A Backhanded Slash

Ignoring the clamor of the noisy portraits on the walls, Professor Karkaroff maintained that nauseating fake smile as he posed a question to everyone.

"May I ask, what is the purpose of our gathering here?"

"To select the people most important to the champions, in order to inspire their courage."

It was perplexing. Though Amosta's temperament was clearly sharper, he, like Dumbledore, wore an interested smile instead of intimidating Karkaroff for his incessant antics. He even went along with Karkaroff's question.

"Oh, precisely so!"

Breen's cooperation made unease and confusion flash through Karkaroff's yellow eyes, but seizing on the answer that pleased him, he said loudly,

"Just as Professor McGonagall said, for Miss Granger, both Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are vitally important friends. I humbly believe the same holds true for Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. The three of them are each other's closest friends, and their friendship has been tested through hardship!"

Karkaroff affectedly wiped at his eyes, while Minerva's lips had already compressed into a furious line. She was utterly enraged that Karkaroff would not let go of her words. In another setting, she might well have drawn her wand and turned this fame-seeking fellow into a white ferret!

"So what!"

Suppressing her impulse, Minerva spoke sharply.

"Haven't you noticed the problem, Minerva?"

Karkaroff said with feigned surprise.

"They are each other's most important people, and as you said before, friendship cannot be precisely measured. Yet now we must choose the single most important person for Miss Granger. Oh, if we really do that, then may I ask—"

Karkaroff asked imperiously,

"What will happen to those three friends, who tell each other everything, after the competition?"

"Wha—"

Minerva immediately tried to press Karkaroff, but as soon as the word left her mouth, she vaguely realized what he