Disclaimer - I own nothing, this is a work of fanfiction based on J.K Rowling's book series.
Chapter 4 - Lessons in Diplomacy
When Harry awoke he was still choking. The image of the bird, the sick feeling suffocating him and the black snake were all there fresh in his mind. It was just another nightmare he told himself. Twisted as it was he was relieved it hadn't been about him, Wormtail and that house. Instead it was just a bad dream that left him writhing in a cold sweat but free from the searing pain of his scar. Glad that the only screams were that of the wind rattling Gryffindor tower.
The chill of autumn descended upon the castle with severity, with rain lashing the students and thunder rolling across the hills and over the castle. The turn of violent weather resulted in many from the delegations choosing to remain in their carriage amongst themselves rather than face the grim British weather. There was no argument that the students of Beauxbatons received the worst of it. The November rainfall quickly soaked those without an adequate water repellent charm, whereas the Durmstrang students fared better with their heavy cloaks when they ventured outside.
On the Saturday morning when the heavy rain first started, an announcement appeared on the noticeboard in the common room informing the school of the upcoming Hogsmeade trip the following weekend. Relieved at the opportunity to get out of the castle Harry and Hermione resigned themselves to a secluded classroom and filled their weekend tackling their various homework assignments.
Hermione was ever the slave driver but Harry was thankful for it in the end, welcoming the distraction in good spirit. Harry was amused to find that for some unbeknownst reason the class room was filled with oddly assorted cushions of every various size, shape and patterns. Harry wasn't going to complain for they were all pleasantly comfortable to sit on. Harry was sure Hermione had chosen this classroom simply for the cushions making it a more comfortable study area.
Their weekend came to a rather sudden close on Sunday when they finished their homework for all their other subjects. Their antidote essay for Snape was finished, they had completed the work set on the laws of organic and inorganic composition for transfiguration and mastered summoning charms on the surrounding cushions. With time to spare they began to work on their duelling. They had compiled a long list of spells to master that they could put into practice for Moody's next lesson; Harry had already started to configure different uses for charms and transfiguration that he could put into practice.
Harry and Hermione quickly grasped the basics of duelling and it's core principles.
"Wizards entering in a duel must be well acquainted with the act of finishing." Hermione stated reading from a book she had hunted down in the library. Harry nodded along, already familiar with the simple and straight forward concept.
"Strike the opponent using a spell to neutralise them as quickly and effectively as possible. Finishing spells include 'expelliarmus' and 'stupefy' as elementary options, these are widely accepted in most duelling competitions. As for duels in unregulated and mortal situations you needed to be prepared for an assault of cutting hexes, dark curses and the use of Unforgivables. This requires you to have a strong and wide range of defences at your disposal." Harry repeated the section from across the room lounging on a bed of pillows and cushions.
"If duellists are equally matched and fast striking with finishers fails, charms and transfiguration become as equally important. Illusionary magic, conjuration, summoning and transmutation serve the same purpose; they become essential when it comes to distraction, countering and assault as all can be utilized for both offence and defence depending on the caster and how the duellists employ their collection of spells." Harry finished the passage barely reading from the text anymore.
"Which is why it is important to quickly recognise when a duel stops being a battle of speed and power but of intelligence and creativity." Hermione added happily. "So, we have looked at intermediary preparation and casting stances and the basics. So why don't we give it a go?"
"You want to duel now?" Harry looked up at Hermione who looked completely serious.
"Yes now, we might as well right?"
They stood ten meters apart, wands raised in the beginner stances Moody had shown them. From the start Hermione had more spells at her disposal but Harry thanks to his years of quidditch made an exceptionally difficult target to hit managing to dodge and side step most of Hermione's attacks. Holding his own as he was a fast caster himself, both of them were barely muttering their incantations when Hermione found herself with several stunners bombarding her shield before it ruptured and she was hit with a full body-bind.
In their next bout she decided to try to branch out with some transfiguration but turning a cushion into a large lazy tom cat rather than a large lion to attack Harry wasn't what she had in mind.
After a few matches Hermione sadly came to the conclusion that in a duel it came down to much more than just spell knowledge - speed, accuracy and dodging were going have to be her main points to practice. Harry swore that come Thursday he'd pay Hermione back for the tail-growing hex she managed to land on him, leaving him with the long black furry appendage of a canine. He wasn't impressed when she told him sit and roll over at dinner whenever he asked her to pass him something. Luckily she knew to stay quiet in front of anyone else since their relationship was already being grossly misinterpreted.
The next morning Harry was waiting as the painting of the fat lady swung open, half expecting to see the wild curls of his best friend. His face fell as he saw the tall lanky red headed boy. Ron froze, his expressionless face giving none of his thoughts away. His mouth seemed to be trying to move, but it only fumbled half agape.
"Whatever it is you have to say Ron, you can say it." Harry assured him calmly.
"Well done. For - you know- getting on the quidditch team. You - you deserve it." Ron grumbled with some difficulty. His face looked pained and his voice was uncertain, but it was a start Harry thought.
Before Harry could reply Ron had already turned and began to trudge down the stairs. Harry watched bemused. It had to be quidditch that made him break his silence didn't it.
"So how did it go?" Hermione asked brightly suddenly appearing and startling Harry.
"That was because of you?"
"I just gave him a little nudge." She smiled impishly with an innocent shrug.
