Harry
Harry had been practicing for weeks, he had even missed this mornings' breakfast. His only other option for the tournament were to fly around like a lunatic and fail the task. He began to wish they had given the opportunity to Ron. He was always wanting his placement, and got super jealous about it when Harry got it. He had hoped he didn't screw it up because he knows Ron could be better than him. He wants to prove himself to Hermione, as well. She had helped him through every crook of studying. Though he was only learning charms from first and third years. The only charm he mastered was Aguamenti. He would just circle around his room, hoping for a way to win the first task by shooting jets of cold water from his wand.
"Harry," he heard from behind him. Hermione came from the door to his dorm, knocking slightly. "Let's go! Ron has been bickering because you are taking to long to get ready!" She stood at the door way, glaring at the clear water spread across the wood layed floor. "Merlin! What happened?"
"I was only practicing for the task, 'Mione," Harry gave a wry smile, not looking up from his wand. "And to think he was actually waiting for me? I don't believe that one bit. He's too jealous."
"He's only hurt they gave the opportunity to you because you've never showed an interest in it. I told him I wasn't eating with out you."
"Well it's great you care--"
"Well if it's so great then you shouldn't be fighting me on this. Let's go, Harry."
There was a pause as Harry shoved his wand into the pocket of his rob. He wasn't one to complain with Hermione, as she always made the right choices. And she was way smarter than him anyway.
---
As they made their way down to the 'Great Hall, Harry couldn't help but imagine how Ron would react to his appearance. Out of all people, he couldn't expect Ron to be such a coward about the whole tournament.
"Are you okay, Harry? You seem distracted."
"Yeah I'm fine, 'Mione"
"Well you don't seem that way." She said, looking down at the book she had been holding. He knew she was just trying to be a good friend by asking, but he felt weird around just about anyone when it comes to his feelings. Snapping him back to reality, someone crashed into his shoulder, not even looking to say sorry. He turned around to meet eye to eye with no other that Draco Malfoy.
"Watch it, Potter! Looks like your four-eyed glasses aren't doing their job after all, aye?" Malfoy sneered through his grinding teeth. Harry couldn't help but notice his blood-shot eyes, that had also looked red and puffy, almost as if he had been crying. There were also tear stains on his cheeks. Malfoy stood there as his hand clenched to his robe sleeves, his backpack slouched on his shoulder. His hair was ruffled and scruffy, and his cloth was wrinkled badly. He looked like a disaster. Before he could react, Malfoy had already been turned around, rushing towards the Great Hall, not taking a second to look back. He just sped up as his rob blew behind him, blowing his platinum blonde hair.
"He looked terrible!" Hermione pointed out. Harry didn't care much for Malfoy, but he felt sorry for him. After all the Slytherin has been through, he knew he was depressed. He scoffed, trying to seem as he didn't care, making Hermione furrow her eye brows. She couldn't care for Malfoy, either, however, it wasn't unusual for Hermione to shrug Malfoy off, as no Griffindor had ever been friends with him. Yet he could tell she was curious about his behavior. "Ron!" She exclaimed cheerfully. She truged towards Ron with a smile on her face as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
"Hey Hermione. Harry." Ron didn't look at Harry, but he gave a small, forced smile. Their beef wasn't as bad before as Hermione made them spend 'quality time' together. And it seemed to be working. "Are we finally headed to eat now? Neville's probably at all the chicken by now." Ron complained. Ron was always complaining about food. The boy would eat the whole kitchen right up raw if he could. Hermione nodded as they both turned to look at Harry. He nodded hesitantly as him and Ron shared another awkward stare.
