The game and love

59

TRUTH BE TOLD
BY Rita Skeeter

We stand on the edge of a new era? Or perhaps a new understanding? Draco Malfoy should soon know if his team will take him back, or if they will kick him to the curb, like you do with an empty soda can. As a bright eyed charming 21 year-old kid he came in and amazed the media with his sweet words and honest candor. How honest was he though? He's a man while being absolutely public is almost silent when it comes to his personal life. Draco, it seems has glossed over the idea of his family and decided to leave out a great many things that I will now share with you.


Draco Malfoy could be the most prized and sought after man right now on any woman's most wanted list. Even at 36, he's well groomed fit and long blonde hair to his shoulders suits him more than most. However, most women would be dissappointed to learn that Draco Malfoy, the man who has won more games in 15 years than any QB previous to him is taken, and not just by anyone, but by Harry Potter. You read that right folks. Draco is playing for that team. According to sources within the Seahawks orginization they have prevously expelled any reporter who might try to release this to the press.

I write this article not to harm his image, but give it a more honest look. He is great there is no question. However, if you aren't honest and open, how can that be helpful to you? Many fans may be dissappointed by this truth and also amazed that he apparently is snagged by one of the most entertaining singers I have had a chance to watch live. It is amazing the more I think about it that they managed to keep this off the front page for so long. These two gifted gentlemen Have been together for the last 19 years according to some sources close to Harry's family.

As I learn more I shall let you know in future articles, this is truly one amazing story.

Draco read the article through again as Harry watched him. Harry knew this was very bad. The fact that someone in the Seahawks orginization alone meant that they had no allies. Draco read it again, unable to stop the crinkling of the pages as his hands did a better job of expressing his deep displeasure and fear. Harry would never understand this, he thought as he continued over the words. Draco sat after a few minutes. This was sure the last nail in the coffin, his career would be over, no team would want him now, this story would ruin him. He pulled Harry into a one armed hug and kissed his temple. Draco felt as though he was a million miles away.

"It'll be ok Drake, you'll see." Harry said, not sure who he was trying to convince with his words, himself or his husband. Harry could see the lines of saddeness that formed on Draco's face. Harry knew his thoughts. Draco was terrified that the people, or his fans rather, would try and discredit him and take away all of his accomplishments now, simply because he was a gay man. Harry became the person doing the hugging instead of the one being hugged. He felt Draco lean into him and let out a painful wheeze that was no doubt an attempt to hide his tears.

"They'll ruin me Harry, they'll ruin me." Draco said in anguish. It was the truth Harry guessed, so he did not disagree. They sat there together, each unsure of how to start talking again, unsure of how to absorb what they have both just read. It wasn't until Lucius bounded into their room sometime in the early noon that Draco and Harry stopped their mutual solitude.

"Hey dad, did you remember I have a game today?" Lucius spoke innocently. Draco gagged inwardly at himself, he'd forgotten.

"Yes, I remembered son." Draco said composing himself and getting up out of Harry's lap.

"Are you gonna come?" Lucius was still in overly sweet mode. When he was this way, it let his parents know there wouldn't be a know without some kind of super tantrum.

"Yes, I don't see why not." Draco smiled weakily and felt the little boy's arms attempt to crush his neck as Lucius hugged him.

"Yay! Now I will go tell Eric!" Lucius turned to leave and almost instantly turned around a look of stupidity on his face. "Papa, will you take me?" Lucius beamed a smile at Harry that made him forget his solemn mood. He laughed so softly that even Draco couldn't stop from smiling.

Harry couldn't keep his mind off Draco and how he must be feeling, even as he drove to the weaselys. He never minded coming here, the place was a third the size of Draco's and his home, but it was still large and boasted of wealth. The yard was well kept and the trees were pleasantly groomed. Lucius was already trying to jump out of his seat as the pulled up the long driveway.

"Lucius, what did I tell you?" Harry scolded his son, who sat back still in his seat and clicked his belt.

"Ummm, not to jump out before the car stops, but papa, I was not-" Lucius began defensively.

"Lucius, no, you know what your dad an I have both said about that." Lucius looked his knees.

