Slytherin's Problems
"HEADS UP!"
Harry perched himself upright on his broom coming to a hover above the rest of his team, his raven locks whisking off his forehead from the crisp Saturday morning air," No, go lower! Seamus, lower! LOWER!"
He sighed heavily as Seamus refused to listen to his coaching ,which resulted in the Quaffle whizzing beneath the blonde's sneakers. Seamus had plunged desperately to catch it, turning him upside down and hanging by his knees.
Harry flew over and helped him rightside up," Next time I tell you something, do it. I'm not screaming my arse off for my health yanno."
Seamus nodded grimly, then joined his team mates as they started the play over again.
Their match against Slytherin was a day away and Harry didn't bother with formalities anymore. Over the past weeks, he had grown to understand why Oliver Wood and Angelina Johnson had been the way they were. It was difficult to be a leader and authority figure if the people you were supposed to be leading thought of you as an easy going friend. Harry had had to drop his nice guy routine rather quickly, though not easily, and take control of his rambunctious players.
"We're going to keep doing this until we get it right," Harry stated, clutching the Quaffle beneath his arm.
"We got it down, Harry. Theres no need to get all Angelina on us," Ron commented from his spot infront of the left golden hoop.
Harry sat back a little sitting the ball on his knee,"You got it down,eh? So why did Seamus half fall off his broom when he was supposed to be catching a Quaffle? And WHY was Travis just hovering about like a headless chicken? And WHY was Ginny flirting incessantly with Andrew when she was supposed to be paying attention to where her team mates threw the Quaffle? And WHY did I see you guarding the right hoop solely when you were SUPPOSED to be inbetween the right AND the middle?"
Harry was quite a ways off, but even from his distance he could see Ron's face tinging with red." People, it is pointless trying to argue.Now I've seen you play and honestly, you suck as a team. You're all hotheaded and wanting to be the man-or woman- of the hour, but c'mon. Its a TEAM effort. No ones going to be the head hauncho here. Now i want you to keep practicing until Ron knows the new blocking technique on instinct, Seamus can do the Triple Z Olly Over in his sleep and ALL of you can work together as a TEAM."
His players gave their usual groan of protests at such a ego popper, but proceeded in practicing nonetheless. After awhile, their sluggishness was blatantly obvious and he knew he couldn't get anymore out of them until they'd had a meal in them," Alright, take 30 for lunch, but I want you all back out here PRONTO."
The Gryffindors sighed their relief and hastily followed out his orders before he changed his mind.
Harry was just about to walk into the changing room when a floorboard creaked from behind him. Turning around, he saw Ron standing rather uneasily at the top of the stairs," You need something, Ron?"
Ron took a tentative step forward, twisting the handle of his broom in his hands as if it were a towel."Um,yeah..Can we talk, Harry?"
Harry nodded and continued through the doorway," Step into my office."
Ron followed him in and took a spot off to the side of the chalkboard. He watched nervously as Harry propped his Firebolt against his locker,pulled off his robes and sweater then started drawing out a new play onto the board with the tip of his wand.
"Whats up?" Harry asked, standing back to observe the tiny dots whisking about the green slate in the formation he had just created. Seeing them crash into one another, he shook his head and revised their movements.
"Well, I've been meaning to talk to you for sometime now.." Ron mumbled.
Harry looked over at the redhead's long pause, seeing him clutching his broom so tightly his knuckles were white," You alright?"
Ron let out a huge sigh and slackened his posture," No! God, Harry, I've been nutso the past week. I had just suddenly popped back into reality that night of the food fight and it dawned on me how much of a git I had been...I can't even BELIEVE how I treated you!"
Harry paused his wand and peered quizzically at his friend," Well, being Head Boy is a big deal, Ron. I couldn't very well expect you to stay the same."
"I know but it didn't mean I had to act like the worlds biggest idiot. Man, Harry, I'm honestly suprised you didn't slug me once or twice," Ron replied, looking thoroughly upset.
"Its not like I wasn't thinking it," Harry answered.
Ron smiled lightly and stepped towards the brunette," What I'm trying to say is, Harry...I'm sorry..."
A smile slowly crept into Harry's lips as he watched his best friend of over 7 years coming back into those brown eyes.Switching his wand to his other fist, Harry held out his hand.
Ron grinned and took it firmly in his own, getting pulled into a tight hug. A wave of relief passed over his nerves as Harry gave him several hearty slaps on the back with one of his infamous grins.
