43

43. The second task

The second task was in a less than a week from now. Severus had refused to talk to me for a few weeks now. At first, I had tried approaching him despite knowing about his obstinate temper. Naturally, it had not been useful and only resolved in more anger and curt words, so I had left him alone since then. But with each day that passed without him trying to talk to me made me feel only more annoyed. To distract myself, I spent most of my time with Harry, Ron and Hermione to solve the riddle for the second task. Apparently, Harry needed to find something in the Black Lake and had one hour to do so.

Hermione had agreed to wait until the end of the second task for me to tell her about what was going on between Draco and myself. I was not really looking forward to it and avoided the subject completely. Honestly, it scared me to tell her about us. It was a serious matter after all and I couldn't even ask Severus for help. Well, I could and he would surely give me some advice but I didn't want to face him with our current situation.

Derek and I met as often as possible and tried not talking about Severus or Diggory. Draco and Blaise would join us now and then. I actually enjoyed the time with them seeing as it was somehow different with them than with my Gryffindor friends. If it was because they had known me first or knew more about me, I couldn't say.

"Oh, honestly Blaise. You're such a bloody git sometimes!" Derek lay on his back on the grass and was shaking with laughter.

"Yeah, one could start believing you're everything but a Slytherin." Draco smirked at his best friend, earning a dark glare in return.

At the moment, I was down by the Black Lake with a certain Durmstrang and two Slytherins. It was in the late afternoon. Blaise had just gotten in the middle of a joke Draco and Derek had started eagerly.

I chuckled and lazily adjusted my head resting on Draco's thigh. "Aren't Slytherins supposed to be sneaky and determined about what they want to have?" I threw in with a sly smirk on my lips, my eyes closed in comfort.

I heard a growl which I immediately recognized as Blaise'. "Aren't Gryffindors supposed to be brave? I still remember your whining about your feelings for Snape. You were crying pathetically like some Hufflepuff." Blaise snapped in response and I could literally hear the proud sneer in his voice.

I lifted my head and raised my eyebrows at him. Derek, sitting next to him, was still chuckling to himself and looking between Blaise and me. "I was but at least I did something about it and see where it got me. I've got a boyfriend. Honestly, you should make a move on Chang before she really falls in love with Derek's lover."

Draco's laugher vibrated through his whole body, even down to his legs. I cast my brother an arrogant grin and he looked down at me proudly. He was sitting comfortably on the grass as well, supporting his upper body easily with his arms. I had decided to lay down as my night had not been the best again. I had fallen asleep before, but Derek's and Draco's joke had woken me up at some point and I was completely enjoying myself right now.

"He's not my lover…" Derek mumbled and scowled in my direction. I laughed and closed my eyes again.

"Well, if Blaise is to much of a coward to make a move, you could just go straight forward and show Diggory what you want then." Draco replied in a provocative, careless voice and I grinned to myself. I knew my brother to well.

"Hey! I'm not a coward." Blaise exclaimed angrily. A sudden object hit me hard on my stomach and I flinched. Opening my eyes, I saw a small rock on my stomach. Glaring at Derek, I threw the stone back in his direction. He only laughed and dodged it.

"So enlighten me ferret, how am I supposed to make a move?" Derek demanded then and my lips turned into a smirk but not only because of that hideous nickname.

"You don't want to know that." Draco grinned mischievously and raised one eyebrow. I beamed up at my brother and he returned a short glance. I knew what he was going to say.

"You really don't want to know, Derek. Spare yourself some blood pressure and give it a rest." I warned him half-heartedly as my smirk grew wider.

But Derek needed to know. He was incredibly desperate when it came to Diggory. It was cute but of course we just had to tease him with it. Just like he had loved making fun of me until the Yule Ball.

"Come on, Arya. Draco's without exception obviously THE male Slytherin. So, I want to know what he suggests." Derek cut in loudly.

"Oh Merlin. Draco's got already a huge ego." Blaise groaned annoyed. "Do you really have to boost it even more? You're not the one who has to endure him all day…" Draco grinned satisfied and I chuckled quietly.

"Just answer my bloody question already." Derek growled impatiently.

