Chapter 44: Yule Ball Part ISummary:It's time.
Chapter TextShe separated from Hermione at the stairs, and went down to her dorm, where Pansy and the others were waiting. "You're not gonna make Hazel get ready in the bathroom, are you Pansy?" Tracey teased as she pulled her school robes off.
Pansy sniffed. "Hardly. She'll need our help after all, look at that hair."
They all showered and washed their hair, and a few cleaning charms made sure their dress robes were pressed and ready. Hazel pulled her kilt on, then tugged the tight black shirt and jacket over a charmed bra. "Witches' underthings are so much better than Muggle underthings.".
"Older witches don't even wear bras," Millicent remarked, struggling with her own robes.
Once her outfit was set, Hazel sat down to brush her hair. She'd decided not to mess with it and just let it hang loose, but she would make an effort to straighten it and make it sleeker and shinier. This took the longest time of her preparations for the night, but it was oddly soothing to pamper herself this way.
Eventually she was finished, and she stood up to look over at Pansy. The simple black gown and purple sash clung to her body nicely, and her hair was cut short in an impish pixie cut as usual. "Ready, Parkinson?"
"Ready, Potter." She looped an arm through Hazel's and walked to the common room. Draco and Blaise were waiting for Daphne and Millicent, and Hazel had to admit they were both handsome in their sleek black robes.
Daphne frowned as Tracey kept going. "Tracey? Weren't you going with Harper?"
"Nah, he's a pouf. I'm meeting with Leanne from Hufflepuff upstairs!"
Hazel rolled her eyes. "I could've told her that a long time ago. Well, have we all got our dates?" Everyone nodded, so she and Pansy led the fourth-years upstairs.
Cedric and the Hufflepuffs were already in the entrance hall, and she could see Tracey hooking up with Leanne. Beatrice Haywood, a punky-looking blonde girl with short hair, was standing by Cedric; Hazel thought if it weren't for the excessive black makeup she had on, she'd be quite pretty. Lurking behind the mass of badgers was Crabbe and Goyle, looking like moss-colored boulders in their green robes; neither of them had a partner, and Hazel assumed they were dancing with each other.
The front doors swung open, admitting the Beauxbatons students with Madame Maxime in the lead. Behind her was Fleur, looking stunning in a sheer dress of silver-gray satin; next to Fleur was Cho Chang, who also looked stunning in a Chinese-inspired blue dress. After that came the Durmstrang students, with Krum and Hermione in the lead; if Hazel hadn't known they were going together beforehand she'd never have guessed the sleek young woman next to Krum was her.
Hazel had time to notice an area out front had been turned into a sort of fairy grotto (were those real fairies?), before Professor McGonagall was clapping her hands by the doors to the Great Hall. "Champions, to me!" She had dress robes of red tartan and a wreath of thistles in lieu of her usual hat, and as the champions and their partners gathered near she beckoned them to one side so the rest of the attendees could enter the hall and settle down first. Hazel saw Luna in the crowd and waved slightly.
She smiled at Pansy, then studied the other Champions. Cedric and Beatrice, clearly comfortable with one another, stood quietly, waiting for their time. Krum had the good grace to not look unhappy for once, though he still seemed stiff and upright in his militaristic red uniform. Cho was looking around with sparkling eyes, and Hazel suspected she hadn't quite gotten over the shock of being asked out by Fleur Delacour, though she held herself together better than a boy would have.
Hazel leaned down and lowered her voice: "I feel short." Pansy snorted in reply.
Eventually, McGonagall gestured for the Champions and their partners to enter the Great Hall. Hazel would have let the others go first, but Pansy jerked her ahead and she found herself behind Fleur and Cho, walking along with her kilt swishing around her legs.
The House tables were all gone, replaced by perhaps fifty round ones, all lit by candles, large enough to seat a dozen people. Not everyone was pleased to see them, though; Ron in particular seemed to be sulking, giving Hermione the stink-eye as she walked by with Krum. He looked ridiculous in outdated, plum-colored robes, and Hazel imagined he had been in a row with his mother for her to send him off with robes like that. He was completely ignoring the nervous girl next to him, whom Hazel didn't recognize at all.
Fleur led the way to another table at the top of the hall, where the judges were already seated and waiting. Hazel held Pansy's seat for her before sitting down herself, nodding to the others. "Where's Mr Crouch?"
Percy's eyes lit up as he leaned forward. "Ah, his illness has gotten worse. I've had to take over his duties here and at the Ministry for the time being, and I've gotten a temporary promotion to account for it!" He was wearing brand new robes of navy blue, and looked rather smug in his new position.
"I'm not surprised he's taken some time off. With the stress of the World Cup and getting all this organized, not to mention the situation with his elf."
"Right? You get it. You always were smart, Potter."
"I know." She rolled her eyes and turned away to pay attention to Pansy. "You alright?"
"I'm fine." Though in truth she looked a little overwhelmed. Hazel guessed she was thinking about her father again.
Finally looking down, she saw her plate was still empty, and a little menu was waiting for her instead. She picked it up and looked around curiously, not seeing any wait staff. "How's this gonna work?"
"Watch me." Pansy picked up her menu, glanced through it, then cleared her throat. "Fried chicken!" Seconds later a fried chicken dinner appeared before her. "See?"
"Wow." Hazel asked for beef wellington, very rare, and it appeared before her just like that, along with a goblet of pumpkin juice. "Er, with hot sauce and milk." It was swiftly replaced with cold milk, and a small bottle of bright red sauce appeared next to it.
Karkaroff laughed at the sight. "I see you have acquired a taste of our own delicacies, Miss Potter. Good for staying warm, that is!"
"Yes sir, especially on a night like this."
"Don't eat too much, cow, we still have to dance later," Pansy muttered, primly cutting into her chicken.
Someone quietly cleared their throat behind them, and Hazel turned to see Snape standing behind them, holding a vial of nutrient potion out for Pansy. "In case you forgot." She muttered her thanks and gulped the contents of the vial down quickly; Snape took it back and vanished it before returning to his own seat.
Since Pansy was in no mood for conversation, Hazel tuned in on what the others were discussing. It sounded like Krum was describing Durmstrang for Hermione: "We also have a castle, you know. Not as large or as comfortable as this one, mind you. It only has four floors and the fires burn all day and night, but the grounds? The grounds are huge, larger than yours, though it is difficult to enjoy them properly except in summertime."
"Viktor, Viktor, say any more and you may as well draw a map for your charming young friend."
"Why shouldn't I, Professor? We never get visitors."
