Disclaimer: Much as I'd like to, I don't own Draco Malfoy, or any part of the magical world that J.K. Rowling has all the copyrights to ... please don't sue me. There are some parts of this story that are quotes from the book - it can't be helped - events are the same as in the book, but Draco's opinion of these events may vary from Harry's.
Author's Notes: I am evil, aren't I? Did you all enjoy my cliffhanger? No? Oh, well, too bad. There's three BtVS references in this chapter (not counting the quote at the end of the A/N) - next chapter will be dedicated to whoever can spot all three.
dragonsprincess: Welcome back. *sighs* there was nothing suggestive about that scene - he was proving that he'd actually been injured, not "flashing". Well, I saw the Addams Family Values, recently, and it just hit me that Theo should be related to that family. Um, Draco's actually been trying to spy on Hermione undressing or something - why else would he be watching her late in the evening? - but as yet he's not seen her doing anything more than reading or making SPEW badges.
Devi: *rgins proudly* glad you like it - I was hoping someone'd notice the line about alcohol. Actually, now I think about it, the cartoon Wednesday is more like how I write her than the one I based her on (Addams Family Values). Theo got the nickname "Nes" for her, because he's insane, and he knows she doesn't like it - same reason she calls him Dora. Actually, there is a difference between fame and infamy - I'm infamous, but I'm not famous (yet). Actually, I always thought Viktor was cool anyway, we just get to know him a bit better in my fic. Basically, if Theo's in detention, he can't attend the events - the Goblet (somehow) knows this, so won't choose him if he's gonna be unable to attend the events. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was edited and abridged for Muggles - the magical version of it resembles an encyclopaedia in size. The way I've written him, Poliakoff is not supposed to be the most likeable guy - but if you like incorrigable flirts, then feel free to like him if you want to.
Exodia Himself: Luna is not a Seer ... she just has frightening luck (both good and bad), and she really did guess those.
dstrbd child: Draco didn't enter because he's not insane or suicidal (while Theo is insane). Luna didn't mention Theo's name, because Theo didn't tell her he'd entered - he was embarrassed at being out-cheated by Dumbledore ... Luna was only watching from the time she woke up in the morning.
Hrei-siesn: She doesn't know he'll die - she just knows something bad will happen if he enters.
Simply Myself: Well, I was working from French - loads of people think it's "wind of death" translated from French, so I worked out the "cheater of death" thing because it sounded better - "thing of death" is also a good one, but I never so much as knew any swear-words in Spanish, so I wouldn't have known that. We don't actually know what house Dumbledore's from, do we? We've always just assumed Gryffindor because of his blatant favouritism. We never heard the Banishing Charm, so I made it up ... it's from the Latin for banish, throw away, or vomit. *thinks* no, Theo's always hyper. Those smacks upside the head are the semi-playful type of violence that doesn't really hurt. Actually, Theo makes fun of everyone, regardless of house, species, or gender. We may never know what Theo is up to. Draco is braver than he lets on ... just don't tell him I said he had any Gryff traits or he'll be using me to practice his Unforgivable curses on. PoA 1: Yeah, Draco did a stupid thing going with her, didn't he? But I wanted him to see Azkaban. You don't want to know how the half-breed came to be - I don't even want to know. 2: No memories - more Sight. 3: No, I deliberately made the title awkward. Who'd Theo see die? *taps the side of her nose* you'll find out in OotP. Actually, Sirius' middle name is - *receives death-glare from a black dog that looks like a Grim* meep, forget it. How does Draco know about the Fifth Amendment? *sighs* I explained this ages ago, when it was mentioned in CoS before the editing - Draco knows about it because I know about it - I'm British, and I know what it is, so why shouldn't Draco? 4: Yes, he is. No, it is not what he saw in the mirror. 5: I wrote the bird in the way I thought Draco's owl would be ... almost as bad as Draco. 6: Who says Snape's a vamp? *looks shifty* did I ever say that? McGonagall just has the same negative effect on Draco as Snape has on Neville ... but Draco, unlike Neville, can get over it if he's determined enough.
jinjo: Thank you.
angelkas: She doesn't know he's going to die - and she did try to tell him she knew it's dangerous. And all she knows about Moody is that he's not who he says he is - for all she knows, Dumbledore planned it. And she generally does say what she Sees, she just doesn't often See anything useful until it's too late.
Elizabeth: Thanks ... I was going for evil-cliffhangerness *grins*.
Bob: Ooooo ... good idea ... Thing. I wonder if I can do that ... it would be fun. That's effectively what Theo did, only he used the Banishing charm to help.
Druscilla Black: Glad you liked.
"This isn't an orgy, people, it's a classroom." "Yeah, where they teach lunch" -BtVS
Chapter 13 - The Yoko Factor
"Well, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision. I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber, where they will be receiving their first instructions." Dumbledore announced.
He then took out his wand, and extinguished all the candles in the room, so the only light in the Hall came from the blue flame of the Goblet, and the faint candlelight of the Hallowe'en decorations. For about a minute, which seemed much longer, everyone sat in silence, staring at the Goblet.
Then the flame turned bright red, and flared up, sending a piece of parchment into the air, where Dumbledore caught it easily, and held it out so he could read it by the light of the Goblet, "The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum."
The whole Hall burst into loud applause, as Krum stood up scowling, "Vhy do I alvays get these kind ov things?" he asked, then slouched up to the staff table, and off into the side room.
"Bravo, Viktor!" Karkaroff shouted so loudly I could hear him all the way from the staff table. "Knew you had it in you!"
"Shame he did not vant to haff it in him." Susan muttered.
"Who cares, I didn't get it, and I have the run of Hogwarts castle, where no one knows my rep." Wednesday said, looking particularly demonic in this lighting.
Then, as the noise died down, everyone's attention returned to the Goblet. Just in time, as mere seconds passed before it flared red again, and another piece of parchment was sent into the air. Dumbledore caught it, and read it, "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour."