"Sorry papa." Harry ruffed his son's hair as they finally did stop.

In a flash of shocking speed the boy was out of the car and to the door where he knocked with the fierocity of a bear. Harry walked causualy up to the door and watched as Hermione sweetly invited Lucius inside. She looked over and saw Harry walking up and she made sure before she spoke that Lucius was out of earshot. "Ron read the article this morning, how's Draco?" She asked kindly as she directed him inside.

"He's not handling it at all, he seems defeated." The last part was sharp an angry from Harry's lips.

"Ron wants to kill her." Hermione said, watching Harry's features as if they held a secret.

"He's not the only one." Harry snapped.

Harry and Hermione went quiet as both their boys came into the room and smiled like mirror images of their fathers. "Papa, Mrs. Weasely, can we go out and play the backyard." Eric didn't say a word, but kept smiling. Harry tried not to laugh at him since that would be rude.

"Yes you may boys," She said aloud while also using sign langauge. "But you have a game in a couple of hours so don't be rough." She finished speaking and said something else to Eric in sign language that made her son smile wider.

"What did you tell him?" Harry asked her as both boys ran to play outside.

"I told him to beat your son at everything." She said sarcasticaly.

"Maybe I need to learn some sign language too." Harry said.

"Maybe you should. Lucius is doing it, he learns fast too."

"Really?" Harry was shocked and curious.

The boys had been best friends since they were little. Lucius was only six months older than Eric, they were roughly the same size and they were together a lot. Hermione found out about Eric's deafness when he was 3 months old, but this obsticle was easily conquered by Lucius who seemed intent on being the young boy's friend. The two were like brothers and Draco had especially been glad of their friendship, concerned for his son's lack of siblings and wanting a playmate, which had led to an awkward discussion on babies when the boy was three. Draco had never let Harry live down that Lucius thought Harry was a good mommy. This made for intresting bedroom talk when Draco was in the mood.

Harry and Hermione caught up for a while as their children played. It was a nice and welcome change of enviroment for Harry, Draco had been so uptight since the talk of his contract and the fact that his career might be over. Harry tried his best, but sometimes he had to just let Draco wallow in his saddness and make his own way out. It was horrible that it worked that way, but Harry didn't like butting heads when he knew it was hopless, this being one of those times.

Time passed rather quickly and soon the children, Ron, Harry, and Hermione packed into their SUV and started to drive to the ballpark where the two boys would play their game. Harry sat in the font seat at Ron's request and Hermione ablidged him. He pressed a button and a divider sprang up to close off back from front so the two men could speak in private.

"How is he?" Ron asked simply, names need not be spoken.

"He'll work through it, but I'm useless right now." Ron nodded.

"I could kill that bitch what right-"

"I know." Harry cut Ron off.

Ron and Harry stayed silent, but much seemed to still be said. Harry was glad Draco had such a loyal best friend. He wished he had known Ron much longer. He seemed to be a man worth knowing for the fact that if he liked you his fist would be all that was needed to back you up. Harry tried to call Draco's cellphone and was dissappointed to recieve his voicemail. He left a message indicating they were going to Lucius' game. He hoped he needn't have to apologize to his son because his dad had skipped out on his promise.

Lucius and Eric ran the the dugout and got helments and bats and sat on the bench. They had already changed into their uniforms, large lettering of 'Lions' was clearly stitched into the shirts the wore, which were Gray with bright red lettering. As he got a bat, Lucius was clapped on the shoulder by the coach.

"Ready to go today superboy?" The man said a little too happily.

"Uncle Tim, don't call me that again." Lucius rolled his eyes with dramatic slowness.

Eric made some signs with his hands, clearly indicating he'd seen Lucius discomfort.

"Yeah, he is." Lucius laughed and slapped five with Eric's now extended hand.

"What did he say?" Tim asked, deepily offended.

"You're really stupid." Lucius beamed his smile.

Harry kept looking at his watch and glancing around to see if Draco had arrived. Several fans had already noticed him, but politely left him alone. He was in agony, he was going to kill Draco when he arrived.

Draco drove like a crazed idot. He was going to be late for his son's game. This was all he needed right now.

