Quiet days are few, but memorable.
Harry woke up early that morning. For a few seconds, he lay there staring at the ceiling, hesitating over whether he should go down to the Great Hall for breakfast or not. Being the center of attention was nothing new to him. There was being the Boy Who Lived, the son of the Scarlet Witch, a student of Nicolas Flamel, heir to the Potter family, creator of far too many things for someone his age. And even so, new titles kept appearing, one after another, as if his life were nothing more than a constant spectacle for everyone else.
That was why he usually focused more on his family and his friends, raising a sort of wall between himself and the rest. All of that was already annoying enough on its own. Now, imagining that, as Hogwarts' champion, he would draw even more attention, irritated him greatly. So much so that plans of revenge against his godfather began forming rapidly in his head.
Plans that could make even an adult cry. Plans that should only ever exist for one's worst enemies.
Harry shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside before they went too far. Then he looked toward the nearby bed, where another boy seemed to be wearing the exact same expression of irritation at the idea of having to face the rest of the students, for almost the same reasons.
Being the other champion of Hogwarts.
Draco Malfoy.
Draco glanced at Harry, then let out a resigned snort before getting up and starting to get ready.
Harry released the same sigh and dressed quickly as well. After all, he could not spend the entire day without eating just to avoid running into other students. This was still a school, and even though it was Sunday and, thankfully, they had no classes, the castle was far from empty.
They both made their way down the dormitory stairs toward the Ravenclaw common room. Several students were already there, sitting and reading or studying, something completely normal for that space. However, when footsteps were heard, everyone looked up at the same time, only to find Harry and Draco standing there. For a brief moment, applause broke out, accompanied by proud smiles.
Luckily for them, books and studying were more important than continuing the praise. Soon enough, everyone went back to what they were doing, focused once more, which honestly saved them quite a bit.
Just then, Hermione and Daphne entered through the common room door together. Hermione was carrying a wicker basket, while Daphne held what looked like a large folded tablecloth.
"Hi", Hermione said when she saw that they were already awake. "We were about to call you. I'm pretty sure you don't feel like being around too many people, so we thought we could have a picnic by the lake with everyone. Astoria, Luna, and Neville already went ahead to clean the place."
"We could also check on what Red and the others are doing", Daphne added with some interest.
"I accept the first part and reject the second", Harry replied immediately, smiling at them.
Draco gave a small nod as well. "It's a good idea", he said, grateful.
The four of them headed down the stairs, glancing toward the Great Hall from time to time to avoid running into anyone, and quickened their pace through the castle until they stepped out onto the grounds leading to the Black Lake. In the distance, the Durmstrang ship could already be seen anchored in the water.
However, they quickly turned their attention elsewhere when they noticed Astoria, Luna, Neville, Tommy, and Billy waiting for them. Tommy raised a hand in greeting, while the other held several things to play with, like a boomerang, a frisbee, and a ball. Billy, meanwhile, carried the rest of their belongings, several board games, and seemed to be explaining to Luna how they worked.
Strangely enough, there was a pale red canopy set up where they were standing, providing some shade.
When they arrived, they spread the tablecloth on the ground. Harry could not help but glance at the canopy once more.
"Mum stopped by earlier and set it up for us", Billy said, looking at his brother. "And Aunt Susan brought the board games. Aunt Pandora brought the toys."
"Aunt Narcissa prepared the tablecloth", Daphne added, pointing at the fabric beneath them.
"Aunt Selene prepared the food basket", Hermione said.
"Mm… my mum sent me some sweets to share", Neville said, pulling out a magical bag. When he tipped it over, chocolate frogs, every-flavor beans, small pastries, and several other treats spilled out.
Harry and Draco exchanged a look before smiling. Everyone called those women "aunts", even though they were also mothers. They did not share blood, but they always showed the same care for all of them, as if they truly were family. It made it very clear why they were all so close.
They sat down to eat sandwiches, snacks, and sweets. Tommy, Luna, and Astoria played together, tossing the boomerang and frisbee back and forth with laughter, while Billy, clearly fascinated, threw leftover food into the lake, watching as a massive tentacle rose from the water to grab it and disappear back into the depths. Meanwhile, Draco, Hermione, Daphne, Harry, and Neville talked quietly on the blanket.
Anyone passing by and looking their way would not have been able to stop themselves from smiling.
"So, do you already know who put your name in?", Neville asked Draco while biting the head off a chocolate frog that continued to move even without it.
Draco frowned slightly. "Pansy Parkinson", he replied in a cold tone.
"Ha. I knew it was her", Daphne said immediately.
"And why did she do it?", Hermione asked seriously. "Is she still bothering you?"
"I don't know. But apparently, she told the professors that she wanted to see me as Hogwarts' champion because, according to her, I deserved it more than anyone else. And Sirius said she didn't seem to be lying", Draco explained.
"Then why did the Goblet let your name come out? It's not like she's powerful enough to enchant it", Neville said.
"Aunt Wanda already checked it. She said the Goblet had a crack, but it was quite old, so that might be why it's malfunctioning", Hermione explained calmly. "And I don't think there's anyone who could fool Aunt Wanda's magic."
Harry could not help but nod, trusting his mother's magic completely.
"So it really was a coincidence", Neville said, surprised.
"As if coincidences could ever be that perfect", Draco replied, clearly unconvinced.
"Do you think she has something else planned against you?", Hermione asked, frowning slightly, just like the others, who were now all looking at Draco.
"I don't know. I just know I can't help feeling this sense of unease ever since the school year started", Draco said, his expression confused and irritated.
