Chapter 12

Potions Drama

Cedric and I walked together back up to the castle after the Second Task to change into dry clothes. He told me what he encountered in the Black Lake during the task. I was feeling grateful that I was asleep the whole time I was under the water. I would hate to have to fight off grindylow by myself.

When we arrived at the entrance to the dungeons, I gave Cedric a kiss and told him I would meet up with him in twenty minutes near the Great Hall. He agreed and headed off to the basement where the Hufflepuff house entrance was.

I entered the Slytherin common room to be mobbed by my peers. "What was it like?", "Could you breathe at all?", "What spell did Professor Dumbledore use on you?", "What were the merpeople like?" I was bombarded with so many questions, I didn't know what to do. I tried to squeeze past everyone so I could change my clothes. Eventually, I was able to slip between a couple of fifth years and made it to my dormitory.

"Thank the gods." I murmured to myself as I quickly took off my wet clothes. I changed into some warm pants and a sweatshirt, green in color, and debated how I would get past everyone again. Too bad Harry's got the invisibility cloak, I thought to myself. Just then, Pansy entered the room.

"Chloe, there you are!" She ran over to me. "Tell me everything."

"Pansy," I started to think I wouldn't be able to escape to see Cedric tonight. "There's not really much to tell. I was told to talk to Professor Snape last night, and he got my consent to be a part of the Second Task."

"Mmm-hmm." Pansy was listening intently.

"Then I went to see Professor Dumbledore, who explained that we would be put under a spell to induce a deep sleep. Last thing I saw before waking up in the lake was Dumbledore pointing his wand at me."

"That's it?" She asked incredulously.

"I told you, there really wasn't much to tell." I shrugged my shoulders at her.

"Then, tell me what it's like to be Cedric's 'treasure'." She said with a smirk. At her words I felt a blush creep up my face.

"What do you mean?" I said while avoiding eye contact.

"Well, wasn't that the task? The champion having to save their loved ones from the merpeople in the lake." She said, still smirking at me.

"Does that make Ron Harry's loved one?" I wondered out loud. "What about Hermione and Viktor Krum?"

"I suppose so," Pansy said with a shrug. "Although, I doubt that Harry loves Ron any more than just a friend. But we were talking about you and Cedric."

"Yeah, I was trying to change the subject." I said, rolling my eyes.

"I want all the details." Pansy persisted.

"Why?" I asked, feeling a bit annoyed.

"Because, Draco has yet to make anything official with me and I need to hear about a successful relationship." Pansy pouted.

"I mean, you've hung out with Cedric and me. What more do you need?"

"I want to know what it's like to be in love." Pansy looked at me earnestly.

"Who said I was in love?" My cheeks once again felt warm. Could I be in love with Cedric? I had never really thought about it. We were getting close to each other, and he kept saying I was the most important person to him.

"It's obvious." Pansy said while rolling her eyes. "The way you two look at each other. It's so romantic."

"I…" I started to say. "He looks at me a certain way?"

"You are literally so blind. Anyone can see it. Maybe that's why Draco keeps avoiding the two of you." She said thoughtfully.

"Why would it matter to him?"

"Well, before you and Cedric became a thing, you and Draco were really good friends. Maybe he just feels like he's losing you to Cedric."

"That's ridiculous." I said with a small laugh.

"Is it? When was the last time you hung out with Draco, just the two of you?"

I had to think about it before answering. "Some time before the Second Task. Although, we were interrupted by Cedric." I started to feel a bit guilty about not hanging out with Draco. We had gone a full two years of barely saying anything to each other, and now that we decided to work on our friendship I had to go get a boyfriend.

"You see? It's no wonder Draco hates Cedric." She said nonchalantly.

"What do you mean Draco hates Cedric?"

"He's always complaining about him; saying awful things, you know?" Pansy said with a shrug.

"What awful things?" I pushed, needing answers.

"Mainly how Cedric's an ass for stealing all of your free time. That he's ruining your friendship by not sharing you, etcetera." She shrugged. "Nothing that unusual."

"You're kidding right?" I was taken aback. I didn't realize how much Draco disliked Cedric. I mean, I did notice that he usually left the room if Cedric was there, but Draco never said anything to me about it.

"No, not kidding. You should talk to Draco about it, not me."

"Draco hasn't said anything to me about it." I said defensively. "If he wanted to say something to me, he should have."

