I Love You, I Love You Not

I Love You, I Love You Not

Chapter 4

Quidditch

Harry opened one eye groggily.

"Uh," he breathed. He rubbed his eyes and reached for his glasses on the nightstand beside the bed. The curtains at the window were slightly open and the sunlight was streaming in. He smiled.

"A wonderful day for Quidditch," he thought as he adjusted his glassed and swung his feet over the side of the bed. He got up and decided to go take a shower. While he was in the shower he thought about a lot of things.

He thought about Quidditch and school and, before he could stop himself, his thoughts dwelled to Hermione. He thought about every aspect of her: the way she talked, walked, ate and even breathed. He couldn't believe that he was in love with her and hadn't had the opportunity to tell her. He sighed. His thoughts then wandered to an incident that changed his life quite a bit...

*Flashback*

The trio had decided to go to Hogsmeade and Harry and Ron were sitting in the Common Room, waiting for Hermione.

"Where is she?" Ron asked after a while. Harry rolled his eyes and shrugged.

"You know girls, Ron," Harry said and they both laughed. They sat there and waited for another few minutes.

"Harry... go see where she is," Ron said. Harry just wanted to open his mouth to say something but decided not to and stood up. He walked up the stairs and turned left to the girl's dorms. He opened the door to Hermione's dorm and gasped at the sight that greeted him.

Hermione was standing in front of her wardrobe with only black underwear on. There were clothes scattered all over the floor and on her bed. She looked up as she heard the door open.

"HARRY!! GET OUT!!" she screamed as she tried to cover her exposed flesh. Harry

quickly turned around and darted out of the room, blushing furiously.

*End of Flashback*

As Harry was washing himself, he thought of that day over and over again. He kept seeing Hermione's slim, tanned body and those beautifully slim legs. He shook his head, trying to rid his head of those intoxicating thoughts.

He got out and wrapped a towel around his body. He then went to the basin and started his usual routine by shaving. He was just rinsing the last bit of hair off his razor when the door opened and Hermione walked in, still in her pjs. She stifled a yawn when she noticed Harry.

"Oh, sorry, Harry. Morning," she said with a sweet smile and yawned again.

"Morning," he said and squirted some toothpaste on his toothbrush.

"You're up early," she said and sat down on the closed toilet seat. Harry spit.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep anymore," he said.

"Ok," she yawned.

**--*-*-*--**

"You all know this is our first game of the season and we have to set an example for what's to come. We are playing Slytherin... all the better to kick their butts and win this match," Harry said. The Gryffindor Quidditch team clapped their hands.

"Alright team... let's go!" he said. They took their brooms and headed towards the Quidditch Pitch. When they reached the Pitch, they mounted their brooms and flew into the air.

"And there they go!" said Jeff Jordan.

"Today's match... Gryffindor versus Slytherin!! What a jolly good way to start the season. Madam hooch steps onto the pitch... the Quaffle is released and the game begins!"

The players were zooming off into their own directions. Harry flew up so that he was above the game. He watched the game for a while and then decided to look for the Snitch.

"Wow! Another goal for Gryffindor! Gryffindor now leading 70 to 10," Jeff said.

Ron was doing a pretty good job as Keeper. He was still furious at Draco for falling in love with Hermione and wanted to get him back somehow. Every time Draco zoomed past Ron, Ron would scowl.

Harry was flying slowly above the game, searching for the precious golden ball. He then caught a glimpse of gold to his left and turned that way but found that it was only someone's omniculars. He scanned the stands and his eyes stopped at Hermione. She was standing next to Julia and both of them were going wild: jumping up and down, supporting their house.

Harry smiled and looked at his team to see what they were doing. The Chasers were handling the Quaffle fine and the Beaters were on the top of their game. Harry then spotted the Keeper. Ron had a scowl on his face and he was staring at something. Harry followed Ron's gaze and was surprised to see that it stopped at Draco.

"Huh?" Harry thought and looked back at Ron. The scowl on Ron's face had disappeared and was replaced by and evil grin. Harry frowned but then figured Ron's plan out. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion for Harry.

A Bludger was heading straight for Ron. Ron then grabbed a bat from a Beater close to him and swung hard at the Bludger. Harry was very high above the game and decided that he had to do something. He lay flat against his broom and flew down in Draco's direction.

Draco wasn't aware of anything and was looking for the Snitch. As Harry went faster, the Bludger kept going for Draco. Draco heard a zooming noise and gasped when he saw the Bludger. Just as Harry reached Draco, the Bludger reached its destination...

**--*-*-*--**

"What has he done?" Hermione thought as she looked at the young man lying motionless in front of her on the hospital bed. A single tear escaped her eye. She felt strong arms close around her shoulders and give her a hug. She leaned into Draco and tilted her head up to look at him. She almost got lost in his eyes and then he kissed her gently. She stood up and hugged him tightly.

"Mr. Malfoy? Come here for a moment please," said Madam Pomfrey. Draco nodded and walked into her office. He went to sit at the vacant chair and looked at her expectantly. She looked at him.

"Tell me exactly what happened," she said. Draco nodded and sighed.

"Ok... we were playing Quidditch and everything was going fine. Ron was mad at me cos I asked Hermione to be my girlfriend. He then decided to get me back, I guess... so he hit a Bludger at me. I didn't see it coming but Harry did. Harry wanted to save me and dived from high above on his broom. When Harry got to me the... the Bludger hit him square in the chest," Draco took a shaky breath.

"He was unconscious and fell off his broom. I was too much in shock that I didn't really register what happened and I couldn't catch him. He fell 10 feet. I can still remember his body hitting the ground like a doll's."

"I see," said Madam Pomfrey and shook her head in shock. Hermione entered the room just then and stood behind Draco.

"Is he going to be alright?" she asked. Madam Pomfrey sighed and looked at Harry.

"Well... it was a very hard blow to his chest and his heart couldn't take it. He had a heart attack the moment of impact. His body went into shock after the heart attack and he's in a coma now." Hermione gasped.

"He broke several bones from the fall: both his arms, 4 ribs, 7 fingers and one of his legs. I mended those immediately, of course. He also bumped his head quite hard and has a slight concussion." Hermione gasped again and a tear rolled down her cheek. Madam Pomfrey also looked very worried but then shook her head.

"Mr. Weasley must be taken to the Headmaster immediately," she said.

"I'll do it," Draco said and left.

**--*-*-*--**

Ron was sitting at the edge of the Dark Forest. He had no more tears to shed. The happening of earlier that day flashed in front of his eyes over and over again: Harry's body doubling over from the impact of the Bludger, Harry's body falling down and jolting slightly as it hit the ground, Harry lying motionless on the ground. He shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the images.

"Weasley."

Ron looked up to see the youngest Malfoy standing in front of him. Ron felt hatred building up in him but it soon faded when he remembered Harry. Ron looked down.

"Come, Weasley. I have to take you to professor Dumbledore. Do not resist. Just follow me," Draco said.

Ron silently stood up and followed Draco. There was only one thought on Ron's mind,

"I wish I was dead."

To Be Continued