Numbing cold and fiery hot

Hermione sat on the benches near the quidditch field area, watching the Slytherin team practice in the numbing wind, dressed in warm clothes with a scarf tied around her neck.

Unsurprisingly but to Draco's shock, he had got chosen as captain of the Slytherin quidditch team. The first decision he took as captain was to hold trials to scout for new talent.

How Hermione got here, well, that is what she tried to recall as she rummaged her brain to head back a few moments.

A few moments ago

Sitting cozily with her legs folded beneath her on the sofa and a book in hand, Hermione lazily skimmed over the pages. Warm in front of the fireplace is how the brightest witch of her age planned to spend her weekend.

The arrival of her roommate caught her attention as she looked up to look at him. Gawk more like it.

Clad in his fitted quidditch attire, which fit snugly on him accentuating his slim waist and a wide shoulder, his lean figure rippled with muscles which tensed when he turned around, his latest broom in hand.

Noticing a gaping Hermione, he raised his eyebrows with a smirk and eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Are you done?" He asked, amused. His voice snapped her out of her reverie as she stuttered out a question in reply," Huh...what?"

Hiding his smirk, with the most innocent expression in the whole world, he said, "With your book?"

Not seeing past his guise, a flustered Hermione nodded her head in agreement, eyes roaming everywhere but his face and uttered a feeble 'yes.'

Working on the idea that he just thought of, Draco hopefully asked," Would you like to come and watch m...er...our practice?"

Hermione felt so lazy that even the thought of walking up to her bedroom seemed like an arduous task. But before she could even begin with her denial, Draco cut in.

"Absolutely not. I am not leaving you cooped up inside. It's such a pleasant weather today! Get your lovely little lazy body moving, or I will, and I assure you, you will not like my method." And with a wicked gleam, he smiled and sat down on an armchair as if he was going to patiently wait until his precious mate returned after getting ready.

That is how Hermione ended up sitting beside the field on the benches watching the Quidditch enthusiasts from the Slytherin house try out to qualify for the team. After the selection process, a mini practice ensued to see how well the members play together. Feeling his mate's eyes following his every move, Draco felt motivated to work harder, performing simple tricks to try and impress her.

Right at that instant, he felt his hold on his broom tighten as he circled the field. His eyesight sharper than ever, he spied a blond head approach the sitting brunette.

Hermione heard her name called, and turning her head to the source, she found Ivan running in her direction.

"Hi," he greeted, squatting with his knees bent, trying to catch his breath before moving to sit beside her.

"Hello!" Hermione chirped glad for some company.

"What are you doing? I rarely see you outside the castle," he questioned, his accent accentuating each word quite lavishly.

"Well, change is good and, the weather's not bad even though a bit too cold," she answered, rubbing her hands together to gain some friction to heat then up and then bringing them to her red cheeks.

Seeing this, Ivan removed his own scarf before coming closer and before she could protest wrapping it around Hermione over her own scarf covering half of her face.

"Hey! You will get cold." Hermione tried to scold him into taking it back but, her muffled voice drowned by wool-ly cloth only made Ivan laugh.

"You look so cute," he grinned his dimples popping out, making Hermione coo internally.

In these few seconds, Hermione hardly noticed the reduced distance between them, but someone else did as they narrowed their eyes.

Shifting closer, Ivan stared in her eyes before boop-ing her, causing them both to giggle. Even though Hermione felt a bit uncomfortable with the close proximity, she didn't want to be impolite.

He wasn't trying anything anyways. Completely harmless, she thought.

Seeing a stray strand of hair moved in front of her face by the wind, Ivan attempted to remove it, but before he could, someone slapped his hand away.

A seething Slytherin stood beside them with his broom in one hand and the other clenched in a fist. Hermione looked at him bewilderingly, unable to figure out how he got down so fast and, why?

"Don't touch her!" he growled.

Confused and irritated, Ivan scowled, putting down the hand that he had been nursing before speaking up, "Why? Who are you?" he questioned indignantly.

Draco closed his eyes for a second before opening them again. He turned to Hermione without a response and pulled the scarf with Ivan's scent clinging on it off before throwing it in his lap. Wrapping his own Slytherin scarf around Hermione and taking her hand in his, he pulled her up on her feet.

"Stay away from her, or else," and with that warning, he pulled his mate along with him calling off the practice with one gesture to Blaise.

Still furious, he continued moving towards the castle, ignoring Hermione's protests and feeble attempts to free her hand.

On coming to a deserted hallway, he slowed down before stopping, his hold still strong.

"What was that?" she questioned angrily, still shocked at Draco's actions.

He remained silent with his eyes shut, breathing deeply. Hermione moved in front of him before asking again, "How could be so rude, Draco? Answer me! Why did you do that?"

Draco exploded. His eyes turning a light shade of purple, there was this energy around him, which made Hermione feel antsy.

Clutching her shoulders, he asked fiercely as if barely controlling himself," Why? Because I didn't like it! I hate it when you mingle with the opposite gender, ok? You are mine, Hermione! Mine! Only I should have your attention, no one else."

Seeing the scared look in Hermione's eyes, Draco fought to control himself with his Veela. Releasing her, Draco backed away, giving her some space.

Staring hard at the ground ashamed of himself, he apologized. "I am sorry, Hermione. I couldn't control myself. I am sorry that you had to go through that. It's hard to see you smiling with or at someone else. I feel insecure when we're not even together." He laughed bitterly at the end.

Listening to him, Hermione saw the soft, broken interior through the hard shell.

With shaky steps, she came closer.

"It's not alright, Draco, but I forgive you." She said. "I forgot about your Veela traits. I did not consider your feelings. What we have between us is too vague."

Draco glanced up, making eye contact. "I don't expect you to change completely overnight, but could you try? Try to control your possessiveness?" Draco nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

How could she have the power to calm him with only a few words, Draco wondered.

"Draco, will you go on a date with me?"

It was Draco's turn to be baffled now.