"It went fine, don't push him too hard though." Harry smiled. Of course Hermione couldn't help but meddle a little, it was her nature to do so what she thought was right.
As much as Harry would have liked it, Ron couldn't simply be pushed back to his side. Not with his overwhelming shadow stirring jealousy, and not when he had to share the spot light with Draco. There was too much bad blood for him to forgive. Even if it wasn't water under the bridge, Harry and Draco's animosity being put on hold was something Hermione could understand even if she didn't like it. There was no chance Ron would be as equally accepting.
They entered the great hall and once again it seemed that the fifth table had seated more students, at the end with Angelina were Katie and the twins, who all greeted Harry and Hermione. Cedric sat opposite yawning into his cereal bowl, beside him Oliver with his grin already switched on as he teased Sophie about the bed hair that she hadn't had time to brush out.
"No Alistair this morning?" Harry asked taking his seat beside Hermione, Draco hadn't shown up yet.
"Keeping an eye on the Hufflepuff table, he takes his prefect duties far too seriously. Good for us cause he can be such a grouch in the morning." Oliver answered as Sophie rolled her eyes at him. Harry had quickly grown fond of his new quidditch teammates, they were relaxed, carefree and it was infectious.
"Good morning." Harry looked up to see Cho arrive and everyone welcome her warmly.
It was an odd feeling, the light joking air of those around the table. On the Gryffindor table everyone had their own groups huddle together in years. They talked and laughed but it had felt confined. Harry couldn't tell if it was the mixture of houses that was the cause of the chaotically cheerful nature of the table. He sensed that they all breathed easier being able to sit with friends and not have to deal with the stares of the house table. No one ever stopped you from sitting at a different table, yet the houses would treat it like betrayal and it would soon become awkward if anyone broke the unwritten rule. The fifth table broke the status quo.
"So do you think you are ready for your first Arithmancy Lesson?" Hermione asked.
"As I'll ever be." Harry replied and scooped a mouth full of porridge into his mouth
"Don't give me that you'll do fine." Hermione said.
"You're starting Arithmancy? It's a little late in the year isn't it?" Cho asked him rather curious.
"It's not like I can fail the end of year exams, don't have to do them, so why not? It's the perfect way to get out of divination."
"You don't have to take the end of year exams?" Sophie's ears picked up looking rather shocked.
"Tournament makes us exempt." Cedric said smiling though he wouldn't be starting his N.E.W.T's for another year so his relief was not as enviable.
"That it does." Harry agreed.
In a good mood, he and Hermione picked up their bags and left the table. As they approached the entrance hall Harry stopped at the sight of Viktor Krum stood in the archway, his dark eyes studying him carefully.
"Harry Potter." He said as the Gryffindor champion drew close. Harry stood in shock, this was the first time the Bulgarian seeker had acknowledged him.
"I'll be on my way to herbology Harry." Hermione said in a small voice ducking away quickly before he could utter a word.
Viktor's eyes briefly flickered to the departing Hermione before snapping back to Harry.
"Um, hello." Harry said feeling a little star struck. He could feel a lump in his throat, secretly glad he could feel his throat slightly constricted or else he may have started rambling on about how they were supposed to start treating wurmroot in today's lesson.
"I had vanted to speak vords vith you. I have heard dat you vill be playing as seeker in da tournament," Harry nodded slowly in response. "it is said by many here dat you play very vell. Dat like me you are - how you say er… a prodigy. I hope vor a good game."
"I - yeah, me too." Harry stammered while enthusiastically shaking Viktor's hand.
"Vat kind of broom do you fly?"
"I got a firebolt just last Christmas." Harry was still in a daze.
"Ha! Very good, equal footing den as dey say."
"I don't know- you are a professional, and I'm well... I'm a bit intimidated if I'm honest." Harry gave a short laugh.
"I just like to play and I play vell…" Viktor shrugged "den one day, scout takes me out of school, asks me to train vith junior team, after six months, den I am seventeen and boom - national team vor vorld cup, suddenly photos everywhere, everything goes crazy. I think you know vat I feel yes?"
Harry knew exactly what he meant, remembering his first day in Diagon ally when he shook nearly every wizard's hand in the leaky cauldron.
"You should know I vill not be going easy on you. Stay alive for until da match okay?" Viktor grinned, despite his earlier outward surly appearance Harry couldn't help but find Viktor to be quite friendly.
"You can bet on it.." Harry said a little more courageously to the world class seeker.
Viktor laughed at this. "I vill see you around, Harry Potter."
Harry watched in amazement as the quidditch star walked on, however he was rudely interrupted by someone shoving past him. Harry once more saw the flash of red hair and the slouching stature of Ron, taking to the courtyard through the rain.
Fuck. Just when he thought they had made some progress. Grudgingly he marched out and made his way to the greenhouses.
He had to sit through herbology in the glare of Ron's rather sour and churlish disposition. Ironically it looked like he was doing a very good impression of Krum's surly self. Harry sighed with disappointment, even the Hufflepuff students had mostly stopped scowling directly at him. Though many had begun to wear the condemning badges many Slytherin students were handing out in a move to publicly disassociate Draco from the house.
The badges didn't bother Harry too much though. They were nothing more than a warning sign of who needed to be avoided, which he saw as a favour more than anything. It wasn't that he was becoming callous or apathetic but when faced with hostility Harry lost all interest in such things, in some parts it was even laughable.
