Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter or Eyeshield 21 or any of the affiliated characters. What I do own is a kick ass Ash Ketchum hat and a way too much frozen fruit. Neither of which will appear in this story.

Warnings: OC's, some OOC, Het, Slash, AU, fluff, language

The Seventeenth Tackle

He turned over and sighed. He fidgeted, turned again, let out a heavier sign and then turned once more. It was ridiculous that Harry couldn't sleep. He tried to get comfortable but his bed decided to no longer offer its comfy services. It was on strike at the worst possible time- when he wanted to rest. He tried counting sheep, but that didn't work. He didn't know why people did it. He lost count, had to start again -multiple times- and that just made him even more frustrated at his current situation. He wanted to sleep. He fully believed that his body was capable of sleep but… his brain wouldn't let him. No matter how he tried to distract it, it kept reminding him about the day ahead of him.

He didn't mind quidditch practice. He loved it. It was great, brilliant even. Getting into the air, chasing the snitch, everything about it, he loved. It was the date that was driving him batty. He didn't want to do it. Simple as that, Harry Potter did not want to go on this date. It was just a practice date, he didn't have to marry any of them, and it was all for Neville benefit, but still. He didn't want to go. He heard Seamus talk about, he heard Neville talk about it, and even Dean was interested in the whole thing, but no matter what they said he wasn't excited about it.

The whole thing meant him sitting there and trying to talk to the girls. Neville and Seamus had listed approved topics to talk about. They reminded him that these girls didn't care for sports or quidditch so he had to keep such talk away. They didn't have an interest in Defense, except maybe the Ravenclaws but that was all academic interest. He was told he had to ask the girls about their life, their interests, talk about what they liked and compliment them. He didn't think it was fair. Why couldn't the girls ask them about what the liked? Shouldn't there be an equal give and take in these things? Apparently not.

Turning over again, Harry couldn't help but pout. The date hadn't even arrived yet and he was already bored. He kicked his blanket off and sat up. The others were all asleep and not suffering like him. His thoughts were doing laps around the pitch in his mind and he didn't know what to do about it. Tapping a beat to accompany to Ron's snores, Harry decided he needed to do something to rid himself of all the restless energy. Grabbing his quidditch kit, he got dressed but left the robe off. He might as well go for a run or something.

It was a surprise to Harry that when he reached the common room he ran into Oliver.

"Harry, what are you doing awake?" Oliver asked as he looked up.

"I was going to go run the stairs for a bit, I couldn't sleep. You usually put in a full night of rest before practice, are you okay?" It was true. Oliver liked to remind the team that sleep was just as beneficial to them as exercise. He encouraged them to turn in early every night to get the full rest they needed. It also helped that he liked to wake up super early thus; an earlier bed time actually gave him the rest he desired.

"I…" Oliver started. He lifted a piece a paper that was in front of him and waved it a bit. "I got an offer.

"Offer?" Harry walked over and sat next to his captain.

"To play professionally after school. Most teams are still standing back and waiting to see what happens but… I got a real offer to play," Oliver explained.

Harry smiled at his captain. "That's good right?" It was exactly what Oliver wanted. He knew his Captain and his Head of House spent many hours discussing his career post Hogwarts, and it was finally coming together.

"It is. It's… the offer is better than I could have hoped." Oliver put the parchment down and sighed. He looked so sad. There was something wrong.

"Oliver, if it's so good, why do you look sad?" He should be happy and celebrating getting an offer but he wasn't, and in Harry's mind that was wrong.

"The offer is to sign on as second string keeper. There are rumours that the current keeper is looking to retire this summer. I could be a starting keeper by the time you come back to Hogwarts next September." That was amazing. Any potential player would be drooling at such a tempting offer but it didn't explain why his captain was unhappy.

"That sounds like it would be great news," he pointed out.

"It is. It's wonderful. My parents would be very proud."

"But," Harry prompted. Oliver was looking at the letter with such intensity that Harry thought an incendio would shoot out of his eyes and light it on fire.

"The offer is from the Canons."

