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Chapter Text

Arlina Bisby; Chaser……Tristan Cattermole; Chaser……Everett Harpole; Seeker……Huxley Maddox; Beater……Draco Malfoy; Beater…..Emery Pell—

Hermione stopped walking. Her eyes scanned back up the roster until they found the name that she initially mistook for a typo. 

Draco Malfoy….Beater.

She could comprehend the words, the name and the meaning. She understood that his name being on the roster meant he was the starting Beater for England’s national team, but for whatever reason, when her eyes ran over the black ink, her brain could not articulate any emotions or reaction. 

“Huh.” She mumbled under her breath and continued walking to her office. 

The door opened as it felt her magic neared, her head was still tilted down at the paper in her hands. She re-read the list of athletes and their physical injury history included in one giant packet, but her eyes kept floating back to Draco Malfoy. 

“I see you’ve gotten the news.” 

Hermione jumped at the noise, not expecting anyone to be in the training room when the first team meeting didn’t start for another hour. She breathed deeply, placing a hand on her chest while throwing the packet on one of the bench tables. 

“Yes,” She said, the thick packet slapped against the cushioned table and crossed her arms, “was going over everyone’s injuries and requests.” 

Malfoy nodded, sitting relaxed and languidly on the edge of the sink counter. He bounced his foot, making his massively muscular thigh move with the motion. She only briefly looked at his leg, just…briefly. 

The two stared at each other silently, Hermione waiting for him to say something since he clearly was seeking her out in the training room. He had found out first, received his packet of the team roster and staff, seeing she was the National Team’s physical healer. 

He blinked slowly, almost as lazily as he spoke. Malfoy’s voice was lower, less shrill and urgent. It was one of the multiple changes in him. A few were a bit more obvious.

“Look,” he began, pushing himself off the tub to his full height. Good Godric, the roster wasn’t lying when it listed him at 195 cm. Hermione had to look up at him even a full table away. 

“I know the last time we spoke was…over four years ago at my probation sentencing so I wanted to make you aware of my presence and know there will be no animosity from me. We’ll be working together so you can expect the most professional attitude from me.”

By the time he was done speaking, Malfoy stood across from her, separated by the cushioned table. Now a meter apart, she couldn’t believe his stature. 

His shoulders were wider, arms and biceps as well. It looked like the Malfoy in front of her ate two of the old Malfoy’s she remembered seeing years ago. His face was flushed, eyes bright with life. It seemed he gained an appetite back, obviously. Perhaps after the war all he could do was eat and work out. Hermione deduced maybe quite literally, that’s all he was afforded to do while under house arrest. 

That’s why he had grown. That’s why he had put on so much muscle in his upper body. Beater’s did typically have large and powerful arms. Malfoy fit the description. 

And his legs….gods.

Wearing white spandex and bright red shorts over them, the attire accentuating his tree trunk of thighs. His skin was slightly tanner from playing quidditch outside and the beginning of summer. She could see the muscles struggling against the tight material, could see the thick tufts of hair getting darker the higher up his thigh it went. 

His thighs were just…fucking perfect. 

Hermione swallowed and reached for the packet, needing something in her hands to distract her mind.  

“Malfoy,” she said with a sigh, “you apologized then, and while this extra bit of courtesy reassurance is…thoughtful, it’s not needed. I have no hesitations or worries while working with you for this next month.” 

“Month and a half,” He said, rather quickly. 

Hermione looked up, raising her eyebrows at him. 

“The World Cup championship is in six weeks.” He clarified, his voice abnormally low and dragging. 

She squinted her eyes. 

“You think England is going that far?” Hermione asked, her voice edging on a side of playfulness. 

“Absolutely,” he told her, eyes narrowing like hers, “you don’t?” 

Hermione took a large breath, falling into an easy conversation with Malfoy felt so foreign but at the same time, natural. She almost laughed. No hostility between them, years of anger and hate behind them. Now they were discussing quidditch and the chances of England winning the cup. She did end up chuckling, just a bit. 

“Egypt, Bulgaria and New Zealand are looking pretty fierce. I think we’ll go far but we need to be realistic.”

As she gave her answer, she summoned the rolling chair and decided to sit and read over her players report. Malfoy surprisingly sat down on the table, laxed as he leant back against the wall. 

“How did you get here, Granger?” He asked after a moment. 

She answered without looking up from her report. 

“Portkey.” 

There was a faint release of air from him, too soft to be considered a snort. It almost made her smile. 

“Cheeky,” he said and she nodded to acknowledge. Her eyes were reviewing Everett Harpole’s back tightness and current treatment options. Malfoy didn’t seem to mind her lack of eyes on him. To be fair, if she did look at him, she might stare all day. 

“Decided I needed a break from things that stress me out. I wanted to be a healer, but after the war, I didn’t want to see any more death.” She explained and paused with a sigh. “Physical healing was actually very simple yet incredibly complex. Still gives me time to research and incorporate muggle healing practices as well. It was the perfect change of scenery.”

“And you just became so good that you’re now the head physical trainer for the England national team? Where were you before?” He inquired, pushing his thigh further onto the table. She only glanced briefly. 

“A company that has locations in Europe and the United States. My name was suggested by my supervisor and by Viktor Krum.” She explained, eyes not really digesting her report when there was a muscular thigh in her line of vision. 

“You still speak with Viktor Krum?” He asked indifferently and she nodded. 

“Mhm,” she said and decided to wait until Malfoy was gone to read up on her player’s injuries and what they all needed. 

Malfoy had crossed his arms over his chest, making his arms ripple and contract. She couldn’t believe how much bigger he was. It seemed impossible for someone to change so much in only four years. 

“How did you get here?” She threw back the question and leaned her chin into her palm. 

“I apparated actually.” He said, a tiny lightness in his eyes forming. She hummed and rolled her eyes and he continued without her asking. “Didn’t have much to do while under probation. Had a lot of anger and regret to work through, so I figured the best way to let go of it was by beating the shit out of a bludger.” 

She tightened her mouth to prevent a smile. “That’s healthy.” 

“I know.” He said, looking as if he was fighting off his own. “I was exercising so much that I didn’t realize I had gotten bigger. Blaise told me to join a recreational team, and I did. A scout from Portree happened to be at one of the matches and asked me to try out for the team.” 

Malfoy ended with a shrug, the story so bland and boring that she wasn’t entirely sure Draco Malfoy was actually sitting in front of her. Half her suspicions were correct then, but the way he ended up in the league was based on fate and pure outstanding talent. He had quickly brought the Portree’s up to third place in just two seasons, and now he was on the National team. 

It was magnificent, and not a conventional way to become a professional player. Especially with his last name. 

“And now here you are with,” she said and grabbed the packet, flipping it to where Malfoy’s list of injuries and treatments were, “muscle tightness in your quads and back as well as cramping. Some numbness in your hand too.” 

Now he had a smirk. 

“A dream come true.”

Hermione scoffed but couldn’t stop the smile from spreading over her lips this time. 

“Will you be needing treatment then?” She asked professionally, not noticing any treatment written down.

“I usually just stretch to make it go away.” He told her. She must have made a face because he raised his brow. “I take it that’s not enough.” 

“No. Not at all. You’re a high level athlete which means you need more care. Especially since you’ve grown profusely. Your body probably needs more attention to prevent long term injuries.” She said, her authoritative voice on. 

“That’s where you lost me.” He said and slipped off the table. 

“What do you mean?” She asked. 

“Don’t expect me to come in for treatment.” 

Malfoy was heading to the door, so she swirled in her chair to face him. 

“Why not? You certainly have some minor things that could be tended to.” She said, somewhat confused. 

“I don’t really see the point. I ice, I heat, I stretch. Nothing really works.” Malfoy said, pausing in the doorway. 

“Well to be fair, you’ve never had me as a healer.” She said with a breath of unintentional cockiness. 

“So you’re automatically going to heal my aches and pains?” He pushed disbelieving. 

Hermione smiled coquettishly. 

“Come visit me and find out.” 

Malfoy gave her a look, one like he couldn’t believe who he was jeering with but there was a certain pleasing look behind his eyes. He turned on his heel and called behind her. 

“We’ll see.” 

Malfoy was a beast as a beater. 

Hermione couldn’t take her eyes off him during their practices. The sheer aggression and tenacity was astounding. The power behind the hits, the way he could lift his weight off his broom and get behind the bludgers to send them flying at his opponents or far out of the pitch was remarkable. 

She could see why he was made a starter for the National team. He was outperforming almost everyone, even the chasers. 

Not only that but he was so…commanding. He never stopped yelling directions at others or warning them of defensive players nearby. Malfoy was a leader. 

She  could not drag her eyes away from him, it was almost impossible. Not only was he exciting to watch as a player, but she had to admit, given all of Malfoy’s recent bodily transformations, he was exciting to watch, period. 

Every time he hit the bludger his arms rippled. Any time he leaned off his broom his thighs were taught. Malfoy’s large body cradling over his broom made it look like he was hovering on a tiny twig. 

By the time practice ended, multiple players were walking with her to the training room, no Malfoy though. Their needs were pretty common; some needed salves and pain relieving potions, others just wanted to sit in the ice bath or whirlpool. 

The last person she saw was a chaser, Arlina, who was receiving stimulation treatment on her shoulder when Malfoy walked in, looking fresh from the shower. 

“Need something?” She asked him as she took off the pads from Arlina’s shoulder. 

Malfoy carefully walked over to them, sitting on the opposite table. 

“Just observing.” He replied almost cautiously. 

Arlina huffed. 

“You look like you’re approaching a manticore, Malfoy. Relax.” The chaser said to her teammate, leaning up so Hermione could wrap ice around her shoulder. 

“There were wires connected to your arm, forgive me for being hesitant.” He said, eyeing the machine situated next to Hermione. 

“Muggle technology,” Arlina stated walking towards him, “keeps me healthy so I can win the games for us.” 

Just as she reached Malfoy, she punched him hard in the chest. He barely flinched and Hermione simply shook her head. 

“That would be me, Bisby.” He called back, not turning around to watch her leave. 

Arlina ignored him and wished Hermione a goodnight, she quickly replied and then her and Malfoy were left alone. She cleaned the table with a simple disinfecting spell and sent her supplies back into their cabinets. 

“How did practice go for you?” Hermione asked, turning to wash her hands in the sink. Malfoy stood right beside her. 

“Fine. Don’t know why you’re asking. You seemed pretty focused while watching.” 

Just as she had shut the sink off, her shoulders straightened and she turned to stare at him. His face gave nothing away, all stone-like with an intense gaze, but she knew what he was implying.

He had noticed her watching. Him specifically. She refused to blush. 

“I’m looking after my players and staying close in case of injuries.” She replied, drying off her hands and tossing the rag in the bin behind him. 

He nodded once, looking not totally sold on her reason.   

“You’re sure you don’t need anything? Not even a bag of ice?” She offered and summoned her reports. “How’s your hand?” 

He lifted his left hand up, flexing it into a fist a couple times and dancing his fingers around. Hermione quickly noted that he charmed his dark mark. Both arms were completely bare.

“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.” He said and put his hand down. She raised a brow. 

“Oh? Actually seeking out my help are we?” 

“Not yet,” he said, “let’s say hypothetically I came to you needing treatment for my hand. The numbness is reaching irritating levels. What would you suggest?” 

Hermione wanted to make a smart remark to him about the dangers of ignoring his health, but instead she placed a hand on her hip and began rattling off treatment. 

“I’d say we do stim once a day, some therapy for muscle strengthening. Have to start now if you want something to change, especially once the season’s over.” She told him, a serious look over her face to show that healing his injuries would be a slow process. 

Malfoy looked contemplative, checking the machine that Arlina was hooked up to. 

“And what if, ‘stim,’ doesn’t work?” He asked, clenching his fist again. 

“Well, maybe there would be deeper nerve damage but we still need to determine how severe it is.” She said and lifted her hands, “May I?” 

Malfoy glanced at his hand before just barely offering it to her. She could feel his eyes, carefully observing the way she handled him. Hermione was surprised by how warm he was. His palm was covered with callous scars, but remained almost hot to the touch. 

She began pushing her thumb at certain points, asking if he felt any pain or how far the numbness went. After quickly asking questions about how long he experiences this and what it feels like when he’s playing she let go of his hand and took a step away. 

“You certainly need treatment.” She deducted. “Did you want to start today?” 

It was almost humorous to see Malfoy, a giant of a man in all aspects, eye a tiny machine with such trepidation. 

“What will it feel like?”

“Like pins and needles mainly. It’s not totally irritating but it’s not comfortable either. Though, you do get used to it while sitting there.” She explained, hoping to ease his anxiousness.

Malfoy glanced back at her with a furrowed brow and a frown. She nearly considered it a pout and accidentally found the expression rather cute. 

“Isn’t there anything else to help with the numbness?” He asked. 

Hermione shrugged, rolling her lips inside her mouth to keep from laughing. 

“Acupuncture.” 

He raised his eyebrows in question. 

“I’d stick needles into your skin to get the muscles to loosen up.” 

She laughed when his face grew even more horrified. Hermione walked past him and into the ice bath room. He followed. 

“You must be insane.” He mumbled as she threw open the ice machine and scooped a large amount into a plastic bag. 

“I’m certified and I’ve been told by many former athletes it’s soothing.” She said, then placed the bag of ice up to her mouth, sucking all the air out before quickly spinning the bag and knotting it. 

Malfoy’s eyes remained on her through the entire six second ordeal. Her stomach tingled as she handed him the bag. 

“Here,” she said, “at least take this so I can sleep at night.” 

His finger’s brushed hers as he took the ice. His hand was still warm. 

“Come back tomorrow for more of this spectacular healing treatment.” Hermione said sarcastically, he grinned. 

“As long as there’s no needles.” He replied, turning on his heel and leaving the room with her behind. She faintly smiled and proceeded to finish cleaning up for the night before heading to her hotel. 

Hermione controlled her eyes during their practice, however much a struggle it was. She observed their drills and wrote down where injuries and soreness seemed to take a toll on some of the players. Many of them quickly took a liking to her which was nice. They found her mixture of muggle and magical healing techniques to be interesting and fun. 

Except Malfoy. Every day after their practice, he would come into the training room and watch Hermione treat some of his teammates. He’d ask questions, massage his hand while making faces at her explanations. And everyday, he’d refuse her aide and take a bag of ice. 

The song and dance had been going on for the entire week of practice. Hermione had thought for as often as he came in, that perhaps he was just warming up to the technology. He still hadn’t taken her up so she had no idea why he’d waste thirty minutes of his time after practice just to not receive treatment. 

It was silly and made her shake her head at his nonsense. She was eager to see what he’d do today. With five minutes left in practice, Hermione headed inside the small training building by the pitch. She began setting up the machines for Arlina and prepared some bags of ice. Since it was the day before they left for Egypt, Hermione anticipated a few people would want to take advantage of the ice bath as well.  She turned the jets on and threw in a bucket of ice for good measure.  

Arlina was the first to come in, like always. She plopped down on the table and chatted with Hermione about practice. Emery followed next, asking if she could get a bag of ice taped to her shoulder.

“I can’t wait to leave tonight. I’ve been pumped with jitters all day.” She said, nearly bouncing on her feet. 

“I feel the same. I’ve never been to Egypt before.” Hermione replied. 

The team was to arrive in Egypt tonight. Their side of the bracket would be playing the first round on the one seed’s home pitch. Each team could have one full day of practice before their scheduled game in order to familiarize themselves with the environment and weather. 

“You’re coming to dinner with us right?” Emrey questioned as Hermione spun the tight and stretchy plastic around her body. 

“Yeah, I’ll be there.” Hermione grinned. Perks of being a part of the World Cup team; endless food, clothes and extras. It was a massive welcome dinner hosted by the International Magical Games and Sports Department. Each team in their bracket would be getting a massive congratulatory and celebratory dinner at a private restaurant to kick off the tournament. 

“I know. I’m so excited.” 

“Too bad we can’t drink.” Arlina called from behind them. 

“Well, the day before the first round, I don’t think your coach would fancy his players being hungover.” Hermione looked at her and smiled, only to receive an eye roll and a face. 

“One glass won’t hurt.” Arlina replied and Hermione chuckled just as a new voice entered the conversation. 

“But one turns to two, and with you Bisby, we all know two turns into three bottles.” Malfoy drawled, causing Hermione to turn her head towards his voice. 

Her stomach leaped from within as her eyes settled on his figure. Malfoy was shirtless, towel strung over his shoulders, cheeks still flushed from the sun and practice, and the only bottoms he wore were tight black spandex material, riding up his middle thigh. 

She nearly dropped the plastic roller from her hand and luckily, Arlina chose to reply, keeping Malfoy’s stare away from Hermione’s blushing cheeks. 

“I’ve played some of my best quidditch games hungover I’ll have you know.” 

Malfoy only rolled his eyes and continued walking to where Hermione and Emery stood.

“There,” she said, lightly tapping the shoulder, “feel alright?” 

“Yeah, all good. Thanks.” Emery smiled and turned to leave, making more room for Malfoy’s massive figure to approach her. 

She turned away, pretending to rearrange some towels by the sink that were already folded and perfectly stacked. Despite being around fit athletes all the time, she was still unaccustomed to the transformation of Malfoy’s body. He was so…large. 

“No push to do some insane treatment method today, Granger?” He asked, voice teasing but slow and deep. She nearly shuddered. 

“I’ve wasted my breath all week. Figured if you really want my help, you’ll come to me when you’re ready.” She said and took a steadying breath before facing him. “Here for an ice bath?” 

He nodded once. 

“Most of us are, I just wanted to get in here before it got too crowded.” 

Hermione blinked a couple times, finding it hard to keep her eyes upwards on his face. 

“Well it’s in there, jets are on. I added a bit more ice so it should feel normal for reptiles like you.” 

Malfoy made a faux amused face and she grinned. Turning back to Arlina, she heard the door open and close to the ice bath room, he was gone. 

“He’s fit as fuck.” Arlina said and she made a noncommittal noise. “And an unbelievable beater. It’s hard to fathom how quickly he took to the new position.” 

Hermione nodded to agree. 

“If you’ve got the free time and will to push yourself, anything can happen.” She replied. 

“I know but still! If he keeps getting better, he’ll have a historic year. Portree is lucky to have him. Though his contract is up after next season. Maybe I can convince him to play with me.” 

Arlina played with the Falcons, who took the cup last year and two years before. Hermione almost made a comment of how that would be like having a super team, but figured she’d keep it to herself. 

Just then, the rest of the starters walked in. All had a towel and were down to their spandex and sports bras. 

“There’s two tubs and four can fit in each. No more than that.” Hermione told them as Arlina left. 

“Aw, bloody hell. Malfoy’s already in one. He practically takes up the entire tub.” Reese Murphy, the other starting chaser, complained. “Oi! Move your fat arse and give us some room.” 

She watched as some of the team members laughed and heard Malfoy yell a profanity back at all of them. Hermione shook her head and sanitized the table where Arlina was. Everett quickly poked his head out and called her name. 

“Malfoy’s not sharing. Can you make him move or threaten to take his ice bath privileges away?” 

Hermione smirked, happy to have the opportunity to scold Malfoy in front of his team. 

Everett wasn’t lying. The way Malfoy sprawled his entire body in the tub and sunk in the water made barely enough room for one person. His eyes were closed, totally uncaring to others around him but she could still see a subtle arrogant smirk on his face as others complained. 

“See. Go on Hermione, hex him until he shares.” Reese said and at her name, Malfoy’s eyes opened and found hers. 

“Everyone is entitled to the ice bath, Malfoy. If you don’t move over I think I’ll talk to Coach Proggs about mandatory acupuncture for you.” She threatened and watched his eyes narrow into slits. 

“Play fair, Granger. I’m a big boy and in need of some extra leg room.” He grinned unfairly handsome at her. Her words were momentarily lost. 

“Fuck off mate. Hermione doesn’t want to be here all night cleaning up after us. The sooner we’re all in the sooner we can all leave.” Everett said and heard the rest all agreed. 

Malfoy’s eyes found hers. Bright and shining under the lights of the room. They were intensely serious, and Hermione couldn’t dare look away. 

“Please?” She asked, voice softer but still light. 

After a pause, and a somewhat prolonged silence, Malfoy rolled his eyes and wordlessly adjusted in the tub. Even with his large body, only two more could fit in. She smiled gratefully at him then turned away. 

Everett followed her out, having to wait for his turn in the tub. 

“Think you could scrape my back while I wait?” He asked and Hermione agreed, telling him to lay down. 

She first massaged petroleum jelly onto his upper back then grabbed her scraping tool. Sitting down on one of the chairs, Hermione began working his tight muscles.

“How are you feeling?” She asked him and received a shrug. 

“Honestly, a bit nervous.” He told her and Hermione raised her eyebrows. 

“Really? You haven’t been practicing like it.” She noted and he chuckled. 

“Well I’m a captain so I have to keep my emotions in check. But yeah, don’t know. Suppose it feels like there’s more on the line, since we have a good chance to win the championship.” He explained. 

“I get that,” she said, “but it’s the same game just like always. Everyone’s been playing well together too.” 

“Yeah I know.” Everett said softly. “Sort of mad how we actually have a chance.” 

Hermione grinned, easily detecting the awe and excitement in his voice. She continued to loosen up his muscles, going softer when he’d wince and asking if he was fine. 

“Can you go to the left again? Yeah, right there. That bothers me when I sleep.” He told her. 

The door to the ice bath room opened. Seconds of loud noise filled the room and both heads looked at the newcomer. Malfoy’s body was a blistering red from the water and he tied his towel loosely wrapped around his hips. Hermione turned away, worried she had looked for too long. 

“Bothers you when you sleep? What position do you usually sleep in?” She asked, digging the tool into the tight muscles. 

“Just like this, on my stomach, arms under my head.” Everett said, then added after a beat. “Unless I’m keeping company over. Then I’m on my side with her.” 

“Come off it. You keep no company. How could you with an ugly mug like that?” Malfoy said, gesturing to Everett’s face. 

“More than you, mate. Benefits of being the best looking seeker in all of Europe.” The man boasted.

“Europe is fucking blind then.” Malfoy commented. 

“Don’t be sour just cause you haven’t hit puberty yet.” 

“And it has for you? You haven’t gotten a single piece of facial hair. Look like a twelve year old.” He drawled.

“Birds fancy the baby face!” Everett defended. “Hermione, please humble Malfoy. Tell us who’s more attractive. I’m tired of this newbie thinking he’s fitter than me.” 

Hermione was amused by the friendly jabs but went wide eyed at the command. She awkwardly met Malfoy’s stare who seemed to have gathered her uneasiness. At first, she thought he would do the gentlemanly thing and say something to get her out of it, but then he sinisterly smiled and panic surfaced. 

“She’d say you, Harpole. Only because her taste in men is completely atrocious.” 

“Hey!” Hermione and Everett both said in protest.

“My taste in men is perfectly fine and just for that, Everett you are the more handsome one.” She replied childishly, jutting her chin out at Malfoy who rolled his eyes. 

“Yes!” Everett said, rising from the table after Hermione wiped his back off of the jelly. “Great taste in men, in my opinion. Thanks Hermione.” 

He gave her a wink and walked back into the ice bath room. Alone with Malfoy, she looked up at him and was surprised to see his expression judgmental. 

“So, still have piss poor taste I see. ” 

She gave him a look. 

“Had to disagree with you out of spite.” She replied, washing her hands and cleaning her scraper. 

Malfoy leaned up against the sink, arms holding onto the counter, making his arms appear bigger. 

“So it was out of spite? And not the truth?” He questioned. 

Hermione paused, wiping her hands dry and thinking of her answer to an odd question. It felt like she was going to get trapped no matter what she said. The teasing back and forth could have gone on longer, but unsure and unable to read him, she decided to answer blandly. 

“Does it matter?” She responded and saw his eyebrows and shoulders barely move to show his boredom. 

“Curious is all.” 

“Okay….” She mumbled and turned to throw away her rubbish, hearing a small huff of an amused sound from him. 

“See you at dinner, Granger.” Malfoy then said, his back already turned to her. 

In a move she can only suspect was intentional, Malfoy undid his towel and threw it over his shoulder, allowing her to appreciate his plump arse on the way out. His broad back was pulled tight and Hermione ogled him for a second before letting his hypnosis end. 

Dinner. A vague feeling of dread by his words. There was suddenly an urge to shoo everyone out of the training room,  go home and start to get ready.

Chapter Text

The hotel the team was staying at was divine. It was smaller and secluded to keep out stalking fans and distractions. Hermione marveled at the privacy and enjoyed the ambiance of a smaller luxury hotel. She settled in her room, explored the grounds and even indulged in a swim in the private pool on her back patio.

Dinner time came quickly and she nervously picked out a dress that teetered between work appropriate and going out on a date appropriate. With her shoulders on display and the hem falling just at her knees, her baby blue linen dress was the perfect look. 

She floo’d to the neighborhood the restaurant was in, seeing the streets lined with busy activity in early summer month. Multiple restaurants were outside, spilling into the streets or were perched on top of buildings. Hermione couldn’t help but marvel at the liveliness. 

The restaurant entrance was nestled between two buildings, and the door was only wide enough for one person to enter at a time. When she pushed it open, a stone staircase winding upwards was revealed, cold and pitch black. Her footsteps echoed throughout the staircase, but she saw a light and realized this restaurant was on the roof.

 At the top, she was greeted by the hosts and guided to the rows of tables lined in the center with waiters offering hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Almost the entire team was seated, with the exception of a few wanderers who were admiring the magnificent views and fading sun. 

A waiter offered her a glass of wine and she requested something red and fruity. Coach Proggs introduced her to the Ministry’s Head of Magical Games and Sports, Bernard Barkin. She learned he was a former Keeper in the Canadian leagues and opened his own youth quidditch league before coming to Europe to expand. They were animatedly chatting when the touch of fabric at her shoulder cut them off.

“Merlot for you, correct?” Malfoy said, raising the glass to her as he appeared by her side. 

Hermione held her breath as she took the stem, quietly thanking him as she wondered how he got ahold of her drink. He stood incredibly close. There was a strong urge to both lean in to him and away.

“Oh! There’s the star beater. Draco Malfoy, how are you?” Barkin excitedly shook Malfoy’s hand. His plump cheeks were round as ever as he grinned too widely. Hermione thought the man looked starstruck.

“I’m good sir. Excited to be here.” Malfoy responded nonchalantly and did not seem excited at all. 

“Excited to have you. Both of my grandchildren will be wearing your jersey, you know! When I asked them who their favorite player was they both screamed your name in an instant.” Barkin told them and Malfoy bashfully tilted his head down to the ground and smiled. 

“That’s quite an honor. Hopefully I can live up to their expectations of me.” He replied. Hermione sipped her wine, deciding he was being entirely genuine with his statement. 

“I’m sure you will do fine. Shall we sit? I think they’re about ready to serve the first course.” Barkin suggested, waving towards the chairs in front of them. 

Hermione began shuffling so Malfoy could sit next to Barkin, but upon feeling his large and warm hand pressed up against her lower spine, she froze. 

“You’re fine there.” He said lowly, and nodded to the seat next to Barkin. She looked back up at him. 

“I think he’d prefer to sit next to you.” She said, but was given no choice when he pulled out her chair. 

“It’s fine, he’ll live.” He said and ended up at the head of the table. 

Hermione gave him a questionable look but said nothing. The manager of the restaurant came forth and gave her spiel about how excited she was to serve them. Their chef described each course and with a snap of his fingers, platters of food appeared on their table. 

She grabbed an assortment of meat, pita and stuffed vegetables listening to what the chef recommended and hoping her selections would taste good. 

“Hmph.” Malfoy grumbled and Hermione looked over at him to see him staring at the platters. 

“What’s wrong?” She questioned, grabbing a couple of olives. 

“I wasn’t paying attention so I don’t know what goes best with what.” He said, eyeing his options. 

Hermione looked at the food in front of them. “Do you have any idea of what you like?” 

“Don’t know,” he sniffed, eyes pulling to her plate, “suppose what you piled on.” 

She looked at her own food.

“Then grab what I did.” She said. 

“I don’t know what you grabbed.” He replied fastly.

“Then grab anything that looks like what I have on my plate.” She remedied. 

Malfoy raised his brows and a tiniest of mischievous grins grew. 

“I’ll just get it wrong,” he said, “it would be easier if you just gave me your plate.” 

She snorted and popped a grape tomato in her mouth. 

“Nice try.” 

“I don’t know anything about these…assortments.” He said, waiting patiently for her to give in. She wasn’t. 

“I’m not giving you my perfectly constructed plate of classic Egyptian food, Malfoy. You’re a big boy, get something yourself.” She told him with a stern look. 

His grin remained calm and innocent. 

“But surely if you’ve perfectly constructed your plate, you can do it again.” He pointed out. 

“Or you can make your own and go through a process of elimination of what you like and don’t like.” 

“I’d rather have it perfect from the start. I have a sensitive tongue that only appreciates plates carefully curated by intelligent witches.” 

Hermione, despite herself, was smiling broadly. His antics were annoying but the lightness and persistence of conversation made her want to laugh. 

“You’re being ridiculous.” She said from over her glass of wine. 

“It’s the truth. I was raised to be a poncy snob, so I’m requesting help.” 

“More like looking for someone to do the work for you.” She countered with a squinted gaze. 

“I already said I was a snob Granger. No need for repetition.” He said and this time, she did laugh. 

Begrudgingly, she took his plate and loaded it with the same items she had on hers. Malfoy wore a shit eating grin as she placed his plate in front of him and grabbed some pita and folded meat into it. He slowly chewed, smug satisfaction all over his face. 

“Thank you.” 

She rolled her eyes. 

“Did you want some of my wine as well?” She sarcastically offered but Malfoy’s wide hand reached and brought the glass to his lips. 

Her protest rose but soon died when his tongue dabbed his lips free of the liquid. 

“Mm. This accents the flavors so well. Great choice, Granger.” He said and took another small sip. 

“Oi! Oi!” Someone shouted from across the table. They turned and looked at Huxley. “No drinking, remember? Ay Coach! Malfoy’s breaking the rules.” 

The fellow beater got everyone at the table attention on them, including the head coach who was giving Malfoy a look. He simply placed the glass down back in front of Hermione and feigned announced. 

“Granger was offering some up. Said it would go well with the food and, well, she’s quite pushy, you know.” He said unbothered. 

She gasped at him and turned to the rest of the table. 

“That’s not true.” She defended with wide eyes. 

“Can’t ever refuse a beautiful bird, ay?” Huxley winked and nodded at Hermione. 

She blushed but scoffed regardless, turning her head down to her plate and plucked up a crispy piece of meat.

Malfoy spoke so quietly, she knew the words were only meant for her ears. 

“Can you blame me?”

The words pulled her stomach muscles so tightly she felt weak. Hermione took a single breath before slightly facing him and raising her brow. 

Malfoy’s eyes slowly moved towards her, amusement glinting so playfully. As if realizing she hadn’t looked at him all night, she finally took in his appearance. 

White blonde hair perfectly styled to the side with one loose piece lightly hanging over his forehead. A taught black button up was rolled to his elbows, with two buttons at the top undone. There she could see two silver necklaces, one longer that dipped beneath his shirt, and one short and a simple chain. A matching chain bracelet and his family’s signet ring were on his right hand. 

She reached for her water this time and he grabbed her eye. Now he looked thoroughly intrigued, a quizzical brow made her feel challenged and caught, so Hermione rolled her eyes and looked away. 

They didn’t speak much throughout their courses. Barkin was retelling old stories of his quidditch playing days in Canada and going back and forth about strategy for their game against India with the coaches. The entire room was loud with conversation and joy. Hermione had primarily been speaking to the assistant coach, Beatrice Wellens, about her tenure in coaching, when the attention suddenly turned on her just as their main course was served. 

“And, forgive me Ms. Granger, I know you were suggested by Viktor Krum personally to work with us for the time being but how do you know Mr. Krum?” Barkin asked her. 

“Oh the Triwizard Tournament was held at Hogwarts if you remember. He and I became friends and we actually went to the Yule Ball together.” She explained briefly and watched his eyes light up. 

“Ah! Yes of course! So you two are…well forgive me for asking, but are you two…involved to this day?” 

Hermione flushed, feeling all eyes on her as they waited for her answer. She placed her hands in her lap, picking at the extra skin on her cuticle. 

“Oh no, not in that way at least. Just friends. We’ve never been anything more.” Hermione grinned politely and watched as Reese and Huxley both gave each other eyes and waggled their eyebrows suggestively. She nearly called them out but knew they were harmless. 

“He’s such a fine young man. Whatever witch ends up with him will be truly spoiled,” Barkin exclaimed fondly, “Surprised you didn’t snatch him up if you had his eye once before.” 

She heard Draco cough in a snort and sent him a glare as he innocently poked at his noodles. Hermione knocked her knee with his, hoping to cause pain and disturbance but due to the volume of his leg, it did nothing. 

“He’s not really my type. Besides, like I mentioned, we get on better as friends.” She told him. 

Barkin nodded with a kind smile but Reese spoke up. 

“What would your type be then, Hermione?” He said from down the table. “A brunette star chaser playing for England’s national team in this year's World Cup?” 

The table laughed at his joke and Hermione rolled her eyes and shook her head. 

“Granger doesn’t go for men with dung beetles for brains, Reese.” Malfoy chimed in but then shrugged. “Although, she did date Weasley.” 

The latter was spoken in a hushed tone, clearly only meant for Hermione to hear and that she did. Instead of nudging him with a bony knee, she opted to slide her hand down under the table and reach beside her to pinch his thigh. 

Malfoy made the quickest of pained looks, but his hand reached out to snatch hers. Blast his quick reflexes. Hermione glared at him but he only looked pleased by her failure. He leaned down, face to face with her so his breath fanned over her lips. 

“Now, now. Let's not be childish at dinner.” He chastised.

Hermione was vaguely aware that while his grip on her hand wasn’t tight, he made no move to let her go. Neither did she think to remove her hand when his fingers loosened. 

“Then don’t make childish comments about my friends.” She told him with a serious expression. 

They engaged in a stare off. His gray eyes full of razzing spirit suddenly turned into something…heavier. Like he forgot this was all a joke and perhaps, so did she. Malfoy blinked, then released her hand. Her fingers felt cold and weak, she curled her hand into a fist and placed it into her lap. 

