Disclaimer - This is a work of fanfiction based on the book series written by J K Rowling, characters used do not belong to me in any way.
Chapter 7 – The Queen's Gambit
The following morning there was an odd calm about Harry that Hermione found unsettling. She asked first thing when he came down to the common room how Hagrid's went, to which Harry quickly replied in a hushed voiced "Dragons, Charlie was there with five of them - one for each of us, I'll tell you more when we get to the library." and proceeded to pull her out of the portrait of the Fat Lady.
She felt more nervous about the matter than he appeared to be, but then he had the night to sleep on the fact. They wolfed down their breakfasts in a hurry, not really paying attention to who was even sitting with them, let alone the conversation. After filling themselves for what they thought was going to be a long day of dragon research Harry and Hermione stumbled in shock when they saw the state of the library.
To Hermione, it was a shock to see the library heaving with so many students - it was no exageration to say neither of them had seen it so full before exam times.
A look of sheer horror fell upon the two Gryffindor's faces and only deepened with concern. The library never got so busy until students started revising and cramming for the OWL and NEWT examinations after spring. Harry's mind immediately clocked onto the fact that majority were girls. It wasn't difficult to see why when they witnessed the congregation of coy female students from Hogwarts and Beauxbatons alike, they were all hovering around doing everything humanly possible to nothing; and then at last they saw sat at a table alone was Viktor Krum, buried nose first into a book - trying very hard to concentrate.
"I really regret choosing to come here now." Harry said under his breath, not happy with the sudden popularity of his last standing sanctuary of peace and quiet.
"Well, it's a bit late for that don't you think?" Hermione said shaking her head, she was more put out than Harry about the state of their haven.
Harry pondered for a moment as to what to do, he already had his plan that was true, but he couldn't very well do much to improve his chances of it working with a gangs of insipid fangirls around. The very thought vexed him.
A small smile curved his lips when an idea sprung to mind.
"Zephyrus." Harry flicked his wand sharply to the left and the skirts of the girls flew up in a gust of wind, eliciting a few angry cries. "There, my regrets have suddenly disappeared." He grinned, now less deterred.
"Professor Sinistra teach you that one?" Hermione asked hiding her face and dragging him out of the doorway.
"She's pretty cool with that stuff, always good for a bit of trickery. Besides it looks like Madam Pince has her work cut out for her here." Harry said and leant against the door.
"Pervert. I don't think Sinistra'd like to hear her favourite student using her spells to sexually harass Krum's fanclub." Hermione arched an eyebrow with a pointed look.
"You wouldn't."
"I will." Hermione said dangerously.
"I'm doing them a favour - now Krum will have a much a better idea of who he wants to go into a broom closet with." Harry said wink.
"You're enjoying this a little too much." Hermione worried that he was far too calm and jovial about the entire situation.
"I'm just glad it isn't me the harpies are after this year."
Harry, having spent a few summers around Ginny, was aware of the effect he often had around some girls.
"Everyone knows the famous wizards go after the girl they can't get." Harry called out loudly at them as he ducked his head back through the doorway, still grinning.
"Harry," Hermione warned, "you're getting stares of bloody murder as it is."
"I hope they can restrain themselves till Tuesday, it'd be a shame if I had an untimely death before my premature funeral. Pity, I really wanted to show off in the first task as well." Harry said with a half-smile, only pretending to be sincere.
"I'd like to think you'll be trying too hard to survive and won't find the time to show off." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"I can spare some time this morning instead then, when the others arrive."
"I never knew you were one for audiences Harry." Hermione shot back in a light voice with a raised eyebrow.
"This will only be a private showing, just for friends and family…and uh Malfoy too I suppose," Harry said with a wink "Unavoidable but not wholly problematic."
"Wholly problematic? You're going soft on him and what friends of yours are these?" Hermione asked.
"Friend then, plus Malfoy." Harry corrected, Hermione definitely counted as family.
"Well this isn't ideal." A voice appeared beside them. Harry nearly choked.
Daphne Greengrass stood in a dark green pinafore dress and white shirt, looking more proper than she had yesterday with her hair perfectly straight once again and her usual serious expression.
"Morning Greengrass, bit of a small hitch in our plans." Harry gave the blonde girl a swift nod.
"What is she doing here? Wait 'Our plans' - friend - what exactly did I miss?" Hermione asked, her hair whipping around as she turned to Harry.
"That's what I'd like to know too." Draco said, appearing behind them.
Daphne just stood next to him with her expression unchanged. Daphne's treatment of Draco reminded him exactly of how Draco's mother behaved towards Harry at the Quidditch World Cup - like there was a very bad smell in the air.
"Greengrass is here to help, Malfoy. The way I see it four heads are better than three, and all will be revealed in time Hermione." Harry said.
"I suppose stranger things have happened." Hermione said rather disturbed and looking very unsure at the barely acquainted Slytherin girl.
"Granger, always a pleasure," Daphne said with a strained smile, "Now what are we going to do about that lot?" Daphne nodded at the crowded library rather unhappily.
"Well, I fancy a trip to the astronomy Tower, I'm sure they'll get bored by lunch and we can get a table at the back."
"Why? We just got here, which was already more effort than it was worth." Draco complained.
"Privacy would be nice and we're not getting it here." Harry said with a stern look directed at Draco and began to walk, leaving the others with the option of following, or not. Draco sneered at Daphne, who remained composed and waited for Hermione to take the first step after Harry.
"So why the tallest tower in Hogwarts?" Daphne asked as they made a start on the stairs to the tower. Unafraid to speak up, also she was puzzled as to why the astronomy tower when there were many empty classrooms and other dark corners you can find for a quiet conversation.
"Thought it'd be a good place to hang out," Harry said with a measure of sarcasm as he opened door for them.
Harry had always liked the astronomy tower. It similar to the headmaster's office in some ways. The circular tower had steps down to where they kept the telescopes, under the spire's roof a charmed moving replica of the Milkyway and just outside of the open arched walls were the ramparts with the best view of the grounds in the castle.
"You know I don't think I like you like this, Potter." Daphne said with a small unnoticeable smile that could easily be mistaken for a grimace.
The change in his bearing was a clear as night and day.
"Tch. You told me brooding was unbecoming Greengrass." Harry shook his head.
"Do you always loiter around in such absurd places?" Daphne narrowed her eyes.
"Now you mention it, we did spend an unhealthy amount of time in the girl's toilets in our second year…" Harry grinned reminiscing.
"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed going a little red.
"Hermione that one was your idea," Harry winked making Hermione blush deeper, "It's not so much as absurd as it was is convenient. Same applies here, who has astronomy class on a Sunday morning? Or maybe I'm a little bit nostalgic for baby Norbert, this was the last place we saw him." Harry smiled fondly.
Dragons had been on his mind, that was true, but he did of course have a reason for bringing them up all those steps.
"Ah yes the good old days." Hermione shaking her head behind him.
"Norbert?" Daphne inquired.