"I'm glad I have you back," Harry said slightly huskily.
"Me too, mate. I've missed talking to you...I was a moron for pushing away the only best friend I had left," Ron spoke softly.
Harry nodded a little, his eyes clouding over as they shifted to the dirty wood floor.
"Whats wrong?"
Harry shook his head and went back to his chalkboard, absentmindedly erasing 1 of the players and re drawing him a few inches over.
"Don't try that anymore, you know I can tell if somethings bugging you. Now spill," Ron stated firmly, crossing his arms and leaning against one of the board's sides.
Harry exhaled heavily and turned around to lean back against the board," Its confusing..."
Ron walked over and sat on the bench infront of his captain then leaned on his knees," Go for it."
Harry folded his arms and ankles getting into a more comfortable position," Well...You know how I mentioned several times that I think we were being watched?"
"How could I forget ? I was convinced you'd gone bonkers," Ron replied with a crooked smile.
"Turns out I was right after all."
Ron blinked as his body perked up," Really? Who was it?"
Harry bite his lip as his eyebrows knit together in a frown," Cienna..."
"As in your ex!??! How?!"
"She had heard me somehow and decided to come back in spirit form and watch over me or something," Harry answered ,recalling the night she had shown herself to him.
"So what now? She's just gonna hang around you like Myrtle?" Ron pressed on, fully intrigued yet utterly guilty for missing out on so much of his best friend's life.
"I don't know...We were-...talking, when Ginny showed up interrupting us," Harry replied.
"Was that when you were in the hospitol for 3 days straight?" The redhead asked gravely.
Harry nodded and rubbed his arms as if the shivers of that night had come back to nip at his skin.
"Bloody 'ell..." Ron said breathelessly.
"Yeah, you're telling me," Harry mumbled, feeling the quesiness come back as his flesh trembled.
"N-no, H-Harry," Ron stuttered.
Harry lifted his eyes to see Ron's gaze not on him, but trained on a spot to the side of him. Turning around he came face to face with the embarrassed Cienna.
"Oh..Oh my god..I'm sorry..I didn't mean to-." She muttered, already ready to whisk out of the room.
"No, wait! " Harry quickly shouted, holding out his hand for her to stop.
Cienna hesitated, then turned back to the 2 boys uneasily," Alright, but I shouldn't stay long."
"Thats fine,"
Ron couldnt tear his eyes off the transparent form that used to be his friend's love. She looked the same for the most part, but there was something drastically unnerving with the way she looked so pale. Cienna was always the epitome of a healthy girl and Ron remembered envying her latin tan and mezmorizing amber eyes. Now everything about her seemed to have been intensely toned down, includding her curves, which used to be emphasized with every pair of tight jeans and skirts she chose to wear.
The pants she had worn the night she was killed were apparently one of Harry's, since they were both corduroy and baggy on her. Her black shirt held tightly to her figure, but not in a flattering way any longer. It just made her look that much more pallid. Even her hair hung limp and lifeless, devoid of the natural bounce it used to have when she breathed.
All in all, Ron did not like what death had done to beautiful Cienna.
"Did I interrupt anything?" She asked timidly.
"No..As a matter of fact, we were talking about you," Harry answered, glancing at the blank-faced Ron.
"Hope it wasn't anything bad," She teased, attempting a smile.
"Please don't do that."
Both Harry and Cienna turned curiously at Ron.
"Do what?" The misty girl inquired.
"Smile like that...It just hurts to see it," Ron replied quietly.
Cienna's shoulders slumped as she looked away," Sorry..."
"Look,um...We need to get back to practice...Can we talk tonight in my dorm?" The brunette asked, slightly thrown off balance with Ron's assesment of what had been bugging he himself about Cienna's new look.
" Of course. I'll be waiting.." And without thinking, Cienna leaned forward and pressed an icy kiss on Harry's lips.
He couldn't help the quick intake of breath as a shiver rippled from his mouth. Cienna threw an apologetic look then vanished.
Ron walked over to his friend and rubbed his shoulder," I don't think it was the best thing that Cienna came back..."
Harry nodded solemnly, reaching up to touch his tingling lips," But I need it..."
Ron sighed and grabbed his Cleansweep from its lazy leaning position against the board," I know, but just..I don't know... Don't get hurt again.."
