Walking to dinner with Harry I smiled as he told me about the mermaids in the lake. "I had no idea, we had them in the lake….they are nothing like the mermaids in the muggle fairy tales" I chuckled and shook my head. "I don't think any magical creature is as it is told in muggle stories…" He smiled as we took our seats. "The water was freezing…" "You better not get sick…and get me sick because I don't want to miss class," I smiled at him sweetly. "Thanks I'm glad all you are concerned about is missing class..." "Speaking of missing…" We looked up at George who had a grin on his face, as did Fred. "We noticed a little Gryffindor disappearing during the challenge" I looked at them in horror, as they pointed at me. "Wait you left?" Harry looked at me and I nodded slowly. "Not alone she did….looks like our lioness has found herself a little serpent to play with…" I blushed and looked away. "Then again, it makes that the two of you are friends, I mean you are friends with the Pretchets… So that you went with them to hang out made sense." I felt a wave of relieve wash over me, the two must have noticed how it looked when Draco grabbed me and acted like they were going with us. "Exactly, as much as I like looking at the lake I rather enjoy some time with my friends." I smiled and turned to my plate before looking at harry, who looked like he didn't buy a single word I had said.
After Dinner I and Harry were wandering the halls. "So how was it….considering the two of you haven't spent much time as of late…" He finally spoke up and I turned to him and smiled. "It was nice…but we were once more interrupted…but it was my mom and professor Snape…they seem to have known each other…I guess they haven't spoken in like 13 years…" Harry looked at me and turned to look at me. "That's interesting…..do you think he is…" I bit my lip and looked at my feet. "Well he was on the list of possible people, I caught them arguing in the hall way…so it's most likely…but I'm not sure. Draco said his dad might know, so he said he would ask…" "That's nice of him…he seems to care about you...more than I thought..." I smiled and gently pushed Harry. "Oh shush….lets go to the tower I rather not stay out until after curfew…I already had detention I don't need more." He laughed only to dodge my playful swing. "Hey the year is almost over…one more task and it is all done with…" "You seem excited…" "To be honest I don't even want to win…I just want it to be over…but I'm a Gryffindor I'm not going to give up...but I won't care if I win or lose…" I smiled and we both headed for the tower.
Time seemed to be rushing by and the last challenge was coming our way rather quickly. I spend a good portion of my free time in the library helping him study and with his homework. He was beyond stressed and struggling in class, plus it kept me distracted from other matters. Everything had been fine between me and Draco, until he began avoiding me once more. I had asked him if he had heard anything from his father only mumble something about his father didn't know and that he had to go. The relationship was turning into a roller coaster ride and I wasn't sure I was handling it well. I tried not to let it bother me but it seemed to be getting harder with every day. "Raven!" I looked up at the Harry who seemed to have been trying to get my attention for some time now. "Oh sorry...I was thinking..." He just gave me a concerned look. "You and Malfoy aren't talking again…its quiet obvious..." I looked down trying to hold back my fears. "Every time I have time...I ask him if he wants to join me at the library or astronomy tower…he usually would come along. But lately he has been avoiding me…saying he is busy or something. He'll have a quick chat with me before running off saying some excuse..." I flipped the page in my potions book. "Raven…maybe you need to put your foot down and tell him he needs to listen, if he wants this to work…." I looked up and nodded, "How is your paper coming along..?" He smiled and looked at his potions paper. "It's getting there…it will let me pass…put its nothing amazing…how about you...you haven't started yet…" He looked at me in surprise. "Usually you would whip it up like its nothing…" "Well this time…none of the topics really appeal to me….they seem simple…plus I'm not really sure what he wants me to do…I should ask before I do it wrong..." "You go to that and I'll wait here…" I smiled and got up. "Watch my stuff…." With that I headed down to the dungeons.
I knocked on the door before opening it as I stepped inside. "Professor…I…." I stopped midsentence as I noticed Draco standing with the potion master. And both of them looked irritated. "I will take my leave," Draco grabbed his bag and walked away from the man. "Draco what's wrong?" I was concerned he never had fought with the man before. "Don't worry about it" Was all Draco said as he walked past me. And it took everything to hold back my tears. My eyes were stinging and it felt like someone had just punched me square in the chest. My hands were shaking and it became hard to breathe, feeling a hand on my shoulder I looked up at the potion master. He guided me away from the door and closed it and had me take a seat by his desk. "Is it about the Paper?" I only nodded in response, I looked up and I wasn't sure of the look the man was giving me. "I know you will have the best paper in class as before…trust your instincts…" I nodded again. "About what you have witnessed between your mother and me a while back…" "Its fine….I know she can be complicated… Remus told me you two have history…of not really getting along back in school...and according to everyone she hasn't changed much from than" I picked at my sleeve trying to keep myself together. "Indeed…she hasn't changed much…" There was a silence in the room that made me feel uncomfortable. "Do not pay much mind to Draco's behavior…. We had a bit of a falling out first his father and now me…you two seem to have something going on...it seems special…I would try and hold on…Patience will be essential.." I nodded and tried to smile. "Now off you go I'm sure you have still some homework to do…" I got up and walked to the door. "Thank you professor…" With my head hung low and my mind bothering and screaming at me I headed back to the library to work on my homework with Harry.
Harry had been a great friend and support during this hard time period. I had not found comfort anywhere but him, he was the voice that had kept me grounded. And I was more than grateful for it, me and Draco on the other hand seemed to be drifting apart even further. Watched my feet as me and Harry walked to the last task together. "Hey cheer up…remember you said you would cheer for me." I looked up at him and gave him a weak smile. "I know I will. I promised after all…" He smiled and held his arm around me. "You and Draco will work it out…you guys have before…" I smiled and nodded, "I hope so…" I gave Harry a gentle push. "Are you excited the tournament is almost over?" "I will be so happy!" We both laughed as we reached the stands. I gave him a hug and smiled. "Good luck…." I moved up the steps and took a seat at the very top of the bleachers. I smiled lightly as I saw Tanor and Taylor coming my way followed by Blaise and Theodore. "Hey boys…" "Hey girl..." Tanor began to laugh and I rolled my eyes. We sat and chatted as others arrived. I saw Draco walking with Goyle and Parkinson and I couldn't help but feel angry, simply because she was with him. He looked up at me and I turned away. "So you are finally giving him the cold shoulder…until he figures it out huh?" Taylor asked and I nodded turning to him.
The music played and the rules and condition of the challenge were explained. All four champions stepped into the maze and the hedge closed behind them, and then there was silence. I could see my mother walking along the edge of the maze inspecting it, followed by two Aurors. One Being Terry, Pretchet. Father of the twins and my mothers best friend and right hand, and the resemblance with Tanor was obvious. The only difference was the hair color, His father was blonde short and shaggy hair rather having the dark red hair. And another Auror dressed in black that I didn't recognize, but she belonged to Azkaban. My mother spoke to them both before she stopped and looked about the area. "Something is going on. They wouldn't be here together if it was just a security issue…" Taylor spoke quietly and I nodded. Everyone looked up as a flare came up in the sky, and Fleur had been returned who seemed to be unconscious. Officials made sure she was alright, before giving the clear to the headmasters. There was another shift and Krum appeared, than there were only two missing and we waited in silence.