Chapter 25: Ball-Game

Draco sneezed, quite loudly, as dirt was scuffed up by two Basketball players as they fought over the ball by Draco's side of the court. It wasn't really a court, as the magically-placed markers hardly disguised the grassy plain and dirt floors, and Draco, having never played the sport itself, had thought Basketball was the stupidest, useless sport of all time and was quite contemplating hexing one of the American wizards even though George had warned him many times not to interfere with the players. He was trying to focus on the preliminaries notes, scratching off the to-do list and keeping an eye on any glitches in the program, but the rowdiness of the team was distracting him from his perched spot on a forgotten box pile left by a frazzled Dean Thomas.

He really ought to find another spot. The Universal Championships had started about 30 minutes ago, and due to Harry wanting to check on Ginny, of all people, who had come to the game, Draco was left alone to do both of their work. Really, this was what he had come to in life? He huffed and picked up his long parchment and wand, flicking off a conjured population-chart charm, which was rather useful, and pushed off of the brown mysterious box. He should check up on that, he thought to himself, promising to come back on that after he finished his internship homework. No, work did not stop in the Potions industry even when he was already working a practically part-time job and going to a technical college.

Deserting the ring around the separating gates and walking up the steps that ended the employees-only work space and went into the bleachers, he headed up to the right-wing, steering clear of any Weasley's for now. Contrary to popular belief in the Weasley family, he wasn't looking for a fight with Harry's ex-girlfriend, especially when Harry would just blame him anyway. It didn't matter that the red-haired devil slut was constantly trying to take back what was currently his, if Draco dared to comment on it, he would just be further ostracized from Harry's pretty much 'foster family.' Merlin he hated that stupid term.

A whistle was called, and that meant some team had won the game, so; naturally, one side erupted in cheers while the other booed or stamped their feet or whatever foreigners do when they don't get what they want. It didn't bother Draco in the least that he was not at all interested in something he had spent a good half of the year working on, as long as Harry had had some part in it, Draco would want to spend it with him, showing off and showing up on his pesky cheery boyfriend. And now that that was completed, all Draco had to do was wait and complete some aggravating Potions making in the middle of a jock-haven. It did bother him that Harry wasn't there to complain to, however.

The next round was called, this time being a huge version of Gobstones, the game Charlie was most excited for, even though it was not a favorite of other international players. Some even went down to get concessions as if it was Half-time at a muggle sporting event. Draco knew better, of course, that George would not let any of the sporting events be subpar. Indeed, as soon as someone would score a goal, the other team would be blasted with goo and other disgusting materials. Draco grimaced and kept walking until he found a vacant seat up towards the terrace seating, knowing that Harry would be forced to see him from the other side if he ever got any ideas. He couldn't see him, but he knew he would want to leave any time now.

~.~.~.~.

Harry smiled awkwardly at Ginny, who had cut her hair back to a straight bob in a effort to look older, but Harry thought she looked even younger with it. She had made a joke that Harry would have laughed at if he was still in school, but had lost its charm as he had spent more and more time in the outside world. He made a help me look to Hermione, who was crossing her legs on her terrace seat to the left, sipping iced tea and very much Not Listening. At the moment he looked over, however, Hermione abruptly stood up and put an arm around Harry, and which Harry noted crossly that she was taller than him in heels.

"I really do miss you, Gin, but me and Harry have to go check up on some things. Harry here always forgets to do his work on time." At this Hermione gave him a side-eye. "We'll be back." Harry, grateful for the quick girl-talk distraction, peeked out from the terrace in search of platinum blonde hair. He had told Harry before he left that he would be watching from the sidelines, but he didn't see him there anywhere, and his eyes lingered near the bleacher's stairs in case Draco was talking to him. No luck. His eyes against his brain went up searching the terraces, seeing if he was sucking up to any snob-nosed ministry people George had invited for the donating. Nothing there either. He sighed, running out of time, until he looked down and saw the pale outline of someone writing on a too-long parchment. Right, then.

"...Of course. We'll see." Hermione nodded and pulled on Harry's robe as she started to turn away from Ginny. Harry followed, not taking his eyes off him in case he lost him. Hermione ditched him once they got to the bottom of the steps, probably knowing he would be going to find Draco. He practically ran to get to point A to point B, not wanting to be the subject of thrown nachos if he abridged ones view of Gobstones. George was right, it had turned out to be a hit, and many were cheering on each team like it was a real sport and not just a board game Wizard-style. Nevertheless, he did want to get to Draco without nacho in his hair.

Finally scooting next to Draco 10 minutes into the next game, volleyball, having almost lost him due to the fiery nature of a fireworks show after a Danish win, as Draco had stood up to go down to concessions, Harry had tried to follow him until he found out he had came back up with a fro-yo. Sneaky Slytherins. "Hello there. Finally got away." Draco gave him a knowing smirk and offered him some of his fro-yo. Harry grinned, then chomped into it, ignoring Draco's chagrin in order to swallow the sweet vanilla. "Delicious." He grinned. "You fucking prat. You're not supposed to eat it like it's a pie." Draco attacked, having a disgusted look on his face as he put the fro-yo behind him. "Oh, well. Surprised you're not flirting with some Irish foreigners by now." Harry winked, knowing Draco wasn't the type to willingly talk to strangers anymore.

Draco rolled his eyes and motioned to a happy family of Danish next to him, gorging food while speaking in their language rapidly. "Most don't seem to know me." He commented, mock-thoughtfully. "Are you having a good time?" Harry changed the subject, taking Draco's overload of parchment out of his hands and pursuing it himself. "I think so. Though I'm used to being the star of the show, not the crowd." Draco said honestly. Harry laughed and put an arm around Draco. "Me too." Draco took a chance and kissed Harry on the lips, and even though the screams were evident over the calling of George on the speakers, they felt as though they were alone on the bleachers together. Dorky, right?