"You're not wrong. Boy's have no idea how to communicate." Pansy said, nodding her head adamantly.

"Listen, I told Cedric I'd meet up with him after changing clothes. Help me get out of the common room?" I was tired of this conversation and really just wanted to go see Cedric.

"Sure, I'll just shove everyone out of the way. Stay close behind me." Pansy said with a smirk. And sure enough, when we walked out to the common room she started pushing and shoving people out of the way. I didn't stop to help anyone up that fell, and successfully made it out of the common room.

It had been a lot longer than twenty minutes by the time I got to the Great Hall. I found Cedric waiting for me near the large doors. He was combing his hand through his brown wavy hair when I approached him.

"So sorry I am late, I had a hard time escaping from the clutches of everyone in the Slytherin house." I said as I walked up to him.

"No worries, I had an entourage of Hufflepuff's asking for details on the Task." Cedric said with a smile. He leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I'm feeling a lot better now that I'm in dry clothes and with you."

"Same here," I said with a shy smile. Was Pansy right in saying that we loved each other? I felt my heartbeat quicken as I recalled my conversation with her.

"Chloe, there's something I have been wanting to tell you." Cedric looked nervous as he continued, "You remember how I kept telling everyone that you are the most important person to me today?"

"Yeah?" Butterflies started dancing in my stomach.

"I've never felt this way about anyone before." He started wringing his hands together. It was obvious that he was feeling anxious.

"Feel what way?" I asked softly. Was he about to confess his love to me?

"I think I-"

"Chloe!" A voice called, interrupting Cedric before he could tell me how he felt. I turned towards the voice to see Draco approaching us. His hair was slicked back, and his gray eyes looked stormy as he walked up. "I have been looking for you."

"Draco?" I said with a little bit of resentment. I was sure Cedric was about to say that he thought he loved me.

"I just wanted to see if you were ok." He continued to say, completely ignoring Cedric. "You know, after being in the lake for so long." He added as I just stared at him blankly.

"And you couldn't have waited until I came back to the common room?" I asked, annoyed.

"Well, you were being mobbed by people earlier and then you left the room in a rush, I wasn't able to ask." He shrugged.

Cedric cleared his throat and I looked up at him. "Cedric, can we continue our conversation later?" I asked softly.

"Sure, how about we go to Hogsmead together next weekend we can go?" Cedric offered, giving me a disappointed look. "Where we can't be interrupted." He added as he gave a small glare at Draco.

"Absolutely." I gave him a grateful smile. I leaned up and gave him a small kiss, and I heard Draco sigh heavily. I knew that he was rolling his eyes without actually seeing it. "I'll see you later." Cedric said his good bye and headed off to the Hufflepuff dormitory.

"Finally," Draco said while rolling his eyes.

"Seriously?" I fumed as I turned back towards him.

"What?" He asked, trying to look innocent.

"Did you have to pick now to interrupt us?" I glared in his direction.

"I just wanted to talk to you," Draco shrugged. "I figured that you wouldn't make the time to talk to me, so I would make you make the time."

"Well, you picked the worst time." I crossed my arms angrily.

"I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm not." He gave me a small smirk. I rolled my eyes and started to walk away from him. His timing couldn't have come at a worse time. I wanted to hear Cedric tell me that he loves me. Me, the Potter twin with the worst reputation. Me, the Potter twin whom everyone was scared of. Me, the Potter twin who didn't matter in the eyes of the wizarding world. Harry was completely adored by most people in the wizarding world. Everyone looked up to him as the Chosen One. He was the important twin, not me. So, for once in my life I wanted to hear someone tell me that they love me more than they care about my brother."

"Hey!" He yelled as he snatched my arm. "Where are you going?"

"Away from you." I shook my arm, trying to get him to let go. Draco tightened his grip on me and forced me to look at him.

"I just wanted to talk to you."

"Right now, I really don't care."

"Well, you should care. Chloe, you've been absent in our friendship. Ever since Diggory showed up, it's like I don't exist. I'm getting tired of being the only one who seems to care about OUR relationship." I couldn't believe how selfish Draco was acting. Does he think the world revolves around him?

"Let me go. Now." I said sternly as I glared into his eyes.

"Don't leave me." He said softly. "Please." The last word came out as a whisper. I took a couple of deep breaths before answering.