"Because it is our duty to protect our domains, Viktor." Karkaroff's smile faded slightly. "And it is our right to guard our halls of learning with jealousy, proud and secure in knowing all its secrets."
"Quite a claim, Igor, to say you know all the secrets of Durmstrang. I myself would never dare to say I know everything about Hogwarts; just this morning I stumbled across a lovingly apportioned room full of chamber pots, after getting lost on the way to the bathroom."
Hazel had to laugh slightly. "Was it on the seventh floor, Professor?" It had to be the Room of Requirement, if so.
She tuned them out and focused on Fleur, who was pontificating at length about Beauxbatons in the winter. "Our school is centered in a grand palace, you know. The grand Palace of Beauxbatons, where ice sculptures that never melt decorate our great hall like marvelous diamonds, and wood nymphs serenade us while we eat the finest foods! No ugly suits of armor disgrace our halls, and we have no fear of poltergeists either!"
"Sounds pretentious if you ask me." Cho rolled her eyes when she caught Hazel's glance.
"Well… perhaps." Fleur sounded as if she realized a little too late that she hadn't been the most diplomatic guest.
Hazel finished her meal, and when everyone else was done too it was finally time to dance. Dumbledore rose to his feet. "I would ask everyone to stand, please." A flick of his wand sent all the tables toward the walls, and a second flick conjured a stage, complete with instruments: several guitars, a set of drums, a lute, cello and bagpipes were among them.
"And now, put your hands together for the Weird Sisters!" The Great Hall burst into applause as a number of musicians in torn robes strutted onto the stage and picked up their instruments. Hazel took Pansy's hand and led her out to the center of the Hall, put a hand at her hip and got ready to dance.
"Don't fuck this up, Potter."
"Or what? You'll fuck me up? Don't threaten me with a good time~"
The band started a slow, mournful tune, and Hazel's body took over on autopilot, leading Pansy through the steps of a slow waltz to match the music. Pansy followed along, and Hazel was glad they had practiced together, for the dance wasn't an easy one and it was important to know the cues and the steps.
Every now and then Hazel glanced around, to maintain her awareness of their surroundings. The other Champions were dancing and swaying in time with the slow beat, and Dumbledore looked faintly ridiculous as he was led along by the towering Madame Maxime. Then, one by one, everyone else took to the floor as well, and it started to feel crowded even with the vast floorspace.
She made it through two more, much faster dances before she had to stop. "Sorry Pansy, it's getting a bit crowded." Pansy didn't object, and from the breathless way she panted as they left the floor, Hazel guessed she was ready for a break too. They snagged some butterbeer and sat down across from Ron, who was still sulking and staring at Hermione as Krum spun her around. "Stop staring, Ron, you look like a prat."
Ron scoffed and crossed his arms. "Better a prat than a traitor." The second-year girl he'd shown up with had long since disappeared, apparently. "Look at her! Fraternizing with the enemy, happy as a pig in shit!"
"Let's find somewhere else to sit, Potter." Pansy rolled her eyes, stood up and looked for another table.
"Try to relax, Ron, it's a party. Go dance with someone, find some firewhiskey, do something besides sit there acting like a child." Hazel rose to her feet and followed Pansy across the edge of the room.
They found another table with open seats and sat down again, and were shortly joined by Hermione, breathless and pink in the face from dancing. "Hazel, Parkinson."
"Alright, Hermione?" Hazel sipped her butterbeer. "Watch out for Ron, he's in a bad mood."
"I know, I saw you ditching him. Honestly, I don't know what his problem is, and I don't want to know either."
"Can we not talk about Weasley's issues? Where's Krum, wasn't he with you?"
"Ah, he's getting drinks."
As if on cue, Krum appeared, two bottles of butterbeer in hand. He offered one to Hermione and took a seat, nodding politely to Hazel. "Potter. Who is your friend for tonight?"
"Parkinson, Pansy Parkinson." She nodded, and Krum nodded back and sipped his drink.
"There you are!" snarled a boy's voice, and Ron appeared behind Hermione. "Don't you have any shame, Hermione?"
Hermione mouthed an apology at the others before turning to face Ron. "Don't you, Ron? Seriously, what in god's name is your problem tonight?"
"If you don't get it, I'm not wasting time explaining!"
"What is your problem, little man?" Krum rose to his feet and loomed over the smaller boy.
Despite himself, Ron backed up a few steps. "You don't scare me, Krum! Didn't you bring any girls from Durmstrang to dance with? You've got no business stealing our girls too!"
Outraged, Hermione shot to her feet. "Steal- how dare you! Viktor isn't stealing anyone, I can dance with whoever I want!"
"No you can't! He's the fucking enemy, Hermione! Have you forgotten he's competing against Hazel?! Against Hogwarts?!"
"Is that what this is all about?" She sounded astonished. "Don't be so childish, Ron, the Tournament is about cooperation, about making friends and getting to know our foreign counterparts."
"No it's not! It's about winning! And you're helping him win!"
"Hermione and I have not once discussed anything to do with the Tournament or the Tasks." Krum spoke in a growl, stepping forward and forcing Ron to back up again. "Now be leaving us, or I will be breaking you."
Ron looked for all the world like he was about to call him on that, when an invisible force pushed him back even further. "Fifty points from Gryffindor!" Professor McGonagall said sharply, wand out and aimed at Ron. "Return to your dorm for the rest of the night, Weasley, and come straight to my office tomorrow to discuss your detention for this ridiculous scene!"
Ron stormed out, still throwing angry glares over his shoulder at Hermione, and McGonagall followed, no doubt to make sure he really went to his dorm. Viktor calmed down and took a seat again. "What a strange little man."
"Who cares? I'm gonna find Draco and dance again, if Hazel doesn't mind~" Pansy got to her feet, looking at Hazel inquiringly.
"Go ahead." Hazel shrugged, and Pansy disappeared into the crowd. This was a perfect time to talk to Krum about the second Task, but she still had to dance with Luna a few times. "I guess I'll find Luna and have another go myself. See you around, guys."
Chapter 45: Yule Ball Part IISummary:Drama! Dancing! Draco!
Notes:(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter TextLuna was overjoyed to see Hazel, and they danced intimately for a few songs. Then Luna had to catch her breath, and Ginny wandered up looking lovely in her fairy gown. "Wanna go, Hazel?"
"Twist my arm~" She took Ginny by the hand and led her to the floor.
"So what's up with Ron? Everyone could hear him yelling earlier before McGonagall threw him out."
"Oh, he's all butthurt about Hermione dancing with Krum. Not too sure what that was."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Something something helping the enemy or whatever? I should've known."
