I've decided to update every two weeks. If you'll notice this update was less than two weeks after the last one... yes, thank you for the applause. I'll do my best to update two sundays after today. I like how this chapter turned out, actually, so if you did too be sure to let me know.

Theo looked up at the ceiling as he entered the Great Hall, holding Anna's hand. The grand room had been decorated for Halloween, though it was far more over the top than usual. There were the usual candles, floating like a pale yellow cloud in the air that -coincidentally- did little to light up the room, and there were dozens of large carved pumpkins as well, all depicting different variations of horror. Black and white shrouds were draped between the pillars and arches of the ceiling and fake cobwebs hung from the furniture. The tablecloths were dark purple and the napkins and other cloths were orange. The silverware was actually polished gold and sugar spiders clung from all surfaces.

A small smile tugged at Theo's lips. It was a nice sights, if a bit spooky. He squeezed Anna's hand and looked at her.

His smile faltered as he noticed she was staring straights ahead, a blank and somewhat absent look on her face.

"Anna?"

"Hm?" Her eyes turned to him slowly.

"You alright?" He whispered.

For a second she blinked before nodding. "Just fine."

He really doubted that but opted to just raise his eyebrows as they took their seats at the Slytherin table. Their friends sat around them and, some ways away, the Durmstrang students sat down as well. So maybe there had been some tension between them since Theo had curse that Octavian fellow. It was just what he deserved. Anna had made it perfectly clear yesterday that she wasn't interested but did he listen?

The girl in question just held on to his hand and stared at the goblet in front of Dumbledore's chair as if hypnotized. If Theo didn't know any better he'd think she was nervous.

Within seconds that everyone had entered the Hall, the doors had closed and the last people had taken their seats, the plates and larger dishes had filled with more food than they could finish. Meats and pastas and all sorts of fish and salads and pies and beans and grains and gravy and fries and then came the deserts. Cakes, tarts, ice creams, puddings, fruits, caramels, sorbets, sundaes and more, all covered in sugar and color.

Theo and the others tucked in, enjoying the diverse menu, but Anna -who had her rather... reasonable appetite- didn't. She pushed around the little amount of food on her plate, clenching and unclenching her fists and barely even lifting her fork, let alone putting any food in her mouth with it. During dessert she ate a few bites of a lemon tart but that was it.

Theo frowned and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, making her turn to him.

She forced a smile and shook her head, finally putting down her cutlery and abandoning any pretense of eating. It was clear she wasn't going to say anything so he didn't press her and merely pressed a kiss to her temple.

It was amazing to be able to do this so... casually. He'd be the first to admit that he wasn't a fan of public displays of affections and that he rarely showed anyone he cared. He also knew that she was the same. It was a trait they shared, the unwillingness -inability- to show weakness. But for each other... they could make exceptions.

When the plates had cleared again, silence fell over the whole room and Dumbledore stood up.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make a decision." He began. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table and go into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions."

Everyone's eyes lingered on the simple looking door for a fraction of a second before turning back to the old Headmaster. With a fluid motion, he waved his wand and put out all the candles in the room, leaving them in a near complete darkness. The only lights were the starts on the ceiling and the brighter, bigger blue flame of the goblet.

Theo felt Anna come closer and grab his hand, clenching it between her fingers nervously.

In the second he's been distracted a piece of scorched parchment had shot out of the flame and when he looked up, Dumbledore had already caught it and was unfolding it.

"The champion for Durmstrang," His voice cut through the complete silence. "is Viktor Krum!"

Applause and cheering resounded through the Hall and he and Anna clapped politely along.

Said boy rose from the Slytherin table and walked up to Dumbledore, who shook his hand and handed him back the parchment with his name. Then he passed to the next room and everything was quiet once more.

The flames turned red and another piece of parchment flew out of it, floating gently as it fell back down. Dumbledore caught it and squinted in an effort to read it in the dark.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," He said, barely needing to raise his voice. "is Fleur Delacour!"

A beautiful blonde girl rose from the Ravenclaw table, smiling and waving at the clapping students. Some were more enthusiastic than others, Theo had to admit as he clapped.