Hermione thought back to those days when she had first become friends with Harry and Ron, the late night excursions and the sneaking around after dark. She had almost forgotten all about Norbert. She might have argued and been reluctant whenever they had been up to no good, but she had a better idea of how much of a rebellious streak she really had. She smiled at the thought, it was all Harry's doing really; while she had been drawn in by the mystery of it all. She loved puzzles and a challenge and every year it seemed the stakes grew higher still and they were normally not far off the mark. Last June made her realise how naive that Hermione had been and all too well just how dangerous their escapades were, after everything they had been through they were well and truly lucky to be alive.
"Draco you remember that newly hatched dragon in first year, don't you?" Harry nodded.
"The one you should have been expelled for smuggling, how could I forget?"
Fortunately that night stood as a testament to Draco's many failures at trying to thwart Harry and fulfil his dream of getting Harry expelled. Hermione nearly laughed, in her mind a life without a proper education would certainly lead to a fate worse than death.
"Potter's a dragon smuggler? Wait, you're serious?" Daphne looked at them in mild disbelief.
"It was just a one-time thing," Harry said smiling crookedly "Hagrid needed a bit of help with a Norwegian Ridgeback he hatched from an egg, one he got from a stranger in the Three Broomsticks. Thank Merlin Malfoy's schemes were always so terrible, we could have got into serious trouble." Harry scratched the back of his head with an uneasy smile.
"You were slippery and got lucky," Draco said darkly.
"Keep telling yourself that Malfoy. I just thought here would be appropriate, lots of space, out the way, nice and quiet." Harry smiled.
"And yet anyone could just stumble upon us." Daphne shook her head and pointed her wand at the doors and with a circular flick she cast in a clear voice "Seravis." She looked around and saw Hermione's look of interest. "Anti-Alohomora and locking charm, nothing wrong with being cautious I hope." Daphne said wryly.
"Not at all, that is a useful piece of magic." Hermione said stiffly. "Invented by Blagdon Blay, 1622 to counter Eldron Elsrickle's sacking of London."
"As sharp as ever Granger." Daphne said coolly.
"If you two are quite done - Malfoy, we have Dragons for the first task," Harry turned to Hermione "Daphne already knows and has offered to help."
Draco paled. Harry had wondered what Draco's reaction would be. He had honestly expected maybe a small amount of vomit, but to his credit Draco composed himself better than expected. He was already so pale faced the shock and fear was barely noticeable.
"She does, how- no wait, what?" Hermione stammered in confusion.
Harry had to admit, seeing Hermione's fantastic brain derail and fluster as her face went red was one of his guilty pleasures, even if it was only for a moment it was still adorable.
"We were sort of together in Hogsmeade yesterday." Daphne stated gauging Hermione's reaction.
"Only sort of though. Anyway the twins saw Charlie in the Three Broomsticks and showed us, took a bit of guesswork but we figured he was here for the task. Then she decided to follow me after the duelling and into the Forbidden Forest where we saw the dragons. That's all that needs to be said."
"So that's where you disappeared to yesterday without saying." Hermione folded her arms, her eyes on Daphne with renewed scrutiny.
"It's my fault, I asked him not to tell anyone." Daphne levelled her gaze.
"Look at that, if only the rest of the house could see the great Daphne Greengrass apologising to a muggleborn." Draco sneered behind her finally rejoining the others in conversation.
"I'm not apologising, I am claiming responsibility. Try it sometime, perhaps you wouldn't be such a sycophant." Daphne bit back.
"Sycophant? That is rich coming from the tyrant who treats her 'friends' like chess pieces." Draco uttered back venomously with his wand suddenly at his side.
"At least I have friends. You know, Crabbe and Goyle aren't the best at keeping secrets. Granger, maybe you'd be so inclined to punch him in the face again?" Daphne asked looking from Draco to Hermione with a small smile as Draco snarled.
"I wouldn't mind…"
"We're not going to get anywhere throwing insults around all day Hermione, Greengrass, both of you can knock it off. Malfoy, don't give them a reason." Harry growled turning very serious. "Facing a dragon is of greater importance right now."
"Hypocrite," Draco muttered, "what are we doing then?" the anxiety was barely audible in his voice but it was there.
Daphne pouted and turned back Draco. "You each have one dragon, which means you might not be facing them together." Daphne affirmed.
"We don't know that for sure yet." Harry argued in a quiet voice.
"Still, you actually saw them." Hermione asked with a hint of jealousy.
"Yes, and more importantly we stayed long enough to hear them suggest that the dragons are the obstacle but not the goal of the first task." Daphne said clearly.
Harry smiled at that. "Obstacles only need to be gotten around, which I already have a plan for."
"Already? You didn't say you had anything yet." Hermione stared at him.
"Now why must you doubt me Mione? I did say I wanted our audience first." Harry winked at his best friend and turned back to Draco. "Looking at this with the fact we are somehow a 'team', Malfoy. I thought y'know I'll try think a bit like a Slytherin." Harry said with a grimace, "So it came to me that our best option would be to use the only thing we have in common."
"And do tell what that would be." Draco asked.
Harry gave a growing smirk as the other three gazed at him in a mixture of confusion, irritation and disquiet. Harry with everyone's undivided attention walked to the outside rampart and leaned over the balcony.
"Accio Firebolt!" Harry yelled without warning, wand in hand. "Summon your broom, Malfoy." he challenged.
Harry stood there waiting at the edge grinning while Draco looked upon him with more annoyance. Until at last his broom shot into his hand and Draco's followed shortly after.
"A simple charm against Dragons, you've lost your last wits Potter." Draco said looking over his Nimbus 2001
"Once again Malfoy you can't see further than your own wand. Simplicity is the beauty of it, it isn't about the spell, it's about the brooms."
"The brooms?"
"We're going to use our brooms, Malfoy." Harry said a little slower so Malfoy could hear him clearly.
"Not bad Potter. When it comes to manoeuvrability and speed Dragons have a rather unfair advantage. In general the best way to beat - or in your case get around a dragon is to take away that advantage. We still don't know what the actual task is, there could be any number of variables involved." Daphne admitted, "But you still plan on flying head to head with a Dragon which has Gryffindor written all over it."
"I never claimed it was perfect." Harry said, watching Daphne as he sat on his broom drifting in the air without purpose. "Of course we can try learn a few other spells but it'd be easier and faster to move on brooms, and we are pretty good. Hell, I'll be surprised if Krum doesn't try it."
"Krum knows too?" Draco asked wearily rubbing his eyes.
"Couldn't you tell from the library? - and Fleur, thanks to Madame Maxime and Karkaroff," Harry landed back on the floor having made his point.
"Nothing does stay a secret in Hogwarts forever, does it?" Hermione hummed.
"I don't know about that Hermione… To be fair Maxime and Hagrid could be seen from miles away, that's enough to draw plenty attention, I bet Karkaroff saw them from his ship, so it's not completely surprising they were followed." Harry shrugged.
"So that's it, you just want us to fly against dragons that can breathe fire and tear us to shreds like we're nothing?" Draco asked rather resigned.
