Author's Note: Thank you so much for visiting on my last chapter! Hello! I am back already! I have a lot stockpiled that I am currently editing and I just finished this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it! Hopefully I am keeping everything as realistic as possible. I promise, there is a reason Max has been entered into the Tournament, and it's already been writen.
~Chapter 9 Start~
"I-I didn't put my name in, I swear...did you?" Harry spluttered as he turned to an equally pale Max.
"No I-I didn't, I swear, I have no idea what's happening." Her now timid voice squeaked.
"Harry Potter and Max Suthers!" Dumbledore called again, "Up here if you please!" It was an order, that much was clear.
"Go on." Hermione whispered, giving them both a small push to move.
They both got to their feet and walked side by side, past the Gryffindor table, and towards the staff table. Every step felt like agony as every second seemed to tick on forever. As they reached Dumbledore, he gave them an unreadable expression as he motioned towards the door that led to where the rest of the champions were.
"Well...through the door then, you two." He spoke, his face devoid of his usual smile.
Exchanging apprehensive looks, the two teens, Max was still technically nineteen after all, made their way into the next chamber, trying to ignore the hundreds of eyes burning holes in their backs.
Viktor Krum, Cedric Diggory, and Fleur Delacour were situated around a comfortably lit fireplace. They looked strangely impressive, their silhouettes enhanced by the shadows playing from the flames.
Krum was hunched over, brooding, leaning against the mantelpiece as if he were coiled to strike. Cedric was standing with his hands perfectly behind his back, while Fleur was seated in a chair. Their heads instantly turned to look at them as they entered and Max cleared her throat due to lack of anything to say.
"What is it?" Fleur asked. "Do zey want us back in ze hall?"
Oh wonderful, she assumed they were there to deliver some sort of news to them. Max was insulted the tiniest bit, but reminded herself that everyone here thought she was fourteen. There was a sound of scurrying feet as Ludo Bagman burst into the room. He grabbed Harry by the arm completely ignoring Max, and led him forward.
"Extraordinary!" He gushed, giving Harry's arm a squeeze. "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentlemen...ladies," He suddenly grabbed Max's arm as well pulling her front and center beside Harry. "May I introduce - incredible though it may seem - the fourth and fifth Triwizard Tournament champions?"
Viktor Krum seemed to straighten up at that news and was staring intently at them now. Cedric looked nonplussed, while Fleur merely flicked her hair and smiled.
"Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman." She purred, giving Max and Harry an unimpressed look.
"Joke?" Bagman repeated, blinking a few times. "No, no, not at all! Harry's name just came out of the goblet! Same with Miss Suthers here." He added with an afterthought as if he'd just remembered the less famous girl had also been chosen.
That did little to explain why, nor disperse the confusion flittering across everyone's faces.
"But evidently zair 'as been a mistake," she spoke contemptuously, "Zey cannot compete, zey are too young." she flourished a hand across the two fourth years as if to make her point.
"Well...it is amazing," Bagman spoke, stroking his smooth chin in thought. "But, as you know, the age restriction was only imposed this year as an extra safety measure. And as their names came out of the goblet...I mean, I don't think there can be any ducking out at this stage...It's down in the rules, you're obliged...Harry and Max will just have to do their best -"
But he never got to finish as the door behind them burst open, as a large group, led by Dumbledore, filtered in. Amongst them were Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape, who was giving an incredibly pissed off look towards them.
"Madame Maxime!" Fleur spoke at once. "Zey are saying zat zese children are to compete as well!"
"Children?" Max spluttered in thick irritation. It seemed as if the only one who heard her, was Harry, who promptly nudged her shoulder in agreeance.
"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" she asked incredulously, pulling herself to her full height and towering over them all.
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," Karkaroff agreed, a steely smile spread out on his lips. "Three Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed three - or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"
"C'est impossible," Madame Maxime continued, "Ogwarts cannot 'ave three champions. It is most unjust."
"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," Karkaroff spoke, his voice holding thinly veiled rage. "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."
"It's no one's fault but Mister Potter's and Miss Suthers," Severus spoke softly, his use of her fake last name cutting deeply. "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for both of their determination in breaking the rules. Both have been crossing lines ever since they got here-" Ok he wasn't entirely wrong, but it still stung. This time Max really didn't do anything.
"Thank you Severus." Dumbledore spoke firmly, putting an end to his little tirade. Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted in accusation, burning a hole where they both stood.
"Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" Dumbledore spoke softly as he gave his sole attention to the boy. Max shifted uncomfortably, acutely aware that meant he didn't believe she hadn't placed her own name inside.
"No," Harry spoke softly, aware of everyone's eyes on him.
"Did you ask an older student to put it in the Goblet of Fire for you?" Dumbledore asked again, his eyes flitting this time towards Max, who swallowed thickly as she locked eyes with an equally accusing Severus.
"No." Harry said vehemently, standing slightly in front of Max as if to defend her as well.
"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime. Snape had not turned his gaze from Max which was starting to make her feel very uncomfortable.
"I'm more interested in how Miss Suthers got across the line," Severus spoke lowly. "What about you, did you 'ask' an older student to place your name in?" his lips curled cruelly as Max took an awkward step back.
"I-I didn't! I swear! I have no idea how my name got in there." Max implored everyone to believe her.
"And why should we believe you, Miss Suthers? Ever since you have got here, you have been causing trouble, disrespecting all your teachers, and getting into shouting matches with other students. You are giving Mister Potter here a run for head troublemaker at Hogwarts. Tell us the truth." He accused, his eyes cold and black.
"I didn't, I swear! I-" but Severus cut her off.
"A likely story Miss Suthers!" He roared as he stepped towards her once more.
"Enough!" Dumbledore boomed, his warning tone halting Severus in his steps.
"They both couldn't have crossed the Age Line," Professor McGonagall spoke sharply. "I am sure we are all agreed on that -"
"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line." Madame Maxime shrugged.
"I'm more inclined to believe they used underhanded means." Severus' steely voice countered as he defended Dumbledore's ability.
"That's not tr-" Max tried again as she was interrupted by Dumbledore raising his hand to silence their arguing.
"It is possible, of course." Was his polite response.
"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" Professor McGonagall angrily spoke. "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, neither could Max" - Severus snorted derisively at that comment - "and as Professor Dumbledore believes that they did not persuade an older student to do it for them, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!" she shot a withering glare at Severus who had opened his mouth to disagree, to which he promptly shut causing Max to stifle a giggle. Even now she was still his mum.
"Mr. Crouch...Mr. Bagman," Karkaroff started to speak once more, "you are our - er - objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?"
Bagman sighed and wiped his round boyish face with a damp handkerchief, looking at Mr. Crouch for direction. Mr. Crouch was standing just outside the circle, his face illuminated by the fire. He turned to regard them all, a sullen look on his face, as he spoke with in his usual curt tone.
"We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament."
"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," Bagman nodded, beaming.
"I insist upon submitting the names of the rest of my students," Karkaroff demanded, smiling now. "You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has three champions. It's only fair, Dumbledore."
"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," Bagman sighed "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out - it won't reignite until the start of the next Tournament -"
"- in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" Karkaroff finally exploded causing Max to flinch at the intensity. "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"
"Empty threat Karkaroff," growled a voice from near the door. "You can't leave your champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?" it was Moody who had entered the room and his wording causing a shiver to shoot up Max's spine. She was starting to get a good idea on who could have entered her name. He entered Harry's name, it only made sense he threw hers in too. But how did he know she would be picked? In fact how did he know Harry would? What was his purpose? She knew why he wanted Harry to participate, but what about her? Severus seemed to have a similar thought as he was glaring at Moody now.
"Convenient?" Karkaroff scoffed. "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."
