"If I'm ever alone with that bloody git, I'm cursing him with this stupid wand," Ron grumbled over breakfast, trying to wrap spell-o-tape around his broken wand. "Stupid cornish pixies- Can you believe they snapped it!"

"Surprisingly, yes," Draco mused, watching Ron with interest. That explained the backfiring spells, at least. "Can you write home for a new one?" He hadn't broken it in Lockhart's class last time, had he? No...wasn't it broken before school started?

"Are you kidding? I'd probably get a Howler back about not taking care of 'family heirlooms' and 'how dare you break that wand' and really, I'd rather not get a Howler." Ron shuddered as Harry frowned and looked over to Draco with a raised eyebrow.

"Family heirlooms? Every witch and wizard should get their own, custom wand!" Draco caught Harry's look and shrugged. "A Howler is a letter that speaks the contents of the letter aloud, often screaming them."

"That... That actually sounds pretty horrifying." Shaking his head, Harry pulled over his cup of tea, sipping at it before frowning at seeing it was empty. "I'm sure your mom would understand if it was a class accident."

"She would probably tell him off because 'obviously Mr. Lockhart knows what he's doing, Ronald, you are not an acclaimed wizard!'" Draco rolled his eyes in amusement.

"It's like you're in her mind," Ron mumbled, looking at Draco hesitantly. "That's creepy, mate."

"I know mothers," Draco said with a roll of his eyes. "Mother hosts many a dinner party. I find their company enjoyable."

"You spend parties hanging out with the mothers?" Hermione stared at Draco, as if not quite seeing him. "There are far too many times when you act like you're near your twenties, rather than twelve."

"Dinner parties. They're very different, Granger. Not like the...'parties' the older years throw." That got a snort from Ron, and ah, yes. His older brothers had probably told him about some of the parties. Ugh, he'd have to go to a Gryffindor party one day, wouldn't he?

"Oh, good, you two managed to survive the summer," Bell grinned, slapping Harry and Draco on the back. "Guess what? We have our first practice this Saturday."

"No time for us to do homework, that's great." Merlin, they hadn't even been back for a week and Wood was already calling training sessions? Was that even fair, considering tryouts weren't until next week!

"Hey, you know how Wood is. We either go along with it now, or get replaced in the dead of night."

Draco looked over at Harry. "Is that really so bad a fate?"

"I'm willing to risk it if you are," Harry snorted, sipping on a fresh cup of tea with a happy hum. "What's the worst he could do really?"

"I mean... Depends on what he can get away with." Draco smirked. "And how we can retaliate." There was a heavy sigh from Bell, the girl shaking her head.

"I tried telling them putting two Slytherins on our team was a disaster, but did anyone listen? Nope, not one bit."

"Harry, did I ever tell you what the Slytherin motto is," Draco hummed happily. Tilting his head, Harry gave a curious little hum of his own as he grinned.

"I don't think you did. Care to share?"

"It's not cheating if you don't get caught." Draco looked back up at Bell, raising an eyebrow. The look he was given in return was a rather dry one, Bell flicking him in the forehead before turning to go sit with her friends.

"Don't let Wood hear you say that, you know how he is about Slytherin playing tactics- And make sure you two are on time!"

"If they're playing dirty, we should, as well. Then it's all fair." Draco smirked, crossing his arms and looking proud of himself. There was a quiet laugh from Harry, and a groan from Ron, who waved his broken wand around.

"Can we get back to the subject of my snapped wand and what I'm going to do- I can't take exams with a wand like this. How am I supposed to take exams with my wand like this!"

Draco looked him over before giving a nod. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it." That had all three staring at him, Harry the one to shake his head and lean against Draco with a heavy sigh.

"You know, when you say things like that, we start to worry."

"Harry, can you come with me to the Owlery?" Draco slowly stood, nudging at Harry and giving him a significant look. A startled look was in Harry's eyes for a moment before he nodded and easily stood alongside Draco.

"Sure."

Once they were away from the others, Draco spoke quietly. "I'm going to send his family a bit of galleons and an anonymous note that he broke his wand and needs a new one."

"And you don't want him to know that you have a heart, then," Harry teased, laughing at the expression on Draco's face. "Don't worry, I won't say a word. Besides... I kind of like being the only one to see you as Draco, instead of Malfoy."

"Part of it is I think that it embarrasses him. You saw how he reacted when I said everyone should have their own custom wand." The Weasley family and their lack of funds had always been a sore spot for Ron. Draco had seen that well enough and he hardly ever interacted with him in his time!

"I'm honestly confused as to how anyone could ever hate you," Harry shook his head, twining his hand with Draco's and pulling him along. "You're far too kind." Draco snorted at that.

"You obviously don't know me well enough." Shaking his head once more, Harry pressed his shoulder against Draco's, getting his attention.

"I know you better than most, that's why I know that you really are far too kind. Don't get me wrong, you can be cruel when you need to be, and fierce, but... You always do your best for us. That alone is incredible."

