A/N- Wow, it's been a while. Sorry! But this is probably one of the hardest chapters in the entire story to write. But before I get to the story, I have a couple things to say/ask. First of all, thank you so much for the reviews! Almost 80! Keep it up! Second, have I improved at all from my first chapter? And third, I gave the wrong username for neopets last chapter. I have the correct link in my profile, however. I love getting neomails!
Disclaimer- Do I really have to say it?
Back to the Future
Chapter Nine
The night before the task, Lily didn't get any sleep. She tossed and turned all night, imagining all the horrors that Harry might have to face. What if he died? That was, after all, why there hadn't been a Triwizard Tournament for ages, why there was an age line.
'He'll do fine. If he's anything like you, he'll make it through in one piece.' Lily tried to tell herself. But what if he wasn't like her? She didn't know the boy much! For all she knew, he could be like his dad. If that was the case, Harry would show off all he could, and get hurt in the process.
Hermione didn't sleep any better. In the morning, she and Lily exchanged worried smiles while getting ready to go to breakfast. Parvati and Lavender had slept fine, and looked excited for the first task. Lily despised them for this, though she tried not to. What did they care? They neither were friends nor were related to Harry. They barely even knew him; he was just another face in the crowd, except for his fame, of course.
After breakfast, Lily headed towards the Quiditch pitch along with the rest of the school, and sat next to Hermione and Ron.
Once sitting down, Lily gave a small scream. In cages were four dragons!
Ron gave her an odd look, as if inquiring why an almost stranger would feel so scared for Harry, but Hermione understood, and gave Lily's hand a squeeze.
"Don't worry, he'll do fine. Harry's good at this kind of thing."
All the sudden a whistle was heard, and Hermione turned green.
"I think I'm going to puke." She muttered to Lily.
But much to Lily's delight, the person who stepped out of the tent where the champions had been told what they were doing was none other than Cedric Diggory. She slouched over her seat, hands over her eyes, not daring to watch. Lily was sensitive to blood, and she did not wish to see someone ripped apart by a dragon.
The only way she was able to tell what was going on was by hearing the ooh's and aah's of the crowd and hearing Mr. Bagman's commentary.
And then the crowd bursted into applause, standing up and cheering for Cedric.
"One down, three to go!" Bagman shouted. 'Please don't be Harry, please don't be Harry' Lily prayed. "Miss Delecour, if you please." Lily sighed in relief, and resumed closing her eyes. The same was with Krum, until Harry was the only person left.
Almost as if he were in a dream, Harry stepped out slowly. Time seemed to slow down as Harry took out his wand and shouted, "Accio Firebolt!" What felt like moments but really were only seconds later Lily heard the whooshing sound of something flying through the air at great speed.
Everyone else seemed to hear it too, for everyone's gaze turned to where the noise was coming from. A broomstick was coming! 'He really is like his father.' Lily thought, inwardly sighing. James would have chosen a broomstick too. And if he had lived, James would have taught Harry how to fly before he could even walk.
"Would you look at that! Mr. Potter has chosen to fly his firebolt!" Bagman shouted excitedly. Definitely with more excitement than he had with the other champions. Lily thought it was quite obvious who Bagman rooted for.
Unlike with the other champions, Lily couldn't close her eyes. In fact, she could barely look the other way.
Harry dove out of the way of a burst of flame just in time. Where he had been only seconds before burst into flames.
"Great Scott, he can fly! Are you watching this, Mr. Krum?" shouted Bagman, awe in his voice. Lily held back a nervous giggle.
Harry flew higher and higher. It was obvious he was trying to get the Dragon to follow him, to get the Dragon away from the eggs. However, the Horntail didn't seem to want to take off. She was too worried about her eggs. If it had been anyone else besides Harry. Lily would have felt bad for the dragon.
Harry flew around, close enough to annoy the dragon, but not close enough to be in fire range.
"Come on, come on." Ron muttered, seemingly forgetting all about his fight with Harry.
The Horntail began to rise higher and higher until she was off the ground altogether. Harry took that as his chance to dive back down and grab the egg. "Yes! He did it!" Lily exclaimed as the crowd burst into applause. Bagman said something, but Lily couldn't hear.
As soon as it was safe, Ron and Hermione went off to greet and congratulate Harry, while he waited for his score. Lily got up and returned to the castle. She was too exhausted to stay any longer. Besides, Lily could always rely on Parvati and Lavender on all the details.
"I need a nap." Lily realized, after giving a yawn so big it hurt her jaw. She threw herself on her bed and immediately fell asleep, without changing into her pajamas.
A/N- You've all read Goblet of Fire so I didn't want to bore you too much with all the details. Hope that was ok. Please let me know!
