Cobra's bite

12

"Marian?" Harry knocked on the door of her office before entering.

"Hi Harry. You're leaving now?" Marian asked, looking up from the papers on her desk.

"Yes." He nodded.

Marian nodded her head. "I'm sorry I can't join you all. I have so much paperwork to do."

"You haven't seen Ron or Hermione?" Harry asked and looked around the room almost like hoping his friends would be there.

Marian sighed and shook her head. "No. I haven't seen either of them this whole day. But I'm sure they will be there before the second task starts."

Harry nodded. "Yeah. I need to go now. Bye."

"Tell me everything what happened when you get back. Good luck, stay safe."

"Thank you." Harry smiled slightly before leaving the room.

After Harry had left Marian opened one of the small drawers of her desk and pulled out a letter. It was from Coby. He had sent it a few days ago. She opened it and read it again in her mind.

'Hello Marian, my darling.

I hope you are well. Things have been stressful with work but I have got power and more energy from you in my mind. I have planned a date for us. There is no day or time yet planned or set because of everything going on. But when I finally do set a date, I will come and inform you personally face to face. I want to see you again. I miss you. Your smile, hair and the feeling of your hand in mine.

I can tell you something about the date because I know you get comfort from knowing what is about to happen and knowing how to prepare and get ready for it. I don't want you to get anxious or stressed if I know how to prevent it.

The date is intimate. Just the two of us in a place where we can be alone and comfortable. No need for disguise spells or hiding. When the day comes, dress really comfortably. The date involves good food, relaxing indoors and time together. I will come and get you. Don't worry. I will tell you more details when we see each other.

Yours

-C'

Marian smiled and placed the letter in her dress pocket before getting up from her chair and leaving the room.

The castle was quiet because of almost everyone going to see the second task. She decided to go and get a glass of juice from the professor's room before going back and continuing her paperwork.

She opened the door and walked in. She walked to the small table and poured herself a glass of apple juice.

"Miss Weasley." A voice suddenly came from behind her making Marian accidentally spill some juice on the table.

"Oh my. Professor Moody. I didn't know you were still here. I thought everyone left to watch the second task." Marian turned to face the man.

"I could ask you the exact same question. Why aren't you with the others?"

"I have so much work to do in my office so I had to stay." Marian explained while casting a quick cleaning spell and the spilled juice was gone.

"How do you know Coby Malfoy?" Alastor then asked out of nowhere.

Marian furrowed her eyebrows, keeping her expression unreadable. "I don't. He is Draco Malfoy's brother. That's all I know. Why do you ask?"

Suddenly Alastor's tongue flicked out of his mouth. He quickly grabbed some kind of flask from his coat and took a sip.

"I'm just asking. You danced with him at the Yule Ball." He spoke in a gruff voice.

"That is true, yes. He asked me to dance after seeing me stand all alone. Two people can dance together. There's nothing wrong with it if that's what you're saying."

"Right. I have to go now. Can't be late." He then walked to the door and walked out, the door slamming shut loudly behind him, making Marian flinch of the sudden loud noise.

Marian took her drink back to her office and started to once again work through the pile of papers.

~

"I can't wait for the date. I need a relaxing night off." Marian sighed and whispered to herself while massaging her temples. She glanced at the clock on the wall. The second task might be over soon, depending how long it takes for all the champions to get through it. "Please let all of them be alright."

And like magic the door of the room opened and in walked Ron and Hermione all wrapped in towels.

"Oh my! Ron, Hermione? What happened? You're both wet." Marian's eyes widened. She did a quick drying spell on their clothes and their towels so they wouldn't catch a cold. "Tea to the both of you." She used her wand to levitate two tea cups down from a shelf behind her and down to the table. She put tea bags in the cups and used her wand, so hot water filled the cups. "Tell me everything."

"Cedric won and Harry got second place." Hermione smiled, going straight to the point, knowing that Marian would be most interested in that part of it all.

"Oh my gods. That's amazing! I'm so proud of Harry." Marian smiled. "Oh... where is Harry?"

"He should be here soon." Hermione explained.

"So what were the important things that were needed to get from the bottom of the lake?"

"Us." Ron mumbled while taking a sip from his tea. "Do you have those biscuits you had last week?"

"What?!" Marian's eyes widened. "You two were the ones put on the bottom of the lake. You can't be serious! Is that why you and Hermione were wet too? You were in the water."

"We were chained on the bottom of the lake and surrounded by merpeople. Cho Chang and Fleur Delacour's sister were put there too."

"Oh my god... that's awful. They can't do that."

"Apparently they can."

"I'm going to talk to Dumbledore about this. He can't just accept this."

"I don't think even Dumbledore can do anything about it. It's the tournament and it has rules that have been the same through ages. Even someone like Dumbledore can't change it." Hermione spoke gently although she agreed with Marian.

Marian sighed, feeling angry that she couldn't do anything. They were kids. Teenagers that were putten under all of this. It was her job to make sure that the students of Hogwarts were as safe as possible both physically and emotionally but she couldn't do anything.

"Well at least you are all okay. Right? No one got hurt?"

"Everyone is okay." Hermione nodded.

"So what about now? Third task. Have there been any clues about it?" Marian asked.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't think so, no."

"Everything will clear up when it's time. Should we go and find Harry? I want to congratulate him. And you all need rest and probably a warm shower before it. I don't want you to get sick." Marian smiled softly before getting up from her chair and leading Hermione and Ron out of the room.

The second task was completed. One more to go. Marian couldn't help but be anxious when thinking about it. It would be the most dangerous and challenging out of all. That was sure. How will it go? Only time will tell.

____________________

(This was more of a filler chapter).

Can I ask your thoughts on Coby? What do you think of him so far although we have only just scraped the surface :)?

Lots of love

-E