"Veela girl." Theo noted. True enough, the girl who had had half the boys in Hogwarts drooling at the feast last night stood and practically glided up to the staff table, and into the side room.
"Aww, look at the cry-babies." Blaise said, pointing to the Beauxbatons still at the Ravenclaw table. Two girls had dissolved into tears at not being chosen, "I mean, if they're going to cry for something like that, they obviously didn't deserve to be chosen." Blaise added. The boy who Blaise had identified as her cousin was giving the two crying girls filthy looks.
"Shhh." Theo hissed at Blaise. The rest of the Hall was eagerly watching the Goblet again.
And seconds later, a third piece of parchment flew out of it, "The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory."
Cat's forehead landed almost violently on the table. Wednesday grinned more demonically than usual, and I got the feeling they knew something I didn't.
"How did that Hufflepuff prat get to be champion? I'd have preferred Warrington, or even Johnson." Theo said, staring horrified as Diggory strutted up to the teachers' table and into the side room like he owned the place because he'd been picked as a champion.
When the Hufflepuffs' mad applause finally died down, Dumbledore spoke again, "Excellent! Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -" but he stopped his futile attempt at convincing us to support Cedric Diggory, because the Goblet's flame had turned red again.
"It's not supposed to do that, is it?" Wednesday whispered to me.
"I didn't think so." I answered, watching as a fourth piece of parchment was shot out of the Goblet.
Dumbledore caught it easily considering he looked completely taken aback by its appearance. He read and re-read whatever it said for at least two minutes, before clearing his throat and reading out, "Harry Potter."
"What the hell?!" I asked, half glaring at the parchment Dumbledore had just read, have staring at it in shock, "I'm dreaming - this is a nightmare."
Theo sniggered, "Figures he'd get into whatever trouble's going in the school year." he noted.
"How, though?" I asked, staring at Potter, now, as if he was the root of all evil. When I really know perfectly well he's the brat who got famous because the root of all evil made a stupid mistake.
"Dunno. My way, even if I'd got picked I'd have been number three - there's no such thing as a fourth champion." Theo said.
"There is now." Cat muttered, also giving Potter a horrified look.
"They can't let him participate?" I asked, glaring at Potter, "We already have our champion. I like Diggory much better than him!"
"I agree." Blaise said, also glaring at him.
Theo sniggered. "What's so funny?" I snapped.
"Nothing Dumbledore coulda said a minute ago woulda persuaded you to support Diggory, but this just did." Theo replied, smirking evilly.
I hit him, then resumed glaring homicidally at Potter.
In Potter's defence, he did look completely surprised by his name being called out. Doesn't stop me hating him for breathing, though. Maybe he'll get killed by a Chimera? Dumbledore's voice then interrupted this happy train of thought, by saying, "Harry Potter! Harry! Up here if you please!" Potter stood up and promptly tried to fall on his face (tripped on his own robes, I think), then walked nervously up to the teacher's table. "Well, through the door, Harry." Dumbledore said, only just audibly and I was sitting only half-way down the Hall. Potter looked like he was being asked to jump off a cliff, but he did what he was told and walked through the door.
"Why would Potter enter his name?" Theo asked.
"Who says he did?" Cat noted, her voice muffled from the fact she was still face-down on the table from hearing Diggory's name.
"He's a Gryffindor is why, Theo - they're naturally suicidal, aren't they?" I said, it was a rhetorical question.
Cat finally looked up at me, "Potter is an idiot, but not that much of one." she said simply.
Wednesday on the other hand, was grinning, "Looks like you got your wish, Susan." she noted.
Susan glared, "At the expense of Hogwarts getting two champions." she noted coldly.
"True. Screws with our chances of winning, doesn't it?" Wednesday pondered, "Well, we'll just have to sabotage Potter and Diggory, won't we?" she said, still looking demonic.
I looked at her, "Plot your evil schemes where your opponents can't overhear you." I said coldly.
"You're siding with Potter?" Wednesday asked with an evil grin.
"I'd rather Krum won than Potter. I'd rather the Creepy Creevy brat won than Potter. But I'll be supporting Diggory, so take your plans for sabotage where I can't overhear them or I'll have no choice but to ruin them." I said.
"That's Draco's way of saying he doesn't mind you trying to sabotage the Gryffindork." Theo said grinning.
Wednesday smiled demonically at Theo, "I'll do that."
A loud shrill whistling sound, not sounding too far off a banshee's scream, attracted our attention, and I realised just how high the noise-level in the Hall had become. Dumbledore was holding his wand, and seemed to have made the noise. "If I might have your attention for a moment, please." he said calmly. Everyone was silent. "The first task will be held on Tuesday the twenty-fourth of November - I would like to see you all in attendance. But for now, if you would make your way back to your dormitories in an orderly fashion, and kindly keep the noise level down to a sensible level."
I looked around to see people starting to leave. Wednesday smiled evilly at me, "I guess we're going back to the ship."
I stood up and started walking out of the Hall, Crabbe and Goyle - who had been sitting beyond Wednesday and had been too scared of her to bother me - followed me like particularly stupid shadows. I happened to run into Hermione and Potter's pet Weasley on the way through the Entrance Hall - honestly I hadn't planned to insult him, but who gives up the opportunity when it's handed to them on a silver platter?
"Hey, Weasel." I said, smirking, "Did you not enter too?"
"Shut up, Ferret." Weasley snapped irritably.
"What's the matter? Did Potter not tell you he was entering the tournament?" I asked.
"He didn't enter it." Hermione snapped, giving me a look that seemed to be saying 'argue and you'll regret it' ... naturally, I argued.
"That's what you think." I replied.
"How could he have entered?" Hermione asked, "Did you see what happened to the people who tried to cross the Age Line?"
