As always, I don't own anything HP related, just my original characters and off base plot line. Not beta'd so be gentle.
Of course, the first task would involve dragons. I mean, why not have one of the most dangerous and elusive creatures brought to a school filled with children. Sounds like a great plan! Luckily for Harry, I knew a great deal about the different types of dragons, due to the many days of sitting and listening to Draco ramble on about his namesake. So, in the free time I had, I filled Harry in on anything and everything to do with dragons. We didn't know exactly what to expect, but he was as prepared as he could be. Hermione had gone over a million different spells that she thought would be useful, and hopefully that would help ease his nerves. Ron and him still weren't talking, which was driving Hermione mad, but there wasn't much else we could do. I refused to try again. Harry's stress levels were high anyhow, with the "Potter Stinks" badges and the sneers from the student body that seemed never ending. I had made it my mission to destroy any of the badges I could, without getting caught, of course. Harry was thankful, but it didn't help much. He, Hermione, and I talked and agreed the first task couldn't come and end fast enough, but we were made to eat our words. Today was the first task, and I felt like I could vomit, so I couldn't even imagine what Harry was feeling like. Hermione was currently sneaking in to see Harry and wish him luck, while I was saving us seats. I sat near Neville, and almost immediately my leg started to bounce anxiously. Nev noticed.
"You okay, Ana?" He had asked.
"Yeah Neville, I'm okay. Just nervous for Harry. I just can't imagine this going well no matter what. I still think it's ridiculous they are making him participate in this ghastly competition." I stopped short. "Merlin, I sound like Hermione."
Neville laughed. "You did, but it's okay. I agree actually. This is far too violent for my tastes. Then again, I suppose most things are." He shrugged awkwardly. "Not sure how I became a Gryffindor."
I frowned. Neville making comments like that happened a little too frequently, and I couldn't help but wonder who was feeding into that. I mean, obviously I've heard the snakes and a few others say things here and there, but I get the feeling it happens more often than I know.
"Don't be silly, Nev. I know exactly why you were put in Gryffindor. Your bravery isn't like everybody else's, and that's not a bad thing. We're reckless and crazy, and do some really dumb stuff most of the time. You, on the other hand, your bravery is what counts. You are dependable. When a friend is in need, you are there, regardless of the repercussions. Year after year you have to face your biggest fear. A man that torments you and terrifies you and yet, you come back, sit in his class, and do what needs to be done. Not everybody could do that. You stood up to Harry, and not a lot of people have the courage to do that. You are braver than you think. It just shows up differently within you. Never doubt your place, because it is right here with us." I grabbed his hand and squeezed. His eyes teared up and he squeezed back right before hurriedly wiping his face off.
"Thanks, Ana."
Before I could say anything else, Hermione sat down and was a little red.
"You okay Granger?" I asked, laughingly.
"I can't stand that Skeeter woman! I was telling Harry good luck, and she busted us, snapped a picture, and I swear the grin on her face was evil Ana. I have no clue what she's going to do with the picture, but whatever she does I doubt it will be truthful. I'll have to try and warn Viktor." She looked dejected.
"I haven't really seen Erik a lot lately, because he's been helping Krum, but I can try to get a message to him if you'd like?" I offered. Hermione was grateful, but we didn't linger long on the subject as the first dragon was brought into the ring. Neville went pale, and Hermione clutched my arm.