Harry rubbed his lips together and picked up his robe and sweater from the bench, pulling them back on. Without another word, they walked back out onto the pitch in silence.
But it wasn't to last. For as soon as they had cleared the stadium stairs, a series of shouts and cheers echoed across the presumably empty field.
The boys exchanged a look, then broke out into a sprint until they cam upon the origin of all the noise.
A small group of students were gathered around something, his team making up 1 whole side of the circle. Instantly, he knew what was going on. Like a shot, Harry raced over to the crowd and pushed his way through.
To his shock, he saw Draco standing menacingly rigid with his wand gripped threateningly tight in his fist. On the ground was a bundle of black robes, obviously heaving with labored breaths as a shoe poked out from underneath a cloak.
"Draco!" Harry shouted incredulously.
The blonde looked over at his baffled friend, then turned his gaze back upon the git on the grass," Stay out of this ,Potter. Can't have you ruining your spotless record with something like this."
Harry frowned as he switched his eyes to the person on the ground who was now beginning to slowly stand. With a waiver, they straightened out and turned.
"Skye, you're going to pay DEARLY!" Draco shouted angerly, his usual pale face flushed with fury.
Skye had by now dusted herself off and poised herself as straight as she could manage despite the pain in her side and her sprained wrist," Doubtful, MALFOY. You're just like your father. A gutless little WORM."
With a flash of bright yellow, everyone jumped back out of the way as a curse shot out at Skye. The mouthy girl flew backwards, doing a tumble before landing on her stomach.
Despite her new injury, she continued on," Is that the best you can do , blondie? I've gotten worse blows from a child...But then again, given the morons who brought you up, no wonder you're so horrible."
Harry's jaw refused to close as his brain seemed to process everything in slow motion. Draco's lip was quivering as he bit it so hard, blood started to leek out. His hand was shaking at the force of how strongly he was gripping his dark wand.
Harry's mind sped up suddenly, allowing him to leap forward just in time to shove Draco's wand aside, making his new curse shoot astray.
"What the bloody 'ell did you do that for!" Draco screeched at him, his voice picking on unnatural highness.
"This isn't going to solve anything!" Harry shot back, somehow wrenching the wand from the Slytherin's hand.
"I don't care! It'll atleast shut her up!" He shouted in return, trying to make a grab for his wand.
Harry held onto the snake's wand then turned as he heard a call from down field.
" Yeah, shut your little bitch up, Potter! Maybe stick your dick in his mouth and let him kiss it like he does your ass!"
Harry's cheeks burned, nevertheless he threw his arm out to stop Draco from moving from his spot." Don't...She's only trying to provoke you."
"If you'd only HEARD some of the things that tramp was saying about me! " Draco hissed through his perfect teeth, throwing a deadly glare over at the approaching Skye.
"Like you told me, she does it because she KNOWS she'll get a rile out of you," Harry answered as calmly as he could.
"But, Harry..She insulted my MOTHER. My MOTHER for Merlin's sake! She started calling her all these outrageous names and trashing my family's name!" The fuming blonde shouted.
"I know, but-"
"But NOTHING! She's been at me all bloody day! She even followed me when I came out here to watch you guys practice! I couldn't take it any longer!"
Harry instantly shifted to stand infront of Draco as Skye walked up to them, limping heavily. Her hair was in shambles, obviously from being hacked off by a Severing Charm. Her lip was cut, cheek bruised and a very large boil had placed itself quite akwardly above her left eyebrow.
Despite all this, she was still smirking smugly through her pantings," Thats right, protect your bitch, Potter. God knows he can't do it without you."
Harry dug his feet into the grass, holding back an outraged Malfoy as he tried to make a grab at her. Skye giggled and licked the blood from her lips.
"You should really think about teaching him some manners, Potter. Is that ANY way to treat a friend?" She asked cooly.
"FRIEND MY BLOODY ASS! JUST YOU WAIT!" Draco screamed, struggling against Harry's strong arms to let him go.
Skye's eyes darkened as she shifted her gaze to Draco's," Don't forget hotshot, I know everything...All your dark little secrets.. You think Dumbledore is going to let you stay in freedom if someone happens to slip the truth about last year?"
Harry had to work extra hard to keep a firm hold on Draco. For such a lean guy, he sure put up a great fight.
