To Dance

Chapter 13: To Fear

Harry was never one for being prodded in the side and now was no exception to that. He groaned and turned to glare at Hermione, who was sitting next to him with an annoyed expression.

"Would you pay attention!" she hissed, eyes narrowed as they flitted between him and Professor Bins. "If you don't stay focused I'm not going to give you my notes. Honestly, sleeping in class."

Harry glowered at her. "I did sleep much last night and woke up really early." He made to turn over and ignore her in favor of returning his head to his desk. "Bother Ron if you're so worried about our study habits."

"He's already asleep!"

"Then bother him!" Harry snapped, jerking his head towards Hermione in aggravation. She huffed at him. "And don't prod me anymore."

"I'm just trying to be helpful," she spat quietly.

"If you want to be so helpful, then stop and let me sleep!" Harry growled. "Honestly, all Bins does is wheeze like an old vacuum cleaner anyway, so what's the point of me just kipping for a moment."

Hermione looked like she would have liked to have said something but kept her mouth shut instead, glaring at him before returning her full attention to the spectral professor's waffling at the front of the room. Harry chanced a glance at Ron, who was just the same as five minutes ago, head firmly set on his desk and drooling slightly. Harry sighed and turned his head to the side, letting his cheek rest on the cool surface of the desk as he stared absently out the window.

After a moment his mind began to drift and the next thing he knew, Harry was being prodded again. Growling at being pulled away just as he was about to sleep, he glared at Hermione. However, it was Ron this time, and he was standing with his bag slung over his shoulder. Surprised, Harry looked around him to see everyone gathering up their things and leaving. Rubbing his face slightly, Harry shoved his books and materials into his bag and stood, nodding to Ron and Hermione. Hermione pointedly ignored him.

"You doze off?" Ron asked him as they walked to the Great Hall.

"Yeah," Harry replied, trying to rub the exhaustion from his eyes. "You did too, though I'm glad to see the drool is gone." Ron punched him lightly.

"Don't be ridiculous," he scoffed. "I don't drool."

"Yeah, and Snape's a woman."

"Am I now?" a cool and slimy voice said from behind them. They froze, eyes wide in terror as they all turned their heads in fear of what stood behind them. Hermione let out a slight gasp and Ron had turned white. Harry felt like his stomach had just eaten itself and thrown itself up. Snape stood behind them, staring down his nose at them in great displeasure. "I suppose I shall have to practice my curtsy then."

If Harry hadn't been fearing for his life, he almost would have laughed at the fact that the Potions Master was actually joking. Joking in the way a serial killer might sound joking, but still, it was surprising. As it was, he could do nothing but stare up in horror at the Slytherin head of house and wait for the fatal blow. Hermione seemed to be about to pass out.

"Please Professor," she started weakly, her hands shaking under her robes, making her sleeves quiver like an paint mixer. "We didn't mean-"

"Oh, I expect I know what you meant," Snape drawled out, scathingly and rolled his eyes. "Poking fun at others for your own entertainment. Filthy habits you seem to be developing." Ron gulped loudly and Hermione seemed to be about to hyperventilate. Harry was just about to try to say something, anything to stop his friends from passing out or having panic attacks, when a new voice floated towards them.

"Professor! Professor Snape!"

All of them turned towards the new arrival as the student sprinted towards them. When he came closer, Harry recognized Terry Boot as the boy breathed heavily, apprehension and urgency showing on his face.
"Yes, Boot," Snape said silkily. "Can I help you?"

"There's a fight in the Entrance Hall!" Terry panted, his eyes flashing urgently. "Please, they wont stop!"

Snape growled and quickly swept about to stride down the hall, Terry jogging to keep up with the Professor's quick strides. Harry, Ron and Hermione all, shared a look, the shock of the news seeming to have stopped the panic spreading through them to replace it with interest. They quickly followed Snape and Terry down the hall to the Entrance Hall. Catching up with Terry, Harry asked "Who is it fighting?"

