Needless to say, after the fiasco of a Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Snape was furious with Mad-eye Moody.
It took Garnet three and a half weeks to be able to walk without the crutches, and even then Madame Pomfrey wanted her to keep it elevated when she could, just in case.
~ October 15th, 1994 ~
Garnet walked into the Great Hall with a smile on her face.
George stood up as she approached the table.
"Looks like you're back to normal...for you anyways." He grinned at her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Garnet stuck her tongue out at him, but smiled, "Yeah, she said it looks like I'm completely healed up, but if the swelling starts again I need to get it wrapped again, and even if it doesn't, if I feel any pain, get it wrapped and elevate it." Garnet shrugged. "It'll be nice to be able to wear my shoes and knee highs again." she laughed.
Garnet sat with her friends, ate and chatted happily.
Hermione came in and sat beside Garnet.
Garnet looked at her, waiting for it. Fred, George, Harry and Ron had filled Garnet in on a group she started, something called Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare, or something like that, and was trying like mad to get people to join.
"Garnet, I hadn't gotten to talk to you about the group I started." Hermione began happily.
Garnet let Hermione rattle on about the group. It was admirable how devoted she seemed to be, but most of the stuff she was sputtering on about, Garnet knew House-Elves were not happy if they weren't serving their Masters. She learned a lot from Rutney, her grandfather's house-elf.
"So I was hoping you'd be willing to sign-up and join the club?" Garnet refocused on Hermione as she finished her monologue.
Garnet looked at the twins, who rolled their eyes at Hermione.
"I do want to correct a few things, Hermione, you mentioned that they're treated like slaves." Garnet started, Hermione nodded, "But not everybody who owns a house-elf treats them like property or poorly. It's a delicate balance of respect where house-elves are concerned." Garnet ran her hand through her hair. "Rutney, my grandfather's house-elf, was a sweet elf and he was well taken care of. He liked to play in the yard with me when I'd visit. And yes, he was doing his job, but we always said please and thank you. We didn't force him to do dangerous or cruel things. And he was quite heartbroken when Grandfather passed away. He still resides with Grandmother, but he's her companion now more than anything."
"But...they should be paid to work." Hermione tried to backtrack.
Garnet shook her head, "What for? A good Master provides everything they need. Food, something to wear, a bed." Garnet shrugged.
"Yes..but," Hermione was getting upset.
"I'm sorry, hun, but you can't change my mind on that. I've seen the house-elves that prepare our meals here. They're quite happy." Garnet turned back to George who was nodding in agreement.
Hermione dropped the subject, much to Garnet's relief. She felt bad, but Hermione was a Muggleborn, and didn't understand the matter completely.
~ October 30th, 1994 ~
The entire school was abuzz. Today was the day that the delegates from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang were due to arrive.
Classes had let out early so students could get tidied up before their arrival.
Garnet walked through the Slytherin Common Room to put her bag away before joining her House outside the Great Hall.
She ran her hands through her hair as she waited for Fred and George to show up.
"That is a horrid habit for a young lady." she jumped and turned to her Godfather.
They hadn't spoken much since she found out he was a former Death Eater. It made Potions class somewhat awkward as well.
"It calms me down." She said curtly, not looking at him.
Snape sighed, then lowed his voice to speak to her, "I wanted to warn you, before any rumors come about, but the Headmaster of Durmstrang, Professor Karkaroff, is also a former follower of..." he cleared his throat and she knew exactly what he meant. "He is harmless, but I wanted you to hear it from me."
Garnet nodded. She didn't like the thought of another Death Eater in the school.
"Miss Prince..." he looked around as student began filling in the space around them, "Can we talk later?"
She took a breath and weighed her options. She couldn't ignore her Godfather forever.
"Yes, I think I can manage some free time later." Garnet replied.
Professor Snape gave a slight nod and joined Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout as they began snapping at their students, making sure they were most presentable.
"Boy, never realized how stuffy it gets in here." Fred laughed as he and George flanked her on either side.
"I don't think we've all been stuffed in here like this before." George replied. He put his arm around Garnets' waist and kissed her on the head. Then his hand slid slowly down and he goosed his girlfriend.
Garnet jumped and smacked him in the chest hard.
Fred just looked at them, confusion on his face. "What was that for?"
Garnet shook her head, "You don't want to know." then smirked.
Just then the Professors were calling their Houses into order, and of course, Draco and his two goons were right up front as the students were marched outside.
George kissed Garnet quick before joining Harry, Ron and Hermione in their group.
Adrian Pucey was holding a spot for Garnet. He waved from somewhere close to the middle. Garnet headed towards him, but was quickly grabbed by the arm. Surprised, Garnet turned to confront the person with a hold on her elbow, to find Flint.
Garnet tensed, "What do you want Flint?" she asked, making sure the annoyance in her tone was full force.
He grinned at her evilly with his crooked teeth. "I still think you need to be with one of your own." He still had a grip on her elbow.
Garnet wrenched her arm away from him. "Leave me alone, Flint." she turned and walked away from him. She quickly made her way to Adrian, who was giving Flint the evil eye.
Garnet sighed, "Why won't he leave me alone?"
"He's an egotistical wanker that wants something he can't have." Adrian said, "Don't worry about him right now."
