It had been a shamelessly sunny day.
Perfect flying conditions, in fact.
So it was really too bad Draco couldn't be there on the field.Too bad he had detention so he couldn't join. And too bad the detention was alongside Gryffindor's golden boy. It was all really too damn bad.
All of this Draco thought grimly as he trudged down the stairs to the Trophy Room, where he ...and the other one were supposed to report to Filch, who was sure to subject them to grueling work. Well, maybe not Potter, he bitterly amended. It seemed that he was always being granted privileges the others had not. After all, how else would he already be the star seeker of the Gryffindor Quidditch team as well as the captain? And how else, he continued with disgust and an undercurrent of envy he would never admit to, would he also be a straight A's student in Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Care of Magical Creatures? Well, then again, what help would knowing how to talk to a squirrel do in a life-threatening scenario? Gloated Draco privately. Lost in his thoughts, he missed a step, nearly yelping, and had to hurry to right himself on the staircase before he realised he'd made it to his destination. The Trophy Room.
While the very subject of his thoughts leaned back on the ashy brick wall, smirking at him.
"What, Draco, missed a step? Precisely the skillset one needs to be a seeker... ...though of course, I'm sure it's not kind to remind people of things they can't change, especially their talent- or lack thereof..." His eyes sparkled with mirth, and his smirk only grew at Draco's continuously narrowed eyes.
"And I'm sure that missing your first meeting of the year as captain to attend detention is really helping you get on McGonagall's good side..." Shot Draco back.
At that, he saw with smug satisfaction, Harry visibly blanched. She was a huge pillar of support to the team through her traditional acts of giving members a little less homework before a big game, but also always warned that she would take that certain generosity away from them if they showed themselves to not be as discipled towards schoolwork. And that meant not getting into something like detention. McGonagall could be scary if she wanted to, especially with the power she wielded over the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. And unfortunately, she knew it.
Both of the boys glared at each other, all superficial civilities forgotten as they recoiled with equal revulsion at the thought of having to spend four hours in each other's company.
They broke eye contact as they heard footsteps, no doubt a sign that their executioner had arrived for their sentence.
And although both boys loathed each other, they made a silent pact right then and there to try to not get on the man's bad side more than they most likely already were.
Because if there was anyone in the castle who, for whatever reason, had a personal vendetta against all students of the castle, it was Filch.