Chapter 304. Change and Malfoy's Badge
The next morning, sunlight spilled through the curtains into the dormitory. After a night's sound sleep, Harry was fully restored.
In fact, he felt his spellcasting was far smoother than before.
For example, he'd once been able to turn Ron's bed into a pig, but now the pig he produced was a good deal fatter than before.
The pink, hefty creature dragged the sleeping Ron around the dormitory several times before obediently turning back into the bed.
Ron slept like a log through the whole thing, merely rolling over and muttering, "Don't muck about, Fred."
Besides that, Harry tried a few other spells.
A casual Wand-Lighting Charm shone twice as bright as before.
The Summoning Charm could even yank Neville's limited-edition Chocolate Frog card from where he'd hidden it under the bottom of the wardrobe.
It all felt slightly unreal to him.
After confirming his condition, Harry did not disturb his still-sleeping roommates and slipped quietly out of the dormitory.
On a rest-day morning, the common room was as usual—only a few scattered students.
Hermione was curled up in the armchair closest to the fireplace, a hefty A History of Magic open in her hands. Not far from her, several older girls were chattering away about something.
Harry sat down beside Hermione and glanced over at the girls.
"What are they excited about?"
Without looking up, Hermione turned a page and said off-handedly, "Probably autographs."
"Oh, that makes sense," Harry said, enlightened. "Krum is a celebrity, after all. I've got a Krum poster too—bought it at the Quidditch World Cup."
In fact, Harry's first impression of Krum was favourable.
Not just because of Krum's superb flying, but because he was one of the few who hadn't questioned Harry's right to be a Champion.
Of course, it might also have been that Krum had absolute confidence in himself.
Hearing this, Hermione lifted her head from the pages and pulled a face. "Not Krum. Lately they seem to be swooning over Cedric again."
Harry raised his eyebrows, then nodded in understanding.
That was normal too.
Cedric certainly had the charm—handsome and dashing, gentle and courteous, and with excellent marks. It was only natural he had plenty of admirers at Hogwarts.
Come to that, it had been Cedric who brought him back to the Gryffindor tower yesterday; he really ought to thank him properly.
Harry suddenly felt his lips a bit dry.
Just then, the girls in the distance noticed Harry.
They began whispering about him, now and then shooting odd looks his way.
Harry felt uncomfortable and stood up from his chair. "I'm going for a walk."
"Mm, see you," Hermione said, her eyes dropping back to her book.
Ten minutes later, Harry was walking along the path in the courtyard, sighing.
The morning mist clung to the flowers and grass—supposed to be refreshing—yet his chest felt as if a stone were lodged there.
He wasn't in a good mood.
He knew those people in the common room had likely been speaking ill of him.
After all, though he was Hogwarts's Champion, that status carried a certain stain, even if it hadn't been his doing.
Harry yawned, stretched, and at last felt a little looser.
Gradually, more people filtered into the courtyard.
Harry sat on the edge of a flowerbed, letting his mind go blank for a moment as he stared at a little yellow bloom not far away.
In three days, he would compete in the first task of the Triwizard Tournament.
According to Wesson, the task would be very dangerous—but it shouldn't be a problem for him.
Even so, unease still stirred in his heart.
The pressure on him was far greater than on the other three Champions; only real strength and results would shut up those idle gossips.
"Cedric!"
An excited shout snapped Harry out of his thoughts.
He looked up. Through a patch of shrubs, he saw a crowd of students gathered together. In the middle stood someone a head taller than the rest—Cedric.
Golden sunlight poured over him, setting off his tall frame; he smiled as he nodded to the students around him.
What an outstanding person.
But Harry believed he would not lose.
Collecting himself, Harry stood, brushed the dirt from his robes, and headed for the cloister around the courtyard.
Now, he ought to be practising magic.
If you wanted to become a top wizard, diligence was indispensable.
Accidents, however, always came out of nowhere.
At the bend of the cloister, a few people Harry disliked appeared—his old nemesis, a little Slytherin clique led by Draco Malfoy.
Malfoy lounged lazily against a stone pillar, his pale face wearing its trademark sneer. Beside him stood his tag-along, Goyle, who lately seemed bulkier.
Oddly, Crabbe—usually glued to Malfoy—was nowhere to be seen today.
As soon as they saw Harry, Malfoy and his hangers-on moved to block the passage, cutting off Harry's way.
"Well, look who it is?" Malfoy drawled. "Our famous cheating Champion—Potter."
Again.
Harry really didn't understand why Malfoy felt the need to mock him all day long.
At first, it might have got a rise out of him.
But now… he was almost immune.
Staring at the smirking Malfoy before him, Harry drew his wand from his belt and said seriously, "No more words, Malfoy. Let's duel, and then you'll know whether I deserve the title of Champion."
Malfoy clearly hadn't expected Harry to be so forthright. He froze for a second, then quickly plastered on that hateful fake smile.
"A duel?" He shook his head. "I couldn't risk hurting Hogwarts's precious 'Champion'."
He deliberately stressed the word "Champion."
"Then get out of the way," Harry said coldly. "Coward."
Harry didn't recklessly cast a spell; after all, this was a corridor, and Hogwarts had a clear rule against using magic in the corridors.
If he injured Malfoy, he was certain that within an hour the news of his rule-breaking would reach Professor McGonagall.
At Harry's taunt, Malfoy showed no sign of agitation. Unhurriedly, he stepped closer, a sly grin stretching across his face.
"Don't be hasty, Potter." Malfoy puffed out his chest. "We've got a little something to show you."
Only then did Harry notice the silver-gleaming badge pinned to his chest.
It read: Support Cedric Diggory—The Real Hogwarts Champion.
He glanced at the others and saw they were all wearing identical badges.
"Nice, isn't it?" Malfoy said smugly, flicking the badge with a finger. "Slytherin's got them by the handful. Oh, and…"
He suddenly broke into a malicious grin and pressed the badge hard.
The words on the badge instantly flipped to POTTER STINKS in glaring, flashing letters.
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