The potion in the cauldron kept bubbling while Asteria aimlessly stared at it. She sighed for the umpteenth time, feeling empty inside.

Her brain was occupied by many thoughts because of the previous night. She felt excited for Cedric; she felt ecstatic for Sophie— who was now going out with Justin; she felt worried for the girl in the bathroom; she felt conflicted whether she should write another letter to her father; she felt heartbroken over Harry. 

Harry..

She looked at him across the classroom and felt like slapping herself. Sure, his words had hurt. But it was kinda my fault. I should've paid attention to the details in my visions. She thought.

But then a knock on the dungeon door pulled her out of her thoughts. It was the Gryffindor photographer, Colin Creevey. He entered the room, beaming at Harry, and then walked up to Snape's desk.

"Yes?" asked Snape, disinterested.

"Please, sir, I'm supposed to take Harry Potter upstairs." Snape gave him a distasteful look, making his smile fade away. Ria spared a look at Harry, who was glancing down, his jaw clenched.

"Potter has another hour of Potions to complete," said Snape coldly. "He will come upstairs when this class is finished." 

Colin went pink. "Sir— sir, Mr. Bagman wants him," he said nervously. "All the champions have got to go, I think they want to take photographs.."

Ria sighed and quietly glanced at Ron, who was sitting with her this time. He was glaring hard at the ceiling, trying to avoid his best friend.

Yes, Ron and Harry had fought; she had heard from Hermione. She just wondered how many friendships this tournament was going to damage.

"Very well, very well," Snape snapped. "Potter, leave your things here. I want you back down here later to test your antidote."

"Please, sir— he's got to take his things with him," squeaked Colin. "All the champions—"

"Very well!" Snape interrupted, thoroughly annoyed. "Potter— take your bag and get out of my sight!"

Harry stumbled on his desk before collecting all his things quickly, trying to ignore the looks he was getting, while Snape's strict gaze followed him until he left the class.

Ria felt disappointed over herself. He had wanted a quiet year for once, of course. He would've been frustrated about his name coming out as the fourth champion.

'Knowing everything, but doing nothing.. that was what you were trying to prevent, weren't you?' A voice in her head taunted.

And she looked down. I'm trying..

'You could've tried harder.' the voice snapped.

"Some more seconds and the poison antidote will burn." An icy voice made her eyes move from the cauldron towards the Professor. Snape raised an eyebrow. "The poisoned person is dying. Your potion is ruined now. How are you going to save them, Miss. Edwards?"

The class looked at her.. some were in mild shock too. Asteria was the best at Potions in their year.

The girl quietly moved towards the ingredient shelf and carried back something. She looked at the Potions' master, "By giving the person a bezoar." She held the small stone in front of him.

Severus shook his head to the slightest and then continued, "and how do you just happen to carry a bezoar with you while having an emergency with a poisoned person?"

"The same way I just happen to carry the ingredients with me to make a very specific antidote for them.." She answered back in the same tone as his.

Snape stared at his goddaughter and impressively raised an eyebrow, his lips slightly twitching up. "5 points to Slytherin." He announced, then walked away.

"If it was Hermione, you would've taken points away and called her an insufferable know-it-all." Ria scoffed.

Determined to clear things up with Harry, Ria tried her best to restore her potion quickly. After a matter of almost 40 minutes— which was still 20 minutes earlier than everyone else, Ria hurried out of the class.

Her mind couldn't help but comprehend the worst possibilities about the tournament. It was good and well until it was just Cedric. He was great at Charms, Transfiguration and DADA, and he knew a good bunch of spells and tricks. But after the vision and Harry's selection as a champion, her mind was distraught with vivid and scary imaginations.

Ria made sure to peek into every class on the floor. And at last, she found the one where the pictures were going to be taken. The door was locked, so she peered in from the window.

"Psst! Pssst— Viktor!" She hissed. The boy, confused, looked everywhere except behind him. She groaned and tapped the window, making him spin in his place.

