"Bravery is, by far, the kindest word for stupidity." - Mycroft Holmes - 1x01 - Sherlock Holmes

Chapter Sixteen - Stubborn and Stupid

The Sorting went off without a hitch. Ankaa sat between Draco and Blaise, clapping dutifully whenever a new student was sorted into Slytherin. Soon enough, Dumbledore had waved his hands and platters full of steaming food were placed before the students. With a grin Ankaa dug into her food quickly, fighting the urge to moan in satisfaction.

"I wonder who the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will be this year," Blaise wondered as he cast a look at the empty chair at the High Table. "If they had someone, they should have been here by now right?"

"People can be late, Blaise," Draco remarked. "Although it is highly unprofessional. Then again, when has Dumbledore ever hired a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who wasn't completely crazy?"

Ankaa sipped her water quietly, casting a look at the old Headmaster. She knew he could probably hear everything, but he chose not to indicate that he had heard. He was busy conversing with Professor McGonagall, who was nodding to something he had said.

"I'm sure he's got someone," Pansy contributed. "He's always prepared, though not to the best of his abilities, he's prepared nonetheless."

Blaise pursed his lips thoughtfully. He leaned over slightly and spoke in a hushed whisper, "Do you think he'll pick someone worthwhile? With what happened at the World Cup—"

Ankaa stopped listening to him then. She could feel Draco's intense gaze focusing on Blaise over her head, but she wasn't interested in listening to him chewing out her housemate. Slowly, her gaze roamed over the other figures in the Great Hall. They were all busy laughing, telling each other jokes, having fun.

Ankaa's gaze settled on the Weasley Twins. George was busy chatting with Lee Jordan. The two of them looked like the poster children for mischief. Fred, on the other hand, was talking to Angelina Johnson. All of them were laughing at something the twins had said.

It was such a contrast, Ankaa remarked, seeing her supposed friends enjoy their lives without qualms when she could feel her own coming to a crossroad. With what had happened at the World Cup, Ankaa knew it only a matter of time until things changed. She was envious of her friends in Gryffindor House. She was also envious of Draco and Blaise. At least they had a clear understanding of what side they would stand on if things were to head south.

Ankaa was torn between her primal instinct of self-preservation and the need to protect her family. If it was just a matter of her father and Ceph, she would have been alright. They were true Slytherins who knew how to get through anything without getting too involved. Her mother on the other hand—Ankaa knew she would give up everything to stand with Black. And Black would stand with Potter. As much as she did not get along with her, Maya was still her mother and Ankaa was loyal.

Ankaa breathed in deeply, placing her elbow on the table and holding her head up with it. Around her friends were busy talking about the World Cup. She wished she could have joined them, but the feeling of foreboding made her stomach turn. She had not even noticed when the food and plates had been cleared off the table. When she came to, Dumbledore was addressing the students.

"It is my painful duty to inform you," he was saying, "that the inter-house Quidditch Cup will not be taking place this year."

Ankaa frowned. She would have been on the team this year. At least, that's what Flint had promised her. Having to wait until next year was definitely not ideal, but it gave her more time to practice her skills. Her aim still needed to be improved.

Dumbledore was interrupted mid-speech when the door to the Great Hall flew open. There was a crack of thunder that illuminated the stranger's figure in the doorway. Leaning heavily upon is staff, he limped forward. Another fork of thunder. Ankaa raised a brow at his scarred face, watching as his eye took in his surroundings as quick as lightning.

"Is that Mad-Eye Moody?" She leaned over to whisper to Draco.

Draco nodded in bewilderment. "What's he doing here?"

Ankaa turned to him and raised a brow as if she couldn't believe he hadn't pieced it together by now. He raised a brow in return. There was a brief moment of silence and then slowly, Draco's upper lip curled in a slight sneer and his eyes shot to Dumbledore at the front. The Headmaster was welcoming Moody to the school.

Moody stood off to the side, as indifferent as ever to the student's gaping faces. No one had clapped for him, they were far too shocked. Ankaa watched as he reached into his cloak and pulled out a flask and took a swift swig from it. He glanced around the hall once more, and his gaze focused on the girl. Ankaa frowned slightly before turning her attention to Dumbledore once again.

