Chapter Text
Sometime, the one that has the information isn’t the one you think
arriving late has always been something I felt disgusted with when I was coming to King Cross with the Weasley. Someone always forgot a book or the socks they needed . In the end, we ended up coming to the train platform at the last minute, exchanging goodbyes like it was a necessary headache.
The better question would be; why were we taking the muggle route when we could have taken the floo like every magical family who has access to a fireplace?
I put my trunk in a baggage compartment before going on a hunt for my two badger friends.
Last night, I received a letter from Susan asking me to find them once I arrived since her aunt was the one who was coming to the station with them and she wasn't given the morning off so they would be there terribly early. I also heard from Sirius and Remus but their letter was more of a ‘good luck for this year’ and a ‘don’t get caught’ type of encouragement. Remus didn't hide the fact that they talked to Harry about his attitude last year –even though I didn't ask him to– so if my ex-best-friend comes to me with an apology, it's because of him.
I ended-up finding the girl in a compartment in the back of the train. They were sleeping on the two benches so I sat on the ground between them, my back to the window-wall, and started reading this year's book on defense against the dark arts.
As more and more noise came from both inside and outside the train, Susan and Hannah sat up, still half asleep. We were soon joined by Neville who sat next to Hannah and started talking to her. They both blush when their hands touch for an instant which causes Susan and me to exchange a look.
We are so locking them up in a broom closet this year.
As the bell that informs the student to find a seat as we were leaving soon rang, Pansy opened the door in a grand gesture as she sat next to Susan with a grin. She was dragging Draco by the arm and looked pretty proud of herself when the boy took the last spot on the bench next to his friend with an exhausted face.
“Don’t look at me that way Draco, I am not suffering another train ride with Crabbe and Goyle. Just thinking about it makes me go dumber.”
Hannah and Neville giggle behind their hands as Susan exchanges a smirk with Pansy. I would have attributed the pooth on Malfoy’s face as a ‘loser's face’, if it wasn't for the poorly hidden smile bending his mouth. I’m sure that, if I had the power to read minds, I would learn that Draco isn't mad about being here with us.
I stayed on the ground reading my book as both benches went back to their conversion. Hannah and Neville were still awkwardly flirting while Susan, Pansy and Draco were now talking politics. It’s how the train ride debuted until the traditional interruption opened the door with her sweet smile.
“Candy?” the trolley witch asked with a neutral expression and not like she just heard Malfoy called the ministry a ‘snob with ego problem’ (I know she did because she looked at him funny when she opened the door to our compartment).
“We’ll take some toffee, pumpkins pasties, acid pops, chocolate frog, sugar quill and some licorice wand. Please.”
Draco doesn't let anyone else say a word that he pays for what he asked for and throws everyone one box. Like she knew it would happen, Pansy is the only one that takes what she knows is hers directly from Draco’s hand. Neville too doesn't try to argue but since he too is kinda friend (maybe ? These two are so complicated and Nev’ never answered my question about what the hell their relationship is) with Malfoy, his reaction doesn't really surprise me. Speechless, Susan is the one that breaks the awkwardness once the trolley lady is gone.
“How did you know what we wanted?”
I look at the sugar quill out of its box and wait for the answer because I too want to know how he knew. Harry and Ron still bought me chocolate frogs for Christmas last year and they were my friends.
“Easy…. Pansy loves toffee since forever, Neville always have second serving when it’s pumpkin flavor, Hannah doesn't like sweet things but I saw her go into Honeyduke once and come out with a bag so I guessed, I saw Hermione lick her quill more than once in class and you always have a licorice wand in your bag in case one of your underclassmen needs a sweet. I see stuff. People don't know how predictable they are. I just see stuff.”
Well, now I know why Harry and Ron never knew about my preference in sweets. they don’t see shit even when it’s right under their nose. It also explains why Draco is amazing in potions. With his memories, he probably remembers everything about every plant, recipe and steps. Maybe that’s how he and Nev’ came to be?
“Draco is crazy observant.” add Neville as he accepts his pastry. “ That's why I always plan with him when I want to do something.”
