Review Thanks and Shout Outs:
Lina Inverse the Dramata – No. Harry doesn't have a scar. Snape never taught. Harry is a no-named street whore. I say this now, but you can rest assured that the first review I get for this chapter will be someone wanting to know about Harry's scar and Snape's teaching career.
Chibi – Thank you for the wonderful reviews!
Sylvanus Snape –Thanks for the review!
Kristine Thorne –Thanks for offering to Beta, and I'll probably drop something in your box soon!
Ms. Niffler – What a wonderful review! Yes, there appears to be a time discrepancy, but since you were the only one who noticed it, I'll just obliviate your memory and thank you for being such an attentive reader!
Queen of Vegetasei – As always, thank you for your faithful reviews. I'm judging by your name that you're a DBZ fan, huh? I originally wrote DBZ stories first. Isn't it the greatest thing in the world? Bulma and Vegeta are the yummiest straight couple I've ever seen.
Chapter 7
Special thanks to Gingermao and Sam for Beta-ing this chapter!
The injured jockey was getting the royal treatment. The room dripped with wealth, just as the rest of the clubhouse did. He was stationed in a sitting room where he was sprawled over a satin couch. The carpet was lush and thick, and three beautiful witches in club uniforms were doting on him relentlessly. The small group was crowded around the couch, not paying much attention to the smoky screen conjured in a corner of the room, apparently to show the race when it began. Perhaps watching the exciting race would get Brandon's mind off the distressing complete lack of feeling in his nether region. When Severus finally found the room, he'd talked briefly with Brandon and accepted a drink from an elf carrying a large tray. The smoke cleared on the screen to show some pre-race activities, and the announcers began speaking, but no one turned their attention to the screen yet.
"It's a beautiful day at the club house, and perfect weather for racing. Ah! Here come the jockeys … Montalo's got a new Granian racing today, offspring from one of the Malfoy's champions." An glib announcer began.
"That's right, Bill, speaking of the Malfoy's, Draco Malfoy will be a jockey in this first race. The Malfoy heir is a more common competitor in the jumping and dressage competitions, but he's not someone to be underestimated just because he's off home turf. The Malfoy horses take the center ring in just about every event – almost a guarantee. The jockeys are taking their places now …"
The conversation died down and the group looked up at the screen. Severus was just thinking that he'd watch the first race from the sitting room and then go find Harry when a familiar black horse in the corner of the screen caught his attention. The rider was even more cause of confusion.
"Who's that riding Thirteen?!" Brandon exclaimed, just as Severus choked on his drink when he realized the answer. He dropped the glass and shot out of the room, leaving the others to share confused looks at his hasty departure.
Harry was mounted on Black Jack. And Black Jack looked like he was actually going to fly forward this time.
~
Harry could feel the wind shifting around him as Black Jack posed gracefully in the air, wings extended impressively, head arched proudly, hooves pawing restlessly at the air.
A gunshot.
Harry had never been a religious man, but in that second of suspended reality after the gunshot, he thought it might have been a good idea. Black Jack beat black wings down to the ground as if he were pounding a war drum. The Granians on his right and left were caught in the tornado of air that his massive wings propelled behind them. The lightweight horses were delayed crucial milliseconds as their thin wings fought against the updraft. Black Jack took off like a bottled rocket. The crowds were buzzing with excitement and surprise.
Harry opened his eyes just a little bit, casting a furtive glance behind him.
The stands were rushing by in a blur, and he was surprised to see that he wasn't in last place. Quite the contrary, there were at least four winged horses too far behind him to ever catch up. He opened his eyes fully and lessened the grip of death that he had on the reins. Jack seemed to surge forward when Harry fed him some slack. Another winged horse fell behind them. They were coming to the first turn in the track. The two winged horses in front weren't slowing, but the three behind them were starting to loose their famed speed slightly.
As if Jack had been waiting for them to tire, he increased his pace marginally. It was as if he was saying, 'You all may be fast, but I'm gonna outlast you all!' Harry smiled nervously as Jack went a hair's width faster. A warm jubilance and sense of freedom began to blossom inside him, making him feel intoxicated with the inebriating sensations.
He let out a little cheer as they passed the next horse. His earsplitting grin only goaded Jack on. They passed another shocked jockey. The announcers were shouting like crazy, and the wind was whipping by them so fast that Harry thought he had left his body back at the starting point.
Draco glanced over his shoulder, certain that he had the clear advantage. Montalo really was his only opponent and only because he was racing on a Malfoy horse. But even with that advantage, he still could not beat Draco. He was falling behind – not drastically but enough to signify that he was settling for second.
"What the hell?!" Draco spat as he caught a glimpse of Thirteen galloping hard through the air in his peripheral vision. He was actually gaining on him!
Harry let out another loud shout of excitement and dug his heals into Jack instinctively. Jack whinnied in agreement that they should go faster. The braid in his tail started working loose, and like a sudden black banner unfurled over the sun it fanned behind him poetically as he came level with Malfoy's Granian. It was quite a sight to see. Malfoy's white horse, elegant and angelic with its jockey in pale blue, versus the powerhouse that was the hellish Black Jack and his darkly clothed rider.
