Chapter 9
November 23rd, 1994
Maria had learned to love Herbology. It wasn’t always her favorite subject, but spending time with Neville Longbottom had changed that. His enthusiasm was infectious, and with their shared bond over her mother’s books on magical plants, the class had become one of the most enjoyable parts of her day.
Neville was a curious soul, shy on the surface, but once he opened up, their conversations often drifted far beyond plants and fungi. He was insightful, with a quiet intelligence that people often overlooked. Maria appreciated that about him. He wasn’t the loudest in the room, but when Neville spoke, it was always something worth hearing.
Today, as they exited the greenhouse, Neville was excitedly telling her about a new species of venomous tentacula he had read about in one of Sofiana’s books, his hands moving animatedly as he explained its defensive mechanisms.
“That’s fascinating,” Maria said, smiling. “I’ll have to ask Mum if she’s ever encountered one in the wild. She’d probably love to share a few stories.”
Neville blushed at the thought of Sofiana PenDragon acknowledging his Herbology interests, but before he could respond, someone bumped into Maria’s shoulder. She turned, catching sight of messy black hair and glasses.
“Harry!” she called out, her voice light with surprise. She hadn’t seen him much since yesterday and wanted to warn him about the dragons. After all, while the beasts were manageable for her, the Triwizard Tournament would present a far different reality for Harry during his first task.
But instead of stopping to chat, Harry barely glanced over his shoulder, offering her only a brief, distracted smile before turning away and quickening his pace through the crowd of students.
Maria frowned, watching him retreat. “I think Harry’s avoiding me,” she muttered, glancing sideways at Neville as they began walking towards the Transfiguration courtyard. “I mean, he’s barely said a word to me since yesterday. I think it’s because I still talk to Ron.”
Neville looked thoughtful for a moment. “Has he really? Harry and I still talk, and he knows I’m on good terms with Ron.”
“Hmm. Strange,” Maria murmured, more to herself than Neville. Her brow furrowed. What could have changed? She and Harry had spent plenty of time together—studying, playing Wizard’s Chess in the common room, even working on Potions assignments. Had she done something wrong? But nothing stood out. She’d always tried to be kind, offering help when he needed it. Why would he suddenly be so distant?
Before she could delve further into her thoughts, Neville’s voice interrupted. “Whoa, there’s a crowd forming up ahead.”
Maria glanced towards the courtyard doors and sure enough, students were gathering, their voices a mix of excitement and unease. “What do you think that’s about?”
“I don’t know,” Neville said, craning his neck to see over the heads of taller students. “But I’ve got a bad feeling about it.”
They both hurried forward, and as they pushed through the crowd, Maria’s heart sank. She could see Draco Malfoy standing near the center of attention, flanked by a group of laughing Slytherins. Harry was there too, his back rigid with tension, his face red with barely concealed anger. Draco was smirking in that cold, infuriating way of his.
“Draco,” Maria whispered under her breath, instantly knowing what was going on.
“I’ll catch up with you later, Neville,” she said, excusing herself quickly. She spotted Theo and Blaise, laughing with their arms crossed as they watched the exchange unfold from a nearby tree.
Making her way towards them, she weaved through the students, her irritation rising. When she reached them, Theo noticed her first, his smile vanishing the second their eyes met.
“Maria, no,” Theo said quickly, stepping in her path. “You can’t get involved—this is just Malfoy and Potter being their usual selves. Best leave it alone.”
Maria gave him a firm look. “Out of the way, Theo.”
Before he could stop her, she pushed past him, Blaise snickering behind them both. “This should be good,” he muttered under his breath.
Maria reached the front just in time to catch the tail end of Draco’s venomous retort.
“Funny, isn’t it, Potter?” Draco was sneering, his pale eyes gleaming with arrogance. “You really think you stand a chance with her? It’s pathetic, really. Even for you.”
Maria’s heart sank. She knew that tone well, and it never led to anything good. She stepped closer, but neither boy had noticed her presence yet.
