"All right, team, this is our game." Harry never wrote his prep talks ahead of time. He knew that when he got into the locker room and he could hear the crowd in the stands it would come to him. "This year's team is incredible. You guys are all incredible." He looked at all of their faces. Ron always looked nervous before games. Harry used to worry about it throwing his game off. A strong keeper is important to the team; the keeper is the backbone. This year, Ginny had joined the team as a chaser with two of her classmates, Anne Kennicott and Mary Johnson, former chaser Angelina's sister, and she seemed to calm him. Usually, it involved punching him on the shoulder, rather hard Harry guessed, since the one time she did it to him he was bruised for a week.
He smiled at Ron as Ginny hit him again. Ron smiled back, though it was a pained smile. Ginny flashed him a brilliant smile too. Anne and Mary grinned and nodded. Down at the end of the bench was the unbridled enthusiasm that was the Creevey brothers, Colin and Dennis, who had bulked up and made for a pair of the most energetic beaters ever, rivals to the Weasley twins. They grinned maniacally at him, barely managing to stay in their seats.
He didn't know what he said next and it didn't matter. The team was psyched and they charged onto the pitch ready to beat the Slytherins. And they did. Thomas Avery was defeated again and again by the tag teaming sixth year chasers. Crabbe and Goyle, while hitting the bludgers harder than the Creeveys, were slower to get to them. Ron, as was more and more common, monopolized his hoops. While Pansy was a rather good chaser, she didn't work particularly well with John Baddon or Malcom Nott. The balls they did put through the hoops were flukes. When Harry and Draco dove for the snitch, the game had almost been predetermined. 170 to 30 Gryffindor. Malfoy had a newer broom than Harry, but he fell behind and Harry emerged victorious. The final score was 220 to 30 Gryffindor.
As he emerged from the locker room, Harry saw Draco talking to Blaise Zabini. He was tired, but some opportunities cannot be missed. He made his way in their direction. Blaise was another name on his list, Draco's "best friend" as it were. Harry somewhat doubted that Draco really had friends, but Blaise was the one he seemed to trust. As far as Harry knew, trust garnered some level of respect. When working with Malfoys, it seemed that everything, and everyone, was measured by respect.
However, as Harry came close, Draco turned to him, moving his attention even though Blaise was mid-sentence. "Potter." He nodded his head in acknowledgement, solidifying that he was no longer listening to Blaise.
Harry stood awkwardly for a moment, then decided that he might as well answer. "Tough game today."
Draco gave him that look again, the appraising sweep from toe to head. "Not for you. You weren't exactly challenged." He scowled. "Maybe you can give me some tips on team management."
This earned him a glare from Blaise. "Draco…"
Draco cut him off with his hand. "Blaise, I will see you in the common room."
"But Dr-"
"In the common room."
Blaise glared at Harry. Harry felt that was a bit unfair. He hadn't done anything. He shrugged. Blaise frowned again and stalked away.
Harry looked back to Draco. Might as well keep being nice. "Sure, sometime."
Draco looked at his watch. "How about now?"
Harry knew that his best choice answer was 'Sure' but he went out on a limb. "How about Monday?" Monday was much better for him.
A cloud passed over Draco's eyes, then cleared. "Alright. See you then."
Harry wandered back to the common room very unsure about what had happened.