Oh, there it was. They were the worst team in the league. In muggle sports, you could be the worst one season and then two seasons later be winning the cup but… the Canons were historically the worst quidditch team to ever exist. That's including the Russian team that got roaring drunk before a game and spent the entire game just trying to mount their brooms and throwing empty vodka bottles at the audience.

"Every year the Canons hand out offers like crazy. If you can get on a broomstick, they offer a spot on their team. They aren't after me for my talent; they just want to keep their team alive."

Harry studied his face. It was a great offer, but everyone knew where Oliver truly wanted to play. The Canons, despite Ron's assurance that they were just having a bit of bad luck, were a crap team. According to Oliver, people started their careers there and ended them on the same day. No one wanted to trade with the Canons.

"They are still a professional team. And you would be a starter. You're a great captain. If anyone could turn them around, I think you could do it," Harry tried to encourage his captain. It was true though. Oliver could walk into that stadium and actually make something out of them. Or at least block all shots so that the only why the other team could win is by catching the snitch. That would throw the standings for a loop. Oliver could work miracles, but he shouldn't have to. No one should give up their dream.

Oliver sent him a small smile. "Thanks Harry. It's nice to hear that you think I'm such a good captain."

He smiled at that. Of course Harry thought he was great. The whole team did. Maybe they needed to tell their captain that more often. "You're the best captain in the school Oliver. Never forget that but, and I may be saying more than I should…I know it's a great opportunity but Oliver… I think you should wait."

Oliver's eyes went wide in surprise at his words. Maybe it was the strong delivery of his opinion, or just the words himself, but Wood looked shocked. "Wait for what?"

Harry fidgeted. He wasn't an expert and he didn't have the years of experience helping students through things like this like McGonagall, but… he truly believed that Oliver deserved better. He didn't deserve to waste his talent in a pit like the canons. He should be on the starting line-up of the best team in the league. He may be biased, but it was what he wanted. "Wait until you get your offer from Puddlemore. They will put in an offer because you are the best player Hogwarts has ever produced, and it won't be as great as the Canon's but it will still be better."

"Am I now?" Oliver asked with a small smile. "The best? I don't know Harry; some would argue that you are the best player to ever grace these halls."

Harry blushed slightly but shook it off. "Yes. You are. Oliver Wood will one day be the starting keeper and captain of Puddlemore United. You know how they say things are written in the stars, this is one of those things," Harry adamantly told him. It was better to focus on Oliver than him.

A sudden bout of anxiousness hit him. He could spout off all he believed and what he thought Oliver should do, but then again he could be completely wrong and be giving the older boy terrible advice. "What did McGonagall say?" It was better to know what she thought since she had been in their position before.

A shaky laugh burst out of Oliver. "She said it was my choice to make and she couldn't help me."

"Well that's not helpful," Harry pointed out.

"No it's not," Oliver responded. "But thank you Harry. Thanks for listening and speaking your mind. I doubted myself. I wanted to take this offer because I thought it would be the best I ever got. Just hearing that someone believes in me… that you believe in me, I feel like I shouldn't settle."

There, the real Oliver Wood was starting to emerge. Oliver always worked hard for what he got and strived to do better. His captain wouldn't just take the easy route out. "Good. I already started my Puddlemore United fan collection. I got a hat, a shirt, and even a banner to wave. You wouldn't just let all that go to waste would you?" He joked.

It happened quickly. Before Harry knew what was happening he was being pulled between two strong arms as Oliver dragged him into a fierce bear hug. "I wouldn't dare do that to you. You're my number one fan, I can't let you down."

Harry grinned up at his captain. "Does that mean I get free tickets to your games?"

"You impudent little brat," Oliver responded fondly. "Now that we are done discussing my problems, what's wrong with you?"

Harry moved out of Oliver's arms and frowned. His problem didn't seem that big now. What was one date compared to his whole career? "It's nothing really."

"Now come on. Tell me what's wrong."

Harry shrugged and looked away. "It's nothing really… the guys just… well we have a group date set up for today. I don't want to go."

"Ah dating…" Oliver started. "I can't say I will be much help on that front."

Harry stared at his captain with big eyes. "Why not?" He assumed Oliver would be an expert on dating. He was tall, good looking, talented. He had all the things girls would look for in a guy, right?