"I hate this." She mumbled under her breath, and I couldn't help but to agree. The goal was for each champion to try and get the golden egg each dragon was protecting. Cedric went first, and then Fleur and Krum, respectively. Harry was next, and Hermione and I locked arms in support, both for Harry and for each other. We watched as Harry stumbled around the large rocks, trying to stay out of the way of the incredibly frightening Hungarian Horntail. Finally, he summoned his broom, and took off. He tried swiping the golden egg, but missed as he dodged the dragon's fire. Circling around, he flew and tried again, only this time he succeeded. The crowd's cheers were cut short when Harry flew away from the dragon, and instead of the dragon being stuck within the walls of the arena, the chain snapped and the dragon was freed. Cheers turned into frightened screams, and Harry was quite literally flying for his life. The dragon trainers, Charlie Weasley included, were rushing around to try and get the situation out of control. Hermione was on the verge of tears, and I knew I had gone pale. We watched in the distance as Harry was flying around the castle and the grounds, trying to escape the dragon. They both disappeared, and all went quiet. It felt as though everyone was holding their breath to see what had happened. With a gasp, the entire crowd visibly shrunk back and Harry came flying over the stands, broom on fire, and flew through the waiting doors to escape from the dragon. As soon as he passed through them, they shut, effectively saving Harry and ending his turn. The dragon wasn't far behind, and when it went to follow through, the trainers were able to wrangle it back into chains, and into the cage from where it was held. Neville looked like he was about to pass out, and Hermione let one small tear slip from her eyes.
"For fucks sake. How is this legal?" I murmured, and Hermione was quick to agree.
"There are some things in the magical world I still don't understand, and this is one of them. These are all still students! I know Harry is a special circumstance, but do they really think a 17-year-old is capable of handling a dragon?" She asked incredulously.
"To be fair, we did take on a fully grown mountain troll in second year, but I agree. This is insane, and I grew up in the magical world. I don't even want to know what the other tasks are. I don't care who wins this thing. I just want Harry to finish, alive." She nodded and our conversation was silenced as the results were presented. Harry and Viktor were tied for first! Followed by Cedric and Fleur. Gryffindor students went wild at the news, and I hoped at least Harry would have a bit more support now. I glanced over, and saw Ron was also still pale, and wasn't celebrating. In fact, he looked scared to death. He seemed to feel my gaze on him, and turned to look. It took him a moment, but he donned a very sheepish look and gave a small shrug. I nodded, and tried to keep my facial expressions as neutral as possible, but inside I was beaming. Good! He finally realized that no person in their right mind would want to sign up for this blasted contest, especially not Harry who for his short life has already had more near-death experiences than anyone should. They finally released us from the stands, and everyone made their way back to the common room to anxiously wait for Harry. When he finally came in, it was with Ron following right behind him, both grinning. They had clearly made up, and I could hear Hermione's sigh of relief, even over the swell of excited yells from the rest of the Gryffindors. The rest of the night was spent celebrating, and it was actually fun. When Harry had opened the egg, making it screech, everyone paused what they were doing to look in bewilderment, which only led to raucous laughter and continued celebration. I was sitting on the couch, watching and enjoying the party when Harry plopped down next to me.
"Hey champ." I said while grinning at him. He laughed and shoved his shoulder gently against mine.
"Hey, Ann. I just wanted to come and say thanks." At this, I looked at him questioningly.
"What for?"
"He'll never admit it to you, but Ron did actually listen to what you had to say. He came and apologized to me, and admitted that both you and Hermione had been right, and even the prospect of eternal glory wasn't worth taking a dragon head on. So, thank you. I know there's no love lost between you two, so I know you really didn't want to talk to him, but it worked. He admitted he listened to you more than Hermione. Probably because I can imagine you didn't gently explain things to him as Hermione did. Ron was actually the one to tell Hagrid about the dragons, so Hagrid could tell me. He just wasn't over his pride yet."
"Ron didn't actually use the words 'prospect of eternal glory' did he?" I gave Harry a side eye and grin.
He laughed. "Yeah, no he didn't. It was much more of a 'Bloody hell, mate! That was terrifying. There's nothing that makes facing a dragon worth it. You've got to be mad!'" He and I both laughed, because that sounded much more like something Ron would say. When we quieted, Harry had more to say. "I also wanted to say thank you for always being here for me. I know I don't say it enough to you, but I should."
"Don't worry about it, Harry. I know you appreciate it, and you'd do the same for me."
