Where The Beginning Of The End Begun
A/N: Just wanted to say thanks so much for the reviews guys!
Chapter 5-
Everyone was already sitting in the Great Hall when Aibhilin and I arrived. We didn't really have a reason for being here it was just simply so we could see who put their name into the Goblet of Fire.
"You know, now that I think about it…I wouldn't mind being seventeen so I could put my name in. I think it'd be quite fun. Don't you?"
"I suppose… but you heard what Dumbledore said, the tasks are going to be extremely dangerous." Aibhilin replies quietly. I roll my eyes at her.
"Oh don't be such a coward Ave! Where's that Gryffindor bravery?" I tease her by bumping her shoulder gently as we sit down.
"I am not a coward!" She says more fiercely. I hold my hands up in mock defence.
"I'm only teasing, put the claws away." I smirk at her before turning my attention to the group of Hufflepuffs urging Cedric to put his name into the goblet.
"Go on Ced!" they cheer as they push him forward. He carefully puts the piece of parchment into the flame and catches my eye. He winks at both Aibhilin and I, making me blush furiously.
"Oh, he is so fit." Aibhilin says dreamily. "Why are you not with him already Gen?"
"You are barking mad. He's a lot older and not that it's a big deal for me it's just well…"
"A big deal for you?" She offers. I scoff at her and continue what I was saying.
"No, I just don't think we would be good together. Sure, he's gorgeous and a genuine bloke. But, sometimes I think he's too good. Not to mention the fact that he's one of the most sought-after boys in the school. If I was going after him, I'd have a boat load of competition."
"Or that is complete and utter shit and you are still caught up in the land of Draco Malfoy." It was her turn to smirk at me. I glare at her and whack her arm.
"That is most certainly not it-"
"Haha, Yes!" Two loud voices and cheers interrupt my sentence. The Weasley twins run in holding small vials of something. I turn to face Aibhilin again.
"It's not him." I finish off before giving the Weasley's my undivided attention, just like the rest of the people in the hall have.
"Well lads we've done it. Cooked it up just this morning." They tell us all. I smile at them, amused by their tactics of trouble making.
"It's not going to work." Hermione, who I hadn't realised was sitting near us, sing-songs to them without turning around.
Fred and George share a look and go to either side of Hermione as we all sit and watch.
"Oh yeah? And why is that Granger?" Fred asks her.
"Maybe because it was designed to keep sods like the two of you from entering it." I point out. They each just glare at me and I smirk in return. Hermione ignores the fact that I said anything and goes into greater detail.
"See this?" She motions to the foggy looking ring around the goblet. "This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself."
"So?" Fred asks bluntly.
"So," she closes her book over, "a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by something so pathetically dim-witted such as an aging potion."
"Ah, but that's why it's so brilliant." George tells her.
"Because it's so pathetically dim-witted." Fred finishes off as if it is the most obvious thing in the world.
The boys jump up onto a bench and begin to shake the bottles.
"Ready Fred?"
"Ready George."
"Bottoms up." They gulp down the potions and jump inside the ring.
Loud cheers and a round of applause rings out for the twins as nothing happens upon entering the ring.
I turn to Aibhilin and shrug.
"Maybe it'll work." She says.
"Maybe it won't." I reply to her.
They throw their names into the fire and everything seems fine. But then the flames start to go higher and they shoot out of the goblet, hitting Fred and George and knocking them both back, outside of the ring. I cringe as they both hit the ground.
When I look back over at them, I clamp a hand over my mouth to keep in the laugh threatening to escape me. The boys had grown old. Grey beards, grey hair, the whole lot.
Aibhilin cackles away beside me, as does everyone else.
They start rolling around, attempting to hit one another as we all gather around them. I hear the doors open behind me and become silent. When everyone else notices as well, they quieten down too.
Viktor Krum strides purposefully into the hall, flanked by Igor Karkaroff and Igor's Aide.
Despite my best efforts, I can't stop the small sigh of appreciation that escapes my mouth at the sight of Viktor. I still can't believe that he's here. In Hogwarts.
He puts his name into the goblet and I catch him giving Hermione a look. I look at Hermione and smirk before going to sit next to her.
"Hmm, so…Viktor Krum? Well done Hermione Granger." I give her a mock round of applause and she blushes, burying her nose in her book again.
"See the two of you later then, yeah?" I ask Hermione and Aibhilin as I pick up my bag and head for the doors.
"Yeah." They chorus as I walk out.
The halls are practically empty with only a few people milling about as I make my way to the Gryffindor common room. I have to return to the Great Hall later on anyway, to see who gets picked but I need to put all my books away as they are becoming quite heavy.