"A sixth and seventh year," Terry said quickly as they rounded a corner. "I didn't catch who because I left almost as soon as I got there. They seemed to be really far into it though, I dunno if anyone is hurt. No one told me if they were using magic or not."

Harry drew back from Terry and quickly turned to Ron and Hermione, jerking his head to a tapestry that led to another way to the Entrance Hall, hoping to beat Snape to the fight and find out what was going on. In only a few moments they had arrived panting in the Entrance Hall. Hurrying forward, they pushed their way into the mass of students to see what was going on, Harry easily slipping between bodies with his slight figure and peeking to the front. He gasped slightly in surprise as he saw Cedric and Roger Davies panting heavily in the center of their audience, both wands raised and glaring daggers at each other.

It seemed that Snape was actually having trouble getting to the Entrance Hall because Harry watched as the two boys gasped for breath and regained their positions, seeming to have just finished a bout of fighting. Roger was clutching his knee for support and Cedric had one eye closed as blood trickled down the side of his face. Harry's stomach jolted at the sight of the two of them, beaten and battered and his mind raced in wonder at why the boys were fighting.

Suddenly, Cedric's eyes shifted and Harry locked with his gaze. Cedric continued to breathe heavily and grinned slightly at him, making Harry's stomach twist uncomfortably. Feeling extremely self-conscious (which he should have been used to by now) Harry quickly shifted his gaze between Cedric and Roger, trying and desperately hoping he wasn't being singled out. Roger was glaring heatedly at him, a snarl curling his lip, taking Harry aback slightly. Harry quickly turned the the person next to him to try to get an explanation for this and saw-

"Cho?"

"Hi Harry," she said, gaze still on the two boys, her eyes glinting somewhat.

Harry shook himself, faintly noticing the usual stomach flip-flop he had previously felt around the Ravenclaw Seeker completely absent, he returned to more pressing matters. "Why are they fighting? What's going on?"

Cho turned her face to him slightly, though still keeping her eyes on the boys in the center of the ring. "Apparently, Roger said something offensive to Cedric and they got into a really big argument. Then Roger accused him of cheating or something like that and Cedric told him he was no better and they just began to go at it. Never knew either boy had it in him!" Cho giggled slightly and grinned. "It's so exciting!"

Harry felt far from excitement, more of a sensation of deep worry and apprehension settling in his abdomen as if intent on turning his organs into mush. Both Cedric and Roger had returned their attention to their opponents again, though Cedric now was smirking slightly and Roger's snarl was much more pronounced. Cedric chuckled.

"Come now, Roger," he said calmly, though his voice had a slightly derisive edge to it, grating against Harry's ears unpleasantly and he flinched. "You have to accept when you've lost, be it a fight or something important."

"You filthy-" Roger began to snarl out but was interrupted as Cedric sent a spell his way. Roger quickly blocked it and fired his own at Cedric, their duel beginning again. "Insulting me like you're any better. Traitorous scum."

Cedric's face darkened considerably and he moved quickly towards Roger, sending both a spell and a fist toward the other boy. Roger was only able to block one and was sent flying backwards into the crowd as Cedric's fist collided with his jaw.

"Don't call me a traitor when you so blatantly are, you bastard!" Cedric yelled, fury on his face now as he stared intently at Roger as the other boy was supported by the people pushing him forward into the ring. Roger's lip was bleeding and he was scowling up at Cedric. "I'm done with this," Cedric spat, breathing heavily and stepping backwards. "We're done with this." He straightened and the two boys locked eyes for a moment before Cedric turned and began to walk to the circle of people, apparently making an exit. Harry watched him slowly move, half hoping, have dreading that the Hufflepuff would turn towards him and smile his usual happy smile.

"What's all this," a familiar drawling voice rang out and Harry's eyed widened as he saw Draco Malfoy pushing his was through the crowd near Cedric. "Who's fighting?" Harry watched the scene in surprise as the Slytherin struggled towards the front of the crowd and Cedric walked to the edge, people moving back to let him pass. A gasp beside him made him look at Cho, who was staring at Roger, who was staring at Cedric with his wand raised.

