Death Parts Us

Part 6~Dragons

"Amazing. Amazing." Neville gaped, reading through his book as Draco sighed.

"Neville, you're doing it again," he huffed, sending a light-hearted glare at Neville who lowered his head.

"S-Sorry."

Sly scowled, nudging Draco's side and making him sigh, feeling bad as he sat beside Neville. "Magical water plants of the Highland Lochs? Is that a new one?"

Neville nodded excitedly. "Moody gave it to me. That day we had tea. It's all about different plants that grew in the highland lochs and the effects they have. There is this particularly interesting one that-" before Neville could finish the snapping of twigs brought his attention away.

Hermione and Ron walked closer, whispering to one another. "We've already been through enough people, why don't you just go and do it yourself?" Hermione scowled, hissing at Ron before she approached the lakeside. "What do you want me to say again?"

Ron whispered in Hermione's ear, making her scowl more. She pushed past Ron. approaching Sly on the lakeshore.

"Ronald would like me to tell you that Seamus told him that Dean was told by Parvati that Hagrid was looking for you."

Sly blinked, listening to the words. 'What?'

Hermione paused, walking back to Ron and whispering to him. She turned sharply, addressing Sly once more. "Dean was told by Parvati that... Please don't ask me to say it again, Hagrid's looking for you."

Sly gulped, nodding as a small thank you appeared by his head. He could feel the glare that Ron was giving him.

~~~

Sneaking out of his bed, Sly tried to not make any noise.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ama slid out of her bed, hissing at Sly who gulped.

"I'm visiting Hagrid."

"At this time?"

Sly nodded as Ama shook her head. Slithering closer, Ama wrapped around Sly's arm, sliding around Sly's neck.

"You're terrible. Let's go!"

Nodding, Sly rushed out of the dorm, pausing when he heard footsteps approaching. Hiding back, Sly glanced over his shoulder, watching Roger grumble.

He stumbled down the corridor, using the wall for support. He wiped his mouth with a grimace, returning to his bed and curling up tightly. Sly sent him a worried glance before shaking his head. He needed to meet Hagrid. He can check on Roger later.

Walking through the dark forest, Sly shifted his gaze, swapping from the forest floor to Hagrid and back again.

"Did you bring your father's cloak like I asked you?" Hagrid looked over his shoulder at Sly who nodded, bringing out the cloak and wrapping it around his shoulders.

'Yeah. Hagrid, where are we going?'

"You'll see soon enough. Pay attention this is important," Hagrid whispered, lowering his voice.

Sly nodded, his eyes drifting over Hagrid. 'What's with the flower?' Sly pointed at the flower in Hagrid's pocket. 'Have you combed your hair?'

Hagrid coughed. "As a matter of fact, I have. You might like to try the same thing now and again."

Sly blinked as Ama snickered. 'Why would I want that?'

Sly didn't get an answer when Madame Maxime called out to him. "Hagrid?"

Hagrid spun around as Sly pulled the cloak over his head. "Bonsoir Olympe."

"Oh Hagrid, I thought you weren't coming, I thought perhaps... you had... forgotten me," Madame Maxime spoke softly, walking closer to Hagrid.

"Couldn't forget you, Olympe."

"What is it you wanted to show me? When we spoke earlier you sounded so exhilarated."

Hagrid beamed, nodding. "You'll be glad you came. Trust me." He began to lead her through the forest when a loud roar erupted from the side. Pushing aside the plants, Madame Maxime's eyes widened.

"Ahh, c'est Magnifique!" She gasped, staring at the dragons that fought against their cages, breathing fire around them. "Can we get closer?" She stepped past the forest line as Sly pulled the cloak down.

'Dragons?! That's the first task? You're joking.'

Hagrid shook his head, sadly. "Come on, Sly. They've seriously misunderstood creatures."

Fire erupted from behind them.

"Although I have to admit, that horntail is a right nasty piece of work. Poor Ron nearly fainted just seeing him, you know."

Blinking, Sly glanced up at Hagrid. 'Ron was here?'

"Oh sure. Your brother- Charlie- helped bring him over from Romania. Didn't Ron tell you that?"

Sly shook his head, a ball of hatred twisting at his stomach.

"I thought Charlie might have mentioned something though he was under oath not to tell you so that isn't his fault." Hagrid hummed, getting distracted as Sly continued to stare at the dragons. He was going to die.

~~~

Pocketing the note, Sly decided to read it later. He walked through the school, frowning at the badges. It started with Cedric before twisting to a green background reading 'Potter Stinks' on it. He tried to ignore their words, focusing on the person he was trying to reach.

Stopping at the doorway, Sly struggled to get through.

"Like the badge," the boy jeered, making Sly lower his head.

'Can I pass, please?'

"Why don't you ask like a normal person, freak," the boy sneered as Sly bit his tongue. Ducking past them, Sly blinked away the tears, approaching Cedric. His friends began hurling insults as Sly tried to ignore them.

'Can I have a word?' Sly locked eyes with Cedric for a second before looking away.

"Alright." Cedric jumped up, following Sly to a secluded part of the courtyard.

Sly didn't waste a second. 'Dragons. That's the first task. They've got one for each of us.'

Cedric paled. "Are you serious?" Sly nodded. "And Fleur and Krum, do they...?" Cedric trailed off as Sly nodded again.

'They know.'

"Right." Cedric took a deep breath. "Thank you."

'You're welcome.' Sly turned around, trying to leave when Cedric stopped him.

"Hey listen, about the badges. I've asked them not to wear them."

'Don't worry about it.' Sly forced a smile to his face which Cedric knew was fake before he walked away. His eyes narrowed on Ron, a frown forming as he stormed over. 'You're a right foul git you know that.'

Ron paused, glancing at the smaller boy. "Is that so? I didn't think you were capable of expressing such emotion."

'I can't believe I was ever friends with you!' Sly's magic crackled around him, making Ron sneer.

"I can't believe I ever let you near my family." Ron pushed Sly back, storming off with Seamus behind him.

Sly stayed there for a few seconds before he jumped up, running away, the note falling out of his pocket.

'Hey, Cub! I hope you have an amazing plan to tackle this first challenge. You'll be amazing! I believe in you. Padfoot.'