The Amazing Thing About: Trust. Chapter twenty-nine.

The week before the last task Eliza couldn't get the younger students to focus on their studies. All anyone wanted to talk about was the last task and who would win. Out of the seven students who even bothered to show up to the study session only two were really paying attention to what they were doing. The rest were using it more as a social gathering. Eliza just focused on helping the ones who actually wanted it, one of them being Thomas.

He wanted to know more about some of the different solutions for poisoning and their textbook only labeled some of the basics. He'd taken up asking her more and more about potions over the weeks and she wondered if he'd grown a fondness for her favorite subject. She was more than happy to help him out in that regard and got up from the table to grab a book for him. There was one she'd studied cover to cover in her third year and it would be perfect for him.

While perusing the bookshelves Eliza heard a small clatter and she moved to the edge of the bookcase to peek around the corner. It sounded like someone dropped a few books. That turned out to be partway accurate as there were books on the ground. The cause was Katie and George tucked away with their tongues down each other's throats. One of them must have accidentally knocked the books on the ground.

Eliza couldn't stop the snort that escaped her and George quickly looked her way. It made her bust out laughing and Katie's face turned a deep red. Eliza stifled her laughter with a hand before giving them a thumbs up. It was taking everything in her to not cackle like a hyena as she returned to the students with a giant grin on her face. While she'd seen them holding hands and sitting close together she'd never expected to see that. The way he'd looked almost made her laugh again.

She was happy for him. He'd even started sitting next to Katie in class and she found her progress was improving without him bugging her. Plus she was more than happy to spend that time with Lee. They'd started having their own inside jokes about the brothers and it was nice to get closer to him. He was definitely more helpful in class even though they still had fun.

With George sometimes too occupied Eliza found herself in Fred's company more often. It wasn't always terrible as long as he wasn't trying to annoy her. Sometimes Angelina would join them and it seemed she'd warmed up to Fred a whole lot more since Katie and George became an item. Maybe she was seeing that since their relationship was going well so far and it wasn't such a bad idea. Eliza pointed it out to him one night while they were hanging out. They sat across from each other on one of the benches next to the dungeon entrance.

They were playing cards but when she brought it up he flicked one of them at her. "I'm not inept." It hit her in the chest and she picked it up when it fell into her lap.

"Just saying." She smirked as she tucked the card back into his hand. He looked like he wanted to fire back with something snarky but instead he changed the subject to the end of the school year. He told her an idea they'd come up with to sneak into the kitchens and convince the house elves to let them add Gas Guzzlers to all of the drinks being served during the end of the year feast.

Eliza lowered the cards in her hand. "That's going to take a lot of work." She said before she noticed Fred trying to take a look at her hand and she flipped them up quickly with a glare.

He stuck his tongue out at being caught trying to cheat. "I think we can knock it out in time if we really put in the work." He said as if nothing was amiss.

She analyzed the cards in her hand trying to figure out which one to play. "I don't know. I'd have to put everything on the back burner to pull that off in two weeks." She said before tossing one on the bench between them. She wasn't very good at card games but they were a good way to pass time when she got bored.

"We can take shifts." He said tossing a card on top of hers. So far he'd been beating her in most of their games. The only times she'd beaten him was with sheer luck of the draw.

Eliza pulled a card from the top of the deck. "That's not a bad idea." She said and she had a feeling she was about to get her butt handed to her in the next play. She was relieved when footsteps distracted Fred and they both set down their cards as George jogged their way. Eliza took that moment to collect all the cards and shuffled them into the deck.

Fred blanched and snatched the deck away from her calling her a cheat but she turned her attention to George with a big smile. "Hey, there." She said ignoring Fred. George looked confused at the cheery greeting and looked between them. "Have you told her yet?" He asked.

"That's what we were just talking about before Iz snaked her way out of losing our game." Fred said tapping the deck of cards on her forehead.

George took a seat between them on the bench before chaos could break out. "What do you think?" He asked. While glaring around him at his brother she told him she thought it was a good plan and he told Fred he'd known she'd be on board. Eliza made faces at Fred over George's shoulder and he reached over him to flick her in the ear.

She cupped her ear and George sat back so she couldn't retaliate because he was blocking her. "How are we going to convince the house-elves?" She asked hating the victorious look on Fred's face.

"Leave that to us. They see us often enough." Said Fred suddenly all business again. Sometimes the way he could just switch from playful to serious threw her for a loop but she was glad for it in moments like this.

She nodded. "Alright. We'll have to figure out shifts. I don't mind putting in work four out of seven days." She said. Setting boundaries with them had become the best way to ensure she didn't get pulled too much in either direction. If she let them they'd talk her into working all the way through the remainder of the year.

George frowned. "Four?"

"I still have homework, the study group, and other responsibilities." She said trying to be subtle. While two of those things were important to her she really wanted to make sure she didn't snub Victor. It was his last year and she didn't know if she'd be able to see him for a long time. He'd asked her if she would consider visiting over the break but she doubted her parents would allow that. He'd then asked if he could meet her parents and she'd stumbled over words trying to tell him that he was moving too fast. He'd found that extremely funny.

