a/n: yeah, i don't like myself either.
DISCLAIMER: I am not sadistic, evil, mean and cruel. I don't orphan a poor, good-looking, defenseless emerald eyed baby. I don't kill people he holds dear neither do I mess with the life of a powerful reddish eyed death-lovin psycho. I'm a phony. :P
CHAPTER XIV

In Which I Say "Lastly..."

'The last and final match of the season is upon us witches and wizards' boomed Lee Jordan's voice, 'The time has come for all to join hands and par-tayyy ouch! Sorry professor.'

Draco Malfoy chuckled from his position at the starting line-up. He looked up to see a flustered Harry standing opposite him.

They exchanged smiles and as Madam Hooch instructed them to, shook hands.

'It's the last time you'll loose to me Malfoy' Harry said as he shook Draco's hand.

'Now now Potter, let's not get sentimental.'

Draco slapped Harry on his back and headed towards the rest of his team, leaving a grinning Harry behind him.

The year had been a blur. Harry couldn't remember how he and Malfoy had gone from foes to friends.

'Not friends Potter' Draco had reminded him weeks back, 'comrades.'

Blaise had choked on his cream puffs while Draco glared at him.

The dining hall had become a restaurant of sorts. All the students of Hogwarts had reluctantly taken Draco and Blaise's lead.

Everyone had moved around to their fancy, eating, fighting and laughing at other tables.

The sight was astounding, and the ruckus unbelievable.

'Never had Hogwarts seen such a wave of unity.' Dumbledore had very proudly announced one morning.

The students were silent. Many looked at their feet, some whistled and looked at the sky. Anything to avoid seeing the old headmaster's twinkling eyes emit more radiation and tears.

'Well that ruined it for me' Ron said tossing his toast on his plate at the Slytherin table, next to Pansy.

Pansy smiled, because just as she had predicted, Ron picked up his discarded toast and ate it.

'I don't think it's as much as unity as proclaiming, "rules be arsed"' Blaise commented philosophically to Hermione, walking her to class with his arm around her shoulder.

'Bloody senile twat' Draco grumbled, walking behind them, 'makes us seem like friggin heroes.'

Ginny grinned wickedly and batted her lashes, singing "my hero." Draco'd have dismissed her, except her knew how to take this a step further.

The Malfoy smirk made Ginny's mind shout an "uh-oh" before she realised what the feral ferret was upto.

'If heroes get wicked love," Draco pulled Ginny into his arms, "what happens to the damsel?'

Ginny's eyes widened as his mouth "had his way" with her.

In Draco's defence, Ginny didn't put up a fight, at all.

'As the only good-looking wizard in the world with unparalleled talents on Quidditch commentary, I welcome you all, and myself, to this glorious morning.'

Professor McGonnagall was busy trying not to smack Lee and yet get her point across.

'We have with us in the box, one very charming wizard, who inspires and rarely enough, attends these matches of valour.'

'So Professor Dumbledore, how do you feel about the Griffindors creaming those Slytherins….' On the pitch, Harry grinned, 'uh figuratively.'

"My dear boy' replied Dumbledore, 'you mustn't count your choclate frogs before they hatch; and do remember' more twinkle, 'they are equals and whoever wins, wins the trophy.'

'Fair deal' muttered Lee.

'Dumbledore's laughter boomed throughout the stadium, making everyone jump, McGonnagall's chair tilted and she quickly got it upright.

'But those who lose, win our hearts' finished a twinkling eyed, and wonderfully oblivious, Albus Dumbledore.

Draco gave a comically fearful look at the commentary box, shaking his head and muttering something on the lines of "senility" and "old bat."

Ginny was hovering mid-air, following him with his eyes, wondering about which god to thank. As though willed by her longing, Draco turned and saw her. He smirked his smirk, clearly saying, "I know I'm beautiful" only without as much haughtiness as amusement.

Maybe I should thank the devil.

Hermione was trying to feign interest in the game, tradition and all. But it was honestly getting difficult because firstly, she didn't want to watch the sodding match; and secondly….

'Quit staring at me Blaise" she snapped, blushing crimson.

'Not so loud love, what'll the others think.'

Hermione glared at his impossibly handsome face and the mocking slant of his lips, which was promptly made expressionless save the eyes.

The sparkling eyes gave him away.

'Despicable' muttered Hermione.

'Couldn't agree more' agreed Blaise feigning seriousness.

'Git.'

'Gorgeous git' added Pansy, passing by.

Hermione swatted his smirking head.

