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Chapter Three: The first task

The first task was scheduled for Thursday, November 1st, giving everyone a good two months to settle down about the Tournament and get back into our school routines before there was more excitement. But for me that meant two months of anticipation.

Erica and I ended up spending a lot of time in the Hufflepuff common room late at night discussing possible first tasks. She was convinced it would be something immensely dangerous.

A week before the first task, she and I were up late, as usual, talking in the common room. "It has to be something dangerous, it just has to be. Look at what the first task was last time, dragons!"

"I don't think they exactly follow a pattern with these things, Erica. It would give us such an advantage, just look at the other tasks and take a guess? I think not. That isn't the point of the Tournament at all." I told her, slightly annoyed at her tone of voice. She had been getting more and more frantic during our discussions as time passed; it was her way of saying she was scared for me without having to actually say anything.

"But still," she replied, "you aren't doing anything at all to get ready. And I mean what if it is dragons?"

"So you're trying to say you don't think I could handle one teensy-weensy little dragon all by myself?" She gaped at me and opened her mouth to reply, but I cut her off, "I was kidding. You are thinking this over way too much. I know the Tournament is dangerous, but I'm not worried so you shouldn't be either. You're just going to have to trust me."

She sighed melodramatically and then said, "Well if you die, don't say I didn't warn you." I laughed at this and she smiled. "Bed?" She asked and I nodded. We stood up and made our way to the 7th year dormitory.

I woke up the following Thursday feeling slightly queasy. I rolled over in bed so my face was pressed against my pillow and sighed. Now that the day had finally come for the first task, I wasn't feeling as sure of myself as I had a week earlier, reassuring Erica that things would be fine. What if they weren't?

I stretched a hand out to my nightstand and groped around until my hand closed around the handle of my wand. Ash wood, 14 ΒΌ inches, unicorn tail-hair core, perfect for charm work and protective spells.

Wand in hand, I made my way down to breakfast, feeling much better than I had upon waking, but still nervous. When I walked into the Great Hall the Hufflepuff table broke into applause and cheers, I saw an empty spot next to Erica who was looking apprehensively at me and sat down. "Good Morning all!" I said, trying for cheery and reaching across Erica to grab some bacon.

"How are you eating right now? I'm so nervous I can't even have anything to drink!"

"Well, Erica darling, that's why you aren't in the Tournament, then isn't it? You can't handle nerves at all." I replied, still trying to conceal that I was, in fact, nervous.

As I was finishing off my bacon, Headmaster Mills stood up from the staff table and clapped his hands, asking for our attention. "Good morning students." He said happily, "I'm sure you are all as excited as I am for today, the day of the first task! The task is going to be held on the grounds, there is a special tent pitched outside where the task will be performed. Now, if you will all please make your way to that tent, we can begin the task very shortly. Champions if you will stay behind and be accompanied by your Headmasters, please."

The sound of chattering and the scraping of chairs filled the hall as students started to make their way out of the Hall. Erica hugged me quickly and managed a 'Good Luck' before being herded out with the rest of the Hufflepuffs and I turned and walked to the front of the hall where Headmaster Mills was talking with Amelie, Raphael, and their respective Headmasters.

When I approached Headmaster Mills turned to me. "Ah, Miss Tucker! How are you this morning? Ready for the task I assume?" He asked before I could reply to his first question. I nodded and he turned back to the group. "So, Champions," he said, "the first task will be an obstacle course of sorts." Raphael snorted at this and Headmaster Mills raised his eyebrows and said rather sharply, "I hope you don't think it's going to be easy. It will test you on more levels than physical agility, although that will play a small part. Well, that's all I can really tell you without giving too much away. So, off we go to the grounds!" He turned to me once more and offered me his arms, which I took, and we led the way out of the Great Hall and down in the direction of the grounds.

Once we were outside of the Castle, I could see the tent that was housing our obstacle course. It was almost like a circus tent only much, much larger and a shade of grayish-blue that looked distinct against the green of the grass. When we reached the entrance to the tent, Headmaster Mills put asked us to stand in a line shoulder to shoulder and wait to enter the tent until he gave us his word.

Standing next to Amelie I noticed she was a distinct amount taller than me, and despite her flowing light blue robes, looked fierce. Raphael on the other hand, stood slightly round-shoulder and looked as if he could care less that he was about to compete in the Triwizard Tournament. I gritted my teeth and tried not to think too much about my opponents. Concentrate. You're going to be fine, you can handle this, I told myself. You can do this. Concentrate.

The flap of the tent rustled slightly and then Headmaster Mills stepped out. He made eye contact with me and nodded ever so slightly. "Champions, "he said calmly, "you may enter now."

I took one last deep breath and stepped forward with Amelie and Raphael into the tent.