Chapter 9: Dragons

I have been taking some time to recover since my talk with my parents. My grandparents, Rio and Jefferson apologized to me as well.

"Lana, sweetie we're sorry," Rio said, pulling me into a hug.

"We didn't mean to hurt you. I was just upset." Jefferson said.

"It... It's okay Grandpa." I said. I was grateful they apologized to me but I still needed some time to myself. I have been mostly spending my time with Harry and my wives, Nala and Margo, and Sarabi. We are outside with Neville, who is doing some stuff with his plants.

"Amazing!" Neville said.

"Neville. You're doing it again." Harry said.

"Oh. Right. Sorry." Neville said.

"How are you feeling, Lana?" Margo asked me.

"I'm slowly getting better. Everything's been a lot for me to take in. So much has happened this week." I said.

"I know this week has been tough for you. But I'm proud of you for handling it well." Nala said, nuzzling me. I hugged her, kissing her on the forehead.

"Thank you," I said.

"We love you, Lana. Don't forget that." Margo said, kissing me.

I sat down, cuddling with my wives, leaning against a tree. It has been silent for a long time but Harry broke the silence. "Magical Water Plants of the Highland Locks?" Harry said, reading the title of the book he was holding.

"Can I take a look?" Nala asked.

"Sure," Harry said, handing the book to her.

"Moody gave it to me. That- that day we had tea." Neville said.

"I don't care about what anyone says. My senses are telling me that something is off about that guy." I said.

"Well, he does have mad in his name for a reason," Nala said.

"Yep," I said.

"What did Moody say to you during that day? After he- you know..." Margo cut herself off, not knowing what to say.

"He didn't really say much..." Neville said. Neville was suddenly waving to someone. We turned around to see my parents, Ron and Hermione, Aunt Ginny and Uncle Peter.

"Look, it's already been through enough people. Why don't you talk to them yourself?" Hermione said, sighing angrily. "Ron, this is your problem. Not mine. You are choosing to neglect your daughter."

"Yeah, you two need to figure this out. Not everyone can help you with your problems." Uncle Peter said firmly.

"What do you want me to say again?" Hermione asked. Ron whispered something into Hermione's ear. Hermione walked up to me and Harry. "Ronald would like me to tell you two that Seamus told him that Dean was told by Parvati that Hagrid's looking for you two," Hermione said.

"Is that right?" Harry questioned.

"Well y-" Hermione was cut off by Harry.

"What?" Harry said.

"Um... um..." Hermione stuttered. Hermione went back to Ron, whispering in his ear again. "Are you sure you won't do this?" Hermione asked.

"Do it." Ron snapped.

I cringed when Hermione walked back up to us again. "Dean was told by Parvati that..." Hermione cringed. "Please don't ask me to say it again."

"It's okay Hermione. You don't have to do this. It's not your problem, like you said." Uncle Peter said.

Hermione just sighed in response. "Hagrid's looking for you." Hermione began to walk away again.

"Well you can tell Ronald-" Harry started but Hermione cut him off again.

"I'm not an owl!" Hermione yelled, making me jump. Margo put her hand on my shoulder as we were watching my parents storm off. Margo put her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. It's safe to say, I don't think things will be getting better anytime.

During the afternoon, I had my first detention with Professor Snape. I didn't realize what time it was until I finished watching my last episode of RWBY.

"Oh shit I have to go!" I yelled. I quickly ran out of my room, nearly tripping on the stairs.

"Oh! Grandma, are you okay!?" Kiara cried when she saw me.

"I'm in a rush, I am late for my detention," I said.

"Here, hop on. I will help you get there." Kiara said. I hopped on Kiara's back. Within a second, she took off, getting me to Professor Snape's office as fast as she could on her four legs. Soon, we finally got there. I hopped off of Kiara's back.

"Thank you, Kiara," I said.

"You're welcome. Good luck." Kiara said. I smiled, then nervously walked into Professor Snape's office. Professor Snape stood at his desk, glaring at me.

"You're late." He sneered.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just got caught up with stuff." I said.

"Hm. Listen up, Potter. For detention today, you will be cleaning my office from top to bottom. Then you will sort all these files. You will be doing all of this without using any magic. Get started." Professor Snape said.

I sighed, taking the cleaning supplies from the closet. I spent the afternoon, cleaning the office and sorting the files. Professor Snape would hit me a few times, yelling at me when he caught me slacking off.

"Move faster, Potter! I don't have all day!" Professor Snape yelled. I did my best, moving as fast as I could. Finally, after what felt like an eternity I finished cleaning the office and sorting the files. Professor Snape inspected my work when I was finished.

