Sorry, sorry! How long has it been? A month? I'm sorry. I have plenty of colorful excuses, but I'm starting to get the impression that you guys don't particularly like my excuses:p, so I'll just move along.

Alright, so there are a few things I wanted to clear up with you guys.

One: I realize how the whole grocery store scene must have seemed to you, but it really was just a coincidence. Draco is NOT a psycho stalker.

Two: A few if you mentioned that you wanted more of Draco's POV. I guess I just left it out because it's easier for me to write Harry's POV, but I will try to compromise and put in some more of Draco's side. All I ask is that you don't kill me if it's not written to perfection. But it probably won't be in this chapter since I already have it all planned out. In the next chapter, though. I'll try my very, very hardest to put in more of Draco's POV. I can already imagine how I'll fit it in. But you'll have to wait until the next chapter for that. :-)

Three: I was wrong. You guys were right about Harry not being a criminal. I guess I just wasn't thinking and I made a mistake. However, I can't very well just go back and change the story, so I'm just going to go along with it, because I also sort of like the idea of Harry thinking he's a criminal. :) If you guys like, though, I'll have Hermione let him know he's not a criminal during this chapter.

Okay, then. Now that I've gotten all that out of the way, I can move on and start with the story!

Chapter: 9

Flirtations?

Trumpets blared, drums thundered, and cymbals blasted as the Malkin High basketball players made their way onto the gymnasium court, bouncing the basket balls with loud thumps, and making practice shots.

The crowd roared with support, calling out several names with excitement. Harry's name seemed to be one of the more favored ones.

"Go, Harry!" Harry looked up at the crowd with an unsuppressed smile dancing across his face. Normally he didn't fancy a lot of attention, but the excitement of the basketball games always got his adrenaline pumping so fast and so hard that nothing could bring him down.

He turned and threw a shot, admiring the perfect spin as it left the tips of his fingers and flew into the basket, swift as an eagle.

Just as he jogged forward to take the ball back, he heard loud, thumping steps from the other side of the court, and promptly rolled his eyes. The Wailem High School players: big and rough, but no skill whatsoever. Every year, they put up a mean, rough show, only to be utterly ashamed as Malkin High beat them with effortless ease.

This would be an easy win for sure.

Suddenly, the referees blew their whistles and both teams stopped dribbling and huddled up to their coaches. Mr. Rabble smiled at all the team players with a face that showed his obvious confidence. "We don't have to worry too badly about the Wailem team, so just have fun. Go easy on them with Play 1."

"But coach," Oliver called in protest. "You never know what could happen. We need to give them our all and-"

"Oliver, you're a great player; that's why I chose you to be captain. But the truth is, you worry way too much. Let's just have a nice game. We can make sure that everyone gets a turn to play tonight. We'll save the hard stuff for the championships."

Oliver nodded reluctantly, although he quietly muttered, "That is, if we even get to the championships this year with the dumb tactics we're using."

Harry wondered if Coach Rabble had heard, but if he had, he didn't show it.

The whistle blew for the players to go to the court and start the game, and Coach Rabble quickly called out names. "Theodore, Jeffrey, Thomas, Justin, and Terri, you're in."

The players quickly ran onto the court as the referees looked to them with impatience, while Harry took a seat on the bench with a sigh. He always hated the first few games of the season. They always started out by playing easy teams, and so, the coach would put in the not-so-great players to give them an opportunity to play, since chances were, they wouldn't be playing in any of the harder games of the season, as there was no way Coach Rabble would let them lose.

That wasn't to say that he didn't like letting other players play – he just really enjoyed playing the game, himself.

At least he could comfort himself with the knowledge that they would win the game.

DHDHDH

Wailem made another shot, bringing the score to 32-12. The crowd of Malkin supporters let out angry boos and shouts. A gruff-looking boy tried for another shot, but missed, and Justin ran for the rebound. Grabbing the ball, he dribbled to the other side of the court, but just as he went for a shot, the whistle blew, marking half-time.

"What the heck are you guys doing out there!" Coach Rabble shouted as the boys ran up to him. "This is the easiest game you'll get all season! If we can't beat them, we won't be anyone! The only person actually hustling out there was Justin!" The four other boys looked down in shame, while Justin tried to stop his face from beaming so happily at the somewhat good compliment. "All of you are out for the second half! Now, Oliv-"

"But, coach. I though you said-" Justin protested.

"I know what I said, Justin, and I meant it. You played a good game, but it looks like you could use a breather. Besides, we're going to need to play our very best to beat these guys, now. They're feeling much too pompous at the moment."

Justin nodded in understanding, but Harry could tell he still didn't agree with the idea.

