xvii. new & strange

ϟ

Matilda woke feeling strangely on Sunday morning. She hadn't slept well the night before. After Ron had so surprisingly confessed to her that he liked her. Which she was having a hard time understanding. What does he mean when he says he likes her? Like, more than a friend? It had to be. No one confesses feelings of friendship – do they? 

She hadn't told any of her roommates about what happened and so she was left to drown in questions all on her own. 

Feelings weren't something that Matilda had a lot of understanding of. Friendship – romance it was all still new to her, and she was having a hard time separating the two relationships recently. Until now feelings and romance were things she never truly thought about. Matilda had always been too busy with worrying about other things – things like classwork, books, and achievements to be caught up in something like a crush – something that seemed too minuscule. Something that she once believed would only hold her back from being the greatest. 

Sure, she noticed her physical attraction to others. Asher Morgenstern was one of the best-looking guys at the school – she was never one to deny that. In her first year at Hogwarts Matilda also took notice to her attraction to Amelia Fittleworth, a friend of her older sister Harper. She was tall, but not as tall as Harper, and she had long, almost firetruck red hair, clearly fake, but it suited her tan skin well. 

Matilda was aware physical attraction was a thing and she knew it was normal to find others attractive, but she never acted upon those attractions because she didn't care enough to do so. She always put herself first. She and her intellect were always the most important things to her. But things have changed all of a sudden, and Matilda couldn't find a rational explanation as to why – and that was killing her. 

Does she like Ron? She might. There was certainly a difference in the way she feels about him than others. But if that's what indicated her feelings for Ron then what about Harry? Matilda felt very strongly about Harry. He's the only person Matilda has ever allowed to get so close to her. They shared so much together – including their first kiss. Does she like Harry? Does Harry like her? If so, he hasn't said anything about it. And his liking Cho wouldn't make much sense if he liked Matilda. 

Matilda's head was an absolute mess. 

Grumbling she pulled herself out of bed. She was to meet Harry and the others at the Great Hall so that they could go to the owlery after breakfast. Her heart leaped and the palms of her hands became sweaty when she realized she'd be seeing Ron again. She hoped it be like it was with Harry after the kiss – maybe it wouldn't be awkward. 

The other girls had already left the dorm when Matilda began to get dressed for the day. She didn't take too much time in finding an outfit since she was almost late. She chose a green and blue plaid overall dress that stopped mid-thing. Under the dress to protect herself from the cold winds outside, she pulled on a white turtleneck and a pair of black stockings. And to finish her outfit off, Matilda chose a pair of velvet Mary Jane platforms that were the same color blue of the lines running down and across her dress. 

Finally, Matilda started for the Great Hall for a breakfast she was not looking forward to.

The breakfast wasn't as awkward as Matilda had thought. Hermione kept things going as she talked about the progress with S.P.E.W but occasionally Ron's eyes would meet Matilda's and he'd hurry up and look away. 

Once the three of them had cleared their plate they went up to the Owlery to send a letter to Percy, asking, as Sirius had suggested, whether he had seen Mr. Crouch lately. They used Hedwig because it had been so long since Harry had given her a job. When they had watched her fly out of sight through the Owlery window, they proceeded down to the kitchen to give Dobby his new socks.

The house-elves gave them a very cheery welcome, bowing and curtseying and bustling around making tea again. Dobby was ecstatic about his present.

"Harry Potter is too good to Dobby!" he squeaked, wiping large tears out of his enormous eyes.

"You helped me when you told me about the Lake, Dobby, you really did," said Harry.

"No chance of more of those éclairs, is there?" said Ron, who was looking around at the beaming and bowing house-elves.

"You've just had breakfast!" said Hermione irritably, but a great silver platter of éclairs was already zooming towards them, supported by four elves.

"We should get some stuff to send up to Snuffles," Harry muttered.

"Yeah, good idea," said Matilda but she still cringed at the nickname they were told to use. She, with a gracious smile, turned to the house-elves. "You wouldn't be able to spare us a little extra food, would you?"

The house-elves bowed delightedly and hurried off to gather more food.

"Dobby, where's Winky?" said Hermione, who was looking around.

"Winky is over there by the fire, miss," said Dobby quietly, his ears drooping slightly.

"Oh dear," said Hermione, as she spotted Winky.

Matilda looked over at the fireplace, too. Winky was sitting on the same stool as last time, but she had allowed herself to become so filthy that she was not immediately distinguishable from the smoke-blackened brick behind her. Her clothes were ragged and unwashed. She was clutching a bottle of Butterbeer and swaying slightly on her stool, staring into the fire. As they watched her, she gave an enormous hiccough.

"Winky is getting through six bottles a day now," Dobby whispered to them.

"Well, it's not strong, that stuff," Harry said.

Matilda shook her head, "It's strong for the body of a house-elf."

Winky hiccoughed again. The elves who had brought the éclairs gave her disapproving looks as they returned to work.

"Winky is pining, Harry Potter," Dobby whispered sadly. "Winky wants to go home. Winky still thinks Mr. Crouch is her master, sir, and nothing Dobby says will persuade her that Professor Dumbledore is her master now."

"Hey, Winky," said Harry, who seemed to be struck by a sudden inspiration, walking over and bending down to speak to her, "you don't know what Mr. Crouch might be up to, do you? Because he's stopped turning up to judge the Triwizard Tournament."