Hazel didn't want to talk about Ron, though. Instead she got closer, and ran her hands up Ginny's toned back. "You're quite the dancer, you know. All that Quidditch training is paying off, hm?"
"It sure is." She was unable to keep a flush from her cheeks. "You're incorrigible, Luna's right over there."
"So?" She looked to the side and winked at Luna, who giggled and waved. "She told me straight up she wanted to see me dancing with other girls, I'm just giving her what she wants."
The music slowed down, and Ginny burrowed in close with a sigh. Hazel chuckled and held her tight, enjoying the way she felt against her. "You sure can make a girl feel special…"
Someone cleared their throat, and Hazel looked up to see Pansy. "Can I have my partner back now, Weasley?"
"Huh? Oh, sure." Ginny slipped away and went to dance with Luna, leaving Hazel and Pansy together again.
"I thought you were dancing with Draco?"
"I was, but…" Pansy trailed off and shrugged.
"But?"
"But nothing! You're not the only one allowed to switch partners."
Hazel just shook her head. "Well, let's head outside for a bit, I want some fresh air." She took Pansy's arm and led her toward the front doors, wondering what the fairy grotto was like in person.
It turned out to be a garden full of rose bushes, enchanted against the cold and snow. Countless little nooks and alcoves were scattered all over, each with a bench and enough shadows to guarantee a semblance of privacy. Fountains and statues dotted the garden, along with the ever-present fairies flitting here and there, lighting the place up and filling it with their soft chittering voices.
"Quite romantic." She led Pansy to what she hoped was an unoccupied bench. They had barely sat down before another voice reached their ears, and they both froze.
It was clearly Professor Snape, using his silkiest, most dangerous voice. "There is nothing to fuss about, Igor, not at this level. Keep your head and your wits about you, or your students will suspect something isn't right."
"To hell with my students!" the panicked voice of Professor Karkaroff spat. "You dare pretend this isn't happening, Severus? That our Marks aren't becoming clearer, haven't been for months? We must do something!"
"We? There is no 'we'. Flee if you must, but I am bound to Hogwarts."
They were coming closer, about to round the corner. "Hide," Hazel told Pansy in a whisper, pushing her back to the depths of the alcove. She took a deep breath and stood in the open, wondering what she was about to get into.
The two of them rounded the corner, and of course their eyes fell right on her. Karkaroff looked surprised. "Potter? How much did you hear?"
"Peace, Igor. Miss Potter is one of mine. I suggest you check on your students." Karkaroff scurried away, and he looked at her again. "Miss Parkinson is here too, I presume?"
Pansy emerged from her hiding spot. "Sorry, Professor, we heard you and Karkaroff, and didn't know what else to do."
"Mm. Go back inside, Miss Parkinson." She nodded and scurried away, leaving Hazel alone with Snape. "What didyou overhear, Potter?"
"I heard him mention a Mark growing clearer. Did he mean the Dark Mark? Was Karkaroff a Death Eater?"
Snape glanced around, then led her to the bench and flicked his wand, no doubt setting up some privacy charms. "He was one. As… as was I."
Hazel was surprised at how unsurprising that admission was. "That makes sense, actually." And it did. His ease with the Unforgivable Curses, his behavior around Moody, her mother's rejection of him. "But Dumbledore trusts you?"
"Yes. I gave it all up when your mother was threatened, and served as Dumbledore's spy ever since. It wasn't enough to save her, of course." He sighed and looked haunted. "But the Dark Mark is not something one can remove easily, not even when the Dark Lord had fallen. It was proof positive that he was not gone for good, or so we assumed. And we were right."
"I guess I need to keep that to myself from now on."
"Correct. I will admit I had an additional motivation to teach you Occlumency: so I could admit these things to you and trust that you could keep them to yourself."
"I see." It was a lot to take in all at once, but she was determined not to put Snape at risk. "Sir, if he should come back, will you have to…?"
"Return to his side? Undoubtedly. I promise you that I would do so strictly to spy on him for Dumbledore and the Order; the Dark Lord lost my loyalty the moment he threatened your mother."
"I understand, sir." Which was partially a lie, but she didn't feel like prolonging this awkward chat any further. "Thank you for your honesty, sir. I'll head back inside." She stood and bowed, and he nodded gravely as he went back to patrolling the bushes.
On the way back, Hazel passed by a large stone reindeer that stood guard over a tall fountain. Two enormous figures were seated on a stone bench, watching the fountain; she recognized them as Hagrid and Madame Maxime. Not wanting to intrude, she looked for a way around them, but Hagrid spoke before she could get out of ear shot:
"Momen' I saw yeh, I knew." Against her better judgment, Hazel crept closer, concealed behind the stone reindeer.
"What did you know, Hagrid?" Maxime teased, a purr in her voice that made Hazel shiver. Something landed in her hair, and she brushed it aside; it seemed to be a beetle of some sort, but it flew off, and she focused on the scene before her again.
"I knew yeh… yeh an' I were alike. What side yeh get it from, eh? Yer mum or yer pa?"
Maxime was obviously getting nervous, and lowered her voice even further. "I… I am not certain what you mean."
"I got it from me mum." He was oblivious to her discomfort, or eager to overcome it. "One o' th' last in Britain. Don' 'member much abou' her, o' course, ran off when I were three. But tha's just like 'em, innit? Not really th' family type, eh?"
He pulled out a large checked kerchief and blew his nose; Maxime was motionless, staring at the fountain. "Da were 'eartbroken, o' course, but 'e did right by me anyways even if he were always a tiny bloke. I'd be pickin' 'im up on me shoulders 'fore I were six years old, like." He sniffled and shook his head. "Died righ' after I came ter 'ogwarts, 'e did. Hadta look after meself, an' Dumbledore 'e looked out fer me too."
"Truly a heart-wrenching tale, Hagrid, but it is getting late, and quite chilly." Maxime stood up, the purr gone from her voice and replaced by pure icy chill. "I must be heading back in, yes?"
"W-Wait! One more thing, which side did ya get it from?" Hagrid stammered, likewise getting up. "I never met another one before!"
"Anuzzer what?" Maxime practically growled, raising herself to her full height as her accent grew heavier with her emotions rising. Hazel wanted to burst out and stop Hagrid from saying whatever he was about to say, but she didn't want to risk Maxime getting mad at her, not with her size and strength…
Hagrid, of course, was heedless, half hopeful and half desperate. "Another 'alf-giant, o' course!"
