One - Summers Perfect Ending
“Quack, Quack, Quack,” the boy walking away from the pitch looked like he was considering launching the bat at him, but he begrudgingly settled for glaring.
The match had been moving in the same direction for the last few overs. A new batsman would come up to the crease, he would throw out a few comments, the new batsman would last a few balls, get a couple of runs, if any, and then turn to find the umpire holding one finger up in the air. They were well into the other teams’ bowlers and the match was very much on its last legs.
The sun had long ago come up and was now beating down at full force in an obnoxious heat. The crowd had long fled. Likely to the air conditioning of the clubhouse. And only a few odd supporters remained. But his godfather was still standing by the fence to give him a thumbs up and a smile whenever he glanced over.
It just goes to show that some people’s parents might forgo watching the most important match of their child’s life to hideaway in the artificial cold of a building and escape the insensate heat. But not Sev. Sev was still there on the sidelines cheering him on just as he had been all season. There wasn’t a better parent in the entire world.
He ran his hand through his hair to get his curls out of his eyes. The last thing he needed to do was drop the ball because his hair was in his face. His hand came back covered in sweat and he wiped it off on his pants even though the second he put his glove back on it would be covered in sweat yet again. Right now, he was completely drenched in sweat but so was everyone else on the ground and there was nothing he could do about it.
The new batsman came out and he couldn’t help the grin that overtook his face. Josh Walters was a great spin bowler, a good friend, but a dreadful batsman. He had been going to school with Josh since year one and they had both been playing cricket on the school team for just as long. But in the summer, they played for different clubs. As Josh got closer, he shouted, “must be getting desperate if they decided to put you on Joshy, what’s that average of yours again, point two five, or was it point one”
Despite not being able to see Josh’s face due to both the distance and the helmet obscuring it, he could see enough to know Josh was glaring at him. He picked up his own helmet from where it lay in the grass and tugged it on ignoring the sweat that dripped down the side of his face. When Josh stepped onto the pitch he mumbled “prat”
A laugh escaped him as he clipped his helmet on and pulled his sweat-soaked glove back on. Josh got into position and tapped his bat on the ground a couple of times in anticipation. His teammate rubbed the ball on his leg a few times and then broke out into a sprint which ended in the ball flying narrowly missing the stumps and Josh’s bat to land in his safe hands. As he passed the ball to one of his teammates he stated “I might be wrong, but I think you’re supposed to hit the ball”
Josh completely ignored him as he set up for the next ball. The next ball Josh swung for and missed by a country mile. As the ball landed in his hands, he put on his best announcer voice and stated “oh, big swing, no ding from Walters,” he passed the ball along to one of his teammates, “what left of the crowd is wondering why they put him on at all and didn’t just call the match when they got to his name on the sheet”
The next bowl Josh got the bat to, even if it was only the edge. But the ball was sent out to his right and he dived catching the ball in his outstretched hand. He grinned as he threw the ball back up in the air to catch just as his teammates all came barrelling into him. He was going to be gloating about that for the rest of his life.
The game was over five balls later when the ball collided with the stumps. The majority of his gear was left laying deserted on the ground as his entire team tackled each other into hugs. Last season they had come third but this season they had won. They had actually gone and won, and it felt better than he ever could have imagined.
The umpires handed the match ball to Ty, one of their fast bowlers, who had managed to get 4/39 and quickly made their retreat looking glad that it was all over and done with. When he glanced over Sev was still by the fence a smile on his face. He gave an excited wave, to which Sev responded by making an obvious show of clapping.
They ended up on the side of the field where all their bags were and their celebrating turned into spraying each other with their water bottles to cool off. Eventually though after they had received their medals, parents began dragging their kids off to go home.
Josh was sitting at the base of the only stand the ground had. He tackled Josh into a hug because he was no longer opposition, he was back to being his friend. Josh stated “you’re the worst, you know that, how is someone supposed to focus with you in their ear”
“You’re not, that’s kind of the point,” Josh threw his water bottle at him which he caught with a laugh and squirted what was left of it into his mouth.
