Him - A Harry Potter Love Story

Chapter Five

A few months of anticipation later, the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang arrive at Hogwarts. I have to admit that I'm impressed when I catch sight of their means of transportation; is it bad that I'm slightly jealous of the huge carriage Beauxbatons arrives in?

We're all in the Great Hall when they come in, Dumbledore announcing them separately. I can't help but burst out laughing when the French girls of Beauxbatons come in, seeing Ron's eyes widen and face flush. I glance over at Harry to see if he bears a similar expression, but he's also laughing at Ron.

I'm not sure what was wrong with me. Ever since that day on the train, I feel...weird around Harry. I almost get kind of sick whenever I think about seeing him when he's not with me, but...not in a bad way, if that makes any sense. I want to spend more time with him.

Durmstrang comes in next, and, to be honest, Ron wears a similar expression to before as Victor Krum walked by. Harry and I exchange a glance.

"He looks like he's about to confess an undying love," Harry whispers, leaning closer to me. I have to cover my mouth to stop another laugh from escaping as the room quiets down.

"Welcome, students. I will now explain to you the rules of the Triwizard Tournament!" Dumbledore announces. "As you see here, this is the Goblet of Fire."

He's standing next to a very large goblet, engraved with beautiful patterns and decorated with precious jewels.

"Anyone over the age of seventeen can write down their first and last name and their school on a slip of paper, then place it in the goblet," he explains. "In a few weeks, we will gather here and watch as the goblet chooses our three champions - one from each school."

"I bet you Fred and George are going to try to enter," Ron says, looking back at us. I nod, grinning.

Dumbeldore finishes his speech and lets us eat dinner. I'm incredibly tired, so I decide to just eat a quicker meal and leave.

"I'm tired too. I'll come with you," Harry says after I announce I'm going to go back to the common room. I nod and we stand up, walking out of the hall together.

We don't get very far before we're stopped.

"Hey! Winters, Potter!"

We both whip around. Harry immediately has his wand out, but without hesitation, Malfoy pushes him to the ground before either of us can react. I watch in horror as his wand clatters a few feet away from him, his glasses falling askew on his face. Malfoy turns his attention towards me, grabbing my wrists and pinning me against the wall. My mind goes blank from fear as he digs his fingers into my skin.

"How's the mudblood doing today?" he taunts. "Have you cried any more?"

"Let me go!" I cry out. The sound of his careless laughter suddenly sends a rush of anger through me, clearing my mind and replacing the terror that had filled me moments before. I'm able to push him off of me by stepping on his foot as hard as I can, twisting my arms around his to grab his wrists when he's distracted. I turn him around and pin him to the wall, just as he had done.

"C-Cassie-"

"Don't you ever touch me again," I growl.

"Miss Winters! Merlin's beard, what are you doing, child?!"

I quickly let go, backing away from the twit as he sinks to the ground. He was letting out gasps of fear, his already pale face nearly colorless. McGonagall stands there, her eyes wide in surprise and fright.

Harry's POV

I watch, terrified as she swings Malfoy around and pushes him into the wall. I had quickly crawled over to grab my wand as soon as he even looked at her, but by the time I stand up, she has him pinned.