"...For those of you who don't know, the Triwizard tournament brings together..." While Dumbledore was talking to us like we didn't know about what the tournament was just to hash effects, the rest of the Slytherins were placing their last bets on who would be the champions.
And while it was clear that there was no one to bet against the famous Durmstrang seeker or the girl that took the breath away from all of Hogwarts' guys, our champion was far from agreed upon.
"... I bet five Galleons on Quentin..."
"...Quentin, for Merlin's sake, not if magic ceased to exist..."
"... What do you mean by that, Graham?..."
"...Oh, sorry, Quentin, didn't see you there..."
Of course, most bets were placed on our respective Slytherin seven years to show unity; although in private, not bothered by other houses, names like Johnson from Gryffindor or Summers from Hufflepuff were bet on. And occasionally, the name Weasley also found their way into certain arguments.
It actually was quite common for us to talk about their latest pranks and occasionally laugh about them - behind closed doors in our common room and only if no snake had been the target, of course.
"The show begins..." Zabini whispered next to me and he was right. The goblet's blue fire was eaten away by red one and moments after, a parchment of paper - the edges charred and crumbled - was thrown from it towards the hand of one... apparently frightened Dumbledore?
Why was Dumbledore frightened of a goblet? Was it really that powerful?! No, it couldn't be, if Dumbledore was afraid of it, the ministry wouldn't have allowed it to be put in a hall with over two hundred students. Not to mention, the minister himself...
"And the Durmstrang champion is... Victor Krum!" The Durmstrang fraction to our right let out a cheer - Karkaroff being the loudest - and Hogwarts followed suit. All of Hogwarts? No, at the Slytherin table, only money changed its owner and I sent Victor a nod and a slight smile when he walked past us. Didn't think he noticed though, probably full of adrenaline.
Next was Beauxbatons. And, unsurprisingly, Fleur Delacour was chosen. This time, even a few Slytherins were clapping. And if I say, a few, I mean all the boys. And Parkinson lost a lot of money and seemed quite sour. She even went as far as to smack Draco on the shoulder for staring at the blonde witch which earned her an icy look that even made her stop. Which was impressive.
When she caught me looking at her, she sneered at me. I simply smiled and turned away, knowing it would drive her crazy that she didn't have any effect on me.
Apparently, she was about to retort something but Zabini cut in.
"Sshhh, now it's Hogwarts turn!" And sure enough, the fire in the goblet changed from blue-white to a bright red once again and another parchment was caught by Dumbledore.
"And the champion for Hogwarts is... Cedric Diggory!" I thought the combined cheering from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor could be heard from outiside the castle . Meanwhile, a handsome student stood up and walked towards the same door Victor and Delacour had disappeared behind. I recognized him... he was the guy that had stopped me when I'd discovered the other house's common room.
"How on earth is this Hufflepuff..." Draco struggled for one moment "...chosen over a Slytherin?!" His disbelief was clearly shown on his face. And he wasn't the only one. All around the Slytherin table, disappointed, disbelieving and angry faces could be seen, all looking at the champion's back with barely hidden contempt.
But while their attention was focused on their bets and some nasty exchanges with the Hufflepuffs, I nudged Draco.
"Look, something's happening!" Apparently, I wasn't the only one who had noticed that the goblet apparently was on the verge of... ejecting another name?! And a look into the teacher's faces confirmed that this wasn't something they'd expected either.
When the parchment flew through the air, Dumbledore actually took a surprised step back before extending his hand and catching it. He looked at the paper and said nothing. I released the breath that I'd unknowingly been holding before...
"Harry Potter!" Wait, what?! Next to me, Draco and Zabini both - well, actually the whole Slytherin table - were exchanging disbelieving glances.
"Harry Potter" Holy, I'd never suspected the headmaster of sounding so... well, pissed actually. Draco had told me that the old wizard was always calm with a hint of craziness in him.
I looked over to Potter who was frozen and apparently didn't get what was going on. Finally, the Granger girl nudged him and got him to stand up and move towards the headmaster.
On his way, whispered erupted. But while all around me, they accused him of cheating, I studied him. He genuinely seemed surprised, in shock even. So did his friends. I knew, it was completely un-Slytherin-like, but somehow I didn't believe that Potter threw his name into the goblet. Nevertheless, I was also not quite happy about that development, to say the least. s
I mean, he would have told his friends about it, wouldn't he. And, as much as it may bother me to say it, but Dumbledore was a capable wizard and if he made an age line, it would be flawless.
