They had the first quidditch game of the season before Halloween that year. Harry was glad he had been convinced to try out. Quidditch had become his escape. His husband limited how much time he spent in Slytherin. It seemed to have donned on him that Blaise was there. If Harry wanted more study time with Draco and the others he either had to do it in the library or have them over. Despite his husband's control Harry had managed to make friends with Draco and most of the snake. He would not call himself close with any but Blaise but it had made the tension that he faced and kept him from going mad. Quidditch though for a different team was one of the few parts of his old life he still had.
The last practice he had before the game Harry had to head for Gryffindor. He and Hermione were partners for a project in charm. He promised to get a book from her. His husband had not protested his partnering. He appreciated Hermione was one of the top two students. He thought she would be good for Harry's grades too.
Harry was happy to be in Gryffindor in a good mood, talking to Katie and Ginny as well. He shared a look with them. "No hard feelings on Saturday?"
Katie smirked at him. "Getting ahead of yourself are you? You know Ginny is a pretty good seeker too. I would not count your win before you have it."
Laughing Harry readily agreed. Most of the team was new. Katie, Ginny and Ron had played the previous year. Katie was the only one who had more then a year's experience on the team. Well Dean and the beaters had played but not even a full season. Harry knew the snakes had always been weaker but they had years under their belt every one of them and while they would never have beat Harry's old team, he had a feeling they would win. But he would not count his chickens before they hatched that was for sure. He knew that the lions could definitely win.
Harry shrugged. "How about this if we win you guys can come to our celebration party and if you win I come to yours?"
Katie clapped him on the back. "You have a del. Though you will have to protect us from your house and we will you from some of ours."
Hermione had come up behind them with the book. She shared a look with Ginny. Hermione was not fond of how Ron was acting at all. Harry had thought the two would start dating. They had been flirting all last year. But Harry had noticed they were really not even speaking to each other any more. Harry was not surprised. Hermione and Ron always had their problems. Harry had been the glue that held their threesome together. Harry had a feeling if he had remained friends with Ron that the relationship might have grown and they could have become closer but without Harry the tension seemed to have got the better of their faltering friendship.
Ron had appeared though as Harry was leaving. "Have been watching your team out there. Think you're so good don't you? We will whip your ass out there."
Harry smirked at him. "If Gryffindor beats Slytherin it will be in spite of you. We both know you only made keeper because there was no better choice last year."
Katie had not called for full try outs. Those who were on the team were again. Cormac had been the only other choice last year. And Ron had done better. But Ron had little skill. The only real chance would be if Ginny caught the snitch early on. And while she was quick on her broom and her skill was improving she was a better chaser then she was a seeker. She would have remained a chaser if Harry had not switched teams, or they had a better alternative. But the other seekers they had tried out were no where near at her level. There were better choices for a new chaser then there was for seeker.
Ron snatched Harry by the hand as he went to leave and when Harry moved to snatch it away Ron slammed his arm hard into the wall. "Where are you going?"
Harry yanked his hand free. "I don't know about you but I for one do not want to get kicked out of the game for missing curfew tonight. Get out of my way."
Though Ron looked like he was going to say something he saw Katie and Ginny as well as Hermione with wands and thought better of it. He muttered a threat to Harry under the breath and stormed off towards the stairs to go up to his dorm room. Harry winced as he moved his arm. The little twit had caused what harry knew would be bruising down his arm and wrist.
Hermione looked at him anxiously. "Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should go to Poppy and have her check on your arm."
Harry shook his head. "It is nothing. You know that Ron is a weakling. I have to get to bed. I have to be up at dawn for warm up before the game."
Harry knew that it was nothing. And the last thing he needed was Poppy going over board about it. He was not surprised when his husband did not notice anything was wrong with him when he got home. Harry would likely have to be on fire before his husband would notice something was wrong with him. Lucius did not care about him as long as he did not embarrass his precious family honour.
Lucius drew him into his arms and towards bed. "Time for bed my little husband. Would not want you too tired for the game tomorrow."
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As the game continued Harry had to remind himself he was Slytherin. Not that the robes did not help. But every time he heard Slytherin score he had to remind himself to be happy. It only took the first few times. Ron seemed to have got wore then ever. Draco was playing amazing and his new team was working well under their new captain. Harry grimaced a moment as he did a roll and had to put pressure on his right arm, as he avoided a bludger that had been sent at him.
It was about an hour and a half into the game and his team was up 50 points. He spotted the Golden snitch and went into a dive. Ginny had spotted it t the same time but even without having the faster broom he knew he would beat her. The snitch was just above the ground and Harry was the only one who was able to do a dive that low. Harry had done ones lower then that with no problem. He watched as Ginny pulled out of the dive much sooner and his fingers snagged the snitch but when he went to pull his broom out of the dive he just made it as his arm was screaming in agony.
The team landed and came to hug him as the announcer called they had won. Draco slapped him on the back. "Awesome catch Harry. Been way too long."
Harry ignored the pain in his arm and smiled. "You guys were playing amazing out there too. I think we have the cup in the bag."
Though Ron stormed past him and sent him a deadly look Katie and Ginny came his way and hugged him. They mentioned the party and Harry was surprised when Tom and Draco themselves invited the tem to come to the celebration party. Harry was slow getting cooled down and was the last in the dressing room after the shower and was surprised when the door opened and his husband came in.
Harry looked at Lucius. "Worried I am having a rendezvous or something in here?"
Lucius came over to him and took him by his sore arm but above the elbow. "What happened to your arm?"
Harry tried to hide a wince. "Nothing. It's not like you care anyways. My ass is fine and that is all you care about. Now let me go."
Lucius did not do that. And for a moment he wondered if his husband would try something. He was shocked when Lucius rolled up the sleeve of his robes to reveal the bruising running an ugly purple all along his arm. He had hid it under a pyjama top the night before.
Lucius was quite gentle as he traced Harry's bruises. "Who did this to you Harry? And why didn't you tell me?"