Hermione's cheeks flushed, but instead of refusing, she asked, "What if I win?"
"You win, it's up to you."
Hermionesi for a moment, a sly glint in her eyes, then looked up at him. "I won. From now on, you have to do whatever I say."
Draco looked at her. "Oh? So you want to be in charge now?"
"Hmm." Hermione raised her chin.
Draco's smile widened. "What's so difficult about that? I've been listening to you the whole time, haven't I?"
Hermione paused for a moment, then immediately puffed out her cheeks. "That, that doesn't count! This is what you're supposed to do!"
Draco teased her deliberately, "Oh, starting to act like a cheater?"
"I learned it from you," Hermione retorted quickly.
Draco chuckled, reaching out to gently pinch her flushed cheek. "Alright, you could say... husband and wife in harmony."
"Hmph, who's going to follow your lead?" Hermione turned her face away, the spot where she'd been pinched already turning red.
Draco leaned closer. "Isn't that right?"
Hermione glared at him. "From now on, it'll be the wife leading and the husband following."
"Quite confident." Draco's smile deepened.
"Then let me make this clear—if I win, it's a French kiss, and you can't stop until you're breathless."
"... abnormal!"
Hermione cursed, her face turning bright red.
Draco deliberately provoked her. "What, you're scared? You're too scared to admit defeat now?"
These words ignited Hermione's competitive spirit, and she stubbornly retorted, "Who's afraid of who! Let's have a match!"
In mid-air, the target key flapped its wings and Accio, almost tired of flying, as if silently complaining:
Can you guys hurry up?! My wings are getting tired!
The two of them each picked an old broom that was still somewhat handy, and with a light touch of their toes, they both leaped into the air.
The broom paused slightly in mid-air, and two figures, one silver and one brown, like Quidditch players poised to pounce, fixed their gazes on the bronze Flying Key with worn wings.
It was still struggling wearily among the cluster of keys, as if it had already sensed its impending fate of being caught.
"Ready, Granger?" Draco turned his head, his blond hair fluttering in the breeze, his smile sharp with competitive edge. "I won't let you have your way."
"Perfect, I don't know how either." Hermione gripped the broom handle firmly, her eyes focused intently.
At this moment, she shed her usual gentleness, revealing only the competitive and efficient nature of Quidditch player.
"Don't lose too badly, Malfoy."
The next second, the two rushed out almost simultaneously.
The wind whistled in my ears, and the light spots cast by the stained glass rushed past.
Hermione reacted incredibly quickly, tilting her broom to cut in front of the key, her arm already outstretched, her fingers almost touching the cold metal.
But Draco wasn't about to let her get away with it so easily. He suddenly lowered the broom, and with a swift movement from behind, he lightly caught her handle with the broom stick.
It disrupted her balance without hurting her.
"You're cheating!" Hermione glared at him, twisted her wrist hard, and the broom shot upwards, instantly breaking free from his grasp and circling behind him.
Draco chuckled softly, his body nimbly shifting to the left, perfectly dodging her counterattack.
The two weaved through a flurry of keys, their wings brushing against their sleeves with a soft buzzing sound.
The two chased each other, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes sprinting side by side, sometimes making sharp turns to block each other, every move carrying the tacit understanding and competition of Quidditch.
Draco, taking advantage of his agility, approached the key several times, but Hermione, showing no weakness, cut in front of him and steadily blocked his path with her body.
Hermione attempted a sneak attack from above, but Draco immediately leaned back, his broom gliding gracefully along the ground in a beautiful arc, forcing her into a corner.
Despite it being a fight over a small key, the two fought more fiercely than in the House Cup, their breathing slightly rapid with each movement.
Just as Hermione spotted an opening and was about to grasp the key's wings, Draco suddenly sped up and gently bumped her broom from the side.
The force was so light it was like a sway, yet it was enough to make her pause slightly.
Taking advantage of that half-second gap, Draco stretched out his long arm and firmly gripped the bronze key that was so tired it could barely fly.
I won.
He hovered in mid-air, slightly out of breath, holding up the key in his hand, his undisguisedly aggressive gaze locking onto him.
Hermione landed opposite him, her hair slightly disheveled, her cheeks flushed a beautiful rosy hue from the flight. She pursed her lips in a defiant manner, but had to admit that this guy had truly won!
The two landed steadily, and leaned the broom aside.
Hermione immediately looked away from his burning gaze, crossed her arms tightly, and huffed, "Can't you just give in to me a little?"
Draco toyed with the small key in his hand, and walked towards her step by step with a smug look on his face.
"We can't let that happen this time. There are only the two of us here. If you want to kiss Miss Granger, you probably won't be able to just run away."
"That doesn't count! You clearly cheated and blocked my way!" Hermione retorted hastily.
"That's cheating! You lost and now you want to pay back the debt?" Draco pressed on.
With each step he took closer, Hermione instinctively took a step back, her back soon hitting the cold, rough stone wall, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.
"W-what are you going to do?" Hermione's voice trembled slightly.
"What are you doing? Paying off the bet." Draco looked down at her, his eyes brimming with laughter.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat, and she frantically waved her hands, "No, no! Not now!"
She instinctively tried to slip to the side, but Draco gently grabbed her wrist and held it firmly to her side.
"Why not? Miss Granger, give me a reason." Draco's breath gently brushed against her forehead.
Hermione opened her mouth, her cheeks burning hot, but she couldn't utter a single word.
"No reason? Then I'll just have to force myself on you."
Draco reached out and braced himself against her ear, trapping her completely between the wall and himself in a firm "wall slam."
His face slowly drew closer, their noses almost touching, their warm breaths mingling.
Hermione froze, her eyelashes trembling frantically, her eyes tightly shut, her fingertips gripping the hem of her clothes, looking resigned yet tense.
Just as his lips were about to touch hers...
"Clatter!"
The bronze key suddenly broke free from Draco's fingers and slammed into his forehead!
Immediately afterwards, the tiny keys that had been flying around seemed to have made a pact, swarming over in a chaotic rush.
They fluttered around Draco, pecking at his clothes and bumping his shoulders, acting as if they wouldn't allow him to bully Hermione.
The kiss that was about to fall on her lips was abruptly interrupted. Hermione opened her eyes wide and froze.
Draco's forehead stung slightly from the impact, his face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath, "Damn stinking key!"
Hermione, seeing his embarrassed expression, couldn't help but burst out laughing.