"Well then, even if I've never been with a man before I think there's no real difference, is there?" My brother smirked arrogantly and looked Derek straight in the eyes now. "Just pin him down to his bloody Hufflepuff table and do him."

Derek's eyes widened in horror first but immediately turned to a very dark glare. Draco laughed and even Blaise couldn't hold back a sly grin.

"Damn, Draco. You're unbelievable." I managed to say between laugher and chuckles. "I really don't envy your future girlfriend… If you manage to get one of course but with your current flirting course it won't be anytime soon, I guess."

A hard slap on my head took me by surprise and I scowled up at my brother who returned a smug smirk. I rolled my eyes and tiredly closed them again. Bloody Slytherins… Slowly, my brain stopped processing what they were talking about. Draco's love life wasn't really worth my attention, to say the least. Not that I wasn't interested, I would gladly give him some advice or help him anytime with a serious relationship. The thing was that he simply didn't want close links to anyone. Mostly, because he enjoyed having shallow flings with girls without being bound to any expectations or feelings. But I knew that a major part of him was scared opening to foreign people, not to mention trust them enough to show them who he really was. We had never talked about the reason for his mistrust but personally I thought it had to do with his childhood. Whilst I had been raised by Severus with love and care, Draco had been taught considering himself superior to everyone else as a pure-blooded Malfoy. However, I had always felt incredibly thankful that he had Blaise, Derek and Mrs. Zabini. Even if Draco absolutely hated being pitied for his family, I had mentioned that to him once during my time at Malfoy manor. As a result, he had refused to speak to me for several days until Mrs. Zabini finally had had enough and used her motherly care to force the reason out of us. Even if this one hour with her had been everything but a pleasant time, I had only loved her more for caring so much about Draco. Despite her changing boyfriends as often as I changed my clothes, Mrs. Zabini was a lovable woman who deeply cared for her son, Derek and Draco, she considered her sons as well…

My slumber got interrupted once again when Draco gently rubbed my shoulder. Confused, I opened my eyes and blinked a few times. Carefully, my brother pushed some strains out of my face and smiled warmly at me.

"We should go now. It's almost time for dinner." Derek explained smirking. With that he took a step forward and offered a hand. I gladly grabbed it but as I was about to pull, Derek let go, making me fall back.

A raised eyebrow and sparkling green eyes returned my questioning expression. "Got a problem there, Jackson?"

Blaise and Derek smirked at my cursing as a pale hand appeared in front of my face. "Come on. You can leave first. I stay behind with those idiots." Draco offered chuckling and helped me up.

After a few more curses, hugs and goodbyes, I finally made my way up to the castle. Sighing, I entered the great hall. Another day and Severus made no move to talk to me…

The remaining week before the second task passed quickly. I spent every free time with Harry, Hermione and Ron in the library to find a way to breath under water for one hour. The riddle in the egg said that Harry would have to get something back that had been stolen from him. We didn't bother about the last part however and focused completely about the breathing part instead – not that we were really successful though. By the evening before the task, Harry and I both looked as if we had been caught by a train. At least I felt like it but less because of the actual lack of sleep, than rather the few hours of sleep I got being penetrated with nightmares again…

"What are you two doing here?" Ron asked Fred and George who had just emerged from behind some bookshelves.

"Looking for you." Said George. "McGonagall wants you, Ron. And you Hermione."

I furrowed my tired eyebrows half-heartedly in confusion. "Why?"

"Don't know. She was looking a bit grim though." Replied Fred, shrugging his shoulders.

"Come on. We're supposed to take you down to her office now." George added firmly.

And so they left Harry and me alone in the library until the stern looking librarian practically threw us out at midnight. In the common room, we continued reading book after book, hoping to find a solution. My brain felt heavier and heavier as I forced my eyes to stay open.

"Who is he?" My father hissed, kneeling in front of me. I gritted my teeth and lifted my tired head. It needed all my willpower to keep my body from trembling. Somehow, I managed a short, arrogant laugh which was enough though to provoke him.

"As if I would EVER tell you!" I spat slowly, my voice dripping with hate and disgust. My father bared his yellow teeth and tightened the grip on his wand visibly. Then he lifted it and placed it under my chin, its tip bore deeply in my throat. Ugly, slitted eyes pierced emotionless in mine and I forced myself to keep his gaze.