"Look out!" Harry yelled, but too late. Cedric turned at the voice and, in doing so, avoided the curse. However, what missed Cedric hit Malfoy, who was just behind Cedric, finally having made it to the front of the crowd. The spell hit him directly in the chest. Everyone froze and Harry watched in horrid fascination as Malfoy's usually frowning sneering face suddenly drained of all emotion. His eyes seemed to be going in and out of focus and, lethargically he looked down at himself, then up again into nothing, and then, for a moment, lighted briefly on Harry before they slid closed and he crumpled to the floor.

"What's going on!" A familiar commanding voice boomed and Harry's blood ran cold. Though he had never heard Professor Snape yell before he now realized why it was something he never wanted to hear. The rest of the gathered students seemed to think so too as they all began scrambling to get away from the two beat up boys and the prone body of Malfoy. Harry dazedly felt himself being yanked back by someone and staggered back. A moment later there was a tense silence.

"Diggory. Davies," Snape spat out, eyes burning in anger. "Detention, both of you. Report to my office immediately after dinner. We will discuss things then. Get out of my sight." The two boys swiftly took their leave, Harry watching them as they both exchanged a look before stalking off to their respective dormitories. Snape swept over to Malfoy, running his wand over him quickly in examination before he straightened. "Boot," Terry Boot, who had arrived with Snape, stepped forward. "Please get Mr. Malfoy up to the Hospital Wing. He is in need of treatment for a severe curse. I have matters to attend myself or I would do it myself."

Terry nodded timidly and Snape spun around and swooped back to the Dungeons, leaving the Hall to erupt into sound as soon as he had vanished. People began moving from the hall quickly, getting away from the scene. He felt a slight tug on his sleeve "C'mon Harry, you should go." Harry turned to see who had pulled him and saw Cho. He nodded at her and she smiled, letting him go and moving to join a group of her giggling friends. Ron pushed his way over to him, Hermione trailing behind.

"Well, we got a distraction from Snape and a blast to Malfoy. Can't be a much better ending to the week than that," Ron said happily, looking between Harry and Hermione.

"Ron, don't be cruel," Hermione said. "Although, considering it is Malfoy-"

"Do you think he's ok?" Harry asked, interrupting Hermione. Both Ron and Hermione stared at him.

"What?"

"Did you just ask what I think you asked because if you did I dunno where your head is mate," Ron said, looking at Harry as if he was mid-way Polyjuice transformation and resembled the Elephant Mans child.

Harry ignored him and looked over to see Terry struggling to hoist the unconscious Malfoy up and glancing around for help. His eyes met with Harry and pleaded. Mentally nodding, Harry moved over to the struggling boy, Ron choking on air behind him and Hermione limply staring at him. "Need a hand?" Harry asked Terry when he had come up to him and Malfoy.

"Yes please!" panted Terry, trying again to hoist Malfoy.

"Here, you grab the legs and I'll get the arms," Harry offered, moving to grab the Slytherin as Terry did the same. He looked over at Ron and Hermione who were still sporting looks of complete and utter shock, Ron's face twitching slightly. He jerked his head slightly. "You go on ahead up to the Common Room. I'm going to help Terry." Hermione moved first, shaking her head and pulling a still staring Ron up the stairs to the Gryffindor dormitories as Terry and Harry began to make their way to the Hospital wing.

After a few moments, Terry broke the silence. "Thanks. For helping me with this."

Harry, who had been absently watching as Malfoy swung slightly back and forth between them as they carried him, looked up at Terry and smiled. "No problem."

Terry seemed to be slightly uncomfortable. "You're not doing this just because you're a Champion are you?"

Harry stared at him. "What?"

"I mean," Terry seemed slightly uncomfortable. "With trying to win people's favor or anything." He sighed. "I know people were pretty against you earlier this year. I just thought-"

"I don't do things to win people's favor," Harry said sternly, frowning at Terry.

