| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter forty-six

BEAUXBATONS & DURMSTRANG

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The workload was ten times worse than in prior years. Verena went from doing her homework alone to doing it with a group of people. The teachers became more demanding, piling on stacks of homework. Verena was literally drowned in it – surrounded by stacks of books in the library. Verena was kind of glad there was no Quidditch that year. Then she'd have practice and Roger's assignments on top of that.

For a few weeks, Moody had been teaching his students how to fight the Imperius Curse. Many failed, however, Moody was surprised that Verena and Harry could fight back. His lessons were not as entertaining as Professor Lupin's, but he was more informative than Professor Lockhart, so that had to count for something.

Professor McGonagall was very strict and adamant that they take their studies seriously. With their O.W.L.s approaching, she wanted them prepared, which was why she gave them a lot of note-taking homework, research assignments, and essays. On top of that, Verena had to do weekly essays for Professor Binns about the Goblin Rebellion.

Professor Snape had them research antidotes, warning them that he may poison a student to see if their antidotes worked. Professor Flitwick had them reading extra books, inches thick, about the Summoning Charm in preparation for their lesson.

What Verena hated the most was the homework that Hagrid assigned. On top of their "project" with the Blast-Ended Skrewt, Hagrid proposed they all went to his hut every other evening to observe them and take notes.

"I will not," said Draco when Hagrid had suggested this. "I see enough of these foul things during lessons, thanks."

Hagrid's smile faded and said, "Yeh'll do wha' yer told, or I'll be takin' a leaf outta Professor Moody's book... I hear yeh made a good ferret, Malfoy."

The class roared with laughter. Verena had rolled her eyes, turning to Draco, comforting him. As rude as he was, the ferret incident was enough to humiliate someone for life. She wouldn't wish it on anyone – except perhaps the Weasleys. She loved seeing them go mad.

After class, Verena headed back to the castle with her friends, planning to finish Professor Binns' and Professor Sprout's homework with Draco. Verena had never written so much in her entire life with all the essays given to them. Her hand cramped too many times.

When they arrived at the entrance hall, there was a large crowd of students, gathered around a large sign. They all tried to look at what it was, but they could not see over the other people's heads. Then, Damien appeared with Viola Richmond, spreading the news.

"The schools participating in the Triwizard Tournament – Beauxbatons and Durmstrang – are coming here at six on the thirty-first of October," said Damien.

"Lessons will end half an hour earlier," Viola added.

"Oh, good," said Verena, relieved. "History of Magic will be cut short then."

"And Professor Snape won't be able to poison us," Crabbe added.

"Only a week away!" shouted Ernie Macmillan of Hufflepuff, walking past them. "I wonder if Cedric knows? Think I'll go and tell him... "

"Of course, Pretty Boy Cedric," Damien said with a groan. "Reckon he'll try put his name in."

"Well, he is a good student," said Daphne. "I hear he got a lot of O.W.L.s last year. And he's a prefect."

"Yeah, if they had to pick between you and him, I'd pick Cedric," Verena said.

"Gee, thanks, sis," Damien mumbled.