Winky's eyes flickered. Her enormous pupils focused on Harry. She swayed slightly again and then said, "M-master is stopped – hic – coming?"

"Yeah," said Harry, "we haven't seen him since the first task. The Daily Prophet's saying he's ill."

Winky swayed some more, staring blurrily at Harry. "Master – hic – ill?"

Her bottom lip began to tremble.

"But we're not sure if that's true," said Matilda quickly.

"Master is needing his – hic – Winky!" whimpered the elf. "Master cannot – hic – manage – hic – all by himself..."

"Other people manage to do their own housework, you know, Winky," said Hermione severely.

"Winky – hic – is not only – hic – doing housework for Mr. Crouch!" Winky squeaked indignantly, swaying worse than ever and slopping Butterbeer down her already heavily stained blouse. "Master is – hic – trusting Winky with – hic –the most important – hic – the most secret –"

"What?" said Harry.

But Winky shook her head very hard, spilling more Butterbeer down herself.

"Winky keeps – hic – her master's secrets," she said mutinously, swaying very heavily now, frowning up at Harry with her eyes crossed. "You is – hic – nosing, you is."

"Winky must not talk like that to Harry Potter!" said Dobby angrily. "Harry Potter is brave and noble and Harry Potter is not nosy!"

"He is nosing – hic – into my master's – hic – private and secret – hic – Winky is a good house-elf – hic – Winky keeps her silence – hic – people trying to – hic – pry and poke – hic –" Winky's eyelids drooped and suddenly, without warning, she slid off her stool onto the hearth, snoring loudly. The empty bottle of Butterbeer rolled away across the stone-flagged floor.

Half-a-dozen house-elves came hurrying forward, looking disgusted. One of them picked up the bottle, the others covered Winky with a large, checked tablecloth and tucked the ends in neatly, hiding her from view.

"We is sorry you had to see that, sirs and misses!" squeaked a nearby elf, shaking his head and looking very ashamed. "We is hoping you will not judge us all by Winky, sirs and miss!"

"She's unhappy!" said Hermione, exasperated. "Why don't you try and cheer her up instead of covering her up?"

"Begging your pardon, miss," said the house-elf, bowing deeply again, "but house-elves has no right to be unhappy when there is work to be done and masters to be served."

Matilda leaned into Hermione, lowering her voice to a whisper, "Don't get freak out. Remember we are guests in their kitchen."

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" said Hermione angrily, freaking out. "Listen to me, all of you! You've got just as much right as wizards to be unhappy! You've got the right to wages and holidays and proper clothes, you don't have to do everything you're told – look at Dobby!"

"Miss will please keep Dobby out of this," Dobby mumbled, looking scared. The cheery smiles had vanished from the faces of the house-elves around the kitchen. They were suddenly looking at Hermione as though she was mad and dangerous.

"We has your extra food!" squeaked an elf at Harry's elbow, and he shoved a large ham, a dozen cakes, and some fruit into Harry's arms. "Goodbye!"

The house-elves crowded around Harry, Ron, Matilda, and Hermione, and began shunting them out of the kitchen, many little hands pushing in the smalls of their backs.

"Thank you for the socks, Harry Potter!" Dobby called miserably from the hearth, where he was standing next to the lumpy tablecloth that was Winky.

"I told you not to freak out," Matilda shook her head. "We were in their space and I told you not to freak out. And what did you do? You freaked out."

Hermione huffed as they began their way back up the stairs. She stomped angrily with her arms crossed over her chest. 

"You couldn't keep your mouth shut, could you, Hermione?" said Ron angrily, as they turned away from the kitchen entrance. "They won't want us visiting them now! We could've tried to get more stuff out of Winky about Crouch!"

"Oh, as if you care about that!" scoffed Hermione. "You only like coming down here for the food!"

It was an irritable sort of day after that. Ron wouldn't say more than two words to Matilda and when he did speak, he refused to meet her gaze. She and Harry also grew so annoyed with Ron and Hermione sniping at each other over their homework and the kitchen incident that they decided to take Sirius' food up to the Owlery that evening on their own.

Pigwidgeon was much too small to carry an entire ham up to the mountain by himself, so Harry took Matilda's suggestion enlisted the help of Pluto and one school screech owls as well. When they had set off into the dusk, looking extremely odd carrying the large package between them, Matilda leaned on the windowsill, Harry beside her, looking out at the grounds, at the dark, rustling treetops of the Forbidden Forest, and the rippling sails of the Durmstrang ship. An eagle owl flew through the coil of smoke rising from Hagrid's chimney; it soared towards the castle, around the Owlery, and out of sight. Looking down, Matilda saw Hagrid digging energetically in front of his cabin. Matilda wondered what he was doing; it looked as though he was making a new vegetable patch. As she watched, Madame Maxime emerged from the Beauxbatons carriage and walked over to Hagrid. She appeared to be trying to engage him in conversation. Hagrid leaned upon his spade but did not seem keen to prolong their talk, because Madame Maxime returned to the carriage shortly afterward.

"Ron told me he liked me."

Matilda's eyes widened in horror as the words escaped from her lips. Harry turned to her stunned as he pulled his eyebrows together curiously. 

"What?" 

Harry seemed to not have fully understood the words that Matilda let slip.

"Yesterday evening," Matilda continued. "When he was in the library with me, Ron told me that he liked me. And I think he meant it romantically – though I'm not entirely sure. He didn't really stick around to explain himself."