Harry had found Care for Magical creatures had become a rather alien class since the incident with the goblet. Although no one really listened, Pansy would make all the same biting comments in front of Millicent and Sally-Anne. Behind her loomed Crabbe and Goyle still looking lost without Draco between them barking orders.
Neville had since joined Hermione and Harry in their group so Ron could work with Seamus and Dean instead. Meanwhile Draco had since been dragged over to the side to the other Slytherins by Theodore Nott.
Harry cast Draco an odd look to which he shrugged back uncaringly. Although seeing the souring look on Parkinson's face as this happened improved Harry's mood.
Thankfully that grim Monday morning, Hagrid's lesson was a brief reprieve from their side project of raising Blast Ended-Skrewts and today the lesson was on Orthrus. Hagrid explained the lesson plan to them as they walked beside the still waters of the lake, the great ship of Durmstrang peacefully floating upon it. The bank was muddy and many students complained about the walk. Yet the closer they drew to the place where the lake and the forbidden forest met, the less noisy the class became.
When they stopped Hagrid introduced his students to a group of two headed canine creatures. They all collectively flinched at the loud barks when they came bounding up to Hagrid with great speed.
"I didn't realise Fluffy little brothers and sisters." Hermione whispered to him.
Harry could see they clearly belong to the same family as the Cerberus, the only the difference being the Orthrus had the appearance of a two-headed horse sized Doberman.
"Should we call him Marshmallow?" Harry muttered back, making her suppress her laugh into a very serious cough.
"Snuffles, Marshmallow and Fluffy! What a family they make." Hermione whispered to him still trying not to giggle.
They did a poor job of hiding their amusement and received a few odd and rather annoyed looks from the class. Harry looked over to Ron who had gone a little pale. Then many student balked as Hagrid threw the creatures large steaks of raw meat that they devoured in seconds.
If Hagrid could have planned the lesson his way they'd probably be just stood idly watching the pack of Orthrus for several hours. As it was, the curriculum did demand some written work. So Harry and Neville began to sketch the creature for their Beastiaries while Hermione listened to Hagrid and provided them with the notes they needed for their commentaries.
"Now mainly they only hunt deer an' the like, which we got plenty of in the forest. These wild ones though can be trained a bi' but are better of left alone. So long as they're not hungry they're friendly enough. Now can anyone guess what a fully trained Orthrus migh' be used for?"
Harry, Ron and Hermione's hands nearly all flew up at the same time, but smiling Hagrid ignored all the three of them.
"Davis, go ahead." Hagrid said, happy for another volunteer to answer.
"In most cases they are used as guard dogs, but not just for property. If properly trained they protect treasure very well, not only in guarding its custody fiercely but if stolen their keen sense of smell makes them excellent trackers so thieves need to escape quickly if not immediately as they literally hunt them down and 'subdue' them."
She had a very strange accent, southern American with a British undercurrent. Harry's eyes glanced to the girl stood at the back of class and he immediately wished he hadn't. It was nothing to do with Tracy herself, they had very little to do with each other but next to the freckled auburn haired witch was the one girl he had tried desperately to keep out of his mind.
"Very good ten points to Slytherin."
Before Harry could look away her grey eyes met his.
Daphne Greengrass unnerved Harry. She had crept up from out of nowhere and after their strange encounter he had been left less sure and more wanting. If her personality wasn't unsettling enough she had also discovered two of his greatest treasures the map and the cloak. He had walked right into the palm of her hand. Granted she had somehow lured and trapped him with little choice in the matter. He didn't like that knowledge in the hands of an unknown like her. His only comforting thought in that regard was that at least she wasn't wearing a badge, none of her circle were, which made him even more suspicious of her.
Daphne was already meeting his gaze once more and while she wasn't smiling but she wasn't unsmiling either. How downright perplexing.
He wondered how anyone had truly noticed how pretty she was. He vaguely remembered Seamus and Dean mentioning it but not being very flattering, but the way they went on about some other girls it left him surprised. Then again she was the only Slytherin they cared to mention so maybe that was a compliment in itself. Pansy and Tracy were both pretty, more than Lavender was and Seamus had nothing but praise for the girl's recent development. Harry always made an effort to not give much weight to shallow thoughts but he couldn't stop himself this time.
Even though Daphne appeared quiet and unassuming, she was by far the comeliest in the year. He supposed it could be of how immaculate she presented herself, her tie was neat, skirt smooth; there wasn't a line out of place. Even her hair, falling perfectly straight past her shoulders appeared unchanged by the wind, sat beneath a headband as if it were a crown. How odd it was she was so overlooked but now she was eclipsing everything in his view.
"Harry, are you alright?" Neville asked worridly, snapping him out of his idling.
"What? - yeah sorry- I just spaced out for a sec." With his throat dry and a peculiar sensation in his stomach, Harry set his eyes back on Hagrid.
"Now followin' on from what Tracy said, where can you mos' likely find an Orthrus in London? Ah Greengrass."
"Gringrotts Bank, Professor. In records storage and the first and second level vaults." Her voice was soft spoken and polite, she even sounded pretty.
Harry silently cursed her.
"Good answer, another ten points for Slytherin. Unfortunately there are wizards out there who breed 'em for underground fightin' and races, seem to forget tha' they're just big dogs really. Now who thinks they can pet 'em? Now you'll be needin' two of you 'cause sometimes the other head gets a bit jealous." Hagrid chuckled.
