Courtyard
The courtyard was blanketed in fresh, white snow. Juliet stood beside Viktor Krum, listening half-heartedly as he talked about the upcoming Triwizard Tournament. His thick accent rolled over his words, making them sound heavier than they were, but Juliet was distracted. The conversation wasn't enough to pull her out of her thoughts.
Everything had been quiet with Draco. Too quiet. Ever since he had taken the blame for the party, he hadn't asked her for anything. No snide comments, no sneers, no demands. It felt wrong, like a calm before a storm. She could feel the tension building, but she didn't know when or how it would break. It was just a matter of time.
Krum was talking about his strategy for the tournament now, the cold air turning his breath into small puffs of fog. Juliet nodded absently, glancing around the courtyard.
"Juliet," Viktor's deep voice pulled her back. "Are you listening?"
"Yeah, of course," she replied quickly, flashing him a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Sounds like you've got a good plan."
Before Viktor could continue, a commotion broke out on the other side of the courtyard. Juliet turned her head just in time to see Harry Potter charging straight toward Draco Malfoy, his face red with anger.
"Why so tense, Potter?" Draco asked, with venom is his voice as he sat up high on the tree above Crabbe and Goyle.
Harry Potter remained silent, urging him to continue his remarks. Juliet hadn't been into the Triwizard scene to know much about it, but clearly Draco had been keeping tabs. Perhaps that's why he hasn't bothered Juliet with petty commands — he'd been keeping an eye on Harry.
"My father and I have a bet you see," trailed Malfoy. "I don't think you're going to last ten minutes in this tournament."
Juliet remembered then that Harry had been selected as one of Hogwarts' champions, oddly enough, he was too young for it — and Cedric had already been selected as such. Rumours had spread around that Harry had cheated his way into the tournament, but Juliet hadn't been up to date with the ongoings in Harry's life — or quidditch for that matter.
Draco hops off the tall branches and lands sturdy on his feet. "He disagrees. He thinks you won't last five." Him and his goonies laughed.
"I don't give a damn what your father thinks, Malfoy!" Harry spat, shoving Draco hard in the chest.
Draco stumbled back, a look of arrogant amusement crossing his face. He straightened his robes and smirked at Harry. "What's the matter, Potter? Couldn't find a proper broomstick to keep up with Krum here?"
Juliet's stomach tightened. Oh no, here we go.
Viktor tensed beside her but didn't move. He had no interest in Harry and Draco's rivalry.
Harry's fists clenched at his sides, his eyes blazing. "Your father is vile and cruel — and you're pathetic."
Draco sneered. "Pathetic?"
Juliet watched the scene unfold, her heart pounding. She could see where this was going, and it wasn't going to end well.
Dravo moved toward Harry again, but before he could throw a spell, Professor Moody appeared out of nowhere, his magical eye swiveling as he took in the situation.
"Oh no you don't," Moody growled, his voice low and dangerous. With a quick flick of his wand, Draco was gone, replaced by a small, white ferret.
Juliet's eyes widened in shock. The courtyard erupted into laughter. Viktor chuckled beside her, clearly amused by the sight of Draco bouncing around as a ferret, but Juliet felt a strange, uncomfortable knot in her stomach.
"Serves him right," Harry muttered, his anger dissipating into a smug grin.
Moody flicked his wand again, sending Draco-Ferret flying up into the air, bouncing off the ground repeatedly.
"Professor!" Harry said, though he couldn't quite keep the amusement out of his voice.
"Don't worry, Potter," Moody said, his voice gruff. "I'm just teaching him a little lesson about his place."
Juliet watched as Draco was tossed around like a rag doll, and despite everything — his arrogance, his constant insults — she couldn't help but feel a flicker of sympathy.
After what felt like an eternity, Moody finally turned Draco back into his human form, but not before leaving him sprawled out in the snow, disheveled and humiliated.
Draco stood, brushing snow off his robes, his face burning with rage. His eyes briefly locked with Juliet's, and she froze. For a split second, she saw something there — anger, yes, but also embarrassment. His pride had been crushed in front of everyone, and that wound ran deeper than any physical blow.
"My father will hear about this!" Draco turned on his heel and ran off.
"Is that a threat?!" barked Moody, storming off after Draco with the laughter of the students still echoing in the courtyard. Harry seemed satisfied with the outcome, but Juliet couldn't shake the unease that settled in her chest.
Later that evening, Juliet found herself wandering near the Slytherin common room, her thoughts still clouded by the day's events. She knew Draco. He wouldn't let this humiliation go. She could already feel the tension building again, but this time it was different. This time, it felt personal.
As she rounded the corner, she nearly collided with him.
Draco's face was hard, his jaw clenched. He didn't say anything at first, just glared at her.
"Enjoy the show?" he finally spat, his voice dripping with venom.
Juliet blinked, surprised by the bitterness in his tone. "I didn't—"
"Spare me the excuses," he cut her off, stepping closer. "I saw you laughing with Krum. You think this is funny? Watching me get humiliated like that?"
"I wasn't laughing," she protested, but Draco wasn't hearing it.
"Just remember, Van Der Hart," he hissed, his eyes narrowing. "You owe me. And after today, you can bet I'm going to collect."
Juliet watched as he stormed away, unable to figure out what it is that made him hate her so much and what more on earth he would ask her to do for him. She hadn't done anything. She hadn't laughed at him or joined in his humiliation. But for some reason, he's just had it out for her.
With a loud sigh of dread, she turned her heel and walked into her dorm.