I look up to see Blaise and Draco passing by me.
"Boys." I nod to them without stopping.
"Blakewood." They reciprocate the gesture before carrying on down the corridor.
I chuck all of my books and my bag onto the bed, not bothering to put them away properly and check the time. I suppose I have time to write a letter to mum. I'll just send it tomorrow.
I grab some parchment and head into the common room. I sit at a desk, tapping the quill against it, trying to decide what to write.
Mum,
The Triwizard Tournament is being held at Hogwarts this year. But you probably already know that… How is Russia? Have you met any blokes yet? You're young now, but you won't be forever you know. Speaking of blokes, I met Cedric Diggory and oh my days is he handsome. Also, Viktor Krum is here. Viktor. Krum. Do you understand how unbelievably amazing that is? I think he
might have his eye on Hermione. Good for her though, she deserves to be fancied and by a famous quidditch player no less.
And now for the confession. I know that you say he's bad news because he's a Malfoy but mum… I honestly cannot stop thinking about Draco. It's killing me. I shouldn't feel this way, I know that but I do. Give me some of your great, motherly advice please?
I talked to Adelaide, she's asked me to be the one to assist her for the ball she's hosting. I had completely forgotten about it. I'm glad that she wants me to help but I have a feeling I'm going to get quite a bit of hate from Belinda and Shauna. Anyway, owl me as soon as you can. I love you forever and a day mum.
-Magenta x
I put the letter away and head out of the common room.
I push my way through the crowds of students, all gathered around in the Great Hall.
"Sorry. Excuse me-sorry." Having no luck in being polite trying to get people to move I resort to shoving and shouting.
"Move out of my bloody way!" A group of Slytherins stop talking and turn to look at me, finally parting so that I can walk through. "Merlin! Was that so hard?" I give them all glares as I walk passed them. I mean, I know I'm small but I'm not that small. Bloody hell, ignorant fools. All of them.
"Magenta! Come sit!" Aibhilin calls out to me and I go and sit next to her and the rest of the Gryffindors.
"Now the moment you've all been waiting for, the Champions Selection!" Dumbledore dims all of the fires that are burning and goes over to the Goblet of Fire, with his hand outstretched.
I watch in fascination as the flame goes from blue to a pinkish/red colour. A piece of parchment flies out into Dumbledore's hand. I grab onto Aibhilin's arm, waiting in anticipation to hear the first name.
"The Durmstrang champion is…Viktor Krum!"
All of the Durmstrang boys cheer for their friend, as do a few of us. I clap along with everyone else as Viktor goes to another room.
It flames up again and produces another name.
"The champion for Beauxbatons…Fleur Delacour!"
A petite blonde girl gets up and goes to wherever Viktor is.
The crowd gets silent again as we watch the last name shoot up out of the flames and land in Dumbledore's hand.
"The Hogwarts Champion, Cedric Diggory!" The Hufflepuffs burst out in wild cheers and applause. I clap along and cheer for Cedric.
"There was no way he wasn't going to get chosen." I whisper to Aibhilin she nods in response and continues clapping.
"Excellent! We now have our three champions!" Dumbledore exclaims. "But in the end only one will go down in history. Only one will hoist this chalice of champions, this vessel of victory. The Triwizard Cup!" He points behind him just as a gleaming, magnificent looking object is unveiled. We don't marvel at it for long before the flames of the goblet start to hiss and rise yet again.
"What the hell?" Aibhilin mumbles beside me. I shush her and watch with interest as Dumbledore goes to the goblet.
The flame burns even brighter this time as the piece of parchment flies out of it.
"Harry Potter." Dumbledore murmurs. I gasp quietly and spare Harry a glance.
"Harry Potter." Dumbledore says louder, looking around. Everyone else turns their heads, murmuring about what's happening and looking for Harry.
Harry stands up but then shakily sits back down, trying to avoid Dumbledore.
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore yells his name this time.
"Harry!" I hiss at him. "Go."
Hermione puts a hand on his shoulder and tells him to go up as well.
I watch as he slowly makes his way to Dumbledore, not looking at the people staring at him.
Harry didn't do this. He couldn't have. He's Harry Saint Potter for Merlin's sake.
I just stare at him. Not in a hateful nor menacing way like many others are, I simply just stare. Trying to figure this out in my head.
The whispers start up again, people calling out that Harry somehow cheated. He heads down to where the other champions are, solemnly. Leaving confused students like myself behind.
"Everyone back to your dormitories!" Professor McGonagall shouts sternly before rushing off with the other professors.
I get up along with Hermione and Aibhlin and we follow the crowds out of the hall.