"This is not the way to get my attention, Draco. I understand how you are feeling, truly. I haven't been putting as much effort into our friendship as I should be. I am sorry about that." I spoke slowly. "I need you to understand something."

Draco nodded as he let my arm go.

"I need you to understand that I can't spend all my time with everyone all the time. I am in a relationship with someone who… is special to me. I want to make that relationship a priority for me. I finally found someone who doesn't care about my reputation, that doesn't care that Harry is my brother, that does care about my feelings and my goals in life. I've never had that before." Draco started shaking his head in disbelief. "What?" I asked confused.

"You do realize that I do all those things, right?" He looked me in the eyes. "I never cared about your reputation, or your stupid brother. I care about your feelings and goals too. And while I know I haven't been there for you the last two school years, I am now."

"I know those things, Draco, but you're just a friend; and Cedric, he's so much more than a friend. He's-"

"Something special." Draco finished my sentence while rolling his eyes. "I can see that you are blind to what is right in front of you." At those words Draco left me standing in the Great Hall, more confused than ever.

The weeks up to the next Hogsmead weekend went by in a flash. I was distracted by classes, and homework, so I didn't take too much out of my time to think about my last conversation I had with Draco. I didn't even really have time for Cedric or Harry. The Professors were piling up the homework in preparation for the year's finals. The Hogsmead weekend was upon us, and I was looking forward to spending time with Cedric, and being able to see Sirius again.

Friday morning, Harry came up to me during breakfast, and pulled me aside to tell me that he got a letter back from Sirius. He showed me the letter and it read:

"Be at stile at end of road, out of Hogsmead. Past Dervish and Banges at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Bring as much food as you can."

"Awesome, I'm looking forward to it." I said after reading the short letter. Then I remembered I had made plans with Cedric that day. "Harry," I started to say.

"Yes?"

"Would it be ok if I brought Cedric? I already made plans to see each other at Hogsmead, and I'd hate to cancel with him." Harry thought for a minute before answering.

"Don't you think it would be dangerous to bring him to see Sirius? Sirius is still a wanted man, and I don't want to risk him getting turned in." He brought up a fair point.

"Cedric wouldn't turn in Sirius. Especially if I explain everything that happened last year. I know he'd understand. Besides, your friends get to know about Sirius, so why not my boyfriend?" I insisted.

"Ron and Hermione were a part of what happened last year." Harry said. "Can't you just end your date a little early, or start it a little later?"

"I haven't been able to spend much time with Cedric because of course work." I said, rolling my eyes. "I really don't want to lose time with him. How about I talk to him about Sirius and if he seems like he doesn't understand, or says something bad about Sirius, then I'll make an excuse to leave him in time to meet up with Sirius. But, if the talk goes well, then I would really like to introduce him to our godfather."

"Fine, just be sure if you do end up bringing him." Harry conceded. "Want to walk to double-potions together?"

"Sure," I said with a smile. I put my arm through Harry's, wanting to show some affection towards him, and we headed off to potions. Ron and Hermione were still eating their breakfast, we figured they'd find their own way to class.

When we got to the classroom we saw Zabini, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and some of the other fourth year Slytherin girls huddled in a corner. I told Harry I'd see him tomorrow and headed towards them. They were all reading what looked like a copy of Witch Weekly.

"What are you reading?" I asked as I approached them.

"You won't believe this," Pansy said as she thrust the magazine under my nose. I read the article that was open.

A boy like no other, perhaps — yet a boy suffering all the usual pangs of adolescence, writes Rita Skeeter. Deprived of love since the tragic demise of his parents, fourteen year old Harry Potter thought that he had found solace in his steady girlfriend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger. Little did he know that he would shortly be suffering yet another emotional blow in a life already littered with personal loss.

Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to have a taste for famous wizards that Harry alone cannot satisfy. Since the arrival at Hogwarts of Viktor Krum, Bulgarian Seeker and hero of the last Quidditch World Cup, Miss Granger has been toying with both boys' affections. Krum, is openly smitten with the devious Miss Granger, has already invited her to stay with him in Bulgaria over the summer holidays and insists that he has "never felt this way about any other girl."

However, it may not be Miss Granger's doubtful natural charms that have captured these unfortunate young boys' interests.

"She's really ugly," says Pansy Parkinson, a pretty and vivacious fourth year student, "but she'd be well-up to making a Love Potion, she's quite brainy. I think that's how she's doing it."