"Oh, you will and then I'm going to kill him." He said in his slow, soft voice. "You'll watch him being tortured until you accept your place by my side. And only then shall I grant your lover the release in death."

Pain erupted in my lower jaw as Riddle pressed his wand deeply into my skin, making me raise my head higher. Hatred and great anger gave me the strength to keep fighting. I already wanted to kill him for threatening Severus. I clenched my jaw and curled my lips.

"You'll never know who he is..." My voice was shaking with pain, anger and hatred. Nevertheless, I leaned closer to him and pierced him with burning eyes. My desperation surfaced as some tears rolled down my cheeks. Angry with myself now, I hissed in a threatening and low voice, hoping my father would understand the amount of my overwhelming hate. "…until the day of your death! Because I'll be the one to destroy you, I'll release this earth from your miserable existence!... But before I kill you, I'll tell you his name… and I'll laugh at your face for ever believing I'd chose MY life over HIS…" My lips twitched into a wicked smile. "And then I'm going to destroy you and your body because no place on this earth deserves to be contaminated with yo-"

A sharp pain on my cheek made me fall on the wet grass. Surprised, I raised one hand to my cheek and turned my head slowly. Gritting my teeth, I cast my father a hateful look. I wanted to get up, I wanted to spit at him, to hit him. But before I could even take my next breath, overwhelming pain filled my whole body. It was burning, bones were breaking, my skin was torn of my flesh. I didn't even realize when I bit my lip but suddenly I tasted blood in my mouth. Groaning and growling, I endured the pain of the Cruciatus Curse once more…

Breathing heavily, I opened my eyes again and blinked in confusion. Still shocked from my nightmare, I looked around and saw that sunlight was streaming through the windows. In a heartbeat, I remembered everything. Horrified, I jumped up from my chair and shook Harry roughly. He obviously needed some time to realize what day it was and what we had been doing the whole night. After a moment, his eyes widened with fear.

"What time is it?" Harry asked frantically when he adjusted his glasses. I sighed and scratched my forearm absentminded.

"Around seven, don't worry." As I closed my mouth, I realized how stupid my answer was. How was he not supposed to worry when he didn't know how to do the task.

Harry groaned and let his head fall down on the open book he had been sleeping on. I looked around and noticed for the first time that a few students were already awake and making their way down to breakfast. Some of them cast us curious glances, probably wondering what we were doing surrounded by so many books.

Exhaling deeply, I turned back to my best friend and pushed some books aside to sit on the table. I lowered my voice to keep others from eavesdropping. "We'll find something, Harry. I mean it has to be of some use being a fairy…"

Harry lazily raised his head and watched me with a quizzical expression. "Can you hold your breath for an hour or breathe under water?"

I dropped my shoulders and sighed. "Well… no." Harry scowled and rested his head back on the book. My tired thoughts drifted away and I wondered if perhaps Severus would help Harry out if I asked him nicely and honest. Is he even allowed to help a champion? Saying he is, why should he help me? Harry was my friend and the bloody chosen one but that certainly didn't mean that he had to like Harry. Actually, Severus had never liked him. He had never told me why though…

I shrieked embarrassingly as a loud crack erupted the comfortable silence. Harry almost fell from his chair. With a pounding heart, I looked around and saw Dobby standing next to our table. Harry and I changed confused looks before Dobby started talking. Somehow, he must have found out about Harry's desperate situation because he had brought a plant I had never heard of - called Gillyweed. Apparently, it's supposed to let him breath under water for one hour. After Dobby had left, Harry and I exchanged a look and agreed to trust him.

Whilst Harry went up to his dorm to sleep for another hour, I took a cold shower to wake myself up and changed clothes. Wondering about Ron and Hermione's absence – they had never come back from McGonagall's visit – I made my way to breakfast.

