Scars That Heal (Dramione Fanfiction) [COMPLETE]

46 - Ticking Hands

"How on earth did you carry that around all day?" Luna asked as Ginny pulled inactivated Bludgers, a Snitch and a Quaffle from her rucksack.

"They work like Muggle balls do. They're another one of George's newest creations - you can use them in smaller spaces because they're not magical, and it's a good way to introduce young children to Quidditch. So someone carries the Snitch, and the Seekers have to try to grab it. The Beaters just throw the Bludgers at people, and the Quaffle works as normal. It's really easy, and it's quite fun too. It works with fewer people as well." Ginny did jazz-hands as she shamelessly advertised the set, before throwing the balls to various people and beginning a game.

There was a lot of swearing and shouting as people were bashed into, hit with the Quaffle and insulted by team-mates for missing obvious throws and open goals. Hermione was meant to be a Seeker against Dean, but Draco was holding the Snitch and being a Chaser simultaneously as there weren't enough people. She chased after him, breathlessly laughing, as Dean pushed her out of the way and bumped into Seamus. Draco was dodging her miraculously, and also managed to hit Luna in the side with the Quaffle as he tried to pass it to Ginny. Hermione leapt to grab the Snitch as Draco turned away from her, but he lifted it high above his head so that Hermione couldn't reach it.

"You know full-well I'm too short to reach that!" Hermione cried, laughing and jumping up and down in front of him.

"Yup. I'm a horrible person!" Draco chuckled as she clung to his shoulders and stood on tiptoe to flail at his outstretched arm.

"C'mon, be a little fairer!" Hermione poked him in the ribs, and Draco momentarily lowered the Snitch as he went to protect his side. As Hermione grabbed at it, she pulled on his sleeve which fell down to reveal the Dark Mark and the white lines that blurred it. Draco froze for a moment, and quickly pushed the sleeve up to his wrist again, covering it once more. Hermione didn't try to get the Snitch as he did this.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly as she pulled herself up by his shoulders. Their faces were a few inches apart.

"It's fine, you didn't mean to. I'm... I'm still ashamed of it, that's all."

"The Mark, or the scars?"

"Both." Draco gave her a soft smile that told her she was forgiven. He kissed her lightly on the lips, and brought the Snitch to just within her reach. Hermione was just about to gently take it when Dean hurtled towards them and snatched it away.

"I've got the Snitch! I've got it! HA! We win!" he cheered, running around and whooping until he slipped on some grass and fell over. Everyone laughed and clapped at his spectacular fall, and it was agreed that they were too hot and tired to bother with a rematch.

Hermione was so filled with affection for her friends in that moment. Times like these reminded her how much fun they all were, and how grateful she was for their company. Of course, it also made her think about Harry and Ron and how much they were missing out on - and how much she missed them - but Hermione focused on her love for the others rather than that.

They lounged about on the grass, Ginny complaining that she would get even frecklier in the sunshine and Luna explaining how adorable freckles were while making daisy chains. Dean was discussing football with Seamus - he still didn't get all the fuss - and Draco was fiddling with Hermione's hair as she shielded her eyes from the sun.

Pretty soon the direct heat was too much and they migrated to the shade of one of the trees by the Lake, and Luna was placing the daisy crowns on everyone's heads.

"This isn't the most masculine thing you've ever made us do," Seamus complained gruffly as Luna adjusted his fringe.

"But you look so pretty!" she exclaimed, now moving on to Ginny. The crown wouldn't stay on her shiny red head, so Luna instead poked individual daisies into the thick strands, giving Ginny the look of an orange flowery curtain. Hermione's crown kept getting lost in all the frizz, and the daisies were barely visible against Draco's pale hair, but Luna insisted they all looked like woodland creatures and they were beautiful. Ginny blushed but claimed it was sunburn, and Dean thanked Luna graciously while Seamus continued to grumble about his "compromised masculinity". Dean responded to that by cuddling him and peppering Seamus' cheeks with kisses. Hermione laughed, and Ginny started yelling at them to get a room.