"Everything looks good. You are free to go. Let this be a lesson to you. Never talk back to me again." Professor Snape said. I nodded, leaving the office before he could order me to do something else. I looked outside seeing the black sky in front of me. Damn, it's already dark. When I made my way to the dorms, I saw Harry who was waiting for me.

"Dad?" I said.

"We need to go. We have to meet up with Hagrid." Harry said.

"Oh, okay. Give me a minute." I said. I went to my room to gather up the things I needed. As I was about to walk out the door, I was startled by Scar's presence.

"Where do you think you're going?" Scar questioned me.

"Uh... I just need to do something." I stuttered, nervously. I was about to walk out the door again Scar grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"You know the rules. No leaving without permission." Scar growled.

"You can't control me!" I shouted. I screamed when Scar activated the shock collar and the bands around my arms. The shocks sent a series of pain through my body.

"You are my wife! You will obey!" Scar yelled. I gasped in pain when the shocks were turned off. Right now, I didn't care that Scar had control over me. I decided to rebel against him by walking out the door. Harry grabbed my hand. Together we walked out of the Hogwarts castle and met up with Hagrid.

"Did you bring your father's cloak like I asked ya?" Hagrid asked.

"Yeah, I brought the cloak. Where are we going?" Harry asked.

"You'll see soon enough," Hagrid said. "Now pay attention. This is important." Hagrid said.

"Okay," I said.

"What's with the flower?" Harry asked when he noticed that Hagrid had a flower in his pocket. "Hagrid, have you combed your hair?"

"As a matter of fact, I have. You might like to try the same thing over and over again." Hagrid said. We stopped when we heard roaring in the distance.

"Hagrid?" Madam Maxime called. Hagrid started walking towards her but stopped for a moment and turned to us.

"Oh! The cloak. Put the cloak on." Hagrid said before walking up to Madam Maxime. "Bonsoir Olympe."

"Oh, Hagrid." Madam Maxime said. "I thought perhaps you weren't coming. I thought perhaps... You had forgotten me."

"Couldn't forget you, Olympe. What is it you wanted to show me?" Hagrid asked. Harry and I cringed under the cloak.

"When we spoke earlier you sounded so... exhilarated." Madam Maxime said.

"You'll be glad you came. Trust me." Hagrid said. Harry and I followed Madam Maxime as Hagrid led her foward. Madam Maxime gasped with surprise when she saw what was ahead. Up ahead, there was fire burning and four big boxes with strange creatures inside them. I looked at Harry, my eyes widened in shock.

"Dad, what are those!?" I cried.

"Dragons," Harry replied.

"Woah," I whispered with amazement.

"Can we get closer?" Madam Maxime asked. Madam Maxime walked closer to the sight. I grabbed my phone, hoping to take a picture but Harry stopped me.

"No Lana, no pictures," Harry said. Harry then took the cloak off his head. We walked closer to Hagrid. "Dragons? That's the first task? You're joking." Harry said.

"Come on, Harry. These are seriously misunderstood creatures." Hagrid explained. We backed up when there was a fire explosion.

"Oh, Crickey! Although I have to admit, that Horntail is a right nasty piece of work. Poor Ron nearly fainted just seeing him, you know." Hagrid said. I stuck my tongue out when Hagrid mentioned Ron's name. Hagrid looked at me with confusion by my reaction. "Woah, what's the matter, Lana?"

I took a deep breath. "Ron and I haven't been on good terms since the champion selection. He hasn't been talking to me." I said.

"Oh," Hagrid said.

"Ron was here?" Harry said with surprise.

"Oh, sure. His brother Charlie helped to bring him over from Romania. Didn't Ron tell you that?" Hagrid asked.

"No, he didn't. He didn't tell me or Lana a thing." Harry said. Anger fueled through my body. I hate that Ron is ignoring me. I didn't ask for this to happen. It wasn't my fault that I got selected as champion. Harry and I continued to watch the dragons spit fire. When I returned to the dorms later, I knew I had to tell my family about this.

"Guys, guys! You won't believe what I just saw!" I shouted as I ran into the dorm.

"What did you see?" Miles asked.

"Dragons! Four of them! I found out that dragons will be my first task." I said. My parents exchanged worried glances with one another.

"Lana, sweetheart, we're worried for you. I can talk to the Professor and the Ministry and see if we can get you out of it." Gwen said.

"Don't waste your breath, Mommy. They're just going to say no. I'll be fine, I promise. I'm just nervous." I said.

"We know. But you're being really brave right now. I'm proud of you." Miles said.

