Wow!! Thanks for reviewing Ashla86 and Twin Kats. Phredtheflyingmonkey,
you're the best. You'll find out eventually what is going on with Angelina.
This chapter is very long, so:
The Girl Who Lived Chapter Twelve: The Dueling Tournament
"Incendio!" Hermione cried. The hem of Daisy's robes began to burn.
"Hermione!" she exclaimed irritably, putting out the flame with her hand. There were now several bruises on her legs and painful cuts on her hands. "I said I'd help you duel, not I'd become your personal firewood!"
They had made a deal in light of Daisy's upcoming mid-January second year exams. Hermione would help her master the spells if Daisy would help Hermione practice dueling. The match was on Sunday.
Daisy sat down on the wooden floor of the empty classroom they were in.
"You're right," Hermione said, sitting beside her. "I'm sorry. We should probably just take a break."
"Sounds good to me," Daisy said. They had been dueling for over three hours. Daisy was a decent dueler, especially since she was good in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Hermione had more experience, and well, more power.
They sat for a moment catching their breath before Daisy said, "So, how is it that you left the ball so early, but came back to the dorm after me?"
Hermione, caught off guard, blushed crimson. "I was admiring the gardens," she muttered.
"I see," Daisy said. "Did you meet anyone?" she asked with an innocent expression.
"There were lots of people outside," Hermione insisted defensively.
"Were any of them named Ron?" Daisy continued sweetly. Hermione turned purple.
"I think we should go to the library to study your exams," she suggested.
Daisy said nothing, but followed her toward the library casting curious looks her way.
A distraught Parvati met them in the corridor. "Have you seen Lavender today?" she asked them.
"No," both Daisy and Hermione answered straightforwardly, wanting to hurry along. They started for the library again.
But Parvati stopped them. "Because I haven't seen her all day. I don't know if she even came back to the dorm. I know she wasn't with Seamus. She's never ignored me like this before."
"It starts," Daisy said dryly.
"What?" asked Parvati sharply, turning to stare Daisy in the face.
"Have you gone to see Dumbledore yet?" Daisy replied critically.
"No, I was just about to though, but I saw you and I thought I might ask," mumbled Parvati.
"She's probably just still sore over Seamus," Hermione said. "If she'd just show up, he would apologize. He didn't want her to leave."
"This isn't Lavender's fault," Parvati insisted. "She's just been going through a hard time lately."
"What? Did her bunny die again?" Hermione asked skeptically.
Parvati's eyes flashed like glinting daggers. "No," she said icily. "I'm not going to tell you. You don't deserve to know." With that she stalked away towards McGonagall's office to find the headmaster.
Daisy looked over at Hermione. She looked about as guilty as Daisy felt. "I think we handled that in the worst way possible," she concluded.
"That's true," Hermione agreed looking at Parvati's back sorrowfully. "I hope no one died."
"I hope she's not abandoning Parvati for something else," Daisy said cloudily.
Hermione raised her eyebrows. Daisy hadn't really explained her ex- friendship with Lavender to Hermione. She avoided the subject actually. They were civil, but Daisy was sure they'd never be friends like they had been.
"We better get to the library," Hermione said. "Your animal transfiguration needs work. Maybe we could borrow Pigwideon."
The day before break ended everyone who had gone home over the holidays returned on the Hogwarts Express. Maggie certainly looked happier than she had been.
Hermione's match against Seamus was beginning in fifteen minutes. Lavender still hadn't shown up, and two other second years were missing. Dumbledore sent teams to look for them in the Forbidden Forest. People were starting to feel uneasy and suggested that the tournament should perhaps be cancelled in order to prevent anyone else from being lost.
Dumbledore, however, maintained that the tournament should continue to help the students learn to defend themselves. In fact, he moved all the match dates closer together so that the tournament would be over by the end of the month.
Though nearly everyone was in agreement that someone, maybe even Voldemort, was behind the disappearances, Parvati naturally blamed Seamus for making Lavender run away. But, as she was still mad at Hermione, too, she didn't plan on cheering for anyone. On the contrary, she was prepared to boo as loudly as possible at both duelers.
The matches were taking place inside this time, as it was too cold outside. Hermione and Seamus's match was one of the many being held on the Great Hall's stage.
A few rows of chairs had been set up before it and Daisy sat in the front. Harry was on her left and Fred sat on her right, his fingers entwined with hers discreetly.
They had watched Ginny defeat her opponent in the previous match. Hermione was sitting in a chair on one end of the stage and Seamus faced her in a chair of his own across the room.
Again, Flitwick was refereeing the match. He cleared his little throat and stated, "The match will begin in a few moments. Duelers, please take your positions."
Hermione stood, synchronized with Seamus. They placed their wands to their noses. Ron, who was sitting on Harry's other side, clenched his fists. There were a variety of reasons that Ron passionately wanted Seamus to meet defeat. For one, Seamus was dueling his girlfriend. It was treason to not at least outwardly want Hermione to win. Unless of course it was someone like Harry she was facing, only then could Ron be politely neutral. But Harry was not her opponent because Harry hadn't entered.
Another reason that Ron wanted Seamus eliminated was that he was still bitter that Seamus had beaten him in the last match. And he was also not very happy that Seamus had his eyes on his little sister.
But Daisy secretly thought it was probably a good thing that Ron had been beaten. If he had won, he would be the one attempting to curse Hermione. That would put them in a very awkward position especially if Daisy's suspicions, that they had been sneaking off and snogging regularly, were true.
Ron and Hermione seemed to be very happy in the five days or so, so far, that they had been a couple. Hermione actually seemed to have forgotten about Harry.
Harry was the only one who hadn't found love over Christmas. Even though Ginny fancied him in a painfully obvious way, things hadn't worked out. Harry didn't seem to want a girlfriend at the moment, so Daisy tried not to feel too sorry for him. But it was hard as Daisy had someone to stroke his thumb along the curve of her hand and Harry was sitting next to Ron.
Flitwick cleared his throat again. "Bow to your opponent." Hermione and Seamus bowed at a friendly incline. "Wands at the ready. One. Two. Three!"
Hermione swung her wand down and before Seamus could utter anything at all she cried, "Taceo!" She relaxed a little. Seamus opened his mouth, but no sound immersed. His lips flapped like a fish, but he couldn't say a word.
Daisy hadn't gone over this spell with Hermione, but it was brilliant. She must have looked it up in her new book.
Now, the only task at hand was to hit Seamus three more times (the new rule) and disarm.
Seamus, angry and red faced apparently did not know the counter- curse. He strode forward trying to be humorous and non-caring and spread open his arms exposing himself mock-dramatically. Everyone could tell by his clenched teeth that he really did care. It was all Ron could do to keep from bursting out in laughter.
Hermione sent three well chosen spells from her wand in rapid fire. "Jelly Legs, Blastono, Incendio." And then after Seamus had knelt shakily, been blasted backward, and set afire, Hermione took a breath and cried, "Expelliarmus!"
"Finite Incantantem." Seamus stood wimpily. Dean, his only fan, flinched and tried to look encouraging.
"Miss Granger wins the match," exclaimed Flitwick. Hermione smiled widely and rushed to her waiting friends. They got to their feet to congratulate her. Ron slipped his arm around her almost naturally. Fred and Daisy's hands had separated in the jumble and Fred made no movement to reclaim Daisy's. But Daisy was too happy for her friend to be jealous.
