The game and love

17

The week carried on pretty fast for both Draco and Harry. The game day was this evening and the most time either had spent with the other would be on the bus. Draco had spent the last week talking to scouts and so on, all football work for him. Harry had been very understanding about the whole situation. So now at the coming reigonal game to go to state would be Harry\'s first time on the field. Draco was nervous for him.

Ron sat down behind Draco as Harry sat down beside him. Draco smiled. \"Hey, sorry about this week guys, I\'ve been so busy.\" Ron shook his head and smiled, \"Don\'t sweat it, I know you are pretty busy.\" Ron leaned up against Draco\'s seat rest. \"So did you make a decision yet?\" Draco shook his head. \"No, I want to look at all my options.\" He glanced at Harry when he said that. \"I\'ll probably go to Nebraska if nothing else.\" Ron said out of turn. Draco looked back at him. \"You should do what\'s best for you Ron.\" Ron nodded.

Draco wouldn\'t admit it, because it scared him to say that he was deciding his life through Harry. It scared him, but another part of him was happy he had someone to care about that much. \"So, what\'s the big plan when we show up.\" Ron asked mischievously. Draco snickered. \"Dude, we aren\'t going to go out before the game again. Remember what happened the last time?\" Ron\'s grin confirmed Draco\'s suspicion. Harry just casually listened to them while really just enjoying being in the presence of Draco and his aura.

He was shocked out of his light trance when Draco gripped his arm. \"Oh shit, sorry dude, I didn\'t mean to scare you.\" Draco grinned, but felt a bit of guilt for frightening the one he loved. \"It\'s ok.\" Harry replied softly and then asked, \"What is it?\" Draco thought for a minute and looked at Ron. \"Would you like to go see the town before the game?\" Harry could sense there was more to it, but he just nodded. \"Sure.\" He answered simply. Ron reached up and lighty slapped Harry\'s shoulder. \"Good, then it\'s settled.\" Ron gleamed and Harry almost took back his agreement.

The rest of the ride was casual. A bit of game talking, but most of the conversation was limited to game and football realated stuff. Harry tried to help Draco, because he could tell that Draco was very nervous. Scouts were not easy to please and from what Draco said, there would be close to 20 there. They just looked for anything bad, pressure to be perfect was all around him. \"I\'ll help you get through the game Draco, ok?\" Harry said concearned, he could see that it would take the game starting to relieve this tension on his love\'s soul.

The bus arrived at the stadium and the players filed out, several were shouting about winning and what not. \'Meat heads, you can\'t beat\'em\' Draco smiled to himself. Harry walked off the bus, completely forgeting about Draco\'s promise of pregame antics. He got just beyond the door of the bus when Draco called to him.

\"Harry!\" Draco called, when Harry turned to see Ron and him standing together he remebered the bus. He walked over to Draco and stood beside him. \"Sorry Ron, it\'s just Harry and I this night.\" Ron frowned, but didn\'t argue and looked a bit pitiful as he walked away. Harry was relieved, he thought he would be hazed or something. He\'d managed to dodge that at school figuring the players didn\'t want to get in trouble with the coach.

Draco seemed excited and there was a pep in his step that was quite noticable. Harry didn\'t worry, and let himself be lead to wherever Draco was leading. All of a sudden, Draco stopped walking and got very quiet and nervous. \"Come on, I want to show you something.\" Harry remained silent and continued to follow him. They walked past some buildings in what looked like down town. They walked under a brdge and Harry caught a glimpse of where he figured they were going.

It looked like a wishing foutain. It sat all alone in a square, no one was around. Harry figured that this would be intresting and he couldn\'t wait for what Draco would say or ask next.

Draco was nervous, he was here where he wanted to take Harry, but could he say what he had wanted to say? His throat was suddenly dry and his confidence was nowhere to be seen. Harry had thought it was because of the game, but it was all because of this moment and what it could mean for the rest of his life.

He lead Harry to the side of the foutain, still clinging to the hope that his thoughts would come to him. When he did finally reach the edge of the foutain, he cursed himself and decided to take his best shot. \"Harry, this is a love foutain.\" \'god that sounds cheesy he thought. He looked for an expression from Harry, but only saw a bit of tneseness in his boyfriend\'s face. He read a plauqe that was on the rim of the foutain. \'Anyone who wishes to stay in love may wish for it here. No need for money, just your dreams will do.\' Draco had himself liked this place when he saw it last year but he kicked himself now because He figured Harry would think he was joking

When he looked in Harry\'s eyes though, he saw a shy smile. \"I wanted you to come here with me Harry, so I could as you to be my boyfriend.\" He let those words hang as he reached into his back pocket. Harry looked at him and said, \"I thought we were already.\" Harry kicked himself when he knew what Draco mean, or atleast he thought he did.

Draco smiled broadly. \"No, I mean, officially. Harry James Potter, Will you be my boyfriend. Draco brought a small grey box from behind his back and opened it. Harry was speechless. In the box was a plain silver band. Harry smiled. \"Of course I will.\" Harry fought back the urge to cry as Draco gently placed the ring on his right ring finger. He leaned in and gave Draco a soft peck on the cheek. \"Let\'s go win a football game.\" He said excitedly. Draco placed an arm around Harry\'s shoulders and they began the walk back to the stadium, stronger than ever.

In the lockeroom they each went to their area and got ready. Draco was really amzed at how well everyone had taken to Harry and also, how Harry had taken to them, it was as if nothing bad had ever occured between them. Draco didn\'t ask about it, because he didn\'t eant to risk the peace of the situation.

Everyone seemed extra pumped, some players were already shouting and whooping and going crazy, causing those who were quiet to shake their heads in mild amusement. As he finished puting his pad on, Ron came up next to him. \"So, is he ready?\" Ron asked seriously. Draco nodded. \"Yeah, he\'ll do great.\" Ron grinned. \"Good, but don\'t forget to give me the ball now, just because he\'s your boyfriend. I\'m your best friend.\" Ron teased chuckling softly, Draco grinned. \"Don\'t worry Ron, you\'ll see some balls.\" he replied sarcastically as Ron gave him a playful shove. He turned and as he walked out he looked at Draco, \"See you out there.\" And jogged out to the field.

Warm-up drills we exciting. Everyone was focused, it was like a band tuning up for a big concert and Draco would soon be leading it. Any other time, that would have been a source of worry, but with both Ron and Harry on his side, he knew he had a good chance to win. He was throwing to Ron as he warmed up when Goyle walked up to him.

Goyle\'s face told Draco not to worry, so he didn\'t. \"Draco, I just came over to tell you, I\'m sorry for what happened. What I did was wrong.\" Draco stood in disbelief. \"I guess I was mad, I felt like you lied to us.\" Goyle looked down at his feet. Draco thought a few moments and spoke. \"Listen, it\'s water under the bridge now. It happened, there\'s no going back, we have a game to win.\" Draco slapped the big kid\'s shoulder. \"I\'ll give you my best.\" Draco smirked at him. \"I expect you to.\"

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End Chapter 18 A/N The game is next up. Please review.