I smiled. "Thanks, Dad," I said.

"Lana!" I heard someone yelling my name. I turned around to see my husband, Miguel standing in front of me, his arms crossed. "Come upstairs, we need to talk," Miguel said.

I looked at Miles nervously. "It's okay sweetie. Just go before he gets angrier." Miles said. I nodded and followed Miguel up the stairs to my room where my other husband, Scar was waiting for me.

"Scar told me about your little excursion today. I would love to hear all about it." Miguel sneered, sarcastically.

I shifted on my bed, nervously. "I'm sorry, Miguel. I just needed to meet up with Hagrid. It was important." I said.

"You know you are not allowed to leave the dorms unless it's for class or without our permission," Miguel said. I got nervous when Miguel unbuckled the belt from his pants. Scar held me down tightly with his arms. I tried to get away but Scar held me tightly. As punishment for leaving the house without permission, it was 15 lashes with the whip.

"Don't try to run away, Lana. This is what happens when bad girls like you misbehave. They get punished." Scar growled.

"Please, I'm sorry! I promise I will do better! I promise I won't leave without permission again!" I cried, tears streaming down my face. Scar shocked me, making the shock collar and the bands go off. I screamed in pain when I felt the shock.

"Shut up!" Scar yelled.

Miguel raises the belt, its leather strands gleaming under the harsh light.

"15 lashes. That's what you get." Miguel said. My body tenses, bracing itself for the impact. I screamed when the belt landed with a sickening thud on my stomach, tearing through my shirt and biting into my flesh.

"You're worthless, Lana!" Miguel yelled, whipping me with the belt again. I screamed in pain as I felt another impact. Miguel's voice is like a venomous whisper, each word like a dagger puncturing my already fragile spirit. Miguel continued to whip me over and over again. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them fall. I won't give my husband's the satisfaction of seeing my pain.

"...Stop... please..." I sobbed, my voice barely auditable. I felt fear again as Miguel raised the belt, preparing to strike me. Once again, the whip landed on my chest causing a series of pain throughout my body. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Miguel put the belt down. Scar let me go. I collapsed into Miguel's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He stroked my hair as he carried me to my bed.

"Shh... It's okay baby, You took you're punishment well." Miguel said. Miguel laid me down on my bed and kissed me. Miguel lay down next to me.

"I wish you would have said something to me before laying down next to her. I was planning on sleeping with Lana tonight." Scar said.

"What does it matter if I tell you or not? Besides, I haven't slept with her in a while because you have been hogging her a lot." Miguel said impatiently.

"Fine, whatever. I'll just sleep with Zira tonight. Just make sure she behaves." Scar said before leaving the room.

I sighed, feeling the weight lay heavily on my shoulders. As I drifted off to sleep I knew I would have a long road of recovery ahead of me.

When Harry and I were walking through the castle I noticed something new. People were wearing badges on their clothes that said "Potter stinks" and "Cedric rules"

To make matters worse, people were laughing at us and calling us names. "You stink, Potter!"

"Cedric rules!"

"You're a cheat! So is Lana!"

"Just ignore them," Hobie said.

"Easier said than done," I said through gritted teeth. When we walked up to a group of friends, they showed us their badges.

"You like the badge?" The girl asked us.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, very cool," I said sarcastically.

"Excuse me," Harry said. We made our way past the kids and walked up to Cedric as his friends continued to joke about the badges.

"Can I have a word?" Harry asked.

"All right," Cedric says, getting up. We walked past his friend group, further away so we could talk without any interruption.

"You stink, Potters!" A boy yelled. Cedric chucked.

"Harry Potter and Lana Potter smells!" Another boy yelled.

"Shut up!" I yelled.

"Hey," Ahadi said firmly.

We stopped walking when we were far away from the group. Harry and I looked at Cedric. Harry was the first to speak up. "Dragons. That's the first task. They got one for each of us." Harry said.

"Wait, did you say dragons?" Uru asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Yes," Harry said.

"D- Are you serious?" Cedric asked. Harry and I nodded.

"And um... Fleur and Krum, do they-?" Cedric started but was interrupted by a boy calling out to him.

"Come on Ced, leave them!" A boy shouted.

"Right, they're not worth it." I tried to ignore the kid's comments but it was hard. With each comment, I get more pissed off. Margo held my hand to try to calm me down.

"Read the badges, Potter!" Another boy yelled. I was fuming by now. I was about to pounce when Margo held my hand tighter.

"Shh, babe. It's not worth it." Margo said.

As we were about to walk away, Cedric stopped us. "Listen. About the badges. I've asked them not to wear them but-"

"Don't worry about it," Harry said.

