when a fire starts to burn | draco malfoy

CHAPTER 8

A few days later during one of my breaks between classes, I'm on a mission to try and find Harry. The day prior, a confusing interaction between him, Hermione and Ron had taken place which resulted in Harry going to visit Hagrid for the evening. He hadn't returned until much later that night and I hadn't had a chance to ask him what his meeting had been about.

As I scour the halls for Harry, I can't help but notice the buttons many students were sporting.

Support Cedric Diggory, the true Hogwarts Champion.

I'm appalled. Not only at the fact that they were so insensitive towards Harry but also at the fact that Cedric may have had something to do with these ridiculous pins. During our study session he'd been nothing but supportive of Harry. But perhaps there was another side to Cedric that I didn't know - the side that Cedric showed to his friends. I make a mental note to ask Cedric about them later.

I finally spot Harry in the courtyard. He's talking to Ron.

Finally, I think. The two have been fighting long enough.

But before I can even take another step, Harry scowls at Ron and says something quite viciously that I am unable to hear. I frown as I watch Ron say something back before walking away swiftly, a scowl on his face as well. I sigh. So much for that.

I quickly jog over to Harry before he has a chance to leave.

"Hey," I inquire softly, "are you good?"

He nods but is still looking at Ron, quite annoyed. "I'm fine. Just tired of Ron acting like a foul git."

"I am too," I admit. I'd thought Ron would have come around by now seeing as a majority of the school had seemed to move past Harry's name being pulled and were now focused on the task itself, which was only three days away.

"I can talk to him if you'd like?' I offer Harry but he shakes his head.

"No, Hermione's been trying and if there's anyone in the world who can get through to him, it's her," he says before he adds, "no offense."

I put my hands up. "None taken."

We walk in silence for a moment before I ask, "what did Hagrid want with you last night?"

Harry looks around quickly, as if to make sure no one heard what I had just said. I look at him, confused.

"We've got to be quiet," he says, pulling me under the large tree in the courtyard. He takes a deep breath before whispering, "I know what the first task is going to be."

My eyes widen. "How do you kn -" I begin to ask before Harry puts his hands over my mouth.

"You really have got to practice talking quietly, you know that?" He scolds.

"Sorry, this is just exciting stuff" I say, careful to be quiet this time. "But how do you know? Did Hagrid tell you? What is it?" I can't stop myself as the questions just begin to pour out.

"When I visited Hagrid last night he showed me -"

Before Harry can finish his sentence, we are interrupted by the sound of someone, or someones, jumping down from the tree we had hidden under. Harry and I both look to the sound of the commotion, startled.

"Why so tense, Potter?" Draco says with a cruel amusement. I roll my eyes at the sight of him and the two oafs - Crabbe and Goyle. Of course he was going to be the reason Harry and I's conversation was interrupted. Draco's inability to not taunt Harry when he was around sure was frustrating.

Harry just gives him a dirty look before grabbing my arm and pulling me in the opposite direction of Draco and his crew. But before we can walk far enough away from him, Draco says something else.