"Ron told you he liked you?" Harry repeated. 

"Yes. And now he refuses to even look at me."

Harry sighed, taking a second to let all this new information digest before speaking again. 

"What did you say?"

Matilda shrugged, "Nothing. I was stunned. He left before I could find my voice." 

"Well do you?" Harry urged. "Do you like Ron?" 

Matilda sighed as she pulled herself off the windowsill and began pacing the dusty floors of The Owlery. She'd been trying to find the answer to that question all day. 

"How do you know when you like someone like that?" Matilda asked. 

But she was asking Harry. The most confusing and indecisive boy at Hogwarts. 

He was silent for a moment, thinking about Matilda's question, then he shrugged, "I guess you just know."

"That doesn't make any sense," said Matilda becoming annoyed. 

She looked across the room at Harry. He was still leaned against the window, only now he was looking at her, watching as she paced the floor, her heels clicking with every step she took. Suddenly she stopped looking straight at him with a serious expression. 

"Do you like me?" 

That question stunned Harry into tripping over his own two feet while standing completely still. 

"You kissed me," Matilda reminded him. "Did you kiss me because you like me?"

Matilda watched Harry go over multiple answers in his head, trying to piece the right words together, hoping to form a coherent sentence. But there was no wrong answer. If he didn't like her, Matilda's heart would not shatter. If he did like her – well that would only add to her growing confusion. 

"I think that maybe I was overwhelmed with emotions and my own feelings when I kissed you," he told her maturely. "That entire day was so crazy and all I remembered is that I was alive because of you. I owed everything to you that day. You were by my side through it all and you stuck up for me – believed me. Maybe things got mixed up and, in that moment, I believed that I liked you. I mean, how could I not? You were right there the entire time."

"But..."

Harry sighed, "I think some things got crossed for a moment and I misunderstood you being my best friend with liking you." 

Matilda gave Harry a small smile, "I think that you're right."

"So, you don't like me?" Harry asked. 

Matilda shrugged, "I know that I don't want to lose you. You're my best friend and I love you tremendously, Harry. But I don't think I like you."

"Same."

Matilda groaned. Though she solved one problem there was another that still lingered. Ron. And she was sure figuring things out with him wasn't going to be as easy as it was with Harry. 

"Do you feel the same about Ron as you do me?" Harry asked. 

"No."

Matilda gave a short answer. But it was true. It was the only thing she knew at the moment as well. Whatever it was that she had with Harry – something much more than friendship, but far from romantic, was different than how it was with Ron. She didn't know what it was that was different – it just was. 

It appears that when it came to Ron, everything was different for Matilda. Somehow, the clueless redhead made her question everything she believed she already knew about herself. 

"Tilly, you don't have to know the answer to everything, you know?" said Harry, his tone comforting. 

"But I do," she sighed. 

ϟ

By breakfast, the next day things were almost back to normal. Ron and Hermione's bad moods had burnt out, and though Ron swore the house-elves would send sub-standard food up to the Gryffindor table because Hermione had insulted them, hash brown that Matilda had scooped onto her plate tasted as good as usual. 

Ron had also started talking to Matilda again. She figured that Harry had said something to him after returning from the Owlery last night. He still couldn't hold her gaze for too long – but he would speak to her, which she found comforting. 

When the post owls arrived, Hermione looked up eagerly; she seemed to be expecting something.

"Percy won't've had time to answer yet," said Ron. "We only sent Hedwig yesterday."

"No, it's not that," said Hermione. "I've taken out a new subscription to the Daily Prophet, I'm getting sick of finding everything out from the Slytherins."

"Ooh, how fun," Matilda smiled. "We'll finally be able to keep up with our love triangle."

"Good thinking!" said Harry, also looking up at the owls. "Hey, Hermione, I think you're in luck –"

A grey owl was soaring down towards Hermione.

"It hasn't got a newspaper, though," she said, looking disappointed. "It's –"

But to her bewilderment, the grey owl landed in front of her plate, closely followed by four barn owls, a brown owl and a tawny.

"How many subscriptions did you take out?" said Harry, seizing Hermione's goblet before it was knocked over by the cluster of owls, all of whom were jostling close to her, trying to deliver their own letter first.

"What on earth –?" Hermione said, taking the letter from the grey owl, opening it and starting to read. "Oh, really!" she spluttered, going rather red.

"What's up?" said Ron.

"It's – oh, how ridiculous –" She thrust the letter at Harry, who saw that it was not handwritten, but composed from pasted letters that seemed to have been cut out of the Daily Prophet.

You are a WickEd giRL. HaRRy PottEr desErves BetteR. gO Back wherE you cAME from mUggle.

"They're all like it!" said Hermione desperately, opening one letter after another. "Harry Potter can do much better than the likes of you... You deserve to be boiled in frog-spawn... Ouch!"

She had opened the last envelope, and yellowish-green liquid smelling strongly of petrol gushed over her hands, which began to erupt in large yellow boils.

"Undiluted Bubotuber pus!" said Matilda, picking up the envelope gingerly and sniffing it.

'Ow!' said Hermione, tears starting in her eyes as she tried to rub it off her hands with a napkin, but her fingers were now so thickly covered in painful sores that it looked as though she was wearing a pair of thick, knobbly gloves.

"This isn't okay," said Matilda, realizing that what was happening to Hermione had far surpassed teasing. "C'mon, Hermione, I'll take you to Madam Pomfrey. Harry, Ron, you tell the Professor where she'll be."

