A Beautiful Cacophony
Draco Malfoy X Astoria Greengrass
Disclaimer – I do not own the Harry Potter series.
Second Year - Part Three
Champions Revealed
Around a month after the revelation that the Triwizard Tournament was going to be held at Hogwarts, the two other competing schools arrived. The fur-clad males from Durmstrang arrived in a vast ship, and caused a stir amongst the females at Hogwarts as one of their students was none other than the famous Bulgarian Seeker, Viktor Krum. The dainty students of Beauxbatons arrived around the same time in a huge carriage drawn by large horses. The students from both of these schools were welcomed warmly by those of Hogwarts, and their arrival only served to emphasise the excitement felt by the mass of people at school.
Draco was especially welcoming towards the Durmstrang students, and it was obvious from his efforts that he was trying to befriend the surly, and famous, Krum. This idea seemed to sit well with Daphne and Pansy, who moved some of their devotion of Draco onto the unfortunate Seeker. Astoria could only roll her eyes at her predictable sister's activities.
However she had other things on her mind.
One day, Jacob had approached her in their common room the day to talk with her.
"Tora…Can I have a quick word with you?" Astoria looked up at him with questioning eyes, but he shook his head and motioned for her to follow him outside the common room. She pulled her way through the portrait hole and waited for him to talk.
"Look, it's been on my mind for a while now. I've noticed that you've been staring at him a lot, and that you don't join in so much when we make fun of him, so I'm gonna ask you straight: do you have a crush on Draco Malfoy?" His voice held an edge, and so Astoria elected to remain silent.
Jacob continued. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't intrude. It's just… he's horrible to us all, and he's an idiot. I'd be worried if you were willing to waste your feelings on a jerk like him…"
Astoria took a deep breath, and decided to speak honestly. "I don't know. I don't think I do, but in all honestly, I've been asking myself the same question."
Jacob shook his head and snorted. "Really."
Astoria wanted to tell him what she'd seen on the last day of her first year, in order to justify her sentiments in some way, but felt that it was a matter that should be kept between Draco and the boy he helped. "I just feel like there might be a good side somewhere. I just don't know. Please don't get angry at me."
Jacob held up his hands in protest, but was clearly annoyed. "I'm not. I just wanted to know, that's all."
"Well, okay." Astoria was pretty annoyed herself.
They both returned through the portrait hole, and Jacob went straight over to Goleth, where he started discussing something in subdued tones. They kept glancing back at Astoria. She could not help but think that Jacob was discussing her possible feelings for Draco with Goleth; a thought that made her feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.
As she could see no sign of Honey, Astoria decided to search for Reyna in the school grounds, where, Astoria had recently discovered, she usually went when wanting to be alone. Once she reached the grounds, it did not take her long to spot Reyna lounging near the lake, looking comfortable despite the autumn chill. She made her way over to the girl, and sat herself down beside her, crossing her arms in the cold. They sat in a companionable silence, watching as the giant squid skimmed its tentacles across the surface of the water. They glanced up as Viktor Krum sauntered past, followed by a group of sniggering girls. Reyna made a tutting noise which caused the group to scarper, and she stood up to go back inside.
"Come on, let's get away from these babbling, obsessive idiots."
They left the grounds and re-entered the main school building, making their way back to the Slytherin common room.
As they walked, Astoria shared her fears with Reyna.
"Um, Reyna, I think that your brother and Jacob are making fun of me behind my back. Jacob asked me if I like Draco and then he went to Goleth and they started talking and looking at me." She looked at Reyna for comfort, but she just gave her a blank look.
"I don't know what you want me to say. It's not like I know anything about crushes and stuff. I'm only twelve! The only advice I have is that you should be careful of Malfoy. He seems bad." She tried to smile encouragingly, but all she achieved was an awkward grin.
Astoria muttered a 'thanks' and soon, the two girls reached their common room, and made their way up to their bedchambers, ready for the next day where they would find out who had been chosen as the Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons champions.
…X…
As well as being the day when they would find out the results, the next day was also Halloween, and so they awoke to over-the-top decorations, as well as real bats flapping about their room. Honey, Reyna and Astoria rushed down the stairs, anxious for the day to speed up so that it would be time for the Halloween feast, and, of course, the champion choosing.
The day itself was full of silly games and horror stories, and some of the teachers took to it enthusiastically. However, most people just wished for the evening feast so that they could discuss the champions and get ready to cheer them on for their first event, which would take place within the next month or so.
The day seemed to drag on forever, but eventually the feast came about.
Honey, Jacob and Reyna sat down at their table, opposite Astoria and Goleth. They ate quickly and waited for the entirety of the students and teachers to finish also. It appeared that everyone else had the same view and soon the feast was over. Silence fell over the Grand Hall, and the Goblet of Fire (in which nominees had placed their names) was brought out, ready to reveal the results.
