CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
LOYALTY OF A HUFFLEPUFF

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       "Remind me again why we're here?" Cevira asked, looking around at the pitch to see a field full of students who were 'trying out' for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Well, some of them were, but most of them were just there to see Harry – who was the captain now.

         Amandla blushed at the question, ducking her head down, "Well, Hermione said she wanted us here."

         Cevira rolled her eyes and jabbed the Fitzgerald girl's ribcage harshly, causing her to yelp. "No, Granger said she wanted you here, said nothing about me. And saying that, we could've invited Corey along with us. Not like he would've come, but you know, we could've."

         It was true, they could've. But saying that, Corey had spoken to them since the train ride, even though they had started many conversations with him. Something was happening to him, he wasn't telling anyone, and now he was shutting everyone out. They weren't happy, but what could they do?

         But along with the Hermione Granger thing, it was true that she did find Amandla that morning and asked her if she was going to try outs for the Gryffindor team. She had furrowed her eyebrows because why would she? Hermione explained that she was going to watch and support her friends and wanted Amandla to come along, and how could Amandla refuse? Especially since Hermione looked so hopeful about the whole situation.

         "I know, but I didn't want to go alone – which is why I invited you," Amandla nodded.

         "Um, you wouldn't be alone. Hermione asked you to come, which means that she wanted to sit with you," Cevira scoffed, "So you wouldn't be alone. Which, you know, why would she ask you to come? Like, no offense, but since when are you two friends?"

         Amandla shrugged, she didn't really know that either, "Don't know. I ran into when we went to Diagon Alley – at the sweet shop, pretty sure. She asked how my summer was and all of that nonsense...maybe she just wants to be friends?"

         "Or maybe she wants information 'cause she knows that you're the daughter of two Death Eaters," Cevira looked at her, going to explain herself when she saw the glare of her friend's face, "Look, I'm just saying. She's never once really batted an eyelash towards you before, and now all this comes to light she wants to become your best friend? Which, like, I know she won't, you're mine."

         "I know it's weird, but I don't want to have any suspicions...can we just believe that she just wants to be friends? Please?" Amandla pleaded.

         She didn't want there to be any reason not to trust Hermione – her crush is finally talking to her! That's a good thing, it should be a good thing, and she doesn't want to jeopardize it. Especially since she's been wanting this for years now.

         "Alright, I won't say anything more. But honestly, when she shows up, can I leave?" Cevira asked, pulling her puppy-dog face.

         "No."

         "Why not? You won't be alone then, and anyways, I have to speak to Caesar."

         "About what?" Amandla questioned, "Since when are you speaking to him? Thought you still were pretending to hate him and everything?"

         "I am...but he said that he wanted to talk about something," Cevira agreed, "He looked really desperate too, so why not? Not like anything's going to chance, so why not have a small chat with him?"

         Amandla nodded, returning her attention back to the field full of rowdy students. Some she knew, others she didn't. "Quite pitiful, isn't it? Most of them just trying to compete for Harry's attention."

         Cevira scoffed and rolled her eyes, "You know full well that you would be doing the same thing if it were Hermione."

         "I would not!" Amandla blushed and tried to defend herself, "I have more class than that – would corner her later. I don't compete in public."

         "Of course, my mistake," Cevira placed her hands up in defense, "Oh! Think he's thinning them out now!"

         "That's good," Amandla nodded, seeing Harry telling people to leave who weren't of Gryffindor house, "Bit of a mean he has, right? Never really thought I could see Harry this riled up...well, not counting last year."

         "Last year?"

         "Remember? With the whole Sirius Black thing? You were there for most of it, but before he was even yelling at Hermione 'cause she didn't believe him blindly," Amandla snorted, "Like she could! He had a vision of Sirius being tortured – which was fake – and then decided to tear up all of Hogwarts in his fury before going after You-Know-Who to get him back."

         "Ah. I still don't like Harry for that – it could've been his fault that you died. And you have so much potential!" Cevira expressed.

         "I know, but I didn't die. Although, kinda wish I did, then I wouldn't have been forced to give up my mother's spell book," Amandla admitted.

