Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, it belongs to JK Rowling, etc, etc. Anyone who thinks I do own Harry Potter is an idiot.
Potter: A History
Quidditch Practice
Malfoy had kept his promise from the year before. Through his father, he had managed to secure them positions on this years Slytherin Quidditch team – Harry as Seeker, himself as Keeper. Along with this, the senior Malfoy had provided the team with seven, brand new, state of the art Nimbus 2001 broomsticks.
Professor Snape gathered the team before their first practice outside the locker rooms. 'I expect you all to win this year. No excuses. Last year was an embarrassment I will not relive. I want solid teamwork, do I make myself clear?' Snape looked meaningfully, threateningly, at the Captain Marcus Flint and the rest of the original team. His meaning was clear: you might not like Potter, but work with him and not against him.
Captain Flint grunted agreement.
Snape stared at them, as if reading their minds, and then turned swiftly and left.
'Alright,' Flint spoke in his rough, grating voice, 'everyone in. Get changed quickly!'
As Harry was about to enter the locker room, one of the Slytherin Beaters shouldered him into the doorframe. The other team members laughed and shut the door behind them.
Harry scowled and rubbed his arm where he'd hit the frame. He suspected this whole Seeker thing might be a bad idea.
Malfoy didn't waste a second before yanking the door back open and striding through it. Harry followed, still massaging his arm. His "friend" did not look happy… interesting.
'Hey!' Malfoy yelled, getting the rooms attention. 'Do you guys want to win the cup this year? If you don't, then keep acting this way. If you do want to win, you better remember who provided those brooms you're holding.'
'Bloody little - '
'Shut up Derrick!' Flint added an extra layer of threat by glaring at the large Beater, the very one who had shoved Harry earlier. 'Malfoy, we're well aware of who gave us these brooms, and also of the strings attached to them. That doesn't mean we have to like it, or Potter. As far as I'm concerned, until you prove yourselves, I'm short two men, and both invaluable positions. If Potter can't handle it, he can quit. Same goes for you. If we lose the brooms, so be it. At least I'll be able to take on my own Seeker and Keeper.'
'Because that worked so well for you last year,' Malfoy spat. 'We saw every game. We watched our house lose, knowing if we were on the team, things would be different.'
'You arrogant -'
'Derrick!' The Beater pursed his lips with irritation. Flint ignored him and turned to glower at Malfoy. 'Fine. We'll give you a chance to prove yourselves. But if you don't live up to your hype, you're out, and we keep the brooms.'
'Wise choice.'
Harry wondered if Malfoy had the authority to make that promise. A moment later he had his answer.
'You better be as good as you say,' Malfoy whispered to him as they changed, 'or my father is going to kill me.'
