Losing The Game

Warning/disclaimer: All recognizable Harry Potter characters and places are not mine, They belong to J.K., I\'m just borrowing them and will give them back later slightly worse for the wear but perfectly fine. I make no money off this, please don\'t sue etc, etc.
~. . .~- song lyrics
\". . .\"- talking
\'. . .\'- thoughts

Losing The Game CH 1~


~Tell me exactly what am I supposed to do
Now that I have allowed you to beat me
Do you think that we can play another game?
Maybe I can win this time.~


Draco could feel the anger swelling up inside him, could feel the flush in his cheeks and the tight clenching burn in his belly as the crowd cheered loudly. He took a last lap around the pitch and came down into the circle of his glaring teammates. He kept his face impassive and his jaw clenched tight as he strode past them arrogantly. He spun around at the hand grasping his robe, fist clenched, ready to swing. Cold silver eyes met the angry browns of his dormmate.

\"By Salazar, Malfoy, can\'t you find the damn snitch before him just once! It would be nice for Slytherin to win the Cup for a change.\"

The blonde felt a subtle tremor in his neck and shoulders as the rage boiled higher. His voice reflected none of the fire inside him, it was a cold snap of frost, full of superiority and arrogance.

\"I suggest that you keep your fat mouth shut, Zabini. If you value your position on this team that is.\"

The slightly pudgy brunette sputtered in his anger. \"You can\'t . . . Professor Snape -\"

Draco turned sharply on his heel tossing his response over his shoulder. \"Professor Snape is not Captain of this team, I am. He may give suggestions from time to time but I, as Captain, have final say.\"

Draco had nearly reached the end of the pitch when he saw the tall, aristocratic form of his father waiting for him. The elder Malfoy did not look happy, but then when did he? \'Of all the day\'s for him to attend a game,\' Draco thought with acidic bitterness. \'He wasn\'t here when we severely trounced Ravenclaw or demolished Hufflepuff, nooo, HAD to be today when I lost, yet again, to that blasted walking scar and his band of weasels.\' He heaved a large internal sigh and tried to dredge up some patience for the forthcoming conversation. He stopped in front of his father and gave a small nod.

\"Father, how nice of you to take time out of your busy schedule to attend my match against Gryffindor.\"

\'Oh, bravo, Draco, sarcasm really does become you.\'

Silver eyes identical to his own narrowed slightly. \"Yes, Draco, I must say I felt so proud when the snitch was caught by . . . No, wait it wasn\'t by you was it? Tell me do you even know what the snitch looks like?\"

\'Ouch, becomes him more.\'

Draco tensed even more, if such was possible, at the soft snickers that came from behind him. His teeth ground together so hard he was surprised they didn\'t crack under the pressure. He turned around and sent a very Malfoy worthy glare at Zabini and Nott. A look that promised severe retribution. They gave each other a nervous, fearful look and practically ran into the locker room.

\"I\'m disappointed in you, Draco.\"

He turned to face his father again, staring down at his shoes, trying to summon up a look of contrition. \'When are you not?\'

\"I\'m sorry, Father.\"

\"That is not enough to make up for how badly you\'ve made us both look.\"

Draco continued to look at the ground barely hearing his father\'s familiar tirade as his heart thrummed out the rapid beat of his growing rage. The only outward clues were his white knuckled grip on his broom and the slight involuntary twitch of his jaw.

\"I\'ll do better, I promise, Father.\"

\"No, that isn\'t good enough, Draco. I have asked Professor Snape to remove you from the team.\"

The shorter blonde\'s head snapped up in shock. \"What? But I\'m Captain!\"

His father sighed and shook his head. \"You have had five years to prove yourself in this game and not once have you succeeded in beating that waste of magic. I have decided since you are so worthless in Quidditch that you are to be removed from the team. I do hope that with the extra time to devote to your studies that you will finally succeed in earning top marks and will no longer be out done by that disgusting mudblood Granger!\"

Draco stared at his father, his eyes like molten silver in his anger. As the rage boiled over his tongue was no longer ruled by his brain.

\"Funny, if he\'s such a waste of magic how neither you or the Dark Lord have been able to defeat him.\"

He hissed in pain as his father grabbed his chin in a tight grip bringing their faces close together.

\"You would do well not to insult myself or the Dark Lord again, Draco. You know all too well the punishment for that crime, do you not?\" Lucius tightened his hold, his voice cold and unfeeling as his only child squirmed in his grasp. \"Do. You. Not?\"

\"Yes!\" Draco hissed, his belly quivering in fear and impotent rage as he thought of the scars crisscrossing his back, hips and buttocks.

\"Good.\" Lucius let him go, shoving Draco away from him. \"Now get out of my sight, I\'ll give your mother your regards.\"

\"Yes, Father, thank you.\" he bit out through clenched teeth.

Draco strode swiftly into the locker room, power was collecting around him heavily like clouds before a thunderstorm. The gazes of his five male teammates were instantly riveted on him. He ignored them for a few moments as he went to his locker. He let go of the broom handle, not even feeling the ache in his fingers from holding it so tightly. He then removed his wand from inside his guantlet, methodically removing all his outer Quidditch gear, leaving him in just his cream colored trousers and green jumper. He went still, hearing the others dressing and whispering amongst themselves. He could feel it, how close he was to losing control of his rage, feel it like zaps along his spine. He could see it in the tremors of his hands and hear it in the no longer steady thrum of his heart.

\"Get out.\"

The other turned to look at him in question, some only half dressed. \"Malfoy?\"

\"GET OUT!\"

Draco turned to them and clenched both fists in his effort to restrain the power riding him but he felt it slip. The magic lashed outward and slammed every open locker shut simultaneously and caused a few of the gas lamps to explode.

\"Get. Out.\"

They all moved at once nearly tumbling over each other in their efforts to obey him. Draco sank onto the bench breathing heavily. He tore off his jumper, his skin flushed and sweaty. That small outburst had done nothing to quell what was rising inside of him. He could feel it pressing against his shields, needing to be let out, warning him to either use it or be used by it. If his mind hadn\'t been so clouded with rage and resentment he would have realized what was happening but his anger and magic were feeding off of each other, both growing in intensity.

\"Potter is our king! Weasley is our king!\"

Draco lifted his head at the fading sounds of singing coming from the other side of the wall. The Gryffindor locker room.

\"Fucking bloody Gryffindorks, ruining my damn song. Stupid arsehole git Weasley, fucking scarheaded git Potter.\"

Potter.

The blonde Slytherin was on his feet and out the door before his brain even registered his movements. He went straight through the Gryffindor locker room without pause heading for the showers.Once there his gaze flicked quickly over the partially separated stalls and settled on his target. Potter. He strode towards him, every step quick and confident, bare feet making soft squeaks on the wet floor.


~~~TBC