CHAPTER 8 | EAR CANDY!

            FAYE DUNBAR HAD REALLY fulfilled her purpose. People were drawn to her like a moth to a flame, like a crow to a chandelier. She was shiny and bright and fun. Searching eyes, mischievous smile, constantly running mouth and roommate to Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's best friend, making her a reliable source of intel.

Faye Dunbar was fun but she had made Kennedy indispensable.

She could feel the attention on her wherever she went. Their eyes dragged over her figure — assessing her, trying to figure her out, admiring her. It was like the Welcoming Feast all over again, except there was no more curiosity.

Two weeks into Kennedy's potions lessons, deliberate seating choices at meals, witty comments in class and strategic styling choices and there was not one Hogwarts student who wouldn't be able to identify Kennedy by face, say her full name or rattle off at least two things about her if asked. Even if it was just "She's that rich new girl. Achille Bishop's daughter".

It didn't matter how much they knew but how many of them knew. And Kennedy had secured the numbers.

She didn't intend to ignore the foreign students but they weren't quite necessary. They would be gone by the end of the year. Once she secured Hogwarts, it would only be a matter of time before that influence bled into the competing schools.

Honestly, she didn't expect the Potions lessons to work so quickly — she had given herself about another week — but it seemed she had very much underestimated the power of one blabbering blonde girl. Kennedy made a note to stay in her good graces. There was no telling when such influence could be useful.

"Kennedy?", Neville called out as she walked into the library.

"Neville, hi", Kennedy smiled kindly, "I hope you didn't wait too long. I had to go and talk to Snape about using the equipment for a practical session with Sally-Anne later this week".

"Sally-Anne Perk? The Hufflepuff?", Neville asked.

"Right on, Neville", Kennedy set down her books and satchel, "You just want a refresher on how to brew doxycide, right?".

"Right. I've memorized the ingredients and steps, but I made some flashcards. Maybe you could drill me and chip in with extra explanations?", Neville handed them over.

"That sounds great, Neville. We'll try something a little unique. Spaced repetition. Our brains register things as important to remember the more times we encounter them, so I'm gonna try that since you've already memorized. I'll ask you what's on the cards but also talk to you normally in between so you can get better at retrieving the information when distracted. Sounds good?"

"Sounds brilliant", Neville smiled. Kennedy could tell he was a lot more confident now that she had outlined a strategy.

"Alright, let's start then. Easy. What's the purpose of doxycide?"

"It's used to spray Doxies, paralyzing them and allowing you to remove them from your home without fear of being bitten", Neville rattled off.

"Nice one! I'm still doing that distraction technique so Rachel's in detention right now"

"When isn't she?"

Kennedy snorted, "Well, this time, it's for sassing Professor Binns about how boring History of Magic is. That was ... two days ago? We shared that class with the Ravenclaws so you lot weren't there".

"What did she even say?"

Kennedy composed herself and put on a startlingly good Rachel impression, "Blimey, is your goal for us to die slumped over a desk like you did?".

Neville snorted out a loud laugh and was shushed immediately by Madam Pince. "She said that?", he asked in a low whisper.

"Meant to mutter it but Rachel could never be quiet", Kennedy flipped to another flash card, "Why is doxycide sold as a spray and not with a dropper?".

"So that the poison can affect a larger surface area of the Doxies quickly. They're very flighty and smart so if you don't get them the first time, there's a chance you won't get them at all", Neville said.

Kennedy was impressed, "That was really good, Neville! And you didn't rattle off exactly what's on the flashcard so you're actually retaining the information. Could you name the three most essential ingredients for me?".

"Bundimun acid for acidity, Streeler shells because the mucus on Doxies is hardened by it and chopped dragon liver for ...", Neville trailed off. Kennedy stayed quiet to encourage him to finish off. "Chopped dragon liver because ... of the dragon's firepower".

"Right, and before I derail your concentration again, which species of dragon is best for doxycide?"

"Peruvian ... Sabertooth?"

"Peruvian Vipertooth but I'll let it slide", Kennedy said, "Right, conversation time. You bring up a topic"

"Have you gone to visit Hermione?"

"Visit Hermione?", Kennedy blinked, "Where? And, what for?"

"Oh, you didn't know?", Neville wondered, "Well, it happened just yesterday afternoon so don't worry. Draco and Harry were having a go in the dungeons just before Potions class and he cast a spell that lengthened out her teeth!".

Kennedy gasped, "Oh my god, is she okay?".

