Fourth year at Hogwarts pt. 4
"EVERYONE QUIDDITCH FIELD NOW!" Shouted Fred Weasley
Without a second thought, everyone abruptly ran out the door to the great hall.
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Hermione followed the crowd out to the quidditch pitch. The flood of Beuxbaton, Hogwarts, and Durmstrang students filed into the different sitting areas around the pitch. Hermione found herself sitting close to the Ravenclaw viewing tower. She spotted Ron and Ginny across the way over in Gryffindor. Realizing there was no way she would reach them in the mess of students, she stayed put.
"Granger how'd you end up over here, shoo go on now," asked a snobbish voice. Hermione looked up and saw Pansy Parkinson sitting right next to her. Hermione stared at her with her mouth agape.
"Do I have to repeat myself? Shoo!" yelled Pansy.
Hermione stood up, her face turning red and her expression agitated. She pointed her finger getting ready to shout at Pansy.
"Granger don't tell me you're looking for another fight" a deep voice called out.
"You" Hermione hissed.
He tilted his head jaw clenching as he calculated a response. Before he could say anything Hermione attempted to stride over to him to demand the map back, but she didn't realize that Pansy had stuck her leg out in an attempt to trip her,
Hermione came tumbling down throwing her hand out to try to break the fall. Except her arms landed on something solid and she wasn't in pain. She looked up and saw the surprised gaze of Draco Malfoy looking at her. His arms were wrapped around her and his face was inches from her;
"Aww Draco you're no fun," whined Pansy. It seemed like Draco had just come back to his body. He shook slightly and let go of her. He wiped his hands on his trousers as if trying to get dirt off of his hands.
She grabbed his arm while she still could, "we need to talk" she muttered. Surprisingly he complied and followed her off of the stands.
Hermione looked back and saw Pansy's mouth agape staring daggers at her grip on Draco's arm, wait when did he become Draco to her, Malfoy she meant, it had just been a strange 24 hours.
They waved through the crowd, Hermione tugging on his arm while leading the way. They ended up under the bleachers.
"Wow, Granger it's like you're asking Skeeter to put you on the front cover of The Prophet," Malfoy said with an amused look.
"Stop it," she said impulsively shoving him back.
"What is it Granger, called me back because you wanted a second chance to snog me?" He said crossing his arms, still a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"You know what I needed to talk to you about, you took something of mine and I want it back"
"I don't know what in the world you are talking about," he replied
"Where is my map?" she demanded
"Oh so that's what it is, I tried to reveal what it was, but there was some locking charm"
"What was the message you received?" she said, suddenly realizing that if he tried to reveal what she was doing the marauders most likely had something to say about it.
"I didn't get a message" he responded sharply.
"Come on! What did Padfoot, Wormtail, Prongs, and Moony have to say to you?"
"Oh, so they're friends of yours are they?"
"We've been acquainted" she replied with a small smile
He looked at her narrowing his eyes for a moment.
"What?" she whispered
"here, just take it granger' he said shoving the blank map into her arms.
"Really? I thought I was going to have to hex you for it."
"Granger I-"
"WELCOME WIZARDS AND WITCHES TO THE FINAL TRIAL OF THE TRIWIZARDDDD TOURNAMENTTT!" Boomed from the stadium. The sound of students stomping and cheering shook the seats above where she and Malfoy were standing. She ran to the gap between the steps and peered out to see the headmasters and Cedric's father standing in the middle of the field with the minister for magic standing in the center with a charmed megaphone.
"The Third Task is to navigate a maze grown on the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. The maze is populated by various obstacles and dangers that each Champion has to overcome On this evening of 24 June, the champions are tasked with traversing an imposing 20-foot-high maze full of obstacles, creatures, and riddles..Professor Moody was entrusted with placing the Triwizard Cup in an undisclosed location within the maze. This challenge is made to test your reflexes, magical competency, and above all display true strength."
They continued talking about emergency precautions for the champions. Hermione stopped tuning in and instead focused on the figure next to her seemingly deep in thought.
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"Draco," she said quietly.
He quickly turned his head
"Draco?" he replied
"Sorry, I meant Malfoy, why are you attempting to aid the Death Eater movement?"
"Because I believe them to be right. What kind of question is that?"
"I don't believe you" she responded assuredly
"You have some nerve you know," he said jabbing her chest with his finger
"I believe there is something more going on Malfoy, so answer me, why are you trying to become a death eater?"
"Because I have no choice," he said so quietly if she hadn't been intently listening she may have missed it.
"I have no choice" he repeated a little louder
"I don't understand," she said shaking her head
"You wouldn't understand granger, while you're off in la la land with Potter and the weasel I've been doing everything I can to make sure my family stays safe" he replied, his voice cracking at the end.
"I-Draco, wait-"
"I won't say I agree with everything the organization stands for, but I wouldn't say I don't disagree. Honestly, I don't care what bloody happens, as long as me and my family stay out of the crossfire"
"Malfoy what's going on, what's going to happen"
"Why did you stop?"
"Stop what mal-"
"Why'd you call me Malfoy instead of Draco?"
"Just stop cutting me off for a second, Please Malfoy I'm confused, why are you not telling me what's going on and why are you talking to me, like actually talking, also why are you acting like you "like" me and-"
He cut her off by leaning and capturing her lips. Without a pause; she returned his kiss with fervor. He tightened his arms around her and wove his arms around her waist. Draco was seemingly not ready for the kiss to end, but Hermione gently pulled away.
He looked down at her opening and closing his mouth. He looked like he was about to say something when there was the sound of a crack. Almost immediately after, the sounds of cheering and the band cut through the field.
Someone had won.