"I got you, Draco MALFOY. I got you round the balls. So, don't think this will be the last time we meet.We got plans for you," Skye shot venomously, then turned on her heel and sauntered away.
After her stoolies quickly followed, Harry finally let go of the wriggling Slytherin, letting him crumble to the ground.
Harry knelt down and gently rubbed his back with a frown. Seeing the shadows of his team mates, Harry softly mumbled to them," Practice the Triple Z on the far end. I'll meet up with you in a bit."
The team nodded, and was ushered away by Ron, who looked back at his captain with a worried expression.
Draco dug his fingers deep into the grass, gripping onto it as his body shook with sobs. Harry let out a slow sigh, watching his friend without a clue as to how to make him feel better. Moving onto both knees, Harry moved his soft massages to the Slytherin's shoulders talking as gently as he could manage," Don't listen to a word she says."
Draco slowly sat up, rivers of tears littered across his face. The sight was something of a shock to Harry, who'd only seen the usually collected boy cry just once prior. His hand slide across the bony shoulders and squeezed softly.
"I don't know how she found out...But she's right. If Dumbledore finds out that I knew all about Voldemort's plans last year, he'd surely have to turn me into the Ministry," Draco croaked out, looking even more miserable than ever.
Harry scrunched his mouth to the side, unable to say anything that would ease the Malfoy's mind.
Draco turned his shiny grey eyes to the Gryffindor and stared. His gaze pleaded subconsciously for a reply, truthful or not.
Harry gave his friend a gentle pat," It'll be alright, Draco. Even if Dumbledore somehow found out, he knows you're sorry and if you could, you'd change it..."
Draco nodded slightly, calmed down a little by Harry's comforting words," Ok..."
"Now, c'mon bitch. I got to get back to coaching my team," Harry teased, offering a small smile.
Draco smiled lightly in return and took Harry's hand to stand up. He dusted himself off and followed the captain over to his team. Something suddenly dawned on Draco, which he instantly dreaded to bring up.
"Don't kill me or anything, but..well..."
Harry glanced sideways at his faltering friend. Resting his broom over his shoulder he asked," What?"
"It wasn't my decision , mind you. My father made me do it for some reason,but.."
"What?" Harry pressed on warily.
"Skye is on the Quidditch team."
"HEADS UP!"
Harry perched himself upright on his broom coming to a hover above the rest of his team, his raven locks whisking off his forehead from the crisp Saturday morning air," No, go lower! Seamus, lower! LOWER!"
He sighed heavily as Seamus refused to listen to his coaching ,which resulted in the Quaffle whizzing beneath the blonde's sneakers. Seamus had plunged desperately to catch it, turning him upside down and hanging by his knees.
Harry flew over and helped him rightside up," Next time I tell you something, do it. I'm not screaming my arse off for my health yanno."
Seamus nodded grimly, then joined his team mates as they started the play over again.
Their match against Slytherin was a day away and Harry didn't bother with formalities anymore. Over the past weeks, he had grown to understand why Oliver Wood and Angelina Johnson had been the way they were. It was difficult to be a leader and authority figure if the people you were supposed to be leading thought of you as an easy going friend. Harry had had to drop his nice guy routine rather quickly, though not easily, and take control of his rambunctious players.
"We're going to keep doing this until we get it right," Harry stated, clutching the Quaffle beneath his arm.
"We got it down, Harry. Theres no need to get all Angelina on us," Ron commented from his spot infront of the left golden hoop.
Harry sat back a little sitting the ball on his knee,"You got it down,eh? So why did Seamus half fall off his broom when he was supposed to be catching a Quaffle? And WHY was Travis just hovering about like a headless chicken? And WHY was Ginny flirting incessantly with Andrew when she was supposed to be paying attention to where her team mates threw the Quaffle? And WHY did I see you guarding the right hoop solely when you were SUPPOSED to be inbetween the right AND the middle?"
Harry was quite a ways off, but even from his distance he could see Ron's face tinging with red." People, it is pointless trying to argue.Now I've seen you play and honestly, you suck as a team. You're all hotheaded and wanting to be the man-or woman- of the hour, but c'mon. Its a TEAM effort. No ones going to be the head hauncho here. Now i want you to keep practicing until Ron knows the new blocking technique on instinct, Seamus can do the Triple Z Olly Over in his sleep and ALL of you can work together as a TEAM."