"Don't you?" Moody said quietly. "It's very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put their names in that goblet knowing they would have no choice but to compete if it came out."
"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts three bites at ze apple!" Madame Maxime huffed.
"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," Karkaroff nodded, bowing to her. "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards -"
"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's these two," growled Moody, "but...funny thing...I don't hear them saying a word..."
"Why should zey complain?" Burst out Fleur Delacour, her foot stamping against the floor as she enunciated each word. "Zey 'ave ze chance to compete, don't zey? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honour for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"
"Maybe someone's hoping they are going to die for it!" was Moody's growled response. It seemed to cause a thick heavy layer of tense silence to cover them all.
"Moody, old man...what a thing to say!" Ludo Bagman bounced to his feet to say.
"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hadn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," Karkaroff remarked loudly. "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."
"Imagining things, am I?" Moody growled, looking almost poised to strike at Karkaroff at a moment's notice. "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put their names in that goblet..."
"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" Madame Maxime spat, throwing her hands up in the air.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" Moody shouted. "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament...I'm guessing they submitted Potter's and Suthers' name under a fourth and fifth school, to make sure they were the only ones in their category..."
"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," Karkaroff accused, his silky voice carrying a cold edge, "and a very ingenious theory it is - though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and shamed it into pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously..."
"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted tartly. "It's my job to think the way Dark Wizards do, Karkaroff - as you ought to remember..."
"Alastor!" Dumbledore warned. This seemed to cause him to lapse into silence. Karkaroff's face was set ablaze while Severus' was dark and staring straight at Moody pensively.
"How this situation arose, we do not know," He spoke with clarity to everyone in the room. "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Cedric, Harry, and Max have been chosen to compete in the tournament. This, therefore, they will do..."
"Ah but Dumbly-dor -"
"My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it." and wait Dumbledore did, but she did not speak. She merely glared instead. Snape looked even more pensive, his focus returned to Max with growing fury. Karkaroff was still beyond livid, while Bagman was positively beaming with excitement.
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" he said, rubbing his hands together. "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honours?"
Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of his deep reverie and turned to address everyone.
"Yes, instructions. Yes...the first task..." he moved into the firelight and Max noted for the first time how ill he looked. He had deep circles under his eyes and was expressionless. "The first task is designed to test your daring, so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard...very important...
"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges. The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their wands.
"They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests," He turned to look at Dumbledore for a moment. "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"
"I think so," Dumbledore spoke, his face showing mild concern as he looked at Mr. Crouch. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"
"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the Ministry," Crouch spoke evenly. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment...I've left young Weatherby in charge...Very enthusiastic...a little over enthusiastic, if truth be told..."
"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" Dumbledore offered politely.
"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" Bagman said brightly. "It's all Happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"
"I think not, Ludo." Mr. Crouch spoke, his tone full of impatience.
"Professor Karkaroff - Madame Maxime - a nightcap?" Dumbledore turned to the other two with a smile. Unfortunately Madame Maxime had already placed a large arm around Fleur and was leading her out of the room. Karkaroff soon followed suit, motioning for Krum to follow.
"Harry, Cedric, and Max, I suggest you three go up to bed," said Dumbledore, smiling at the three of them kindly. "I am sure Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are waiting to celebrate with you, and it would be a shame to deprive them of this excellent excuse to make a great deal of mess and noise."
Harry glanced at Max and Cedric, who also nodded, and the three of them made their way towards the doors. The Great Hall was deserted now, much to Max's relief.
"So," Cedric began, nodding towards the two of them. "We're playing against each other again! Well, Harry anyways."
"I s'pose." Harry agreed, not really knowing what to say.
"So...tell me..." Cedric began as they reached the entrance hall, "How DID you two get your names in the goblet?"
"We didn't." Max spat as she glared at the ground, but she was soon interrupted by quick and precise footsteps. Turning around she saw Severus staring at her with an unreadable look.
"Miss Suthers, if you would come with me?" He spoke evenly as he reached them. Cedric looked pensive, but still smiled in greeting all the same. Harry, however, looked apprehensive and grabbed Max's wrist, giving her a worried look.
"It's ok, Harry, it's just Professor Snape. I'll be fine." She whispered as she pulled her arm from his fingers and moved towards Severus. "Alright, lead the way Sir."
Severus spun on his heel and walked off towards the upper levels, past a stunned Cedric and Harry who looked after her, sympathy etched into their eyes. Severus didn't lead them far, and quickly motioned for her to enter an empty classroom before he cast a spell over the room.
"Be honest Max." He spoke, his arms crossed and his eyes filled with warning.
"I'm serious, I have no idea how or why, but I bet Moody has something to do with it." Max pleaded again as Severus let out a large sigh.
"This isn't good." He spoke mostly to himself.
"Why?"
"Because he's now intentionally targeting you. He put your name in there for a reason. They are deviating from the original plan because of YOU," his voice grew louder as he threaded his fingers through his hair shakily. "They want you Max, which means someone has told them about you and what they told was enough to warrant you joining Potter!"
"We don't know anything, yet, Severus. We will just take this one task at a time, if I survive them that is." She offered a lopsided grin that did not seem to relax Severus as she had hoped.
"This is not the time to be joking, do you have any idea what the first task is?" He spat as he moved towards Max.
"No?" Max raised an eyebrow. How did he expect her to know?
"That is the problem. You are ill equipped for this. I will be providing you with a month's worth of detention so I can help you. I presume next class you can get yourself into trouble easy enough?" He raised an amused eyebrow as Max's face coloured.
"You are enjoying being my teacher entirely too much.." she grumbled. "Alright, what's the first task?"
"Dragons."
"Oh crap."
"Precisely, Max, precisely."
~Break~
After they had spoken, Max quickly left after Severus promised to explain to Dumbledore that she had no hand in entering her name, nor Harry's.
By the time Max had made it back to the Gryffindor Tower, her housemates were already blasting music and cracking out the fire whiskey. She barely had a moment before someone grabbed her arm and ripped her towards the bulk of the Gryffindor students; seated/standing around one of the hearths surrounded by an array of couches and chairs. In the middle was a red faced Harry who gave her a tiny awkward smile.
Fred pulled her beside him, placing an arm around her as he loudly announced her entrance.
"AND NOW THE LOVELIEST CHAMPION, MAX!" he cheered as everyone joined in, hooting and hollering. Harry smiled awkwardly, most likely having had a similar entrance.
It was then she realized Harry was swathed in a large Gryffindor banner and she burst out laughing.
"You look ridiculous." She gasped between bouts of giggles.
"Oh don't worry Max, it's also for you." he grinned opening his arms wide as Fred pushed her into his arms where she landed not-so-gracefully partially on his lap. She quickly righted herself as the left side of the banner was draped around her like a cloak.
"Is this now our 'get-along' banner?" She joked, causing Harry to let out a chortle.
"But really, George, I've been here almost an hour. I'd really like to lay down." Harry untangled himself from the banner as George let out a whine.
"It's fine, I'll stay up. Let the poor boy go see his best friend." Max grinned as Fred took up the space Harry had left.
"Alright alright, time to shine a light on our other champion!"
"Harry keeps refusing to tell us how you two did it, want to share?" Fred wiggled his eyebrows causing Max to sigh.
"Honestly we didn't, promise. We think someone, as a joke, entered our names under different school names so we'd have to be picked...of course that's just what Moody thinks." she figured it was easier to advise them of this here and now, to hopefully calm down the flurry of questions.
"That's genius! Why did we think of that?" Fred muttered to himself, his arm still around Max's shoulders.
"Because that doesn't solve the problem of the age line?"
~Break~
Max didn't stay downstairs for too much longer after Harry, finding herself to be equally tired. When she got into bed, Hermione was also there reading. She greeted Max and they discussed for a few minutes whether or not they had entered their names in the goblet somehow. In the end Hermione believed Max, knowing that she had little reason to lie to her about this.
