Chapter 26: 26
Chapter 26
Skeeter
Things were only getting worse for Harry. He and Ron weren't talking and people had started wearing these 'Potter Stinks' badges. I'd already hexed five people for it. I saw Draco wearing one. He and Harry were fighting more than usual.
I sat in the courtyard reading and Draco was up in a tree. Several Slytherins were beneath him.
"You're a right foul git! You know that?"
I looked up.
"Think so?" Ron asked.
"I know so!"
"Anything else?"
"Yeah. Stay away from me." Harry said.
I sighed sadly and shook my head.
"Why so tense, Potter?"
Oh no.
"My father and I have a bet, you see. I don't think you're gonna last ten minutes in this tournament. He disagrees." He jumped down. "He thinks you won't last five."
He and his friends started to laugh and I slammed my face into my book.
"I don't give a damn what your father thinks, Malfoy! He's vile and cruel. And you're pathetic!"
Harry turned away and Draco angrily pulled out his wand. My eyes went wide.
"Hold it right there, sonny!"
Moody came out. He transfigured my boyfriend into a ferret! I was beyond reasoning. Harry was laughing along with several other students.
"Professor Moody! What are you doing?"
"Teaching."
I ran forward and snatched Draco out of the air. I held him close to me and glared a Moody.
"Put him down Snape!" he growled.
"No!"
"Alastor, we NEVER use transfiguration as a punishment! Surely Dumbledore told you that?"
"He might have mentioned it."
"And you would do well to remember it!" she snapped.
She turned to me next.
"Miss Snape, set him on the ground please."
I nodded and put him down. She performed a counter spell and Draco was back. I knelt down and put my hand on his cheek.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
He covered my hand with his and nodded. Harry was still laughing and I gave a him a hurt and disappointed look. He stopped laughing and little a wee bit guilty. I stood Draco up and looked at Moody.
"Leave him alone. I mean it. You don't want to cross me."
He actually stuck his tongue out at me. I shook my head and walked away with Draco.
"Is that what it feels like to have a tail?" he asked.
I smiled a bit.
"I'm used to it now. But are you really alright?"
"I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
I laughed a bit.
"I'm always going to worry about you."
He smirked. We walked down to the lake and sat down on the grass.
"What about you?"
I looked at him in confusion.
"Me?"
"The first task is coming up."
"Oh… yeah that."
I leaned against his chest and closed my eyes. I didn't know what to say.
"Lily?"
I took his hand and squeezed.
"I'm scared." I admitted.
He put his arm around my waist.
"It'll be alright. Your brother isn't an idiot."
"Lily!"
Luna ran over to us, the Daily Prophet in her hand.
"You'll want to see this. Hello Malfoy."
"Erm… hi Lovegood."
Luna was one of the only ones who accepted Draco. Who thought he was a good person. She knelt down and I read an article about Harry. I ripped the paper to pieces and Draco put his hands on my shoulders.
"Where the hell is this Skeeter woman now?" I hissed.
"I don't know. But I'm certain she'll be here for the first task. She really is an awful writer, isn't she?" Luna said.
Draco nodded and so did I.
"I'm sure you'll talk some sense into her."
"I'm positive. Have you seen her when she's angry? She's exactly like her father. It's scary."
Luna smiled. I was always happy when someone said I was like my father. I took great pride in it.
"I know your brother will be alright, Lily. Surviving is in his blood."
I smiled and hugged her.
"Thanks Luna."
"Anything for a friend."
I smiled again.
Draco's POV
I liked Lovegood. She approved of Lily being with me, unlike everyone else. She was a bit odd, but she was really sweet. Lily and I continued to try and find out anything suspicious about Moody. So far, all we had was the fact that he was totally bonkers. When the first task came, he biting her lip so hard she drew blood.
Lily's POV
I saw the woman I knew to be Rita Skeeter walk into the Champion's tent. I looked around and went weasel. I ran into the tent and climbed up Harry's back. I jumped at Skeeter and snatched her quill from the hair. I scampered off and turned back before once more going into the tent.
"I saw weasel running off with this."
"Yes, that's mine dear."
She reached for it, put I held it away from her. I snapped it in half and she gave me an angry look.
"My name is Lily Snape. I'm Harry's twin sister and someone you don't want to cross. I read the article you wrote about Harry. I don't know if your hard of hearing or if you're really just that stupid. Harry and I are fourteen and he does NOT have a death wish. Nor did he put his name in that cup! And I'm pretty sure the other champions are bothered by your presence." I took one step closer. "Let me make myself clear. If you ever come near my brother or these champions again you'll have me to deal with. I WILL be watching. Now get out." I snarled.
She quickly left and Harry and Hermione stared at me.
"What?"
"Just now, you were exactly like Professor Snape." She said.
Harry nodded.
"The way you stood and the way you spoke, even the tone of your voice. Just like him, it was almost like he was standing in your place."
I smiled, proud of myself.
"Thanks for that, Snape. She really was a bother."
I looked at Cedric.
"Mon Plaisir. Good luck to you."
I looked at Harry and hugged him. He held me tightly.
"I love you." I said.
"I love you too." He said.
I kissed his cheek and left the tent. I took a seat next to Luna and she took my hand. I saw a golden egg in the arena. It was when I saw the dragon that I almost screamed.
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