"Potter is well known for getting into any trouble going. It wouldn't surprise me if he found a way past the Age Line." I said, smirking, "So your Precious Potter entered without telling you, did he?" I asked, "You'd think he'd tell you if he got past the Age Line - I mean, you need the money much more than he does, Weasley."
Weasley looked livid now. Hermione on the other hand ... "Ron, don't listen to him, he's just trying to make you mad."
"Me? Would I do a thing like that?" I asked in faux-innocence.
Hermione glared.
I smirked, "Seriously, Weasley, if he was really your friend, he'd have told you about it."
Weasley made a gesture as if to hit me, then shook his head and stormed off. Hermione glared at me coldly, then followed Weasley.
"Why'd you tell him that, Malfoy?" Crabbe said.
"With luck, the Terrific Trio won't be friends tomorrow." I noted smirking.
"Huh?" Goyle asked.
"Weasley'll believe what I said because it's what he really thinks, he'll hate Potter for it, make Potter miserable, and make me very happy." I explained.
Crabbe and Goyle both nodded dumbly.
* * *
The next morning, at breakfast, I noticed as I entered the Hall that there were no teachers present ... unusual, but not really important, "Hey, Draco." Theo said cheerfully, "The Quibbler thinks Rita Skeeter's responsible for Potter's entry in the Tournament. Says she disguised herself as a Hogwarts teacher, and bribed Dumbledore into entering him."
"Does it say which teacher?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Either Hagrid or Trelawney." Theo replied.
I snorted, "That one's rubbish - I can see meaning in some of their articles, but some of them are a bit far-fetched."
"Yeah ... but Cat did say Moody's not Moody?" Theo suggested.
"Are you suggesting he's really Rita Skeeter in disguise, then?" I asked sceptically.
"Um ... no. That'd be too weird."
"Weirder if she were Hagrid." I noted.
Theo shuddered.
"How'd they find out about Potter so quickly, anyway?" I asked.
"Inside informant." Theo replied.
"Huh? Who?" I asked.
"The editor's daughter ... Luna Lovegood. You know, the girl I hang around with." Theo replied.
"Oh." I muttered.
At that moment, Weasley and Hermione appeared, without Potter - no one else seemed to take notice of them, but I had to take the opportunity to see just how badly I'd ruined their relationship with their hero.
I stood up and started towards them - Crabbe and Goyle continued stuffing their faces, obliviously. "Hey, Weasel, where's Potter? I thought he kept you on a short leash?" I asked, when I got close enough.
Weasley turned and glared at me, "What do you want, ferret-face?"
"To ask where Potter is ... I want to congratulate him on becoming champion." I said in as believable a tone as Higgs had used to congratulate me on making the Quidditch team in my second year - as in to say totally sarcastic.
"Yeah bloody right." Weasley said, almost sneering.
"Sarcasm flies over your head faster and less noticeably than a Snitch in Gringotts, doesn't it?" I asked him coldly. He just gave me a blank look. "You're not even worth insulting today." I muttered, and turned to Hermione, "You seen Scar-Head recently? I really do want to laugh in his face."
She glared at me too, "He's not going to be anywhere near you today - that I can assure you, Ferret." She then stormed off, stealing the contents of a plate of toast as she passed the Hufflepuff table, and left the Hall.
I then slowly turned to Weasley, "I guess I'm stuck with insulting you, Weasel."
"What's the matter, Ferret? Can't handle a real fight?"
"I'll tell you when I have one." I retorted.
And he suddenly lunged at me, knocked me to the ground, and hit me in the face. I winced as my head snapped to the side - that hurt. I vaguely noticed a ring of Gryffindors quickly surrounding us, and Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be seen. He hit me twice more, before I reacted, by moving my foot around to hit the back of his leg so his knee slammed hard into the stone floor. That distracted him effectively, and I almost managed to stand up, but he hit me again, knocking the wind out of me. I heard chants of "Fight, fight, fight." from around me, and the odd shout of, "Get him, Ron!" and "Pound that ferret!" I got the feeling if I beat him, I'd be lynched.
I closed my eyes for a moment, and felt another punch connect with one of the old bruises from the ferret incident. "Is that the best you can do without your bodyguards, Malfoy?" Weasley asked, and hit me again.
"I'm not trying to fight you, that's why you're still in one piece right now." I replied coldly, "Get the hell off me, Weasley!" I added.
His answer to that was another punch to the stomach. I think I've mentioned once or twice, I know what real pain feels like ... this was nothing compared to the 'punishments' I've experienced. I tried to kick him off me, to no avail, and he hit me once more for it.
Then he was pulled off me by someone I didn't see, and he yelped in pain - his arm was twisted behind his back. I looked to see who had done that, and was horrified to see Wednesday was the one who was restraining the Weasel.
"What the hell did you do that for, Addams?" I asked angrily.
"What'd I do what for?" she asked, smirking.
Weasley pulled away from her grip, glared at me, then glared at her, and then glared at me again before leaving as quickly as possible ... considering he was limping slightly. "Go find your hero, Sidekick, or you might fade away and never be seen again." I called after him.
"What's wrong with stopping him from beating you up?" Wednesday asked innocently.
"Bruises heal, but being saved by a girl will never leave me." I snapped angrily.
Wednesday grinned demonically, "Sorry, Draco. On the bright side, he'll be embarrassed enough about being beaten by a girl not to ever mention it again."
I still glared at her, then turned and also stalked towards the doors of the Great Hall, spotting Crabbe and Goyle on the way out. I stopped in front of them, "You two are completely useless." I snapped, and punched Crabbe in the face so hard I heard something crack. Then I turned on my heel and stormed out.
* * *
Crabbe and Weasley apparently got into another fight, while they were both in the Hospital Wing, and this time Pomfrey pulled Crabbe off Weasley - that's what I overheard Luna Lovegood telling Theo, at lunchtime, anyway (she refused point-blank to tell why she was in the Hospital Wing herself, though).