"'Ow DARE you!" Her words echoed like a foghorn across the bushes, disturbing scores of fairies and scaring countless hiding students into falling from their hiding spots. "I 'ave never been so insulted! I am no 'alf-giant, I merely 'ave ze big bones!" With that she stormed away in the direction of the Beauxbatons carriage, shoving her way through the bushes and probably ripping her silk robes; the fairies rose up in swarms as she passed by, casting dizzying patterns of light on the garden below them and chittering in anger and anxiety.
"Oh, Hagrid," Hazel murmured softly, watching as he shook his head in confusion and strode off toward his cabin. "You really could have handled that better…"
She didn't see the big deal about being half-giant, but doubtless there was some stupid prejudice against them in the wizarding world. She shook her head and went back inside, eager to warm up and dance a little more before the end of the ball, and maybe ask Draco about what she had overheard.
She reentered the Great Hall to find firewhiskey and peppermint whiskey had started circulating, and snagged a glass of the cooler drink as she hunted around for Draco. She found him sitting with Daphne and Tracey, who were quite drunk and hanging off his every word. "You two clear off, I need a word alone with Draco."
"What's up, Hazel?" he asked, looking up at her as the two girls pouted and booed.
"Come on." She pulled him up and out onto the dance floor, which was ironically enough the best place for any privacy. "Follow along and listen carefully, got it?"
Dancing with a boy was different and she didn't like it. Draco was larger than Pansy and the others and didn't know how to follow very well, but she manhandled him along anyway. "You'll never guess what I just overheard."
"You dragged me out here just to share gossip?"
"No, you idiot, this is serious." It was awkward holding him close for this next part, but she didn't want to be overheard. "I heard Hagrid and Madame Maxime talking, and he admitted he was a half-giant, asked her if she was one too. She was furious!"
"Half-giant, huh." He thought about that for a moment. "Well, I'd be mad too, honestly. Giants are awful, Hazel, brutal and murderous, especially to humans. It took the Aurors years to drive them out of Britain, and that was one crusade men like my father were supportive of." Purebloods and Death Eaters, obviously.
"But what's that got to do with Hagrid? He's a big softie, he wouldn't h- he wouldn't deliberately hurt a fly." She twirled him through the dance some more as they spoke.
"You know how people are, giants are objectively nasty and they assume half-giants are too. You'd better hope no one else overheard them or there could be trouble."
"True." Something else she couldn't do anything about. The dance ended and she pushed Draco away from her. "Thanks, I guess. I'm never dancing with you again, no offense."
"None taken." He bowed to her and went off to find Daphne again, and Hazel snagged another glass of peppermint whiskey before heading off to find Pansy once more. Hopefully she could be talked into having some whiskey too! And then she might get lucky~
Notes:Spoiler: She gets lucky.
Chapter 46: The Morning AfterSummary:Hazel has a remarkably drama free day, for once.
Chapter TextThe morning after the Ball was slow, with lots of hangover potions being passed around and lots of fighting over bathroom time. Hazel was not exempt, not even when peeling herself out of Pansy's bed and away from Pansy herself was as delicious as she thought it would be. Or it would be if she was in any shape to enjoy it.
Luckily there was a hangover potion handy for both of them, and Hazel quaffed hers down, wincing at the taste. Thankfully it took effect fast, and she got out of Pansy's bed to clean up for the day. Or try to anyway, the other girls had annoyingly gotten up ahead of her for once. "Sorry Hazel, you snooze and you lose," Millicent said smugly as she showered.
Pansy was awake by the time Hazel could get started, and to her surprise she joined Hazel in the shower. "Done playing coy, are we~?"
"No point in false modesty anymore, is there?" She couldn't keep the traitorous blush off her cheeks, though.
Since they were the last ones to get up, they could take their time, with each other and with getting cleaned up. "Too bad we can't start every morning that way," Hazel teased as they got out and took turns standing over the drying vent.
"Merlin's pants, you're insatiable. I don't even remember what happened last night, but I'm sore all over in places I didn't know I could be sore in."
"I told you Hazel was a good kisser," Tracey teased.
"She's good with her fingers too," Pansy admitted, to general laughter and amusement.
"Aw, Hazel, when ya gonna show me how good your fingers are~?" Tracey went on, failing to hide how excited she was at the idea.
"Hmm." Hazel pretended to think about it. "Come find me after lunch and we'll look for an empty classroom somewhere, how's that sound?" Tracey sputtered for a second as Hazel finished getting ready and left the room, smirking to herself.
Breakfast was a subdued affair as most everyone else was still nursing hangovers and soreness, even a few of the teachers. McGonagall in particular looked especially miserable, and Hazel was again glad they were still on holiday. She herself was in decent spirits as she fixed herself an array of bacon and egg sandwiches, with generous helpings of hot sauce and milk of course.
Tracey, of course, kept shooting her anxious glances, and she'd merely smirk back. She wasn't dense enough to sit right next to Hazel, she noticed, unlike Pansy. But with everyone watching them she decided Pansy could get a reprieve, and ate with both hands above the table for once.
Afterward, feeling good and without any assignments to do, she got her Firebolt and went flying, zooming around the castle, throwing snowballs at the windows of the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw common rooms until prefects came and threatened her with point deductions. She laughed and flew away, secure in knowing they had no idea who she was since she'd worn her hood up.
And after showing Tracey just how good she was with her fingers, she emerged from the Room of Requirement, a smug smirk on her damp lips. "Hogwarts is amazing~"
To her surprise, Hermione sat down with the Slytherins that evening at dinner. "What's up with you?"
She blew out an irritated sigh and reached for some stew. "Ron, what else? He can't let go of the fact that I spent the Ball with Viktor, and he's got half of them going along with it too."
Pansy frowned. "Is he just jealous, or something?"
"I dunno, but I wouldn't have danced with him anyway. He's like my brother, it'd be weird."
Hazel pretended to be casual, but inside she was anything but. "Have you tried dating girls yet?"
"Not really. There aren't any girls I'm interested in yet, not that way."
"So what is it about Krum that attracted you to him?"
"I'm attracted to intelligence, not genitalia. Viktor is really smart and driven, so I found him attractive. I guess you're pretty smart and driven too, but we're also close friends."
"What about Padma or Susan?"
Hermione shrugged. "They're smart, but they don't have that drive that's really exciting."
Hazel wasn't sure what to think about any of that. After a few seconds she decided to follow Hermione's lead and act like it wasn't important. "I'm surprised you didn't wind up in Slytherin with an attitude like that."
"Not really? I mean, what I look for in life and what I look for in bed are pretty different, all things considered."