They awoke early and headed down to the Great Hall together, Hermione helping stave off the rude whispers and questions about Max and Harry, as Max quickly grabbed some toast. Ron had joined them, ever so briefly, before flitting off with Dean and Seamus.
"Vultures I swear! Always looking for the newest rumor or embarrassment of another..." Hermione breathed out, reminding Max of a dragon.
"I know..." Max sighed as a tenth person came to pester their breakfast. "Perhaps we should bring Harry some toast to save him from this headache?" Max inquired, her own napkin filled with a few pieces of toast and jam.
"Good idea, I also think we need to get Harry to write padfoot and tell him what's going on. With everything happening and with Ron angry, he's going to need someone on his side who can help him." Hermione explained as she took a sip of her tea.
"I was thinking the same thing, at the very least he deserves to know as his only living family..." Max sighed as she tried to shake her somber thoughts.
She really missed her mom.
The entire time they had been there, Ron would barely speak to her and only seemed to regard Hermione with any respect and kindness. He was also loudly complaining about Harry which did nothing but curdle her stomach.
"I agree, come on let's go." Hermione finished her own breakfast as Max filled her napkin up with toast and a cup of jam. She seemed to be having the same thoughts about getting to Harry before he came into the Great Hall. When they reached the portrait Harry almost walked into them.
"Hello," Hermione greeted, holding the toast out, "I brought you this...want to go for a walk with us?" Max held up her own toast with a smile.
"Good idea," Harry sighed gratefully as he took the toast. "That reminds me...what did Professor Snape want to talk to you about?"
"He wanted to ensure I wasn't lying. I am the new student here, so of course he and Dumbledore would have suspicions. It's ok, I think he believed me." She shrugged as she gnawed on a piece of toast.
"That greasy git...you should have seen him 'Mione, he went right after her accusing her. He barely had enough time to rag on me too." Harry frustratedly spoke, his dislike of Severus very apparent.
They finished the walk down the stairs, through the doors, and across the lawn towards the lake in silence. They avoided the Great Hall like the plague as they did so.
Hermione then waited as Harry explained that himself and Max had not done anything, but Moody had suspicions it was on purpose. She took the explanation easy enough, having heard the same thing from Max earlier.
"Well, of course I knew you hadn't entered yourselves," she agreed, after hearing Harry recount the scene that occurred when they had entered the chamber last night from the Great Hall. "The look on your face when Dumbledore read out both your names! You both looked horrified! But the question is, who DID put it in? Because Moody's right, Harry...I don't think any student could have done it...they'd never be able to fool the goblet, or get over Dumbledore's -"
"Have you seen Ron?" Harry interrupted.
"Erm..." Hermione hesitated as she exchanged looks with Max, "yes...he was at breakfast."
"Does he still think I entered myself?" Harry pushed. Hermione looked at Max again, pleadingly, but Max only sighed and shook her head. She had experienced Ron's chill too, but probably nowhere near as bad as Harry.
"Well...no, I don't think so...not really." Hermione tried to explain. It was hard, considering Ron basically felt that Harry and Max had become new best friends and had intentionally excluded Ron from entering with them.
"What's that supposed to mean, 'not really'?"
"Oh, Harry, isn't it obvious?" Hermione sighed disparagingly, "He's jealous!"
"And feeling kind of left out. It does kind of look like you hopped all over the new girl and replaced him." Max further explained, sympathy in her eyes.
"Jealous?" Harry spoke incredulously. "Jealous of what? He wanted to make a prat of himself in front of the whole school, does he?"
"Look," Hermione said patiently, "it's always you who gets all the attention, you know it is. I know it's not your fault," she tacked on noticing Harry opened his mouth to defend himself. "I know you don't ask for it...but - well - you know, Ron's got all those brothers and a sister to compete against at home, and you're his best friend, and you're really famous - he's always shunted to one side whenever people see you, and he puts up with it, and he never mentions it, but I suppose this is just one time too many..."
"Great," Harry bitterly spoke. "Really great. Tell him from me, I'll swap any time he wants. Tell him from me he's welcome to it...People gawking at my forehead everywhere I go-"
"I'm not telling him anything," Hermione interrupted shortly. "Tell him yourself. It's the only way to sort this out."
"I'm not running around after him trying to make him grow up!" Harry shouted so loudly that several owls in a nearby tree flew away startled. "Maybe he'll believe I'm not enjoying myself once I've got my neck broken or -"
"Enough!" Max interrupted having enough of everyone feeling sorry for themselves. "Ron may be acting like an ass, but he's upset for a real reason and you are his friend! Right now you are both acting like jerks to each other, considering only your own feelings! I get it Harry, you didn't ask for it. I didn't either. I know it's not the same thing, but I'm in the same boat as you and it looks really bad. It looks like we intentionally wanted glory and fame and corroborated together and got in, leaving behind your best friend."
"It's also not funny to joke about you breaking your neck...Harry it's just not...there's a very real possibility..." Hermione attempted to verbalize her worry but instead took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Harry, I've been thinking, rather we both have" - she looked at Max as she said this - "you know what we've got to do, don't you? Straight away, the moment we get back to the castle?" why she always let him fill in the answer, Max would never understand. He rarely seemed to pay attention to anything.
"Yeah, give Ron a good kick up the -"
"Write to Sirius!" Hermione hissed looking very much finished with Harry. "You've got to tell him what's happened. He asked you to keep him posted on everything that's going on at Hogwarts...It's almost as if he expected something like this to happen. I brought some parchment and a quill out with me -"
"Come off it," Harry replied, making sure the area was clear of nosy ears. "He came back to the country just because my scar twinged. He'll probably come bursting right into the castle if I tell him someone's entered me in the Triwizard Tournament -"
"He'd want you to tell him," Hermione spoke sternly. "He's going to find out anyway -"
"How?"
"Harry, this is the first tournament since the Triwizard Tournament has been revived. Do you really think it won't be published in every media source that can get their hands on it?" Max all but sighed, having enough of his childish bickering.
"He would prefer to hear it from you as opposed to a newspaper, I'm sure." Hermione nodded.
"Okay, okay, I'll write to him." Harry relented as he flung his last piece of toast into the lake. They all watched as a large tentacle curled from the water and snatched it up. Then, they returned to the castle.
"Whose owl am I going to use?" Harry asked as they climbed the stairs. "He told me not to use Hedwig again."
"Ask Ron if you can borrow -" Hermione attempted to suggest.
"I'm not asking Ron for anything." Harry said flatly.
"Well, borrow one of the school owls, then, anyone can use them."
"What if they recognize it as from Hogwarts?" Harry worried.
"You can use mine. She's a Great Horned owl." Max offered. It had been a present from Dumbledore after she had arrived in this time. He figured it was important that she had her own owl as undoubtedly himself and Severus would need to covertly contact her. He had kept it at Hogwarts, not wanting anyone to see the owl at Severus' incase it could be recognized in the future. She hadn't actually met the owl since Dumbledore had introduced her to her.
"You sure?" Harry asked, a smile slipping onto his face.
"Sure, I don't mind."
They went into the owlery and Hermione handed Harry a pot of ink and a quill. He sat down against a wall and started to scrawl his letter as they waited patiently for him. After about ten minutes he got to his feet.
"Finished," He told them as he brushed the loose pieces of straw off his robes. A large white owl came flying down, to which she assumed was Hedwig, and landed on Harry's shoulder. She held out her leg and rubbed the top of her head against his cheek affectionately. "I can't use you...I've got to use Max's owl." He apologised to Hedwig.