I had the misfortune to be sitting at the same table in the Library as Padma Patil, that afternoon. She looked up at me, then hastily resumed her homework.
"What are you looking at, Patil?" I asked.
"I wondered ..." she said in a conspiratorial tone, "If Weasley told you anything about how Potter got into the Tournament?"
"We're not best pals, you know." I noted.
"I know, but ... it's the sort of thing he'd say to get you mad, isn't it? I mean, you did attack him."
"He attacked me."
"Still - did he say anything?"
I rolled my eyes, "Potter was just desperate to earn himself a bit more fame by tricking the Goblet into accepting his name." I lied. Well, for all I know it's true, but I just felt like spreading malicious rumours about the Golden Boy ... and there's no one in the school more adept at spreading rumours than the Patil twins and their Ravenclaw friends.
"Seriously?" she asked. I nodded. "Wait till I tell Mandy." and she packed her books away and left in record time. That would probably be all over the school by tomorrow. I smirked evilly, Potter was going to get hell this year, if he even survived past the first task.
* * *
Sure enough, the rumours had spread faster than wildfire, and the whole school believed them by the next day.
That day's first class was Transfiguration. I spent the whole time reading the wrong chapter in the text book. McGonagall eventually spotted this, "Mister Malfoy, I believe I told the whole class that today's assignment was chapter seven."
"Yes, Professor. I heard." I replied calmly.
"Then kindly tell me why you are reading chapter ten?"
"I read ahead."
"You realise I have set a two foot essay -" she stopped there because I handed her the aforementioned essay. She blinked, and took the essay from me, scanned over it, and sighed, "Very well, Mister Malfoy ... the chapter you're reading now requires a three foot essay." and she went back to the head of the class.
Theo sniggered.
I glared at him, then started writing ... I finished the essay by the end of the class ... I do write fast when I'm interested in what I'm writing.
* * *
Next class was Care of Magical Creatures. Or should that be Care of Dangerous Monsters? Yes, that describes it better.
On the way down to the gamekeeper's hut, Theo shoved Crabbe and Goyle out of the way, and immediately asked me, "What was that in Transfig?"
"I really did read ahead. She was more shocked when I handed her the second essay after class, I think." I replied, smirking.
"Where are you finding the time to apply yourself to your work?" Theo asked stunned.
"Don't you mean when?" I asked.
"Yeah, when?" Theo insisted.
"Muggle Studies - I've done precisely sod-all on that project." I replied.
"Why?" Theo asked, "I've done one roll already."
"Well I can't do anything until I get the 'Muggle Sources' for it, can I? I'm still waiting." I said, glancing over my shoulder at Crabbe and Goyle. I wasn't going to mention who I was using to get information for my project, in front of them.
"Ok." and Theo wandered over to where Blaise and Cat were walking, and Blaise appeared to be trying to cheer Cat up.
Crabbe and Goyle immediately caught up to impersonate my shadow again. I really must figure out a permanent way of getting them to leave me alone.
The Gryffindors were already there when we got down there. I had been waiting for my chance to taunt/insult Potter since his name got called as champion. "Ah, look, boys." I said to Crabbe and Goyle, as soon as I got close enough for Potter to hear me, "It's the champion." even Crabbe and Goyle must have picked up on the sarcasm in that - I hope, "Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, because I doubt he's going to be around much longer ... how long d'you reckon you're going to last, Potter? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet."
Crabbe and Goyle sniggered in a way that told me the punch line went right over their heads. I didn't continue to taunt Potter, though, because Hagrid appeared, carrying a stack of large crates, each of which contained a Blast-Ended Skrewt. He then started going on about the monsters as if they were adorable fluffy puppies. I tried not to pay attention to him, but the words "Take 'em for a walk." scared the hell out of me.
"Take this thing for a walk?" I asked, horrified, "And where exactly are we supposed to fix the leash? Around the sting -" Pansy started giggling almost hysterically - I ignored her, "- the blasting end, or the sucker?"
"Roun' the middle." the great oaf said, demonstrating this by tying the 'leash' (bit of rope) around the monster, "Er - yeh might want ter put on yer dragon-hide gloves, jus' as an extra precaution, like." the reason he said this was the demon-spawn he'd been trying to fasten the leash on tried in turn to burn his hands. "Harry, you come here an' help me with this big one ..."
I quickly backed away from the boxes of Blast-Ended Skrewts, "Crabbe, Goyle, you play with the monsters, I'll be over there." and I went to hide behind a tree. I watched from a relatively safe distance as the rest of the class started trying to fasten leashes onto Skrewts.
Theo went flying past me, being dragged by a Skrewt, his heels digging into the ground, whooping like he was enjoying himself. Pansy hadn't yet dared to touch her Blast-Ended Skrewt, and she kept looking around for me - I made sure I was out of sight, if she caught me, she'd ensure that I shared her suffering.
A Gryffindor flew across the lawn on his stomach, dragged by his Skrewt. A hand grabbed my shoulder, "Draco, dear." Cat said in a saccharine voice, "Aren't you going to join the rest of the class?"
"Not bloody likely." I replied.
"Me neither ... and I'm not sure if Hagrid can count, there's two Skrewts short ... either that or thankfully they killed each other off enough." Cat settled next to me, and giggled as Milli was also dragged across the ground on her stomach.
"Those things must be really strong. Milli's been known to beat Goyle at arm-wrestling." I muttered.
"You've been known to break Crabbe's nose. Those thugs aren't as strong as they look. Milli is." Cat replied.
"Those things are still strong, then."
"Yes. That's why I tried to avoid them." Cat said, nodding.
Theo passed us again, still looking like he was enjoying himself.
"Theo's enjoying himself, though." Cat noted.
"Theo is insane."
"True."
A distinctly feminine shriek drew out attention in time to see another Skrewt dragging Weasley along on his back.