"Well. I've never dated anyone. I've been on a few dates but… the girls never interested me. All they wanted was to stare at my muscles while I carried their Hogsmeade shopping. They didn't want to talk about quidditch, or training. They didn't care for my strategies or my theories about the other teams."

That was it! The girls in his year were boring. It seemed that Harry and Oliver were a lot similar than he thought. "Exactly! Parvati and Lavender think that the snitch would make a good accessory. They care nothing about the game or respecting it. Just last week they were saying that the Gryffindor robes would be better with pink and sequins… sequins!"

"That would be so distracting in the sky. The sun hitting them would throw you off and make it harder for you to see the snitch," Oliver pointed out.

"Not to mention blinding you when you are trying to protect the hoops. You can't stop a quaffle when a million tiny little lights are stabbing you in the eyes. Worst possible decision ever."

"The only way that would benefit us, would be to scratch the other team when they attempt to steal the quaffle."

"It would make it easier for the girls to hold on. I think they sequins would add some kind of extra grip," Harry added.

"If we could somehow make it possible to sop the negative effects of the sequins affecting us, then it could work."

"But that sounds like cheating," Harry pointed out. "We either all play with the same pro's and con's or not at all."

Oliver nodded. "I agree. It's nice in theory but when in an actual game I prefer the only advantage I have to be superior skills through practice- and strategies."

"So no sequins at all… and no pink."

"Agreed," Oliver agreed. "Should have never even been considered."

"Well, at least this way I can tell the girls why we can't change our kit to suit their wants," He pointed out. It was for the best all around. Not only would the sequins distract the players but it would also have negative effects on the audience. Plus, how would Lee manage to know which twin hit the bludger when he couldn't get a good look at the number on the back? It benefitted no one.

"Right you're date. I wish I could offer some help, but I have nothing to say. You could ask Percy. I know he had two girlfriends before Penelope, so he must know what he's doing."

That surprised him. Percy didn't seem like the type to be a lady killer. But then again, his only reference was Seamus, and he hoped that there was only one Seamus Finnegan in the world. The other person he assumed would be a stud was Oliver and he just found out that he never had a girlfriend. "Do you think it's because he's smart? Girls are attracted to brains right?"

Oliver laughed. "Maybe… but I heard it's the horn rimmed glasses and ginger curls that drive the ladies wild."

"I assure you, it's a combination of the both," a voice spoke up from the stairs.

An intense blush attacked Harry's cheeks as he realized that Percy was standing on the stairs and listening to them. "Sorry, Percy" Harry mumbled.

The Prefect strode forward and stood in front of them. "While I don't appreciate you two speculating why I am attractive to the opposite sex, I don't find anything insulting about what you said. I am quite intelligent, and I have been told before that my hair is lovely to run ones fingers through."

His blush wasn't going away.

"We didn't mean any harm honestly Perce," Oliver spoke up. "I was just telling Harry that you were the better person to go to for advice on girls and dating. We both know I'm hopeless there."

"You want my advice?" Percy asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes?" harry squeaked out. Where could the harm be in asking Percy?

Percy drew in a deep breath. It didn't give Harry hope.

"Since I'm helping Harry, I'll address your problems too Oliver. I have waited a long time to say some of this stuff because frankly, I knew neither of you would ever listen to me. First, if either of you ever managed to put in a small portion of time each morning to wash and brush those mops in your heads, then maybe the girls would look at you more. Not just in general but with something more than disgust at the filthy state of your hair. It doesn't cost you an arm and a leg to simply lift a brush and pass it through a few times. Honestly, I have heard more complaints about your hair then any compliments about your quidditch skills.

"Second, It also doesn't help that both of you are so thick headed that you can't see passed the quidditch pitch and realize that normal people have an interest in several thing in which they can talk to others about. A conversation with you two will always end is quidditch and it's boring. No one cares about the 1953 Spanish team and how the managed to turn around a 400 point game. No one cares that the 1970 American team valiantly fought off whatever animal invaded their pitch that one time during practice. Honestly, what does it matter? One day, you both will find someone you like and have nothing to say. There are only so many times you can polish your broom before it's twiddled away to nothing."