“I won’t, I’m sorry.” He said and she nodded once she felt the breezy air return to their environment.

“Ms. Granger,” Barkin grabbed her attention again, “can you tell me more about your healing practices? I understand it’s a mixture of magical and muggle and your firm works with not only athletes.” 

Hermione perked up at the question. Any chance she was given to explain the intercourse between magical and muggle healing and how the two beautifully complemented each other she was going to take advantage of fully. 

“Yes! We offer a brand spectrum of physical therapy. Ranging from accidents or neurological side effects, we really try to do it all. A great example of how we’ve used both magical and muggle is a patient who one day woke up with their left leg completely paralyzed. After she had undergone surgery for a pinched nerve, we realized her healing potions weren’t working properly and helping her strengthen her muscles.” 

Barkin looked thoroughly intrigued, she couldn’t help but to be elated by the attention.

“So what treatment did you give her?” He questioned. 

“Well, we took her completely off the potions, seeing if she perhaps had a reaction to one of the ingredients that stopped her nerve functions in her leg. After that, we began strength training three days a week with one day of massage therapy and acupuncture. We saw her for six months straight, alternating exercises when she showed improvement.” 

“I’m sorry, but what is acupuncture?” Barkin asked and Malfoy interjected when she opened her mouth. 

“She sticks needles into your body.” He said, oversimplifying the procedure. 

At the horrified look from Barkin, Hermione awkwardly laughed and raised her hand to reassure it wasn’t that serious.  

“It’s gentler than it sounds, and I’m highly trained in that area of medicine. The acupuncture helped re-stimulate the blood flow in her muscles that the potions were meant to do. With the consistency of her plan, the patient was able to walk at four months and run at six.” She said proudly and felt herself keen at the murmurs of impressed praise. 

“Remarkable!” Barkin exclaimed. “What muggle practices do you use on these athletes?” 

“Much of the same things. Physical training is a lot of strength training and maintenance. There are some machines I have set up in the training room I could show you if you are ever interested. My favorite would be the compression suits.” She relayed. 

“What do those do?” He asked. 

“It helps with blood circulation again for muscles. Basically you place these sleeves on your legs or arms and they fill with air and very tightly constrict around your limbs. They run through cycles of compression and it’s very relaxing actually.” Hermione said then began to giggle. “They’re quite a sight as well.”

“Fascinating! I would love to observe a treatment session with one of the athletes. Malfoy!” Barkin said and Hermione turned to the man beside her. “Do you partake in any treatment with Ms. Granger?” 

Malfoy, who was in the middle of swallowing down some food, looked briefly sheepish at the inquiry. Hermione grinned evilly at him and answered on his behalf. 

“No he doesn’t despite my disappointment. He certainly needs treatment too.” She said. 

“You’re not getting treatment?” Coach Proggs spoke from across the table. He looked actually angry with him. 

“I—“ 

“Your bloody hand is cramping every other day you idiot! I told you specifically to see Granger about it and you’ve done nothing?” 

Hermione, a bit afraid for Malfoy since Coach Proggs had the voice of a demon itself, offered some words to save his arse. 

“We’ve been icing his hand and doing massages. I’m sorry, some of it is my fault as well. I’m still researching other treatment options for him since he’s a bit weak with needles.” She said and felt Malfoy grumble that she was lying. 

Coach Proggs looked annoyed and turned directly to Malfoy and her. 

“I want a report on his treatment every day. Hand, legs and give me one on his empty fucking brain since he’s jerking around and not getting help.” Coach Proggs said.

“Of course.” Hermione nodded enthusiastically. 

“Yes coach.” Malfoy said dejectedly. 

She looked over at him with a bright, bragging grin. He leaned back in his chair, fist holding up his cheek. Hermione leaned over, her leg bumping his since he was slouching. 

“I would stick out my tongue at you but I’m trying to be a professional.” She teased. 

He didn’t move, but she did feel his leg push further into hers as he readjusted his lower body. She didn’t mind. 

“You win this round.” He mumbled and she softly chuckled. 

“Come see me after practice tomorrow and before the game on Saturday. A few others will be seen by other staff during that so I can focus on you.” Hermione said, noticing the way his eyes flickered to an unrecognizable emotion. 

"Perfect."

The team had a full day of media and their volunteer work. Hermione was allowed to go off and explore the tourist spots for a couple hours before practice. When she arrived at the pitch, she was escorted to the training facilities and given a tour of all the supplies. 

Hermione had a lot to set up for after practice, seeing as she had muggle machines to bring herself. Her and the assistant trainers got it all done very quickly and she had a few minutes to spare before joining the staff for practice. 

When she made it up to the lookout, Coach Proggs immediately flew over to her. 

“Malfoy should see you after practice, please alert me if he doesn’t.” He told her, his bald head making him look more menacing when he frowned. 

“Got it. Has he complained about anything to you recently?” She asked. 

“No but he’s starting to rely more heavily on his right hand.” He said and she frowned. 

“Isn’t that his dominant arm though? He casts right.” She questioned. 

“He uses the bat both ways but is left handed dominant. His left is better but his right is still strong. Just don’t want him to get used to relying on his weaker hand, or somehow also hurting it from exhaustion.” Coach explained then flew off at the sound of his name being called. 

Intrigued with the information on Malfoy, she watched him, unashamedly, during practice. Coach Proggs was right, he was using his right more than his left. Though he wasn’t flinching or showing any signs of discomfort, Hermione trusted what Proggs told her. 

Besides this, their practice was rather exhilarating to watch. Many of the players were so anxious for the game tomorrow that they let their aggression and emotions out during practice. They were playing hard and in rhythm with one another. Confidence was overpowering the air and Hermione couldn’t help but grin when their Coach ended practice and they all started cheering and clapping wildly before their break. 

Hermione stood from the stands, watching as the players began flying down to the pitch and heading towards the locker rooms. She eyed Malfoy for a second, seeing as he huffed air and grabbed the water bottle one of the assistants offered him. He gulped the water down thirstily then dumped the rest over his head, drenching his face. 

It was…quite a scene. Malfoy was unfairly attractive. Seeing him red faced and panting only emphasized this. And he was still wearing those chains around his neck, Godric. Hermione needed to get herself out of the sun, it was making her more delusional than normal. 

There was already a gaggle of athletes waiting to be taped with ice and receive their usual post practice treatment. Everett was waiting on the table, shirt off and scraper in hand. She smiled as she approached and he took his position on his stomach. 

“Less nervous now that we’re here?” She asked the captain, remembering the conversation from yesterday. 

“Merlin yeah. Now I’m just excited and ready to beat the shit out of India. I feel great.” He exclaimed. 

“Everyone looked great at practice. I anticipate a fun game.” She said, focusing on running the massage tool down over his lats. 

“Yeah,” Everett agreed with a pause, “Malfoy especially right?” 

Her hand stuttered for a moment. The jerking reaction to his comment was noticed and Everett began smirking. 

“I guess,” she said slowly. 

Everett began chuckling. 

“Ah, speak of the devil and he shall appear.” 

Hermione looked up, seeing Malfoy walk in with a different shirt on but still in his practice shorts. His eyes were on Everett, or more specially, the scraping tool she was using on his back. 

“Proggs threatened me in the hallway to get in here, so here I am.” Malfoy said, grabbing one of the rolling chairs and sitting down in it. His body was too big to properly and comfortably sit on it. He looked comically large. 

“We’ll do stim today on your hand followed by a massage on your back and shoulders. Anything else bothering you?” Hermione asked, her professionalism returning some of her senses. 

“No.” Malfoy blandly said. 

She scoffed doubtfully but let it go. Everett and Malfoy talked about practice and random things as she finished scraping him. One of the other trainers came over and asked if Malfoy wanted to be seen by them while he waited. He politely declined, telling the other staff member that he was waiting for Granger to finish up. 

Everett left a few minutes later. A majority of the room had cleared out as well. Most of the players were eager to hang out for the evening and get a lot of sleep for their game tomorrow. 

Hermione ordered Malfoy to sit on the table and began hooking him up to the machine.

“Is this going to hurt?” He questioned. She could have sworn she detected fear in his voice, but it was hard to tell. He spoke rather indifferently all the time. Any inflections of his voice rarely were shown. 

“No, like I said, just uncomfortable. I’ll put it in a setting you can tolerate.” Hermione explained then turned the machine on to a low setting. “Can you feel that?” 

Malfoy nodded no. 

She turned it up a few more dials and watched his hand twitch. 

“What the fuck?” He exclaimed, eyes glancing at the machine with distrust. 

“Feel that then? Is it hurting or too uncomfortable?” She asked. 

When Malfoy settled with an annoyed sigh, he blinked a couple times to process the sensation. 

“I don’t like it.” He stated and she laughed. 

“But does it hurt or do you think you can’t sit through this for ten minutes?” 

With another pause and a frown etched into his skin, he reluctantly said it was fine. 

“Good, let me know if you need anything.” She rose from her seat but halted at the sound of Malfoy’s panicked voice. 

“You’re just leaving me?” 

She tried not to laugh at him. 

“Well once the timer goes off, I’ll come back. It’s only ten minutes.” 

Her reassurance was not met with satisfaction. 

“What if it breaks?” He hypothesized. 

“It won’t.”

“What if it hurts me?” 

“It won’t.” 

“What if—“ 

“Bloody Christ, Malfoy.” She sighed and sat back down at the side of the table. Her disbelief was clear but he championed a grin. 

“Thanks.” 

“For someone so big that plays a dangerous sport, you’re quite a soft little baby.” Hermione expressed and watched the smile drop from his face. 

“I know the dangers of quidditch, I don’t know what this weird thing can do to me.” He argued, bristling with paranoia. 

“It’s going to help your hand heal.” She told him tiredly but still found his contempt humorous. “Don’t you trust me?” 

Malfoy glanced quickly at her, eyes softening and lips pursing together. His cheeks were still a dark pink from the sun and he had put those two necklaces back on. They poked from under his shirt. 

He slowly nodded with a heavy breath. His chest puffed up quite a bit and Hermione let her eyes flicker down to watch the movement. Deciding he just needed to be distracted, she picked up conversation with him. 

“Will your mum be attending the game tomorrow?” She asked. 

The question was carefully inquired. Hermione knew his father wouldn’t be able to leave England for another six years but his mother was allowed to leave the country with Ministry approval. It was part of their sentencing after the war. Malfoy gave nothing away as he answered. She had no idea if she could continue speaking about them or if she should leave it alone. 

“She will be yes.” He answered. “Gets in tonight.” 

Hermione nodded. 

“That’s nice. Are you two doing anything after the game then?” 

“She’s going to watch the other games with me when we scout. I think we’ll explore a bit if she wants. She leaves on Sunday evening.” He replied, looking down at his hand. 

“Fun.” She paused, “Will she be wearing your jersey?” 

It was a joke. She couldn’t picture Narcissa Malfoy in anything other than designed witches robes. She was positive the women's nightwear was luxurious. 

“I assume so. She has everyone of mine.” He replied. Hermione’s eyes went wide and her mouth dropped with the weight of her shock. Malfoy was so bland that she had to assume he wasn’t kidding. When he noticed her reaction, he clarified. “I’m being serious. She owns every colorway of my jerseys. As soon as she found out I made the national team a year ago, she went out and custom ordered them.” 

Now she was trying to picture his mother in a red checkered jersey, proudly displaying Malfoy’s number and name on her back. Narcissa would look positively muggle and the thought made her feel strange.  

“I—sorry, I just can’t picture your mum wearing anything…er, like that.” Hopefully, Malfoy didn’t take her words as a knock against Narcissa. “It’s very, um, sweet.” 

“She was the one that pushed me back into playing quidditch actually.” He revealed and Hermione again was shocked. 

“Really?” 

He nodded thoughtfully, eyes gazing off into the distance as he recalled the memory. 

“After our sentences were all said and done, and we realized we were all alive, safe and still together, my appetite returned.” He grinned, shaking his head at himself. “I called for our house elves more than I ever did in my entire life.” 

Her bristle was automatic and noticeable. Draco glanced at her apologetically and his expression grew remorseful.

“Sorry. I know you have adverse feelings to house elves—“ 

“Are they freed?” She asked instantly. His head tilted backwards, like he was physically taken aback by her calm question. 

“Yes, we freed them as soon as we were given the rights back to our home. They all stayed and are employed under us now.” 

Hermione licked her lips, nodding a couple times and deciding it was not worth her breath to debate house elves rights with him right now. Plus, she was still interested in hearing this story and at least they were all working for the Malfoy family by choice. 

“Continue then.” She gestured with her hand as well. 

“Well I—I realized I was consuming almost five meals a day. I was just so bloody hungry. My mum noticed and said if I was going to eat like that, that I should at least exercise. She bought me a new broom and some clothes, nearly pushed me outside everyday just so I’d breathe fresh air and get my arse on my broom.” 

He half smiled, fondness sheathing his face that almost made her blush. Recalling such a nice memory made her feel like this was far too personal for her to hear, but she was too greedy to not let him finish. 

“It took me forever to put on weight, especially since I grew in height. But eventually I did start evening out and then I don’t know she just started spelling bludgers at me. Mad woman.” This time he chuckled. 

“It was…so nice. She’d be out there with me for as long as I was out. Rain, cold, didn’t matter. Then Blaise started coming around and once my house arrest was over and I started playing in the rec league, I had put on almost four stones in weight and muscle, measured out to be more than half a head taller than my father.” He paused, and Hermione could see his eyes flash with nostalgia. “She still came to every game, in the rec league, and then once I was picked up by Portree. It was the most we’ve spent time together since before I left for Hogwarts.” 

Hermione was so entranced by the intimacy of his story, and the privilege of being able to hear it that she didn’t notice how long she was staring. Draco looked around, insecurity bleeding through his features. 

“What?” He asked, almost snapping at her. 

“Nothing! Nothing at all, that’s just—such a touching story. I’m—I know your situations after the war weren’t ideal—“ 

“Our sentences were necessary, if not light.” He interrupted. Not knowing how to repose, and bookmarking the moment for later, she finished her thought. 

“That’s… your own opinion but I—I think it was a blessing in disguise, no? You were able to spend time with your mum, you grew healthy and wound up in a wonderful career. Th-the war…well it took a lot but it didn’t take everything.” She quietly said. 

Her words weighed heavily between them, but Hermione saw no sign of sadness or uncomfortability on Malfoy’s face. He was simply thoughtful. . 

“I guess Coach Proggs should be thanking your mum for all your talent then, hm?” She joked, hoping to return the conversation to something lighter. 

It worked, he rolled his eyes at her comment and the corner of his mouth tugged up. 

“He can certainly thank her for getting me to practice so hard, but not the talent. She’s rather clumsy on a broom. Kinda like you.” He said, eyes brightening with his jab. 

“I’ve come a long way since first year. Don’t be such a knob.” Hermione exclaimed and was given an unimpressed ‘mhm’ for a response. She pouted. “It’s required of me to be good at flying so I can get to athletes quickly if they’re across the pitch.” 

“I’d like to see it then.” Malfoy said, still holding a tone of doubt. Arsehole.

“Name a time and place.” She challenged with a scoff.

“I will eventually. Better start practicing.” He teased. 

“I am good at flying!” She said, just as the timer from the machine went off. She began unhooking him and placing the cords back in their spot. Malfoy swung his legs off to the side, she had to back up a bit to give him more space. 

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” He said, smirking at her with a stare that forced her to look away. Her neck prickled and her chest tightened. Clearing her throat, she gestured to his hand. 

“How was it? Not as bad as you thought, right?” 

Malfoy shrugged, flexing his hand a couple times. 

“S’Alright. With the right distractions.” 

She tucked some fly aways from her bun, nervousness itching up her skin. 

“Good, erm, is your back tight? I could do a light massage with the scraping tool?” She offered, knowing he must be sore from practice all week and recalling his file. 

“Sure.” He said, not moving from the table. 

Hermione stood, grabbing the tool by the sink and turning back around to him. She stood, waiting for him to move. Silently, she waved the tool at him to get him to lay down. 

“Chop, chop. We don’t have all night.” 

Draco lifted his left hand over his head, fingers grasped at the shirt just by his neck. In one movement, he pulled himself free and set the shirt aside. White and pink scars danced over his chest and arms. She had forgotten he had them, but they healed well and were half hidden by the slight blonde tufts of hair in the middle of his chest. 

Hermione swallowed as he laid down on his stomach, watching  the pull of his muscles from his side and arms as he got comfortable. Once he was situated she scooted closer to the table and was given a moment to openly view his monstrous back for herself. 

“Any specific areas of tightness?” She asked, lathering his back. His skin was incredibly soft and warm. Fingers trailed over bones and muscles with a polite cautiousness. 

“Mainly on the left side, upper.” He told her. 

Hermione began her work, softly scraping his muscles to loosen without causing pain. He was incredibly tight. Even with the slightest bit of pressure, he’d sharply inhale or wince. She chastised him for not looking after himself but only received scoffs or grunts in return. 

Mid way through his massage, the entire training room cleared out. Only they were left and Hermione drifted off into daydreams. His massage lasted longer and it was difficult to find an appropriate ending. Malfoy would sign pleasurably and his back hardly felt loosened. He’d quietly mumble his appreciativeness with ’that feels nice’ or a gruff ‘right there…feels good.’ 

She was redder than a tomato. His voice already incredibly low singed right into her center when he’d give his praise. It was hard not to let her mind wonder. Ridiculing herself after her thoughts drifted to picturing him with his head thrown back as he said those little moans of joy, she knew she had to end their session. 

Quickly wiping his back down and scourgifying him for good measure, she announced they were done for the day. 

“Come in tomorrow. We’ll do some light work on your hand and get your legs ready too.” She said, sadly watching as he put his shirt back on. 

“Okay,” he replied. 

Hermione blinked, her eyebrows rising into her hairline. 

“What? No argument? Just complacency?” She asked, rising from her chair to toss the towel in the laundry bin. 

Malfoy began stretching his arms, moving in a way that reminded her of someone just waking up from a nap. 

“No,” he began, “I feel pretty good right now. I’m curious to see how else my body will respond to you.” 

Hermione’s eyes went wide. His desired reaction she assumed. He began snickering then turned to leave her alone.

“Night Granger.” 

Chapter Text

Hermione woke up with nervous energy. She had a list of the team’s game day agenda and only had free time in the morning but it didn’t feel right to go out and explore when all she could focus on was the match. Instead, she tagged along for media and pregame reviews. 

All too quickly, it was time for her to head into the pitch’s training room facility. She arrived about forty minutes before her first athlete was scheduled to come in, needing some peace to arrange everything and calm her own nerves. 

Hermione trusted they would win today’s game with ease, but there was a ball of tightness inside her chest despite most of the team appearing confident and focused. Tristan Cattermole came into the training room, headphones on and nodding along to whatever heavy metal was playing in his ears. She set him up to the compression legs and let him be. 

Arlina wore a look of pure neutrality. Her voice was even and eyes relaxed. Hermione was almost stunned to see her like that, but recalled that one of her game day rituals was heavy meditation. It helped the chaser not get too aggressive with the refs and kept out all distractions. 

Everett came in, chatty as normal. Hermione put some heating cooling salve on his back while listening to him review their scouting report. She quizzed him as best she could, knowing some of India’s players better since she was with the team for their scouting report reviews. 

Finally, Malfoy came in. Red and white checkered jersey, red trousers that clung to his thighs in a way that made her wonder if the seams were about to come undone. It was hard to gauge his mood. He approached her indifferently, greeting her with a simple nod of his head. She smiled nervously, brow crinkling at his lack of emotion. 

“We’ll do the compression legs and then I'll wrap your hand in a special kinesio tape.” Hermione said, bringing out the trouser-like suit. 

Malfoy didn’t say anything, only took his place on the table and let her zip the legs together. He didn’t ask about the machine, he didn’t mention how ridiculous he looked or question her about the tape. He simply sat there, watching the material fill with air and barely moved. 

“Are you alright?” She finally asked, actually worried he was comatose. His head turned to her, a slow nod was given. She licked her lips once and frowned. “How are you feeling about today? What are your thoughts?” 

He slowly inhaled, chest moving at the speed of the compression legs.

“I have a job to do, and I’ll do it right. There are no other things to think about. Or feel.” 

Hermione stared at him, eyes squirting as she tried to figure him out. His face was blank, emotionless, almost as if… 

“Are you occluding?” She asked in a near whisper. Malfoy looked up to her and nodded solemnly. “Oh, I—I wouldn’t have pegged you for someone to get nervous before a game.” 

“I don’t,” he said, “this just helps with organizing my thoughts and goals. I know a lot of wizards who do some form of this. Bisby meditates beforehand, which is theoretically the same thing.” He explained, the lowness of his voice caused her to shiver.   

“You do this before every game?” She asked. 

“No, just for bigger games when I need to focus more.” He told her and she fiddled with her hands. 

“Alright,” she said, trying not to sound put off, “I’ll come back when the legs are done.” 

“Stay,” Malfoy ordered, “unless you have other things to do.” 

She couldn’t stand seeing him like this. It was unsettling to see him act like a theatrical robot. There were no giveaways of emotions through shy smiles, no intense eye contact, he was just physically present. Barely. 

Hermione grabbed the rolling stool and sat down, still deciphering his emotions while trying not to appear judgmental. Occluding was one thing but Malfoy seemed to be heavily deep into the technique. She hoped he was correct and that this would actually help him perform. It’s too bad that he would miss out on the best emotions that make quidditch fun: adrenaline, nerves, excitement, relief. 

She summoned the kinesiology tape and stood, moving to grab his hand. 

“I’ll do this right now so you don't have to wait after the timer is up.” He produced his hand as she came around to his side. Hermione moved his arm the way she needed then started ripping pieces and placing them on the table cushion. 

Once done, she made him flex his hand and go through a range of motions, wanting to make sure he could still bat with full ability. 

“Feel okay? Not too tight is it?” She asked. 

“No, feels good.” He replied. 

Hermione sat back down, feeling a bit dejected that she wasn’t able to fully enjoy Malfoy and all his little quirks right now. She was looking forward to picking his brain about the game and his own rituals. Still, she was going to be supportive and act like he wasn’t some ghost of a person. 

“Do you know where your mum will be sitting?” She questioned. 

“We have a special box for all families. She’ll be in there.” He told her, still boringly bland. 

With a few nods, she began picking at the skin on her nail. 

“Are any of your friends going to be in attendance?” 

“Blaise will, I believe my other Portree teammates and coaches will also be here.”

“That’s sweet of them. They’ll be staying in the friends and family box then?” 

“Blaise will be with my mother, my teammates will have rented their own.” 

Hermione listened carefully as she watched the compression legs go through their cycles. There was more she wanted to ask and know, but she didn’t feel exactly motivated to carry on a conversation with him when he was a zombie. 

She remained silent, and so did he. 

When the compression legs cycled for the last time and he was done, he simply thanked her and got up to leave. 

“I’ll see you out there.” 

Hermione furrowed her brow. 

“O-okay? Good luck.” She said to his back but he didn’t reply. 

She huffed a bit, feeling rejected for some reason. Hermione grabbed the medical kit with everything she needed and left the other staff members. The stadium was already loud and booming with announcements and music. The facility was nearing shaking from it. 

Hermione took the lifts to England’s side of the pitch, then another to get to the player’s bench. A few athletes were out flying from both teams, staying on their respective sides. An assistant coach was running drills with Emery to get her warmed up, practice players were playing defense on Arlina, Reese and Tristan. Everett was chasing after five decoy practice snitches. Malfoy was working with Huxley, both alternating between flying routes and hitting bludgers.

The stands filled to the brim. It was time where the coaching staff and players headed to their locker room for one final talk. Hermione wasn’t needed so she stayed on the bench and waited. Almost 11 minutes passed when a booming bell began rising through the stadium. 

“Witches and Wizards, welcome to the first round of this year's four hundred and twenty fourth Quidditch World Cup!” 

The announcer’s voice shocked the stadium and there was an echo of applause and cheers. Hermione felt goosebumps rise over her flesh. 

“Taking the pitch first, is England!” 

Suddenly, a red blur forming into an arrow zoomed past her. The starters rode on their brooms, circling the entire pitch as the fans cheered them on. They flew to the center in a straight line, facing the box where their bench was. Hermione watched all their faces, clapping along with the thousands of others. 

“Here’s your starting lineup for England! Keeper: Number eighteen, Emery Pell!” 

Emery flew a few meters forward, waving to the crowd and smiling brightly. 

 “Your Chasers: Number thirty three, Arlina Bisby! Number four, Tristan Cattermole and number twenty-two, Reeeeeese Murphy!” 

The crowd roared as they all waved, more higher pitched screams sounded off for Reese. Hermione chuckled as he winked to the crowd. 

“Beaters: Number fifty-five, Huxleeeeyy Maddox!” 

Hermione was clapping, but her breath refused to leave her lungs. 

“Number three, Draco Malfoy!” 

The stadium seemed to vibrate as the crowd cheered wildly for him. There were some boos amongst the noise, but it all morphed into one long thunderous boom. She watched as Malfoy stayed in line, not smiling or waving. He looked intense, eyes ready for a battle. 

“And finally, your seeker and team captain, number zero, Everett Harpole!” 

Coach Proggs circled the starters up as India’s team was introduced. Hermione took her seat, intently watching as the team brought their hands in together. Malfoy’s head suddenly turned towards her and their eyes locked. The noise from the stadium died down, becoming a soft humming in her ears. The faintest of smirks etched into his features just before they all shouted ‘England!’ and broke the circle. 

The players took their positions in the air, the bludgers and snitch sprung to life, zooming off in different directions.  Referees gave each other looks, raising their arms in the air, whistles in their mouth, then…the quaffle was released and the game started. 

Malfoy, Arlina and Tristan swarmed off in pursuit of the quaffle. Arlina caught it, the crowd cheered to a deafening sound. The three flew straight into India’s defense. A bludger was driving full speed behind them, threatening to hit Tristan straight in the back. 

Hermione leaned on her seat, hands cleaning the wood under her. 

In the blink of an eye, Malfoy turned on a dime, and swung the bat so forcefully Hermione thought it cracked. The blunger was sent flying far off to the right, in the direction of India’s chaser gaining distance on Arlina. 

Everett was zooming ahead, redirecting India’s seeker into thinking he was flying after the snitch to get them out of position. 

Arlina passed the quaffle to Tristan, who nearly dropped it as he was bumped by one of India’s chasers. A bludger suddenly knocked off their chaser, leaving Tristan and Arlina wide open. They passed back and forth until Tristan had a clear shot and entered the scoring area. He launched the quaffle and it soared through the top goal. 

England was on the board first. Hermione sprung to her feet with the rest of the team, clapping and cheering wildly. 

“Tristan Cattermole with the first points of the game!” The announcer shouted.

The next twenty minutes were dominated by England’s forceful offense. Malfoy managed to land three hits on India, Huxley had one and successfully boxed out a player as Reese scored the second goal. Everett was flying all over the pitch, stopping no longer than five seconds unless it was to aid his team. 

An hour into the game, England was winning 150 to 40. Two penalties were given against England. One to Huxley and one to Reese. Arlina was the leading scorer, Malfoy had essentially helped block every single opponent when India had the quaffle. 

Every person in the stands highly anticipated Everett to catch the snitch. India’s seeker looked fatigued, unable to keep up with the physicality of Enlgand’s play. Hermione had relaxed when they went up by eighty, but still held her breath every time she watched Malfoy hit the bludger with a force she’s never seen. 

As if he wasn’t massive enough, his uniform and protective gear made him look like a boulder. And yet, he flew with ease, slicing into the air as sleet does. Harsh and precise. 

A bludger he sent towards India’s scoring area had knocked their keeper out of the way just as Arlina scored another goal. The crowd applauded and ten seconds later, Everett flew past India’s side of the pitch, catching the golden snitch right in front of their coach. 

Hermione laughed and jumped to her feet. 

“Everett Harpole catches the golden snitch. England wins! England wins!” The announcer yelled. 

Coach Proggs shook his fist in the air, the assistant coaches hugging and high fiving. The team flew out of the bench, circling the starters as they flew to the ground. Hermione waited a few more seconds, grinning wildly as she watched the team celebrate together and with the crowd. She could see from her place there was a massive smile on Malfoy’s face as Huxley grabbed him by the shoulders. Huxley was yelling, waving to the crowd and Malfoy awkwardly raised his hand in a shy wave too. 

She headed back to the facility after that, taking the private lifts designated only for staff. Players would meet with their family afterwards, most likely shower, briefly celebrate in their locker room and visit with the media. Hermione figured she’d have about thirty to forty minutes before they start coming in for post game treatment. 

Emery came in first, needing paste for her bruises. She got a couple nasty ones on her side and chest from where she’d catch the quaffle. Huxley came in, needing a pain potion for his ribs and wrapped his middle in bandages. Hermione also gave him a bone density potion and marked him down for an evaluation come Monday. 

Malfoy surprisingly entered next, His uniform still on minus the cape. His eyes were brighter, face looking more alive and present. Hermione almost let a comment slip out about his occlusion but refrained.

“Congratulations. You played a great game.” She said instead, putting away the potions and salves. 

“Thanks,” he said, laying down on an open table rather lazily. Malfoy placed an arm behind his head, sighing deeply. “I’m fucking tired.” 

She half chuckled, side eyeing him and his relaxed position. His legs were hung over the end of the table, body too big to fit the whole thing. His jersey had ridden up as well, exposing the dark blonde hair on his midriff. Her tongue unconsciously dipped out to wet her lips. 

“How did the compression legs work for you?” She asked. 

“Good, they felt loose the entire game.” Malfoy said. 

“Did you want any—“ 

“We won! We fucking won!” Reese suddenly bursted into the room, clapping loudly. “We beat the fuck outta them and they were expected to make it to the semi-finals!” 

Hermione laughed as Reese slapped five with other staff assistants and strode right up to her with his arms wide. Reese picked her up and spun her around twice. 

“We won, Hermione! Lets fucking go!” 

When he put her down, Hermione lightly tripped over his feet and Reese politely helped right her. He fell down at the table next to Malfoy, arms hanging over the sides as he sighed heavily. 

“Man, what a great game. Everyone was so in sync. They barely had a fucking clue on how to handle us.” Reese recalled as Hermione handed him two potions, one for pain and a sleeping draught. 

Reese usually was too fired up on adrenaline to sleep properly the night after a game, so he took the extra help for his own sake and recovery. 

“Malfoy you must have had a record knock off’s. How many did you even have in the first hour? Seven?” Reese recalled and Hermione turned back to Malfoy. His expression did not match what it was a minute ago. 

“Don’t know. Don’t keep track usually.” 

Hermione thought she heard a slight tone form him, and there was a noticeable eye roll form him that Reese couldn’t see. 

“Well it was bloody fantastic. I thought their chasers were going to shit themselves when they saw you coming for them.” Reese laughed.

“Thanks mate.” He mumbled and got up from the table.

“You’re leaving?” Hermione questioned. “You don’t need anything? I thought you were sore.” 

“Malfoy’s a big boy, he’s fine. Besides,” Reese said, looking up at Hermione with a childish pout, “I need much more attention, love. I got beat up pretty bad, wanna see my bruises?” 

Hermione lightly shoved Reese in jest, but still looked at Malfoy who was halfway to the door. 

“Wait! Don’t you want a pain potion or something? Maybe a heating salve for your quads and legs?” She offered, knowing he’d wake up tomorrow exceptionally weak. 

“M’fine.” He waved her off. 

Hermione frowned. 

“I guess I’ll report to Proggs that you didn’t get any treatment.” She said, hoping she’d manipulate him into staying. His shoulders tensed, and a deep inhale was taken and released. Malfoy turned back around and grumpily sat on the table again. 

 “I better run off. My siblings are here and ready for dinner.” Reese said. 

“Oh, where are you going?” She asked as she grabbed a salve for Malfoy. 

“There’s caterers back at our hotel, all family and friends were welcomed to join.” Reese explained and tapped Mafloy’s foot as he passed. “See you there.” 

Hermione called her goodbyes and sat down at the end of the table. She motioned Malfoy to scoot to the end and he did, legs parted on either side of her. The eroticism of the potion was not lost on her, but Hermione shoved that thought away as she worked the heating salve into his large thighs. 

“Alright?” She asked him after a moment of silence.

His gray eyes were casted down, watching her hands and fingers press into his skin. 

“Yeah.” He lamely replied. 

Hermione paused for two moments before growing the courage to speak again. 

“You seem…annoyed with Reese.” She stated, waiting to see if he’d reply. 

“Just tired. He’s loud and a bit too energetic for me right now.” He answered, stare still not meeting hers. 

Hermione nodded and continued onto his other thigh. His skin was beginning to grow pink. 

“Did you see your mum after the game?” 

“Yeah, she’s waiting for me back at the hotel with Blaise.” 

Hermione looked up, ready to say something but moved to remove his jersey, leaving him in his tight sweat resistant undershirt. He placed the jersey over his lap, careful not to touch her hands. Hermione paused, looking at him with a high brow. 

“All good?” 

“Yeah,” he said, cheeks growing the faintest shade of red, “just uncomfortable in my wet jersey. Sweated a lot and all that.” 

“Right,” she replied, eyeing his hands that also folded over his lap. She cleared her throat then finished up quickly, washing her hands and giving him a muscle relaxing potion. 

“Are you going to be joining the team for dinner then?” He asked, not moving from the bench. 

“For a bit. I promised Harry I’d floo call him after the game.” She told him then nibbled on her lip, thinking for a second. “You did play really well today. It was fun watching you.” 

Eyes shifted down for a second. A cocky grin lifted him onto his lips. He rose from the table, taking a few too many steps into her space. She leaned confidently against the sink. 

“Thanks Granger.” He said. 

“So I take it you’re feeling better?” 

“Feeling better?” He repeated. 

“Yeah, you were—“ She broke off, voice wavering unsteadily. Malfoy wordlessly communicated for her to continue her thoughts. Hermione swallowed first. “When you were occluding, it-it was pretty intense. It was like you weren’t even here.” 

Hermione was staring at his chest when she spoke, afraid she might be teetering on the line of offending him. Malfoy raised his hand to scratch his neck. 

“Yeah I—I sort of overdid it. I let up just before the game started.” He admitted and she glanced up into his eyes. 