"She is, but Madam Pomfrey — the Head Nurse if you haven't met her yet — is taking care of her. So she's in the hospital wing right now"

"Have you visited her?", Kennedy asked. "Not yet, but I was hoping to after this session", Neville said, "Would you like to come with me? I heard you two are friends".

Kennedy hid a smile at being referred to as Hermione's friend. "Sure, but let's finish this off quickly. I'm gonna run back everything you've told me".

Neville looked a little nervous but still he said, "Alright".

"Three main ingredients?", Kennedy asked.

"Streeler shells, Bundimun acid and ... chopped dragon liver", Neville said. Kennedy smiled encouragingly , "Alright, the purpose of doxycide?".

"Pest control for doxies"

"And why is it sold as a spray?"

"So that it can affect a larger surface area quickly. Doxies are quick so you have to make sure you get them on your first try"

Kennedy smiled wide, "Neville, you're set. It's just the practical aspect now. Keep looking at these flashcards from time to time and you're gonna do amazing". Kennedy handed the flashcards to him and he took them with a grateful smile.

"Thanks, Kennedy. Means a lot", Neville looked a little bashful. They both started packing up their things.

"Let's go visit Hermione then", Kennedy said as they walked in step with each other out of the Library and to the Hospital Wing.

.·:••●••:·.

            "YOU KNOW, it hardly feels like we're in the same place", came Achille's smooth voice. Like they had been all those months ago in their home in Deauville when her father told her about the Triwizard Tournament — they tinkered together. Kennedy wasn't entirely sure what her father was working on but it hardly concerned her.

The Parchment Links were having an issue with retaining edits made to each side of the link and her magical inadequacies were the cause. She was practically fuming. She needed these to work for communication with Harry and Hermione.

"Right", she muttered distractedly. Realizing she was being a bit rude, she looked up from the pieces of parchment in her hands, "I barely see you anymore".

"But you miss me?", Achille playfully teased.

Kennedy giggled, "Always, Papa". Achille smiled gently.

"Tinkering with these in the dorm always leaves a mess", Kennedy huffed, "Too much experimentation and not good enough aim. I tend to hit nearby things".

"Well, if you'd like, you could come up here to work", Achille offered kindly.

"Thanks Papa", Kennedy said gratefully. She paused for a second. "I'm gonna ask you about something and I'd prefer if you were a hundred percent honest with me", Achille immediately sensed the switch in his daughter's tone.

"Always, Odette", Achille said coolly, repeating his daughter's earlier words.

"Tell me more about that trip to Marseille we took in July. The one with the cargo in the large crates"

"This is important to your plan, I'm guessing", Achille realized.

"Extremely, so I'd love if you could help out"

Achile chuckled under his breath, "Well, they're dragons. That's the first task".

"Ah", Kennedy said in understanding, as if she hadn't known that already. "How's preparation for the rest of the tasks coming along?"

"An administrative nightmare. For the first task, the eggs are going to be particularly difficult to obtain — for the organizers and participants. Neither side is looking forward to it, I reckon", Achille chuckled. Kennedy knew he said that on purpose. Achille Bishop was many things but sloppy he was not.

The first task was to retrieve the dragon's egg.

Achille carried on speaking, "The second task isn't too much of a worry as the set-up for the location is laid already. But the third ...".

"What's up with the third task?", Kennedy wondered.

"There's so much to be done. Hogwarts doesn't have the exact facilities for the activities planned so they have to be built. And the Triwizard Cup is an issue all on its own ... I've had to ask Professor Moody for help with some of the required enchantments. I wrote him just this morning so I suppose his response should be in any minute"

"How come preparations for the third task have begun so soon? I mean, we're in November and the third task is slated for June", Kennedy furrowed her eyebrows.

"Like I said, there's a lot to be done", Achille said simply.

They tinkered alongside each other in silence for a few minutes before Achille suddenly said, "You'll give me a couple of those Parchment Links when you're done with them, won't you?".

"Of course, Papa", Kennedy smiled before it soured, "As soon as I get the thing to work...".

"Only accept perfection, Kennedy. People can't be perfect but our inventions can", Achille said sagely.

Kennedy nodded and laser focused once again on the pieces of parchment. "You know I started doing Potions lessons?"

"Really?", Achille looked quite surprised, "I wouldn't have thought you were the type, Odette".

"I'm not", she shrugged, "It's important to my plan to be visible".

"And how are they going?"

