It's Hard to be Perky when You're a Malfoy

The day before the second task I walked into the dormitory. Anya was sitting on the floor next to her mouse cage.

"Lucy," she said with nearly forced casualness. "Have you got any hellebore? I've run out."

"I'm not sure," I replied. "I'd have to check. What do you need it for?"

"I-" I heard her voice crack and I turned in shock. "I'm making a mouse tonic."

She waved a book vaguely and for the first time I noticed tears in her eyes.

I dropped to my knees and threw my arms around her. "Oh Anya."

Anya sobbed into my shoulder. "I need it for Cat, she's sick and she's never been sick before and she's three years old which is old for a mouse especially a non-magic mouse like Cat and I love her so much and I don't know what to do about it and she needs help and I don't want to go on without her." She sniffed. "I just don't."

"It'll be all right," I soothed.

Anya pulled away from me, wiping the tears off her cheeks - like throwing a deck chair off the titanic. "I've got to make the potion."

"No," I said, looking her straight in the eye. "Look, here's what we'll do. I'll get the ingredient and make the tonic downstairs so she's away from the fumes and you can stay up here and sit with her, okay?"

Anya gave a wet nod.

I felt that it was actually Anya who needed someone with her rather than Cat but I was determined to get her that mouse tonic. To be completely honest I didn't think it would do much but I was not about to deny Cat's - or more likely Anya's - last hope. I planned that when I got downstairs I would either find someone to make the tonic then go back to Anya or send someone up to sit with Anya while I myself made it.

Halfway down the stairs I met Lione and after a brief discussion she gravely suggested that since I was the better at Potions I should make the tonic while she comforted Anya. When we parted I had the distinct impression that Lione didn't think the tonic would help either but that she also was willing to give anything a try.

No exam before or since has placed me under more pressure to make the perfect potion than that mouse tonic. My hands were shaking as I handed the tiny bottle over. And it may have been wishful thinking but after the first sip; I think Cat was a little better.

***

We sat in the stands watching as everyone gaped at the scene before them. We were sitting with Laura and Robert - Laura looked very composed, as usual, but had gone pale as soon as she saw the Erumpets, before smiling, as if dreaming of what Jack would do to get past them. We knew she was thinking of Jack. And even though I wanted Hogwarts to win, I was silently cheering on Phillip.

"They've got to get past four Erumpets!" exclaimed Robert.

"Not exactly get past."

"So what? They've got to beat them up?"

"They've got to get as many coins as possible."

"And the erumpets are standing on the coins?"

"Looks like it."

"Everything those things touch explodes!"

"Only with their horns."

This was too much; I hid my face behind my hands. "I can't look."

"It hasn't started yet," Gregory scolded; as if ashamed his cousin wasn't as eager for gore as him.

The three champions appeared on the court, all looking shocked, all clutching their various utensils. 'Arry was holding his spatula so tightly his knuckles were white. Everyone jumped to their feet cheering. Mrs Weasley's voice boomed out, explaining what was happening. The champions vanished into their tent again.

"Where are they going?" Gregory cried.

"They get tinkering time," I explained, as he obviously hadn't been paying attention to his own mother. He gaped at me. "Five minutes tinkering time with their wands before they're taken from them." Gregory snickered. I felt myself blushing. "You know, touching up their utensils. I mean adding any extra spells - oh for crying out loud will you clean your mind!" Everyone backed away. I hung my head. "Sorry," I muttered.

"Lucy means business," said Lione and everyone cracked up again.

Phillip was the first onto the field and I hid my eyes with my hands. Lione, very forcefully, brought them back down again.

"You'll hate yourself if you don't see it," she warned.

And she was right - I would have.

He stood holding his spork, looking as if he were about to throw it like a discus. But it was changed. The head was bigger and deeper.

The whistle went and he flung out his arm. The spork went flying, except that it didn't. Phillip was still holding it but the handle was stretching like it was made of rubber. The head scooped up a couple of coins and a handful of dirt and returned to Phillip who snatched the coins and dropped them into the collecting pot before quickly sending out the spork again. Everyone cheered at his cleverness of taking the coins right under the Erumpets' noses without going near them. One Erumpet roared and reared at the sound. Phillip, obviously concerned about getting the coin-laden spork past it, flicked the spork upwards sending the dust into the Erumpet's eyes and the coins neatly into his hands. The crowd 'ooh'ed appreciatively and even Gregory conceded an awed,

"Good catch!"