Matilda, with a comforting arm around Hermione, led her all the way to the Hospital Wing, trying to drown out her cries by talking so that the students who lingered in the halls wouldn't realize that Hermione was crying. Madam Pomfrey greeted the girls quickly upon their arrival and Matilda explained what had happened. Quickly Madam Pomfrey got to work on a remedy and insisted that Matilda not miss her class since there was nothing more for Hermione she could do. 

When Matilda hesitated to leave Hermione reassured her that she would be alright and to go on. And so, Matilda went on to Charms where she took her usual seat beside Padma and started taking notes on the day's lesson. 

Matilda met Harry and Ron by the greenhouse as they were leaving Herbology. Hermione still hadn't turned up. As they made their way down the hill for their Care of Magical Creatures class, they saw Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, descending the stone steps from the castle. Pansy Parkinson was whispering and giggling behind them with a gang of Slytherin girls. Daisy Morgenstern being one of them, but one of the only ones who seemed disinterested in what Pansy had to say.

Catching sight of Harry, Pansy called, "Potter, have you split up with your other girlfriend? Why was she so upset at breakfast?"

Harry ignored her; he didn't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing how much trouble the Witch Weekly article had caused.

But Matilda didn't care and so she whirled around, coming nose-to-nose with Pansy, "You know, Pansy, it's incredibly unhealthy to project your insecurities on others. You should just admit to yourself that Draco will never choose you."

Pansy didn't have much to say after that. Though she rolled her eyes and pretended to laugh off Matilda's words everyone, even her friends knew that they had gotten to her. And so, being satisfied with the damage she had inflected, Matilda turned back around to Harry and Ron.

Hagrid, who had told them last lesson that they had finished with unicorns, was waiting for them outside his cabin with a fresh supply of open crates at his feet. Matilda's heart sank at the sight of the crates – surely not another Skrewt hatching? – but when she got near enough to see inside, she found herself looking at a number of fluffy black creatures with long snouts. Their front paws were curiously flat, like spades, and they were blinking up at the class, looking politely puzzled at all the attention.

One of the Nifflers had suddenly leapt up and attempted to bite Pansy Parkinson's watch off her wrist. She shrieked and jumped backward.

"Useful little treasure detectors," said Hagrid happily. "Thought we'd have some fun with 'em today. See over there?" He pointed at the large patch of freshly turned earth Harry and Matilda had watched him digging from the Owlery window. "I've buried some gold coins. I've got a prize fer whoever picks the Niffler that digs up most. Jus' take off all yer valuables, an' choose a Niffler an' get ready ter set 'em loose."

Matilda took out her earrings and the sapphire necklace her dad had gotten her upon being sorted into Ravenclaw. She handed the items to Harry who she trusted to keep them safely tucked away in his pockets. Then she picked up a Niffler. It put its long snout in Matilda's ear and sniffed enthusiastically. The creature was really quite cuddly. 

"Hang on," said Hagrid, looking down into the crate, "there's a spare Niffler here... who's missin'? Where's Hermione?"

"She's with Madam Pomfrey... in the Hospital Wing," said Matilda. 

"We'll explain later," Harry muttered; Pansy Parkinson was listening.

It was easily the most fun they had ever had in Care of Magical Creatures. The Nifflers dived in and out of the patch of earth as though it was water, each scurrying back to the student who had released it and spitting gold into their hands. Ron's was particularly efficient; it had soon filled his lap with coins.

"Can you buy these as pets, Hagrid?" he asked excitedly, as his Niffler dived back into the soil, splattering his robes.

"Yer mum wouldn' be happy, Ron," said Hagrid, grinning, "they wreck houses, Nifflers. I reckon they've nearly got the lot now," he added, pacing around the patch of earth, while the Nifflers continued to dive. "I on'y buried a hundred coins. Oh, there y'are, Hermione!"

Hermione was walking towards them across the lawn. Her hands were very heavily bandaged and she looked miserable. Pansy Parkinson was watching her beadily.

"Well, let's check how yeh've done!" said Hagrid. "Count yer coins! An' there's no point tryin' ter steal any, Goyle," he added, his beetle-black eyes narrowed. "It's leprechaun gold. Vanishes after a few hours."

Goyle emptied his pockets, looking extremely sulky. It turned out that Ron's Niffler had been most successful, so Hagrid gave him an enormous slab of Honeydukes chocolate for a prize. The bell rang across the grounds for lunch; the rest of the class set off back to the castle, but Harry, Ron, Matilda, and Hermione stayed behind to help Hagrid put the Nifflers back in their boxes. Matilda noticed Madame Maxime watching them out of her carriage window and nudged Harry to show him.

"What yeh done ter your hands, Hermione?" said Hagrid, looking concerned.

Hermione told him about the hate mail she had received that morning, and the envelope full of Bubotuber pus.

"Aaah, don' worry," said Hagrid gently, looking down at her. "I got some o' those letters an' all, after Rita Skeeter wrote abou' me mum. 'Yeh're a monster an' yeh should be put down.' 'Yer mother killed innocent people an' if you had any decency you'd jump in a lake.'"

"No!" said Hermione, looking shocked.

"Yeah," said Hagrid, heaving the Niffler crates over by his cabin wall. "They're jus' nutters, Hermione. Don' open 'em if yeh get any more. Chuck 'em straigh' in the fire."

