[twelve]

"Draco, don't tell me you're letting yourself get affected by what that insensitive idiot said." Pansy frowned as they walked from the Slytherin dungeons to the Quidditch pitch 

"So what if I am?" Draco snapped "What I had to go through the last two years is not a joke. Why else do you think I'm trying so hard to move forward, even going as far as doing this stupid 'try nice' project? I understand he went through some shit, but I did too. We all did. I'd rather not go back to those memories. I'm different now and I shouldn't be judged for the mistakes I made while a killing curse was looming above my and my family's heads." he was breathing hard by the time he finished with his rant 

"I know. Do you want to beat him up instead?" Blaise offered lightly 

"Mate, it's alright. People like him... Just ignore them. We're here and we appreciate your change. appreciates your change." Theo said quietly 

"I know." Draco mumbled "Let's not do this. Let's not hex him." 

"" Pansy choked "What was that whole rant about then?" 

"That's out of character of you, Draco Malfoy." even Theo was confused 

"We'll watch the try-outs instead. We'll sit by the stands, next to Granger." Draco said and looked at Theo "Weasley's bound to fuck it up anyway." 

"And if he doesn't?" 

"He will." Draco said firmly "" 

When they arrived on the Quidditch pitch, all the Gryffindors' eyes went wide "Now cheating?" Ron barked 

"Ron, shut up." Harry snapped and turned to face Draco "What are you doing here, Malfoy?" 

"We came to watch your try-outs." Draco shrugged "And to make sure none of the quaffles hit Granger when Weasley deflects them." he looked at Hermione's curious expression by the stands 

Harry looked at Hermione then at the students trying out for his team "Alright, but if you do anything..." 

"You'll be the first to throw a spell." Draco nodded and walked ahead "Make sure you pick the good ones, Potter. Your team better stand a chance against mine." 

"I always do." Harry smirked and returned to face the Gryffindors 

"What are you doing here?" Hermione demanded "We may be friends, but i'm still rooting for Gryffindor to win the Quidditch cup."

"Relax, Granger, we haven't come to spy." Theo grinned and sat next to her while Draco took her other side "We've just come to keep you company." 

"Slytherin will for sure win the cup, sorry to break it to you, Granger." Draco shrugged 

Hermione rolled her eyes and shoved Draco "Take that back." 

Draco laughed heartily and shook his head "No, thank you." 

Hermione shoved him again, but harder this time, causing him to fall sideward. Unfortunately for her, his arm was gripping her by the waist, taking her down with him "I said , Granger." He smirked

Big hazel eyes stared at him widely "What are you doing?" Hermione stuttered, his eyes were so gray, so...mesmer--

"Protecting you from the quaffle that Weasley just threw." Draco said and pushed them back up just as Theo threw the quaffle, that Hermione didn't notice, back into the pitch "This is what we're here for, Potter!" Theo yelled 

"Ron, get down from there!" Ginny yelled

Hermione, who was all flustered sat up straight and moved away from Draco's side - accidentally brushing up against Theo instead "Scared, Granger?" Theo winked at her

'oh help me' Hermione thought to herself 

"You'll get used to it." Pansy whispered conspiratorially, causing Blaise to bark a laugh 

"Harry, are you daft?" Ron hissed "They could be spying for their benefit. Why are you believing their dung?" 

"Well, primarily because they were correct." Harry sighed, gesturing to the quaffle that Ron just kicked to their direction "Secondly, it's just try outs, we aren't practicing any plays right now. So, if you want to stay on the team, stay in line." 

"Yes, ." Ron sulked 

"Those trying out to be the reserve seeker, you'll be tested last. I'll tell you when to come in." Harry announced "Aspiring chasers, beaters, and goal keepers, please take your brooms." 

"Harry, how are we going to do this?" 

"Well, there are enough of you to make two teams. We'll be playing a game." Harry shrugged and mounted his broom "Team up." 

"Ron, don't make me regret this." Ginny said through gritted teeth and grabbed her brother to her side "Dean, you're mine." 

"Correction, I used to b--" Dean started with a wink until he saw Harry's glare ", okay." 

The Gryffindors began teaming up, and while Harry waited for them to finished, he flew to where Hermione and her Slytherin friends sat "Malfoy, keep score." 

Draco, surprised by Harry's gesture "You sure I won't tip the scales in favor of the team opposing Weasley?" he smirked 

"If I can trust you to keep my best friend's head safe, then I'm sure I can trust you with that." Harry shrugged and flew away, to the center of the pitch 

"Damn, Potter's doing the too." Blaise whistled 

"My friends are pretty cool too." Hermione smiled 

"Does that mean cool, Granger?" Pansy smirked 

"Isn't that obvious?" Hermione said and focused on the game

The four Slytherins caught each other's eyes, knowing full-well how odd their situation was. If you told any of them three years ago that they'd be watching Gryffindor Quidditch try-outs next to Hermione Granger, and keeping score of their game - they'd probably hex you and laugh merrily afterwards. "Granger, take note of each player's score." 

"What?" 

"Every block or miss a goalie does, indicate it using a plus or a minus sign." Draco ordered "Every goal or pass a chaser makes, indicate it with a plus and an arrow, respectively. If a beater manages to hit the bludger awa--" 

"I'll do the beaters and the seekers, Hermione isn't a Quidditch expert." Theo said before he transfigured some writing materials 

"Harry only said to keep score." Hermione said, looking a bit lost 

"Trust me, he'll need this." Draco insisted 

"All this effort for Potter, Draco?" Blaise laughed 

"Shut up, we'll know each player's stats, too, idiot. It's good for our team as well." Draco rolled his eyes, but deep down he wasn't really doing this to know the Gryffindor player stats. He was doing this because Harry showed them trust and kindness, and he wanted to prove him right. Hermione didn't need to reprimand him for what he just said, because she could see his true intentions in his eyes and expression. 

Draco wanted to impress Harry. , Hermione thought. 

The game began with the quaffle in Ginny's hands. Neville, who had just arrived at the pitch with Luna and Hannah, was cheering loudly " that's chaser!". The game was getting quite intense, probably due to one house fighting against itself. Above all the players, Harry flew, his eyes scanning the game intently "Our view is better. Call Potter over, Granger." Blaise said "That view is only good for finding the snitch."