Kennedy lit up, "I think it's going really well! People are saying they're understanding the topics and I was able to secure Snape's equipment for a few slots during the week for practical lessons".

"Well done, Odette", Achille said. Kennedy adapted an expression of muted surprise. She hadn't been quick enough to stamp it out completely. She just ... hadn't expected a compliment. "Thanks, Papa", she said shortly then felt relief when he changed the subject.

"What is your plan here? You've been talking about it for months now but never said a peep about what exactly it is"

"Well", Kennedy started, "It revolves around the tournament".

"I gathered that from your excitement when I first told you of it", Achille remarked.

"Right. I have chosen the most interesting of the champions and I am going to help him win. By doing this, I win by association. There's no glory or prize money, obviously, but I know", Kennedy explained, "The popularity bit is quite necessary, even not essential to the plan itself. I need to be in a position of power to properly have fun".

Achille was silent. "Which out of the four champions have you chosen, Odette?".

"Harry Potter", Kennedy said without missing a beat, "He's the most interesting by far".

"Ah", Achille said in understanding, "The Boy Who Lived". Kennedy wondered why he sounded so ... accomplished. Like she had just fashioned herself into the oil helping an already-made machine run so much smoother.

Kennedy shook her head lightly, "It's not because of that".

"It's not?"

"No. It's just him that's interesting", she stated.

An owl clicked its beak lightly against Achille's window. They both looked up in surprise before Achille said, "Ah, that must be Moody's response. I hope he's agreeable".

He allowed the owl in and fed it a treat as he read the letter. "Is he?", Kennedy asked.

"He is", Achille grinned. "Well, I suppose that's my cue. Dinner's soon anyways and I have to catch up with my friends", Kennedy began packing her things.

"Right, I'll see you later, Odette", her father bid her goodbye as he rushed out of the room.

"See you later, Papa", Kennedy smiled gently as he walked out the door and closed it gently behind him.

Quickly, she scrambled to write to Harry and Hermione. Her handwriting was chicken scratch so she could only hope they could read it.

Meet up in the library after dinner. I've got more information about the second task.

— Kennedy

She sent it off and walked towards the Slytherin dorms. Maybe she could get a nap in before dinner. It could be a long night.

.·:••●••:·.

            HERMIONE WAS FULLY HEALED. Her teeth were a normal size which didn't necessarily mean their original size (she had allowed Madam Pomfrey to shrink them a bit smaller). On paper, she was fine — fully healed and healthy but Merlin, she wished she was hallucinating.

"Harry has to retrieve a dragon's egg?", Hermione whisper-shouted, conscious of others' hearing or Madam Pince kicking them out.

"Yep", Kennedy popped the p at the end.

"Will the dragon be in the enclosure? Or wherever they will be?", Hermione asked.

Kennedy faltered and considered her father's words carefully, "He didn't quite say. He only spoke about location for the second and third tasks. But, based on his phrasing, I would assume yes".

Harry had his face smushed on the table. He had allowed himself to slump over in despair when Kennedy told them about the task and couldn't quite find it in himself to move. He groaned loudly at Kennedy's response, then suddenly heaved himself upright and rested his chin on his fist.

"Whoever wants to do me in must really want me dead", he muttered, "I can't believe Ron can't see that".

"Ron ... doesn't believe you didn't put your name in?", Kennedy blinked in confusion. That was why they had been awkward in Potions class — they were having a row.

"No", Harry said simply and Kennedy sensed she shouldn't continue. He was already looking quite angry and she was getting the feeling he was kind of hot-headed.

"Right", Kennedy didn't quite know what to say so she changed the topic, "How's the press coming along?".

It seemed that was the wrong topic to switch to.

"A nightmare", Harry said, "Rita Skeeter is a vile woman. Turning me into a tragic, tragic hero who cries for my parents every night. The taunts from Malfoy and basically everyone else have been unbearable".

"Ah, I think I've heard the crying impressions", Kennedy said thoughtfully, "And seen the pins, and posters, and—"

"Yeah, yeah, I get the point. The school hates me", Harry slumped in his seat.

"Are the other champions taking it better?", Kennedy asked. She really had to start working on getting to know the rest of them. She had only spoken to a quarter of the total so far.

"Yeah", Harry said glumly, "Their schools don't hate them. Cedric's thriving". His tone turned bitter.

"Of course, Pretty Boy Cedric fits it better", he sneered, "All those girls around him ... it's ridiculous". Harry crossed his arms. He looked like a petulant child.

