"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?" - Abraham Lincoln
Chapter Twenty-One - The Aftermath
Ankaa was only slightly aware of the fact that her mouth was hanging open in surprise. Her eyes were narrowed at Potter's retreating back, as he stumbled uncertainly towards Dumbledore to see the paper in his hand. Ankaa watched as Potter's head whipped up in supposed shock at his name appearing on the paper. Then he too was ushered through the same door the other champions had gone through.
There was a moment of silence, in which everyone was most likely trying to come to terms with what had just happened.
"Well then," Dumbledore clapped his hands together with a smile, "Perhaps it's time we all retire for the night!"
For the first time in a while, the school was finally united against something other than the Slytherin students. This time, as they all walked out, even the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students seemed to be glaring at the Gryffindors. Of course their hatred was nothing compared to the Slytherins. Ankaa was sure that if the teachers had not been keeping a keen eye out, the students would have started a riot.
Ankaa waited for Draco and the rest of her group to meet her at the end of the table before they turned to exit the Great Hall. Ankaa quickly spotted Hermione, Ron, and the twins in deep conversation a few paces away. Hermione had caught Ankaa's eye and was giving her an apologetic look.
"Unbelievable," Pansy spat, glaring at Hermione. "You couldn't let us have one chance, could you? Had to go and make it all about yourselves!"
"He didn't enter!" Hermione exclaimed. "This has to be a misunderstanding."
None of the Slytherins paid her any mind though. Draco glared at Hermione before pushing Pansy lightly towards the door. Draco and Ankaa stayed behind, and Draco motioned for the rest of them to carry on to the Common Room. Ankaa shot one look to the Staff Table, where Dumbledore was deep in discussion with Karkaroff and Madam Maxine, who were both looking beyond angry.
"Ankaa, please," Hermione begged. "You have to believe us. Harry would never enter, he told you himself."
"Don't talk to her, Mudblood." Draco glared at Hermione. At the term, the Weasley twins stepped forward protectively in front of Hermione and glared down at Malfoy. Usually, Malfoy didn't mess around with any of the older students, but this time Ankaa supposed he was more pissed off than normal.
"Let's go," Ankaa told him, giving him a slight push to break his glaring contest with the twins. She was otherwise mentally occupied to get into a confrontation right now. Besides, there would be plenty more Gryffindor versus Slytherin moments in the next few months alone.
"Ankaa—" Fred tried to talk to her this time.
"Forget it, Weasley." Ankaa barked. "It's done. Nothing we can do about it now."
Draco and Ankaa spent the next few minutes walking in silence. Draco was still fuming, and Ankaa knew better than to interrupt his thoughts and become a target for his verbal aggression. Though she usually retaliated, she felt positively drained today. Never in a million years could she have even thought that Potter would be an unofficial champion in the Tournament.
"That idiot Scarhead," Draco fumed. "I'll show him."
Ankaa raised a brow in amusement. "You have anything in mind?"
Draco smirked at her, "Of course I do. How good are you at a Replication Spell?"
"Spectacular. Why?"
Draco just smiled. Taking her hand, he pulled her along and once they got to the Common Room, he got to work.
The Slytherin Common Room was buzzing with excitement, even late into the night. No one seemed particularly keen on going to bed. Once the Slytherin students had all got back, they had decided to throw a party (despite it being a school night). Over the grand fireplace, the seventh years had strung up a banner.
CONGRATULATIONS CEPH
THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION!
Some of the older students had offered their secret stashes of Firewhiskey and Butterbeer that were placed at the table next to it, along with the various snacks that had been smuggled from the kitchens. Everyone was sitting around, waiting for Ceph to get back so they could officially start the party.
Ankaa was currently sitting on the couch with a dozen buttons in front of her, all with various designs of 'Ceph rules' inscribed on the surface. Beside her, Draco was waving his wand at one particular button, and carefully watching the transition between 'Ceph rules' and 'Potter stinks'.
"Really witty," Blaise remarked from the opposite couch, putting his Defense Against the Dark Arts book away for a moment. "Can't you make them throw punches as well?"