"Now, Oliver, Fred, George, Harry, and Ron, you're in. You guys had better win this thing or we'll be practicing till midnight from now on!" The boys all shared quick fright-filled glances before huddling together, sticking their hands in, and shouting, "Team-work!" just as the whistle for the start of the third quarter sounded.

Harry eagerly jogged onto the court, taking a quick glance up to look for the smiling faces of his parents. They never missed a single game. His eyes never reach his parents, however, as they immediately froze at the sight of Draco. Smiling down at him encouragingly, Draco gave a quick wink. Harry gulped loudly, trying to will away the threatening blush.

"Harry, get over here!"

The brunette let out a surprised gasp as he remembered the game. He jogged into the center and watched as the referee threw the ball into the air, and pushing himself into gear as Ron slapped the ball to Oliver.

He tried to run along with the game and keep in tune, but his mind just kept wandering back to Draco, knowing that Draco was watching him. He suddenly felt completely self-conscious. What if he made a fool of himself? What if he tripped? What if he ran weird, like that Melvin guy from his third period class?

Suddenly, a ball hit Harry in the very center of his forehead and bounced off, falling into the hands of a Wailem High player, who promptly bounced it over to his side of the court and made a swift shot.

"What are you doing, Harry!" Coach Rabble shouted at him.

OMG! What if Draco saw that? Harry thought to himself, his eyes growing as wide as the basketball hoops, themselves.

DHDHDH

A few more horribly humiliating events later, and the third quarter was brought to an end. Harry miserably made his way over to the rest of the team with his head hanging low.

"I don't know what is going on out here tonight, but you guys, quite frankly, are playing horribly! As clichéd as this sounds, my bloody grandmother could play better than you! Harry, I don't know what is wrong with you, tonight! I know you can do better than this. You're one of my better players, and you know I want to make you captain next year, but I can't if you keep playing like this. It is utter crap! Now, I don't know what's bothering you, but whatever it is, get over it and play this game! One more screw-up, and I'm going to have to pull you out for good."

"Yes, Coach," Harry mumbled, feeling worse than ever after that speech.

"I'm going to need more emotion than that if I'm going to let you back in the game."

"I'll play better, I promise." This time, he looked into Coach Rabble's eyes, determination glinting within his own.

"Good, that's what I like to hear. Now get back in there, and win!"

Harry followed the other four players onto the court and forced his mind to forget about Draco. This was basketball, his favorite sport, and there was no way he was going to lose.

DHDHDH

Making a quick steal, Harry took the ball into his own hands and dribbled down the court. He was completely boxed-in by the other players. Growling angrily, he stood still, grabbing hold of the ball and looked up at the clock.

There were seven seconds left, with the score at 52-53, in favor of Wailem High. He looked around eagerly for a possible pass, but he was cornered from all sides, and Fred, George, Oliver, and Ron were all buys trying to move the Wailem High players out of the way without making a foul. Suddenly, he saw his opportunity at the same time as Ron.

Quickly moving behind a Wailem team member in a number nine jersey, he held out his arms, ready for Harry's next move. With five seconds left, Harry bounced the ball between Jersey Number Nine's carelessly open legs, efficiently passing it to Ron, who ran with all his speed.

Three seconds were left in the game as Ron's shot went smoothly into the basket. Fred ran for the rebound and passed it to George who held onto it for the last second of the game, ensuring their win.

"Yeah!" Harry shouted, soon followed by a loud, "Wahoo!" from Ron and a few crazy sounds made by the twins, which everyone was used to by now, and so they were ignored.

Everyone came together, happily, except for Oliver who complained, "There is absolutely nothing to be happy about! We came much too close to losing at the very first game! We need much more work! We need-"

"Ah, stop being such a prude," Fred interjected, with George nodding in agreement, along with the rest of the team. Oliver simply glared before letting out a small smile. Even he couldn't entirely ignore the happiness of a win.

DHDHDH

After the team had come out of the locker rooms, changed and not quite so sweaty, Harry headed out to meet up with his parents, and get a ride home. He had to stop, though, as he took in the display before him: Draco was chatting it up with his parents.

This is not happening, Harry thought to himself as he turned back around, deciding that if he walked back into the lockers, and then came back after a few minutes, the whole thing would disappear. But he was given no such luck as Lily called out to him.

"Honey, great game out there!"

"Yeah, Sport," James interjected. "I mean, it was weird how you started off a bit lost, but you played spectacularly during the fourth quarter."

Turning back around to face his parents, he answered with a quick nod, making sure to avoid any eye contact with Draco. He could not believe that Draco, his co-criminal, was speaking with his parents, outright!

"It was a great game, Harry." Draco said, appraisingly.