"That's the thing. I don't know if I would. Not that I don't love you and think of you as my sister, just like Hermione, but sometimes I forget that things affect you." He must have seen the confused look on my face, as he continued immediately. "It's the same way with me telling you thank you, and that I love you. That you are family, because you are! It's just, I tell Hermione more. I'm constantly saying to her and other people that I need her, and wouldn't be where I am without her, but I need you too. It's just that Hermione needs the affirmation, whereas I think you don't. Not that she's only doing things so she can hear 'job well done', she'd do it regardless, you know? But she already feels like she doesn't fit in with the magical world, so I make a point to let her know she does, and she's bloody brilliant! So sometimes I forget that you've actually got it worse in a way."
"I don't. Have it worse, that is. Hermione always has to fight for her place in this world. To even just belong. To exist. I don't. Sure, I may have upset certain types of people by turning my back on the way I was raised, and Pureblood culture, but I still belong in this world. No one questions that. They just lost respect for me."
"I see your point, but then you have to think about what's worse. Hermione will always have to fight for her place in this world. You're right. At the end of the day, though, she's got her family, and her found family. The Weasley's treat her as one of their own, and think of her as a daughter. She's got people to rely on and help support her when things get tough. You don't have family. Not really. Your mom died, and your dad is a prat. I don't really know Theo but it isn't like you guys are close from what I can see. He still sides with your family's values for the most part, right? And the Weasley's don't treat you like they do Hermione and I. I mean, they like you! But, it's different. I've even noticed. So, what's easier, not being accepted by strangers who don't know you, or not being accepted by the people who are supposed to love and support you no matter what?" He took a breath after his rant, and I was struck speechless. The silence lingered a bit awkwardly, until Harry gasped. "Oh! Okay, that came out really harsh, and I didn't mean it like that. Oh god. Sorry Ana. I swear it wasn't supposed to be so mean. You have people that love you and care about you. I do! Hermione does! Ginny too, and you've got a lot of other friends and stuff. You aren't alone, you just don't have the family support. Which, you deserve that family support because you are great, and I love you, and I'm still really buggering this up aren't I?" His ears were turning red, and he started fidgeting around, and he just looked so awkward I couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh Harry." I shook my head in amusement. "I'm not insulted! You didn't say anything I already didn't know. I was just shocked that you gave a bit of a speech. Because it was so unlike you. I love you too, and I may not have support from the family I was born into, but I have my found family. That includes you, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville." I sighed, and made a bit of a spontaneous decision, but one I didn't think I'd regret. "Theo and I are complicated. We love each other, but we hurt one another by being involved in each other's lives. He and I actually talked, and agreed it's best if I get out of the house. It just isn't safe for me there, and I hate it, and he hates seeing me hate it. I hope it is okay, but I wrote to Sirius asking if I could stay with him?"
"You did? What did he say?" Harry asked as his eyebrows raised above his hairline.
"I haven't heard back. I know he's your godfather, and I promise I'm not trying to overstep or anything. A part of me feels bad because I know how badly you want to move in with him, and now I'm asking to do the one thing you can't."
"Stop, Ana. Don't make yourself guilty over nothing. Sirius is lonely, and if it can't be me that moves in, I'm glad it's you. Plus, if anyone would know what it was like to completely go against their family, it would be Sirius. Maybe it would be a good thing, for both of you."
"So, you really don't care? Please be honest, because I can find other arrangements."
"I don't care. I'm glad. I want you to be safe and happy too, Ann. Just like you want for me. Now, that's enough sappiness because I've definitely met my quota for the year."
I rolled my eyes, but figured I would put him out of his misery. "Any clue what the hell you are going to do with your screeching egg?"
He grinned, "Absolutely none. Any ideas?"
I'm not going to stick to an update schedule. Life has gotten crazy, and I can't promise regular updates like how I was. I've got a couple chapters ready to go, but I just don't like how I have them, so I'm messing around with them. I just wanted to put this one out, because it has some feel good moments, and I wanted to show how close Harry and Ana actually are.
