tick-tock | a drarry tale

IV.

For the first time since Harry's been at Hogwarts, he was finally relaxed.

It was nearing the end of Gryffindor's first Quidditch practice, and Harry was perched on his Firebolt, looking over his team as they were practicing Chaser drills.

Angelina wouldn't release the Snitch until their Chasers and Keeper knew what they were doing. Harry was fine with that; he needed a bit of time to relax. And that was only when he was flying.

He also got to watch Ron practice. He was a nervous-wreck, and even though the two currently weren't on speaking terms, Harry still wanted him to succeed.

He and everyone else on the team.

Ron just let another Quaffle in, and Angelina groaned into her hand. She flew over to Ron, said a few things Harry couldn't hear, and then flew off with her fellow Chasers.

The team wasn't coming together like Harry thought it would, but it was only the first practice. They still had plenty of time to improve.

__________

After practice, Harry jogged up to Ron as the team made their way back to the castle.

"Ron..." Ron glanced over at him as Harry reached his side. "You did great!"

The ginger ignored him and kept walking.

"Ron..." Harry repeated.

"Leave it, Harry. You know that's not the truth. I was terrible," Ron moaned.

"You'll get better, I promise. It's just nerves," Harry explained, trying his best to cheer his friend up.

"Mhm," Ron mumbled.

The pair stayed silent until they met up with Hermione in the Great Hall.

"How was practice?" she asked greedily as the food appeared at their usual places.

"Terrible," Ron croaked, grabbing some chicken legs.

Hermione eyed Harry. "Really?"

"Well.. for him-"

"I missed every shot! How did I even get on the team?" Ron ranted, taking a bite of his meal.

Hermione rolled her eyes while Harry took a piece of chicken. He glanced across the room at the Slytherin table, watching Malfoy take a drink from his goblet. Malfoy met his gaze, and Harry averted his eyes back to his chicken, blushing wildly due to being caught staring.

__________

Across the room, Draco was still staring at Harry.

Why was he blushing?

Draco shifted uncomfortably and tuned back into his group's conversation.

"- is a Death Eater. I would love to be one. I mean, c'mon, who wouldn't want to follow the Dark Lord?" Pansy asked, keeping her voice down.

Ever since they got caught talking about the Dark Lord by Professor Sprout, they had to keep quiet when they talked about him, which was every day pretty much. Draco was starting to get tired of it in all honesty.

"I don't know, but if he truly is back, after I get out of here, I'm joining his ranks," Goyle said in the middle of chewing his potatoes.

Draco stared lazily at them, not really engaged in the conversation.

The Dark Lord.. why was I having doubts about him?

He looked down at his empty plate, not having an appetite.