Anna was looking sicker by the second, he noted as he turned to his girlfriend while the french champion made the whole voyage.

Without commenting he turned back to the goblet, awaiting the Hogwarts champion who, all Slytherins knew, was not going to be a Slytherin. After all, Warrington, Accrington and Khan weren't their best. The most show-offish, sure, but not the best.

Then the flame went red and spit out another name. Dumbledore caught it once more and opened it, casting a look around the Hall to instill suspense -on purpose, that old coot- and cleared his throat.

"The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory!" He called out.

The clapping and roaring was immense, at least from all tables but Gryffindor. Theo had to admit, most Slytherins were just cheering the fact that it wasn't one of the damned lions. Still, he clapped too, even if Anna's grip on his robes was starting to feel a bit constricting.

When he stopped clapping, much sooner than the Hufflepuff table next to them, he wrapped an arm around her. She was trembling and still staring at the goblet. Theo cast her a confused look before looking back at the goblet himself, realizing that something was going to happen.

As soon as the Hall calmed down once more, Dumbledore walked forwards.

"Excellent!" He called out. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real-"

Then the flame turned red again.

Theo's eyes widened as he held Anna tighter, hearing her breath hitch.

A flame shot into the air and a singed, blacked paper floated down to the ground. It lay there for a few seconds as everyone looked at it in stunned silence before Dumbledore shook himself awake and picked it up. He frowned at it before looking up at the Gryffindor table.

"Harry Potter." He whispered, but everyone heard him.

Theo paid no attention to the others as Anna sagged into his side and buried her face in his neck. He could feel the relief floating off her in waves.

Harry scowled as he pushed his way through the crowds of students in the corridors, ignoring the jeers and scowls of the other children. He kept his head low and his lips firmly shut, hurrying to the library where he have in peace. Or as much peace as Madam Pince allowed him. Crazy woman.

Anger bubbled in his stomach as he spotted Ron walking with Seamus and Dean. New friends already, huh? Not that friendship meant much to the red head, apparently. Wouldn't even hear what he had to say. Harry was sick of it. One moment they're best friends and the next he didn't believe that Harry actually didn't want to risk his life more than necessary? Fantastic.

"You stink, Potter!" Someone called out from behind him, causing many people to turn to him to gauge his reaction.

Harry just swallowed the irritated retort he was about to utter and lowered his head further, feeling his cheeks heat up. It wasn't fair. He didn't ask for this. Why couldn't they just leave him alone?

After what felt like an eternity of walking through endless hallways, he got to the library. Madam Pince gave him a sharp glance as he walked by but didn't say anything and the few students that were there during lunch time didn't bother with him seeing as they were probably finishing last minute homework. The ceiling high bookshelves formed paths between them and he followed one of them all the way to the back of the library. There he found an empty table next to a large window where he sat down and took out all his stuff from his bag.

He had to take his mind off things. Off everything. So he had decided to start doing his Potions essay which would keep him sufficiently occupied seeing as he didn't understand any of it. The Alihotsy Draught. It didn't sound nice and he doubted that anything he found about it would actually be nice. Still, he had to study it because they would be brewing it in class.

With some difficulty Harry carried two very heavy books to his table, hoping that they would have some information. Otherwise he'd have to ask Madam Pince about it and he was not looking forward to that.

Someone cleared his throat behind him and he snapped his head around to see who it was.

"Anna?" He wondered aloud. "What are you doing here?"

Anna remained silent for a short while, her hands folded over her grey skirt and painted lips pressed shut. Suddenly one of her hands shot to her hair and patted the back of her braid, as if to make sure it was still whole. She looked nervous.

"I- just wanted to tell you that I believe you." She admitted. "And I wanted to apologize for how my house has been treating you. I know Draco must not be easy to deal with, particularly now."

Harry frowned for a second before nodding. "Alright."

"I know I haven't talked to you since the World Cup and I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." She finished in a whisper.

"It's alright." Harry shook his head. "Like you said. Malfoy must not be easy to deal with."

He thought Anna's smile seemed pained but it was quickly erased.

