The Golden Wand [Harry Potter/Percy Jackson]

Chapter 50: Harry Becomes a Normal Teen

Harry POV:

Draco was pissed off. 

Over the next couple of weeks the two of us would hang out a lot, revising in the library or the Golden Suite whenever he could. But every time we sat down to revise he would mutter something about how he was losing the competition, and then spiral further into rage and disappointment as he thought about his performance over the seventh trial. 

"Hey, hey, calm down!" Percy tried to reassure him one afternoon. "You managed to catch both me and Harry with that Incarcerous charm, that was pretty impressive stuff. So what if you're coming last, you're only losing by a single point! Do you really think Krum's actually going to beat you? We all know he's been cheating."

"Krum ripped a horn out of a fully grown Dragon," Draco pointed out. "Yes, at this point, I think he's going to beat me."

I felt worried for Draco, and apprehensive about his relationship with Hermione. This was how Ron and Hermione had fallen out in the past - Hermione had done something impressive, Ron had been disappointed that he wasn't as good as her, they had argued and his jealousy had made him cruel. I could see that Draco's emotions were fragile in this time, and I made sure to join him every time he visited Hermione in the hospital, so that I could be there to diffuse any argument that might arise. I realized that I had been carrying around a feeling of guilt with me ever since Ron and Hermione had broken up; I found myself wondering whether I could have, or should have, done more to keep my two best friends together. I wouldn't let the same happen to Draco and Hermione. 

They bickered sometimes, but only when Draco started to beat himself down and Hermione would insist that he's a better wizard than he thinks he is. 

"I just... all my life I strived towards proving myself to my father, and I never spent that time to prove myself to, well, me. Now I feel like I'm letting myself down," Draco told Hermione on our second visit of the day. Hermione sighed and placed her hand in his. I backed away slowly, feeling like a massive third wheel. When I stepped behind the curtain I heard the two of them bicker again. 

"I just can't believe I'm letting that prick Adrian beat me," Draco cursed. 

"Hey, don't be rude," Hermione protested. "He may not be the strongest fighter, but Adrian's bloody smart. Don't underestimate him."

"So you think he's better than me?" Draco asked, voice cold. 

"No, don't twist my words," Hermione said in a tight voice. I had heard her use that line on Ron many times before. I started to make my way back through the curtain, but Draco responded quietly:

"You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just upset with myself; I shouldn't put down the other competitors. Everyone's really strong, I guess I just feel threatened." His voice was vulnerable and trusting. I knew that I was interrupting a moment between Hermione and him. 

"And I think you're the strongest of all of us," Hermione whispered. I smiled sadly and disapparated back to the Golden Suite. 

"Hey, there you are Harry!" Percy smiled as I appeared. "Leo's created this rig that simulates what its like to play the Montrose Magpies - he's on the Quidditch pitch now setting the whole thing up. Wanna join? Thalia, Jason and Reyna are already down there... just, um, keep it on the down-low. I promised Annabeth I'd spend all day revising, I don't want her finding out about this."

"That sounds great, I'll grab my broom," I smiled back. He nodded and left the room. I grabbed my broom, made my way out of the Golden Suite, and as I was walking down a corridor on the second floor I heard two familiar voices talking quietly round the corner.