Draco's mind was reeling. Those Gryffindors were getting on his nerves, asking why and making him think all the time. Why did he have to explain himself? Crabbe and Goyle never demanded answers when he saw anything.
"Do you want a chocolate frog?" he jerked to realize that Blaise had sat down next to him near the window he preferred to sit on. "Yes, shocking that another person is next to you," Blaise said offering up the candy.
Draco took it from him and unwrapped, he bit its head off to stop it from moving. "Blaise, who do you think is the smartest in our year?" Draco.
"I assume you mean all houses too?" Blaise asked and he nodded. "The Granger girl, probably, she's sharp. A bit annoying though."
"She's not so bad," Draco admitted and Blaise raised his brow. "Do you care about blood at all?" Blaise's brow climbed more.
"Are you feeling alright?" Blaise asked, "do you need a fever potion?"
"I'm serious," Draco said.
"Funny, I was sure your star sign was Gamma Draconis," Blaise replied and Draco shoved him. "If you want the real truth and if you promise not to hound me about it, no. I don't care."
"Know something funny, I don't either," Draco said.
"There's nothing about Slytherin house being required to maintain bloody purity in the school syllabus. With as few purebloods as there are, most of our house is half-blood anyway. Tracey is muggle-born too," Blaise said.
"Tracey was raised by her uncle though and he's a pureblood wizard," Draco replied.
"Blood, remember?" Blaise said.
"Blood," Draco agreed "the problem is even if we don't care about that stuff, our parents are set so even if we did attempt to fix the issue…"
"Our parents would disown us and that would be one more extinct Sacred 28. Especially since your the only heir to the Malfoys," Blaise replied.
"Well, what if I don't care about being a sacred 28? What if I don't care about being a Malfoy which is somehow special or whatever?" Draco asked. Blaise sat back across staring out the window.
"You'd be a very unprecedented Malfoy then. If you don't care about that then what do you care about?" Blaise asked.
"Our culture, our celebrations, that's all I want to uphold," Draco said. "Screw the purity or whatever, what has blood purity ever given me? Premature birth and a patchy magical core. My dad nearly killed me trying to get me to do my first magic to make sure I wasn't a squib," Draco fumed.
"Fuck, let it out Draco," Blaise grinned "hoorah," he drawled.
"Did you mean that?" they both froze to look at Pansy.
"Shit," Blaise said with a look that meant he was probably ready to resign himself to the fact that they were likely fucked, royally. They were likely to be ostracised from the whole of Slytherin house.
"Draco?" she looked at him.
"Yeah," Draco said, "I suppose I do."
Pansy smirked, "thank Salazar. With this whole bs about purity, my options for marriage are very limited. And the likelihood of giving birth to like a three-headed baby is worryingly high. I couldn't care less about muggles, that's their world, not mine."
"Pansy," Draco said with a fond grin.
Xxx
"Should we be doing this at this time of the day? They're choosing the champions in just a few hours," Ron asked. He was wearing a sweatshirt and shorts. He wore boots on his feet.
Sol had dragged him out here to spar "best time, I missed this," he said wrapping some bandages around his fists.
"There are people out here, though," Ron said.
"Are you embarrassed?" Sol laughed then struck without warning, he spun around lightning-quick and kicked at his ribs. Ron barely got his arm up to block it, the force of it still sent him sideways. "Your foundation is still not sturdy enough," Sol told him as he brought his leg in.
"Working on it," Ron replied, grunting as he shook out his arm which had pins and needles from Sol's strike. Sol was small but he had the force of a bludger. Ron moved in and as Sol punched, he ducked down to evade.
He tried for a hard straight punch which hit but not hard enough. Sol's knee came up under his chin, he evaded by backward somersaulting. If he got hit there, he would see stars for at least a minute.
"Good, you're surprisingly excellent on the ground despite how tall you are," Sol said cheerfully. Ron didn't respond, he knew this was Sol's tactic. He liked to talk to distract you.
Sol had a highly offensive style and today was no different. Sol charged at him, using several fast jabs that Ron barely evaded before he was struck in the hip.
Sol was also a bit merciless, once he found a sore spot, he kept hitting that spot until you went down. Ron had to rely on staying low and getting as close as he could.
"Well that was fun," Sol said after an hour of them sparring. He just straightened up and walked over to his bag to get a towel. Ron collapsed on the grass, he panted.
"I don't think I'm ever gonna land a real hit on you," Ron said.
"I dunno, give it a little bit longer. You're amazing for how quickly you've progressed in only about 6 months or something. You are dad's prodigy," Sol said.
"That was the coolest thing I've ever seen, mate!" Ron turned his head from his place on the ground to see Seamus and Dean were sitting on the high end of the slopes around the castle. They both stood up, Dean holding a white and black ball.