"Yeah yeah. We won't intrude on your time with Vic." George teased. "The way you two carry on I'm surprised you have time for anything else."

Eliza smirked. "At least we don't go about our business in the library." She said and gave his hair a tug.

His face turned a bit pink and she reveled in it. "We were supposed to be studying." He muttered.

She leaned forward a bit to address Fred directly. "Huh. Must be a new method. Have you heard of it?" He'd been more than willing to join her in teasing his brother about his relationship. It gave them common ground to gang up on him. While Eliza was very happy for George that wasn't going to stop her from getting some revenge about how he'd teased her about Victor. If Fred ended up with Angelina she'd be doing the same to him.

"Wanna try it out sometime?" Fred waggled his eyebrows and Eliza cringed. "I can see why Angelina wouldn't let you kiss her."

She and George laughed at the look on Fred's face. "Oh, shut it." He grumbled.

Joining Cas and Tasha was truly a gift in itself when she needed time to unwind. They were so easy to just sit and talk with and listening to their problems had a way of helping her forget about any of her own. Tasha was complaining about how Louis wouldn't stop writing her poetry and it was one of the cutest things she'd ever heard. But considering her own time under his affections Eliza asked her if she was uncomfortable. Tasha said the only issue she was having with it was that he was terrible at poetry.

Cas then asked her about protective charms. She'd been doing a ton of studying to help her brother prepare for the last task and while she wanted to offer some help Eliza wasn't sure there was much she could provide. Cedric was a good student and the way he'd been performing so far didn't give Eliza the inclination that he was in need of her assistance whatsoever.

"I'm pretty sure Cedric is way more skilled with that stuff than I am. Plus he's been prepping all month." She said voicing her thoughts out loud. Cas nodded along and said that she just wanted to make sure he had everything he needed. There was no telling what kind of things he'd be facing in the maze and the worry of the unknown was a potent one.

Eliza took the girl's hand. "It's the last week. I'm sure he's set. Now it's up to him and the maze." She said trying to be reassuring. Cas driving herself crazy with preparation wasn't going to do any good for either one of them in the long run. It was time for them both to be resting and relaxing before the task.

"Do you think he'll win?" Cas asked. Eliza smiled and squeezed her hand. "I have no idea. But I'll root for him just as much as I do Harry." She promised. From the side where Tasha was playing with Rikki she said she'd be rooting for him as well. It gave Eliza an idea and she asked them if they wanted to make a few banners to take to the event. The two jumped at the plan and for a few hours they worked on making colorful and creative banners to support both Cedric and Harry. They only paused their work for dinner but continued on until it was time for bed and Eliza told them to go on ahead while she cleaned up.

Madam Pince looked glad to see that she wasn't planning on just leaving the mess they'd made and Eliza made quick work of it. After the dung bomb incident last year she'd tried to show the woman her best behavior. She told her goodnight before leaving and the woman gave her a nod but said nothing in return. She even made sure to close the door behind her as quietly as possible before heading down the hall.

On the way she spotted something that would never make sense to her. Malfoy was by himself sitting off in the courtyard. She couldn't tell if he was waiting on someone or what but he appeared to be sulking about something. His face was stony, his brow furrowed and his mouth twisted in a frown. That was the second time she'd ever seen him without at least one other person. It was just as strange this time as it was then.

Curiosity was a peculiar thing and she watched him for a moment as he fiddled with his wand, his eyes locked on the movements. She looked around waiting for one of his friends to make an appearance but when no one came she let out a long sigh. He was a strange boy and a slimy insect at the worst of times but her stupid feet carried her his way before she'd really decided on whether or not to interrupt him.

"Boo." She said quietly once she was a couple of feet away. He stiffened and his head whipped around. Once he registered it was her his expression settled into a glare. Eliza had to fight to keep from laughing at having startled him but he looked to be in a nasty mood so she kept herself in check.

He did not choose to do the same. "What do you want, freak?" He muttered but there wasn't much bite to it. He must have been really distracted for his tone to lack its normal levels of malice. While she tried to come up with a proper excuse to be bothering him he collected himself. "Come to paint a target on my back? Victor not enough?" There it was. It was almost relieving to hear the usual spite.

"Trust me I'm not willing to do anything with you that might put that target on you." Eliza teased dodging his attempt to hurt her feelings. His face crinkled in disgust as if realizing what that may entail. The moment of silence as she rendered him speechless for once was almost too good to pass up on. But she resisted the urge to jab at him. "You looked troubled. Just wanted to see if you were alright." She said casually.

As if having her concern was of some grave crime his look of disgust deepened. "Shove off." If Eliza didn't know better she'd have thought she'd hit a nerve. Was it so terrible to have someone worry about him or was it just anyone he didn't deem worthy of respect?

Eliza shrugged. "Fine. Have it your way. Seems there's something on your mind but if I'm wrong then I'm wrong." She said and passed him to continue on her way. As she did so she stopped when she heard him mutter "What do you know?" and she considered letting it pass but she was too soft for that. "Not a lot but enough to see when someone's all twisted up." She said.

