Different

parties

"Theodore Nott, if you don't put Blaise's bat down, I'm going to beat you with it."

Theo put the beater's bat down in a second when he heard Draco's tone. It was the day of the final match, and tensions were high in the locker rooms. It was Draco's first match back and their practices had been less than stellar.

"If anyone uses excessive force, you're banned from even trying out to be on the team again next year," Draco threatened before launching into an explanation of strategies that he wanted to see. Claire frowned at how hard he was working because she knew that it was useless and the Gryffindors would win, as always.

"You're going to do great," Claire assured Draco, which was the truth. The captain just grimaced and nodded, leading the team onto the field. Claire fell in line with Blaise, observing how full the stands were.

"You ready?" Blaise asked. Claire saw the determined look on Ginny's face when she shook Draco's hand. Harry was banned from playing against Draco as part of his punishment, which means that she was taking over as seeker. Ginny found Claire's eyes and winked before nodding at the referee.

"Not at all," Claire responded just in time for the whistle to go off and the game to start.

Within seconds the snitch flew right in front of Claire's face, making her shoot backwards as both Ginny and Draco came within inches of her. They were neck-in-neck until the snitch turned sharply, neither seeker able to safely follow. Draco cursed when they both lost sight of the small ball.

"Wanna try what we practiced?" Blaise asked Claire, flying next to her. She hit a ball away from them and smirked, nodding in agreement. Blaise grinned and they flew to opposite sides of the pitch. They waited until the right moment and hit the ball as it flew past, making them ricochet off of each other and confuse the Gryffindors as they tried to avoid being hit. The Slytherins were able to make a goal past Ron, which made most of the crowd boo.

"I have never loved you more," Ginny said, floating next to Claire. "But I also hate you."

Claire smirked at the Gryffindor and flew away to continue her work. Despite their efforts, it became clear that they had no chance of winning. Draco still looked determined to win the game and to prove to himself that he could. Despite his stellar record of being a captain, he still didn't feel like he could succeed.

"What are the chances that we win?" Draco asked, making a quick stop next to her, using his jersey to wipe sweat from his forehead. Claire stayed focused on the game, unable to look him in the eyes.

"Honestly?" Claire hesitated before sighing. "No chance. From what I've seen, at least."

Draco cursed like a sailor, making Claire cringe.

"We're neck in neck," Draco noted.

"But I think Ginny gets the snitch," Claire explained. "It has to happen for some reason."

Draco grumbled but decided to look for the snitch, which was futile. It was only five more minutes before Ginny stuck her arm up in the air, the wings of the snitch evident. Claire landed on the ground and immediately went to find her boyfriend, wrapping him in her arms.

"You did amazing," Claire whispered to in his ear, letting him hide his face in her shoulder. He took a few seconds and then stepped away.

"You did too," Draco fake-smiled, giving her a quick kiss. Blaise and Theo walked over, both of them frowning.

"That was horrible," Theo groaned, glaring at the retreating backs of the rest of the team.

"I say we kick them off the team next year," Blaise added.