The game and love

30

The funeral had been scheduled for December 31st. Draco had the task of deciding if he could speak at it or not. He had agonized over it for several hours of the last couple of days. He hadn't eaten much either, despite the fact that Harry kept insisting he do so. He was so focused of his father's death he had forgotten he still had a game to play. When the coach called of course he remembered. Now he jumped at the opportunity to play, to simply escape the hell that was his mind.

He took all the snaps in practice very seriously and was furious if he missed a throw by an inch and cursed to himself. He was so driven it took alot of patientce for Harry to gain his boyfriend's attention. Harry just stayed out of the way. The mood Draco was in had aboslutely nothing to do with him, he knew that, he also knew that he should let Draco get through it his way. He would just be there when Draco was ready for him to be.

"He's so determined." Sirius spoke to Harry as they watched Draco lead Practice. "Yeah, I worry about him." Harry sighed. Sirius nodded. "Well, atleast he was at the funeral." Harry nodded and frowned. "They had just started to really get to know eachother, I feel so bad for him Uncle Sirius." Sirius looked over to Harry. "Listen, he's got you, so I wouldn't worry if I were you." Harry ran his hand through his tangled hair making it messier than ever. "But what if I can't help him." Sirius placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Listen Draco just needs to focus right now. He's trying to avoid greiving, but he will eventually, then he'll need you." This really didn't reassure Harry that much, he knew most of what sirius had said was true, but he was afraid of waiting too long.

"Slant left, Z post, florida spike." Draco said in the huddle. Most of the players were quiet during practice, they all knew about Draco's dad, but none of them dared approach him. Draco was a competitor, he didn't expose his weaknesess and anyone that might attempt to find his weakness was an enemy too him. As a freshman linebacker found out. The young man had tried to offer his sympathy, only to be greeted by a set of angry eyes and a sharp growl. As the players continued to practice, they all knew the others were thinking that their star player was soon to crack up.

The night before the big game, Draco said the first of many words to Harry since the day his Father had died. "I'm glad you're here with me." He said to Harry as they lay in bed. Harry felt the warmth returning to Draco's voice, this was a good sign to him. "I am too, Drake." Harry said nuzzling his lover's chest softly. Draco looked so exhausted to Harry. Silently, he hoped Draco would sleep well enough to play well in the game. It was so important Harry knew that anything less than a win would be devistating to him. As he lost himself to his thoughts, Draco's breath evened and he was sleeping. Harry smiled weakily and finally left his own worries behind him for the comfort of sleep.

Draco stood at his locker, thinking of all the things that had lead him here. He always thought his life was one long dream of luck. Everything that happened seemed to always go right in the end. Except his dad had passed, but Draco now realized how selfish he was, the pain his dad had been in was very bad and he had had trouble doing much of anything. He thought about his dad for several moments and silently, he asked his dad to watch over him.

The tunnel out was a mess of whoops and hollars and slaps on the helment. Draco's face read all bussiness as he exited the tunnel onto the field he saw the crowd and instinctively his arm shot up to acknowlege the fantastic sight. It had taken three years to make it here, but they were here, and so were the fans. "One last year." signs were everywhere as most fans knew Draco wanted to enter the draft.

"There's the guy that everyone says will be the first pick in the 2011 Draft." The announcer called to the TV audience. "Playing with a heavy heart this game. His father passed Christmas morning, the funeral was two days ago. He seemed completely focused when we interviewed him before the game. He says the only thing that worries him, is after the game. We certainly offer our thoughts and prayers to him and his family during this tough time.

"Hello there folks. I'm Al Michaels, along side Dick Stockton. We have a great game set up for you tonight as the national title is decided by a matchup of number two Fresno State, and number one Washington State. What do you think we'll see tonight Dick?"

"Well Al, it's the Draco Malfoy show here. Everything that happens with revovle around what this kid can do. At just 20 years old, he's got all the skills of a smart NFL QB wrapped into a great college career that shows us he can carry a team on his back. All eyes are on what he does here. After winning the Heisman, I think his greatness could be assured, but everyone remembers Ryan Leaf." "Which leads us to WSU, what can they do to stop Fresno?" "Well, like I said, it all depends on the bulldogs QB, I don't think the cougars have a shot at beating him at all."

Draco was focused as he jogged onto the field and prepared for the coin toss. "Heads." He said assuredly. "Heads it is." Called the ref. This caused the crowd to whoop and cheer.

"The national title for NC double A Division one football, is underway as the Bulldogs will recieve the opening kickoff. Tonight will decide for two teams if the season was a success or a failure." "That's right Al, I can't wait to see what happens here." "Same here Dick, as the bulldogs begin their first drive let's see how the Quarterback responds."