"They only tear you to shreds if you let them get that close, hence the brooms. I'd be more worried about the fire they can breathe up to twenty maybe forty yards. But right now it is the best plan we've got."
"You mean right now it is the only plan we've got." Draco looked up at Harry and shook his head at the devilish pleading grin he saw, "Alright, we'll do it your way you maniac." Draco grumbled.
"Then we can at last get back to the library," Harry said "Hermione you and I will research the four breeds we know of, Greengrass if you're still willing, could you do some digging and look up what that white one we saw was, Malfoy you try to find any spells, curses or jinxes that might be useful to hinder them at least. We should probably tell Cedric as well." Harry said clearly and firmly.
"You were doing so well, and then you had to be a Gryffindor. Typical." Daphne shook her head disappointed.
"I'm not going to let him go in blind when the rest of us know. This way it will be a fair competition at least." Harry stared at her.
"A real Champion of truth and justice aren't you?" Draco muttered.
"You agreed to my plan and this is part of it, Cedric has been decent to us all things considered, or do I need to remind you of a conversation we recently had about respect?"
"Touché, Scarhead." Draco said with a deathly stare.
Daphne and Hermione both raise an eyebrow that both went ignored because of the intense glaring shared by the two.
"But... first we might want to take these brooms back to the lockers though. I may not have mastered banishing quite as well as summoning yet, and I would really hate to lose my broom days before the task…" Harry said breaking off in a small voice scratching his head.
"Idiot." Draco burying his face in his hands as if he was trying to wake up from a particularly unpleasant dream.
"Very smooth Harry, while you two go do that, Daphne and I will get a head start on the books, I bet Krum will have taken a few out already." Hermione sighed.
Harry nodded and waited for Daphne to use the counter charm on the door for them. The two girls watched as Harry and Draco left the tower through the wide double oak doors brooms resting on their shoulders.
Hermione's eyes narrowed at Daphne who stood unreadable.
"So how exactly did you end up going to Hogsmeade with Harry?" Hermione asked after a short walk in silence, the astronomy corridor behind them, once again unable to stop asking questions.
"I invited him on Wednesday evening to accompany me. I wanted the opportunity to get to know him better, we're on the quidditch team and it now looks like I have to put up with him in runes, and yes, I have no idea how some people are as ignorant to believe those two had anything to do with entering the tournament. I'm sorry if I got in the way of anything." Daphne's reply wasn't as hostile as Hermione first imagined to it be, a welcome surprise.
"It's fine, we didn't have anything planned yesterday." Satisfied with her answer Hermione relaxed a little. "So, Harry must have warmed up to you quite a bit." Hermione found herself somewhat glad, in fact if she wasn't receiving such a nervous feeling from the girl she would have applauded Harry for branching out to making a friend in Slytherin.
"I admit Potter is a very guarded person, something we both share, but I had a lot of fun yesterday and I enjoyed his company. And as simple as it sounds I'd like to continue doing so as long as he feels the same..."
"Yes, he can be quiet entertaining when he isn't being a prat." Hermione said with a playful smile. "So you followed him into the forest?" She asked with an arching eyebrow.
"It wasn't like that. Finding out about the dragons was an accident me being in the right place at the right time. I was watching him during the duelling… by that point we had already found out and I suggested he should go straight to the library but he stayed, then suddenly he disappeared, I was like a dog with a bone and I couldn't really stop myself and I'm glad I didn't."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "How exactly could you follow him?" she knew full well he couldn't have been seen.
"Invisibility cloaks aren't infallible you know." Daphne winked, thoroughly enjoying speaking with the muggleborn witch. "Yes. I know."
"How did you find out, did he tell you?" Hermione asked rather surprised.
"Not exactly. Would you believe me if I told you it was intuition? Hm, no I suppose you wouldn't would you? You are much too smart for that." Daphne let out a light laugh as Hermione blushed. "He was simply careless and took it off in front of me. I have already promised him not to spread that one around, we've come to an understanding"
"An understanding that has resulted in you helping Harry prepare in whatever way for the tournament?"
"Correct, Granger. I'll be honest though, I didn't think he would have come up with a plan so quickly and even stranger a solid plan that might actually work. Is he always so quick thinking on his feet?" Daphne asked.
"Harry can be full of surprises, while isn't as stupid as he'd let you believe most of the time he jumps straight into action on impulse. Rather annoying but it goes with the territory." Hermione gave her a tentative smile.
"You've been there through all his rumoured adventures then haven't you?" Hermione nodded with uncertainty. "I'm not asking, although I have been told my inquisitive nature can be a bit troublesome." The Slytherin girl smiled.
"Well I see you two have that in common at least," Hermione said and Daphne gave a small laugh. "I don't like to assume anything about Harry... Even now he is still bit of mystery to me, I'm sorry if I have a hard time believing you just wants to be friends. Before last you've never spoken before. On the other hand you don't seem to be on the best terms with Malfoy either."
The common saying of 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' was running through Hermione's mind, the girl couldn't be so bad could she?
"You just said yourself he is mystery, isn't he? And I just informed you I am the inquisitive sort, that and if fortune allows I'd like to see him alive a bit longer."
"Which is easier said than done." Hermione stated.
Daphne tilted her head curiously at that.
Hermione was still wary of Daphne; she knew it would be ill-advised not to be with everything going on with the tournament. Harry was a careful person by nature so for her to have gotten some small measure of trust in a short measure of time was unsettling. But Hermione had no real inkling as to what had happened between the two. She had felt the tension around him the last few days that was due to the impending task and now suddenly he was calm and on good terms with the Slytherin.
Still, she was uneasy. Hermione was privy to all the gossip Lavander and Pavarti exchanged late into the night and even though she paid little attention to such whispers she had heard next to nothing of Daphne.
It didn't help that she knew full well that in class Daphne was of a different calibre to the other students. She was vastly intelligent in her own right, and Hermione couldn't bring herself to grudge the other girl for her natural ability when it came to magic.
Hermione didn't like to admit she enjoyed a little academic competition especially if it was with a few of the Ravenclaws who thought they could put her down a peg or two and fail. When she saw Daphne's and everyone else's names behind hers in the academic tables at the end of each year it gave her a large amount of welling pride, one of her few sources of self-esteem.
Yet, save in ancient runes, she hated having to abide the indifference and aloofness that Daphne presented in class.
In Hermione's mind it bordered on disinterest too comparable to Ron's - except she could do the work flawlessly and seemingly effortlessly. Whenever answering questions directed at her, Daphne frequently answered some wrong but sometimes lazily raised her hand if there was a difficult answer no one else knew, Hermione included - a rare occurrence but one Hermione never overlooked.
Maybe she was rather jealous, overthinking and being intrusive, but Hermione couldn't help it that she could just observe a classroom better than anyone. She even knew Harry was known to behave similar when he was on good terms with Ron. She only ever pushed Harry hard when it came to homework and exams because she knew he was smarter than he let everyone believe. She didn't want to say anything but she could tell he held himself back out of habit and to selflessly save Ron from feeling inadequate, she respected Harry too much to antagonise him for it when he had his reasons.
