Haley Potter and The Goblet Of Fire

Ashes, Embers...and Malfoy??

Haley's consciousness slowly returns, and she finds herself lying amidst a scene of utter chaos. The once vibrant campsite is now a haunting landscape of burnt tents, swirling ashes, and embers flickering in the air like fireflies in the night. Confused and disoriented, she tries to piece together how she ended up behind the ruined tent. The last thing she remembers is being knocked out on the ground.

To her astonishment, she sees Draco Malfoy crouched beside her, his usually arrogant expression replaced with concern. Their eyes meet for a moment, and an unspoken understanding passes between them. Haley opens her mouth to speak, but before she can utter a word, Draco swiftly places a finger on his lips, urging her to remain silent.

Her mind protests any form of connection with Malfoy, but a strange sense of comfort washes over her in this moment of uncertainty. Her heart flutters, but she forcefully pushes the thought away. There's no time for emotions now.

The sound of approaching footsteps breaks their silence, and they both freeze. Draco grabs a scorched piece of cloth from the ground, using it as a makeshift shield. They crouch down, hiding as best as they can amidst the debris.

The footsteps draw closer, echoing menacingly in the darkness. Finally, they stop not far from where Haley and Draco are hiding. The man, cloaked in darkness, stands in the center of the devastated campsite, surveying the destruction.

Haley and Draco exchange anxious glances, trying to suppress any noise that might give them away. Peering through their limited vantage point, they see the man raise his wand and hear him utter a chilling incantation, "Morsmordre!"

Suddenly, an eerie symbol materializes in the night sky—a massive skull made of shimmering emerald stars, with a serpent slithering out of its mouth. Haley's heart skips a beat at the sinister sight, but she notices Draco's reaction is even more profound. His face loses all color, leaving him ashen and trembling.

Desperate to lighten the tension, she can't help but think how ridiculous this situation is—her hiding with Draco Malfoy, of all people.

However, the humor vanishes as quickly as it came when the footsteps draw nearer. The man seems to sense something amiss and starts to walk in their direction. Haley's heart races, and she clings to the hope or rather Malfoy's wide shoulders that their impromptu hiding place will shield them.

The suspense builds, and Haley struggles to suppress a nervous giggle that threatens to escape. She knows laughing right now would be disastrous. This is a deadly serious situation, after all.

Just as the tension becomes unbearable, Ron and Hermione's voices ring out in the distance, calling for Haley. The intruder's attention is diverted, and he makes a hasty escape. Relief washes over Haley as she hears him retreat into the darkness.

But before she can process the events, Draco shushes her urgently once again. 

His haunted eyes convey a deep fear, and he whispers, "No one has to know about me, Haley." 

Without waiting for a response, he disappears into the chaotic night, leaving Haley behind, bewildered and conflicted.

Hermione and Ron finally locate Haley, their worried voices expressing relief at finding her unharmed. They inquire about her well-being, their concern evident in their eyes. Haley, still trying to make sense of everything, musters a response.

"I'm okay," she reassures them, her voice wavering slightly. "Just a bit shaken up. Did you see that symbol in the sky? What could it mean?"

Hermione's brow furrows with worry as she ponders the significance of the dark mark. Ron's expression mirrors her concern as he contemplates the situation.