I chewed on my breakfast carelessly. My thoughts were busy with the nightmare I had had during my few hours of sleep. It had felt so real again – just like my other dreams. Shuddering, I forced myself to concentrate on the great hall. Sighing, my gaze wandered over the students. They were all obviously pretty excited about the second task. Ts, if you knew… I shook my head at their stupidity. How could it be fun to watch people endanger themselves…

My look rested on the teacher's table. Almost every chair was taken – either by Hogwarts' staff or guests from the Ministry, Durmstrang or Beauxbatons. My tired brain realized that Severus' chair was empty however. I kept staring whilst my fingers nervously tapped on the table. Nervously, I bit the inner side of my cheek repeatedly. Should I go and ask Severus if Harry's Gillyweed was safe to use? What if he thinks I'm just using it as a poor excuse to see him? I just want to make sure that my best friend's safe… As safe as one can be in this tournament… What if he's still angry? Then I'll just ask about the Gillyweed and leave… Listen to yourself, Arya. Pathetic how much of a coward you are whenever it comes to Severus…

Groaning, I threw the long-forgotten toast on my plate. One last glance back to the teacher's table and I had made my decision. I would go and see Severus now and if he didn't want to talk to me then I would just leave him alone. Over the last days, I had started feeling more and more annoyed whenever I thought about his obstinacy. I understood and respected his anger but he had rarely managed to say more than his usual 'get out' or 'not now'.

Determined, I made my way down to the dungeons and Severus' office where I expected him to be. When I stood right in front of his office door I hesitated. I didn't know if he was in there or not. Since he had repeatedly thrown me out, I had started not using my magic to check the room anymore before entering his classroom or office. I had been afraid, that he wouldn't have opened the door anymore at all. Sometimes, it was pretty annoying that he could sense my use of magic obviously everywhere on school grounds…

I closed my eyes as I took one last deep breath. Then I raised my hand and knocked firmly on the door. Why am I even here? What should be different this time? He's going to throw me out again… My growing fear got interrupted by the office door being opened aggressively and banging against the stone wall. I suddenly found myself face to face with Karkaroff, Durmstrang's headmaster.

Paralyzed with surprise, I stared into his black, anger clouded eyes. His expression was one of pure rage as he scowled down with a look which could almost challenge Severus'. Harry had told Ron, Hermione and me that Karkaroff had been a Death Eater in the past. And somehow, I had not gotten past the belief that he still acted like one. Therefore, while I was staring calculating at him, I was expecting to sense darkness around him – but there was none…

Obviously, Karkaroff had expected me to step aside and let him pass seeing as he was a headmaster and about to leave Severus' office. I was so concentrated on his inconspicuous aura though that courtesy was the last thing on my mind right now. Growling menacingly and oblivious of me standing in the doorway, he rushed past me. His chest hit me full force, knocking my back and head hardly against the corner of the stone wall. The sharp, burning pain made me groan and I forgot where I was and who had just pushed me.

"Watch where you're going!" I snapped through gritted teeth. I squeezed my eyes shut and concentrated on regaining my breath and feeling my body again. I felt an incredibly aggressive presence looming over me all the sudden.

"Watch your mouth brat or I'll make you shut it!" Karkaroff's threatening snarl made me open my eyes again. His face was only inches away from mine, if possible, looking even more furious than before. A wave of anger rushed through my whole body and I returned an unimpressed, challenging glare. Now, perhaps, he wasn't a Death Eater anymore but obviously his behaviour had not changed much since then.

"Watch where you're going damn Death Eater or did Riddle confuse your brain so much that you cannot see properly anymore?" I replied sarcastically, watching satisfied as fear, disbelief and more anger flickered over his face.

In the blink of an eye, a strong hand gripped my throat and pushed me forcefully against the corner once again. I couldn't suppress a low hiss as my back and head hit the wall almost in the exact same spot as before. Karkaroff straightened his body and it was only then that I realized how tall he really was – he was even taller than Severus and I hardly reached his chin with the top of my head. Karkaroff bared his ugly teeth and tightened the grip on my throat, making it harder to breathe. He held my body pinned firmly against the corner with the weight of his own body so that I couldn't get out of his grip. I didn't understand how many anger levels he had but he looked way beyond furious now. I clenched my jaw and scowled fiercely.