Hedwig gave a loud hoot of indignation and took off so suddenly her talons ripping into Harry's shoulder. Her back was kept facing Harry as he affixed his letter to the larger Great Horned Owl Max had named Gylfie. Harry attempted to reach out and touch Hedwig, but she only turned a cold shoulder after nipping at his fingers, before flying off higher into the rafters.
"First Ron, then you," He huffed angrily. "This isn't my fault!"
~Break~
As the days trickled by, it became very apparent that Harry and herself were not very well liked outside of the Gryffindor tower. Like everyone else, the other houses assumed they had cheated their way in. Only, they were less impressed than their Gryffindor counterparts. Many classes resulted in the stony treatment of their entire house. Even the Hufflepuffs had started to regard them with disdain.
What made matters worse, was that Ron was still ignoring Harry, and vice versa. Max was routinely put in the middle of them, Hermione sitting between her and Ron if she happened to share a class with them. In classes they didn't have with her, either Max was left in between them, or Ron switched his seat entirely. This left Max paired with Harry almost exclusively. Even Professor Sprout seemed distantly cold, although she was Hufflepuffs Head of House for what it was worth.
Care of Magical Creatures was exceptionally nerve wracking. Being paired with Slytherin did little to ease their stress. It didn't help that Malfoy was always early and waiting for them.
"Ah, look, boys, it's the champions of Gryffindor," He mocked as he spoke to Crabbe and Goyle. "Got your autograph books? Better get a signature now, because I doubt they'll be around much longer...Half the Triwizard champions have died...how long d'you reckon you're going to last? Ten minutes into the first task's my bet."
His henchmen laughed sycophantically along with Malfoy.
"Assholes.." Max muttered to herself, just loud enough for Harry to hear her.
Fortunately he had to stop his mockery there as class started. Hagrid emerged from the back of his cabin teetering a tower of crates, each containing a very large Blast-Ended Skrewt. Much to everyone's horror, Hagrid proceeded to explain how each of them ended up trying, some successfully, killing each other due to too much pent up energy. The solution was for the students to take them on walks. Leashes and all. The only upside to this, was that everyone was too preoccupied with not dying to hate Max and Harry.
"Take this thing for a walk?" Malfoy repeated, staring at Hagrid as if he had grown two heads. "And where exactly are we supposed to fix the leash? Around the sting, the blasting end, or the sucker?"
"Roun' the middle," Hagrid demonstrated. "Er - yeh might want ter put on yer dragon-hide gloves, jus' as an extra precaution, like. Harry - you come here an' help me with this big one." Harry followed Hagrid as instructed leaving Max along with a worried looking Hermione.
"You first." Max deadpanned as she handed a piece of rope to Hermione as the stared at the stack of crates.
"Thanks." Hermione politely thanked, not the least bit thankful.
Once they had leashed the one they were going to take on a walk, it dashed for the one Neville was holding pulling Hermione to the ground, smashing her into Max.
"Ouf!" She gasped as she landed in a tangle of limbs, the rope pulling taut around one of her wrists.
"Bloody hell.." Hermione whispered as she struggled to sit up. "Sorry." She apologised as she helped Max back to her feet.
"Perhaps we should both hold the leash?" Max suggested grabbing onto it as well as the creature started to try and dash for another skrewt a Gryffindor student was attempting to walk. They managed to keep it from wiping out again as Neville was dragged further across the lawn.
~Break~
As per Severus' instruction she got detention in the most outrageous way she could. She ended up exploding her cauldron and claiming it was from nervousness, then blamed Severus himself for his poor behaviour towards them as a Professor. She claimed his impossible standards created a toxic work environment, and it's no wonder everyone hated his class.
Bam, detention. He also used that moment to doc fifty points from Gryffindor. Ass.
Max knew Harry was having a miserable time. Mostly because she shared in said miserable time. But tonight, she had detention with Severus so she could prepare for her first task. It did little to brighten her spirits, but she took her wins where she could.
"Any idea how you will deal with your dragon?" Severus asked as he sat at his desk marking essays.
"No, not especially. The only thought I have is parkour." Max giggled to herself lightly as if she had told him the funniest joke. She always had a habit of doing that when quoting outrageous internet references.
"Max," Severus all but sighed, "you don't know how to do parkour."
"This is true, that's kind of why I have no idea to be honest." She cheekily responded.
"You do realize you can die right?" he was rubbing the bridge of his nose now, deeply stressed out.
"I know...I really am stuck, sorry that was probably a joke in bad taste." she started to twiddle her thumbs as she wracked her brain for literally anything.
"You just need to collect the egg the dragon has, if you can distract it, you should be able to get the egg. Next you need a way to get out. I was thinking a disillusionment charm would work best to get the egg from the dragon, but you'll need to distract it. A disillusionment charm -"
"Doesn't actually make you invisible, I know. Plus the dragon could still smell or hear me." Max sighed, feeling frustrated that even Severus seemed to be forgetting she was nineteen.
"Max," Severus warned, not enjoying being interrupted.
"Sorry, sorry. Please continue."
"As I was saying, we will need to distract the dragon first and foremost. Sending a mirror image out to start might get it's attention, but once the dragon makes contact with the mirror image it will disappear, leaving you with very little time to get the egg and get out."
"The rest is up to me and how quickly I can adapt..." Max finished, feeling fairly nervous.
"Which is why I set up a space in the dungeons where we will work on your ability to adapt. You will need to hide from me during this exercise, and take this book from where it is hidden before I incapacitate you." Was Severus' evil response.
"Why do I have the feeling you are enjoying this too much."
"That's because I am." He reiterated, his face devoid of emotion still.
"Greeeaat."
~Break~
They had been at this for about an hour, and Max had yet to get the book from him once. It seemed as if Severus was capable of finding her regardless of what she did.
"Ok, I'm sore and tired, we really need to take a break." She sighed as she sat her bruised and sweaty form against the wall.
"A dragon isn't going to let you rest at your leisure, Max." Severus warned, however, he didn't motion for her to get up and instead stood next to her and waited.
"Do you think I can really do this?" She asked as she looked up at him through lidded eyes. He didn't seem as if he was going to respond for a mere moment, but then he uncrossed his arms and looked down at her.
"You are probably the most capable witch in the tournament, I am more worried about what lays at the end of this." He admitted, alluding to the death of Cedric and the resurrection of Voldemort.
"I know...I promise I'll be careful, shall we go again?" She asked, voice filled with determination. Her only response was a tiny grin as Severus launched an attack at her wordlessly.
~Break~
After a particularly painful Charms class, Max walked out with Hermione chatting about the charm they had just learned, as Harry hung his head in defeat. He had had so much trouble with the Summoning Charm that he was given extra homework, the only one other than Neville to be assigned. Max had little issue, having already mastered the charm in her fourth year herself.
"It's really not that difficult Harry." Hermione attempted to reassure him as they left Flitwick's class.
"Yeah, you'll get it. I imagine you're just stressed and tired, take a breather and try again later." Max joined in as Harry let out yet another dejected sigh.
"You probably just weren't concentrating properly -"
"Wonder why that was," Harry responded sardonically as Cedric Diggory walked past them, followed by a large group of simpering girls. All of which were looking at Max and Harry as if they were particularly large Blast-Ended Skrewts. "Still - never mind, eh? Double Potions to look forward to this afternoon..."
Potions class was horrible.
Every single Slytherin seemed to have it out for them. The class itself was already miserable for the pair, both of which had earned the scorn of Slytherins long before becoming champions, but it seemed as if today was extra special.
When they arrived at the classroom, a group of Slytherins were standing outside the doors whispering hurriedly to one another. Each one was wearing a large badge, reminding Max momentarily of Hermione's S.P.E.W. badges.
Looking closer, however, detailed a different story:
'Support Cedric Diggory - the REAL Hogwarts Champion!'