'You're insufferable.'

'And yet you want to suffer me' he whispered, massaging his head with his hand and then tilting it slightly.

Hermione's breathing slowed, he did this every, Blaise's eyes looked at her mouth and moved closer, bloody, his mouth met hers, time and her arms were around his neck.

And all around these two, the cheering started full force-the snitch had been released and the two most devastatingly handsome and gifted seekers since the time of Achilles (had he played Quidditch) went spiraling upwards to look out for it.

The game was spectacular. Ginny played with a fanatic energy and laughed and drawled in a span of seconds. Had Draco heard her, he'd have been proud of the nastiness.

At one point, Ron's ears turned red, and reduced to such sputtering, he almost let out a goal.

'Buck up yer lazy bums…..sorry Professor' called out Lee.

Hermione and Blaise were looking at each other and the moment was postponed when another round of cheers went on at a Griffindor goal.

Blaise cheered with good measure and Hermione was stunned at his demeanour. A heart beneath all those immaculate robes, and the moment was lost when Slytherin scored and he hollered a loud, 'Yeah, cream those….' stopping short in the nick of time in the Griffindor stands.

Blaise clapped politely and shouted a "Go Griffindor" before taking his seat. A very amused Hermione kept a straight face, bursting into giggles ever so often.

Up above the lesser mortals flew a boy scarred by destiny. Above him, establishing superiority, was another, close to being marked in the other way.

'What's say we compromise?'

Harry's head snapped the other way.

'Chicken Malfoy.'

Draco sighed in mock exasperation, 'It's Draco, and I'm hungry. Let's head to the kitchens, make some Quidditch history, besides "Hot Blonde beats Boy Wonder."'

Harry regarded him thoughtfully, 'The idea was good, till you called me blonde.'

'And he still thinks he'll win.'

Harry was close to replying till he saw the glint. Draco saw the change and turned to dive right where Harry had been looking.

Harry forgot all thought, camaraderie et al. It was him and the Snitch, and right now, that was all.

Draco made flying look good. Draco looked good. Draco with his hands around the snitch he had never touched when it mattered, very very good.

He was stunned; the stadium was silent.

Harry was close behind and stopped short of Draco.

Their eyes locked, and Draco whispered, 'I kicked your arse.'

Harry chuckled and slapped Draco behind his back, then embraced the blonde man, chuckling. The Slytherins went mad cheering. The rest of the school was stunned but joined in seeing the Griffindors land and celebrate in tande with the Slytherin team.

"Lee? LEE?" Professor McGonagall was poking Lee Jordan. "Must you be so dramatic? Do wake up Mr. Jordan."

Dumbledore smiled at the scene on the pitch. Blaise had jumped onto it and raced screaming at Draco, who turned, shouting even louder as the slapped each other on the back.

Ginny landed on the pitch and met a startled Hermione. "They have a strange way of expressing joy."

"Agreed."

"Um, you think they know that we still won?"

"Yeah" Hermione turned to Ginny, "but Harry didn't get the snitch."

"That, THAT is what it's about?"

Hermione nodded solemnly, before meeting Ginny's eyes and bursting out laughing.

When the cup was being given to Harry, again, Draco wasn't scowling. He applauded very loudly, virtually snatching the cup when Harry offered him to hold it.

Harry sniggered when Draco stroked it almost lovingly before pushing it at Harry with a "here, take it."

And then, they heard the loud blast.

Most were stunned, the others took cover. It was the former members of the DA and some rebellious slytherins who held their ground. The teachers were attempting to get some order in the mayhem, when Harry felt the pounding in his head. His scar was burning and he could hear maniacal laughter ringing in his ears.

"On your feet Potter" Draco said tightly, pulling Harry off the floor and shaking him. The pain was resolving as Harry focussed into Malfoy's grey eyes.

"What is it?"

"It's..." Harry was breathing rapidly. Ron and Ginny came running towards him and Blaise caught Harry before he fell to the ground.

The gasps from the crowd on the pitch made them break away from Harry to look at the sky over Hogsmeade.

"Bugger."

"Voldemort" Harry whispered, crumbling in Blaise's arms.

Hermione held Harry as Blaise placed him on the grass gently, with Ron's help.

"Yeah mate," he replied grimly, looking back at the Dark Mark in the sky, "we know."

a/n volume ii: sorry for so much. and also for the disclaimer. i have no place to say it but readin the fanfic HP7 made me semi-distressed. if THAT is fanfic, what's Ms. Rowling gonna do???