Chapter 10

Jealousy

Apparently the threat of Sirius Black was all that it took. The day that Rita Skeeter had published her article on the Tournament Harry was certain something was going to be taken out of context but surprisingly nothing was. There were equal amounts of information about all four champions although Harry was clearly made out as the underdog prepared to fight bravely throughout the tasks. Harry could only roll his eyes at the comment. Why did everyone have to make him out to be some sort of hero? He was far from it.

That was all the motivation Malfoy needed to bring his taunting up a notch. It almost felt like Malfoy was following him, waiting for the first chance to strike. Every time Harry went to the library with Ron and Hermione, Malfoy was there watching. Every time Harry left a meal, Malfoy left shortly after. Fortunately Ron and Hermione recognized what was going on and passed the word around among the Gryffindors. Now the entire house was looking out for Harry but they couldn't be at his side all of the time.

Since none of the students were aware of Harry's magical outbursts Harry had to find time alone to talk to Professor Dumbledore about it which had to be after dinner when everyone was already in their Common Rooms. As it turned out, Dumbledore had known the moment it happened because of some charms that had been placed on the necklace. Unfortunately the necklace had done what it was designed to do and absorbed the majority of the overload which made Harry extremely nervous. If what had happened was only a fraction of what could have actually happened he dreaded to think of what the overload would have caused at full power. There was only one solution to make certain nothing like that ever happened again.

Harry couldn't let his emotions get the better of him...ever. He didn't know how he was going to accomplish something like that but he knew he had to try. He couldn't take the risk of someone being put in harm's way because he was angry.

Leaving Professor Dumbledore's office, Harry was too deep in thought to realize he was being followed. He needed to think of a way to keep the powerful emotions at bay. He had read about emotion suppression spells but knew they were risky and the aftereffects once they were taken off weren't pleasant. Everything you hadn't felt came to the surface at once. Oh yeah, why don't I just destroy Hogwarts while I'm at it.

It wasn't until something hit him hard on the back of the head that Harry realized he wasn't alone. He stumbled forward a few steps before regaining his balance. Turning around, Harry saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle walking towards him with evil smiles on their faces. He started to panic. What was he supposed to do? He couldn't take the risk of fighting back and losing control but he couldn't just stand there and do nothing either.

"What's the matter, Potter?" Malfoy asked snidely. "No one's around to protect you now. No guardians, no friends and none of your adoring public. You think you're better than everyone else, that everyone should worship the ground you walk on just because of some stupid scar you got in a freak accident. You have all of the teachers wrapped around your finger because you lost your parents and your uncle decided to slap some sense into you."

Harry froze. Was that what people thought? What had he done to make people believe that? He didn't think he was better than everyone else. If anything, he was jealous of everyone else. He didn't have the teachers wrapped around his finger. He was close to them because they helped him through a difficult time but that was as far as it went. They had told him his uncle had been wrong to take his anger out on a teenager so why was Malfoy saying he deserved it?

Who are you going to believe? Your teachers, guardians and friends or Draco Malfoy?

The realization snapped Harry back to reality as Crabbe and Goyle grabbed Harry by the arms to hold him in place. That was it. Malfoy was jealous of everything Harry had been given. Harry had everything that Malfoy wanted: fame, popularity and adults that looked out for him. It didn't matter that Harry's life was constantly in danger. It didn't matter that Voldemort wanted him dead. All Malfoy was seeing was the upside of being the-boy-who-lived. He wasn't even considering the bad that came with it.

"Do you have any idea what that werewolf did the day of the World Cup?" Malfoy continued as he pulled out his wand and pointed it at Harry. "He completely embarrassed the Ministry. The Bulgarian Minister has been asking Fudge why there weren't more people like Lupin in the Ministry. He didn't even care when Fudge told him Lupin was a werewolf--a half-breed. Do you know what a slap in the face that is to my father for someone to prefer a half-breed to a pureblood?"