Harry looked around and found most of his classmates staring at him or trying to avoid doing just that. Harry sighed with a hollow laugh and stood up. He was beginning to believe he was the only one in care of magical creatures who actually enjoyed working with the creatures; after all befriending Buckbeak had been a valuable experience and not something he'd soon forget. Then again he didn't have very fond memories of flobberworms and downright hated the skrewts.
"Anyone else want to give me a hand?" Harry asked loudly, he knew Hermione was more of a cat person so he could hardly blame her for her aversion of dogs. From the back could see Daphne looking at him, although her face remained illegible.
"Here, I'll give it a go Harry." Neville stood up, with a rather determined look on his face. Harry nodded in appreciation. Together the two carefully edged close to the large black dogs.
At first the Orthrus turned rigid, its ears pricked up in alarm at the two approaching boys. Slowly and carefully, maintaining eye contact they reached out to pet the creature. After a tense moment both of its heads grinned and the tail of the Orthrus wagged happily. Reassured and enjoying themselves eventually the pair of Gryffindors sat down with the large creature as it began to nuzzle into their arms and paw them for more attention. Some pairs began to volunteer while other students hung back. Harry gave Hagrid a subtle thumbs up as he beamed at the success of the lesson.
As it has become tradition Harry and Hermione proceeded to eat lunch at Hagrid's afterward to give him feedback on his teaching. They sat, with the odd bang of a skrewt in the background of their chatter, filling themselves with tea, sandwiches and the familiar taste of rock cakes.
"I didn't realise we had wild Orthrus in the Forrest Hagrid, I read that they were endangered." Hermione said impressed.
"They only come to the edge of the lake for a little water, thought it'd be a special treat for yeh. Black lake is their only source of freshwater for 'em especially after a heavy rain. Gets pretty boggy in their usual territory and the mud can swallow 'em up whole." Hagrid said sadly scratching his beard.
"That's awful." Harry said.
"I've had to pull a few out in my time; s'what got me their pack's trust."
"What other creatures are there Hagrid? You must know them all." Hermione asked
"Wish I did. No one knows for sure, but we got plenty in there erklings, imps, forest trolls, wolves and barghests, course y'know Aragog's brood and you've met the Cenatur herd. Then there are the unicorns - I have a lesson planned for them later in the year which you'll like."
"That should be a good lesson, I can already hear Pavarti and Lavander squealing in delight ." Harry smiled at Hermione who playfully shoved him.
"Go' threstrals, we'll cover them next year. Got some mean but mostly 'armless weevils and then theres the vargs." Hagrid said with a grimace at the end. Harry gave him a curious look. "They only live in the deepest part of tha' forest, where no daylight gets through. Terrifyin' things them, chill me righ' to the bone. Only come close once an' hope I never do again an' that's saying somethin'. Red eyes like fire they got and fur black as coals, can take the legs of a man clean off. Nasty, creatures them, best left well alone." Hagrid said darkly.
Harry couldn't believe the half-giant who was so keen to keep a pet dragon could have any trace of fear in his voice, but the way he just spoke touched Harry with a tremor of dread. As he tried to imagine a beast so frightening it put Hagrid on edge, Harry almost lost track of Hagrid talking.
"Forbidden forest is something' of natural sanctuary, always has been an' hopefully always will be. Got enough habitat for everything, though tha's because it's enchanted..."
"It's enchanted?" Hermione asked entranced Harry smiled seeing her eyes widened in wonder. Harry couldn't help a lopsided smile, of course it had to an enchanted forest, and he supposed there was a grain of truth in some muggle legends after all.
"Mm like with a lot of wizardin' things, gets bigger as you go deeper. Witch did it for 'em long long time ago. But every now an' then students kept disappearin' from goin' too deep - so they started callin' it the forbidden forrest and made it just tha'. Not tha' it applies to you much - though you seem to handle yourselves well, need sharp wits in tha' forest I've always said - especially now they're all on edge because of the-" Hagrid realised once again he had rambled on a second too long. Harry didn't say anything but caught Hagrid's eye as he tried to look away nervously. "So how's Beaky, you had news about 'im lately?"
"He's very happy at the moment, he just had a nice holiday touring the skies of Tuscany getting plenty of air under his wings." Harry said rather brightly.
"So Hagrid, what's new in the forest?" Hermione then asked, not missing an opportunity for more information.
"Can't tell you tha' right now; Dumbledore said explicitly not to tell yeh."
"Ah, orders from above then." Harry nodded in understanding.
"Sure doesn't sound like nothing though Hagrid..."
Harry was of the same mind as Hermione, guessing that any recent changes were likely involved with the tournament.
"Wouldn't want us meddling in things we ought not to be meddling in..." Harry jibed, feeling a little guilty.
Hagrid looked at him surprised at his own words from being used against him now. The half-giant ducked his head and glanced around his hut before turning to Harry again in a low voice.
"Fine. You come around Saturday ten o'clock jus' makes sure you're wearing your cloak and you aren't seen."
"Ah, a good old trip into the forbidden forest then." Harry said with quiet sarcasm.
"It not somethin' to be jokin' about." Hagrid stiffened as he poured more tea.
