The throng of spectators was alive with talk, people speculating about what the first task might be ('I heard they're getting a Manticore for them to face!' 'Don't be daft, Dyl, they're far too dangerous.') while others were placing bets on the outcome. A few of the older years were also making sure that younger siblings didn't panic too much, while others simply attempted to flirt with students from the others schools.
Towards the back of the crowd, however, Cho was trailing behind her normal group of friends – who were attempting to learn French from a boy from Beauxbatons. She was walking in step with Cedric's best friend, Hope Wood, in a worried silence. Every so often she would cast an anxious look towards the other girl, opening her mouth to say something. But every time the words failed her, and she focused her attention on the floor once more, her mouth shut firmly as thoughts swirled around her head.
'You know,' Hope muttered out when they eventually found themselves a seat in the stands, 'he'll do brilliantly.'
She gave a slight nod, as if trying to reaffirm the idea. Yet, there was something uncertain about her voice, and Cho watched as her dark brown eyes darted across the enclosure in front of them. Hope's face had blanched considerably, and instead of grinning like an idiot – a thing which more often than not irritated Cho when they tried to be civil to one another for Cedric's sake – she was frowning, her brow furrowed so much so that her eyebrows were almost knitted together.
Cho sighed, nodding slightly. Despite how much she wanted to believe that Cedric would be fine – he had to have been good, otherwise he wouldn't have been chosen, right? – she couldn't stop the niggling panic in the back of her mind from growing as the task loomed nearer.
'Ladies and gentlemen,' came Bagman's booming voice, causing an eager silence to fall across the crowd, 'I welcome you all to the first task of the Triwizard Tournament!'
Applause rippled around, the Weasley twins roared in anticipation a few seats away. Bagman beamed around at the crowd for a few seconds before cutting them off with a tinkling laugh that set Cho's teeth on edge.
'Now, our daring champions must get a golden egg from their dragons,' he informed them, his voice low as if he were telling them a secret.
Down below she could see the dragon handlers sorting things out. One was placing a bundle of eggs at the far end of the enclosure, setting them up carefully before resting a golden one near the front, glinting tantalisingly from amongst the grey others. There were five other handlers slowly making their way into the enclosure, a stocky red-haired man at the front, pulling a large crate with them. There were small plumes of smoke emitting from the cracks in the wood, and the odd low rumble of a roar cut through Bagman's words.
Cho gave an inadvertent squeak as the dragon was lead out. To her right she felt Lewis Greyson leaning forward, eager for a better look at the dragon; on her left Hope looked towards her sharply, her eyes wide in panic. Hope opened her mouth to say something, but Bagman's announcement cut her off.
'And now, please welcome our first Champion, Cedric Diggory of Hogwarts!'
The crowd roared with excitement as Cedric wandered into the enclosure. Even from the distance they were sitting Cho could see him shifting his grip on his wand, his eyes focused narrowly on the dragon at the other end of the enclosure. Worry bubbled in the pit of her stomach, and she couldn't help but wring her hands in her lap.
'Diggory's facing the Swedish Short Snout today,' said Bagman as Cedric took a cautious step forward. 'While they're not known for their killings of humans-' the crowd gasped as Cedric took off at a jog to the left, and Cho felt her stomach plummet at the horror story Bagman was trying to tell '-that's because…'
Bagman cut himself off as the dragon shot out a brilliant blue flame. Cedric dove, rolling away from the flame just in time.
'Oooh, narrow miss there, very narrow,' said Bagman, somewhat gleefully as the crowd cheered.
'Come on, Ced,' Hope muttered, and Cho noticed that the girl was chewing her nails, her attention fixed firmly on Cedric as he shakily got to his feet.
'And Diggory's bouncing back, ready for anything this one!' said Bagman.
Cho couldn't help but agree. Cedric was eyeing the dragon while bouncing on the balls of his feet. He feinted right, trying to see what the dragon would do. But the Short Snout's eyes were focused on him, and it did little more than flick its tail in irritation. Cedric shrunk slightly, as if deflated that the move hadn't worked. Cho's heart sank. Yet, Cedric took a deep breath as he put his wand firmly back in his pocket, causing a murmur of uncertainty to ripple around the crowd.
The next moment, however, he was darting right, crouching low. Another flame was short at him, and an angry roar echoed around the enclosure. Cedric narrowly missed it, diving behind one of the larger bolders.
'He's taking risks, this one!' called Bagman.
Everyone, however, appeared to be paying the commentator very little attention though. All eyes were firmly on Cedric, who was still crouched. His focus, however, was on a small rock that he had placed in front of him. His wand was out, his brow furrowed in concentration.
'Ced, what're you doing?' Cho said in a small voice, shifting so that she was barely perched on the edge of her seat.
