Melody Riddle and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 33: Trading Info

 "Okay, I get that you don't want to tell anyone about your detention with Moody. That's fine. But Melody.. I know about it! You have to tell me what he did! What was your punishment for whatever wrong he thought you did?" Becky was badgering me again on our way to the library.

Should've expected her to keep trying.

"It's been a while since I really talked to Hermione," I said brightly. "I mean, all we'll do is study, but it'll still be nice to see her."

"Melody," Becky said sternly, suddenly wrapping a hand tightly around my wrist.

"Becky, just stop worrying about it," I finally replied in exasperation. "It's gone and passed now. He can't possibly put me in detention again, and besides the year is nearly over. Something will probably happen to him like all the other Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers we've had."

I almost hope something bad happens to him, I thought, relishing the thought. But no.. I can't think like that.... That's exactly why I'm helping him to get out of this situation.

"Look, you can't hold in everything bad that's ever happened to you. You have to let it out."

"As far as I knew, a detention wasn't some terrible event in comparison to many of the others that've happened at Hogwarts these past years. I'd hope a mere detention wouldn't somehow be equivalent to those dangers."

"But —"

"Oh, look!" I pointed behind her.

Becky immediately turned her head to look. "What are you looking — oh!"

George had succeeded at his surprise attack. He grabbed her by the waist, and spun her around. I ducked out of the way, chuckling.

"Where did you come from?" I asked, pausing in wait as I had a suspicious thought. ".... Where's Fred?" I quickly spun around and backed away before Fred could try the same thing. He gave me a cheeky grin from the area I had just vacated.

"And here I thought I might just get away with it."

I rolled my eyes, "Surely you know that even if you did get away with it, you'd have my temper to deal with afterwards."

He held his hands up innocently in front of him, "Whoops! I forgot!"

"Well, you're off the hook.. this time."

We quieted our laughter down before walking into the library, sitting at a table with Hermione.

Fred and George instantly began consorting with Becky over some new prank. Oy vey.

"It's nice to see you in the library again," Hermione said softly. "I was wondering.. were you alright earlier? You seemed a bit on edge."

I gave a nervous laugh, "And here I thought you were the one who didn't notice."

"Well, I didn't. Harry and Ron did." I thought I saw a faint trace of a blush.

"I hadn't wanted anyone to notice... but, it's all right. I'm fine now. Anyways, what's been going on? Any more crazy schemes for you and the boys?.. Besides the tournament, of course."

"Actually, I've been trying to figure out how Rita Skeeter finds out the basis for all her stories," she said, looking around before whispering such information to me.

Now this is something I know, I thought giddily. I leaned my elbows forward on the table. "What have you found out?"

"Nothing, but I feel like whatever she does must be illegal... Harry and Ron are no help. Harry suggested that she might be bugging people, but technology doesn't work around Hogwarts."

"Wow, I forgot all about bugging," I remarked thoughtfully. "It's been so long since I've gone out into the Muggle world."

She gave a small laugh. "Thing is, she must be doing something magical. An invisibility cloak, or something —"

"I think," I said softly, leaning across the table. "You should follow the idea of bugging just a little bit more. There are more ways than one to bug people, including the way in which a witch may do it. Someone as annoying as Rita can fit the bill."

A minute of hard thinking passed before Hermione's eyes rounded in understanding. "A beetle..."

It was my turn to be surprised. "You know the exact bug?"

"Yes!" she whispered excitedly. "That day when Viktor asked me to visit him over the summer. I'd always been wondering how she could have listened in on that... and I remember Viktor pulling a beetle out of my hair. Ooh, how sneaky.. Is she registered?"

"Last time I looked at the registered Animagi list, no she's not. You were right. What she's doing is very illegal."

"But... how did you know?"

"Draco brought her to breakfast as a beetle once. Becky and I had a field day joking about squishing her, but we had to promise not to tell anyone. Technically, I've still kept the promise." I gave a small smile. "But, I'll let you decide your revenge on her."

Hermione was positively glowing at that point.

"Urm.." I ventured curiously, "what's Harry's next task going to be?"

She frowned. "A maze. Ron and I have been preparing him for whatever obstacles he may face in it. The Triwizard Cup is supposed to be in the middle — whoever grabs it first wins."

With Crouch in the background to be sure that Harry gets to the center first... "Sounds interesting," I said uncertainly.

"Hagrid's providing some creatures for the maze and, well, you know what sort of creatures he might have to face."

I involuntarily flinched. "Well... surely it must be easier than fighting a dragon."