The Brave at Heart

Chapter 13: The Lies of Rita Skeeter

"Alright, just so we're clear on it all, someone put your name in the Goblet of Fire. You're the fourth Champion in the Triwizard Tournament. You absolutely have to compete because we apparently listen to the wise knowledge of goblets now. And Ron has decided to never speak to you again because of the magical, all-powerful goblet."

"Th-that about sums it up," Harry mumbled. He was staring at his food, refusing to eat. Draco could feel the eyes of nearly everyone in the Great Hall staring at them. Or, more specifically, at Harry. Merlin, other people were annoying.

Draco knew better to say anything on the subject. He was curious along with Ron how Harry managed to pull it off. Fred and George had been a perfect example of what happened to those who were too young, but tried to pass the Age Line. So, the question was how Harry had managed it. Of course, he would never say these thoughts aloud. Even if he did agree with Ron, there was no possible way Harry was prepared for the Tasks. And with Ron not talking to him, Draco knew he was going to need to be there for his friend. Still, in the back of his mind, he agreed with Ron.

Hermione plopped down beside him. She was the other reason Draco didn't voice his thoughts. Hermione had just started to be his friend again. He wasn't going to ruin that by telling her he thought Ron was correct.

Draco glanced at the book in her hand and bit back a groan. She was reading about house-elves again. She had certainly taken his words to heart when he'd told her she knew nothing about them. Perhaps, she needed to talk to a house-elf who actually enjoyed what he or she did. Maybe that would sway Hermione's mind.

Draco glanced around the Great Hall once more. Across the room the Hufflepuffs were glaring at Harry. Naturally, Draco couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He'd never seen the entire house of Hufflepuff glare at someone before. Of course, Harry Potter was always defying the odds.

"What do you think the first Task is going to be?" Draco asked, returning his attention to his friend. Harry shrugged.

"Honestly, I don't even want to think about it."

"Cheer up, mate," Draco told him. "We've got Care of Magical Creatures this morning. Hagrid bound to have something wonderful planned for us."

Hagrid had Blast-Ended Skrewts prepared for them. And Ron refused to even looking at Harry once throughout the entire morning.

It was easily apparent to anyone with working eyes (and even possibly those without) that Harry Potter was having a miserable time at Hogwarts. Now, in all honesty, Draco didn't put that much thought into the idea. Really, it had just come to him when he was watching Hermione make her stupid spew badges (which he did buy, but only because he didn't think he could take another two months of not speaking to her.)

He stayed up nearly all night working on the badges. Originally, he thought about saying something like "Cedric stinks," but he didn't much fancy the idea of going to war with Hufflepuff House. And, well, it was Harry who wasn't supposed to be competing.

In the end, Draco just made the badges support both of the Hogwarts Champions, ensuring that if anyone tried to make the badges say anything against Harry, they would receive a rather nasty jinx in retaliation. He passed them out first thing the following morning, wishing he had charged for the badges half-way through. Nearly everyone in Hogwarts got one, wanting to show pride for their school. Really, Draco could have made a good profit if he had any foresight.

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" 'Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts,'" read Draco with a smirk on his face, laughter in his voice, "'His close friend, Colin Creevey, says that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, a stunningly pretty Muggle-born girl who, like Harry, is one of the top students in the school.'" Draco burst into laughter at that. "Harry, anyone with a brain will know this is rubbish. We all know you're too stupid to ever be top of the class."