Draco narrowed his eyes at the button. "Not a bad idea," he muttered, waving his wand once again.
Ankaa only rolled her eyes. Every once in a while, Draco would ask her to replicate a badge until he would decide that he didn't like the colour scheme or the design on it. And then, he would start all over. In between those moments, Ankaa was busy waving her wand around at the various objects on the table, trying to perfect her non-verbal magic.
So far, she had only made a badge glide over the table, but she had not been able to properly summon it into her hand.
Around them, the students were deep in conversation. Ankaa noticed they were much more jolly than usual, and much more of them were present in the Common Room as she was used to seeing. Usually, they liked to do their work in odd spots around the castle, and hardly ever congregated in the Common Room at once.
The door opened. Everyone stood up as the person walked through the door.
"CONGRATULATIONS!"
There were dozens of people who had held up their wands and were shooting sparks into the air as Ceph walked towards them. The noise level had almost tripled, and someone had put music on as loud as they could. Ceph was surrounded by the other students, who all wished him congratulations and good luck.
Marcus Flint, who was currently repeating his seventh year, passed Ceph a cup filled with Firewhiskey, and shouted, "LET'S HEAR IT FOR RHYTHER!"
Ankaa snorted in amusement as everyone held up their cups and drank. Ceph on the other hand just pretended to drink, but actually threw all of his Firewhiskey in the fireplace behind him. The night continued on like this, as the Slytherin students laughed and danced and got semi-drunk (they were well aware of the fact that they had class tomorrow).
Halfway through the celebration, Ceph came by to where Ankaa was sitting.
"How's it going, Champ?" Ankaa sniggered.
"You've been waiting to use that one, haven't you?" Ceph sighed in mock irritation.
Ankaa nodded. They both leaned against one of the pillars and watched as everyone around them enjoyed the night. Directly in front of them, Pansy was sitting next to Draco, trying to draw his attention away from his badges. Draco only frowned.
"So what happened with Potter?" Ankaa asked.
"Nothing," Ceph shrugged, narrowing his eyes at one of the younger students who was trying to steal some Firewhiskey. "Dumbledore asked him whether he had put his name into the Goblet and Harry said no, and he didn't ask any of the older students to do it either."
"That's all it would take?" Ankaa raised a brow. "An older student to put your name in the Goblet?"
Ceph shrugged. "It really was just an Age line," He smiled at her. "Dumbledore probably suspected no one would use their common sense. Wizards typically like going overboard."
Ankaa only shook her head.
"But he's competing," Ceph continued. "Crouch said it was a 'binding magical contract' and if Harry's name was drawn he has no other choice but to compete."
Ankaa snorted. "Bet he's ecstatic about that," She muttered bitterly.
"Didn't look like it to me," Ceph said. "It's quite unfortunate, I think. The poor boy only wanted to stay out of the spotlight for once… But I think we need to be on our toes."
Ankaa just raised a brow at him.
Ceph leaned closer and whispered, "He's almost like family now, isn't he? We've got to look out for him. If he didn't put his name in, the person who did wants to get him into trouble. Do me a favour will you?"
Ankaa groaned. "I don't like favours," She whined.
"Keep an eye out for him. He hasn't got anyone else, especially not now." Ceph turned around then and spotted the same second year who was getting closer and closer to the Firewhiskey. "Oi!"
Ankaa watched as Ceph made his way over to the second year student and took the bottle from his hands. With a roll of his eyes, Ceph motioned the student along. Before long, Ceph and his friends had all cleared the tables. The music had been turned off, and everyone was slowly making their way out of the Common Room.
"Get to sleep," Ceph told her as he made his way up the stairs. "You have class tomorrow."
"Alright there, Champ," Ankaa waved him away. "Don't get your knickers in a twist."
Ankaa walked over to where Draco was still mulling over a badge. Raising a brow, she leaned forward and took it from his hands.
"Are you done then?" She asked, turning the badge in her hands. "You want me to replicate this one?"