Love Potions are, of course, banned at Hogwarts, and no doubt Albus Dumbledore will want to investigate these claims. In the meantime, Harry Potter's well-wishers must hope that, next time, he bestows his heart on a worthier candidate.

I giggled a bit before turning back to Pansy. "When did you find the time to do an interview with Skeeter?"

"Sometime ago, after the Second Task." Pansy said grinning. I shook my head in amusement. I knew that Hermione wasn't toying with Harry, they were just friends. The lengths some people go to spread rumors was what amused me. Personally, I wasn't sure how close Krum and Hermione were, but if he had invited her to visit during the summer, then surely they were hitting it off.

"How anyone could be interested in Granger, I'll never know." Draco mused with a smirk on his face. Crabbe and Goyle grunted in agreement.

"Me either." Pansy giggled again.

"There are more than just looks that interest people." I said with a shrug. "Just because you all don't find Hermione good looking, doesn't mean other people don't. It's all about personal preference."

"What do you think Krum sees in her?" Pansy questioned.

"I haven't really spent much time with the two of them together, so I can't really say."

"But you've spent loads of time with her." She pressed.

"Hermione is smart, she might have a know-it-all attitude sometimes," everyone laughed at those words. "But she's kind and has a good heart." Pansy rolled her eyes at me.

"If all you need is a good heart to attract a famous quidditch player, then Pansy I'm afraid you're out of luck." Draco said teasingly towards Pansy.

"Not funny!" Pansy said grumpily as Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle laughed at Draco's words.

"Alright, let's just calm down." I said as I put my arm around Pansy's shoulders.

"There they are! There they are!" Pansy said giggling as she saw Ron and Hermione enter the classroom. Her mood seemed to elevate instantly at the sight of them. "Might find something to interest you in here, Granger." She said loudly as she threw the magazine to Hermione. We all took out seats, and soon class was beginning.

At some point during the class, while Hermione, Harry, and Ron were talking under their breaths about the article, Professor Snape went over there to scold them. Once he realized what they were talking about, he grabbed the magazine and read the article to the class. Somehow, when Snape read the article it was ten times funnier. After he was done reading to the class, and the Slytherins finally calmed down from all the laughing, he separated the three of them. Hermione was sitting on the other side of Pansy, Ron stayed where he was, and Harry was put in the front of Snape's desk.

It looked like Harry and Snape were having a quiet, but heated, conversation about something. However, I was too far away to hear what they were talking about. The dirty looks the two of them were giving each other was enough from me to understand they were not having a pleasant conversation.

When there was only thirty minutes left of class, there was a knock at the door. Professor Snape told whoever it was to enter. Igor Karkaroff came into the classroom and headed straight towards Snape's desk. They appeared to exchange a few words, so quietly no one, except Harry, could hear what they were saying. Snape looked very angry, and Karkaroff looked worried; worried enough to stay standing behind Snape's desk until the end of class.

By the end of class, I saw Harry spill some armadillo bile and bend down to clean it up. I had the sneaking suspicion that he spilt the bile on purpose to hear whatever Karkaroff needed to say to Snape. I cleaned up my station, and packed my bags before heading out of the classroom. I decided to wait outside the potions classroom to catch Harry and hear what had happened.

Karkaroff exited the classroom first, looking angry. Soon after, Harry came out the door and he nearly ran me over.

"Harry!" I said loudly as I stepped away from him.

"Chloe, what are you doing here?" He asked surprised.

"Don't be stupid, I say you spill your armadillo bile on purpose just as class was ending."

"Did you? I thought I was being sneaky."

"What did you hear?" I asked curiously.

"Let's find Hermione and Ron so I don't have to repeat myself." He said quickie. I agreed and we headed off together to find the other two.

We ended up at the library and there, Harry explained what he overheard. Apparently, something on Karkaroff's left inner forearm was bothering him and he seemed to think Snape would know what to do about it. Snape had told Karkaroff to put his sleeve down, and told him that they would need to talk later. That's when Karkaroff left the classroom, Harry shortly behind him.

"I wonder what was on his left arm." I mused thoughtfully.

"Maybe Sirius will know, we can tell him what happened tomorrow." Hermione said while nodding her head. We agreed, and I left them in the library and headed to my dormitory. The day was full of excitement, and I was ready to get some rest for tomorrow.

AN: I appreciate you reading this far! Leave a review to let me know what you think about the story.