"So you really can't just say? I was trying for a year without ending up in there but you just had to ruin the fun of a safe and cosy evening in didn't you?" Harry smiled wryly.
"You wanted to know you cheeky beggar, you're becomin' more like your dad with every day I swear Harry."
"I heard from professor Sinestra he was devilishly handsome in his youth. No clues as to why we are going then?" He asked but Hagrid was adamantly remaining tight lipped.
"I best leave it a surprise." The half-giant muttered.
"You're cruel Hagrid." Harry said with a half-smile. He was still wary of the forest and he felt bad for pushing Hagrid's buttons. However the tournament was his priority and if Hagrid was half willing to help he'd take it.
"You'll be thankin' me later, believe me." Hagrid gave a grimace
"Alright I believe you, and I'll owe you one bigtime." Harry said reluctantly and fed Fang some cake.
After their lunch with Hagrid, Harry and Hermione proceeded to Arithmancy with Professor Vector where Harry was to have his first lesson.
Thankfully she did not make much of a deal of his presence as he slid into his chair at the back with Hermione. The lesson itself wasn't bad, not with Hermione taking her time to explain the subject areas and concepts they hadn't covered yet. The lesson flew by without much consequence and the Ravenclaw students did an excellent job of ignoring him.
At the end of the day they slumped into their seats at the fifth table, greeted by Cedric and Draco, followed by smiles and waves from Sophie, Cho, Oliver, Seamus and Alistair who simply nodded, sat on her other side again was Rachelle and Fleur who were murmuring to themselves in French. Fleur' eyes fell on Harry and she quickly looked away.
As Harry and the team's excitement for their first quidditch practice grew Hermione's anxiety about the Academics trial became more obvious. She sat down stiffly, her knuckles turned white as they were fixed upon her knees. She could barely look up from her untouched plate as she chewed on her lip.
"Come on Hermione what do you always make me do before a game?" Harry tried to encourage her.
"Toast." She squeaked so inaudible most of the table missed it. Ignoring the titters of Oliver and Seamus, Harry rolled his eyes.
"Yes 'Mione you make me do toast. So eat something, this is just your pre-game jitters you'll feel better if you have some food." He tried to coax her.
"You'll do great Hermione, you're the smartest witch in our year, maybe even the entire school." Seamus cheered her on with a grin.
"I don't know about that." Hermione gave a small chuckle at the praise. Reluctantly she began picking at her food and Harry grinned in his small victory.
"Really what have you got to be afraid of?" Harry nudged her lightly with her elbow.
"Well, realistically giving a weekends notice is a little demanding." She admitted "It said general knowledge, and other than our subjects here- I mean, I wouldn't even know where to begin. There is so much I don't know but I bet there'll be some traditional outdated tripe on there and I just know I'll miss so many marks because of it."
Harry watched her ramble on nervously explaining her fears, she had appeared so ecstatic when the announcement came.
"Not like you Granger. Maybe you should've looked up a thing or two about our traditions, learn something and try to understand us a bit better." Draco muttered.
Hermione glared at him. "What - like the best ways to traumatize muggles and then erase their memories? Mistreating house elves?"
Draco opened his mouth for a second he was about to say something then he promptly closed it giving her a dark look while shifting guiltily.
"I think Draco was referring to the structure of our culture, which mainly revolves around wizarding families. You might think them old fashioned but much of society still places high value on our customs and with it pride in their family ancestry." Cedric said although he didn't completely agree with it.
Cedric thought to himself that even though he was considered a pureblood, despite a couple of generations of half-bloods marrying into the line, that most of their customs and way of life were often self-serving, out-dated and extremely prejudiced against anything 'non-magical'. Fortunately he was of a branch of the Bones line, and his cousins uncles and aunts were all of the better natured pureblood wizarding population.
"It stems from the witch hunts really. They nearly wiped us out, and it caused strong fear of anything muggle for a long time- even now I suppose, fear breeds hate." Cho said.
Everyone ignored Draco's scoff, like he'd ever admit to being afraid of muggles.
"Eventually we managed to live side by side without alerting them to our existence but ever since then there has been a priority on secrecy and the preservation of wizard kind." Cedric tried to clarify.
"This is also why we are so backwards. History of Magic doesn't really teach you anything useful about our history, except not to piss off goblins, trolls and giants. Again enforcing extreme prejudices beliefs."
"Is that all professor Binns teaches?" Harry asked.
"Pretty much. Goblin revolts and giant wars. The board of governors hasn't changed the curriculum in over a hundred years, though some have tried."
"But there has been more than one major wizarding war since then and it isn't being covered at all?" Hermione exclaimed.
"Nope. Have you ever heard the slogan Magic is Might? Coined by the old purist faction in the 1800s as a rhetoric against anything that isn't wizard or witch. That same movement drove Vampires in Britain underground or abroad and sewed the seeds for the new purist faction which helped start our last blood war. I've always said I think there should be subjects alternative to Muggle Studies but about contemporary history and wizarding culture for muggleborns, it's only fair." Alistair said grimly, everyone stared at the normally quiet and sullen Hufflepuff prefect.
"They could but muggleborns are sometimes overwhelmed enough when they get into Hogwarts, Becky Arncliff still gets panic attacks even now. But you are right there should be something in place to help integrate them into society." Sophie agreed.
