What Does This Feeling Mean

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Fourteen - Cherry Lips and Quidditch

I awoke Friday morning with fluttering nerves and butterflies. My birthday was only a day away, and for the first time in my life, I was beside myself with excitement. I met Hermione on the way to breakfast, and was soon joined by Ron and Harry.

"Are you guys staying for the holidays?" I asked.

"Actually, we all are," Harry happily replied.

"Yeah, my mum and dad actually told me to stay here. Something about a muggle cruise. Well, my dad's keen on it." Ron added. "Besides, I'm not going anywhere without my hunny bunny."

Hermione jabbed at Ron's side as she began to flush with embarrassment. "Ronald, must you call me that in front of people?"

"You know I can't help myself," Ron remarked, kissing her forehead.

Harry rolled his eyes as we walked behind the twosome. "You won't believe what she calls him," he muttered making sure they wouldn't hear.

"Oh goodness, what?" I asked, not being able to resist.

"Cherry lips!" he laughed in a struggle to keep quiet.

"What?!" I screeched a little louder than I should have. Hermione and Ron both turned around to see Harry's attempt to keep a straight face, and my distorted expression.

"What happened?" Hermione innocently asked.

"Nothing!" Harry and I both announced. Harry gestured at them to continue walking, and I kept my line of sight away from any part of Ron. As we finally got to the hall, Harry and I started laughing.

"He doesn't wear cherry lip gloss does he?" I hollered, barely able to get the entire sentence out of my mouth. Harry and I clutched our sides as we laughed in near pain. As Harry opened his mouth again, I scrambled to stop him. "No, I don't wanna know! It's bound to kill me!" I gasped.

"I'll see you at my party if we don't get a chance to talk again," I told Harry when we finally calmed down. I walked over to the Slytherin table, and sat next to Draco.

"What was so funny?" he asked as I sat down.

"Oh," I snickered, "I can't say or I'll start laughing again. It's childish, really."

Draco smirked at my expression. "It looked like you were laughing at Weasley."

"Yes, indeed I was."

"Well, that I can live with," he sneered as he got up from his seat.

"Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, I still have to shower and stuff... you're coming right?"

"Of course!" I smiled, grabbing a roll from the table.

Pansy's face flustered in spite as we walked away. "He needs your help to shower?!" she screeched loudly.

"It's the only way they get squeaky clean!" I crowed back before leaving all together.

He squeezed my hand as we walked. "Thanks for coming with me. I'll be busy all day, and I wanted to spend some time with you."

"You'll be busy at lunch too?"

"Yes. Snape's still sore about our loss to Gryffindor, so he wants us practicing every second we get."

"Bugger," I said as I finished my roll. "But you're playing Hufflepuff today right?"

"Exactly my point," he affirmed as though he had already had this conversation. "It will be a cold day in hell if they ever came away with a win against Slytherin."

"Maybe I should come see you play. I've never been to a Quidditch match before."

Draco stopped and looked at me in disbelief. "Never?"

I understood his reaction. "No. I know all about the game, but I've never actually seen it. I've led a sheltered life before Hogwarts. I was never given the opportunity."

"It wasn't played at the school you transferred from?"

I shook my head. "Our headmaster thought it was a waste of mind power, which still doesn't make any sense."

"Well then you have to come!" he urged as we arrived at the Slytherin tower. "I'll tell Crabbe and them to meet you by the hall after classes. Crabbe and Goyle usually play, but Snape likes to give their backups broom time whenever we play against Hufflepuff. Besides, you have to come and see the best in action."

"The best huh?" I flirted with a smile.

"You know it," he expressed in a deeper tone. He scooped my face in his hands and kissed the chills into me that I had become so addicted to.

As hard as it always was, I departed from Draco, and made my way back to the hall to grab a little more to eat. I smiled in anticipation. I was finally going to see a Quidditch match!

The classes were condensed to assure ample time for the Quidditch game that was usually held on the weekends. Being the last day before vacation, only a few quizzes or reviews were given to pass the school day. As I walked out of my last class, I was met by Crabbe, and he waited for me as I quickly changed in my room. We then proceeded to the hall and met up with the rest of our party.

