Chapter Eight: The New Captain

There was no more time for chatting when they reached the other cheerleaders. Draco went into full boss-atude.

"You've all let me down," he announced, narrowing his eyes at everyone. "I was thinking of a cheer during our last meeting, and you left!"

Everyone just looked at him.

"... so...?" someone asked.

"So???" he exclaimed. "Now I've forgotten it, and we're no closer to winning the championship cup than we were last time!"

"Why don't we all think of one, instead of you doing it by yourself?" Ginny asked.

There were murmurs of agreement.

"Why would I do that?" Draco chuckled.

"Uh, because we're a team," another girl replied.

"I agree," someone else chimed in.

Draco showed his palms to them, signaling everyone to stop. "It's not so easy,"

Ginny spoke up again. "If you can do it, so can we,"

Holly snorted. "He can't do it,"

Everyone laughed.

"Stop – stop laughing! That's not funny!" Draco commanded. Keeping his cool, he added, "I honestly cannot see you all coming up with a golden cheer. It takes time. Effort. And I, you're leader, you're boss, the one who's IN CHARGE-,"

Some people jumped.

"-Will NOT let this happen!" he yelled.

Holly half expected angry froth to spill out of his mouth.

Making sure everyone was still paying attention, Draco continued. "We are a TEAM. I am the LEADER. So I'll lead, and you'll cheer!"

"But that's no fun!" someone complained.

Draco turned on them. "You're not here to have fun, you're here to cheer for Hogwarts no matter what!"

Holly was fed up. "We don't need you either!" she shot at him.

Draco attempted to glare at her, but she still saw something soft in his eyes.

She took a deep breath. "That's right, Malfoy. You think you can just boss us around as you please? We've got brains, unlike you-"

Some people snickered.

"-So why don't you leave us alone?" Holly put her hands on her hips, and raised her eyebrows at him.

Malfoy opened his mouth to speak, but didn't say anything.

"I think Holly should be our new captain," Ginny said.

"I second it!" another girl piped up.

"I third it!" someone else chimed in.

Soon, everyone was putting in their two cents about how Holly should be their new captain.

Cutting off the girl was 'thirty-fiveing' it, Draco yelled. "You can't do this!"

Ginny shoved her face into his. "We can... and we will!" she declared.

"Go Holly!" Everyone cheered.

Malfoy was starting to feel like his team didn't want him. Well, fine. If my team doesn't want me anymore, then that's just peachy. I teach these girls everything I know, and this is the thanks I get? Fine! We'll see how long they last! He thought furiously. He stomped away, making as much noise as he could. "YOU'LL LIVE TO REGRET THIS!" he yelled à la Sideshow Bob.

His form disappeared behind the door. As it banged behind him, everyone went on rejoicing.

Little did they know that'd be the very last time anyone would ever see Draco Malfoy again.

Well, maybe not that long. But for a few hours at least.

Oh yeah, who's dramatic. Draco thought, strutting down the hall. I'll lock myself in the dorm with a bottle of champagne, and drink until everyone in the school feels my pain. Oh yeah...I'm cool. Strutting along and donning a smirk, he made his way down to the dorms.

A/N: Hey... that rhymed. Champagne and Pain, I mean.

Back outside, Holly was jumping up and down. Malfoy was gone!

"Congratulations, Holly!" Ginny said excitedly. "You're the new captain!"

Holly smiled. "Yeah, it feels – WHAT?! I'm the captain???"

Ginny was confused. "Well, of course. That's why everyone was cheering your name!"

Holly stomped jumping. She remained perfectly still. "Could you excuse me for a moment?"

Ginny nodded. "But why?"

Holly was hurrying away before she could hear Ginny's question. Tugging down her skirt, which had been riding up, she ran for the common room.

Meanwhile, Draco had picked up some alchohol and was heading for his own house's common room

:::::A few minutes before:::::

Draco hurried into the kitchen. "Get me a bottle of the strongest champagne you have," he ordered a house-elf, whose name was Benny.

The elf nodded, and fetched a few bottles. His hands shaking, he held them out to Draco.

Draco took a swig, and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. Without thanking the poor elf, he strutted away.

One of the elf's little friends looked concerned. "That was from Headmaster's supply of the Evil Drinks!" she scolded him.

The house-elf grinned. "Benny play trick on Mr Draco! 'Tis fake Evil Drink! Non-alcoholic! Tee hee hee!"

:::::Present Time:::::

Draco was wondering why the champagne wasn't working, when he collided with Holly.

Spotting the alcohol in his hands, Holly snatched a bottle a downed the whole thing.

Draco raised his eyebrows at her. "Wow, what happened to you?"

Holly pulled the bottle away from her mouth, a gasped for air. "I'm the captain!" she whined.

"I know," he replied coldly.

"I guess you hate me now?" Holly asked eagerly. Please don't like me please don't like me please don't like me. She prayed.

Draco glared at her, and for a moment he look as though he was about to hit her. Holly winced, but all he did was give her hand a squeeze. "Not a chance," he said, and walked away.

A cold bead of sweat ran down Harry's forehead.

A/N: ::sniffles:: What am I doing to my story?? This isn't very funny. Ah well, I hope you like drama. I've been so loaded with work and homework, it's not even funny anymore. Thank God it's a long weekend; I get an extra free day to WORK! Hooray! I think I'll throw a party... where we can work!!

...Aaaah, the sweet art of sarcasm. See you next chapter!