Azkaban's Youngest Prisoner

Ch. 30

Chapter 30:

The trio and I were closer than ever after the Sirius and Remus encounter. It used to blow my mind how these kids get themselves into trouble every single year and yet I ended up getting tangled in their shenanigans... willingly! Of course Draco didn't know about this, out of respect for privacy for the trio, I wouldn't. End of the year exams were nearing, so I spent hours in the library with Hermione and Cho studying as much as possible. It was much easier to study with Cho because we were learning the same things but Hermione was very resourceful nonetheless. I realized that I had been so caught up with studying that I really haven't spoken to Draco in a while. As I walked out into the courtyard, the sun was shining, a small breeze flowed through the air, I couldn't help but think this year was finally looking up. Ben Harris hadn't bothered me in such a long time, that I actually considered accepting Cedric's countless apologies. Of course, that thought had to be ruined.

As I made my way down to Draco's lot, suddenly my books that I was holding along with my wand flew out of my arms and were caught by someone, followed by a barred cage landing over me, trapping me inside. I silently flinched and took in my surroundings. The cage was made out of metal, not too big, but big enough to enclose me in it, it almost resembled a... cell.

"Well, well, well, Malfoy. Looks like you've got yourself trapped there, huh?" the menacing voice of Ben Harris snorts. I look up to my right to see Ben Harris, along with his other Hufflepuff friends, laughing at the sight of me trapped in their stupid little cell. Harris holds my books while a girl next to him holds my wand. Cedric stands in the back, with a look that could kill, and a burning gaze aimed at Harris.

"Very funny, Harris. How long did it take you to build this little cage of yours?" I asked, calmly.

"Well it did take some time but it was all worth it considering this is quite a sight to see!" he laughs.

"Don't you have better things to do rather than bother a fourteen year old girl? That's fan behavior if you ask me. Shouldn't your lot be in the library studying or something? It's your OWL year, no?"

"Oh I'd watch my mouth, Malfoy. I'm not the idiot trapped in a cell. Maybe this will teach you a little lesson, show you where you belong?" I mockly nod my head at Harris, instead of retaliating, I take a step closer to him, the only thing between us being the metal bars of the cell.

"Back up," I whisper.

"What?"

"I suggest you back up," I repeat, taking a step back. Cedric takes a step back, listening to my words. "Unless you want to make a fool of yourself."

"Ha! I'm sure you're the one making a fool of yourself right now, Malfoy," Harris scoffs.

"Don't say I didn't warn you." With a quick wave of my hand, the metal cage around me explodes, one of those pieces flying through the air bonks Harris on the head, leaving him in shock. Bombarda had always been one of my favorite wandless magic, non verbal, spells. I accioed my wand and books back into my arms. I slowly approach Harris and his friends with a smirk plastered on my face. "I suggest you spend more time studying for your OWLs rather than wasting your time planning pointless pranks. Good try though."  With one last glare at Cedric, I weave my way through the newly formed crowd and make my way towards my brother to go to the library.

"Crabbe, that is the stupidest idea I've ever heard," Draco grunts as I sit next to him for dinner that night.

"What? I'm convinced Granger's a time traveler, how else do you think she takes that many classes?" Crabbe responds. I take a sip of my pumpkin juice to try and hide the smile on my face.

"That's not even possible Crabbe, the idea you have been paying attention to this mudblood is already infuriating."

"Watch your mouth," I say firmly, smacking Draco on the arm.

"Fine," he retorts, stabbing his steak. As I started to pick at my mashed potatoes, I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering over to the Hufflepuff table. Ben Harris was missing but Cedric is sitting there, separate from his friends, his jaw starting to bloom with a purplish bruise, and a red cut on his lip.

"What happened to Diggory?" I ask out loud before I can stop myself.

"You didn't hear?" Pansy asks, surprised. I shake my head at the girl.

"Diggory got in a huge fight with Harris after you left. It got super physical and everything. If you think he looks bad you should see Harris, Diggory beat him to a pulp. Diggory got detention for two weeks and at least fifty points taken away from Hufflepuff," Draco explains. I blink at my brother in surprise.

"Diggory? You're telling me that this Hufflepuff prefect got in a physical fight with Harris?" I ask with wide eyes. Draco nods as if it's the most normal thing in the world. "Over what?"

"My goodness you're dense," Draco scoffs, shaking his head as I furrow my brows in confusion. "Over you, you dumbarse."

"What?"

"Tessa, he was obviously upset that his friend tried to mess with the girl he fancies. It's quite apparent he's fed up with Harris' bullying."

"I- He would do that? They probably fought over something else, there's no way it was about me," I respond.

"Tessa, how are you so daft?!" Draco raises his hands in the air with frustration. "Diggory cares about you, more than you can even imagine. I know it's hard for you but you have to accept the fact that somebody other than me cares about you." Draco returns to his dinner, leaving me in my thoughts. Was it possible that someone could actually feel that way? For someone like me?

a/n: kinda like this chapter ngl. Things are about to happen, I'm excited. I can't wait for the next update on this story. Don't forget to vote, comment, leave q & a questions, and check out my other story: Love, Lexi Jade.