We don't say anything; we just walk, caught up in our own thoughts.
Poor lad, always getting caught up in things. I feel quite sorry for Harry. I'm probably one of the few, out of the whole school that does. Even Ron looks pissed and he's Harry's best friend.
My thoughts are interrupted by a voice next to me.
"Well, well. It's not so great being friends with Potter now is it?" I turn to face Draco's sneering face.
"Shove off Malfoy." Hermione says next to me. He gives her a disgusted look.
"No one asked for your opinion, filthy little mud-blood." Hermione purses her lips and walks away. Aibhilin remains silent only giving Draco a glare as he slings his arm around my shoulders. My heart beats faster at the closeness but I quickly remind myself that he just insulted Hermione.
"Potter's a lying little cheat. Wouldn't you agree Blakewood?" I scoff at him and push his arm off of me.
"He's still less of a lying cheat then you." I tell him, keeping my eyes trained ahead of me.
"Oh really?" He asks in a more defensive tone. I notice that we're about to pass the stairs leading to the Gryffindor common room and I stop and turn to look him in the eye.
"Yes, really. And Harry hasn't done anything wrong anyway. You're just jealous Draco. And throwing petty insults about Harry around just makes you look like a prick." I see a fire raging in his eyes and decide that it's best if I get away quickly. "Good-night." I quickly follow Aibhilin up the stairs, although keeping my head held high.
I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding when I make it to the safety of the girls' dormitories. I turn around to see Aibhilin standing with her arms crossed, a small smirk on her face.
"You lying little bitch." My eyes widen at her. "You said that you were over your little crush on Draco."
"I am!" I protest.
"You most certainly are not. Not from what I just saw. It's just blatantly obvious that the two of you fancy each other." I roll my eyes at her and walk passed her to sit on my bed. She takes a seat next to me before she proceeds to sprawl out across the bed. "You aren't even denying it. I mean, I still hate Malfoy with all my heart because he is in fact a sodding prick but if you like him, I think that you should be with him. Of course it won't go down well with everyone else but who the hell cares?"
"Okay, Ave, I appreciate you giving me your blessing and everything but it's not just a case of being with him. My mum hates his family. And they most likely hate us. Besides, I don't want to have a boyfriend right now. I still need to be completely focused on school and doing well and-"
"More excuses." Aibhlin groans. "Why do you have to make this so difficult? You like him. He likes you. Be together." She says it slowly as if she's talking to a child.
"But it is difficult. And I don't want to talk about it anymore; everyone else is starting to come in." I get up and yank her off my bed before changing and crawling under the covers.
Potions first thing tomorrow. Be prepared Magenta. You don't want to fall behind again and- Draco. Draco. Draco.
I internally growl at the little voice inside of my head. This is bloody pathetic.
I'm bloody pathetic.
"Magenta!" Adelaide's shrill voice rings through the corridor. Both Aibhilin and I stop and turn to face her.
"Adelaide." I nod to her. "Belinda. Shauna." I greet the two other girls stiffly. They return the greeting with a look of distain. Lovely.
"So, let's hear the gossip then." Adelaide hooks arms with Aibhilin and I. We give each other confused looks before continuing to walk.
"What gossip would that be?" I ask her as we approach the doors to the Great Hall.
"Don't pretend you don't know. Pansy Parkinson pitched quite the fit last night. She swore up and down that you were centimetres away from snogging that Draco Malfoy." My eyes widen and I yank my arm away from her.
"What?! That never happened! Pansy's just seeking attention, like, you know… always." I tell her.
"Like we would believe you." Belinda says, her pretty face contorting into an ugly sneer.
"Well you should bloody believe her because it's the truth you arrogant bitch." Aibhilin barks out at Belinda. Belinda scoffs and turns her head away slightly.
"Enough. Magenta, darling. Just tell me, did you snog Malfoy?" Adelaide asks calmly.
"No. I didn't. My word should be enough for you. And you also shouldn't listen to Parkinson." I tell her evenly.
She holds her hands up in mock-defence.
"Okay, fine. You didn't. I believe you. Now why don't you and Aibhilin here come and sit with us for breakfast?" I begin to protest but Shauna beats me to it, her brown eyes becoming cold as she looks at me.
"What? Not a chance in hell. They're Gryffindors; it's not right for any of them to sit at the Slytherin table."
"Stow it Shauna. Magenta is my cousin and Aibhilin is her friend. They can sit with us if I say so." Adelaide grabs both of our arms again and practically drags us to the Slytherin table.
Everyone already sitting at the table looks at us. Some with looks of disgust and some neutral. Blaise is one of the neutral ones, he moves over a bit making room for Aibhilin and I.