She felt the only good things that had come from the tournament were him embracing that side of himself and cutting the strings that had previously held him down, something she was very proud of and secretly very happy about. Although Harry had probably already guessed this much.
No-one was ever around when they needed them. Draco and Harry stood trying to spot Cedric in the Great Hall, but the Hufflepuff Champion was nowhere to be seen, instead just a sea of students enjoying their late breakfasts. Krum had returned and in tow his cult following of fan girls.
"Potter, I'm sure we'll catch him later." Draco said reluctantly.
"Come on Malfoy, I'm teaching you what it means to have integrity. We can't in good conscience start preparing until Cedric knows." Harry smiled enjoying torturing Draco with ethics.
"You're insufferable."
"And you're a mutilation of human decency." Harry smiled at him as he walked over to where Angelina, Katie, Alistair, Sophie and Oliver were sat eating. He assumed one of them must have some idea "Have you guys seen Ced anywhere?"
The two Ravenclaws looked up at him. Alistair shrugged and shook his head as did Angelina and Katie.
"Morning Harry!" Oliver smiled a little too cheerfully "Seen…? No, not today. Soph remind me what day it actually is today."
"It is Sunday my dear imbecile, even you know that." Sophie rolled her eyes.
"Ah so it is," Oliver sighed reflectively.
"Do you have any idea where he might be?" Draco asked impatiently.
It impressed Harry that he hadn't used any slurs or derogatory language, so he mentally applauded Draco in his mind.
"If it's important you can probably find him in class thirty four, third floor. Please tell me it's important." Oliver grinned at Draco.
"Yeah, kind of…" Harry said confused.
"Brilliant." His smile did that impossible thing where it got wider than biologically possible.
"Does someone want to tell him?" Sophie asked turning to Alistair. "Someone should tell him."
"Tell me how it goes Harry." Alistair said channelling Oliver's mischievous grin.
"Can't I'm afraid. I'll see you at dinner maybe." Harry shook his head and waved.
"Later, Harry, Draco." The three said in unison.
Harry and Draco left for the grand staircase. Students hurried and whispered around them annoyingly. They couldn't have been more obvious even if they were pointing. Harry gritted his teeth and ignored them as Zacherias Smith and Terry Boot shoved passed them.
"Has it always been like this for you?" Draco said in a low growl.
"Not always, the stares are normal, second year was bad, but wasn't nearly as bad as this." Harry replied through a grimace.
"That's rough."
"It's better than giving autographs." Harry shrugged and the two walked quietly to the third floor and found the class room Oliver had suggested.
Harry knocked, waited a moment, heard scuffling and a muffled voice, and then entered.
"Harry, Draco," Cedric said sat at the professor's desk very innocently with Cho Chang, whose dress strap was slipping slightly, sat in his lap, blushing with her head buried into Cedric's shoulder.
"Oh a little Sunday morning snogging. Sorry Ced, you can blame Oliver for this interruption. He sold you out pretty quick - way too happy to point us in your direction - Cho could we borrow your man for a minute? And I'll leave the rest of him for you. He'll be needing you, believe me." Harry grinned.
"Okay, but you have one minute Harry." Cho said a little put out she walked out of the classroom.
Harry thought back to a time when he might have liked to have been sitting where Cedric was, but that feeling he felt before had disappeared, he decided not to think twice on it.
"You can be despicable sometimes, you know that?" Cedric said shaking his head with a small bashful grin still on his face.
"Well, I'm always good fun to have around" Harry grinned "…with complimentary trouble on the side,"
"Are you going to tell him, or not?" Draco asked wearily.
"Suspense Malfoy, do you really have to ruin everything?" Harry sighed mockingly.
"Dragons Diggory. For the first task they have a dragon for each of us. Krum and Delacour know already." Draco said turning to Cedric to see the look on his face. The tall dark haired champion's eyes widened and jaw swung loose for a moment before he did a double take and paled a little. "We have to get past them."
"Now was that so hard?" Harry asked with another smirk.
"Oh, you really are a conniving bastard. Taking lessons from Greengrass in manipulation now Scarhead?"
Harry frowned "No, it's you I am trying to emulate, after all you did say I was a slippery one. You've been like a shining example of everything not to do."
"I had something more like an eel in mind, not me."
"Same thing - it's the grease in your hair you know, slimey… Do you and Snape share hair products or something?"
"Are you two done with that weird banter you have going on?" Cedric said in a quiet voice. At least he had found his voice, Harry thought.
"Yes." Harry and Draco said simultaneously and then glared at each other, again. "Draco just wanted to give you the heads up, awfully good of him don't you think?" Harry said walking away, ducking out of the door with a short wave. "Cho, he is all yours. Hurry up Malfoy! Time is kinda of the essence."
Cho crept back in and saw Cedric still reeling, Harry didn't want to stick around to see whether there would be vomit or not.
"I'm going to be the one to murder you one of these days you know Potter." Draco said bitterly as he exited, ignoring Cho as she fluttered over to the unsteady Cedric.
"But then what would become of our 'weird banter'?" Harry gasped.
"Dead in the ground where it belongs, right next to you I hope." Draco muttered making Harry laugh heartily.
Finally as planned the two turned in the direction of the library, but of course rather than going the long way round Harry had other ideas.
"This way," Harry said directing Draco to a hidden passage in the grand staircase that led to the second floor corridor.
"How do you know this was here?" Draco looked around seeing only a dim narrow corridor that barely fit two people abreast.
"This school has a lot of mysteries, if you only look for them." Harry said sagely, pushing Draco through the passage entrance.
He wasn't isn't he mood to explain, nor did he have any desire to reveal anything else to Draco. It was once again a simple matter of convenience.
"Ugh, you sound like our senile headmaster."
"Dumbledore isn't so bad, if you don't mind the way he speaks in riddles. Then again he is a bit barmy..."
Harry trailed off in thought. He didn't know what to think of the Headmaster at the moment, for a while had been rather pissed off at him, and understandably so. Harry had accepted the fact he might be fate's bitch but he felt surely Dumbledore could have done more to protect him from the tournament. He knew the old man meant well but should had foreseen something happening. It seemed once again he had failed when Harry had needed him most. Other than last year when he helped them free Sirius it seemed to be a recurring pattern, or he really did just have the worst luck.
He hoped Dumbledore might at least give them some training or something for the tournament but then he really would look like he was showing Harry favouritism. He understood Dumbledore was best suited right now to be watching over him from a short distance, even if he didn't like it.
"Potter, about Greengrass…"
"Oh, here we go." Harry said and sighed; he had expected this from Hermione - not Draco.
"This was why you asked me about her isn't it? She's been speaking to you lately hasn't she?" Draco's eyes narrowed.
Harry remained silent.
"I don't care who you associate with Potter, but seeing as she has involved herself and since this tournament unfortunately does concern me, I feel like you should be warned – Fuck, I should have realised she was making a move on you yesterday."
"What are you talking about?" Harry looked at Draco puzzled.