"Or we could show them to Dumbledore. What people were saying – what they were threatening was really serious. I'm sure he could track down the senders," Matilda suggested worriedly.

Though everyone seemed to agree with Matilda, Hermione shook her head, insisting that she didn't want to cause any more trouble than they're already was.

"Why me?" Hermione sighed. "Tilly, you're also in this fictional love triangle."

Matilda shrugged, she had Pluto trained, no mail from anyone whom she hadn't been in contact with already would get to her, but she assumed there was another reason, "I'm not the one cheating on Harry."

"You missed a really good lesson," Harry told Hermione, as they headed back towards the castle. "They're good, Nifflers, aren't they, Ron?"

Ron, however, was frowning at the chocolate Hagrid had given him. He looked thoroughly put out about something.

"What's the matter," said Matilda as she bumped her shoulder into Ron. "Wrong flavor?"

"No," said Ron shortly, turning to Harry. "Why didn't you tell me about the gold?"

"What gold?" said Harry.

"The gold I gave you at the Quidditch World Cup," said Ron. "The leprechaun gold I gave you for my Omnioculars. In the Top Box. Why didn't you tell me it disappeared?"

Harry had to think for a moment before he realized what Ron was talking about.

"Oh..." he said, the memory coming back to him at last. "I dunno... I never noticed it had gone. I was more worried about my wand, wasn't I?"

They climbed the steps into the Entrance Hall and went into the Great Hall for lunch.

Instead of taking what had become her usual seat at the Gryffindor table beside Harry, Matilda decided to sit at her own table for lunch, feeling as though she hadn't seen her housemates or talked to them in ages. 

"Oh, hello, Tilly," said Luna, perking up at Matilda took a seat beside her. She nudged a goblet full of pumpkin juice in front of her. "Padma was just telling us about how Bentley Morgenstern has offered to tutor her."

Matilda looked across the table at a blushing Padma with her eyebrows raised. 

"Yes. He's agreed to help me with my Potions work," Padma told her with pink cheeks and a wide smile. 

"How perfect," said Matilda, cutting herself a piece of bread. "I hear Bentely Morgenstern is quite the student in Potions – and you, well the extra help surely won't hurt your grade anymore, will it?" 

Padma rolled her eyes, "I've also been crushing on him since my first year."

"Oh yes," Matilda remembered. "Well, isn't that a bonus? Perhaps you can impress him by raising your marks in Potions."

But the talk about Bentley Morgenstern came to a quick stop once Claire, one of Bentley's younger sisters, joined them at the table, with Cho alongside her. 

ϟ

Hate mail continued to arrive for Hermione over the following week, and although she followed Hagrid's advice and stopped opening it, several of her ill-wishers sent Howlers, which exploded at the Gryffindor table and shrieked insults at her for the whole Hall to hear. Even those people who didn't read Witch Weekly knew all about the supposed Harry—Matilda—Hermione—Krum triangle now. Harry was getting sick of telling people that Matilda or Hermione wasn't his girlfriend.

"It'll die down, though," he told Hermione, "if we just ignore it... people got bored with that stuff she wrote about me last time –"

"I want to know how she's listening into private conversations when she's supposed to be banned from the grounds!" said Hermione angrily.

Hermione hung back in their next Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson to ask Professor Moody something. The rest of the class were very eager to leave; Moody had given them such a rigorous test of hex-deflection that many of them were nursing small injuries. Harry had such a bad case of Twitchy Ears, that Matilda offered while laughing to hold her hands clamped over them as he walked away from the class. And though it was a joke Harry did not decline, and so, she walked behind him with her hands over his ears. 

"Honestly, Tilly," said Ron, shaking his head. "You weren't hit with one hex. How?"

Matilda shrugged, "I practice... a lot."

"Well, Rita's definitely not using an Invisibility Cloak!" Hermione panted five minutes later, catching up with Harry, Matilda, and Ron in the Entrance Hall and Matilda pulled one hand away from one of Harry's wiggling ears so that he could hear. "Moody says he didn't see her anywhere near the judges' table at the second task, or anywhere near the lake!"

"Hermione, is there any point telling you to drop this?" said Ron.

"No!" said Hermione stubbornly. "I want to know how she heard me talking to Viktor! And how she found out about Hagrid's mum!"

"Maybe she had you bugged," said Harry.

"Bugged?" said Ron blankly. "What... put fleas on her or something?"

Harry started explaining about hidden microphones and recording equipment.

Ron was fascinated, but Matilda interrupted them. "Aren't you two ever going to read Hogwarts: A History?"

"What's the point?" said Ron. "You and Hermione know it off by heart, we can just ask one of you."

Hermione rolled her eyes. 

"All those substitutes for magic Muggles use – electricity, and computers and radar, and all those things – they all go haywire around Hogwarts, there's too much magic in the air. No, Rita's using magic to eavesdrop, she must be... if I could just find out what it is... ooh, if it's illegal, I'll have her..."

"Haven't we got enough to worry about?" Ron asked her. "Do we have to start a vendetta against Rita Skeeter as well?"

"I'm not asking you to help!" Hermione snapped. "I'll do it on my own!"

She marched back up the marble staircase without a backward glance. 

"Oh, can I help?" Matilda yelled after her. 

But Hermione was already too far down the steps to hear her. Though, Matilda was sure she'd be able to find her in the library later in the evening.