Kennedy got the feeling he was jealous. Not of the attention Cedric was getting, but that it was Cedric receiving it.

Kennedy thought Harry might just explode if she verbalized that so she let it go. This confirmed Harry had a crush on Cedric then. That was interesting.

"Wait", Harry suddenly sat up in his seat, "The egg".

"What about it?", Kennedy asked.

"Can I summon it?", Harry asked.

"Too easy", Hermione dismissed, "I wouldn't be surprised if there was an anti-summoning charm on it".

"Right you are. You can't summon it", Kennedy said. Harry slumped back in his seat, defeated.

"Bet Karkaroff will find a way around that", he said bitterly.

"Karkaroff?", Kennedy queried. "He's trying to—", Hermione started.

"Win the tournament. We just don't have a good feeling about him", Harry swooped in.

Kennedy blinked but didn't press, making a mental note to find out more about Karkaroff later.

"Let's just find some books on dragons and see what we can find", Hermione said, and they set off to find some books to sort through.

Harry flipped through the pages of a textbook and huffed, "Talon-clipping by charms ... treating scale-rot ... This is no good, this is for nutters like Hagrid who want to keep them healthy ...".

"Dragons are extremely difficult to slay, owing to the ancient magic that imbues their thick hides, which none but the most powerful spells can penetrate ...", Hermione read off the page of her chosen book.

"But Sirius said a simple spell would do it", Harry furrowed his eyebrows.

"Sirius?" Kennedy asked, "As in Sirius Black? The mass murderer?".

Harry and Hermione looked at each other in a panic. "Er— well—", Harry began.

Kennedy waved him off, "No matter. If you want to tell me later, you're welcome to do so. Let's focus".

"Alright. Let's try some simple spellbooks, then," said Harry, throwing aside Men Who Love Dragons Too Much. He picked up another spellbook from his pile and began to flip through it.

Hermione muttered a lot while she read, and Kennedy hadn't quite decided if that was annoying or not.

"Well, there are Switching Spells ... but what's the point of switching it? Unless you swapped its fangs for wine-gums or something that would make it less dangerous ... The trouble is, like that book said, not much is going to get through a dragon's hide ... I'd say Transfigure it, but something that big, you really haven't got a hope, I doubt even Professor McGonagall ... unless you're supposed to put the spell on yourself? Maybe to give yourself extra powers? But they're not simple spells, I mean, we haven't done any of those in class, I only know about them because I've been doing O.W.L. practice papers ...".

"Hermione," Harry said, through gritted teeth, "will you shut up for a bit, please? I'm trying to concentrate."

"That's a bit rude, Harry", Kennedy chided him. Harry looked like he realized but was too prideful to apologize. Ugh, boys and their egos.

They all returned to their reading. Everything Kennedy found was either useless or would help the dragon instead of Harry. Instant scalping spell, but dragons had no hair. Pepper breath, but that would probably increase a dragon's firepower. Horn tongue ... which would make it impossible for it to not maim Harry.

"Oh no, he's back again, why can't he read on his stupid ship?" said Hermione irritably as Viktor Krum slouched in, cast a surly look at them, and settled himself in a distant corner with a pile of books.

"Back again? Has he been around often?", Kennedy queried. "He's always here when I come to study or read. It's getting annoying", Hermione huffed, "His fanclub is probably just outside the door, here to twitter away....".

Just as she said that, a gang of girls walked in, several with Bulgaria memorabilia on their person.

"Just as I said", Hermione rolled her eyes and focused on her book of choice.

Huh. Krum was often following Hermione. At least now she had a time and location to "come across" him.

"I just wonder why he's coming in here at all. It doesn't really look like he's too interested in reading", Harry chuckled.

Kennedy liked his voice.

"Kennedy, as our resident expert on failed fake reading, what do you think?", Harry turned to her with a boyish lopsided grin.

He has a pretty voice, Kennedy decided. And so, she informed him.

"Your voice is pretty"

Harry blinked, "I'm sorry, what—".

"I think your voice is pretty", Kennedy blinked at him. Was he confused?

Harry tilted his head to the side slightly in confusion but a small flush dusted the apple of his cheeks. Hermione let out a snort at the sight, muffling her laughter with her palm.

"Is that why you're helping us? Because my voice is pretty?", and by his tone of voice, Kennedy could tell he found her ridiculous. She didn't care — he was talking.

"No, I realized just now. It's an extra incentive though. I think I'll make you talk a lot"

"Ear candy?"

