| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter forty-nine

UNIMPRESSED

•

"Ah, look, it's the champion."

"Yeah, got your autograph books?" said Verena with a smile. "Better get a signature now."

"I doubt he's going to be around much longer," said Draco. "Half the Triwizard champions have died... How long d'you reckon you're going to last, Potter? I think you won't last ten minutes. Father disagrees. He thinks you won't last five."

"I don't give a damn about what your father thinks," Potter snarled, shoving Draco back. "He's vile and cruel. And you're just pathetic."

Potter began to walk away. Verena saw Draco's hand searching for his wand and quickly took a hold of his wrist, stopping him. Mad-Eye Moody was in the corridor nearby, watching them. She nodded in his direction, and Draco looked to see Moody walking away.

"Better think of something to say, Potter!" Verena called out. "I expect the Daily Prophet will want a quote! 'Harry Potter competes in the Triwizard Tournament for a chance at more fame.'"

Potter stopped in his tracks and turned around. He always knew the Slytherins hated him. He understood why the Hufflepuffs were suddenly acting cold towards him. He thought his best friend would believe him, but he did not, angering Potter further. But Potter thought that maybe – just maybe – Verena would believe him, too. But he just disappointed himself. After all, what should he have expected? She was friends with the slimy git from Slytherin.

"Yeah, I have a quote," said Potter, walking back towards them. "How about 'I didn't put my name in the Goblet of Fire.'"

"Well, who did then?" asked Verena. "You can admit it, Potter. It's all right. You'll just be an attention-seeking arse is all. You've always been one."

In a fit of anger, Potter had reached for his wand before he even thought about what he was doing. A few people around watched, surrounding them all.

"Harry!" said Granger warningly.

"Go on, then, Potter," said Draco. "Moody's not here to look after you now – do it, if you've got the guts... "

Verena had pulled her wand out and pointed it at Potter. They stared at each other, and realizing that the other wasn't going to back down, they both cast their spells.

"Funnunculus!" Potter yelled.

"Densaugeo!" Verena shouted.

Light shot from both wands and hit each other, ricocheting off at angles. Verena ducked down, then looked back after there was a moment of silence. Potter's spell had hit Goyle in the face, and Verena's hit Granger. Goyle screamed as great ugly boils were springing up on his nose. Granger, almost in tears, clutched her mouth as her two front teeth grew.

"You know what I think?" said Potter. "Your family's worse than Malfoys. Maybe your family got what they deserved."

And by family, he meant Verena's aunts. Dahlia's death and the murder of Darcy's future husband. As well as the tragedy that struck their family that summer, to which Verena and Damien were still grieving.

"You take that back, Potter," Draco snarled, walking towards him. "You take that back, Potter, or I swear I'll bury you six feet underground."

Potter had realized what he said. He never truly meant it. It was just words that spurred out in the heat of the moment.

"And what is all this noise about?"

Professor Snape had arrived alongside Silas. Draco took a step away from Potter, turning to them. The Slytherins were quick to give their explanations until Professor Snape pointed his finger at Draco and said, "Explain."