Chapter 32 :

Viktor was discreetly walking in the shadows, hoping that none of his groupies would find him. He was a man on a mission : a life was at stake. Somewhat. Anyway, he couldn't mess this up. Keeping his step silent and his massive back hunched like that of a timid boy, he moved in passageways unused by the masse because of the big detour they made around his destination. Soon, he arrived behind the Quidditch pitch and entered the back door to the changing rooms. Once inside the corridor he sighed in relief. He hadn't gotten caught.

A little farther away, he saw a tall boy hesitating on the threshold of the blue locker room. It was Wood, the Quidditch Captain of the Gryffindor team. Wood was a good man. Viktor had the opportunity to meet him as well as the other Hogwarts Captains, and he had seemed to be reliable and fanatical about Quidditch. Nobody who loved the sport that much could be a bad guy.

He went up to him to greet him, but Wood shushed him quickly :

"Hush !" He whisper-shouted. "Don't make a noise or they'll notice us !"

The Bulgarian raised a brow in askance and tilted his head toward the small opening of the door. In the locker room, Diggory seemed to be arguing with a girl, the Ravenclaw Seeker he remembered. He frowned.

"Why are you spying on them ?" He asked to Wood.

"I'm not !" Denied the aforementioned, worried. "I've been trying to speak with Diggory for weeks about what happens to the captaincy of Hufflepuff now that he is the Hogwart Champion, but everytime I find him he's arguing with Chang. I don't know what they talk about but he always looks close to tears..."

"Hn. Have you tried- I don't know, interrupting them... ?"

"Are you crazy !? This is Chang we're talking about ! The very lady who trains her kicks by literally making flying bludgers explode !"

Viktor sent to him a judgemental gaze. He purposefully waited until the other boy started to sweat before grunting :

"I'll do it."

"Are you sure !?" Exclaimed the Gryffindor Captain in a concerned whisper.

He assented. But before he could fully open the door, Wood caught him by the shoulders and gravely saluted him :

"It was an honor to know you, Krum. You were a great Seeker and an even better Man. May you rest in peace."

The Bulgarian looked at him leaving nimbly, dumbfounded. English people were so weird... Shrugging dubiously, he entered the locker room.

"Please, Cho ! Just pretend ! J- just once ! One date ! I beg you !" Was begging Diggory, seemingly ready to kneel to make his argument more powerful.

"Heck no, Jerk !" Denied the girl mercilessly. "Harry already knows we're not dating anyway. He knew from the begining ! Now, leave me the fuck alone or I'll make you taste my boots !"

Angry, she pushed the Hufflepuff boy away and left the room, nodding to Krum in passing. Diggory was left alone, staring into the distance in despair. The Bulgarian cleared his throat to call his attention.

"Diggory, we need to talk." He said, making the other jump in surprise.

"Uh ? Hey, Krum ! Erh... Can I do something for you ? What do you want to talk about ?"

"Potter-"

Viktor didn't even have the time to finish his sentence, he had never seen anyone grow pale so quickly. Diggory looked frankly scared out of his wits.

"P-Potter !?" He sputtered in a shrill voice. "Wha- what do you know about Potter... !?"

"I see..." Deadpanned the Bulgarian Seeker. "He warned me that you two had some baggage, but I didn't expect it to be that bad..."

Diggory literally squeaked in terror, moving his arms haphazardly in panic. Krum sneered in disgust. English people were so. very. weird...

"Whatever." He said, somewhat worried that Great Britain innate madness would end up affecting him. "Potter wanted me to warn you that the First Task was about dragons."

"Eh... ?"

"Now it's done. Goodbye."

"Eh !?"

Viktor left without a word, leaving behind him Diggory and his English insanity.

"EEEEEEEEHHHH !?"


Draco was roaming, hidden a few steps behind Potter in the Potion corridor. Weasley and him had agreed to a formation in relay, wich allowed them more rest time. It didn't change many things compared to BA era -Before Alliance, a very important historical point for the Wizarding World-, but having actual support and back up was a sizeable asset.

Right now, the red haired boy had signed that he needed a time out, so Malfoy was the last defensive line in effect. It was especially stressful, that Nott was nearby.

Suddenly, a tall boy accidentally bumped into Potter. Nott tensed and Draco was ready to march the imprudent person away, but luckily it was only a Gryffindor. As soon as the poor guy saw that the one he bumped into was Potter, he fled with his tail between his legs. Draco shook his head in chagrin : Gryffindor famed bravery was nowhere to be seen ever since Granger laid into them...

Seconds flew by. Snape left his office, stopping in front of his classroom to talk with a Ravenclaw from an upper year. Nott was as indecipherable as usual and Draco was fretting because Potter was shyly looking at him from under his eyelashes -Seriously, what the hell!?-.

Then, coming out of nowhere, a random Slytherin girl pranced gleefully toward Potter. She curtsied to Nott, nodded to Snape and sneered to the young Malfoy before opening her mouth to say something to the green eyed Gryffindor :

"Pot-"

She barely started her syllable that Draco already caught her by the belt and dragged her further away.

"You idiot !" He whisper-shouted. "Don't you understand what you are doing ? You could die if you go after Potter right now !"

Before turning at the corner, he saw Snape sending him a look of approval and glared back at him with all the grudge he could muster. Making sure the Slytherins understood the unsaid rules of Hogwart and their tacit amendments was the job of their Head of House, not that of a mere student like himself -all Prince of Slytherin that he was-. Curse be the Potion Professor for putting this responsibility on his shoulders !

Once they were far enough from the whole Potter-Nott Time Bomb, Draco released the girl and looked daggers at her.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself ?" He asked severely.

The girl snorted, dusting her collar without answering. She was obviously a repeat offender, her protuding baldness was very telling. He stared meaningfully at her receding hairline, daring her to find a jutification, but she only smiled nastily.

"It's too late, Malfoy." She said gleefully. "You may try to stop us but we will go down in History !"

Draco sighed heavily. She was at least the eleventh Potter-bully to tell him that today.

"Why are you guys so smug lately anyway ?" He scorned bitterly. "You really know nothing of the world..."

The girl laughed.

"You're the one who doesn't understand, Malfoy !" She gloated. "You're already done for ! The King Himself is moving against Potter now and no one can stop him ! Soon, Slytherin will get back to its former Glory !"

She left after saying her piece, cackling her most splendorous cackle. Draco looked at her back, dumbfounded. Was she serious... ? Was that really the reason why the Slytherins had become so big-headed... ? They really believed that Nott would... ? Against Potter- !? Those morons ! They were courting Death like utter doofus !

Draco facepalmed.


AN : I didn't forget this time! One more chapter before an indeterminate break. Still, I wonder why Diggory is so persistent with this... ;)