A Summer in the Life of Draco

It was a few hours before the Quidditch match and Draco was digging through his closet to find his Bulgaria t-shirt. He dug through everything, but couldn't find it anywhere. Frustrated, he tugged at his hair, walked down the hall to Ella's room, and knocked.

"Ella! Do you have any Bulgaria Quidditch garb I could wear?" he asked through the wooden door. Ella opened it for him and Draco walked into her room, which was covered with clothes.

"You don't have to shout, you know. Oh, and yes, I do have some stuff you can borrow. They send me something new every week," said Ella with an eye roll. She walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a large cardboard box. She set it on the ground in front of Draco. "Help yourself to whatever you want."

Draco was like a kid in a candy store as he rummaged through the box of goods. There were jackets, cloaks, t-shirts, scarves, hats, flags, candies, even underwear! Ella looked good today. Her hair was up in a cute little ponytail with red and black curly ribbons tied to it. She was wearing blue jeans, tennis shoes, and an old, tattered Quidditch jersey. It didn't look at all new, so Draco asked where she had gotten it.

"Where on earth did you get that nasty thing?" he asked. Ella looked around, not sure what he was talking about. When she noticed what he was staring at, she looked almost insulted.

"Draco, this was Viktor's practice jersey from the first year he ever played for Bulgaria. He gave it to me when I was...well, when I really needed him there for me," she said. Draco felt like he had just slapped her in the face.

"Oh... sorry Ella. I didn't know."

"It's ok. I didn't expect you to know," she said. Ella reached into the box at Draco's feet and pulled out a little tattoo of a Snitch and the name "Krum" underneath it. She applied it to her cheek and examined herself in the floor length mirror that was besides her wardrobe. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she turned back to Draco who was holding up a scarlet t-shirt and examining it.

"I think I'll go with this one," said Draco. He took off his current shirt and put on his new Bulgaria Quidditch tee. To top everything off, he put a red scarf around his neck. They still had about three hours until they needed to be at Will-Call.

"Ok Draco, it's one and the game starts at four. We need to be at the stadium by three o'clock. I figure if we get there early enough, I could get us onto the playing field to meet the players if you wanted to," asked Ella. Draco's eyes lit up. He wrapped her into a rib-shattering hug.

"Ella, you keep amazing me every day! How could you possibly get us on the field though?" he asked her. Ella smiled.

"Viktor makes sure that I'm well cared for when I go to these things. Plus, the coach wants me on the team really badly, so I could get just about anything I wanted out of him," she said.

"Oh," said Draco in return. Clearly, Ella had connections.

"Yep! Well, we had better start on our way. I think you're going to like how we get there," she said with a smile. Draco gave her a confused look. What was up with her and surprises?

They walked downstairs where they found Melanie and Narcissa sitting in the breakfast nook. The rest of the household had gone out for the day; except for Derek, who was still sleeping. They seemed to be discussing the wedding, seeing as that was all anyone ever talked about these days.

"Goodness, I can't believe that she wants to pay to have two hundred roses turned silver! We all know the incantation for changing an objects color! It wouldn't take us long to do it ourselves," said Melanie. Narcissa nodded her head in agreement, and then Melanie saw Ella and Draco approaching them. "Oh, hello love."

"Hello Mother. Did our mode of transportation arrive yet?" she asked with a wink. Melanie instantly understood and gestured to the garden.

"Are you guys about ready to take off?" asked Narcissa.

"Yep. It should be a good match today. I cannot believe that France's Keeper is injured, though. That will have a huge impact on the match," said Draco matter-of-factly.

"Well, you two have a good time. And Ella, give my best wishes to Viktor if you see him before the match," said Melanie as she grabbed a pastry from the plate in front of her. Draco and Ella said their goodbyes and walked back into the large garden.

When they rounded the lattice on the corner, Draco saw what Ella had been talking about. Waiting patiently for them were two brand new Firebolt 2000's. Ella smiled.

"Viktor owled me last night and told me that he would be sending some over," she explained. There was an awkward silence as Draco stood rooted on the spot. Ella broke the silence. "Well?"

"I... I don't know what to say! This is AWESOME!" he said as he ran over to his broom. Ella wouldn't let him fly on her broom, so he was very excited for this new experience. "Let's get going!" he said. He sounded like an antsy little schoolboy. Ella laughed and mounted her broom.