"Don't call Remus that," Harry said defensively. Malfoy had gone too far. Harry could handle the insults but no one badmouthed Remus and Sirius. "He's a better person than your father will ever be."

Malfoy's eyes narrowed in anger as he walked up to Harry and pointed his wand at Harry's head, his hands shaking in anger. "Is that so?" he hissed. "What do you know, Potter? You were raised by Muggles. You're nothing better than a Mudblood and a half-breed. You're just a waste of space."

Harry glared back at Malfoy. "Well you're certainly spending a lot of time on 'a waste of space'," he shot back. He needed to stall. Sooner or later someone would be coming by...hopefully. "You couldn't face me when my friends were around so you took the coward's way out and needed your lackeys to hold me still while you curse me. Where's the honor in that?"

WHACK!

A fist connected with Harry's face sending it to the left with the force of the impact. His glasses went flying off of his face as he saw white. Blinking a few times, Harry tried to regain his bearings but his now blurry vision made that difficult. He closed his eyes and tried to shake out the confusion but couldn't seem to do it. Laughing filled his ears but died quickly when a distinct clunking sound filled the hallway.

"I DON'T THINK SO, LADDIES!"

The grips on Harry's arms disappeared causing Harry to lose his balance for a moment. With a flick of the wrist, Harry had his wand in hand and summoned his glasses. Putting them back on, Harry's eyes widened in shock to see one white and two black ferrets where Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had been standing. He took a shaky step backwards only to bump into something and quickly turned around to see Professor Moody looking down at him with the normal eye while the magical one was looking at the three ferrets.

Professor Moody grabbed hold of Harry's chin and turned Harry's face to see the bruise that Harry could already feel beginning to take shape. Moody inhaled deeply then let go of Harry's chin. "You all right, Potter?" he growled.

Harry didn't trust his voice to remain steady and nodded. Unable to take the intense gaze of one of Moody's eyes anymore, Harry quickly looked away. The motion sent a spark of pain down Harry's neck causing him to wince. Professor Moody noticed and pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it against the back of Harry's head.

"You'll be fine," Moody growled as Harry reflexively held the handkerchief in place so Professor Moody didn't have to. "Just a small cut. It's a good thing that house elf found me. Am I right to assume that these fine individuals are responsible for that too?" Harry didn't answer. "I thought so," Moody said and stepped around Harry. "Now, what to do with three bullies."

Harry turned around and watched as Moody conjured three small cages. The three ferrets started to run but with a flick of his wand, Moody had them bouncing back towards the cages and eventually one inside each cage. He had never seen anything like this. Although he had to smile at Malfoy getting what was coming to him, Harry couldn't help but wonder if teachers were allowed to do this to students.

With a flick and swish the three cages lifted in the air. "You should probably go to the hospital wing, Potter," said Professor Moody. "Don't worry. I'll make sure these students never do something so cowardly again. If this is the sort of behavior Snape allows for his students then I may just have a few words with him too."

Harry didn't need to be told twice and left for the hospital wing where Madam Pomfrey quickly sealed the cut on the back of his head and healed as much of the bruise on his face as she could. She also insisted Harry spend the night in the hospital wing to make certain there were no complications with his head injury. Harry was too tired to object and fell asleep almost instantly. He just hoped Professor Moody didn't hurt Malfoy and his goons...much.

The following morning was probably the longest Harry had ever experienced. Ron had panicked when he saw Harry's bed hadn't been slept in, alerting Dean, Seamus and Neville. The four of them were probably the most protective of the Gryffindors and mounted a search. When they discovered Harry in the hospital wing and the reason he was there, the Gryffindors were furious. They couldn't believe Malfoy would do such a thing. They did roar in laughter though when they heard Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had been turned into ferrets by Professor Moody.

