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2 Days before the First Task,
At around midnight on the weekend of a Hogsmeade visit, Harry wraps his invisible cloaked around himself and slips down to Hagrid's. Hagrid leads Harry to the Beauxbatons carriage where Madame Maxime is waiting. Harry, confused, trails behind Hagrid and Madame Maxime around the Forbidden Forest's edge, finally arriving at a large corral containing four full-grown Dragons.
The surrounding wizards have to Stun the Dragons to calm them. Charlie Weasley, Ron's older brother, comes over. He was concerned about Madame Maxime seeing the Dragons, but Hagrid states he just thought she would be interested. Harry headed back to the castle, bumping into Professor Karkaroff, who is checking out the tumult. Evidently, assuming Madame Maxime and Professor Karkaroff will inform their respective Champions, Cedric is the only competitor who knows nothing about the Dragons.
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Day of the 1st Task
"Jeez, Ves, You're gray. Anyone would think it was you doing the tasks." Fred told her. He was right; Vesper Potter was very pale and shaking with nerves and looking like she would hurl at any moment. The first task was about to begin,
"RWAR!" bellowed the Dragon that had been placed in the arena
"That's a, that's a..." stuttered Vesper staring wide eyed and opened mouthed, she felt as if she would faint, the thudding of her heart nearly drowning out any other sounds. It was a good job that Harry and Cedric hadn't told her that this was the task otherwise she would have locked them in the tower and never let them out.
"Dragons, yeah, they're brutal, especially the ridge back." Ron interrupted before being elbowed sharply by Hermione
"Ronald!" she hisses.
"Ah, what?!" he yelled as Hermione pointed to Vesper, who was now scientifically paler then before, as she watched Cedric enter the ring. The dragon blew fire at him, Cedric dogged it. The twins took hold of each of Vespers arms,
"I think I better sit down." Vesper muttered quietly, sitting in the seat looking worried.
After a few minutes and a pep talk to her self, Vesper glanced up at the ring, unable to see through the crowd, she gingerly stood up and noticed she still clutched onto George's hand while his brother had slipped free and was holding up barnoculars.
"What's happening?" she asked Hermione,
"Well, if he doesn't use his wand soon, he'll be burnt worst than he already is." She told her, her eyes fixed on the ring. Vesper watch for a moment before letting go of George's hand and pushing her way to the front of the crowd and yelling,
"Your wand Cedric!" but her words were swallowed up by the raw of the dragon as it blew fire at the unexpected crowd, there all ducked quickly and screamed.
Vesper made her way to the hospital tent after Cedric had collected his egg, she had to wait outside until Madam Pomfrey let Cedric go. She walked in and saw angry burns on his smug face.
"They look a lot worst then there feel," Cedric chuckled at her face, she smiled and gently kissed his forehead where it wasn't burnt. Then he pulled her down to his lips so he could kiss her. He kissed her hard and passionately, pulling her on to the bed, with him. She smiled into the kiss, putting one hand out to steady herself and the other went to the back of his head. They broke apart when one of the other champions was wheeled in. the burns on Cedric's face were already healing. The pair smiled at each other, Vesper gently stroked his face, and then sweetly kissed his lips, she was about to pull away when Cedric's hand stopped her, one hand on the back of her head the other on her hip. They did this until the next champion was wheeled in. Vesper smiled when madam Pomfrey came in to check on Cedric, Vesper went to the window to watch Harry and the dragon. She bit her lip nervously.
Suddenly Harry flew up on his broom; the dragon followed smashing the teachers stand. "Well done dragon." She muttered unconsciously mimicking her twin conspirators, as she felt warm strong arms around her waist she looked up at Cedric then back out of the window. They watched Harry collect the egg. Vesper turned in Cedric's arms and kissed him happily. He pushed her against the wall and kissed her passionately. Suddenly they both fell out of the tent and landed on the grass outside. They laughed as Madam Pomfrey screeched and told Cedric to get back into bed.