"Asteria? Vot are you doing 'ere?" He asked, confused.

"Who else is in there?" She whispered.

"The champions and the voman from some newspaper. Mr. Bagman left some vile ago." He answered. Ria sighed in relief.

"Can you— Can you try to let me in?" She pleaded. Viktor looked around and then nodded.

Ria smiled gratefully and walked up to the door. It opened with a small creak. Pros of making friends.. I suppose. She slowly entered the small classroom, which had its desk pushed away to create space in the middle. She looked around, hoping there was no one that would question her being there, and then slipped in.

"Thanks." The boy smiled at her while her eyes roamed the room, finally settling on her cousin who was talking to Fleur Delacour. She frowned, not finding Harry anywhere.

Ria walked hurriedly towards Cedric and tapped on his shoulder. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion upon seeing her. "What are you doing here?"

Ria's smile dropped, and she pursed her lips in a line, "And I thought you loved me."

Cedric rolled his eyes. "No, honestly, what are you—"

"Excuse me, 'oo are you? Zis room is for ze champions." A posh voice said. Ria stared at the Beauxbatons champion, a little flustered.

"Er— I—"

"Sorry, she's my cousin, Asteria." Cedric interrupted her stuttering, looking quite amused. Fleur held her hand out, which Ria gladly took. She finally shook her gaze from her and looked at Cedric while Fleur tried making a conversation with Krum.

"Where's Harry?" She asked. The Hufflepuff squinted his eyes at her accusingly.

"And I thought you loved me." He mocked, earning a smack from Ria. "Ow.. Stop smacking people so hard before they start holding a grudge."

"You know? You aren't going to survive the tournament behaving like a fairy princess.." She taunted and shook her head. "Anyway, where is Harry?"

"What d'you want with him?" He asked.

She huffed. "Are you stupid, or are you stupid?"

He sighed. "I just mean.. that he's competing in this tournament, and so am I. And you have very.. very different reactions about it."

"Ced!" She said exasperatedly. "You were prepared! You knew well what you were getting into when you put your name in."

"So.. so he really didn't put his name in?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"No, he didn't."

He nodded. "He's with the reporter lady, Rita Skeeter, giving an interview." He pointed towards a door. "How did it happen, then?"

"It's a long story. I promise I'll explain, just not right now. Wait—" She realised something, and she spared a look at the door again. "Isn't that a broom cupboard?" She asked with slight disgust.

"Er— yeah." Cedric gulped, looking equally distasteful. The two simultaneously scrunched their noses up.

The front door opened, causing Ria to jump behind her cousin's tall frame. Dumbledore came in smiling, with Ludo Bagman, the heads of the other schools, Mr. Ollivander and a rather bored looking cameraman who was picking his nose.

"Ah, good day, champions— er— where is the fourth one?" asked Ludo, confused. The three looked at the broom cupboard. A loud voice came from inside.

Dumbledore walked towards it and pulled the door open. Rita gave him a surprised look, while Harry looked annoyed. Ria almost cringed at how they were squashed in that cupboard. She felt pity for him.

"Dumbledore!" cried Rita Skeeter, with every appearance of delight. "How are you?" she said, standing up and holding out one of her heavily manicured hands to Dumbledore. "I hope you saw my piece over the summer about the International Confederation of Wizards' Conference?"

"Enchantingly nasty," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "I particularly enjoyed your description of me as an obsolete dingbat."

"I was just making the point—"

Her sentence was drowned by a sudden, loud and blinding flash. Ria, who was taken by surprise, tripped on her own foot and fell down with a loud thud. The crowd looked at the girl in shock, while she looked at the cameraman with wide eyes. He clicked another picture in amusement while Cedric helped his cousin up.

"Miss. Edwards! What a pleasant surprise." Dumbledore beamed.

"Ria?" Harry's high-pitched voice made everyone turn towards him. And Ria wondered if the colour on his face was just the reflection of Rita's magenta dress. Though her attention went to the reporter, which had a quill floating mid-air, furiously scribbling on what looked like a notepad.

