The Hogwarts Descendant

Chapter 13:

Dahlia winced at the pain in her arm as Harry clenched it. They were standing at the back of the Great Hall while the other champions were announced. "Did he just say Hermione?" Her champion's body had gone rigid, his nails digging into her arm as he craned his neck in an attempt to see for himself.

"Harry, she's Krum's second," Dahlia mentally prepared herself for the explosion she knew would come, but before Harry could react their names were called.

"Announcing Hogwarts champions, Mr. Harry Potter!" Harry numbly released her arm, allowing her to take his elbow as he strode forward. "And his second, Dahlia Dumbledore!"

"The whole point of this was to keep them safe," Harry muttered to his second as they marched down the insanely long aisle to the teachers table amidst the cheers of their peers.

"I know." Dahlia tried to maintain the false smile on her face as she waved to a group of first years beaming at them.

"Krum won't protect her," Harry spat, glaring at the back of the quidditch player's head down the aisle. Dahlia squeezed his arm in warning, reminding him they were in front of the entire school.

Dahlia remained silent for a moment, debating whether to tell him the truth. She took a deep breath, deciding that the truth might be the only thing that calms him down. "Harry, I caught them snogging in the library a week before the first event." Harry's eyes flew open as his head whipped around to hers. "He cares for her; and honestly, I think she can take care of herself."

They were almost to the end of the aisle when Harry switched his grip to grasp her hand. She clung to his hand reassuringly.

"I can't do this with her in there," Harry mumbled, low enough for only her to hear.

Dahlia gripped his hand back, but couldn't think of what to say. She knew Harry had been desperate to keep Hermione and Ron out of this, and now it was worse because Hermione was in it, and Harry couldn't protect her.

Her mind was scrambling to come up with any possible way to fix this, but all she could do was grip Harry's hand. It was too late to go back.

Dahlia focused on Harry's face as the ceremony proceeded. She barely heard the vows of the other three champions. The seconds had been schooled on what to say. Keep it simple, swear yourself to the champion for the task, end it saying how you would step in if needed. It was honestly quite simple; magic was funny like that. It was usually the most complex magic that followed the simplest of guidelines.

The headmaster came to a stop before them, and Dahlia had to resist the urge to look into her guardian's eye. She had refrained from telling him she was Harry's second, fearing rebuke. Dahlia knew he wouldn't approve because it would fall under interfering, but what's done is done, so she kept her focus on Harry. There wasn't anyway Albus could tell her she couldn't do this now, not with the entire school watching.

Dahlia withdrew her wand, using it to slice open the palm of her hand. Harry gripped her hand in his and locked eyes with her as she made her vow. Dahlia held her fellow Gryffindor's gaze as she spoke, hoping he recognized the meaning behind her vow. His eyes widened, and his grip tightened, and then he released her hand.

Dumbledore healed their hands with a wave of his wand, and turned to address the student body below them. "And now! Let the Feast begin!"

The previously empty tables were now heaping with food that had appeared at the Headmaster's words. Dahlia followed Harry up to the Champion's table beside the faculty's table. As she walked she tried to inconspicuously scan the Dining Hall, her eyes deceiving her by hoping to catch a glimpse of a particular Slytherin boy.