while telling her his feelings.
Draco could be killed for thinking this way. He knew what was coming and he knew what could happen to him just for thinking of a muggleborn in a romantic sense.
A few times Draco has run into Granger and she acted as though she was going to talk to him and he sidestepped her and ignored her. He could tell it hurt her but he had to avoid looking at her and seeing the look in her eyes.
Draco, as the Slytherin seeker, found his focus wavering. The sight of Hermione, her hair streaming behind her as she effortlessly defended the hoops, tugged at his heartstrings. He was torn between his admiration for her skills and his growing feelings that threatened to unravel the facade he had carefully constructed.
Meanwhile, Hermione had blossomed into an even more formidable player. Her dedication and hard work had paid off, making her a force to be reckoned with. She relished in rubbing her Quidditch skills in Draco's face, reveling in her victories against him on the pitch. But as Draco began to avoid her, she couldn't help but feel an uncomfortable void.
She missed their bantering. There was something about Draco's absence that tugged at Hermione's heart. She had grown accustomed to their banter and rivalry, but now it felt like a missing piece of the puzzle. She caught herself yearning for his attention, craving the spark of their interactions.
Hermione couldn't get past not speaking to Draco and tried several times to talk to him but instead, he ignored her, and it hurt.
She should have known better than to think they could actually be friends. They were on different sides. She was light and he was dark.
It didn't mean it hurt any less though.
She would get to the bottom of his avoidance during the match today. She couldn't go on any longer with this avoidance game. With a new determination, Hermione set off to get ready for the game against Slytherin. She could still kick his butt while getting him to cough up why he is avoiding her. With a smile, Hermione began planning exactly what she was going to say to him today.
As the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin approached, Hermione felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. She knew that facing Draco on the Quidditch pitch would be different this time, with an unspoken tension lingering between them.
The game commenced, and Hermione poured her heart and soul into her role as the Gryffindor keeper. She soared through the air, her reflexes sharp, deflecting each of Slytherin's attempts to score. As the match progressed, she couldn't help but notice Draco's distant demeanor. It gnawed at her, unsettling her in a way she couldn't quite understand.
Hermione, as the Gryffindor keeper, found herself spacing out and simply floating.
As the final minutes of the match ticked away, the score remained neck and neck. The tension in the air was palpable. Hermione's determination burned within her, a fire that refused to be extinguished. She watched Draco, his eyes fixed on the Snitch, a mix of determination and conflict etched on his face.
And then, in a breathtaking moment, Harry Potter snatched the Snitch from beneath Draco's outstretched hand. Gryffindor erupted into cheers, their victory sealed. Hermione felt a surge of triumph course through her veins, but an unexpected pang of disappointment accompanied it.
As the teams landed on the ground, Hermione couldn't ignore the undeniable shift in her feelings. Draco's avoidance had left an emptiness she couldn't deny. She approached him tentatively, her heart pounding.
"Malfoy," she began, her voice filled with uncertainty, "is everything alright? You've been acting...different."
Draco hesitated for a moment, his eyes meeting Hermione's. The conflicting emotions swirled within him, but he couldn't ignore the longing that was mirrored in her gaze.
"I...I've been trying to figure things out, Granger," he admitted, his voice laced with vulnerability. "Avoiding you made it easier for me to think."
Hermione couldn't understand what he had to think about when they were simply enjoying Quidditch together. They weren't really friends but she felt like they were something. Then it hit her. She was a mudblood and he was a pureblood. There was a lot to think about in their situation. Hermione winced and nodded her head.
"I understand, but maybe don't ignore me on the pitch? I wanna be able to kick your butt earnestly, and I can't do that if you are too busy avoiding me." Hermione smirked playfully trying to relax him to the idea of still being her Quidditch rival. She could take him ignoring her in the halls but she couldn't take him ignoring her on the pitch.
Draco snickered at her words and smirked at her. He took his gloves off and held a hand out toward her.
"Sure, afterall I can't lose my favorite rival." Hermione took his hand and they shook them together. Finally, she had her Draco back.
