The Sorting Hat's Mistake (A Harry Potter FanFiction) ON HOLD

Chapter 14: Two Champions to the Ball

*^*ROWAN POV*^*

I wake up in the Hospital Wing later. The fact that I'm a champion scares the daylights out of me.

People have died in this tournament.

But what perplexes me as well is the fact that I'm the descendant of Rowena Ravenclaw. I know I'm in Ravenclaw and everything, but my family is all Slytherin! I mean, what's that about?

"Rowan!" I jump as Draco appears, hugging me so tight I feel like I might pop. "Are you all right? I heard you fainted, what's-"

"I'm a champion," I blurt out, feeling the tears brim in my eyes. Draco pauses, looking at me.

"You mean...you mean you have to....compete?" He asks after a bit of silence. I nod, letting the tears fall. He hugs me tighter, rocking me back and forth but not saying anything. I feel suddenly very greatful to have a friend like Draco, someone who will always be there for me. Well, most of the time. "I'm so sorry, Rowan," Draco says. "Now I understand why you fainted, though." I manage a small smile.

"ROWAN FREAKING WINSLOW!" Draco jumps away from me as Natalie barges into the Hospital Wing, hugging me rather violently. "Kellan told me....are you okay?" I shake my head, letting the tears fall once again. Both of my best friends stand beside me, comforting me as I cry. I don't have the courage to face anyone else right now, and I cry for about half an hour before stopping.

"Thanks, guys," I say, taking both Draco and Natalies hands. I let out a breath of air. "I think I'm good now." Natalie then squeals for some reason, jumping up and down.

"Oh my Merlin, I forgot to tell you!" She says, sitting on the bed next to me. I wipe my eyes before preparing to listen intently. "Seamus asked me to the ball!" I smile widely as my friend jumps around. Draco grimaces at the mention of a Gryffindor, but keeps him mouth shut, thank Merlin.

"Congrats, Nat!" I exclaim, attempting to stand up in the Hospital Bed. Draco grabs me tightly at the waist as I sway a little, but I wave him off.

"I'm okay, I'm okay," I insist. Draco lets go, but keeps an eye on me as I get the thing to change. He huffs as he's forced to turn around while I change.

"Your dress came in the post this morning, by the way," Draco tells me and I stiffen as I'm changing.

"Is it green?" I ask with a groan.

"No, actually," Draco says, and my hopes rise. "It's blue." That makes me squeal in excitement.

"I love blue!" I say. I can hear both Natalie and Draco chuckle from the other side of the changing curtain.

"It's quite a pretty dress, too," Draco says. "It's silk." I sigh in happiness. At least one good thing is coming from this tournament.

*******************

I'm stared at for the remaining days until the Yule Ball. It's really creepy actually, because people keep expecting me to burst or something. I've been avoiding Dalton, but I don't know if I can avoid him during our next study session, the night before the Yule Ball. Which I am currently walking to. Nope, avoiding him is going to be really hard...

When I get to the library, Dalton is late, of course. I shake my head and my lips curve into the smallest smile. Dalton is never going to change.

"Sorry I'm late!" Dalton exclaims as he sits down in front of me. I shrug.

"S'okay," I say, trying to not show him how much I'm freaking out inside. I'm a Champion and I really don't want Dalton to ask me about it.

The lesson goes by as it always does, doing spells, laughing, talking a lot.