Slightly injured by its spiked tail, Harry is waved into the first aid tent, where Hermione and Ron join him. Ron finally sees that there is a very real threat to Harry's life, and is finally convinced that Harry did not choose to enter the Tournament, and the two boys reconcile. Vesper hugs her brother tightly, looking herself at his injury and makes sure it has already started to heal. The judges post Harry's score, tying Harry for first place with Krum. Charlie Weasley runs in to congratulate Harry, then leaves to send Mrs. Weasley an owl about the outcome, and says that Mr. Bagman wants the Champions back in the tent. The champions leave the medical tent.
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Two weeks before Christmas,
Gryffindors gather in a empty class room to learn how to dance. Remus had taught Vesper the basics when she was younger.
Fred bounced forward, he would not be out done by a fourth year, he still remembered what happen on the train ride to Hogwarts . He bowed dramatically and extended his hand towards Vesper.
"My lady, would you give me the honour of this dance?" He fought hard not to grin.
" I would be delighted kind sir." Vesper smirked curtsying in a make believe dress before taking his hand and the pair span around the room to everyone's astonishment. George soon cut in smoothly and the pair glided around the other few couples that had picked up enough nerve to do it.
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Christmas Eve, Yule Ball
Vesper entered the common room still smoothing out her dress, she caught sight of her wing men, her breath caught as she looked at them. They looked like grown men, no longer boys.
" well don't you look handsome." The pair turned to her open mouthed " what is it?"
" you look lovely." Fred smiled going back to fiddling with his bow tie before Vesper straighten it for him. She turned to George who hadn't said a word but she could feel his gaze on her. She smiled up at him and pulled down his collar.
"Perfect" she nodded to herself and saw George do the same.
" let's go then, can't keep the lady's waiting" Fred offed Vesper his elbow which she took and he offered the other to his brother who scoffed but took it any way. The platinum trio left for the main hall.
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Her 50s stile two tone Mary Janes clicked on the stone floor, as Vesper turn the corner towards the great hall. She was nervous, and kept biting her bottom lip and the inside of her cheek. She had sent the twins ahead when she had gone to double check that her lip stick hadn't gotten on her teeth.
She looked up and saw to her embarrassment that everyone had turn to look at her, as they stood outside the main doors to the great hall. She gulped and looked down at herself, making sure that nothing was wrong with her dress, - they weren't. She let her eyes scan the area for the man she was looking for. She saw him standing at the other side if the hallway, a large dopy smile on his face and his eyes wonder up and down her body. She gulped again and carefully made her way down the stairs and towards him.
"Do I really look that bad?" she whispered to him. Cedric simple lifted her chin and crashed his lips to her. His arms wrapped themselves around her back, pulling her closer. Vesper – unable to control herself - let her arms wrap around his neck and her fingers played absentmindedly with the hairs at the bottom of his scalp. When they finally broke apart, Vesper looked pleasantly dazed and Cedric placed his lips to her ear
"You look so amazingly beautiful; I don't think they're words to describe it." He muttered to her before kissing her neck. Vesper hid her face in his shoulder and kissed his cheek.
Her dress was a soft blue colour that fell to the floor showing every curve of her body perfectly. It was an A-line gown with an embellished lace bodice and an ombre dyed chiffon skirt. The neckline and open back are covered in sheer fabric that shown just enough creamy pale skin to get minds wondering and yet still hold her dignity. Her golden red hair was swept back away from her face by clips at the back of her head, the rest was lose curls, - the wonder of magic help to keep them for tonight as her normally straight yet wild wild would reject any form of curling.
"Cedric, you don't have to do this." she said for the fourth time as the pair waited to go into the great hall for the dance.
"Why, what is it?" he asked her, knowing she was trying to talk her self out of doing something.
"I can't dance, I really can't. If I go out there, I'll make you look like an idiot." she muttered, so many eyes watching her. So many people. She could hear blood pumping in her ears. Half the school must be in there.
Breathe,
"Vesper," he took hold her chin and lifted her head so there eyes would meet. "I can dance, and it's all in the leading. Don't worry. I won't let you fall." he said to her before kissing her.
"You know," she muttered into his lips "we could just not go." before kissing him deeply.