When the bottle was empty, he threw it towards Josh’s kit bag. Josh just leaned back against the seat behind him and asked, “are you sure you want to go off to boarding school and desert me”
As much as it sucked not being able to go to secondary school with all his friends that he’d had at this point for years, he wasn’t any less excited to go off to Hogwarts. But he was going to be back for the holidays and would be able to see all his friends then and catch up on what he had missed. He smiled “I’ll be back for next cricket season”
Josh rolled his eyes, not that it meant much because there was a smile forming at the edges of his mouth, “I’d prefer if you didn’t”
Everyone on the opposing teams likely felt the same. It was no secret what they said about him on and off the field. They all talked about his sledging more than his keeping or his batting. After all, he had his ‘Most Infuriating’ trophy on his windowsill. It had been given to him at his club’s presentation the week before by his teammates on account of his comments at training.
Once he and Josh had said their goodbyes and he had promised to come see him as soon as he got back from boarding school, he headed over to Sev. The second he reached Sev he high-fived him. Sev squeezed his shoulder and gave him a smile, “good job Corv, you were brilliant out there”
Even though he had already been beaming he was positive he was doing it more so now. It would have been impossible not to be. Grinning wider he stated, “thanks, I can’t believe I got out on forty-nine, I was so close again”
It was the third time this season he had come within mere runs of a half-century. But he had gotten there last week in the semi-final, where he got out on fifty-seven. Sev gestured to the field where most of his gear was still strewn across, “how about you go gather your things and then we can go out for ice cream as I promised”
He gave a nod before running onto the field to go and gather what he had left behind in the post-match celebration. Which was just about all his gear and both his shoes. Sev was undoubtedly bound to tell him off later for walking around in just his socks. That always managed to annoy Sev and he was pretty sure it had to do with the dirt and holes his socks would manage to gain from him walking around outside in them.
Sev had promised him ice cream if he won, but he was sure Sev would have taken him out for it either way. It was just one of the many reasons why Sev was the best.
When he got back to his cricket bag with all his gear in his arms. Sev was waiting beside it for him. His drink bottle, which he had forgotten about completely and would have likely left behind was in Sev's hand. He shoved his pads in first followed by everything else. Including his shoes, and socks, the latter of which he took off for Sev’s benefit.
Once it was packed and zipped up Sev shrunk it and put it in his pocket. Which was definitely the safest, if it was left with him there was a ninety percent chance, he lost it and then would have to buy all new gear for next season. Sev asked “you ready to go”
“Yeah,” he gave a nod to drill in that fact before he gestured to a bush nearby that he knew for a fact had hedgehogs in it, “unless you are going to let me get a hedgehog as a well-done present”
Four years ago, he had found a hedgehog in a field and brought it home. Knowing Sev wouldn’t let him keep it he hid it away in his room. But Sev found out within a few days and made him return it to where he got it from. Ever since he had been trying to get Sev to let him have a pet hedgehog. Sev shook his head as he put his arm around his shoulders, “nice try but not a chance”
He groaned but nevertheless walked off with Sev towards the closest ice cream shop. As they walked, he gave Sev a play-by-play of the match even though he had been there to watch the entire time and showed him his gold medal no less than six times.
When they got to the shop Sev ordered them both cones. As always, he got chocolate because nothing ever beat chocolate ice cream and Sev got strawberry, even though there were at least twenty other flavours neither of them had ever bothered to try. But why would you when you already knew exactly what the best was.
With their ice cream in their hands, they both returned outside to continue their walk. Sev turned to him and stated, “since we are already out and you need a new copy of The Standard Book of Spells and A Beginners’ Guide to Transfiguration,” Sev sent him a very unimpressed look, “what do you say we go to Diagon Alley”
The look was very much warranted. He had ‘accidentally’ burnt both books a few days prior when he was messing around with the new flint rock, one of his friends had given him at his birthday party. Sev hadn’t been happy to find him in the backyard surrounded by the scattered ashes of the books. He didn’t understand why he needed the books in the first place. He nodded, “yeah, although I don’t understand why we are replacing them, it’s not like I’m going to read them anyway”
Sev shook his head. Not in a disappointed or annoyed way, more in an amused gesture. Sev knew just how much he despised reading even if he didn’t share his views. Sev put his hand on his shoulder, “because it is a requirement for first years at Hogwarts to own copies, unless of course you have changed your mind about attending”
Instantly he was shaking his head. Sev had left the choice of where to go to secondary school up to him. He had gotten into other wizarding schools in Europe and there was always the option of secondary school in the non-magic world. But Hogwarts was where Sev worked and so that’s where he wanted to go. Much to Sev’s displeasure, but he knew Sev was only worried about him. Of the options, Sev seemed to think Hogwarts was the most dangerous. He stated “no, let’s go get these books”
His comment was rewarded with laughter from Sev who looked more than mildly amused. That was likely something he had never said before and would never say again. The thought of willingly going to buy books made him shiver.
