The game and love

11

The day began like any oyher day. Both boys arrived seperately to school and each went to their classes, and while Harry didn't seem to pick up on the occasinal stares he was getting. Everyone was staring at Draco, such was his fate, being at the top of the social food chain. He got several giggles from girls, glares from guys and all around bad press over Harry. Whispers were everywhere and Draco felt his skin tingle with all the looks he was getting.

"You really did it this time, dude." Ron said as he stopped next to Draco's locker. "Everyone's talking about you and Harry." Ron said solemnly as he opened his own locker. "And the team is much worse, so I suggest letting me watch your back before you go to practice." Draco simply continued rifling through his books, finding the ones he needed and closing his locker. "I can take care of myself, but thanks Ron, that means alot." Draco replied a bit harshly. Ron frowned. "Look man, you could get hurt." Draco glared at him, "I said I'll be ok Ron, trust me." Ron nodded, knowing he couldn't convince Draco of the truth.

As they went to their first class, Draco and Ron encountered Pansy Parkinson, who looked like she could take on the devil and win. The glare she had on Draco made Ron cringe and check for the quickest exit route, in case they needed it. "Draco Malfoy!" She called bitterly. "What's this now, you're some kind of faggot?!" Draco stood there, unmoved by here venomus words. "And to think, I slept with you." She started to unravel and Ron was very close to calling for help. "That's right." Draco smirked, "If I may say so, it was really horrible too." Draco laughed a bit. Pansy slugged him in the arm and this only caused him to laugh harder. She growled angrily. "What did he have that I don't?" She asked angrily. "Probably a penis." Draco smiled. "Oh yeah, and he isn't a filthy slut. Now, if you'll excuse me." And with that, Draco and Ron left her to stew in her own juices.

Because of Pansy, they were both late, causing an extra notice from everyone in the classs as they arrived. Ron didn't like attention, so he quickly took a seat and hid hilmsef behind a book. However, in Draco's case, the teacher took special care to point out the late arrival. "Well well, So our star quarterback now thinks it's ok to show up late to class, as well as do strange things in the school parking lot." Ms. Trelawney scolded. This got several giggles from throughout the class, and caused Draco to blush slighty. "Well, get to your seat and open your book." Draco did as instructed, glad to be out of the line of fire for now.

Harry's day was tough as well. He had gone through his first three classes without much more than a giggle and a, "I'm so jealous." from some of his girlfriends. However, his luck went sour when he met up in the hallways with Pansy Parkinson. Harry being completely shy and lacking confidence was ripe for her angry poison. She cornered him in the hallway and got right in his face. "I guess you think you're special huh?" Harry just stared at the floor, unable to meet her gaze. "He doesn't even really like you, you're just a toy to him." she spat, the loudness of her voice caused another girl to become alerted to Harry's distress. "Leave him alone, Pansy!" Barked Millecent Bullstrode, causing Pansy to rethink her situation and then flee.

Harry was still in the corner, in shock, unable to move or make a response. "Are you alright?" Bullstrode asked. Harry couldn't respond, shaking slightly. She placed an arm on his should and gently shook him. "Hey, are you ok." Harry looked up and nodded silently at the concerned face in front of him. "Come on, where's your next class? I'll walk you." Harry swallowed. "It's Mr. lupin's class." He stammered slighty. "Oh good, my class isn't too far from there." She said, giving Harry a warm smile. "Thanks." Harry said softly. She shook her head. "Don't worry about it." She chimed and they both walked to Harry's next class in silence. Once they arrived at the door to Lupin's class, Millecent asked Harry a casual question. "So, as a favor, tell me, are you and Draco an item then?" Harry looked at his feet and blushed. "I'll take that as a yes. Goodbye Harry." She turned and walked to her next class.

They day was excrutiatingly slow moving. It was a miricle to both boys when the final bell rang. Draco prepared himself for football practice. 'This will be rough.' He thought to himself as he drew closer to the locker room. He met up with Ron who pleaded with him to reconsider his approach, but Draco silenced him with an angry glare. As he began to undress and put on his practice gear, he got a few whistles and felt someone smack his butt. His paranoia only increased when he realized everyone was eyeing him. Where was Snape when you needed him Draco thought. He smirked at the irony in that statment, because Snape had always told him to trust his own abilities.