         Her thoughts went back to last year a little after she woke up and was fully recovered. Dumbledore had called her to his office and 'politely' asked that she had over Gwendolyn's spell book for safety purposes. He was going to give it to Aurors so that they could learn the Counter-Curses to protect themselves when fighting – but also to give it to the Order.

         Amandla didn't want to, even if it was for a good cause. That was the last thing she had of her mother, and now she didn't have it. Now it was gone.

         "I'm sorry, Amandla, I know how much it meant to you," Cevira softly spoke, "But – oh! There's Hermione now, I've got to go. Bye! Love you!"

         Amandla blinked quickly, seeing Cevira stand up and walk away before turning to her right and seeing Hermione send her a bashful look before sitting down beside her. "Hi," the Granger girl said with a smile, "You came."

         "I said that I would," Amandla smiled back, "But I don't really know why you invited me in the first place."

         "Just want to get to know you better," Hermione said, "If that's alright with you, of course."

         Her heart was swelling in her chest – Hermione Granger wanted to know her better! Hermione Granger wanted to be her friend! What the fuck? And she smiled widely. "Of course that's alright, I'd love to be your friend," and that was the truth, although a part of her argued that she wanted to be more than friends. But shush.

         "Good," Hermione's smile brightened. Merlin, she really did fancy that girl. It was a problem, really, because Amandla felt that she would do anything for the girl in that moment if she asked. Needed to bury a body? Let's go to the Forbidden Forest. Geez...

         "All right!" they heard Harry down at the pitch, "This morning I'll be putting you all through a few drills to assess your strengths. But know this: just because you made the team last year does not guarantee you a spot this year. Is that clear?"

         "Wait!" Amandla squinted down, "Is that Ron?"

         "Yeah, he's trying out for Keeper this year. He's been very nervous about it, hope he gets the position," Hermione said, "Ron loves Quidditch – too much, if you ask me, but I've never been one for sports. He's been practically every night basically, wanting to be ready for try-outs, but he's a very nervous guy."

         Amandla saw the twinkle in Hermione's eyes as she rambled on about Ron, and she felt an aching in her chest. She didn't quite know what she looked like when she spoke about Hermione to her friends, but they always told her that there was a sparkle – and if she saw it, she'd know it. Well, she did. And it came from Hermione Granger, but it was not about her. It wasn't directed towards her, but the ginger boy on the field trying out for Keeper.

         She tried to smile, not wanting to show how crushed she was at that moment, "That's nice. I hope he makes it then."

         Hermione nodded, but didn't say anything, eyeing Ron nervously who was playing Keeper first that day. Fuck. Why couldn't she be worried for Amandla? Shit. She hated this now, she hated everything and she wished that the told Hermione that she was busy later with school work or something so she didn't have to see this. Fuck.

         It wasn't looking all too nice for Ron, who would switch out with Cormac (the other bloke looking to be Keeper) every other time. Cormac, though, seemed to be very good. Amandla looked over and noticed that Hermione was even muttering a spell to prevent Cormac from saving a ball from going through a hoop to help out Ron. She almost smiled before remembering who it was for.

         It was for Ron, always Ron and never her. Merlin, she sounded so bitter, but she was. In that moment, she was incredibly bitter but she felt as though it was justified. Because it was. She had been pining over Hermione for years, and did she care? No, she only cared about Ron. Fuck. She shouldn't be thinking that. Not at all.

         And it continued until Harry spoke again, "Alright. Cormac. Ron. It's down to you two for Keeper. We'll decide it with a shootout. Demelza, you'll bring the Quaffle up against Cormac. Ginny, you'll take on Ron."

         "Hang on," Cormac started, "She's his sister. How do I know she won't toss him a floater?"

         Ginny just rolled her eyes and snapped back at him, "Piss off, Cormac. How 'bout I toss you a floater?"

         Amandla smiled and giggled at that, Ginny definitely had fire. "Quiet! I'm captain. We do it my way. Now line up," Harry commanded, "On three. One. Two...three!"

         "I like Ginny," the Fitzgerald girl decided, "She knows how to talk back – how to defend herself."

         "Hmm, yeah," Hermione agreed with the nod of her head, eyes still trained on Ron, "She's great."