The tension in the room was so dense that Astoria believed that if the fire in the goblet had been not been magic, the whole atmosphere may have caught alight. All eyes were focused on the goblet, and it seemed as though Dumbledore was enjoying the suspense of his students and those from foreign schools.
The Goblet suddenly changed colour for a moment, and a wisp of paper floated out and into Dumbledore's hands. Everyone leaned forwards in their seats and the first name was called.
"From Beauxbatons, the Champion is … Fleur Delacour!" The students of Beauxbatons cheered as a blonde girl made her way to the front, where she exited out of a side door.
Another piece of paper flew out and Viktor Krum was selected as the Durmstrang champion. Draco stood up and joined the applause, trying to get Krum's attention as he strode past. Jacob laughed as the moody Durmstrang student ignored Draco and followed Fleur through the door to the side room.
Silence fell again as the Hogwarts champion was decided.
"Cedric Diggory!"
The entire Hufflepuff table erupted into cheers and a good looking boy was patted on the back as he walked down to the same side door as the other two champions.
Excited chatter followed the revelation, and Draco grinned.
"I knew that it wouldn't be a filthy Gryffindor that would be chosen as our champion. And of course, I completely expected Viktor to be chosen for Durmstrang." His friends nodded at him, drinking in his every word. Astoria glanced at him, but noticed that Jacob was watching her through narrowed eyes. She averted her gaze immediately and focused instead on the head of a first year Hufflepuff nearby. It took her a moment to realise she had been staring at Anna La Beau, the younger sister of Kitty. She noticed that the younger girl was gazing absently at the Goblet of Fire, and so she followed her stare to look at it too. It took her a moment to realise something strange was going on, and as she tapped Goleth on the shoulder, another piece of paper shot out and into Dumbledore's hands. A confused silence fell on the students and all eyes fell to the front of the room again.
"Harry Potter!"
A shocked silence ensued, followed by an outcry from Draco and his cronies. A boy with black hair, glasses and a lightning-bolt shaped scar stumbled to the front and through the side door, followed all the way by silence from some and anger from others. All the teachers then entered the side room too, clearly trying to work out the matter at hand.
Astoria turned to Honey, who was unbothered by the whole event.
"I don't even care, to be honest. The Triwizard Tournament is so stupid and dangerous…Why would anyone want to compete?" Honey shrugged.
Draco snickered and responded. "'Why would anyone want to compete?'' What about the fame and the glory? Gah, I can't believe that Snotty Potty boy is a champion. It is ridiculous! Fourth years aren't allowed to enter, and even if they were, why would they choose him over me? It's an outrage!"
His sentiments were clearly shared by a vast majority of fellow Slytherin students, as well as many Hufflepuffs who clearly felt that Harry Potter had stolen their limelight.
Astoria herself was shocked by the proceedings, but decided not to show it in fear that Jacob and Goleth would think she was just trying to copy Draco.
A few moments later, the teachers reappeared in order to declare that indeed there would be four champions, which was met with outrage from the students of the two foreign schools, who obviously felt that they were now at a disadvantage. Dumbledore dismissed the students, who left the hall, talking loudly and interestedly about the days events.
Astoria left with Honey and Reyna, and they followed Draco as he led the way down to the Slytherin common room. He was clearly having a heated debate with another fourth year, called Theodore Nott, about the fact that Cedric Diggory was the other Hogwarts champion. It seemed as though Draco was glad of this decision as he was not a Gryffindor, but it seemed that Nott disliked Diggory with an intense passion.
Draco turned to Astoria. "Oi, Greengrass! Don't you agree with me? Diggory is better than any Gryffindor as champion! Right?"
"I guess…" Draco cut her off. "See? Even she agrees with me! You are such an idiot, Nott!"
She felt strange at being addressed by him: not only had he not insulted her, but he seemed to actually be interested in her opinion. She felt a surge of feelings that she had never felt before. She blushed extravagantly, just as Draco turned to face her again. He faltered in whatever he was about to say.
"Gree- What the-? What on earth is wrong with you? Your face is as all red… So weird." He peered closely at her, causing her to blush even more. A look of realisation swept over his face and he burst into laughter.
"Oh my- Oh! You like me don't you! Oh, that is funny!" His friends, who had joined him a moment before, followed his lead and began laughing too. Astoria stared at him, not quite believing what was going on.
She coughed slightly, and tried to recover the situation. "In your dreams, Malfoy."
But she had spoken too late.
Draco thought she liked him, and that was not a good thing.
A/N: Whoa! So does she actually like him yet, or what? What a confused child . And Draco thinks she likes him? Well that cannot be good!
Anyhow, I would like to say thanks to silverbirch, PurpleMonkeyDishwashers, KaitlynEmmaRose, glowyrm and biblioholic for the helpful and encouraging reviews!
So, please enjoy and review! x