"That was excellent, Hermione, just perfect!" she squealed. "All my bruises are not in vain."
They all laughed, even Harry.
The next day was Monday, meaning back to lessons. Daisy's second year classes were much harder than the first year ones and though her wand-booms had reached a minimum, she was sure she would only pass because she had put in overtime on the specific exam spells.
This morning, Daisy was in Potions making a swelling solution. The second years around her were discussing their missing peers fearfully.
"Do you s'pose You-Know-Who really had something to do with it?" Dennis Creevey asked the small group of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs.
"It's possible," replied Owen Cauldwell. "Kevin was smart, but You- Know-Who even reeled in Harry Potter for God's sake." The group nodded. Most of them had grown up knowing Harry's name and story. Except the story they knew had left out one little detail. Daisy couldn't help feeling just a little envious.
Laura Madley piped in. "Ooo, Stewart isn't very happy that Orla Quirke is gone. You should have seen him taking it out on Emma Dobbs in the duel yesterday." She shuddered.
"The git's always fancied her," said Owen. "I just want to know who's behind it. I mean, who's next?"
"What's all this chatter about," inquired an imposing Snape. The group went quiet. "A point from Hufflepuff and two points from Gryffindor. Now get to work," he growled.
The students dutifully went to their cauldrons and the rest of the lesson was spent in uncomfortable silence.
As Daisy left the dungeons to go to lunch, Hermione headed her off.
"Lavender is back!" she exclaimed. She was panting from hurrying down to the dungeons with her usual pack of books.
"What?" asked Daisy, surprised.
"She just showed up in Transfiguration before anyone else," Hermione explained. They walked down the corridor. "She wouldn't say anything until McGonagall started grilling her. She only said that she was at Hogsmeade, but she wouldn't say anything about the second years. McGonagall got really mad and gave her detention for a week. She looks a mess really. I don't know how she's going to make it through Potions tonight."
They had reached the Great Hall. "I wonder what's up with her," said Daisy.
"Me too."
"Students, students, please settle down!" cried Professor Flitwick. The third years around Daisy stopped chatting. Daisy passed her exams and was now attending third year classes.
"Please listen up. This is very important," squeaked Flitwick. "Today we will be attempting a very advanced spell. Usually I only try this one on promising fifth year classes, but Professor Dumbledore thinks that all students should know it. Now," he paused for a moment, "you're all familiar with the summoning spell, Accio?"
The students nodded in agreement.
"You'll learn that one next year, but this spell is like it with one main exception. It is to summon a person rather than an object. A summoned person will know you need them and will come to your aid. That said, you are not to take this charm lightly. Use it only in an emergency." There was a tone of seriousness in his voice that had never been there before.
Daisy remembered Halloween when she had summoned Dumbledore. It was very lucky that Flitwick had taught the fifth years this spell. Daisy shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if Lavender hadn't known the spell. They might still be in that closet, their skeletons at least.
"May I have a volunteer?" asked Flitwick. Daisy knew better than to volunteer for a charms experiment, but a Hufflepuff boy risked it.
"Thank you, Mr. Cook," Flitwick said. He closed his eyes and pulled out his wand. "Acciocuput Dale Cook!" he cried. Suddenly Dale stood up, plunked his way over to Flitwick's desk, and halted.
"Excellent!" Flitwick said. "Did you feel the pull to follow the call?"
"Yes," said the boy. "And I knew it was you! I mean I heard you say the spell, but I got this picture in my head of exactly where you were and how to get there."
"Exactly," squeaked Professor Flitwick. "Thank you, Mr. Cook. Now, please get into pairs and try the spell." The students began to move into groups. "Remember, correct pronunciation is important: Ah-Chi-Oh-Cup-Put," said the professor slowly and clearly. "Now begin."
Daisy found a girl in Ravenclaw to be her partner. They practiced by hiding behind desks and trying to find each other when summoned.
Since Hermione's idea of using the silence curse, "taceo" the rules of the Dueling Tournament had been changed. No curses that make an opponent unable to speak were allowed.
Hermione was not thrown off by this of course, which Daisy knew from helping her practice. Her new strategy was feasible and she was about to show the school.
Her third match was scheduled to take place in the Great Hall again. She was facing a Ravenclaw named Terry Boot. This time Professor McGonagall was overseeing the match.
Daisy, Harry and Ron sat together again. Fred couldn't come because he and George were up to some undisclosed business.
"Bow to your opponent," Professor McGonagall ordered. Hermione bowed and Terry leaned over. He looked a little almost sickly green with fear. Daisy wondered how he'd made it this far.
"Wands at the ready. One. Two. Three!"
With a whoosh, Hermione's wand was pointed, not at Terry, but at herself.
Terry was very fast. "Gelego!" he said. Hermione's knees sank limply, but she cried, "Protecto!" A shield of golden light surrounded Hermione's skin, making her seem to glow.
Terry, not knowing what had happened, thought he had the perfect chance to get Hermione, now that she was distracted. He had already gotten her once, so he needed six more hits.
But when he tried to curse her, the spell bounced off.
"Fruitolio, juncos!" Hermione cried hitting her mark twice.
Terry paced helplessly, shooting spells from his wand in hopes of a successful curse. It was useless. Hermione's shield was unfailing.
Hermione, who was stuck in one place due to Jelly Legs, pivoted around on her waist, cursing Terry whenever he was in range.
By the time she had only to curse Terry once more, she was gritting her teeth. The shield flickered every once and a while and her face was getting red. The yellow glow made her look orangey.
"Limperutoo," gasped Hermione. Terry flew back. "Ex, Ex," Hermione started. "Expelliarmus!"
Terry's wand flew from his hand and Hermione's shield went out completely.
"Finite Incantantem!" cried Professor McGonagall hurriedly. "Ms. Granger wins the match." Hermione sank to the floor, crumpled. She had passed out.
"Hermione!" Daisy and Ron yelled together, getting to their feet. Harry sat, looking shocked.
"Sit down," McGonagall told them, hawk-like. She conjured a stretcher from thin air. "She will be fine. Just give her some space."
"But Professor." Ron started.
"Mr. Weasley," said McGonagall sharply. "I suggest you, Mr. Potter, and Ms. Peterson go back to your common room."
Her wand-made stretcher floated toward the Hospital Wing. Daisy watched Hermione through the door. She looked awfully pale without her golden glow.
An hour later, as they sat in front of the fire in the common room, Harry stood up. Ron and Daisy looked at him.
"This is pointless," he said with finality. "I'm going to see her." They had been lounging in the red cushioned armchairs not really speaking, just squirming, and wondering if Hermione was alright.
Daisy and Ron stood, too.
"I'm not letting you alone with her," said Ron, only half joking.
"I'm coming, too," Daisy put in. They pushed the portrait back and started for the Hospital Wing.
On the way they met a pale blond boy flanked by two humongous companions. Something seemed very familiar.
"Oh look," said the boy's drawling voice. "Potty and Weasel." His eyes darted over to Daisy. "And you," he said slowly. "My cousin's told me all about you. Look's like you've got competition, Potter."
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" Harry spat.
"For Dumbledore's favorite of course," Malfoy said smirking. "The rest of us actually had to do some work to pass all theses years of school." Daisy blushed. Malfoy's flunkies chuckled thickly.
"Get out of our way, Draco," snarled Ron. "We don't need you wasting our time."
