Delirium

Chapter 27 - The Duelling Club

The following week dragged on, the days slow and draining.

One would think, with the excitement of the Triwizard Champions being announced on Sunday, kicking off the school week, the next five days would be thrilling and stimulating—a slurry of endless chatter and activities.

But this was not the case.

Hogwarts became torn as the Champions were announced.

Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons.

Viktor Krum of Durmstrang.

Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts.

And...

Harry Potter of Hogwarts.

The ideals of 'House unity' very quickly flew out the proverbial window.

Everyone turned against Gryffindor, to most of the Slytherins' delight.

Ravenclaws claimed Potter was a cheat.

Slytherins handed out large badges to anyone that would take them that read in glowing red letters, Support Cedric Diggory—The Real Hogwarts Champion and then oscillated to luminous green letters that read, POTTER STINKS.

Only later, after confiscating several from students of Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, did Jolie learn that Draco was the creator of the badges. So she allowed Theo to keep his.

The Hufflepuffs did not even attempt to hide their disdain for Potter, wearing their badges proudly, spitting venomous taunts and threats to the Gryffindors in the corridors, and loudly making fun of Potter all throughout mealtimes.

One seventh year boy even drew circular spectacles around his eyes in black ink and pretended to fly around the table on a broom, using the handle of an actual cleaning broom. He shouted, "Look at me! I'm Harry Potter and I'm a filthy cheat!" and "I'm Harry Potter and I get everything handed to me on a lovely silver platter!" as the other tables laughed.

Okay, Jolie had laughed, too. But everyone had quieted down when McGonagall escorted him from the dining hall.

Aside from all the Potter drama, if she thought too hard about Cedric being one of the Champions, she quickly became physically ill with worry.

So, to avoid these thoughts and worries, Jolie did what she was best at:

Overburden herself with a slurry of new, self-inflicted responsibilities.

She listened dutifully in Monday's prefect meeting, taking notes on Haywood and Brennan's various concerns for the treatment of 'other Houses' (which meant Gryffindor), and their collective ideas on how to resolve these issues.

Then, on Tuesday, Jolie successfully fended off George's efforts to distract her in Potions. She and Madeline earned twenty House points from Professor Snape for making the best Dreamless Sleep potion in their lesson as their volunteer, Lee, slept dreamlessly on the stone classroom floor, drool dripping out of the corner of his mouth whilst he snored.

And, later, she and Eric's rounds had been relaxed and easy, not a stray student in sight—aside from the boys that Jolie knew were stockpiling snacks in the kitchens. But that wasn't anything new.

On Wednesday, Professor Sprout actually praised her (a rare occurrence) for the rate at which her potted Dittany plants were growing—soon ready for harvesting. And, in Arithmancy, Professor Vector said that she didn't think Jolie needed any additional assignments to aid in reviewing. Jolie disagreed, but she could still review her past assignments to prepare for her O.W.L.s.