"43, slot, right x slash." Draco said in a commanding tone. His teamates nodded and broke the huddle. Draco was ready, he stepped behind the center and snapped the ball. Most people always assumed that it was alot of work to do what he did. Draco always laughed, his body flowed. His movements were perfect because he trusted them. If he had to think about them, he wouldn't have been able to do this. He set his feet, turned his body and popped the throw out to his open man.

"His first throw is for 12 yards. It was perfect Al. I want you to watch him. Once he makes a descision he sets his feet and turns his body in less than two seconds. It's very impressive." "I'll keep an eye on that, Dick."

"Z post, Y, Florida Spike." Draco grinned to one of his recievers. "Get open up the middle." The reciever grinned and nodded. "Ready?" "Break!" He lined everyone up on the line of scrimage and saw what he wanted. He looked back at his Running back and said something noone else heard. The back nodded an affirmitave.

"Malfoy is back to thr..No...he hands the ball off to.....NO...PLAYACTION...HE THROWS TO A WIDE OPEN DAVID WELLINGTON...WHO GOES UNTOUCHED 52 yards for a Bulldog touchdown. Well Dick, what did that look like?" "Perfection Al, I love this kid."

The game was beautiful. Magic was all around it. Camera flashes seemed to mark and capture moments that couldn't be seen by naked eyes. Draco soon became more aware of where he was. It was so surreal to feel himself in the game. His body was numb by half time. The team filed into the lockeroom up 34-24. The coach was talking, but Draco didn't really hear him. He was praying at his locker when his favorite target walked up to him.

"Hey man, you alright?" Draco looked up from his locker. David Wellington had been his go to guy since he got here. The six foot one 211 pound Wide reciever had been his rock in the bad times. Having been there a year before Draco, the young man had alot of knowledge about the coaches and playbook, he even helped Draco refine his craft as a Quarterback. "wells, I'm not sure." Draco said honestly, tying his cleets. "Well I am. You're doing great." Draco smiled.

The end of the game took forever. It was decided early by Draco passing for two more Touchdowns to David Wellington. Making the score 48-24 and the defense went into cruise control. As the final seconds ticked down, Draco felt the glow of the crowd wash over him and he was ready to accept the trophy that his team had earned over the season.

He approached the stage once the chaos had toned down and stepped up to the platform and as he looked at the crystal football, he thought of his dad. Tears formed in his eyes and he tried hard to contain them. David imediately rushed to the stage and grabbed him in a hug.

As Harry watched he shed silent tears of his own, wishing he could share this moment with his lover. He wanted so much to be there for him, he knew though, that in the life they lived, there would be many moments like this that he would never get to share with Draco in the way that most people who loved eachother would. He was trying his hardest not to yell out in his own agony, when Draco found him in the crowd and pointed to him, mouthing, "I love you." He smiled.

"So it's set in the books Al, the 2010 National title game goes to the Fresno State bulldogs." "Yes Dick, and you said it, five touchdown passes earns Draco Malfoy the MVP of the game and certainly solidifies him as the #1 pick in the NFL Draft should he declare this year as a junior." "He'll be fun to watch Al, no question."

Draco was only thinking about one thing. Finding Harry, he wanted to hug him, to forget how exhausted he felt. He felt like it had been a hundred years since he slept. His body, now fresh off adrenaline slammed him with pain from every direction. Mostly, he just wanted to go home. He reached the car where Harry waited patiently for him after most games. He figured there'd be loads of media around Draco and so he was prepared to be there for awhile. He was suprised to find that Draco came out very quickly.

Harry greeted his love gently with a light hug. "Oh Harry, I just wanna go home. Will you take me home?" Draco said barely any sound in his voice. "Yeah, come on Drake." Harry said lightly. Taking Draco's arm he helped him into the passenger seat and went to get in the driver's side. Both boys were so focused on themselves that they didn't notice the camera flash.

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End Chapter 30

A/N: This is a key turning point. The Draft and all the stuff that decides Harry's a Draco's future is up next. Everyone who has reviewed my story, you have made me so happy over these last months which have been pretty difficult for me personally. To know that I have made so many people happy makes me glad that I stuck with the idea even though AU fics don't usually make it and my other work hadn't been so good. To my friend Crazykeeper, you are a lady among girls. You inspired me to write this story in the first place, so as I post the 30th chapter I'd like to thank you for telling me to do it. To those of you who started in the begining with me, the journey is not over yet. Though I do know how it ends, I don't know how long it will be before I get there. I love you all very much, please review