"Listen Draco, I can get the name from them, but it's up to you. This isn't good." Dyanna his agent for the last 15 years sounded calmer than usual, her mind wasn't on money for once, but the future of Draco's career.

"Get the name, I want it! Then I want a meeting with the front office!" Draco barked as he turned into a parking lot so he could turn around, having missed his turn. Draco knew Harry would kill him. "Just take care of it!" Draco was cautious this time so not to have to turn around again.

"You got it!" Dyanna said angry herself at the fact that her biggest client was in a media firestorm. "Listen, are you sure you don't want to sue?" Her voice was malicious as she let the words linger making them more tempting.

"How would that work-no-fuck that, I don't want the headache. I'll talk to you later, maybe a personal one on one interview wouldn't be bad. Listen I have got to go to my little boy's game."

She sighed, "Alright Drake, I'll work it from this end. Take care." She clicked off her phone and started to make a list of calls to make. She'd have to kiss some ass first before she could kick some, but she intended to kick much more than she kissed. Her husband would just have to expect her in late tonight.

Harry spotted him walking down the row of bleachers and pretended not to notice him. He was ticked, but atleast he was here.

"Sorry I was late. Talked to my agent. I have things to do afterward." Harry didn't answer his words. "What did I miss?"

"Just the 1st half inning." Harry bit out. Draco tried to avoid glances that were now shooting their way and loud whispers seemed to have erupted everywhere. Harry, who never liked this kind of attention regaurless, folded his arms tighter than ever as if this was enough to shut them out. The two parents watched the game with unusual quiet, normally Harry would shout encouragement, but they were so upset by the crowd that neither of them did much of anything.

Lucius stood on the mound. He was long and skinny, his father without muscles, but yet could throw a fastball the equivelent of 96 MPH. He looked in and threw, the pop of the glove always amazed Draco, who wondered how Eric had a hand still after catching it. Lucius struck out the first batter. The applause from the crowd showed of it's fascination with something other than the game. Harry and Draco watched as Lucius walked up the back up the mound, took off his cap and smashed his hand through his hair. Harry elbowed Draco playfully.

"Who's son is that?" He chuckled, "You two do that all the time."

"Shut up." Draco said blushing a little.

Draco and Harry watched the game in continued mutual silence. Lucius breezed through most of the game before the 4th inning came. Draco watched with great pain as his son lost his control and walked the basesloaded. He wanted to help somehow, he saw his son's shoulders slump and a pain of desperation erupted in his own body, causing him to squirm in his seat. He struck the next two guys out and as they all thought he might get out of it, he threw and the sound from the bat was all they needed. The game was now 6-4, his team was losing. Draco watched helpless as the boy's head hung low and Tim came out to take him out of the game.

Draco was numb the rest of the game. He didn't care anymore about who won, he cared about his wounded son. Harry tried to be comforting, finally realizing Draco's discomfort, but it didn't help. This was something Draco and Lucius understood, their teams depended on them, when they failed, the team failed. Mercifully the game ended and Draco found his way to the dugout where Lucius sat all by himself. He was crying.

"None of that now son." Draco said evenly. "You did fine out there."

"No I didn't!" The young man snapped, both hands resting against impressions they'd made in his hair.

"Yes, you did." Draco said softly. He placed his arm aroung the boy's shoulders and Lucius instictively relaxed against the touch physically, as well as his tone. "You need to lose sometimes, it's what drives you." Draco said wisely. "If you never lost, you'd never ever learn to get better." He breathed out lightly.

"Why can't I be like you?" Lucius seemed pleading.

"Because you're not." Draco said simply.

"But everyone thinks I should be, I want to be. All the-"

"Lucius, look at me," The boy looked his father in the eyes searching them. "I love you, but don't try to live life to be me, just be you. It's all I want for you. ok?" Draco kissed the top of his son's head and ruffed his hair. Lucius smiled.

"I love you dad." The words were like a healing elixir, though it had seemed impossible, Draco smiled and was geniunely happy.

End chapter 59
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A/N: next chapter is Last chance hero. Please review. Four chapters left.