Garnet nodded.
Then they heard horses in a distance.
A giant beautiful light-blue carriage, pulled by a dozen Abraxan horses swooped down to land.
"Whoa," Garnet said in a hush tone.
A very large woman climbed off the carriage and was greeted by Dumbledore. She towered over him, but he still bowed his head and kissed her hand as he led her away from the carriage.
A group of students followed her, all dressed in powder blue.
"Rumor has it they're part Veela," Adrian whispered to her. "The male population better watch out." he smirked.
Garnet looked at Adrian curiously but smiled.
Then a ghastly gurgling was heard from the Black Lake.
As students huddled and strained to see what was going on, a huge ship rose from the lake. The door lowered and the man Garnet could only guess was Professor Karkaroff exited, followed by his students.
"Is that Victor Krum?" Adrian's eyes were wide open.
Garnet looked, and sure enough, the Bulgarian Seeker was walking side by side with Karkaroff.
"Oh boy, Ron will be in his glory." Garnet giggled.
Everyone was now seated in the Great Hall. The Beauxbaton students were sitting with the Ravenclaws, while the Durmstrang students were seated with Slytherin.
Garnet found herself near a few boys from Durmstrang, all of which looked at her oddly with her green hair. She was getting a headache from their thick accents.
Dinner was just about over, when a pair of the guys next to Victor elbowed each other and chuckled. They leaned over and spoke to Garnet.
"Miss, ve 'ere vundering, did you lose a bet?" one asked her. Many of them laughed jovially. Even Vicktor had a smirk on his face.
"Isn't it time for you to go sit with your boyfriend?" Adrian whispered.
Garnet nodded. She smiled at the foreign boys and stood.
"No, I dyed it before attending the Quidditch World Cup." She said sweetly, "I was rooting for Ireland." and she walked away to join George and Fred, leaving them murmuring to themselves. She was proud of herself for not picking up their accent.
"Hello, Love!" George kissed her cheek as she took her place beside him.
Headmaster Dumbledore stood before the entire Great Hall and called attention.
"Any student of age may enter their name in to the Goblet of Fire. Do not enter lightly, if you are chosen you stand alone. The tasks at hand are not for the faint of heart."
The more Dumbledore spoke, the more anxious Garnet felt.
"The Goblet will choose a Champion from each School tomorrow evening." Dumbledore continued, "For those of you underage that plan to enter your names, I will warn you that there will be an age line that you will not be able to cross."
"Why's he got to look directly at us when he says that?" Fred grinned at his brother.
Dumbledore finished his speech and everyone ate their fill of deserts.
Garnet startled when Cedric suddenly appeared at behind her.
"Alright there, Garnet?" he squat down to speak to her at eye level.
Garnet played dumb, "What are you talking about, Ced?" Now George was turned, having heard Cedrics worried tone.
"I heard from a couple Ravenclaws that Flint was harassing you." he said. "Is it true?"
Hearing it from Cedric, her face grew warm.
"Not entirely." she said.
"What, then, happened Garnet?" George took her hand in his.
She looked at the Slytherin table. Flint was staring at her.
"He grabbed me by the elbow, and told me I should be with one of my own." she said, barely audible.
She watched George tense and his nostrils flare as he tried to take calming breaths.
"Everything's alright, Ced, promise." She smiled at him.
Cedric watched George's reaction and knew he probably should have talked to Garnet alone. He nodded and bid them all a good night.
"George," Garnet whispered.
George was trying to keep his calm. He was furious. He wanted to walk over and beat Flint to a pulp, but that would only get him into trouble.
"Georgie..." Garnet reached up at turned him to face her, "I'm fine, let's just move on." she looked him in the eye. She suddenly wanted him to comfort her, not want revenge. "May I...may I have a kiss?"
George watched her bottom lip quiver, and his anger faded away quickly.
"You never have to ask, love," he whispered and leaned down. He kissed her gently.
Garnet took a deep breath, then leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Would you walk me to the Common Room a little early?" She hoped he understood what she was insinuating.
The twinkle in his eyes as he gave her a devilish grin assured her he did.
He told Fred and the others good night, and he and Garnet headed for their closet.
It was close, if not past curfew, and Garnet poked her head out of the closet after having straightened herself back up. George chuckled quietly from behind her, placing his hands on her waist and pulled her back against his hardness again.
"George," she hissed, "I'm trying to make sure we're okay to leave." he let her go and shook his head.
Garnet looked out again, and exited the closet.
"Miss Prince!" she froze when she heard Severus. She quickly shut the door in George's face.
"Professor Snape," she greeted him.
"May I ask what you are doing in the closet after curfew?" he raised an eyebrow at her.
Garnet had to think fast. "I was heading back to the Common Room when a seizure was coming on quickly, so I hid in the closet so no one would see me. I've done it a few time, actually, Professor, it's quite a useful closet."
"I see," Snape watched her warily for a few moments. "I was hoping we could speak together this evening."
Garnet had completely forgotten about talking with her Godfather. "Oh! Yes, I had forgotten in all the excitement of the other schools." she shrugged, "I'm free now?"
"In deed," he turned and headed for his office, "Come along, Miss Prince."
Garnet glanced back at the closet once they were far enough away in time to see George sneak out.