"As I was saying," Dumbledore smiled at the students, who were still busy staring at Moody, "we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event which has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're JOKING!" said Fred Weasley loudly. Ankaa gazed at his awed and stupefied form and smiled. His mouth was hanging open, and he looked like Dumbledore had just given him the permission to prank without consequences.

As Dumbledore went on to shed light on what the Triwizard Tournament really was, Ankaa saw Fred lean over slightly and hiss something to his housemates. With the expression of absolute excitement on his face, Ankaa could only guess that he wanted to enter the Tournament. But that expression of glee turned sour the moment Dumbledore stated that only students who were seventeen or older could enter.

Ankaa paused. For a fleeting moment, she had felt the greatest amount of relief at the fact that Fred and George could not enter (that's not to say that they would not try, those imbeciles). But the fact that they weren't involved in a dangerous Tournament like this was a great source of relief for her. That is until she saw her brother sitting at the other end of the table with his friends.

Ceph and his friends were all nodding and smiling, looking fiercely determined. Ankaa just knew that Ceph would end up being picked. These tournaments tended to favour the strongest of students, they made for better competition.

Once Dumbledore dismissed the students, Ceph came to stand behind her. He smiled at her friends charmingly (Ankaa could practically hear Pansy swoon).

"I'll be borrowing her for a moment," Ceph said, "You guys go ahead. She'll catch up to you in a bit."

Draco shrugged and walked ahead with Crabbe and Goyle. Pansy shot Ceph a look, furiously batting her eyes. With a roll of his eyes, Blaise pushed her in Draco's direction. Turning back, he asked Ankaa if she wanted him to wait for her.

Ceph raised a brow, "It's alright Zabini. We're in the same house, I can walk her to the common room."

"I don't need either of you to walk me," Ankaa snapped. Turning to Blaise she sighed, "Just go. I'll see you when I get back."

Blaise narrowed his eyes at Ceph before nodding once and departing. Once he had left, Ankaa turned to her brother furiously.

"Must you bully my friends?"

Ceph shrugged with a laugh, "I'll bully anyone who likes you. Zabini's got a thing for you, I'm just letting him know he has to get through me first."

Ankaa recoiled. "Zabini? And Me?"

Ceph raised an amused brow. Looking around him, he whispered, "Yeah. It's completely one-sided I see, not nearly as worrisome." He then waved his hand, "I'm not here to walk about him anyway. I want you to go talk to Dumbledore."

"Now?" Ankaa cast an incredulous look around her. Potter and his friends were still sitting at their table, hotly debating about the Triwizard Tournament. "They'll all see."

Ceph shot her an incredulous look as well. "What's wrong with that? They all know you're a Seer anyway."

Scowling, Ankaa pushed past him and headed towards Dumbledore who was having a conversation with Moody. Swallowing quickly, Ankaa stood behind the pair. Moody noticed her right away and nodded in her direction to tell Dumbledore of her arrival.

"Ah, Miss. Rhyther," Dumbledore smiled, "How are you?"

Ankaa smiled, "I am well, sir. I was just wondering if I could have a moment of your time?" She cast a purposeful look at Moody, who raised a brow. At Dumbledore's signal, he hobbled away, all the while casting her distasteful looks. Or maybe that was just the only expression he was capable of mustering.

"Yes, Miss. Rhyther. How can I help you today?" Dumbledore folded his hands in front of him

"I was just wondering what you had decided with my training, sir?" Ankaa asked softly. "I would like to get started as soon as possible so I can practice."

"Ah, of course," Dumbledore said rather loudly. Ankaa cringed on the inside. He had no doubt gotten Potter's attention. Continuing as if he had done no wrong, Dumbledore told her, "I've contacted Madame Vablatsky and she is more than excited to come work with you. She will be arriving sometime in the next week, and once she does you can be your lessons."

Ankaa nodded with a gracious smile. "Thank you, sir."