"Nah," Draco sighed as he got up and stretched his arms over his head. Behind him, Pansy sat forward and was eagerly watching his torso in case his shirt rode up. Ankaa just smirked and threw the badge at her head.
"Ow!" Pansy cried, "What was that for!"
"We were about to drown in your drool, Parkinson." Ankaa snickered. Pansy blushed when Draco gave her an unamused look. Shaking her head, she got up and rushed upstairs.
"When will you have those finished by?" Ankaa gestured to the various badges Draco was holding.
He shrugged, "A few more days. I want to make sure it's perfect." He gave her a sinister smile, "After all, Potter deserves the best."
The next day, Ankaa knew seeing Potter in Care of Magical Creatures would be eventful to say the least. Malfoy walked ahead, with his usual sneer in place. Crabbe and Goyle flanked each side. Pansy stood behind them, with Ankaa, watching with great interest. Blaise was behind the girls, leaning against the stone wall, feigning disinterest.
"Ah, look boys," Draco spoke to Crabbe and Goyle, "It's the champion. Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, I bet he won't last ten minutes in the tournament."
Harry caught Ankaa's eye. There was some sort of emotion she couldn't place. He seemed sad, but she wasn't sure why he would feel that way. She supposed it was because Harry thought Ankaa would defend him, given her friendship with the Weasley twins. But he should have known that she would never do anything to upset the delicate balance between a Gryffindor/Slytherin rivalry as great as Potter and Malfoy's.
So she looked away from him. Ignorance is bliss, is it not?
Just then, Hagrid appeared. To Ankaa's utter dismay, he told the class they would have to walk their Blast-Ended Skrewts in order to release some of the energy that was causing them to become aggressive.
"Take this thing for a walk?" Malfoy echoed in disgust, as he glanced into one of the boxes. "And where exactly are we supposed to fix the leash? Around the sting, the blasting end, or the sucker?"
"'Round the middle," said the Professor, as he began demonstrating. "Er—yeh might wan' ter put on yer dragon-hide gloves, jus' as an extra precaution, like. Harry—you come here an' help me with this big one..."
Ankaa watched critically as Harry surged forward and began helping Hagrid. She could see their mouths moving as they whispered to one another. No doubt, talking about the tournament.
"Want to partner up?" Pansy asked. "You're usually with Blaise but—"
"Ankaa, yeh'll be workin' with Harry today." Hagrid called from the front of the class. Instantly, all of her classmates went quiet. Hagrid was never one to meddle in student's affairs and pair them up, none of the Professors did that really, especially when Slytherin and Gryffindor students were concerned.
"I've already paired off with Pansy, Professor." Ankaa ground out, gesturing behind her to the quiet Slytherin girl who nodded dutifully.
"And now yeh'll be workin' with Harry," Hagrid smiled.
Harry seemed surprised at Hagrid's announcement as well, but he didn't look nearly as dismayed as Ankaa did. For a moment, Ankaa wondered if she could just get away with glaring at the Professor and continuing to work with Pansy.
"Come on then," Hagrid urged. "No time to dawdle."
"Good luck," Draco muttered when he noticed a muscle in her jaw jump. "Give him hell for me, will you?"
Ankaa just smirked back, "You know it, Malfoy." Ankaa made her way over to where Harry was standing by a box, twisting the leash around his hands uncertainly. She gave him a viscious glare, which made him shrink back slightly.
"Ankaa, I—"
"Just shut up and tie the leash, Potter." Ankaa spat, crossing her arms.
With a scowl, Potter looked around at his classmates. If they had been paying attention before, they had certainly stopped now. Many of them were being dragged around by the Blast-Ended Skrewts. Those who weren't were too preoccupied laughing to be paying any attention to the Gryffindor and Slytherin student.
"I didn't enter," He told her quietly, moving away once he secured the leash around the Blast-Ended Skrewt. "And I know you probably don't believe me—"
"I know you didn't enter." Ankaa rolled her eyes. "You're not smart enough to have figured out how."
The two were silent, watching their classmates.
"It's just… Everything seems to happen to you doesn't it?"