After they finished their ice creams Sev apparated them to London, where they found themselves in the middle of Diagon Alley. The alley which normally had a small crowd was packed with children and their parents rushing around. It was exactly what you would expect considering it was two days before the beginning of the school year. This was why they had come to pick up his things towards the end of May, to keep away from the crowds.
Sev looked displeased with the crowds and was glaring at whomever so much as looked their way. On the other hand, he was more than happy to grin at just about anyone he made eye contact with. Sev put several coins in his hand and stated, “I have to go and fetch some ingredients, don’t go too far”
Even though the alley was packed he doubted Sev would have any trouble finding him again. While just about everyone was wearing robes and the ones that weren’t, wore clothes that allowed them to blend in, he was there in his grass-stained cricket whites. A stark contrast to everyone else. Not to mention Sev knew what shops he usually visited. He nodded, “I won’t”
And just like that Sev was gone and he headed for the second-hand bookstore knowing it would be less busy and the state of the books did not matter as he wouldn’t open them either way. The store was less packed than the alley had been, likely due to no one wanting to buy a second-hand book for the children to take with them if they could afford a brand-new one.
Just when he thought he might never find them and made plans to return to Sev empty-handed, or go into another bookstore he spotted them on the bottom of a shelf. He quickly picked up both copies that he needed and then re-read the covers again just to make sure they were the correct books.
From behind him, a familiar voice droned, “do my eyes deceive me Corvus or are you willingly in a bookstore,” he spun around to see Draco behind him holding a book of his own, he didn’t have to read the cover to know it wasn’t on the list of required books. Not only would Draco buy that brand new, but he also knew for a fact Draco already had everything on the list for Hogwarts. Draco gestured to his hands, “I wholeheartedly believed if you touched a book, you would drop dead”
The first time he had met Draco, was when he was six in Sugarplum’s Sweets Shop. They had instantly bonded over their names both being of star constellations and become friends. It was only later in their friendship that they learned they were related, being biological second cousins. Ever since they had been best friends. He held up the books “I might have burnt my previous copies”
Draco shook his head, amusement clear on his face, “now that I have no trouble believing,” Draco pointed at the medal and questioned, “is that from that fool muggle game of yours”
That got him to roll his eyes. Draco knew just what cricket was. But he knew Draco didn’t quite understand what the non-magic world was like. The only non-magic folk Draco had ever met were his friends and the only time they ever interacted was at his birthday parties. Not to mention Draco detested going out into the non-magic world. But he knew it was only because Draco didn’t know what to expect from it, and was scared rather than having anything against it. He stated, “I’m going to ignore most of that, but yes, it is, we won, it was amazing”
Whilst Draco led him around the bookstore looking for another book, some book they had stopped publishing years ago, he explained exactly how the match went down to Draco. Draco didn’t sound completely disinterested, and they had seen each other at his birthday party so it wasn’t like they had months’ worth of stories to share with each other.
As was normal he was on the receiving end of several curious looks from the few customers the store happened to have. It could have been for any number of reasons. Most likely his cricket whites, but he was standing beside who was very clearly a Malfoy, talking loudly about a game most of the patrons in the shop had likely heard nothing of and if they had, knew it was a non-magic sport.
Once Draco had found his book they headed to the counter and the man behind it gave them both matching looks that showed he was just as bewildered as the other patrons. But he made no note of it as he rang up their books. He handed the correct amount over as Draco did the same and they both paused their conversation to thank the man before resuming it as they left the store with their new purchases.
