( 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 ― 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙛𝙤𝙮 / 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 )

[FIVE | LET THE GAME BEGIN]

GAME DAY ARRIVED QUICKER THAN EXPECTED. The minute they walked through the door, they were met with an overwhelming support from their school and district. Balloons, gifts and hugs were given that morning before they left and loaded the bus; being sent off with cheers of 'good luck!'

Now, with just two hours before the official starting, they kept themselves in the locker-room; reviewing their plays and plans one last time--alongside, getting out last minute jitters, replacing them with inner excitement and getting themselves in the mindset for when they play.

Suddenly, with fifteen minutes before the game, Oliver Wood--their coach--walked into the locker room at last; everyone turning to face him; "So this is it. This our very last game." Some began looking down, but he continued; scratching the back of his neck, 

" I just want you all to know that it's been an absolute privilege to be your coach for the past years. As each year goes on, you've improved by a hundred. You give it your all, and whenever you've lost, you came back, better than ever. You've worked hard to get where you are today, you were meant--no, born--for hockey." 

He looked at each on of them in the eye, "Don't let a fuckin' soul out there tell you that you weren't. I've seen you play, I've seen the passion--the fire in your eyes. Tonight, you are the greatest. You will be the ones to win. And I wouldn't have wanted to coach any other team, even if I had the chance." He smiled in what seemed like a million years, "Anything could happen out there, so play hard, and play until the very last second, got it? "

They all nodded, grinning with tears forming in their eyes. He turned to Harry, "Do you have any final words, captain?"

He nodded and stood up, "Six years is how long we've been together. Six years is how long we've been a team. So in other words...I don't give a damn what the scoreboard says in the end, we'll always be winners in my book. Why? Because you gave it your all. But despite that, I want you to work your asses off like this is the last thing you do on this earth. I want you to be practically begging to come off that ice because you've ran yourself rugged." He pointed towards the door, "Do you see that crowd out there, dressed in our colors? They believe in us, and I want you to do so as well."

"Let this be the game they still talk about decades later. Let this be the game you tell your kids about. Let this be the game this town won't ever forget! But still," He sighed," if there's a chance we don't win, just know I'm still proud of all your hard work leading up to now, and even after." His eyes went about the room, his words from the heart, "It has been an incredible honor to be a part of these team, and bond with you guys."

Some tears were shed and smiles were shared about the room before everyone went in for a hug; doing a silent prayer as well--their coach and captain in the center. 

Harry pulled back, a grin on his face, "Who are we?"

"The Golden Gryffindors!"

"And what are we gonna go out there and do?!" He screamed, beginning to feel the adrenaline course through his veins in excitement.

A long and screeching, "Win!"  followed after and they formed into another circle; throwing there hands in the center--screaming like maniacs. They gathered their things and went upstairs, traveling down the darkened hall.

They opened the (final) door and immediately, they heard music.

A trumpet was heard loud and clear throughout the arena and it was a sound the Gryffindors knew belonged to their theme song. They looked at one another, smiling as they looked up at the bleachers; only to be greeted with passionate fans who proceeded to yell out their names, hold up posters, and cheer them on--wearing their team's official colors (on their face and body) with pride.

Hermione, being the goalie, was the first step out onto the ice; and after getting into order, the rest followed--throwing up smiles and waves at the fans overhead. With forty minutes before the game, as they were waiting for everyone to be present, both teams skated around the rink as they proceeded on with pre-game warm-ups; the lights moving about them.

 From the laughter and constant chatter, you wouldn't have thought these were rivals out on the ice. 

As Harry rounded a corner, he saw a figure catching up beside him; a familiar Romanian accent sounding, "The Gryffindors look pretty badass, Potter. Nice job. I especially like Granger's short flow, fits her and her temper."

"Eh well, your team cleaned up nicely as well, I'll admit, I'm a bit intimidated." He shrugged and casually added, "Makes me wanna join the dark side just for a bit, ya know?" Harry glanced over at Draco and the two shared a laugh before every seat in the arena was filled, both teams were announced and the two captains were called towards the referee. 

Harry and Draco stepped towards the center (the optical illusion causing their movements to look like the ground was crumbling underneath with every stride) into the single spotlight; "Alright you two, shake hands."

Draco leaned forward, eyeing Harry with a smirk as he took his hand, 

"Scared Potter?"

Harry chuckled, squeezing his hand tighter as he now stood barely a centimeter away, his expression equally intimidating, 

"You wish."

Green bore into gray before the referee moved them back and stood at the side of them; their teams now positioned behind them. Both teams fueled the crowds' eagerness for the game (and for a fight) with their locked jaws and piercing stares at one another; the lights overhead shining just right on them in the darkened room as the floor underneath looked like fire underneath them.

 Dark crimson-red flames raged on the Gryffindors' side while a bewitched emerald green danced calmly on the Slytherins' side--the flames intertwining neatly where Harry and Draco stood.

The referee looked at both sides to make sure they were set correctly. She threw down the puck (the sound effect causing it to sound like a dropped brick) and looked at the captains, neither noticing for they were glaring at one another but the minute Madam Hooch's shot up between them, the two shared a devious smile and the start of a fierce game had begun.