Harry glanced sideways at her before turning back to the Blast-Ended Skrewt. It was best for both of them to pretend like they hated each other's company. Although they had become sort of acquaintances following Sirius' escape, Ankaa was beyond careful about letting on any sign of a friendship between the two.
"I was so sure I wouldn't be able to enter this year," He gave her a cheeky smile, "with the Age line and all."
Ankaa rolled her eyes, but Harry could see the corners of her lips tugging up in amusement. The two watched their classmates silently for a while. Draco, who previously had been beyond interested in their conversation, was now laughing at Crabbe who was being pulled behind his Blast-Ended Skrewt and across the field.
"But seriously," Harry continued. "I thought you and Ceph would be mad."
"He's not," Ankaa admitted. "But I have a right mind to throw some rather enjoyable hexes at you."
Harry swallowed.
"I'm not going to lie to you and say that I'm alright with everything that's happened, because truth be told, I wish Dumbledore wouldn't let you enter the Tournament. It's not your place, nor your right, to enter." Ankaa turned to face him then, any semblance of a secret conversation gone. "The rest of the Slytherin house, and a majority of the other houses, feel that way too. So if you're looking for forgiveness, you're not going to get it from me."
"But I didn't enter! I didn't want any of this to happen to me!"
"But it did!" Ankaa snorted, "It always does. Don't you understand who you are? Trouble follows you like Filch follows Mrs. Norris, and now, my brother's somehow decided to involve himself."
"He chose to enter," Potter retorted hotly, "He knows the risks."
"The risks that have no increased tenfold because you're involved," Ankaa glared. Taking a deep breath, she calmed down slightly and continued, "The only reason I'm not hurting you as we speak is because Ceph asked me not to, Merlin knows why." She rolled her eyes at that. "You have my brother to thank for the fact that other students from Slytherin haven't thrown every curse in history your way, too."
"Ceph…" Harry trailed off. "He did that for me?"
Ankaa let out a bitter laugh. She knew she had made her positon perfectly clear. Ceph was the forgiving one, who thought it was their moral obligation to look after their parent's godchild. Perhaps Ankaa wasn't old enough to understand where that sentiment sprung up from, but she was old enough to know that she could do whatever she pleased.
Ankaa did not want Harry to think that their correspondence from the previous year meant that she had somehow become unyieldingly loyal to him.
"Listen, Potter," She began lowly. "This Tournament is dangerous, to begin with. People've died. Given that previous experience, let's also throw in the fact you're somehow involved. And every time you're involved, something dangerous happens."
"Not—"
"My brother's involved this time, Harry." Ankaa took in a deep breath, "And I don't want him hurt, do you understand? I'm going to do everything I possibly can to make sure he doesn't get hurt. Ceph is my top priority."
Harry nodded uncertainly.
"Ceph wants me to look out for you too," She admitted. "And I will because it'll make Ceph happy. But if there's ever a moment when you're both in trouble, I'll always save Ceph first."
Harry stilled. He had been certain that she would hate him for taking away Slytherin's shot at glory, but he understood now. It amazed him still, the fact that he had known of her for three years and there was still something new to her every time they talked.
Harry suspected that admitting her worries for her brother was the closest Ankaa Rhyther would ever come to admitting fear. It was probably the closest she would come to admitting that she cared about someone enough to admit she feared for their safety.
But still, Harry was glad he had someone like Ankaa around. When the rest of the Hogwarts population had ostracized him upon his entry into the Tournament, at least he knew Ankaa (and Ceph) would be there for him (even if it was unwillingly).
A few days later, Ankaa walked by herself to get to Potions. As she descended the stairs into the Dungeons, she was met by the Weasley Twins who were shuffling up the stairs quickly to get to their next class.
"Ankaa!" Fred greeted her warmly when she was in earshot. "Potions, eh?"
Ankaa nodded.
"Listen, Ankaa," George began, slightly uncertain, "About the Tournament—"
"It's no big deal."