Once Harry was dismissed from the hospital wing he now had several people refusing to leave his side. Word passed quickly throughout the four houses of Malfoy's attack, reaching the teachers who looked horrified. The only confirmation they needed was the soft bruise on Harry's face. Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape hurried out of the Great Hall only to return twenty minutes later with Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle following them and looking like they had an extremely rough night. None of the teachers looked pleased as they retook their seats. Harry didn't even attempt to look over at Malfoy sitting at the Slytherin table.

After breakfast, Harry left as quickly as he could with Ron and Hermione for Hogsmeade, a village that students in their third year and above were allowed to visit. After last night and the first task just around the corner, Harry needed the distraction. He wore a hat over his hair and scar so he wouldn't be recognized but people still figured out who he was. People constantly wished him good luck in the Tournament making Harry feel incredibly uncomfortable. People should be giving their wishes to Cedric, Fleur and Viktor.

They went to the basic shops: Honeydukes and Zonko's before entering Three Broomsticks where they sat down far away from everyone else so not to draw attention to Harry. Ron volunteered to purchase the Butterbeers leaving Harry and Hermione alone in their silence. The dim lighting hid any discoloration on Harry's face. Staring at the table, Harry tried to ignore the stares Hermione was giving him. She hadn't said much since she found out what happened making Harry wonder how mad she really was.

"Are you going to yell at me now or just continue to stare?" Harry asked softly.

Hermione quickly looked away. "Sorry Harry," she said. "You're okay, right? You've been awfully quiet today."

Harry snorted at the comment. "I could say the same for you," he said bluntly. He noticed her smile in embarrassment and noticed something was different. "Madam Pomfrey fixed your teeth." Hermione looked at Harry in surprise then blushed and nodded. "They look good," he added only making Hermione blush more and mutter a thanks.

"Three Butterbeers," Ron said as he returned and handed out the drinks. "You two won't believe what I overhead. Some Slytherins just entered and were talking about Malfoy. They say Malfoy lost Slytherin a hundred points and has detention for two months with Professor McGonagall. He's also on probation. If he does anything else he will be suspended or even expelled. Can you imagine Malfoy's dad getting that post in the morning?"

"It's what he deserves," Hermione said simply. "He really could have hurt you, Harry. Why didn't you fight back like you did on the train? Why were you out past curfew to begin with?"

Harry looked up at his friends for a moment before lowering his gaze to stare at his Butterbeer. For some reason he couldn?t get what happened last night out of his head. "Do you two think I believe I'm better than everyone else?" he asked distantly. "Do you think people worship the ground I walk on? Do you think I deserve what Uncle Vernon did to me?"

Ron and Hermione looked horrified. "Absolutely not!" Hermione cried. "Harry, why are you asking such things? We know you hate people treating you different than everyone else. Is that what Malfoy told you last night?"

"Hermione!" Ron warned. "Quiet!"

Hermione blushed and looked around quickly to make sure no one was listening in. "Sorry," she said softly then leaned in so no one but Harry and Ron could hear her. "Harry, no one deserves what your uncle did to you. Yes, people tend to idolize you but that's not your fault. Malfoy's just jealous. He needs his father to buy what comes to you naturally."

Harry rolled his eyes. "He's welcomed to Voldemort's obsession with me any day," he said bitterly. "Everyone fails to realize price that comes with all of this fame they want so badly. Don't they know I would give it all up in a heartbeat if it meant I could have a normal life and my parents back?"

Ron and Hermione shared a glance before Hermione reached out and touched Harry's hand. "No Harry," she said gently. "They don't realize that under the-boy-who-lived name is a teenager who's just like the rest of us."

As more people filled the pub, Harry, Ron and Hermione took that as their cue to leave. They nearly ran into Rita Skeeter who was entering and kept their heads down so she wouldn't notice them. Harry had relayed how Rita had tried to pull an interview out of Harry making both of his friends loath the woman. They knew the further away they were from Rita Skeeter the better.

