"And Potter's circling overhead, trying to find the snitch as Swedish seeker Bjorn Karish sweeps the other end of the field…" I tuned out again, narrow-mindedly trying to find the snitch. My concentration was unwavering, which wasn't healthy since I was also supposed to be keeping an eye out for bludgers.
Fortunately I quickly spotted the glittering ball at the end of the stadium. I raced after it so quickly I was three quarters the way there before the Swedish seeker even noticed me. He tried to catch up, but it was too late. I triumphantly grasped the snitch in my hands and rode around in a victory lap.
The roaring cheers of the crowd fill my ears, and grinning to myself, I swept over the stands. The cheers grew even louder and, deciding my ego was well enough inflated, I went in for a graceful landing, and the rest of the team joined me.
"Great game!"
"Yeah, did you see the dive Michael did?"
"The fuckin' bludger nearly took my head off! I don't get paid enough!"
"Oh, shut up you wanker. Twenty thousand galleons a game is hardly chicken scratch." The general babble of the team made me feel right at home as we went into the change room. I declined to join in the arguments and back slapping though, taking a simple joy in winning.
Throughout the entire fiasco that was now my life, quidditch was the one thing that seemed to stay constant. Not that I minded going through it all for Draco though. I loved my Dragon, and nothing could change that. However, I wished a lot of the time that things could be different for the two of us.
"Hey, Harry, y'all right?" Irish goalkeeper Justin Aguas asked, a hint of an American accent left in his drawl from his time in Texas.
"I'm great. Why?" The goal keeper shrugged.
"Just looked a bit spaced out, is all tha I meant. Anywho that Granger girl is waiting outside for you."
"Thanks." I replied, and as Justin slinked off I shoved my laundry in my bag and set off for Hermione.
"Hello Hermione." I grinned, snapping my friend out of her reverie. Throwing her head up, she grinned back as she ran to hug me.
"Harry, you stink." She replied, wrinkling her nose as she pulled back. "Remind me to get you something smelly for Christmas to cover it up."
"Aw, come on." I moaned. "It's a manly smell. That's what Draco said anyway." Hermione frowned.
"Yes, well about Draco…." My wide smile turned into a frown.
"Look Hermione. Don't even start it with me. I have enough on my plate without your constant righteousness and worry." Hermione sighed.
"We're all just worried about your safety and well being, Harry."
"He fucking stood beside me when I battled Voldemort. He turned to our side because he cared about me, and at is own risk I might add. I think I owe him a little something." This was met by another sigh of Hermione, but this time she sounded tired and for a moment I felt guilty. But as Hermione opened her lips I steeled himself against what could be coming next.
"Harry, you're absolutely right. I'm sorry; Malfoy's given us no reason not to believe him since the entire ordeal started. We are being bothersome." I relaxed a bit, surprised I hadn't realized I had been tensing. "What about when Malfoy-"
"Draco." Harry replied, a bit lighter then his last words.
"What?" Hermione looked at her companion a bit dazed.
"His name is Draco." I replied once again, a sharp tone creeping into my voice. "He's not his father."
"Right." She nodded. "Anyway, when he gets his home suspension over and done we all go out for dinner. You, me, Ron, Draco and possibly some people from school." 'Who haven't died yet' was mentally added by both parties.
"It sounds great." I let out a forced smile. "I haven't been able to keep in touch with anyone through the confusion."
"We can have a victory party."
"Yeah." I echoed hollowly. "Victory."
Setting his things down carefully, I glanced around the apartment for signs of my Dragon, but upon discovering the emptiness of the house, allowed myself to kick my shoes off angrily. I knew Hermione meant well- when had she not?- but her constant meddling and inability to trust Draco had taken a toll on both our lives. To be honest, I felt justifiable angry. No one would give him a chance. Not even the people who meant most to me. Draco didn't deserve it. I didn't deserve it. And-
What was the use? Anger rarely seemed to get me anywhere good. Biting my lower lip in defeat I moved into the kitchen and made myself some tea. I opened the paper, scanning my eyes over words which didn't seem to mean anything. When would he be back? Draco was under house arrest. Powerful charms were set on the house so that he couldn't leave without one of the two people who carried the magical signatures. I was one of them and the other one was a man named Jake, a rather handsome tall man with dark hair and blue eyes who usually escorted Draco to and from his trials.
