PART 5

AS SOON as those two names passed Dumbledore's lips - collective gasps broke out across the hall , people angrily murmuring among themselves at the unfairness of it all. It took a moment for Draco to realise what was happening , and as soon as his eyes fell upon the brunette at the Ravenclaw table - all he could feel was fear. Extreme fear. Fear for Evanna.

He knew that she hadn't entered her name for the tournament , it just wasn't possible.

He just had to find out who it was.

He concentrated on Evanna , noticing how her face remained blank - but pallid. How the slight tremble of her legs gave away her nerve-wracking position as she stood up slowly. How her eyes had grown wide with fear. Draco watched , as she made her way up the front , watching as Harry joined her midway. Draco scoffed.

Of course it had to be Saint Potter. He was getting used to every year becoming the 'Harry Potter Show'. Rolling his eyes , he heard whispers around him.

"Of course Potter put his name in , bloody Gryffindor can't resist a bit of glory."

"How do you think he did it ? I mean , he's only fourteen and there had been a powerful age line."

"Or maybe it's Frey. She is top of her year , after all. Plus , a Ravenclaw."

"Yes , won't be a surprise if Frey did it. She's always been terrifyingly quiet , as though reading other people , not to mention she's always lonesome."

"But if it was her , why would she include Potter's name ?"

Draco's head spun as more accusations flooded his ears. He concentrated on his wavering reflection on the surface of the orange liquid that filled the sparkling goblet - running his fingers along the edge of the smooth , polished wooden table.

Lifting his gaze back up , he noticed a hush fall around the room - and it was so quiet , that he felt as though he could see the disapproving thoughts inside of everyone.

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Evanna has had only one ambition ever since the age of seven. An act of theft. Thievery , from her own father. And today , she was a little closer to achieving it. Close , yet quite far away. The sole of her shoes clicked against the cold stone floor , bouncing off the thick walls and piercing the murmurs between the three other champions , and Madame Maxime and Igor Karkaroff.

Harry Potter was a bundle of nerves next to her. His foot tapping against the floor , with no rhythmn whatsoever , giving away his blatant nervousness. His forehead was beaded with drops of sweat  , that shone brightly against the orange tint of the low burning flames.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes , Evanna brought a perfectly manicured nail to her eyes , wiping away a salty tear - one she had quite effectively produced , which had excused her from the looks of contempt from the others , that had then been directed solely to Harry.

"Did you - put your name in ...?", She heard a quiet voice ask close to her. Turning to her left , her lips curling into a sad smile - she shook her head.

"Evanna Frey", She said , politely introducing herself. "I am aware that both of us know each other , but I believe introductions are necessary seeing as we haven't met each other in person."

Flashing a small smile , Harry shook her hand.

"Harry Potter."

And when he turned away , Evanna swiftly wiped her hand down her robe - hoping that no one would notice her disgust.

The doors to the chamber opened with signified resonance , as a raging Dumbledore stormed down towards Harry and herself. Withholding Harry by his collar , he asked in a voice that shook with anger - "Harry did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire ?"

Harry produced a noise that could be classified as a whimper , and shook his head quickly before saying as calmly as possible ,"No , sir."

"Did you ask a friend to do it ?"

"No sir !"

"Are you absolutely sure ?"

"Yes sir."

Dumbledore let go of his hold on the boy with shaggy jet black hair , turning to face her instead as he asked the same question.

"No , sir", Evanna said , repeating Harry's words.

"Well , of course they are lying", a sharp voice said. Madame Maxime. Dumbledore shook his head , and Mad-Eye Moody interfered by saying ,"There is a strict age line around the cup. There is no way Potter or Frey could have crossed that." He looked at Evanna , as though silently telling her how furious her father would be.

Evanna only turned away. If she had maintained eye contact any longer , her lips would have curled into a cheshire like grin at the thought of her open rebuke and disregard for her father's rules. Merlin , she could just laugh all day at the though of the priceless expression on his face.

"Thank you , Alastor", Dumbledore said , before turning towards Bartemius Crouch - a slouching old man with a small moustache - his brows furrowed deep in thought.

"What do you suggest , Bartemius ?"

"The rules are clear , Albus. If the goblet chooses you , you stand alone", Crouch replied , silencing all. He looked at both Harry and Evanna , his gaze lingering slightly longer on Evanna's face - as though calculating something.

"They are , as of tonight , Triwizard Champions."

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"I knew I'd find you here", a voice said behind Evanna - as her back still remained turned towards him. Draco cautiously waked towards the front , and was astonished when he saw the glistening tears , resting against her pallid face that glowed in the flicker of the moonlight. Her eyes were painfully shut , as though she were afraid something dreadful may happen if she opened them.

The only other time he had seen her cry was when the duo had both been around five. Stumbling along the cobblestone pathway , lined with geraniums and rose bushes , that ran along the vast gardens of the Malfoy Manor. Evanna had lost her footing , and had tripped on the path - scraping her knee against the harsh ground.  He had helped her up , and taken her to his mother to get the wound cleaned. She had cried for a long time , and the sight had pained him to his core. He had tried to make her laugh , and when her cries had subsided into sniffles , and a smile had broken out on her lips - Draco had felt as though he had achieved the world.

And strangely , the sight of her crying , nine years later - still had the same effect on him. 

He stepped closer to her ,  stiffly wrapping his arms around her as she mumbled the words ,"Harry did not enter my name , or his. Someone else did. Why ?"

She melted into his touch , and Draco thought about what she had said.

Was someone trying to get her and Potter killed ?

He did not voice this possibility , knowing well Evanna cried for she had figured it out already. And the one who wished to kill her lurked somewhere within the castle , under it's arched roof , melting into the crowd of teachers and students - concealing their wishes behind a mask - perhaps , even keeping an eye on them right now.

He ran his fingers slowly through her hair , as her soft sobs subsided. Both stood still , neither wishing to break away from the affectionate embrace. It baffled Draco , how he could still care for someone after nearly a decade.

In that moment , he realised , nothing had changed. He still got the same pride he had when he was successful in making Evanna smile. And when she pulled back , and smiled up at him - her tears still fresh as they glistened at the corners of her glassy eyes - he knew , nothing had changed.

Maybe , the boundaries had grown. The distance had increased. But everything was still the same.

Oh , how wrong he was.