| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter forty-eight

A FOURTH CHAMPION

•

Verena and Harry walked off to a corner of the entrance hall. They did not want to be seen by any of their friends, or their enemies.

"Sorry if I startled you," Harry said.

"No, it wasn't you," Verena assured. "It was someone else... Anyway, are you thinking about putting your name in? You'd love it, I bet – it's always glory and fame with you."

"I can't tell if you're just playing or not," Harry admitted.

"Only half-joking," Verena said with a small chuckle. "All the Slytherins think you want to put your name in."

"Well, I don't," said Harry. "Do you think I want to?"

"I was thinking you've had enough danger in your life," Verena replied. "Why would you put yourself in more?"

"I'm glad some people understand that," said Harry. "If you could, would you put your name in?"

"Yeah," Verena said, taking him by surprise. "I mean, I'd like the fun of it. Not the possible death, but the challenge. Of course, I'd be scared shitless... "

Harry chuckled, nodding in agreement.

"I guess it's a good thing this is happening this year," Verena said with a sad look on her face. "Our family could use something like this – a distraction... I meant to thank you a while ago, by the way."

"For what?"

"You're the only person who hasn't greeted me and said anything about my mum," Verena explained, smiling at him. "Everyone looks at us so pitifully and it just reminds me... "

"Yeah, of course," Harry said quickly, smiling back at her.

Soon, the entrance hall filled with more students. Verena and Harry hid in a corner, unnoticed by anyone, and they discussed who they thought would be the Hogwarts champion (though Verena knew it'd likely be Cedric).

Harry found it fun to talk to Verena and vice versa. They both found each other to be great conversationalists and Harry loved it when she'd make witty comments about the students who entered their names in – even having made fun of the Slytherins. Verena found Harry to be a great listener... unlike some people. He had a sarcastic side to him that Verena actually loved.

"There's no way Warrington will get picked," said Harry.

"Obviously," Verena agreed. "His brain's the size of a walnut. Nothing much going on up there."

"Hey, there you are!" said a bright voice, and Verena took a step away from Harry as the boy glared at her. "Salvador... "

"Weasel," Verena greeted, looking at him with disgust.

"I noticed your family's come down to Hogwarts," he said. "I didn't think anyone could be any posher than you and Malfoy."

"Well, when my mum married my dad, no one was really happy about it," said Verena. "When our grandparents died, they left most of the money to them in their will."

"No wonder you hate them," Weasley said. "You sad you're not as wealthy? Your millions of Galleons ain't enough for you?"

Verena rolled her eyes, and Harry had to change the subject before the two could start fighting again.

"So then, did anyone put their name in yet?" Weasley asked.

"All the Durmstrang students," Harry replied. "Same with Beauxbatons. So far, only Cedric and Warrington put their names in, that we've seen. Bet some of them put it in last night after we'd all gone to bed. I would've if it had been me... wouldn't have wanted everyone watching. What if the goblet just gobbed you right back out again?"