“Why did you do that?” 

Malfoy’s fingers drummed against the countertop. He gave her an antsy shrug and refused to meet her line of vision. 

“I didn’t mean to—it just happened.” 

“You mean, overdoing it? ‘Just happened?’’ Her doubt was made extremely evident. 

“Yeah,” He said again, clearly uncomfortable. His fingers drummed again and he switched his weight on his feet multiple different times. When he did make eye contact, it was only for seconds at a time. Hermione unconsciously leaned forward, softly offering a look of understanding. 

“You were nervous.” She stated, almost smiling.

He released a deep breath, head falling forward. 

“I didn’t wanna fuck up.” He admitted. “Usually I do light occluding, but never that heavy. Fuck I didn’t even relax until Proggs slapped me upside the head and told me to ‘act normal.’” 

She pursed her lips. 

“I was ready to do that when you came in here before the game.” Her confession made him finally looked at her.

“You could have said something. I would have trusted you knew best.” He told her and she crossed her arms. 

“I felt like it wasn’t my place. And I don’t know how you usually are before games. I didn’t want to mess up your flow.” Hermione said. “You’re not going to do that again are you? Have your nerves settled?” 

Malfoy’s eyes softened. Maybe it was just the tiredness of the day, Hermione reasoned. 

“I won’t. Not that intense anyways.” 

“Good. You’re not exactly thrilling to be around when your mind is half gone.” Hermione lightheartedly said. Malfoy perked up. 

“Find me thrilling, do you?” He asked and Hermione nearly saw his head expanding by the second. 

“‘Thrilling to be around’ is what I said. I didn’t call you thrilling directly.” She corrected him with accusing eyes. 

“It sounds the same to me. Thanks for the compliment.” He joked. 

“Whatever.” She mumbled, pushing away from the sink. “Shouldn’t you be heading back now? Don’t want to keep your mum and Blaise waiting. Plus I’m sure you’re starving.” 

Malfoy followed her steps, but just barely. There were no moves to leave just yet. 

“Are you not coming?” He questioned, watching as she was reorganizing the potions cabinet and making a list of what was used today. 

“I’ll be back in a bit. I have to clean up and make note of what we need for next week’s practice since we’ll be on the road from Monday until the next round.” Hermione moved around him, summoning her list of supplies and knowing she’d have to send in her order form to the apothecary by tonight to get everything by Monday. 

“Alright,” he said, her back still turned on him. She peered over her shoulder. 

“Did you need something else?” 

His cheeks turned a darker shade and he began backing away. 

“No, I’ll see you later.” 

She watched him retreat and when he turned his head to look back at her, both looked shocked to see the others eyes. They goofily grinned at each other, heads turning away quickly when they got caught. 

Practice and the matches for the elite eight on their side of the bracket were held in Thailand. England was set to play New Zealand Sunday afternoon and Egypt was to battle Poland on Saturday night. Each team had a designated practice time on the pitch. England’s team had the 1:00 pm — 3:00 pm time slot. 

Hermione arrived with the team, all receiving their own portkey and placed them in the hotel lobby at 7:45 am. Their luggage arrived earlier, set in their rooms. Coach Proggs said they’d meet back in the lobby in twenty minutes for team breakfast. 

The hotel was styled in a square, leaving the entire center open with copious amounts of natural light shining through. Every single member of their team was placed on the third floor. Hermione’s room was next to the assistant coach Beatrice Wellens, she lucked out on getting a corner room. 

Just as she entered her room, she turned to poke her head out quickly and see where the other players were located. Emery next to Proggs and Tristan, Arlina next to Tristan, Malfoy in between him and Huxley. 

She popped into her room after making eye contact with him. Grins were shared, however small.  

The afternoon passed quickly. Beatrice gave her the week's agenda and day to day. Hermione gave her report of athlete evaluations to Proggs just when she arrived at the pitch’s facility. One of Thailand’s trainers showed her where everything was and helped her get set up. 

Surprisingly, Malfoy was the first to arrive for treatment. 

“Well hello.” She greeted, not having the chance to speak with him much. “You’re early.” 

“Didn’t want to be waiting around or be rushed.” He replied nonchalantly and hopped up on one of the taller tables that was for ankle taping and lower leg evaluations. “Plus, my mother was really on my case for not taking it more seriously. I got a lecture during dinner on Saturday.” 

She stifled a laugh and remembered looking across the room last Saturday seeing Malfoy look sullen and annoyed and Narcissa look visibly irritated as she wagged a finger in his face. She wanted to ask him that night what that was about, but got her answer anyway. 

“At least someone is taking your well being seriously.” Hermione commented, grabbing the kinesiology tape from her bag. “Besides your hands, how are your legs and back doing?” 

“Backs fine. My legs are still pretty tight.” He replied, holding out his hand as she readied to wrap him. 

“Depending on how hard practice is, let's do another massage. Perhaps the compression legs on harder practices and day of games. You still need to manage your back stiffness. Roll out with a tennis ball if you feel it getting too bad and use one of the heating pads before practice.”  She suggested, then looked up at him. The height difference with him sitting on the raised tables made it difficult for her to get the right angle to tape him. 

“Can you hop down? You’re too tall to be up there while I do this.” She requested and took a step back to allow him room. 

Malfoy leapt down, hardly needing to since his feet were barely dangling above the ground anyways. Hermione grabbed his arm and steadied it in front of her and he assumed the certain posture needed for her to properly tape him. She focused on her movements and precisely placed the material over his skin. When she was on the last two pieces, Malfoy made a noise similar to a laugh. 

She looked up just for a second, needing her attention on her work. 

“What?” She asked him. 

“Nothing…you look very concentrated right now.” 

She looked up as she smoothed over the last piece of tape down. Eyebrows raised. 

“Well given that I’m doing my job, don’t you think I should be?” She remarked back, still working the tape over his skin just past his wrist. 

Malfoy chuckled for real this time. The baritone noise filling her ears like church bells. 

“Of course, but you look sort of, don’t know, nice.” 

She smiled, ready to laugh at his ridiculousness. Her fingers slowed but didn’t stop. His skin was so warm. 

“Nice?” She repeated. 

“Determined, hardworking.” He listed off and she let out a snort. 

“Most qualities of a Gryffindor if you remember.” 

Malfoy tilted his head, eyes tightening on her but the tell tale signs of him being jovial were still there. 

“Are you implying that the other houses weren’t those things?” He asked and she grinned sillily. 

“No,” she said, “but those characteristics were most prominent in us.” 

Hermione still hadn’t released her hold on his hand, however delicate. And Malfoy hadn’t moved from their proximity once. They were enjoying being close, being in each other’s space. Neither really thought of anything other than continuing their flirty conversation. Somewhere, deep down inside of her, she considered this flirting was done purposely and not happenstance. 

“Come off it,” he grinned bigly. 

“It’s true!” She said with a laugh.

“That’s just a single minded and biased statement.” Malfoy said, licking his lips. 

“You’re just annoyed because I—“ 

“Excuse me.” A voice entered right in the doorway. Hermione literally jerked away, heat rising to her face rather painfully as she yanked her hand back down by her side and looked at Everett. He was smirking madly at the two of them, eyebrows far into his hairline. Hermione didn’t dare look at Malfoy. “Can I get some of that tape put on my back?” 

Hermione nodded, swallowing down the awkward forming lump in her throat. If it was possible to look even more guilty, she managed to do it by bumping into Malfoy as she hurried to grab the tape from behind him. She all but shoved him in the back, making him turn to grab her by the shoulder. 

“Sorry,” she mumbled, not being able to bring her eyes up to his level. Her face was far too hot and she swore there was a bead of sweat rolling down her back. 

When she turned, Everett had already taken off his shirt and was facing the wall. She immediately cut the pieces of tape and began levitating them to grab them quickly and stick them on him even quicker. She could still feel Malfoy behind her, and when she looked up to see Everett glance behind them, he began smirking. 

She flushed again. 

“There,” she said, “You’re good to go.” 

Everett put his shirt back on and turned, cheekiness plaguing his otherwise handsome face.

“What,” he began, making the devil jealous of the cunning look he gave the two of them, “no soft little massage like Malfoy got?” 

Hermione’s chest expanded but air never released. Her brain circuits went haywire and her mouth opened to counter his tease but nothing witty came out. Luckily Malfoy stepped from behind her and answered on their behalf. 

“I require special attention from Granger.” He said as he began leading them out of the room. Hermione took back what she thought about being lucky he spoke first. Now he was purposely making it worse. “She’s determined in her expert opinion that my body needs extra tender, love and care.” 

Everett snickered and Hermione turned away mortified as they walked out the training room.

The rest of the team came in quickly and practice went rather smoothly despite it being hot and raining. Thailand’s weather was supposed to be humid and raining all week. Hermione was sweating uncomfortably while watching and tightly pulled her hair into a bun to keep it from exploding further from the heat. She had no idea how the team was adjusting but hopefully they wouldn’t be put off by the new climate. 

Huddled back inside the training room, Hermione waited for her regulars to come back after practice was finished. Since she had time to spare, she attempted to tame her puffy hair over and over with a few spells and some water. 

One braid was successfully done and laying over her shoulder. She was about halfway finished with the other when Malfoy walked in. She turned briefly, the two of them making eye contact and Hermione turned away first.  

Tender, love and care. Those words deeply disturbed her. She told herself she was not giving Malfoy more attention than other athletes. They had a history, they knew each other and now got along well. Everett’s implication was ridiculous as was the teasing. 

She finished braiding her hair, wrapping a band around it to keep it in place. With a quick inhale, she turned away from the mirror and walked to the table Malfoy sat on. 

“How was practice?” She asked, eyes focused on the stim machine. 

“Hot,” he told her, waiting for her to look up but she never did. There was a small unimpressed eyebrow raise though. 

“And your hand?” He had already removed the tape and vanished it away. His skin was warm, blood still freshly pumping through his veins from his workout. 

“S’Alright,” he said, making a face that she caught just at the right time. She stopped her movements of setting him up. 

“What’s wrong?” She immediately asked. 

“Nothing.” He said suspiciously. Now he wasn’t meeting her eye. 

“What happened at practice?” Hermione questioned, ducking her face closer to force his gaze on her. 

“Nothing! Honestly, it was nothing.” He replied again, this time fairly quieter. Hermione pointed a look towards him, unimpressed by his ability to lie properly. Malfoy rolled his eyes when she wouldn’t drop it. “I hit a bludger during scrimmage and I hit it hard and…don’t know, suppose my wrist began tingling numb too.” 

Hermione frowned, automatically grabbing his arm and carefully inspecting his pressure points and waiting for his reactions. 

“How far up?” She asked, noticing his arm broke out in subtle goosebumps as she delicately ran her fingers over his skin. 

“Not very,” he replied, eyes focusing on where her fingers touched him. 

“Did it hurt at all or was it just numb? How long did it last?” She asked, pushing down on his forearm with her thumb. 

“I switched hands to bat for the rest of practice. I suppose it lasted only ten minutes or so though.” 

Hermione sighed disappointedly then summoned a moving cart over to them. She grabbed a handheld object off it and began pressing buttons on the machine to get it to start. Malfoy sat up straighter, panic striking his eyes. 

“What is that?” He asked, a hint of apprehension showing through. 

“An ultrasound machine,” Hermione said, still working the buttons to get the designated time set, “It produces some waves of vibrations that help with an array of things but for you, it’ll help with pain.” She explained and grabbed some gooey, clear jelly.

“I didn’t say I was in pain.” Malfoy replied almost defensively. 

She gave him a look and sat back down in her chair, angling herself towards him with the handheld ready to go. 

“You didn’t have to. You winced when you made a fist and purposely ignored my question about it hurting. Now,” she said, offering her own hand to him, “get comfortable.” 

Malfoy gave her a look of skepticism but ultimately gave her his arm and rested it over his thigh. He spread his legs so she was in the middle of his body. Realizing their position, she scooted back a bit to give herself some room—and clean air. He smelled of rain and sweat and worn leather. It was impossible to focus with the scent floating around her nostrils. 

She started moving the tool around his hand, spreading the jelly so she was working just below his wrist, the back of his hand while mainly focusing on his palm. It was an odd placement for his arm, Hermione had to constantly rotate his arm to properly move the ultrasound over him. 

“Were you alright in the rain?” He asked out of nowhere. His voice had cracked from the lack of use. She almost jumped at the sound. She glanced up, just for a second and looked away when his heavy gray eyes were already on her. 

“Fine for the most part,” she replied and fought off her instincts to continue talking. Something about his voice made her want to willingly give up all her information. About her day, her thoughts, her ideas. The depth of tones were so lulling, she just wanted to keep talking with him. 

“Tired?” He asked as she turned his hand over. She shrugged. 

“A bit I guess. The weather change must be throwing me.” 

He hummed. 

“Must be it,” Malfoy said, “You seem quite from earlier.” 

She shrugged again, quickly saying hi to Arlina and Reese who headed to the ice bath room. In the silence, she still felt his gaze. It was patient, expectant. Hermione wouldn’t give in though, she didn’t need to speak more than necessary. If other people were going to make comments about her and Malfoy, then she better start acting like he was no different than everyone else. She needed to retain her professionalism, especially around him. 

“Granger, are you…upset with me?” 

She snapped her head up, face scrunched. 

“No, absolutely not.” She denied it a bit too quickly. Malfoy gave her a hesitant look. 

“Is…it about what I said to—”

“No—” She cut him off, embarrassingly faster than before. A great job of showing her indifference. “No it’s not.” 

He still had ten minutes left for the ultrasound. Hermione almost wished someone walked in right now needing her full attention so she could pass off Malfoy to someone else. 

A pregnant pause passed. The clock ticked six times before he spoke again. 

“It was just a joke. I-I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t.” She all but snapped at him. “I just don’t need others to think of me as being unprofessional. Merlin knows I still get the jersey chaser title from dating Viktor and Roman. I don’t need your teammates thinking—”

“Wait, Roman?” Malfoy interrupted, rather brashly. Hermione simply blinked. “Roman as in Roman MacIsaac?” 

Hermione blinked comically fast.  Perhaps she had wrongly assumed everyone knew she dated Roman last year for only about six months. It was during a rotation she had done in the states. 

“Yes?” She replied, voice rising in question. It felt like she was in trouble for something. She had to grab his hand again to get it right, then went on making circular motions with the hand tool. 

“Roman MacIsaac?” He repeated. She stopped again, raising her eyebrows high on her forehead.   

“Can I be any clearer? Yes, Malfoy. We dated for a short period of time.”

“Why? He’s double your age and a right fucking arsehole.” 

Hermione couldn’t help but chuckle. She knew the reputation the American athlete had over here. Hell, even in his own country he was labeled as a conceited, temperamental playboy. It couldn’t be farther from the truth, which of course Malfoy didn’t know. 

“First, he’s only eight years older than me.” An eye roll was given, she smiled and continued on. “Second, he’s not like that at all. That’s just how the media paints him.” 

Malfoy scoffed, slightly shaking his head but not saying anything.

“But yes we dated, less than half a year. If you are so curious.” She mumbled the last part, finding it very humorous how he was now pouting. Why would he care so much anyways? 

Hermione couldn’t even remember the point of their conversation. Malfoy’s obvious distaste for Roman had made her forget the entire purpose of why she even told him that bit of information. 

“I can’t believe you dated that prat.” He mumbled. 

“He was not a prat.” She defended again with a smile.

  “Then why did you break up?” 

“I wanted to come home and didn’t want to do long distance dating.” She explained simply. He remained silent for a second. 

“How come I never knew that?” He muttered, again under his breath. She wasn’t sure  if it was rhetorical or not, so  she didn’t reply. “He’s an arsehole.” 

She snorted, half her mouth pulling into a smile. Hermione looked up shyly, noticing Malfoy was also barely grinning.  The machine beeped, signaling the end, and in the span of fifteen minutes, Hermione forgot all about her professionalism. 

Chapter Text

Thailand, despite the rain, proved to be a wonderful place to discover. Outside of practice, Hermione was able to visit three museums both magical and muggle, investigate eight different book shops and even received a tour of a witch's home who experimented with a duplication spell that was never perfected. In other words, she was fully enjoying herself.

It also helped that there was a sense of normalcy between her and Malfoy. His pre-practice treatment was rather short, so he began coming in earlier and staying longer. Same with his post-practice treatment. All nervousness about treatment was long forgotten. He seemed happy to do stim, eager for scraping massages, even excited for ice baths.

And everyday, he stayed just a little bit longer.

Conversations were mainly about what she went off and discovered that day. The athletes didn't have the luxury of excessive free time. Their days were filled up with media, scouting reports and scheduled public events. Hermione was invited to all team meals out. Luxurious dinners in the high end streets of wizarding Bangkok were surreal.

Closing in on the week, she noticed more of the athletes were tenser at practice, quieter in the training room. Even Malfoy seemed more serious, if that was even possible. He was going to be the last one in the ice bath, purposely waiting, she suspected, so he could lengthen the time of his quad massage.

"Is everyone alright?" She asked, digging the scraping tool into his muscle, watching as red marks appeared.

"What d'you mean?" Draco replied gruffly. He was leaning back on his hands, wincing when she dug into his tight quad. She was sitting on the right side of his body, the left leg already completed.

"Everyone seems rather, don't know, on edge?" Hermione replied, looking over her shoulder to look at the remaining people in the ice bath room. Arlina and Reese shared a tub while Huxley remained in the other. None of them were talking. Everyone's other chipper excitement was shadowed by a dark determination. It was odd.

"Not on edge. Just focusing up for tomorrow." He said, eyeing her curls. The rain had let up finally, allowing her to wear her hair down with some extra help from sleakeazys. The rain stopped but the humidity didn't. "Are you going to do your hair like that tomorrow?"

Hermione looked up, caught off guard by the comment but blushing deeply from the way his eyes focused intently on her hair.

"Why?" She asked wearily.

He scanned every feature of her hair and face. It left her feeling warm in the cheeks and unfocused.

"It looks nice but I like the braids you've been putting in your hair better."

With an awkward and childish snort, Hermione avoided his compliment.

"Well it wasn't raining but still too humid so I figured I'd do something different. Especially if today was my only chance to calm my hair." A hand went to her hair, self consciously smoothing it down in case the fly aways poked out.

Thankfully he didn't say anything for a moment which allowed her racing heart to slow to normal. A silent sigh fell past her lips and her thoughts wandered to tomorrow.

"How are you feeling about tomorrow?"

Malfoy leaned up, hunching over and crossing his arms over his lap.

"Different." He said stoically, frowning.

"How so?" She asked curiously.

"I'm not nervous, or anxious. But I feel—all this pent up energy. Like I didn't get enough of it out during practice."

Hermione nodded, finishing up with the massage and wiped his thigh clean before adding a scourgify.

"Isn't that a good thing? You can leave it all out on the pitch then?" Hermione questioned, vanishing the towel and standing from the chair to wash her hands.

Malfoy rose from the table, coming to stand right beside her. Arlina and Reese had just exited the ice bath room, towels wrapped around their waists, feet and legs a bright red.

"All yours mate." Reese said as he passed, Malfoy merely nodded. "Granger, since Malfoy is taking up all your time now, do you think we could schedule some private sessions?"

Reese wiggled his eyebrows at her and Hermione rolled her eyes. Arlina elbowed her teammate harshly in the ribs.

"Come off it you prick. You're dangerously teetering on the line between funny and obnoxious." Arlina said and Reese just grinned manically.

"Already crossed it." Malfoy mumbled, staring down at the countertop. Hermione didn't think Reese heard it but the comment made her eye him questionably.

"If Granger ever gets uncomfortable by me, she knows she can tell me." Reese brushed off the comment and strolled right up to her, throwing one arm over her shoulders. He looked down at her with what she assumed was his best 'fuck me eyes'

"Or she can hex me. I don't mind a little pain." He said with a wink.

Hermione pushed off his touch, knowing he truly was harmless but not wanting to give him any sort of microscopic opening.

"I guess I should tell Proggs to curse the bludgers to abuse you a bit more then." Arlina joked and walked away as Huxley came out to join them, the two leaving together.

"Malfoy will block all of them so that won't work." Reese countered and Malfoy scoffed, pushing off the counter and walking past them into the ice bath room.

"Don't bloody count on it." He muttered and Reese chuckled hard. Hermione raised her brow at the door that softly shut before turning back to Reese.

"It's just too fucking easy to get him riled up. I might tell the New Zealanders to tell Malfoy they're fucking you just to get him extra angry during the game. We'll win by a thousand." Reese smiled.

She could have sworn she just submerged her own body into the ice bath. Reese was still looking smug, eyebrows raised at her as the cogs in her brain made sense of his words. She began sputtering words and sounds, nothing coherent making its way out of her mouth.

Just when he loudly laughed and was halfway out the door, Hermione found her voice.

"It's—he—it's not like that!"

"Uh huh!" Reese shouted back and she pouted.

Hermione turned her head, looking at the back of Malfoy's head through the glass windows. His body was fully submerged up to his neck but looked as if he was taking a bath at home. Pushing the door open, she quickly glanced at him and half grinned as she drained the other tub and began setting her cleaning charms. When she was done organizing and levitated another bucket of ice into his tub, she settled back against the wall.

"Why does Reese bother you so much?" She asked, picking at her nails.

"He doesn't. We're mates." He replied, moving his body making the water slosh.

"I beg to differ. Any time he jokes around with me you look very irritated." She replied, lifting a brow at his sour expression.

"I said we were mates not that I thought him funny." Malfoy said, his face slowly turning into a scowl. "Why are you asking about Reese?"

Her tongue poked out to lick her lips. Something devious stirred inside her and she decided to see if Reese's words had any weight to them.

"Don't know. I think he's funny."

He rolled his eyes immediately, rising up so the water fell just under his chest. Her eyes fell down for just a second.

"No he's not. He's an air head." He replied. Hermione's eyes sparkled.

"He's got a cute sense of humor."

She was totally full of shite. She thought Reese had the humor and intelligence of an adolescent boy who only thinks about tits all day. He is very sweet, but obviously he had nothing to offer her. Not even physically did she find him appealing. Lately her interests have been centered on bigger men, more muscular and…taller.

"Granger, did you screw your head on wrong today? Eat some bad fish or something? Reese is a knob."

"I think he's fit and humorous." She shrugged. Now she was biting her lip to stop from laughing. Malfoy's frown was so deep she was sure his face was ready to slip into the water. He moved forward, coming up to his knees so the water was just below his navel. Her eyes slipped downwards for less than half a moment and she was dying to look for longer.

"Do you?" He asked bitterly though his face remained perfectly indifferent.

Hermione shrugged, pushing off the wall and walking to the edge of the tub. Malfoy's chest was a bright pink, skin prickling with goosebumps. He fisted the edge of the tub with both hands, biceps flexing and pushing out.

"What's so appealing about that child?"

"I just told you." She said, smirk very slowly slipping off her face as water droplets continued to fall down his stomach.

"Hm," he said, the noise making her shiver, "so a lad is fit and funny and he's caught your eye? That's it?"

He asked doubtfully.

"Maybe. Why does it bother you so much that I fancy Reese?" She pushed, bouts of giggles threatening to pool over.

"You don't." He said easily.

"But I do."

"No, you don't." He said forcefully.

"Are you sure?"

"Granger, if that bloke is your type then I'm beginning to wonder if you're actually as intelligent as they say."

With a gasp, Hermione stared up unbelievably at his smug face. Malfoy crossed his arms over his chest, biceps rippling. She narrowed her eyes, not at all offended by his comment since she knew he was only joking. She produced her wand and pointed it right at his face.

"Aguamenti." She quickly recited and happily watched as a harsh jet of water splashed right over his face.

Malfoy was hit for only a few seconds before he ducked his face and held his hands out to stop the stream coming at him. Hermione was only given a second to admire her victory before his hand clutched her wand arm and pulled her forward.

The water stopped spraying and in her shock, she dropped her wand. He twisted her body, maneuvering it until she was pressed up against his back and then lifted her off her feet. She squirmed and squealed immediately, but his strength kept her tight to his wet body.

"That wasn't very nice." He lowly mumbled into her hair, fighting off his own chuckles as she tried to wiggle her way out of his grasp.

Hermione's hands were prying at his forearms which securely held her by the waist and kept her nearly immobile. Her back was cold against his wet front and her bum was just perched against the edge of the tub. She couldn't breathe from laughing but was still desperate fighting to break free.

"Malfoy!" She groaned, pounding a weak and useless fist against his arm.

He only laughed. The noise thrummed directly from his chest and throat and seeped into her blood, vibrating throughout her body. Malfoy pulled her tighter and got her to easily sit on the edge of the tub.

"Let me down you big ugly troll!" She teased, trying to grasp the metal tub and pull herself free.

"Big? Yes," Hermione felt his lips just behind her slick curls that covered her ears and now she was wishing she did put her hair in braids. She wanted to feel the heat of his mouth right against her skin.

"I'd argue against the latter. Now, make another grotesque comment about Reese or an outright lie about me and I will dunk you into this freezing ice bath."

With his warning, Malfoy began lowering his body down to a sitting position. Her eyes went wide and with a panic shriek, she began begging him to stop.

"Please! Please! Malfoy!"

She screamed when she felt her bum just grace the water. He immediately stopped with another chuckle and brought them back to an upright position. Hermione was huffing but no longer struggled in his grip once she was sitting comfortably.

"You're a barbarian." She told him, still panting and turned to look at him. His arms tightened protectively as she readjusted.

His face morphed into a half grin, a lazy look.

"Liar," he said, lips pouting outwards, "I told you what would happen if you lie. I'm starting to think maybe you want me to get you wet."

At the words, Hermione's entire being pulsated heat. Her belly tightened and mouth parted, a heady pant slowly releasing from her lungs. There was a separate worldly spirit that took over her body then. Her eyes lowered, zoning in on the pink of his lips.

Warm breath fanned onto her tongue, the faintest of tastes made her mouth water. She wetted her lips then slowly looked back up. The gray of Malfoy's eyes were nearly entirely gone with black. The suggestive smirk faded into one of uncertainty. Blinking a few times, Malfoy steadily released his arms from her waist and began to place her back to the ground.

Her stomach oddly began plummeting with disappointment but it was quickly overshadowed by painful awkwardness. When her feet hit the ground, they both began speaking at once.

"Sorry I didn't mean—"

"—I still need to finish cleaning—"

"—There's six minutes left in my ice bath—"

"—potions prep and deliver my notes to coach—"

"—go to dinner after—"

They stopped, made eye contact and then Hermione bolted out of the room. She went into the small office towards the back and hastily sat down, rubbing her hands over her face.

The tiredness of traveling was getting to her. In fact, it was breaking her. Had Malfoy not forced a massive wedge of reality between them, Hermione would have leaned up to kiss him.

That bloody tosser. Why did he have to make the national team? Why did he have to look like that and give her exhilarating glances that made her body seethe with heat?

Hermione has worked with plenty of athletes, men varying in all different sizes and shapes, their faces beautiful and bodies strong. Malfoy shouldn't be affecting her as much as he is. He was just another beater. A big, beautifully strong beater, with massive thighs and abs she'd like to—

"Um—"

Hermione violently jumped at the noise interrupting her inner monologue. She yelped a bit and placed a hand over her heart, blushing again as Malfoy smirked at her. His towel was slung lowly over his hips, and even though she knew he was wearing his spandex shorts underneath, she clenched at the idea of him being totally naked.

"Didn't mean to frighten you sorry," Malfoy said, leaning an arm above his head to rest on the door frame, "just wanted to tell you I finished my ice bath and set the cleaning spells on it so you didn't have to."

She stared up at him, thankful for the distance but still reacting to his height and bare body.

"Oh, that was very kind of you thank you." She replied and grabbed her notes for Proggs.

Bad idea. Her office was only large enough to fit two filing cabinets and a desk. As soon as she rose, the only place for her to step was closer to Malfoy and he didn't move. Her heart tumbled down a hill when his eyes sunk lower on her face. She very briefly found herself angry with him for looking so calm when she knew she bore the look of an innocent and inexperienced imbecile.

"I'll see you tonight for the team dinner?" Malfoy asked, his voice cool and even.

She nodded very quickly, squeaking out, "Mhm."

"And then tomorrow at three for my pregame treatment?"

She wasn't sure why he was asking about their schedule. For whatever reason, the verbal confirmation made her even more excited.

"Of course."

Malfoy smiled at her words and finally pushed off the door frame. Hermione took her first gulp of fresh air.

"I won't keep you then."

Though that appeared as a lie. Standing now straight up, he still made no move away from her. Hermione licked her lips, eyes squinting at him playfully.

"Malfoy?" She asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Hm?" He grinned.

"Move."

"Right," he said, looking down and stepping out of her way. When he let her, she caught the edge of his smile with his head tilted down. They left the room in silence, smiles matching in brightness.

Hermione arrived at the facility thirty minutes before the athletes were set to come in. She woke up feeling exceptionally confident. There was something in the air that just told her England was going to win today. It was the feeling of electricity in the air before a harsh and unforgiving storm.

Hermione was moving fast as she set up the room. A ball of excitement rolled around her stomach, leaping and jumping at the thought of England winning and moving forward to the semi-finals. New Zealand was favored to win. Their offense was aggressive and fast paced. Hermione couldn't wait to see how Malfoy would fare against them.

She paused, then mentally corrected herself. She couldn't wait to see how the team would fare against them.

There were sudden footsteps nearing and she turned expectantly. Her heartbeat picked up for a second then accelerated again at the sight of Malfoy. He was held dressed, jersey and shorts on but missing his other gear.

She couldn't help the ear splitting grin that took over her features.

"Hi."

Malfoy's stony stare lit her skin on fire. The faintest of smirks were traceable. He walked with an authoritative swagger to the table she was near and sat down facing her.

"Hello," he lowly replied. The sound wrapped around her abdomen and tightened its hold on her.

Hermione had brought the compression legs and watched as he zippered them up and sat in a position for her to still work on his hand. The easy nature of them working together was totally lost on her. It was just natural to move with him at this point.

"How was this morning?" She politely asked, the mixed noises of the machines filling the air.

"Good. Media was fine, a few dimwitted questions asked though. I had a floo call with my mother and a few others. Slept great too."

Hermione nodded, admiring the size of his hands and paying particular attention to the vein that bulged out through the back and up his forearm.

"And how do you feel about the game?"

Malfoy paused for a moment, the metal color of his eyes twinkled with a dashing fierceness.

"Like we're going to win." He almost whispered and flashed his teeth at her when he smiled.

"I feel the same. I don't know how to describe it, there's just something in the air." She reciprocated excitedly.

He nodded once, and stared at her in a way that caused her chest to pound.

Once they finished his treatment and she was just about done wrapping his hand, he told her he'd better get back to the locker room to finish his pre-game routine.

"Thanks for this, I'll see you out there." Malfoy said, head tilted down to meet her stare.

Just as he began slipping his hand out of hers, Hermione gently tightened her grip to keep him in place.

"Wait," she said in a rush. Malfoy turned back towards her and looked down with a surprised expression.

Her cheeks heated and she embarrassingly averted her eyes to their joined hands.

"Good luck, Draco."

She squeezed his hand for a bit of emphasis, then slowly lowered it and let it go. Her wide eyes gazed up at his, finding appreciativeness and something warm.

"Thanks Granger." He replied, voice rumbling through her ears along with her own blood pumping.

Malfoy left, Hermione tended to the rest of the athletes then took the lift to where England's bench was. She could hardly sit still as she watched the rest of their warmups. The second her eyes landed on Malfoy, she could tell he had occluded.

It wasn't as obvious as before, not as harsh. But his face was neutral, eyes blank and posture rather rigid. She took a breath, watching him go through a few flying drills and somewhat content with knowing he didn't over do it.

The players left the field, and the crowd grew ear splittingly loud as the announcer spoke. Hermione's palms began to sweat and her foot wouldn't stop bouncing. When New Zealand's team was announced, she thought the team looked intimidating. They had the size advantage, veteran and young players that combined for a perfect mix. The game would be a great match up, but there was still a little part of her that knew England would come out on the other side victorious.

"And now…the home team wearing white, please welcome to the field, England!"

Hermione jumped to her feet with the rest of the bench, clapping and cheering as the team flew by them in formation. They did a lap around and quickly waved to the fans before lining up and waiting to be individually announced.

When Malfoy's name was announced and the crowd exploded with cheers, Hermione felt a shiver race up her spine. He remained the same; eyes cold and focused, face not showing anything. She couldn't help but grin.

The balls were released, the whistles were blown and the game had started.

A whoosh of wind made her grab onto the bench, the crowd roared with excitement as the seekers were off and everyone else began playing. New Zealand's starting chasers had the quaffle first, Huxley and Malfoy circled around them. Malfoy swerved hard to the right and landed a huge blow to a bludger, sending it straight towards the chaser.

New Zealand's beater quickly saw the attack and jerked in front of their teammate at the last second, sending the blow to Emery. The team was out of sync, Emery moved to avoid the bludger, Huxley and Tristan were trying to gain on New Zealand, but they quickly passed the quaffle to each other, and scored an easy goal.

Hermione clenched her fists tightly on the bench.

England didn't back down after that first goal. In fact, as New Zealand went on a forty and zero run, Hermione thought that it was just what the team needed to experience. Tristan was enraged and took it upon himself to run his own one on one play. Mafloy and Huxley battled beside him while Everett was ahead trying to keep the path clear.

His ferocious offense helped them put them on the scoreboard finally.

For the first forty five minutes, England was chipping against the deficit. Anytime they'd score, New Zealand set them back by quickly scoring two more goals and the battle continued. Hermione could see all of the frustration on the team's face. The golden snitch had not been spotted and the team needed a new line of defense.

In a time out just at the hour mark, Hermione hears Coach Proggs absolutely reaming the team out. She flinched at the words, watched every single player's face and noted they were all noting enthusiastically. When her eyes went to Malfoy, he was speaking forcefully to the group. His teammates bobbed their heads, chanted together then broke out of their huddle.

Hermione could only describe the next sequence of events as miraculous. England scored five unanswered goals, putting them only thirty points behind. Malfoy had landed four consecutive blows to New Zealand players, Arlina then scored a goal and Huxley managed to flop quite aggressively which resulted in a penalty for New Zealand.

