The game and love

7

Harry had figured Draco needed to get away from football for a day, so he planned a nice picnic. They had wednesday off for a school meeting and so Harry thought that a picnic would be great. It was early November, so the weather still allowed for some outside activity. The sun was out and the trees in their bright fall colors just looked romantic to Harry who just imagined them out enjoying the air.

Draco was excited as well, he felt that he needed the time away, as well as time alone with Harry. In fact, he realized that they hadn't really spent alot of time together since their first date. "So, you're going out then?" Ron asked as he packed up their notes for the game. "Yeah, I just need a break and Harry needs some time from me." Draco said to no one in particular. "The dance is Saturday after the game, have you thought about going?" Draco shook his head. "Well you know everyone is going to notice you're not there." Draco shrugged. "Has he asked you?" "No." "And if he does?" "I don't know." Ron picked his bag and made his way to leave. "Well, I'll see you later man, don't forget my offer." Draco waived him off and sat in his own thoughts. He never even considered the dance, he knew he couldn't really go.

Hermione was excited the dance was upcoming and she wondered if Harry would go. "So are you going to go?" Harry shrugged innocently. "But you have to, this is one of the last ones this year." Harry frowned, he hated when she made him feel weird for not doing what she thought was best, she didn't have a clue about what he was thinking. "Look, I haven't even asked Draco yet, so even if I thought I was, I wouldn't know." "But you are going to ask right?" "I don't know Hermione, just drop it." she scoffed at him. "Fine." she snapped and got up and left. He thought that he might have been harsh, but he was too annoyed to care.

"Hey Draco." Harry said as he answered the door. "come in and have a seat, I'm still getting some things ready." Draco grabbed Harry around the waist as he turned around to go into the kitchen. "You're all the something I need. I could eat you all up." He kissed Harry's cheek as he tried to squirm from his grasp. "Draco quit, you'll make me blush." Draco let go and Harry went into the kitchen. "It's your loss anyway." Draco called after him.

As they came to the park Harry was kind of quiet. Draco was used to it by now though, after scaring himself several times forgetting he was there, or having him sneek up on him in a quiet moment. 'the boy is like a ninja' Draco laughed to himself and put his hand over Harry's, which instantly closed into a soft grasp.

The picnic was soon forgotten as the romantic scene unfolded. They sat under some brightly colored trees, pretty close to some water. "This is beautiful Harry." Harry was sitting, wrapped in Draco's arms, just absorbing the closeness of the moment. "Why me?" Harry asked, suprised he said it aloud. "What do you mean, why not you?" "You can have anyone you want." He thought a minute. "Do you remember when we first met?" Harry nodded. "I knew then." Harry smiled. "Really?" "Yeah." "Me too." Harry said smiling to himself.

The afternoon carried on slowly amd eventually, the boys remembered they had some food to eat. Draco bit into a sandwhich and smiled. "Peanut butter and Jelly?" He said, mouth overstuffed. Harry nodded and bit into his own sandwhich. When he finished swallowing, he asked a question that had been on his mind for years. "What makes you like football?" Draco put his sandwhich down and froced himself to swallow a large mouthful, which was difficult because this bite seemed to be more peanut butter. "Ever hear of Troy Aikman?" Harry nodded. "Well, when I was eight, I used to watch him all the time." The way he used to lead his team down the field when they were behind, or when he'd play hurt. I just always wanted to be like him." He thought for a minute, but decided that that was all he could tell Harry, his other reason still very raw in his mind.

"Wow, I guess I understand that." Harry said nicely. "Did you know my dad used to play?" Harry asked suddenly. Draco thought a minute and then his eyes widened as it came to him. "You're Dad is James Potter, as in, the number one Tailback out of mississippi state?" Harry nodded. "Wow." "Yeah, he wanted me to play, but I didn't like it very much." It was Draco's turn to nod. Draco got up, "Let's go for a walk." He took Harry's hand and helped him up.

Draco let Harry ride piggy back as they walked the park. "So, what makes you like watching me so much?" Harry thought for a minute. "Your grace and perfection, passion and dedication, they're all beautiful things about you." Draco smiled. "Gee, I thought you'd say," Draco imitated Harry's voice in a mocking manor. "Draco, it's your great hair and that fantastic ass, your supple skin and loving eyes." Harry stopped him by shifting his weight a bit. "All of those things are great, I just didn't want to seem like a slut." Draco laughed and Harry barely got down before Draco collaped in giggles.

"Don't laugh at me." Harry blushed six shades of red and gave a pouty face. Draco looked over at him and stood up, collected him in his arms and gave him a hug. "Oh, I'm sorry Harry." he said softly. "I just laughed because I thought of you being a slut and it was kind of funny." He fought off a few snickers and gave Harry a kiss on the head. "Harry, you are a good guy, soft, shy and innocent. I never would think such a bad thing of you." He looked at him and grinned. "If you had said any of that stuff when I asked you, I would have suspected an alien invasion, or something." They both laughed.

Lucius Malfoy lay in the hospital bed, as he had these past months, regreting his life. Namely, the pressure he had put his son under. Their last vist didn't go very well and everyday he looked at the nurse hopefully and got the 'no' shake and slumped down. He knew he wouldn't be around much longer, he only wished that there would be one final chance to redeem himself in his son's mind before his time came.

"So, are you going to the Dance?" Harry asked somewhat nervous. "I don't know." Harry looked at him with concern. Draco came up behind him and pulled him into a tough embrace. "I don't think we could go to the dance together, so. I won't worry about it." He said simply, knowing full well this decision wouldn't go over well and people would notice. Harry sighed. "You need to go, people will ask too many questions." Draco shook his head. "I won't go without you." "Well, you just said we couldn't go together." Harry added, "But what if I went as your friend, it would be fine." Draco still didn't like it, but he knew he had to go, Harry was right. "Ok, we'll go, but only for a little while."

Draco's final agreement was in heavy reluctance, he didn't want Harry to be alone. He knew that's how it would end up, and it scared him. Harry getting lost in a big unknown crowd. If he stayed near Draco, some of Draco's teamates were likely to make jokes about him. Something that Draco had omitted from his concerns for Harry. Now, the more he thought about it, the more the idea seemed bad, but like when he let his arm throw, the ball was in motion and wherever it went was up to the fates.

Ron and Hermione had spent the day together getting clothes, eating a meal and just generally in eachothers company. Ron found her attractive, but a bit of a know-it-all, however, this endearing trait had perhaps saved his friendship. A fact of which he was very greatful, his quiet nature and big stature made it ough for him to make friends, so Draco happened to be his only friend, though now it appeared as if he would have a girlfriend.

"So what do you wanna do after the dance?" Hermione asked noticing Ron's expression was vaccant, She asked again. "What do you wanna do after the dance?" Ron shrugged, "Draco and I thought we'd go drink some and watch a movie at my house. As far as I know, he's asking Harry along and I was supposed to invite you?" She eyed him for a moment. "well?" she asked. "Well?" Ron repeated confused. Hermione let out a heavy sigh. "Are you inviting me, or what?" Realization hit Ron's expression. "Oh yeah, so you wanna come?" Ron asked half-heartedly. "I would love to." She replied snotily.

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End chapter 7 A/N next is the dance. Pay attention to the thoughts in this chapter, they are very important. Please review.