Skinny Love (Fred Weasley)

Chapter 12

The next few days are tough, not just for Harry, but also to me. It was clear that the entire school thought Harry entered the tournament himself. Unlike the Gryffindors, the others were not impressed with that. The Hufflepuffs, who usually are in good terms with the Gryffindors, were remarkably cold towards us. I can't blame them, they rarely receive any glory and when Cedric finally gives one to them; whoever put Harry's name in ruined it for them. I haven't seen Cedric ever since last time in the Great Hall. We've been writing to each other a lot and he seems to be very busy with his champion life now. It has been proven when I saw the same group of sixth grade girls who had been so keen on Krum, begging Cedric to sign their bags. The most frustrating part is, Ron and Hermione are still not talking to me and Harry; even when I tried to make a conversation with them. Meanwhile there was no reply from Sirius, I began to worry about Amelia since this is her first time delivering letter to Sirius; it's usually Hedwig's job, but he's currently mad at Harry. I was so caught up with everything happening to my best friends, it has really affected how I do in school. I'm usually a top student in potion and charms; yet I carelessly pour too much bat blood into my cauldron and messed up my confundos charms which result in extra homework for both classes. The worse is yet to come. When Harry and I arrived at Severus's dungeon after lunch, we found the Slytherins waiting outside, each wearing a badge that I mistakenly thought it was the S.P.E.W badge but when I look closely it says

SUPPORT CEDRIC DIGGORY-

THE REAL HOGWARTS CHAMPION!

"Like them, Potter?" said Malfoy loudly as we approached. "And this isn't all they do- look!" He pressed the badge, the message upon it vanished and is replaced by

POTTER STINKS!

The Slytherin hollered in laughter. Each of them pressed their badges, too. Until the message Potter Stinks is shining everywhere. I felt Harry tensed up next to me, his heat rise to his neck and face. "Oh very funny." I said sarcastically to Pansy Parkinson and her gang, who were laughing harder than anyone. "Real creative." I glanced at Ron and Hermione who are standing against the wall, they didn't laugh, but they didn't stand up for Harry either. Well, I'm going to. The moment when I reached for my wand, everyone backed up in the corridor. "Alvina, this isn't worth it." Harry said, breathing heavily. "Come on, Castillo," said Malfoy tauntingly." You gotta protect your little boyfriend right? Wow, Potter, I didn't know you're such a baby! First Moody, now Castillo!" He laughed. I can't contain my anger anymore, how dare he insults us like that! Before I knew it, I cast my spell towards Malfoy while he cast his to me.

"Ducklihfor!" I shouted.

"Diffindo!" screamed Malfoy

Jet of light shot out from both our wands. My eyes widened as I realized he casted the severing charm; I ducked down, not wanting any of my body parts ripped. Malfoy isn't so lucky; he got turned into a duck by me. All the Gryffindors filled the dungeons with high pitched laughter; I can't help but do so too, "First a ferret, now a duck! What's next, Malfoy? A cockroach? Suits you well." I smirked. Malfoy, or should say, the duck, started quacking like crazy while the other Slytherins stared at him blankly. "And what is all this noise about?" My smile dropped. Severus walked towards us in a dangerous look on his face, this isn't going to go well. The Slytherins clamored to give him their explanations. Severus turned to me, "Explain." "Malfoy provoked me. He attacked me with a severing charm! But he missed because he is a stuck up, stu-"He cut me off," Where is Mr. Malfoy?" I pointed my finger to the duck as I tried to stifle my laugh. Severus looked at the panicked duck, his mouth slightly twitched, "Goyle, bring him to the hospital wing. Fifty points from Gryffindor and stay after class, Ms. Castillo." He said coldly. The Gryffindors started protesting but as usual, nothing changed.