The tides were changing in England's favor and Hermione was on the edge of her seat. She was yelling and cheering so loudly she began to feel lightheaded. Her ears were ringing from the screams of the crowd and the overall adrenaline.

Reese scored a goal then quickly got a steal with a nasty broom knock off that Hermione was sure was going to cause a penalty. New Zealand's players were visibly frustrated. Taking advantage of their spiraling, Arlina, Reese and Huxley formed a blockade and drove straight into New Zealand's side of the field. After a clever bit of passing, they finally got an open shot.

The game was tied.

Malfoy was purely brutal with his assaults. Six of his last seven bats all landed on New Zealand players, three of those hits successfully knocked the quaffle straight out of their arms. He even had a remarkable no look backwards throw to Reese for him to score. The two grinned madly at each other and pounded their fists and pointed to one another.

Two hours and thirty five minutes into the game, New Zealand was making mistake after mistake. England was on a massive run, the score now 300 to to 220. Everett had eyes on the snitch, and the crowd was on their feet.

Hermione could feel it, the crescendo of the game ready to be over, England about to claim victory. Malfoy batted an oncoming bludger straight up into the air, hitting a player right on their thigh that stopped them dead in the air. Unknowing that his own team's seeker was flying directly at him in the hunt for the snitch, he inadvertently blocked his own player. Malfoy smirked at the sneak play he caused.

Arlina scored the final goal, just as Evertt caught the snitch.

"England wins! England wins! Arlina Bisby scores and Harpole catches the golden snitch! They are heading to the World Cup semi-finals!"

The stadium was rocking with cheers, so loud that it became deafening. Hermione was shaking the practice players, watching as the team gathered in the air and all balancing as they embraced one another. They quickly circled to the down, lining up to accept their trophy and be congratulated for moving onto the next round.

Each member was announced, receiving a medal and shaking hands with Kinglsey. When Malfoy was announced, Hermione clapped proudly and watched as his very stone-like exterior melted as the crowd erupted for him. Her heart clenched as she watched. Kinglsey patted him on the back and both posed for the camera with perfect smiles. Kinglsey said something in Mafloy's ear and shook his hand. Malfoy nodded then took his place beside his teammates.

Hermione left quickly after that once the team were each awarded their medals and handed the trophy. She knew it would be quite some time before everyone came for post game treatment. When she finally made it back to the training room, she could hear the team entering the locker room a whole hallway down.

Their loud clapping and jousts were impossible not to hear. She could hear Reese and Everett the most, hooting and hollering and screaming the entire walk to the room. Hermione laughed and began organizing different potions for the players, assuming they would quickly come in and grab them, too excited to be bothered for treatment.

She was just about ready to start the ice baths when she heard foot pattering into the room. Her chest lurched for a moment, only to fall disappointedly when she saw it was Coach Proggs.

"Oi! Granger!," he was red in the face, but not in his usual anger. It was all joy. "No treatment tonight. Rescheduled for tomorrow morning before we leave."

Hermione paused for a moment, caught off guard when he was typically such a stickler for all his players receiving healing aid immediately after games.

"Alright, what time then?"

"Ten tomorrow. We're actually heading to a restaurant tonight to celebrate, all friends and family are invited. We're meeting there in an hour."

"O-oh. So I guess I'll just—"

"Pack it up Granger!" Coach Proggs clapped at her, and she scurried to put everything away. "We're partying tonight."

Hermione watched as he left the room, fisting, pumping the air and jeering. She knew she was in for an interesting evening.

Chapter Text

She didn't see Malfoy after the game nor at the hotel despite being a few doors away. There were a few players she saw loitering around the lobby signing autographs and speaking with their family about what time they should meet at the floo.

Arlina and Emery knocked on her door, asking to borrow certain hair products or looking to swap closet items. Hermione thought this would be a casual post game celebration, but from the appearance of the two other women, she realized she'd needed to be a bit more spiffed up than her pair of jeans and a pretty jumper.

After a bit of pushing from Emery, Hermione headed to the hotel's floo wearing strappy heels laced around her ankles and a strapless red dress that fell just above the shoes. Her hair was down except for the two braids wrapped around her head like a headband.

Even if she's been with the team for weeks, it still felt awkward to arrive at a function alone. She bonded well with some of the players, made friends with the coaching staff, but given she wasn't actually on the team, there were times she felt like an intruder.

With a giant breath, she shouted the name of the restaurant reserved for the team and arrived moments later. There was already plenty of chatter and laughs sounding over the music. Hermione was greeted immediately with a flute of champagne and guided to the rest of the team by a server.

She couldn't help but spot Malfoy first. Even in the dimmed lights, his platinum hair was bright and noticeable. His profile was facing her, mouth moving with one hand clutching a glass and the other in his pocket. Her eyes turned to whom he was speaking to.

Narcissa was smiling at him, her hands amicably moving even with a glass in her hand. Hermione was curious as to what they were speaking of and what could possibly be so exciting for Narcissa Malfoy to be gesturing like that.

"Granger's here!" Tristan called, a few heads turning towards her. "Oi, everyone. Hermione made it!"

The players lifted their glasses and greeted her loudly. She waved to the crowd, and continued walking to whoever was nearest. Huxley grabbed her first, tugging her into his small circle. She hugged him congratulations and allowed him to introduce him to some of his friends.

She was caught like that, making conversation with loads of people but having the urge to pull away and slip off to see Malfoy. He was the only one she hadn't talked to yet since the game, and unfortunately, he, his mother and Blaise were now sitting down at a table in the corner.

Hermione attempted to limit how often she looked over to check to see if they were still there. She never caught Malfoy's eye when she did, he was too engrossed in conversation with his mother and best friend. Her neck would quickly snap back to the people in front of her as nonchalant as she could manage.

But Everett caught on, giving her a cheeky look over his champagne banter.

"Someone you want to go talk with?" He questioned.

Lucky for her, the lights were so dim that no one could see her cheeks turn pink.

"Hm? Oh no. Why do you ask?" She replied, stuffing her face with a spring roll.

"Blimey Granger, remind me to never share a secret with you." Reese laughed and she frowned. "You're a shit liar."

"I—I—" She stuttered.

"Go on then, you don't need to be polite to us." Everett encouraged and nudged his head over to Malfoy's table.

"But I really—"

"Oh shove off," Reese laughed, "I don't need the single women in this room thinking we're attached. Get away from me, go."

Hermione gaped at him, even though she knew he was joking.

"Reese!"

He literally pushed her away.

"Sorry Hermione, don't need a fit little number like you to send the wrong idea to that blonde over there."

She scuffled away, glancing back angrily at the two men who were snickering at her with conniving waves. It would be inappropriate to quickly hex them right now, but she promised she'd get around to it before the night ended.

It was Blaise who first saw her, standing with a hard to read expression on his face. He pulled out a chair for her nonetheless, quicker than what Malfoy could have done.

"Hello all," She greeted a bit nervously. Narcissa stiffly smiled at her but nodded a welcome.

"Lovely to see you again Granger." Blaise said as he tucked in her chair.

"Likewise," she said and turned to Narcissa. "Nice to see you again, Mrs. Malfoy, how are you?"

"I am fantastic thanks to a tremendous performance by this one." She suddenly beamed and placed her hand on Malfoy's shoulder.

She finally eyed him, feeling her pulse race from the second his gray irises turned on her. He faintly smiled and took a sip from his glass.

"Same here. I didn't get to say it earlier Malfoy but, congratulations. You played phenomenally."

"Oh it was remarkable! Eighteen hits landed, that's tied for second most in a playoff match and that hasn't been broken since the seventeen hundreds I believe." Narcissa recalled proudly.

"And it was done in thirty less minutes I heard." Hermione added.

"Yes! Such a performance, darling. I am so proud of you. I cannot wait to see you in the semi-finals."

"I've got you scheduled for quite a few interviews during your bye week." Blaise chimed in. "First one is tomorrow morning, via floo call."

"Have to reschedule to the afternoon. Coach is making us do treatment in the morning before we leave." Malfoy explained, spinning the ring on his pointer finger.

"How is treatment going?" Blaise turned to her, "At least keep him healthy long enough to play for the next eight years. Otherwise I'll be losing a large sum of money."

"Fuck off, mate." Malfoy sneered, Blaise laughed.

"Language," Narcissa chastised and he childishly rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious Granger. Give him a log for an arm, I don't care. As long as he continues to beat the shit—"

"Language!" Narcissa said again but Blaise didn't miss a beat.

"—out of his opponents, I am a very wealthy man."

"You were a wealthy man before, you sod." Malfoy mumbled and Hermione lightly giggled.

His stare darted up to hers, pleasure clear in his eyes as he saw he made her laugh. Narcissa and Blaise began jokingly bickering, giving her just enough time to properly and shamelessly perrouse him.

Malfoy was wearing those necklaces so neatly tucked under his linen shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked tired, sighing often but his eyes were bright and lively. He was unbelievably attractive.

"—before he can even marry."

"Marriage is the least of our worries right now, Mrs. Malfoy. We need to win the World Cup first." Blaise interjected and the words caused a cocktail effect on Hermione. She perked up and honed on the conversation once more.

"I am just thinking ahead—"

"Let's think in the now! Malfoy doesn't need a girlfriend. He hardly has time for it with training, pre season workouts, in season schedules and all that." Blaise said.

Hermione raised her eyebrows but remained silent. Narcissa sighed.

"I suppose you're right, but it's never too early to consider settling down. Have you at least considered letting me set you up with someone, dear? A lot more mothers have reached out since your news of making the semis."

"Wonder why." Malfoy said sarcastically and topped off his glass, watching as it refilled itself. "No need for setting me up, mother. I may be out of practice, but trust I am more than capable of wooing a witch shall I choose to."

"Still aplomb as ever. I thought I finally kicked that quality out of you." Blaise commented with a sly smile.

"Hard to let go of it when you've made me into a quidditch star." He quipped back.

"At least you know who made you, baby." Blaise raised his glass up to him, and the two men clinked them together with a laugh.

"Oh I see Mr. Barkin. Blaise, do you want to come over with me and say hello?" Narcissa said suddenly, waving off at the Department Head.

"Yes actually. He told me he was thinking of having his cousin reach out for representation. Excuse us." Blaise said sliding out of his chair and extending his arm out for Narcissa.

Hermione watched them leave and saw Malfoy get up as well.

"You're going with them?" She asked, gathering her flute and slightly rising in her seat.

"No, I'm coming to sit next to you."

Hermione halted, sitting back down as he did. As loathe as she was to admit, his arrogant smirk sent a quiver through her stomach.

Once he was situated, Malfoy laxly leaned back in his chair, resting his glass on his thigh. The thigh that just looked practically straining in his trousers. Hermione shifted in her seat, unintentionally moving closer to him.

"You did play incredibly fantastic today. I'm sorry I didn't get the chance to tell you sooner." She complimented and much like she expected, Malfoy barely bristled at it. He hardly acknowledged praise when it came to his quidditch games or outstanding performances. He'd give a quiet thank you and change the subject.

"Thanks Granger, couldn't have made it this far without you," he said. "Though I'm disappointed our healing sessions were delayed. My body feels like I've been hit by the Hogwarts express."

She chuckled, eyes falling to the open part of his shirt so she could appreciate the skin of his chest and the necklaces hanging around his neck.

"Tomorrow morning, I'll head in earlier if you like, if it's that bad." She offered but Malfoy only shrugged.

"I'll be alright for now. I know which room you're in should I be in excruciating pain." He told her, winking calmly.

Hermione held her breath, a shiver crawling over her back. Such a silly statement to make her feel roused, but she couldn't deny that her mind was replying the way his lips looked and body felt the other day.

"My—door will be open for you." She quietly blurted, but did not rescind the words. "If you really need the attention."

"Have you ever known me to seek attention?" He joked and she laughed rather loudly.

"Maybe not so much anymore, but it seems you draw it to yourself these days without even trying. Or, should I say, while trying to not even be noticed."

"Suppose it's just a working hazard."

"Or the fact that you're tall as all hell and as big as a troll. In a good way though." Hermione quickly added.

Malfoy chuckled and turned closer to her.

"You just compare me to a troll?"

"I said in a good way," she defended, "Just the stature and…strength. You clearly have brains and brawn and physical qualities that would make any regular forest troll jealous."

Malfoy's lips were pursed in such a tight line, refusing to break out into loud laughter. Hermione was content with his amused expression. He reached up and ran his fingers across delicately over the braids on the top of her head.

"Here I was, ready to compliment your sexy dress and beautiful hair but now I'm thinking about comparing you to the Bloody Baron."

Hermione chuckled, willing herself not to startle when his arm dropped and leisurely went to the back of her chair.

"If you dare, I will bruise you more than the New Zealanders did." She threatened.

"They barely touched me." He replied with his eyes squinted. Hermione inhaled sharply when she felt the lightest of touches of his knuckles graze her back. He grinned when he noticed her affect. "See? Just like that."

She rolled her eyes, attempting to come off as unaffected but she knew there was really no point.

"I guess we'll see how sore you are tomorrow then."

His eyes glittered, a winning grin grew on his lips.

"Ms. Granger! Mr. Malfoy!" A cheery old voice called from nearby. Hermione felt Malfoy's arm drop as Mr. Barkin approached them with his mother and Blaise trailing behind. Hermione's body was on fire and she made a point to purposely ignore the stare Zabini was leveling at her.

"Job well done today, young man. Job well done! My grandchildren couldn't stop talking about you after the game." Mr. Barkin said as Malfoy moved to shake his hand.

"Thank you, sir." He kindly said and Hermione rose as well, greeting Barkin.

"I can't remember the last time England had such a brutal young beater. Zabini tells me you are thinking of heading to the Australian leagues?" He asked and Hermione blinked. Malfoy looked like his trousers were just pulled down.

"Well I—"

"I'm still trying to convince Mr. Barkin. The Australian Leagues have a larger following, warm weather and more opportunities for more money." Blaise chimed in, looking at Malfoy.

Hermione couldn't help but look questionably at him. He's never once expressed interest in playing for any other team than Portree. Even when others had tried to schmooze and persuade him to come to a different league or even a different team, he never once hinted he was displeased with Portree.

"Some of my old friends are down under. I'm sure they'd love to get their hands on you and train you during the summer." Barkin nudged him with a chuckle.

Hermione noted Narcissa was staying noticeably quiet. As was Malfoy.

"We'll be looking into plenty of options once we win the World Cup, but Australia is high on the list." Blaise explained.

"Wonderful! Even if you don't end up there, I can pass the contact info of my friends to you. How would you like to train with Niko Cranker, eh?"

The name wasn't familiar to Hermione, but from the way Malfoy's eyes slightly widened and his eyebrow raised just barely, she knew they must have been a household name in the quidditch community.

"That would be…great. Thank you, sir."

"Of course! Anything for my grandkid's favorite player," He leaned in to whisper with his hand covering his mouth, "and mine too!"

The group laughed as Barkin clapped Malfoy on the shoulder and shook his hand.

"Just wanted to come over and say hello. I have to make my rounds before I leave tonight. Very early morning for me, so I won't keep you. Good evening all, and congrats again on the victory. Ms. Granger!"

Barkin said lastly, Hermione hummed with rapt attention.

"Keep our boy healthy." He requested with a wink.

"I promise I will." She reassured

"Beautiful answer! I will be around for a bit, but if I don't catch you all before I leave, enjoy the party!"

They all politely waved as he walked away. She heard Malfoy sighing deeply and held her tongue as his mother spoke up.

"Are you seriously considering heading to Australia? I thought you loved playing for Portree." She said with a solemn expression.

"I do. I'm not going anywhere. Blaise is using that as a bargaining tactic to get Portree to give me more money in my contract. He thinks if he hints at it with a few people, word will spread and Portree will grow scared." He confessed and his mother nodded.

"What if the organization is upset with you though?" Hermione asked. "Won't they feel short ended if you're not being honest with them?"

"Ah dear, Granger. This is a game I've mastered. I'm not worried in the slightest that Portree would pass up on our big boy here. It would be the dumbest thing they've ever done if they let Malfoy walk." Blaise added.

She looked between the two; Blaise exceedingly sure with his convincing antics and Malfoy looking unfazed by his best friend's methods. At least it was only a tactic and he wasn't truly interested in leaving Portree.

She valued loyalty like that.

"If you believe so." She mumbled.

"Hermione!" Reese suddenly called and all four heads went to the noise. When she made eye contact with him, he was beckoning her over with a wave.

"Wanker." She heard Malfoy quietly mutter and she gave him a look.

"I'll be right back, excuse me." She said to the group and slipped away.

Hermione was thrust into a conversation with Reese, Emery and some other practice players. They were recalling some practices and conversations they had, all laughing together. Ten minutes turned into an hour and a glass of champagne turned into two more.

The night was swinging away and the crowd was feeling more loose. Hermione was oscillating between talking to players, coaches, and random people. Kingsley even made a very brief appearance and toasted the entire team. Hermione and him were chatting for a few minutes before he sadly had to leave and catch his Portkey back to the Ministry.

When the evening neared midnight, everyone seemed adequately drunk, or nearing it. Coach Proggs' no drinking rule made it that much easier for his team to succumb to an easy buzz. Hermione was laughing at a joke Everett was telling when there was suddenly an extra presence at her side. Instantly, her skin electrified and her senses were on high alert.

"Malfoy! Haven't seen you much. What dodgy corner were you tucked off into?" Everett said, nearly shouting even though he was a few feet away. Hermione peered over at Malfoy, seeing his eyes a bit droopy and a lopsided smile on his face.

"Fuck off mate, I was with my mother."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. You know, my mum says she sees her in the stands all the time. Loudest cheerer there is." He laughed and Malfoy nodded. Hermione put a hand over her mouth to stop her own laughs.

"Yeah, yeah. She's pretty intense." Malfoy agreed, turning his head to give Hermione a shrug.

"Must be nice to have two beautiful women screaming for you all game." Everett then said with a sly smirk.

Hermione stiffened, looking at Everett with a blank expression. That smug bastard. She's going to suggest acupuncture for his back now, the twat.

Malfoy awkwardly laughed and shook his head.

"Don't know what you mean." He said barely, hoping Everett would drop it. Of course, the drunken seeker wanted to have his fun tonight.

"Your mum and Granger, obviously. She goes absolutely mental when you do something grand during the games. Ain't that right Granger?" Everett said with a droopy smile.

Hermione's mouth opened and closed twice before she found the courage to weakly defend herself.

"I—I cheer for everyone—"

"Yeah bloody right. You'd fall out of the stands if there wasn't a railing with the way you're on your feet for him." Everett snorted and Hermione turned her head away from the men to shake her head.

It would be nice if a sinkhole swallowed her up right now. She had half a mind to disapparate straight into her room.

"Don't be embarrassed, honey. Mafoy's a big, handsome lad. I'd scream for him to if I batted the other way, you know what I mean?" Everett winked and proceeded to cackle loudly.

Malfoy decided to lead the man away from them and point him in the direction of Coach Proggs. He lied easily and said their coach wanted to do shots and should go see him. Hermione, despite her glow of humiliation, still found it funny how quickly the lad believed Malfoy. However mortifying, a drunk Everett was still hilarious.

Malfoy turned back around and headed to her, shaking his head with a roll of his eyes.

"You'd think a grown man could hold his liquor…and his tongue." Hermione commented, circling her glass with her pointer finger.

"Even without a dry season, Everett is the cheapest date I've ever met." He said, then paused for a moment. Warmth and relief flowed between them. Hermione was grateful they were alone for the first time all night. Feels out of place to not have at least an hour alone with him each day.

"Though I am grateful for his trolling," Malfoy then said, his voice changing into a different tone, "I had no idea you were my biggest fan."

Hermione stuttered out a noise of disbelief and astonishment. Her body was unfairly warm and the look Malfoy was giving her did her no justice.

"I already said I cheer for everyone. It just happens today that you were our saving grace, so there's a good chance I was yelling more for you. Or so it appeared." She replied, a fit enough lie but Malfoy was going to run with the knowledge.

"Mm, right that's plausible." He said oh so smugly. A ball formed in her throat and a sweat threatened to break out on her forehead. Hermione looked down nervously as he took a step toward her.

"It's—it's true. I-I don't have favorites."

"I'm hurt then." Malfoy said, a dangerous, gleaming smile on his face. He craned his neck lower, moving to the side of her face to whisper words only for her to hear. "I would have enjoyed being your favorite and hearing you scream my name."

Her breath hitched in her throat. The sharp intake was not released until he rose back to his full height. All wittiness left her mind and she dumbly stared at him with wide eyes and blushing cheeks. He looked so bloody proud of himself, content with her reaction.

After a moment when her brain circulated an equally cheeky response, Hermione stretched up on her toes, took his elbow to steady herself and leaned forward. Malfoy thankfully bent down so his neck down so his ear could meet her lips.

"Play how you did today in the semi's and you'll get your wish."

Her reply was met with an appreciative laugh. Malfoy ran a hand through his hair and gave her a heated glance, eyes delightfully pleased with her current state of panic and arousal.

"You're on." Was all he said and she rolled her lips into her mouth to water down her smirk.

Hermione needed to get away from the crowd and lay down. She was still at work and shouldn't be openly flirting with one of the players. There must be some contractual clause about not having impure thoughts of members of the team.

"I need to um…" Her sentence hung in the air, heavy and open ended. Hermione wasn't even sure which direction she was taking her words. One was a path of professionalism but with frustration and possibly regret, the other led to desire and forbidden territory.

Coach Proggs' loud cheers from across the bar brought her back to cold reality. They both followed the noise and watched as the coaches all took shots with some of the players.

"It looks like it'll be a long night for you all, but I think I'm going to turn in." She said, setting her glass on a nearby table.

"Stay for a bit, the fun's really just starting." Malfoy said, his brow crinkling in confusion.

"No, that's all right. I still have to work tomorrow, remember? I won't be at my best if I'm hungover and tired, so I should go now." She said watching as Malfoy also set his drink down.

"I'll escort you back to the hotel—"

"Oh no! Malfoy, you are the sole reason England has made it to the semi-finals. Celebrate until you can't stand, please, you deserve it." She said with a smile.

"But I—"

"Please? Have a fun night. I'm tired anyways."

Malfoy sighed, pursing his lips. Disappointment flashed in his eyes before he forced himself to nod and grin.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow." He agreed and his palm lifted and lightly held her by the elbow, palm enveloping it. Swift as falling asleep, Malfoy swooped down and kissed her cheek. "Sweet dreams."

Every muscle tightened and her thighs shook. Her eyes fluttered for a beat before opening just as he pulled away. Malfoy's face was calm and even, his natural pre-set back in place as if he hadn't just spent the last twenty minutes soaking her knickers.

Hermione scurried away, saying her farewells to a couple players that weren't preoccupied or looking to force her to stay. Luckily she slipped into the floo and made it back to her hotel without issues. She shook off her dress and slid into her pajamas, falling into bed with a thump.

Her hands landed over her face, rubbing up and down until her fingers grazed the spot where Malfoy's lips were. There were only a few weeks left of working for the National team. She would have to deal with the tension and lust and try to respect boundaries. It's stupid to deny it at this point, but she can at least control her and Malfoy's behavior around others. However difficult that may be.

Shaking her head, she rolled to the side and reached to turn off her lights when there was a soft knocking at her door.

She sat up quickly, straining to hear anything outside her door for signs of who was there but realized that was silly. Her heart was thumping so wildly she could feel it thrum straight out of her neck. Hermione walked to the door, checking the peephole.

Malfoy stood, both hands in his pocket looking positively normal, like he was here for tea. Hermione rolled her lips into her mouth and turned the doorknob.

"Um, hi?" She greeted confused.

"Sorry, I know you said you were going to bed but—" he reached his arm behind him and began wincing "—my back just tightened up and my hand is starting to throb."

Hermione paused, trying to force down the smile that was threatening to break over her lips.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, so I was hoping you had some potions or a salve that could help relieve some pain or at least a sleeping potion." He said, still calm as ever.

She lifted an assessing brow, biting the corner of her lip. Malfoy began rolling back on his heels, hands back in his pockets. When she continued staring, a smile broke over his face and he glanced away.

"What?" He said with a laugh and she shook her head.

"Give me one second."

Hermione walked back into her room, hearing the door shut with a sock click and suddenly got a head rush that Malfoy was in her hotel suite. She opened her training bag and pulled a couple items for him per his symptoms. He stood in the middle of her room, eyes closely watching her.

"Here's a small dose of the sleeping potion since you've been drinking—"

"I feel fine," he said quickly, she raised her eyes to him.

"Well still, here—" she placed the bottle in his large palm, dumbfounded at how a potion bottle looked miniature in his hand. "Here's one for pain, again very small dosage. And here's the salve I use on you for massages, the heating, cooling one."

Once all the bottles were in his hand, grinned at her.

"Thank you." He said.

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and nodded, leaning her weight on one foot.

"Anything else you need?"

Malfoy pocketed the items, tilting his head to the side to ponder her ask. He hummed a thoughtful tune for a second, then turned his gray eyes on her. The look he sent made her stomach flip.

"Just one more thing."

Before she had the time to open her mouth and ask what, his hand had softly cupped her jaw while fingers grazed into her hair. Malfoy's lips swallowed the shocking breath she released and pressed their mouths together.

His kiss was intense, inching towards demanding with every push of his jaw and widening of his mouth. She matched his pace and even increased it by tilting her head to capture more of him. He brought her forward by her hip, flushing them together and causing a delicious pull in her belly.

Hermione eagerly invited him closer, her hands unraveling until they lifted up to his shoulders and found home around his neck. Her thumbs brushed against the cool metals hanging on his warm skin, then wandered up into his silky hair.

She paused her mouth for a moment, holding their lips close and breathing in his pants. The scent of him was mouth watering and she needed a better taste. She hesitantly brought her tongue forward and twitched with pleasure when he met her halfway.

With a heady moan, the two joined again and kissed as if starved. Hermione was pulling him down by the neck, her toes and calves weak from standing on the tops of her feet. His height put her at a disadvantage, the only time she could think it was a problem.

Malfoy was arching her backwards, the best way for them to remain close while keeping their lips connected. He slipped his tongue languidly against hers, sucking and tasting. Hermione had wondered for days what it would be like to kiss him and now she was growing feral with just a little amount.

He pulled away, breath hitting her face as she refused to let him go any farther.

"Come here," he mumbled into her lips and reached down with his hands and hoisted her up on his hips.

Hermione's eyes went wide and her ankles locked with short lived fear. Malfoy's mouth was back on her before she could appreciate his thinking.

She hummed into his mouth, tongue searching for him as the new equal height provided her with confidence. It was humorous how she was ready to pass this up tonight, worried about their player, healer relationship. In this moment, she couldn't think of a single reason to care why it mattered so much to her.

Hermione hadn't realized he was even walking until her back hit the wall with a small thud. She groaned when his hips pinned her and he took her hands off her, holding them to the wall beside her head. He began alternating sucking kisses into her neck and softly biting her skin.

Hermione was heaving air, damp with arousal and throbbing with need. Her hips began moving into his, grinding up, searching for relieving friction. The motion caused Malfoy to pull away and rest his forehead on hers.

"Fuck Granger, do that again." He groaned, eyes steady on her.

Hermione rolled her hips, watching his jaw go slack when she made contact with his erection.

"Do you feel that? Do you understand how fucking bad I want you?"

A delicate and pathetic little whimper left her throat. As if suddenly fascinated by the sound, Malfoy released one of her hands and brought his palm to lightly grip her throat, thumb stroking her skin. He gave her a delirious smile.

"Sounds so good, I wonder what other noises I can get you to make."

He pounced on her and she returned a moan into his mouth. Their tongues battled and danced, lips slick and swollen. The crease of Hermione's shorts were rubbing on her clit and she was ready to beg for Malfoy to touch her.

He pulled them away from the wall, clutching her arse and aggressively kissing her. He set them down on the edge of her bed, her straddling him.

Hermione happily grinded her hips into his, sighing when his massive hands helped to guide her. Her own hands tugged him back by the hair and she started to kiss his neck and by his ear. Her hands explored his front, looking for warm skin to touch.

Hands removed the buttons of his shirt, leaving it half open and his skin ready for her exploration. Her fingers traced the chain links of his necklaces.

"I like these," she said into his ear, feeling his body quake under her. A faint smile appeared over her lips.

Curiosity guided her away from him, hands bringing up the one chain with a pendant on the end. She smiled when she saw it was a piece of metal with the Draco constellation stamped into it with what looked like diamonds.

"My mum got it for me, as a graduation present." He told her, looking at the necklace fondly.

"It's lovely." She said, voice raspy. One of his hands came between them, and he gently turned the piece of metal over.

"And then she added this," he said, "when I signed my deal with Portree."

There were tiny ancient ruins etched into the back. Hermione's smile widened.

"Protection, health, strength and love." She repeated out loud. Malfoy's hands dropped to the remaining buttons, removing them as she continued her inspection.

"I wear it everyday, keep it on me for all my games." He told her, removing his shirt completely off his body. Hermione gently placed the pendant back on his chest and ran her hands over him, feeling his heart pound under her touch.

When she met his eyes again, the heat was still present. Though there was far more comfort in them, as well as serenity.

"A soft sentimentalist? I never would have guessed from your big, brooding appearance." She smirked and bent down to kiss him languidly. She felt him huff into her mouth and his hands slid into her pajama bottoms and found home on the cheeks of her arse.

Their lips smacked together as they re-lit that fiery pace from before. Hermione could feel the metals of his jewelry mixed with the heat of his body press into her shirt. She reveled in the molten feeling, letting her body be consumed with the warmth of him.

She whimpered against his tongue, his fingers clenched harder into the soft skin behind her. Every pull of air between them was a perfectly concocted mix of his scent and her breath. Hermione felt dizzy from the over heightened senses.

Malfoy's hands left her shorts and instead traveled upwards under her shirt. Fingernails lightly scratched up and down her back, making her shudder in his lap. Hermione grinned into his mouth, nibbling on his plump bottom lip and running her tongue over it.

"So soft," he hummed as his hands roamed to his ribcage. Hermione felt like her body would be swallowed whole by him. Their size difference made her feel remarkably small.

His thumbs brushed just under the swell of her breasts. Hermione sucked in a breath and slowed the rutting of her hips. Every time his thumbs moved higher, her breathing would halt again, rudely taking her attention away from kissing him.

"Draco," she said his name in warning, but she assumed he'd take it as a plea. It didn't matter. The man brushed over her nipples, running back and forth soothingly. The ache between her legs grew, muscles pulsing and wetness spreading.

He lifted off her shirt, eyes growing hungry when they landed on her chest. He leaned forward, kissing at her collarbone, nipping at the valley of her chest before finally kissing all over. He purposely hovered his mouth just before her nipples, letting her whine and writhe as she grabbed his head and pushed him forward. His snickers weren't appreciated but the way his mouth felt on her tits certainly was.

Depravity soon took them both, and Hermione quickly found herself on her back with Malfoy hovering above her. The look between could only be described as feral. He kissed her so hard her mouth grew tired and weak in seconds.

Malfoy began shimmying out of his trousers, leaving him alone in just his briefs. Hermione leaned up on her elbows when he kneeled between her legs and slowly removed her shorts. She watched the way his eyes lit up, hands moved towards her knees and pushed them apart.

Her cunt quivered. From the dirty look he was giving her and the erotic nature of being naked under him. Malfoy looked up, half grinned then crawled over her. They began kissing again, less intense, equally as passionate. Hermione hooked a leg around his hips, groaning when his covered erection pushed right into her center.

"I want to bury myself in you," he whispered, "hold myself inside you and feel you come all over me. I fucking need it."

Hermione was stunned to hear his words. Malfoy rarely so much as cursed unless it was at his teammates, but his filthy tongue couldn't be stopped.

"I'll need one from you before I sink my cock home," he said and slid a hand down her front, fingers slipping over her wetness and rubbing her swollen clit. "Can you do that for me?"

She gasped, instantly rolling her hips into the first bit of real relief he's given her. There was no answer given, just the focus of his long fingers gliding in-between her folds, threatening to finally slip inside her.

"Hermione," he said in an authoritative manner, "answer me."

His kisses were sweet and light, matching the light way he was touching her.

"Wha—what was the question?" She asked, tilting her head to the side as he licked up her neck and took her earlobe between her teeth.

"I need you to come first before I fuck you."

"Yes! Gods Malfoy, just touch me—"

Before her request could fully be stated, two of his fingers entered her and kept a gratifying pace. She let out a breathy moan, jerking her hips into his palm so it'd rub her clit. Hermione slammed her eyes shut, already feeling the pressure build inside her stomach.

"So wet, you're dripping down my arm." He muttered into her neck. Hermione groaned at the image, too eager for her release to even consider being mortified by the revelation.

When her legs pulled tight and her moans grew more inhibited, Malfoy pulled his body away from hers and took his other hand to her clit. The pads of two of his fingers pressed down and began massaging in just the most perfect way. Hermione's back arched and her voice cracked.

"Oh—oh!"

Malfoy's voice sounded from above her, distinctly low and deep.

"Come on, give it to me. I know you want to. I know you want to be so fucking good—"

Hermione came with a crash and a cry. She rolled through waves of pleasure as he pumped her through her orgasm. Her fingers clenched the sheets beside her hips, muscles convulsing and overworking themselves. All the while he murmured quiet swears and praise in her ear.

When the last waves of pleasure began subsiding, she blinked her eyes open to find Malfoy staring at her.

Gray eyes turned into black. His pupils blown so wide she was nearly frightened at the sight. They patterned over her body, focusing on where his hand was still inside her. Carefully, Malfoy removed his fingers from her cunt, smirking when she hissed and writhed in the aftershock.

He was right. Her fluids were sliding down his wrist and threatening to pool down his arm. She watched him bring his arm up to his mouth and lick the stripe where her juices were dripping, all while keeping his eyes on her.

Her nipples hardened at the sight and she took a steadying gulp of air. He began moving on his knees, leaning one hand beside her head as he held his body weight over her. He was grinning down at her, entranced almost.

"Taste yourself for me?" He asked but she knew it was a demand.

Hermione looked at him wide eyed, her mind racing with thoughts but one was loudest above the rest. He was fucking filthy.

She opened her mouth, expecting him to stick his fingers straight into her mouth, but instead, he traced her lips and coated them first. Then he placed his fingers inside her mouth and she began sucking.