His players gave their usual groan of protests at such a ego popper, but proceeded in practicing nonetheless. After awhile, their sluggishness was blatantly obvious and he knew he couldn't get anymore out of them until they'd had a meal in them," Alright, take 30 for lunch, but I want you all back out here PRONTO."
The Gryffindors sighed their relief and hastily followed out his orders before he changed his mind.
Harry was just about to walk into the changing room when a floorboard creaked from behind him. Turning around, he saw Ron standing rather uneasily at the top of the stairs," You need something, Ron?"
Ron took a tentative step forward, twisting the handle of his broom in his hands as if it were a towel."Um,yeah..Can we talk, Harry?"
Harry nodded and continued through the doorway," Step into my office."
Ron followed him in and took a spot off to the side of the chalkboard. He watched nervously as Harry propped his Firebolt against his locker,pulled off his robes and sweater then started drawing out a new play onto the board with the tip of his wand.
"Whats up?" Harry asked, standing back to observe the tiny dots whisking about the green slate in the formation he had just created. Seeing them crash into one another, he shook his head and revised their movements.
"Well, I've been meaning to talk to you for sometime now.." Ron mumbled.
Harry looked over at the redhead's long pause, seeing him clutching his broom so tightly his knuckles were white," You alright?"
Ron let out a huge sigh and slackened his posture," No! God, Harry, I've been nutso the past week. I had just suddenly popped back into reality that night of the food fight and it dawned on me how much of a git I had been...I can't even BELIEVE how I treated you!"
Harry paused his wand and peered quizzically at his friend," Well, being Head Boy is a big deal, Ron. I couldn't very well expect you to stay the same."
"I know but it didn't mean I had to act like the worlds biggest idiot. Man, Harry, I'm honestly suprised you didn't slug me once or twice," Ron replied, looking thoroughly upset.
"Its not like I wasn't thinking it," Harry answered.
Ron smiled lightly and stepped towards the brunette," What I'm trying to say is, Harry...I'm sorry..."
A smile slowly crept into Harry's lips as he watched his best friend of over 7 years coming back into those brown eyes.Switching his wand to his other fist, Harry held out his hand.
Ron grinned and took it firmly in his own, getting pulled into a tight hug. A wave of relief passed over his nerves as Harry gave him several hearty slaps on the back with one of his infamous grins.
"I'm glad I have you back," Harry said slightly huskily.
"Me too, mate. I've missed talking to you...I was a moron for pushing away the only best friend I had left," Ron spoke softly.
Harry nodded a little, his eyes clouding over as they shifted to the dirty wood floor.
"Whats wrong?"
Harry shook his head and went back to his chalkboard, absentmindedly erasing 1 of the players and re drawing him a few inches over.
"Don't try that anymore, you know I can tell if somethings bugging you. Now spill," Ron stated firmly, crossing his arms and leaning against one of the board's sides.
Harry exhaled heavily and turned around to lean back against the board," Its confusing..."
Ron walked over and sat on the bench infront of his captain then leaned on his knees," Go for it."
Harry folded his arms and ankles getting into a more comfortable position," Well...You know how I mentioned several times that I think we were being watched?"
"How could I forget ? I was convinced you'd gone bonkers," Ron replied with a crooked smile.
"Turns out I was right after all."
Ron blinked as his body perked up," Really? Who was it?"
Harry bite his lip as his eyebrows knit together in a frown," Cienna..."
"As in your ex!??! How?!"
"She had heard me somehow and decided to come back in spirit form and watch over me or something," Harry answered ,recalling the night she had shown herself to him.
"So what now? She's just gonna hang around you like Myrtle?" Ron pressed on, fully intrigued yet utterly guilty for missing out on so much of his best friend's life.
"I don't know...We were-...talking, when Ginny showed up interrupting us," Harry replied.
"Was that when you were in the hospitol for 3 days straight?" The redhead asked gravely.
Harry nodded and rubbed his arms as if the shivers of that night had come back to nip at his skin.
"Bloody 'ell..." Ron said breathelessly.
"Yeah, you're telling me," Harry mumbled, feeling the quesiness come back as his flesh trembled.
"N-no, H-Harry," Ron stuttered.
Harry lifted his eyes to see Ron's gaze not on him, but trained on a spot to the side of him. Turning around he came face to face with the embarrassed Cienna.
"Oh..Oh my god..I'm sorry..I didn't mean to-." She muttered, already ready to whisk out of the room.