"Maybe you're like Harry and it's just your hormones", Daphne commented teasingly, glancing at Harry, who had remained silent until now.
"You do realize your mother still doesn't know about the grenades the twins are hiding for you, right? And she could find out", Harry said, looking at her seriously.
"Alright, I'm sorry", Daphne replied at once, giving in immediately. The last thing she wanted was to face her mother again.
Harry let out a sigh. "At least Sirius thought fast and changed the rules. That way we can compete legally, and the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students don't have any complaints either. Otherwise, this would've been even more annoying. Especially for you", he added, looking at Draco.
"What are you talking about?", Neville asked.
"Jealous students", Draco replied, as if it truly did not bother him at all. To be fair, it really didn't. "They can get very annoying. Especially from other houses. Slytherin, for example. Hufflepuff isn't very happy because Diggory didn't end up as champion like they thought he would, and Gryffindor isn't far behind Slytherin either. Maybe they're even worse than the snakes themselves. After all, they do have a reputation for being prejudiced."
He seemed slightly more relaxed knowing he didn't have to deal directly with the two most irritated houses, until he realized what he had just said and remembered that Neville was a Gryffindor.
"Oh. Sorry", he added.
"It's fine. You're not wrong", Neville replied calmly, clearly unbothered. More than anyone else, he could understand it. "Sometimes I wish I had ended up in Ravenclaw with you, but well… I'm not that smart."
"Don't say that, Nev. You're quite smart, and you've gotten really good with your wand ever since your father started teaching you dueling spells", Hermione said immediately, backing him up.
"That's true. Maybe if they had put your name in the Goblet, it could've been you instead of Draco", Daphne added with a small smile.
"That would've been much less annoying for me", Draco commented.
"Or better yet, you could've taken my place", Harry added, making it clear that neither of them was completely happy about the situation, even if they had accepted it.
Neville looked at his friends with a genuinely happy smile.
…
Classes did not take long to arrive, and with them came the stares of the other students, following Harry and Draco wherever they went. Some were full of smiles, others of curiosity, others of excitement. There were also the looks from Hufflepuff, a little sad, but ultimately resigned. There was nothing to be done if the champion wasn't from their house. All that was left was to accept it.
The only ones who became a real nuisance were the Slytherins, or more specifically, Carrow and his supporters.
"Oh, look what we have here. The champions of Ravenclaw. Oh, right, Hogwarts. Sorry. Always looking for attention, as usual, right? Wait, I forgot my notebooks so you can sign them. How about a picture? Or two?", he said in his usual mocking and contemptuous tone.
Behind him, Crabbe and Goyle laughed awkwardly, delighted by his terrible performance.
Harry and Draco couldn't help but think that Carrow was, in a way, admirable. How many beatings and failed schemes had he suffered at their hands, and yet he still kept showing up in front of them, proud and fearless. Only someone with incredible courage, or a complete idiot, could do that. Either way, it was almost impressive how he always came back.
He was like a cartoon villain. Sometimes, Harry even wondered if Carrow was some sort of invention born from his magic being out of control, or a very poor hallucination of a failed school villain.
"Did you bring your autograph books?", Carrow said, turning to his companions. "You'd better make the most of it, because you won't last long. Half the champions always died during past tournaments", he added excitedly.
"How long do you think you'll last? My bet is ten minutes for Potter and five for Malfoy. And that's just the first task", he said, laughing enthusiastically.
"How do you do it?", Draco asked, looking him straight in the eyes with a cold, genuinely puzzled tone.
"Hmm? The betting? The Weasley twins are taking them", Carrow replied with an amused smile.
"No. I mean how you manage to be so impressively stupid and still keep showing up in front of us when, quite literally, not long ago Harry turned you into a filthy rat. Or did you like the experience? Do you want to be turned back into a crawling, disgusting animal again? Well, even more than you already are, obviously", Draco said, clearly tired of having to deal with him.
Daphne, Hermione, and Harry couldn't help but laugh, along with several Ravenclaws and even a few Slytherins.
"You… I don't know why you think you're superior, Malfoy. Either way, you don't have much time left", Carrow replied, visibly annoyed, before walking away quickly. The look Harry and Draco gave him as he made his threat caused him to tremble slightly.
Luckily for him, Hagrid appeared at that moment carrying a couple of crates containing Blast-Ended Skrewts, looking somewhat confused at the sudden silence.
"Well, it's good that everyone's here. We can start the lesson", he said with a smile. "I've figured out why you were all at each other's throats, and it's because you've got too much pent-up energy. So today, we're taking them out for a walk. On leashes. I hope you're all ready."
Everyone pulled faces of clear displeasure at that, staring at the horrifying creatures the skrewts had become, now larger, darker, and far more dangerous.
"Ah, Harry, Draco, could you give me a hand with this bigger one?", Hagrid asked, calling the two of them over. They exchanged confused looks before stepping closer.
As they did, it seemed Hagrid wanted to tell them something while he adjusted the leash on the skrewt, which kept explosively snapping its tail.
"Listen. In a couple of days, something's going to arrive that I need to show you. I'll send you a letter, and you'll have to come find me. It's very important, so don't tell anyone else. Well, maybe the girls. But we can't go in a big group, so just the two of you", Hagrid said in a conspiratorial tone before finishing securing the creature. "Alright, lads, thanks a lot. You really helped me out", the half-giant added with a slightly awkward smile.
Obviously, neither Draco nor Harry had actually touched the skrewt, and now both of them looked more than a little confused.