His eyes looked heavy, lulled by the way she ran her tongue between his digits. He pulled his fingers away, but immediately captured her mouth after. Tongue licking over her lips, tasting what he put there. His hand roamed down to her breast, wet fingers curling her nipple, causing them to perk at the attention.

She gasped into his mouth. Body taught with a yearning that grew to be unbearable. She wrapped her leg around his hip, thrusting wildly against his thick length.

He hummed, pulled away from her body and smiled as he rose to his knees then quickly stood at the foot of the bed. Malfoy pulled down his briefs, letting the material go once they slipped down his thighs.

An unseemly whimper fell past her lips as he revealed himself to her. His cock was thick and heavy as it stood between his thighs. Malfoy clutched himself with the hand he used to get her off and kneeled back over her with a dangerous grin.

"Spread your knees wider, you'll need to make room for me."

Her stomach lurched, cunt fluttered at his salacious command. She did as she was told, sliding her feet apart, wider than his frame. Her eyes fell down between his thighs, entranced by the swollen pink head of him glistening with his come.

He softly huffed, amusement glittering all over his face.

"Wider, love." Malfoy said and pushed one of her legs further away. The light touch made her shiver, he noticed.

"Don't be nervous." He said softly, slowly positioning himself between her thighs and resting himself over her.

"I'm not." She said, slightly trembling.

Malfoy deeply kissed her. Consuming her mouth, controlling their tongues. Hermione clutched his arms, steadying herself and trying to not think about what was prodding her entrance.

"You'll be fine," he said quietly, sucking on her earlobe.

"Okay," she breathed, eyes rolling into her head as he ran the tip of himself over her soaking slit.

"I'll make you feel so good." He promised, biting into her neck and sucking harshly. One of his hands crawled up to her neck, fingers lightly touching her throat. Her body convulsed, overly sensitive to him. "I'll take care of you, I promise."

"Draco please—" She panted and felt him push himself inside.

The sudden intrusion made her lose her breath. She had forgotten how to inhale, the girth of him already was splitting her apart. She couldn't think of anything else but him trying to sheath himself completely.

"You can take it, fuck—" he groaned, head falling onto her chest.

"I—no I don't think—"

"Yes, yes you can," he said, kissing her skin. "Stop worrying, just feel me."

Hermione couldn't help but tightened and squeezed. He was thick and long, unlike anything she's experienced before. He took one of her hands, pinning it beside her head.

"Take me, Hermione. I know you can."

At his words, he pushed more of himself in. Her thighs shook, quaking with the pressure. Everything felt so tight. Malfoy surprisingly let out a feral groan, causing her muscles to pull.

"Needed this…fuck you're too good." He whispered and finally, pushed himself all the way inside.

Hermione let out a high pitched noise, caught between a wheeze and a moan.

"Oh gods—"

"You're so full of me, love. You're doing perfect." He cooed, covering his lips over hers. She focused on the sensation, the easy movements of their mouths working together. She swallowed his taste, licking and biting, letting herself be consumed in his hold.

Her body wouldn't stop quaking. It was uncomfortable to have him be still, and she was aching from not being able to move. Perhaps if he began, she could adjust to what would feel best, the tightness inside her would ease.

She hesitantly moved, loosening her thighs and relaxing her back. With lax muscles, it allowed him to sink deeper, stretching her at the seams.

"Oh gods," Malfoy moaned, shadowing over her body. "Tell me what you need."

Hermione licked her lips and tried to listen to her body. The first thought was to ask him to remove himself and go back to fingering her. But there was still a fire seeping in her belly, and her walls cried for friction. She didn't need to be fucked, she just needed to be touched.

"Soft—soft touches, please." She breathed and felt him let go of her hand. Finger tips feathered down her body until they circled her taut nipple. She cooed instantly, relaxing further.

"Like this?" He asked, gently kissing over her other breast and flicking his tongue.

She melted into the mattress, her hands wrapping into his hair and scratching his scalp.

"Yes, yes—"

The forearm that held him slipped further under her, hoisting her back into a sharper arc. She hissed at the sharp jab of pain in her stomach as he readjusted. Malfoy was bent at a strange angle, neck lowered and back arched over hers. Her thighs bracketed his hips, nowhere else to go without him slipping out of her.

His teeth nipped and tongue soothed. Fingers massage her heavy breast before finding the flesh of her arse. Hermione relaxed further, the tight pain in her stomach began slipping into the hot flames of need.

"Mmm, Draco I—"

"Oh fuck—" He said and thrusted once into her.

His hand palmed her arse so hard she barely noticed him pushing. The tender touches over her chest caused a tingle to run up her spine and down into her stomach.

She echoed his moan, and succumbed to the feeling of his lips and touches. She swore and writhed and whined. Malfoy perfectly held himself inside her, arms shaking and his own groans growing wilder. There was no telling how long he indulged her like that, he just continued to do whatever she responded well to. Kissed where she was sensitive, licked the places that made her shiver and groped the parts of her that made her feel dirty.

The sheets below were damp and sticking to her skin. The hair at her neck was knotted and wet with sweat. Every inch of her body was reacting to him, to them. Hermione grasped at his hair, pulling harshly as he fucked her mouth with his tongue. She was dizzy and unbelievably hot.

"Move," she ordered, "I can take it."

He took his arm and moved it under her knee, holding her leg in the crook of his elbow. Without another word, he rolled his hips languidly, letting her feel the push and pull of them together.

It didn't hurt, not like how it did initially. There was a burn, the stretch of her legs and pull of her muscles struggling to make room for him, but it felt fucking amazing.

"Again Draco. Come on." She whispered, biting into her shoulder, enjoying the way he shuddered.

He pushed again, a steady thrust that tore her from the inside out. Malfoy's lips were right by her neck, allowing her to bathe in the beautiful grunts and sighs he released. Every hitch of his breath was whispered, all his puffs of air and broken moans belonged to her.

Their lazy rhythm kept Hermione burning from the inside. Her muscles spasmed and breath pulled anytime he pushed himself to a hilt. She desperately wanted to know if he was even in all the way. It felt like he couldn't go any further, but every so often, he'd push a little deeper and she'd see white in her vision.

"Soft, you're so soft all over." He mumbled, running his nose up her neck as his hand held onto her waist. "How do you feel?"

Hermione opened her eyes, seeing the stone colors of his gaze appear more clearer than ever before. He looked stunning. Pink face, lustful gaze and swollen lips. Her stomach pulled and squeezed and he looked down with a slight smirk at the sensation.

"Was that your answer?" He smugly asked, kissing her cheek before owning her mouth.

She flexed her insides again, causing them to gasp and ride the rise of their pleasure. With a breathy laugh, she answered him.

"Yes."

Malfoy chuckled, thrusting carefully as his hand brushed down her front. His thumb circled her swollen clit and began rubbing. She gasped loudly at the sensation, body confused with all the nerves striking at once.

"Can you come again?" He asked, holding himself still inside her. For as quietly and gently as he asked, his fingers showed the very opposite. He was rubbing hard and tight circles that made her breathing stagger.

The man had the audacity to snicker as she clearly was losing her tongue.

"Hermione," he said sickly sweet, "answer me love. Can you come again?"

Her toes started to curl and body ached as it prepared her release. Her cunt was full to the brim, stretched and tight over him but she still wanted to thrust and roll her hips.

"I—oh Godric, I—" she mumbled, digging her neck back into her pillow. Malfoy nibbled on her neck, running his tongue over her melting skin.

"Do you need to fuck yourself on my cock? Would you like that?"

Without another word, she pushed her hips into his, further impaling herself with his cock. She cried out, but his pressure on her clit kept her high near. Her hips twitched, barely moving into him but she still just needed that feeling of him moving inside her slick walls.

"You're so fucking close, I can feel it." He groaned, breathing just as hard as her.

"Yes, Draco, keep going." She whined, hands grasping the muscles on his back to hold her to earth. Her body was about to go still.

"Wet and slick. That's it love, use me to get off. Use my fucking cock."

Hermione cried out and began thrusting and thrashing against him. The intense pain and pleasure of feeling him still inside her, splitting her open while he harshly rubbed her clit sent her into the sky. She felt like it was free falling with the stars, leaving a trail of shimmering colors and explosion of light behind her.

Her orgasm last longer than she could remember. After shocks continued to sprawl through her body even after what felt like minutes. All the while Malfoy didn't move, just held her to him and softly kissed her her neck and chest.

Limp and spent, she slowly opened her eyes and brought her hands to his hair. With a tiny tug, she lifted his head and lazily smiled at him before reaching up for a kiss.

"Gods," he mumbled, "that was beautiful."

She grinned, flushing from the compliment. His hand slowly removed from between her folds and instead cradled between her shoulder blades. Steadily, Malfoy began to withdraw from inside her. It felt strange, and when he was completely gone, her legs were heavy with exhaustion.

"Is it alright if I finish?" He asked, situating himself to a more comfortable kneeling position. Her eyes went wide.

"Oh! Do you want me to—"

"No," he cut her off and shook his head. "Just keep kissing me."

He bent down, languidly running their mouths against each other and letting her guide the pace and power. His hand began stroking himself. His hot and wet tip bounced off her stomach. Hermione shuddered, disbelieving that she could still feel a sense of arousal even after fully sated.

She knotted her fingers in his hair, kissing him with all the energy she had left. She shivered when he'd pant inside her mouth, whimpered when his arm sped up it's movements.

"Fuck," he quietly muttered, tilting his head down to stare at her.

Hermione squirmed her body closer to his, bending her knee over his leg and running her foot down his calf. Anything to be closer and share his warmth. She glanced down, marveling at the way he steadily pumped himself.

Her mouth parted and a swore formed from her throat. He was big. And he was inside her.

Draco looked up at the noise and smirked handsomely. She gave a sultry stare in return and leaned up to delicately run her tongue over his lips.

"Let go Draco." She whispered, hovering her mouth over his.

His face contorted, jaw dropped and eyes began too close. Malfoy kissed her hard, raggedly moaning into her hot mouth. A second later, warm liquid squirted onto her stomach. He softly grunted, holding still for a few moments. Hermione kissed his cheek then down to his collarbone, letting him collect himself.

Malfoy eventually pulled away to stand on the ground. It gave her the perfect opportunity to appreciate his athletic body in it's most vulnerable form. She greedily stared at his thighs and arse. The muscles were noticeably protruding even when he wasn't walking. His torso and shoulders were so bloody wide. Rigid abs and forearms that resembled tree branches from beating.

He was strong and powerful. Hermione only felt a a fraction of his strength but the entirety of his restraint. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to feel him use his full force during sex. The aggression behind his thrusts, the strength in his hands alone could most likely break her.

The thought was obscene in all the best ways.

"You're staring." His voice was raspy. Instead of being embarrassed that she was openly eye fucking him, she simply shrugged.

"I'd like to stare more, but there's usually a whole gaggle of people waiting to make fun of me." She said, referring to his teammates.

Malfoy smiled amusedly and turned his wand at her lower half, cleansing her of his orgasm. Once gone, he set his wand aside on the end table and crawled over her.

"Plus I can't play favorites." She reminded him.

He rolled his eyes playfully and fell beside her. He pressed his body against her side and Hermione moved so her back was facing his front then turned off the lights once she was comfortable.

"But I can." He whispered in the dark then kissed the back of her head. Hermione smiled as Malfoy protectively wrapped his arms around her middle.

Chapter Text

England, Bulgaria, Egypt and Peru had all made it to the World Cup Semi Finals. In preparation, International Magical Game and Sports allowed a bye week for the teams to recuperate before the matches. Back to back weeks of playing didn't allow the teams much time to prepare, practice and review scouting reports. This way the games would be the most competitive they could possibly be.

Australia hosts the semi finals as a neutral site. Bulgaria is set to face Peru for the afternoon match, and England will battle Egypt in the highly anticipated night match.

The bye week meant a lot of free time for Hermione, but not for Draco. True to his word. Blaise had scheduled quite a few meetings for the Beater. It seems Australia was buzzing with excitement at the prospect of Draco considering transferring leagues. By Wednesday, he had already met with five teams from one league.

Hermione suspected he was over the faux meetings. After practice, Draco lingered in the training facility until she was ready to Floo back to their hotel. She had said multiple times he'd be late for his meetings, every single time she'd get the same response with a bored 'it's fine.'

Now that a full week of practice had wrapped up and he was thoroughly annoyed from his booked schedule, Draco was doing everything in his power to delay his final meeting.

"I read something about aquatic therapy, can we try that?" He asked, connected to the stim machine.

She laughed, folding towels and bending to put them back in their cabinet.

"You have no injury that would require aquatic therapy and you're too deep into your season for muscle strengthening."

Hermione turned around and walked to the table he was resting on. He automatically moved his leg off the table so she would have room to sit near him.

"What about the exercises for my hand?" He asked, grinning a bit.

"We did those this morning before practice, remember? You don't need to do any more."

"Then what about—"

"I know what you're doing." Hermione said with a knowing look. Draco paused, licked his lips then showed a bemused smirk.

"What am I doing?"

"You're stalling."

He laughed out loud for a single second that quickly shut his mouth. He gave her a pointed and unsuspecting expression.

"I have nothing to stall for. I'm just very concerned for my physical health. You know someone once told me since I'm such a great athlete that I require above average care."

Hermione chuckled, shaking her head at him.

"Not even close to what I said."

"No you said verbatim 'You're the best athlete I've come across and so big and strong—" He joked and she started laughing.

"Gods, I don't even sound like—"

"You need plenty of massages and attention that only I, Hermione Granger, can provide—"

"Bloody ridiculous—"

"Oi!" A shout made both of them jolt, "Stop fucking flirting. You'll make us vomit." Huxley said, walking in with Reese.

Hermione slid off the bench quickly and onto the nearby rolling chair. She turned her head down, cheeks and neck unbearably warm.

"Fuck off." Draco grumbled, frowning at his teammates. The way his attitude could change in a blink of an eye once company was around was almost frightening. He'd regress back into a moody, scowling man whenever someone purposely interrupted them. The 'true' personality of Draco Malfoy, the star beater.

"You should leave him alone, mate. Whatever Hermione is doing to him is making him far more nicer to me. He's reduced his insults to one per day." Reese said, slapping Huxley on the shoulder and giving the bird to Draco.

"Did you boys need something?" Hermione cut in, standing to remove the stim stickers from Malfoy's hand as the timer went off.

The two stopped and stared, Reese taking her place next to Draco on the table and Huxley colonizing the chair she was just using.

"Just wanted to see where Malfoy was at. Figured his lovesick arse would still be in here." Reese said, making a kissy face at him. Draco growled and kicked him. Reese groaned but still laughed as he was shoved nearly right off the table.

"Draco," Hermione said with some tenderness in her voice, frowning at the unnecessary violence. His eyes found hers, softening when he noticed her less than pleased expression. He rolled his eyes, standing from the table and glared down at Reese.

"Sorry," he mumbled and Reese and Huxley both snickered.

"Hermione, do you have any more jelly like things? My blister broke at practice and it hurts like a bitch." Huxley said, showing her his extremely calloused hand and the blistered skin.

"Second skin? Yeah hold on." She said then moved to grab the packet of jelly like substance that quickly healed small open wounds. Huxley held up his hand for her to wrap the jellies on with a bandaid and wrap.

"Why can't he do that himself?" Malfoy said, shooting daggers at Huxley.

Reese laughed loudly and stood up to throw his arm over his shoulder.

"Fucking hell. If he's already getting mad at Huxley for needing medical attention, imagine what he'll do when he finds out who Granger's got plans with tonight." He said, moving to stand next to Huxley. Hermione finished wrapping his hand and looked up inquisitively at both of them.

"What?" Malfoy asked the same time Hermione spoke.

"How do you know my plans for tonight?"

Huxley and Reese laughed at the same time, the former standing up and moving away from her.

"Heard Emery mention it on the pitch to Arlina." Reese replied, walking away with Huxley to the door. "Say hi to the Bulgarian Bonbon for us!"

Hermione narrowed her eyes at their childishness. She heard Draco walk up behind her as she put the items away.

"You're seeing Krum tonight?" He asked, though it came off as a statement.

"Mhm," she replied nonchalantly. She turned to face him and saw a look of confusion.

"I don't remember you telling me that."

"Probably because I didn't," she said, beginning to set cleaning charms on the surfaces. "We were only able to confirm availability tonight."

"I don't remember you mentioning you reached out to him." He added. She gave him a look.

"I didn't. He reached out to me when we arrived on Monday."

It would be wrong of her to laugh at this moment, but Hermione was struggling to not at the very least giggle. Mafloy's brow was crinkled and his lips were pouted. He genuinely looked lost.

"It's Saturday." He said.

"Thank you for that."

"Well," he paused, breath coming out like a scoff. She waited moments for him to continue and when all he did was stare at her, gray eyes zooming over her face, she became awkward.

"Well what?" She questioned. He shook his head once.

"Nothing, I—I'll see you tomorrow." He told her then left the room without another word.

Hermione sighed heavily and let her shoulders slump forward. She wasn't sure what to expect after last Saturday but not having a single moment alone was not it.

Sunday, Malfoy had carefully crept back to his room after softly kissing her awake. The sun was barely above the ground, and she couldn't fall back asleep after he left. She spent the entire morning then tending to the hungover team and reviewing the next two weeks with the coaching and personnel staff. They were able to floo home and spend the evening recuperating, then Monday evening they arrived in Australia.

His schedule with Blaise took up the remainder of his day after practice. She had no idea when he'd return to their hotel, but Hermione was usually out in the town or heading to some of the beaches. Malfoy hadn't mentioned he wanted to see her, so she wasn't going to putz around in the lobby of their hotel waiting for him to return.

Regardless, she still wanted to see him outside of their normal practice hours. Flirting in the training room was growing old, especially when the other team members seemed tickled pink to make comments about them every given opportunity. Her face had never been redder than it was this week.

She didn't want to push anything, so she didn't. If another opportunity presented itself for her and Malfoy to be alone and discuss anything further then it would. But it hadn't so she wasn't going to worry. Hermione was going to enjoy her evening with an old friend.

Viktor and her were set to meet at a swanky restaurant for dinner. She arrived a few minutes early, heading for the bar and ordering a drink for them both. When he arrived, the hard lines in his face smoothed even until his face broke into a huge smile. She leaped out of her chair and greeted him with a large hug.

"Viktor! It's so good to see you!"

He hugged her tightly then pulled away, holding her by her arms.

"You too! You look very 'vell!" He said as they both sat at the bar.

"Thank you. Here, this is for you." She pushed his drink towards him and he smiled appreciatively.

"Vodka straight?" Viktor said with a handsome smile. "I guess it's going to be a long night. Cheers Mione."

The two caught up, filled each other in on what was going on in their lives and their friends lives. Viktor asked about Harry, Ron and Ginny and she gave him updates. It wasn't long before they were talking about quidditch, her work and how she enjoys the National team. Hermione couldn't stop thanking him again for mentioning her name to Proggs. Viktor waved her off each time.

Hermione learned that Viktor was considering retiring after this year and even shared with her that this was the first time he mentioned it out loud to anyone. They had a deep conversation about Viktor's triumphs and failures, what he regretted and what he was thankful for. She tried to reassure him that whatever he felt was best was most likely what he should end up doing. She could see her friend was very torn with the decision.

All in all, it was a lovely evening. They walked to the nearest Floo point, Viktor stopping occasionally to sign autographs and answer some questions from fans who recognized him. He was a lot more amiable to fans when there was vodka in his system.

When they made it to the Floo, they hugged again and he kissed both her cheeks.

"Hopefully ve can meet before next veek's games? Lunch?" He asked and she nodded.

"Of course." She said cheerily.

"Great, I'll owl you soon." He said and they said their final goodbyes.

Hermione shouted her hotel location and was quickly brought back to the main lobby. It was nearing midnight and the multiple glasses of wine were making her more tired than drunk. She headed to the lifts, leaning her weight against the wall as it took her upwards.

The lift dinged and she stood straight, readying herself for the doors to open. Her first step stuttered into a back peddle. Malfoy stood on the other side, wearing gray sweatpants and a gray zip up. He looked utterly exhausted, but his eyes brightened for a mere second when he saw her.

"What're you doing up?" She asked, then quickly added, "And on my floor?"

Hermione stepped off the lift and looked at him curiously. His room was another two floors down and she very well knew that Malfoy followed a strict sleep schedule and was not to be disturbed past 10:30.

"No reason." He mumbled, not moving to catch the lift doors and head to his own room.

She couldn't help but feel sly.

"Uh huh. Well, since you're up, don't you want to know how Viktor is?"

Hermione just about bursted with laughter when his face contorted into disgust and confusion. Gods Malfoy was so funny when upset. Or was it jealousy?

"Not really." He replied, hands stuffed into his zip up pockets.

"Oh well, he's doing great. We had a nice time catching up and talked about a bunch of random shit." She smiled brightly and watched as his mouth sunk into a confused frown.

"Granger, are you drunk?"

She rolled onto the balls of her feet then back.

"Um, not drunk per se but definitely feeling the effects of a couple glasses of wine. Tipsy perhaps?" She said straightforwardly and placed her hands on her hips. Whether it was the glasses of wine or the gray track suit he wore, Malfoy was looking exceptionally fit right now. Pouting at her or not, she really wanted to wrap her fingers in his hair and pull his mouth down to her lips.

"You should get to bed, then." He told her sternly and she snorted.

"Why? You're up." She countered childishly.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Yes, one might have issues sleeping if they're not even on their proper floor." She said with a cheeky smirk.

Malfoy began to blush and now she really wanted to kiss him.

"Were you needing me for something?" She questioned.

"A sleep potion, and…" He trailed off, avoiding her eyes, "to see if you were back from your date."

Hermione brightened with the confession. She felt quite cocky now that he said it out loud.

"I'm back now, how about we get you a sleeping potion then?" Hermione said and began walking towards her door. Malfoy trailed behind her.

She entered her room, carelessly throwing her purse on the ground. Maybe she was drunker than she thought, because she stumbled quite a bit trying to kick off her shoes. Regardless, she grabbed a sleeping potion and walked back over to Malfoy who was intriguingly watching her movements.

He looked suddenly embarrassed as he took the potion from her hand.

"Yeah I uh–" he said quietly, not meeting her eye, "I don't actually need this. I just couldn't sleep without knowing you were back safely."

"Why? You think Viktor Krum is going to murder me?" She said and began laughing. She knew she shouldn't poke fun but there was something about Malfoy caring so deeply about her night out that made her feel euphoric. She loved knowing he was thinking about her.

"No, I—"

"It's alright." She said and slinked her arms around his waist, tilting her neck all the way back to look at him. "I think that was very sweet of you to care so much."

The day and alcohol wore on her. She let herself dig her face into his chest and shut her eyes contently. She had never been so affectionate with him, never really having the chance either. But she loved his massive frame holding her and his warm body heat radiating into hers.

"Are you staying in my room tonight?" She asked, eyes still closed. Malfoy's arms were comfortingly surrounding her. His one hand was playing with the ends of her curls.

"I shouldn't. I have an early morning and don't want to—"

"It's fine, I don't mind." She told him.

"But I'll need to be up at six and you should sleep—"

"I don't care, stay anyways."

Hermione moved out of his grasp and into her bed. She shuffled out of her clothes but remained in her bra and knickers. When she settled comfortably under the sheets and realized Malfoy still stood across the room. She rolled her eyes and sat up.

"Well?" She said with a look.

He nearly smiled.

"Granger, I'm being serious. I don't think—"

"Oh you talk too bloody much, just march that firm arse of yours over here and come sleep with me." She said pointedly.

Malfoy shook his head but began walking to the opposite side of the bed.

"You're very bossy when you're drunk." He mumbled, kicking off his shoes and she scoffed.

"I'm bossy all the time and you know it, now," she threw the covers back drastically, "get in."

He grinned as he shucked off his jacket and sweats. Malfoy tucked his long legs under the blankets and Hermione turned on her side to face him. He glanced down, grin widening as she continued to stare.

"What?" He asked through a chuckle, finally laying still.

She slowly blinked, tiredness weighing on her.

"You're very handsome."

Malfoy raised his eyebrows but still looked supremely smug. He brought his hand up to her face, lightly tracing the roundness of her cheek.

"That's good. I think you're very beautiful." He replied.

Hermione watched his eyes follow the path of his fingers. Their remarkable metallic color looked far more relaxed than when she saw him on the lift. Malfoy's frown lines had eased away and now he looked calm. Her insides melted when she assumed she had something to do with it.

She snuggled closer to him and lifted her head to kiss him. He cupped her jaw and kissed her back sweetly. Their lazy movements only made her more tired and the warmth from his body swaddled her better than any blanket.

"Get some sleep love." He said quietly and used his wand to shut the lights off.

The sound of an alarm went off and Hermione groaned as she inhaled.

"Sorry, sorry. Hold on."

She faintly registered Malfoy mumbling into her pile of hair before he rolled away and the ringing noise stopped. Thankfully, he rolled back over and returned to his position of her hugging her from behind. She sighed deeply and sunk into the embrace.

"I need to get up." He whispered, soft lips against her forehead.

Hermione frowned and tightened her grip over the arm holding her.

"No, just stay a bit." She quietly pleaded, pushing herself closer into his body heat.

"I told you I had to be up early." He said and she chose to ignore him. Instead, she nuzzled her face into the pillow and refused to let his arm go. Draco kissed her forehead again.

"Hermione,"

"Hm?" She grumbled.

"I have to go." He said through a chuckle.

She pouted, not that he could see. He continued to pepper her with kisses, as if the delicate bits of intimacy would make up for disturbing her sleep and leaving her this morning. Hermione hummed her appreciation and even turned her head a bit to capture his mouth.

His lips felt extra supple in the morning. The lazy kiss only added to her desire for him to stay and it seemed Malfoy didn't want to leave either. She could feel his morning wood press up against the bottom of her bum so she rolled her hips back into him.

He let out a grunt and pulled away.

"Don't," he warned.

Hermione tiredly opened her eyes and gave her best pleading look.

"Why? It seems like you want to stay."

She rolled her hips into his erection again, gaining a more throaty moan from him. Hermione faintly grinned when he buried his face into her neck and pushed back into her bum. The feel of him hard and ready for her made her stomach turn.

"Of course I do, but I have a schedule to keep." He said, kissing her neck that was conveniently stretched for his lips to attack.

"What do you have to do right this very minute?" Hermione asked, her breathing growing unstable as they both grinded their hips into each other. She was already very wet, and now very much awake.

"Team goes on a run before breakfast," his hand moved to pull down the cup of her bra, her nippled hardened from the cool air. When he finally grabbed her breast, they sighed at the same time, "you know the agenda."

Hermione covered his hand with her own, arching her back to push more into his hand.

"I know, but the run doesn't start until, what? Half past six?"

Fingertips trailing over her abdomen caused a shiver to spread. She held her breath when he teased the elastic of her knickers, just barely touching her navel.

"I need to be in the lobby by six twenty." He told her, now kissing her shoulder.

"And what time is it now?" She gasped heavily as he pushed his hips extremely hard into her bum.

He mumbled into her skin, reluctantly pulling away to grab his wand and cast a tempus. The two looked at the projection in the air, it read '6:07 am.'

Hermione turned her body to face him, leaning over his body.

"That's plenty of time." She said and grabbed his face to kiss him properly.

Malfoy let out a noise of surprise but eagerly kissed her back. Hermione didn't care if it was a bit reckless to push the time like this. She was starving for him and they hadn't had any other time to be intimate since the first time last weekend. The sexual tension was eating at her and now that she had a few minutes, she was going to be greedy with them.

She swung her leg over his hip, giving her the perfect angle to feel his erection against her throbbing core. He hummed appreciatively, grabbing her thigh and holding her to him. The two were feverish, allowing the burn of desire to course through their veins. Hermione moaned inside her mouth as he thrusted his clothed erection into her center, giving her the perfect amount of pressure.

"Hermione—" He said and she only kissed him harder, trying to suffocate his protests. "I really—have to—go—not enough—"

"Shh," she said, tugging at his hair, "You're wasting time by being doubtful."

She was out of breath and still pretty groggy. Malfoy huffed a noise of amusement into her mouth. With firm and strong hands, her hips were suddenly pinned to the bed and he was hovering over her. She gasped at the quick movement but was only spurred on further. Hermione grinned up at him and tried to bring his head down to hers. But he didn't move.

"This is the dumbest thing I'm ever going to say but we really don't have enough time." He told her and she frowned immediately.

"But—"

"I—fuck—I want to, fucking of course I'd love to do nothing more but have a lay in with you, but—" He sighed and brought his hands to gently hold her face. "I just don't have the time."

Hermione swallowed once and let her legs slip off his waist. There was a feeling of disappointment crawling inside her. Something that felt vaguely familiar from when she dated Roman. He was constantly busy and didn't have the luxury of adjusting his schedule unless he was in the off season. And it's resurfacing now, with Malfoy.

She wanted time with him, in private, away from his teammates and coaches. Was she ever going to get it?

"I—I know." Hermione finally said and let her hands fall off him and onto her chest. "Sorry to get carried away—"

"Don't be...gods. I'm sorry to have to leave like this—"

"It's fine," she cut him off, "I get it."

They were silent. Hermione mindlessly grabbed his necklace chains that fell onto her chest, rolling the metal between her finger and thumb.

"It's our off day, so I'll be free this afternoon. Around one I think." He then said and Hermione dropped the necklace and looked up at him. Malfoy swallowed and squinted down at her, not meeting her eyes though. "Can I—I mean would you want to—if you're also free—"

She had never seen Draco nervous before. Not like this at least. Fumbling his words and too afraid to meet her eyes. It was quite the sight.

"That'd be nice." She said, cutting him off when he couldn't find the proper way to voice his wants.

He physically relaxed then, shoulders slouching and a breath that he was holding was released. He stared at her, nodding swiftly before leaning down and kissing her. Hermione felt the disappointment from before flitter away.

"Okay," he agreed, "After treatment then, we-we'll do something then."

Hermione nodded.

"Okay."

He bit his lip, staying silent again before kissing her once more and making it last longer than she expected. The muscles in her abdomen pulled and squeezed.

"I really need to go now." He said and slowly pulled off of her. Hermione watched as he quickly pulled on his sweats and shoes. She pushed herself up into a sitting position and he walked back over to her side of the bed.

"I'll see you for treatment."

He said and as she was about to voice her confirmation, he leaned in to kiss her goodbye.

Malfoy carefully dashed out the door in the next seconds, and Hermione fell back into bed. She rolled over to the side that he slept on last night and tucked his pillow under her head, giving herself a few more hours of sleep.

Hermione enjoyed the team's off days. It meant it was her off day as well and the only thing she was scheduled for was whatever athlete needed or wanted treatment. It would take no longer than an hour and she wouldn't need to go over reports with the coaches until the next day. Off days were the best days and today she was more excited for it than usual, for obvious reasons.

She arrived at the facility and set up the equipment. Everett came in like usual and she did a deep tissue massage on his back, Arlina was set up to the stim machine and then Malfoy walked in not long after. She brightened when she saw him, dressed in clean running shorts and a workout shirt from a popular athletic company that sponsored him.

Hermione particularly liked him in running shorts. It allowed her to view a fair amount of his muscular thighs.

The two wordlessly smiled at one another and Malfoy took a seat on one of the rolling chairs, pushing himself to where Arlina was. The three of them were chatting about what they'd do on their off day, and it seemed sleeping was high on the priority list.

"—barely able to explore. I've only been to the beach once since we've been here." Arlina grumbled and Everett agreed.

"I think Tristan mentioned going soon? Some place to eat right off the shoreline." Everett said.

"That would be nice to do. You know Huxley and Reese are going deep sea fishing? Whatever that is." Arlina said and Hermione began chuckling.

"They're going on a boat to hunt for huge ocean fish. They'll have these massive fishing rods and be strapped in a chair for safety. How did they even manage to find out about that?" She asked them in disbelief.

"I think Reese's Uncle's wife is a muggleborn. Said it would be a fun thing for them to experience." Everett explained as she finished his massage.

"Knowing them, I'm sure one of them is going to fall overboard." Malfoy chimed in and all of them laughed.

"It would only make sense." Everett said, pulling his shirt back on. "What about you mate? Want to join us at that cafe on the shoreline?"

Hermione was at the sink washing her hands when the question was posed. Her eyes snapped to the side before returning to her hands. She let the water run on for longer than necessary, chest grew tight.

"I have plans, actually." She heard him say then finally turned off the water. She grabbed the towel near her and slowly turned around to face the athletes.

"Oh, okay then." Everett said and looked at her. "What about you Hermione? I think you'd like this place. They have fish secured in a bubble charm, floating around the room instead of being kept in an aquarium."

She smiled kindly at Everett then awkwardly fiddled with the towel in her hands.

"Sounds nice, but I—er, also have plans."

A slow, recognizing smile grew over Everett's face. Hermione fought off an eye roll and a blush.

"Oh?" He said slyly. "And with whom, might I ask?"

Without saying a word, she threw her towel right in his face. Everett began bustling with laughter.

"Sod off," she mumbled with a grin.

Everett was holding his stomach as he laughed. Arlina had gotten up from her table and moved to grab him up.

"We'll miss you both at dinner," she said to them and Hermione gave her a kind and appreciative look as she walked Everett to the door with her. "Have fun tonight!"

"Do you need me to go over the wand motion for the contraception charm?" Everett teased, and Arlina quickly punched him in the gut.

"Goodbye!" She called and the sounds of Everett giggling with Arlina chastising him were fading into the distance.

Hermione shook her head and finally grew the confidence to peer at Malfoy. He was already sitting next to the stim machine and patiently waiting for her to set it up. He raised his eyebrows.

"I hate every man on this team." He said simply and she laughed, walking over to his side.

"They're not that bad. You're just the youngest so I suspect they find you to be an easy target." She explained and adjusted the pads on his hands and wrist before starting the machine.

Malfoy didn't say anything initially. He huffed at her words and watched her fingers turn the dial to his designated setting. Once she sat down, he looked over her body once and lopsidedly smiled. Hermione swallowed once but grinned back at him.

"Um," she cleared her throat, "anything else you wanted to do today? F-for treatment that is?"

Malfoy shook his head.

"The sooner we can get out of here the better. This is the longest break I'll have for the rest of the week."