"Thank you, Miss. Rhyther." Dumbledore bowed his head ever so slightly. With that, he walked away to Moody and lead him away. Ankaa stood there watching the two walk away. With a great, exaggerated sigh, she turned to exit the Hall. Ceph gave her a wide smile and a thumbs up. He was talking to the Head Girl, someone who Ankaa didn't even remember seeing around.

"Hey, Ankaa!" Fred called out to her. When she turned, he continued, "If we found a way to get round Dumbledore, fancy entering?"

Ankaa walked over to the Gryffindor students. Raising a haughty brow, she asked, "And what makes you think I need your help to enter?" She could enter without any problem, of course. The Age Line only detected the Trace, and now that it was off of her, she would be practically invisible to the Ministry.

Fred scoffed, "Oh come on, you're not that great at magic."

Ankaa frowned. Before she could snap at him, Granger interrupted.

"It's so dangerous though, you're not actually thinking of entering?" Granger sounded beyond worried. "I mean, people have died in this Tournament."

"People die every day," Ankaa rolled her eyes. "Besides, if you're advanced enough at magic then it won't be a problem." Ankaa then turned to Potter, who was standing beside her with a dazed look. "You're not thinking of entering, are you?"

Potter shook his head with a slight laugh, "I'm alright without eternal glory."

Ankaa nodded, "Good." She then cast a mock serious look towards the twins, who tried to look innocent, "Hang out with them too much, and you start to think everything's possible. That rule is for your own good. You're not exactly the ablest—"

Fred's face looked as if he had eaten the most disgusting and sourest candy on the planet. He scoffed at her before muttering, "That's rude. If I wanted a lecture, I would have written to Mum."

Ankaa's brow twitched in irritation as she glared at him, "I'm not rude. I'm only honest about things you aren't particularly fond of hearing."

Ronald sorted. "That's likely." Narrowing his eyes at her, he hissed, "I'd rather Fred or George be chosen than a Slytherin."

Just then, a shadow loomed over his shoulder. Ronald turned to find Ceph's much taller form towering over him. Ceph gazed at the boy stonily, his eyes blazing with fury. Leaning forward slightly, Ceph raised a brow and glowered at the redhead. Ronald swallowed slightly and stepped back into Ankaa, who pushed him towards her brother roughly.

"Really?" Ceph drawled, "Because I had thought of entering…" He trailed off, watching Ronald turn as white as snow. "It would be a shame… if a Slytherin like me was chosen, wouldn't it, Ronald?"

Ankaa knew he was only joking. She stood behind Ronald, smiling in glee while watching Weasley cower. His form was shaking. Ceph could be intimidating when he wanted to be. Ankaa supposed it was an unfair advantage.

"Alright, alright." George stepped in and pulled Ronald from between the siblings. He pushed his brother towards the Entrance Hall lightly and turned to Ceph, "You know he didn't mean it."

Ceph smiled lightheartedly, "Of course. He's just fun to mess with."

George smiled, "That he is." He turned back to Fred, who was still glaring at Ankaa. "Reckon we could use Ceph's help scaring Ron, yeah?"

Fred only shrugged.

Ankaa rolled her eyes in irritation at his childish display. She looked to her brother, only to see him smiling at the twins as if nothing was wrong.

"Well then," Ceph waved his hand in dismissal, "It's time you all get to your dormitories. You too, Longbottom!"

Longbottom, who had been cowering behind the group jumped. Ankaa turned to find him wringing his hands together nervously. As Ankaa walked after Ceph, Fred bumped his shoulder into her on purpose. Turning around with a scowl, she pushed him back roughly. He was about to retaliate but George just rolled his eyes and pulled on his sleeve. Ankaa glared at Fred once more before turning and following her brother.

Stupid Weasley.

The next day, Fred didn't so much as look in Ankaa's general direction. George offered her an apologetic look from the other side of the hall. Ankaa only rolled her eyes and nodded slightly. It wasn't his fault his twin had the mentality of a two-year-old. Regardless, Ankaa was stubborn too. She refused to look in his direction.

"We've got Care of Magical Creatures with the Gryffindors today," Blaise commented as he glanced through his schedule. Leaning over to Ankaa, his eyes raked over her schedule as well. Ankaa tensed and pulled away slightly, not enough to alert him but just enough to not feel uncomfortable herself. Ever since Ceph had speculated that Blaise liked her, she had started to notice little hints that might have backed his theory.