Draco led them across the alley so he could show him what the Nimbus Two Thousand looked like. It wasn’t very often he looked at any of the stores that sold broomsticks or Quidditch gear. First years were forbidden from the teams and he never got into supporting it the way he supported cricket or football. And when he had the option of playing Quidditch by himself or cricket with the neighbourhood boys he was always going to choose to play with others.
But Draco had always been excited by Quidditch and followed the sport religiously. More often than not, when he was over visiting Draco the two of them would end up on broomsticks playing Quidditch. Draco was always talking about making seeker for his house, in his second year. Something he was sure Draco would be more than capable of.
They ended up to the side of the store. Not quite in front of it due to the number of other people who were between them and the glass. But they were close enough to see the broom just fine. He questioned, “so what are you doing here, other than being a complete geek, of course”
Draco rolled his eyes, “just because you despise reading does not mean the rest of us are geeks for doing so,” he doubted it but didn’t bother to interrupt, “father had to go to Knockturn Alley and he offered to bring me along so I could get a new book to take to Hogwarts with me, where is Sev”
He gave a shrug, “off fetching ingredients, not sure where”
Knowing Sev he could be anywhere in Diagon Alley right now. Wherever he was, he was probably annoyed by the number of people around. Draco smirked, “I can’t believe he left you on your own”
Neither could he really. It wasn’t very often Sev left him alone to run an errand by himself. Sev normally accompanied him. Especially when they were in an area that was frequented by wizards and witches. He grinned “why wouldn’t he, I can be trusted”
“Trusted, the last time I let you in my house my hair was purple for a week,” he whirled around to see Draco’s father, Lucius standing there, cane in his hand, his face just as stoic as it always was.
The ability to keep his face indifferent no matter what was a trait he passed along to Draco. It was something Sev could do too, but no one had bothered to teach him how. Nor did he imagine he would be capable anyway, so he couldn’t stop the grin from becoming etched on his face.
The last time he had been at the Malfoy’s was the month before and he had snuck into the master bathroom and emptied a bottle of purple hair dye into Lucius' shampoo. Lucius had instantly suspected him and asked Sev to question him. He told Sev immediately proud of himself. Sev had been proud of him too and kept it a secret from Lucius until the end of the week. Although that knowledge resided only with him and Sev. Deciding to push Lucius' buttons he smiled, “but it looked good, didn’t it”
Maybe if they weren’t in a crowd of people Lucius would have hexed him. But he had a sneaking suspicion that Lucius didn’t despise him as much as he pretended to. Not to mention he was sure Lucius feared Sev. Lucius stated “no I do not believe it did, nor will I be letting you anywhere near my house in the future”
The second Draco asked if he could come over, chances were he would give in and let him over. Although he doubted the shampoo would be left out anywhere, he could find it. He stated “that’s too bad, I thought we could go green next time, or maybe pink”
Lucius gave him an unimpressed look as he asked “Draco are you ready to go”
Draco gave his father a nod in response before turning back to him, “see you on the train, you’ll sit with me won’t you”
The only other people he knew that were going to be on the train were Draco’s friends, which he had only met a handful of times, at events at the Malfoy manor. Usually Draco’s birthday parties. So, with that and the fact, Draco was his best friend it wouldn’t make sense to sit anywhere else. He nodded, “I’d be crazy not to”
“That doesn’t fill me with much confidence, we all know you’re crazy,” Draco shot him a smirk and he stuck his tongue out in response as Draco walked off with his father.
Now left to his own devices he turned to head towards Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop. His preferred destination was Dr. Filibuster's Fireworks but that was in Carkitt Market, and Sev had told him not to go too far. Plus, the joke shop was second best, and it sold fireworks too. Even if they weren’t as good.
The joke shop was busier than the bookstore had been. It was mostly empty from parents save for a few that were yelling at their children to get out so they could finish getting things they actually needed. He just looked over the new products the store had gotten in since his last visit.
He left the joke shop with two new fireworks in his pockets and his second-hand books still in his hand. Sev was waiting outside, a box tucked under his arm. When he reached Sev, he held up his books, “I got them”
“Well let’s go then,” he gave a nod and Sev apparated them both back home. Or at least as close to it as Sev could apparate them due to the wards over their house. It was a few streets away. But the extra walking never bothered either of them. Not that Sev would apparate him often on account of how dangerous it could be.