"Right," she said with a half smile," and you're sure you don't want to spend the time sleeping? Or, I don't know, enjoying the strange bliss of doing nothing?"

He faintly chuckled but shook his head.

"I'm sure. I haven't—" There was a long moment that passed before he found his words, and when he did, his stare was soft. "There haven't been many opportunities for us to be alone without interruption. To be completely blunt, if someone were to walk in right now I'd strangle them."

She snorted, half believing him.

"But seeing as this is the only extended time I'll have for the next week, I'm going to make the most of it." He told her earnestly. There was a sick little flap of wings inside her stomach. She felt utterly ridiculous for swooning at his simple admission.

"Since it is your off day and I've had the ability to do more while being here, is there anything you want to do?"

"A few things actually," the smirk he gave was formed from the devil's hands himself. Hermione bit her lower lip.

"But there is one thing—" He continued one, more serious than before, "One thing in particular that I really want to do."

She nodded, painfully curious as to what someone like Malfoy would be aching to do while here.

He had told her to dress warmer and brace herself for when the porkey landed. Hermione had really no idea what to expect but was completely caught off guard when they landed in the middle of a wooded area and the loud sounds of wind blowing through them.

"Where are we?" She asked immediately, following with him as he walked to what appeared to be an opening.

"No idea," he answered with a bit of a satisfied smile. "I asked Blaise to get me a portkey that would take me to a pretty view and far away from people so—"

Malfoy shrugged just as the two came to the opening. Hermione's mouth fell open at the sight. They were standing on the edge of a cliff, overlooking magnificent cerulean waves crashing against sandy shores and big boulders. The sounds were humming in her ears and the mixture of bright sun with the wind made her crane her neck up to the sky and smile.

"This is magnificent," She said.

Malfoy smiled at her then produced a small cloth from his pockets and enlarged it to a full sized blanket. He spread it out wide, having some difficulties getting it to cooperate since the wind was strong. Hermione laughed and tried to grab the corners to help.

"Here, let me—" She said and the two were laughing as they attempted to lay the blanket on the ground and get it to stay. She cleverly added a sticking charm to the underside of it, finally laying it flat.

Once settled, Malfoy again reached inside her pocket and brought forth a tiny looking basket then enlarged it.

"There's some snacks and wine." He told her and she nodded.

"And water for you? I know Proggs has you all back on the no drinking rule." She said with a knowing brow. He rolled his eyes.

"What that prick won't know, won't hurt him." He said but his voice was light and teasing.

"Perhaps I'll tell him. As your healer I'm inclined to agree that no alcohol is the best course of action for the rest of your season." She joked.

"You're off the clock and besides, I'll counter it and say you influenced me to drink. You know I can't refuse a beautiful bird." He said with a cheeky wink. Hermione laughed and remembered that conversation weeks prior.

The two sat in silence for a while, entranced by the beauty and strength of the ocean. Hermione felt so peaceful and centered. The thoughts in her mind stopped and she only focused on the sensations around her; the cool wind against her warm cheeks, the sounds of waves pulling back before plummeting into the shore and the distant calls of birds.

"I've never experienced anything like this before." She finally said, eyes still watching the white and blue of the water.

"Me neither." Malfoy replied. "Well done, Blaise."

"We'll have to send him a thank you note." She said and heard a faint hum. Hermione looked over, watching his eyes flicker between the various scenes of nature. He was still, the only other movement was the slow rise and fall of his chest. Then began the beginning curl of a smile, even though he wasn't looking at her just yet.

"Something you need?" He asked, faintly turning his head towards her but still not looking.

"Why did you want to come here? Why not a view of the city?" She asked, subtly scooting closer to him. He noticed and inched his sprawled legs closer to hers.

"It's quiet, mainly. The white noise is soothing and I guess I don't get that enough. Especially in season."

The explanation was so simple and yet she understood beautifully.

"I get that. A lot of bustling in your work environment. People, fans, coaches. Everyone needs something from you and I'm sure it can get tiring after awhile."

"Some aspects are. Those things certainly cause the most stress and loudness in my life, but when I actually play— which is such a small part of the job itself—but the game…it gives me this feeling." He said and lifted his arms out to the ocean and trees in front of him.

"During matches, I can't hear anything. It sounds mad, but when I'm on the pitch, the noise of the crowd and screaming of my teammates and opponents just morphs into a dull buzz. I'm really just out there competing and only listen when I need to."

Hermione nodded. "Is that why you like quidditch so much?"

A glint in his eye that reminded her of a small child appeared in his eyes. It was love and it was profound to see.

"The thrill of the game, the adrenaline and blood pumping through me when I bat the bludger or knock someone off, is—it's a different kind of peace, but a peace nonetheless. I—I truly love it."

"I think that's lucky to have that sort of feeling when working. It seems like you're in the perfect profession."

"For now," Malfoy agreed. "Like you said, certain aspects can be too much. This week in particular was especially grueling. If I could just take away all the extras, the media, the meetings, the sponsorships and just play, I think I'd stay in the leagues until a bludger takes me out for good."

He then finally looked at her. Turning his head all the way to stare at her straight on. Hermione jolted a bit from the attention. She was very much enjoying her view of him, getting to observe all his features without the intensity of his molten gaze. Her throat bobbed when she swallowed, feeling him lean in closer and raise a hand to tug on the end of her braid.

"But it's been more bearable recently." He said, eyes watching his fingers stroke her hair. Hermione watched his expression change. It was thoughtful and fond.

"How so?" She questioned, voice barely louder than the whistling wind.

Malfoy scrunched his eyebrows, intrigued by the ends of her hair not woven together. There was a gravitational pull that made her lean in closer to his touch. She didn't want him to have to struggle to play with her hair. A silly thought but one that was appreciated from the small smile and quick glance he gave her.

"That same sort of peace that I get when I'm playing or outside like this, it's the same when we're talking. Everything around fades into a buzz and—it's usually quiet with you…I like that."

The thump of her pulse under her skin quickened from his sweet words. Hermione leaned forward and smiled through the kiss she gave him, lightly laughing at herself since she couldn't stop beaming. The lightness inside compelled her to climb over into his lap and hold him close.

Malfoy happily let her straddle his thighs and hold his face in her hands. She kissed him hard yet moved their mouths in slow tandem. His hands slinked under her jumper, hot palms steadied on her hips. Hermione sighed deeply, reveling in the feel of his hot mouth working over hers.

She pulled away slowly, keeping her eyes closed for a few seconds and resting her head on his. His thumbs stroked her sides, causing goosebumps to flare up her spine. With a soft breath, she turned around in his lap, sliding her bum to sit right in front of him and pulled his arms around her as she leaned into his body.

Malfoy spread his legs and she felt him relax into their position. His frame covered her like a cape, shoulders hovering over her, legs keeping her safe and still. She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of him press into her back and noted it was much like the sun beating on her face.

"I like that quiet too." She told him softly and after a brief moment, felt his lips press into the top of her head.

Chapter Text

"Did you lock the do—"

"Yes—"

"And the repelling ch—"

"Yes—"

"But when if—"

"Granger," Malfoy said, pulling away from her neck with flushed cheeks and dilated pupils. "It's fine. We're alone."

He reached for her lips again, slicing down her worries and protests with his practiced tongue. Hermione let her worries go and sank into the kiss, hands clinging to his shoulders as he pressed them closer together. Malfoy sat on the table and she stood between his legs, the only time they didn't have a glaring height disadvantage between them.

She liked it better this way, it allowed her more space to let her hands roam without her calves cramping from standing on her tiptoes too long.

Malfoy's hands groped her arse, massaging and pressing into the flesh covered by her athletic shorts. Hermione clutched his neck harder, quietly moaning when his tongue reached out for hers before teasingly slipping back into his mouth.

"What do you need, love?" He asked, hands now under her shorts.

A quivering whimper was stuck in her throat. She sucked on his lip before hovering right before it. His breath tasted sweet and salty on her tongue. Sweat still clung to him after practice and she wanted to run her tongue from his throat all the way down to his navel.

"You," she whispered, kissing him tenderly as her hands found his length and began stroking over his practice kit.

He sucked in a breath, his own hands harshly gripping her arse.

"Quickly," she added and enjoyed the way he huffed a laugh in her mouth. He pulled away, a dangerous spark in his eyes.

"What if I want to take my time?" He asked her, one hand skimming around her front and diving under her shorts.

Hermione shuddered, stomach and thighs quivering with the sensitive touch. He smirked up at her before diving one of his long fingers into her wet center. Her breath hilted and she squeezed her eyes shut as pleasure rounded its way through her body.

"I— we should go back to the hotel." She told him, sighing into his neck as he pumped her.

"And if I don't feel like aparrating with an erection?" He asked cheekily.

She only groaned and bounced her hips with the movement of his hand. She squeezed him through his shorts, getting his breathing to falter. Worried about the time they had and someone breaking through their concealment and locking charms, Hermione motioned for him to slide his clothes off.

He raised his bum off the table and let her pull down his shorts until they fell down to his ankles. Malfoy kicked one leg free as he tried to work her out of her own clothing. She aided him, swiftly removing her shorts and shoes.

His dark stare was paired with a seductive smirk. Hermione wasted no time in claiming his mouth and stroking him bare. She licked and nipped at his lips, thrusting her tongue against his until his moans vibrated down her throat and she swallowed them like she was starving.

Hermione lifted her leg and mounted him on the table, knees at his hips, straddling him impatiently. His hands tethered to her behind, helping her maintain balance. One of his hands twisted to her curls, thumb on her cheek. She looked up, finding a concerned expression.

"Are you sore at all?" He asked, referencing their post date activities. Their portkey yesterday placed them back inside Draco's room, which they remained in until this morning. Hermione did feel a bit tired, but right now, the thought of him stretching her full made her stomach coil.

But every time that they had been intimate, Draco was in command, careful of the pace and how far he'd push into her. He'd make sure she was dripping before even putting the head of his cock at her entrance. Now that she was straddling him, she was a bit worried at how this would go, nonetheless, she wasn't going to change her mind.

"M'fine." She said, mumbling into his lips.

Draco kissed her back feverishly. The burn between them licked at their skin and demanded a resolution to their tension. He helped her lift her hips and then grabbed his shaft, holding it still for her. Hermione watched as she slowly lowered onto him, cunt trying to suck him in deeper.

"F-fu—oh fuck me." He moaned, mouth hanging open.

Hermione's fists were clenched on his shoulders, far too tightly if she had to guess. She forced herself to release her breath and continue to sheath him. When something in her stomach pinched, she stopped and opened her eyes.

"I think that's as far as I can go." She told him, her walls already fighting him.

"That's fine, love," he gasped, kissing her neck, "move when you're ready."

She took his advice and made herself relax before she lifted her hips and shallowly bounced and grinded on him. She marveled at the way Draco looked in that moment. He let his head fall back onto his shoulders once she found a rhythm that worked for her and shut his eyes. His cheeks were stained with pinks and his mouth was a beautiful deep rose color.

Moans of encouragement fell past his lips, to which she leaned forward and took the words with her own mouth.

"Yes….fuck my cock, keep going." He said and she dug her nails into his neck and moaned into his neck.

Her thighs and glutes were already sore from the movement, but when her lethargy was noticed, Draco easily kept pace by holding her hips and arse.

"No, no, good girls don't stop Granger. I need to feel you come." He told her and there was a new wave of adrenaline that took over.

The sensation of being stretched and filled when she'd impale herself with his girth made her wall slicker. Hermione had never been turned on by size before, finding a wizard who knew how to please a woman and be good in bed was enough.

But with Draco's size, it had shone a light on a new world. She fantasized about being able to take him whole, and if that would even be possible. Her nipples hardened at the thought of her just suddenly forcing herself all the way down on him, pain be damned.

Without another second passing, she dropped her weight and took more of him. She immediately cried at the strange pain, but feeling herself giving way to him still brought waves of pleasure and stars to her visions.

Draco's fingers were digging harshly into her skin, certainly marking her but she could barely feel it. The burn seeped into her bloodstream and pumped throughout her body.

"How does it feel? Like this?" Draco asked, panting into her neck. Hermione rolled her hips, both of them stilling for a moment as they basked in the jolt of ecstasy between them.

"S-so good." She said and watched as he lazily smiled.

"Not too much?" He asked and she shook her head. "Good, because I want you like this again tonight—"

Hermione moved up and sank back down, sighing as she felt the steady rise of her orgasm.

"But you'll be naked and won't have to hide your screams." He promised, taking her mouth for his own and firmly holding her by the side of her neck.

Hermione whimpered and quickened her bouncing.

"Oh—"

"Gods Hermione–"

Her chest was heating. There was a tightness that crawled through her stomach and into her center, clutching Draco harder. His hands helped her move faster, but he still allowed her to thrust as far as she could take him. Her head fell backwards, mouth parting as a silent scream was threatening to poor over.

"Let me see you come," Draco whispered, biting into her neck, "I want to feel your slick on my stomach."

A hot white flash coursed through her and she leaned forward, throwing her arms around his shoulders and crying into his neck. Hermione's body shook as she irregularly thrusted on him, gasping for air.

"Keep going, take it all from me." He told her, helping her hips to lift.

Delirious through her orgasm, she shook and withered in his lap but still moved up and down on him. He was helping her bounce just on the tip of his cock, moving faster per second.

With one final burst of her orgasm, her walls tightened around him and Draco lifted his hips up. Hermione felt a shiver dance around her body when his come spurted inside her. He groaned heavily, heaving air into her sweaty and messy hair.

His hands moved up her back, holding her tightly to him as Hermione dug her face into his neck, wincing as he pulled out but sighing in relief when she was able to fully sit on his lap. She all but collapsed into him, spent, satiated and tired.

"Okay?" He asked after a moment, running soothing lines up her back with his fingers. She nodded slowly and pulled back to grin at him.

"You're a terrible influence." She told him and watched as he belted out a quick laugh. Hermione snickered as she tried to tell her muscles to work again so she could stand. Malfoy carefully helped her to her feet, holding her by the waist knowing she felt weak.

"You didn't say no. Smart as you are, I'm sure you definitely could have refused my charm." He said with a squinty smile, one that made her reciprocate equally bright.

Hermione grabbed her shorts and vanished her pair of ruined knickers. Malfoy pulled up his own trousers and stood from the table so she could set the cleaning charms.

"Anything else you have to do for the afternoon?" He asked, handing her the shoes she kicked off haphazardly.

"I have a meeting with the coaches before dinner to go over everyone's inquiries. Other than that, no. You?" She said, legs weak so she sat on the table to steady herself, next to him.

"Blaise set up a last minute meeting with a potential sponsor, so I'll miss team dinner." He said with an annoyed sigh.

Hermione gave a light humph, watching him push his hair back out of his face before turning to lopsidedly grin at her. She instantly smiled back.

"I'm free for now. Care to join me for a nap? We've both had quite an exhausting workout." He said, rising from the table and grabbing her hands so she'd stand. Hermione grinned and let him pull her to the door.

"Guess I am knackered." She mumbled and quickly summoned her bag, shut off the lights and locked up. Malfoy took her bag from her hands, slinging it over his shoulder. They walked to the floo together, shoulders bumping and knuckles brushing from being too close.

Hermione,

I'm in town for the semi-finals and heard you were the Head Healer for England. If you're free, I'd love to see you. Brunch or dinner, whatever you prefer! I'm staying at The Sunny Son hotel.

Look forward to hearing from you!

-Roman

Hermione smiled down at the letter and decided to respond right there. Coming back from their team dinner, she was surprised that she had a post waiting, having not the foggiest of who it could be. Roman making the trip for the quarter finals wasn't unlikely, but she was still caught off guard at him reaching out. It's been quite some time since they last spoke.

She wrote she was available for breakfast tomorrow or Friday, apologizing since her schedule was pretty full just days before the match. She headed down to the owlery connected to the lobby and sent off her letter.

As entered the lift, she hesitated to press the number for her floor.

It was getting later in the evening, and she wondered if Draco was still out with Blaise or if he had returned. She pressed his floor's button, deciding to check quickly. At his door, she knocked three times and waited a long moment before tentatively raising her fist and knocking again.

He wasn't back yet, so she left for her room and turned in for the evening.

"Oh fuck me! Look at you, gorgeous!" Roman smiled bright at her, eyes covered by some sunnies.

He stood from their table and embraced her in a huge hug. Hermione giggled a bit when he picked her up off her feet.

"Hi Roman. Gods, it's been forever." She said, thanking him as he held out her seat for her.

"I know, Jesus. Over a year. You look great, Hermione, honestly." He was one to talk. Roman was shorter than Malfoy but still fairly taller than other men. With his wavy brown locks and sky blue eyes, he had women everywhere giving him double looks. He hadn't changed and time was always very gracious with him.

"Thank you, you look the same." She replied, making him laugh hard as he pulled off his glasses.

Roman, kind and sweet, still emulated his media persona. Confident, swooner, classic flirt, insanely direct. She was glad they were long past that point of being uncomfortable around each other, she found his personality to be hilarious even when he was trying to be serious.

Much of their breakfast was spent laughing, Hermione making fun of him as she listened to his failed relationships, how his quidditch season went and the downfall of losing in the first round of the World Cup. Roman was very eccentric when he spoke, swore a lot, but was fun to be around.

"Do you miss the U.S.?" He asked, chewing on his toast.

"I miss New York. I certainly miss Washington too. I'd like to go back one day." She replied, sipping on her tea.

"And me, of course. I know you miss me." He said with a smirk and she laughed.

"Eh, love it or leave it." She told him, he chuckled.

"And leave it you did." He said, eyes casted down with a forced smile. Hermione's shoulders dropped, completely unaware their break up was still tender even after all this time.

"Oh, Ro—I'm sorry I didn't mean—"

"I'm just fucking with you. No bad blood, honey, just pointing out facts." He then said and she kicked him under the table. He groaned but still laughed.

"Don't be an arse."

"'Don't be an arse,' I do miss your cute accent." Roman said with a big smile. "Has anyone tripped your trigger? Or are you still mending your broken heart from our relationship?"

She snorted loudly, covering her mouth with her hand. Once she settled, Hermione felt her cheeks warm and refused to meet his eye. She was considering lying, but her hesitation only led him to make clear assumptions.

"Well, um…"

"Oh my god! Hermione!" Roman exclaimed with glee. "You're fucking someone! Look at you blushing already."

"Merlin Roman—"

"Who is it? Someone from home or from work? That's probably why you're fucking glowing, hell." His eyes glinted as he scanned over her figure in a very seductive way. She ignored it and shifted in her seat, unsure of how much she should tell him.

"It's—well he's actually from school. We've reconnected recently." She said, rolling her lips into her mouth.

"What's his name?"

Hermione knew very well that if she revealed it to be Malfoy, Roman would know who he was. Despite the blossoming feelings for him, she still wasn't sure how much she should divulge before they had a conversation. Especially with the biggest games of his life coming up, there was no point to try and complicate what was working for them both.

"It's…it's very new."

Roman furrowed his brows but grinned.

"So what? I must know him then if you won't say who. Is he ugly? Are you embarrassed? Don't worry I don't judge."

"Oh my god, sod off. No he's not ugly and no I'm not embarrassed. We just—haven't had the time to work through what we're doing. It'll be more clear once we're done with work."

Roman squinted his eyes at her, quietly assessing her words. She shifted uncomfortably when he remained quiet.

"Besides, it doesn't feel right that the first person I tell about us happens to be my ex."

"Why's that? He's insecure?"

"No," She said with a look towards him. Roman shrugged. "Though he is rather…sensitive to some things. I can't imagine what he'll say when I tell him we had breakfast."

"You didn't tell him? Lying is never a good start to a relationship." He tutted.

"I didn't have time. He's got a busy schedule today."

He stared at her again, silent. Hermione shifted her eyes from his face down to their table, wondering what he was thinking. She didn't have to wonder for long. A slow grin appeared on her former lover's face and she had just remembered how truly observant the lad was.

"He's on the team isn't he?"

Her eyes widened, accidentally giving her away despite her stuttering dissents.

"No—I—there's no one on the team I would even consider, no, no. Sorry you're wrong." She said nervously. He started to laugh.

"You're a bad liar when you're put on the spot like this. So which one is he? Cattermole? He seems sort of brainy." Roman asked, taking a sip from his Irish coffee and casually leaning back into his chair. "I think Harpole is taken, isn't he?"

"Can we not do this?" She begged, grinning when he held up his hand and disregarded her completely.

"The Reese guy seems too much like a younger version of me, and I know you wouldn't make that same mistake twice. So it must be Huxley?"

She made a face at the mention of Malfoy's counterpart, Roman noticed.

"Please don't tell me you've gone to the practice squad. Do better, Christ."

With a deep sigh, she decided to fess up. Nothing bad could come from telling Roman, she reasoned. He would have no one to tell and would leave alone once she confessed.

"You forgot one person." She said and watched as his mouth opened with surprise. Roman leaned across the table, his bright blue eyes sparking with realization.

"Draco Malfoy? Are you serious?" He said lowly.

She bit her lip and nodded.

"You certainly have a taste for the best."

"Okay Roman."

"I'm kidding, not really, but color me shocked. I wasn't aware you two would become cozy in a short amount of time. Didn't you tell me he was involved with the Dark Lord?" He questioned, concern rising over his face.

"Yes he was, but he fulfilled his probation and—well he's obviously grown a lot since he was a bloody seventeen year old." She said, defenses rising on his behalf. Roman held up his hands and looked at her amusingly.

"No need for hostility, only asking."

Hermione shook her head.

"I'm sorry—"

"Don't apologize, I get it. You've always stood up for others, especially the people you care about. Must be more serious than you're letting on." He commented and raised his eyebrows at her.

"It's really not. It's only been just over a month since we reconnected and even shorter since we've…got involved—"

"Fucked?" Roman interjected and Hermione squinted at him annoyed, but continued on despite his snickering.

"There is something there. And…I like it….a lot. He's so different from before but there are still those old pieces of him that remain. I mean, It's so funny when I realize that it's Malfoy asking me to have a nap with him after practice. It's—it's strange and lovely all in one." She tried to explain, struggling to find a concise way to show what this thing between her and Malfoy felt like.

She met Roman's eyes, clearly delighted.

"Seems like more than a crush." He said and she shrugged with a deep, thoughtful sigh.

"It has the potential to be more than one I think." She smiled and Roman reciprocated. "Now, tell me if there's someone on your radar? I'm surprised you're not seeing anyone right now."

At the mention of his own love life, Roman perked up like a kid in the candy store. Despite being over thirty years old, Hermione knew he wasn't ready to settle down anytime soon and loved his short term relationships. She knew once he'd retire from quidditch he'd probably date more seriously, but for now he shared crazy and silly stories of his hook ups and made her cry of laughter for the rest of the morning.

Hermione waltzed into the training facility feeling perky from her breakfast with Roman, still smiling from all his tales and anecdotes he had to share. It was truly such a treat to see him, and he even politely apparated them back to her hotel.

She was organizing the room, setting up the machines for the players that had treatment when she heard someone approaching and felt her heart leap then drop all in a second. Arlina was surprisingly the first person to enter. Hermione blushed when the chaser laughed and made a comment about her obvious shock.

"I know I'm not as tall or as good looking at Malfoy but I'd still think I'm an excitable person to see." The girl laughed and slid onto the table.

Hermione shook her head and helped her get set up to the machine.

"Sorry, usually Malfoy is the first to get here. Throwing me off a bit." She admitted with a grin.

"I get it, only taking the piss." Arlina said and Hermione went about her usual routine of pre practice treatment with the athletes.

Ten minutes had passed and Malfoy still wasn't in. Hermione was frequently checking the door, waiting to see him walk through. After twenty minutes when Everett was finishing up, she couldn't help but ask after him.

"Um, Everett? Have you seen Malfoy?"

He shook his head and Hermione felt a strange discomfort wrap around her stomach.

"He's here though," he suddenly added and Hermione frowned. "All his stuff's in the locker room. Must already be out on the pitch."

Her brows crinkled as she checked the time, seeing practice was about to begin and the players usually warmed up beforehand. But Malfoy never missed treatment and he always made sure he had ample time to warm up as well.

"That's…odd. Is he—" Hermione broke off and then lowered her voice, her cheeks warming. "Is he okay?"

Everett simply shrugged and left to the locker room.

Everyone had left and it was too late for Malfoy to get his routine treatment. Practice was starting. Hermione finished cleaning the room, locked up then headed to the pitch like she normally does. Once situated in the blazing heat,

Hermione put on her sunnies and located Malfoy.

He was on the far end, away from the rest of the team, batting a bludger spelled to come soaring back at him after every hit. Even from the stands she could hear him grunting.

The apprehension in her gut only increased. He appeared to be angry and very obviously taking it out on the bludger. She winced everytime the bat cracked loudly, the sound echoing in the air.

Proggs blew his whistle and circled the team together. They began with warm up drills for about twenty minutes, broke out into individual training for their position for another fifteen before working on defensive drills as a team.

All the while, Malfoy was being unusually quiet. She hadn't heard one word from him. Typically he'd yell for calls or passes, he'd even occasionally cheer for his teammates when they did something good. Now she wasn't even certain if he was breathing.

Practice players and starters split off to their respective sides and the teams began scrimmaging. The practice team was running Egypt's form of offense and defense, practicing holding the quaffle for extended periods of time then passing quickly to leave defenders scattered.

Hermione barely watched the rest of the team. She couldn't stop looking at Malfoy and hoping he would loosen. His eyebrows were narrowed, a deep frown on his lips as he dashed and bumped into other players. He and Huxley were usually the ones that received the most brutal treatment during practice. Dodging and batting spelled bludgers while having to protect their offense. It was never easy but Malfoy's athleticism could handle it.

Today, he looked like he was bothered by everything thrown at him, and his response was more aggression. It almost made her want to look away, in fear that something bad was going to happen.

The practice team was beating straight arse against the starters and Malfoy was visibly frustrated. He was zoning in on one of the chasers when a blunger came flying from his left. Hermione held her breath and watched as he stopped on a dime, whipped the bat at the bludger and sent it flying at the chaser in front of him.

The bludger hit the chaser's shoulder, and there was a grotesque sounding pop heard immediately on impact.

The man screamed, dropped the quaffle and began losing control of his broom. Hermione lept from the bench, opened her medical kit, reached for the miniature broom and quickly transfigured it to a full sized one. She hopped on and flew directly to the injured practice players.

He was still swerving all over, grabbing his shoulder and skittishly hovering in the air. Hermione slowly approached him, afraid he may fly into her.

"Hey! Richard! Richard hey, it's okay, big breath, take a deep breath for me." She said as she grew closer. He was still groaning, face pinched as he held onto his shoulder. Others from the team circled around them.

"Fuck I think my arm is shattered." He whimpered out. Luckily he was calm enough to speak.

"Take a few deep breaths for me?" She said, pulling up right beside him and waiting as he did. "Good, good. Do you think you can handle flying down to the ground? I'll take you back to the training room then."

"Yeah, alright."

The two steadily descended back to the ground, and one of the assistant coaches was there to help him dismount his broom and collect his items. Hermione walked Richard back to the training room, softly talking to him and going through the possible injuries he might have.

Once they were situated, Hermione began doing a series of movement and pain tests on his arm, shoulder and back. Richard's shoulder was definitely located, and she couldn't spell it back in place without further damaging his ligaments. He would need it set by a professional and be scheduled for surgery.

She handed him a strong brew of a pain potion and floo-called the nearest hospital, arranging for him to be seen right away. One of the assistant athletic trainers in the facility went with him as Hermione contacted his emergency contact.

Forty minutes later, Hermione finally headed back to practice, only to realize it was over. Some of the players were just walking to the locker room when she headed to Proggs office. She relayed the news to him, explaining she'll give him updates as they come from the other trainer.

She tiredly went back into the training room and began setting up for the athletes. The assistant trainer came back in when Arlina was wrapping up her treatment. She explained Richard was scheduled for surgery in a couple hours and was doing fine. Hermione thanked them and relayed the news to Proggs.

Huxley and Reese asked after Richard, as did the others. They all said they'd pay him a visit once they finished up in the facility. Hermione said that would be nice, considering he had some time before they'd prep him for surgery.

Hermione couldn't help but notice that Malfoy again was the only one not receiving post practice treatment. It angered her. He childishly couldn't talk to her before practice and now he's cowardly avoiding her after the incident.

"Where's Malfoy?" She asked Reese as he was heading out.

"Hospital. He floo'd straight away after practice. Pretty shook up about Richard." He said with a bit of a flinch.

"Yes, well," she crossed her arms and turned away from him, "he should be."

For the rest of the evening, Hermione stayed at the hotel. She let some steam out of her system and took a few laps by the pool and relaxed in the whirlpool. She was still somewhat enraged by Malfoy's brutal behavior and was planning on laying into him the second she saw him.

He had never been so violently careless in practice before. He was calculated with his brutality, hitting bludgers with a precision that looked like his own perfected craft. She knew whatever was going on with Malfoy caused him to lack focus today and because of that, she was so profoundly disappointed in him.

Thinking of seeing Richard getting hit played in her mind and she was hoping his surgery was going well. She was going to check in once the doctor's called to let her know how it went.

There was a swift and sudden knock at her door. Her eyes narrowed at the sound and she stood from the desk and strode to the peephole to confirm her suspicions. She pulled the door open with a frown.

Reese was right, Malfoy did look a bit shook up. His eyes were filled with worry and regret.

"Can we talk?" He asked.

Hermione nodded and stepped to the side, getting a large, fresh inhale of his shampoo and body wash. He must've just showered. She wondered if he had just gotten back from the hospital then came right to here.

She watched as he slowly sat on the bed, biting the inside of his cheek and softly massaging his bad hand. Initially, she had the urge to ask why he missed treatment both times today, but knew better than to start the conversation. He obviously had something on his mind, so she was going to let him speak first.

Malfoy sighed multiple times before working up the courage to look her in the eye. When he did, she simply raised her eyebrows at him and stared. His mouth parted a few more times, his eyes pleading and confused. He finally groaned and shot up from the bed, walking directly to her and staring down.

"I'm…I was… angry with you today." He began slowly. Her eyebrows creased down and her stomach tightened. She let a painfully long moment pass between them before she had the courage to speak.

"Why?"

He sighed again and hung his head lowly, not meeting her eye again.

"I—I know you saw MacIsaac this morning."

There was a very tiny part inside Hermione that worried his temper today was caused by Roman. The rational side of her mind gave him the benefit of the doubt, thinking he would never be so angry over something insignificant and let himself hurt one of his teammates. That and Roman and her had made plans so last minute, it would be nearly impossible for him to find out before she told him herself.

She should have listened to that little doubt. Her gut was rarely ever wrong.

"And so what?" Hermione raised her arms in the air quickly and let her hands slap down at her thighs, "You—you ignore me all day? Blow off treatment and go insane during practice? All because I saw my ex?"

He had the pluck to roll his eyes.

"You didn't tell me. That's why I was so angry—"

"Malfoy, I haven't seen you at all today! Or yesterday evening for that matter." She interrupted, so hurt and angry with him that he would let his emotions get the best of him before ever thinking to speak with her.

"And when did you make these plans then?" He asked, eyes accusing and voice rising with attitude.

Hermione leveled her stare with him.

"Yesterday evening I received his owl. He's in town for the semi-finals obviously and wanted to catch up." She explained. For a split second, his face softened into understanding, but it was gone in an instant.

"And you couldn't find any time to tell me? You have our entire schedule, Hermione, how easy would it have been to walk up to my floor and let me know you had a date with that prick?" He fired back and her jaw dropped.

"Oh right. I forgot you're entitled to know everything I plan on doing the second it's scheduled."

"I'm just saying it's not that hard—"

"To what? Floo to your dinner with a potential sponsor? Wait by your door for when you come back to the hotel? Wake up with you at six in the morning or to interrupt the charity work session with your team and tell you? You're right it may not be hard but it certainly is imbecilic."

His illogical argument only made her feel worse. It's one thing for him to be jealous but it's a totally different argument to try and blame her for his thoughtless emotions.

He released a long breath through his nostrils, the breath hitting her on her forehead. His voice was still hard when he found his words.

"Just even a note passed? Let someone else know to tell me? I—I don't see why you kept this from me."

"I already told you it happened very last minute. And again why do you think you're so entitled to know where I am and who I'm with? You didn't act like this when I saw Vitkor—"

"Exactly I didn't," he said forcefully, taking a step to her, "And can you figure out why?"

"I don't know." She automatically snapped, somewhat bratty, and a pause fell on them. Malfoy raised his eyebrows at her, like he was begging her to think before answering his question. She swallowed and some of her vexation weakened when she understood what he couldn't say. Hermione wanted to roll her eyes, but instead tried to reply amicably.

"Maybe because…I didn't actually date Viktor?" She offered.

His cheeks went pink and his jaw tightened. He didn't meet her gaze, embarrassed maybe, but he silently nodded.

She stared at him disbelieving.

"Draco…," Disappointment oozed in her voice.

"It's different. You know it is." He said tightly. Hermione shook her head, not letting him slip by so easy.

"Even if it's different you did not need to ignore me for the entire day and take out your anger on your teammate—"

"It was an accident!"

"You dislocated his fucking shoulder." She told him sternly, horror rising within her again as the scene flashed through her mind. "It was so brutal that he's undergoing surgery to repair the ligaments and muscles."

"I obviously didn't intend for that to happen and I feel like shit that it did." He said with a frown. "I didn't go out on the pitch and purposely try to injure anyone. Do you honestly think that?"

Hermione searched his eyes, finding small bits of hurt and longing. Mixed in beneath it all, she found insecurity as he waited for her answer. Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head. A very small amount of tension began to release from her body.

"No, I don't. I just can't believe you'd act so childishly about this." She said. "Roman is just a friend and I don't care what preconceived notions you have about him. We don't owl, we don't regularly keep in touch, I don't even wish him happy birthday."

It was ridiculous, in her eyes. Though his bout of jealousy did tickle some part in her stomach, it was still completely unnecessary for him to have these feelings. She watched with pleading eyes as the corner of his mouth twitched, desperate for him to believe her.

"It's—I don't care. It's the principle of it for me." He told her steadily and she made a face. "I want to know what you're doing. Not all the time but certainly when it's with a sleazy American Quidditch player who also happens to be your ex-boyfriend."

