Dark

Chapter 33

Eleanor
I had been one of the first to arrive in the Great Hall that morning. I simply sat at the Slytherin table, allowing the sunlight streaming in from the windows overhead to warm me. The warmth of the sun and the lack of sound from the other early risers created a strangely peaceful atmosphere. All good things eventually come to an end though.
By the time that the seats around me began to fill, I wasn’t the only champion sitting in the Hall. It seemed that they, much like myself, felt more confident about this task than either of the other two.
“Surprising to find you here.” Malfoy said as he took the seat across from me.
He was soon joined Blaise Zabini, and the empty seat next to me was quickly filled by Astoria Greengrass.
“Really?” I asked him.
“You hardly ever show up for meals.” He stated simply as he began to fill his plate.
“Well I didn’t have much of a choice.” I said. “Snape told me I was required to be in the Great Hall this morning. Why though, I have no idea.”
“Is it for the third task?” Astoria asked.
“I don’t know. The actual task isn’t until tonight, so I wouldn’t think so.” I said, considering the likelihood that whatever I was needed here for had to do with the tournament. “But who knows what ridiculous ideas the judges have up their sleeves.”
“What do you think your chances are of winning, Potter?” Zabini asked, a smirk rising on his face. “I was considering putting a bet in today.”
“I would say good, but seeing as Harry’s going to be by my side…” I trailed off, not needing to explain any further.
“After this past month, I would say your chances are pretty good.” Malfoy said.
I looked up at Malfoy, surprised by the public vote of confidence. It didn’t strike me as something he would usually do with other people around.
“What is the task anyway?” Astoria asked.
“Probably something over the top.” Zabini said, stopping his fork half way to his mouth as he thought it over for a brief moment. “Like wrestling a Mountain Troll.”
“Or maybe they have to find some sort of hidden treasure.” Astoria said, her eyes going wide with excitement at the idea.
“It’s just a maze.” I said.
Zabini and Astoria both turned toward me, their eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.
“What?” I asked, before I realized why my answer must have surprised them. “Look, the task is tonight, so it’s not like you aren’t going to find out in a few hours anyway. Besides, Malfoy has known for the past month. He’s been helping me get ready for it.”
“So that’s what you’ve been doing every night then?” Zabini asked, quirking an eyebrow in Malfoy’s direction.
“Yeah.” Malfoy said, his gaze suddenly focused very precisely on the plate in front of him. “I mean, that’s what friends do right? Help each other? I was just trying to be a good friend.”
Astoria smiled at me and gave a small nod in Malfoy’s direction. I could tell what she was implying immediately, but it was pointless. I gave her a small shake of my head to tell her that she was wrong, but she just returned the gesture with a roll of her eyes.
“So,” Astoria said, “exams are today. You two ready?”
“Definitely.” Zabini answered.
“It’s a waste of time, but yes, I’m prepared.” Malfoy said.
“Me too. I’m probably the least prepared for Arithmancy though, it’s by far my most difficult subject.” I said.
“What are you talking about? Champions are exempt from exams.” Zabini said.
“I know that, but it’s my first year here. I want to make sure I’m not falling behind on anything.” I said simply. “I don’t want to chance getting held back.”
“You do realize you’re still ahead of most of us, right?” Zabini asked.
“There’s no way they could hold you back,” Malfoy chimed in, “not when you’re easily competing with Granger for the top spot in every class.”
“Look, it doesn’t really matter. I want to know where I stand in my classes, and the only way to adequately do that is to take the exams. Besides, I have nothing else to do today.”
By the time our discussions about the task and exams had come to end, it was nearing time for class. Students were filing out of the Great Hall with notes clutched tightly in their hands as their eyes scanned them over one last time before exams began.
“Miss Potter,” A monotonous voice said from behind me.
I turned and was unsurprised to find Snape standing there, staring down at me.
“The champions are to meet with their families in the chamber off the Great Hall.”
I had opened my mouth to ask Snape why that would matter for me, but he had already swept away from the table.
“Are you headed that way then?” Astoria asked as she stood up from the table.
Malfoy, Zabini, and I joined her, gathering our things.
“No, I don’t have a family to meet with. It would be a waste of time.” I said, walking with Astoria toward the Entrance Hall. “Besides, I don’t want to be late for the first exam.”
We had nearly managed to reach the end of the Great Hall through the tide of students when I heard my name being called out. Turning around, I found Viktor watching me from over the heads of some younger students.
“Eleanor,” he said again, “your family, they are waiting for you.”
That didn’t make sense. I had no family, not even Harry apparently.
“What is he talking about?” Malfoy asked.
“I have no idea. I’ll go find out real quick, and I’ll meet you guys in class.” I told Malfoy and Zabini. “Let Professor Binns know that I’ll be a few minutes late.”
Malfoy nodded his head before turning back toward the Entrance Hall. Viktor had already disappeared by the time I had pushed my way back through the crowd of students making their way toward class.
Approaching the door to the chamber off the hall, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Surely they didn’t think I would waste my morning standing around with Harry in this stuffy room. There was no one else that could be here to see me. I considered just turning around and walking away, but curiosity got the best of me. I turned the handle and stepped into the room.
