The game and love

21

Harry had landed and decided to go to sleep after Draco hadn't answered his phone. He figured his boyfriend was exhausted from preparing for the game in three days time. As he rested in his bed, after having told his father goodnight and that he'd explain his early return later. He lay there, dejected, fully aware that even though it seemed his mother didn't love him, he had no coice in loving her back.

Even if he wanted to hate her, he couldn't. It was not in his nature. As he thought of what had transpired at the dining table with Sirius and his mother. "So I like this guy Draco at my new school." He knew having said this was a mistake by her eyes. They sat frozen on him, wide in shock and lips turned into a tight frown. "I thought this was over." She snapped, not in anger, but in pure dissappointment and guilt mother's employ on their children to mantain command over them.

Harry contemplated his next move. He was not sure what to do so he answered dumbly, "What was over?" Picking up his dring and sipping it. "This gay thing." She said, now clearly having been agitated by her son's response. "Don't you know what you're doing?" Sirus looked like he wanted to take the reigns from this frieght train that now could only end in devestation. Harry looked him off. He new he had to do this sooner rather than later. It was better he thought, to open the wound now, so the healing process could begin soon, if at all.

"Mother, that is who I am, it is what I feel. I can't change simply because you wish it. Love doesn't work that way." She was stunned quickly by his elloqunce, however, her rebound was quick agile, the oldest trick in the book. "What do you know about love? You're just a child." Harry fumed, she was wrong, he knew it, but his offense needed to demonstrate her double-standard. "Oh and you do? Is that was you let dad leave?" This may have been a bad move he realized immeadiatley and prepared for the worst. What came was not only unexpected, but would completely gut Harry at his core.

"Why do you even think we divorced and you two left?" She paused, huffing and stood up to eye Harry angrily. "It was so my father wou;dn't disown me, so I could keep my family foutune." She closed her eyes to angry slits. "The only reason you're here is because my father wants an heir to his fortune. You've ruined everything."

The truth burned so honest an raw, tears filled his eyes. He had thought that his family would become whole again, but this was his fault. Sirius, realizing Harry was incapable of his own defense now, stepped in. "Lily, I told you, I'd only bring him here if you honestly gave a damn for him." He snarrled. "You are a filthly little money grubbing harlot. If money is all that you love than that is all you will ever have to comfort you."

The words echoed in his head. He laid there, the understanding that he may have just closed the door on his mother's relationship. His eyes closed, he just wanted to see Draco tommorow.

Draco's morning was usual. He woke up got undressed and into the shower. It was his only solitary activity. So he usually took about a half-hour just cleaning himself. Now he really didn't admore himself as much as he figured people thought he did. Examining himself in the full-length mirror, he grinned. He had to admit, he was one hot little meat cake. He dressed in fadded bluejeans and a tee-shirt and black nikes.

He had barely finished brushing his teeth when a knock came at the door. He got up and placed his half-empty cereal bowl in the sink and casually walked over to the door, figuring that it was Ron. When he opened the door, he felt a hug around his neck. "Well hello there sweet cheeks." His arms tightened his own hug in return and kissed Harry lightly on the top of his head.

"Hi Draco." Harry replied simply, snuggling close, like a child fleeing from a scary situation. Draco simply allowed this, figuring in time he'd know what was going on. He worried about Harry, he also didn't want to push Harry, for fear the boy would mistrust his motives. 'no' he thought. Better to be there when Harry asked for him.

Over the next few days, Harry seemed hell bent on being focused on football. Which both Ron and Draco could ablidge. As game day approached, Harry finnally asked Draco to come sit down next to him on his bed. "I guess I should tell you what happened." Harry said unsure of where he was going really. "Only if you want to Harry." Draco answered, placing a reassuring hand on his love's shoulder.

"Well, my mom..." He started and then stopped. Realizing the amount to which it really hurt to say this. "She wanted me to..." Harry swallowed. Draco moved in and pulled him into a hug. "You don't have to say, but I'm here for you." He said softly into Harry's ear and rocked him a bit slowly. "She just wanted me to be there so she could get some money from her dad." Harry bit out. Tears were pounding at the back of his eyes. DRacp didn't respond, he just remained silent until Harry seemed to be done.

"You know I love you, right Harry?" Harry nodded into his chest. "But it isn't the same Draco. She's my mom, I have to love her." Draco asked an honest question. "Says who?" "My Heart." Harry replied bitterly. "It's a love that has no choice." Draco understood this answer all too well. It was the same feeling he had for his old man, he hated him, but he'd be damned if anyone was going to hurt him or if he died. "I understand." he whispered in return. "Tommorow we play football. We can leave this when we go on the field." Harry just tightened his grip and rested in his boyfriend's chest.

The lockroom was buuzed. Everyone was ready for a great playoff game and set to light up the field. Cries of pride feild the lockeroom. Draco never had found himself distracted by such things as the fact of naked men in the lockeroom, but when your boyfriend dresses down, he tends to distract you as Draco was realizing. He was so distracted that he didn't hear Ron sneak up behind him.

Draco felt a sharp flick of his ear. "Jesus, you can see that at home." Draco snapped out of his daze and blushed a deep shade of red. "Sorry, I didn't realize I was doing that." He answered honestly. "Well get your head right and get ready for the game dude, you can drool later." Ron replied half-serious. Draco obeyed and soon he was out on the field doing warm-ups and getting ready for the game. He was now totally focused thanks to Ron.

He hoped his suprise for Harry would arrive soon, but he didn't see them anywhere in the stands yet, he hoped he hadn't made some kind of mistake on Harry's behalf. Coach snape gave him a soft shoulder pat as he walked by. "I know you'll do great Draco." He said as he walked by, this made Draco smile. Snape never told you anything most of the time, so when he did it was really special. Draco snapped up his helment and looked over at Ron, holding up on finiger both boys smiled and walked out onto the field for the coin toss.

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End 21 A/N The game is up next, what is Draco's suprise for Harry? And will Harry like it? Please review!