"Thank you," Sol grinned.
"Was that MMA?" Seamus asked.
"I guess you could say that, a bit of Muay Thai and Karate," Sol replied.
Ron blinked, he'd never realized there were styles to martial arts. "Seamus Finnegan," he offered a handshake. Sol took bemusedly and then shook Dean's hand too.
"Sol Grey, you playing footie out here?" Sol asked Dean who looked astonished.
"Oh yeah, though it's not easy with no flat ground," Dean replied.
"I juggle just fine," Sol offered his hands and Dean leant him the ball. Sol tossed into the air and bounced on his knee then his foot. Dean watched impressed and Ron had to say it was pretty awesome.
"How do you know about football?" Dean asked.
"Most common sport in my muggle primary school, if I didn't play there'd be an uproar among my old friends. I was the fastest boy in my class during PE or gym. Whatever British call it," Sol said. "Mum was muggle so she wanted me to know about muggles as much as wizards and vampires.
"Can you and Ron switch places? I think I'd rather have you for a roommate. You're speaking my language," Dean grinned and Ron scowled at him.
"Way to make me feel loved," Ron snarked back.
Xxx
Ron found himself back at the castle later on. He'd been fresh from the shower dressed in a clean pressed shirt with no collar and black slacks. They were actually, properly black not dingy grey like his old ones.
He didn't get rid of all of his hand me downs, many of them he loved. Like most of his sweaters but not pants. As he entered the Gryffindor common room, he spotted Hermione sitting with Zoey and Hattie.
"Ah, just who we needed to see," Hattie said rising. Both girls were dressed identically in white button-up dress with poofy, sheer sleeves. To his surprise, they wore Gryffindor ties.
Hermione was wearing something he'd never seen her wear before. A black pencil skirt with Gryfindor color lines on the seams but the collared shirt was the same.
Her figure had never looked this good before, he blushed trying not to pay attention to just how short it was "ah" he cleared his throat "why are you wearing Gryffindor colors? Also, I can't seem to find my collared shirts," he said.
"Really? How odd," Hattie said.
"We stole it, we'll give it back later," Zoey said.
"Zoey," Hattie huffed "it cuts a better structure on you, makes your shoulders wider. We are technically you stylists, so," she shrugged.
"And as your stylists," Zoey opened a box she was carrying showing gleaming ruby earrings.
"I have to wear those here?" Ron asked. He'd just gotten people to stop staring.
"Every special occasion and yes, this counts," Zoey said.
"They look so good on you, Ron, most people would kill to wear something this beautiful and expensive," Hermione mentioned.
"Right, these are some of the rarest in the world. Do you know how difficult it is to find rubies the same size and color?" Hattie asked.
"Alright," Ron said. "But if you bring out the gloves or the cape, I'm putting my royal foot down," he said.
"Deal," Zoey smirked and Ron took out his current silver studs and put them in his ears. They felt light and yet weighty like he remembered. He sat with Hermione ignoring her lower half for fear of staring too long.
Harry came back eventually "did you want to go see Hagrid before the feast?" he asked them.
"That sounds wonderful," Hermione agreed.
"We'll see you at the feast then," Zoey said.
"Your sister asked us to braid her hair," Hattie said.
They stepped out of the portrait hole and Ron muttered "Ginny can get anyone to do just about anything."
Ron smelt something strong before he even stepped through the door of the cabin. His nose inched and he felt nauseated "you guys better see what Hagrid's done, I think I'll hang back," he said.
Harry shared a look with Hermione and they went in. Hagrid came out a moment later, he didn't smell awful but Ron could detect a hint of the smell. "Sorry, Ron, I guess I used a bit too much," Hagrid said bashfully.
"It's okay Hagrid but uh," he wondered about the suit but Ron closed his mouth "nevermind, it's fine."
"Ron, does perfume have the same effect?" Hermione asked him.
"Not usually," Ron replied "the normal amount, like the kind mum wears and some of the other girls wear here is fine. Cologne is fine too, Bill likes to wear it."
"Would wearing too much cologne deter a vampire from biting?" Harry wondered.
"Definitely," Ron wrinkled his nose "funny how no one's thought of that before."
"It's because not much are known about vampires ter most wizards," Hagrid supplied.
They made their way up the castle and neared the carriage when Madame Maxime and several Beauxbatons students came out. Hagrid went to her prompting Hermione to hiss in his that he liked her.
He winced at how loud it was "he fancies her? Well, that'd be pretty perfect being around the same height. That'd make one massive baby," he added and Harry made wide eyes.
"Excuse moi," Ron turned to see a group of Beauxbatons students. "Could we follow you to the feast? We're worried about getting lost," a boy mentioned to him on behalf of the rest.
"Madame Maxime is hard to keep up with," a girl added.