Harry’s face contorted with rage. “You know what’s pathetic, Malfoy?” he spat, taking a step forward. “You. Your family. Your father is vile, and you’re just like him. You think you can just stand there with all your wealth and bloodline and insult people? All you are is a coward.”
Draco’s smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, his lips curling back into a sneer. Harry turned to walk away, but his steps faltered as his eyes met Maria’s. For a moment, the fury on his face wavered. He looked like he wanted to say something, but with a sigh, he turned his attention elsewhere, pushing through the crowd.
Maria felt a mix of frustration and sadness well up inside her. Harry had been avoiding her, and now she was beginning to understand why.
Before she could dwell on it, Draco, still oblivious to her presence, reached for his wand, his hand tightening around the polished wood. The intent was clear. He was going to hex Harry when his back was turned.
“Draco, don’t!” Maria’s voice cut through the tension like a whip.
But it was too late. Draco had already raised his wand, and before Maria could step between them, a bright flash erupted in the courtyard. The crowd gasped in shock as Draco’s form twisted and shrank, transforming in an instant into a small, white ferret.
A low chuckle rippled through the students as Ferret-Draco squeaked in indignation, trying to hop away, only to be magically lifted into the air. He dangled helplessly, floating above the courtyard like a pathetic balloon.
“I’ll teach you to curse someone when their back is turned!,” came a gruff voice, dripping with amusement. It was Mad-Eye Moody, his magical eye swiveling between Harry and the ferret. “Let’s see how you like being on the receiving end, Malfoy.”
The crowd erupted into nervous laughter as Moody flicked his wand again, causing the ferret to bounce up and down in the air. Maria’s eyes widened in shock and horror. This wasn’t funny—it was humiliating.
“Professor, stop!” Maria shouted, her voice clear and firm. Without a second thought, she pushed her way forward, her heart pounding. Before Moody could send Draco crashing down again, Maria swiftly caught the ferret into her arms.
Ferret-Draco squirmed at first, his tiny form trembling, but as Maria cradled him against her chest, her hands shielding him from any more of Moody’s magic, he stilled. His beady black eyes blinked up at her, filled with appreciation. Maria’s heart clenched. Despite all the times Draco had been cruel, seeing him this vulnerable stirred a protective feeling within her.
Moody’s magical eye swiveled towards her, and for a brief moment, Maria thought he might protest. But instead, he lowered his wand slightly, raising his bushy eyebrows in surprise. “You’ve got some nerve, girl,” he muttered.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall appeared, her sharp voice cutting through the chaos. “What in Merlin’s name is going on here?”
The crowd quickly parted, and McGonagall strode forward, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene—Maria clutching a ferret, Moody standing with his wand drawn, and a chuckling Harry watching from the edge.
“Professor Moody has gone mad! He turned Draco into a ferret!” Theo cried out, pointing to the small animal in Maria’s arms.
McGonagall gasped in shock before turning her attention to Alastor. “Professor Moody,” McGonagall said sternly, her lips pressed into a thin line. “That is a student! What possessed you into doing such a thing?”
Moody grunted, lowering his wand entirely. “Just teachin’ the boy a lesson, Minerva.”
McGonagall’s eyes flashed dangerously. “We do not use transfiguration as punishment at this school! Unhand him, Miss PenDragon.”
Maria hesitated, looking down at the small ferret in her arms. She didn’t want to release him into another humiliating moment, but she knew she had to. Gently, she placed Ferret-Draco on the ground. His tiny form looked even more fragile against the backdrop of the courtyard, and for a second, Maria’s hand lingered on his soft fur, as if to reassure him.
With a wave of McGonagall’s wand, Draco was restored to his human form, looking dazed and thoroughly embarrassed.
“Alastor! Surely Dumbledore told you about not using transfiguration as a way to discipline students. Remember that!” McGonagall said crisply, her words serving as a reminder to the professor.
She turned around, dismissing the students from the crowd as she made her way back into the castle.