"Hmm, I like the sound of that." he kissed her again "I like the sound of it a lot." he smirked
"Mr. Diggory, Miss Potter if you two even think of leaving before you've even gotten in, you will be in so much trouble you won't believe." Professor Mcgonnall hissed rushing around making sure every one was ready to go in. What she wanted to say was that she would kill them both if there through of leaving.
"I love you." Cedric breathe in her ear, making her blush and smile.
"I love you too, Cedric." She smiled as the doors opened and the music started.
"They're doing it again," Vesper whispered in Cedric's ear, he chuckled softly, smirking at them over her head.
"Just ignore them, my love." He mumbled into her pale skin. The music was playing softly as the pair slowly danced around the great hall, within the small crowd of others.
"I can't when they're watching' our every move, creeping' closer every time I'm out of you're arms." She mumbled. She eyed the females at the other side of the hall, as there watch Cedric with pure lust in their eyes.
"Well it's a very good job I don't intend to let you go then." He squeezed her gently.
At one point Fred had prised her away and happily twirls her around the dance floor as Cedric and George look on.
" she is beautiful tonight." Cedric remarks, George looks away from the pair to glance at Cedric with a frown.
" she's always beautiful." He told him like it was common knowledge. The pair stared at each other, weighing each other up when Fred and vesper arrived back. Fred looked at his brother with a cocked eyebrow. George smiled at vesper who was giggling, beaming brightly for the world to see.
" come on Ves, my turn." George took her had and span her in to the dance floor leaving only her breathless laughter behind.
The four were unaware that Vesper's brother Harry and the twins younger brother Ron were seated behind them listening.
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Two month to the Second Task
"Have you worked it out yet?" Vesper ask Cedric about the Golden egg. She had just showered from a run and rubbed her damp hair.
"No." he sounded frustrated as he glares at the smoking egg, having just retrieved it from the fire. Vesper leaned on the table, looking at the strange markings on the egg. She remember seeing something similar in one of her godfather's books.
"Have you tried putting it underwater?" she asked thinking about the book, she was sure it was about the creatures that live in water.
Cedric looked up at her from under his dark eye lasses. Vesper silently cursed him for having beautiful eyelashes. Vesper concentrated very hard, to stay where she was and forces instead of just melting in font of him.
She stood and put her arms around his neck, she kissed his cheek softly, "Go for a bath, and take the stupid egg with you. Just try it, it might work, if not then what have you lost." She shrugged to him. He sighed, and stood, putting his hands on her hips pulling her against him.
"You know, I might want some company down there," he smiled, the crooked smile that he used only on her, and then he kissed her. She glared playfully at him when there broke apart.
"You don't play fair," she moaned as he chuckled
"Never said I did,"
"Hm, unfortunately, I have a letter to write. If I don't, I am pretty sure Remus will show up and demand to know why I haven't written in ages," she smirked "I'll make it up to you, Ced'." She said kissing him lightly on the lips before turning around to pick up the egg. However Cedric hugged her tightly from behind, his hands over hers on the egg.
"You better." He growled placing a big wet kiss on her neck, then dashing away before she could react. Vesper had squeaked and couldn't stop the bubble of giggles escaping from her lips; she wiped her neck and rolled her dark blue eyes at his retreating back. She sighed happily and got some parchment to write her godfather.
After sending the letter Vesper made her way towards the Gryffindor tower, she wanted to see how the twins and Ginny was getting on, she had left them doing homework with the promise of hot chocolate on her return. However Cedric appeared ahead of her, a large smile on his face. He struggled not to run up to her, his excitement glowing out of him. When he reached her, he kissed her for all his worth. When he finally pulled away, Vesper looked dazed but happy as a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Cedric gently took hold of her head between his hands.
"You're so wonderful" Kiss "Your so smart" kiss "I truly don't deserve you" kiss "I love you so much" he said between kisses.
"Wha... What happened?" Vesper stuttered, trying to clear her mind.
"I, you," he stuttered "I have some thing to show you." said Cedric with one last heart stopping kiss he took Vespers hand and pulled her down the corridor to the prefect's bathroom.
"What is it?" she asked but only got his charming smile as an answer. He let go of her hand and started to undress, as the bath started running.