"Off to see Granger?" Malfoy asked maliciously. "Seems she can't take a duel. It won't take a lot of effort to beat the little Mudblood next week."
Ron lunged at Malfoy and neither Daisy nor Harry stopped him. Malfoy's friends momentarily peeled Ron off, but not before he had cut Malfoy's lip.
"You'll pay for that one, Weasley," Draco hissed, checking his cut.
"Let's just go, Ron," Daisy suggested. She wondered what a Mudblood was, and why it would upset Ron so much. She and Harry both grabbed Ron by his robes and pulled him along.
Draco's eyes flashed as they passed. When they were out of earshot, Daisy looked at Harry, as Ron was still fuming, and asked, "Harry, what is a Mudblood?"
Ron made a mad grunting noise. Harry glanced at him strangely before explaining. "It's a really, really mean name to call someone with muggle parents because they aren't pureblood."
"Malfoy has it out for muggle borns, he always has," Ron said. "If he tries anything in that match, I'll."
"Calm down, Ron," Harry said.
"I've had about enough of him," Ron insisted.
"Shh," Daisy said. They had reached the Hospital Wing. They opened the door and saw Hermione sitting in bed reading a book, looking quite healthy.
At the noise at the door she looked up. "You finally made it up here. It took you ages to come see me."
"Professor McGonagall told us to give you space." Daisy started, but Ron cut her off.
"Are you alright, 'Mione?" he asked, running over to her.
"I'm fine," she cried positively. She seemed surprised yet pleased at Ron's reaction. "It was just a complicated spell. Easily the hardest I've ever tried. but it worked all right, didn't it?"
"Just don't do it again, okay?" pleaded Daisy.
"I'll do anything to beat Malfoy," Hermione said, a glint in her eye.
"How do you know these things?" Harry asked in disbelief. "We didn't find out you were facing Malfoy until the git told us on the way up here."
"I have to keep up on my opposition. Especially for the championship," Hermione explained. They nodded in agreement.
"When are you getting out of here?" Daisy posed.
"The old bat is making me stay the night," Hermione said glancing at the office door reading: MADAM POMFREY
Daisy had never been to the Hospital Wing before. There was a row of beds on each wall and several windows. Light was still shining through them, but by now the lanterns had also been lit.
"Why?" asked Ron loudly. "You're fine, right? Right?" he asked again.
"Yes. I just need to recharge or something. I'm not allowed to use magic for three days! Can you believe that?"
"How are you going to do classes?" Daisy asked.
"I dunno. I guess I'll just take notes. I can't fall behind," Hermione replied. Daisy could definitely not afford to fall behind at all. If she was going to pass the fifth year she needed to stay ahead, even. Hermione, however, could probably take a month off and still pass with all perfect marks.
Ron restrained himself from making any comment about Hermione missing work, but Daisy could tell he was thinking along the same lines as she was. But, ever since the Yule Ball Ron tried not to make any rude remarks about Hermione's grades, as he knew it hurt her feelings. He was finding it increasingly harder, though. She just kept setting herself up.
Just then an old witch bashed the door of the office open and stalked toward them. "Get out! Get out!" she cawed. "She needs rest!"
Daisy looked over her shoulder at Harry and Ron, about to protest, but they were starting for the door.
"Bye, Hermione," Daisy said unsurely and followed the boys out the door.
"You don't want to mess with Madam Pomfrey about her patients," Harry said as they walked down the hall. "She's been known to curse when provoked."
The next day, Hermione showed up for breakfast bright and early. Daisy walked into the Great Hall groggily. She had stayed up late into the night doing the homework she had forgotten about until after she returned to the dormitory after visiting Hermione.
"The weirdest thing happened last night," Hermione said as soon as Daisy had staggered in, followed by Harry and Ron.
They rubbed their eyes and tried to look wholly interested, especially Ron.
"I was falling asleep," she continued, "when Parvati burst in with Lavender, but Lavender was all." she paused searching for a word, "well it was like she had gone mad."
Daisy leaned in. She was truly interested now, and nearly wide awake. "Did she say anything?" she asked eagerly.
"Yes," Hermione replied, "but she was muttering so I couldn't really understand her."
"Not any of it?" Daisy asked, disappointed.
"Well, she did keep saying something about someone 'getting her,'" Hermione said unsurely.
Daisy's mind instantly flashed back to Halloween. The locked door keeping them prisoner and Lavenders insane cries about "something" coming back flooded through her head. She leaned back in her chair and wondered how and if this was connected.
Ron and Harry hadn't said anything. They too had stayed up into the night so their eyes were a little glazed over. They had to invent gruesome predictions of their death for Divination class. Harry's chin was resting on his hands and, Daisy thought, he was dozing off. Ron stared dreamily at Hermione. Daisy would have been surprised if either of them had taken in a bit of what Hermione had just said. But she couldn't blame them. They hadn't been locked in a closet. They couldn't realize the importance of the conversation.
But Hermione wasn't done with her story. "But the thing is, when Parvati was trying to explain what was happening, she made it sound as if this happens all the time."
Daisy stared at her. "I bet this is the hard time that Parvati was talking about."
"Me too," Hermione said, but then she caught sight of her watch. "We're late!" she cried, jumping up. Harry looked up sharply and Ron came out of his trance.
"What?" Harry said sleepily.
"We have Potions in five minutes!" she moaned. "It's a mile away! Snape's going to kill us."
"We better go, then," Ron said and stood too. Harry slowly got up from his chair, and began to trudge along with them.
"Have fun watching them," Daisy said from her chair. Her Herbology lesson didn't start for another fifteen minutes. She looked down the table and saw Fred. He had been away in Hogsmeade a lot this week for "business." She wasn't sure what he could possibly be up to, but she hoped it would be over with soon partly because she knew he wasn't supposed to be in Hogsmeade and mostly because she missed him already. She surveyed his profile until he started to sense he was being watched he slowly turned his head her way. She gave him a small smile and he waved her over.
She paced over and took the seat next to him.
"Hi Fred," she said. George and his friends looked her over, trying not to snicker. They always seemed to get an irresistible urge to laugh whenever Daisy came anywhere near Fred. It made her uncomfortable sometimes. "Um, hi George and Lee," she said.
"Hello," they said, smirking. Fred gave them a look.
"Excellent to see you again," he said. "How are you today?" he asked flamboyantly.
"Good, I guess," Daisy replied, blushing. She was still contemplating Lavender. "How are you?"
"Top-notch," he said. "I've got Care of Magical Creatures in a few minutes, though."
"I have Herbology," Daisy said, high-pitched. She still got butterflies in her stomach when she talked to him.
"Perfect!" Fred exclaimed. "I'll walk you?" he offered. George let out a high giggle. Fred gave him another glare.
"Let's go," Daisy said, glancing at George. They left the table amid more chuckling.
"At least I'm not related to any of them," Fred said, smiling. They went through the doors out onto the grounds. It wasn't snowing, but there was a fresh white blanket from the night before covering the landscape.
"So what have you been doing in Hogsmeade?" Daisy asked, looking up at Fred who was wrapped tightly in his black cloak.
"I can't tell you that. It's a surprise," he told her.
Daisy breathed out loudly. "Really? You're keeping things from me?" she asked, mock hurt.