But the Erumpet wasn't having any of that. It charged to the edge of its chain the next time the spork came past, catching it with its horn, severing it in two half way along the handle. Phillip didn't give up though. He sent out the broken handle and poked the Erumpet in the eye then skidded forward to snatch up the head of the spork and a handful of coins before darting back to huge applause. Everyone cheered when his time was up and he walked off the field.

"Why aren't they calling his scores?" Gregory asked.

"Didn't you listen to anything?" asked Joseph.

"They want to see how many coins the others collect," I told him. "So they can compare them and see how well he really did."

'Arry was next and came out - to huge applause of course - clutching not one but twelve squirming spatulas. Now that he had to hold multiple utensils it was clear why he had to hold on to the spatula so tightly before. It had little wings and was trying to fly away. 'Arry had obviously spent his tinkering time multiplying them.

At the whistle he let them go and they charged towards the Erumpets, twisting and swirling around their heads. The Erumpets roared at them and tried to swat them like flies. While they were distracted 'Arry crouched and charged himself. He swept up as many coins as he could and dived back towards the collecting pot, swerving and ducking to avoid the Erumpets to much 'ooh'ing and 'ah'ing from the crowd. Then there was screaming as one of the erumpets managed to catch one of the spatulas with its horn. Unlike when it had previously caught Phillip's spatula this caused a very impressive display. There was an incredibly loud bang and a flash sending rivers of sparks off in every direction and leaving no trace of the utensil. Once it cleared everyone looked anxiously out for 'Arry. He had flattened himself to the ground with his arms covering his head and for a moment he was in huge danger as an Erumpet, startled by the explosion, had reared and was about to come down on 'Arry as he tried to roll out the way and the foot came thudding down next to his foot he was in the way of another Erumpet and couldn't get to his feet leaving him rolling on the ground in a ball at the mercy of the terrible animals above him when suddenly one of them appeared to bounce off another causing that one to roar in defiance and move away from 'Arry for moment only to turn and charge the other Erumpet causing another huge explosion during which 'Arry slipped away. There wasn't cheering. Everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. At the edge of the field I spotted Madam Pomfrey preparing to stride forward. 'Arry was limping and clutching a hand to the side of his face where he had been burned by the sparks. For a moment everything seemed frozen. Even the spatulas appeared to pause in mid-air. 'Arry turned back towards the Erumpets, straightened himself up, put on a look of determination, and moved forward again.

When his time was up, everyone cheered as though he had already won the championship - even the foreign students. I think everyone wanted to charge the grounds to celebrate but he was quickly pulled off by Madam Pomfrey and had to make do with Robin and the rest of his fourth year Gryffindor friends running after him, giving him celebratory hugs. And the spatulas - which I later suggested must have by that point thought of 'Arry as their daddy - circling round his head like birds round a concussed cartoon character.

I really did feel sorry for Jack, coming on after that. But to give him credit he managed it with his usual flare. The cheers weren't as enthusiastic as usual though. Some people were even muttering how unfair it was that Jack had to face one Erumpet less than 'Arry and Phillip. But what was really striking was that Melanie was watching with interest rather than her usual awe. I suddenly became aware of Joseph whispering to himself.

"The image is slipping away. Now that they've seen a real champion they won't fall for his charisma a pizzazz. They'll want something real. They'll want something more." His head turned abruptly to look at me, making me jump. He smiled "I wonder what he'll do."

"I wonder what's wrong with you," I couldn't help saying aloud.

"I'm just watching as everything that keeps my cousin in the clouds crumbles down."

"I'm just watching your sanity crumble down."

Joseph laughed so truly heartily I couldn't help smiling myself. "Merlin, I should write poetry, shouldn't I? Either that or seek help. Then again most poets should seek help." He clenched his fists in excitement. "I have been waiting years for people to see through Jack's allure and it is finally happening and it's so... exhilarating! I really hope he mucks it up." He looked concerned for a moment. "But not in a deadly way that is."

"I'm glad not in a deadly way," I replied.

He laughed again. "Guess that means I'm not quite ready for a straightjacket yet, eh?"

"No. Not quite."

The whistle went and Joseph turned his attention back to Jack. Before I looked back I couldn't help notice Gregory and Lione smiling to themselves.

