𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭 & 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 | drarry

18

The first brisk winds of autumn had begun to sweep across the Hogwarts grounds, rustling leaves and sending a refreshing chill through the air. Harry and Draco, as heads of Gryffindor and Slytherin respectively, stood near the Quidditch pitch, watching the tryouts unfold.

The field was buzzing with excitement, and their eyes focused on the two figures darting across the sky-Mathias Fawley and Damian Travers, now second-year students, both eager to prove themselves on their house teams.

Harry let out a low whistle, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Look at that," he said, nodding towards Mathias and Damian as they both expertly looped through the air, their focus sharp as they chased after a glimmering Snitch released for the tryouts. "They're both pretty good. But, Merlin-both going for Seeker? The irony."

Draco, his eyes narrowed slightly in thought, gave a half-amused huff. "I suppose it's fitting, isn't it? Two boys constantly at each other's throats, competing for the same position." He watched Damian pull ahead slightly, his movements graceful and determined. "They have talent, though. More than I'd have expected, given how much time they spend bickering."

Harry grinned, nudging Draco lightly with his elbow. "You know, I've got an idea," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. "What if we use this to our advantage? Get them on the pitch together-force them to work it out. It's not like we haven't had our own share of Seeker rivalry."

Draco shot him a sidelong glance, a brow lifting in curiosity. "You mean-train them? Both of them?" His lips curved slightly. "You think we can actually pull that off?"

Harry shrugged, his gaze drifting back to the sky, where Mathias and Damian were still neck-and-neck in their pursuit of the Snitch. "Why not? They're both stubborn enough to push each other. Quidditch has a way of... allowing people to bond over something bigger than themselves."

Draco paused, watching as Mathias, with a determined glint in his eyes, managed to outmaneuver Damian for just a moment before Damian quickly regained the lead. The fierce determination on both boys' faces was unmistakable-it was as if they were channeling all of their rivalry into the chase.

Draco exhaled softly, a small, knowing smile playing at his lips. "Alright, Harry," he said, glancing at Harry. "Let's talk to the coach."

With that, the two made their way over to Madam Graham, the new Quidditch coach. She stood on the sidelines, a watchful eye on the tryouts, her whistle dangling from her neck. As they approached, she turned to them with a curious tilt of her head. "Professors Potter, Malfoy-to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Harry exchanged a look with Draco before stepping forward, his expression earnest. "We've got a bit of an idea," he said. "Those two boys-Mathias Fawley and Damian Travers-they're both trying out for Seeker, right?"

Madam Graham nodded, her eyes flicking back towards the two boys, now hovering near the goalposts, clearly catching their breath after an intense round of chasing. "Yes. Both very talented."

Draco stepped in, his voice smooth. "Harry and I would like to personally train them. You've probably noticed they're not exactly... friends."

Madam Graham's brows lifted in surprise, a knowing smile curving her lips. "Not exactly the word I'd use, no," she said. "They're at each other every chance they get."

"Exactly," Harry said, a hint of determination in his voice. "But we're hoping that maybe-if they train together, if they learn to rely on each other-it could help them move past their differences. Maybe even help them understand each other better. And honestly, Draco and I have a bit of experience with that kind of rivalry." He shot Draco a small smile, to which Draco responded with a slight roll of his eyes, though there was an unmistakable warmth behind it.