"I guess," said Fred derisively. Daisy laughed quietly. They didn't say anything for a while. After a moment, Daisy looked over at Fred and saw his arm sticking out stiffly in her direction. He looked like he had been caught, but then he draped his arm over Daisy's shoulder warmly.
Daisy smiled and leaned into him. They kept walking; the only sound the snow crunching beneath their feet, until they reached the Greenhouses. Fred looked down at Daisy and slowly leaned over. He looked into her eyes and then pecked her on the cheek.
"Bye, Daze," he said, rushed. Daisy smiled at her new nickname. Fred strode away quickly, but Daisy could hear him sprinting away once he rounded the corner of the Greenhouse. She hoped it was because he was late, not because of her.
"Goodbye, Fred," she whispered.
The final matches of the Dueling Tournament were being held on the Quidditch Pitch in order to accommodate all the viewers. Ginny had made it and so, surprisingly, had Davey. Daisy was only surprised because Jasmine Ali had been his previous opponent. She was sure that he would have let her win, but there must be a line drawn somewhere, she figured, and for Davey that line was dueling.
Hermione had struggled through the few days without using magic, and without practicing. By the time she was allowed to practice, she did so a bit overzealously. Again Daisy's robes were scorched.
The protection spell was banned mostly in an attempt to keep Hermione conscious. She was probably the only Hogwarts student who could manage it, anyway. Ten curses were needed before the disarming to win. Hermione planned to flat out curse rather than use a strategy, as there would be objects to hide behind this time.
The spectators weren't actually sitting in the stands raised high above the ground. They were going to look on from benches stationed around the pitch in a circle.
The Gryffindor fans arrived at the site very early to set up their part of the stands. They adorned the benches with red and gold cloth, Gryffindor colors. Dean, the resident artist, drew several Gryffindor lion emblems on banners that the seventh years magicked to stay up in the air. There was a banner depicting the names of the three Gryffindors competing. Red and gold sparks had been sent up into the air like mini fireworks going on for hours.
The other houses tried to show their spirit as well. The Slytherins had placed snake like decorations all around their side, but it just didn't match up, no one's did. It was apparent, but they would never admit it.
The school gathered at eleven in the morning for the first year match. Davey was facing Alana Malfoy. Daisy hoped that neither of the Malfoys would win their matches. Their family seemed to be rich in dueling talent though. Daisy pictured the Malfoy family reunion. Draco's father, who she pictured with dark hair similar to Snape's, was barbequing hot dogs on the grill and yelling, "Come on kids, Rictesempra!" She laughed to herself.
The referee of the matches was Dumbledore himself. No one would accuse him of favoritism or bad calls.
It turned out, after a final "Magrilotto!" that Davey won. Alana scowled as Davey was pronounced, "Champion of the First Years!"
Hermione sat beside Daisy, teetering back and forth nervously during the fourth year match. Ginny was leading, and Hermione's match was coming up.
"Biulofger!" cried a purple haired, fourteen fingered Ginny. Her opponent's wand burst from her hand and plopped onto the snowy ground.
"Finite Incantantem," said Dumbledore. "Ms. Weasley wins the match and the Championship!" The crowd broke out in cheers.
"That's 400 points to Gryffindor!" exclaimed Lee Jordan.
"Only 200 more to go," Daisy told Hermione confidently. Hermione took a deep breath and stood tall. The fifth years of Gryffindor applauded along with most of the school. Dumbledore beckoned Hermione and Draco to the center of the pitch. They came toward him, their eyes narrowed at each other in raw hatred. They circled around and took their places. There were several obstructions littered around the pitch: two half brick walls, a few boulders, a railing, and a gigantic overturned desk.
"Bow to your opponent," Dumbledore demanded. They both leaned forward about a fraction of an inch. Dumbledore surveyed them from over his half- moon spectacles but said nothing except, "Wands at the ready!" They brandished their wands like swords and glared at each other. Daisy had never seen Hermione so full of malice. Obviously there was a history here that Daisy was unaware of. This was payback.
"One." Malfoy muttered something only comprehensible to Hermione. "Two." Hermione sent a sharp comment back to him. They were both fully livid. "Three."
"Blastono!" they both yelled in record time. Hermione was thrown back into the desk and Draco flipped backward over the brick wall.
They got to their feet hastily and looked for cover. Draco straightened up behind the brick wall, but Hermione dove behind the desk. Draco couldn't tell where she was. He peered around the pitch, but he could not find Hermione.
"Azuleon!" cried Hermione, her wand pointed from the side of the desk. Draco's skin turned a shade of royal blue. His white blond hair looked eccentric in contrast, but his expression was anything but. He looked down furiously at his blue hands and began to search for Hermione.
She popped up from out of her hiding place in time to yell, "Confuddloice!" Malfoy's feet began to grow wider and squarer until they were the shape and weight of cement blocks.
Draco was enraged at getting behind so early. "Pintsettia!" he shouted before Hermione could get back to her hiding place. Her face began to sprout, bud, and then blossom with tiny flowers.
Malfoy tried to run to a different location, but it was a challenge as he had to pick up his concrete feet slowly and one by one. All he could manage was a slow trudge.
Meanwhile, Hermione was relocating as well. She sprinted to behind the other brick wall.
"Pepper eye!" Malfoy growled, as he got the chance. Hermione leaned over her hands covering her face.
Ron sat up straighter. Through the whole match, he had been grinding his teeth louder and louder. Daisy was positive that if Draco showed too much over enthusiasm cursing Hermione that Ron would jump in with a few curses of his own. Magically and verbally.
Hermione set herself straight. Her eyes were reddish and swollen. She was squinting like a mole. It was a good thing her target was bright blue.
"Growstalk, blastono," Hermione said rapidly. Draco was again blasted back. He landed on the ground this time, but his arms were turning green. Leaves began to form along them and his fingers became vine-like. He could barely hold his wand.
He bent over and performed a weightlessness charm on his feet. He barreled out of cover towards Hermione, but his large feet were still boxlike and unwieldy so he tripped onto his face.
"Hartrever," Hermione cried popping up. "Coilatte."
Malfoy aimed upward. "Blastono," he said again. Hermione zoomed backward. This gave Draco time to get to his feet and tower over her. "Blastono," he said again. Hermione was only driven into the ground more by the force. "Lococough, wryite, Graffle!"
"Hermione could barely point her wand back to protect herself through the cough she had just developed. "Wingardium Leviosa!" she choked crossly. Draco rose two feet from the ground and in tune with Hermione's wand, flew across the pitch and fell smack onto a boulder. The Gryffindors cheered. Hermione only had to curse twice more, but so did Malfoy.
They both took cover: Hermione crouched behind the brick wall and Draco leaned down on the boulder. Hermione dashed to the desk before Malfoy could spy out. He craned his neck around searching, but again did not see her. He rose up silently and crept towards the wall. As he got closer he became level with the desk and then was past it. Hermione sprang up from behind Malfoy. "Koyner, Rictesempra, Expelliarmus!"
Draco turned around in shock as his wand flew through the air. The two of them were quite a pair. Draco was blue with block-feet and tree branches for arms. Hermione's face was covered with little flower buds and she was coughing up a storm. All of this was righted of course when Dumbledore cried, "Finite Incantantem! Ms. Granger wins the match and the Championship."
The bench erupted in applause. Even Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were screaming at the top of their lungs because Slytherin lost and it was the most exciting match so far. Hermione grinned broadly at her friends and walked toward their proud compliments. She was fully conscious and thoroughly bruised.
