The game and love

24

The few days leading up to the game were not easy for Draco, deciding his future had only compounded the stress he was feeling. This was his future, everything he would accomplish in life started here in this game and he knew it. He set his helment on his head, locked up the chin strap and walked out of the locker room silently between Harry, Ron and Crabbe to the roar of the crowd.

Snape hadn't even talked to them before the game. They had talked all week in practice which had been pretty grueling. Harry had been allowed to start the game even though George was better, but George had been pretty good about it realizing he wouldn't have to run so much in the game.

With one last look over the crowd Draco zoned out and began to focus. They had won the coin toss and elected to kick to the other team at his request, he figured this would let him see what he would be up against.

"Everyone across the great state of California has waited for this game at the L.A. Collisuem Jack. We have a dandy that looks like it will be an all around burner on offense, but the key to this game will be the play of one guy, Draco Malfoy of the Dragons. Thirty-five touchdowns and 11 interceptions. This kid is also auditioning for the starting job at Fresno state."

"That's exactly it Dan, this kid's future is riding on his preformance here, but there is a set of hands I'll be watching tonight, number 80, Harry Potter. He just seems to break every coverage and and blaze down the open field. Also, pay attention to the tight end position, Ron weasley has twelve touchdowns this season and will look to be a big threat early as the defense will likely try to contain potter."

The other team had recieved the kickoff and run back down the field, amidst this chaos was Collin Creevy, a linbacker, he locked on to the ball carrier and drove him to the turf. Crabbe was licking his chops to get on the field. "Hey Drake, I'll go get the ball for ya." Draco didn't respond he was very focused, almost too focused. "Hey you, don't think too hard." It was Harry, a small grin slipped across Draco's lips.

"The Dragons defense is very tough Dan, Crabbe has 17 sacks and....there he has one more just as I was about to talk about how great that is."

"Hehe...Jack it looks like the denfense was listening to you. Second and nineteen at their own 17 yard line, the Dragons are looking to blitz the Giants look to run, handing the ball off. Crabbe again comes through, he doesn't get the tackle, but Collin Creevey cleans it up and takes down the back for a loss. Well, if these first two plays tell us what the rest of the game holds, it doesn't look good for the giants." 3rd and 21 from their own fifteen, the giants back to throw. Crabbe is double blocked on this play, but the pass falls incomplete, intended for the Running back."

Draco was ready, it was his time to shine and he wanted to make it good. He felt Harry tap him on the shoulder and smile and hold up his index finger. Draco smiled as they huddled up.

"You know Dan, I talked to the Dragons Quarterback before the game and asked what the scariest thing is for him on the field and he said, Trying to make sure I get enough on the ball as Harry is running full speed down the field. Hah, well lets see how their first play goes. Draco is behind the center, steps back to throw, guess who's deep. Draco throws it up and Harry....Catches it in stride 30-20-15-10, oh my he seemed to blow a tire and barely gets in for the touchdown."

"Jack, his knee took a funny pop out of the turf. He manages to stay up but he is down in the endzone surrounded by trainers, this doesn't look good."

His knee was on fire. Harry lay in the endzone the cold grass his only comfort he knew he had done something very bad and as the trainers arrived all he could say was 'it popped'. He was carried to the sideline and Draco soon followed he was saying silent prayers that Harry would be ok.

"The trainers get him out of the endzone and onto a table on the sideline. Jack you can see the Dragons are in shock by this as he's taken out of the game." "Let's just hope they pull it together without this fantastic kid."

Draco was really shocked it seemed as if the whole scene slowed down and became more devistating, the more he tried to focus, the worse it got. George would be in now and Draco hadn't prepared for it. Wood would get the ball more and of course they'd look to Ron, but Draco was not sure how much he would get done.

"Dragons lead 7-0, we'll get you a report on the condition of number eighty as it becomes avalible." "The Dragons were swarming around the football on defense the first drive let's see how they do this time out."

"Dragons are in a base defensive set, whatch the tackle crabbe and the linebacker creevey." "The Quarterback goes back to throw quick toss to the wide reciever complete tackled quickly after a short gain. "That's what they have to do Dan quick throws and strech runs to slow down the denfense."

"You're right Jack, get them on edge and make them second guess themselves." The second quarter ended with a score of 7-3 in favor of the dragons, but they hadn't been able to get anything offensively. Draco got into the lockeroom and ripped his helment off in anger and frustration. He saw Harry on a table and went over to him.

