Belladonna

Rifts and Bridges

Belladonna 35

Rifts and Bridges

15 November 1994

In the days that followed, Ana tried to get information out of anyone she thought might know something about the first task without using legilimency. But it was hard, very hard, and she learned nothing. Then she began to drown in her own work and had to focus on that.

She did notice, however, that the whole castle seemed to turn against Harry. The Hufflepuffs wouldn't speak to him, understandably so since Cedric was a Hufflepuff. But Ravenclaw shunned him too which was odd. Despite his belief, most of Slytherin was actually indifferent to him. Those that did oppose Harry though, like Draco Malfoy, Pansie Parkinson, and their cronies, did so with enough bravado to taint the whole house. Draco even passed out badges to everyone which read "Support Cedric" one moment and "Potter Stinks" the next.

Ana and the girls were in the library pouring over their collective notes from class and working on various essays and assignments. They worked in silence apart from the occasional, 'Hey, have you see the notes for...' and they'd fill in the blank. Ana refused to wear Draco's stupid badge. Sadie and Hestia wouldn't wear it either. Flora usually didn't, but for whatever reason, she chose to wear one that day. It kept spinning and flashing Potter Stinks in Ana's face until she just couldn't take it anymore.

"Ugh! Will you take that off please?" Ana whispered fiercely.

"Take what off?" Flora asked.

"That stupid badge. Do you have to wear it?"

"Yes," she replied with a grin. "There are a couple of Gryffindors back there and they keep scowling at it."

Ana looked behind her and saw Katie Bell and some other fifth years.

"It's hilarious," Flora continued.

"Well I think it's ridiculous," Ana snapped.

Flora's lip curled up. "Well, I didn't ask for your opinion."

"Obviously. Because I would have told you that the badge is garish and that it makes you look fat."

Flora called Ana a rather foul name before gathering her things and leaving.

"Well that was rude," Ana said, getting back to work.

"I agree," Sadie began, "with Flora."

"What?"

"Did you have to be so mean, Ana?"

"Me?"

"She was just having a little fun."

"At Potter's expense."

"So?"

"So? He's..." Ana hesitated for just a second before continuing. "He's still a champion for Hogwarts and at a severe disadvantage already. He needs our support as much if not more than Diggory. I know we're a prideful lot; shouldn't that pride extend to all of Hogwarts and not just Slytherin House?"

"I don't know what's gotten into you this year, Ana, but I'm not sure I like it."

Then Sadie packed up her things too and left. Ana looked to Hestia.