The game and love

28

Three years passed like a fad in fashion. Draco sat in New York city at the Heisman presentation, hoping that he wouldn't win. Now, Harry had said his lover was crazy. Draco was convinced he didn't honestly deserve it. Playing at Fresno State, he had broken every record held by a quarterback, he had 30 consecutive victories and his team looked to go to the national title game. He had made an effort talking to the press to point out the guys he felt made the difference more than him.

He had alot of confidence in his abillites and alot of top papers in the nation named him as the first pick in the draft. At just 20, he had more attetion than most hollywood stars. It was overwhelming. He had some cameras following him and it was a bit of a task not to be absolutlely paranoid of everything that might be big enough to conceal a paparazzi. Harry always tried to console him. "You're not in hollywood, they don't worry about athletes as much. Of course, Harry knew why Draco was worried. If the press got on the trail of his personal life, his pro career might be over before it began.

He shifted his weight in the seat on stage. Next to the four others, the cameras still focused in on Draco's face most of the time. 86 Touchdowns and 7 interceptions would do that for you. Draco didn't show any of the internal worry on his face, but if this jerk MC didn't hurry up, he thought he might get up and throw him into the third row.

"And the winner of the 2010 Heisman trophy is.....Draco Malfoy....Fresno state." Draco smiled, he was redder than a fat guy at a buffet. Applause rang out and cheers from the Fresno state team that was there were heard all around the crowd. He took in the moment, he was so nervous that he didn't really think he could give an acceptance speech. As he walked to the podium he saw the set of ice cold eyes that seemed to help him focus, he winked at them and set his speech in front of him.

"Well, I said all week that I didn't want to win this...I lied." Draco smiled. "Though I truly believe there were many more guys that deserved this award more, I wanted to win so I could know I was good. I'd like to thank my Offensive line, even though you never shower, it might be why my pocket was so clean. I also want to thank the group of recievers I had over the last two years, their hard work and dedication has made me look better than I am."

He looked around the crowd. He smiled as he saw his Mom and Dad. His dad had managed to do battle with his rare disease and made the trip simply with sheer will it seemed. "I need to thank the most important two people in my life. Mom, without your love and support I would have walked away from football, I love you for that. "Dad..." He stopped a frog in his throat. He blinked, a bit clearly in distress. "Your battle over the last five years has made what I have done easy. If I can do what you have done over the last few years...." tears started flowing. "I know I'll be ok. Thank you all for thinking I was the best."

When the crowd had thinned sufficiently Draco went over to his parents and gave his mom and dad hugs. "That was nice of you to thank us sweetie." Mrs. Malfoy said gently as she hugged her son Luicius had gotten up on his cane and put his arm on Draco's shoulder. "You did well Draco, you deserve these accolades." Draco looked at his father and smiled. "I couldn't be prouder of you." Draco turned to several players who came up to the three of them. He shook hands and introduced them to his parents. He was high on how great it felt to achieve something of great mention. He was so lost in the moment, that he missed the emarald eyes that kept track of him.

He turned when he felt a shoulder tap. "Harry!" Draco looked suprised to see him. They hugged for a minute. "Good job Draco. You earned it." Draco smiled still in the hug. "Thanks for standing by me Harry." Harry smiled. "I'll see you around Drake, go entertain the millions." Harry laughed, turned away and evaporated into the crowd.

It was a mess of cameras and reporters for several hours, even National media from everywhere was clamouring for an interview. Draco took it in stride, but by the thousanth question, he was pretty exhausted. He had lead his parents out to their car and said good night to them. He wanted to go see Harry, but when he turned around, he saw a mop of black hair and a stern smirk. He smiled. "I didn't know you were here Coach." Snape smiled. "Well, I wouldn't want to miss your big day." He said warmily as Draco approached him, hand outstreched. It was a bond they both would share for a lifetime, Coach and Pupil, it was the most important friendship he had before he met Harry.

After a short exchange of pleasantries, they both parted ways and went to their respective futures. Draco was so exhausted now, he called a cab to go back to the hotel and barely stayed awake during the five minute ride. He called Harry to come and help him out of the cab and in a flash, Harry was there. He grabbed Draco's arm an slung it around his neck and lifted his boyfriend with all his might.

"Draco, you are dead weight." Harry chuckled to no one in particular. Draco tried to respond, but all he did was yawn very hard. "Geez, they really wore you down Drake." Harry wished he was strong enough to carry Draco, because it looked like the poor boy would drop at any moment. After a few long moments of travel, they arrived at their room and Harry got Draco into bed and took off all his clothes, except for his boxers and T-shirt he had worn under his suit for the Heisman presentation.

Once he had made Draco comfortable, he got himself undressed and climed into the bed. Harry was tired too. He turned on the TV though to see if he could catch what the news was saying about his lover. He yawned. "So, did you see everyone there?" Harry asked. He knew it was futile, the soft even breaths from Draco said that he had long expired for the evening. Harry smiled and cuddled more to Draco's chest. He Kissed Draco's cheek and Soon he too was fast asleep.

Over the next two days Draco and Harry wondered ne? york, window shopping with Draco's mom and dad. It was quality time, they both had been so busy with college that they hadn't really been home at all, except for holidays and as far as being together that was alot more difficult considering that Harry had decided to not play football. They saw eachother on weekends, but usually didn't do much because the grind of school made them tired.

Mrs. Malfoy had seen something she wanted in the window and called the boys over to look at it. Mr. Malfoy just waited for them patiently, looking more over the son-in-law. He'd come to like Harry a great deal. He'd understood why Draco cared for him so much. It had only been a year ago, when he had gotten ill again, that Harry had told Draco to stay at school. He had driven home and taken care of Mr. Malfoy for almost four months and never worried about himself. Lucius had seen then, exactly why Draco had fallen for him, aside from the romantic parts, there were a ton of things that seemed to show they matched eachother.

"Come on boys, we should get back, we don't want to have father all worn out before the Presentation dinner. They all went back to the hotel and stayed in Draco and Harry's room, making small talk, telling stories, laughing, it was a good time. The national title game was in three weeks, but Draco was finally able to put it out of his mind and focus on the good things that were going his way.

"This is Rich Eisen with NFL total access and I am here with Adam Schefter, who has some intresting draft news for us. Adam?" "Thank you Rich, it seems Mike Holmgren of the Seattle Seahawks has told the media that his draft radar looks to be on one Draco Malfoy. Now, this doesn't mean that the 35 year old Hasselbeck is in any danger of losing his starting job, but it begs the question, why announce this now. At 2-9 the Seahawks do look to get the number one pick, but this tips your hand. I'll have more on Around the league later this week as we look to talk to the QB out of Fresno State."

End Chapter 28

A/N Our boy is about to go pro, but the news isn't all good. Please review. Christmas and the national title game are up, will Draco make it?