Even Bagman was quiet though as Cedric worked, tapping the rock every so often as the dragon paced angrily at the other end of the enclosure. No one appeared to know what the boy was doing. A ripple of curiosity ran around the crowd, people questioning one another about the tactics of the first champion as the time wore slowly by.
After a good five minutes, however, Hope gasped. Her hands flew to her mouth and Cho looked towards the Hufflepuff sharply. But there was something of a smile lighting Hope's face.
'What is it?' aske Cho worriedly, her attention quickly shifting back to Cedric, who had straightened up slightly.
'He managed it…' said Hope through her hands.
It didn't take long for Cho to realise what Hope meant. The rock in front of Cedric was shifting, the rough surface seeming to shift into something furry. A slick golden coat appeared to be taking shape as the rock itself grew. It lengthened out, legs appeared to grow from the bottom of it, and a head formed by Cedric's knee.
A soft bark cut through the curious silence that had fallen over the crowd as a labrador glanced around at them from beside Cedric. He bent down to scratch the thing behind the ear, before patting its head.
And, with that, the dog bounded out from behind the rock. The movement instantly caught the attention of the dragon, who began snapping its jaw threateningly.
Cedric peered from behind the boulder, his attention on the dragon as it shot out another flame which narrowly missed the dog as it bounded around the place, wagging its tail playfully.
While the dragon's attention was distracted Cedric made a run for it. He was almost there, Cho began to clap her hands in an attempt to egg him on. But he stumbled, and the dragon caught sight of him, sending a flame his way.
'Clever move – pity it didn't work!' came Bagman's shout, causing Cho to shoot him a dirty look. How could he be so blasé about the fact the thing had almost incinerated Cedric?
Cedric, however, didn't appear to be too fazed. There was a distinct redness to the side of his face as he jumped behind another boulder though.
The dog barked again, hunching down on its front paws, its tail high as it flicked the end of it playfully. The dragon's attention shifted once more. Cedric sprinted from behind the boulder, his hand clasping the side of his face though.
And then, just as the crowd took a collection intake of breath, Cedric scooped up the golden egg and hid behind another boulder.
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Hope jumped up, whooping louder than some of the others around them. Cho stood up shakily, her heart pounding in her chest. He'd done it. Cedric had done it.
'Come on,' Hope whispered, tugging at the sleeve of Cho's robe while the people around them continued to cheer Cedric, who was holding the egg up as the handlers moved to deal with the dragon.
Cho looked over at her, but nodded firmly. She wanted to see the scores, but she knew Hope had an idea. She allowed herself to be led between the audience members, gaining some curious glances from fellow housemates ('What're you doing?' Padma had asked her curiously as they slipped past her, but Cho had merely shrugged as Hope pulled her closer to the aisle.)
'Where're we going?' Cho finally asked as they began to descend the stairs, Hope taking about two at a time in her rush.
'To congratulate Ced,' Hope was barely able to explain through panting.
Cho's heart lifted, and she raced to catch up with the excitable Hufflepuff.
When the duo finally managed to duck into the first-aid tent Madame Pomfrey had her back to them. She was sorting through a draw, complaining to Professor Sprout in a low voice. Cedric, however, was sitting on one of the beds. There was a thin layer of sweat covering his face. His robes were slightly tattered, there was the odd tear in them here and there. Yet, despite the nasty burn that was covering one half of his face, there was a broad grin lighting it.
'Ced, that was brilliant!' said Hope, rushing to stand beside him.
Cedric's cheeks reddened slightly.
Cho, however, stood frozen near the doorway of the tent though. It had been too close. Worried thoughts began to cloud her head once more, and even the excited tones of Hope and Cedric did nothing to break through them.
'Cho?' asked Cedric in a small voice, causing her to blink the world back into focus.
Concern was etched onto his features, his eyes focused on her. Hope had shifted toward the pillow of the bed, fiddling with something in an attempt to give them some privacy.
All the worry suddenly came crashing down on Cho, tears began to prickle her eyes. She darted forward, pulling Cedric into a tight hug. She nestled her head against his chest, allowing the tears to fall as she listened to the steady beating of his heart.
'Hey, shh,' soothed Cedric, running a hand comfortingly through her hair. 'It's all right. I'm all right.'
She nodded slightly, but she couldn't help but allow the tears to continue to fall.
'At least it's one task out of the way,' he said, chuckling lightly.
Cho nodded. He was right He'd survived one. She just hoped the others weren't going to be as heart wrenching for her to watch.
A/N: I've bolded things that were in the books. Also, I dunno how often I'll do these but I thought I'd see how this one went first. So yeah, hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you thought, or if there's anything you'd like to see!