The Muggle excursions were carefully organized on the ides of every month. Draco discovered transforming into someone else held the privilege of being the only day worth experiencing, and he found he would rather it not be the start of the month, nor the end. It was metaphorical, though he never noticed.
The next month, Draco found himself uncertain. He was not yet done basking in the peace the Water Gardens offered, yet Granger meeting him there was too eerie, too coincidental. "Thank you, I had a lovely time," echoed in his head daily. He decided it was best not to frequent the place again. Leave it to Granger to ruin any hope of escape from his worthless life.
The tenth time Draco used Polyjuice, he was in the form of a dark-skinned, ebony-eyed, short Muggle. The age and athleticism seemed the only characteristic he shared with his physically opposite form. His plan was simple; he had no plan. With Granger foiling him twice, he decided to leave their encounters up to fate. He apparated to Diagon Alley and walked into Quality Quidditch Supplies for no reason in particular, other than to browse. As he was looking at packaged Snitches, he was once again accosted by a familiar voice. "Hello. I couldn't help but notice you went straight for the Hephaestus brand. This is a faster Snitch meant for serious players. Are you perhaps one of the new transfers for mid-season?"
Draco snorted, put the packaged Snitch back on the shelf and rudely turned his back to the employee before perusing the broom aisle. His hands fluttered over a displayed Nimbus 3000, feeling the magical energy. He was relieved to feel a lack of wizard presence following him. At least Ravenclaws understood when they were not wanted. Draco took his time in the shop because he could, and finally backtracked to the Nimbus 3000. He had the Kyapucha, but to own the top two Seeker brooms in the Wizarding World was not an opportunity he wished to pass up. He grabbed the Hephaestus brand Snitch as well, and made his way to the counter.
"Will this be all, Sir?" Roger Davies asked.
"Yes."
The former Ravenclaw captain rang up the order, and after exact currency was exchanged, asked the disguised Malfoy, "I couldn't help but notice you know your way around Quidditch supplies. Are you good?"
Draco smirked. "Yes."
"We need a Seeker for our pick-up game tonight. It has to be at night because I don't get off 'till five. The players are composed of old school chums, but we all were serious players at one time. You interested?"
Draco observed Roger, and tried to think of any reason he should not join a group of Ravenclaws playing one another. He never really had issues with Ravenclaws. "Where?"
Roger chuckled at a joke Draco did not catch. "We will play at a location where the energy from competition feeds the plants beneath it." He finally met Draco's eyes. "Yeah, I thought that too. Here," he said as his voice faded under the counter, "this is a Portkey. It is scheduled to go off at half-past five, so be ready." He handed Draco a wrapped item. "My name is Roger Davies."
"Leo." Draco nodded his consent and left the store.
Because his Polyjuice was limited, he spent the remainder of his day as himself, until 5:20 when he promptly drank the potion, changed, grabbed his gear, and touched the glowing Portkey.
"Leo, glad you came." Roger walked over to him the moment he landed. Draco looked around the unfamiliar area. Roger chuckled. "Our friend, Luna, picked the location. She mentioned all these sorts of benefits for some plant here, but we just saw a great open field, perfect for a Quidditch pitch." Leo observed the accuracy to his assessment. He recognized a few of the Ravenclaws setting three posts before he saw them, and all his optimism fled. The wild bush she called hair was in full fluff as a strong breeze blew it to the left while she cast a spell on a post. The red-head was casting a spell around another goal post, her hair pulled back tightly, and Potter was working his magic around the third post.
Draco sighed, and turned to Roger, who met his eyes at the same moment. "That," he said, pointing at Harry, "is why we need a good Seeker. I hope my assumption about you was not mistaken. I am really tired of losing to those Gryffindors, and with Cho gone, we didn't have much hope."
"How often do you play?"
"We play about once every other month. It's hard to schedule games when so many of us have such demanding jobs."
"Yeah, that shop must keep you up all night."
"Hey now!" Roger seemed affronted, but he was also chuckling. "So I am a Chaser. I'll introduce you to the others in a minute, but let me just point out a huge imbalance to our little game. See that red-head practicing speed drills? Yeah, she plays professionally. Not fair to play against us amateurs, but we forgot to set parameters on who could or could not play, so our fault, really. She can set us back with her constant scoring assaults, which is why you need to end the game quickly. Which brings me to Harry."
Draco looked over at Harry as he began practicing warm up dives and twists. "What do I need to know?"