         Amandla sighed, muttering under her breath, "Bet you would say more if you were actually listening."

         Now Amandla thought that Hermione invited her so that they could talk, but they were doing everything but that. Hermione was looking at Ron and helping him with small spells under her breath and Amandla was looking helpless with her palm under her chin and elbow resting on her knee. She hated this. She wanted to talk to Hermione but the other girl didn't seem to want that.

         And then, Ron won. He saved the Quaffle from getting through the hoop when Cormac didn't. Hermione looked relieved, a smile spreading on her face as she clapped and sent him a thumbs up. And a little way away from them, they heard Lavender Brown scream, "Isn't he brilliant?" along with many other loud cheers.

         Hermione sent her a glare before huffing. Amandla gently placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's alright. I know how you feel."

         And she did, because she was comforting the girl she liked before she was jealous that someone else liked Ron. Fuck. What was her life?

         The Granger girl looked up at her with eyes full of wonder and curiosity, "You do?"

         She nodded and bit her lip, "I do. I've actually liked someone for quite some time now, but they don't like me back. Don't think they ever will. I mean, they only just noticed my presence a little while ago, so I don't think it will go anywhere."

         "Oh, come on, don't say that. Surely if you told them how you felt they would say the same," Hermione urged. If only she knew...

         "No, I don't think they will," Amandla shook her head, "Besides, they like someone else anyways. It won't go anywhere and I'm learning to accept that.

         Except, the thing was, she wasn't.

―

         "Hermione likes...Ron?" Cevira repeated, looking quite shocked at the statement. Amandla nodded solemnly. "Are you sure?"

         "Very...unfortunately. She even confirmed it for me! I mean, I understand how, he's a very nice guy. At least, I'm pretty sure he is, haven't really talked to him all that much before, so I wouldn't really know. But she definitely likes him and definitely would do almost anything for him," Amandla rambled.

         "And you're...okay with this?" Cevira asked carefully, "Because you look like you're taking this all very well."

         "Don't let this calm look fool you, I'm crumbling on the inside."

         "Lovely," Cevira nodded, "Well, you did say she wanted to be friends, so that's a start. Maybe she'll start to fall for you after she learns how charming and loyal you are."

         Amandla snorted, "I think she already knows just about how loyal I am. I mean, come on, we are Hufflepuffs, remember?"

         "Yes, but I highly doubt that Wilma Bradshaw understands she concept of loyalty. She's on her third boyfriend of the month, Amandla," Cevira muttered.

         "Well, she saw a loyalty to always being in a relationship and then dumping them the moment she sees a flaw in them," Amandla smiled sweetly, although her words her definitely not kind.

         Cevira snorted, "Nice burn. Wish she was here to actually witness it. Definitely have to use it in front of her later on. You know, if I can."

         "Um, duh. I did not spend seconds thinking that up for it not to be used right to her face," Amandla rolled her eyes, "Anywho, how was your meeting with Caesar?"

         "Nice, actually. I know, it's weird, but he actually didn't insult me at all. Just wanted to chat about everything going on in my life – never even once tried to turn the conversation onto himself," Cevira blinked, "It's weird, I know, but he's changing and I actually like this change – unlike the one that Corey's having."

         "Merlin, you are so salty about him," Amandla chuckled, though she felt the same way about the situation.

         "Well, of course I am! You don't really expect that I'm just completely fine that he's no longer talking to us after like six years of friendship! That's absurd!" Cevira exclaimed.

         "Never said it wasn't, and I understand. Feel the same way to be honest," Amandla smiled. Cevira yawned then, "Tired?"

         "Very," she nodded, "Arithmancy is still as hard as I remember – and I bloody hate it! Honestly, I should've dropped the class this year."

         "But you've gotten so far in it!" Amandla nodded, Cevira only glared at her, causing her to giggle, "Alright. You go on to bed, I'm going to grab a snack really quick from the kitchens. See you in a moment or two."

         "If I don't – goodnight and sweet dreams, my fair Amandla," Cevira called after her.

