(HP) Chasing Draco

Part 3

"Malcolm, Bludger at three o'clock! Take a dive!"

"Thanks, Potter!"

Harry grinned as his teammate executed a perfectly smooth dive, avoiding the Bludger by a hair. These new brooms were fantastic. Heidi swopped alongside him, laughing with the pure joy of possessing a Nimbus 2020 that wasn't trying to throw her off. "Now that's quality," she grinned, spinning around him giddily. Harry laughed. The team was in high spirits. Practice was a different story now, thanks to their new equipment. He just hoped they could get to some actual practice in before the season started again.

He spotted a tell-tale glint at the far side of the pitch and took off at once. The Snitch hummed and hovered just out of reach and then as if spotting him, took off at the speed of light. Harry gave chase at once, stretching his hand out as he pursued his elusive quarry at break neck speed. The Snitch took a sharp right and he nearly swerved, but the broom held good and he snapped into action again. The Snitch fluttered indecisively for a second and that's all he needed. Harry whooped triumphantly as his fingers closed around the little golden ball.

"Time!" Oliver yelled from the goal posts. "Thirty four minutes! Not bad, people!"

Harry swopped to the ground and landed smoothly, his fist still clenched around the fluttering Snitch. "Got you, beautiful," he grinned. A sudden flash of silver eyes and soft, full lips assaulted his memory, catching him off guard. Harry blinked in surprise. Malfoy again... the git seemed to have permanently slithered his way into Harry's every waking moment.

It had been a few days since his last 'date' with the blond. Ever since, visions of Malfoy had haunted him. His lithe, slender body, the way he felt pressed up against Harry, how he had looked when he had thought Harry was about to kiss him... the Seeker grinned. It had been a while since he'd had the chance to rile Malfoy up. It was just as much fun as he remembered.

Too much fun, perhaps.

Harry let go of the Snitch, watching it buzz away. Malfoy was beautiful - the ultimate prize. But that didn't mean that he could lose focus. This was a deal and he had every intention of upholding his side of the bargain. But falling for the prat wasn't part of it, and Harry wasn't sure he wanted to.

A familiar flash of scarlet caught his attention suddenly and Harry grinned as he jogged down the pitch over to the stands. "Hey, pretty girl," he greeted, kissing the witch on the cheek.

"Excuse me?" Ginny retorted, flicking her ever present cigarette. "Do I know you, stranger?"

"Very funny," Harry snorted, sitting next to her. "I told you I was going to be busy for a while."

"You may have mentioned," she replied, releasing a gentle spire of smoke in his general direction. "Call me crazy but as official best friend and honorary fag hag, I expect a little more notice than 'Won't be around for a while. Stay golden. PS: New bartender at the Leaky - he's hot.'"

"Fag hag?" Harry repeated dryly.

"You deserved it. Now, care to tell me where you've been?"

"Around," Harry replied vaguely. "Practice and... other stuff."

Ginny grinned knowingly. "Does 'other stuff' have a name?"

"Damn, you're good."

"I knew it!" Ginny crowed. "So who is he? Anyone I know?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're not shacking up with Justin again, are you?"

"No!" Harry blurted at once. Honestly, even he shuddered slightly at the thought...

"Good," Ginny sniffed. "Anyone's better than that mess."