When she looked back he appeared thrown for a split second before he was back to glaring at her but she could see his scowl soften just for a moment. "Piss off."

Eliza smiled to herself and kept going. "Alrighty. Just don't let whatever's eating at you swallow you whole." She called over her shoulder leaving him to his brooding.

She had a feeling that most of her friends wouldn't care about a sullen Malfoy so she brought it up to Victor casually the next day. It was getting late in the evening but they'd decided to lounge around on the couch together once the other students made their way up to bed. While she talked he stretched his legs out, propping his back on the arm of the couch. She reclined against his chest and pulled Rikki into her lap since he wouldn't stop fidgeting.

"Since when do you care about how Draco is feeling?" Victor asked and slipped an arm around her waist. "Should I be worried about you leaving me for a younger man?" She could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

Eliza turned her head and looked up at him. "I know you're joking but..No. Just no." The very idea had a shudder crawling up her spine.

Victor chuckled at her reaction and his fingers trailed up and down her arm. "I wasn't aware you two were on speaking terms." He said dropping the jokes. The gentle way he was touching her gave her goosebumps and she tried to rub them away.

"We're not. Its a once in a blue moon thing and it's pretty one-sided. Usually, he just calls me a freak and comes up with something cruel to say." She said. It sounded stupid saying it out loud.

He took her hand in his and was toying with her fingers. "Yet you tried to talk to him anyway?" He asked as he interlocked their fingers together. He was being extra cute for some reason but Eliza didn't mind it one bit.

"Fair point." She conceded and let her head rest back on his shoulder. "But you should have seen him. Anyone would do the same."

"I'm afraid we disagree on that. I would have left him alone."

Eliza sighed. She could see where he was coming from but there was no way her conscience would let her sleep if she'd done that. "That's the problem. It's weird seeing him alone."

Victor was quiet for a moment and she wondered what was going on in his mind. "This might come as a surprise but sometimes people need time to think by themselves."

She looked up at him with a flat expression. "Very funny. Really, I'm in stitches." She said monotonously. His smile was slow and he began digging his fingers into her ribs until she was a wheezing mess on the couch. When he stopped it took her a long minute to catch her breath and settle back down but not without a suspicious look his way.

"It isn't your responsibility to try to help everyone." He said as he adjusted a bit and they got comfortable once more.

She nodded. "I know. We don't like each other and I absolutely hate the way he treats Harry. Don't even get me started on the things he calls Hermione. But there's something underneath all that and walking away from it feels...Wrong." Eliza confessed. He had something more to him that lay below the surface of all that smarmy arrogance and bigotry.

"Are you sure you're not trying to convince yourself of that? I've never seen anything from his character to back that up."

Eliza rubbed her eyes. They were starting to get heavy and she was so comfortable laying there with him. "That doesn't mean it isn't there. Malfoy wasn't born hateful. That's nurture, not nature." She didn't know much about his parents so she couldn't directly blame them but she'd seen the way he looked when his father snapped at him. Was he afraid of disappointing him? What was it? "I'm not an expert and it's all speculation but I can't hate him." It didn't matter why she felt bad for him because it wouldn't change anything.

Victor squeezed her a bit. "That says more about you than him. You're not a hateful person." His voice was low and calming which didn't help much with her sleepy state.

Eliza frowned. "I think you'd be surprised. Rita? I hate her." She said pointedly. Eliza imagined she'd taken all of her redeeming qualities and stomped on them with her heel.

"Yet I have the feeling if you saw her struggling emotionally you'd try to help."

"Don't bet on it." She huffed.

Victor chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "I would and I'd win." He said confidently.

Eliza didn't have to scramble for a good example. "I hate Connor." It may have been cheating to point that one out but it was the first thing that popped into her head. If there was anyone in the world she could hate it would be him and that would never go away. He could be in excruciating pain and begging for her help and she'd point and laugh.

"He earned that." Victor's voice was barely a whisper and he sounded pained at the mention of him.

She frowned. "Alright. You know what? I can be mean and hateful." She sat up and turned to stare him down. He let her up and his expression was of mild amusement at the way she was acting.

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" He asked with an eyebrow arched. "You're one of the softest people I've ever met. That isn't a bad thing. You have a good heart." He tugged on her arm and she laid against him and crossed her arms. How did he manage to be so sweet all the time? If she ever plucked up the courage to meet his parents she was going to ask a lot of questions.

"Stupid wonderful, good-looking, smart guy." Eliza grumbled. It wasn't fair that it was so easy for him to dispel her negativity.

He moved a bit so he could get a look at her face. "Are you pouting?"

Eliza spared him a glance. "Yes."

He hummed and sank his fingers into her hair, massaging her scalp. "If you muttering compliments is your way of expressing your frustration with me I'll have to antagonize you more often."

"And if it ends with a massage I'll let you." Eliza let her eyes close and she let out a long, relaxed sigh. His hands were pure magic.

"It's a deal."