Terry looked at him for a moment before he smiled. "Good."

The rest of the walk up to the Hospital wing was in silence, Malfoy swinging between them. Harry was half tempted to lower his arms slightly and make Malfoys head drop to the floor just to see if he would wake up but decided his imagination would have to suffice. They quickly opened the doors to the Wing and Madam Pomfrey, her 'injured-student' senses peaked, came bustling up to them, huffing like an agitated goose.

"Students fighting in the halls, disobeying school rules, Triwizard Tournaments!" she quibbled, leading them to an empty bed where Malfoy was quickly deposited. "What's next? Do you know what he was hit with?"

Terry shook his head. "Professor Snape just said it was a nasty curse. We don't know what it was."

Madam Pomfrey seemed extremely rumpled by this and puffed herself up unhappily before bustling about with Malfoy. "You two can go back to your Common Rooms. I'll be sure to have him up and happy soon. Run along."

Feeling like a scolded child, Harry withdrew from Madam Pomfrey and her charge and bid goodbye to Terry before he swept his gaze over the rest of the wing. His eyes widened as they settled on a familiar figure. Hesitantly, he walked over to Cedric, who was sitting on a far cot, bandaging his hand. When he was about ten feet from him, Cedric seemed to realize he was there and jerked his head up to Harry.

"Harry," Cedric said in surprise, moving over slightly and quickly finishing in the bandaging of his hand to turn his attention to the boy in front of him. He had a large bandage across his forehead and multiple bruises, his robes slightly torn and a slightly tired look to his face. "What are you doing here?"

Harry gestured behind him to where Madam Pomfrey was fussing over Malfoy. "I brought Malfoy up with Terry Boot. Madam Pomfrey is trying to fix him up."

"Ah," Cedric said in understanding, his eyes flashing to Madam Pomfrey as she fussed over the Slytherin before moving over on his cot and patting the bedding for Harry to sit. Harry did so hesitantly and blushed slightly when Cedric leaned back on his unbandaged hand to look at him, stretching gloriously on the bed. He smiled up at Harry warmly.

"So to what do I owe to the pleasure of your company?" Cedric said, his usual warm voice washing over Harry, who internally shivered.

"I wanted to know if you were okay," Harry said, moving back somewhat to look at Cedric better. "And to ask what the fight was about."

Cedrics' face darkened and he turned his gaze from Harry, directing it at the cool December air swirling outside the window. "I'm alright," he said, somewhat distantly. "Davies stepped in matters he shouldn't have."

Harry shifted, curious. "Like what?"

Cedric shifted a sideways look at him. "He tried to manipulate me by using you."

Harry stared at him blankly. "What?"

Cedric sighed. "He tried to use my emotions against me and used my feelings for you as his weapon, threatening to slander both of us."

Harrys' blood ran cold. This was something he did need, want, or expect. It was like sitting on a cactus during an interview, uncomfortable and awkward and completely helpless. He swallowed. "Is he going to?"

Cedric smiled at him, his face melting back to its usual composure. "I told him if he tried to do anything, he have to answer to me." He grinned. "I think after out little tussle he might stay out of the way."

Harry frowned, feeling like there was something Cedric wasn't telling him. He was about to voice this when a soft groan was heard through the room. Both boys turned to look at Madam Pomfrey and Malfoy, who had begun to stir.

Getting up, Harry walked over to the Slytherin, Cedric following him, frowning slightly. "Did you figure out what the curse was?" Harry asked Madam Pomfrey, turning to look at her.

"Unfortunately, yes,"

Unfortunately? Did Harry hear that right? "Excuse me?" he asked, looking at Madam Pomfrey in confusion, a slight feeling of apprehension coiling in his stomach.

"Unfortunately because it's a ridiculous curse and I have no idea why Davies would have cast it," the nurse huffed out, crossing her arms as she continued to bustle about with a few potions.

