I woke up slowly to the sun again. I sat up and for just a second I didn't remember what had happened the day before. Then it all came back. I left to go shower and get dressed hoping to curve the constant ball of anxiety in my stomach. As I walked down the moving staircase and finally made it to the hall I was pulled into an alcove. I was rightfully disoriented before I noticed the short platinum bland hair shining above me.
"What Malfoy?" I sighed to tired to do any of this.
"Good morning to you to Potter! Come along." He said and walked away as if I'd just follow him.
I followed him. He led me through a lesser known hallway before stopping at the same abandoned room as last time. He confidently walked to a rolling chalk board before spelling in clean and bringing it in front of me.
He drew very strange stick drawing as he explained, "So you have three tasks, and want to convince others you don't want to be apart of this right?" I nodded dumbfounded. "Okay I spent last night working on these," It was then I noticed the badge on his robe reading 'potter stinks' before switching it to, 'support Cedric Diggory' "When I pass them out in the hall I want you to take and wear one. no press. you all will most definitely have a press conference and Skeeter is untrustworthy. I arranged a silent interview with Luna's dad this evening. The first task is dragons. Seeing as the older Weasley is in town, there has been a larger import of wood. Not to mention the screeching you can faintly hear from the forbidden forest. Seeing as I so happen to know a lot about dragons I'll help you with them." He finished his diagram. I was so lost.
"Wha-what...?" Dragons? Luna's dad, Press? what the fuck!?
"Merlin Potter your useless. Just take a badge when they are handed out and meet Luna's dad for an interview at six before dinner okay?" He said slowly as if I was a child. I rolled my eyes before sighing.
"Right..." Okay I could do that. Godrick I was confused.
"Okay head to breakfast then." he smirked and flipped the board rather than erasing it. I left the room with my head spinning. I walked into the great hall dreading the Gryffindor table. Then I spotted Luna relatively alone near the Ravenclaw seeker who I knew as Cho Chang. I strode over to her and dropped into a seat across from her with my back to the wall. The Ravenclaw table was on the edge of the hall.
"Hello Harry!" She chirped as I sat down. "I hope you've been good with all the wrackspurts buzzing! You should get a necklace like mine it'll keep the nargles away. Less stressful!"
"I should, I'm so stressed lately with this whole business." I noticed a few nearby Ravenclaws quite their conversation and listen in.
"They'll find who put your name in, to bad its a magically binding contract."
"Yeah, I'd love to have one normal year. Honestly how do they expect a fourteen year-old failing half his classes to get anywhere!" I griped, as she giggled before replying,
"At least the other school champions like you!" she said, I was about to question her before Fluer gracefully sat beside me and spoke,
"Hello Harry it zeems your in ze deep waterz az zey zay." She smiled and ruffled my hair. "Awful zose adults zeem to not care anozer adult haz endangered a zudent!" She raged in a way that made the people around her afraid.
"I suppose though its not like they've ever care much."
"Uz championz muzt ztick zogether za?" She smiled. She was exceptionally beautiful for a girl.
"Ya." Viktor Krum grunted as he violently plopped into a seat across from Fluer next to Luna.
Fluer and Viktor began eating but it was then i realized I was far from alone. Ron might not believe me, and the Gryffindors might be overbearing and horrible but I wasn't alone. far from it actually.
I watched as Ron entered the hall, only half listening to what Fluer was saying to the group. Hermione was behind him. She scanned the Gryffindor table looking for me before finally checking the other tables and spotting me. I smiled hoping she believed me. Hermione rounded and seemed to whisper frantically with Ron before becoming visibly frustrated and storming to the Ravenclaw table.
"Good morning Harry how are you feeling after last night?" Fluer's rapid talking slowed as she stared at Hermione.
"Good as it can." I sighed.
"Ron will come around. You should just apologize to him." I nearly choked on my own saliva and processed what she had just asked me.
"Apologize! I didn't put my name in the goblet he should apologize!" Honestly what does she take me for!
"I know that Harry and I think he does too, he's just jealous. He's always known as one of the Weasley's or Harry Potter's best friend. Never Ron." She said as is genuinely upset for him.