"Fair enough. You're gonna catch hell from the Gryffs later, though."
"I'll deal with it." There was a collective shrug, and no one tried to make Hermione go back to the lions' table, and that was that.
Hazel wondered if there was a word for being attracted to intelligence, but shrugged it off quickly. The novelty of a Gryffindor sitting over with the snakes wore off just as fast, especially when they caught onto the outrage over at the lions' table. Draco had to point over her shoulder at one point. "Ron's face is as red as his hair, look."
Hazel twisted around to see, and sure enough, Ron was sitting there glaring at the back of Hermione's head, and his face was indeed as red as his hair. Fred, George and Ginny were taking it a lot better than he was, though. "What a prat."
On the way back down to the dungeons, Hazel thought about what Hermione had said. Attracted to smart people. There had to be a word for that, she thought. But it wasn't just intelligence, it was drive and ambition, which Krum apparently had.
She also thought about what Hermione had said about not being attracted to Hazel because they were friends. It made her feel weird in a way she couldn't describe; granted, she had never thought of Hermione that way either for mostly the same reasons, but now that it had come up, her mind went there and worried at it.
Then she shook her head and pushed the thought out of her mind. It wasn't any business of hers who Hermione dated or what she looked for in her partners. They'd been perfectly happy being friends before now, why did things have to change? That was stupid, this was a stupid train of thought.
"Your brain sure is dumb sometimes, Hazel Jade Potter," she said to herself as she kept going. No point overthinking extra problems into existence.
After a bathroom detour she returned to the common room, found Draco, Blaise and Theo setting up for a few rounds of Exploding Snap. Pansy and Tracey were sitting nearby, gossiping quietly; they saw Hazel walk in and fell into giggles, then went back to gossiping, even quieter than before. "Talking about me, I assume?"
Tracey giggled. "You and your fingers. I'm still all shivery from earlier, you know~"
"That wasn't your-" Hazel cut herself off from asking if that had been Tracey's first time. "Never mind." Just because she lived under a spotlight didn't give her a right to drag others beneath it as well.
She wound up turning in early so she could push herself extra hard during her evening workout, and after two years of working out every evening, not to mention regular intense Quidditch practice and all the walking around she did around the castle, she had to push herself very hard indeed.
And afterward she took an extra long and thorough shower, and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes lingered on the scars that now consumed the side of her head, both the curse scar and the burn scars.
Was she a bit on the stocky side? Maybe, but what else could she expect after three years of pushing herself and her body every night? Her chest still had a ways to go before she could match the adult reflection she remembered seeing in the Mirror of Erised, but that was fine.
Her gaze traveled down the rest of her body. "I need to shave down there." Maybe Pansy would know a trick or two for that? She stood over the vent and let herself dry off, then pulled clean pajamas on and went out to the dorm. The other girls were lounging about, gossiping and getting ready for bed, and Hazel approached Pansy.
"What's up, Potter?"
"I need your help. I'm getting a bit bushy, and I was wondering if there's a spell for that."
Pansy smirked and her eyes glittered, but she put her magazine aside. "Potions are safer, especially for sensitive areas." She reached for her vanity and plucked up a little vial of pink cream. "Don't leave it on too long, though."
"So, what, I just smear it on and wipe it off a few minutes later?"
"Basically, yes. Try it on your legs first, just to be sure. You'll feel a tingling sensation, and you'll want to wipe it off when the tingling fades."
"Okay, how much do I use?" Hazel didn't want to waste it, after all.
"It self-replenishes, use as much as you think you need."
"Thanks." She took the vial and went to her bed, closing the curtains and peeling her pajamas off. "Legs first." She popped the top off the vial. It smelled like flowers, and felt cool against her fingertips as she gathered a little dollop up and smeared it over her skin. The tingling started immediately, and she had to bite back a gasp; it was strong!
If it felt that way on her legs…
"Nope, don't think about it, Hazel Jade Potter." She focused on Occlumency as the tingling went on and on. When it finally subsided she wiped it off, and giggled at the smooth skin left behind.
"Pansy gave me this stuff on purpose, I bet." She braced herself to keep applying it and kept going, bit by bit up her legs. Soon she was quite worked up, but also smooth and hairless, and she had to admit quite fragrant as well.
And, she realized, she could pass this off as Task preparation too! Since she was gonna be in a swimsuit and all that. Assuming anyone asked, of course.
She put the vial away, pulled her pajamas back on and crawled into bed, focusing on Occlumency before drifting off.
Chapter 47: UnicornsSummary:Interpersonal drama!
Chapter TextHazel spent the rest of the holidays refining her plans for the second Task and fighting against a new wave of rumors. This time they weren't about her, but about Hagrid. She hadn't been the only one to overhear his words to Madame Maxime the night of the Ball, it seemed, and now everyone was whispering about it.
Draco had been right, she realized with annoyance. Giants were hated and feared in Britain, and even though these students had known him all their lives, most of them were eager to turn on him. Hazel was hard pressed to mount a defense, loudly extolling Hagrid's virtues whenever she overheard anyone talking shit about him.
Even Ron had joined in, to her immense disgust. "I mean, he's not all bad, but I guess we can't be too careful, can we?" she heard him saying at lunch, while Lavender Brown nodded and simpered along. "Seriously though, half giant. Guess it's not a surprise though, is- OI!"
"Come with me, Ronald." Hazel grasped his ear and hauled him to his feet. She dragged him to a corner of the Great Hall and shoved him against the wall. "The fuck are you on about, you prat?"
"Me? The fuck are YOU on about? You can't just-"
"It's about Hagrid, you moron, I thought you were his friend!"
That made him blanch, at least. "Well, I mean I am, but… but he's a half-giant, Hazel! Everyone's saying it!"
"So?? Clearly he takes after his father more! Why aren't you defending him?"
He went red in the face. "He doesn't need defending! He'll be fine, he'll-"
"No, he won't. He's too gentle to fight back against this sort of thing, he needs our help."
"That's just it! He's too gentle to fight back, so eventually they'll see that and leave him alone!"
"You're not dumb enough to believe that, are you?" She shook her head. "I swear, you've been impossible ever since that Krum thing. Grow the fuck up, will you?"
He fumed for a few more seconds, then sighed and took a deep breath. "You can't tell me what to do. Can't blame a bloke for wanting to blend in…"
"I can and I will tell you what to do, got that? Go back to your new girlfriend, and don't forget what we talked about. Oh, and leave Hermione alone!"
Hazel kept going and saw Hermione sitting with the Slytherins again. "Is Ron still giving you shit?"