"I— I should probably leave?" She suggested, forcing an uncomfortable smile at the authorities. She spun in her place and rushed out of the door, closing it behind her. She left a breath of relief.

"Wish Thanos would've snapped some moments ago.." She whispered to herself.

There was a knock on the window she was peering through some time ago. Confused, Ria walked towards it.

"Ria.. I wanted to apologise." He sighed heavily, trying to keep his guilt aside. "I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I don't know what came over me, it wasn't your fault— it could never be—"

"No. You were right." Her words struck him like lightning, and he felt his guilt increase. "I should've.. I should've paid more attention. I'm sorry."

"No.. Ria—"

"I promise, I'll try harder." She said, eyes threatening to tear up. "I'll give my everything. And nothing will ever leave my—" A blinding flash made them shut their eyes close and wince.

Rita Skeeter, along with her cameraman, grinned widely from inside the class, making Ria roll her eyes in annoyance.

"I'm sorry again.. I'll see you later.. when that hag and her disco ball aren't around." And without hearing another word, Ria pulled the hood of her robe over her head and rushed away from there.

Harry had a storm of emotions thundering inside him.

It had been ten days since the photoshoot. The first task was in some days, he felt anxious. At one point, he couldn't calm his nerves even thinking about it while sitting in the common room. He needed his person; he needed Ria. She was the one that could calm him.

Sure, Ria and him had 'solved' things. But it wasn't the same. They hadn't gone back to the way they were.. and it was daunting.

Even Ron hadn't talked to him yet. Harry knew he was being stupid, but he still missed him. Not like Hermione wasn't a good friend. But with her, it wasn't the same as it was with Ron. It felt like there were no laughs, no easiness in the atmosphere.. only a reminder of how he was in danger.

Today, they were visiting Hogsmeade. He and Hermione were sitting in the Three Broomsticks, where he was under the Invisibility cloak, trying to hide from Rita and other students that were bugging him. While Hermione was peacefully working on S.P.E.W.

Another thing bugging him was the article Rita Skeeter had written about the champions. It didn't even seem like it was about the champions; it looked more like a life-story about Harry. They barely mentioned Krum and Fleur, that too, with their names misspelt. Cedric was mentioned just once; and that too, as Ria's cousin.

'I suppose I get my strength from my parents. I know they'd be very proud of me if they could see me now... Yes, sometimes at night I still cry about them, I'm not ashamed to admit it... I know nothing will hurt me during the tournament, because they're watching over me...'

His never-said replies were the highlights of the newspaper. It didn't stop there. Ria sneaking in to meet him that day had become a highlight too.

'Asteria Edwards, an ambitious and popular flame seems to have developed a keen interest in the Hogwarts youngest champion, who also happens to be her best friend! No one around them has any idea how her cousin, her big brother, and the second Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory, is taking this emotional blow.'

Below that was a moving picture of Cedric helping her up from the ground.

'According to sources, Potter and Edwards had been close for a significant amount of time. The Slytherin girl is the only person who keeps Harry Potter sane while he mourns for his late parents. Despite that, Asteria's love for the champion remains unrequited, sadly.'

That woman had also interviewed people about him. And one of them was his admirer, Colin Creevey.

'Because it seems Harry has at last found love at Hogwarts. His close friend, Colin Creevey, says that Harry is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, a stunningly pretty Muggle-born girl who, like Harry, is one of the top students in the school.'

'Looking at the two getting close to each other, Asteria Edwards cried her heart out while admitting her feelings towards Harry. The two have broken apart completely after that hearty conversation.'

There was another picture, where Ria had tears in her eyes while talking to Harry through that window.

He rolled his eyes and looked at a table nearby, where Ria was quietly sitting with her friends. Harry frowned. There wasn't a time Ria hadn't felt his gaze on her and smiled warmly at him. And now she didn't even bother to look at him.