Jack swerved in closer to Malfoy, closing the gap. Almost effortlessly, Jack eased up next to his opponent. They were level in the mad dash to the finish line. Wingtips brushed and frothy sweat from both animals mingled, spiraling behind them in a tunnel of powerful wind. Not a single person remained sitting in the stadium. Pandemonium had broken out at the unexpected turn of events. They all clutched tickets stating that ridiculous sums of money rode on Draco.
Well, all except a certain Severus Snape who suddenly had very good odds on his traditional wager for Jack.
But that wasn't what he was thinking about. He stood in the stands, breathing hard, wand gripped tightly in his hand should Harry show the faintest sign that he was loosing his natural balance. He'd never seen horses flying so fast. His heart was lodged firmly in his throat, beating almost spastically as the two horses went nose to nose. If Harry lived through this he was going to kill him. Fear held him so tightly that he felt like a live wire; stomach churning worry gave him all the adrenaline packed power of a snake waiting to strike.
Jack could see the finish line. He could feel the young man on his back (Jack was referring to him mentally as 'the-boy-who-smells-good') encouraging him on, yelling out in his joy and wonder. He wanted to win for this soft-spoken boy that seemed so in awe of his beauty and strength. He wasn't going as fast as he possibly could, but it was a competitive pace he would be able to maintain for the rest of the race – the Granian was going faster and faster …
But would the Granian be able to maintain such a reckless speed? Jack didn't want to risk it. He would have to increase his odds.
Unleashing the well of magic pumping through his veins, extending it upward to include his weightless rider, he cloaked them with invisibility.
Malfoy lost his focus. He tightened his reins in reflex to the sudden and startling disappearance.
Then his eyes widened in realization that he had played right into the Thestral's plan. He'd hesitated when he should have pushed even harder. He'd lost his speed advantage, and by the time he regained it the race would be over. Furious, he slapped his whip down in frustration but he was almost sure it was to no good. Nevertheless, his horse strained forward and gave him a re-kindled hope.
Black Jack materialized beside him just as they crossed the finish line.
~
The crowd waited with baited breath for the results of the photo finish to be revealed. Severus clutched the rail almost as tightly as his other hand was clutching his ticket, his knuckles were white, his teeth clenched harshly.
The photo was projected over the arena – first blurry and then gaining clarity.
Dead silence.
And then …
Applause so deafening that Severus couldn't make out any of the distinct congratulations he was receiving.
Harry had just one the race. Harry had just one the race.
"HARRY JUST WON!" Severus shouted uncharacteristically. His grin went from ear to ear and his fist pounded into the air triumphantly. Spectators were slapping his back, the snobby observers for a precious minute abandoned their manners and were yelling for all they were worth.
Not only had unlucky Thirteen won, but it shattered the current record set by none other than Lucius Malfoy during his younger days.
Severus hurried down to the field just as Jack was flexing in front of the small army of photographers snapping away like mad. He held his head impossibly high and he arched his wings backward to show off his muscular chest and front legs. His coat was glossy with sweat, his eyes blazing with victory. Harry unclasped his helmet and flashed a victory sign. His hair was wild and his eyes were dancing. The two of them looked like they had been made to stand on the first place platform. Malfoy, standing on the second place platform, was looking unreadable. Severus thought he could see jealousy, perhaps a bit of lust mixed in as well. He and his horse looked immaculate, even after such a taxing race, but Severus thought Jack's wild tail, curled with humidity and Harry's windswept hair looked a million times sexier.
Then Harry slid off Jack's back and hugged the big horse, kissed it on the forehead, and then ran straight into his arms.
Severus easily lifted him a few inches off the ground, clinging to him as if to make sure he was real.
"Did you see me, Sev? Jack and I WON! We actually WON!" He exclaimed joyously. Severus felt his countenance darken instantly at the reminder.
"You better believe I saw you! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" He furiously questioned, sounding like a worrying parent as he gently shook the beaming Harry. It was obvious his chiding had little affect. Instead Harry merely leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose.
"You placed a bet, didn't you?" Harry asked in an attempt to distract Severus. The question did seem to make him relax slightly.
"Jack just made you a very rich jockey. It's only fair that you should get the winning ticket." Severus said with a rare smile at the way Harry's grin doubled in size. Before they could continue the conversation, well-wishers and the other jockeys crowded around them offering congratulations and asking questions about the mysterious new jockey.
Draco watched from a slight way off, his calculating gray eyes taking in the scene. This new fling of Severus's had captured his attention and curiosity.
"Perhaps personal congratulations will be in order once we can get some privacy…" Draco said softly with a scheming little smirk twitching at the corner of his lips.
A/N: Man, I hope that gave you the same warm, happy feeling it gave to me writing it! I really love this chapter, even if there isn't much Sev/Harry action. But don't worry! Next chapter Harry's going to be awfully sore after such a hard race, and what better cure for soreness than Sev's magical hands? * grins wickedly * Not to mention, there's the party at the club house where Draco asks some questions and causes some trouble. Oh yeah – and what's Voldemort eyeing Harry for? Hope this will hold you all over until book 5! (P.S. – lol, and I know you guys are all going to be checking my story on June 21 to see if I update, right? Cuz it's not like you'll have anything else to read : P)
