Chapter Sixty

Wednesday was Inside Out Robes Day, and everyone had a good laugh at the scraggly seams that showed. Some people, like Seamus and Dean, went all-out and wore their robes inside out and backwards.

Slytherin and Gryffindor students each chose a corridor to decorate in their House colors, and classes were canceled on Wednesday afternoon so that the students could complete their displays. Araminta ran back and forth between the two, first helping transfigure roses until they were enormous for a wreath like the ones they give horses who win races in the Gryffindor hallway and then running over to the Slytherin side to charm gummy worms into long, glittery snakes that swam back and forth near the ceilings.

After an enormous feast, the professors and headmaster carried clipboards up and down the corridors, making notes on the decorations. Professor Snape was pale and wan, but gave Araminta a half-smile when he passed her. Finally, everyone trooped into the Great Hall.

The teachers put their heads together and finally Dumbledore stood up to make an announcement.

He held up his hand and cleared his throat. "I know that every one of you is on the edge of your seat with anticipation! We have thought long and hard about our decision, and we do not make it lightly."

A low murmur went around the House tables. Who was going to win--Gryffindor, or Slytherin?

"After a heated debate, the other judges and I would like to announce that the points for hall decorations awarded to Gryffindor will be eighty and the points awarded to Slytherin will be eighty."

This time, the murmur was louder and confused. Dumbledore motioned for everyone to shut up. "Yes, my friends, this means that so far, we have a tie! Therefore, we go into the first Quidditch match of the season with all of the houses in a tie--excellent work, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, in your classes, I might add--and this will make everything much more exciting!"

Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students seemed pleased at the compliment, but Harry and Draco were growling at each other across the hall and trying to be intimidating. This was a painful reminder to Araminta that come Friday, she'd be playing Quidditch for both teams. How was she going to get through the match without making her father or her boyfriend mad?

Just then Draco stood up and swaggered over to where she was sitting next to Harry. "So, hope you learn to catch before Friday's match, Potter. Otherwise, I'll be bored to death waiting for the Snitch to come my way."

"Hey!" Harry stood up, rolling up his sleeves. "You wanna fight about it, or did you give Crabbe and Goyle the evening off?"

Draco sneered. "They're too good to touch the likes of you, Potter."

Harry jumped over the table and ran at Draco, but Araminta got in the way and pushed them apart. "Stop! Stop it, please! I can't stand this, and I don't want to have to choose between you."

Draco and Harry put their fists down reluctantly. "All right."

"No, not all right." Araminta wanted this finished once and for all. "We're family...um, er, we're like a family, and I want you to promise me you'll be nice to each other from now on."

Draco and Harry shook hands, trying not to touch each other. "Fine," they said, "but we'll still be playing against one another in Friday's Quidditch match."

Suddenly, Araminta couldn't wait for Saturday.