Snivellus

60

She quickly wiped her blotchy eyes as the girl came into view.

'Are you alright down there? Did the nargles get you?' She reminded Darah of a fairy, perhaps one that worked in a field of flowers.

'Luna Lovegood? I don't believe we've met.' Darah held out her hand respectfully, still sat on the floor.

Luna shook it a little enthusiastically. 'I'm terribly sorry, I don't know your name.'

'Darah Snlucy-' she coughed and shook her head quickly. 'Lucy.'

'Well it's very nice to meet you Snlucy.' Luna had a huge, contagious smile.

'I believe we have a mutual friendship? You're friends with Ginny Weasley, right?'

Luna sat down next to her, patting down her clothes gently, picking bits of fluff off the cotton. She hummed to signify a yes. 'Isn't she lovely.' She looked up to the huge window in front of them. 'She gave me this.' Luna held out a locket in the shape of a star that she wore around her neck. 'She has a moon.'

Darah carefully inspected the locket. 'Pretty.'

She tucked it away again. 'If you have a friend like Ginny, why are you so sad?' Luna asked her.

Darah hiccoughed. 'Because I have a boyfriend like Malfoy.'

Luna hummed. 'Slytherins are tricky ones.'

Darah glanced down at her, clearly green, robes. 'I've never heard anything more true.' She agreed. 'What's ravenclaw like?'

'Oh it's wonderful. I think the blue really suits me.'

Darah smiled at Luna's simplicity that somehow made her unique.

'Are you excited for the first trial?' Darah asked Luna curiously.

'Oh I'm sure it will be amazing. I do not trust Head Master Dumbledore's safety but I know everything will be well in the end.' She smiled.

This made Darah chuckle. 'Yeah hopefully the trials will be safe. I can't believe Harry is still going though with it.'

'Harry Potter is very brave.' Luna agreed.

They sat together, pondering in silence for a little while before Luna decided to leave, skipping off joyfully down from the tower.

Darah was left alone, surrounded by her thoughts. She didn't know how she was feeling but she knew for sure the first trial was coming up and she was nervous about it.

***

'Morning.' Darah panted, squeezing past rows of people, her hair blustering in the sharp wind as she made her way to Hermione and Ron who were sat in the bleachers waiting for the first event to start.

Hermione shuffled over so Darah had room to sit. They were all cosied up in hats, gloves and scarves in accordance to their houses.

Hermione sat chewing on the ends of her gloves, nervously awaiting for the first competitor to start.

'Charlie says this dragon is a relatively mild one.' Ron explained to his friends.

'Still a bloody dragon.' Darah murmured, transfixed on the dragon that was puffing smoke out of its nose.
She forced her eyes away and looked around at the arena. She saw Draco sat a little while away from her with the other Slytherins; they were both ignoring each other after the squabble. She averted her eyes across from her and saw the teachers in their stands, most of which were looking nervous too. Snape sat solemn, his black cloak wrapped around him as he stared at nothingness.

'Here they come!' Ron shouted as the first competitor flew out of the tent, looking mildly confident.

As he came into closer view they established it was Cedric who was competing first and so they clapped him on supportively, screaming inspirational words.

Darah and Ron swore every time something dangerous happened, no matter how minuscule.

Finally Cedric retrieved the golden egg, giving the crowds time to celebrate and relieve the stress.

Next came out Fleur and Viktor, both of whom managed to complete the task.

'Ron, what type of dragon is that?' Darah asked nervously, staring at this new, ferocious dragon in the arena.

'H-Hungarian Horntail.' He gulped.

'Please tell me it's friendly.' Darah spoke timidly and jumped back as the dragon roared, spitting fire into the air, the heat from the flames reaching her and the stands shaking.

'Definitely not friendly.' Ron made a frightened face.

'It's Harry. He'll be fine.' Hermione reassured them but it appeared more as though she was reassuring herself as Harry flew out shakily into the arena.

He's in the den for less than a minute and his broom becomes singed and he almost breaks his leg.

'I'm gonna be sick.' Darah hurried out from the stands, Hermione cheered for Harry and tried to comfort him, if he could even hear her.

She rushed down the stairs and to the teacher's section. She spotted Snape near the end of the bench and squeezed past Flitwick to get to him.

'Dad.' She whispered.

Snape turned to look at her with concern.

Suddenly the dragon broke free and zoomed off after Harry, spitting fire everywhere.

'Shit!' Darah gasped, watching the dragon fly off into the air.

Snape stood from his seat, his eyes wide open, watching the micro version of Harry flying towards Hogwarts.

Darah turned back to him, pleadingly. You've got to do something!'

Snape didn't take his eyes off the dragon for a second. 'He'll live.'

Darah's mouth stared at the flying dot in the distance which was Harry. 'Fu-'

'Language.' Snape said sternly. 'Follow me, Miss Lucy.' He guided her down from the stands. 'I want you to take this.' He handed her a small vial which appeared empty at first but at closer inspection, there was some kind of clear liquid inside. 'Use it when you need to.'

'What is it for-' she looked up from it but Snape had already gone. 'Dad!' She screamed, looking around frantically, the dragon's erupting roar in the distance shook the ground. Silent tears ran from Darah's eyes and panicked looks struck everyone's faces as they were all left to wonder whether Harry would survive and whether the dragon would kill them too.