Fred and George looked taken aback as if they were sure she was ready to curse every Gryffindor she saw for Harry daring to enter the Tournament. Ankaa observed how they shot each other a look and did their usual twin telepathy bit. Rolling her eyes, she pushed past them.
"If that's all, I have a class to get to."
"Oh, no you don't!" Fred and George turned and slung their arms around her shoulders.
"See, we were thinking—" Fred began.
"That's never a good idea."
"—And we recalled you telling us about some bloke you had a crush on." George continued.
"I never said anything," Ankaa shrugged as nonchalantly as she could. "You two assumed."
"But we assumed correctly, did we not?" Fred gave leaned down and gave her a cheeky smile.
George stepped in front of her too, and pinched her cheek, "Freddie, she's turning red!"
"It's hot!" Ankaa cried in defence.
"We're in the dungeons." Fred deadpanned, "The only place colder than the dungeons would be—"
"Snape's black heart." George snickered.
"So there is a boy," Fred gave her a sly grin. "What's his name?"
Ankaa rolled her eyes in irritation and pushed past them. She knew there was no way in Heaven Fred would ever guess she liked him, he was far too oblivious that way. George, on the other hand, was beyond observant. Ankaa was sure he would figure it out with the smallest hint. And if he had been observing her behaviour recently, and Ankaa strongly suspected that he had been, George would know the truth in no time.
"He was older, wasn't he?" George mused. "Who does Ankaa hang out with that's older?"
"Well, there's us," Fred began, "Lee, some of the other Slytherins."
George hummed, narrowing his eyes at the back of Ankaa's head. She refused to turn around and look at them walking behind her anymore. George noticed how her pace increased slightly.
"We'll find out eventually, Rhyther!" George laughed.
Ankaa did not bother turning around. She just held up her finger (a rather crude gesture that had the Twins laughing loudly), and continued towards Potions. Potions, along with DADA, was probably one of her favourite classes. Snape usually kept out of her way, given that she could perfectly brew potions and was not stupid enough to piss him off in any way. Unfortunately though, every time Gryffindors and Slytherins had classes together, there was always some sort of altercation.
Given the recent circumstances of the Triwizard Tournament, that tension was at an all time high. And therefore, it came as no surprise to Ankaa that Draco and Harry were throwing hexes at each other the moment she turned the corner.
"Goyle," Snape was saying when Ankaa approached, "Hospital Wing. Rhyther, make sure he gets there."
Ankaa raised a brow subtly. Since when did Goyle need help getting to the Hopsital Wing? But then, Ankaa supposed she could take this time off and enjoy a long walk around the castle. She turned and followed Goyle, who had already turned the corner and started heading towards the Hospital Wing.
"Go on, Goyle," Ankaa commanded after a while. "And if Snape asks, I was with you the entire time, alright?"
Goyle nodded.
Ankaa turned and headed in the other direction. She wasn't sure of where she wanted to go, but she knew that she had to keep walking. Ankaa was also well aware of the fact that Snape would somehow become aware of the fact that she had half skipped his class, but at this point, she was not concerned. Her musing was interrupted, however, by someone slamming into her back.
"What the—"
"I'm sho shorry!" Granger cried, holding her hands in front of her mouth. "I wash trying to—"
Ankaa rolled her eyes, "Stop talking, you sound like a chipmunk."
Granger's eyes started watering, and Ankaa paused. Snape had no doubt said something to her too.
"Hospital Wing?" Ankaa asked.
Hermione hesitated. She didn't want to go to the Hospital Wing where other people would see her with her teeth the way they were. She gave Ankaa a pleading look, and the girl curled her upper lip in irritation.
"Fine!" Ankaa sighed. She turned and started walking down the hall. "I know a place that could have the counter course."
Granger followed after her dutifully, watching as Ankaa turned corner after corner and lead her down a dark hallway. She pulled open a small doorway and motioned Granger to go first. Hermione, slightly hesitant, peeked inside the dark room first, hoping to see something, at least. Impatiently, and with slight irritation, Ankaa pushed her inside roughly. Once the door to the room closed, and there was completely darkness, a few lamps on the walls light themselves.