It didn't take too long to get to the field. Climbing up the Slytherin side, we took our seats in the back, northern most corner.

"These are our seats," Pansy stated as we sat down. "They're the best place to yell at the opposing teams Keeper."

"Does it work?" I asked.

"It does when I do it."

I laughed along with her as somebody finally announced the start of the game. As Hufflepuff took to the field, the Slytherin side exploded with boos and taunts. Pansy was particularly loud as their Keeper took his place within ear shot of her. It clearly made him uncomfortable as she continued to pelt him with insults. Slytherin walked out next and we all went crazy. They hopped on their brooms and brandished their speed by circling a few times in perfect formation. As the teams took their positions on the field, I couldn't take my eyes off the blond stunner that I came to see.

As the whistle blew, the Slytherins took and kept control of the game. Whenever Hufflepuff gained the offensive, Pansy and I would start to clobber Crabbe and Goyle until they were stopped. About an hour in, Draco had caught sight of the snitch and blew by us a couple of times pursuing it. By that time, I was nearly on top of Crabbe in my furor of cheerleading. The score was 80 to 10, and Slytherin stayed relentless as they played.

Two hours blew by, and I was beginning to go hoarse from yelling. Pansy, on the other hand, sustained her volume and never faltered. Draco tore over our heads again, and after dodging a couple of bludgers, finally caught the snitch. We erupted in celebration as he held the snitch up in victory. Pansy and I shook each other in happiness, and I turned to Crabbe. My hug was stopped as I got a good look at him.

"Oh Crabbe! I'm so... I'm so sorry!" I laughed. His short hair was a complete mess, his outfit in disarray, and reddish pink marks adorned his face and neck.

"It's okay," he said almost as though he enjoyed it.

"Oh, you precious thing you," I gushed as I put his head to my chest in a hug. I let him go when I realized that he was holding his breath. He smiled, and took his leave with a face that matched the marks I gave him.

I stayed behind as the crowd thinned out from the stands, and remained until Draco disappeared to change. As I made my way down and started walking the distance back to school, I stopped in my tracks as a familiar raven swooped in front of me.

"Hello again Miss Vablatsky."

I knew that voice. "Hello Mr. Malfoy," I said casually as Lucius walked up. Octavious flew up on his shoulder as he joined me in my walk back.

"Good game today?" I uttered trying to make conversation. He was still as I remembered him, though a little less frigid and again, his mind shut tight.

"Yes it was. I would expect nothing less from Slytherin," he coolly stated. "Any plans for the hols?"

"Not really. I'm staying here at Hogwarts," I replied. I didn't know why, but I felt as though he already knew where I was going to be. "You have any plans? If I may ask?" I felt a shuffle in his thoughts. He knew that Draco would know whatever he told me.

"Actually, I'm going to see an old friend of mine."

"Well that sounds nice," I said picking up no deception in his statement. "I hope you have a good time."

"I plan to my dear," he smiled as we reached the school. He took my gloved hand in his and kissed it. "This is where I take my leave. Till we meet again."

I watched him as he walked away, Octavious still on his shoulder. Something still felt odd about him. Maybe Draco was right.

I hurried to the hall and over to the Slytherin clan. Draco simpered at me as I took my usual place next to him. He stuck out his chest and eyed me, obviously waiting for his praise.

I giggled. "Draco, I must say that you were absolutely brilliant!"

He exhaled in satisfaction. "I know. I told you I was the best."

"You were great! I'm so glad I went, I had a blast!"

Draco smiled as he stroked my cheek. "I thought so. Usually Goyle is the only one who comes back with claw marks," he smirked. As we looked at Crabbe, he blushed back to a healthy pink glow.

When we finished, Draco insisted on walking me back to my common room.

"So, how old you going to be tomorrow again?" he asked when we stopped.

"Seventeen."

"About time, young'un," he smirked as I nestled against his chest. He smoothed his hand over my hair as we stood there. "I hate having to let you go."

"I know," I sighed. I raised my head and gave him the softest kiss I could muster. "You get plenty of sleep. I want you rested for tomorrow night."

He nodded, and decided to nibble on my neck a little before he left. I walked to my room and changed for bed. I snuggled between my sheets and happily drifted off to sleep.

TBC...