"Ear candy", Kennedy nodded gravely. Then she cracked a smile. He smiled back.

.·:••●••:·.

            IT DIDN'T TAKE A GENIUS to see why Harry had a crush on Cedric Diggory. Tall, handsome, talented at Quidditch, kind, fair ... he was the whole package. Kennedy realized that if anyone was Hogwarts' golden boy, it was Cedric. Certainly not Harry as she had thought before. She briefly wondered if she should switch targets, if she should help Cedric instead of Harry.

The thought was shot down immediately it arose. Harry, Hermione and Ron were fun. She would stick with them.

Still, she needed to have her grip on all four champions. So, a "spontaneous" meeting with Cedric seemed to be the best entry point.

From her seat in the Great Hall as she wrangled Jude into eating his tomatoes, she saw Harry suddenly shoot up and follow Cedric. On second thought ... maybe she should try a different approach with him.

"Guys, I'll catch up later", Kennedy called as she quickly packed her stuff and followed after him. She didn't listen for a response but she knew they wouldn't follow her.

Harry was better at tailing than she expected, not obvious at all. He moved silently, made himself small and insignificant as he wandered through the students milling around. Odd, given his status. Kennedy wondered where or how he learned that.

She caught up to him quickly. She was still better, and faster.

She swung an arm around him to make it look like she was whispering a private joke to him as she put on a bright smile, "I know you're going to talk to Cedric. Let me talk to him first. Make it easier for you".

"How?", he said with a fake giggle. Kennedy smiled — genuinely. He was smart and quick. She liked that.

"Trust me. I know you've probably thought of some spontaneous entrance so just watch for my signal to execute it. Stay close. We'll catch up later", Kennedy tapped his shoulder twice in a show of friendship before breaking away from him. She dug into her satchel to pull out a Parchment Link.

"Cedric!", Kennedy called out.

He turned around at the call of his name, one foot already on the marble stairs leading up to whatever class he had. She raffled through her bag, pretending she was now searching for the Parchment Link, but really looking at her wristwatch. Ten minutes until class. She couldn't drag this out too long. Make Harry's approach remain in his mind and hers just an odd interaction he would forget about.

Two minutes. Three max.

She "pulled out" the Parchment Link. "Kennedy Bishop, right?", he asked politely.

"Right", Kennedy smiled with an intentionally toothy smile. She really needed to play up this Good Cop Bad Cop routine. He looked uncomfortable at the sight of it. Good.

"Congrats on being chosen as Hogwarts' champion!", she said, "How has prep for the tasks been coming along?".

"Well, slow because I obviously don't know what the task is", Cedric chuckled good-naturedly. "Oh! You don't?", Kennedy said with exaggerated surprise. She looked down at her watch, showy and exaggerated. "Merlin, it's almost time for class. Well, as you know, my father's on the committee so if you'd like to know ... write me with this. I made it. Whatever you write will arrive at my end", she said as she tore the Link in half.

"Oh no, I can't—", Cedric immediately tried to push it away. "Just take it. For if you change your mind", Kennedy pushed it into his hand then rushed up the staircase, "See you around!".

She intentionally tripped as she went up the stairs, but didn't fall. Harry's signal. She heard the split of fabric as Cedric's bag fell apart.

She knows he isn't going to use it. That isn't the kind of person he is. The point of this was for her to come off as aloof, clumsy and a little odd — an eager younger girl with a crush trying to awkwardly help the object of her affections. With this prefacing the interaction, Harry, with his sincerity and familiarity, will be so much better received.

The encounter wouldn't even affect her social standing because Cedric doesn't strike her as the type to blab or gossip. It's a no risk situation for her.

Only as she entered the Herbology classroom did she realize she was five minutes early. Neville was there and smiled as he spotted her. She went to sit beside him.

.·:••●••:·.

            HARRY RUSHED INTO the class, uttered a hurried apology to Professor Sprout before he sat down next to Hermione. Kennedy and Harry met eyes across the classroom. He mouthed "Parchment". She pulled out her piece and stared as his neat handwriting appeared.

Spoke to Moody. Need to master summoning charm. Meet Mione and I by the Black Lake after class.

— Harry

Kennedy swallowed nervously. She wouldn't be much help there. Whatever. She would still go.

Herbology passed by quickly. Daphne and Rachel were late, so they sat at the back of the class, but Neville was good company.

They settled on the border where the grass of the Hogwarts grounds turned to the sand of the Black Lake's shore. Their satchels laid against the trunk of a towering tree as they pulled out books and quills for Harry to try summoning.