The Girl Who Lived Chapter Twelve: The Dueling Tournament
"Incendio!" Hermione cried. The hem of Daisy's robes began to burn.
"Hermione!" she exclaimed irritably, putting out the flame with her hand. There were now several bruises on her legs and painful cuts on her hands. "I said I'd help you duel, not I'd become your personal firewood!"
They had made a deal in light of Daisy's upcoming mid-January second year exams. Hermione would help her master the spells if Daisy would help Hermione practice dueling. The match was on Sunday.
Daisy sat down on the wooden floor of the empty classroom they were in.
"You're right," Hermione said, sitting beside her. "I'm sorry. We should probably just take a break."
"Sounds good to me," Daisy said. They had been dueling for over three hours. Daisy was a decent dueler, especially since she was good in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Hermione had more experience, and well, more power.
They sat for a moment catching their breath before Daisy said, "So, how is it that you left the ball so early, but came back to the dorm after me?"
Hermione, caught off guard, blushed crimson. "I was admiring the gardens," she muttered.
"I see," Daisy said. "Did you meet anyone?" she asked with an innocent expression.
"There were lots of people outside," Hermione insisted defensively.
"Were any of them named Ron?" Daisy continued sweetly. Hermione turned purple.
"I think we should go to the library to study your exams," she suggested.
Daisy said nothing, but followed her toward the library casting curious looks her way.
A distraught Parvati met them in the corridor. "Have you seen Lavender today?" she asked them.
"No," both Daisy and Hermione answered straightforwardly, wanting to hurry along. They started for the library again.
But Parvati stopped them. "Because I haven't seen her all day. I don't know if she even came back to the dorm. I know she wasn't with Seamus. She's never ignored me like this before."
"It starts," Daisy said dryly.
"What?" asked Parvati sharply, turning to stare Daisy in the face.
"Have you gone to see Dumbledore yet?" Daisy replied critically.
"No, I was just about to though, but I saw you and I thought I might ask," mumbled Parvati.
"She's probably just still sore over Seamus," Hermione said. "If she'd just show up, he would apologize. He didn't want her to leave."
"This isn't Lavender's fault," Parvati insisted. "She's just been going through a hard time lately."
"What? Did her bunny die again?" Hermione asked skeptically.
Parvati's eyes flashed like glinting daggers. "No," she said icily. "I'm not going to tell you. You don't deserve to know." With that she stalked away towards McGonagall's office to find the headmaster.
Daisy looked over at Hermione. She looked about as guilty as Daisy felt. "I think we handled that in the worst way possible," she concluded.
"That's true," Hermione agreed looking at Parvati's back sorrowfully. "I hope no one died."
"I hope she's not abandoning Parvati for something else," Daisy said cloudily.
Hermione raised her eyebrows. Daisy hadn't really explained her ex- friendship with Lavender to Hermione. She avoided the subject actually. They were civil, but Daisy was sure they'd never be friends like they had been.
"We better get to the library," Hermione said. "Your animal transfiguration needs work. Maybe we could borrow Pigwideon."
The day before break ended everyone who had gone home over the holidays returned on the Hogwarts Express. Maggie certainly looked happier than she had been.
Hermione's match against Seamus was beginning in fifteen minutes. Lavender still hadn't shown up, and two other second years were missing. Dumbledore sent teams to look for them in the Forbidden Forest. People were starting to feel uneasy and suggested that the tournament should perhaps be cancelled in order to prevent anyone else from being lost.
Dumbledore, however, maintained that the tournament should continue to help the students learn to defend themselves. In fact, he moved all the match dates closer together so that the tournament would be over by the end of the month.
Though nearly everyone was in agreement that someone, maybe even Voldemort, was behind the disappearances, Parvati naturally blamed Seamus for making Lavender run away. But, as she was still mad at Hermione, too, she didn't plan on cheering for anyone. On the contrary, she was prepared to boo as loudly as possible at both duelers.
The matches were taking place inside this time, as it was too cold outside. Hermione and Seamus's match was one of the many being held on the Great Hall's stage.
A few rows of chairs had been set up before it and Daisy sat in the front. Harry was on her left and Fred sat on her right, his fingers entwined with hers discreetly.
They had watched Ginny defeat her opponent in the previous match. Hermione was sitting in a chair on one end of the stage and Seamus faced her in a chair of his own across the room.
Again, Flitwick was refereeing the match. He cleared his little throat and stated, "The match will begin in a few moments. Duelers, please take your positions."
Hermione stood, synchronized with Seamus. They placed their wands to their noses. Ron, who was sitting on Harry's other side, clenched his fists. There were a variety of reasons that Ron passionately wanted Seamus to meet defeat. For one, Seamus was dueling his girlfriend. It was treason to not at least outwardly want Hermione to win. Unless of course it was someone like Harry she was facing, only then could Ron be politely neutral. But Harry was not her opponent because Harry hadn't entered.
Another reason that Ron wanted Seamus eliminated was that he was still bitter that Seamus had beaten him in the last match. And he was also not very happy that Seamus had his eyes on his little sister.
But Daisy secretly thought it was probably a good thing that Ron had been beaten. If he had won, he would be the one attempting to curse Hermione. That would put them in a very awkward position especially if Daisy's suspicions, that they had been sneaking off and snogging regularly, were true.
Ron and Hermione seemed to be very happy in the five days or so, so far, that they had been a couple. Hermione actually seemed to have forgotten about Harry.
Harry was the only one who hadn't found love over Christmas. Even though Ginny fancied him in a painfully obvious way, things hadn't worked out. Harry didn't seem to want a girlfriend at the moment, so Daisy tried not to feel too sorry for him. But it was hard as Daisy had someone to stroke his thumb along the curve of her hand and Harry was sitting next to Ron.
Flitwick cleared his throat again. "Bow to your opponent." Hermione and Seamus bowed at a friendly incline. "Wands at the ready. One. Two. Three!"
Hermione swung her wand down and before Seamus could utter anything at all she cried, "Taceo!" She relaxed a little. Seamus opened his mouth, but no sound immersed. His lips flapped like a fish, but he couldn't say a word.
Daisy hadn't gone over this spell with Hermione, but it was brilliant. She must have looked it up in her new book.
Now, the only task at hand was to hit Seamus three more times (the new rule) and disarm.
Seamus, angry and red faced apparently did not know the counter- curse. He strode forward trying to be humorous and non-caring and spread open his arms exposing himself mock-dramatically. Everyone could tell by his clenched teeth that he really did care. It was all Ron could do to keep from bursting out in laughter.
Hermione sent three well chosen spells from her wand in rapid fire. "Jelly Legs, Blastono, Incendio." And then after Seamus had knelt shakily, been blasted backward, and set afire, Hermione took a breath and cried, "Expelliarmus!"
"Finite Incantantem." Seamus stood wimpily. Dean, his only fan, flinched and tried to look encouraging.
"Miss Granger wins the match," exclaimed Flitwick. Hermione smiled widely and rushed to her waiting friends. They got to their feet to congratulate her. Ron slipped his arm around her almost naturally. Fred and Daisy's hands had separated in the jumble and Fred made no movement to reclaim Daisy's. But Daisy was too happy for her friend to be jealous.
"That was excellent, Hermione, just perfect!" she squealed. "All my bruises are not in vain."