I sniggered, "And I thought it was just the Beauxbatons boys who screamed like girls?"
* * *
End of chapter 13
Author's Notes: I am evil, aren't I? Did you all enjoy my cliffhanger? No? Oh, well, too bad. There's three BtVS references in this chapter (not counting the quote at the end of the A/N) - next chapter will be dedicated to whoever can spot all three.
dragonsprincess: Welcome back. *sighs* there was nothing suggestive about that scene - he was proving that he'd actually been injured, not "flashing". Well, I saw the Addams Family Values, recently, and it just hit me that Theo should be related to that family. Um, Draco's actually been trying to spy on Hermione undressing or something - why else would he be watching her late in the evening? - but as yet he's not seen her doing anything more than reading or making SPEW badges.
Devi: *rgins proudly* glad you like it - I was hoping someone'd notice the line about alcohol. Actually, now I think about it, the cartoon Wednesday is more like how I write her than the one I based her on (Addams Family Values). Theo got the nickname "Nes" for her, because he's insane, and he knows she doesn't like it - same reason she calls him Dora. Actually, there is a difference between fame and infamy - I'm infamous, but I'm not famous (yet). Actually, I always thought Viktor was cool anyway, we just get to know him a bit better in my fic. Basically, if Theo's in detention, he can't attend the events - the Goblet (somehow) knows this, so won't choose him if he's gonna be unable to attend the events. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was edited and abridged for Muggles - the magical version of it resembles an encyclopaedia in size. The way I've written him, Poliakoff is not supposed to be the most likeable guy - but if you like incorrigable flirts, then feel free to like him if you want to.
Exodia Himself: Luna is not a Seer ... she just has frightening luck (both good and bad), and she really did guess those.
dstrbd child: Draco didn't enter because he's not insane or suicidal (while Theo is insane). Luna didn't mention Theo's name, because Theo didn't tell her he'd entered - he was embarrassed at being out-cheated by Dumbledore ... Luna was only watching from the time she woke up in the morning.
Hrei-siesn: She doesn't know he'll die - she just knows something bad will happen if he enters.
Simply Myself: Well, I was working from French - loads of people think it's "wind of death" translated from French, so I worked out the "cheater of death" thing because it sounded better - "thing of death" is also a good one, but I never so much as knew any swear-words in Spanish, so I wouldn't have known that. We don't actually know what house Dumbledore's from, do we? We've always just assumed Gryffindor because of his blatant favouritism. We never heard the Banishing Charm, so I made it up ... it's from the Latin for banish, throw away, or vomit. *thinks* no, Theo's always hyper. Those smacks upside the head are the semi-playful type of violence that doesn't really hurt. Actually, Theo makes fun of everyone, regardless of house, species, or gender. We may never know what Theo is up to. Draco is braver than he lets on ... just don't tell him I said he had any Gryff traits or he'll be using me to practice his Unforgivable curses on. PoA 1: Yeah, Draco did a stupid thing going with her, didn't he? But I wanted him to see Azkaban. You don't want to know how the half-breed came to be - I don't even want to know. 2: No memories - more Sight. 3: No, I deliberately made the title awkward. Who'd Theo see die? *taps the side of her nose* you'll find out in OotP. Actually, Sirius' middle name is - *receives death-glare from a black dog that looks like a Grim* meep, forget it. How does Draco know about the Fifth Amendment? *sighs* I explained this ages ago, when it was mentioned in CoS before the editing - Draco knows about it because I know about it - I'm British, and I know what it is, so why shouldn't Draco? 4: Yes, he is. No, it is not what he saw in the mirror. 5: I wrote the bird in the way I thought Draco's owl would be ... almost as bad as Draco. 6: Who says Snape's a vamp? *looks shifty* did I ever say that? McGonagall just has the same negative effect on Draco as Snape has on Neville ... but Draco, unlike Neville, can get over it if he's determined enough.
jinjo: Thank you.
angelkas: She doesn't know he's going to die - and she did try to tell him she knew it's dangerous. And all she knows about Moody is that he's not who he says he is - for all she knows, Dumbledore planned it. And she generally does say what she Sees, she just doesn't often See anything useful until it's too late.
Elizabeth: Thanks ... I was going for evil-cliffhangerness *grins*.
Bob: Ooooo ... good idea ... Thing. I wonder if I can do that ... it would be fun. That's effectively what Theo did, only he used the Banishing charm to help.
Druscilla Black: Glad you liked.
"This isn't an orgy, people, it's a classroom." "Yeah, where they teach lunch" -BtVS
Chapter 13 - The Yoko Factor
"Well, the Goblet is almost ready to make its decision. I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber, where they will be receiving their first instructions." Dumbledore announced.
He then took out his wand, and extinguished all the candles in the room, so the only light in the Hall came from the blue flame of the Goblet, and the faint candlelight of the Hallowe'en decorations. For about a minute, which seemed much longer, everyone sat in silence, staring at the Goblet.
Then the flame turned bright red, and flared up, sending a piece of parchment into the air, where Dumbledore caught it easily, and held it out so he could read it by the light of the Goblet, "The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum."
The whole Hall burst into loud applause, as Krum stood up scowling, "Vhy do I alvays get these kind ov things?" he asked, then slouched up to the staff table, and off into the side room.
"Bravo, Viktor!" Karkaroff shouted so loudly I could hear him all the way from the staff table. "Knew you had it in you!"
"Shame he did not vant to haff it in him." Susan muttered.
"Who cares, I didn't get it, and I have the run of Hogwarts castle, where no one knows my rep." Wednesday said, looking particularly demonic in this lighting.
Then, as the noise died down, everyone's attention returned to the Goblet. Just in time, as mere seconds passed before it flared red again, and another piece of parchment was sent into the air. Dumbledore caught it, and read it, "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour."