It was odd how irritating someone became when you hated even one aspect of their personality. Blaise's constant presence had become overbearing the second Ankaa had started to notice that he might actually like her. She wasn't about to say anything to him just yet though, and so she went around trying to keep things as normal as possible.

"You took Divination again?" Blaise raised a brow, squinting at her schedule.

"So?" Draco spoke before she could answer. He was looking through his own schedule. "It was an easy class. Just because Trelawney didn't fancy you doesn't mean—"

"She didn't even teach anything!" Blaise retorted. "Besides, she only gave you good marks because you were with Ankaa all the time."

Ankaa raised her hands in defence, "Don't pull me into your testosterone fight."

Draco smirked at Blaise, completely ignoring Ankaa. "Jealous?" He taunted, "I would have let you partner up with her but she prefers me more."

"I just threw up in my mouth." Ankaa deadpanned. "The thought of having to tolerate either of you makes me want to throw myself off the Astronomy Tower. Next time, I'm going to pair up with Pansy and let you two battle it out, alright?"

Pansy snickered and nodded. When Draco glared at her, she shrugged and continued on with her breakfast. Draco opened his mouth to retort, but just then the Great Hall was filled with hoards of owls who dropped various sized letters and packages in their owner's laps. Ankaa watched as her friends all received letters or gifts from home.

Zeus was perched on Ceph's shoulder, carrying a whole lot of things too. He usually never came to Ankaa. Ceph was the one that passed on her letters to her. Besides, Ankaa never usually received letters in the starting of the year. It was more frequent towards the middle, or the last few weeks when her mom would start writing letter after letter.

Ankaa's eyes caught Potter's from across the Hall, and she noticed the disappointed look he was supporting. He glanced away from her quickly when she raised a brow. Was he disappointed that he hadn't gotten anything? He should've been used to it by now though, she assumed. He didn't have anyone to send him letters.

But he does, she told herself. He's got Black and Maya now. Ankaa looked down the length of the Slytherin table to where her brother had created two piles. She got up and walked over to him. Without looking up at her, he passed her a few letters.

"Anything from dear old Dad?" Ankaa asked as she shuffled through her letters.

"No," Ceph mumbled distractedly as he read through his Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook before class. "Mum wrote though, make sure you give the letter to…" He trailed off as Ankaa nodded.

"Yeah," Ankaa then leaned forward. "What about Father?"

Ceph raised a brow and looked up at her, "Not yet. I didn't know you had written to him?"

"I haven't."

"And you expect another letter then, do you?" Ceph blinked in confusion.

Ankaa shook her head. She titled her head the slightest amount in the direction of the Gryffindor table. Ceph looked towards the table for a second before looking back at her and smiling. "Look at you all worried for your friends."

Ankaa rolled her eyes in disgust. "I just don't want to see him walking around like a kicked puppy."

Ceph laughed. "Of course," He nodded sarcastically, "I'm sure that's it. But seriously—"

"You've got to stop using that pun."

"—nothing yet." Ceph continued. He leafed through his textbook. "I'm sure he'll write back soon, he must be… busy. Just make sure you pass on the letter mom wrote, will you?"

Ankaa nodded.

"Great!" Ceph stood up with a smile. After gathering his things, he turned to her and flicked her ear. "See you later!"

Ankaa rolled her eyes but gave him a small smile before heading back to her friends. Blaise offered her bag with a smile.

Ankaa raised a brow. From across the table, Draco mimicked her incredulous expression. His eyes travelled from Ankaa to Blaise and then back again. In the next second, he grinned at her like the Cheshire cat.

"Come along, Parkinson." Draco drawled as he walked ahead, "Let's give them some space."

"Draco!" Ankaa called after him. He only turned around to laugh at her expression before sauntering away. Blaise was still standing there, unfazed by Draco's taunting. When she turned back around, he just grinned at her. Ankaa groaned and made her way to class, ignoring Blaise's pleas to slow down.

She was going to murder Malfoy.

Notes:

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