And she did. Hermione was happy to have the help of Matilda, however, she did not ask Harry and Ron to help her pursue vengeance against Rita Skeeter, for which they seemed grateful because unlike Hermione and Matilda who was efficient in completing classwork, their workload was mounting ever higher in the run-up to the Easter holidays. Harry often marveled at the fact that Matilda found enough time to remain weeks ahead in all of her classes while taking every class offered but Muggle Studies, help Hermione research magical methods of eavesdropping, help him and Ron catch up on their own classwork, and dedicate her time to helping Harry with the Tournament. 

Hedwig didn't return until the end of the Easter holidays. Percy's letter was enclosed in a package of Easter eggs that Mrs. Weasley had sent. Both Harry's and Ron's were the sizes of dragon eggs, and full of home-made toffee. Molly had even made an egg for Matilda and Hermione. Which wasn't quite as big but still stuffed full of treats. 

Percy's letter was short and irritable.

As I am constantly telling the Daily Prophet, Mr. Crouch is taking a well-deserved break. He is sending in regular owls with instructions. No, I haven't actually seen him, but I think I can be trusted to know my own superior's handwriting. I have quite enough to do at the moment without trying to quash these ridiculous rumors. Please don't bother me again unless it's something important. Happy Easter.

"He is always in such a crabby mood, isn't he?" said Matilda.

ϟ

The start of the summer term would normally have meant that Matilda would be spending most nights in the library prepping for her final exams. This year, however, her time was spent with Harry, in the library, preparing for the final task in the Triwizard Tournament. Though preparing for a task that they had not yet learned what would be, proved to be quite difficult. Finally, in the last week of May, Professor McGonagall held him back in Transfigurations. Matilda though she wanted to be standing by Harry's side, stood outside the door, waiting for him. 

"She said that I am to go down to the Quidditch pitch tonight at nine o'clock," Harry told Matilda, upon emerging from the classroom. "Mr. Bagman is supposed to be there to tell us about the third task."

Matilda sighed, "I hate that I can't go with you."

Harry shook his head, not wanting Matilda to worry too much about him, "I'll be fine. Hopefully. I'll come right to you when we finish."

So, at half past eight Matilda walked Harry to the Entrance Hall, as far as she was permitted to follow him, and reminded him that she'd be waiting there until he finished, so that he could tell her what the third task was, and they could begin planning for it right away. Not wanting to make the same mistake as last time, when they had to rush for a solution the night before. Luckily, they had Neville to help. 

Matilda sat on the marble staircase, a book in her hand. Though she wasn't really reading. She was too busy worrying about Harry. 

"That is the most perplexed look I've seen on your face, ever."

Looking up from her book Matilda met Harper's gaze. She was standing in front of the Great Hall doors, watching Matilda try and read her book with a glint of amusement in her eyes. 

"Must be a good book, huh?"

Harper made her way over to sit beside Matilda. 

"Not really," Matilda closed the book, sitting it aside. "Can't really focus."

"Yeah, me neither," Harper sighed. "I've been trying to study for an hour now."

"You worried about Cedric?" Matilda asked. 

Harper nodded, looking at the doorway with a longing stare, "Yes. Are you worried about Harry?"

"Terribly," Matilda admitted. 

"Well then," Harper leaned back on the steps. "We can worry together. If that's alright with you?" 

A smile broke across Matilda lips as she nodded, "Yeah. I'd like that."

And as the sister's sat on the staircase creating conversations to keep the time ticking by Matilda couldn't help but the think of how proud their parents would be of them. They hardly ever got along – they were just too different to ever find a common ground. But it seemed that the two of them had grown up, both of them in a good place, and so, they were able to find things to talk about. To find a common ground. Even if that common ground was helping the boys they cared about – who also happened to be competing against one another. 

The two had become so comfortable in their conversation that it didn't seem long before the large doors to castles opened once more. It was Cedric. He seemed nervous as he glanced over to Harper and Matilda sitting on the stairs. They both stood quickly, dusting themselves off. 

"Harper," Cedric greeted. "What're you doing here?"

Harper shrugged, "Couldn't focus. I was too worried about you."

Cedric grinning wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "I'm okay. Tired. But okay."

"Good to see you, Matilda."

But Matilda wasn't really listening as she was too busy looking past him, waiting for the large doors to open again. 

"Harrys on his way up. I saw him with Mr. Bagman," Cedric assured her. 

Matilda nodded, "Thanks."

"Goodnight, Tilly," 

Harper waved over her shoulder as Cedric led her toward the Hufflepuff common room entrance 

"Goodnight," she waved politely. 

Fleur was next to come inside. Seeming exhausted and a little upset. Though she still offered Matilda a polite wave to which Matilda returned. With a huff, Matilda sat back down. Of course, Harry was going to be the last one to come inside. She should have expected it, shouldn't she? It seemed he always found himself caught up in something unplanned. 

She waited. Picking up her book Matilda was trying to pass the time. She was still waiting. Worry began to take over. She put the book down, unable to concentrate. 

The Entrance Hall doors suddenly flew open and Harry few insides, a panicked look on his face. He didn't even stop to notice Matilda as he ran past her up the marble staircase. Calling after him Matilda followed up the stairs, wondering what could have him in such a panic. Finally, he stopped as he hurtled himself toward the stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to Dumbledore's office. 

Something was definitely wrong. 

"Sher-sherbet lemon!" he panted at it.