"Absolutely not. When he wants to grow up he can apologize to me himself. Until then I'm not going to talk to him!" I replied completely angry and him and Hermione. I thought they were so posed to be my best friends.
"Harry-" Fluer interrupted.
"He made hiz pozition very clear Herminie" She sliced through the conversation like a knife.
She walked away worrying her lip. I felt bad but I wouldn't apologize to Ron if he was just going to be a child. He's supposed to be my best friend and he ditched me. For what jealousy? Fluer began questioning Luna on some of the many strange animals she believed in. Fluer seemed to like Luna, well more like fascination with Luna. After breakfast was over we left for out classes. I had Potions. As I walked through the castle towards the dungeons passing the court yard I noticed a large gathering of students in our year. I pushed through the crowds of laughing students to see everyone wearing the badge Malfoy had that morning. They all seemed to laugh as I walked past. I slid to a halt and as Malfoy walks towards me and loudly declared,
"Sad you're not worshiped Potter!" There was a chorus of laughs before I reached and grabbed a badge from the crate and pinned it on my shoulder like Malfoy told me to. Even more surrounding students broke into hysterics.
"Quite fine with it actually. Thanks Malfoy." As I walked to class I could see people staring at the badge i'd pinned to my shirt. God I was already tired of the day and it had just begun. Snape dramatically entered the room and began lessons. It was incredibly horrible. He hovered over me as I worked and continued to critique my every move. He moved to the front of the room and began writing something on the board. "Remember you cant add ash winder egg directly after frog heart, it causes the molecules to-" The door was quietly opened by Colin Creevy. Snake whirled around and gave Colin a glare that was sure to make the strongest men pee the pants. "What do you need?" He drawled.
"T-the champions are required to get there wand weighed!" He squeaked.
"Go one Potter have your press debut, be back before the bell!" He snapped before returning his attention to the board.
"A-actually Prof-Professor it will take the whole class..." Creevy practically squeezed out.
"Potter get out of her before I change my mind!" He barked positively filled with rage.
I didn't need to be told twice I picked up my things and scurried out of the classroom. While walking Colin tried to speak to me, "How'd you get your name in Harry?"
"For the last time I didn't Colin!"
"Oh you must be excited though?"
"Not particularly excited to enter a death competition meant for adults only!" I grumbled.
He seemed to stop speaking at that point. Didn't matter much anyways for we had just come up upon the room. He scurried off as I entered the doors only to immediately see the other champions and Olivander. To the side in the corner was Rita Skeeter. She had bright red lipstick with the most annoying green outfit. She almost seemed as if she could show up as a clown to a muggle kids party.
"Now I'll be testing you're wands to ensure their in top shape. You first my dear." He motioned to Fluer and she gave him her want. He cast a quick spell and fire erupted from the tip. "Rosewood nine and half inches, and Vela hair. I don't usually use that in my wands as the core can be unpredictable but it seems to work splendidly for you my dear." He finished.
"Zank you zir, it waz my granmozerz hair." She replied and gave a sort of bow before accepting the wand.
"Now for you Mr. Krum.' He cast a spell and water sprouted from the tip. "Hornbeam ten inches dragon heart-string. How lovely it is more rigid than normal but it will do you fine! Now you Mr. Diggory. I remember you in my shop! Ash wood and unicorn hair good for studies! hand it over." Cedric gave Olivander his wand and he casted a spell. A bunch of lovely flowers flew from the end before Olivander gave Cedric his wand back.
I knew he was to try my want next. I sent a silent wish to the god he wouldn't mention its twin. I handed my wand wordlessly before he could ask. He rose a brow at me before casting a spell, and a large gust of wind swept the area. "Very good Potter, Holly wood and Phoenix feather eleven inches, unusual combination! Seems my work is done, do enjoy your photos. With that Olivander left to a room where I assumed the other adult where gathered. Seeing as Dumbledore had disappeared in there not moments before.
"Alright children line up!" Skeeter purred before noticing the badge on my pen pocked reading 'potter stinks' "Could you remove the badge dear?" She questioned sweetly, bringing the others attention to the badge I was wearing. Cedric seemed to smile at me a bit brighter. I hoped he finally believed me.