They started the long journey back to Hogwarts when two figures came into view; actually, one fairly large man and one normal man walking with a limp as he took a drink from his hip-flask. Hagrid and Professor Moody. Hagrid stood out in any crowd, as large as he was. Before Harry could even say hello Hagrid had Harry pulled into a fierce embrace with no sign of letting go any time soon. It wasn't until Harry became dizzy from the lack of oxygen that Hagrid finally let him go.

"Yeh all right, Harry?" Hagrid asked then noticed the bruise on Harry's face. "Dumbledore's been lookin' fer yeh." Hagrid then leaned forward so he and Harry were eye to eye as he put a large hand on Harry's shoulder. "I need ter see yeh tonight at midnight, Harry," he whispered. "Come alone and wear yer dad's cloak."

Harry was confused but nodded anyways as Hagrid stood up straight and turned to Ron and Hermione. Why would Hagrid want to see him alone and so late? Hagrid and Moody bid farewell and continued their trip to Hogsmeade, leaving Harry in a stunned silence. Pushing Hagrid's cryptic message to the back of his mind until later, Harry walked with Ron and Hermione to Hogwarts. Now all he needed was to think of an excuse so no one would worry because Hagrid wouldn't want to meet with Harry at such an odd time if it weren't important.

As it turned out Professor Dumbledore just wanted to make sure Harry was okay just like everyone else. He also assured Harry that Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had been punished for their behavior. After evading a few questions as to why Harry didn't fight back, Harry left Dumbledore's office as quickly as possible. He knew that it was fear that kept him from defending himself. It also didn't help that Crabbe and Goyle held onto him so tightly that he couldn't break free.

Late that night Harry snuck out of the Gryffindor Tower to meet up with Hagrid. Covered by his father's invisibility cloak, Harry was able to move quickly without having to worry of anyone seeing him. They hallways were mostly empty except for the teachers and prefects that were patrolling. Some of the prefects were grumbling about 'stupid Slytherins' alerting Harry that so many people were around because of what happened last night.

He stepped onto the grounds and hurried towards Hagid's cabin. He knew the way by heart and the lights from inside the cabin aided Harry in maneuvering through the darkness. As he drew close Harry noticed the lights were also still on in the Beauxbatons carriage. It seemed that there were quite a few people staying up late tonight.

Harry arrived at the cabin quickly and quietly knocked on the front door. He didnt want to announce to everyone that Hagrid had a visitor. The moment the door opened, Harry quickly slipped inside and pulled off his cloak. He took a good look at Hagrid and was surprised to see the Care of Magical Creatures teacher nervous. What was going on?

"What's wrong, Hagrid?" Harry whispered. "Did something happen?"

Hagrid brought a finger to his lips to motion for Harry to be quiet. "C'mon Harry," he said quietly. "I got summat yer should see. Put yer cloak back on."

Harry did was he was told and followed Hagrid out of the cabin. He quickly stopped when he saw Hagrid walking to the Beauxbatons carriage. He watched as Hagrid knocked and was greeted by Madame Maxime. Biting his lower lip, Harry followed them, making sure to keep plenty of distance so Madame Maxime would know he was there. He could barely hear Hagrid talking about something worth seeing by not supposed to know about it yet. That got him thinking. What was Hagrid playing at? Could this have something to do with the first task?

His questions were answered by an extremely loud roar. Harry nearly stumbled in shock. That roar could only come from something very big and very dangerous; something Harry really didn't want to get too close to. Seeing that Hagrid and Madame Maxime had stopped, Harry cautiously closed the gap between them and took a look at what they were staring at. His eyes widened in alarm. It was definitely something big that he wanted to keep his distance from.

Dragons...four of them.

Harry watched as wizards surrounded the dragons, trying to keep them under control. Harry couldn't make out much but he could tell that they were at least fifty feet tall with large teeth in their extremely large mouths that also spit fire into the sky. They were chained to the ground but that wasn't too reassuring. The dragons looked strong enough to break free before anyone could blink.