"Yeah. It's gotten worse since I tried defending Hagrid. Who cares what he is? All that matters is who he is, and he's our Hagrid."
Draco frowned. "You don't seem surprised about the rumors."
"Of course not, they make sense. You'd be daft to think Hagrid was a regular man, look at the size of him. But I wonder how they got started?"
Hazel started making roast beef sandwiches. "Hagrid was talking to Madame Maxime in that fairy garden they had up during the Yule Ball. He asked her if she was one too, and she blew up at him and stormed off. I guess I wasn't the only one to overhear."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Hagrid never was very subtle. I'll try and get some folks on our side, I know the other Weasleys should be willing to defend Hagrid. Especially if it'll make Ron look bad, Ginny in particular has had it up to here with his crap."
"Ron's making himself look bad, you ask me. So who's in his corner over there, anyway?"
Hermione frowned in thought. "Lavender Brown is his biggest supporter. You saw how she was hanging off of him, right? Seamus Finnegan too, though he's probably just in it to make a fuss. Dean and Neville aren't dumb enough to get sucked in, but they're not brave enough to speak out against it."
Hazel thought about it for a long moment. She'd already had a word with him, but it wouldn't hurt to drive the point home. "Draco, you take Blaise and Theo and put the fear of God into that Irish wanker. Millicent and I will handle Lavender. Pansy, you keep an eye on the teachers. Tracey, Daphne, cover for us."
"What can I do? You can't ask me to stand aside while you guys defend me."
"Good point. Get Ron away from the other two, then the rest of us can swoop in."
Draco smiled a cruel smile, and after finishing lunch he stood up, Blaise and Theo falling into step behind him. Hazel watched the Gryffindor table, and when Lavender stood up, she and Millicent got up as well, following at a distance.
Eventually Hermione hurried up and went by them, trying to catch up to Ron. "Ron! I need to speak to you! About that Potions essay, remember?"
"Oh yeah." He shrugged and nodded to Lavender and Seamus. "Wait here, guys." He followed Hermione into a classroom, and that was their cue.
Hazel grinned in a conspiratorial way as she and Millicent bracketed the other girl in from either side. "So, Lavender. You've been helping Ron make a fool of himself lately, I see."
"Huh? He's my boyfriend now, of course I'll help him do things." She was clearly caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the much larger girls. "What's the-"
Millicent cut her off with a growl. "The problem is whatyou're helping him with. Bullying Granger, smearing Hagrid? The fuck are you on about, Brown?"
Hazel leaned in and lowered her voice. "Hermione and Hagrid are close friends of mine, and by extension, all of Slytherin. You don't want all of Slytherin after you, right?"
"N-No! Okay, I'll stop doing those things!"
"And you'll talk the prat into knocking it off too."
"Yes! Fine, please just leave me alone!"
They were cut off by a sudden scuffle from the other end of the hall, where Seamus was taking a swing at Draco! Draco evaded smoothly and egged him on, while Blaise and Theo stood guard, keeping anyone else from interfering.
And like clockwork, Seamus' fist connected just as McGonagall was rounding the corner; instantly her wand flicked up to separate the boys. "MISTER FINNEGAN! What in Merlin's name is the meaning of this?!"
"They started it! Gettin' all up in me face like they was!"
"There is no excuse for Muggle dueling! Thirty points from Gryffindor and detention with Filch on Saturday!" She pointed imperiously up the hall, and Seamus had no choice but to walk off, throwing dirty glances at Draco and the guys as he went; she watched him leave, then turned to Draco. "Dare I ask why you instigated such a scene, Mr Malfoy?"
Draco was the picture of innocence. "We didn't instigate anything, Professor, we were just asking why he wouldn't leave Hagrid and Hermione alone. Haven't you noticed she's been eating with us the past few days?"
"Of course I had, but it isn't unusual for students to spread out at mealtimes. I admire your honesty, but I'll still be taking ten points each from Slytherin for provoking another student the way you did."
Draco could only shrug, and after a moment he and the others sloped off toward the dungeons. Lavender had scurried off in the middle of the ruckus, and Ron and Hermione were just stepping out of the empty classroom. "Where'd everyone go?" Ron asked stupidly, glancing around.
"Finnegan got caught being a moron. Let's go, Millicent." Hazel led the way back to the dungeons, and slipped inside to look around for Draco. "Is your nose gonna be okay, Draco?"
"Already healed up." Sure enough, it was like he'd never been punched. "We figured making him look bad would be enough to drive a wedge there. If it doesn't work we'll corner him at night later on."
Pansy giggled, her eyes sparkling. "Ooh, I hope Finnegan's already regretting his showboating."
"So what'd you say to him anyway?"
"His mother works in the Ministry, so I told him if he didn't stop hanging around with Ron that I'd get my mother to threaten her job. He didn't take it too well, as you saw. What did you tell Brown?"
Millicent was quite smug in her reply. "We said if she didn't knock it off she'd have all of Slytherin to deal with. Worked like a charm!"
Hazel smirked. "It sure did. I don't expect it'll solve the Hagrid problem overnight, but at least Hermione should have an easier time of it from now on."
"Good." They played games for the rest of the evening, and went to bed in good spirits when the time came.
The holidays ended eventually, and classes resumed. Hazel felt quite smug indeed in being prepared for class, having worked on her assignments, and she could tell Hermione was feeling smug too. The rumors about Hagrid were still circulating, but at least Ron and his mates weren't involved any more. And while Hermione still sat with the Slytherins as often as not, she hadn't reported any more issues worth intervening about, so on the whole, Hazel considered it a success.
At least until she went down to Care of Magical Creatures that day. Charlie was there, but instead of Hagrid they saw Madam Hooch waiting with him. "Where's Hagrid?"
Charlie shook his head. "This ain't a lesson he could help with. Madam Hooch'll be assisting me today." The older witch sniffed impatiently, waiting for the others to scramble through the snow to reach them.
"Where's Hagrid?" Ron asked as the Gryffindors finally got within range.
The question went ignored, and Hooch beckoned imperiously. "Follow me and don't make a ruckus!" She led the way around behind Hagrid's hut, and Charlie gestured for them to follow.
Draco sidled up alongside and lowered his voice. "Reckon Hagrid's taken off because of those rumors?"
"I'm sure he has, but it can't be that bad." Hazel wondered what was really going on.
They went around the hut and approached the treeline, and Hazel caught sight of a large unicorn waiting patiently at the edge of the forest. Madam Hooch put an arm out to stop the boys. "Boys keep back! Unicorns prefer women, they do! Girls up front, come on, nice and easy."