"That's the opposite of what they want." Draco said in a long obnoxious sigh, those sat on the fifth table turned to him. "Listen closely because I'll only say this once." For a moment he looked uncertain, he glanced behind his back towards the Slytherin table and everyone subconsciously drew in a little closer. "The pureblood agenda has been working behind the scenes for a long time and is fully supported by the majority of the high ranking members of the ministry. Their aim is to make muggleborns feel so alienated out of school that they turn their back on the wizarding world. It hates change. Although it seems like the logical thing to do, the ministry won't want to just hand out information on how it operates. There is an educational decree from the board of governors, so it won't happen here or any of the less prestigious schools either like Merlin Academy or Cardiff Institute."
Harry blinked in surprise, he hadn't been aware of any other magical schools; he had always assumed Hogwarts was the only one in Britain.
"He is right, the ministry wouldn't allow it, similar to the muggle government. They like to keep as many people in the dark about how things work and how bad things are for muggleborns, especially when it comes to politics and ministry jobs. They don't want people to understand how little power or value in society they have unless they are pureblood." Cho said quietly.
"That is utter bullshit." Harry said angrily. "So if Hermione gets twelve Os in her OWL's she can't get a decent job because she is muggleborn?" Harry growled.
"It's unfair and bigoted yes. No one can argue with you there." Cedric continued as Harry glared at Draco. "But unless you hold enough sway in the ministry or Wizengamot not a lot can be done."
Harry noticed the others had become very interested in their conversation.
"Sounds about right though compared to muggles, it's full of conservative right-wing oppression." Hermione said solemnly.
"In a nutshell." Sophie noted joining in.
"It can't all be bad can it?" Harry asked.
"There is the ICW who first cited the statute of secrecy." Cho chimed her voice rather hopeful "It's basically the global union of the ministries of magic around the world. They pass international laws and legislations to regulate Wizards and Muggles, they're big on safety bills. Luckily we have Dumbledore as Chief Mugwump, Merlin knows how much our ministry would fuck up trying to get their bills passed globally. Fleur probably knows a bit more." Cho gave the French girl a look.
"You do?" Harry asked curiously, momentarily forgetting about how their last encounter ended.
"Oui, I mean yes, mon pére- my fazzer just passed ze bill to illegalise troll and giant slaying. Ze process waz slow eet 'as taken years to pass." Fleur said as she looked up to meet his eyes. Her usual air of loftiness was gone. "Zey are also ze ones who stood ze dark wizard Grindewald on trial for 'is war crimes - nearly breaking ze statute of secrecy beyond repair. Despite ze world calling for 'is blood, many in Europe who were in ze war wanting him executed, zey sentenced 'im to life in Nurmengrad. Zat waz because eet waz a international incedent though, zey can't do much about national laws so long as eet doesn't affect ze mundane world." She said more confidently.
"ICW is still more liberal and makes decent enough laws, but that's only because representatives are elected by their country. Whereas our ministry's Wizengamot is another matter." Alistair stated.
"So what is the Wizengamot and how does that fit in with the ministry?" Harry asked.
"Just a restructured version of the original wizard's council - but suited to the ministry, so more corrupt." Cedric said darkly.
"That explains why my last chat with Fudge didn't leave me with much optimism for bright and shiny future." Harry noted in a dry voice.
"The Wizengamot decides what laws and legislations are passed so long as it is with the bounds of the ICW and oversee all judicial matters along with all the other bureaucracy crap." Sophie added as she tied her hair.
"It used to be that the heads of fifty wizarding clans of Great Britain or houses as we call them now. Past few centuries though it's become a mixture between ministry officials and heads of all the old houses, presided over by the minister, his undersecretary and the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Cedric explained. "A court of judge, jury and executioner."
Their chat had been enlightening to say the least and Harry knew Hermione would broach the subject again first chance she got after she did some research. He felt really sorry for her, he had no desire to work in the ministry, though he had flirted with the thought of being an Auror. Moody was crazy but it seemed a rather cool and a worthwhile profession to be in. But then he also liked the thought of signing to a quidditch team after school if he could, especially if Cedric's suspicions about scouts attending were to be believed. It saddened him that Hermione was too bright not to have a promising future, she was already petitioning Elf rights and she wasn't even out of school yet but sooner or later she would be hindered by something just because of blood status. Though if anyone would find away around it and make a difference he would bet all his gold in Gringotts on it being Hermione.
As they all rose as their empty plates vanished knowing it was time to leave and let the teachers prepare the hall for all those who wanted to join the academics team. Harry, Seamus and the others wished Hermione luck before making their way to Quidditch practice.
In the locker room Harry grinned as he withdrew his new set of quidditch robes and marvelled at them. The team's kit was of durable yet lightweight fabric predominantly black and accented with gold with a well padded undershirt. Emblazoned on his breast was the Gryffindor crest and in gold lettering 'Potter' sat above the number seven on his back.
However as far as practices went it was abysmal. First they had to take part in fitness training which had the twins cursing Cedric under their breath, sorely comparing his demanding nature to that of Wood's, but Wood had never made them work out so vigorously before. The entirety of the team was worn out by the end before they even sat on a broom.
Then in answer to their cries for mercy, Cedric had them doing drills for speed, precision and agility, zigzagging through air with obstacles to avoid and two sets of bludgers flying at them from all four beaters. Just as it started to rain again they had team exercises before they were paired off with their individual coaches. Harry could barely even hear Emma's instructions over the rain. He was just happy that she kept him and Daphne so busy with back to back games of tag he didn't have to worry about her keeping his two most guarded secrets.