"Veela girl." Theo noted. True enough, the girl who had had half the boys in Hogwarts drooling at the feast last night stood and practically glided up to the staff table, and into the side room.
"Aww, look at the cry-babies." Blaise said, pointing to the Beauxbatons still at the Ravenclaw table. Two girls had dissolved into tears at not being chosen, "I mean, if they're going to cry for something like that, they obviously didn't deserve to be chosen." Blaise added. The boy who Blaise had identified as her cousin was giving the two crying girls filthy looks.
"Shhh." Theo hissed at Blaise. The rest of the Hall was eagerly watching the Goblet again.
And seconds later, a third piece of parchment flew out of it, "The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory."
Cat's forehead landed almost violently on the table. Wednesday grinned more demonically than usual, and I got the feeling they knew something I didn't.
"How did that Hufflepuff prat get to be champion? I'd have preferred Warrington, or even Johnson." Theo said, staring horrified as Diggory strutted up to the teachers' table and into the side room like he owned the place because he'd been picked as a champion.
When the Hufflepuffs' mad applause finally died down, Dumbledore spoke again, "Excellent! Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real -" but he stopped his futile attempt at convincing us to support Cedric Diggory, because the Goblet's flame had turned red again.
"It's not supposed to do that, is it?" Wednesday whispered to me.
"I didn't think so." I answered, watching as a fourth piece of parchment was shot out of the Goblet.
Dumbledore caught it easily considering he looked completely taken aback by its appearance. He read and re-read whatever it said for at least two minutes, before clearing his throat and reading out, "Harry Potter."
"What the hell?!" I asked, half glaring at the parchment Dumbledore had just read, have staring at it in shock, "I'm dreaming - this is a nightmare."
Theo sniggered, "Figures he'd get into whatever trouble's going in the school year." he noted.
"How, though?" I asked, staring at Potter, now, as if he was the root of all evil. When I really know perfectly well he's the brat who got famous because the root of all evil made a stupid mistake.
"Dunno. My way, even if I'd got picked I'd have been number three - there's no such thing as a fourth champion." Theo said.
"There is now." Cat muttered, also giving Potter a horrified look.
"They can't let him participate?" I asked, glaring at Potter, "We already have our champion. I like Diggory much better than him!"
"I agree." Blaise said, also glaring at him.
Theo sniggered. "What's so funny?" I snapped.
"Nothing Dumbledore coulda said a minute ago woulda persuaded you to support Diggory, but this just did." Theo replied, smirking evilly.
I hit him, then resumed glaring homicidally at Potter.
In Potter's defence, he did look completely surprised by his name being called out. Doesn't stop me hating him for breathing, though. Maybe he'll get killed by a Chimera? Dumbledore's voice then interrupted this happy train of thought, by saying, "Harry Potter! Harry! Up here if you please!" Potter stood up and promptly tried to fall on his face (tripped on his own robes, I think), then walked nervously up to the teacher's table. "Well, through the door, Harry." Dumbledore said, only just audibly and I was sitting only half-way down the Hall. Potter looked like he was being asked to jump off a cliff, but he did what he was told and walked through the door.
"Why would Potter enter his name?" Theo asked.
"Who says he did?" Cat noted, her voice muffled from the fact she was still face-down on the table from hearing Diggory's name.
"He's a Gryffindor is why, Theo - they're naturally suicidal, aren't they?" I said, it was a rhetorical question.
Cat finally looked up at me, "Potter is an idiot, but not that much of one." she said simply.
Wednesday on the other hand, was grinning, "Looks like you got your wish, Susan." she noted.
Susan glared, "At the expense of Hogwarts getting two champions." she noted coldly.
"True. Screws with our chances of winning, doesn't it?" Wednesday pondered, "Well, we'll just have to sabotage Potter and Diggory, won't we?" she said, still looking demonic.
I looked at her, "Plot your evil schemes where your opponents can't overhear you." I said coldly.
"You're siding with Potter?" Wednesday asked with an evil grin.
"I'd rather Krum won than Potter. I'd rather the Creepy Creevy brat won than Potter. But I'll be supporting Diggory, so take your plans for sabotage where I can't overhear them or I'll have no choice but to ruin them." I said.
"That's Draco's way of saying he doesn't mind you trying to sabotage the Gryffindork." Theo said grinning.
Wednesday smiled demonically at Theo, "I'll do that."
A loud shrill whistling sound, not sounding too far off a banshee's scream, attracted our attention, and I realised just how high the noise-level in the Hall had become. Dumbledore was holding his wand, and seemed to have made the noise. "If I might have your attention for a moment, please." he said calmly. Everyone was silent. "The first task will be held on Tuesday the twenty-fourth of November - I would like to see you all in attendance. But for now, if you would make your way back to your dormitories in an orderly fashion, and kindly keep the noise level down to a sensible level."
I looked around to see people starting to leave. Wednesday smiled evilly at me, "I guess we're going back to the ship."
I stood up and started walking out of the Hall, Crabbe and Goyle - who had been sitting beyond Wednesday and had been too scared of her to bother me - followed me like particularly stupid shadows. I happened to run into Hermione and Potter's pet Weasley on the way through the Entrance Hall - honestly I hadn't planned to insult him, but who gives up the opportunity when it's handed to them on a silver platter?
"Hey, Weasel." I said, smirking, "Did you not enter too?"
"Shut up, Ferret." Weasley snapped irritably.
"What's the matter? Did Potter not tell you he was entering the tournament?" I asked.
"He didn't enter it." Hermione snapped, giving me a look that seemed to be saying 'argue and you'll regret it' ... naturally, I argued.
"That's what you think." I replied.
"How could he have entered?" Hermione asked, "Did you see what happened to the people who tried to cross the Age Line?"
"Potter is well known for getting into any trouble going. It wouldn't surprise me if he found a way past the Age Line." I said, smirking, "So your Precious Potter entered without telling you, did he?" I asked, "You'd think he'd tell you if he got past the Age Line - I mean, you need the money much more than he does, Weasley."
