From Venice with Love

It seemed to Hermione that time sped by. October flew into November and soon the highly anticipated match between Gryffindor and Slytherin was at hand. Hermione was extremely nervous about the whole thing; she’d been nauseous for days, worrying about who should win. In principal, she wanted Gryffindor to win, but she wanted Draco to be able to catch the snitch. Either way, she’d end up being unhappy on some level. She was glad it was finally here so at least it would be over and life could get back to normal. She’d barely seen Draco outside of patrols in weeks and it was almost as hard to catch Ron or Harry.

“I promise after tomorrow I’m all yours,” Draco said the night before the match. He had visited with Hermione for an hour or so, and was now leaving to get a good nights’ sleep. “There isn’t another match until after Christmas.”

“About that…” Hermione began.

“Yes?” He was pulling on his jumper and Hermione couldn’t see his face.

“My mum wanted to know if you’d decided- about coming for Christmas.” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. They hadn’t mentioned it in a month or so, and Hermione desperately wanted him to come, but she was afraid he’d say no.

“Well, what do you want?” he asked, still struggling with the dark fabric. Hermione was beginning to think he was hiding in there on purpose.

“Of course I want you to come, but I’ll understand if you feel that you need to go home,” she answered diplomatically.

His head finally emerged, his hair dishevelled. “I’ll talk to my father tomorrow. I’ll make something up- we’ll see what he says,”

“He’s coming tomorrow?” she asked.

“Yes, he’ll be leaving after dinner though, so I’ll come round after and let you know what he says.” Draco picked up his bag and turned to go. “I’ll see you then.” He was so preoccupied by the game that he didn’t even kiss her goodbye before he slipped out.

Hermione sat down on her bed, frustrated. “He could have said he wanted to come at least,” she thought, lying down on the bed.

She slept fitfully most of the night and was startled when she heard banging on her door.

“Hermione!” It was Ginny. “You in there? You missed breakfast.”

Hermione jumped out of bed, confused and thinking she was late for class. “Coming!” she yelled, throwing open the door. “Am I late?”

“It’s just a game, don’t get so upset. Here,” Ginny walked in and handed her a biscuit with jam.

“I thought it was Monday- I didn’t sleep well.” Hermione took the biscuit and began to eat and dress at the same time as Ginny sat on her bed and flipped through a book.

She was done fairly quickly and they began to make their way down to the pitch. Suddenly, Ginny said, ”You didn’t tell me Alessandro was coming.”

Looking ahead, Hermione saw Alessandro talking to Mr. Malfoy. Spotting Hermione, he said goodbye and made his way towards her. “Hermione, love, I came to surprise you!” He kissed her hand.

“Well, I’m surprised,” Hermione said back through clenched teeth.

“Hello, I’m Ginny. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Ginny said.

“All good, I’m sure,” He kissed Ginny’s hand as well and the three of them continued walking. When they got to the stands, Ginny turned to talk to Dean, giving Hermione a chance to talk to Alessandro.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed. “Draco’s going to kill you!”

“Hopefully he’ll kill himself,” Alessandro said lightly, still smiling. “Being that angry on a broom can cause problems. Hopefully, he’ll at least be distracted enough to miss the snitch and upset his father. That would do.”

“I despise you,” Hermione said quietly.

“Do you now? I’ll have to remedy that,” he said and kissed her.

Hermione pulled away immediately. “You horrible, foul-“

“Watch what you say,” Alessandro motioned to Ginny, who was watching her, as well as all the other Gryffindors. Hermione felt nauseous again.

“I don’t feel well,” she said. She looked out into the pitch where the teams were coming out. She saw Draco scan the bleachers for her and saw his eyes narrow instantly.

“I think he’s seen me. Oh, dear,” Alessandro said, putting his arm around her. Draco watched them, eyes full of rage but helpless.

“Hermione, you don’t look well,” Ginny said.

“I feel sick to my stomach,” Hermione told her, standing up. “Maybe I should go lie down.”

“Darling, you can’t miss this match,” Alessandro said, pulling her arm to sit her back down.

“Really, I’m sorry you came so far, but I really do feel sick.”

“Hermione,” Alessandro’s voice was like ice. “Sit down.”

She sat down reluctantly and looked at the game. Draco was still staring them down, not focusing on what was going on around him. She reached into her jacket and felt for her necklace.

“Focus on the game,” she sent. “This is what he wants. Your father is watching.”

Draco flew up as the game started and she saw him pull out his own necklace to check it. He looked back at her and nodded solemnly before turning back to the game.

Alessandro turned and looked at her. “What did you do?”

“Nothing,” she snapped. “Watch the game. It’s why you came, isn’t it?”

Ginny looked at them again with an unreadable expression on her face, and Hermione tried to focus on the game.

The game progressed with Draco steadfastly avoiding looking over at them as Alessandro tried his best to rile him up by holding her hand, touching her hair, all of which Draco successfully ignored. Hermione could sense Alessandro getting angrier by the minute as both Draco and Harry saw the snitch and dove for it.

“You got to him somehow,” Alessandro said as the Gryffindors stood to watch Harry’s progress.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hermione said coolly.

There was a huge cry and Hermione stood to see Harry get hit with a bludger missed by Katie Bell. He spiralled downward, but managed to get himself back on track, albeit with a dislocated shoulder, but Draco was in the lead now. A groan came up from the Gryffindors as Draco caught the snitch and ended the game.

Hermione turned to Alessandro. “You can leave now.”

“Not yet,” Alessandro said. “Watch,”

Hermione turned as the Slytherins made their way onto the pitch. Draco was in the middle of the fray and suddenly she saw Gabrielle among them. She watched helplessly as Gabrielle ran up to him and jumped into his arms with a passionate kiss.

Shock filled Draco’s face as he tried to pull away from her, but Gabrielle hung on tight. Finally, he peeled her off, smiling weakly at the catcalls from the Slytherins. Hermione saw his father come up to him and shake his hand. Draco introduced him to Gabrielle because Lucius shook her hand as well and the three began to walk off together, Gabrielle still hanging on Draco’s arm.

“See that?” Alessandro whispered. “Wouldn’t that be better for all involved? She belongs with him, is accepted by his family. You’ll never be accepted. He’ll have to give them up for you- do you really want that? Or are you afraid you’re just his secret slut, that in the end, he’ll be done with you and marry someone suitable, like Gabrielle. I’ve known him for years, Hermione. He’ll never give up, his family, and his money for you. You’re smart, you should know that.”

“I hate you,” Hermione hissed back. “Go away.” She turned and left the stands at a run, Ginny calling after her.