Moody, on the other hand, began to walk away as well. He gestured to Harry to follow him, and Maria watched as he, too, left the scene.
Draco stood awkwardly, his pale face flushed with humiliation. Maria reached out, but he jerked away from her touch, muttering something under his breath before storming off towards the dungeons.
She watched him go, feeling a pang of guilt.
November 24th, 1994
Roland PenDragon sat with a look of amusement as he listened to his daughter’s animated rant. The two of them were inside a large tent pitched right beside the dragon arena, where the first task of the Triwizard Tournament was set to take place later that day. Roland, being in charge of handling the dragons, would be responsible for making sure the creatures were safely switched out for each champion.
Maria’s hands flew into the air as she spoke, her tone fluctuating between exasperation and warmth, especially when she mentioned her friends—Draco, Blaise, and Theo.
“And then—Draco! He tried to hex Harry, and next thing you know, Professor Moody turns him into a ferret!” Her voice had an edge of disbelief.
Roland chuckled, shaking his head. “Poor boy. But you must admit, darling, as much as we care about him, Draco’s arrogance often gets the better of him.”
“Father, you promised not to laugh!” Maria shot back, though there was no real anger in her voice.
Roland sighed, though a final chuckle escaped him. “I know, I know. But really, darling, you can’t deny that Draco could benefit from learning his actions have consequences. Being turned into a ferret might do him some good.”
Maria sighed, looking down. “I just…it was so humiliating for him. No one deserves that.”
“True. It was extreme,” Roland admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, “but maybe this will help him think twice before acting out.”
Before Maria could respond, the tent’s entrance rustled. Both turned to see Dumbledore stepping inside, followed by Harry Potter.
“Headmaster,” Roland greeted, stepping forward with a slight bow of his head. “To whom do I owe this surprise?”
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled as he laid a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Harry here would like a word with you, Roland. It concerns today’s task.”
“Oh?” Roland raised an eyebrow, while Maria blinked in surprise. “Of course. Darling, why don’t you step outside for a moment?”
Maria nodded, offering Harry a small smile as she slipped past them, stepping out of the quiet sanctuary of the tent and into the bustling energy of the arena grounds. The air was filled with the excited buzz of students, and she could hear the distant chants of various names rising from the stands. She was glad her father had enchanted the tent to block out the noise—if not, she would have gone mad by now.
As her eyes scanned the grounds, she spotted a familiar trio near the edge of the arena. Draco stood with Blaise and Theo, all three of them deep in conversation. They seemed relaxed, though Draco, in particular, caught her attention.
He was dressed in an all-black suit, tailored perfectly, making him look even more striking than usual. Maria felt her cheeks flush as she realized her thoughts had wandered. Stop it, she chastised herself silently, shaking her head. But as much as she tried to distract herself, she couldn’t help but think that the suit looked good on him—too good.
She let out a breath, composing herself before starting to walk towards them, willing her blush to fade before anyone noticed.
Draco, Blaise, and Theo stood together, quietly chatting as the excitement of the day filled the air. Draco crossed his arms, looking composed but alert, while Blaise seemed more relaxed, his usual smirk on display. Theo, on the other hand, was fidgeting with the sleeve of his robe, occasionally glancing around at the crowd forming in the arena.
It was Blaise who noticed Maria approaching first.
“Well, well, look who’s finally decided to grace us with her presence,” he teased as she drew nearer, a grin spreading across his face.
Maria rolled her eyes but smiled. “What are you three plotting this time?” she asked, glancing between her friends.
“We were waiting for you, as promised,” Blaise said smoothly. “What were you and your father chatting about?” His gaze flicked towards the tent she’d just left.
Maria tilted her head slightly towards Draco, her expression somewhere between amusement and sympathy. “We were discussing a certain someone who was turned into a ferret yesterday.”
Draco crossed his arms, scowling. “Enjoying yourself, are you?”