"Nevermind, she is your problem more than mine. Yesterday, I was speaking with Davis, Theo and Zabini on her instructions. They want me to help Zabini with his duelling to which I agreed."
Harry thought Draco didn't seem too happy about this fact. Harry smirked at the irony of the conversation they had after quidditch practice if those in Slytherin were really going to take Draco back and it all seemed thanks to Daphne, he had expected some scheming, none of which had affected him badly at any rate.
Not yet anyway…
What Harry didn't know was Draco had accepted Daphne's offer of help, only to find it wasn't needed because he had underestimated Harry's ability to come up with a suitable plan for the first task, done so with the smallest input so far from the Greengrass heiress, despite her already conspiring with Harry. Draco felt tricked and annoyed.
"So, did Zabini make it on the duelling team?" Harry asked.
"He did actually." Draco turned to him with an odd expression.
"Good for him, that's pretty cool."
"What?" Draco looked more confused than he had been outside the library that morning.
"I was sort of rooting for him… He's the best in our class, you've got to give the guy some credit. You'd think we wouldn't have people putting us down for being fourth years anymore."
"It's just because of who we are. You're Dumbledore's 'star pupil' and saviour to boot and I'm–"
"A spoilt brat who is used to getting what he wants?" Harry smirked.
"Basically, yes. It is natural for some to despise the famous and wealthy for stealing an opportunity from the powerless, all these other distractions aren't going to change that, they are just ways to keep the internationals happy, more chances for the other schools to beat Britain."
"As great as your political knowledge is, you're weirdly contemplative these days you know. It's getting creepy."
"Shut up Potter and let me get back to my point. Greengrass wants something."
"Well duh, you let one snake in the garden and they all want to come in."
"I'm serious. What if I can't 'in good conscience' let us continue until I've warned you. She's dangerous, not just because of who her father is either and who she is related to. I've lived with her, and I knew her before Hogwarts – she is still pureblood, she can be just as cruel as the rest of us when she needs to be."
"I appreciate the warning but I think we have worse problems than your petty grudges Malfoy." Harry shook his head. "If she is only cruel when she needs to be that's still better than being needlessly cruel like you were."
"Must you really be so thick headed? I remember a Christmas Ball my parents had when we were seven. I remember it very well for a reason. A girl, Miranda Rowle who was three years older at the time, she was making fun of Greengrass' little sister. Astoria is adored by all the families but that night she had to be taken home early, the girl gets ill very often. Miranda was saying she wouldn't survive long enough to see Hogwarts among other things. Later that night the adults heard screaming and there outside in my lake was the Rowle girl - drowning. She could have died that night and she had no recollection of how she ended up in that lake either. I'm not saying a seven year old with no wand can cast some memory charm or banish people but Rowle is in her seventh year now and whenever Greengrass walks into the common room she goes as white a ghost. I'm just warning you, it takes a viscous mind for a viscous tongue like hers."
"I always imagined most Pureblood parties would be very dull affairs without at least one attempted murder. I'll keep what you've said in mind though - I was planning on staying on her good side anyway." Harry said thoughtfully, reviewing what he had just been told.
"Maybe you should stop assuming some people have good sides altogether." Draco huffed.
If it was true, and what Draco implied about Daphne being behind a girl falling into a lake, over what sounded like childish reaction for what she was saying about her sister - It didn't mean she had purposefully tried to seriously hurt anyone. Harry thought that might be a little too naive as well. All people could be rash and shouldn't always be judged, wasn't Draco slowly changing? Even Harry had done a few things he wasn't proud of; then again blowing up Aunt Marge wasn't one of them, which could have stuck her with a nasty end, but it had still been an accident, it was the same with Quirril. Harry shook his head rather confused. No, there were worse things about right now than Daphne Greengrass, like death eaters in the castle and murder plots, Harry thought.
"It's a bit late now I'm guessing?" Harry sighed, a funny distant feeling of nostalgia creeping up on him.
"Just a bit Potter."
"We'll see, I'll keep an eye on her. I'm in this for the ride now anyway and like it or not, so are you." Harry shook his head with a near smile.
"Dead in the ground Potter." Draco repeated.
Yeah, no kidding.
In complete silence, Fleur Delacour sat opposite Rachelle in their shared dormitory. Blue pastel and pale gold walls shrouded them. Rachelle breathed deep and slowly with her eyes closed. Fleur never took her eyes from her lids as she held her wand up to Rachelle, not even a murmur escaped her as she cast her charm. Fifty percent of the charm had been eye contact, and the eyes are the weakest part of any dragon. Maintaining it was all about focus as difficult as that still would be, Fleur was confident she didn't need any other help from Madame Maxime. She knew exactly how to handle and sooth any creature and charm them into falling into a long peaceful asleep, a dragon included.
"Rachelle, you can wake up." Fleur said breaking the spell.
At first nothing happened then slowly her roommate's eyes fluttered open and she yawned. Fleur relaxed and massaged her now stiff neck. She wished she hadn't sat crossed legged now but rather in the armchair in the corner.
"Did it work?" She asked from behind her waking expression.
"It worked, like I said it would but I'll need to try it something larger though or maybe on a large quantity of something- no, I can't do multiple targets with it..."
"Fleur, how long was I out for?"
"Three hours, I think I could have done another hour perhaps." A triumphant smile played on her lips, casting a single powerful sleeping charm for a long amount of time was extremely draining but magic was like a muscle and the more you used and pushed it to its limits, the stronger it would become.
"You're still not going to tell me what it is for though right?"
"Non." Fleur grinned wickedly.
Later in the library, Harry sat beside Hermione frowning at Daphne. The library was still packed but Hermione and Daphne did a good job of locating the books they needed. They sat at the back away from the maddening crowds of anxious star struck students.
"It isn't in here either. I've been through these twice over just like you." Daphne said. "Granger even checked."
"There can't be nothing, that one was a monster."
"It could be that she is an illegal crossbreed, I wouldn't put it past goblins. She was abnormally large but we didn't see all her features and characteristics, like wing length or shape, there were the horns - but they can all change individually in several breeds... one thing I did pick up though were the scales, not just the creepy paleness of it, but blade shaped scales like that one has were larger and possibly stronger, rather unique actually." Daphne said sitting back and stretching.
"Good for her, and its unique ghostly scales. I guess we can only hope we get lucky and don't get her and the Horntail." Harry yawned "Hm Ghostscale and Horntail, that has a certain ring to it actually." Harry said with an amused smile.
"You had to say it didn't you? Jinx the first task for us why don't you?" Draco shook his head.
"Prat." Hermione muttered as she suppressed a grin and hovered over another book.
"What can happen will happen. Where are we with spells?"
"Without hurting them and without damaging their eyes so badly they go blind?" Draco asked.
"Get to it Malfoy..." Harry sighed.
"Just the conjunctivitis curse."
"Well that's great." Harry said flatly, "Is that really all there is?"
"We've looked at nearly all the books here, most of these are about dragon care: claw clipping, fighting scalerot and breeding." Daphne said flipping through a book she had already read.