"Like them, Potter?" Malfoy mocked as he approached the three of them, He pressed a button on his chest and the writing changed, glowing green this time.
'Potter stinks'
The slytherins howled in laughter as Max glared heavily at Malfoy.
"Don't worry, Suthers, we didn't forget you!" He chortled as he pressed it once again, and this time the glowing green words spelled something even more upsetting to Max.
'Potters whore will be no more!'
Which caused Max to just about lunge at Malfoy, if Harry hadn't grabbed her around the shoulders first.
"Fuck you Malfoy!" she spat as he laughed even harder.
"Oh very funny," Hermione hissed sarcastically at Pansy who was laughing even harder with her gaggle of friends than anyone else. "Very witty."
Ron was leaning against the wall not far from them with Dean and Seamus. For the past few days he had avoided them in favour of the other two. He wasn't laughing, but he wasn't defending them either.
"Want one Granger?" Malfoy continued to push buttons, as he held a badge out to Hermione. "I've got loads. But don't touch my hand, now. I've just washed it you see; don't want a Mud-blood slimming it up."
It seemed that was the last straw for Harry, as within seconds his wand was raised as people shrieked and scampered away.
"Harry!" Hermione gasped, warning him.
"Go on, then, Potter," Malfoy said, quietly goading him to strike. "Moody's not here to look after you now - do it, if you've got the guts -" they stared at each other for a brief moment and then at the exact same time shouted out spells.
"Furnunculus!" Harry yelled.
"Densaugeo!" Screamed Malfoy.
Jets of light shot from both wands, clashing midair showering the hall in sparks. The spells ended up ricocheting off at angles. Harry's spell hit Goyle in the face, while Malfoy's hit Hermione. Goyle bellowed and put his hands to his nose as large pustulous boils started to appear. As for Hermione, she was whimpering as she held her mouth.
"Hermione!" Ron shouted as he pushed through the panicked students to check on his friend. They turned to see Ron remove Hermione's hand from her face and they saw that her front teeth - already larger - were growing at a rapid pace. She was reminding Max more and more of a beaver; that had to be painful.
A few things happened in that moment. As Hermione cried, Max had lost the last semblance of patience and decorum she had, as she launched herself at Malfoy, taking him to the ground. Next, Severus had shown up to take in the scene before him just as it occurred.
"And what is all this noise about?" He inquired before he pushed through and saw Max repeatedly pounding her fist at Malfoy's face. He was crying out and cowering behind his hands as he attempted to grab her fists. Crabbe quickly rushed forward, grabbing her around her middle and hauled her off the now bloodied face of Malfoy. She struggled against Crabbe, rearing her head back and slamming it into his nose causing him to let her go with a howl. She took that moment to dash towards Malfoy again, only to have Snape grab her around the middle wrenching her from the glowering, bloodied-nosed boy.
"Enough!" He shouted as he flung her towards Harry, who steadied her on her feet. "Explain." He ordered, pointing a long boney finger at Malfoy.
"Potter attacked me, sir -" Malfoy started.
"We attacked each other at the same time!" Harry shouted.
"Malfoy was using racial epithets to goad Harry into a fight!" Max yelled.
They had all spoken at the same time, their words coming out all jumbled over each other. Malfoy glared at Harry and Max, as Max raised a fist in warning only to have Severus smack her hand with his wand painfully.
"Oww!"
"I believe I asked Malfoy." He warned as Max raised her stinging hand to her mouth.
"He hit Goyle - look -" Malfoy finished as Severus moved to inspect Goyle, whose face was now resembling something that reminded Max of a bloated dead zombie.
"Hospital wing, Goyle." Severus spoke calmly, after he inspected the damage and was pleased to find it was nothing life threatening.
"Malfoy got Hermione!" Ron added in, sounding beyond pissed. "Look!"
He forced Hermione to remove her hands as Severus inspected her teeth. They had now grown down past her collar. Pansy and the other Slytherin girls were beside themselves with laughter.
"Shut up you tarts!" Max shouted as Severus cast a lip-locking spell wordlessly on her.
"Mmm!" She attempted to protest, but all that came out was a muffled 'mmm'. So she settled for glowering at Severus instead. For a moment Severus seemed to hesitate as he chose what words to say next.
"Miss Granger, go to the hospital wing." He grumbled, his eyes shifting towards Max for a moment as she glowered at him. Hermione, eyes full of tears, rushed off down the hall; the echo of laughter following her.
"Let's see..." Severus surveyed the lot of them before he decided on what to do. "Fifty points from Gryffindor, and a detention each for Potter, Weasley, and Suthers. Now get inside or it'll be a week's worth of detentions."
With that he entered the classroom leaving little room to argue. Max felt like her head was going to explode, while Harry's face shared the same look of shock and contempt. Ron seemed to share in the rage, but quickly departed from them to sit with Dean and Seamus instead. Severus released her from the lip-locking spell and Max let out an angry huff, her cheeks tinged red. Across the room 'Potter stinks' glowed green once more.
Harry ended up paired with Max today, since Hermione was gone and Ron seemed to hate them both pretty equally at this point. Severus began the lecture almost immediately, not seeming the least bit perturbed by what had just occurred outside his classroom.
"Antidotes!" He spoke, his cold eyes peering across the room at them all. "You should all have prepared your recipes now. I want you to brew them carefully, and then, we will be selecting someone on whom to test one..." Severus' eyes met Harry's and Max knew instantly this wasn't going to go well. But then a knock on the door interrupted them. It was Colin Creevey; he edged his way into the room, beaming brightly, and walked towards Severus' desk.
"Yes?" Severus inquired shortly.
"Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter and Max Suthers upstairs." Severus took a long moment to peer down at the boy with a frown. This caused the smile to drop from the poor boy's face.
"Potter and Suthers have another hour of Potions to complete," He snapped coldly. "They will come upstairs when this class is finished."
"Sir - sir, Mr Bagman wants them," Colin attempted to persuade again, his face going pink. "All the champions have got to go, I think they want to take photographs..."
Harry exchanged apprehensive looks with Max, who merely wormed her hand into his and gave him a squeeze to help calm him.
"We're in this together." She whispered quietly. Harry didn't respond, but he did squeeze her hand back before removing his own.
"Very well, very well," Severus snapped. "Potter, Suthers, leave your things here, I want you back down here later to test your antidotes."
"Please, sir - they've got to take their things with them," Colin squeaked. "All the champions -"
"Very well!" Severus all but snapped. "Potter, Suthers - take your bags and get out of my sight!" He was really and truly angry. Max scrambled to her feet quickly, packing up so fast she almost tripped over her stool as she went to leave. Across the room the buttons were all glowing 'Potter stinks!' and 'Potters whore will be no more!' mocking them as they left.
"It's amazing, isn't it, Harry?" Colin spoke up as soon as they left the classroom. "Isn't it though? You being champion?"
"You know I'm not the only one right..." Harry grumbled more to himself than anything. "It's super amazing. What do they want photos for, Colin?"
"The Daily Prophet, I think!"
"Great." Harry and Max both responded, equally exhausted by the very idea of it.
"Exactly what I need, more publicity." Harry tact on, feeling bitter.
"Good luck!" Colin called out to them as they reached the right room. Harry knocked on the door and both Max and him entered as Colin ran off down the hallway once again.
They were in a fairly small classroom. The desks had been pushed out of the way, save for the ones set up and covered in velvet. Bagman was sitting in one of them, talking to a witch neither of them seemed to recognize.
"Any idea who that is?" Max asked, whispering into his ear softly so they wouldn't hear them.
"I have no idea." Harry whispered back as the woman stared at them briefly, a fire lighting in her eyes as she smiled.