“Not exactly,” Maria said, trying to hold back a laugh. “While I do think you deserved some kind of punishment for trying to hex Harry in the back, transfiguration into a ferret was…excessive.”
Blaise chuckled under his breath, and even Theo’s lips twitched, though he nodded in agreement. “She’s right,” Theo added. “Moody took things a bit far.”
Draco’s frown deepened, but he didn’t argue further, though his pride was clearly bruised. Maria softened, giving him a nudge. “Just don’t get into another fight with Harry, alright? It’s your second one in the same month.”
He sighed and muttered a few words under his breath. But he nodded, listening to her words.
“So,” Theo asked, breaking the brief silence, “who are you rooting for today, Mari?”
“Cedric, of course,” Maria replied with a small smile.
Theo raised an eyebrow. “Cedric? Not Potter?”
Draco scoffed, his expression darkening. “Potter, Potter, Potter…It’s always about him, isn’t it? What did he want, anyway? I saw him skulking into your father’s tent with Dumbledore before you left.”
Maria shrugged, genuinely puzzled. “I’m not sure. Dumbledore said Harry wanted to talk to him about the first task. It was odd, though. Harry didn’t seem…comfortable.”
“Of course he wasn’t,” Blaise cut in, his voice light but knowing. “He’s terrified. Who wouldn’t be, facing dragons?”
Maria sighed, eager to change the subject. “But enough about that. Who are you all rooting for?”
“Krum,” Theo and Blaise said at the same time, both grinning.
“Figures,” Maria muttered, shaking her head. “And you, Draco?”
“Krum. If not him, Cedric,” Draco said curtly, his arms still folded. “They’ve got the best shot. Unlike Potter.”
They continued chatting, the tension from earlier easing as their conversation drifted to lighter subjects. Blaise and Theo recounted a few rumors they’d overheard about the dragons, each more far-fetched than the last. Maria laughed at their stories, her nerves about the upcoming task gradually fading as they shared jokes and friendly banter.
As they talked, the crowd’s roar from the arena grew louder, but it still felt distant, as though the four of them had their own little space away from the chaos. Draco’s keen eyes, however, noticed something.
“Your cloak,” he murmured, stepping closer to Maria. “The clasp is about to come undone.”
Before she could react, Draco reached forward with careful hands, his fingers quickly fastening the clasp. His touch was light, but Maria could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. There was something oddly intimate about the gesture, and she felt her cheeks burning as Draco’s hands lingered for just a moment longer than necessary.
“Thank you,” Maria mumbled, hoping her face wasn’t as red as it felt.
Blaise and Theo exchanged a glance, both of them smirking knowingly, though they wisely chose not to say anything. The looks they exchanged were enough.
Draco stepped back, seemingly unaware of the effect he’d had. He crossed his arms again, a teasing glint in his eyes. “You should be more careful,” he said. “Can’t have you around with your cloak falling off in front of everyone.”
Maria rolled her eyes, though her smile didn’t fade. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”
Just as she was about to respond, something in the distance caught her eye. Turning her head, she saw her father, Dumbledore, and Harry exiting the tent. She blinked, surprised, but before she could say anything, Dumbledore and Harry walked past as they headed straight for the champions’ tent.
It was her father who paused, stopping in front of them, his eyes twinkling as he took in the group of friends.
“You all look quite formal today,” Roland said, his tone half-teasing. “Are you ready to watch?”
“We’re ready,” Maria replied.
Roland’s smile softened, and he nodded. “Good. I’ll see you after the first task is over, then.” He gave Maria a fond look.
With that, Roland turned and followed the path Dumbledore and Harry had gone on, leaving the four friends alone to enter the arena.
As they walked towards the entrance, Maria’s heart gave a little flutter of nerves. Even as the excitement of the first task loomed, Maria couldn’t shake her unease. She glanced towards the champions’ tent once more, her thoughts drifting to Harry. She might have been rooting for Cedric, but there was a part of her that hoped that Harry would make it through, unscathed.