Weasley looked livid now. Hermione on the other hand ... "Ron, don't listen to him, he's just trying to make you mad."
"Me? Would I do a thing like that?" I asked in faux-innocence.
Hermione glared.
I smirked, "Seriously, Weasley, if he was really your friend, he'd have told you about it."
Weasley made a gesture as if to hit me, then shook his head and stormed off. Hermione glared at me coldly, then followed Weasley.
"Why'd you tell him that, Malfoy?" Crabbe said.
"With luck, the Terrific Trio won't be friends tomorrow." I noted smirking.
"Huh?" Goyle asked.
"Weasley'll believe what I said because it's what he really thinks, he'll hate Potter for it, make Potter miserable, and make me very happy." I explained.
Crabbe and Goyle both nodded dumbly.
* * *
The next morning, at breakfast, I noticed as I entered the Hall that there were no teachers present ... unusual, but not really important, "Hey, Draco." Theo said cheerfully, "The Quibbler thinks Rita Skeeter's responsible for Potter's entry in the Tournament. Says she disguised herself as a Hogwarts teacher, and bribed Dumbledore into entering him."
"Does it say which teacher?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Either Hagrid or Trelawney." Theo replied.
I snorted, "That one's rubbish - I can see meaning in some of their articles, but some of them are a bit far-fetched."
"Yeah ... but Cat did say Moody's not Moody?" Theo suggested.
"Are you suggesting he's really Rita Skeeter in disguise, then?" I asked sceptically.
"Um ... no. That'd be too weird."
"Weirder if she were Hagrid." I noted.
Theo shuddered.
"How'd they find out about Potter so quickly, anyway?" I asked.
"Inside informant." Theo replied.
"Huh? Who?" I asked.
"The editor's daughter ... Luna Lovegood. You know, the girl I hang around with." Theo replied.
"Oh." I muttered.
At that moment, Weasley and Hermione appeared, without Potter - no one else seemed to take notice of them, but I had to take the opportunity to see just how badly I'd ruined their relationship with their hero.
I stood up and started towards them - Crabbe and Goyle continued stuffing their faces, obliviously. "Hey, Weasel, where's Potter? I thought he kept you on a short leash?" I asked, when I got close enough.
Weasley turned and glared at me, "What do you want, ferret-face?"
"To ask where Potter is ... I want to congratulate him on becoming champion." I said in as believable a tone as Higgs had used to congratulate me on making the Quidditch team in my second year - as in to say totally sarcastic.
"Yeah bloody right." Weasley said, almost sneering.
"Sarcasm flies over your head faster and less noticeably than a Snitch in Gringotts, doesn't it?" I asked him coldly. He just gave me a blank look. "You're not even worth insulting today." I muttered, and turned to Hermione, "You seen Scar-Head recently? I really do want to laugh in his face."
She glared at me too, "He's not going to be anywhere near you today - that I can assure you, Ferret." She then stormed off, stealing the contents of a plate of toast as she passed the Hufflepuff table, and left the Hall.
I then slowly turned to Weasley, "I guess I'm stuck with insulting you, Weasel."
"What's the matter, Ferret? Can't handle a real fight?"
"I'll tell you when I have one." I retorted.
And he suddenly lunged at me, knocked me to the ground, and hit me in the face. I winced as my head snapped to the side - that hurt. I vaguely noticed a ring of Gryffindors quickly surrounding us, and Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be seen. He hit me twice more, before I reacted, by moving my foot around to hit the back of his leg so his knee slammed hard into the stone floor. That distracted him effectively, and I almost managed to stand up, but he hit me again, knocking the wind out of me. I heard chants of "Fight, fight, fight." from around me, and the odd shout of, "Get him, Ron!" and "Pound that ferret!" I got the feeling if I beat him, I'd be lynched.
I closed my eyes for a moment, and felt another punch connect with one of the old bruises from the ferret incident. "Is that the best you can do without your bodyguards, Malfoy?" Weasley asked, and hit me again.
"I'm not trying to fight you, that's why you're still in one piece right now." I replied coldly, "Get the hell off me, Weasley!" I added.
His answer to that was another punch to the stomach. I think I've mentioned once or twice, I know what real pain feels like ... this was nothing compared to the 'punishments' I've experienced. I tried to kick him off me, to no avail, and he hit me once more for it.
Then he was pulled off me by someone I didn't see, and he yelped in pain - his arm was twisted behind his back. I looked to see who had done that, and was horrified to see Wednesday was the one who was restraining the Weasel.
"What the hell did you do that for, Addams?" I asked angrily.
"What'd I do what for?" she asked, smirking.
Weasley pulled away from her grip, glared at me, then glared at her, and then glared at me again before leaving as quickly as possible ... considering he was limping slightly. "Go find your hero, Sidekick, or you might fade away and never be seen again." I called after him.
"What's wrong with stopping him from beating you up?" Wednesday asked innocently.
"Bruises heal, but being saved by a girl will never leave me." I snapped angrily.
Wednesday grinned demonically, "Sorry, Draco. On the bright side, he'll be embarrassed enough about being beaten by a girl not to ever mention it again."
I still glared at her, then turned and also stalked towards the doors of the Great Hall, spotting Crabbe and Goyle on the way out. I stopped in front of them, "You two are completely useless." I snapped, and punched Crabbe in the face so hard I heard something crack. Then I turned on my heel and stormed out.
* * *
Crabbe and Weasley apparently got into another fight, while they were both in the Hospital Wing, and this time Pomfrey pulled Crabbe off Weasley - that's what I overheard Luna Lovegood telling Theo, at lunchtime, anyway (she refused point-blank to tell why she was in the Hospital Wing herself, though).
I had the misfortune to be sitting at the same table in the Library as Padma Patil, that afternoon. She looked up at me, then hastily resumed her homework.
