Unexpected (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 7

7.

It had been nearly a week since my afternoon with Draco, but that had barely played on my mind. The only thought that kept running round and round in my head was that today was the day that the three Triwizard champions were to be announced. Cedric had put his name in that cup. What if he was picked? It’s a well-known fact that the Triwizard tournament is really dangerous. What if something happened to him? He was like my brother, I couldn’t bear it.

The Great Hall was packed, everyone had gathered to see the champions selected from the Goblet of Fire. I was sat next to Ron with Harry and Hermione on his other side. Cedric was sitting further down the bench, surrounded by some of his older friends.

Everyone’s eyes were fixated on Dumbledore as he explained how the champions were to be announced. That is, everyone but one person. Draco Malfoy. I could feel his eyes on me even before I looked. But there he was, at the other side of the hall, staring at me. He had an expression on his face that I couldn’t read. As soon as I’d caught him staring, his eyes darted away, trying to hide the fact that he’d been looking in the first place. Even throughout the selection process, I couldn’t help but catch him still staring sometimes.

After what felt like no time at all, it was time for the champions to be selected. Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour were selected as the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons champions. The only one left to be selected was the Hogwarts champion.

I felt sick. I looked over towards Cedric. His friends all seemed enthusiastic; they were hoping he would get picked. He caught me staring and offered a reassuring smile. I couldn’t reciprocate it. Instead I put my head in my hands with my elbows resting on my knees. I had to force myself to keep my breathing regular and to not panic. I felt a hand rub my shoulder soothingly; Ron’s efforts to try and calm me down. It was something I’d seen him do when Ginny was upset.

I tried to reassure myself that this could all be for nothing. He may not even be picked. I was still in the process of doing this when it happened. “And the Hogwarts Champion is…Cedric Diggory!”

No.

This was not happening. I felt my stomach plummet and a lump formed in my throat. I removed my hands from my face to watch Cedric shake Dumbledore’s hand and head off to join Fleur and Krum. Everyone was cheering. Ron was staring at me, concern etched on his face. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

My head was still spinning when a shocked silence reverberated throughout the hall. I looked up, to see the Goblet of Fire spouting flames in every direction. A piece of parchment flew from the goblet, landing in the hand of Professor Dumbledore. What was going on? The three champions had been announced, so what was this other piece of parchment?

“Harry Potter?” Dumbledore sounded as confused as I felt. “HARRY POTTER!”

I turned my head to stare at the boy who had become a good friend of mine. His brows were furrowed and he wore a vacant expression. It would seem he had no idea what was going on either. Hermione had to push him forward to force him to walk to the middle of the hall and speak to Dumbledore.

Everyone was in shock. Surely Harry hadn’t put his name into that goblet? How could he, he was underage. And anyway why would he want to? I was going to ask Ron what was going on, but by the look spreading over his face, he believed Harry had entered the tournament. And worst of all, without telling his best friend anything about it.

The true nature of what had just happened hit me a little bit later. The volume of chatter in the hall had decreased slightly, at least enough so that I could really process the night’s events. That’s when I really thought about it. Two of my closest friends were participating in the Triwizard tournament. It wasn’t just Cedric anymore. Essentially I could lose two friends this year.

I couldn’t breathe. My heart was beating so fast I thought it might hammer out of my chest. I couldn’t stand it in here anymore. I got up, without saying a word, and headed out of the hall. I had no clue where I was going. I just knew I had to get away.

I’d barely got to a different corridor when my legs gave way. I sunk to the ground, my back resting against the stone wall to the corridor. I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking.

I brought my knees up to my chest and gently started rocking myself back and forth. That’s when I felt a hand touch my arm. I flinched, the touch coming as a surprise, but it was gentle and kind. I presumed it was Ron, who else would come looking for me? But I was wrong. As I looked up, it was two piercing blue eyes that met mine. The eyes that belonged to Draco Malfoy.

“Are you okay?” His voice was soft, but I still shied away from him.

He cursed under his breath, but I knew I couldn’t trust him. He’d acted like this towards me before, like he cared. But then he had changed again, back to his usual, arrogant self. What’s to say he wouldn’t change again this time?

I kept my head down in the hope that he would take the hint and leave me alone. Unfortunately for me, that didn’t happen. I felt Draco sit down beside me and for a while, we were both quiet.

“I’m sorry about the other day”. His voice was barely above a whisper.

I turned my head so that my eyes locked with his, but he broke the eye contact before speaking again.

“I let my guard down with you” he continued. “That’s never happened to me before. Ever. And I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry, I just panicked.” He dropped his head, as if he was ashamed of what he had just admitted, but he didn’t put his guard back up again.

Instead we sat there in silence for a while. It was comforting, just having someone near me and knowing that I wasn’t alone but not needing to explain myself either. Maybe this was what Draco meant when he said it was better that I didn’t know him. Maybe all he wanted was someone to not feel pressured around; just someone to sit in silence with.

When my shaking subsided and my breathing regulated, Draco cautiously returned his eyes to search mine.

“Do you want to talk about it?” His voice was still soft, and completely serious.

I shook my head, wiping my eyes in an order to try and look more presentable. It was getting late and I knew I had to head back to my common room.

I tried to get up, but my legs still hadn’t returned their normal strength, so I flopped back down to the ground.

“Here let me” Draco offered, getting up and holding out his hand. Without really thinking, I took it, surprised by his strength as he pulled me up.

As soon as I was standing, he put one arm around my waist for support and we set off in the direction of the kitchens. His arm was strong and comforting as he helped me walk, neither of us needing to say anything to fill the silence. Our footsteps the only sounds echoing down the corridor.

When we reached the entrance to the Hufflepuff common room, Draco carefully removed his arm, making sure I was okay to stand on my own before turning and heading off in the opposite direction.

“Draco?” My voice was timid, but he turned round, his blue eyes finding mine. “Thank you” I whispered.

He merely smiled. A warm smile, unlike the smirks he usually wore. That was it, then he turned and walked away.

As I walked into my common room, I couldn’t help the warm feeling that seemed to be tingling through my body.