"For dragon lovers like Hagrid and handlers like Charlie, not much on actually fighting dragons." Hermione sighed.
"That isn't everything though; there could be something in the restricted section. Just sneak in late tonight." Daphne suggested with a smirk.
"Or you could try getting a permission slip from one of the teachers." Hermione interjected, always one to respect authority.
"Who'll give us a signature though? McGonagall might but we would have to tell whoever it is what we are looking for which will lead to questions about how we know what is coming." Harry thought out loud.
"Hagrid would." Hermione replied equally as thoughtful.
"Hagrid has already done enough, he could get into more trouble and I don't want him to lose his job over this." Harry rested his chin in his hand and drummed his fingers on the table.
"Maybe Professor Sinistra then, it is clear you are her favourite student, she might be willing to bend the rules for you... among bending other things." Hermione offered, a cheshire grin appearing on her lips.
Harry thought about his Astronomy teacher, it was true she did hold a soft spot for him ever since first year and he always put in the effort in class. Probably because he had barely seen a starry night sky before Hogwarts, the constellations were fascinating and he had done everything to learn what he could in those classes. Professor Sinistra was the youngest teacher at Hogwarts, only in her early thirties. Between her and Professor Babbling the school was in complete agreement that she was the best looking teacher on the faculty with her midnight black hair, dark skin, beautifully white teeth and perfectly round–
"Harry, stop day dreaming about our Astronomy teacher." Hermione interrupted his thoughts as if she knew exactly what was going through his mind.
"Not fair, you put the thoughts of her bending into my head." Harry smiled lazily.
"You would still have to tell her what it was for though, favourite or not…" Daphne countered, "No, you want someone with questionable morals and someone who isn't afraid to break rules and doesn't have to worry about job security."
"Moody…" Harry whispered and Daphne nodded. "It's possible..."
"You want us to go to a crazy paranoid old psychopath?" Draco banged his head on the table and looked up despairingly.
"He did cast Unforgivables on us. I don't think he would have a problem letting us use the restricted section." Daphne gave him a pointed look and checked her watch. "We should get going now though, it's about time for dinner." Daphne stated.
"Shall we pick this back up after?" Hermione said standing up and piling their books.
"You guys can go ahead I'm really not that hungry." Harry said standing up.
"Harry you haven't eaten since breakfast."
"Yeah, because I'm not hungry." Harry tried to emphasise his point.
"You're coming, and then afterwards you can see about getting a restricted pass from Professor Moody." Hermione said shortly.
"Yes mother." Harry replied with a roll of his eyes earning a laugh from the blonde witch in their company.
When they reached the Great Hall Daphne swiftly returned to the Slytherin table where her friends sat and to Harry's surprise Draco reluctantly joined her, slumping into a seat beside Blaise and Pansy. The entire Slytherin table fell as silent as it had when his name had escaped the Goblet of Fire and seized the attention of many from the other houses too. As the muttering and talk began again Harry then had to deal with the stares of wonder as to whether he was about to return to the Gryffindor table too. He was only too happy to disappoint them and join the fifth table which was looking barer than ever, with Fleur, Cedric and Krum being the most noticeable absences.
Harry wasn't too surprised by that, they had obviously had the same thoughts as him that time wasted meant they would be less prepared for the task to come. He was about to stand up and leave again when his stomach decided to vocally argue with him and he remained waiting for the food to magically appear.
As he talked and ate he wondered what the other champions had in mind, they were all of greater skill and knowledge than him and Draco. Perhaps he was feeling more confident than he had a right to be but a part of him couldn't wait to see their faces should he and Draco pull their plan off - especially Fleur who had been the first to doubt him, even if she had apologised for her behaviour she was still nearly as arrogant as Draco.
After dinner getting signed permission to use the restricted access in the library from Moody was far easier than Harry or Draco expected. First he demanded they tell them why, with a crazed leer, so they told him they knew that there was something to do with dragons in the tournament when they saw Krum in the library trying to find everything he could on dragons. Although Harry got the distinct feeling Moody knew they were lying. Yet Moody just barked with laughter anyway, nodded with a feral smile and asked if they had any ideas as to what they might do. Their second answer was more honest as they explained the rough outline of their plan and Moody let out an even more unhinged laugh and clapped his hands.
"No I'm not angry, no, I'm impressed boys, using those sawdust filled heads of yours eh? Fine, here's your bleeding slip, books on dragons only. If not – I'll know." He threatened ominously his electric blue eye flicking between the two of them as he scribbled his signature on the permission form.
Both Draco and Harry shuddered and left the Professor's office.
They were about to return to the library to rejoin the girls when halfway down the grand staircase they were stopped by Lewis King and a group of his cronies. The group of pompous Gryffindors blocked their way smirking. Harry groaned inwardly, he really didn't have time to deal with the arrogant bully again.
"Ditched that bushy haired bookworm and spending some quality time with your new boyfriend Potter?" Lewis grinned; there were still burns on his face from his duel the previous night.
Harry tried to ignore him and move past but he was blocked by another student, Harry looked up and gave him a deathly glare.
"Get out of my way King." Harry growled.
"What? I just wanted to wish you luck in the first task. I just can't wait to see you both snuff it, you know they are betting on the time of your deaths right? I've been thinking about wagering five galleons myself. I'll be sure to comfort that muggleborn friend of yours. How you're swinging between a mudblood and a ponce like this is beyond any of us."
Draco snarled behind him, Harry placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him from drawing his wand.
"You'll stay away from her." Harry said shortly glaring at Lewis.
"What are you going to do, Potter? You're nothing more than an embarrassment ready to be wiped away from this school, the sooner the better if you ask me."
"Funny, because no one was asking you." Harry sneered in his best imitation of Draco. "But speaking of embarrassment, you put on a really good show for us last night, it was most entertaining. I've seen better duelling from Malfoy here." Harry gestured to his fellow champion.
Harry grinned wickedly at the thought that had crossed his mind, technically it wasn't an original idea but Malfoy did have his moments he supposed.
"Like you could do any better."
"I probably could, one of my classmates made it on the team and the person who beat you didn't make it to the final round, how were you so terrible? Why don't you put your money where your mouth is?"
"What?" Lewis sneered with a look of confusion.
Harry realised that he had probably never heard that saying before in his life, he nearly laughed. Wizards, so behind.
"I'm challenging you, you prick. Hall of Hexes at midnight tomorrow. Malfoy, you're my second." Harry smirked at him with a subtle wink. "Don't be a coward, King. I can't wait to wipe the floor with you before we ace the first task." Harry said pushing through the group of Gryffindors with a fake air of arrogance.
"Fine, you're on Potter, if you're lucky I'll break some of your bones and won't even be able to compete." Lewis called after them but only received a middle finger held in the air by Harry as he walked away, he had already wasted enough time and breath on the likes of him.
Lame.
"What a piece of shit." Draco muttered, looking back at them.
"You do realise he is an older Gryffindor version of you, right?"
"I like to think I had more class than that."