"What'd they say?" Harry asked and Ron realized it wasn't English.
"They wanted to follow us to the feast so they don't lose their way," Ron replied.
"It's no problem," Hermione supplied in french, oh right she had visited.
The group followed them up to the castle and eventually they spotted Durmstrang's group. Ron ignored the sight of Karkaroff and his eyes found Viktor Krum.
This guy was a legend yes but his face was like art or something. Solid jawline and his nose just fit him perfectly. Ron held as Krum's eyes slid to look in his direction.
"Is he staring at me?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione. Krum's eyes didn't move for a second before he stared ahead of him.
"Maybe," Harry agreed "hard to tell but it wouldn't be surprising."
"How do you mean?" Ron asked.
"Tall, red-haired, heterochromia with glittering ruby earrings. Ronald," Hermione sighed sounding irritated "he's just a Quidditch player."
"I guess I kind of stand out now, it only took most of my life," Ron said aloofly.
"Ron," he turned to see Fleur Delacour striding towards him from a corridor followed by Sol. Her blonde hair was done up in a plait over his shoulder. "I'm sad I didn't see you much this week," she said. "Your earrings are beautiful by the way."
"Oh thanks, well I'm sure the week went fine anyway," Ron replied.
"Yes, I especially like the transfig-u-ah ration professor," she struggled to pronounce "Professor M…"
"McGonagall," Hermione supplied and Fleur nodded, tossing her hair back.
"Yes, she is an excellent teacher. Professor Flitwick also," Fleur said. "Well the feast starts soon, so I'll be going," she said. She flounced away. Sol winked at Ron before following her, he wore the sapphire earrings.
They all found seats and the feast started "are those real?" Lavender Brown asked him.
"Of course they are, he's a prince, right?" Colin Creevey asked.
"They're real," Ron nodded and that was all that was mentioned about his attire. Hattie and Zoey were standing behind Donovan.
"Who are those girls standing behind Professor Grey?" Parvati wondered.
"I saw them in the common before too," Lavender said.
Ginny nearby smirked and Ron glared at her to shut up "Ron's guard," he said. "A prince cannot be without his knights," she laughed.
"So they're vampires too?" Seamus asked looking back at them. "Is it some sort of weird rule that vampires only turn attractive people?" he asked.
"Don't be an idiot, I've been to the castle, they are plenty of ugly and average-looking vampires too. Just not many old-looking ones," Ginny scoffed.
Ron decided not to comment and plucked a blood pop from a covered glass. Most students knew what they were so they stayed away. He popped it into his mouth to suck on it. It was good, just a bit watered down with the sugar.
He really no interest in the food spread on the table tonight, he was still full from having a glass of dragons blood that morning. He watched people instead, Harry was quiet and daydreaming. Others were either twitchy or squirming with impatience.
Ron took out his sucker when he felt his lips feel sticky from the sugar. Ron licked his lips and reached for a napkin. There was a loud clink on the table and Ron turned, Hermione had dropped her fork. "You scared me," Lavender had jumped.
"What? Oh, sorry" Hermione's cheeks were rosy "I must not have had a good grip."
Harry had come out of his daydream even to look over "she seem alright to you?" Ron asked.
"Probably as excited to hear the results of the tournament like we all are," Harry said. Ron hummed in response then bit off the rest of the blood pop and set the empty stick down.
Finally, the food vanished from everyone's plates and they were ready to begin. Everyone was alive with anticipation as Dumbledore stood by the cup.
The cup sparked and flames flew in the air before a paper shot out the cup. Dumbledore looked at it and announced that the champion for Durmstrang would be Viktor Krum. Cheers erupted around the hall.
Ron fought to stay neutral as Karkaroff cheered on his student. He thought that Viktor was amazing as a Quidditch player but he wasn't a fan of his teacher.
The next champion was Fleur Delacour "wish me luck," she said to him as she went by, her head raised high.
"Bonne courage," Ron replied instead because he was a Gryffindor. Fleur smiled, pleased, and strode away.
"What did she say?" Harry asked.
Ron shrugged because Dumbledore was drawing the final champion. "Cedric Diggory," the Hufflepuff tabled cheered loudly while quite a few Gryffindor's groaned loudly. Ron clapped for him and upon seeing him, several of their club members also clapped.
"This is for Hogwarts, our individual houses shouldn't matter," Ron said.
"Your brother is so much cooler than you are," Angelina Johnson mentioned, assumably at the twins because they squawked in response. Ron glanced back and she winked, clapping with him.
Many of his younger club members which made up a good majority of it, joined the applause. Everyone had started talking about the champions and what was next when the cup started spitting fire again.