"Oh, umm…thanks." Harry had promised himself to be less bashful around Draco, but how in the name of God was he supposed to do that with his parents right in front of them!

"You know, Draco tells us that you're a wonderful writer." Lily said in a friendly manner.

"Yes, he really is." Draco agreed.

"Uh…thanks. Listen, Mum, can we go home. I'm really tired." Harry said, searching for an excuse to get out of this particularly embarrassing ordeal.

"Harry!" James said in a surprised voice. It was, after all, quite rude of him to say such a thing when they were trying to have a conversation with his literature teacher.

"It's fine," Draco said good-naturedly, trying to hide his amusement at Harry's actions.

"But we were having such a wonderful conversation. You know, I always knew Harry had a talent for writing. When he was around seven, he used to write me little poems about everything. He even wrote me one about his first crush and-"

"Mum," Harry whined, a blush spread from the center of his nose and across his cheeks.

"I can see that Harry is getting quite embarrassed. Maybe we could pick this conversation up another day." Harry silently thanked Draco for his leave.

"Well, alright. It was a pleasure speaking with you." Lily smiled.

"Oh, but the pleasure was all mine," Draco said, gracefully taking Lily's right hand and placing a gentle, yet quick kiss on the back. "Good-bye."

DHDHDH

On the drive home, James voiced out his thoughts.

"I don't like that Malfoy."

"Why?" Lily asked, completely taken by surprise.

"He was bloody flirting with you right in front of me!"

"Oh, don't be so paranoid!"

"I'm not being…"

Yeah, right, Harry thought to himself, drowning out his parents' argument. If they only knew. Harry thought, shaking his head to himself. There's no way he would like my mum. He's gay…he likes me…but he could bi. No… Suddenly, Harry was filled with doubt. He is gay, isn't he? He doesn't really like my mum… does he?

DHDHDH

"Hey, Hermione?" Harry asked, as he sat down to eat his lunch that Thursday afternoon.

"Yes?" Hermione inquired, twisting her soda cap open with a napkin so the edges wouldn't cut into the palm of her hand.

"Could a person go to jail for dating someone of a different age?" Harry's question was said in a nonchalant voice as he pretended to be interested in his burger, turning it this way and that, to look at it from different angles.

"Well, no, not necessarily. Ron is 17, but I'm still 16, and we're dating." Hermione replied, laying the cap on her tray and taking a swig from her soda.

"Yeah, but I mean, if it's a big age difference." Harry clarified, now busying himself with opening a packet of ketchup, his voice completely void of any emotion, though the light blush that timidly crawled it's way up from the depths of his collar-covered neck.

"Just as long as they are both either adults or both minors, it's fine."

"But what if they weren't both the same? What if one of them was an adult, while the other was a minor?"

"Why do you ask?" Hermione questioned, setting down her bottle of soda to stare at Harry with a suspicious look.

"Lord, Hermione. I was only asking. I saw this thing on the news the other day and I was just wondering how all of that worked, but if you don't want me to know, I guess that's alright." He shrugged and put his head down to really stare at the perfectly spread layer of ketchup across his burger. He had to force himself to push away the urge to smile hugely at his easy and quick lie. He couldn't remember a time when he had been able to come up with a good fib that quickly. The amazement was interrupted, however, as Hermione answered his previous question, obviously having fallen for the bait.

"Oh, that's wonderful! It's great to know that you're becoming interested in the news of the world. Well, you see, the adult in the relation would be sent to jail if he or she was caught, due to the fact that because they are older, they should have the common sense to stay out of that sort of relationship. But the minor wouldn't be punished at all since the public sees us as 'not smart enough to make common sense decisions.'" Hermione said the last part with an accompanied roll of the eyes. "Nonsense if you tell me. I say, if the minor is in the relationship, willingly, they should be equally punished."

"But, what if they really like each other?" Harry asked, not agreeing with this law at all, although he did think to himself, At least I'm not a criminal, with an inward sigh of relief.

"It doesn't matter. If they truly do feel strongly for each other, they should be able to wait a few years until they are both adults." Hermione replied, matter-of-factly, before turning back to the rest of her lunch, thoroughly deeming the conversation over.

DHDHDH

Harry spent his eighth period refusing to look at Draco. He was still slightly upset with Draco for having had that horrible "chat" with his parents. It was downright embarrassing. And to just think that while his parents were talking up a good time with his teacher, they had no idea that Draco was actually sort of dating their son. Well, not actually dating. Harry thought to himself. We'll never really get to date. Or at least, not for another two years, according to Hermione.

This thought dampened Harry's mood very much so, and he spent the rest of the period lost in thought, until he went to ninth period, and then continued to lose himself in his train of thoughts once again.

