Snake in the Sunflowers {Draco Malfoy}{Cedric Diggory}

𓆙 Two; a Panic.

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Draco's Point of View Continued

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"That oaf?" Draco scoffs as Harry reveals their destination. "What could he possibly know that could help us?"

"I said be quiet!" Potter hisses, losing his patience with his new companion. "I'll explain when we get outside."

Draco frowns but keeps his mouth shut until they reach the castle grounds undetected with the help of the invisibility cloak.

"Now that we're safe - " Potter says as the three of them head for Hagrid's hut in the distance. It was a clear night, and the stars were shining brightly in the deep black sky above, illuminating the way.

"Are you sure we should tell him, Harry?" Weasley interrupts, glaring at Draco distrustfully. Draco returns the look, sticking his tongue out at the red-head.

"He'll find out once we start asking Hagrid questions, anyway." The Gryffindor responds, although he seems on edge around their blonde companion as well. "Anyway, the reason we're visiting Hagrid is that he's the one who opened the Chamber the last time."

Draco's grey eyes widen as he claps a hand to his mouth, struggling to hold in the howling laughter that would surely draw attention to them, despite being outdoors. "That bumbling idiot? The Heir of Slytherin?! Hardly."

"You don't have to believe it, Malfoy, but it's still true. And unless you want your legs to turn to jelly I suggest you stop insulting my friend." Potter glares at Draco, the three of them quite close to the hut now. "He was expelled in his third year, that's why he's not allowed a wand."

"How did you lot find out about this then?" Draco huffs, not believing that the two Gryffindors would ever be privy to information that he wasn't.

His companions exchange a look before Potter responds. "We... found it in the library. School records."

They reach the door of the hut before Draco has time to respond, whipping off the invisibility cloak and knocking on the wooden door. Almost immediately after Weasley had stopped knocking, the door was flung open, and they were met with the end of a crossbow and the deafening bark of a large boarhound.

"Oh," Hagrid relaxes, lowering his weapon. "What are you two doin' here?" He asks before noticing Draco beside them, so startled he almost raises the crossbow again. "Gulpin' gargoyles, what's he doin' here?!"

"I'm not too sure myself." Weasley grumbles.

"He caught us on our way here, forced us to take him with." Potter explains as Hagrid steps aside to let them in. The half-giant looks Draco up and down suspiciously, but leads them all to sit at a quaint wooden table. Draco wrinkles his nose, using the sleeve of his robe to wipe his chair before taking a seat. "What's that for?" The Gryffindor asks, nodding at the crossbow Hagrid had just set down beside the doorway.

"N-Nothin' - Nothin' - " Hagrid mutters. "I've been expectin' - " He glances at Draco. "Doesn' matter, sit down, I'll make tea." His large hands shake as he tries to put the kettle on, spilling some water and almost extinguishing the fire below. He smashes the teapot in frustration. Draco stifles a cruel chuckle.

"Are you okay, Hagrid?" Potter asks, concern written on his face. "Did you hear about Hermione?"

"Oh, I heard, alright." The bearded man trembles, tears welling in his eyes. He's just begun cutting up slices of fruitcake to serve them when they hear a loud knock on the door. Draco jumps, suddenly feeling sweaty. What if he was caught with them? In this- heathen's hut- of all places?