Matilda pulled her eyebrows together in confusion. That wasn't the password to the hidden staircase. Well, it had been two years ago. The last time Harry had been in the office. The stone gargoyle did not spring to life and jump aside, but stood frozen, glaring at Harry.

"What's the password?" Harry turned to Matilda in a panic. "Say the password!"

"It's –"

"POTTER! WINTERS!"

Snape had just emerged from the hidden staircase behind the stone gargoyle. The wall was sliding shut behind him even as he beckoned Harry back towards him. "What are you two doing here?"

"I need to see Professor Dumbledore!" said Harry, running back up the corridor and skidding to a standstill in front of Snape instead. "It's Mr. Crouch... he's just turned up... he's in the Forest... he's asking –"

"What is this rubbish?" said Snape, his black eyes glittering. "What are you talking about?"

"Mr. Crouch!" Harry shouted. "From the Ministry! He's ill or something – he's in the Forest, he wants to see Dumbledore! Just give me the password up to –"

"The Headmaster is busy, Potter," said Snape, his thin mouth curling into an unpleasant smile.

"You're kidding, right?" Matilda interjected. "He certainly would want to know about this. Don't you think?"

"Didn't you hear me, Winters?"

Matilda could tell Snape was thoroughly enjoying himself, denying Harry the thing he wanted when he was so panicky.

"Look," said Harry angrily, "Crouch isn't right – he's – he's out of his mind – he says he wants to warn –"

The stone wall behind Snape slid open. Dumbledore was standing there, wearing long green robes, and a mildly curious expression.

"Is there a problem?" he said, looking between Harry and Snape then to Matilda.

"Professor!" Harry said, side-stepping Snape before Snape could speak. "Mr. Crouch is here – he's down in the Forest, he wants to speak to you!"

Matilda expected Dumbledore to ask questions but, to Harry's relief, Dumbledore did nothing of the sort. "Lead the way," he said promptly, and he swept off along the corridor behind Harry, Matilda followed, leaving Snape standing next to the gargoyle and looking twice as ugly.

"What did Mr. Crouch say, Harry?" said Dumbledore, as they walked swiftly down the marble staircase.

"Said he wants to warn you... said he's done something terrible... he mentioned his son... and Bertha Jorkins... and – and Voldemort... something about Voldemort getting stronger..."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore, and he quickened his pace as they hurried out into the pitch-darkness.

"He's not acting normally," Harry said, hurrying along beside Dumbledore. "He doesn't seem to know where he is. He keeps talking like he thinks Percy Weasley's there, and then he changes, and says he needs to see you... I left him with Viktor Krum."

"You did?" said Dumbledore sharply, and he began to take longer strides still, so that Matilda was running to keep up. "Do you know if anybody else saw Mr. Crouch?"

"No," said Harry. "Krum and I were talking, Mr. Bagman had just finished telling us about the third task, we stayed behind, and then we saw Mr. Crouch coming out of the Forest –"

"Where are they?" said Dumbledore, as the Beauxbatons carriage emerged from the darkness.

"Over here," said Harry, moving in front of Dumbledore, leading the way through the trees. 

"Viktor?" Harry shouted.

No one answered.

"They were here," Harry said to Dumbledore. "They were definitely somewhere around here..."

"Lumos," Dumbledore said, lighting his wand and holding it up.

Its narrow beam traveled from black trunk to black trunk, illuminating the ground. And then it fell upon a pair of feet.

Harry, Matilda, and Dumbledore hurried forwards. Krum was sprawled on the forest floor. He seemed to be unconscious. There was no sign at all of Mr. Crouch. Dumbledore bent over Krum and gently lifted one of his eyelids.

"Stunned," he said softly. His half-moon glasses glittered in the wand light as he peered around at the surrounding trees.

"Should we get someone?" said Matilda. "Madam Pomfrey?"

"No," said Dumbledore swiftly. "Stay here."

He raised his wand into the air and pointed it in the direction of Hagrid's cabin. Matilda saw something silvery dart out of it and streak away through the trees like a ghostly bird. Then Dumbledore bent over Krum again, pointed his wand at him, and muttered, 'Rennervate.'

Krum opened his eyes. He looked dazed. When he saw Dumbledore, he tried to sit up, but Dumbledore put a hand on his shoulder and made him lie still.

"He attacked me!" Krum muttered, putting a hand up to his head. "The old madman attacked me! I vos looking around to see vare Potter had gone and he attacked from behind!"

"Lie still for a moment," Dumbledore said.

The sound of thunderous footfalls reached them, and Hagrid came panting into sight with Fang at his heels. He was carrying his crossbow.

"Professor Dumbledore!" he said, his eyes widening. "Harry – what the –?"

"Hagrid, I need you to fetch Professor Karkaroff," said Dumbledore. "His student has been attacked. When you've done that, kindly alert Professor Moody –"

"No need, Dumbledore," said a wheezy growl, "I'm here." Moody was limping towards them, leaning on his staff, his wand lit.

"Damn leg," he said furiously. "Would've been here quicker... what's happened? Snape said something about Crouch –"

Matilda looked over at Moody, a suspicious glint in her eye. Why would Snape have gone for Moody when he didn't believe Harry in the first place? Quickly she soved that thought to the back of her head, deciding to focus on it later.

"Crouch?" said Hagrid blankly.

"Karkaroff, please, Hagrid!" said Dumbledore sharply.