When it came time for the offense to practice, Draco was still expecting something to happen, his fear was as if he thought someone would jump out in front of him and shoot him. Two things occurred to him as he huddled up for the first play. Ron wasn't there and Coach snape was also not present. Though the latter didn't shock him, because the coach was usually drawing up plays on the first day of practice after a win.

Draco called the play and began to worry when the guys didn't call break. He snapped the ball and WHAM! A nose tackle from the defense sacked him. Pain shot through his nody like lightning, but he got up as fast as possible. He didn't say a word, they were testing him and he would not break, not for their satisfaction. He snapped the ball again and this time the nose tackle Crabbe knocked him down. "Stay down." He whispered as if desperate for his words to go unheard by the others. "No!" Draco whispered back. He called another play and got the same result. His chest started to hurt, on the next play one of the linbackers came through and hit him helment to helment, this caused Draco's mouth piece to be jammed in his mouth.

When he spit out his mouthpiece blood came with it and some of the kids looked scared. Draco still wasn't giving up. He walked up to the line and snapped the ball again, this time there was some hesitation by the players, but eventually Crabbe hit him again, knocking the wind out of him. He tried to get up, but the closest he got was his knees, he tried a few more times in vain to get up, but he hurt all over. He caught sight of an extended hand and took it, not looking to see who it was. "You proved your point Draco, and proved it well." It was Snape, he helped Draco to his feet and steadied him. "Hit the showers son." Snape said softly. As he walked away he could hear the coach start to yell at the players.

"Never in my life have I seen such disgusting people." Snape said, eyeing each player who then hung their heads in shame. "This little stunt is the worst thing that this team can have right now. You are brothers, family. You do this to one of your own." His frustration grew. "Each of you that was involved in this stunt will sit out the rest of the season, that means state too." Moans were uttered from some of the players. "And if any of you bitch, I'll make sure they tack on three day suspensions. I will also refuse to write recommendation letters for anyone who acts out against Mister Malfoy again. Is that understood?" The players were silent, taking in what had just been said. "I said, is that understood?" "Yes sir!" The players responded. "Good, now for good measure, five laps around the field. Start now!" He shouted and walked back to the sidelines to make sure everyone follwed his instructions.

As the water from the shower hit Draco, it seemed to hit him a with a kind caress. He cried softly, he couldn't understand why people could just face him man to man. As he watched the water drain at his feet, mixed with dirt and blood, he felt his future was just like that, going down the drain. "Jesus Draco, what happened." Ron asked as he came into the shower, still dressed in his practice uniform and pads. "Don't tell me." Ron bit out angirly. "I knew I should have been there." He cursed himself. "It wasn't your fault." Draco said honestly, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "Jesus." Ron said again. Draco waved him off.

He almost lost his balance as he stepped out of the shower. Ron caught him and helped him sit down. "Thanks." Draco gave him a strained smile and in the silence that followed, thier friendship seemed to grow. Once Ron had helped Draco with his pads and uniform, he left for the field to take care of some bussiness.

Draco walked gingerly to his car and noticed Harry was allready there. Harry was crying, that much was for certain, but it wasn't until he was about ten steps away, that he realized why. "The words 'Fag boy's car' Were written on the passenger side window. Draco sighed and that's when Harry noticed him and stopped crying for a moment. "I'm sorry, this is all my fault." Harry wheezed a bit, it was obvious to Draco, that he'd been crying pretty hard. So, with disregaurd for his injuries, he pulled Harry into a hug. Harry noticed his pain and asked what happened. "The guys just hazed me." He lied, not wanting Harry to become more upset. He hushed Harry gently and kissed his head. "The worst of it is over now." Draco said, hoping he was right.

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End chapter 11 A/N I decided to lump the parent situations together in the next chapter, since so many of you have expressed the want to know. Also, I included a new female character because I felt I wasn't really beeing fair to girls in my fic, it was not on purpose and I hope no one felt that I was biased. Please review. BTW, For those who thought the relationship was too fast, I did try to establish that they've liked eachother for a few years, so that's why it appears somewhat fast. Draco's confidence in himself is what kept him from really worrying at first what people would think. Anyway, please review and chapter 12, should be up later tonight or tomorrow.