Though it had appeared spacious enough the night that my and Harry’s names came out of the Goblet of Fire, the room was now packed full. Between the judges, champions, and their families, there wasn’t much space to move around in. I first spotted Viktor, speaking with a dark haired couple in rapid Bulgarian. Fleur was nearby, rattling off in French to what I could only assume were her own parents, while she embraced her sister tightly. Cedric was just a small ways past them, talking to his own family. It was the people standing just past Cedric and his parents though that had really caught my eye.
“Surprise!” A woman called out, beaming in my direction.
Before I knew what was happening, I had been pulled into an overpowering hug by the woman. When she finally took a step back, I was able to fully take in her appearance. She was a somewhat stout woman, with patched robes and familiar red hair. Standing between her and Harry was a tall man, sporting the same red hair. While he was obviously older than Harry and I, he was still clearly younger than the woman who had embraced me. His hair was pulled back into a long ponytail and I caught the gleam of an earring as I quickly scanned his face.
“You must Eleanor.” The woman said excitedly. “I’ve been waiting so long to meet you. I’m Molly Weasley, Ron’s mum. And this is my eldest son, Bill.”
Bill held out his hand toward me and I shook it, simply out of an attempt to be polite. I didn’t know these people, and I didn’t have any idea why this woman would be interested in meeting me. I wasn’t friends with her children, even Harry and I weren’t friendly with one another.
“The Weasley’s came to see us for the third task.” Harry said, speaking to me for the first time in weeks.
Irritation quickly swept over me, consuming my thoughts as I considered Harry carefully. Of course someone had come for Harry. Of course he had someone who knew him, who wanted to see him compete, who wanted to know that he was safe. One thing was certain though, they didn’t know me and I didn’t know them. Everyone else here had someone, someone that they knew, someone that loved them and cared for them. But not me. Even Harry had someone to call family. But still, not me.
“It was very nice of you to show up,” I struggled to utter the words without losing my temper, “but as we aren’t family, I would really like to get back to my exams now.”
“We don’t have to take exams, remember?” Harry asked.
“Well I’ve opted to take them anyway.” I said before turning to Mrs. Weasley and Bill. “It was nice to meet you, but I must be going.”
I could feel my heart racing as I left the room. It took everything in me not to scream out in frustration, not to reach for the nearest thing and smash it against a wall. I just had to remind myself that it would never be me, that I would never have what Harry has, what nearly everyone here has. I just had to remind myself that this was how it would always be, just me.

Harry
I had spent the morning walking the grounds with Bill and Mrs. Weasley. I had tried to apologize for Eleanor having left, but Mrs. Weasley had said that it wasn’t necessary. I thought she would be upset by Eleanor’s behavior, but to my surprise she had almost seemed to have expected it.
We had walked the sunny grounds together, and I had been able to show Mrs. Weasley and Bill the Beauxbatons carriage and the Durmstrang ship. Mrs. Weasley had been quite intrigued by the Whomping Willow which had been planted after she had already graduated from Hogwarts. And according to Mrs. Weasley, a man named Ogg had been the game keeper before Hagrid.
Lunch had been spent with the rest of the Weasleys and Hermione at the Gryffindor table.
“Mum – Bill!” Ron had called out when he caught sight of us. “What’re you doing here?”
“Come to watch Harry and Eleanor in the last task!” Mrs. Weasley said brightly. I caught her eyes looking toward the Slytherin table for a moment, scanning the benches for Eleanor. She was nowhere to be seen though and Mrs. Weasley carried on, “I must say, it makes a lovely change, not having to cook. How have your exams been?”
“Oh…okay,” Ron muttered. “Couldn’t remember all the goblin rebels’ names, so I invented a few. It’s all right,” he added at the sight of Mrs. Weasley’s stern gaze, “they’re all called stuff like Bodrod the Bearded and Urg the Unclean; it wasn’t hard.”
Hermione’s presence seemed to bring an air of tension to the table though.
“Hello, Hermione,” Mrs. Weasley said stiffly.
“Hello,” Hermione said, her smile faltering at the cold expression on Mrs. Weasley’s face.
With realization, I looked between the two of them before speaking. “Mrs. Weasley, you didn’t believe that rubbish Rita Skeeter wrote in Witch Weekly, did you? Because Hermione’s not my girlfriend.”
“Oh!” Mrs. Weasley said. “No – of course I didn’t!”
As the tension began to slip away considerably, we all ate lunch and enjoyed catching up. Afterwards we walked through the castle, visiting Mrs. Weasley’s favorite places and listening to her stories of Professors that had been at Hogwarts in her own time while the others returned to their exams. It wasn’t until Dinner that Eleanor came up in conversation again.
“I meant to ask you earlier, Harry,” Hermione said as she piled her plate with food, “but do you know why Eleanor was taking the exams today? I thought you two were exempt?”
“All she told me was that she had decided to take them anyway.” I told her.
“How does Eleanor seem to be liking Hogwarts?” Mrs. Weasley jumped in to the conversation.