"Yeah, it's okay. I just hope this whole thing blows over soon." Aunt Sarafina said.

"Same here," Gwen said. As we were walking away, I saw another sight that made me more angry. Ron was walking with what it seemed like his new friend to be Seamus. I began to hear Seamus's voice. "It's not like I try to blow things up, exactly. It just happens a fair bit. You have to admit though, it was pretty fascinating."

I followed Harry as we stormed up to Ron. "You were right, foul git, you know that?" Harry spat.

"You think so?" Ron challenged.

"I know so," Harry said.

"Anything else?" Ron questioned.

"Yeah. Stay away from me and my daughter." Harry said angrily.

"Don't you mean OUR daughter since she's my daughter too!?" Ron yelled.

"Oh yeah? Well, you haven't been treating her like your daughter! All you have been doing is neglecting her!" Harry yelled. Harry grabbed me by the arm as we began to walk away again.

"I'm sorry, Lana," Gwen said.

"It's okay, it's not you're fault," I said. Just as I thought we were in the clear, more trouble seemed to be on the way. We ran into Draco and his gang. I was not surprised that Zira was there as well.

"There's the Potter's, the cheats!" Zira yelled.

"Why so tense, Potter? My father and I have a bet, you see. I don't think you and your daughter are gonna last 10 seconds in the tournament." Draco said. Draco jumped down from the tree.

"Don't listen to him, Lana. You're stronger than you think." Miles said.

Draco continued his rambling. "He disagrees. He thinks you guys won't last five." Draco said with a sneer.

"I bet you won't even last one, Lana!" Zira shouted, laughing with a chuckle.

"Leave her alone!" Nala yelled.

"I don't give a damn what you're father thinks, Malfoy. He's violent and cruel. And you're just pathetic." Harry said.

"A pathetic loser who can't even stand up for himself." I spat.

"Don't do it, Lana," Miguel warned me, his voice dangerous.

"Pathetic!?" Draco shouted. Draco pulled out his wand to attack us but Professor Moody reacted in time, attacking Draco instead.

"Oh no you don't, sonny!" Professor Moody yelled. Draco screamed. Suddenly, Draco turned into a ferrite! "I'll teach you to curse someone." Professor Moody said. Harry and I smiled when Professor Moody was lifting Draco up and down with his wand.

"...You stinking...cowardly... scummy... back-shooting..." Professor Moody said. Just as the fun was about to begin, Professor McGonagall and my grandmother, Rio walked in on the scene.

"Professor Moody!" Professor McGonagall yelled.

"What the hell is going on!?" Rio yelled.

"What are you doing?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Teaching." Professor Moody replied.

"Doesn't look like it. Miles, what happened?" Rio asked.

"Draco was making fun of Lana, then Professor Moody attacked him," Miles said.

"Is that a-? Is that a student?" Professor McGonagall questioned.

"Technically, it's a ferrite." Professor Moody said.

"No! Oh!" Crabb yelled when Draco went up is pants. I laughed and clapped my hands. Harry and some of my family was laughing as well. My husband didn't find this amusing though. When Draco crawled out of Crabb's pants, Professor McGonagall turned Draco back into a human. Draco was pissed.

"Woah! My father will hear about this!" Draco yelled.

"Is that a threat!?" Professor Moody yelled. Professor Moody began to chase Draco around the courtyard.

"Professor Moody!" Professor McGonagall yelled.

"Hey!" Rio yelled.

"Is that a threat!?" Professor Moody yelled again. "I could tell you stories about your father that would curl even your greasy hair, boy! It doesn't end here!" Professor Moody yelled.

"Alastor! Alastor. We never use transfiguration as a punishment! Surly Dumbledore told you that." Professor McGonagall said firmly.

"He might have mentioned it." Professor Moody said.

"Well, you will do well to remember it." Professor McGonagall said firmly. "Away!" She yelled at the other students, shooing them away. Professor Moody stuck his tongue out at her. Professor McGonagall walked back up to me.

"Lana, I need to speak with you." Professor McGonagall said.

"Oh, okay," I said.

"You. Come with me." Professor Moody said to Harry. As we were walking away, I could hear Rio scolding Miles.

"Miles, you need to do a better job of protecting you're daughter. She's your responsibility." Rio said firmly.

"I know, Mama. I'll do better." Miles said. I was startled when I felt someone grabbing my arm. I turned around to see that it was Miguel.

"Meet me back at the common room when you're done," Miguel said.

I sighed but said, "Yes, Miguel."

I continued following Professor McGonagall. I couldn't help but wonder what she had to say to me.