| HIDDEN IN SECRETS |

chapter fifty

A VISION OF DEATH

•

"They're getting worse."

Damien looked at Verena, confused but worried. He didn't know what she was seeing but knew the visions were affecting her badly. Verena's usual visions would come and go, but they were becoming more frequent.

"By worse, you mean... " he trailed off, expecting her to answer.

"Something bad is going to happen, Damien," Verena whispered as they entered the Great Hall.

"But... it's the Triwizard Tournament," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I mean, what could go wrong?"

"Remember when Moody showed us the Dark Curses?" Verena said, coming to a halt in front of him. "I keep seeing that green flash in my visions. I'm being serious, Damien, okay? I'm – I'm scared."

"What about Father?" he asked. "He's coming back tomorrow. You should tell him."

Verena wasn't sure if she should tell her father. She knew she was supposed to, but she also knew her father was already dealing with so many responsibilities, and Mr Crouch was almost always with him. In addition, she was supposed to be taking her potions to rid of the visions. Verena was afraid her father would be mad and she did not want to worry him.

The two joined the Slytherin table for breakfast. Damien pecked Viola on the cheek and Verena looked confusedly at Daphne as she and Adrian Pucey kissed.

"I'm sorry, have I missed something?" asked Verena. "When did this become a thing?"

"Um... not long ago," Daphne said sheepishly.

"You're dating?" Damien questioned in disbelief. "The two of you?"

"Why? Are you jealous of us?" Adrian teased.

"No, I'm surprised," said Damien. "You rarely talk to each other and Daphne always said how she hates you."

"I did not say that," Daphne defended.

"You kind of did," Astoria countered. "You always complained to Mother and Father about him."

"Well, we're past that now," said Daphne. "I've grown to like him."

"And how did you grow to like him?" Damien asked.

"Yeah, how did this happen?" Verena asked, just as curious.

"Um— " Daphne said, staring blankly at her.

"I saw them flirting in the halls and the library," said Draco, taking a seat beside Verena. "Adrian was always talking about some girl he fancied during our Quidditch practices. Guess we all know who it is now."

"Ohh!" Damien gasped, coming to a realization. "You were talking about Daphne?"

"What is this? Enemies to lovers?" Viola said with a small laugh. "Aw, Little Adrikens fell for her first."

"Oh, stop it," said Adrian, and he began to stand. "Come on, Daphne. Let's go."

Daphne got up and followed Adrian into the entrance hall. Then, in a secluded corridor, they stopped to face each other.

"I think it's working," said Adrian.

"What do you mean?" she asked. "They're more happy than jealous."

"Not the way I saw it," said Adrian with a smirk. "I know Damien and his eyes told me everything."

"Can't I just tell Verena?" she pleaded for the hundredth time. "I feel bad keeping all this from her."