“Oh…er…” I shared a look with Ron and Hermione, not sure how to answer. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed by Mrs. Weasley.
With her eyes narrowed at her youngest son, the truth had to come out.
“We, uh…well we don’t really…talk…much…with Eleanor.” Ron barely managed to get the words out in an audible fashion.
“What do you mean? You aren’t friends with Eleanor?” Mrs. Weasley asked. She looked between the three of us, but when none of us seemed able to explain she spoke again, “She’s spent the past thirteen years of her life without a family and when she finally gets here you couldn’t be bothered to be her friend?”
“It wasn’t like that, mum…” Ron began.
“Honestly, Mrs. Weasley…” Hermione tried to say at the same time.
It was useless though. In a matter of seconds Mrs. Weasley was bearing down up us all, a furious spark in her eye as she berated us for our lack of compassion. I couldn’t find the words to explain how she was right, that it had been my fault that Eleanor and I didn’t speak. I wanted to explain, but under Mrs. Weasley’s disappointed expression I couldn’t manage it.
“Mum, maybe we should just drop this for now.” Bill said quietly next to her.
“Well,” Mrs. Weasley huffed, “it’s never too late to show kindness. I’m sure you can still patch things up with Eleanor.”
I shared another glance with Ron and Hermione. It just wasn’t as simple as showing kindness to her. I had hurt her, turned her away, and denied that she was even related to me. I couldn’t just be kind to her and expect to be forgiven.
If only it could be that simple.

Draco
The stands were nearly filled by the time I reached the pitch. It only took a few seconds for me to spot the group of Slytherins I was looking for. Amid the cheering crowd, they were a small knot of silent onlookers. Between the fourth year Slytherins and the now ever present Astoria Greengrass, they made a much more somber show of support for Eleanor. Though it was notable that some looked far less happy about supporting Eleanor than others, Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode mostly, they were all clad in their Slytherin best.
I took my seat among the mass of green and silver, ending up between Zabini and Astoria Greengrass, the only person in our group who was audibly cheering at the prospect of the third task. Through her excited wails I could make out only snippets of the conversations that were happening around me.
“My money’s on Krum.”
“If I had to choose between Cedric and the Potter duo, I would want a Slytherin to win. As much as I don’t like the idea of Potter being a part of that, if Eleanor wins, it’ll be good for us.”
“Fleur? She didn’t even make it through the second task, I’m betting she doesn’t stand a chance. Especially with Eleanor in there.”
“What is it they’re doing exactly anyway?”
“I really don’t care who wins, I just want to see Potter lose.”
It wasn’t until I noticed someone quietly speaking to me that I joined any of the conversation happening around me.
“Do you really think she’s ready for this?” Zabini asked.
“Yeah, I do. The only question now is if Potter can keep up with her.” I answered.
I scanned my surroundings. I hadn’t seen Eleanor on my way in to the pitch, and I couldn’t see her now. The other champions were already positioned before their entrances to the maze, looking out upon the crowd. That’s where my eyes turned next.
Eleanor had shown up to the History of Magic Exam looking furious. I had tried to convince her to tell me what had happened, but she wouldn’t budge. She hadn’t spoken to me since breakfast, and she hadn’t been present at lunch or dinner. The only assumption that I could make was that either Potter or the Weasleys had managed to upset her. I had seen the blood traitors all sitting together in the Great Hall. No one was waiting at the Slytherin table for Eleanor though, so she must have been right. No one had been in that room for here, it had just been Potter and his Weasleys.
As I looked up again, I finally caught sight of Eleanor. She was only just making her way onto the pitch. She didn’t look furious the way she had this morning. She simply looked put out, like a fire within her had been drenched. It was a strange sight. I continued to watch her as she took her place next to Potter. He hadn’t noticed her, instead he was waving up at the Weasleys and Granger, smiling at them. Eleanor seemed to notice too and as I watched her gaze follow Potter’s I saw that light inside her dim even more. Her face fell, and she simply turned away from the crowd entirely, staring ahead at the twenty foot hedges before her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin!”
I turned to see Ludo Bagman standing at the center of the space between the maze and the stands. His wand held up to his own throat, magnifying his voice as he spoke to the crowd.
“Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each – Mr. Cedric Diggory as well as Harry and Eleanor Potter, all from Hogwarts School!” The crowd cheered, the enormous sound sending birds from the nearby Forbidden Forest flying into the air. “In second place, with eighty points – Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institution! And in third place – Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!
“Our champions will enter the maze from those with the most points, to those with the least. Once inside the maze, they will have to find their way to the center in the hopes of being the first to retrieve the Triwizard Cup. But there will be many obstacles standing in their way, from magical beasts to powerful enchantments. The first to touch the Triwizard Cup will bring not only themselves, but also their school, eternal glory!”
The crowd cheered again, and my right ear began to ring loudly as Astoria tried to shout above it all from beside me. Try as she may though, Eleanor paid her no attention. Whether she couldn’t hear her or didn’t want to acknowledge her, I wasn’t entirely sure.
“So…on my whistle, Mr. Diggory and the Potters will enter the maze!” Bagman said. “Three – two – one –“
And so it began.