"Wh...What are you doing? Whatever they told you? I swear it isn't true." she said a bit shocked at what he was doing, and referring the Weasley twins, they may have once gone skinny dipping (with some of the older boys) in the height of summer but that was years ago before they even started Hogwarts.
Cedric just smiled grabbed the large egg he got from the dragon in the first task, and placed it over his private bits as her turned to her, and saw her head suddenly turn to look in some random direction. He smirked.
"It's the egg. You have to listen to it- in the water." he said simply
"And you stripped off because?" she asked not looking at him, she had seen the male form in all its glory before but that was before puberty punched hard and she released that boys weren't just playmates.
"I didn't want my clothes getting wet, and to see your reaction." He smirked and playful look in his eyes.
He got in to the now full bath and put the egg on the side. "Come on," that smirk on his face was rapidly becoming permeates, Vesper thought, rolling her eyes back to his naked body, a small playful smile hanging dangerously on her lips. She filled her lungs with air and released it slowly. She was a Gryffindor. She was brave. It's not like she hasn't been naked in front of boys before. She, the twins and sometimes the older brothers would swim in the river nearby the Weasley's home but that was when they were younger and much less developed.
She started taking off her shirt but stopped and looked up at him, seeing him watch her. She now smirked and gestured for him to turn around. He did so gurgling, his arms crossed and a scowl placed mischievously on his face. She is glad he did as she felt her face heat up and knew that a blush was rapidly developing on her cheeks.
She slipped into the water not believing for a second why she was doing this. The twins would never let her live this down, especially now the body parts had grown and changed.
"Okay, what does it say." she muttered to him as he turned back around to her and that smirk was still on his face, seeing how the water only just covered her from him. He picks up the egg and duck under water. Vesper looked around in the water for him before his hands grasp her wrist and pulled her under with him. Who said Hufflepuff weren't dramatic.
After hearing what it said the pair broke the surface gasping for air.
"What do you think it means?" he asked looking at the soaking wet form of his girlfriend and he notice what curves hide under her uniform did to him.
"Well, something you have will be stolen, and you have an hour to find it under water." she said pushing her darken golden red hair out of her face, and looking at his wet body. She was sure it just got very hot in the large bathroom, as she saw his god like body in the water so close to her. He moved closer to her pinning her between his body and the wall of the bath.
"Do you think they will take a person?" He whispered huskily at her, his head so close like he was going to kiss her, he put his hands underwater on her naked hips, after rolling the egg away from them, onto the floor.
"They could do. What ever you hold dear, it said." her voice was just as bad as his. Her hands rose up his chest to his face. Her chest was raising and falling faster than normal and her breathing was uneven.
"Are you scared?" he asked in a husky voice, both of them knowing he wasn't talking about the tournament. He watched beads of water run slowly around her neck and down the valley of her breasts.
"I'm a Gryffindor, we don't frightening easily." she lied then kissed him softly.
He kissed back hungrily as her arms locked behind his head. He pulled her close to him, needing to feel her body close to his. His rough hands behind her knees pulling her closer.
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"And where have you been?" a voice called as Vesper tried to creep into the Gryffindor dormitories, unsuccessfully.
Vesper squeaked and spanned around to see Fred with his hands on his hips tapping his foot impatient. He looked just like his mother.
"Erm... out?" her clothes were a mess and so was her hair which was damp from being in the bath she had been gone all day.
"Its nearly tomorrow. You have been gone all day." he said quietly not wanting to wake every one up. "Do you even know what time it is?" he asked noticing she looked a little different, but it was only some one that knew her really well who would notice. There was a gleam in her eyes that wasn't there before.
"Erm, no." she said slowly knowing she was in trouble.
"You could have told us, we where worried." He said softly he watched her bite her swollen lips guilty. Why were there swollen? He wondered
"Sorry, Cedric dragged me off to the bathroom." his eyebrows nearly shot off his head.
"What did you do all afternoon?" came out of the strangle whisper sound his voice was now making.
"Nothing you wouldn't ." she said grinned cheekily then disappeared up the stairs to the girls dorms that she had been inching towards, whiled there talked, leaving Fred looking like a gold fish. He was thankful George was asleep on the sofa.