For half an hour I continued sipping tea without tasting, reading without comprehending and staring at the painfully slow clock. However, soon I heard the reassuring sounds of two people in the floo.
"That was bloody fantastic when Jefferson slipped on the floor, in front of the entire Wizengamot!"
"I know! And then when Mrs. Diason asked 'Is that where you'll be giving your testimony from, or is that where you usually inhabit?'" Two voices burst out in laughter and I grinned. Putting everything down I strained to find composure as I all but ran to the living room. There the most beautiful man in the world waas waiting for me, along with Jake.
"Harry!" Draco embraced me with open arms and I grinned as I fell into him. I savoured the blond for a moment, then gently pried myself from him.
"Thanks a lot Jake." The man grinned cheerfully, bowing deeply.
"Not at all, Draco's a pleasure. You'll have to watch him once he gets out into the regular world again, he's quite a charmer." I grinned as Jake straightened up. "Unfortunately I'll have to leave again, but I wish you two the best!"
"Thanks Jake. See you in two days." The two companion waved, and Jake was gone just as quickly as he came.
"Missed you." Dragon cooed gently into my chest, wrapping his arms around my waist again.
"Mmm." I replied, embracing him, smelling the freakishly expensive shampoo he slathered on his hair. "However, am I hearing correctly that you are using the Malfoy Charm on someone other then me?" Draco sighed.
"Well, it does get awfully lonely." Draco mock pouted, pulling away to draw circles in my stomach.
"I'm sure we could do something about that" I replied. Then I grabbed him under the ribs and threw my pale lover on the couch. He giggled as I pounced on him.
I groaned, stretching out as I came out of my nap. Needless to say, I had had fun with Draco. Smiling, I felt around the bed, but frowned as my fingers found nothing but cotton. Where had he gone? Sitting up, I swung myself around and got out of bed. Throwing my boxers back on, I padded out of the bedroom and along the hall to the living room. That's when I heard voices.
Flattening myself against the wall, I carefully peered around the corner. What I saw while a bit surprising, was nothing too shocking. Stepping out from the wall, I made soft footsteps as I approached the couch.
"Draco?"
Draco turned his head to look at me, a look of surprise and fear mixed on his face. In front of him was a hand held mirror, which just moments ago he seemed to have been talking to.
"Harry." He said, his breath hitching again as I sank down beside him.
"What're you doing?" I murmured softly, laying my head on his should. He sighed, and I felt some of the tenseness go out of his body.
"This used to be Narcissa's." He said softly, gazing into the mirror forlornly. "I would always sit and brush her hair, and she would check herself in the mirror, and say 'Tres bien, Draco." His fist suddenly clenched around the mirror handle. "It's not fair, Harry." He whispered, biting his lip as he tried to fight back the tears. "It's not fair. She never wanted to serve Voldemort. She was innocent. She didn't deserve-" Draco choked and boroughed closed to my chest. I sighed, stroking his hair as invisible shivers ran through his body. Narcissa had never been found, but Draco had known what had happened to her.
After Voldemort fell, many of his supporters vanished, Lucius included. He took Narcissa with him. This wasn't good, as Lucius was half mad. He had abused Draco horribly during their time together. What he had done, I wasn't sure. Draco had rarely spoken of it.
I held Draco until I felt his breathing even and his muscles relax. I stared out the window, seeing very little of what was in view. It had been another long day. Was it worth it? I shook my head. Of course it was worth it. It had to be. Or else I was living a meaningless lie, and that was inconceivable.