         Amandla rolled her eyes and responded with a quick 'sweet dreams' before leaving the dorm room and walking down the stairs quietly. She saw a couple there making out (and to no surprise, it was Wilma and her newest fling), causing her to give a look of disgust before making her way out the door and into the corridor. Going to the left, it was only a few steps until she was there, turning the knob and walking into the silent and dark kitchen and making her way to the liquor cabinet hidden above the snack one, which was only meant for the house elves and the staff.

         She hadn't even noticed someone else there until they chuckled, causing her to jump. "Really, Amandla? Again?" it was Draco.

         She rolled her eyes and turned around, seeing that he already had a bottle out and was nursing it slowly, "You're one to talk. Come down here every night as well, then?"

         Making her way towards her, she pulled out the chair next to him and took a seat, taking the bottle from his hands as he spoke, "Not every night. Whenever I can, really, I like it. Thanks for introducing it to me."

         "Didn't mean to," she took another sip, "Actually, you really shouldn't. It's a bad habit to have and I think I'm really starting to get addicted – and even though I know I should care, I just don't. So, I'm sorry for ruining your life."

         He snorted, "You're not the one ruining my life, Amandla, he is."

         "Oh."

         "Yeah. And I can't do anything about it – not now, or else he'll kill my parents," Draco bitterly mentioned, "I just have to do his bidding, even if I don't want to."

         "Draco," Amandla started carefully, placing her hand on his arm in a comforting manner, "What do you mean by that?"

         He shook his head, moving his arm away from her grasp, "It doesn't matter, Amandla, you don't need to know."

         "Draco..."

         "Amandla, stop it. Really, it's not of your business and I can't drag you down with me. I wouldn't be able to handle it if I did," Draco didn't meet her eyes.

         "Draco," she tried again, this time more demanding, "What do you mean by that?"

         "Nothing, seriously. It's just about the mark. Don't concern yourself with anything else," Draco shook his head, "You probably have enough to worry about anyways, I don't want to add to that."

         While that were true, school was already kicking her ass and now she had Hermione liking Ron, she still took his hand firmly in her own. "Draco, I'll always worry about you. Nothing will change that, haven't we already talked about that? Now just tell me."

         He shook his head, taking another swing of the liquor and grimacing only slightly at the taste. It was bitter, that was true. "Just...drop it, alright?"

         "No," she spoke defiantly, "I won't, because you're my cousin and I worry about you and now you're saying things like this that only make me worry more and maybe I'll be able to sleep better tonight if I knew more."

         "You wouldn't," Draco said, "You wouldn't even speak to me if I told you – would want nothing to do with me. This is worse than anything else – worse than the mark, because you know what comes with it, right? With being branded by this? Come on, Amandla, you knew this long before I ever got it. What does everyone associate this – this brand with?"

         Amanda looked at him with glossy eyes before answering, hating herself for it, "Murder."

         He laughed, but it was without humor, "Yes. You knew this would happen. That's why you feared the mark so much. You never wanted to become a murderer, never wanted me to become one, but now I have the mark and I have a mission to complete."

         "Draco..." Amandla looked at him with pleading eyes, "Please, don't do this. You don't have to do this."

         "Haven't you been listening? I don't have a choice! They'll die if I don't do what he says!" Draco exclaimed, tears that were brimming in his eyes now falling down his cheeks, "I wish...I wish that I could ignore it, but I don't want them to die. I-I can't let them die. Even after everything they've done – to you and everyone else – I can't let them die. They're my parents, Amandla, they raised me and I know they love me. I love them. And they're horrible people, but...but they're my parents. I can't let my mum die. I can't let the person who baked birthday cakes for me die because I didn't want to kill someone! I can't...I can't let them die."

         He was full on sobbing then, leaning into the gentle touches of Amandla and placing his head on her chest as he let the sobs he had been holding in all summer out. Amandla was heartbroken as well, hearing all of this and knowing that she couldn't change a thing. It was already happening and it would be completed, she knew that. And she already had a suspicion on who he had to kill, but she didn't want to be right. She wanted to be wrong, for just once in her life.

         "Draco..." her voice was shaky, she didn't trust herself and she didn't want an answer, but she needed one, "Who – who do you have to kill?"

         There was a pause in the crying from him, just a single moment when he let out quietly the answer:

         "Dumbledore."

         She didn't sleep at all that night.