"Malfoy I don't remember you ever having 'class', you were an arrogant bully who only cared about himself, with an inflated sense of self importance." Harry said darkly.
"A miniature version of my father, yes I know." Draco shook his head and bit his tongue. "Was there a reason you just challenged him so childishly and named me 'of all the fucking people' to be your second?"
Harry smiled evilly once again. Oh he had plans for King alright, none of which involved duelling, at least not until he could take on Blaise in class.
"Hunting season, Malfoy, and King just made it to the top of my list."
"You have a list? You're not actually going to duel him are you?"
"You don't have to show up, but if you don't you won't find out. If you are game be outside your common room at half eleven." Harry said with a crooked smile that unnerved Draco.
Harry, before the Goblet, hadn't even heard the name King before, a year above the Weasley twins, he had also wanted to be a champion, but Angelina held the spot for Gryffindor's favourite to represent the school. Harry's very existence had obstructed all such hopes of a worthy Gryffindor champion. Something this Lewis had resented seeing as he couldn't find a spot on the quidditch team either. It wasn't surprising that Lewis King had become jaded, not only cheated out of his chance by Cedric, but 'by an arrogant runt in his own house conspiring with a Malfoy' as it had been so eloquently described to him by Angelina, who had overheard his rants in the common room.
So when an already pissed off Harry found King targeting him and his homework one evening after the champions had been announced, he snuck into the seventh year dorm room in the dead of night underneath his cloak and transfigured King's duvet into a very wet, very slimy bed of seaweed and watch the hilarity and screaming ensue, he only wished he had borrowed Colin Creevey's camera.
After that things had gotten a little better, if King became too outspoken Fred and George were never too far behind in putting him and any of his friends back in their place. Yet it still drove Harry mad how people could have thought he and Malfoy had planned to enter together when everyone knew they had hated each other and still hate each other.
It was like there was a sickness within the school where the weak minded were robbed of sense, becoming susceptible to bouts of insane jealousy and made every far-fetched rumour somehow believable.
Harry had nearly had enough.
After spending her evening diving through more books on Draconology Daphne entered the Slytherin common room with a book taken from the restricted section under her arm and Draco silently by her side. She shivered even with the fire place cackling happily; there was a chill around the room. She was very aware of the pair of piercing eyes that were trained on her and Draco.
To her surprise he hadn't been such bad company today, she had noticed the changes in him remotely but now she had come into close proximity with him again she knew for certain she had played the right moves so far. Draco saw an equal in Theodore, which worked to her advantage when she needed him to approach Draco about the duelling, thankfully Tracy hadn't antagonised him too much and Draco reluctantly agreed. She was also fortunate that Blaise managed to make it onto the team. As good as he was there was always a chance that someone was better, he was lucky not to have gone against Stephanie, that was a duel she was certain he couldn't win. She regretted not witnessing his deciding match but her time with Harry and seeing the dragons first hand had been more important and far more worth her time.
Now she could keep tabs on Draco and maintain cooperating with Harry, all the while bringing Draco back into the Slytherin fold which would both please and anger some members of their house. Daphne had undermined the senior student's wishes to make an example out of Draco, loath as she was to do it, they pushed away a rich and powerful pureblood and had done nothing to help the matter by furthering the divide with those immature badges. Thank the gods she was smarter than the rest of them.
In her opinion the Slytherin seniors were all blind, nearly all of them anyway, her lip curled at the thought. If she had been at home she would have allowed herself a glass of wine.
Her progress should at least get her back into Pansy's good graces, they hadn't seen eye to eye in the past but since their argument after Draco was announced as a champion things had gotten worse. She didn't hate Pansy, the poor girl had been distraught and had probably imagined every worst possible death for her beloved. Then she was probably confused about the isolation he had been imposed with, torn between obeying and being by his side, and then came the venom when Draco sat with Harry and the other houses repeatedly, unknowingly spurning her by choosing to no longer work with her in classes.
Things will be different tomorrow.
Daphne was all too aware that Draco Malfoy was probably the only thing in the world Pansy cared about more than herself. To her credit though she did a good job of pretending not to care these few weeks, under the influence of the seniors no doubts, it was slowly taking a toll on the girl.
Daphne couldn't have that, even if Pansy was her least liked friend and incapable of an original thought. But her helping Draco wasn't for Pansy's benefit.
She knew Draco was still cautious around her, and rightly so. Still he was unafraid to trade a few insults. It wasn't like she could do anything to him and they both knew it.
Daphne hovered in the doorway, letting Draco go ahead to his dormitory. Her eyes glared at those who had stared at her for too long, they quickly looked down and averted her gaze. There was no sign of Blaise, Tracy, Theodore or her sister. She quickly realised the scattered few around were all fifth, sixth and seventh years sat at their desks and tables, working quietly.
So it is one of those nights. She had hoped it might have been, the senior meetings that year were sporadic and spontaneous, which was unorthodox and most inconvenient for her.
Daphne stepped forward with her head held high and started to walk down the steps to the lower level of the room when she saw Stephanie smiling at her from the doorway of the forum room. Her dark red hair was reflecting the fire light in the dimly lit dungeon and her smile gleamed dangerously. Stephanie Selwyn, her cousin on her mother's side, was respected, feared and liked across most of the student body. This year she had been made head girl, which meant that even though she allowed the other seniors to maintain control over their house mates, she still held the most influence in Slytherin and that also stretched to students in the other houses as well, especially the purebloods in Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. She was the girl who had everyone on a leash.
Daphne herself held a great deal of respect for the head girl, and the fact Stephanie couldn't intimidate the younger witch made that respect mutual. She was currently doing her mastery in potions after taking her NEWT a year early so she now had more free time to dabble into some darker branches of magic.
"Daphne," She said calmly, "could we have a word?" her voice was silk but Daphne could pick up on the subtle cadence of glee in her voice.
Everyone turned their heads for a moment to watch but with one look from the senior and they all returned their attention back to whatever they were doing.
"Certainly Steph." she nodded and entered through the doorway the head girl held open for her.
The forum room was where the prefects and chosen seniors met to settle house matters, disputes and handled the responsibilities their Head of House left them, they were commonly named 'the circle'. A silly name Daphne had always thought, most likely from the time when the first Death Eaters sat around that very table, as she was certain they had.
It was only a small room; an ornate black marble fireplace with a wrought iron grate was the main source of light along with the ever burning candles and torches. There were several bookcases, green and black tapestries hung from the walls and there was a painting of a young Salazar Slytherin himself hanging opposite the lone door. At the centre of the room was a circular ash table with a silver metalwork snake that coiled itself around the edge with its tail being eaten by the head, this was where Stephanie took her seat.
The rest of the senior students, it appeared, were not in session today, making the meeting intimate and more private, but they were not alone. Daphne made no attempt to hide her sneer when she saw the boy sat to the left of Stephanie.
She has been anticipating this meeting but perhaps not so soon. Regardless, this was just one additional step and one that would benefit her.
"Lautner." She greeted stiffly. Gods she hated that smirking imbecile with a passion. Hopefully if Harry could influence Draco in any way it would be to steer him away from the path of arrogance that Lautner revelled in.