Percy was on a roll. He really had been saving up apparently.

"Harry, if you want to start dating, I can't stop you. Personally I think you are still too young and immature to date. I fear that your lack of self-esteem will be further diminished by the demands of the opposite sex and leave you with bad memories. I hope you will wait until you are older and surer of yourself before pursuing romantic interests. It is not my call however, so I hope you will use good judgement."

It's not like he wanted to date! He was being forced. Not physically, but he wanted to be there for his friends, and that meant dating. He too thought it was too early. But he never thought he had a low self-esteem. Sure he didn't wake up each morning and tell his reflection he was the best around, but he didn't think he was the worst being ever.

"Oliver, the reason none of your dates work is because you are selfish. You fail to try and engage your date and see what she likes. You become a petulant child when the female doesn't want to talk shop and you stomp off like a toddler. Instead of trying to find someone new to bounce theories off of, you need to learn what they like and pay attention to them. Keep this up you two, and you both will be miserable old bachelors with only your quidditch trophies and each other for company."

Neither Harry nor Oliver said anything. What could they say? Percy didn't exactly give it to them gently.

"Now, I fully intended to reprimand you both for not being in bed at this hour, but I feel like I cut you both own enough for one night. Off to bed the both of you," the Prefect commanded.

Two very sullen quidditch players trouped up the stairs without a word. Percy was scary, even more so when he was lecturing you. Harry didn't know why they needed more prefects than Percy. Every year at the start, they should just have Percy lecture the entire school on appropriate conduct then threaten them with more lectures if they disobey. Harry certainly tried to stay in line when he was in Percy's line of sight.

o.O.o

It was here. The date finally arrived and Harry could confidently say it was going bad. He was sat across from Padma, Parvati's sister, and he didn't know what to say. The others were doing well. Seamus had Lavender and Parvati both giggling hysterically where he was sitting like dean and Neville managed to engage Lisa Turpin in a conversation about something. He was left all alone with Padma… and he didn't know what to say.

"So Harry, what do-"

"Not quidditch" he very quickly and nervously cut her off. He didn't mean to but she was asking a question and the only thing he could think of was that he shouldn't talk quidditch. "Sorry," he apologized hastily when she sent him a weird look. "What were you asking?"

Padma didn't lose her look and just asked her question again more slowly. "What do you do for fun?"

Well that wasn't going to help with his non-quidditch talk. "Um… well… not much really. I play quidditch and sometimes help Oliver with quidditch stuff…" He could feel the ship he was on sinking very fast. He really needed to venture out more because his life became one solid focus. He couldn't talk about the muggle sports, he couldn't tell her about his brother because he didn't feel comfortable revealing that information, so it only left quidditch. Remembering it wasn't all about him, he quickly tacked on a question at the end. "How about you?"

"I like to read. I am part of the Ravenclaw book club and Flitwick's Charm club. We study obscure charms and research their history. When I am not doing either of those two things, I like to embroider," She explained.

"Flitwick has a Charm's club?" he was finding out about these clubs very late in his schooling, He felt like it was something he should have known about since the start.

"Yes," Padma answered slowly. "There's a sign on his classroom door inviting all willing students to attend every Thursday evening."

"Oh." He never saw that sign before. "Has it always been there?"

"It has been there since we started here."

Huh… How did he not see that? "Is it fun?"

Padma was giving him an even weirder look now. "Yes. Some people don't stay long as they don't care for the research at the end, but they are there long enough to learn some new charms."

"That sounds really interesting," he said truthfully. "What charms have you learned?"

What followed next was a very long and boring conversation about a man who invented the charm to remove soot from your clothes. He did a thing to make him plants grow faster but he messed up the spell, something about a dog, and next thing he was in a pile of soot. Padma then went on to say something about different woods and their ash or… something like that. Frankly, Harry stopped paying attention when she had a mini argument with herself over which type of dog the man owned as it was a very important part of the spell creation process.

"-and then he grew wings and flew into the sun."

Harry looked up at thought. "He did what?" That didn't sound like a happy end to the tale.