Harry sighed. He needed to apologise, truly.. and slap himself for implying that it was her fault. It wasn't her fault, obviously. She worked so hard to make sure her horrible visions didn't come true.

But Harry was confused too.. confused as to how in hell Asteria Edwards hadn't herself slapped some sense into him when he had said that. Surely, she wasn't someone that would hesitate to do so.

He watched as she bit her lower lip in concentration, scribbling something into her little notebook, while paying no attention to what Zabini and Nott were bickering about. And his mind couldn't help but wander back to the night he kissed her.

Red tainted his face, and he cursed himself. Merlin, why did he have to think about that again and again? He had acknowledged that it had been a mistake.. just in the spur of the moment.

He had been wrong.. confunding her like that. He should've just apologised. But— Wait.. had the spell confused her about something else too? Perhaps their friendship?

Harry gasped. No. No way in hell.

He left his seat and walked towards her. And when she looked up at him with his big blue eyes, he blanked out.

Adorable.

He shook his head. "Hey.. Can we talk, please? It's important." He said.

She nodded, closing her book with a small smile. "Yeah, sure." She looked at her friends. "I'll be back."

The two nodded, but looked at each other once they left. "What's the point of us calling them our girlfriends if they're just gonna leave? Sophie left with Justin. Ria left with Harry.." Theo pointed out.

Blaise shrugged. "Well.. Ria's been doing that since forever.. so.." he said. "Anyway.. how much exactly does your father know?"

He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Blaise rolled his eyes. "I remember someone in second year coming to me and asked if I wanted to make a powerful ally. And also that their father had asked them to befriend that certain ally."

Theodore sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Mate, I was having a great fucking time not remembering that. Why'd you have to ruin the fun?"

He scoffed out a laugh. "Just curious though.. what would happen if he finds out what you're doing?"

He shook his head, staring into blank space. "Don't wanna find out." He then looked at Blaise. "Why'd you wanna know, though? When hell breaks loose, you'll be hidden away, safe with your Mama anyway." He taunted.

"Hey! Don't you go ogling at my Mum too!" Blaise snapped. "And yeah, I'll be safe. Why? Wanna be my bride so my name can help you escape?"

He rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. Very funny, Zabini."

There was a small silence, but then, Blaise felt curious. "Hey.. did you return that first comic book Ria lent you?"

Theodore's eyes widened. "Don't.. ever.. ask that in front of Ria.." he warned him.

Blaise looked around, and then leaned closer. "Why? What did you do?"

"Threw it in my fireplace." He mumbled.

"What?!"

"Oh, you heard me right!" Theo snapped. "Don't blame me! I was in an ugly situation back then!" He said. "And Ria doesn't remember.. so yeah.. don't even mention."

Blaise's lips quirked up in a small, taunting smile. "What if I do?"

He groaned in response. "Ugh.. what does it take for you to shut that trash can of yours?"

And Blaise snorted. "A wife like you." He cracked up at his own joke.

While Theo just shook his head in disappointment. "I would rather die, Zabini."

Ria sighed, looking at Harry with a bit of curiosity. "So..?"

Okay.. so that night at the Astronomy Tower, I actually kissed you because I wanted to, for some reason. And then my stupid mind told me to use the Confundus Charm on you even though my first reaction should have been slapping myself and apologising to you.

But I didn't do that. And our relationship has gone to shit after that. I hate it, I can't bear it. I miss you. I miss us. I miss how close and open we were to each other. And I might go crazy if we don't go back to the way we were.

Harry gulped, his heart racing at the way she was looking at him, waiting for him to speak.

Speak, you fucking moron!

His hand dipped into his pocket and brought out a letter. "Snuffles.." he said. "I told him about what happened."

...idiot.

"Oh.. what did he say?" She said, peeking into the letter.

Harry,

I can't say everything I would like to in a letter, it's too risky in case the owl is intercepted.. we need to talk face-to-face. Can you ensure that you are alone by the fire in Gryffindor Tower at one o'clock in the morning on the 22nd of November? And bring Ria with you.