"What are you looking at, Patil?" I asked.
"I wondered ..." she said in a conspiratorial tone, "If Weasley told you anything about how Potter got into the Tournament?"
"We're not best pals, you know." I noted.
"I know, but ... it's the sort of thing he'd say to get you mad, isn't it? I mean, you did attack him."
"He attacked me."
"Still - did he say anything?"
I rolled my eyes, "Potter was just desperate to earn himself a bit more fame by tricking the Goblet into accepting his name." I lied. Well, for all I know it's true, but I just felt like spreading malicious rumours about the Golden Boy ... and there's no one in the school more adept at spreading rumours than the Patil twins and their Ravenclaw friends.
"Seriously?" she asked. I nodded. "Wait till I tell Mandy." and she packed her books away and left in record time. That would probably be all over the school by tomorrow. I smirked evilly, Potter was going to get hell this year, if he even survived past the first task.
* * *
Sure enough, the rumours had spread faster than wildfire, and the whole school believed them by the next day.
That day's first class was Transfiguration. I spent the whole time reading the wrong chapter in the text book. McGonagall eventually spotted this, "Mister Malfoy, I believe I told the whole class that today's assignment was chapter seven."
"Yes, Professor. I heard." I replied calmly.
"Then kindly tell me why you are reading chapter ten?"
"I read ahead."
"You realise I have set a two foot essay -" she stopped there because I handed her the aforementioned essay. She blinked, and took the essay from me, scanned over it, and sighed, "Very well, Mister Malfoy ... the chapter you're reading now requires a three foot essay." and she went back to the head of the class.
Theo sniggered.
I glared at him, then started writing ... I finished the essay by the end of the class ... I do write fast when I'm interested in what I'm writing.
* * *
Next class was Care of Magical Creatures. Or should that be Care of Dangerous Monsters? Yes, that describes it better.
On the way down to the gamekeeper's hut, Theo shoved Crabbe and Goyle out of the way, and immediately asked me, "What was that in Transfig?"
"I really did read ahead. She was more shocked when I handed her the second essay after class, I think." I replied, smirking.
"Where are you finding the time to apply yourself to your work?" Theo asked stunned.
"Don't you mean when?" I asked.
"Yeah, when?" Theo insisted.
"Muggle Studies - I've done precisely sod-all on that project." I replied.
"Why?" Theo asked, "I've done one roll already."
"Well I can't do anything until I get the 'Muggle Sources' for it, can I? I'm still waiting." I said, glancing over my shoulder at Crabbe and Goyle. I wasn't going to mention who I was using to get information for my project, in front of them.
"Ok." and Theo wandered over to where Blaise and Cat were walking, and Blaise appeared to be trying to cheer Cat up.
Crabbe and Goyle immediately caught up to impersonate my shadow again. I really must figure out a permanent way of getting them to leave me alone.
The Gryffindors were already there when we got down there. I had been waiting for my chance to taunt/insult Potter since his name got called as champion. "Ah, look, boys." I said to Crabbe and Goyle, as soon as I got close enough for Potter to hear me, "It's the champion." even Crabbe and Goyle must have picked up on the sarcasm in that - I hope, "Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, because I doubt he's going to be around much longer ... how long d'you reckon you're going to last, Potter? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet."
Crabbe and Goyle sniggered in a way that told me the punch line went right over their heads. I didn't continue to taunt Potter, though, because Hagrid appeared, carrying a stack of large crates, each of which contained a Blast-Ended Skrewt. He then started going on about the monsters as if they were adorable fluffy puppies. I tried not to pay attention to him, but the words "Take 'em for a walk." scared the hell out of me.
"Take this thing for a walk?" I asked, horrified, "And where exactly are we supposed to fix the leash? Around the sting -" Pansy started giggling almost hysterically - I ignored her, "- the blasting end, or the sucker?"
"Roun' the middle." the great oaf said, demonstrating this by tying the 'leash' (bit of rope) around the monster, "Er - yeh might want ter put on yer dragon-hide gloves, jus' as an extra precaution, like." the reason he said this was the demon-spawn he'd been trying to fasten the leash on tried in turn to burn his hands. "Harry, you come here an' help me with this big one ..."
I quickly backed away from the boxes of Blast-Ended Skrewts, "Crabbe, Goyle, you play with the monsters, I'll be over there." and I went to hide behind a tree. I watched from a relatively safe distance as the rest of the class started trying to fasten leashes onto Skrewts.
Theo went flying past me, being dragged by a Skrewt, his heels digging into the ground, whooping like he was enjoying himself. Pansy hadn't yet dared to touch her Blast-Ended Skrewt, and she kept looking around for me - I made sure I was out of sight, if she caught me, she'd ensure that I shared her suffering.
A Gryffindor flew across the lawn on his stomach, dragged by his Skrewt. A hand grabbed my shoulder, "Draco, dear." Cat said in a saccharine voice, "Aren't you going to join the rest of the class?"
"Not bloody likely." I replied.
"Me neither ... and I'm not sure if Hagrid can count, there's two Skrewts short ... either that or thankfully they killed each other off enough." Cat settled next to me, and giggled as Milli was also dragged across the ground on her stomach.
"Those things must be really strong. Milli's been known to beat Goyle at arm-wrestling." I muttered.
"You've been known to break Crabbe's nose. Those thugs aren't as strong as they look. Milli is." Cat replied.
"Those things are still strong, then."
"Yes. That's why I tried to avoid them." Cat said, nodding.
Theo passed us again, still looking like he was enjoying himself.
"Theo's enjoying himself, though." Cat noted.
"Theo is insane."
"True."
A distinctly feminine shriek drew out attention in time to see another Skrewt dragging Weasley along on his back.
I sniggered, "And I thought it was just the Beauxbatons boys who screamed like girls?"
* * *
End of chapter 13