DHDHDH

He knocked lightly on the door, waiting for Draco's invitation to come in. He had quickly escaped from Ron and Hermione with a hastily made up excuse about wanting to get extra help with his homework, saying that he hadn't quite understood what the assignment was, although Hermione had openly protested. She's argued that she could help Harry herself, but he'd shook his head, lying that he wouldn't have wanted to impose on her.

"Come in," Draco said, never looking up to see who was at the door.

Harry stepped in, closing the door behind him, and walking up to Draco's desk.

"Hi," the brunette teen greeted, slightly nervous, although he was still trying to get over his shy demeanor around Draco.

"Oh, Harry, hi." Draco said, looking up from his papers with a wide grin. "How are you?"

"Good, I guess."

Draco's grin wavered slightly as he spoke. "You seemed to be avoiding me in class, today. Is something wrong?"

"Erm…well, not really, but I just thought that it was really embarrassing…you speaking with my parents yesterday."

"Oh, I'm sorry." He answered, although he didn't look very sorry at all, Harry noticed. "It's just that I was actually waiting for you to give you a quick congratulations and then I saw your father, who looked exactly like you, and I just had to introduce myself. You're mother told me many baby stories about you," Draco said, ending with a slight chuckle. He seemed to have found the entire episode quite amusing.

"Umm…about that… can I ask you something?" Harry began, timidly.

"Of course."

"Well, see, I mean, it's going to sound really stupid, but… well, I honestly hadn't even thought anything of it, but… Okay, so when we were driving back home, my dad said that you were… well, that you were flirting with my mom." Harry finally look at Draco as he finished, to see an astonished look on the blonde's face. "You weren't, were you?"

Draco thought the idea was so ridiculous he wanted to laugh outright, but he knew that this answer was very important to Harry, and so he only rolled his eyes and grabbed Harry into a warm embrace. "Of course I wasn't. You're dad just seems to be a bit of the jealous type, is all. Though I can't say that I'm not the same."

Harry stiffened slightly, and Draco shook his head. "I'm joking."

"Oh," Harry said, sighing with relief and relaxing into the embrace.

Suddenly, Draco pulled away from Harry, though he kept a hold on his shoulders, and look Harry straight in the eye. "I've been thinking about you. This whole time I've been much too absorbed with myself: What I wanted; what I needed, but after that afternoon in the car, I started thinking about how all this must seem to you. It's a bit hectic for me, but I can't even begin to imagine how crazed you must feel. I want you to know that I'm not pressuring you into anything. I feel very strongly for you, Harry, but if you don't want this, you don't have to do this. You're young and full of life; if you want to see someone else, don't let me stop you."

Harry smiled gratefully. He stretched out his arm and brushed a loose lock of blonde hair behind Draco's ear before leaning in for a light kiss, and then pulling away to rest his face in the crook of the blonde's neck. "I want this, Draco. I don't want to see anyone else. I want you."

Draco smiled and pressed a kiss on the top of Harry's head. Suddenly feeling very old from that action, which his own mother used to do to him, the blonde grimaced and pulled Harry's face up to give him a proper, thorough kiss.

When they pulled apart from each other again, Harry was flushed and slightly breathless.

"You know," Harry said, a sly grin making its way onto his lips. "I know this is a bit scary for me sometimes, but really, you're the only one who would get in trouble."

"Oh, is that so?" Draco asked, an amused grin adorning his own lips.

"Yes, Hermione told me so. Since you're the adult, it's your responsibility to have the common sense that I, a poor, innocent minor, lack." Harry replied, ending with a very dramatic pout at his supposed naivety as a minor.

Harry smiled as Draco laughed at his comment. Then, giving a worried glance at the door window, Harry said, "I'd better get going," and begin to get up, before he was spontaneously pulled down for another chaste kiss.

"Bye." Draco said, as he finally let go.

"Bye, Draco," Harry replied, walking out the door, a small smile still on his face.

AN:

Sorry, sorry. Very OOC Draco, I know. And I know a lot was just about the game, and the chapter was a bit shorter than usual. Also, I don't know about you, but it sort of seemed as the chapter started out good, and then ended sort of boring and meaningless. At least there's no cliffhanger. That's usually when authors go into writer's block, but lucky for you guys, I've already got the next chapter planned out. Woohoo! Well, in my head, I'm thinking of a dull…woohoo…I don't know why, but I'm feeling sort of, not sad but just…dull at the moment. Hmm…maybe it's because I'm hungry, and because I know I have a whole lot of homework to look forward to, tonight. Ugh. Anyway, sorry about the dull ending to this chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it for the most part. Not too much action, but maybe you found the meeting between Draco and Harry's parents a bit interesting. Well, please review. Toodles.

xoxo Spideria xoxo