"We have to be careful. I know a route that doesn't go over any muggle territory, but we should try to stay over cloud cover just in case," she said. Draco swung his leg over his broom and savored the moment. Oh, if he only had one of these for next year... "Draco? Did you hear me?"

"What? Oh, yeah, stay out of sight. Gotcha," he said. Ella rolled her eyes. Today would definitely be an experience.

They kicked off the ground and began the slow flight over the French countryside. Ella rode with ease, but Draco was doing flips, dives, and spins at every available opportunity. Ella was worried about keeping them concealed, so she flew in front of his path, which caused him to come to a screeching halt.

"Ella! What was that for?!" asked a very annoyed Draco. Ella, who was just as annoyed, tried to stay calm.

"Draco, do you remember what I said to you before we left?" Draco nodded to show he understood. "Ok, then you need to listen to me. When we get to the stadium, you can fly around as much as you want. Until then, I want you to fly by my side and not do anything stupid. You got that?" she asked. She sounded as if she were scolding a kindergartener. Draco hung his head and said that he would be a good boy. They continued their slow flight to the stadium.

Ella estimated that it would take them about thirty minutes to get there. She had flown there before about two years ago, but this time she was on a much better broom. Draco was finally listening to her and was staying by her side. She could sense, however, that he would love to do a Wronski Feint right about now.

After a good twenty-five minutes of flying, Ella saw the large French stadium, Fabricant Rêveur, in the distance. She pointed it out to Draco, who nodded his head to show that he understood. They turned their brooms in that direction and flew on towards the stadium.

They landed softly in a clearing that was a few hundred feet from the stadium. This was the first time Draco had ever been to this facility, and he was amazed by the size of it! It made Hogwarts look like a practice field. Ella saw that his mouth was hanging open and he must be thinking what she first thought when she came here.

When she was in her fourth year at Durmstrang, she came here to watch one of Viktor's matches. Because of her connections, she had been given the grand tour of the entire stadium. This place was as top-of-the-line as you could get. The French team had a huge stadium, a weight room, a practice field, and an indoor field. There was also a pressroom where interviews were conducted. France wasn't nearly as good as Bulgaria, but they were an up-and-coming program with a lot of money. They were also one of the teams that were heavily recruiting her.

"Impressive, huh?" Ella asked Draco, who was still looking at the stadium. Draco was tongue-tied and couldn't seem to speak. He just moved his head up and down. Ella laughed and grabbed his hand. She began to drag him in the direction of the stadium.

They battled their way through the large crowd of people. Occasionally, Ella would run into people that she new and would begin speaking very fast in either French or Bulgarian. Draco did not understand how someone could know how to speak three languages. When this would happen, he would just stand by Ella's side and smile. He looked down at his watch and realized that they only had two hours until the game started.

"Ella, we don't have much time. If you want to get on the field to see Krum before the match, we better get going moving," he said to her. She was currently talking to a girl that she had known at Beauxbatons. She bid her farewell and they went over to Will-Call tent that was set up by the vendors. Ella strutted her way up to the person who worked there. He was a chubby little man with a mustache and a bald head. He looked up from his clipboard when he saw them approach.

"Bon jour, comment ose j'aidez-vous?" he asked in very fast French. Draco spoke some French, but he was nowhere near fluent. Ella took care of all the talking and filling out the forms, and they were given their passes about five minutes later. They said their goodbyes and were on their way to the indoor field entrance.

Ella led Draco through the large crowd. It was noisy as people yelled comments to fans of the opposing team. Ella tried to hold back her anger when someone made a comment about Viktor's IQ. He was actually a very intelligent person. However, what did they know?

They reached the entrance to the indoor field after a ten-minute walk through the crowd and a near fight with a French supporter. They flashed their all-access passes to the guard at the door, which let them through. They walked in to find a miniaturized Quidditch pitch.

Draco saw the French and Bulgarian team, who were doing stretching exercises. Ella noticed Viktor, who waved at them from where he was. He stood up and walked over to the water fountain. Just then, a tall, black haired man walked over to where Ella and Draco stood observing.

"Ella Stone? Is that you?" he asked. Ella turned to see him and instantly recognized him. He was the Bulgaria head coach.