"Oh yeah... right y'are, Professor..." said Hagrid, and he turned and disappeared into the dark trees, Fang trotting after him.

"I don't know where Barty Crouch is," Dumbledore told Moody, "but it is essential that we find him."

"I'm onto it," growled Moody, and he raised his wand, and limped off into the Forest.

Dumbledore, Matilda, or Harry spoke again until they heard the unmistakable sounds of Hagrid and Fang returning. Karkaroff was hurrying along behind them. He was wearing his sleek silver furs, and he looked pale and agitated.

"What is this?" he cried, when he saw Krum on the ground, and Dumbledore and Harry beside him. "What's going on?"

"I vos attacked!" said Krum, sitting up now, and rubbing his head. "Mr. Crouch or votever his name –"

"Crouch attacked you? Crouch attacked you? The Triwizard judge?"

"Igor," Dumbledore began, but Karkaroff had drawn himself up, clutching his furs around him, looking livid.

"Treachery!" he bellowed, pointing at Dumbledore. "It is a plot! You and your Ministry of Magic have lured me here under false pretenses, Dumbledore! This is not an equal competition! First you sneak Potter into the Tournament, though he is underage! Now one of your Ministry friends attempts to put my champion out of action! I smell double-dealing and corruption in this whole affair, and you, Dumbledore, you, with your talk of closer international wizarding links, of rebuilding old ties, of forgetting old differences – here's what I think of you!"

Karkaroff spat onto the ground at Dumbledore's feet. In one swift movement, before Matilda could tell him off, Hagrid seized the front of Karkaroff's furs, lifted him into the air, and slammed him against a nearby tree.

"Apologise!" Hagrid snarled, as Karkaroff gasped for breath, Hagrid's massive fist at his throat, his feet dangling in mid-air.

"Hagrid, no!" Dumbledore shouted, his eyes flashing.

Hagrid removed the hand pinning Karkaroff to the tree, and Karkaroff slid all the way down the trunk and slumped in a huddle at its roots; a few twigs and leaves showered down upon his head.

"Kindly escort Harry and Matilda back up to the castle, Hagrid," said Dumbledore sharply.

Breathing heavily, Hagrid gave Karkaroff a glowering look. "Maybe I'd better stay here, Headmaster..."

"You will take them back to school, Hagrid," Dumbledore repeated firmly. "Take them right up to their Towers. And you two– I want you to stay there. Anything you might want to do – any owls you might want to send – they can wait until morning; do you understand me?"

Matilda nodded. 

"Er – yes," said Harry, staring at him.

"I'll leave Fang with yeh, Headmaster," Hagrid said, still staring menacingly at Karkaroff, who was still sprawled at the foot of the tree, tangled in furs and tree-roots. "Stay, Fang. C'mon, you two."

They marched in silence past the Beauxbatons carriage and up towards the castle.

"How dare he," Hagrid growled, as they strode past the lake. "How dare he accuse Dumbledore. Like Dumbledore'd do anythin' like that. Like Dumbledore wanted you in the Tournament in the firs' place. Worried! I dunno when I seen Dumbledore more worried than he's bin lately. An' you!" Hagrid suddenly said angrily to Harry, who looked up at him, taken aback. "What were yeh doin', wanderin' off with ruddy Krum? He's from Durmstrang, Harry! Coulda jinxed yeh right there, couldn' he? Hasn' Moody taught yeh nothin'? 'Magine lettin' him lure yeh off on yer own –"

"Krum's all right!" said Harry, as they climbed the steps into the Entrance Hall. "He wasn't trying to jinx me, he just wanted to talk about Hermione –"

"I'll be havin' a few words with her, an' all," said Hagrid grimly, stomping up the stairs. "The less you lot 'ave ter do with these foreigners, the happier yeh'll be. Yeh can' trust any of 'em."

"Don't you dare!" ordered Matilda. "Krum truly likes Hermione. And I believe she cares for him too. They're good for each other. Don't ruin that."

"Besides, you were getting on all right with Madame Maxime," Harry said, annoyed.

"Don' you talk ter me abou' her!" said Hagrid, and he looked quite frightening for a moment. "I've got her number now! Tryin' ter get back in me good books, tryin' ter get me ter tell her what's comin' in the third task. Ha! You can' trust any of 'em!"

Hagrid was in such a bad mood that Matilda was glad to have convinced him to drop her and Harry off at the marble staircase, convincing him that they could find their own way to the rooms. Harry, wanting to tell Matilda everything walked her up to the Ravenclaw Tower, reciting the events that took place that evening. 

"Did Crouch really say that?"

Matilda suddenly turned away from the doors leading into the common room. Harry turned back from the staircase to look at her.

"About him – Voldemort?" She clarified. "That's he's coming back... stronger?"

Harry nodded sadly, matching Matilda's expression before she quickly cleared her throat and suddenly there was no trace of any fear having crossed through her eyes. 

"Yeah. He said that."

Matilda nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Well, his timing is shit. I've got exams to prepare for."

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V I S U A L S

(matildas describes sunday outfit )

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AN:// yay an update. A long chapter too.

Yes. Something was changed. Can you guess. No need. It was the way Molly acted toward Hermione. Her disliking Hermione because of the rumors were something that always bugged me about the books, so since I control this, I changed it.

Hope you all still enjoyed it.

Any theories of how things might end?

I'll ask this question again soon.