They all laughed, even Harry.
The next day was Monday, meaning back to lessons. Daisy's second year classes were much harder than the first year ones and though her wand-booms had reached a minimum, she was sure she would only pass because she had put in overtime on the specific exam spells.
This morning, Daisy was in Potions making a swelling solution. The second years around her were discussing their missing peers fearfully.
"Do you s'pose You-Know-Who really had something to do with it?" Dennis Creevey asked the small group of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs.
"It's possible," replied Owen Cauldwell. "Kevin was smart, but You- Know-Who even reeled in Harry Potter for God's sake." The group nodded. Most of them had grown up knowing Harry's name and story. Except the story they knew had left out one little detail. Daisy couldn't help feeling just a little envious.
Laura Madley piped in. "Ooo, Stewart isn't very happy that Orla Quirke is gone. You should have seen him taking it out on Emma Dobbs in the duel yesterday." She shuddered.
"The git's always fancied her," said Owen. "I just want to know who's behind it. I mean, who's next?"
"What's all this chatter about," inquired an imposing Snape. The group went quiet. "A point from Hufflepuff and two points from Gryffindor. Now get to work," he growled.
The students dutifully went to their cauldrons and the rest of the lesson was spent in uncomfortable silence.
As Daisy left the dungeons to go to lunch, Hermione headed her off.
"Lavender is back!" she exclaimed. She was panting from hurrying down to the dungeons with her usual pack of books.
"What?" asked Daisy, surprised.
"She just showed up in Transfiguration before anyone else," Hermione explained. They walked down the corridor. "She wouldn't say anything until McGonagall started grilling her. She only said that she was at Hogsmeade, but she wouldn't say anything about the second years. McGonagall got really mad and gave her detention for a week. She looks a mess really. I don't know how she's going to make it through Potions tonight."
They had reached the Great Hall. "I wonder what's up with her," said Daisy.
"Me too."
"Students, students, please settle down!" cried Professor Flitwick. The third years around Daisy stopped chatting. Daisy passed her exams and was now attending third year classes.
"Please listen up. This is very important," squeaked Flitwick. "Today we will be attempting a very advanced spell. Usually I only try this one on promising fifth year classes, but Professor Dumbledore thinks that all students should know it. Now," he paused for a moment, "you're all familiar with the summoning spell, Accio?"
The students nodded in agreement.
"You'll learn that one next year, but this spell is like it with one main exception. It is to summon a person rather than an object. A summoned person will know you need them and will come to your aid. That said, you are not to take this charm lightly. Use it only in an emergency." There was a tone of seriousness in his voice that had never been there before.
Daisy remembered Halloween when she had summoned Dumbledore. It was very lucky that Flitwick had taught the fifth years this spell. Daisy shuddered at the thought of what would have happened if Lavender hadn't known the spell. They might still be in that closet, their skeletons at least.
"May I have a volunteer?" asked Flitwick. Daisy knew better than to volunteer for a charms experiment, but a Hufflepuff boy risked it.
"Thank you, Mr. Cook," Flitwick said. He closed his eyes and pulled out his wand. "Acciocuput Dale Cook!" he cried. Suddenly Dale stood up, plunked his way over to Flitwick's desk, and halted.
"Excellent!" Flitwick said. "Did you feel the pull to follow the call?"
"Yes," said the boy. "And I knew it was you! I mean I heard you say the spell, but I got this picture in my head of exactly where you were and how to get there."
"Exactly," squeaked Professor Flitwick. "Thank you, Mr. Cook. Now, please get into pairs and try the spell." The students began to move into groups. "Remember, correct pronunciation is important: Ah-Chi-Oh-Cup-Put," said the professor slowly and clearly. "Now begin."
Daisy found a girl in Ravenclaw to be her partner. They practiced by hiding behind desks and trying to find each other when summoned.
Since Hermione's idea of using the silence curse, "taceo" the rules of the Dueling Tournament had been changed. No curses that make an opponent unable to speak were allowed.
Hermione was not thrown off by this of course, which Daisy knew from helping her practice. Her new strategy was feasible and she was about to show the school.
Her third match was scheduled to take place in the Great Hall again. She was facing a Ravenclaw named Terry Boot. This time Professor McGonagall was overseeing the match.
Daisy, Harry and Ron sat together again. Fred couldn't come because he and George were up to some undisclosed business.
"Bow to your opponent," Professor McGonagall ordered. Hermione bowed and Terry leaned over. He looked a little almost sickly green with fear. Daisy wondered how he'd made it this far.
"Wands at the ready. One. Two. Three!"
With a whoosh, Hermione's wand was pointed, not at Terry, but at herself.
Terry was very fast. "Gelego!" he said. Hermione's knees sank limply, but she cried, "Protecto!" A shield of golden light surrounded Hermione's skin, making her seem to glow.
Terry, not knowing what had happened, thought he had the perfect chance to get Hermione, now that she was distracted. He had already gotten her once, so he needed six more hits.
But when he tried to curse her, the spell bounced off.
"Fruitolio, juncos!" Hermione cried hitting her mark twice.
Terry paced helplessly, shooting spells from his wand in hopes of a successful curse. It was useless. Hermione's shield was unfailing.
Hermione, who was stuck in one place due to Jelly Legs, pivoted around on her waist, cursing Terry whenever he was in range.
By the time she had only to curse Terry once more, she was gritting her teeth. The shield flickered every once and a while and her face was getting red. The yellow glow made her look orangey.
"Limperutoo," gasped Hermione. Terry flew back. "Ex, Ex," Hermione started. "Expelliarmus!"
Terry's wand flew from his hand and Hermione's shield went out completely.
"Finite Incantantem!" cried Professor McGonagall hurriedly. "Ms. Granger wins the match." Hermione sank to the floor, crumpled. She had passed out.
"Hermione!" Daisy and Ron yelled together, getting to their feet. Harry sat, looking shocked.
"Sit down," McGonagall told them, hawk-like. She conjured a stretcher from thin air. "She will be fine. Just give her some space."
"But Professor." Ron started.
"Mr. Weasley," said McGonagall sharply. "I suggest you, Mr. Potter, and Ms. Peterson go back to your common room."
Her wand-made stretcher floated toward the Hospital Wing. Daisy watched Hermione through the door. She looked awfully pale without her golden glow.
An hour later, as they sat in front of the fire in the common room, Harry stood up. Ron and Daisy looked at him.
"This is pointless," he said with finality. "I'm going to see her." They had been lounging in the red cushioned armchairs not really speaking, just squirming, and wondering if Hermione was alright.
Daisy and Ron stood, too.
"I'm not letting you alone with her," said Ron, only half joking.
"I'm coming, too," Daisy put in. They pushed the portrait back and started for the Hospital Wing.
On the way they met a pale blond boy flanked by two humongous companions. Something seemed very familiar.
"Oh look," said the boy's drawling voice. "Potty and Weasel." His eyes darted over to Daisy. "And you," he said slowly. "My cousin's told me all about you. Look's like you've got competition, Potter."
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" Harry spat.
"For Dumbledore's favorite of course," Malfoy said smirking. "The rest of us actually had to do some work to pass all theses years of school." Daisy blushed. Malfoy's flunkies chuckled thickly.
"Get out of our way, Draco," snarled Ron. "We don't need you wasting our time."