No, I didn't believe what was whispered all around me. And while the others were discussing, a fleeing look hushed over Dumbledore's face... worry and... fear.
And now it clicked. Someone wanted Potter in the tournament, because it was dangerous! It was a perfect opportunity to harm the boy who lived publicly! But who would do that? Who would be so brave and foolish at the same time to attempt such a thing under the eyes of Dumbledore and the ministry alike?
"Silence!" Dumbledore waved his wand and multiple crackers silenced the louder growing whispers in the hall.
"While this is an unexpected development, I expect you to go to your dorms now while the jury will decide about what will happen. Prefects, if you would please"
"Ok, come on guys, let's go" Following our prefect whose name I still somehow didn't know, we left the great hall, but not without throwing some insults at the Gryffindors who, unexpectedly, didn't even retort as we expected. Instead, they were discussing amongst themselves. And even the other houses seemed unhappy.
Back in the dungeons, the chaos really started.
"..that stupid, fame-addicted git..."
"... I seriously hope he dies in that tournament.."
"So, why did you think he did it. Fame? Glory? Or just to show everyone how superior he is?" Zabini asked with his typical smirk.
"Who cares... Potter always get's the fame and glory.. Merlin, how I hate this guy!" Draco seemed to be enraged beyond anything I've ever witnessed. And that's why he probably shoved Theodore against the wall when he thoughtfully stated: "I don't think he threw his name in the goblet.."
"Draco, stop it!" I jumped to my feet. "Potter's your enemy, not Theodore" That seemed to get through to him and he released his fellow Slytherin.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to... you know" But the younger Slytherin only waved it off. "Don't worry about it. But seriously, did you see his reaction?!"
"I don't care, he probably was surprised that his plan worked. Or that he is the second champion for Hogwarts!" Me and Theodore exchanged a glance that meant that we both doubted his explanation, but wouldn't contradict him. From past experience, I knew that once Draco had set his mind on something, you couldn't argue with him.
"Hey, anyone want to bet on how long Potter will stay in the tournament..!" Zabini more shouted than called into the round. I raised an eyebrow at him, but he only grinned.
"He won't even participate, they won't allow it!" Somebody shouted. I leant over to the other three.
"Ten galleons on the fact that they will make him the forth champion?" Draco looked at me and then sighed. Suddenly he seemed so tired.
"I know they will. They're always on his side..." he let his head hang, a gesture that I hadn't seen from him often. And that said something.
"Come on, let's talk." I grabbed his arm and dragged him over to his dorm. Theodore and Zabini got the hint and stayed behind.
"Sit" I commanded and he obeyed. I sat next to him and took his head into my handy, thus gently forcing him to look at me.
"I know he gets all the fame. And I know you are somewhat jealous.." He opened his mouth to interrupt me, but I silenced him with a glare.
"Don't you dare contradict me on this Draco Lucius Malfoy. I know you. And I know that you resent Potter because of his fame and his popularity. Bet let me tell you one thing: Don't try to be like Potter, please. Just... stay yourself. I don't expect you to forget about him, just... remember how much you mean to me. For me, you'll always be better than him, no matter what!" I knew he had to hear this now. Although Draco would have contradicted me, he compared himself to the boy who lived far too often. Maybe because Lucius was always scolding him for not being on one level with him or being second best to Granger.
"Thanks, Keira, I appreciate it, but... could I be alone now, please" His voice was pleading and I nodded and hugged him. "Think about it" Feeling emotionally tired, I left his dorm and went back to the others.
"How is he?" Zabini asked and that made me... somewhat happy. I knew that most of the relationships in Slytherin were based on prearranged marriages and more based on business and advantages than on worry and friendship, but judging by the looks on both his and Theo's faces, they were genuinely worried about him.
More worried that Gregory and Vincent, who were eating muffins on the couch now, not caring about what was happening around them.
I sighed. "He'll be ok. He just needs time, but by tomorrow, he'll be back to his old self." They nodded.
"He always is." Theo encouraged.
"And by the way, I don't bet against girls... don't want to ruin them" Zabini joked, trying to ease the mood.
"Fancy a drink, you two? I managed to nick a bottle of whiskey from home!"
"Sorry, Blaise, but I need to sleep right now. And think." Draco's mood has somehow dragged me down as well. And so I left the two with the other Slytherins to gossip and hate-talk about Potter and to speculate how he might have overcome Dumbledore's age line.