Hazel, who had only ever met a dying unicorn before, was entranced by the pure white beauty of the creature before her. It looked at them with solemn eyes as they approached, and stood quietly as they got closer and stroked its gleaming hide.
The older witch raised her voice so the boys could also hear. "So, unicorns! Marvelous creatures, they are, and to be treated with respect at all times. Their tail hairs make excellent wand cores, unwilling to use Dark magic and quite loyal to their original owners. The horns, when ground up, are an ingredient in several powerful potions."
"What about their blood, Professor?" Hazel asked, briefly remembering the events of her first year.
She harrumphed, and Hazel got the impression she hadn't planned on explaining the use of unicorn blood this time. "Unicorn blood is only used in incredibly dark potions and rituals, Miss Potter, as I'm sure you're well aware. Unicorns are sacred, pure and innocent; spilling their blood is an act most profane, and while you may be brought back even from the brink of death by drinking it, you will suffer a cursed half-life ever after. It is on the Ministry list of Non-Tradeable Materials, and is strictly regulated by international wizarding law."
Most of her classmates were giving Hazel dirty looks for making them have to hear that, but Hazel didn't care. Knowledge was power.
Hooch cleared her throat and went on with the lesson, and in the back, Charlie was adding his own advice for the boys. All in all, it was an enjoyable and unique lesson, and everyone happily gossiped about it on the way back to the castle. Everyone except Hazel and her friends, of course. "Where d'you suppose Hagrid is?"
"Probably in hiding. He outed himself as a half-giant after all, and the prats around the castle certainly weren't helping."
Draco drove his elbow into Ron's side as he said this, and Ron yelped. "Oi, come on! I said I'd lay off, didn't I? Bloody git…"
"It hasn't really done much good if Hagrid's in hiding, has it? Anyway, he could have been staying away because of the unicorn, so let's not jump to conclusions just yet."
There were an awful lot of copies of the Daily Prophet floating around during lunch time, though. And Hazel got a bad feeling in her guts when she saw Crabbe and Goyle huddled over one and snickering meanly. She drifted closer to their part of the Hufflepuff table to try and eavesdrop:
"Huh huh, ruddy half-giant, 'e is…"
"Ya heard 'e ducked outta classes? Serves him right, the 'alf-breed tosser…"
She got right behind them before they noticed her. "What's going on, boys?"
"Sod off Potter, ain't nothin' a' do with you."
"Yeah Potter, you ain't the center of the universe, now sod off."
"I never claimed to be? But since I'm here, you may as well tell me what's so funny, hm?"
"What part a' sod off didn't you get, Potter?" Goyle started to get up.
"Is there a problem?" Cedric called down the table, Head Boy badge gleaming on his robes.
"N-No, Ced, no problem. Take the bloody paper, Potter, and choke on it!"
Crabbe balled the paper up and shoved it at her, but she just smiled sweetly. "Thanks boys." She went onto her own table and sat down, smoothing the paper with a murmured spell. MINISTRY'S GIANT MISSTEP was the headline that met her gaze, along with a moving photograph of Hagrid, standing outside his hut, blinking and looking abashed.
"Rita, what have you done now?" She was gonna deal with this on a full stomach; she folded the paper and ate lunch before flipping it open again, her friends crowding around to read it as well.
Chapter 48: Future Prefect?Summary:Hazel has a lot to worry about. And her friends aren't helping!
Chapter TextThey read the article from top to bottom, and Hazel shook her head. "I don't get it. Why is Rita blaming the Ministry for hiring Hagrid?"
Draco scoffed. "That's kind of what she does, Hazel. Go after people in power, dig up the dirt, make them look bad and have to justify themselves to the common folk."
Pansy rolled her eyes. "My father never thought very highly of her. So she can't be all that bad, can she?"
"I wonder why Hagrid, though? Sure he's a half-giant, but how long would any animosity last against him around here?"
"Then why didn't she attack Charlie, or Professor Trelawney? Charlie's new and Trelawney's had her issues before, surely they'd be better targets."
Pansy shrugged. "Maybe she was in a hurry. This isn't up to her usual standards, after all."
Hazel made a decision. "I'll have a word with her at the next Hogsmeade visit. It's next week if I recall."
After dinner, Hazel went up to the Owlery and wrote an invitation for Rita to join her at the Three Broomsticks the next weekend, tying it to Hedwig when it was ready, then feeding her some bacon rinds before tossing her out the window.
That evening, after classes, Hazel and Ron went down to Hagrid's hut by themselves, eager to confront the big man about the article. They saw a light through the window, and they could hear Fang whining and rummaging around inside, but Hagrid didn't come to the door at first.
Ron pounded on the door. "Hagrid, we know you're in there! Open up!"
"Let us in or we'll blow the door down! Three! Two!"
"A'righ', a'righ'!" Seconds later the door creaked open. "Ruddy kids anyway…"
Hazel and Ron walked in, finding the hut rather disheveled even by its usual standards. They climbed up onto the chairs. "What you hiding for, Hagrid?"
"Arr, yeh saw 'at article in th' paper, yeh? Nothin' else ter say!"
"Well, is it true?" Ron asked.
"'Course it's bloody well true! Dunno 'ow she figured it out, mind yeh."
Hazel sighed. "Hagrid, anyone who was in the rose garden that night heard you, you weren't exactly keeping your voice down. It was all over the school by the next day!"
"'Ow'd it get in th' papers then? Tha' Skeeter woman ain't allowed on th' grounds n' mo', 'n students ain't been ter Hogsmeade."
That was an important question, but Hazel didn't need them getting bogged down. "Never mind that right now. If it's true then why are you ashamed of it?"
"Who said anythin' 'bout bein' 'shamed o' it? 'Sides, what do yeh care, Ron? Yeh was one o' the loudes' voices talkin' it up."
Ron hung his head in shame. "Yeah… I mean… everyone else was saying it, and like…" He struggled to justify himself as Hagrid and Hazel both stared expectantly. "I dunno! Ever since the Ball everything's gone to shit for me!"
Hazel made a disbelieving noise. "Because Hermione didn't dance with you?"
"Not exactly, I mean, she's like my sister. But like… when I saw her dancing with Krum…"
"Arr, who cares? It were only s'pposed ter be 'bout 'avin' fun, Ron, yeh knows 'at. Yeh didn' blink an eye when Hazel went dancin' with Parkinson, did yeh?"
"No, because Hazel does whatever the hell she wants and it doesn't matter what anyone else says."