Viktor Krum was standing, moodily as usual, in a corner, not talking to anyone. Cedric and Fleur were in conversation, the girl looking in better spirits than she had been in that last time they had seen her. A paunchy looking man had a camera out, poised to take photos from the opposite side of the room.
"Ah, here they are! Champion number four and five! In you two come, hurry up...nothing to worry about, it's just the wand weighing ceremony, the rest of the judges will be here in a moment -"
"Wand weighing?" Harry and Max spoke at the same time.
"We have to check that your wands are fully functional, no problems, you know, as they're your most important tool in the tasks ahead," Bagman explained. "The expert's upstairs now with Dumbledore. And then there's going to be a little photo shoot. This is Rita Skeeter," he added gesturing towards the woman who had been staring at them before. She was wearing long magenta covered robes. "She's doing a small piece on the tournament for the Daily Prophet."
"Maybe not that small, Ludo." Rita Skeeter spoke at last. Her eyes flitted toward Harry and Max appreciatively. Her hair was done up in elaborate curls and pinned away from her face. She wore oddly shaped jeweled spectacles and her nails were painted the colour of carmine.
"I wonder if I could have a word with Harry before we start?" She spoke to Bagman completely ignoring Max. "The youngest champion, you know, to add a bit of colour?"
"I'm literally the same age and I'm also a champion!" Max hissed to herself and Harry, who merely looked sick at the thought of being alone with this woman.
"Certainly!" Bagman cried, ignoring the admission Rita had unintentionally provided. She wasn't interested in the youngest champion, she was interested in the boy-who-lived. "That is - if Harry and Max have no objection?" Max turned her head around so fast to stare at Bagman that she gave herself whiplash.
"She did ask for just Harry, didn't she?" Harry stamped her foot for attempting to get out of this and she glared at him through her wince.
"But she wanted to interview the youngest champion! Since there are two it would be unprofessional of me not to advise Rita Skeeter of such for her story!" He replied, not at all noticing the tension from the two teens.
"Lovely," Rita Skeeter spoke evenly as she turned to look at both of them. She gripped their upper arms tightly as she steered them out of the room. "We don't want to be in there with all that noise. Let's see...ah, yes, this is nice and cozy." She explained as she led them into a broom cupboard.
Both Harry and Max stared at her perplexed and awkward, squished much too tightly against one another.
"Come along, dears - that's right 'lovely." She spoke as she seated herself upon an upturned bucket. "Let's see now..."
She unsnapped her crocodile-skin purse and pulled out a handful of candles, which she promptly lit with a wave of her hand so they would float giving them ample light.
"You won't mind if I use a Quick-Quotes Quill? It leaves me free to talk to you normally..."
"A what?" Harry blinked, giving Max a confused look, to which she shrugged, her shoulders pinching together from the degree of her movement.
Rita Skeeter merely grinned, an array of gold teeth sparkling back at them, as she reached into her purse and pulled out an acid-green quill, along with a roll of parchment. She set it out in front of them upon a box of some sort of magical cleaning supplies.
"Testing...my name is Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter." She tested as they all looked down at the parchment.
'Attractive blonde Rita Skeeter, forty-three, whose savage quill has punctured many inflated reputations -'
"Lovely," Rita spoke to herself as she ripped the parchment up and pulled out a new piece. "So Harry, Max...what made you decide to enter the Triwizard Tournament together?"
"Er -" Harry spluttered, but he seemed incredibly distracted by the quill.
'An ugly scar, souvenir of a tragic past, disfigures the otherwise charming face of Harry Potter, his exceptional, but plain looking, partner seemed unbothered by such a mark. However, his eyes -'
"Ignore the quill, Harry," Rita instructed as she stared at them both. "Now - why did you decide to enter the tournament, and with Max no less?"
"I didn't, we didn't I -" Harry attempted to explain, yet again.
"We didn't enter together, there was no plan, we have no idea how we ended up here." Max supplied, glaring at the quill as it worked.
"I don't know how, honest. Neither of us planned this." Harry backed her up. Rita raised a heavily penciled eyebrow, not at all believing them.
"Come now, Harry and Max, there's no need to be scared of getting in trouble. We all know you two shouldn't really have entered, but don't worry. Our readers love a rebel with a romantic love story like you two."
"Beg your pardon what?" Max spluttered out as Harry paled.
"I didn't enter and we aren't -" Harry stuttered out.
"You two, it's obvious. How romantic, you both compete together to win a thousand Galleons. What is your plan with it? Elope together? It's all so very romantic, don't worry we don't judge at the Daily Prophet."
"We literally don't have a plan for anything, we are just as surprised as you are!" Max all but shouted.
"How do you feel about the tasks ahead?" Rita Skeeter interrupted. "Excited? Nervous?"
"I haven't really thought about it...yeah, nervous I suppose." Harry answered first, staring down at the quill in contempt.
"Yeah, nervous is what I'd call it." Max all but spat out, staring at the quill as well.
"Champions have died in the past, haven't they?" Rita Skeeter spoke briskly. "Have you thought about that at all?"
"No, never." Max dryly responded. It seemed like everyone wanted to remind them of that fact.
"They...they did say it was going to be safer this year." Harry answered evenly, hoping to give as little to this liesmith as possible.
"Of course, you've looked death in the face before, haven't you?" Rita Skeeter inquired as she leaned in close to Harry. "How would you say that's affected you?"
"Er," Harry started again.
"Do you think that the trauma in your past might have made you keen to prove yourself? To live up to your name? Do you think that perhaps you were tempted to enter the Triwizard Tournament because -"
"I didn't enter!" Harry explained once again, starting to get irritated.
"Can you remember your parents at all?" Rita Skeeter was talking over him now.
"No." Harry curtly replied.
"How do you think they'd feel if they knew you were competing in the Triwizard Tournament? Proud? Worried? Angry?"
She could tell Harry was starting to get very irritated by now.
'Tears fill those startlingly green eyes as our conversation turns to the parents he can hardly remember. A reminder to his lover that she will never know the family she intends to join.'
"I have NOT got tears in my eyes!" Harry finally exploded.
"And I am not his lover, nor am I all that intent on meeting his parents." Max sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose much the same way Severus did.
But before Rita Skeeter could respond, Dumbledore had opened the cupboard to look down at their squashed forms.
"Dumbledore!" Rita Skeeter cried,sounding much too excited. Max noticed instantly her quill and parchment were long gone.
"How are you?" She spoke as her fingers snapped her clutch shut. "I hope you saw my piece over the summer about the International Confederation of Wizards' Conference?"
"Enchantingly nasty," Dumbledore spoke, eyes twinkling. "I particularly enjoyed your description of me as an obsolete dingbat."
"I was just making the point that some of your ideas are a little old-fashioned, Dumbledore, and that many wizards in the street -"
"I will be delighted to hear the reasoning behind the rudeness, Rita," was Dumbledore's curt response, as he gave a sweeping bow with a smile. "But I'm afraid we will have to discuss the matter later. The Weighing of the Wands is about to start, and it cannot take place if two of our champions are hidden in a broom cupboard."
Incredibly glad to be freed from Rita Skeeter, the two of them clambered out of the cupboard and rushed towards the classroom they had previously been in. They sat down quickly, Harry seated beside Cedric and Max seated beside Harry, looking over at the velvet covered desks where four of the five judges were now sitting. Rita Skeeter settled herself in the corner of the room much to their chagrin.
"May I introduce Mr. Ollivander?" said Dumbledore, taking the final place at the judges table. "He will be checking your wands to ensure that they are in good condition before the tournament."
Max recognized the older man as he came in looking remarkably younger, and in better health than he was in her time. He had made her wand, so she was momentarily worried he'd recognize it as one he made but had not yet sold. However, he said he remembered every wand sold, this wand was still, technically, unsold. Fingers crossed Max looked up at him as he moved towards Fleur first.