"What did he cast?" Cedric's voice asked, an almost anxious tinge to it. Harry turned to look at him.

"The Twist of the Heart," Madam Pomfrey said, disgust lacing her voice and Harry watched Cedric visibly stiffen at the words. Harry looked between Madam Pomfrey and Cedric in confusion.

"Excuse me but, what's that?" Harry was feeling distinctly left out.

Malfoy groaned again and raised a hand to rub at his face. Cedric hadn't moved since Madam Pomfrey had spoken and Harry was beginning to get worried.

"It forces the inflicted to publicly bear their soul and secrets," Madam Pomfrey explained, looking over at Harry with a superior expression. "It's a cruel thing to do, especially to teenagers. Makes the poor things bear their secrets to the first person they see."

Harry was beginning to feel distinctly uncomfortable hearing this. "Is there a counter curse for i-" He would have finished his sentence if Mafloy hadn't opened his eyes then. Well, opening his eyes wasn't that big of a deal, it was the fact that he opened them and that he was staring at Harry that was more of what was causing Harry's stomach to try to transform into a cat. The two boys stared at each other, Harry feeling distinctly awkward.

"No," Madam Pomfrey answered is unfinished question, bustling off. "You can go Mr. Malfoy. I expect that'll wear off in a few hours or so." And she was gone.

For a moment, the wing was bathed in silence, the lack of sound gnawing on Harry's ears before Malfoy spoke.

"Harry."

"Potter," Harry supplied automatically. Oh here we go again, he thought.

Malfoy was scowling, his mouth working as if trying to say something but not being able to. "Harry," he said again.

Harry scowled at him in confusion and irritation. "Potter," he repeated. "Come on Malfoy, don't do this aga-"

"Draco," Malfoy said, glaring and seemingly annoyed at his own mouths inability to keep shut.

"I didn't know you were on a first name basis," Cedric commented, looking between Harry and Draco, finally moving to stand closely beside Harry, frowning.

"We're not," Harry said.

"You're not," Malfoy said, glaring harder now at the floor.

"Can you shut yourself up or something?" Harry spat, turning back to Cedric.

"No," Malfoy replied, smirking slightly at Harry's annoyed expression.

Harry chose to ignore him and turned to Cedric. "What's going on?" he asked, desperately hoping that Cedric would give him a better answer than he was giving himself.

"He saw you first," Cedric said, looking between Harry and Malfoy, scowling slightly. "He can't tell you anything but the truth and their secrets for the next few hours or so." He glared at Malfoy. "Much as I pity you I can't help but be glad it's you and not me."

Malfoy grinned at him, sitting up and laying his hands across his knees. "Why? Does Delightful Diggory have dirty little secrets playing about him?" He sneered. "Oh how amusing. What would you have spilled if you'd be hit? Sordid love tangles?"

Cedric glared at the blond, shifting slightly away from Harry. "You're one to talk," Harry said, glaring at Malfoy.

"Am I?" Malfoy asked, leaning back and staring at Harry. "And hows that, Harry." He froze, frowned and opened his mouth again. "Harry." He scowled, pressed his lips together tightly. "Harry." He looked up furiously. "Oi! What'd you do? I can't say it!"

Harry stared at him, shocked. He had never been called by his given name by Malfoy so many times, save for the odd breakfast experience. Hearing it now was unsettling and-

Refreshing.

"You were hit by the Twist of the Heart," Cedric informed him, still glaring at the boy on the bed. "And you just so happened to lock eyes with Harry when you came to. You got yourself into this, don't blame him."

"I was what!" Malfoy yelled, panic edging his voice. "What do you mean I was hit. You can't be seriously telling me I have to tell Wonder Boy here anything he asks me! I wont have this!" Malfoy had his hands fisted in the sheets of the bed, his face flushed in anger and was panting slightly. "You can't be serious," he repeated, turning to look at Harry, desperation suddenly in his eyes.