I know better than anyone that you can look after yourself and while you're around Dumbledore and Moody; I don't think anyone will be able to hurt you.

However, someone seems to be having a good try. Entering you in that tournament would have been very risky, especially right under Dumbledore's nose. At least Ria was able to stop her entry from going in. We have one of you safe and secure from whatever trap the enemy is setting.

Be on the watch, Harry. I still want to hear about anything unusual. Tell Ria to be alert about her visions. I assume she already is, but still. Let me know about the 22nd of November as quickly as you can.

Snuffles.

"Don't tell me he's going to break in again.." Ria pleaded with a sigh.

Harry shrugged. "Let's hope not. Will you be able to.." He trailed off. 

Ria nodded. "Yeah.. I'll come by.. 22nd, sure." Harry smiled in relief.

A group of girls walked past them, whispering and giving absurd looks to Ria. She stared back at them with a deadly glare, making them scurry away quickly. She sighed. This had been happening since that article had been published.

"Listen, I don't know why Skeeter's writing such bullshit—"

"I know.. You don't need to explain. I know you don't talk about your parents that way.. And that we— uh.. don't have anything going on.." Ria gave him a small, hesitant smile. "I'll have to go now.. my friends are waiting for me. We were planning on going somewhere else. So.. see you, I guess."

Harry could do nothing but nod. "Yeah— see you." 

He only watched as she walked away and sat between Blaise and Theodore. Nott said something distasteful, making her look at Zabini and give him a high-five with a pretty laugh.

Harry's heartache increased. Everything felt so different after that kiss. Every time she was around, he could feel his heart leap in desperation. Almost like he wanted to kiss her again, and again, and again.

But every time he scolded himself; she was his best friend and he shouldn't feel this way. Ria wouldn't like it anyway..

The 22nd of November came in a jiffy, and Ria found herself entering the Gryffindor common room after a long time.

She stepped inside, finding no one but Harry, who was sitting on the couch like a grumpy old man. He looked at her, and a smile adorned his face. He got up and waved at her.

"Hey, Harry.." The portrait closed behind her as she walked inside. "How are you feeling?" She asked, sitting on the couch.

"Not good.." He answered, his gaze lost into the fire as he sat beside her. "Just found out about the first task.. Dragons." He answered, his voice shaking slightly. Ria's smile dropped.

"I went down there with Hagrid, and Madame Maxime." Harry explained, "Karkaroff arrived there too. That means Fleur and Krum will know. We have to inform Cedric."

"Dragons?! That's— That's barbaric!" She breathed out in shock. Her anxiety heightened.

"Tell me about it.." Harry gulped. Ria looked at him in sympathy. She didn't have words to calm him down this time. So, hesitantly, she reached out for his hand and squeezed it in assurance.

Harry felt his heartbeat speeding. In his days of darkness and cold, it felt as if she had brought him a ray of warm sunshine.

He almost chuckled out loud. Sunshine.. of course.

"Ria.. I need to—"

He didn't get to complete his sentence as they heard a crack. The two jumped off the couch and crouched down near the fireplace.

"Mum?" Ria mumbled in shock, looking at her mother's face in the fire, along with Sirius's. "Sirius? How?"

"Not the time, sweetie. How are you two?" asked Isabella. Ria shrugged happily. It almost felt like she was talking to them on facetime, but with a horrible filter on.

"Fine." answered Harry, not really knowing what he should say. He wanted to sit by the fireplace and ramble his feelings out, but he controlled his emotions. "..and now Hagrid's just shown me what's coming in the first task, and it's dragons, and I'm a goner," he finished desperately.

The two adults looked at him in concern, while Ria skimmed her thumb over his knuckles gently. His stomach churned with butterflies.

Stop feeling like this, you stupid piece of shit.

"I wish I could've told you myself." Isabella sighed. "But as a Ministry worker involved in the preparations of the first task.. I was sworn to secrecy.. So I asked Hagrid. Turns out he had already prepared to show you." Harry made an attempt at a smile.

