The Unwanted Champion

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Haley woke up the next morning feeling miserable. She dragged herself out of bed, pulled on her robes, and made her way out of the common room, exhaustion etched on her face. Just outside, she bumped into Hermione, who held a slice of toast wrapped in a napkin and offered it to her.

"Here. Thought you might need this," Hermione said gently, gesturing toward the castle grounds. "Let's go for a walk?"

Haley managed a grateful smile and followed her friend, the two of them walking slowly down the stone steps. She poured out everything that had happened the night before, relieved when Hermione listened intently, nodding in support.

"I believe you, Haley," Hermione said with conviction. "I think Moody is right. Someone's tampered with the Goblet. No way it would've chosen a fourth champion otherwise." She hesitated, then added, "And Ron... he's being ridiculous. He's jealous because it always seems like you're at the center of attention."

The comment made Haley bristle. "So that's what he thinks? That I actually wanted this?"

Hermione quickly changed the subject, urging Haley to write to Sirius. Despite her reluctance, Haley agreed, hoping Sirius might have some advice to help her through this mess.

The next day was worse. Rumors circulated through the halls, and almost everyone seemed convinced Haley had somehow put her own name in the Goblet. The Hufflepuffs, especially, were icy toward her; even Cedric avoided her gaze. Ron refused to speak to her at all. During Care of Magical Creatures, Pansy Parkinson sidled up with her usual smirk and taunted, "So, Potter, ready to meet your doom in the Tournament? Should we start writing your obituary?"

Haley gritted her teeth, focusing on Hagrid's bizarre lesson—taking the Blast-Ended Skrewts for a walk—while Pansy sneered at her in the background. At least Hagrid was kind; he assured her he believed she hadn't put her name in, though his concerned glances suggested he was worried about her chances.

The next few days were a nightmare. The Hufflepuffs continued giving her the cold shoulder, which Haley understood—Cedric had every right to feel like the rightful Hogwarts champion. Ron's silent treatment stung more than she wanted to admit. Even her concentration faltered in classes; she was so distracted that Professor Flitwick assigned her extra homework on Summoning Charms. Then, as if things couldn't get worse, she and Hermione arrived in Potions to find the Slytherins gleefully sporting badges that read, "Support Cedric Diggory—the REAL Hogwarts Champion!" At a tap, they changed to read, "Potter Stinks."

Dark circles shadowed Haley's eyes as she slumped into Potions, exhausted in every sense of the word. She gave Hermione a quick nod before trudging to her workstation beside Malfoy. For once, he didn't taunt her. He simply set out his ingredients, arranging them with unusual focus. Haley glanced at him, half-expecting a sneer or a jibe, but his expression remained neutral. Oddly enough, he didn't even wear one of the "Potter Stinks" badges, and the silence between them felt like a small mercy.

As they prepared their Draught of Peace in a quiet, almost mutual truce, Haley noticed Malfoy glancing her way once or twice, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. She couldn't decide if she felt relieved or confused by his unusual behavior, but either way, she was grateful for the silence. It was a rare reprieve from the relentless taunts and whispering.

Then, out of nowhere, a sharp voice broke the stillness. "Did you forget to add the attention-seeking potion, Potter?" Pansy Parkinson sneered, leaning over her cauldron. Slytherins around her snickered as she glanced at Haley's potion, her lips curled in mockery. "Or is this one meant to blow up in your face?"

Haley gritted her teeth, stirring her potion counterclockwise, refusing to look up. "I didn't ask to be in this stupid tournament, Parkinson. Why would I want everyone staring at me?"

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