Harry was shocked. "Does it really scare you that much?" The words left his mouth before he could stop them and he watched Malfoy's eyes widen. Trying to cover himself, Harry laughed harshly and crossed his arms. "Do you really hate me that much you can't stand me knowing one measly thing about you?"

Malfoy had dropped his head, his hair falling into his face, his shoulders tensed under his shirt and hands white gripping the sheets. He was shaking slightly and Harry felt Cedric move closer to him. Harry watched him, not knowing what to do with this suddenly new Malfoy in front of him. "Yes no," Malfoy whispered, Harry barely catching the words as they slipped from the pale boy.

"What the hell does that mean?" Harry snapped, annoyed by the answer which, in his opinion, made no sense at all.

"It means yes to the first and no to the second, you thick head!" Malfoy yelled, snapping his head to Harry and glaring at him furiously. He was still trembling and Harry felt his stomach churn. He'd never seen Malfoy like this before, so blatant, so blunt, so.... vulnerable.

"I don't want you knowing my secrets! I don't want you to know about me! You're not supposed to know about me! I'm not important to you so why should you know that!" Malfoy was fuming, his voice cracking slightly as he yelled at Harry. "How would you feel bearing your secrets to me? Pleased? First the self truth serum and now this! Honestly, it's like this school is bent on getting me to humiliate myself and you just have to be gifted box tickets!"

"What are you so afraid of?" Harry demanded, losing his temper. "That I'll find out something nasty?" He sneered. "I'll find out about how pampered you are at home? About how wonderful it is to be Slytherins Prince? What's the worst thing you could tell me, huh? C'mon Malfoy, let's hear it!"

Harry was breathing heavily by the time he had finished, glaring at Malfoy, who had turned ghostly white when Harry had finished. He began to tremble slightly, his lips pressed in a thin line as he looked at Harry, fear creeping into his eyes. "Go on then," Harry said, panting slightly, as he stared down at Malfoy, who was now shaking, his hands clenching the sheets almost desperately.

"Harry, I don't think you want to hear this," Cedric said, suddenly moving next to him and pulling him into his arms. Harry ignored him, though didn't push him away. Cedric looked down at him and tightened his arms in hopes that the raven would look up at him.

"Yes I do," Harry said, an overwhelming sense of curiosity and a desperate need to know burning inside him as he stared at the Slytherin on the bed.

Malfoy's eyes swam with fear and desperation and he clapped a hand over his mouth, fury leaking onto his features and attempting to battle his other emotions. Just as he looked about to say something, and Harry felt a surge of excitement pulse through his body, the blond launched himself off the cot, sprinting to the doors of the wing and slamming through them. Harry stared at the doors as he heard Malfoy yell something he couldn't quite make out as the other sprinted away.

Harry turned to Cedric, who was scowling at the door. "What did he yell?"

Cedric said nothing as he continued to glare at the doors. Eyes widening as a thought passed through his mind, Harry broke from Cedric's arms and sprinted the same way as Malfoy had.

"Harry! Wait!"

Harry ignored Cedric's call as he sprinted down the Castles corridors after the blond, a jolt going through his stomach when he recognized a familiar blond figure leaning against a wall.

"Malfoy!" He yelled. He saw Malfoy look up, shock blossom on his face as his mouth formed the word 'no' before Harry bowled him over, tackling him to the ground. Once again sitting on top of the Slytherin and holding his arms triumphantly to the floor, Harry grinned down at his prey. "Ha!" He said victoriously.

Malfoy was struggling under him, trying to buck him off and run, his teeth clenched and fear, panic, and anger flashing across his face. "Get off!"

"What did you yell?"

Malfoy tried to buck Harry off again. "Words," he spat out. Harry frowned, noticing the loop hole in the curse. He told the truth, just not the truth Harry wanted to hear.

"What are you so afraid of?"

Malfoy froze, slowly turning his eyes to Harry, his silver orbs glistening in shock and something else Harry couldn't quite place. Harry waited for what seemed like an eternity before the blond finally spoke.

"Rejection."