"One more word and you'll regret it!" He growled slowly under his breath and the grip on my throat tightened even more, making it barely possible to speak.

"Let. Go. Of. Me. Now! Or YOU'll regret it." I spat warningly with the remaining air I had in my lungs. I tensed my whole body in concentration, ready to release a constant but only small amount of magic to make him let go.

Karkaroff's anger clouded glare darkened even more but the grip around my throat loosened and he took a step back. I pushed my bruised body away from the corner and managed to get a few inches between my back and the wall. Before I could take advantage and fill my lungs with fresh air again, Karkaroff pushed me back with full force for the third time.

For a moment, I couldn't breath and saw nothing but darkness. The overwhelming feeling of my magic pulsating strongly in every vein and wire helped me getting back to consciousness in less than a second. I didn't feel the pain in my back, nor in my head anymore.

"IGOR!" Severus shouted dangerously, his face contorted with anger and hatred. For a second, I felt relieved that even when Severus had been mad at me, he had not looked at me like that. His look was ready to kill the man who was still clenching my throat tightly.

In the blink of an eye, Severus gripped Karkaroff's hand and released my throat whilst the other hand pointed his wand menacingly at the taller man's chest. Karkaroff was smart enough to step back and Severus moved swiftly in front of me, pressing his wand firmly against Karkaroff's own throat now.

"Attacking my students, Karkaroff." Severus hissed despising. "Do you wish to end up in Azkaban… again?"

"No one talks to me like that brat there! I suggest you make sure to keep your students in line, Severus." Karkaroff spat through gritted teeth and cast me a dark glare. Looking over Severus' shoulder, I saw him pressing his wand even deeper into Karkaroff's throat. I heard a growl from Severus and suddenly there were only a few inches left between the two man's faces.

"I highly doubt your expertise as headmaster if you feel threatened by mere words of a student. However, should I find you attacking one of my students again you'll have to answer to Albus and the Minister for Magic." Slowly, Severus lowered his wand, indicating Karkaroff to leave. With Severus' eyes surely piercing him with rage, he growled under his breath before finally turning around and leaving with long, aggressive strides.

Only then, I dared to take a few shallow breaths and relax my whole body. I winced and couldn't suppress a groan when I straightened up and a sharp, stinging pain spread through my back. Severus who had been staring at Karkaroff's retreating back, whirled around instantly. He let his gaze wander quickly over my whole body as if to make sure that I wasn't severely injured before motioning me to get into his office. With my magic still pulsating strongly through my body, I felt his anger roll over me like an avalanche. I flinched as he shut the door aggressively with a very loud bang.

Severus growled something under his breath before resting his dangerously sparkling eyes on me. His lips were curled and his eyebrows furrowed with contained rage. I still remembered why I had come here in the first place but I didn't know if the encounter with Karkaroff had reduced the chance of getting his help. It had definitely increased his anger though…

"Shouldn't you be with your friend and provide him emotional support?" Severus asked coldly.

I gulped and exhaled deeply to relax myself. At least that was my intention but a sharp pain in my back made me wince in the process. Severus' eyes turned to slits and he was standing in front of me in less than a second. I tried glaring at him but raising my head wasn't really helping with the pain.

"What did he do?" Severus' furious expression had returned quickly, nevertheless his eyes were observing my face closely for an answer.

I sighed and crossed my arms stubbornly. "I'm fine." I hadn't come here to be pitied or make him angrier. But his anger started to make me angry as well. While he had refused to talk to me properly these past few weeks, he had no problem arguing and shouting. If he wanted to argue than I wouldn't back away from now on.

Severus scoffed and scowled warningly at me. "Obviously... I'm not in the mood for patience, Arya."

I laughed shortly and stared at him incredulously. "Oh yeah? You tell me."

"Do you realize what you just did?" Severus spat threatening. "Have you thought about the consequences of your action?"

Roughly, I unfolded my arms and glared angrily into his sparkling eyes. "I don't care that he's a bloody headmaster! I don't care that he's a guest here or that I hurt his damn pride!"

"Of course not." Severus hissed through gritted teeth, making me only more irritated. He whirled around and strode to his desk. "You only care about your own Gryffindor pride."