Jack stood in front of the erumpets holding the whisk between his hands like he was praying. He suddenly threw it up into the air and it started spinning rapidly. As it spun a great wind started up. People started muttering to each other as they realised what it reminded them of. It was just like the whirlwind the Durmstrung pupils had arrived in. Something similar to a tornado descended upon the centre of the arena and everyone covered their heads with their arms. Once the storm cleared everyone looked up to see the Erumpets had gone. Jack strode forward smugly then paused, looking confused. Sniggering started, followed by huge laughter. Joseph was beside himself and even Laura was giggling like a little girl. Jack started spinning around desperately only making the crowd laugh harder. His storm had managed to spin away the Erumpets but it had also left not one single coin for Jack to collect.

***

Dumbledore stood up. "It was very difficult to judge the results of this particular challenge as points were awarded for both skill and the amount of coins gained. Unfortunately, despite a brilliant spell, Mr Bower of Durmstrung failed to attain any coins so we must award him last place." There was some applauding, but mostly everyone just laughed again. "However between Mr Audrain and Mr Shunpike it was a very close call. Mr Audrain used excellent spellwork and was the champion who gained the most number of coins." There was cheering from the Beauxbatons students. "And although Mr Shunpike showed amazing bravery and quite skilled magic, taking into account his injuries and comparing his tally to Mr Audrain's it did prove to be foolhardy and ineffective."

"Brave but foolhardy," Gregory muttered to himself with a huge grin on his face. "Just like a Gryffindor."

"However," Dumbledore continued, smiling. "It is his persistence that has to be admired and so it gives me great pleasure to announce a tie between Arry Shunpike of Hogwarts and Phillip Audrain of Beauxbatons!"

**

The Gryffindors stormed back to the Common room shouting, cheering, singing and generally celebrating. Lione, Laura and I were chatting loudly and excitedly as we went up the stairs to check on Anya. We found her sitting on the top step, her hair soaked with her own tears. She looked up at us pathetically.

"Cat died," she said. Then she threw her arms around Laura, sobbing into her shoulder.

***

Lione, Laura and I sat together in the Great Hall at breakfast the next day - the only miserable ones in the school (minus Anya of course).

"Poor Anya," said Laura.

"We should do something," said Lione. "She needs something."

"Like a funeral?" Laura suggested.

Lione looked shocked at the suggestion and very doubtful but I nodded.

"Yeah, a funeral... that might give her some closure."

Lione looked between Laura and I. "Yeah. But how do we arrange a funeral for a mouse?"

Laura got to her feet. "I know exactly who to talk to."

Moments later we were standing outside the groundskeeper's hut talking to Hagrid.

"I know it sounds odd," said Lione. "But do you think we could do it? For Anya?"

Hagrid nodded, "Follow me."

He led us round the edge of the forest until we finally dipped in and into a clearing. Here was a tiny graveyard. Not small in size, it took up a rather large area, but all the graves were tiny. There were a few larger ones, but none larger than a baby's grave. There were tiny wooden crosses and little cork gravestones and roses planted everywhere along with smooth rocks with names chalked on them. Names like 'Spot', 'Sooty', 'Toady' and 'Flitwing'. It was an animal graveyard.

"There's a good spot over here," Hagrid said. "Yeh've got ter provide yeh own box yeh understand? And any markings yeh want made. But if yeh want a flower or summin I can take care of that."

"A rose would be nice," I said aloud.

Hagrid nodded. "I'll get digging a hole. Come down any time yer like."

And he pulled out a tiny trowel and began stabbing at the earth. We walked back up to the school to fetch Anya and the matchbox that contained Cat.

***

It was dark by the time the funeral was over. The four of us walked back up to the castle in silence. Anya had sniffed throughout the funeral that Laura had presided over. To my surprise Lione had even said a few words about how Cat had been a good mouse, a brave mouse, a mouse unafraid to go where other mice never dared to tread. About how the most important part of Cat's life had been being there for Anya and that all of us were going to notice the loss.

The castle was surprisingly quiet as we walked through the corridors back to the Gryffindor common room but then we were taking a shortcut. Unfortunately Anya was the first to turn the corner and see it. She went as pale as a ghost and backed away into us. Lione rushed forward to see what it was and screamed shrilly. As I moved a noticed something bump against my foot. I looked down and saw something like a marble. Curious, I bent down to pick it up. I turned it in my arms and saw it was a glass magical eye. I dropped it in shock and took the few steps round the corridor knowing what I was going to see. There, on the floor, obviously dead, was Mad Eye Moody.