"Liam! It is so good to see you again!" said Ella as she shook his hand. Draco stood back and let them catch up.

"Well Ella, have you decided your chosen path?" Liam asked with raised eyebrows. Ella giggled uncomfortably.

"Liam, you know as well as I do that I can't say anything yet. I don't want to do a verbal contract right now," she said. "Do you have any new recruits?"

"There are a few from that American school that I'm looking at. They have a pair of Beaters that I am interested in. France has a few recruits here today, though. Some Seeker from Hogwarts..." he said, but cast it off as if it were nothing. Draco on the other hand was keen to hear who was being recruited.

"Well, my friend Draco here is a Seeker at Hogwarts. He's quite talented," she said to the coach. Liam turned his gaze on Draco. He looked him up and down as if he were a racehorse he was ready to bet on.

"Oh really? What house?" he said, walking around Draco.

"Slytherin, sir."

"Aw yes, I've heard of you. Lucius' son, if I am not mistaken. The Quidditch world tosses your name around quite a bit, and if Ella says you're good, it must be true! That other boy is here from one of your houses. Griffingdoor... Griffisdoor..."

"Gryffindoor?" said Draco in a shocked voice.

"That's the one!" said Liam. "That's him over there. I'm not sure who that redheaded kid is that's with him."

Draco looked where Liam was gesturing. Sure enough, there was Potter and Weasley. Instantly, a vicious scowl lit up his features. Ella looked at him, a confused look on her face.

"Ella, why don't you go over and put in a good word for Bulgaria with him? He is rather good. Although, we won't need a new Seeker for a while if Krum stays in good shape."

"Alright!" agreed Ella. She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into. She grabbed a very reluctant Draco by the hand and dragged him over to where Harry Potter and Ron Weasley watched the French team do their stretches.

"Malfoy?!" said Ron, venom dripping from his voice.

"Weasley, Potter," said Draco with as much hatred as he was feeling. Ella was blissfully unaware of the sheer dislike between the three boys.

"Hi! I'm Ella Stone," she said, holding her hand out to Harry, who shook it politely. Ron did the same. "Are you two here with the French team?"

"He is, I'm not," said Ron, gesturing to Harry.

"Oh, well I don't know why you're over here. Bulgaria is a much better team. If I were you, I'd be looking to join them," she said. They heard Liam excuse the team from their stretches and Viktor began to walk over to them. "Sweetie, I need to talk to Viktor for a moment. Would you mind telling these two how wonderful Bulgaria is?" she said, batting her eyelashes. Draco smiled at her.

"Yeah, I guess so," he said. Ella got on her toes and kissed him. With a final squeeze of his hand, she was off to talk to Krum. The three boys stared daggers at each other.

"Wow Draco, where'd you get that nice piece of ass? Did she feel sorry for you?" said Harry. He glared at Draco from behind his glasses.

"Actually, she tells me she likes me for my personality. Nevertheless, look, don't touch, Potter. She's not your type anyway. She's a pureblood. Not some mudblood like that girlfriend of yours," he said. Harry gritted his teeth and gripped his wand inside his robes. Ron looked like he might jump him. Draco just stood there casually.

"Not another word about Hermione, Malfoy. At least my girlfriend's got some brains," he said in Hermione's defense.

"Ella doesn't need book smarts. She's one of the top Chasers in the school division. Both of these teams and many more are heavily recruiting her," he said. Ron and Harry both shut up. Ella walked back over with Viktor in tow. She was still unaware of the glares between the two groups.

"Draco, we need to go up to the suite. The teams need to go into the locker rooms to get ready," she said. Draco threw one final glare at Potter and Weasley before heading off with Krum and Ella.

"Good luck, Viktor! I'll be watching, so don't you screw up!" said Ella, giving him a big hug around the neck.

"I won't, because I know you would scold me heavily after the game," he said with a laugh. He turned to Draco.

"Go get 'em, Krum," Draco said, shaking his hand.

"Viktor!" yelled Levski, one of the Chasers. Viktor blew and final kiss to Ella before heading into the locker rooms. A guard, who would escort them up to the suite, met Ella and Draco. Ella flashed Draco a smile and took his hand in hers as they followed the man up the stairs.

