Slytherin Lover

Fourth Year: Stay Away

"And you said that I am too young", your brother starts. You're sitting in the Hufflepuff common room, together with your brother, Susan, and Ernie. A few days ago, you've all heard the names of the students who are now a Triwizard Champion, yet your little brother is furious. Viktor Krum, Fleur Delacour and Cedric Diggory are the Champions, but Harry Potter is a Champion as well, and he is younger than seventeen.
"You are too young, Ed. You are too young to enter the Triwizard Tournament", you say to him, as calm as you can. Most of the students were shocked to hear that Harry is also a Triwizard Champion; the other half of the students is furious at him, including your brother.
"So is Harry Potter ! He's only fourteen !" He states. You share a quick glance with your best friends, not knowing what to say or do to calm your brother down.
"Ed", Susan then starts. "I'm sure your sister has told you already, but the tournament is dangerous. I don't know how Harry managed to be a Champion, but I am sure there is a proper explanation for that. He would be mad to enter the tournament by will."
You and Ernie nod in agreement.
"Susan's right. You'll see how dangerous it is", Ernie adds.
"Have you ever seen a Triwizard Tournament before ?" Your brother asks. Ernie shakes his head.
"No, but I've heard stories. And you'll see in a few minutes."
"We have to go, the first round is almost going to start. We should go to the bleachers", you then say. Susan, Ernie and you stand up, but your brother doesn't move an inch. You walk up to him and place your hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, Ed", you say quietly. He sighs and stands up. The four of you walk towards the Quidditch pitch. Everyone has taken their place at the bleachers already. You, Susan, Ernie and Ed try to find the best spots available.
"Lightwood", you suddenly hear. You all turn around, and see who's started talking to you.
"You all go, I'll be right behind you", you say to your friends. They nod, take your brother and walk away.
"You dirty mudblood !" You hear. You turn around and watch Pansy angrily walking up to you.
"Excuse me ?" You say, trying not to get offended by her.
"You heard me ! Ugly mudblood. Who do you even think you are ?" She spats at you. You notice that no one's around. You suddenly feel all alone. Draco didn't bully you as much anymore, and you were happy about that, but you can't handle his friends turning this badly against you.
"Where is this coming from, Pansy ?" You ask calmly.
"Oh god, she's a stupid mudblood too."
"I really don't get what the fuzz is about", you say, turning around and walking away, but she follows you and steps in front of you, blocking your path.
"You've been hanging out quite a lot with my boyfriend lately, haven't you ?" She then says. Your eyebrows furrow.
"Boyfriend ? I didn't know someone like you could get one", you say. Fire explodes in her eyes and she gets as angry as she can possibly be, yet she contains herself.
"Draco is my boyfriend. I'm sure you knew that", she smirks.
"Actually, I didn't, but I am very happy for you", you say sarcastically. You again try to get away from her, but she stops you.
"I don't like the fact that you keep hanging out with him. I suggest you keep away from him."
"I don't see why I should listen to you, and I most certainly think that your boyfriend can do whatever he wants."
As you hear a canon shot, you realise that the first contestant has started his task. You now finally get away from Pansy and walk up to Susan, Ernie and Edward, who happen to be sitting very close.
"What was that all about ?" Susan immediately asks.
"I'll tell you later", you say quietly. Your eyes are suddenly fixed on the first contestant, which is Cedric Diggory. He has to face a dragon and collect a golden egg if he wants to proceed to the next task. You've spoken to him every now and then, and he is a very good friend of you, which makes this tournament even harder to witness. And of course Harry Potter is a good friend of you too. Even though you didn't speak to him that much, he has always been very kind to you.

As all the contestants have finally faced their dragons, and all have heard that they can proceed to the second task, most of the students return to the school. You yourself linger around the Quidditch field a little longer, and keep an eye out for Pansy. You don't want to run into her again.
"There is also going to be a ball", you suddenly hear Ernie say as you three walk back to the castle. Your brother is walking back with his own friends.
"A ball ?" You repeat. Ernie nods.
"Yes, a ball. A dance. It is tradition. Every Triwizard Tournament will have a Yule Ball."
"Wait, how do you know all of this ?" Susan suddenly steps into the conversation.
"My cousin has once participated the Triwizard Tournament. He lives in America. Told me everything about it", Ernie explains.
"And your cousin - is he alright ? What was it like for him to be a Champion ?" You ask.
"It was fascinating, you see. That's what he told me. He was scared to the bone, of course."
"He'd be mad if he wasn't", Susan says.
"Well, he was scared. Terrified, but he saw it as a great chance that he was chosen. He was not badly injured, and he hasn't won the tournament and the cup."
The three of you enter the castle.
"I'm glad he's okay", you say with a smile.
"Wait, but about this ball", Susan suddenly says. "You need a date for that, don't you ?"
"Yes, of course", Ernie nods. "It is tradition that the boy asks the girl out."
Susan lets out a sigh of relief.
"Good. I can't walk up to someone and ask them out", she says. You and Ernie start laughing quietly.
"I'm sure there are also going to be dancing lessons", Ernie then says.
"Dancing lessons ?" You swallow.
"Yes."
"Great", you sigh.
"It won't be as bad as you might think", Ernie reassures you.
"No, of course not", you sarcastically say. Both Ernie and Susan start laughing.
"All I have to do is participate these dancing classes and wait for someone to ask me out."