I was at a loss for words. At the same time, my blood felt as if it would boil from heat and rage. My legs moved my body rapidly to Severus until I was facing him again. "My Gryffindor pride?! My Gryff-?! … You… Snape, you are the most annoying, infuriating, petulant, sadistic, smartass Slytherin who ever walked through these corridors!" I placed one finger on his chest and glared up at him to see him… smirking triumphantly. I exploded.

"You… you… stop smirking right now!" His smirk widened into a very snarky expression, making my heart jump in disbelief and anger. "You bloody bat have no right to accuse me of only caring about my pride! How many times did I swallow my pride these past weeks to practically beg for your forgiveness? And what do you do? You throw me out every time."

I took another step and our faces were only inches away from each other. Severus' smirk was still in place but I would change that somehow.

"Why do you even care what I say to Karkaroff? I had everything under control with him. I'm no helpless damsel in distress! I'm perfectly capable of defending myself, thank you very much."

To my utter annoyance and confusion, Severus' was still watching me with an amused expression. There was no trace of anger left in his face. Instead, he had provocatively raised one eyebrow and waited calmly for me to continue ranting. But seeing him like that made me only angrier because he had ignored me for so long now – and he really had scratched my pride every time he had thrown me out carelessly.

"Is that so?" Severus dared to drawl sarcastically. I clenched my jaw and wished nothing more than hitting some sense into him. Growling furiously, I repeatedly pulled back my hand from his chest only to place my index finger back after a second or two. I didn't know how to react or what to say anymore and Severus was very well aware of that.

"He pinned you against the wall by your throat. Is that what you call control?" He continued dryly and crossed his arms, not bothering about my finger pressed firmly on his chest.

He looked me dead in the eyes now and I returned a piercing look. I knew that he saw exactly how angry I was and he totally enjoyed himself playing me. But annoyingly, I didn't manage to get the upper hand.

"Try me." I hissed warningly. He raised his eyebrow higher and I scowled intensely in his eyes.

"Excuse me?" Severus' surprised voice made me scoff shortly. Angrily, I bore my finger deeper into his chest.

"I said, try me and I promise you'll find yourself quicker on the dungeon floor than you can say Karkaroff." I spat threatening and pressed my lips together. Hoping that he would get the hint now and get back to the actual matter.

"You want me to pin you against a wall?" I finally did hit his chest half-heartedly as a wide, triumphant smirk erupted on his face once again. "How… sensual."

My jaw fell and I watched him incredulously, my reaction obviously only increasing his amusement. I felt ready to murder him now for not taking me seriously at all. I wanted to scream at him so badly.

"I swear if you don't stop talking now, I'll make you!" I snarled coldly and turned around to get away from him. He was so incredibly infuriating and annoying sometimes…

I heard him sighing and then the rustling of his robes. "Now, that you're done with your useless rambling… It might come as a surprise, but I wasn't referring to your pride – or Karkaroff's for that matter." To my relief, Severus sounded stern and almost annoyed. That made him more predictable and easier to argue with. I turned again and furiously shot daggers at him. Severus scowled back intimidatingly but I refused to look away.

"You were acting incredibly reckless and stupid out there!" Severus spat threatening, his eyes boring merciless into mine. In a second, the burning wave of rage overwhelmed me once again but just as I was opening my mouth, Severus' look turned menacing. His eyes were sparkling dangerously and I knew he was about to lose his patience.

"No, you listen to me now!" He growled furiously and I clenched my jaw. "Your encounter wasn't a game, it was serious! You were about to release your magic at him. You're supposed to keep it hidden along with your true identity, Arya!" With just few long strides Severus was standing only inches away from me and glaring down intensely. His lips curled with anger and his eyebrows were in a very deep frown. "You realize if he should find out about you, he won't keep it to himself, do you?"

My fists were shaking as I tried to keep myself from shouting in his face. Venomously, I yelled at him. "You can't imagine how pissed I'm at you right now! Why do you think you have the right to ignore me and then suddenly be angry at me again? I'm not your damn emotional punching bag to release your temper on! You want to lecture me? Fine, I'll listen. But then stop talking to me as if I were some bloody villain…" I turned away and run a hand frustrated through my hair. In a heartbeat, I had whirled around again and was shouting once more. Some tears were rolling down my cheeks as pain, anger and desperation mixed themselves up in my heart, making it difficult to breath. And every look at a furious Severus made it even harder.