"No, wait! " Harry quickly shouted, holding out his hand for her to stop.
Cienna hesitated, then turned back to the 2 boys uneasily," Alright, but I shouldn't stay long."
"Thats fine,"
Ron couldnt tear his eyes off the transparent form that used to be his friend's love. She looked the same for the most part, but there was something drastically unnerving with the way she looked so pale. Cienna was always the epitome of a healthy girl and Ron remembered envying her latin tan and mezmorizing amber eyes. Now everything about her seemed to have been intensely toned down, includding her curves, which used to be emphasized with every pair of tight jeans and skirts she chose to wear.
The pants she had worn the night she was killed were apparently one of Harry's, since they were both corduroy and baggy on her. Her black shirt held tightly to her figure, but not in a flattering way any longer. It just made her look that much more pallid. Even her hair hung limp and lifeless, devoid of the natural bounce it used to have when she breathed.
All in all, Ron did not like what death had done to beautiful Cienna.
"Did I interrupt anything?" She asked timidly.
"No..As a matter of fact, we were talking about you," Harry answered, glancing at the blank-faced Ron.
"Hope it wasn't anything bad," She teased, attempting a smile.
"Please don't do that."
Both Harry and Cienna turned curiously at Ron.
"Do what?" The misty girl inquired.
"Smile like that...It just hurts to see it," Ron replied quietly.
Cienna's shoulders slumped as she looked away," Sorry..."
"Look,um...We need to get back to practice...Can we talk tonight in my dorm?" The brunette asked, slightly thrown off balance with Ron's assesment of what had been bugging he himself about Cienna's new look.
" Of course. I'll be waiting.." And without thinking, Cienna leaned forward and pressed an icy kiss on Harry's lips.
He couldn't help the quick intake of breath as a shiver rippled from his mouth. Cienna threw an apologetic look then vanished.
Ron walked over to his friend and rubbed his shoulder," I don't think it was the best thing that Cienna came back..."
Harry nodded solemnly, reaching up to touch his tingling lips," But I need it..."
Ron sighed and grabbed his Cleansweep from its lazy leaning position against the board," I know, but just..I don't know... Don't get hurt again.."
Harry rubbed his lips together and picked up his robe and sweater from the bench, pulling them back on. Without another word, they walked back out onto the pitch in silence.
But it wasn't to last. For as soon as they had cleared the stadium stairs, a series of shouts and cheers echoed across the presumably empty field.
The boys exchanged a look, then broke out into a sprint until they cam upon the origin of all the noise.
A small group of students were gathered around something, his team making up 1 whole side of the circle. Instantly, he knew what was going on. Like a shot, Harry raced over to the crowd and pushed his way through.
To his shock, he saw Draco standing menacingly rigid with his wand gripped threateningly tight in his fist. On the ground was a bundle of black robes, obviously heaving with labored breaths as a shoe poked out from underneath a cloak.
"Draco!" Harry shouted incredulously.
The blonde looked over at his baffled friend, then turned his gaze back upon the git on the grass," Stay out of this ,Potter. Can't have you ruining your spotless record with something like this."
Harry frowned as he switched his eyes to the person on the ground who was now beginning to slowly stand. With a waiver, they straightened out and turned.
"Skye, you're going to pay DEARLY!" Draco shouted angerly, his usual pale face flushed with fury.
Skye had by now dusted herself off and poised herself as straight as she could manage despite the pain in her side and her sprained wrist," Doubtful, MALFOY. You're just like your father. A gutless little WORM."
With a flash of bright yellow, everyone jumped back out of the way as a curse shot out at Skye. The mouthy girl flew backwards, doing a tumble before landing on her stomach.
Despite her new injury, she continued on," Is that the best you can do , blondie? I've gotten worse blows from a child...But then again, given the morons who brought you up, no wonder you're so horrible."
Harry's jaw refused to close as his brain seemed to process everything in slow motion. Draco's lip was quivering as he bit it so hard, blood started to leek out. His hand was shaking at the force of how strongly he was gripping his dark wand.
Harry's mind sped up suddenly, allowing him to leap forward just in time to shove Draco's wand aside, making his new curse shoot astray.
"What the bloody 'ell did you do that for!" Draco screeched at him, his voice picking on unnatural highness.
"This isn't going to solve anything!" Harry shot back, somehow wrenching the wand from the Slytherin's hand.