Draco tilted his head, giving a confused smile. "Well... Of course? Why wouldn't I try to do what's best for you?" Grinning, Harry tugged him along with another bump to his shoulder.

"Will you hate me if I say that was a pretty Gryffindor thing to say?"

"Oh, please. It's not as though I'm that way with everyone. Just...you, I guess." That had Harry drawing himself up a little, looking rather pleased and preening like a spoiled crup. Really, this child was far too adorable, some days.

"Mm, something I think I'm okay with. Now, Owlrey? I really don't want Ron using that wand of his if he doesn't have to. It'd end badly for all of us, I think."

"Exactly. I'm only doing this to protect myself." Draco nodded, holding his hand out to Harry with a smile. Harry twined his hand with Draco's without a second thought, swinging their hands through the air with a goofy grin.

"Oh, is that all."

Draco gave him a bit of a silly smile, tilting his head. "Of course."

"Mhm. Just a Slytherin through and through, aren't you." Harry shook his head, looking like he was hardly able to keep in his laughter. "Alright, come on. Let's get that letter of yours mailed and then we can start worrying about our first Quidditch practice of the season."

"It can't be that much harder than last year," Draco teased gently. Even though he knew what was coming, what was soon to happen, it wouldn't do to worry Harry when the school year had only just started.

"True. I think I'd take dealing with Lockhart over Quirrell any day. Although his whole 'lesson' on fame near had me hexing him before our first class with him."

"The man is bloody insane," the blond laughed, shaking his head.

"Think we can find a way to take him down a few pegs? Get the twins in on it, maybe?"

"Brilliant idea."

::

"'S too early for this." For once, Draco was in agreement with Harry. The entire Gryffindor team was up bright and early for Qudditch practice. Well, 'up' was on word for it. He was rather certain half of them had fallen back asleep during Wood's speech, which seemed to be only halfway through.

"I think he lives and breathes Quidditch. Even more so than you, and that's saying something. Do you think he dreams in Quidditch plays-" Draco frowned. "Hang on. Wood, you're a bloody idiot."

Wood seemed to be the only one to hear him, everyone else too far gone. "What? This is brilliant!"

"No, no, you obviously don't know Slytherin." Draco walked over to the makeshift chalkboard, accidentally stumbling on a broomstick. "They rarely ever use that play, preparing for it over some of their others would be foolish."

"I know for a fact they use this play, Malfoy. You may be a good Quidditch player, but I have years of practice when it comes to going up against Slytherin." That earned a scoff from someone behind them, a glance showing most of the others were awake now.

"Wood. Shut up. Who grew up in a Slytherin family?"

"Yes, well, but-"

"And who here has the most friends in Slytherin?"

"I see where you're coming from, but-"

"And who here best knows how a Slytherin's mind works? Wood, this play is nothing but cat and mouse, after they're so far ahead they don't need to worry and are only putting on a show."

"I think Malfoy just won," a Weasley called helpfully, the other snorting beside him. "I'm willing to listen to him. What's the harm in it?"

"Oh, fine." Wood shoved the chalk into Draco's hands, Bell giving a half-hearted cheer as she near fell back asleep against Spinnet's side.

"Bell, sit up straight, or I will spell your spine into place. Now. First things first. Slytherins are always on the defensive. Any offense is to cover up their weak spots." Good, he had their attention. Most likely because he wasn't acting like some lost little twelve-year-old. Although he noticed Harry was giving him a look. "If a Slytherin is being especially aggressive, aiming a bludger at you specifically, trying to run you off your broom, things of that nature, they're trying to make up for their team or their own shortcomings."

"Yeah, hey, Professor Malfoy?" Fred. That one was definitely Fred. "I'm not sure I can believe that? Because if you're right, then they're much better actors than we've been giving them credit for."

Draco rolled his eyes at that and scoffed. "That's the point. You're not supposed to know they're acting. They'll put up a strong front. Don't be fooled, don't let it intimidate you. You can get around it."

"Brute force is sort of our speciality," Spinnet mused, leaning back and crossing her ankles. "We're the only ones crazy enough to aim our plays around flying towards other teams head first."

"Yes, yes, brute force. Courage and nerve, you've never changed that tactic. Why do you think you keep losing?" There was an offended noise from Wood, Harry only laughing and shaking his head.

"Alright, what do you think we should do to change it, then?"

"That's easy," Draco said with a wicked smirk. "Play like a Slytherin."

By the time they managed to get on the field and start practicing, the sun was already well up and a few people were wandering around the pitch and stands, talking and laughing. Draco, who was happily helping Harry with a new technique, paused at seeing the Slytherin team coming up to the pitch. Beside him, Harry gave a low groan, "Trouble?"

"Don't know, yet." Draco took the lead abs waltzed over to them, nodding cordially. "I'm afraid we've booked the field for practice, right now."

"Too bad for your lot that we have the pitch per Professor Snape's instructions." Flint held up a piece of paper as Wood and the others migrated over, sneering at them. "Time to leave the flying to the big boys now, Wood." Draco glanced to Harry and blanched as their friends came down from the stands to see what the fuss was all about.