"You're doing potions? Do you need help?" She walked forwards, her high heels clicking on the floor, and looked over his books. "Would you like some help?"

"Eh?" Came his eloquent answer. "Why?"

Her eyebrows rose. "Well, I know you're not the best at it, so I was just offering. But if you don't want-"

"No!" Harry shook his head. "That's not what I meant. It's just... you're Malfoy's friend."

Anna smiled. "That doesn't mean I can't be your friend too. He doesn't decide who I'm friends with or who I help."

He couldn't help but smile and nod. "Alright then. Teach me."

She laughed.

Hermione was expecting to find Harry asleep on top of his homework, but she didn't. In fact, she found him discussing the ethics related to the use of the Alihotsy Draught with Anna Connors, of all people. She'd rarely seen Harry so enthusiastic about homework, let alone Potions homework. He seemed completely concentrated and didn't even realize she was watching them.

"I disagree." Harry stated, waving his hands around in wide motions and staring at the girl with shining eyes. "You should definitely not use this as an interrogation method. It's cruel."

"I'm not saying you should." Anna countered. "It's just a possibility. Better than Crucio, maybe not as effective as Veritaserum but it could be used."

"It causes hysterics." He shook his head. "They would suffocate before giving any usable information. When was the last time you tried to tell anyone anything through hysterical laughter?"

Before Connors could answer she spotted her standing to the side and sobered up immediately, regaining her neutrally bored look.

"Granger." She acknowledged.

"Connors." Hermione opened her mouth, just about to ask Harry to go with her to the common room for some privacy, but Connors stood up in a hurry.

"I've got to go now anyway, Harry." Connors smiled blindingly at the boy. "I hope I helped."

"Yeah, definitely." Harry nodded, standing up. "I'll see you around?"

"Of course. Good luck with... everything." After that she turned on her (ridiculously high) heels and strode off between the bookshelves.

Hermione turned to her friend who was looking at her with a slight disgruntled expression on his face. Good god. Connors really got around didn't she? She'd heard the girl lived at the Malfoys' -she was almost always with the blond git- and that she'd recently gotten together with Nott -she'd seen them together and they behaved like they'd been together much longer, no awkwardness- and now Harry? Hermione couldn't figure Connors out.

"New friend, Harry?" She questioned him.

"Yeah, so?" He countered.

"Nothing." Hermione cleared up, slightly alarmed. "Anyway. Ronald told me to tell you that Seamus told him that Dean was told by Parvati that Hagrid's looking for you."

She got a confused look in return.

"What?"

Anna could honestly say that the feeling Theo kissing her was one of the best feeling she'd felt until now. He wrapped one of his arms around her waist, pressing her up against him and stroking a thumb up and down her back while his other hand cradled the back of her head, his fingers tangled in her hair. She was glad most people were outside so she and Theo could sit in peace. They were sitting by one of the windows looking over a courtyard, barely visible from below.

Abruptly there came loud arguing from below, causing them to break apart and look down.

Draco and Harry were shouting at each other, less than a meter apart.

Anna's hands tightened on Theo's soft cardigan and he placed his own over them, urging her to calm down.

"He's your friend, right?" His breath tickled her cheek.

"You could say that." She admitted, her voice somewhat unsure.

"It's more than a little weird." He muttered, but he didn't sound jealous only slightly amused.

"It's complicated."

"I won't ask then."

Anna groaned when Draco insisted on getting into Potter's face. She'd begged her cousin to give the boy a break, telling him it was important. But, clearly, he hadn't listened.

Theo yelped as her fingernails pinched him through his cardigan when Draco pointed his wand at Harry. Anna gasped and apologized, kissing him deeply, but they soon turned back to watch as laughter reached their ears.

Moody was levitating a white ferret, much to the amusement of everyone present, including Harry. B- but... was that Draco?

A harsh hiss in parseltongue ripped from her throat, along with a deep rooted fury.

Theo hushed her, stroking her cheek. "They'll hear you."