He watched as the wizards trying to calm the dragons by shooting stunning spells at the large animals. Seven powerful spells hit each dragon forcing the animals into a deep slumber except for the thud that rang out when their large bodies hit the ground. Harry made a mental not never to be close to a dragon when trying something like that.

A wizard pulled away from the group and approached Hagrid and Madame Maxime. The instant his red hair came into view Harry recognized the wizard as Ron's brother, Charlie who worked with dragons in Romania. For some reason Harry seriously doubted these animals were for the next Care of Magical Creatures class.

"They'll be fine now, Hagrid," Charlie said sounding completely exhausted. "They were given a Sleeping Draught for the journey. They didn't take the change in scenery well at all." Charlie glanced at Madame Maxime before returning his attention to Hagrid. "You know the champions aren't supposed to know about them."

"I thought she'd like seein' 'em," Hagrid said smile. "Four of 'em. One fer each champion ter do what? Fight 'em?"

"I'm not one hundred percent sure," Charlie said honestly. "I think they just have to get past them. We'll be there if things get out of hand. They asked us for nesting mothers so that's what we brought. A Hungarian Horntail--nasty little bugger, Common Welsh Green, Swedish Short-Snout and a Chinese Fireball." Charlie paused for a moment before looking at Hagrid curiously. "So how's Harry doing?"

Hagrid looked uncomfortable. "Not ter good, Charlie," he said honestly. "He was attacked las' nigh' by some Slytherins. Dumbledore's furious--"

"--is he all right?" Charlie interrupted with a hint of protectiveness in his voice. "Please tell me something was done about it. Mum's been in an uproar ever since Fred sent her the owl explaining everything. If she found out--"

"--don' worry, Charlie," Hagrid said quickly. "Dumbledore took care of it."

Not wanting to hear anymore, Harry hurried back to the castle. He couldn't believe they were talking about him like that. It then hit Harry what was happening. Everyone say him, the-boy-who-lived as a boy. They saw him as nothing more than a child. He had to admit he had been acting like one contacting Sirius like he had and wallowing in his problems but not anymore.

The first task was Tuesday giving him a little time to prepare. He could use his free time tomorrow to study up on dragons, nesting mothers in particular to find a weakness. Charlie said he only needed to get past the dragon and Mr. Crouch said he only had his wand. It took seven fully trained wizards to bring a dragon down with a stunning spell so that was out of the question.

Lost in his thoughts, Harry was caught off guard when he ran into something which sent him falling backwards. The sound of someone calling out: 'who's there?' in the darkness was all Harry needed to know he had run into someone. He remained completely still, not daring to make a sound. Squinting in the darkness, Harry could hardly believe when a familiar looking goatee came into sight. He had run into Professor Karkaroff.

After a few minutes, Karkaroff gave up his search and ventured off to where the dragons were. As soon as he was far enough away Harry hurried to his feet and ran back to the castle. There was no question what Karkaroff was up to. He was going to find out about the dragons for Viktor just like Madame Maxime was for Fleur. This meant the only person who was at a disadvantage was Cedric, the one person who had stood up for Harry.

He entered the Gryffindor Common Room and pulled off his cloak. It was nearly one in the morning and Harry was too worked up to sleep now. As quietly as possible, Harry entered his dorm room, put away his cloak and grabbed a few books before tiptoeing out. He could spend all day tomorrow researching dragons. He doubted anyone would approve of him going to the library at this time of night anyways.

Sitting on the floor in front of the fire, Harry started with his Care of Magical Creatures book but found very little on dragons. He then moved on to his Charms book but was once again disappointed just like he expected to be. The last time Harry checked facing a dragon wasn't a part of the fourth year curriculum. He then moved on to his Defense Against the Dark Arts book before giving up on his school books and pulling out the book he had bought this summer on defensive charms. If worst came to pass at least he could keep himself from getting killed.

It was a long time before Harry had allowed the concept of sleep to enter his mind.