The Whole Nine Yards

Chapter Eighteen - The Game And A Party

~ The Field Near The Burrow ~

The two teams faced each other, high above the rudimentary Quidditch pitch. Harry and Draco's entire team wore cold masks while the Weasley team were still looking bewildered.

Remus was on the ground below them with the balls. He released the bludgers and they shot off into the sky at a tremendous speed. The snitch was released next and buzzed around Harry's head, then Charlie Weasley's before flicking out of sight. Finally, Remus threw up the Quaffle and the game began.

Harry rose up above the fast-paced game and watched his husband for a second. Draco, Sirius and Blaise were working well together as they passed the Quaffle between them and darted around the Weasley's who blocked their path. All their training paid off as Blaise scored the first goal of the game within the first five minutes.

Ron was starting to look pissed off as he muttered orders to the rest of his team.

Draco flew past Harry and they high-fived, grinning at each other. They were off to a good start.

Harry glanced over at Dean, guarding the other goal hoops. Oliver hadn't been able to make it to their amateur game, he'd been too busy playing professional Quidditch but Dean was a good replacement.

Ginny was now in possession of the Quaffle and she was racing down the pitch towards the Weasley goal hoops. Justin smashed a bludger in her direction but she deftly ducked beneath it and threw the Quaffle to Percy. Percy, Bill and Ginny passed the Quaffle between them a few more times before scoring their first goal. Dean had missed blocking the ball by mere centimetres.

Two hours later, the scores were 80 points to each team and there still hadn't been a sign of the snitch.

Harry was beginning to think that the spells turning the field into a contained Quidditch pitch had failed and the snitch could be miles away by now. He was getting tired of circling around the pitch searching for a sparkle of gold.

"You okay?" Draco asked with concern, flying up beside him as the game continued below him.

"Yeah, I just wish that damn snitch would show up," Harry replied with a tired smile. "You were born to be a chaser."

Draco smiled wryly. "I have thought, during this game, that perhaps Slytherin would have had more success against Gryffindor if I had played chaser and allowed someone with more talent to play seeker."

Blaise, surrounded by Weasley's suddenly threw the Quaffle directly above himself and into Draco's hands. Draco darted off across the pitch towards Ron and the goal hoops.

Harry chanced a glance over at Charlie and noticed him watching the chasers. Harry's gaze then fell towards the spectators who were currently eating lunch.

It was then that he saw it. A flash of gold down to the left of the spectators. Harry's breath quickened and his pulse raced as the adrenaline flowed. His eyes flicked back to Charlie but the red-head was cheering his team on, shouting encouragements to his younger brothers and sister.

Harry steeled himself and took off. Every single person there froze for a single moment as Harry suddenly sprung into action. Charlie was the first to shake it off and he flew after Harry.

However, Harry had the element of surprise on his side and Charlie had reacted too slowly to be any real threat. Harry caught the snitch and held it up triumphantly as the rest of his team cheered.

Both teams landed on the ground and Harry's teammates swept him up into a big group hug.

Dean and Justin were the first to be pulled away by their significant others. Sirius then left to chat to Arthur and Remus. Seamus decided to speak to Hermione after Draco shot him a stern look. Blaise and Percy were in the midst of an animated discussion of Ministry business.

Draco threw his arms around Harry. "Congratulations, love."

"Congratulations to you too, Drac. You were incredible," Harry replied with a grin.

"Do we have to go to the party tonight?" Draco asked in a whisper as he pressed his body firmly against Harry's.

"Stop that!" Harry laughed. "We have to go the party. The Weasley's are expecting us and we are the winning team."

"Fine, fine," Draco declared airily. "But we're not staying late. I am going to have my wicked way with you tonight!"

Harry kissed Draco's neck before pulling away from the blonde. "Let's go mingle. We have to commiserate with the losers!"

~The Burrow~

Later that evening, the party at the Burrow was in full swing. It was held outside the back of the house and there was lively music playing.

Harry glanced around at his friends and surrogate family. His heart was full of love and light. It really was too bad that they had to go back to Hogwarts in a week.

Harry's eyes automatically searched for his husband. He relaxed as he found the blonde sitting next to Hermione, engaged in what appeared to be a very serious conversation.

As Harry stood by the bar, he watched the pair of them carefully. Hermione was gesturing emphatically while Draco looked unsure. He shook his head as he said something to Hermione and then held his head in his hands. Hermione reached over and rubbed his forearm sympathetically as she said something to him.

Harry raised his beer bottle to his lips and drank some. He was a bit worried about what the two of them were talking about but he hoped that Draco would tell him about it later.

Draco must have felt his eyes on him because he suddenly glanced over at Harry and caught his eye. They stared at each other for a moment before Draco returned to his conversation with Hermione.