"And dragons we can deal with anyway, Harry," said Sirius, "but we'll get to that in a minute— I'm here at Isabella's house, so we have time. But anyone can interrupt there." Harry nodded. "There are things you need to be warned about."

"What?" said Harry, feeling his spirits go down drastically. What could be more depressing after knowing about the dragons, and Ria and Ron not talking to him properly?

Sirius and Isabella spared a look at each other. "We think that the purposes of putting your names in were connected." He stated the obvious, making the two nod.

"Karkaroff," said Sirius. "He was a Death Eater. You know what Death Eaters are, don't you?" Ria's mouth went agape in surprise.

"Yes— he.. what?" Harry stuttered, equally shocked.

"He was caught. He was in Azkaban with me, but he got released. I'd bet everything that's why Dumbledore wanted an Auror at Hogwarts this year— to keep an eye on him. Moody caught Karkaroff, put him into Azkaban in the first place."

Ria decided not to talk about lack of trust in Moody. She gave it a thought again. Maybe she needed to brace herself more instead?

"Karkaroff got released?" Harry drawled. His brain was drowning into a sea of possibilities. "Why did they release him?"

"He made a deal with the Ministry of Magic," said Sirius bitterly. "He said he'd seen the error of his ways, and then he named names.. he put a load of other people into Azkaban in his place. He's not very popular there, I can tell you. And since he got out, from what I can tell, he's been teaching the Dark Arts to every student who passes through that school of his. So watch out for the Durmstrang champion as well."

"Krum's not as bad, Sirius." Ria interrupted, "I've been spending some time with him, and he doesn't seem like that." Sirius nodded in understanding.

"But... are you saying Karkaroff tried putting our names in the goblet? Because if he did, he's a really good actor. He seemed furious about it. He wanted to stop me from competing." said Harry.

"We know he's a good actor," said Sirius, "because he convinced the Ministry of Magic to set him free, didn't he? Now, I've been monitoring the Daily Prophet, Harry—"

"And before I get to the other articles.." Sirius seemed too interested about the next thing he was putting forth, "..tell me something. Do you two really have feelings for each other?"

At the question, the two flushed red. Ria took her hand back from his. "No!" They hissed.

"Damn.." Isabella whispered, disappointed.

"Can we please address things that are important?" Ria asked.

Her mother scowled. "As if my daughter dating isn't important—"

"And my godson—"

"Yeah, but why would you think that? You know how paparazzi works!"

"It's not something you'd give a good thought about, alright?" Sirius stated. "I mean— you two are best friends, I don't see a reason you shouldn't date—"

"Would you two stop?"

"Really, Sirius?" Bella scoffed. "There are plenty of other reasons, alright? Just because they're best friends doesn't mean they should date."

Ria squinted her eyes at her mother's bitter tone. What else did she not know?

"I'm terrified of my upcoming task. Can we focus on that, please?" Harry's voice broke their banter. Realisation dawned on the two's faces.

"Oh, yeah.. Where were we?" Isabella mumbled, "Ah, the Daily Prophet—"

"So, I've been reading between the lines of that Skeeter woman's article last month, Moody was attacked the night before he started at Hogwarts. Yes, I know she says it was another false alarm," Sirius said hastily, "but I don't think so, somehow. I think someone tried to stop him from getting to Hogwarts. I think someone knew their job would be a lot more difficult with him around."

"And no one's going to look into it too closely; Mad-Eye's heard intruders a bit too often. But that doesn't mean he can't still spot the real thing. Moody was the best Auror the Ministry ever had."

"So.. you're trying to say that Karkaroff's trying to kill us?" Harry asked, but then shook his head. "But why Ria, then? Is she a target because of her powers? Or just out of spite since Isabella had once played a double agent against Voldemort?"

Ria blinked. She hadn't thought about that second part.