"Then why can't Hermione do whatever or whoever the hell she wants without it mattering what anyone else says?"
Ron had no immediate answer to that, and Hagrid sighed. "Yeh gotta let other folk live their lives, Ron, s'all there is to it. They ain't always gonna do what yeh want 'em to do, neither, an' yeh jus' gotta live with 'at."
"What does any of this have to do with why you were attacking Hagrid behind his back?"
"Well, like I said, everything was going to shit for me, and… and I wanted to get a little control back, you know? Those rumors about Hagrid started going around, and Seamus and Lavender were repeating them, so I… jumped in front and ran with it, I guess."
"So, you started smearing Hagrid for attention?"
Ron facepalmed and sighed. "Ugh, when you put it that way I sound like a pest. I dunno, I've been pissed off about Krum and Hermione and I let it get the better of me. But I feel better now that I've talked it out, so."
"What about you, Hagrid? Are you gonna keep hiding out in here?"
"Eh, I dunno. Migh' wait fer th' ruckus ter blow over, yeah? I ain't 'shamed o' what I am, I'm jus' not used ter th' attention, s'all."
"Do what I did, get out in front of it. You're a half-giant, so what? Own it! Own who you are and to hell with anyone who says otherwise!"
"Yeah… yeah, I reckon I oughta, yeah. Thanks, Hazel."
Hagrid was in a much better mood when she and Ron left to head back to the castle, and she could tell Ron felt better too, for being pushed into admitting his feelings. "No more bullshit?" she said, knocking his shoulder.
"No more bullshit." He seemed to believe it. Hazel wasn't so sure, but she didn't want to ruin the moment with cynicism.
They got to the castle and went inside, sighing as the warmth of the entrance hall swept over them. They split up at the stairs, waving and calling goodnight to each other.
Down in the common room, she found her classmates huddled by the fire, and went over to sit with them. "Where'd you go?" Tracey asked as she moved over.
"Ron and I went to see Hagrid." She sat down and explained how her visit went.
When she was done, Pansy seemed surprised. "I'm surprised you let Weasley go with you, honestly, after everything he's done."
"Well, I think he's sincere in turning over a new leaf for now, and I think it was good for both of them to talk things over and clear the air. I think I convinced Hagrid to stand up for himself, at least, but we'll see."
Blaise nodded in agreement. "He really IS too gentle for his own good. You've got a knack for this sort of thing, Hazel."
"Huh? Knack for what sort of thing?"
"This. When things are all wrong, it's usually you who does something about it. You're bound to be a prefect next year."
Pansy tried to hide her amusement at Blaise's comments. "Potter had better be prefect. I don't think any one of us has marks good enough for it."
"I know I don't." Tracey giggled as she leaned into Hazel's side and got comfortable. "Hazel, we need to restart that study group! It was really helping me keep my grades up~"
"The study group?" Hazel froze, thinking back. "Oh damn, you're right. I guess the dueling club kind of took over, huh." When had that happened…
Millicent chuckled. "I know that look. That's the look that says Hazel's about to run off and push herself extra hard tonight because she's got too many thoughts in her crowded head."
"Ooh, let's go ogle and catcall her!" Tracey replied, clinging a bit closer. "You boys are really missing out!"
"Shut up!" Hazel was already halfway out of her seat though, embarrassed that her dormmates knew her so well. Because that was exactly what she was about to do, wasn't it? Run away to her dorm, put her Muggle workout clothes on and push herself through an extra hard workout.
Maybe that was why she was so buff for a teenage girl, she thought as she did just that. Exercise was her escape, her way of hijacking her thoughts back in order. And she had a lot of thoughts right then.
Because they were right, weren't they? She did have a habit of taking charge, of just doing things when they had to be done. Like starting a dueling club or a study group, or dealing with whatever bullshit Voldemort was trying. But then, if she didn't, who would? Who else was motivated enough to act?
And speaking of Voldemort, she hadn't thought about him lately, had she? She hadn't had any more night visions in a while, and if he was still plotting it wasn't making the news the way Jorkins and Malfoy had.
Her thoughts were still all jumbled by the time she finished her workout, even extended as it was. She sighed and took a quick shower, and went to bed feeling unsatisfied and restless.
She had vague, unsettling dreams about running away from somebody, and woke up late, still feeling restless and unsatisfied. She got dressed and tried to put a brave face on her feelings, but it didn't last long.
"What's up with you?" Draco asked immediately when she walked into the common room.
"Uh, nothing."
"Bullshit, Hazel, talk to us." Tracey tugged her down to the seat. "You hardly ever sleep late."
Hazel fumbled for the words to put her thoughts in order, then gave up and blurted out whatever felt right: "I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a prefect."
Everyone stared at her for a moment, and she looked away, fighting a blush. "That's what kept you up all night?" Draco demanded.
"Well, it's like you guys were saying yesterday, how I'd be a good prefect or whatever because I take charge and dothings. I don't think that's true at all."
"Are you saying you don't take charge? Because you do."
"But is that all it takes to be a prefect?"
Pansy put a hand over hers. "Not at all, prefects need good marks, charisma, the ability to follow and enforce the rules. And, yes, they need to be able to take charge when the need arises, without asking permission."
Draco nodded. "Honestly, Hazel, I really think you've got a good shot of being made prefect. You and Snape are close, and Dumbledore dotes on you quite a bit. Plus none of us really want it."
Their support made her feel a bit better, but she wasn't done yet. "There's always two prefects, one boy and one girl. So who's gonna be my partner?"
Draco, Blaise and Theo shared a look and a shrug. "Definitely Draco. He's the most stuck-up of us, and you guys work pretty well together."
"I am not stuck up!" Draco retorted.
"Yes you are!" several people said at the same time, and that made him sputter. Hazel couldn't help but laugh at the expression on his face, and found herself feeling better.
"Whatever, enough about me. We weren't even talking about me!"
Tracey sighed and snuggled into Hazel's side. "Actually, maybe you shouldn't be a prefect, you'll be too busy to remind me what your fingers can do~"
Pansy giggled. "It'd be easier, actually, prefects have more autonomy and they're expected to be outside their dorms on patrol nights."
"See, Tracey? You won't have to go without my fingers that long." She reached around, and Tracey went stiff beneath her for a moment. "Well, I'd love to remind you right now, but that'd mean missing breakfast~"
"You're such a tease! Leaving me all worked up…"
"Keep it up, I'll happily corner you in the halls after we eat."
Daphne laughed. "I'm not sure threatening someone with a good time is very effective."
"Oh no, I don't make threats, I make promises!"