His hands lifted and found her waist. Hermione's stomach tortuously leapt at the contact. Heavy hands pulled her forward and warmth seeped under her shirt. As low as her heart felt, she didn't want to be upset with him. He was trying to be open with her, the least she could do was listen and be understanding.

"I am sorry I overreacted, but I still feel the same. I'm…possessive by nature, I can't change that about me. And I—don't want others to misread your availability." His voice lowered considerably, merely a whisper.

She was internally arguing whether to pull out of his embrace or lean in closer. Staring at his remorseful stone colored eyes made choosing the latter feel like the right decision. Hermione swayed closer to his touch, unraveling the second she gave into him.

"Roman is a friend," She quietly said, eyes fluttering when his fingers brushed under her shirt. "You shouldn't—there's nothing to worry about. With him or with anyone, okay?"

Her quiet revelation was received well. Draco's hands moved completely under her shirt, bare and warm against her back. He pulled her closer, their chests touching and her hands having no choice but to circle up around his neck.

"Promise?" He mumbled against her temple. His hot breath made fresh goosebumps freckle her skin.

"I promise." She said, pressing as close to him as she possibly could.

Tender lips pressed into her crown. She leaned her head into his kiss, titling her jaw to allow him to pepper them down her forehead and cheek until he finally met her lips. She sighed contently, all negativity dissolving from their bodies as they resolved the complication before them.

It felt good to have that sense of security. The small confirmation of what was blooming between them leveled a worry she wasn't even aware that she had until now. Being around Draco was fun and passionate, and now hearing he felt deeply about her, it flourished a warmth inside her.

Fingers threaded through his silky hair, forcing his head to turn so their lips slotted into each other. Hermione tentatively reached her tongue out for his, teasing him by pulling back and shortly offering it forward. Each slow movement of her lips were countered with quick and deeper kisses, him trying to get more.

Seemingly frustrated by her lack of progression, Draco took matters into his own hands. His palms left her back and suddenly grabbed her skull to keep her in place. He opened his mouth widely, tongue reaching for hers and taking it hostage. She gasped at the movement, unable to move and back away. The thrill shuddered down to her core.

"Don't tease me, love," he said breathily, running his nose against hers.

She just hummed through a smile and brought their lips back together. He turned them around, Hermione losing her sense of awareness as he did. Their feet fumbled together and she clumsily knocked her knees into his legs a few times before he ultimately picked her up and placed her in the middle of the mattress.

He was away a mere second and suddenly kissed her like he was gone for days. His lips were frantic, hardly allowing either of them to gasp for breath. Draco's hands touched every part of her body available to him, wandering like there wasn't enough time for him to touch.

A small moan formed at the base of her throat when one of his thighs slitted between her legs. She threw her knee over his hip and arched into him, grinding her hips against his wide quad muscle. A scorching fire burned inside her stomach, she could feel the greediness in his kisses and it left her insatiable.

Flame filled kisses and touches suddenly stopped. His hands remained stagnant on her back, and lips were far away from where she wanted. She opened her eyes, a pouty whimper coming out of her mouth.

"So it's okay for you to tease me but I can't do the same?" He asked, a smirk on his face.

Hermione groaned, moving to kiss him but he averted again.

"Just keep doing what you're doing," he encouraged, thrusting his leg further against her, making her body jolt up. "I want you soaking on my cock."

Her pout remained but Hermione continued thrusting on his leg, feeling her knickers rub her clit and the wetness sliding between her folds as she moved. Draco's eyelids were low, pupils widening.

"Keep going, I swear I can feel you through your shorts."

She thought she'd be embarrassed, especially if it were true, but Hermione was too wired on his pheromones to care.

"Touch me, Draco." She whispered, squeezing her hand into her bicep and reaching for his lips again. He obliged her at least, allowing their mouths to meet and heat to spread between them but did not make any move to touch her where she desired.

"You're fine, just ride my thigh." He said.

"But I—"

"Shh, sh." He hushed and kissed her deeply. "I'll give you what you want, but for right now, I want you to grind that tight little cunt on me."

He silenced her protests by diving his tongue into her mouth and kissing her until she couldn't breathe. The friction and pressure of her shorts and his thigh made her feel chaotic. She couldn't stop moving against him even if she wanted more, besides, his instructions were clear.

Large palm held her grind into his thigh. Draco occasionally pushed his leg harder into her center, causing her womb to flutter and her whimpers to grow louder with frustration. Even with pieces of fabric between them, she could feel the rise of heat licking the inside of her stomach, coursing to her womb.

"Draco—I,"

"Can you come like this? Get yourself off on me?"

Hermione released a shallow breath and kissed him harder, slamming her eyes shut and focusing on the pressure of his massive thigh rubbing her to her climax. His hands steered her harder, fingers gripped her hips and the flesh of her arse as he softly commanded her to come.

"That's it love, just like that." He mumbled into her mouth, sucking harshly on her bottom lip as she came undone with frantic cries.

She wasn't granted a second of reprieve before he turned her on her back, and kissed what little air she had left out of her lungs. Hermione was convinced he was trying to reduce her to nothing but puddles.

"So pretty like this," he said into neck, removing her shorts.

Hermione reached for his shirt, fisting the material over his head until his arms slipped through. Draco raised to his knees and gave her a salacious smile before grabbing her shirt and helping her out of it. He leaned down, sucking on the swell of her breasts and pulling away the cups of her bra to lather his tongue around her nipples.

"Draco, please—" She whined, body overly sensitive from her orgasm.

"Are you ready for me?" He asked, fingers sliding between her folds. She hissed as he inserted two fingers right into her opening. "Fuck, yes you are, so slick for me, love."

He kept his fingers inside as he rose back on his knees, pulling himself free from his shorts with his other hand. His heavy stare was on his fingers thrusting in and out of her, but her's were on his aching cock. His pulsing red tip was dripping and her tongue salivated at the sight.

Hermione bravely pushed his hand away and turned on her stomach, turning her head over her shoulder to look at him breathlessly. His eyes lit up for a second, both palms coming down on her arse to grab it.

"Like this? Are you sure?" He asked, leaning down and pressing his naked body into her back.

She instantly lifted her hips up, trying to line up his cock with her entrance. When she nodded slowly, he began kissing over her shoulders.

They haven't strayed from their normal positions, either him or her on top. It's what they have gotten used to. Well, what she's been able to adjust to really. A switch to something new was daunting, and Hermione had no idea how well she'd fare taking him like this, but she was desperate to try.

"Please, let me feel you like this." She quietly ordered, rubbing his length against her bum.

Draco's arm bracketed her waist, holding her slightly off the bed then bent one knee up towards her face.

"Tell me if it's too much." He whispered then slid his cock into her waiting center.

Hermione's jaw slacked as he groaned and physically shook from entering her. It was such a different feeling from the other times they'd have sex. He was so deeply lodged in her stomach that it almost felt unnatural. Just when she thought he was totally sheathed, he pushed again, tip touching her cervix and he let out a feral moan.

"Tight…so tight and warm." He struggled to say, words lodging in his throat.

Clutching the pillow under her head, she focused on the pull of his cock dragging against her walls as he tried to find a speed that would work. He was moving so slow, stretching and thrusting, getting her used to him and the angle.

"Fuck—I want to hear your scream love." He said softly, hand coming up to stroke her throat with his thumb. Draco raised a bit off her body.

Emphasizing his desire, he snapped his hips fast against her bum, causing her arse to bounce harshly.

"Oh, gods!" She cried, hands clenching and unclenching the pillows by her head.

"Yes, just like that—can I go faster?" He asked, through broken pants. She nodded eagerly and arched her arse higher into him.

On his knees, Draco canted his hips back and snapped forward again. The sound of their skin slapping together caused her to clench around him harder and harder. With every passing second and her body relaxing more into their position, he went faster.

Soon his hands were pinning her waist down and he was pistoling into her with a force he's never shown. His cock pounded into her pussy, and Draco was fucking her without regard. Hermione was shattering within, the pull of him, the sound of their bodies moving together was causing the heat within her to fester.

He was going to break her in half, and she wanted him to.

"Don't st—" The words died when he grunted and thrusted harder.

"Never—whatever you want—oh fuck, love I—"

Hermione pushed her arse back in rhythm with his hips, muffling her mouth into the pillow as she wailed.

"So good–fucking drenched Hermione–oh gods–oh–"

Draco broke off and in three quick and powerful thrusts, came inside her. The moan he let out was the loudest she ever heard from him. It was low in his throat, scratchy from breathing hard and sounded sexy as all hell. Her cunt fluttered and he doubled over on her with a laugh.

"Shit, don't do that." He said, forehead sweaty on her cheek and ragged breathing in her ear. "I'm sorry I don't know what came over me."

Hermione forced a chuckle through her tired breathing. She reached her arm up to brush some of his hair.

"I take it you enjoyed the new position?" She said, turning on one side to allow him to comfortably settle.

He hummed, slowly sliding out of her then laying next to her.

"You have a fantastic arse." He explained, reaching a hand around her to grab one of her cheeks and squeeze it harshly. "Seeing it like that, all perched up just so you can take me was so fucking sexy."

Hermione blushed a bit, never having heard such a vulgar compliment from him but finding she rather liked it. She reached up to kiss him, tender and slow pecks, before she cozied up right under his neck. Draco kissed her head and began massaging her hair under the mess of curls.

"I like when you lay facing me." He said randomly, once they were comfortable.

"Really, why?" She quietly asked, hands pressed between both their chests, her fingers playing with his necklaces.

"Quicker access to your lips." Draco leaned down and kissed her sweetly before settling calmly against her.

It was silent for many minutes, both needing their respective time for their bodies to decompress. She continued to run her index finger over the pendant hanging around his chest, listening to his breath slow and feel his heartbeat calm.

Hermione had felt her stomach begin to rumble but didn't want to leave just yet. She was ready to suggest room service when his chest rumbled with soft words.

"I really didn't mean to hurt Richard."

He was quiet, almost like he had spoken the thought accidentally out loud. Her eyes opened slowly and she took an inhale that squeezed at her heart. She took the hand that laid across his stomach and found his fingers, giving them a pulse.

"I know, Draco. Everyone understands it was an accident." She assured him.

"But I never—I have way better aim than that. I'm not—I'm not a dirty player. Aggressive, yeah but—"

"I know," She said quietly, squeezing his hand again.

"I'd never intentionally hurt anyone. I'm—not like that."

Hermione swallowed thickly and raised up on her elbow to meet him eye to eye. It physically pained her to hear him try and reassure her, or even himself, that there was no malice behind today's incident. No one had even suggested that, but she knew that given his history, Draco would be his own worst enemy.

"Everyone knows you would never do anything like that purposely. It was a fluke and no one is angry with you." She said, looking at him in his worried eyes. He looked down at their connected hands, face turned into a frown.

"You were," he mumbled sadly.

A shooting pain struck her in the chest, cut her down the middle of her sternum all the way down to her stomach.

Hermione couldn't deny it, she even vocalized it to him. But Draco's remorse was more than enough for her to be over it.

"I—yes, initially. I think I was also hurt that you blew me off, and that the accident was born from your jealousy." She admitted softly, watching as his saddened face somehow grew more downtrodden.

"I didn't mean to," he said and again a pinch was felt in her heart.

"I know,"

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely.

"Draco, I know. There's no need to continue to beat yourself up over it. What did Richard say when you saw him?"

She asked, removing her hand from his fingers and raising it to his face, softly stroking his jaw.

"He understood, said it's just another working hazard but I—fuck it should have been avoided. That shouldn't have ever happened and I—"

"But it did and Richard is fine and will be fully rehabilitated before next season starts." Hermione cut him off, seeing the panic and guilt rise as soon as he began rambling. "Did he forgive you?"

"He told me to stop bloody apologizing."

She grinned at that.

"And that it was a good shot, told me to do it in the semi's." They both smiled at that. There was a pause between them, Draco clearly trying to work through his emotions and Hermione let him, all while providing a physical comfort he seemed to need.

With a gentle nod of his head, leaning into her palm, he looked up at her with wide, insecure eyes.

"You're not mad at me? You truly know I would never hurt someone like that?"

Hermione looked at this gentle man before her and softly smiled.

"I'm not mad at all, and I know you wouldn't. I know you better than that, Draco."

She said and pressed her lips to his to seal away his worries hopefully for good. When she pulled away, he nodded kindly and wrapped her into a tight embrace. They settled down together and felt the ache between them fade away into their quiet.

Chapter Text

Hermione blinked her eyes open, breathing heavily before turning to her opposite side. The warm body next to her was completely asleep. A first. She carefully watched his shoulders rise with his soft inhales. Draco's face when sleeping made her feel like she was struck backwards in time. He looked so young, like they were still at Hogwarts.

The thought was so startling that for a second she wasn't sure they were still in fifth year and she was suddenly having a bizarre dream.

But then, his face muscles crinkled and he sucked in a low breath. Hermione stared with interest as he opened his eyes, adjusting to the first new hours of the day looking disoriented yet entirely at ease.

The second he saw her, recognition flashed over his face and his arm lazily wrapped over her waist. She moved closer into his massive body, immediately comforted.

"What're y'doing up 'fore me?" He groggily asked with a seductive hum. Hermione wriggled closer, throwing her leg over his hip.

"I just woke up." She said quietly, still wanting to preserve their quiet in the morning.

"Too excited to sleep in?" He joked, and Hermione smiled, beginning to press kisses into his collarbone.

"Maybe," her hips rutted experimentally to see if there was morning wood, "you're not?"

"I am," he replied, she felt his mouth pull into a grin on her head. She lifted her own to rest on her arm, now able to stare at him again.

When she moved her hips once more, in a way that could have been an innocent readjusting, his lazy eyes peeled open and an approving smirk was given.

"You're excited for other reasons." He noted and she breathed out a chuckle.

Hermione rubbed her bare center over his hardening erection then sighed when his fingers slipped up under her —his actually—sleeping shirt. She carefully pushed herself off her side and mounted him. The blankets slipped down to her waist and the fresh morning air caused ripples of goosebumps to rise on her skin. Her nipples peaked as Malfoy's nails barely scratched her sides and so she grinded down a bit harder on him.

He hummed appreciatively, low and throaty. The sound made her grin with success, and she carefully lifted off his hips and tugged his briefs away with his help. Draco then sat up with her in his lap, somewhat holding her body weight as he cradled her.

"No good morning kiss first?" He asked tiredly, pushing back the messy fly away curls from her face.

Hermione smiled and hooked her arms around him, pressing their lips together before lifting up and pushing him inside. They both broke away with loud groans, breaths fanning each other. He held her close, pressed to his chest as she slowly moved up and down. Heavy pants and muffled whimpers against each other's lips filled their quiet morning.

She fisted his hair, holding their mouths close after every kiss, wanting to breathe him in until her lungs only knew his oxygen. Heavy hands pulled her against him, helping aid their building climaxes. At this point, Hermione could fit him inside her with little resistance. Only when he thrusted with her did she remember how big he was.

Draco buried his face into her neck, sucking at her skin and quietly praising her until they both came with a prolonged and graveling cry.

Unsteady heaves of air filled the morning, both clung to each other, chests rising and falling with muggy sweat forming over their skin.

"Happy game day." Hermione spoke into his ear with a smile.

He chuckled and ran his fingers up her spine before hugging her tightly.

"Thank you," he replied, bringing his hands to hold her face in front of him, "I'm feeling like a winner already."

Hermione laughed at his bad joke and carefully climbed off him with a slight hiss and shaky legs. She laid on her side facing him, palm resting on her chin. She stared at his chest, twirling his pendant over to read the runes engraved.

Protection, health, strength, love

She smiled faintly and silently asked every single soul living and dead to watch over Draco today and make sure he was safe on the pitch. When she looked up, his eyes were carefully watching her. There was something over his face that resembled comfort and tenderness, it made her heart beat faster and louder.

"Come here," he opened his arms, wordlessly inviting her closer, "I only have a few minutes before I have to get up."

Hermione moved into his arms, tracing the same ancient ruins on his necklace over his chest repeatedly until he had to leave.

Her pulse was racing the second Draco left her hotel room. Hermione had thought by the time Bulgaria and Peru played, she'd be much calmer. Instead she avoided tea and coffee all day, not needing extra caffeine to fuel her nerves and had taken multiple walks in her few free moments of the day to relax. She even adapted her own pre game rituals, finding herself paranoid that if she didn't shower, dress and do her hair in the same way she's done since the road to the World Cup began, that she would be the ultimate cause of England's loss.

She felt like she was losing her bloody mind. With her brain running rampant, she did her best to appear outwardly composed.

Treatment with the team helped. Seeing that they were all anxious with their own excitement but still calm and confident reassured her everything was fine. Sure Hermione worried before every game, but she wanted to win so badly it was like an ache was piercing her stomach.

Malfoy came in around the same time, face devoid of any emotion other than preparedness. She helped set him up to his compression legs and they sat in silence as she worked on his hand. Every so often, she'd glance up to check on him.

"Doing alright?" She asked and each time he nodded once with one side of his mouth slightly curling into a grin. Hermione would nod back at him, take a breath and focus on treating his hand.

Once he was taped and she confirmed he needed no other help, Hermione shakily grabbed both his hands and stared up at him. He raised a single brow at her, a devilish smirk appearing as he sensed her nervousness.

"Good luck today. I know you'll be fine and nothing's ever gone wrong but be careful and don't get any penalties and try to watch out for number twenty-two, you know she's going to—"

"Attack in front to distract me from the chaser's behind. I know." He finished his scouting report, one she had memorized as well.

"Right," she said with a laugh. Hermione took a deep breath and licked her lips. "Well, I'll see you out there. Good luck, Draco."

She hesitated after she repeated herself, wanting to rise on her toes to kiss him but Everett and Arlina were still in the room. Malfoy's smirk grew deeper and then he took a half step forward, bending his neck and placing a hand on her back.

Her stomach twisted and turned, but she lifted up on her toes and met him halfway, placing a single peck on his lips.

"Thanks, love." He replied and squeezed her hand once. He turned and left quickly after.

Hermione's cheeks were so hot she thought she'd begin to sweat. When she turned around and walked back over to Everett, he and Arlina were both smiling at her, looking as if they'd burst out laughing any second.

"Any comments you have, please save them until after your season. I don't want to be held liable for injuries I may have 'accidentally' caused while treating you." She warned them both but couldn't hide her dopey smile.

The two teammates laughed out loud.

"Gods Malfoy is really rubbing off on you. That sounds exactly like something he would say." Everett told her, sitting still as she placed kiniseo tape on him.

She didn't have much of a reply or quip to give, because he was absolutely right. Instead she changed the subject by asking to see if either of them needed anything else from her before they headed to the pitch. After they both left and everyone had been seen, Hermione took her medical kit and headed to the stands, clenching and unclenching her fists until she took her seat.

Warm ups passed in a blur, and when the lineups were announced and the crowd's yells pierced her ears, Hermione realized how significant this game actually was. The World Cup was one game away and England had put on a historic run. In that quick little moment when the stands were bright with camera flashes and the team circled around Proggs, she felt nothing but gratitude for all the player's she's met.

Each team took their places. Hermione was on her feet, fully intending to stand with the rest of the practice members in their box for the duration of the game. Once the whistle was blown, the action never stopped.

The first twelve minutes of the game remained scoreless, but that didn't mean the aggression from either team was lacking. Constant steals, nearly impossible blocks and remarkable defense exuded by both teams made the match electrified.

England was on the board first with a wonderful goal by Tristan. The stadium erupted with noise, so loud that Hermione felt the stands shake under her feet.

After the score broke, it was non stop back and forth. Egypt scored, followed quickly by another goal by England. The battle went on, always back and forth. The teams were so evenly matched, Hermione truly had no idea who would or could win the game.

It was clear it would come down to the Seekers.

The thought did not ease her mind but it also didn't worry her. She had faith in Everett, but she knew Egypt's seeker was a remarkable talent as well. For the time being while the snitch was yet to be spotted, she focused on the neck in neck game.

Draco was…well to put it frankly, performing for his life.

He was integral to every goal England scored and every goal they blocked against Egypt. He had knocked away the quaffles multiple times, sent bludgers into the legs of his opens, successfully hitting them off path and even sometimes causing them to lose control of their broom.

Every open shot the chasers had was because of him. He was everywhere on the pitch, never stopping for even a second. The game was relentless and so was he.

The teams remained tied at the hour and thirty mark. Hermione's fingers were cramping from grabbing the railing so tightly. Draco was up to twenty successful quaffle knockouts, eight of them from batted bludgers. He had managed eighteen bludger blocks from hitting his fellow teammates. His performance was possibly the best she's ever seen from a beater.

The snitch was spotted once in the entire time of play, and as soon as it was seen, it was lost just as quickly. Everett and Egypt's seeker were blocked by their opponents, causing too much of a distraction for them to track it down. And so the game went on.

As they approached the two hour mark, England began to pull ahead. The crowd was screaming, fans chanting for England as they went up by fifty. Hermione was still on her feet, cheering for the team and watching with excitement as her players gave it their everything.

All of a sudden, there was a ferocious zoom directly in front of their bench. So intense that she and the rest of the practice players and coaches fell backwards. They all hastily stood up and leaned over the edge of the railing.

"The snitch has been sighted! Everett Harpole and Rawya Zaghloul are hot on it's tail!" The announcer exclaimed and the fans broke into a deafening scream.

Everett and Rawya were shoulder by shoulder, arms outstretched diving lower to the ground as the snitch descended.

"They are neck in neck folks! I have never seen anything like this!"

Hermione's eyes went wide as they continued lowering closer to the ground. It looked like they were going to crash.

"Harpole inching ahead!"

The two men's brooms were seconds from scraping the ground, impact was inevitable.

"It's gonna be…"

Less than a half blink later, the two men collided with the ground and tumbled over each other. Gasps gathered inside the arena like the smoke from the ground. The crowd grew quiet with murmurs until it was totally silent. Hundreds of thousands of people paused for the dust to settle, waiting for the victor to come forth.

As the two seeker's bodies came into view, they both remained on the ground, unmoving. Hermione took a step to her medical kit, ready to spring into action but then, they began coughing and gasping for air. They sat on their hands and knees, head slunk below their shoulders.

Rawya Zaghloul's fist suddenly flew into the air, tiny wings flapping outside his curled fist.

"Zaghloul catches the snitch! Zaghloul catches the snitch! Egypt wins with three hundred and twenty points and advances to the World Cup Championship!"

Her stomach sunk so low she felt physically sick. Hermione looked up from Everett, seeing the way all her players paused on their broom, breathing heavily and simply floating in the air as they absorbed their reality. Everyone looked hollow as defeat settled in.

As Egypt's team flew the ground and celebrated together, England's team slowly approached. Everett remained on the ground, still on his hands and knees even when the rest of his teammates were lined up ready to congratulate their opponents and receive their own recognition.

Malfoy discarded his broom on the ground and walked over to his captain. Hermione watched with a broken heart as he bent over and helped him get to his feet. The two quickly embraced, Malfoy patting Everett on the back, clearly saying something in his ear. The seeker pulled away with tears clearing away the dirt on his face.

Hermione felt her eyes well as the two kept their arms around each other and joined the rest of their team. All seven starters embraced in one large group, taking several moments for themselves before finally readying for their recognition.

When they received their semi-final awards and Malfoy's name was announced, the mass of people cheered so loudly for him that she did begin to cry. He uncharacteristically stepped forward and waved his hand up to show his gratitude to their fans, then turned towards the box where his mother was in and blew her a kiss.

She headed back into the training room after that, immensely proud but unable to watch the sad looks of loss anymore.

Hermione waited an appropriate amount of time before fetching someone to give her an update, assuming that no one would be coming in for treatment but wanting to confirm with one of the other coaches once they had a moment. She wandered down the halls, running into a few family members of the players and their agents.

Reese was on the opposite end of the facility, heading towards the floo. His head was hung low and his steps dragged on. She frowned deeply.

"Hey Reese." She called and jogged over to him. The chaser slowly turned and offered her a most forced and pathetic smile. Hermione embraced him immediately.

"I'm sorry about the match, you had an incredible season." She muttered into his shoulder.

He sniffed and pulled back, a now more grateful smile at least present.

"Thanks Granger. I'm thankful you were on the team this year, made this experience so much better." He said sadly. She couldn't help but hug him again, not used to seeing someone who's so usually chipper acting morose.

"Are you heading back to the hotel?" She asked after pulling away.

"Yeah, coach organized one last dinner with everyone. Going to get piss drunk so I never remember this night again." He joked sardonically.

"I'll be there once I clean up. Is everyone still here then?"

"A few left. Malfoy is talking to the press with Everett and Proggs, if you're looking for him. Just down there pass that white door." He pointed behind her and she looked in that direction.

She nodded, quietly thanking him before turning and heading that way. She quietly opened the door, hearing Proggs speaking in a hushed tone. Hermione stood behind the cluster of twenty photographers and reporters. Quills scratching everywhere along with multiple camera flashes brightening the room.

"—defensively they match up with us so well. I mean block for block, bat for bat, it was already said but yeah. That was one of the most evenly played games I've ever seen in my life and props to Egypt for having such a thorough scout on us."

Hermione slid up against the wall, raising her heels against it so she could see better. Proggs was seated on the end, Everett in the middle and Malfoy next to him. His eyes looked tired, face a bit blotchy from what she could make out.

"This one's for Malfoy." A report said and he looked up at who was speaking to him solemnly. "You had a record game yet again. Twenty four blocks, ten bludgers blocked against an attempted goal, you were everywhere tonight. How do you feel about your performance?"

He raised his shoulder as if he was uncomfortable by the question. Hermione suspected he actually didn't like it at all and so she patiently waited to hear what he had to say.

"It's great and all that I have those stats but we didn't win, so it doesn't really matter to me." He replied evenly.

"It was described as a perfect game. You now have the record for most blocks recorded in a playoff game and most bludger hits landed—"

"Again," he cut another reporter off, brows coming down on his head, "if it was a perfect game, we would've won. There were blocks I missed that led to them scoring, leaving Emery alone to defend against attempted goals. On the play where Tristan was hit, I got my path crossed with Maddox and it resulted in a goal off of our turnover. I could go on, but I think you all get my point."

It was silent after that, more camera flashes went off the angrier Malfoy got. He hung his head low.

"The game was going to be determined by the Seekers and that was easy to tell early on in the game when there wasn't a scoring difference. Malfoy, how did you feel when you saw Rawya Zaghloul raise his hand to show he captured the snitch?"

Hermione couldn't believe they were asking a question like that. She almost audibly scoffed at the dumb question but knew they were trying to set him up to answer negatively and against his teammate.

"I—Merlin—I was fucking disappointed obviously. This team, my teammates, are some of the most ruthlessly competitive people 've ever come across. We all wanted to win, badly. You don't compete for the World Cup not to win. You don't become an athlete not to win."

She nodded her head in agreement, not that he could see her, but everything he said was a concise yet substantial response.

"At the end of the match, Everett, Malfoy came over and helped you off the ground, almost carrying you back to the team. Can you provide more insight to that moment and the words shared?" Someone asked and Everett sighed, rubbing his hands over his face vigorously before he covered his mouth. It was clear he was on the verge of tears. The room didn't make a peep as they awaited his response.

"You know I have no idea where my career is going to be in four years. I don't know if I will personally get another shot at playing for the World Cup or coming this close to it. When I was on the ground and Malfoy grabbed me I—"

Everett broke off, clearing his throat a few times to steady his voice. Hermione felt the emotion swell inside her.

"I was just apologizing. I felt like shit, and I don't care what these guys say, I—uh, lost us the game. I didn't catch the snitch and we lost. And fuck Malfoy was—he just grabbed me and said it was okay, it was okay, and that we're all right here and we'll do it again.

"And when he brought me into that group hug man I just lost it—" he said, breaking off in a teary laugh. "This team is so close, and we all get on like we've been mates since birth. This year has been remarkably special, we've grown like family and ya know, it hurts to feel like I've let my family down."

Everett sniffled, taking a huge breath to calm himself down. Proggs and Malfoy at the same time both clapped Everett on the back to try and soothe the ache they all felt.

"Malfoy do you feel like Harpole let you down—"

"Oh fuck off." He said with a roll of his eyes, some of the reporters laughed. "Everett is a talent I'm lucky I've gotten to play alongside. He makes everyone around him better. He's got a knowledge for the game that few possess, he's one of the most athletic seekers in our generation and most importantly, he fucking got us this far. As a captain, as a leader and as a player. England doesn't make it this far without him, period."

Hermione smiled widely, wiping some moisture off her cheeks.

"Gone soft on me, mate." Everett joked, making the room laugh, including Malfoy. He shook his head with a grin as Everett patted him on the back as a thanks. When another question was asked to Everett, Malfoy finally took the time to scan the crowd.

His eyes were dull and uninterested but the second they made eye contact, a little life came back to him. Hermione's stomach tightened with nerves and gave him a smile and small wave. He pursed his lips in an awkward smile then turned his attention back to Everett. She assumed with multiple eyes and cameras on him, that he didn't want to draw attention to himself or her.

She slipped out of the room and cleaned the training room one last time before packing up for good.

Back in the hotel, Hermione showered before heading to the room where the team was supposed to be gathering. She said hello to some of the family members, ordered a drink before sitting at a table with Blaise and Narcissa.

"Did you get to see him after the game?" She asked them both.

"Briefly," Narcissa said, "we only got a few minutes before he had to do media. I haven't seen him since we left the stadium."

Hermione looked around, seeing most of the athletes still weren't down yet. She reasoned they still needed some moments for themselves before celebrating the finality of their World Cup run. It wasn't for another thirty minutes that the players showed up. They were engulfed by cheers of support and many hugs and handshakes.

Huxley and Reese were the first to come down with some of the practice players, followed by Arlina and Tristan, both of whom she gave a very long hug to. The coaching staff entered next, receiving howling applause and a few whistles. She wasn't sure but she could have sworn she saw a tear in Progg's eye. In a surprising twist, Proggs came over to her, shook her hand and then thanked her for keeping the team healthy.

It was the first and only time she wasn't scared of him.

Another round of applause interrupted them and Hermione turned to see Malfoy, Emery and Everett all enter together. She clapped along with the group and watched as Malfoy weaved between people to reach the table they were sitting at.

When he was within arm's distance from Narcissa, he hugged his short mother as she stroked his head much like he was still a child. Heart strings pulled within her chest, especially when Malfoy buried his face into her shoulder to hide his tears.

He moved towards Blaise next, him saying something in his friend's ear and Malfoy nodding appreciatively. It was entirely tender, and Hermione couldn't recall when he had ever embraced friends like this. The scene made her body warm.

After they pulled apart, Hermione awkwardly waited to see what he was going to do, unsure if he was comfortable enough to hug her in front of his mother and Blaise. Draco didn't allow her a second more to ponder it. He pulled her into his body, wrapping his arms over her in such a familiar way that made her instantly sink.

She felt him inhale deeply, body loosening on his exhale. Hermione tightened her hold.

"I'm so sorry you lost, but I'm incredibly proud of you." She whispered into his chest.

He let go, holding onto her waist as he tiredly tried to grin down at her. Hermione saw so much pain and disappointment in his eyes, she tried not to grimace.

"Thanks, Granger." He replied, hands slipping off her slowly. She couldn't help but look at him with pity, desperately wanting to know how he felt and ask what he needed from her to help ease the pain of a momentous loss. But Blaise handed him a drink, and told him to sit down, so she took the seat next to him.

Proggs shared some words about the team and the run they had, having just about everyone in the room in tears. He even mentioned Hermione and how lucky they were to have her healing expertise and that she essentially kept the team patched up. She was surprised at the loud applause she received but smiled thankfully at all her players, filling with love and appreciation.

Drinks flowed and soon, there was laughter and joking again in the room. Hermione excused herself from Malfoy and his table to speak with the other players whom she hadn't gotten a chance to congratulate yet. She spoke to Emery for a while, then Arlina and Everett joined, who she gave an exceptionally long hug to. Everett still looked pretty upset, but promised he'd be fine as the night went on.

Occasionally, she'd glance over and see Malfoy chatting with his teammates. He was currently in a long conversation with Huxley and Reese, the latter of the men already drunk and had an arm thrown around Malfoy's back. She couldn't tell what was being said, but a rare smile was cracked from Malfoy and he uttered something to Reese before patting him on the back in the most friendly way she's ever seen from him.

As the night went on, more and more people started talking to Malfoy. Proggs and him were conversing for a long time before Bernard Barkin chatted with them both. Barkin's grandchildren were even present and Malfoy had politely signed their jerseys before the kids went off to bed. Everett's family introduced themselves to Narcissa and the two families spoke for what seemed like the rest of the night.

It was after midnight, the team was sufficiently liquored up as well as their families. Hermione had stopped drinking awhile ago but felt the effects of the loss and their travel overall.

"I think I'm going to head to bed." Hermione told Arlina, hugging her and ready to make her goodbye rounds.

"Nooo, Hermione don't." She whined, pouting her lip at her. She laughed out loud.

"Yes, I'll have to be up early to grab you all some pepper up potions." She joked, moving to hug Emery.

"A saint, you are." Emery said, squeezing her tightly.

Hermione moved around the room, attempting to not be coerced into staying longer and drinking more, but she was thoroughly done for the night and couldn't keep up with the athletes. Huxley and Reese requested she take a shot with them before she left, which she ultimately compiled after many minutes of persuasion. Tristan was in a chair with lager strapped to both hands with a sticking charm. His bleary eyes grinned up at her as she kissed his cheek goodnight, telling him to stay where he was.

Everett was still with Proggs, both gave her a kiss on the cheek and Proggs even asked if he could see her about acupuncture. She giggled when the man couldn't properly pronounce it through his drunken slurs but promised she would set up a schedule to meet.

When she reached Malfoy, he was speaking with a few members of Tristan and Emery's family, Blaise beside him. His eyes found hers before she got to their small circle.

"Hi, I don't mean to interrupt but I'm turning in." She said, watching as Draco's face fell a bit. Blaise shocked her by embracing her first.

"Good to see you, Granger. Thanks for taking care of my money maker." He said with a smile.

"You as well, mix in a water tonight for me?" Hermione joked then turned to Draco. She lifted up to hug him a bit more confidently than earlier in the night. Still aware of the people around, she kept it brief.