When he looks at Aibhilin a small smirk forms on his face and she raises an eyebrow.
We sit down awkwardly and I try to ignore the stares coming from the other Gryffindors.
"So, I know it's still quite a while away but we need to start thinking about the ball. Where is it going to be? What colours should we ha-" Adelaide's sentence is cut off by Draco sitting down in-between us.
"Blakewood. What a pleasant surprise." He smirks at me.
"Do you have any tact? I was in the middle of a conversation." I tell him, gesturing to Adelaide.
"No, no. It's fine, we can discuss this later anyway. You two go ahead and chat." Adelaide sends me a wink and I narrow my eyes at her.
I see Shauna looking between Draco and I and then glaring at me. Oh right, she's in love with him… I send her a small smirk before scooting right up next to Draco, closing the gap that was between us before.
Draco's eyes widen a bit at my advance but then he goes back to his regular smirking. Oh gods, he is gorgeous.
"How very considerate of you Adelaide. I do enjoy chatting with Draco." I smile at him before reaching up and playing with his soft hair.
Everyone else watches on, extremely confused but I don't mind them, I keep my eyes focused on Shauna who is fuming now. I decide to see how far I can push her.
"So…" I start stroking Draco's arm affectionately. "I was wondering if maybe you could help me with potions? I mean, it's not my strong suit and just because you're so good at them…" I look up at him and bat my eyelashes.
He narrows his eyes but I give him my most innocent look and he eases up.
"Yeah, of course. Come to the Slytherin common room tonight and I'll help you then." He says, slinging an arm around me, pulling me closer to him.
"Can't wait." I whisper in his ear, just loud enough for Shauna to hear.
She looks like she's holding back a frustrated scream.
To put the cherry on top I kiss Draco's cheek slowly and know I've pushed Shauna over the edge. She throws her fork down and storms away.
"Shauna!" Belinda and Adelaide call after her. They sigh and run after her.
I smile, satisfied with her reaction and remove Draco's arm from around me before scooting back over to Aibhilin.
She and Blaise have been sitting there, completely silent the whole time.
"Don't tell me you're actually going to let him," she gestures to Draco. "Help you with potions."
"Piss off O'Malley." Draco hisses at her.
"Of course not." I laugh. "You did well at playing along by the way." I tell Draco. His eyebrows knit together as he narrows his eyes at me. I ignore him and grab my bag.
"Well, this has been lovely, but I'm going to be late for class. You coming Ave?"
"Actually, I'm going to walk O'Malley to class. If you don't mind?" Blaise answers for her.
I give Aibhilin a look as she blushes.
"No, of course not. I'll see you later." I wink at Aibhilin before heading out of the hall.
So, Blaise clearly fancies Aibhilin. This is just too good.
I'm not far out of the hall before I'm pushed up against the wall, staring into the silver eyes of Draco.
"Bloody hell! What do you think you're doing?" I ask him, trying to struggle out of his grip and failing.
"Using me like that wasn't very Gryffindor of you." He says against my ear. I try to free my wrists of his tight grip but he just pins them to my sides. "Nor was it very nice."
"Well maybe I'm not as nice a person as you though I was." I whisper, unable to speak normally at this close proximity.
"Maybe. Maybe under all of that 'I'm such a good little Gryffindor' act, you're a cruel, little Slytherin. After all, your mother was."
"Don't talk about my mother." I grit out. "You don't know her."
"But I know about her… and your father." My eyes widen.
"You're lying." He leans back to look at me.
"Am I?" he questions. I turn my head away from him. "Enough about that though," He grabs my chin to make me look at him. "You asked me to make a decision about whether I wanted to talk to you or ignore you. Well I made that decision and I have decided that we are going to be friends."
"Oh really?" I try to push him away but he pushes me against the wall harder. I'm torn between wanting someone to walk by so that Draco lets me go and being glad that no one's around to notice this little interaction.
"Really. So, tonight you are going to come to the Slytherin common room and I will help you with potions."
"N-" I begin but he presses a finger against my lips, silencing me.
"Ah, it wasn't a question." He finally lets my wrists go and I rub them, sure that there will be marks. He smirks and winks at me. "See you tonight."
Draco walks away to class leaving me dazed and confused against the wall.
What the bloody hell just happened?
Okay, so if I don't go he's going to be pissed and if I do go then… well, what's the worst that could happen really?
I pick up my bag again and shoulder it before walking down the hall, trying to think of a good excuse for being late to Snape's class.
I tip my head back as I walk and groan.
Bloody Draco Malfoy.