"What is thish plash?" Hermione asked.
"A store room," Ankaa answered. "It's an old one, no one uses it anymore, but it's got some pretty useful things." Reluctantly, she admitted, "I usually spend my time down here, learning spells and brewing potions."
Hermione raised her brows in surprise. "How did you find out about thish?"
Ankaa paused.
"You don't have to tell—"
"This is Mopsus," Ankaa gestured to one of the largest portraits in the room. The man bowed his head slightly to Hermione, giving her a warm smile. "I assume you know who he is?"
Hermione nodded. "A famoush celebrated Sheer—"
Mopsus chuckled, "In all my life, I have been called many things... but never a Sheer."
Hermione blushed in embarrassment. She had yet to remove her hands from her mouth. Behind her, Ankaa snickered.
"Mopsus, this is Hermione Granger." Ankaa pointed at the young girl. "She's a fourth year too, got caught in the middle of a duel."
Mopsus nodded, his chin between his forefinger and thumb. He regarded Hermione carefully before asking, "Do you remember the spell that hit you, Miss Granger?"
"Densaugeo."
"Try Eleanora's portrait, Ankaa," Mopsus suggested quickly.
Hermione watched with rapt attention as Ankaa made her way over to a portrait with a stern looking woman. The woman looked away from her book, narrowed her eyes at Ankaa before looking at Mopsus. Then, with a small smile, her portrait swung open. Hermione leaned forward excitedly, trying to see what was inside. Rows upon rows of books lined the sides, and it stretched as far as the eye could see. Ankaa pulled herself up into the portrait hole.
"Oi, Granger!" She called. Hermione stepped forward and stood by the portrait.
"Hold still," Ankaa muttered, pulling out her wand. She flipped through one of the books she was holding and then muttered a spell Hermione could not hear, for she was far too enamoured with the secret library.
"Tell me when to stop."
And just like that, Hermione's teeth were back to normal. Hermione stepped back from the Portrait hole as Ankaa jumped out. Eleanora's portrait swung closed, and the woman continued reading her book as if nothing interesting was happening before her.
"Thank you," Hermione smiled. When Ankaa did not answer, Hermione continued, "I never thought you would help me."
Ankaa rolled her eyes, "Yes, because I'm completely heartless."
"I suppose you spend a lot of time here, then?" Hermione asked, watching as Ankaa stuffed a few more books into her bag.
Ankaa only hummed affirmatively.
"Would—would you mind if I came here as well?" Hermione held up her hands quickly when Ankaa's head snapped up. "I just—the library is getting rather crowded, with all the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang and it would be nice to have some place quiet."
"Is your common room not quiet enough?"
Hermione frowned. "Not if you count Fred and George going on about their joke shop as being a calming sight."
Ankaa smirked. "I would have thought Fred was otherwise occupied with Angelina." Almost as soon as she finished her sentence, Ankaa blinked in confusion (and slight amazement) and shook her head.
Hermione paused. "Fred... And Angelina..." She muttered, "You sound..."
"Shut up."
"... Jealous," Hermione smirked. "You like Fred!"
Behind her, even Mopsus was staring at the scene in amusement. He smiled widely when Ankaa glared at him over Hermione's shoulder. Hermione, who noticed her glare, turned and offered Mopsus a smile as well. Turning back around to a now fuming Ankaa, she laughed.
"You like Fred!" Hermione continued laughing, "This is amazing!"
"No, it's not!" Ankaa spat. "And you won't tell anyone, you got it? Or I'll make sure your teeth are back to looking like a chipmunk's!"
Hermione only laughed at her empty threat and followed her out of the room. As she followed behind a fuming Ankaa, Hermione was overcome with the feeling that she had finally found a friend in her. Never could she have imagined that a ruthless, and cunning Slytherin like Ankaa would become her friend. But here she was, laughing at her discomfort of liking Fred, teasing her about it, like a friend would do.
"Stop daydreaming, Granger." Ankaa rolled her eyes, "Let's go."
Hermione smiled. "Let's go."
Notes:
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