Is that a golden snitch (or my heart) you're after? | CHAPTER 23
Title: Is that a golden snitch (or my heart) you're after? (AO3)
Chapter No. 23: Whose future is more important?
Author/Artist
digthewriter
Length/Size of work: 745
Rating: PG
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Disclaimer: Not mine. No profit is being made.
Prompt(s) Used: gingerbread people biscuites/cookies for
slythindor100. Joy for
newyearcntdown. Baking for the holidays for
dracoharry100.
Summary: Clive has a serious conversation with Draco and Potter.
"How much is it going to set us back?" Clive asked Draco once they were alone.
The team members were taking shifts on who was going home, who was spending the night, and who was going to come back when so someone would be around when Iosaf woke up. Potter had even managed to sweet talk a Healer into allowing a small cot for Luke to sleep on so he could be next to Iosaf.
"I'm not sure…" Draco said in a hushed tone. He was certain no one was listening to their conversation but he needed to keep it confidential. They didn't have much funds and with Iosaf in hospital, the team's funds would be even more depleted with the bills. Certainly, the care was free of charge but the medicinal potions, and the galleons it would cost if there was extra physical therapy required, along with the number of nights Iosaf would be required to stay in a private room at hospital would all add up.
This was why they had an Emergency Fund which was paid for by extra PR events and advertising - yet they were a small team - and for the most part, Draco had been covering the costs without telling anyone on the team.
"What if I don't take my portion?" Clive asked.
"That's ridiculous. I know what your financial situation is, Clive. And you were telling me how your family is going to start growing…I'll figure something out."
"What about me?" Potter came and sat next to Draco. He handed both Clive and Draco a cup of orange juice. "Ministry is paying for me and they're paying no matter how far I do or do not go. If we don't play…I still get paid. It'll cover-"
"That's ridiculous, Potter."
"Is it?" Potter said. "I was going to donate the money to charity, anyway. I don't need it. The team does. What's your other option? You need an anonymous funder and this can stay between us. If anything, I can have my solicitor draw up the paperwork and I'll never even step into your office."
"But you can't keep playing for the team after the League is over if you're also an anonymous donor," said Clive. "Oh…" he added as if he'd realised something.
"You were only temporary."
"From what I hear, you already have a Seeker. She's on maternity leave but she plans to come back for Spring training…I was never meant to be permanent."
Draco felt odd with the way they were sat, with the way Potter and Clive were talking to each other over him, and with the way Potter's knee was pressed against his and he was still discussing of how he wasn't meant to be permanent.
Clive looked at Draco for a long while and then he spoke up again. "If this isn't our only option then the other is to involve Lucius Malfoy. He has been offering to purchase-"
"That's not a bloody option and you know it," Draco snapped.
Before anyone else could say anything, Clive's pocket watch chimed and he looked down on it. "Bloody hell that's the time? Sorry, mates, but I have to rush home now. I'll be back first thing in the morning to hear the team's decision. And yours. I think you two should get some rest and talk it over. I'll just say one more thing and then I will leave, if that's alright?"
Draco nodded and Potter's knee pressed more firmly against his. Draco sighed hating the comfort and the dread of that touch.
"Two players on the same team are dating, or shagging, or whatever…that can be a publicity nightmare but it isn't the end of the world. It can be maintained and news can be controlled." He paused for a few moments so the words could sink in. Then he continued, "but a player and the owner cannot keep their relationship a secret. It causes tension in the team, gossip and doubt of favouritism, and generally isn't good for the team morale."
"Okay…" Draco drawled.
"Potter cannot be a permanent member of the Blue Bats. Or you cannot be the owner of it." Clive got up from his chair and turned to give both Draco and Potter another look. "I'm going to check on Iosaf and the rest before heading out. Have yourselves a restful evening. I will bring over some of my wife's gingerbread man biscuits in the morning."
This entry was originally posted at https://digthewriter.dreamwidth.org/816801.html. Thanks for reading
Chapter No. 23: Whose future is more important?
Author/Artist
digthewriter
Length/Size of work: 745
Rating: PG
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Disclaimer: Not mine. No profit is being made.
Prompt(s) Used: gingerbread people biscuites/cookies for
slythindor100. Joy for
newyearcntdown. Baking for the holidays for
dracoharry100.
Summary: Clive has a serious conversation with Draco and Potter.
"How much is it going to set us back?" Clive asked Draco once they were alone.
The team members were taking shifts on who was going home, who was spending the night, and who was going to come back when so someone would be around when Iosaf woke up. Potter had even managed to sweet talk a Healer into allowing a small cot for Luke to sleep on so he could be next to Iosaf.
"I'm not sure…" Draco said in a hushed tone. He was certain no one was listening to their conversation but he needed to keep it confidential. They didn't have much funds and with Iosaf in hospital, the team's funds would be even more depleted with the bills. Certainly, the care was free of charge but the medicinal potions, and the galleons it would cost if there was extra physical therapy required, along with the number of nights Iosaf would be required to stay in a private room at hospital would all add up.
This was why they had an Emergency Fund which was paid for by extra PR events and advertising - yet they were a small team - and for the most part, Draco had been covering the costs without telling anyone on the team.
"What if I don't take my portion?" Clive asked.
"That's ridiculous. I know what your financial situation is, Clive. And you were telling me how your family is going to start growing…I'll figure something out."
"What about me?" Potter came and sat next to Draco. He handed both Clive and Draco a cup of orange juice. "Ministry is paying for me and they're paying no matter how far I do or do not go. If we don't play…I still get paid. It'll cover-"
"That's ridiculous, Potter."
"Is it?" Potter said. "I was going to donate the money to charity, anyway. I don't need it. The team does. What's your other option? You need an anonymous funder and this can stay between us. If anything, I can have my solicitor draw up the paperwork and I'll never even step into your office."
"But you can't keep playing for the team after the League is over if you're also an anonymous donor," said Clive. "Oh…" he added as if he'd realised something.
"You were only temporary."
"From what I hear, you already have a Seeker. She's on maternity leave but she plans to come back for Spring training…I was never meant to be permanent."
Draco felt odd with the way they were sat, with the way Potter and Clive were talking to each other over him, and with the way Potter's knee was pressed against his and he was still discussing of how he wasn't meant to be permanent.
Clive looked at Draco for a long while and then he spoke up again. "If this isn't our only option then the other is to involve Lucius Malfoy. He has been offering to purchase-"
"That's not a bloody option and you know it," Draco snapped.
Before anyone else could say anything, Clive's pocket watch chimed and he looked down on it. "Bloody hell that's the time? Sorry, mates, but I have to rush home now. I'll be back first thing in the morning to hear the team's decision. And yours. I think you two should get some rest and talk it over. I'll just say one more thing and then I will leave, if that's alright?"
Draco nodded and Potter's knee pressed more firmly against his. Draco sighed hating the comfort and the dread of that touch.
"Two players on the same team are dating, or shagging, or whatever…that can be a publicity nightmare but it isn't the end of the world. It can be maintained and news can be controlled." He paused for a few moments so the words could sink in. Then he continued, "but a player and the owner cannot keep their relationship a secret. It causes tension in the team, gossip and doubt of favouritism, and generally isn't good for the team morale."
"Okay…" Draco drawled.
"Potter cannot be a permanent member of the Blue Bats. Or you cannot be the owner of it." Clive got up from his chair and turned to give both Draco and Potter another look. "I'm going to check on Iosaf and the rest before heading out. Have yourselves a restful evening. I will bring over some of my wife's gingerbread man biscuits in the morning."
This entry was originally posted at https://digthewriter.dreamwidth.org/816801.html. Thanks for reading