"Let me know if you need anything, yeah?" She told him, letting her hands fall slowly away from his chest. His own palm lingered on the small of her back as they stared at one another.

"Yeah, I will." He nodded, looking off.

"You alright?" She asked, concerned. He nodded again, forcing a smile at her. She wasn't entirely sold but figured with the circumstances of the night, she shouldn't be too worried. "Okay, well, goodnight everyone."

She turned to wave then headed to her room. Now sitting in bed with a freshly scrubbed face and her hair braided for the night, Hermione couldn't help but reply the game over in her head. The mistakes, missed plays and penalties circulated on a loop. She feared she wouldn't get a lot of sleep like this.

Hermione got out of bed and moved to her suitcase, rummaging through until she found the potion. She was still on her knees when there was a harsh knock at her door. She frowned for a second, then placed the potion on the small table in her room and walked to her door.

Draco was on the other side, slightly swaying forward with a somber look.

"Draco? What's wrong? I thought you'd still be with your team." She said, stepping back to let him inside. He shut the door with a shake of his head and an unstable inhale.

"I need our quiet." He said softly, eyes red rimmed and glossy.

Her heart strings were being plucked and pulled by the state of him. Hermione crowded his body into her arms, trying to press him tightly to her chest as nearly fell into her.

"Oh Draco." She said quietly, rubbing his back as she tried to support some of the heavyweight leaning on her. The task was harder to accomplish when his drunk state left him unbalanced.

"Everyone kept coming up to me and talking about how well I played but we lost. We fucking lost. It wasn't enough, Hermione." He told her sadly.

She was at a loss for words. As she continued holding him and feeling his shoulders shudder as he attempted to contain his emotions, she felt her own eyes well up. So instead, she kept quiet and just held him.

"I wanted to win so badly. I—I've never been a part of something like that. Something…good." He choked on the last part. "Even if it's fucking quidditch I just wanted to win and say I did something right."

"Draco—you did everything right." She told him.

"No I didn't. We lost and I—"

"No," she said sternly and pulled away to hold his face in her hands. "You did everything right. You served your probation and grew into a better man. You worked hard to get where you are now, made friends, have a closer relationship with your mum, and you've been a central part of this team's success. Draco, kids look up to you. You've grown into a leader. I promise you've done everything right and will get this opportunity again."

His throat bobbed as he swallowed, eyes wet as he pouted down at her with his cheeks held by her hands.

"Do you really think so?" He questioned, voice cracking.

"Of course I do." She replied in a hushed tone.

His hands raised to grab hers, slowly bringing them down and to his lips.

"I—I'm—thank you." He struggled to say, and she softly grinned at him as he rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles. Hermione walked him over to her bed, forcing him to sit as she grabbed a pepper up potion for him which he swallowed down quickly.

"Do you want anything? Water? Food?" She asked as she sat beside him, knowing that if he was drunk he probably hadn't eaten anything in some time.

"Honestly, I," he chuckled a bit, "I wish I had seen you after the game. I'm so fucking sore and could've used an ice bath."

Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Would you like one? I think my bath can fit you." She offered and for the first time all night, his eyes lit up.

"Are you serious?" He asked hopefully.

"Sure, give me a moment." She said, then walked into her bathroom, thankful that she was in a suite with a jacuzzi style tub. She filled it with cold water and conjured ice cubes to fall into the water from the tip of her wand.

Draco's unsteady footsteps came into the room. She turned to see him flinging his shirt off and struggling to keep his balance as he kicked off his pants. Hermione grabbed onto his arm to help him. Once his clothes were off, her eyes widened at the bruises littered all over his arms and legs.

"Draco! What the bloody hell?" She exclaimed worriedly. "What's the point of having pads if they don't protect you?"

She inspected a forming black and purple bruise on his thigh, fingertips running carefully over the skin. His forearm and elbow had dark pink blotches scattered all over as well. When she looked back up to him, his heavy eyelids looked the least bit bothered. He simply shrugged.

"Merlin," she said under her breath. "Here, get in."

Draco didn't even flinch as he stepped into the freezing water. He groaned quietly but other than that, easily slipped under the water to his shoulders. Hermione got up and headed to the other room, ordering room service through a charmed menu sitting on her desk.

She moved back into the bathroom and transfigured her bobby pin into a stool so she could sit comfortably next to Draco.

"How's your hand?" She asked, seeing his head tilted back against the wall and eyes shut.

"It hurts." He replied.

"Give it here." She said quietly. Draco moved so he could offer up his hand to her and still sit comfortably in the tub. His large body sloshed around waves of water and ice, spilling over. She laughed as he apologized and quickly vanished it away.

Hermione worked the skin in his wrist and palm, being very careful with his pressure points while still trying to work out the tension.

"I ordered us some pizza. Room service said it'd be ready in twenty minutes." She relayed, looking up to see his eyes focused intently on her face, a soft look going with it.

"Seasons over, you don't have to take care of me anymore." He muttered jokingly. She gave him a thoughtful look.

"Technically yes, but I enjoy caring for others."

"I know. You're quite good at it."

"Thank you," she said, face getting warm despite the cold-to-touch hand she was holding. Draco leaned his head on his shoulder, watching her with attentive gray eyes.

"What are you going to do when you return home?" He asked softly.

"Don't know. I'll need to be brought up to speed on what's going on in my clinic. Update my schedule and let my team know I'll be back for good now." She explained, pushing her thumb harder into his palm.

"Can you take some time off? You've been working straight for over a month. Traveling a lot too, dealing with snobby and needy professional athletes. Surely they'd allow you a break." He replied.

"I guess it wouldn't be a problem. I haven't really considered taking a holiday. Sometimes I've forgotten I've been technically working this last month and a half."

"In such good company are you?" He grinned and she reciprocated.

"Certainly not all the time, but, most of the time." Her eyes sparkled as she sent him a cheeky look. He seemed to perk up a bit, the pepper up potion taking effect. "What are you going to do when you return home?"

"Spend some more time around the Manor, helping my mum with whatever she needs." He relayed.

"That'll be nice. No holiday for you?"

"That is my holiday. Away from others and the press." He said with a pause. "I was planning on seeing you as well. If you have some free time."

Hermione looked up.

"Me?"

Draco nodded, then lifting onto his knees and taking his hand to stop the massage and grab hers. She didn't mind the cold water dripping onto her legs. Didn't even notice it really, not with her body flushing as he looked at her so sweetly.

"I figured you've been taking such good care of me this last month or so, that it would only be fair if I returned the favor."

His voice was low, calm and extremely attractive. Her heart was hammering in her chest and despite the fact that Draco's seen her naked and been with her in the most intimate of ways, she felt overly vulnerable.

She wet her lips and looked down to her lap where his hands cradled her own.

"How so?"

Draco's thumb stroked the inside of her palm while his other hand soothingly moved up and down her forearm.

"Well I've paid a fair amount of attention to you while at work. I think I could give you a good massage now." He smirked at her and she couldn't help but scoff with amusement. "But with the post season over, I'll have more time to—be around. I can show you my poor culinary skills and the places I enjoy flying. Or you can give me a tour of your clinic and take me to your favorite bookstore cafes and let me read to you while you enjoy your tea. You can even teach me how to braid your hair, so you don't have to do it every morning and risk a cramp in your arms."

There was a hint of nervousness coming through his suggestions but he had no idea how much she was melting at the words. All of what he said was something she could see, something she actually wanted. She didn't know what continuing with Draco would entail and truthfully couldn't imagine what their future would hold, but as daunting as it was, it was entirely too exciting to ignore.

Hermione did know that if she and Draco continued to explore their blossoming relationship, it would be as intense and exhilarating as it is to watch him play quidditch. He would give it as much energy and attention as she would. After all, he was a fierce contender, she would expect nothing less from him.

Chapter Text

2008 World Cup Championship

Hermione had just kicked off her shoes, uncaring if it was improper to do so in a suite filled with people she only sort of knew. Her ankles were starting to swell and her feet were absolutely killing her. She quickly set a cooling charm on legs from the knees down, sighing in relief.

"Here you are, darling." An arm extended in front of her, plate full of food with lots of gravy and deep fried items.

"Merlin me. I could cry, thank you." She said smiling gratefully at her mother-in-law who took a seat beside her.

"You're welcome. Water is right here too." Narcissa grinned, then politely folded her ankles over one another.

"As far as pregnancies go, I've had nothing to complain about until recently. I don't understand how he could be so calm in my first two trimesters then cause me to go bonkers in the third." Hermione said with a laugh, popping a mini hash brown into her mouth.

"Different for everyone. I was consistently sick until my third trimester with Draco," Narcissa recalled. "Lost a fair amount of weight but once I hit seven months, I was eating everything in sight."

Hermione nodded, wiping her mouth and lifting her body to retrieve her water.

"That's how I feel now. Unfortunately I'm on a real fried food kick. I asked Draco to make me fried green beans the other day and I absolutely hate green beans." She told her, causing her to laugh.

"That was me but with beets. I think I ate beets with nearly every meal in the last month of my pregnancy."

"Wonder what the little bugger will crave by then." Hermione sighed, resting a hand on her exceptionally large belly.

"Only a month left." Narcissa said with a fond smile, eyeing her stomach with such love. Hermione softly grinned.

"Time has flown. I can't believe how much has happened this year already." She replied, feeling emotional at the timeline of her and Draco's life.

They married the year before, just a month before the start of Portree's season. If Draco had it his way, they would have married a year after they were together. Hermione had even caved and allowed him to propose at such an early point—in her mind—of their relationship. She smiled at the memory of their wedding, already quickly approaching the first year anniversary and soon to have a newborn in their lives.

As if sensing his mum was thinking of him, little baby Scorpius sent a sharp jab in her stomach, causing Hermione to readjust in her seat.

"He's kicking. I think Scorpius is ready for the game to get on." Hermione told Narcissa with a laugh, feeling the tiny thumps inside her protruding belly.

"I'm with him. How did Draco seem this morning?" She asked and Hermione smiled knowingly.

"Good. I hope I don't jinx anything when I say this but, I think we're going to win." She said, whispering the last part.

"I think so too." Narcissa nodded happily and quickly smoothed down her white jersey with her surname on the back. She looked almost jittery.

Directly after, the clock went down to zero and the announcer blared through the stands.

"Witches, Wizard and Magical beings from all over, we welcome you to this year's Quidditch World Cup Championship Match featuring England and France!"

Everyone in their suite crowded over to the opening, grasping onto the railings and cheering loudly. Hermione clapped and wooed with Narcissa, Blaise coming up beside them and joining. He tried picking off some of her mini hash browns from her plate, only to be swatted by Narcissa with a glaring look. She snickered at him and only received an eye roll.

"Known the lady my entire life. She saw me naked at five and you'd think she'd slide me just one hashbrown."

Hermione snorted, watching as France's team was announced, refraining from booing when the opposing beater who had some choice words about Draco in the media was announced.

"I overpowered you the second I had a ring on my finger." She retorted with a raised brow and Blaise only rolled his eyes.

"Did you hear what Draco said to the media yesterday?" Blaise asked her and she nodded proudly.

"That he didn't have time to worry about a Frenchman with a short person's complex when there was a World Cup on the line." Hermione replied, paraphrasing her husband's cheeky response.

There was an exciting rivalry between France and England. Some of the players began running their mouths off about how old England's national team was. One of their beaters, a lad that was only a bit taller than Hermione but still quite muscular, made a comment about how Draco is no longer the best Beater in Europe. Her husband, bless him, laughed when it was repeated back to him and handled the media with grace like always.

She could not wait for the show down, knowing Draco liked a little bit of mouthing off for games.

"He's going to beat the shit out of the kid." Blaise laughed and Hermione giggled to agree.

England's team was announced and Hermione felt her eyes well up as some of the familiar faces took their places and waved to the crowd. Reese, Huxley, Emery and surprisingly, Everett all made the national team. The year after they lost to Egypt, Everett took a year away to rehab his body. Now stronger and quicker than thought possible for a seeker his age, he was ready for one final battle for the Cup, and again, was named captain.

When Draco was announced, he waved to the crowd, now more comfortable with his stardom and attention. He accepted the love quidditch brought, no longer questioning if he deserved it or if it would last. He simply took on the responsibility of being a leader to his fans and team.

He turned around on his broom and faced their box, looking directly inside. He kissed his hand three times before waving to them, one for Narcissa, one for her and one for Scorpius. Hermione smiled and waved back, then watched as her husband returned to the line with the rest of his teammates.

Once the game started, it was clear England was going to win. They went up 210-30 in the first hour and France had no answer for their attacks. Not to say Malfoy would ever try to egg on his opponents, but Hermione did notice he was far more vocal with his cheering than she's ever seen. He even laughed when France's beater tried to inconspicuously knock Malfoy off his broom and failed every time. She simply smiled, knowing there were few beaters playing that could jostle him, and a five foot seven frenchman certainly wasn't going to do it.

Draco was dominating the game. In the four years they had been together, he hadn't grown any taller or wider, but certainly stronger. Being a beater now for many years only meant his muscles were finely accustomed to the game and his new body. He was like a brick wall and nobody could break him down.

Just under the hour and a half mark, the snitch was seen. The announcer was giving frantic updates as Everett and France's seeker flew all over the stadium trying to chase it down. Hermione was screaming, bouncing on her swollen ankles as Everett gained on the golden ball.

"He's got it, he's got it." Hermione said, squeezing Narcissa and Blaise's hands far too tightly.

"C'mon Harpole," Blaise said, grimacing as his ascended farther and farther out of sight.

"Oh go on! Catch the fucking snitch!" Narcissa screamed, causing both her and Blaise to snap their heads in supreme shock at the Malfoy matriarch's words.

"Everett Harpole has caught the golden snitch! England wins! England wins!"

Everyone in their suite began screaming, jumping up and down and spraying bottles of champagne everywhere. Hermione hugged Narcissa then felt Blaise wrap them both up in an embrace. They all laughed, cheered and cried, watching as Draco flew right over Everett and threw his arms around him. Everett was still fist pumping in the air, his hand clenched around the snitch.

"C'mon lets get down to the field." Blaise suggested. People with VIP passes were allowed to watch the award ceremony down on the pitch, able to celebrate right there with their loved ones.

Their suite was escorted into a massive lift, taking them down to the main concourse in a few seconds. Hermione was still bouncing up and down, laughing as Blaise sprayed champagne over their group of people. Once the lift opened, they were greeted by security that escorted all of them to stand directly beside the stage that the team was standing on.

Multiple officials were on the stage as well, standing next to the shining World Cup Trophies, the individual medals as well as the Match MVP. Hermione cheered as Bernard Barkin and the International Head for Game and Sports took their place and began announcing the team to receive their medals. The crowd on the field filled out to be more than one hundred guests, family and friends. Hermione looked around, the echoes of cheers and camera flashes dazzling her eyes.

"—Two time captain, two time starting Seeker, number zero; Everett Harpole!" Bernard Barkin announced and Hermione clapped as loud as she could. She watched as Everett walked to receive his medal, hand still clutching the snitch as if to remind himself this was real. He bent down, smiling brightly and shook Barkin's hand and the rest of the officials.

"And lastly, your two time starting Beater, and this year's World Cup MVP, number three; Dracooo Malfoy!"

Hermione screamed in glee as did Narcissa beside her who fell into a fit of cries. Blaise huddled the older woman into his arms, as Hermione tried to jump up and down with her pregnant belly and aching feet.

Draco was shoved around by his teammates, all of them yelling and patting him on the back, not letting him move for a few movements to receive his awards. Hermione was wiping her eyes, tears flowing nonstop and pride filling her like she's never known before. Once he was finally released by his teammates, he approached the officials with one of the biggest smiles she's seen from him.

Bernard shook his hand chaotically and gave him a big hug. Proggs engulfed him, holding him tightly and pounding his fist harshly on his back as he presented him with the MVP award. The Head of International Game and Sports handed Draco a wand, tradition allowing the MVP to offer a few words.

He accepted it tentatively and slowly brought the wand to his neck. As he did, the stadium erupted in cheers. Draco laughed and shook his head.

"I'm entirely humbled I—" He laughed again, looking down at his feet then back at the crowd all cheering for him.

"The years and hours of practice to get here were not easy but damn, it was worth it." He smiled. "I'd like to thank my incredible teammates and all my coaches for pushing us to get here. Having a strong bond like the one our team has is the reason for our success. I love them and I'm a better man because I know them. There's so much more I could say about them but they'd only laugh at me later for saying it."

The stadium laughed, as did his team and Proggs who already yelled out 'soft.' It grew quiet again as Draco looked at his golden trophy of a broom. His shoulders were shaking a bit, a tell tale sign he was struggling not to cry.

"I want to thank my mother, who has been at every game since I started playing quidditch back when I was a scrappy second year." He turned his head, staring right at Narcissa who was still clutching Hermione's hand and wiping Blaise's handkerchief at her eyes. "Your unwavering love and support has kept our family together. I hope I can one day repay you for all you've done for me but I'm not entirely sure that's possible."

Narcissa grinned as she sobbed and sniffled. She waved her handkerchief at Draco as if to shush him and lightly leaned her head on Hermione's shoulder. She grinned down at her mother-in-law and gave her hand a squeeze before turning back to her husband who was now staring at her with very visible tears in his eyes.

"I also want to thank my beautiful wife." He announced and more cheers erupted. Hermione couldn't help but scoff at the applause, finding the cheers so unnecessary. She focused on Draco, finding his face with a soft smile.

"She's kept me together, physically, mentally and emotionally. Not a day goes by where I think I deserve her or her love and yet, she's still here, caring for me and our family in a way that only magic could possibly explain. I love you, Hermione. Thank you for choosing me and sharing this life together."

Hermione touched her stomach, feeling Scorpius kick at that exact moment and mouthed 'I love you' back to him. Draco sniffed, giving her a breathtaking smile before finally turning back to the crowd.

"And lastly, thank you to the fans!" He yelled, pumping the trophy in the air and receiving a choir of roars. "Lets run this back in four years!"

He handed the wand back and joined his teammates, all waiting for Barkin to present the World Cup. Proggs stepped up, shaking hands with Barkin then was handed the massive gold trophy. The crowd cheered, the team jumped up and down yelling with their fans. Proggs walked over to his team and handed the trophy to Everett and Draco, both hoisting it up in the air proudly.

Flashes of cameras went off, the stadium boomed with ricocheting applause and howls. Team pictures were taken on the stage, a lot of hugging was being done making Hermione quickly lose track of her husband. She turned to Blaise and Narcissa, discussing the entryway they'll have to take for family pictures with the trophy and players. Just as she was pointing to the pathway they came from, Blaise touched her arm.

"Incoming," he leaned down to say.

Hermione turned, seeing Draco hop down from the stage and stroll over with a cocky smirk staring right at her. She grinned and began walking to meet him halfway with her arms raised and ready for a massive embrace.

As soon as she was within arms reach, Draco grabbed the back of her head and placed his free hand around her waist. Her arms intertwined around his neck and he leaned down to kiss her passionately. Hermione inhaled his sweaty scent, unable to stop herself from smiling into their kiss. She squealed when he pushed her weight backwards and dipped her, still fusing their lips together.

When she was brought upright, he bent to hug her, burying his face into the side of her neck.

"Congratulations my love. We're so proud of you." She whispered into his ear, softly kissing the shell.

Draco pulled back, grinning down at her with red cheeks and glossy eyes. He laughed and brought his palm to rest on the side of her belly.

"Was he cheering?" He asked and Hermione nodded amused.

"Kicking me every time the announcer said your name." She said and he laughed but affectionately looked down to the roundness of her womb.

"I love you both." He said, looking up at her.

"We love you too." She replied, reaching up on her toes to kiss him again.

Draco tucked her under his arm, walking to where Blaise and his mother stood, both giving them exceptionally long hugs and smiles. As they headed back towards the locker room, all holding hands and at his side, Hermione watched Draco's eyes soak up every second of winning the World Cup. He had a starry gaze over him, one of disbelief and pure bliss and every so often, he'd shake his head like he couldn't believe it was real. And every time he did that, Hermione would squeeze his hand and smile at him to let him know it was.

2012 World Cup Championship

Hermione was bouncing her leg agitatedly, so much so that Scorpius had removed himself from her lap and stood to watch the game. England was fighting for a comeback, down over hundred points and playing against a young and agile Spain. She desperately wanted to believe England would win, but there was something dreadful sinking lower in her stomach every time they couldn't get a stop.

"Darling, if you don't quit bouncing your leg, you're going to put a hole through the floor." Narcissa warned, gently rocking her second grandchild and first granddaughter in her arms. Hermione marveled at how the women, who typically screamed at officials all game, were remaining so calm during this World Cup Championship.

She did stop her leg from bouncing after that, giving Narcissa a look that explained she also agreed with what she was ruefully thinking.

"They're so bloody quick." She muttered, and Narcissa simply hummed in agreement, fixing the jersey that was riding up Juno's belly. Her sleeping toddler was the only one she knew of that could sleep through a World Cup Championship with no silencing charms around her.

"They are still within the margin to win if they catch the snitch." Narcissa reminded her but it didn't do much to ease the tightness inside her chest.

Draco was battling. As relentless as he was, Hermione could easily tell the game was wearing on him. His nerve damage in his one hand was now transferring over to his other. They had spent his off season rehabbing him extensively and even researched possible surgeries to help. She was worried that if he kept playing for another four years, he would lose feeling in his hand completely. While the entire stretch of this playoff season he seemed fine, it was of course in the Championship game that had beat him down the most.

He was trying to do everything again and Spain's beaters were taking advantage, fully exhausting him. There was one bat that was hit so hard across the pitch, that Hermione held her breath and waited to see how Draco reacted. He gave nothing away, and flew to assist one of his chasers to the goal. It wasn't until later that she realized he was only now batting with the opposite hand, refusing to even bat with his dominant one.

That was the first sign this game was going sideways. The second was that both teams seemed to pick up multiple penalties, and while it was a positive that the game was being called fairly, Spain was the only team able to capitalize off the penalties. Lastly, Spain was unbelievably fast. England could over power them, but they weren't as quick and the main reason why they lost their lead.

"Malfoy looks gassed." Everett leaned over to whisper and Hermione nodded frantically. Thankfully Everett and Malfoy remained friends after the former Seeker announced his retirement. Now enjoying his freedom and spending time with his wife, Hermione and Draco saw him frequently. Everett was ecstatic that England had made it back to the World Cup Championship and attended every game with Hermione and their family.

She was thankful someone was being as realistic as her. Fake optimism is not something she could deal with when it came to Quidditch.

"I think his hand gave out too." She said back.

"Come on Daddy! Come on Daddy!" Scorpius cheered, waving his flag in the air as Draco zoomed past them.

Scorpius' cheering gave her a brief reprieve. She smiled at her son, white blonde curls bouncing as he jumped up and down. Draco suddenly stole the quaffle the same time he batted an incoming blunger away. The crowd roared, Hermione clapped and patiently watched as England made a move to Spain's goal. They had a quick goal and she jumped to her feet, bouncing back and forth as she nervously clapped.

"C'mon, c'mon." She mumbled, picking up Scorpius and hosting him on her hip.

"Lets go Clarke! Beat Spain!" Scorpius shouted at one of England's star chasers.

Amanda Clarke scored seconds after and everyone in their box began cheering. Hermione high fived her son and shook her fist in the air. Before they could even finish their cheering, the announcer said the snitch was sighted and Spain was fast after it.

"Oh shit," Everett said, eyes watching Spain's seeker quickly approach.

"Fuck," Hermione mumbled disappointedly, England's seeker way too behind to catch up.

"Mummy!" Scorpius chastised.

"Sorry love, but—"

"Spain wins! The golden snitch is caught by Cristobal Suarez!" The announcer yells.

The air inside their box deflates with the hope of winning a back to back World Cup. Hermione breathes out dejectedly and looks around for Draco. He was hovering, not far from the goals with his hands on his head, panting hard. He looked pained and wouldn't move from the spot he was at.

"Daddy lost." Scorpius said sadly with his pink lips pouting. Hermione softly nodded and kissed his head.

A few of his teammates came flying over, hands patting him on the back and trying to get him to move. Draco hung his head, nodding and followed his teammates back to the ground. They watched from the box as England received their runner up awards before heading back down to their locker room area.

Hermione held onto Scorpius' hand, Narcissa still holding Juno who had finally woken up and seemed to be whining for her dad. Hermione tried to coo her but knew the sound was meant for Draco.

"He'll be here soon my sweet." Narcissa mumbled into her toddler's head, trying to keep her calm.

Players finally began coming through the tunnel, heading directly to their families. Scorpius slipped out of Hermione's grip and sprinted towards Draco the second he saw him. Draco picked him up immediately, his son hugging him around his neck. Hermione saw him crack a thankful smile as he neared.

Hermione gave him an apologetic look as he stood in front of her. She raised up on her toes and quickly kissed him on the lips.

"Hi," she quietly said and tightly hugged him around the waist. He said nothing, only holding her close and resting his head on top of hers. She slammed her eyes shut, the weight of the game finally hitting her and feeling Draco's sadness seep out. A few tears leaked out of her eyes.

"I'm sorry daddy. I really thought you'd win." Scorpius whispered, Hermione barely being able to hear him.

His tiny voice only made more tears flow down her cheeks. She had no idea what he was thinking but there was something inside her that thought that maybe, this would be his final World Cup played.

"Thanks Scorp." He quietly muttered, lifting his head to kiss his son on the cheek. Hermione finally pulled away and wiped her cheeks, allowing him to greet the others.

Narcissa placed Juno in his arms who immediately stopped fussing and whining. She laid her head over his shoulder and began sucking her thumb. Narcissa then gave him a hug as best she could while he held the kids. He carefully bent down and allowed his mother to kiss him on the cheek and say her apologies.

"I'll shower quickly and meet you by the floo, yeah?" Draco said, looking at Hermione. She nodded and opened her arms for Juno. Before he passed her to her mother, he kissed her soft baby curls and tiredly explained he'd be right back. Juno still fussed while Hermione pried her away and Scorpius was set down soon after.

Draco planted a kiss on Hermione's lips, then left for the locker room. It was silent amongst their small group of friends and family. Everett and Blaise both looked at each other with similar expressions. Hermione couldn't suppress the thought she had earlier.

"I'm sad now. I really wanted daddy to win." Scorpius said, leaning on Hermione's free arm.

"I know, love," she replied, placing her hand over his wavy hair, "but he played his hardest and led his team well. We can be proud of him for that."

Scorpius was fast asleep cuddled up on Draco's side. Juno had gone to bed hours ago and now it was only her and Draco still up. He was acting positively odd the entire night. Sadness of course followed him around but there was something else. He seemed rather calm about the results of the game, even if he was shouldering a lot of it.

Now as the two laid in bed, Hermione gently massaging his hand and him quietly watching the telly, she was ready to ask him his thoughts of the match. But he broke the silence first.

"I don't think I can keep playing."

She paused kneading his palm. Slowly lowered their hands and interlinked their fingers as she gathered her thoughts. Hermione turned to him on the bed, seeing his face blank and eyes thoughtful.

"Why do you say that?" She questioned him, wanting to explain all his thoughts and emotions before she gave her input and opinions.

"Not right away, but I think I have two solid years left in me. I've been in the leagues for eleven years already but my body is telling me it's been longer. I just—" He moved his head, looking at Scorpius and tenderly running his fingertips through the waves. Hermione let him continue, allowing him to find the words that were hard to admit.

"I'm worried I'll get hurt further. My hands are already bad as is and I don't want to do further damage to them. I still want to be able to hold Juno by the time I'm done playing."

Hermione's heart clenched painfully. Draco constantly worried about his performance as a father. He often apologized for being away a lot while she was pregnant with Scorpius and tried to come home as often as he could during his toddler years. Since Juno's arrival, he's been granted a veteran contract and able to have far more off days in season. He admitted he felt guilty for not quitting quidditch as the kids were newborns, but Hermione had repeatedly told him there was no harm done.

As much as their kids missed Draco while he was away, they never once voiced their own negative emotions at his job. Scorpius loved when they would travel with him and they still had long summers together. But now with his physical health not the sharpest, she could understand why all his feelings were crashing together. Perhaps it was time.

"Is it your body? Or is it your head?" She asked quietly, trying to remain as neutral as possible.

Draco gave her a look, clearly annoyed that she wasn't immediately agreeing with him that it was time to hang it up.

"It's both, you know it is."

Hermione made a face.

"Have you talked about this with anyone else yet?"

He shook his head no. She took a big, steadying breath and closed her eyes.

"Medically speaking, I think…yes you have two years left at the very maximum. Your hand hasn't shown improvement in years and now that they're both decreasing in strength and movement, I don't think it would be wise to keep playing."

Draco looked at her, eyes tired from the day. The gray in them still looked as bright as ever to her. He had some smile lines around them and his face looked older, but he retained the exact same charming and knowing smile that made her grin back with flutters in her stomach like they were back in the training room all those years again.

"And then your opinion as my wife and mother of my children?" He asked expectantly with that grin. Hermione couldn't help but scoff, somewhat amused that he was impatiently pushing her for an answer. She brought the back of his hand up to her lips and kissed it a few times. Her smile slowly slipped off her face as a serious expression took over.

"Of course I'd be happy for you to retire. Scorpius will be at Hogwarts in a blink and Juno is already getting so big. It would be nice for all of us to come home to each other. And I know this goes without saying but I need to say it anyways; I want you to do whatever feels right. Mentally, physically and emotionally."

Draco swallowed, faintly grinning as he looked back to Scorpius and then to Juno sleeping in her small little bed. Suddenly, his eyes filled with tears and he choked out a laugh. Hermione raised on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him to her chest.

"I love quidditch. It's given me…everything. I-I think I'm ready to say goodbye to it but it feels so—wrong." He told her, tightly holding his arm around her waist. Hermione kissed his crown, softly petting his cheek with her thumb.

"See how you feel after next year. I don't know if it will ever feel right to leave something you love, but it's not going anywhere. You'll simply be moving on to experience the game in a new way. Scorpius and Juno will play, they're both too active not to." She said lightly, feeling him faintly huff at the joke. "You've given quidditch a lot in return, don't forget. Your time, energy, health. Perhaps in your retirement, you'll find something new to give it to you. But whenever that day comes, you'll have your family and friends standing by your side, supporting you through it all."

Draco heaved his head up, resting his forehead on hers. Hermione cupped his face and rubbed away the wetness on his cheeks. She too couldn't help but cry. This was their life, it's what brought them together. Saying goodbye felt like leaving an old friend behind.

"I love you. I love you so much and I will always wonder how I managed to convince you to marry me." He said, leaning to kiss her deeply.

"It's your body, obviously." She joked, words pressed up against his mouth to capture his noise of protest. She slowly gave him shorter kisses, eventually pulling away to stare at him in his eyes.

"I'm with you always, and I am so proud of every aspect of your life."

His eyebrows creased briefly and he shook his head before leaning in to kiss her once more. The two settled against the headboard, Hermione with her arm wrapped around a tired and soon to be fast asleep Draco. Scorpius still wrapped into his side. She looked at her husband and children, faintly smiling to herself as she appreciated every single moment that led her right there.

2030 World Cup Championship

"Juno Granger-Malfoy has spotted the golden snitch! The young seeker is off!"

Hermione's heart thudded throbbingly fast as she watched her daughter fly into the blue of the sky.

"Dalton is going to catch up." Scorpius muttered from beside her and his youngest sister quickly thwacked him in the chest just as Hermione did.

"Shut up!" They both said, eyes still peeled on watching Juno chase the ball everywhere.

Scorpius, standing as tall as Draco now, barely moved from their hits and continued watching through the omnioculars.

"There he is, he's trailing a couple meters behind still." Scorpius said to them, detailing where the opposing seeker was in relation to Juno.

"The snitch takes a sharp dive to the left, Granger-Malfoy still out of reach!" The announcer yelled.

"Come on Juno!" Ara screamed, "Grab the fucker!"

Hermione was too anxious to scold her fifteen year old. Excitement and passion wasn't to be scolded in a moment like this. And she wouldn't dare look away from her eldest daughter just seconds away from winning her first World Cup.

"Lets go, c'mon June, c'mon June." Scorpius mumbled beside her, bouncing on his feet.

"Speed it up June! Come on, don't pussy foot around! End this thing!" Ara yelled, emitting an ear splitting whistle as she jumped up and down in their box.

Hermione was as still as the dead. The sounds of the stadium began to fade into white noise, humming lowly in her ear. Her children yelling next to her sounded far away, stretching more distant as the moments passed by. She balled her fists up, muscles cramping from how tight they were.

"Dalton is still a meter away as Granger-Malfoy approaches the snitch!" The announcer yelled and the crown boomed louder.

Juno leaned further down on her broom and stretched out her arm. Hermione held her breath, seconds stretching into hours.

"Come on, Juno," She whispered to herself, "You can do it, love."

Fingertips grazed fluttering wings, and with a last second leap off her broom, a solid fist enclosed around the snitch. Tight and secure.

Juno Granger-Malfoy has just won her first World Cup as one of the youngest seeker's ever in the history of quidditch.

Hermione raised her fists in the air and began screaming at the top of her lungs. Ara and Scorpius were jumping up and down, shaking each other and their mother as they watched their sister circle the stadium with a smile that could light the night time.

Juno flew to her teammates, hugging them all as they flew down to the ground. As soon as her feet landed, she sprinted into the arms of her coach. He swept her off her feet, spinning her round and smiling as bright as he did the day she was born.

Draco kept her in his arms after he set her back down on the ground. The magi-screen showing their embrace. Hermione, Scorpius and Ara all watched as coach and player, father and daughter, experienced their first ever win together. They both sobbed in each other's arms, sharing a special moment that would be stamped in their hearts forever.

Draco kissed Juno's head, curls flying out of her braid from the game. She nestled under her father's arm and sighed with a content smile. The two of them then turned to the box where Hermione, Scorpius and Ara stood and shook their fists in the air as they cheered.

The three of them screamed together. Hermione blew them kisses as she wiped her eyes and grabbed her two other children next to her. Ara was screaming for her sister, Scorpius whistling for them both as he tried to conceal his own tears. Hermione stared right at Draco, a massive smile on her face.

He returned the same expression, and a single thought was passed between them as love beamed from their eyes.

Look at our beautiful life.