Ten Questions (Harry Potter x Slytherin reader)

Chapter 24

I gasp for breath as my head emerges from the black lake, eyes wide and heart hammering in my chest. I look both ways, panicked and instinctively reaching for my wand, only to realize it's gone.

Potter is next to me, arm wrapped around my waist and swimming towards the dock. A large crowd stands in front of us full of Beauxbatons, Durmstrang and Hogwarts students. Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang are already with them, towel wrapped around the Ravenclaw girl and Cedric there whispering words of comfort to her. Fleur is also on the platform, but nobody is with her. Not having time to contemplate it, we're meet with a wave of applause as we make our way towards the platform. Seconds later, Viktor Krum emerges from the water with Hermione, both gasping for air.

"You alright?" Potter asks. I blink twice, looking around before a weak grin spreads across my face.

"A little cold," I answer truthfully. He chuckles at this, and he helps me up the platform. Seconds later, we're both given a towel, and I eagerly wrap it around my soaking wet Slytherin robes, shivering and teeth chattering. "Well, I must say, I knew what the second task was, I just didn't anticipate I would be apart of it," I joke, a soft laugh escaping my lips.

Potter doesn't find this amusing, however. He frowns and gives me a disapproving look.

"I was worried about you," he murmurs softly. "There... there was another girl... I should've saved her, but I was so focused on getting you back to safety that I..." Harry falters and gives me an apologetic look. "I'm just glad you're okay."

I open my mouth to speak, but I don't have time to respond when I feel a long pair of arms wrap around me and pull me into a hug. I don't need to turn around to know it's Adrian, hair a mess and a look of relief crossing his features.

"Don't ever do that again," he says in a low voice, still refusing to let go. "You scared the absolute shit out of me."

"Thanks, I'll try to keep that in mind the next time I get abducted by mermaids. Now get off, please," I mutter with a grunt, pushing my brother away. His grin only widens at this, amused at my attempt to push his muscular and broad frame off me. Naturally, being the older sibling, he doesn't, only tightening his grip. "Adrian," I push him away with a grunt. No success, "Adrian, I'm fine."

Adrian finally lets go, ruffling my wet hair in the process. He adjusts his clothes, then his eyes flicker over to Harry, and his face suddenly grows sour, as if he had just swallowed something rather unpleasant. Harry shifts in discomfort when his eyes meet Adrian's, averting his gaze.

And then, "Thank you," Adrian clears his throat, the words seeming to be foreign to him. "You saved my little sister. For that I'll be forever grateful."

My face flushes in embarrassment, now suddenly wishing I was back in the lake. Harry gives me a quick glance, tilting his head to the side in confusion before looking back at my brother.

"Er, yeah. No problem," he stammers awkwardly, suddenly very nervous. I shoot a glare at Adrian.

"You do know they wouldn't have let me drown, right?" I ask, quirking an eyebrow at him. A look of surprise flickers over both Harry and Adrian's face, but it comes just as quick as it goes, nodding frantically.

"Of course," he lies. "I definitely knew that."

I roll my eyes, though I can't help but smile. "I'm sure." I glance at Harry for a moment, then back at Adrian. "Erm, Adrian? Do you think you could give Harry- I mean, Potter and I a moment?" Adrian nods, but I'm confused when he doesn't move. "Alone," I add, rolling my eyes. Adrian's eyes widen slightly, finally understanding.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry about that." When he thinks I'm not looking, Adrian gives Harry another glare before wrapping me into another hug. "I'll see you in the common room, okay?"