"No ma'am but i'll switch it!" I tapped it with my wand and changed the saying. She harrumphed before taking the photo of the four of us. I made sure to squeeze very close to the others. She sighed and then asked,
"Can I have individual interviews and photos?" her eyes drifted to me as Fluer Cedric and Viktor agreed.
"Im not a champion really so I'll just leave." I started towards the door knowing I had a interview with someone else later.
"Nonsense Harry just stay a bit!"
"He zaid he wantz to leave." Fluer interrupted.
"eave Harry alove" Vickor said in a thick Russian accent. It was the most I'd hear him speak. Finally Cedric added,
"If he doesn't get to leave you wont get and interview with either of us!"
I smiled as Skeeter seemed to give in not wanting to lose her interview. I left and began wandering the halls.
Lunch was fine and by the time it was six, I was properly tired. I sighed and walked to the courtyard when Luna saddled up next to me.
"Dad is sweet don't worry about him Harry. He'll only print what you say! I asked him to send me extra copies so I can pass them out tomorrow." she seemed excited s I decided to give this deal the benefit of the doubt. Though I was still worried as Malfoy had organized this whole thing. When I came to a halt I saw a tall point man with the same hair as Luna. He looked like Lucius Malfoy but younger and a bit warmer. He had a white suite on and sat on a chair with a notebook and pen.
"Hey dad!" Luna seemed and gave the man a hug
"Hello sweetie has the cap worked to keep the nargles away!"
"Oh yes! You get to interviewing Harry. Ill need it as soon as possible." She smiled.
Thus began a long interview leaving me properly drained but I was happy that the truth was going to be printed. The truth and only that. I knew the horrible lies Skeeter would no doubt come up with in the morning. Luna stayed to talk to her dad so I aimlessly walked the halls not having the appetite for dinner.
"Potter you should be eating." Malfoy said as I stumbled upon him in an empty corridor. "Wheres Luna?"
"she's talking to her dad, told me to go ahead so posed I didn't want to eat bit stressed." I blushed confused as to why i'd tell Malfoy that.
"I said i'd handle everything Potter, no need to fret like a girl." He sneered though his words almost seemed kind. Handle everything God wouldn't that be nice?
"You said you knew the first task? its in a couple weeks." I paused to look at him. "Shouldn't we tell the others?"
"Fluer and Viktor no doubt already know, and I'll handle Diggory Potter." He smirked and I had a feeling I wouldn't like what he was to say next. "Dis you know some species of snakes can talk to Dragon's. It's particularly fascinating, naturally when I learned that I begged my parents for one of those snakes. The muggle Mayans believed them gods, but its just a feathered snake. Amazing breed though. They live as long as a Wizard. The one I got became my familiar, she lovely would you like to meet her?" He asked. I was confused so I just nodded. He pointed his want to the ground and spoke the same spell as the duel in second year. The most beautiful snake with blue feathers and orange accents gracefully slid from his wand. "I'm going to teach you this spell and you'll use her to talk to the dragon. Put on a proper show Harry."
"What if it doesn't work, if the dragon is hostile?" I trembled slightly.
"Then I reckon you're dead." He paused before continuing, "I know an awful lot about dragons Potter trust me it will work."
"Right- okay."
"Take her with you for the next week and get to know her, she will shrink to a reasonable size for you." With that he dumped the beautiful snake in my arms before strutting off.
"Stupid Hatching leaving my with strangers!" She grumbled loudly.
"I know" I sighed unhappy he had just left.
"You speak, what is your name!" She gasped, as well as a snake could.
I looked to her as she shrank and wrapped around my torso under my robes. "Harry, your hatching wants us to get antiquated so you can help me speak to a dragon, what's you're name."
"Yes I've always wanted that. My name is Keen, Take me to you're nest young speaker."
Once in the Gryffindor tower I lowered myself to my bed happy the day was finally over. Keen rolled onto a pile on my Pillow and fell asleep rather quickly. Dinner was still in session so I was alone. I closed and charmed my curtains before trying to finish my homework for the day. After a couple hours I checked the time. It was well past bedtime. I canceled the lighting spells and tucked my self in. I tried and failed to sleep for hours before I finally drifted off. Worried about what tomorrows papers would bring.