"Mademoiselle Delacour, could we have you first please?" He asked politely, hand outstretched as he stepped into the empty space in the middle of the room.
Fleur quickly swept over to him, holding her wand out gingerly.
"Hmm..." Ollivander began as he inspected the wand thoughtfully. He twirled it around his fingers for a brief moment and it emitted a number of pink and gold sparks, finally he brought it close to his eyes and inspected it closely.
"Yes," He said quietly, "nine and a half inches...inflexible...rosewood...and containing...dear me..."
"An 'air from ze 'ead of a veela," Fleur further explained. "One of my granmuzzer's"
"Well I'll be damned, Ron was right." Harry gaped at Max, who laughed lightly having noticed the same air of glamour that hung around the girl in a thick coat.
"Yes," Mr Ollivander mused, "yes, I've never used veela hair myself, of course. I find it makes for rather temperamental wands...however, to each his own, and if this suits you..."
He ran his fingers along the length of the wand, noting each divot and ridge carefully; then he muttered, "Orchideous!" causing a bunch of flowers to sprout from the tip of the wand.
"Very well, very well, it's in fine working order," Mr. Ollivander nodded, returning the wand to the lithe hand of Fleur. "Mr. Diggory, you next"
Fleur glided back to her seat, as Cedric passed her with a smile.
"Ah, now, this is one of mine, isn't it?" Mr. Ollivander asked, with a lot more enthusiasm than before, as Cedric handed over his wand. "Yes, I remember it well. Containing a single hair from the tail of a particularly fine male unicorn...must have been seventeen hands; nearly gored me with his horn after I plucked his tail. Twelve and a quarter inches... ash... pleasantly springy. It's in fine condition... You treat it regularly?"
"Polished it last night," Cedric replied with a proud grin.
Max noticed Harry inspect his own wand, brows knitted together. He rolled it over, fingering the finger marks he had left, with a sour expression. He took a fistfull of his robes and started to vigorously rub away the finger marks, causing several gold sparks to shoot from the end. She shook her head as she looked at the anxious boy piteously. Fleur merely glared, causing Harry to stop.
Mr. Ollivander sent a stream of silver smoke rings across the room from the tip of Cedric's wand, expressing satisfaction, and motions for Mr. Krum to come up next. Krum unfurled from his hunched form and stalked over to Mr. Ollivander, his footfalls booming heavily. With a scowl, he thrust his wand over towards Mr. Ollivander, before stashing his large hands into his robes.
"Hmm," Mr. Ollivander began, "this is a Gregorovitch creation, unless I'm much mistaken? A fine wandmaker, though the styling is never quite what I... however..."
He lifted the wand into the light and inspected it closer, taking care to inspect the handhold.
"Yes... hornbeam and dragon heartstring?" He shot Krum a questioning look; Krum merely nodded in response. "Rather thicker than one usually sees...quite rigid...ten and a quarter inches... Avis!"
The hornbeam wand let off a blast as deafening as a gun, as a number of small birds flew out from the tip, chirping and chittering as they went, heading straight through the open window at the other end of the room.
"Good," said Mr. Ollivander, handing the wand back to Krum. "Now...Mr. Potter?"
Everyone turned to look at the shifting boy as he slowly walked towards Mr. Ollivander, handing him his want with a shy smile.
"Aaah, yes," Mr. Ollivander said, his eyes suddenly gleaming. "Yes, yes, yes. How well I remember."
He studied it for a moment longer, before he continued again.
"Holly wood, phoenix feather core, eleven inches, nice and supple." He mused to himself as he took more time and care inspecting Harry's wand. He shot out a small orange light that went off like mini fireworks and declared the want in perfect condition.
"Miss Suthers?" He spoke up, turned to look at Max expectantly. Her palms grew sweaty as she moved towards Mr. Ollivander, the wand outstretched for his hand. He grabbed the wand and moved it towards his eye, inspecting it carefully. His brow furrowed as he looked up to give Max a questioning look.
"Vine wood, unicorn core, and supple flexibility. What a curious combination. I could've sworn I made a wand similar when I was younger, however, such a contradicting wand is hard to sell, so I know it's still in my shop. Where did you get this wand?" He inquired as he twisted the wand in his grasp.
"In Canada, sir, that's where I transferred from. If I may ask, why is it a curious combination?" Max inquired, her brow knitting together.
"Everything inside the wand contradicts the other in a perfect balance. It is also a volatile mix if the wand is not fully bonded to the witch or wizard. The Unicorn hair core is often found in very loyal wands, wands that do not easily change their user. The supple flexibility in a wand is often a fickle wand by nature. Vine wood is incredibly powerful, but unicorn hair is less powerful but more consistent. This wand in the right hands is a very loyal and consistent wand. It is a very hard wand to sell is all." Mr. Ollivander explained with a shrug as he set off a shower of water from the tip of the wand. He declared it in perfect condition as well, handing it back without another thought.
"Thank you all," Dumbledore spoke, rising to stand at the judges' table. "You may go back to your lessons now - or perhaps it would be quicker just to go down to dinner, as they are about to end -"
"Photos, Dumbledore, photos!" Bagman cried, interrupting the almost dismissal of them all. Harry and Max let out small groans as they exchanged looks. "All the judges and champions, what do you think, Rita?"
"Er - yes, let's do those first," Rita Skeeter hastily agreed, eyes zeroing in on Harry and Max. "And then perhaps some individual shots."
The photographs dragged on forever. By the end of it Max's stomach was growling and protesting. Everyone kept fidgeting wrong, casting too big of a shadow; that was really just Madame Maxime though, or not paying proper attention to when the camera was taking a photo. By the end of it everyone was irritable and hungry. It didn't help that the photographer was intent on centering Fleur in every photo, while Rita Skeeter kept shoving Harry and Max forefront and together. She smooshed them side by side, tilting their heads so they were awkwardly looking at each other the slightest.
Finally, after a few solo shots, it was deemed that the photos were finished and they could go.
They arrived in the Great Hall for dinner to find Hermione wasn't there; which was hardly a surprise. They figured she may still be in the hospital wing getting her teeth fixed.
"I had no idea how frustrating it is being you, I'd rather fade back into obscurity, thanks." Max sighed, as she picked at her peas.
"At least someone gets it." Was his bitter response.
"Harry, it also sucks to be in Ron's shoes, too. I mean, I'm your new friend and look at how that's put my life upside down. I'm not saying it's your fault, or not worth it, just...that Ron is just a teenager like us, and that's already hard enough without constantly being reminded how inadequate you are." She shrugged as she took a sip of her water.
Harry didn't continue the conversation, deciding to finish his food and head back to the Gryffindor Tower as quick as he could.
~Break~
Max had detention again with Severus that night. When she had arrived at his office in the dungeons, he had already set up the cauldrons to be cleaned; some of which were foul.
"Welcome Miss Suthers, you can get started, hand me your wand before you start." Severus instructed brusquely.
"Seriously?" Max sighed, handing it over with a glare.
"Begin." He spoke, elongating the 'e' as he turned and stalked towards his desk. He slipped her wand into his desk, where he promptly swept around it to take a seat.
"Seriously? I didn't even do anything this time..." Max grumbled as she took her seat and started cleaning the hardened muck off one of the cauldrons.
~Break~
An hour had gone by when Max lifted her head to take a look at Severus. He had been very irritable as of late and she couldn't quite put her finger on why.
"You know what happened today really wasn't my fault. I don't know why you insist on defending that kid..."
"That kid, Miss Suthers, is the son of a high up Death Eater." Severus explained, his posture rigid with veiled anger, not bothering to lift his face to look at Max.
"Why are you being such an asshole to me?" Max spoke, frustration seeping into her tone.