He struggled, to put it simply.

"Accio quill!", he cried. The quill zoomed forward a couple inches before abruptly falling to the floor.

"That was ... anticlimactic", Kennedy couldn't help saying. He turned to her and raised an eyebrow, "Would you like to try?".

Kennedy was prideful but she wasn't stupid. "I'm not the one who has to fight a fire-breathing dragon. Focus on what's important".

Harry rolled his eyes, "Look who's all mature now".

She shrugged, unbothered by his annoyance, "Someone had to step in".

Harry huffed, "And what was the deal with Cedric? Why did you suddenly swoop in?".

"Good Cop-Bad Cop routine?", Hermione asked, "Sounded like it, the way he described it".

"You're right, 'Mione. Except the Bad Cop in this situation is an awkward, bumbling younger girl with a crush and too much information. I was brash to throw him off but kept the interaction short. That way, when Harry took the sincere, moral approach I knew he would take, he would be better received", Kennedy explained, "How did you approach him?".

"Sincere and moral, as you would say", Harry said and wondered how she could have predicted that, "Told him about how all the other champions know so it's only fair that he knows the first task".

"And he listened?"

"He did", Harry confirmed.

"A job well done by us, I'd say", Kennedy grinned. Harry cocked his head to the side a little bit, still trying to figure her out. Kennedy didn't stop him. He wouldn't get anywhere, anyways. "And what did Moody say? You said you spoke to him".

"Told me I have to play to my strengths. He made me realize my strength is quidditch — flying. And so ... I have to learn how to summon a broom properly by tomorrow afternoon", Harry said.

The first task was tomorrow. Somehow, it hadn't fully sunk in for Kennedy. Harry had probably memorized the dates of all three tasks.

They don't get much done but Harry and Hermione mention they would do some more practicing in the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry tried to skip Divination, but Hermione wouldn't let him. Kennedy just sat down decisively under the shade of the tree and stared up at Hermione defiantly. She just rolled her eyes, mostly exasperated but Kennedy thought she saw a hint of fondness. She mockingly wiggled her fingers as goodbye to both of them, but mostly to Harry. The boy looked like he was being walked to the gallows.

"Save me", he mouthed behind Hermione's back. Kennedy just laughed.

As Harry and Hermione disappeared into the castle, her good mood was ruined at the memory of her having to dodge doing practical magic in front of them. How long was she going to keep this from them? How long could she? She was an excellent brewer. There was no potion she couldn't make, have insightful opinions on its production and rattle off information about its inventor and origin. Brewing was an objectively difficult art. And she had almost mastered it, but failed at the simplest of charms.

She was fourteen. Her skill level was somewhere between a twelve and thirteen year old.

She couldn't stay like this. She couldn't.

Her father had tried tutors before. They failed. Maybe she should try for herself. Maybe she should write to Professor McGonagall.

.·:••●••:·.

            "WHAT'S THE NEW WORK ENVIRONMENT BEEN LIKE?", Kennedy asked her father curiously. She sat leaned against the plush pillow's of the couch in her father's quarters, playing with her braids and absent-mindedly making largely twists out of them. "The new ... work environment?", her father questioned.

Yeah, that phrasing was off. She was off kilter. Maybe she shouldn't have done this tonight.

"Well, obviously, Hogwarts is different to the factories", Kennedy said, "What's it like adjusting for you? Having to work with more people, and such".

Fucking hell, she should not have done this tonight. It's obvious that she wants to know about one of his new coworkers.

Her father knew. He did. She could see it. She pretended not to. "Well, it's an adjustment, but nothing I can't handle. Everyone I work with here is a character on their own. Dumbledore, Karkaroff, Maxime...".

Kennedy didn't fall for it. He was listing each name to see if she would have a physical reaction to any. She remained relaxed, playing with her braids. Maybe she would remove them and have her afro out for the ball.

He didn't see anything. Couldn't find anything. She didn't let him see her relief either. His next words had a tinge of annoyance at her non-reactions, "It's been fun".

He knows that she's onto someone. She just has to ensure that he doesn't figure out who, and she'll be fine. He cannot know she wants to know more about Karkaroff. Harry and Hermione had acted weird when they mentioned him in the library. She was determined to find out more.

She directed their conversation to small talk about the new developments with the Parchment Links. 

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AUTHOR'S NOTE!

kennedy choosing to put in the work to improve w her magic she's so dear to me i love her sm