The boys went ahead to the pitch. "I think this will be easy. Hermione won't last." Ron was bragging to the boys.
"She might not fly well but the others are good and will be good at scoring." Theo pointed out.
"They won't get by me." The cockiness was rolling off of Ron.
"You know being over confident will hinder you." Bella said walking past them.
"No it...Hey that's no fair." Yelled Ron after noticing the girls outfits.
Bella turned back looking innocent and asked. "What are you talking about Ronald?"
"Your outfits is what I'm talking about. They aren't quidditch regulations." He protested.
"But it's not an official game so we can wear whatever we want." Astoria explained as she kissed Theo on the cheek.
"Huddle up boys let's have a talk." Malfoy called.
I knew they were going to strategies on how to get us back but I didn't really care. I was too worried about the fact that I was 100s of feet in the air on a piece of wood. "Hermione, all you have to do is find the snitch and catch it." Ginny explained to me like I was a child.
"Gin, I may not play quidditch but I do know what to do." I growled at her.
"Calm down. Here take these. They are regulation and will play music to help you focus. Remember just like we practiced nice and slow to rise and make sure you search." Bella said handing me the ear buds we charmed this summer to work with magic. I took them and put them in.
"We are ready when you are girls." Harry hollered.
Ginny, Bella and I turned back around to find the boys had taken off their shirts and a few even went as far as their boxers. I was for sure deep red by the time my eyes met Malfoy's. He, unlike Harry and Ron, he had a chisel and tone eight pack abs. Oh hell this was going to be a long game. Ginny leaned over and whispered. "I'm sorry Hermione I know he is your future husband but man I can't take my eyes off of his body."
I swallow say anything but. "I know what you mean."
Unknown to me Malfoy came up to me and leaned into my ear and whispered "Like what you see Granger?"
I had to have a comeback I thought as quick as I could then it came to me. "Nah I've seen better. I mean I was with Viktor." I winked and flew to the goal post with Luna. My heart was beating.
"He is watching you." Luna said to her.
"Well he will be watching me all game from behind because we will win." What was I saying? Where did this confidence come from? I have never played this game before. I mean Ginny and George had been teaching me how to fly just so I would be safe when being on the run. But I have no confidence. I began to doubt myself.
"Keep that confidence, Hermione." Bella yelled.
I mumbled to myself "I'll try."
The game had begun. Bella had the quaffle and spread towards Ron and without hesitation scored. "Wooo" the girls cheered. I had let go of my broom not thinking then screamed and grabbed my broom again...tightly.
"Don't get too confident, Granger." Malfoy said as he flew by with no hands.
"And why is that?" I sent back.
"Because, you will be terribly sorry when you lose."
"Then let's make a bet, Malfoy." I proposed
"I'm listening, Granger."
I couldn't help but feel we could be bearable. "If I win you have to do as I say for a whole day no questions."
A smirk appeared on his face. "Alright if I win you have to kiss me wherever and whenever I say for a whole day."
I couldn't believe that he would say that but I knew I couldn't back out. "Agreed, Malfoy. Now eat my dust." I hadn't see the snitch but I wanted to get him on edge and angry. I flew around the towers giggling as I went. This is fun driving him crazy. Looking back I could see him frantically trying to see in front of me and catch what wasn't there. I quickly stopped once I truly spotted the snitch. It wasn't that far from where I was and hidden by the score board. I decided to make a quick lap around the stadium and just nab it as I go by. But that wasn't my luck. Malfoy saw it and was speeding to the spot.
My heart dropped I couldn't lose. I won't lose. I gripped the broom and commanded it to go faster. I had completely blocked the rest of the game. Someone could be hurt and I wouldn't even know. I thought back to all I read and a beautiful idea. I went the long way around trying to corner it. Once again I was so focused on my task that I didn't notice the impending fate. Pain went through my body. Darkness started to consume me. I was falling to my death. The last thing I remembered was tight arms around me. "Hermione, you're safe...I'm so sorry." Then it all went black...