"Off to see Granger?" Malfoy asked maliciously. "Seems she can't take a duel. It won't take a lot of effort to beat the little Mudblood next week."
Ron lunged at Malfoy and neither Daisy nor Harry stopped him. Malfoy's friends momentarily peeled Ron off, but not before he had cut Malfoy's lip.
"You'll pay for that one, Weasley," Draco hissed, checking his cut.
"Let's just go, Ron," Daisy suggested. She wondered what a Mudblood was, and why it would upset Ron so much. She and Harry both grabbed Ron by his robes and pulled him along.
Draco's eyes flashed as they passed. When they were out of earshot, Daisy looked at Harry, as Ron was still fuming, and asked, "Harry, what is a Mudblood?"
Ron made a mad grunting noise. Harry glanced at him strangely before explaining. "It's a really, really mean name to call someone with muggle parents because they aren't pureblood."
"Malfoy has it out for muggle borns, he always has," Ron said. "If he tries anything in that match, I'll."
"Calm down, Ron," Harry said.
"I've had about enough of him," Ron insisted.
"Shh," Daisy said. They had reached the Hospital Wing. They opened the door and saw Hermione sitting in bed reading a book, looking quite healthy.
At the noise at the door she looked up. "You finally made it up here. It took you ages to come see me."
"Professor McGonagall told us to give you space." Daisy started, but Ron cut her off.
"Are you alright, 'Mione?" he asked, running over to her.
"I'm fine," she cried positively. She seemed surprised yet pleased at Ron's reaction. "It was just a complicated spell. Easily the hardest I've ever tried. but it worked all right, didn't it?"
"Just don't do it again, okay?" pleaded Daisy.
"I'll do anything to beat Malfoy," Hermione said, a glint in her eye.
"How do you know these things?" Harry asked in disbelief. "We didn't find out you were facing Malfoy until the git told us on the way up here."
"I have to keep up on my opposition. Especially for the championship," Hermione explained. They nodded in agreement.
"When are you getting out of here?" Daisy posed.
"The old bat is making me stay the night," Hermione said glancing at the office door reading: MADAM POMFREY
Daisy had never been to the Hospital Wing before. There was a row of beds on each wall and several windows. Light was still shining through them, but by now the lanterns had also been lit.
"Why?" asked Ron loudly. "You're fine, right? Right?" he asked again.
"Yes. I just need to recharge or something. I'm not allowed to use magic for three days! Can you believe that?"
"How are you going to do classes?" Daisy asked.
"I dunno. I guess I'll just take notes. I can't fall behind," Hermione replied. Daisy could definitely not afford to fall behind at all. If she was going to pass the fifth year she needed to stay ahead, even. Hermione, however, could probably take a month off and still pass with all perfect marks.
Ron restrained himself from making any comment about Hermione missing work, but Daisy could tell he was thinking along the same lines as she was. But, ever since the Yule Ball Ron tried not to make any rude remarks about Hermione's grades, as he knew it hurt her feelings. He was finding it increasingly harder, though. She just kept setting herself up.
Just then an old witch bashed the door of the office open and stalked toward them. "Get out! Get out!" she cawed. "She needs rest!"
Daisy looked over her shoulder at Harry and Ron, about to protest, but they were starting for the door.
"Bye, Hermione," Daisy said unsurely and followed the boys out the door.
"You don't want to mess with Madam Pomfrey about her patients," Harry said as they walked down the hall. "She's been known to curse when provoked."
The next day, Hermione showed up for breakfast bright and early. Daisy walked into the Great Hall groggily. She had stayed up late into the night doing the homework she had forgotten about until after she returned to the dormitory after visiting Hermione.
"The weirdest thing happened last night," Hermione said as soon as Daisy had staggered in, followed by Harry and Ron.
They rubbed their eyes and tried to look wholly interested, especially Ron.
"I was falling asleep," she continued, "when Parvati burst in with Lavender, but Lavender was all." she paused searching for a word, "well it was like she had gone mad."
Daisy leaned in. She was truly interested now, and nearly wide awake. "Did she say anything?" she asked eagerly.
"Yes," Hermione replied, "but she was muttering so I couldn't really understand her."
"Not any of it?" Daisy asked, disappointed.
"Well, she did keep saying something about someone 'getting her,'" Hermione said unsurely.
Daisy's mind instantly flashed back to Halloween. The locked door keeping them prisoner and Lavenders insane cries about "something" coming back flooded through her head. She leaned back in her chair and wondered how and if this was connected.
Ron and Harry hadn't said anything. They too had stayed up into the night so their eyes were a little glazed over. They had to invent gruesome predictions of their death for Divination class. Harry's chin was resting on his hands and, Daisy thought, he was dozing off. Ron stared dreamily at Hermione. Daisy would have been surprised if either of them had taken in a bit of what Hermione had just said. But she couldn't blame them. They hadn't been locked in a closet. They couldn't realize the importance of the conversation.
But Hermione wasn't done with her story. "But the thing is, when Parvati was trying to explain what was happening, she made it sound as if this happens all the time."
Daisy stared at her. "I bet this is the hard time that Parvati was talking about."
"Me too," Hermione said, but then she caught sight of her watch. "We're late!" she cried, jumping up. Harry looked up sharply and Ron came out of his trance.
"What?" Harry said sleepily.
"We have Potions in five minutes!" she moaned. "It's a mile away! Snape's going to kill us."
"We better go, then," Ron said and stood too. Harry slowly got up from his chair, and began to trudge along with them.
"Have fun watching them," Daisy said from her chair. Her Herbology lesson didn't start for another fifteen minutes. She looked down the table and saw Fred. He had been away in Hogsmeade a lot this week for "business." She wasn't sure what he could possibly be up to, but she hoped it would be over with soon partly because she knew he wasn't supposed to be in Hogsmeade and mostly because she missed him already. She surveyed his profile until he started to sense he was being watched he slowly turned his head her way. She gave him a small smile and he waved her over.
She paced over and took the seat next to him.
"Hi Fred," she said. George and his friends looked her over, trying not to snicker. They always seemed to get an irresistible urge to laugh whenever Daisy came anywhere near Fred. It made her uncomfortable sometimes. "Um, hi George and Lee," she said.
"Hello," they said, smirking. Fred gave them a look.
"Excellent to see you again," he said. "How are you today?" he asked flamboyantly.
"Good, I guess," Daisy replied, blushing. She was still contemplating Lavender. "How are you?"
"Top-notch," he said. "I've got Care of Magical Creatures in a few minutes, though."
"I have Herbology," Daisy said, high-pitched. She still got butterflies in her stomach when she talked to him.
"Perfect!" Fred exclaimed. "I'll walk you?" he offered. George let out a high giggle. Fred gave him another glare.
"Let's go," Daisy said, glancing at George. They left the table amid more chuckling.
"At least I'm not related to any of them," Fred said, smiling. They went through the doors out onto the grounds. It wasn't snowing, but there was a fresh white blanket from the night before covering the landscape.
"So what have you been doing in Hogsmeade?" Daisy asked, looking up at Fred who was wrapped tightly in his black cloak.
"I can't tell you that. It's a surprise," he told her.
Daisy breathed out loudly. "Really? You're keeping things from me?" she asked, mock hurt.
"I guess," said Fred derisively. Daisy laughed quietly. They didn't say anything for a while. After a moment, Daisy looked over at Fred and saw his arm sticking out stiffly in her direction. He looked like he had been caught, but then he draped his arm over Daisy's shoulder warmly.