“It mostly comes with the years of attending the Wizengamot with my father. He always did the plotting so analysing stuff logically became my thing.”
there is a silent moment for the lost childhood of Draco before I leave the floor to go sit next to Neville as I add with a straight face:
“You know, when I first saw you come out of an empty classroom followed by Malfoy, I thought you two were shagging.”
The other girls laugh at my guess while both boys make a gagging sound. Draco also turned a little green-ish but that could also be from his frog jumping away from the compartment.
“The don’t ask rules should be updated to have a ‘don’t guess’ clause.” state Neville after he stopped cringing at the mental image I put in his head.
“That would ruin the fun of it” I intercept with a wink.” But seriously Draco, thank you for the sweets, just tell me how much I own you and I’ll pay you back.”
the boy shook his head.
“No need, first, it’s my father’s money and he’s more than wealthy enough to provide sweets to my friend. He might not like you and probably never will but what he doesn’t know doesn't hurt. Second, I think you all will need some sweets for what I am about to tell you.”
Hannah and Susan exchange a puzzle look while Pansy just sat back in her seat and started to eat her sweet. She shook her head when I made eye contact like it meant something, so I figured I could hear him out and sneak some sickles in his bag when he’s not looking.
“Go on then. It must be something if you think it will need sweets to go through it.”
Neville was smiling but it didn't reach his eyes. If he too is apprehensive of what's coming, maybe I don't want to know. In the end, Draco didn't leave me a choice since he started talking before I could choose if I wanted to remain or not.
“The headmaster and ministry decided to bring back the triwizard tournament.”
Draco let that sink in but personally I don’t know what it means. He clearly saw it in my face because he turned to me personally while he explained: “The tournament is where three magical schools, Hogwarts, Beauxbatons academy and Dumstrang institute are competing for the name of ‘best school’. It’s dangerous. Like, students, and not only the three champions representing the schools, died. They banned it after a pretty bad one where a first year died as a spectator and the blame fell on the school hosting that year and the different ministry that approved of the task.”
“Why are they bringing it back if it’s so bad?” I don't really understand the ministry’s decision but from Draco’s not even veiled insult on our current head of government, he too doesn't understand. It’s the other Slytherin that answered my question after a loud puff.
“Because the headmaster believes he’s better than everyone else so he brought it back. If it’s a success, his name will be attached to the glory as the man that brought back the tournament.”
“So it’s for the glory?” Ask Hannah, her cheek a little paler than normal.
“That’s what my father thinks.” answered Draco with a shrug.
“So Hogwarts is hosting a dangerous tournament where we need to be careful because even the spectators aren't safe from… from what exactly?”
“Three challenges. They could fight a beast or each other. it changes every time” explain Neville before letting Draco continue.
“To make sure no first year dies, my father heard that Dumbledore will do something to make sure no underage wizard can enter the tournament. He didn't specify what.”
I continued licking my sugar quill as I thought about what I just learned. First, there will be more students in the castle than last year. Second, the tournament won’t technically affect us since we are underage. Third… I actually don't have a third point.
“So all this secrecy for a dangerous tournament that even trained adults with common sense wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole?”
“And a ball” adds Pansy.
“A… Ball?” I repeat not sure to have heard right.
“The Yule Ball. It's a tradition that shows unity between the three schools but for real it’s a networking event and a place to show off who has the most money in the form of outfit and make up and dates.”
“So we’re going to need a dress?” I ask.
“Don’t worry, I can arrange for us to meet with a seamstress on the first hogsmeade weekend to select some gown. I’m sure you could also ask Lord Black to give you one from his family vault. The Black has an extensive collection of dresses that are still featured in magazines to this day as some of the most beautiful dresses of our time.”
“That’s… Actually not a bad idea.” I responded to Hannah as I had ‘ask Sirius for a dress’ to my mental list of things to do.
“But more seriously Hermione. The only thing you need to worry about is all the new friends we’re going to make this year” tells me Neville with a grin
I smirk back at him as Hannah palled. I’m pretty sure I heard her say something along the lines of ‘we’re going to have so much work to do’ while Pansy and Draco laugh at Neville for being such a Hufflepuff. How they didn’t see the most slytherin-ish expression on Neville’s, Susan’s and my face is a mystery.
Looks like this year won’t be a normal one either…