Roger laughed. "Oh man, are we in trouble. So you don't know what The Chosen One can do? Well, he doesn't fall for any tricks, so don't bother with mind games." Draco snorted, and Roger stopped speaking to glance at him quizzically before continuing. "He seems to zone out, as if he was only playing against himself. At least I think that is how he does it, from what we have observed."
"We?"
"My fellow Ravenclaws. Cho knows him best, and was able to offer the most insight." He paused for a second before he said, "If Ginny doesn't get us, then Harry does. They are a double threat. You are our secret weapon, so please tell me your display of arrogance at the shop was not unfounded." The fire in Draco's eyes was all Roger needed for confirmation. "Come, let me introduce you to the others."
It was already 30 to nil within the first fifteen minutes. Ginny appeared unstoppable, and by the rate she was scoring, he would need to find the Snitch in under an hour to come out on top. Then, as luck would have it, he saw it, behind Potter's head. Draco immediately leaned down flush to his Kyapucha, and with a speed unequalled by any other broom on the pitch, he flew towards Harry. He suppressed a laugh at Potter's expression upon viewing a speeding blur heading straight at him. Then, momentum changed as Potter seemed to realize what Draco was doing. He turned, and saw the Snitch fluttering. Potter was closer, but Draco was faster. Draco also had more to prove, and that extra motivation was what led him, and his temporary team, to victory.
On the ground, he was lauded with congratulatory pats and exclamations, and Draco absorbed it all with much alacrity. This had never happened when he played for Slytherin, but then again, he had other worries during his time at Hogwarts. Chants of his glory transformed when the opposing team approached. Harry walked over and held his hand out to Draco. Ginny was hugging some of the opposing Chasers.
"That was some skill out there, Mate." Harry was smiling at him. The image frightened him a bit. It felt so wrong.
"Yeah, well." He shrugged his shoulders and shook Potter's hand.
"Leave it to you Ravenclaws to give us an element of surprise. What year are you?" They dropped their handshake.
"I'm not a Ravenclaw."
"Oh. Did you attend Hogwarts?"
"Durmstang."
"Oh." Harry glanced over his shoulder as Ginny approached from behind.
"This is new for us, losing that is," she explained. "I'm Ginny."
"Leo."
Ginny began to giggle uncontrollably at nothing, it appeared. Draco observed Harry's expression, which confirmed they shared that conclusion. "Well, Leo, I don't know if anyone told you, but the losing team has to buy the winning team butterbeers and firewhiskey. We've never lost before, so…Harry, can you spot me?" With that she pecked him on the cheek and flew off.
Harry blushed. "That's my girlfriend. She plays professionally for the Holyhead Harpies. They are having a great season so far, and it is getting to her head a little. She hates losing, you see." Draco nodded. "Come on. The losing Seeker has to buy the winning Seeker drinks." As everyone mounted their brooms, Draco took advantage of their distraction to drink more potion.
Inside The Three Broomsticks, Draco found himself surrounded by those he would never grace with his presence in his true form. They chanted, they cheered, they congratulated and they were so touchy. Slytherins did not celebrate in such fashion, and he was uncertain of which he preferred. These Ravenclaws and Gryffindors were enthusiastic and happy, but their means of showing it was intrusive. He didn't need the constant hitting on his back, and rubbing of his shoulders. But at the same time, he couldn't help but bask in the affection. Perplexity claimed him, and he needed a moment away from the raucous.
He made his way to a stool at the counter, sipping his firewhiskey. As he took a calming breath, an unwelcomed feminine voice approached him.
"You know, that special broom of yours is not easy to attain. Tell me, did you travel to Japan to buy it?"
He sighed and put his glass down, turning towards her. "No."
"Oh really? Well then I suggest we keep that as our little secret. Purchasing the Kyapucha is only legal in Japan. I'm Hermione, by the way." She held out her hand and smiled at him.
"There is no secret between us." He stared at her empty hand, unwilling to touch her.
"No?"
"Nope. I know you think you are clever, but my father bought me this broom while he was in Japan." He turned back forward and picked up his glass.
"My apologies." She sat in the stool beside him. "My friend tells me your name is Leo. You are the second Leo I have met in the past two months. Both times involved Quidditch." She chose to ignore his obvious body signals.
"Well, not much of a coincidence, is it? The world is full of Leos." He took a disinterested sip of firewhiskey. Granger had a way of ruining his peace.
"Hmm. Maybe you are right." She tapped her fingers against the counter and Draco could feel her examining him. "Well, great game, Leo. Maybe we will meet again. I like to go to the Water Gardens. You should join me sometime." She winked at his surprised expression and finally gave him the solitude he sought. But not the peace.