"Oh Draco, this is so exciting! Bulgaria has been playing great lately! And with France using Bestow as their Keeper, it's a guaranteed victory!" she said. Draco agreed with her. Bestow had been an afterthought draft pick from last season. He wasn't nearly as good as their usual Keeper.

They reached their hospitality suite, and the guard left them alone. It was twice as nice as England's hospitality rooms. The walls were painted in a sky-blue color to match France's robes. Couches and chairs were set up facing the large window where the match could be viewed. One of he walls was covered in a screen where you could watch the match from up close. There was also a telephone, which you could use to call room service.

Ella collapsed on the couch and faced the window, waiting for the game to start. Draco soon followed her, but stretched out the full length of the couch, putting his head on Ella's lap. She looked down on him and smiled.

"Draco, the game starts in ten minutes. The second it starts, I am going to be jumping up and down at random intervals and screaming my lungs out. If you want to lay your head on my lap, fine. But I am not taking any responsibility for damages that come to that pretty little face of yours," she said. Draco sat up and rested his feet on the window ledge.

"Point taken."

While they waited for the game to start, they called room service and ordered up some butterbeers, pumpkin pasties, and cauldron cakes. When they had eaten through about half of their cauldron cake stash, the announcer came on.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to Fabricant Rêveur! We have a fantastic match for you today! So without further ado, let me introduce you to... France!" he said to the cheers and applauding of the French supporters. The seven French players flew around the stadium performing aerial stunts to please the crowd. After their little show, they settled down in the center of the pitch. The announcer came on again.

"Now, please welcome the defending World Cup finalists... Bulgaria!" he said to the crowd, who went crazy. Ella was on her feet screaming as they flew around the stadium. They did their little show and faced the French in the center of the pitch.

"Hey Ella, I thought that since we're in France, the announcer would speak French," said a confused Draco. Ella rolled her eyes. Did she have to explain everything to this boy?

"He is speaking French, Draco. However, this room is enchanted to translate his words into English for us. It can translate his words into any language," she explained. Draco nodded to show that he understood, and turned his attention back to the pitch.

"The ref is now on the field. The two Bludgers are released, followed closely by the Golden Snitch. The whistle is blown, the Quaffle is released, and the match has begun!"

~*~*~*~*~

"It's a close game, folks. France leads 130-110. Levski has the Quaffle; he is going in for the score! But look! Viktor Krum appears to have seen the Snitch! He is flying down to the south end of pitch, followed closely by Rousseau. He's diving! Rousseau is right there with him! Viktor Krum is reaching for it! Oh no! They have crashed into the ground! This is not looking good, folks. Wait, wait! He's standing up! VIKTOR KRUM HAS CAUGHT THE SNITCH!"

Ella stood on her feet, jumping up and down and screaming at the top of her lungs. Viktor was hoisted into the air by his teammates as he waved the Snitch in his hand. Ella grabbed Draco by the arm and dragged him out of the box, down the steps and towards the entrance of the field.

"Draco, come on! We have to get down there!" she panted. Draco did his best to keep up as they weaved in and out of the crowds. They finally reached the gate, which was guarded heavily by big, muscular men. They flashed their all-access passes and were let threw the gate.

Ella ran at Viktor, arms outstretched. They met in a sweet embrace. Viktor twirled Ella around in a circle. She was crying from the happiness she felt for him. Every victory was a great new experience. When they had finally calmed down, Draco went over to give his congratulations.

"Great game, Krum. Absolutely fabulous job!" he said, shaking his hand.

"Thank you, Draco. Hopefully I will one day be playing you," he said as he let go of his hand. Draco blushed at the compliment. Viktor turned back to Ella.

"I have to go to a press conference, but I have something I need to ask you and Draco. I will owl you tomorrow. Ok?"

"Alright. I'll be looking forward to it," she said. Krum kissed her on the hand and waved goodbye to Draco before heading off the field and into the pressroom.

"Well Draco, we better get a move on. Our mothers are picking us up out front and they should be here by now," said Ella, grabbing Draco by the hand. She led him out the back way where, sure enough, there was Melanie, Narcissa, and Dominique waiting for them in the car. They climbed inside and started the long drive home.

Draco's head was swimming with ideas about what Viktor wanted to ask them. He was a nice person, but he was little too friendly with Ella for Draco's liking. He tried to be an understanding boyfriend and accept the fact that they were old pals from school, but that was getting harder and harder to do.