Silence, dead silence, as Dumbledore caught the piece of paper looking concerned and confused. "Harry Potter-"
Ron blinked as everyone else had and there a long pause before everyone began speaking around them. They stared at Harry who was wide-eyed, green eyes shining brightly "I didn't put my name in," he said "you know I didn't," he said.
Ron was too stunned to speak and Hermione seemed the same. "Harry!" Dumbledore was calling him up and Hermione was telling him to go. Ron watched as Harry walked, impossibly small, to the head table.
Ron felt like he was dunked in ice water, Harry had this way of being the center of attention. This was the first time he'd felt like it was a curse. Ron stood up against Hermione pulling his arm to keep him there.
He ran to catch up with him "Mr. Weasley, only champions are allowed in that room," McGonagall said.
Ron drew up to his full height which was quite substantial now that he almost never slouched thanks to Don. "There is no way I'm letting Harry go in there to get taken apart by the champions and a bunch of random professors," he said.
"Mr. Weasley, if you are implying that the professors will bully a boy-"
"I'm staying with him," Ron said "because its happened before, hasn't it? Professors pointing wands at him?" he said.
Professor McGonagall's mouth shut with a concerned look "very well, Mr. Weasley but you are only for moral support. No disrespect to champions or the Headmasters."
"Yes ma'am," he said then walked inside. Harry's shoulder was tensed as Bagman spoke "...don't think there's any backing out at this stage," Ron stood next to Harry who was looking at him.
"Another child?" Madam Maxime asked.
Ron steeled his eyes "I'm just here to support Harry and I'd appreciate you not calling me a child," he said, his eyes flashed.
The Headmaster looked at him with wonder and then the doors banged opened again and the professors were talking over Harry who had said nothing. "It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," Snape said looking at Harry.
Ron didn't feel any need to tone down the brightness of his eyes. He glared silently at Snape who was meeting his eyes. Yet he kept running his mouth, the creep.
Dumbledore dismissed his little speech and finally prompted Harry to speak. "Did you put your name in the cup?" Dumbledore asked.
"No," Harry said finally and Ron sighed. At least Dumbledore believed him. But the rest of the adults in the room just liked to hear the sounds of their voice. Ron was more stuck on who had.
"Is no one seeing what I am?" Ron asked loudly "dangerous tournament, sound like a great way to try to kill Harry Potter, like every year since we started here," he said.
There was a silence and Harry looked at him with wide eyes "you said people can die in this tournament and people have. That's why there's that age limit," Ron said.
"Right you are, the vampire seems to have a clue," Ron felt goosebumps rise on his arms, he hadn't sensed Professor Moody come up behind him. Moody explained his case but Bagman didn't seem to believe him.
They reached the verdict that even if someone was trying to kill Harry which no one believed, he was still locked into the tournament. Ron crossed his arms, irritated because Harry was at a huge disadvantage.
Ron would need to ask Sol if he had any ideas for Harry to learn some useful spells beyond what he knew. Harry was ace at Defense but not to a 7th-year level.
"You believe me, right?" Harry asked him.
"If this tournament is worth the hype, you'd have to be mad to volunteer as 4th year," Ron said, "so yeah, reckon I do." Ron felt all sorts of things in the pit of his stomach. Something wasn't right, it felt like last year when there was a murderer under the guise of a rat.
Harry looked relieved when he said it "do you really think someone's after me?" he asked.
"Harry, don't take this the wrong way or anything but someone is always after you."
XXX
Draco was just as astonished at the rest of the hall when Potter's name had been called. He admitted he had thought it one of Potter's attention-grabbing shows. Everything always seemed to happen to him.
How had he gotten his name into the cup? But when Ron stood up from the Gryffindor table and stalked down the middle aisle, he hesitated that thinking. Ron looked astonished but also angry.
"What do you think Weasley's thinking?" Pansy hissed at them. "His eyes were glowing."
"I'd imagine he's not happy about Potter being chosen," Blaise said.
"Jealous?" Pansy asked, "wouldn't blame him."
"No," Draco shook his head "Potter and Granger are protected by him, I'd imagine he's pissed because someone's messing with Potter."
"Who?" Pansy asked.
"No idea but I don't think Potter's skilled enough to get past Dumbledore's wards. The only way would be Granger if she even could pull it off," Draco said, they all glanced over at her. She looked just as surprised as the rest.
"Somehow I don't think she's very skilled at acting," Blaise said.
"She's a stickler for the rules too, no way she'd help him do it since it could get him killed," Draco mentioned. Pansy frowned, her slim brows coming together.
"This wouldn't be the first time our school's been turned upside down by someone trying to kill him, would it?" she said. No, it's not the first time at all. "No, I'm just being paranoid, I mean there are other contestants and they're not likely to die."
"But Potter's our age, do you think you could go through this tournament now?" Blaise asked, "if anyone could die in these challenges, it would be a fourteen-year-old."