"There's no reason we can't share the pitch, Flint." Oh, good. Wood was at least trying to be reasonable. That might make things a little less worse, this time around.

Draco gave a nod. "There are two Keeper's boxes. Our teams can stick to opposite sides of the field."

"Fine." Flint gave a nasty smirk, brutally shouldering his way past Wood. "Dealing with a few blood traitors and mudbloods shouldn't bother us any. Right, boys?"

Before Draco could say anything in retaliation, it was Ron, Hermione, and Harry stepping forward to defend him. It was cute that they were trying to help, but they were also liable to get themselves hexed straight to the infirmary. "Lay off, Flint!" Draco nudged Harry, giving Ron's wand a significant glance.

"Oh? And just what are you going to do about it, blood traitor? You and that mudblood of yours-"

"That's it!" Before any of them could stop Ron, he was pointing his wand at Flint with a fierce look. "Eat slugs, Flint!"

"Ron, no-!" It was too late. The damage was done. The blast of the spell from a broken wand sent Ron crashing back onto the ground, the others all rushing to crowd around him. Even more people were on the field now, it seemed. Just like Hogwarts to sense drama. "I tried to warn you," Draco sighed. He winced as Ron threw up slugs. "And there it is."

He only absently heard Harry telling off Colin for taking pictures, too concerned over trying to pick Ron up off the ground with Hermione's help. "Come on," she muttered. "Let's get him to Hagrid's for now. Away from this crowd."

"Right. Bloody hell. Tried to warn you, Weasel. Maybe next time you'll listen." Getting the boy to his feet, it was slow progress of moving them along to Hagrid's cabin, Harry reassuring the other Gryffindors before catching up.

"Know any counterspells for this one, then?"

"I don't. But maybe Hagrid does," Draco suggested.

The walk over was a bit of a struggle, and Draco had no idea how he thought this was funny the first time around it had happened. Soon enough they were seated in Hagrid's hut, the man shoving a large bucket into Ron's hands, "Best thing to do is ride it out, I'm afraid. Won't take more than the next hour or so, though."

"The next hour," Draco bemoaned. The sounds of retching had him wincing in sympathy, Hermione rubbing at Ron's back with a quiet sigh.

"How'd this happen to 'im, anyhow?" Hagrid was bustling around to get them tea and snacks. Draco couldn't believe he had ever hated the man, once.

"He did it to himself. Spell misfire. Broken wand." Draco shook his head, staring out the window at the field forlornly.

"He went after Flint," Hermione added on. "He, well... I don't know what they mean, exactly, but I think he called us some rather nasty names."

"Mudbloods and blood traitors." There was no need to say more. He let Hagrid and Ron explain what those terms meant, back to looking out the window. It was a moment before he noticed Harry beside him, giving him a small nudge.

"That happened last time, I'm guessing?"

"Not so fun from this side." Draco glanced to Harry before shrugging and leaning against him.

"I bet. Are those who like muggles, or live with them, really looked at like that, though?" Harry was looking at the floor, seeming uncomfortable. "I mean... That's pretty bad, isn't it?"

"Some think that witches and wizards are a dying breed. If we all were to pair off with muggles..."

"Codswallop," Hagrid cut in, setting down a tray next to them. "Muggles and wizards have been livin' alongside each other for as long as our history goes back. Far as I'm concerned, taking on a few muggle traditions and ideas wouldn't be causin' any harm." Draco immediately opened his mouth before giving into defeat and closing it, shaking his head.

"You should talk to Dad more often, Hagrid," Ron snorted, burping up a couple more slugs. It seemed to be dying down. "He thinks the...same- Bloody- You called me Ron!"

"What are you on about now, Weasel?"

"No, no, no, you can't hide behind that- I heard you. You called me Ron. You actually care about me." Ron was beaming until he was going green again and hiding in his bucket, Harry trying to muffle his laughter.

"Right. I care about the one who cursed himself to be sick with slugs. Keep telling yourself that." Dammit, he was hoping that Ron hadn't noticed that slip. Stupid...feelings. Though he was sure Riddle would get a laugh out of all of this, later. Draco would have to remember to tell him. It had been a while since he talked to him, anyways. Not since their small argument about muggles. Maybe now he found stop 'ignoring' him. He was the one who knew the most about Draco, anyway.

"We should go check on the team," Harry interrupted his thoughts with a nudge. "Practice isn't technically over yet, after all."

"Right. Right. That's a good idea," Draco said with a nod, standing. "We'll see you two at lunch."

"I'll keep an eye on Ron," Hermione sighed, patting the boy's back again. "Honestly, you're lucky you didn't hurt Flint. Imagine what he would have done to get back at you."

"Nothing like what I would have done," Draco muttered, taking Harry's hand and tugging him towards the field. First the boy's wand had broken in a new way, and now this? Were some things just... Just destined to happen? Did that meant that some deaths... No. No. Not all of those were necessary. Not by a long shot. Draco just needed to work on his reaction times.

He wasn't going to let history play out as it did before. He would make sure of it.