"I don't care! It'll atleast shut her up!" He shouted in return, trying to make a grab for his wand.
Harry held onto the snake's wand then turned as he heard a call from down field.
" Yeah, shut your little bitch up, Potter! Maybe stick your dick in his mouth and let him kiss it like he does your ass!"
Harry's cheeks burned, nevertheless he threw his arm out to stop Draco from moving from his spot." Don't...She's only trying to provoke you."
"If you'd only HEARD some of the things that tramp was saying about me! " Draco hissed through his perfect teeth, throwing a deadly glare over at the approaching Skye.
"Like you told me, she does it because she KNOWS she'll get a rile out of you," Harry answered as calmly as he could.
"But, Harry..She insulted my MOTHER. My MOTHER for Merlin's sake! She started calling her all these outrageous names and trashing my family's name!" The fuming blonde shouted.
"I know, but-"
"But NOTHING! She's been at me all bloody day! She even followed me when I came out here to watch you guys practice! I couldn't take it any longer!"
Harry instantly shifted to stand infront of Draco as Skye walked up to them, limping heavily. Her hair was in shambles, obviously from being hacked off by a Severing Charm. Her lip was cut, cheek bruised and a very large boil had placed itself quite akwardly above her left eyebrow.
Despite all this, she was still smirking smugly through her pantings," Thats right, protect your bitch, Potter. God knows he can't do it without you."
Harry dug his feet into the grass, holding back an outraged Malfoy as he tried to make a grab at her. Skye giggled and licked the blood from her lips.
"You should really think about teaching him some manners, Potter. Is that ANY way to treat a friend?" She asked cooly.
"FRIEND MY BLOODY ASS! JUST YOU WAIT!" Draco screamed, struggling against Harry's strong arms to let him go.
Skye's eyes darkened as she shifted her gaze to Draco's," Don't forget hotshot, I know everything...All your dark little secrets.. You think Dumbledore is going to let you stay in freedom if someone happens to slip the truth about last year?"
Harry had to work extra hard to keep a firm hold on Draco. For such a lean guy, he sure put up a great fight.
"I got you, Draco MALFOY. I got you round the balls. So, don't think this will be the last time we meet.We got plans for you," Skye shot venomously, then turned on her heel and sauntered away.
After her stoolies quickly followed, Harry finally let go of the wriggling Slytherin, letting him crumble to the ground.
Harry knelt down and gently rubbed his back with a frown. Seeing the shadows of his team mates, Harry softly mumbled to them," Practice the Triple Z on the far end. I'll meet up with you in a bit."
The team nodded, and was ushered away by Ron, who looked back at his captain with a worried expression.
Draco dug his fingers deep into the grass, gripping onto it as his body shook with sobs. Harry let out a slow sigh, watching his friend without a clue as to how to make him feel better. Moving onto both knees, Harry moved his soft massages to the Slytherin's shoulders talking as gently as he could manage," Don't listen to a word she says."
Draco slowly sat up, rivers of tears littered across his face. The sight was something of a shock to Harry, who'd only seen the usually collected boy cry just once prior. His hand slide across the bony shoulders and squeezed softly.
"I don't know how she found out...But she's right. If Dumbledore finds out that I knew all about Voldemort's plans last year, he'd surely have to turn me into the Ministry," Draco croaked out, looking even more miserable than ever.
Harry scrunched his mouth to the side, unable to say anything that would ease the Malfoy's mind.
Draco turned his shiny grey eyes to the Gryffindor and stared. His gaze pleaded subconsciously for a reply, truthful or not.
Harry gave his friend a gentle pat," It'll be alright, Draco. Even if Dumbledore somehow found out, he knows you're sorry and if you could, you'd change it..."
Draco nodded slightly, calmed down a little by Harry's comforting words," Ok..."
"Now, c'mon bitch. I got to get back to coaching my team," Harry teased, offering a small smile.
Draco smiled lightly in return and took Harry's hand to stand up. He dusted himself off and followed the captain over to his team. Something suddenly dawned on Draco, which he instantly dreaded to bring up.
"Don't kill me or anything, but..well..."
Harry glanced sideways at his faltering friend. Resting his broom over his shoulder he asked," What?"
"It wasn't my decision , mind you. My father made me do it for some reason,but.."
"What?" Harry pressed on warily.
"Skye is on the Quidditch team."