This is my first story. I would appreciate any reviews, and advice. Please point out character and spelling errors, so I may fix them. Please enjoy.
Chapter 1. A Simple Dare
Roaming through the halls after curfew was supposed to be rebellious, perhaps a fun thrill for some people. Unfortunately, it was not fun in the least bit for one Harry James Potter.
Dares, another thing that was supposed to be a bit more enjoyable than this. Being dared by a friend to do something like; eat a teaspoon of hot sauce, or tell your crush to like them. This was anything but that.
Directly after lunch, and Golden Trio were walking out of the Great Hall talking about how much the upcoming quidditch game was going to be.
"But 'Mione, it's Hufflepuff vs Slytherin, I think Hufflepuff will win. Those greasy snakes won't be able to hold on to their brooms!" Ron stated.
"Well I think that everyone has a fair chance. Even if it's Slytherin." Hermione said.
"What do you think mate, Harry?" Ron asked, but Harry didn't answer. He was staring into space, lost in thought. "Earth to Harry!" Ron said while snapping his fingers under Harry's nose.
"Huh? What is it Ron?"
"Did you hear what 'Mione said, she thinks that Slytherin could beat Hufflepuff!"
"Oh, I...I think it's possible..." Harry responded. 'especially without Cedric.' he thought.
You see, just last year, Cedric Diggory had died during the Triwizard Tourament. Harry felt extremely guilty ever since, he could also tell the other Hufflepuffs had mixed feelings about him. He was in deep thought about this while walking. That is when it happened. Harry walked straight into someone.
"Hey! Watch it!" A voice cried out. Harry looked up and saw it was none other than Draco Malfoy.
"Potter really, didn't your parents teach you to watch where you're walking! Oh wait, you don't have any." Sneered a malicious Malfoy.
"Shut up Malfoy, I'm not in the mood." Harry responded very annoyed.
"You're the one who owes me an apology. Come on Potter, apologize." he spat his name.
"Drop dead Malfoy." Harry mumbled as he tried to get past him to get to Griffindor Tower.
"Scared of apologizing Potter? You're scared of everything aren't you?"
"Let me go Malfoy! I am not!" Harry was getting increasingly annoyed.
"Then prove it Potter! Meet me at 10:00 in the to empty classroom by charms class."
"Now why would I do that."
"To prove you're not a chicken." To this Crabb and Goyle made clucking noises, they looked very stupid. "I guess you're not as much of a hero as everyone makes you out to be. I guess your parents died for nothing, except to let you live to murder Diggory." Malfoy knew exactly how to push Harry's buttons, especially when he was in a bad mood.
"SHUT UP!" Harry yelled out. "I'll do your stupid dare. Afterwards leave me alone!"
"It's a deal Potter."
Malfoy walked away with a swish of his robes that Professor Snape would be proud of.
"Harry! What were you thinking! You can't do that, you'll just get hurt or in trouble!" Hermione was very annoyed and upset.
"But if he doesn't all the Slitherins will bug him now Hermione!" Ron said.
"Hermione..he insulted my parents, I have to do it anyways, I agreed to." Harry said.
"But-" Hermione started, "But nothing! I'm going and I'm going through with it! It's final." Harry said.
He then walked off in a huff to get his supplies for potions class.
Harry ran up the stairs of the tower, and ran to the bathroom and threw up. The thoughts of him causing Cedric's death flooded in, hard. He started to burst out in tears. Then remembered that he couldn't cry now. He had to go to potions. He couldn't show weakness, or he'd be walked all over. He took some deep breaths and pulled himself together, and put on his emotional mask. Then, he trudged down the stairs to potion. Harry made it barely in time, and got a glare from Snape.
He made it most of the way through class, nearly putting too much armadillo bile in his potion. Luckily, Hermione could tell he was troubled and kept an eye on his potion. She worried constantly about him failing. She managed to grab the bottle just in time before Harry poured it in.
The bell rang and everyone packed up to leave. On the way out Malfoy hissed "Ten tonight potter, don't forget." He sneered with a malicious grin on this face. Harry gave him his best "Drop dead" glare back.
Before he knew it, it was 9:40 Pm, everyone was asleep. So Harry snuck out. He grabbed his invisibility cloak to hide from any teachers checking hallways after managed to walk to the meeting place without any trouble. He took off the cloak and shoved it in his robe pocket before entering the room.
"Oi! What the-" Harry cried out when his arms were suddenly being pinned to his sides. He was being held tightly by Crabb and Goyle.
"Hello Potter. Oh don't look at me like that, I never said what we'd be doing, or if it would be fair." Malfoy said.
"As you know, quite a few students here have it out for you. Including most of the Slytherins, and there are a good amount of Hufflepuffs that wish you'd died in place of Diggory. Now why can't you give someone else the spotlight for once? Like all the attention? We'll give you attention. " Malfoy finished, then kicked Harry's stomach.
Malfoy gave Crabb and Goyle the chance to beat Harry up, as he was too proud to pummel someone himself. Once they finished, Harry had a bleeding nose, black eye, and probably a few cracked ribs. Tears were streaming down with face, mixed with blood and sweat.
"Good night, Potter." With that Malfoy left with his henchmen, leaving Harry hurt and alone.