Daisy smiled and leaned into him. They kept walking; the only sound the snow crunching beneath their feet, until they reached the Greenhouses. Fred looked down at Daisy and slowly leaned over. He looked into her eyes and then pecked her on the cheek.
"Bye, Daze," he said, rushed. Daisy smiled at her new nickname. Fred strode away quickly, but Daisy could hear him sprinting away once he rounded the corner of the Greenhouse. She hoped it was because he was late, not because of her.
"Goodbye, Fred," she whispered.
The final matches of the Dueling Tournament were being held on the Quidditch Pitch in order to accommodate all the viewers. Ginny had made it and so, surprisingly, had Davey. Daisy was only surprised because Jasmine Ali had been his previous opponent. She was sure that he would have let her win, but there must be a line drawn somewhere, she figured, and for Davey that line was dueling.
Hermione had struggled through the few days without using magic, and without practicing. By the time she was allowed to practice, she did so a bit overzealously. Again Daisy's robes were scorched.
The protection spell was banned mostly in an attempt to keep Hermione conscious. She was probably the only Hogwarts student who could manage it, anyway. Ten curses were needed before the disarming to win. Hermione planned to flat out curse rather than use a strategy, as there would be objects to hide behind this time.
The spectators weren't actually sitting in the stands raised high above the ground. They were going to look on from benches stationed around the pitch in a circle.
The Gryffindor fans arrived at the site very early to set up their part of the stands. They adorned the benches with red and gold cloth, Gryffindor colors. Dean, the resident artist, drew several Gryffindor lion emblems on banners that the seventh years magicked to stay up in the air. There was a banner depicting the names of the three Gryffindors competing. Red and gold sparks had been sent up into the air like mini fireworks going on for hours.
The other houses tried to show their spirit as well. The Slytherins had placed snake like decorations all around their side, but it just didn't match up, no one's did. It was apparent, but they would never admit it.
The school gathered at eleven in the morning for the first year match. Davey was facing Alana Malfoy. Daisy hoped that neither of the Malfoys would win their matches. Their family seemed to be rich in dueling talent though. Daisy pictured the Malfoy family reunion. Draco's father, who she pictured with dark hair similar to Snape's, was barbequing hot dogs on the grill and yelling, "Come on kids, Rictesempra!" She laughed to herself.
The referee of the matches was Dumbledore himself. No one would accuse him of favoritism or bad calls.
It turned out, after a final "Magrilotto!" that Davey won. Alana scowled as Davey was pronounced, "Champion of the First Years!"
Hermione sat beside Daisy, teetering back and forth nervously during the fourth year match. Ginny was leading, and Hermione's match was coming up.
"Biulofger!" cried a purple haired, fourteen fingered Ginny. Her opponent's wand burst from her hand and plopped onto the snowy ground.
"Finite Incantantem," said Dumbledore. "Ms. Weasley wins the match and the Championship!" The crowd broke out in cheers.
"That's 400 points to Gryffindor!" exclaimed Lee Jordan.
"Only 200 more to go," Daisy told Hermione confidently. Hermione took a deep breath and stood tall. The fifth years of Gryffindor applauded along with most of the school. Dumbledore beckoned Hermione and Draco to the center of the pitch. They came toward him, their eyes narrowed at each other in raw hatred. They circled around and took their places. There were several obstructions littered around the pitch: two half brick walls, a few boulders, a railing, and a gigantic overturned desk.
"Bow to your opponent," Dumbledore demanded. They both leaned forward about a fraction of an inch. Dumbledore surveyed them from over his half- moon spectacles but said nothing except, "Wands at the ready!" They brandished their wands like swords and glared at each other. Daisy had never seen Hermione so full of malice. Obviously there was a history here that Daisy was unaware of. This was payback.
"One." Malfoy muttered something only comprehensible to Hermione. "Two." Hermione sent a sharp comment back to him. They were both fully livid. "Three."
"Blastono!" they both yelled in record time. Hermione was thrown back into the desk and Draco flipped backward over the brick wall.
They got to their feet hastily and looked for cover. Draco straightened up behind the brick wall, but Hermione dove behind the desk. Draco couldn't tell where she was. He peered around the pitch, but he could not find Hermione.
"Azuleon!" cried Hermione, her wand pointed from the side of the desk. Draco's skin turned a shade of royal blue. His white blond hair looked eccentric in contrast, but his expression was anything but. He looked down furiously at his blue hands and began to search for Hermione.
She popped up from out of her hiding place in time to yell, "Confuddloice!" Malfoy's feet began to grow wider and squarer until they were the shape and weight of cement blocks.
Draco was enraged at getting behind so early. "Pintsettia!" he shouted before Hermione could get back to her hiding place. Her face began to sprout, bud, and then blossom with tiny flowers.
Malfoy tried to run to a different location, but it was a challenge as he had to pick up his concrete feet slowly and one by one. All he could manage was a slow trudge.
Meanwhile, Hermione was relocating as well. She sprinted to behind the other brick wall.
"Pepper eye!" Malfoy growled, as he got the chance. Hermione leaned over her hands covering her face.
Ron sat up straighter. Through the whole match, he had been grinding his teeth louder and louder. Daisy was positive that if Draco showed too much over enthusiasm cursing Hermione that Ron would jump in with a few curses of his own. Magically and verbally.
Hermione set herself straight. Her eyes were reddish and swollen. She was squinting like a mole. It was a good thing her target was bright blue.
"Growstalk, blastono," Hermione said rapidly. Draco was again blasted back. He landed on the ground this time, but his arms were turning green. Leaves began to form along them and his fingers became vine-like. He could barely hold his wand.
He bent over and performed a weightlessness charm on his feet. He barreled out of cover towards Hermione, but his large feet were still boxlike and unwieldy so he tripped onto his face.
"Hartrever," Hermione cried popping up. "Coilatte."
Malfoy aimed upward. "Blastono," he said again. Hermione zoomed backward. This gave Draco time to get to his feet and tower over her. "Blastono," he said again. Hermione was only driven into the ground more by the force. "Lococough, wryite, Graffle!"
"Hermione could barely point her wand back to protect herself through the cough she had just developed. "Wingardium Leviosa!" she choked crossly. Draco rose two feet from the ground and in tune with Hermione's wand, flew across the pitch and fell smack onto a boulder. The Gryffindors cheered. Hermione only had to curse twice more, but so did Malfoy.
They both took cover: Hermione crouched behind the brick wall and Draco leaned down on the boulder. Hermione dashed to the desk before Malfoy could spy out. He craned his neck around searching, but again did not see her. He rose up silently and crept towards the wall. As he got closer he became level with the desk and then was past it. Hermione sprang up from behind Malfoy. "Koyner, Rictesempra, Expelliarmus!"
Draco turned around in shock as his wand flew through the air. The two of them were quite a pair. Draco was blue with block-feet and tree branches for arms. Hermione's face was covered with little flower buds and she was coughing up a storm. All of this was righted of course when Dumbledore cried, "Finite Incantantem! Ms. Granger wins the match and the Championship."
The bench erupted in applause. Even Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws were screaming at the top of their lungs because Slytherin lost and it was the most exciting match so far. Hermione grinned broadly at her friends and walked toward their proud compliments. She was fully conscious and thoroughly bruised.