When they were finished Harry slumped onto a bench and rested his chin on his knuckles as he pondered his future options again. He was sure that should he make it out of the school year that surviving being a champion would do him a few favours.
"Malfoy, what do you want to do when you leave Hogwarts?" Harry asked from the bench he was sitting on, water dripping from his hair still.
They were the last ones left in the locker room, everyone else had left for their common rooms which was why they were probably the most reluctant to leave. The two of them were still treading new ground, though they could actually tolerate each other now. It was in moments like these they could feel the pressure. When they were with others it was easy to forget about the great unknown that hung above them. The reality that they might not make it through the month suddenly crept up on them, anxiety crawling in their lungs.
Draco paused for a moment, focusing on the mirror in front of him trying to smooth his white hair back.
"I don't know Potter." He answered rather honestly, his voice gruff. "My family have been antiquarians for generations, so trading rare and dark objects is the family business. If I could choose something else though... I always wanted to be an alchemist like Nicholas Flamel or an artificer."
"You're not going to grow up to be your father then?" Harry asked jokingly.
"No." Draco said giving his reflection in the mirror a glare. He let out a deflated sigh. "I'll probably have to dabble in politics when I take his seat as head of house and place on the wizengamot, so I'll have dealings with the ministry. I'll always be rich, people will look to me for influence and bootlicking, especially the purebloods, there's nothing I can do about that. I'll carry on the Malfoy name. I'll just try not to be a royal arse about it."
"So, you think your father is a royal arse?"
"Don't you think he is?" Draco rolled his eyes turning to Harry.
"I- well yeah, but he's your dad you know?"
In truth Draco hadn't heard from Lucius since his name came out along with Harry's. His mother had told him he was furious, that Draco's actions of 'conspiring' with Harry were humiliating. His own father thought he had done it to spite him no doubt. His mother told him he was probably overreacting but not a letter of luck or advice or assurance had come, he had been abandoned.
"He might be my father, don't get me wrong, I lo- looked up to him. But what I thought about him, everything he made me believe, it was stupid. I can hate him for that- but he's still my father..." Draco looked down shaking his head. "You wouldn't understand."
Draco was conflicted that much Harry could see.
"No, I wouldn't." He replied with a voice so soft it was barely above a whisper.
Draco didn't finch and didn't comment, instead he thought on his actions from last year. In hindsight how childish and how petty he had been. All his life he had been spoilt there was no denying it. Then in the summer what he did to reveal his father's anger, and his true colours. A part of what he had seen the Death Eaters do frightened him a little if he was going to be completely honest with himself.
"I thought he was formidable but all he does is buy people. You probably already thought that. But I grew up as he raised me - his image. I had this illusion in my head. I used to think people were afraid of him but no he just gives them gold or threats and they do what he wants. Blackmail and bribery - that's not power."
"Do you want power?" Harry was surprised with how much he had opened up to him, perhaps it was because they were alone. No one would believe Harry if he shared anything from their talks, but it made Draco more human, Harry was beginning to understand.
"I want to be respected. When I ask someone to levitate I want them to ask 'how high?' not 'how much?' I think that's powerful."
"Who knew you could say something so profound Malfoy." Harry tried not to sound so surprised but he knew he had already failed at that. Instead he nodded finally getting up.
He always knew Draco was just a product of his upbringing, the same way Dudley had emulated Uncle Vernon; he simply hadn't known any different. Harry wondered if it had only been the Goblet that had turned Draco away from the Malfoy patriarch but knew better than to pry further. It was none of his business. However it did strike Harry that being selected champion had been clearly been a tipping point on an invisible scale, and something outweighed his need for this father's approval.
"So, Scarhead you asked me what I wanted after Hogwarts. I answered. Now it's your turn what do want to with your glowing future should we live through this tournament." Draco turned to him.
"I don't really know, I never had to think that far ahead before. Professional quidditch maybe, I'm already famous so the hassle wouldn't be any different I suppose. But then being an auora could be interesting. I think most of all I want a quiet house and to not have people gawking at me." Harry replied reflectively.
"You can say that again Potter." Draco gave a half smile despite himself.
Harry grinned. "A quiet house and not have-"
"Don't make me hex you." The Slytherin champion interrupted with a scowl.
Harry just laughed shaking his head. "I've been wondering about something else though, it's been bugging me a bit actually."
"Don't strain yourself Potter, you have brain damage as it is." Draco said watching him closely before sighing. "Come on then, out with it."
"These badges that have been going around. Some of your house, not that I'm complaining, but they aren't wearing them. You know Zabini, Davis, Nott, Greengrass. I'd have thought… Well, I don't know what to think – I don't know them, I figured you might shed some light on the subject." Harry said.
Draco stood silent for a moment. He had dismissed it rather quickly, Zabini and Nott had been acting strangely, that much he had known.
"I can't say for sure. They tend not follow the Slytherin crowd. If it had been me I'd have made them myself, loath as I am to admit it- just to get a rise out of you. Zabini and Nott are sort of friends neither care for the school politics from what I gather."
"You're not friends with them?" Though Harry already knew the answer, otherwise Draco wouldn't have needed Crabbe and Goyle for lackeys.