"I am being a teacher, Max, I caught you punching another student, I was incredibly lenient towards you." Severus spoke evenly, trying to calm her rising rage. Max didn't usually have a huge temper, but when pushed she did eventually explode.
Max frowned further and stared down at the last cauldron, eyes full of irritation. She heard him sigh and move towards her, the hem of his robes brushing against her stool.
"Max," He spoke evenly as she avoided his gaze. "Max."
"What?" Was her grumbled response.
"I'm not trying to hurt you." He explained, placing a warm hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.
"I know, but you are being intentionally cruel and I don't know why." She sighed as she threw her washrag into the cauldron she had finished.
"There is a lot you don't know about me and my past Max..."
"Yeah and whose fault is that?" She spat as she launched herself off the stool and stalked towards the dungeon doors.
"Where are you going?" He growled, following her hasty retreat.
"Back to my dorm since my detention is finished. Good night Professor Snape." She snapped as she slammed the doors behind her. She didn't hear the scathing shout of 'ten points from Gryffindor' that followed her from behind the doors.
However, the glass in the Great Hall slowly took ten points soundlessly from its place at Severus' retaliation to Max's words.
He would never admit it, but she had every right to be upset, but she also had no right to pry.
~Break~
The next day Max had double detention with Severus again. Her first detention was going to be used to prepare for her first task, something she had actually started to pick up as opposed to ocumelency.
"Max you need to pay attention." Severus spoke with finality, an irate edge to his voice.
"I am trying! Do you have any idea how hard it is being me right now!?" She snapped, throwing her wand to the ground in irritation.
"Max!" Severus chastised as a shot of blue light sparked against the wall to his right.
"I know I know!" She huffed as she picked up her wand and crumbled to the ground in a groan. Severus slowly moved towards her and knelt at her side.
"Are you ok?" He spoke, keeping his tone level as she lifted her glowering gaze to his.
"I'm fine, I'm just a bit overwhelmed. I didn't really PLAN on being a champion. Doesn't help that Rita Skeeter -"
"Rita Skeeter?" Severus interrupted as he rose to his feet. He let out a small puff of air as he threaded his fingers through his hair.
"What?" Max asked, thoroughly confused.
"I was hoping she would ignore you, but regardless, nothing we can do now. What did you say to her?" He inquired, moving closer to her as he asked, eyes shining.
"I don't know, not much I don't think -"
"Max, you need to tell me what you said." He was starting to scare her now, his hands on her upper shoulders as he peered into her eyes, back hunched over to do so.
"Severus you're starting to scare me..." She whispered as his white-knuckled hold released her and he stepped backwards.
"She's essentially a tabloid, anything she says could cause us problems." He spoke evenly as he stared off into the distance, thinking much too hard about something or another.
"Severus, whatever she writes, it can't be that bad. At least, not to screw up our mission." She tried to smile at him but it wouldn't come. Truth be told she wasn't feeling so positive anymore.
"You need to be more careful, what did she ask you about?"
"She mostly asked about Harry, to be honest. I don't think I mattered beyond what I meant to him." she shrugged nonchalantly. It seemed to appease Severus for the moment as he nodded for her to get cleaned up for her proper detention with Harry and Ron.
~Break~
Detention was miserable. Max ended up seated between a seething Ron and an agitated Harry, both of which spent the entire time ignoring each other as they glared at the rats' brains they were to be pickling for the next two hours.
Severus had taken their wands and left to organize his potion stores. Which meant, Ron and Harry could throw out antagonistic quips at every turn.
By the end of it Max had a terrible headache and no time to head to the hospital wing as she returned to the Gryffindor Tower in time for curfew.
~Break~
The next nine days went by, causing nothing but more trouble for Harry and Max as Rita Skeeter's article had been published.
'I suppose I get my strength from my parents. I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now... Yes, sometimes at night I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it ... I know nothing will hurt me during the tournament, because they're watching over me...' Were just a few prime examples of lies she had written into her article.
It didn't help that she had also interviewed others about them both, even going so far as to insinuate that Max and Harry had quickly become betrothed, a promise to use his winnings to fund their wedding. Two orphans finding love in the most volatile of times, competing against one another so they can spend the rest of their lives wrapped in each other's embrace! Or so the article detailed. She had been described as stunningly beautiful, a far cry from what her quill had declared during said interview, something everyone used to mock her. Especially Pansy Parkinsons.
What made matters worse, was that Severus seemed incredibly angry after the article came out. He had barely spoken to her, and had docked a lot of points from them both during the next Potions class they had.
The rest of the school used the article as fuel to mock the two of them at every turn. There wasn't a thing they could do in the castle that wouldn't warrant a quip or or mockery.
"I guess they changed the definition of beautiful, huh Suthers?"
"Need a hanky, Potter, in case you start crying in Transfiguration?"
"I've heard of gold diggers, but champion diggers? Max is certainly taking getting a sugar daddy to a whole new level!"
"Since when have you been one of the top students in the school, Potter? Or is this a school you and Longbottom have set up together?"
"What next Max, going to start sporting a lightning shaped scar to copy your little boyfriend?"
Yeah, they had been enduring a large amount of jeers and rude comments. What made matters worse, was that the newest rumor was that Hermione was trying to steal Max's 'boyfriend', and that Harry had begun an affair with her after becoming champion. It was all thanks to Rita Skeeter's constant articles about them.
Which, lovely enough, caused Hermione to be a target for bullying. Max felt terrible having dragged the girl into it. At least she hadn't started yelling at random bystanders like Harry had so far. Hermione had attempted to calm the ire between Harry and Ron as well, but that resulted in failure. Harry had blown up and blatantly refused to talk to Ron first until HE apologised and admitted that Harry and Max hadn't intentionally entered and left him out.
They had spent most of their time together in the library studying Summon Charms, something Harry seemed to have developed a block to; a lot of spare time was spent poured over books. During these moments Max held onto her favourite memories to keep her calm; studying with Severus in this very library.
The best - worst - part was that Viktor Krum was spending a lot of time in the library as well. Hermione was always loudly complaining about him as he loitered around, seemingly doing nothing at all. To Max, it almost felt like he had a small crush on the dark haired girl.
Sadly, there were always giggling girls around him, which made studying with him in the library a lot more futile than anything else.
"He's not even good looking!" She muttered tartly, her face twisting in disgust as Max rolled her eyes. This had been their last ten minutes.
"Looks aren't everything, nor is it the same definition for everyone. They find him attractive and I'm sure he's a nice guy." Max sighed out as her pen tapped at the page, as it had been for the past hour. Her attempt at studying was not going all that well, and Krum's gaggle of fans really wasn't helping. Not that she was about to admit that to Hermione.
"They only like him because he's famous! They wouldn't look twice at him if he couldn't do that Wonky-Faint thing -"
"Wronski Feint," Harry corrected through grit-teeth.
"Seriously Herms, why does it bother you so much? Harry here is famous and you never get annoyed when his fans giggle over him." Max grinned.
"He doesn't have any fans that giggle all over him!" Hermione huffed.
"What about Colin?" She grinned in response as Harry groaned.
"That doesn't make me feel great, thanks Max."
"Always and forever love." Max joked, playing up their faux relationship in jest.
"Oh don't start, people are actually going to think you are serious!" Harry glared, causing Max to howl with laughter.
The days kept trickling by slowly, as if mocking Max of her impending task. Severus was hardly any better, treating her with reserved anger and irritation. He still handled her with his usual calm demeanour, but Max was hardly stupid. She could feel the rage wafting off him. He was not happy.
It didn't help that he was taking his anger out on Harry, as if he were to blame for all his problems. It was utterly childish and causing Max to really grow upset with her best friend.
It felt like she never knew him, not really.
~Chapter 9 End~