"You weren't paying attention to me at all, were you?" she asked.

Harry felt ashamed at his actions. This was what Percy was talking about. He wasn't doing a very good job being interested in Padma. "I'm sorry. I tried to pay attention but… I had quidditch earlier and I'm very tired. My mind keeps wandering. I promise to try harder."

Padma just shook her head and reached into her bag. "If you tired then I can understand that it's not truly your fault. Earlier today, Professor Flitwick overheard my sister talking about our date and he asked me to give you something. Until the end of this meeting, why don't you read while I join Lisa?" Out of her bag, Padma pulled a stack of newspapers. "I didn't know you could read another language. I can't recognize it, but maybe at a later date when you aren't exhausted from practice we can discuss it more."

Harry nodded slowly as he accepted the newspapers. At least he hadn't offended Padma. If she was really interested he wouldn't mind talking to her about learning a new language. It might even get her to start studying one, or if she was doing an extra elective they could talk about that. "Thank you. I look forward to that." He said it like a statement but he was really questioning himself and her if he that was what he was supposed to say.

Padma nodded her head and then gracefully moved over to join Lisa, Dean and Neville. Grateful that his part in this date didn't end in tears or the full rage of the female population, Harry happily turned his attention to the newspapers. They were great learning aids as most papers were written in simple and easy to understand language so that people of every reading comprehension could understand. It was getting easier for him each day to understand and mentally translate the words in his head. He still needed to work slowly and write things down but the process was easier.

Flipping to a random page, Harry was shocked to find a large full page ad with a picture of an American football player. He was wearing an Eyeshield… and he had the same number on his jersey that his brother wore.

Not even caring about the others, Harry quickly rose and scrambled back to school to get his material. He needed to know what this ad said. He understood a few words, but he needed more information. It was a clue. A clue as to where in Japan his brother was.

o.O.o

"It's right here! It's him. The picture says that Eyeshield 21 is Tokyo, Japan!" Harry happily babbled to his friends later that evening. "I finally know where to find my brother!"

Dean wrapped an arm around his shoulder with a smile. "I'm happy for you Harry."

"I can't wait. This summer I'm going to go there and look for him. In one of my books it said that they have different summer breaks from us. If I go right after the term ends he should still be in school. I can find him. I can't… I just… I have a solid hint again."

"I don't know if mum is ready to send you off to another country alone again," Dean responded. "I'll write to her and see what she and dad can do about travel arrangements."

"Thanks Dean. They were a great help over Christmas." Harry was just so happy. It was a clue and it came at the right time. He was ready to move on to the next language orb so he wouldn't be completely helpless in Japan. He had a connection to follow and something o research. Tokyo was the main city right? So no matter where he looked he should be able to get a large amount of information about the city- maps, bus schedules, and hotel accommodations. He would find the school, maybe see if they put up a board with times their teams played or practiced and then he would find his brother.

"Good job mate," Seamus called out. "We all knows what this means to ya."

Looking around, Harry's cheeks started to hurt from smiling. He was just so happy. He knew where his brother was and once again he was a step closer to meeting him.

Looking down he drank in the sight of his picture. He was so strong looking standing with his arms crossed. His helmet was on –Eyeshield and all- and his bright red jersey stood out with his white '21' and the word Deimon. He was going to Deimon High School, where his brother was.

o.O.o

Takeru crumpled the newspaper. He couldn't believe this. He had left his title at Notre Dame, but he had planned to become the best player in Japan and then reveal his former title. He wanted to announce it at the best time to show his brother where he was. But now… now some little upstart had taken his title, claimed to be him, and declared for everyone to hear that he was Eyeshield 21. If Harry saw this… he would surely go to Tokyo, and he may never see his brother. It was wrong.

The only thing he could do was try and fix this. He wouldn't allow someone else to claim his title when he needed it. He would get that title back.

Knocking on his coach's door, Takeru was ready to ask him to organize a game with Deimon High.

Fun Football Fact

The huddle was invented by Paul Hubbard. A legally deaf quarterback from Gallaudet University, he "huddled" other players together so he could hear them better and to protect them from the other teams' prying eyes