Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter twenty four-we have to stop meeting like this

"Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty- seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it." The corners of the headmaster's mouth twitched before continuing, "as ever, I would like to remind you all that the forbidden forest is out of bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House quidditch cup will not take place this year"

"What" Harry said, looking at me. I looked back with a similar expression of disbelief

"This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teacher's time and energy -but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely"

"More than quidditch? Yeah right" I said to Harry, and he opened his mouth to agree, when suddenly a loud bang as the door of the great hall creaked open ominously, revealing a short man with long, mangy hair and a face littered with scars. A dull clunk sounded as he made his way through the crowd of confused students, dragging his wooden leg along as his glass eye swivelled around grossly in its socket. The man reached Dumbledore and whispered something in his ear, before being introduced as our new defense against the dark arts teacher

"Moody?" Harry said incredously, "Mad eye Moody, the retired auror who's gone off his rocker?"
"By the look of his face he wasn't very good at his job" I shuddered, noticed a spot in his check where a chunk of flesh had been torn off.

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat, silencing the whispered conversation in the room

"As I was saying," he said with a smile, "we are to have the honor of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year"
"YOU'RE JOKING" Fred said loudly, and everyone laughed
" I am not joking, Mr. Weasley. Now, where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament...well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely"

I had studied the tournament and it's morbid history, so I zoned out momentarily, returning to reality when Harry tapped me lightly on the shoulder.

"The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money"

At the mention of prize money, a considerable number of heads perked up tentatively, the prospect of fame and riches captivating their attention. I remained relaxed, though intrigued. While I was looking forward to watching the games, I had no inclination to enter. A thousand galleons would be pocket change in my Gringotts vault and most of the time I'd rather do without my fame.

"Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, "the heads of the participating schools, along with the Ministry of Magic, have agreed to impose an age restriction on contenders this year. Only students who are of age — that is to say, seventeen years or older"

There were murmurs of protest at this rule, the Weasley twins looking extremely agitated

"The delegations from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving in October and remaining with us for the greater part of this year."

My face broke into a smile at this news, I had a number of friends who attended both Wizarding school, and I only ever got to see them at stiff and formal balls or galas, until now.

"I know that you will all extend every courtesy to our foreign guests while they are with us, and will give your whole hearted support to the Hogwarts champion when he or she is selected. And now, it is late, and I know how important it is to you all to be alert and rested as you enter your lessons tomorrow morning. Bedtime! Chop chop!"

I talked animatedly with my friends as we made our way through the crowded hallways to our common room, which had been meticulously cleaned by the house elves for our return. Hermione grunted, muttering something about slave labour, and I said goodnight to Harry and Ron before following her up the stairs to the girls dorm. Reaching my door, I nodded goodnight to Hermione who waved goodbye as she entered her shared dorm. I jumped into my plush bed after quickly changing into some comfier clothes, hoping that the end of summer meant the beginning of restful sleep.

I was wrong.

I woke up in cold sweats, my heart pounding loudly in my chest as I struggled to control my rapid breathing. I though back to my nightmare, to the darkness of the strangely familiar room, to the large windows that had been covered by curtains. The walls were made of stone and brick and a faint smell of parchment could be detected through the air. I was screaming, but I didn't know why, all I knew was that I was afraid. I sighed, exhausted and frustrated because I couldn't seem to pinpoint exactly where I was in my dream. It seemed so obvious, like I'd been there before...I sat up in my bed and looked out the open window, up at the night sky that was glittering with stars. Despite everything, I smiled. The stars made me think of Cedric, and the night in the flower field. The night he had told me he loved me...I hadn't brought it up yet, partly because I thought he might've only said it because he thought I was asleep, and partly because I was scared he had meant it. Because if he did, that would mean I'd be expected to say it back. And while we might've been writing to each other all summer, and shared kisses a few times, saying the l-word would make it way too real. Besides, we hadn't even made it official yet, so technically I didn't owe him anything, right?

"I'm doing it again. Overthinking." I groaned silently, pulling myself out of bed , "I need some air"

I lit a candle and tiptoed out of my dorm, making sure not to make any noise as I closed the door. I pushed open the portrait door and headed down the hall, the faint yellow glow of the candle lighting my path. I made my way out onto the courtyard, blowing out the flickering flame and sitting down onto the grass. I breathed in deeply, absorbing the crisp autumn scent of wood and spice.

"We have to stop meeting like this" a drawling voice said from behind me.

I am not doing this right now

Wordlessly, I picked up the mould of melted wax and stood up, making my way back towards the castle without even sparing a glance at Malfoy. He called after me, but I ignored it, continuing up to the entrance of the castle until I was jerked back sharply by a cold hand on my wrist.

"(Y/N)" Malfoy yelled, seething with anger, "I'm fucking talking to you!"
"Leave me alone" I said, my voice indifferent as I massaged my red wrist.
"Why him?" His words made me finally look up at him, his eyes filled with hatred, and anger, and...hurt, "Out of all the gits in this god forsaken place you chose him?!"
"Why do you give a shit, Malfoy?" my words seemed to momentarily stump him, as he stared at me for a while before replying
"I don't, I'm just wondering how low his standards must be to be into a filthy blood traitor like you" he said smirking

I glared at him and turned to leave, but he stopped me again, grabbing hold of the same area of my wrist, making me wince in pain. He noticed my expression, and held my wrist up to the light of the moon, examining it closely as he caressed the ring markings with his thumb. His unexpected display of affection distracted me, before quickly remembering Cedric, and yanking my sore wrist out of his grip.

"Stop it" I said
"Stop what" he said innocently, hands in his pockets
"Whatever it is you're trying to do, just...stop it"
"Sorry, you're gonna have to be a bit more specific" he taunted
"Malfoy-" I said through gritted teeth
"Don't call me that"
"It's your name, isn't it"
"You didn't always call me that"
"Well things change"
"They didn't have to" He argued, inching closer to me as I backed away, "We could go back to Draco, or...I remember you used to be quite taken to using the name daddy" he snaked a hand around the back of my neck, and my breath hitched.
"Oh I still am" I breathed, tilting my head upwards until our faces were inches apart, "just not for you" and with that, I tore my body away from his and walked away, leaving him breathless in the middle of the school hallway.