human again / hp.

Chapter 66

The courtyard buzzed with life, laughter and chatter spilling into the crisp autumn air. Students lounged in scattered groups, sprawled on benches or perched on low walls, textbooks forgotten beside them. Some laughed over shared jokes, while others were deep in quiet, conspiratorial whispers. The sun filtered through the leaves of the ancient oak that towered above me, dappling the stone bench I shared with Daphne Greengrass.

I twisted the silver bracelet around my wrist absentmindedly, letting the soft clinking of the charm settle my nerves. It had been a gift from my mother years ago—one of the few things in my life that still felt like mine.

Daphne sat beside me, brushing imaginary lint off her pristine robes, her posture as perfect as always. Across from us, perched high in the branches of the oak, Draco Malfoy held court like a smug, overfed bird. His pale hair glinted in the sunlight as he grinned down at his entourage, who loitered below with their arms crossed, each wearing one of those ridiculous badges.

The badges were impossible to miss. They flashed "Support Cedric Diggory" in bold, glittering letters, only to flicker and change to "Potter Stinks" a moment later.

I wasn't wearing one, of course. The whole thing felt like petty nonsense, even for Draco. I tried to ignore the way my stomach churned at the sight of them, focusing instead on the steady rhythm of the bracelet in my fingers.

Draco's voice sliced through the hum of the courtyard, sharp and mocking. "Why so tense, Potter?"

I followed his gaze. Harry was walking past, his head held high despite the looks he was drawing from every direction. My chest tightened involuntarily. Harry and I hadn't spoken since the night in the Common Room, if I was honest—but seeing him like this, with Draco's taunts ringing out, made something twist uncomfortably in me.

Draco leaned back against the tree trunk, his smirk widening as he played to his audience. "My father and I have a bet, you see," he announced, his voice carrying easily over the courtyard. "I don't think you're going to last ten minutes in this tournament. He disagrees. He thinks you won't last five."

A murmur of laughter rippled through the crowd, though some looked uneasy. Even Daphne let out a soft snort beside me, muttering under her breath, "He's been rehearsing that one all morning."

Harry stopped in his tracks, his shoulders rigid. Slowly, he turned to face Draco, his jaw clenched tight. "I don't give a damn what you or your father thinks, Malfoy," he said coldly. "He's vile and cruel, and you're just pathetic."

Draco's smirk faltered.

I sighed quietly, already knowing where this was heading.

Harry turned to walk away, but Draco's hand shot into his robes. My heart leapt into my throat.

"Draco, don't," I said quickly, my voice low but sharp enough to cut through the air.

But he wasn't listening. His wand was out in a flash, aimed squarely at Harry's back.

"Malfoy!"

The booming voice startled me, and I wasn't the only one. Heads turned as Professor Moody strode across the courtyard, his heavy steps purposeful and his magical eye swiveling wildly.

Draco froze, his wand half-raised, as Moody's wand flicked toward him. Before anyone could react, Draco was gone, replaced by a small, squeaking ferret that tumbled unceremoniously onto the cobblestones.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by an explosion of laughter.

"I'll teach you to attack when someone's back is turned!" Moody barked, his grizzled voice echoing against the stone walls as he made the ferret bounce up and down.