"I've known Theo since we were children, his father and mine, are- well… they have aligned interests." Draco said stiffly as if it was painful to say the words. "I thought we were friends, last year things changed - he has his own mind. Like I said he's a proper pureblood, he has his own ideas. Which is more than I can say for Crabbe and Goyle, muscles for brains and bad body odour."
"I thought the body odour was you?" Harry jibed. Draco narrowed his eyes but said nothing. "And the girls?"
"Ice bitch probably thinks herself above such things. She has a high opinion of herself, looks down on everything and everyone. Probably thought they looked ugly and wouldn't be seen dead wearing one. Davis is a half-blood, gets a lot of trouble for it in the house. I'd have thought she might wear one to fit in but she's best friends with Greengrass so it's not much of a surprise." Draco shrugged. "Why do you care so much?"
"I just like to keep an eye on who might be trouble for me and who wont."
"Trouble?" Draco looked at him suspiciously. "Not planning on getting them into your Potter fan club?"
"I don't know if you've noticed but I actually prefer not having a fan club. Thought you could do with some friends, get you away from me." Harry muttered with a nasty smirk.
"Doubtful, I've called Tracy a filthy half-blood a few too many times; Greengrass has never liked me, at least from what I can tell, she grew up in the same circles as me and Nott. It's hard to see anything under that stone expression hers and she has been wearing it longer than I care to remember." Draco grunted.
His description of Daphne greatly interested Harry, which was real his reason for probing, but he decided not to press any further in case Draco began to wonder the real cause for his questions.
When they ventured away from the pitch and stands it was considerably darker, the rain hadn't stopped. Instead it seemed to be raining harder and both of the unwanted champions had given up trying to accomplish a strong enough water repellent charm. Defeated they allowed themselves to get soaked through as the trudged their way up to the castle.
Draco had given Harry much to contemplate concerning the blonde Slytherin girl. Draco having lived in the same house as her gave him more insight than Harry had. He wasn't surprised to find out they knew each other before Hogwarts too. He still couldn't say he trusted her, but the fact Tracy Davis was a half-blood like him and her best friend gotten his attention. He hoped it meant that if she felt superior it was because of something other than blood purity. Even Draco once upon a time had offered to be his friend, regardless of him being a half-blood. However as far as he knew Tracy didn't have the luxury of being internationally famous like he did.
When they reached the courtyard outside the entrance hall Harry looked up and saw someone he hadn't been expecting. Inwardly he groaned. Stood talking with Cedric was Fleur. Her eyes flew up and she smiled, her hand came up and rested on Cedric's arm as he left. Harry wondered why she could possibly be smiling.
Draco smirked at him before hurriedly brushing past her leaving him alone with the French champion.
She was far too beautiful he thought. While she looked drenched herself slightly dishevelling her appearance, the soaking silk skirt and blazer of the Beauxbaton's uniform wasn't helping matters. Even if he wasn't overly fond of her he still couldn't help the feeling of his heart leaping out his chest.
Harry wondered if she was waiting to ambush him again. He remembered their last encounter all too well, ending with him confused and her running away. That was what he had wanted though, wasn't it? To be left alone, he wasn't sure; he just didn't want her ridiculing him again.
"Are you waiting for me?" Harry asked finally. Fleur nodded slowly, her blue eyes looked at him carefully. "I suppose I could have worse stalkers."
Fleur tried not to laugh but she smiled anyway, a smile that knocked the breath out of him. Harry swallowed, a sharp pain appearing in his throat. They stood there quiet for a long moment, she was wearing her hair up again, accentuating her slender neck. He watched as her silver hair darkened as water hung to the curled tresses that framed her face.
Her bright blue eyes held him in place.
"You wanted me then, here I am - or did you just want to stare?" Harry asked, keeping his voice pleasant despite the growing discomfort of the cold rain.
Fleur shook her head and took a deep breath.
"I wanted to say zat I am sorry. For 'ow I 'ave acted towards you."
Harry felt like he had been kicked in the stomach. He was suddenly finding it very hard to breath. Only instead of a sting he was left rather tense and more confused.
"I zink.. how do you say?... we got off on ze wrong foot. I was rude and zen I wanted to fix zings, but you weren't around - I didn't know 'ow to say to you and I grew… frustrated. Zen zat evening I lost control of my temper and I made zings worse… I should 'ave taken ze time to know you before being such a… well, such a bitch." she said finally her eyes falling to the floor in shame as much as it pained her to admit it.
Harry stood in shock for a second, trying to recuperate, trying to think of something he could say.
"I er.. well." Harry could hardly find his voice.
He hadn't been any better; in fact he had been worse if she had been trying to say this on Friday evening and he had shrugged her off without thinking. No - he had been worse.
"You do not 'ave to say anyzhing. I simply wished to make my peace." Fleur grimaced.
"No, it's okay. See -um- last time I -me too you know. Sorry… I mean. I haven't really been very good company lately. So I'm sorry too." Harry stuttered scratching the make of his head. Fleur gave him a small smile understandingly.
"Accepted. Good luck in ze task 'Arry." Fleur said gently with a small nod of her head and wave.
Harry watched her still lost for words, his throat was dry and the cold bit him. Yet all he could think of was how Fleur said his name. It sounded wonderful. She walked onward without looking back and disappeared into the grounds to the drumming of thunder. Her blue robes faded into grey haze of rain and she was gone.