MacGonagall interrupted the show, turning the ferret back into Draco and ushering everyone away. Moody takes Harry with him and everyone clears out. Anna and Theo stay there for a short while as he kept placing soft kisses on her cheek, trying to stop the snake like sounds she emitted. She kept her eyes on the courtyard.

"Theo." She began. "Take our stuff to the common room. What class do we have?"

"Charms." He informed her.

"Skip it. Keep Draco and the rest there. Tell them I say so. Tell them not to leave until I get there." She ordered, gaining herself an odd look from him. He didn't comment, however, and just nodded.

Before he stood he pressed a kiss to her lips and whispered: "Stay calm."

Then he left.

"I am calm." Anna stormed. "I am absolutely and utterly calm."

Standing up, she turned in the direction of Barty's office and strode off briskly with clenched hands and jaw. Right as she got to the corridor of his office she saw Harry leaving, but she didn't call out, lest he quench the wrath festering inside her.

Without knocking, she swung the door open. Barty looked up at her in surprise but didn't have time to say anything before she'd cursed him.

"Crucio."

His scream was inhuman, sounding more like an animal than a person as he twisted his body into a tangled mess, limbs in painful angles. The screech echoed off the walls of his office making her ears ache but she didn't stop. In fact, it took a few minutes for the anger to drain out of her and by the time she lifted the curse Barty was whimpering mess at her feet.

"If you ever harm my family again, Barty, I'll kill you." She fumed. "No matter how good friends we are, no matter how difficult it'll be to finish this. I warn you."

Barty nodded his head, never looking up. "I- I understand, my- my lady. I apologize. It's just that he-"

"I know." She cut him off. "I'll deal with that. Now get up."

He scrambled to his feet, his frame still shaking, and faced her. He didn't make a move to hurt her, in fact, he kept his eyes on his feet like a scolded child.

"We'll talk tonight."

When she left the room she heard him collapse but she didn't turn back.

Draco stared at Anna incredulously.

"You want me to what?"

"I want you to stop antagonizing Potter." She repeated, face grim. "In fact, keep your distance from his for the rest of the Tournament."

"B- but-" He spluttered. "He deserves it! And- and people will think I'm scared!"

"Let them!" She snapped. "Dammit Draco, listen to me for once!"

The Malfoy heir flushed in ager. "And if I don't?"

The anger in his cousin's face seemed to drain away as she let herself fall on a chair. She looked exhausted, not that it was a surprise. He knew she wasn't sleeping as much as she should be, let alone eating. They were worried.

"Just don't, Draco." She muttered. "Please. I... have plans."

He frowned.

"Do it for me."

He sighed and passed a hand through his hair."Fine. On one condition."

Anna groaned. "What?"

"Since you made us skip class, you'll let us help you."

"What?" Suddenly she was wide awake but he waved away her worries.

"You go take a nap and we'll do your research for you. Is it homework?"

"No. That's all done." She scowled. "It's... how to survive underwater for an hour."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "... Alright. We'll look it up for you. Now go to sleep."

"No." Anna protested. "I-"

"Girls." Draco pointed at Anna and Daphne and Pansy grabbed her by the arms, dragging her away to her room. Then he turned to Theo and Blaise. "To the library then. Theo's on Charms, Blaise on Herbology and I'm on alternative means."

"You got it." Blaise nodded and turned away.

Theo made to follow but Draco caught his arm and pulled him back. He studied the brunet for a few seconds.

"If you even think of-"

"Of what?" Theo countered. "Betraying her? Hurting her? Leaving her? What?" His voice was harsh.

"Whatever you're planning, Theo, if it hurts her, I'll end you." Draco's grip tightened and he saw Theo wince.

"Why do you think I'm planning something?"

"Because you always are."

"And if I'm actually planning on being there whenever she needs me?"

"Then you've got nothing to worry about."

Theo ripped his arm out of his grip, glowering, and stalked off.

This time she knocked, the soft sound echoing off the walls of the DADA classroom. So maybe she felt slightly guilty? She had overreacted a bit, torturing him and everything. Draco needed to be knocked down a notch, even if transfiguring him was too much.

