s e v e n

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Hermione looked down at her friends from the stands and nervously chewed on her bottom lip. She was, unfortunately, sitting beside Lavender but she did not have time to think of a way to hex her. She kept her hands tightly clasped together as she nervously waited for the game to start. “Lavender . . . do you think we’ll win?” She asked as she looked over at the blonde.

“Of course! Since Won-Won’s on the team, we’ll win.” Lavender said matter-of-factly with a sneer. “Why are you suddenly talking to me? You never talk to me.”

Hermione nodded in agreement, completely ignoring Lavender’s question. “Yeah, we’ll win.” She said to herself and her eyes widened as the game started. She kept her eyes glued on the game intently as she clenched her jaw.

Hermione let out a sigh as she raked her fingers through her hair. Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied. She had to admit, Draco Malfoy was indeed a good captain. He was a bloody fast seeker as well. If Harry just got a hold of the snitch, the game will be over. If only-- She suddenly heard the audience gasp and she immediately broke away from her train of thoughts. She had been too busy thinking that she hadn’t been paying attention to the game. She looked down and saw someone falling off their broom and violently hitting the hard floor. She swore she could hear cracks from all the way up where she was. “What happened?” She asked Lavender with wide eyes.

“Draco Malfoy got him by one of the bludgers.” Lavender told Hermione with a small smirk.

Hermione’s eyes suddenly widened as she gasped. Before she could even stop herself, she stood up from her seat. Her jaw dropped open as she saw how painfully twisted Malfoy’s body looked. She suddenly felt several people in her house stare at her. “What?” She asked as she stared at Lavender who was staring at her with wide eyes.

“Draco Malfoy is from the other house, an arch enemy at that. Even the Slytherins, themselves, are looking at you.” Lavender said with her brows furrowed.

“He’s hurt for goodness sakes! I’m only human. I can’t stop myself from wanting to help someone who’s injured.” She stated and sighed as she quickly ran down the bleachers. She furrowed her eyebrows as she saw Draco get lifted off the ground by a professor with a wand pointed at him.

“Gryffindor wins!” She heard the announcer yell out; hearing boos and claps from all around the stadium.

Hermione forced herself to keep her feet firmly placed on the ground. She knew she should celebrate, her house won! But someone got hurt; badly. She couldn’t bring herself to be filled with joy and clap like an insane lunatic for her friends. She walked over to her friends and slightly grinned. “Congratulations, guys.”

“Thanks.” Ron said and immediately got pulled away to get kissed by Lavender.

“What exactly happened to Malfoy?” Hermione asked Ginny and Harry.

“His own teammate threw a bludger at him. Can you believe that? I guess that stupid snake didn’t like how Malfoy was playing fair and totally threw that bludger at him, full force.” Ginny said with a disgusted look. “He’s not going to be welcome to the Slytherins common room anymore. Not after what he did to Draco Malfoy, the Quidditch captain.”

“That’s absolutely preposterous and—and what an obnoxious prick . . .” Hermione said angrily and bit her tongue for saying it out loud. “I mean, Malfoy is horrible but he doesn’t even deserve to be in that much pain. Did you see his body? He looked . . .” She shook her head, loss at words.

“Dislocated . . .” Harry finished for his friend and sighed. “I don’t feel too happy about winning. Not after what happened to him, even if it was Draco Malfoy.” He said with a sigh.

“Yeah . . .” Hermione said with a sigh. “Congratulations, again, though. It was a good game. I’m glad you guys are all okay.” She said and slightly cracked a grin, trying to conceal her disappointment in Malfoy’s injury.

“Well, we’re going to go take a shower and we’ll meet you later at the after party?” Harry asked as he took the hint that Hermione was worried and not in the mood to talk to them.

“Sure.” Hermione said and walked off as her friends walked off the other way to the lockers rooms.

---

Hermione checked her watch and sighed. She couldn’t let the Slytherins catch her waiting to go into the infirmary to check up on Draco Malfoy. She hid behind a column as she watched the other professors walk out of the hospital wing. She quietly slid over to the door and rapidly walked in. She let her eyes roam around the place until she spotted a striking platinum blonde haired boy on one of the hospital beds.

She walked over and slightly opened the curtain. She slightly gasped at what she saw. She saw bandages all around his stomach and it seemed like he had broken a few bones here and there. She got startled once she saw Draco Malfoy suddenly groan as he started to move.

Draco’s movements soon died down and finally came to a stop. “Hmm . . .” He groaned as he slightly opened his eyes.

Hermione gasped quietly as her eyes grew wide. She couldn’t be seen here? She hated him, right? What was she thinking, risking her life to be here with an enemy instead of celebrating for her house’s victory? She quickly turned around as she tried to go when she suddenly felt someone tug on her arm, stopping her. She froze and slowly turned around as she saw Draco looking at her. “How are you feeling?” Hermione asked as she raised an eyebrow. She cringed as she thought about how he had bones popping out where they shouldn’t have a few minutes ago. She felt sick to the stomach and frowned. “This is why I don’t like Quidditch. It’s way too violent.” She commented under her breath.

Draco slightly laughed but immediately regretted it as he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. “Ow.” He coughed and stared at Hermione. “I . . . feel like shit. I lost the game and my broomstick.” He said in a hoarse voice.

“You care about the game and your broomstick?  When you’re in a state like this?” Hermione asked with wide eyes as she shook her head. “Guys are just so damn prideful.” She said with disbelief. “Draco, you could’ve died. You should feel great right now.” She said, still worried. “You can replace a broomstick and make a comeback and win another Quidditch game. You don’t have a second chance at another life, though.” She ranted on.

“Did you just call me by my first name?” Draco asked with a smirk as he raised an eyebrow at her.