A/N: Sorry for the long wait between updates. This is also not a completely new chapter. In fact, it's not really new at all, just a different take on chapter 1. I will have a few of these first person point of view interludes over the next little bit to show a different side of things. I know my writing is heavily dialog. It's just what I do, so these interludes are going to be people's thoughts during particular scenes. I had a review from Systaticism that prompted me to do this and I am grateful for it.
I'm also sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but I really only wanted to do this part of the first chapter first person.
Thanks again to everyone for reading, I hope you enjoy! And please review! They really do help me to post faster. Thanks!
Chapter 1- Harry's POV
I sat on the cold ground by the lake. I couldn't believe my name had come out of the goblet. Why did this happen? Why does everything always happen to me? I couldn't think of anyway to get out of the tournament. Dumbledore couldn't either, though I don't think he'd really gone out of his way to think of an option. I know that nobody cares about me. I'm just a useful tool to them: fame for Ron; a good Seeker for the Quidditch team, not that that mattered this year; someone to show off to for Hermione; a connection to my parents for Sirius and Remus; a pawn in the war for Dumbledore. I still am not sure why he is so insistent on me.
I shivered a little and tightened my arms around my waist. I don't think the shiver was from the cold though. Logically I understood it was cold outside, but I can't really feel it. I'm in Dudley's castoffs again, like always, so I'm used it. I shouldn't be shivering from the cold.
I tensed slightly as Viktor slid in behind me and passed me his jacket. He'd never sat this close before. I thanked him as I pulled on the jacket. He seemed genuinely worried about me being cold. He bent his legs up around me. I wrapped my arms around his right leg and lay my head on his blanket covered knee as he carefully tucked the blanket around us and cast a warming charm. Now that I'm warm, I can realize how cold I actually was before.
I snuggled back against his chest, relaxing against the broad chest as his familiar scent wrapped around my senses. My thoughts continued to drift around the tournament as he held me, though my thoughts seem to keep drifting to him. We'd had this routine for months now. It was quite foolish really, all we did was sit together at the lake. Sometimes we'd talk, but that was not the typical night. I was more comfortable with him that I was with nearly anyone else. I felt safe with him. Why, I still don't know. But I do and that's what matters.
It was so easy to drift off like this. My eyes where having a hard time staying open, something I didn't think would happen after the events of the day. I heard him say my name and hummed in recognition.
""I have come up with an idea to keep you safe. It will not work during the tasks, but you would not have to go back to your relatives and it would get you out from under Dumbledore," he said in his low, gruff voice with that thick Bulgarian accent.
I was wide awake now. He knew of a possible way to keep me safe? Granted, I still had to do the tasks, but he would get me out from under Dumbledore and my relatives. I've been wishing to escape my relatives since before I can remember. "What is it?" I asked quietly, trying to keep the excitement from my voice, though I don't think it worked.
As he explained the Dominance Bond to me, I was both excited and embarrassed by it. Financial obligations? I had enough money that that wouldn't be an issue. I voiced that to him and he countered again. Even if he was willing to do all of that, though, how could I force myself on him. I know I'm just a burden. There is no question about that. "But...what if you get sick of me?" I asked finally, hesitant about his answer.
"I would never get sick of you."
"But how do you know?" I panicked. He was so sure and confident in his answer, but he answered so quickly, how do I know he's not just saying it to placate me?
As he gave me his answer, I couldn't help the warm fuzzy feeling in my gut. It didn't make sense to me, but he said it like he knew. And he's never lied to me. I know I can trust him, despite what my roommates have said. He wanted me to be happy. Me! I don't know what I could call the feelings that were going through me, but I knew he wasn't lying. He told me about the options for when this bond ended and still wants me to marry him.
I hastily wiped my eyes with the blanket as a tear fell, and nodded. "Yeah," I chocked out, unable to say anything else. I would finally be free. I would finally be safe. I finally have someone who loves me and wants me not for my fame but because I am me. For the first time, I felt truly loved.