She smoothed down her black dress and tucked her hair behind her ears when she heard him walking towards the door. Not stomping, walking. He hadn't taken the polyjuice potion. That always made her nervous, seeing his actual face. In a way, Barty's hollow, sunken and withered appearance scared her more than Moody's broken and torn features. It made her imagine Azkaban and her parents. It made her wonder how they lived, how they survived and how much their minds had deteriorated from their already sick minds. It made her nauseated.

Barty opened the door, wide blue eyes snapping from one side to the other before landing on her. He made a clumsy sort of bow before moving aside to let her pass, twitch of the tongue ever present.

"You don't have to that." She muttered.

He didn't answer, pointing Moody's wand to the lights. The room lit up slightly, casting dark shadows over the haunting dark-magic detectors and other dusty objects. A bottle and two cups stood on his desk, glinting innocently in the candle light.

Anna took a seat and crossed her legs, looking at him expectantly.

Barty sat down in front of her, still wearing the abused pup face. It ticked her off.

"Stop that." Anna pursed her lips. "You're not weak enough to be subjugated with one Crucio."

A nasty smirk spread over his lips. "You know me too well, my lady." Then he cleared his throat. "So what is this about? I've got the First Task under control. You're on Second Task. Third hasn't been decided yet. So what's this for?" He repeated.

Anna grabbed the bottle and poured into both cups. Red wine, and from what she could smell, it was pretty strong. She'd need that tonight.

"Don't do that again, Barty." She whispered after taking a sip. "Family is everything to me."

"Did you sort the ferret out, then?" He picked up his own glass.

"Yes. He'll keep his distance."

"In that case, there'll be no more issues with your baby cousin."

"I resent that." She swallowed another mouthful. "He's mostly a toddler."

Barty chuckled and she joined him not long after.

"I'm sorry, you know. For-" She motioned to him. "You just pissed me off. I love him, got it? No matter how spoiled he can be. That's Narcissa and Lucius' fault."

Barty growled. "Don't mention them. I won't be rude, but you can't tempt me like that."

"Sure." Then she poured herself another glass. She kept hearing Barty scream. "Tell me something."

"Hm?" The older man -he had to be in his late twenties now- raised his eyebrows and brushed some dark blonde locks away from his forehead.

"What's Azkaban like?" She asked, watching him over the rim of her glass.

As soon as the name left her lips a haunted look crossed his eyes. "Why would you want to know that?"

Anna took a deep breath. "I don't want to know, but I need to know. For my parents."

Barty's lips curled up in an animalistic grimace. "You sure?"

The words wouldn't leave her mouth so she just nodded.

There was a tense silence as she watched him empty his glass and fill it up again. He drained it and sat there, watching the bottle as if preparing himself mentally. Then he filled his glass once more and offered her the bottle. She accepted it and topped off her glass, drinking half of it in one go. She was going to feel this, maybe in her ankles after stumbling in her shoes too. But she waited for him. She'd give him as long as he needed.

It took a while. A long while, but eventually he cleared his throat.

"As my lady wants." He put his glass down. "Have you ever been so cold you never thought you'd warm up again?"

He looked at her for a while. "It literally hurts, but you don't die. Day in, day out, you survive, you keep breathing, but you don't want to. You don't want to live. The- the dementors? Saying they take away all the happiness... that's easy. It's... all your memories, everything that made you happy, anything that ever sparked the feeling of content... they take it away. They leave you empty until they fill you with despair, remorse and you feel like your very existence has been a disappointment, a waste of time, worthless. And you feel like you'll never feel anything that even comes near happiness."

He rubbed his face, as if trying to wipe away his very skin, and took another long drink of wine.

"But you want to know about your parents." He started shaking his head. "They screamed. Not your uncle... not Rabastan, even if he was more scared than your parents. Rabastan kept it all to himself. No... your parents weren't afraid. They screamed your name. All the time. They went crazy, but calling your name helped then keep some happiness."

He watched her, lost in his memories, seemingly blind to the tears trailing down her face. She drank another glass.

"Annabelle. Annabelle. Anna. Annie." His voice merely a whisper. "All the time. Nobody there who doesn't know your name."