The adults in the fire exchanged glances. "I've been hearing some very strange things," Sirius said slowly.

"The Death Eaters seem to be a bit more active than usual lately. They showed themselves at the Quidditch World Cup, didn't they? Someone set off the Dark Mark.. and then— Ria, I just want to know what you think about this? Have you had any vision about this lately?"

"No, not recently." She sighed, "Listen— I know this may sound absurd. But I came to know that I'm a target for some reason— Mum, I think you should take care too— and I got to know this from a Death-eater's child."

"Well.. we know you're an Enchantress.. But what I also think is.. you, being a Seer, is bad for whatever they are planning." Isabella explained. "No two Seers have the same pattern for prediction. The Trelawneys.. They aren't the ones who'd predict the future by Oneiromancy.. dreams and visions." 

"You see, seeing future through visions can be far more trustable and pretentious than the other practised methods, and this is a threat for Death-eaters. You are a threat, overall. This can be the reason— I think.." She added.

"So.. so Voldemort could have found out about Ria's powers? And the tournament?" said Harry. "Is that what you mean? You think Karkaroff might be here on his orders?"

"I don't know," said Sirius slowly, "I just don't know.. Karkaroff doesn't strike me as the type who'd go back to Voldemort unless he knew Voldemort was powerful enough to protect him. But whoever put your name in that Goblet did it for a reason, and I can't help thinking the tournament would be a very good way to attack you two and make it look like an accident."

"Looks like a fantastic plan from where I'm standing," said Harry with a grimace. "They'll just have to stand back and let the dragons do their stuff."

"Right— these dragons," Isabella interrupted, speaking quickly now. "I wish I could tell you what the task exactly is— but I don't exactly know. There's a way, Harry. But I warn you, don't be tempted to try a Stunning Spell— dragons are strong and too powerfully magical to be knocked out by a single Stunner, you need about half a dozen wizards at a time to overcome a dragon.."

"Yeah, I know, I just saw," said Harry.

"But you can do it alone," Sirius smiled. "There is a way, and a simple spell's all you need. Just—"

"Shh!" Ria silenced him, focusing on the snippet of a noise she caught. Her eyes went wide at the approaching footsteps from the staircase.

"Go!" Sirius whispered harshly, "Go! There's someone coming, go!"

"Bye, loves. I'll see you soon." Isabella whispered quickly.

"What?" Harry asked, but Ria pulled him up harshly. This commotion resulted in the two tripping and falling, with Ria on top of Harry.

Their heads turned towards the source of the noise. The person was Ron, dressed in his maroon pyjamas. Ron stopped dead in his tracks.

Seeing the two in this state, his face dared to break into a grin. But then he remembered he was mad at Harry. "What are you two doing?" he asked. 

The two got up hastily. Ria breathed out, feeling her face go hot. "Wh— What's that got to do with you?" Harry snarled. "What are you doing down here at this time of night?"

"I just wondered where you—" Ron broke off, shrugging. "Nothing. I'm going back to bed."

"Just thought you'd come nosing around, did you?" Harry shouted.

"Sorry about that," said Ron, his face reddening in anger. "Should've realised you didn't want to be disturbed. I'll let you get on with whatever you two were doing— or practising for your next interview in peace."

Harry seized one of the badges off the table and chucked it as hard as he could across the room. It hit Ron on the forehead and bounced off. He winced, rubbing his forehead.

"There you go," Harry said. "Something for you to wear on Tuesday. You might even have a scar now, if you're lucky.. That's what you want, isn't it?"

Ria stomped on his foot, making him yelp in pain, and Ron fought back his urge to smile. "Don't be fucking rude! Both of you!" She bellowed, looking at the two.

Harry huffed in despair and stomped up the stairs. Ria rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

"Bloody wanker.." Ron muttered, then turned to Ria. "Do you want me to walk you to your dorm?" he asked politely.

She sighed, shaking her head. "I think I'll be fine, thanks. Good night, Ron."

He nodded. "Good night."

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