He sat back in his chair lazily, his dark wiry hair fell just above his small dark beady eyes.
Like a pig bathing in filth. If Stephanie held the leash in her right hand, in her left hand was a whip, Lautner. A cruel streak and a nasty temper, but he could fight like hell and he knew it.
"Daphne." He smiled hungrily and licked his lips, it made her want to shudder in disgust.
"What did you need to speak to me about?" Daphne asked, now maintaining her emotionless mask.
"Take a seat." Lautner gestured.
"I'd rather stand, I'd like to make this quick."
"Then I'll get straight to the point. We have been hearing some rather disturbing news concerning you lately." Stephanie interjected, finally taking the reigns over from her second.
"Disturbing? How so?" Daphne let her lip curl, she wasn't going to pretend false innocence; they all knew why she was there.
"You've been seen around Potter a lot lately, which is troubling to say the least." Stephanie sighed.
"I assure you that my proximity with Potter, due to certain circumstances, is something that can't be helped, nor any of your concern." Daphne watched as Lautner snarled in disgust, a vast contrast to Stephanie who was still smiling kindly with her pale blue eyes.
This was her polite way of saying 'you can't stop me and it is none of your business what I do'. Daphne was nothing if not tactful and dexterous with the way she selected her words.
"Yes, with quidditch practice it is only natural, and we are very proud to have you representing our house on the team. However, we can't overlook the fact you were seen in the library with him Wednesday evening."
"And seen traipsing around the castle today, not only with him but his mudblood friend and our blood-traitor champion Draco. There were some nasty whisperings about you two years ago, however false they may be, we barely tolerate your pet half-blood and now you are dangerously close to being named a blood-traitor of all things."
Daphne glared at Lautner for speaking of Tracey and bringing that would-be-rumour up, it was false and if it hadn't been for who she was it could have destroyed her image and that of her family. The previous year there were several of her housemates, the root cause, she had to visit to make sure they never even thought about that rumour again.
She wanted very badly to send a choking curse at Lautner's throat and be done with him. She breathed in deeply and calmed herself, she reminded herself that she was better than that and regained control of herself.
"So, Draco is 'our champion' now is he?" Daphne tutted "You drove him away, and it is thanks to me he has come to his senses and returned to us, or did you not see him with us at dinner this evening?"
"But not out of loyalty." Lautner sneered, he would much prefer to have Draco out of the way and he probably wasn't the only one.
"If we wanted loyalty we would start making more friends in Hufflepuff. Now Josef, be quiet." Daphne refrained from smirking as Stephanie reprimanded him. "You have been very busy Daphne, but can you explain why you see fit to spend your time with a half-blood like Potter. We are only thinking about your reputation, one we know you have cultivated very carefully, we wouldn't want for you to throw it way for a few minutes in the spotlight with the-boy-who-is-about-die."
Daphne stared at them both long and hard without a flicker of emotion. "I was trying to be as discreet about the matter, but if you must know I was elected to tutor him in Ancient Runes. A small but insignificant matter, one I had little choice in."
Daphne of course knew there was no way she was going to pass that offer up, like she said there was little choice.
"I see, now that won't do. There will be talk."
"If, like you believe, he is on borrowed time it should be of little consequence and we have nothing to worry about. My reputation will remain intact." Daphne countered.
"And if he does survive?" Lautner held most of his venom back, not liking Daphne's indirect defiance.
"Then I will continue to tutor him and see him every Friday and Monday at quidditch practice and in every one of the lessons we share I would think." Daphne said rather bored, inciting anger within the sixth year Slytherin boy. "Who knows maybe I'll become friends with him." she allowed herself a little smirk to further the sixth year's temper.
She had Lautner right where she wanted him.
"Do you really think we'll allow that? The house will reject you and will doubt our ability-"
"It's not a matter of what you will allow Lautner. And rightly so there will be doubts on your ability to control me, especially after your dire performance at the duelling try-outs. Your impudence continues to astound me." Daphne cut him off with a firm clear voice and glared at Lautner causing him to sit straighter and shut his mouth.
Stephanie merely grinned impressed with the tenacity of the girl. She was most entertained and willing to let the scenario play out.
"You'll pay for that remark Daphne. Because of your name we'll be prepared to give you a choice, now, you can either quit the quidditch team, something we would regret to see, or you can stop this tutoring nonsense and come back to your senses. Or there will be consequences against-"
"No." Daphne said simply, watching the rage boil within him.
"Insolent bitch, I'll have you-"
"I wouldn't threaten me, Lautner." Daphne said with so much ice he almost turned pale but he continued to glare back at her. "Seeing as you are sat at this table, and you are so concerned with my interests, I'll afford you a little respect, as long as you remember who I am." She made a point never to mention her father in a threat, veiled or not. "I will continue to do as I see fit. However I am prepared to make this disagreement of ours a little interesting."
"Interesting?" Stephanie arched an eyebrow with intrigue.
"Steph, you are running the school's deadpool, am I correct?" Daphne looked over to the girl who nodded. Daphne knew she was correct.
If only the headmaster knew his choice in head girl was involved with less than lawful practices, perhaps he had an inkling with the members of her family but didn't expect it of his students. Then again he was a busy man and with her grades and outstanding record Stephanie was the clear candidate. It wasn't well known that Selwyns weren't far behind the Malfoys or Greengrasses in terms of wealth, the frightening fact was in the last twenty years they were steadily rising from one of the poorest pureblood families to the top, and it was all new money.
This was due to the Selwyns owning most of the bookmakers in Britain. They shifted money through launderers away from the eyes of goblins and the wrong members of the Ministry, with a little help from her father she suspected. They had their fingers in the pockets of major sporting events all around Europe, here and there fixing the results of quidditch leagues, broom races, gobstones championships and duelling tournaments. That was just the official events, they also ran the underground creature fighting rings, illegal duelling and tables of Devil's Favour. All made possible by the ever growing multitude of debts belonging to one Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports.
"Could you tell me the odds on Harry Potter and 'our dear champion' Draco to win the tournament?" Daphne smiled.
"That would be five hundred to one." Stephanie replied, having made a score of bets and totals that weekend from students of Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, none of whom had asked that question.
"Three hundred galleons on Potter and Malfoy to win - but let's not stop there, shall we? If they win, I want the head seat at this table next year – your seat Lautner."
Only now did Daphne smile at Lautner's arrogant smirk. To some it was a lot of gold to bet on but to her it was spare change.
"And what do I get if I see your bet and match it on Viktor Krum and he wins?" Lautner asked carefully.
"Well there isn't much I can offer you at the moment," Daphne grinned inwardly even further. "There is something though - I can tell my father to open marriage negotiations, I've know you've been looking my way for a while now. What do you think, you were so certain a moment ago that they will die during this tournament, you're not afraid are you?"
Daphne watched completely sickened as he licked his lips again.
AN - Special thanks to my beta drscot and everyone who has reviewed and PM'd me. Thoroughly enjoyed writing this chapter.
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