"What is it?" He asked Harry softly. Harry cracked a smile. "I have only an hour to live, my life is over." He broke into a bit of giggles, before turning serious at Draco's frown. "It's just a partial sprained knee." He took Draco's hand, "Don't worry I'll be ok."
Crabbe had come up to see Harry too. "Hey kid, how's it look." Harry looked at Crabbe. "Just a partial sprain." He sighed. "Well that's good news." Crabbe said in a relieved voice.
Coach Snape sat everyone down and reworked the offense. His calm demeanor set everyone at ease. When all was said and done, Draco walked the tunnel and was set to play better this half and light up the field. Harry walked out, his knee was wrapped in ice, but he wasn't in pain so the coach allowed him to walk the sideline.

"This half will decide many futures for all the kids here Dan. This is highschool football at it's best. The state off california when all is said and done will have a state champion." "Jack, you said it. I also think that the victory lies on the shoulders of Draco, the QB of the Dragons. He moved the football well, but the redzone has eluded him so far, look for him to have a better half as they look for victory."

They had the opening kick and the gameplan set in motion. Draco talked to Ron about where he thought open space might be. They were ready and Snape had gotten a new set of plays in with a gameplan geared towards a game without Harry's speed on the field.

"Malfoy back to throw, complete to the tight end Ron weasely for 14 yards. This is more of the same from games past, Malfoy hands to wood, wood gains six yards and slams into a linebacker. Here we go Dan." "You watch this Dragons QB and you kinda feel his confidence, he's ready for this second half." "Malfoy back to throw, complete to the running back Oliver wood."

The game was speaking to Draco, he was seeing everything. Ron caught the touchdown and it felt like the old days before Harry. Harry had changed everything and so did Draco realizing he wanted Harry. It was strange for him to think about now, but as the future approached, the past he once knew was over.

Ron tapped Draco's shoulder. "Hey Drake, great throw." Draco grinned, "Thanks." Ron put his arm around Draco, "It's the good times man, live it while it's here." Draco smiled again and laughed at Ron, he always knew how to be philosopical in the strangest of times. They chatted a bit and soon went back out onto the field. The 3rd qaurter finished with a score of 14-10 Dragons. The denfense looked tired, Draco was trying to help out by playing the offense a bit slower so the guys could get their breath.

The time wound down, it was the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and the other team had scored. Down by three, Draco went out onto the field a little deflated, but ready to do his job.

"The've moved the ball all game Dan as the Dragon Qaurterback's numbers show, but they haven't been able to score." "You're right there Jack, it all comes down to this last drive for the dragons season. It's all on this kids shoulders."

They weren't sure what to do, Harry could tell by the hands on the hips in the huddle. Harry made a descion, it was probably stupid, but he knew someone had to help. "Coach, put me in." He said it to snape so matter-of-factly, he was afraid he might have made snape angry. "Are you sure?" Came the coach's even reply. "Yeah, I got one good play in me." "Ok go, but be careful."

"I don't understand this, they're sending in Harry potter and you can see his wrapped up knee, what could they be doing?" "I don't have the foggiest Dan, but I don't know if this is smart." "I agree with you, this might be a bad idea."

Harry aproached the huddle to many shocked stares. He quickly talked to clear the air about what he was doing. "Drake I need you to trust me here, I can get open. Just throw it high so I can jump for it." Draco nodded, he knew Harry's tone meant he was serious. "West to viper right 350 z post, ready?!" "Break!" Harry lined up on his man and looked into the eyes of the kid across from him. He saw what he was looking for and gave a smirk. He wiggled his fingers and heard the call of hike.

Like a shot out of a gun he ran as much as he could. "Dan, I don't believe this, Harry Potter is open, his cover man tried to push him, but he badly underestimated him and fell down. The Dragons have an easy touchdown." Draco couldn't believe it, he ran to the endzone and scooped Harry up in his arms in a bear hug. The offense had done their job. Now, the defense was ready to go and finish the game.

Crabbe was like a caged dog. Draco liked watching him, because he imagined what it must be like to be the other guy. "So here it is, fourth and ten. The last play to decide the state championship." "Their back to throw, there's crabbe again! SACKED AND A FUMBLE!" Dragons win! Dragons win! Dragons Win!"

It was a long night of speeches and celebrations, local media was all over the place. Alot of stories mentioned Harry's final heroics and how great they were. Draco was the man of the hour. Fresno State had called to accept him on with a full ride scholarship.
Draco and Harry sat in the lockeroom tired worn. They talked abit about the bright parts af the game as Draco tried to get Harry's pads off without hurting him. As he was helping him, Crabbe walked in.

"Oh fuck...I...Uh..well" Harry snapped up his head to look at a terrified and embarrassed pair of eyes. "Crabbe, we're just getting dressed, calm down. What's up?" he was still in shock, but dutifully relayed the message, "Party at Ron's, you're both invited." He looked relieved to have this over with and made a quick exit.

End chapter 24

Party time and the team accepts Harry and Draco and asks them for a favor.