"What the hell do you even think of me? Do you really believe I wouldn't know all that?! …I never would have released my whole magic against him. A very small amount in form of heat or an electric impulse, yes. Other witches and wizards can do that, he wouldn't have questioned it."

Severus glared darkly at me – he hated being yelled at - but I couldn't care less right now. I was beyond furious. "Hell, Severus did my one lie and theft confused your bloody brain? Now, you even believe I would hurt innocents…" My face turned blank, I felt drained and tired all the sudden. Pain and betrayal overwhelmed me stronger than before. My yelling subsided until I was forcing my words out through clenched teeth. "I wish… I truly wish, I could say that I don't care about what you think of me. That would make everything a hell lot easier…"

In the blink of an eye I saw when Severus hid his emotions behind his usual cold, blank expression. His black eyes held no more warmth in them as they kept staring at me. His whole body was frozen on the spot. Tiredly, I rubbed my face and locked eyes again, my voice sounding defeated and lost.

"You know what, I'm done now! I swallowed my pride again to come here and ask for your help but obviously you don't care. I've had enough of fighting and your obstinacy. I'll leave before you throw me out once more." With that I turned towards the door, my heart pounding rapidly in my chest.

"What do you need?" Severus cold voice cut through the silence, making me stop dead in my tracks.

I knew he would probably help me now. And I was fighting with myself. I didn't want to seem desperate enough to give in but yet it was for Harry's safety. Either my pride would be damaged once more or possibly my best friend. Easy choice…

"Gillyweed… Can Harry use it safely for his task?" It needed all my willpower to fight the urge to just keep my back at him. But I was better than that and wouldn't allow fear getting in my way. I clenched my jaw, took a deep breath and turned my head slowly to Severus. He was still standing on the same spot with the same cold expression on his face.

"Yes, it won't cause him any problems." Severus voice sounded softer than I would have expected.

I decided that I had granted him enough courtesy and nodded curtly before finally opening the door and leaving his office. As the door closed noisily behind me, I leaned tiredly against the dungeon wall. Groaning, I rubbed my face and took a few deep breaths. Why did he have to be so incredibly stubborn and infuriating… It pained me that he acted so harshly towards me but a spark of worry started lighting up in my heart. Never before had Severus been like that – not to me anyway… I was used to his mood swings but now they were getting worse.

Blowing out my cheeks in frustration, I made my way back to the great hall. I scowled at every painting who dared looking at me for too long. Such an incredulous, petulant bastard to laugh at me when I'm arguing with him! Bloody Slytherin to put words in my mouth! How dare he laughs at me when he's been ignoring me for weeks. Twisted, sadistic, arrogant Slythe-

"What's gotten your wand in a twist?" I shrieked as Draco's voice was next to me all the sudden and of course he started laughing. I blushed at my embarrassing sound and hit his arm before resuming to walk to the great hall. I heard his hurrying footsteps to keep up. "Seriously, what happened?"

I growled and didn't bother to slow down as we turned around a corner in the dim lighted dungeon corridor. Never in a million years would I tell my brother what had just happened or how Severus managed to humiliate me! I would never hear the end of it…

"Nothing, Draco. Nothing at all." I spat annoyed and stared straight ahead. A chuckle next to me made me stop dead in my tracks. Turning my gloomy scowl to my brother I saw that he was smirking and had raised one eyebrow. Bloody hell! They're just doing it to piss me off…

"Stop that bloody amused expression and quit doing that with your eyebrow." I demanded and continued walking again at a quicker pace. I mumbled under my breath. "I swear you're both pissing me off!"

"So… he made fun of you I take it? Does that mean you're speaking again?" Draco had no difficulties keeping up and fell easily in my step. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw him looking at me calculating, a small smirk playing around his lips. I ignored him, irritated by the fact how easily he could read me. But then, I read him just as easily…

"I suppose that means no…" Draco mumbled to himself and I growled aggressively. His head turned back to me and a wide grin erupted on his face annoying me even more. My glare intensified and I blew out my cheeks again. Something snapped inside me as my anger bubbled back to the surface.

