What is right and what is easy (Book 1) [A Draco Malfoy Love Story]

The Madness of Mr Crouch

The start of summer term would normally have meant that Slytherin were training hard for the last Quidditch match of the season. This year, however, it was the third and final task in the Triwizard Tournament that I needed to prepare for. At half past eight at night we were to find out what the last task was.

"What d'you reckon it's going to be?" Cedric asked me as we walked into the grounds together.

We walked down the dark lawn to the Quidditch pitch.

"What have they done to it?" I said indignantly, stopping dead. The Quidditch pitch was no longer smooth and flat. It looked as though somebody has been building long, low walls all over it, twisting and criss-crossing in every direction.

"They're hedges" Cedric examined the nearest one.

"Hello there!" Called a cheery voice.

Bagman was standing in the middle of the pitch with Krum, Fleur and Harry. Cedric and I made our way towards them, climbing over the hedges.

"It's a maze" Bagman began "the third task is really straightforward. The Triwizard cup will be placed in the centre of the maze. The first champion to touch it will receive full marks"

"So we just have to get through a maze?" I asked, it all sounds too simple.

"There will be obstacles" said Bagman happily, bouncing on the balls of his feet "Hagrid will provide creatures, there will be spells that need breaking... Now, all the champions who are leading on points will get a head start" Bagman grinned at Cedric, Harry and I.

The utter simplicity of the next task put me in an extremely good mood as I walked back through the castle and into my common room. I hurried straight for the table where Daphne was studying to tell her of the next task, being careful to throw Draco and Pansy the most dirty looks I could muster.

"Chloe" A first year walked over to me "your brother is outside the portrait hole and told me to come and get you"

I sighed, rolled my eyes, and left the portrait hole. Ron, Harry and Hermione were waiting for me on the other side, all three of them looking very anxious.

"When I left to walk with Krum something happened in the forest" Harry said urgently, causing my blood to turn thick with worry "Mr Crouch showed up, he seemed ill, he was asking for Dumbledore- so I went to get him. When I came back Krum had been stunned and Crouch had totally disappeared. Krum said Crouch attacked him..."

"It comes down to this" Hermione began, rubbing her forehead "either Mr crouch attacked Viktor, or somebody else attacked both of them when Viktor wasn't looking"

"It must've been Crouch" Ron said at once "that's why he was gone when Harry and Dumbledore got there. He'd done a runner"

"I don't think so" said Harry, shaking his head "he seemed really weak - I don't reckon he was up to Disapparating or anything"

"You can't Disapparate in the Hogwarts grounds" I joined in the conversation "Honestly, have you guys never read Hogwarts: A history?"

This caused Hermione to smile at me.

"OK... So how's this for a theory" Ron said excitedly "Krum attacked Crouch- and wait for it- stunned himself!"

"And Mr Crouch evaporated did he?"

We headed up to the Owlery to write to Sirius, he needed to hear about this.

"He also said you-know-who is getting stronger" Ron said as we walked.

"Like Harry said" I gulped slightly "he was out of his mind"

I turned away to stare out the window, what if Voldemort was getting stronger? Sirius sent our owl back the very next morning. It fluttered down beside Me and I called Harry over to me table to read it.