"No, we're not speaking again and yes that bloody bastard was laughing at me." Draco was smart enough not to chuckle or laugh now. He settled for a wide grin though.

"What did he say?" Knowing that my brother wouldn't give up on that matter until we had reached the great hall, I let out a frustrated breath. Perhaps my anger would decrease if we had a laugh about it even if I doubted that I could actually laugh about our fight.

"I told him to try me. Karkaroff had pinned me against a wall and bloody Severus Snape was making fun of me when I said that I had everything under control." I snarled very annoyed, and Draco snorted amused. I cast him an angry glance. "So I told him that he'd find himself faster on the floor than he can say Karkaroff…"

"So…?" Draco asked after a moment. I just continued walking, we had almost reached the staircase now. "Did I miss the point there?"

"No, you didn't." I muttered slowly. After turning another corner and feeling my brother's gaze boring curiously in my head the whole time, I let out a frustrated cry. "I was beyond furious and the only thing he did was smirking his infuriating… bloody Slytherin smirk! And asking if I was serious about wanting him to pin me against a wall." Draco stopped walking all the sudden and when I turned around with a confused expression he was trying to stifle his laughing. My mouth fell open and I watched him incredulously.

"Hell, you're unbelievable, Draco Malfoy!" I exclaimed in a high-pitched voice. I cast him a last dark look and whirled around fuming. His loud laugher motivated me to walk even faster. "Screw you Draco Malfoy and damn you Severus Snape!" I muttered under my breath, stomping up the stairs aggressively.

When I entered the great hall, the first thing I noticed was that Severus' chair was taken now… How the hell did he manage to come up here faster than me? My annoyance grew once more and I growled as I looked around for my friends. Hermione and Ron were nowhere to be seen. Harry was sitting alone, his tired face looking around the great hall carelessly. A small spark of hope erupted in my chest when I thought back to Severus agreeing to Gillyweed. At least one good thing came from the whole thing…

A firm grip on my arm made me stop and when I turned I found myself staring at none other than Draco bloody Malfoy again. And with an unbelievable wide Malfoy Slytherin smirk plastered on his face. Merlin, I hate the whole Slytherin pack!

"What did he say?" He asked arrogantly. But before I could reply anything, a tall man appeared behind him. Great! I thought and rolled my eyes. Blaise was watching us curiously, his expression becoming more amused when he saw Draco smirking and me scowling.

I pulled my arm out of his grip roughly and hissed. Looking Draco dead in the eye, I crossed my arms and clenched my jaw. After a provocative long silence, I finally opened my mouth, trying to imitate Severus dry and low voice. "How sensual."

Before my brother could start laughing again, I whirled around and stomped to my best friend who was watching me tiredly. "What was that all about?"

The loud laughter of two men behind me tortured my ears. I scowled and buried my face in my hands. "Draco bloody Malfoy." I groaned. I lifted my head again and ignored the daggers he was shooting at my brother. "Hey." I said quietly and leaned closer. "I found out that Dobby's right by the way. Gillyweed's going to work." I smiled reassuringly and he let out a shaking breath, nodding thoughtfully.

"Brilliant. So I've got nothing to worry about…" He mumbled to himself.

Absolutely nothing. I thought sarcastically. Except for everything lurking in the black lake…

It turned out, my worries had been totally unfounded. Harry did great in the second task and ended being second place in the tournament after Diggory. Even when he had finished last, he had been rewarded for his heroic act. The Gryffindors had celebrated high-spirited in the evening while I had preferred sitting in front of the fire place. I simply couldn't enjoy it knowing Harry never should have been chosen as champion in the first place. Someone had thrown his name into the goblet of fire but surely not to give Hogwarts a second champion. Harry was the boy-who-lived and the chosen one after all. Everything bad that had happened to him these past three years had always been serious. If Hermione, Ron or I would have decided what to do, we wouldn't have crossed so many dangers. Therefore, it couldn't be a coincidence that Harry had become a Triwizard champion.