Authors note: It's been a while since the last update, I know! Don't kill me, please! I have a life to manage here. Lmao! A lot of things have been going on, good and bad but I think I'm back. I've been out of it for a while, you know? :/ I'm slowly coming back.

Here is chapter 10 for Taste of Magic!

Chapter 10

It was time.

It was the day of the first challenge.

Everyone was nervous of course. The champions were stretching and shaking of the nervousness they all felt. All the champions except Kagome, she was learning against the pole at the entrance of the tent, looking out at the scene. Each of them had to uphold their honor and bring victory to their respected schools. It wasn't really easy as most think it would be. But as champions, they made it look easy.

While Harry was stretching, he kept glancing over to Kagome. He sighed as he tried to shake of the nerves. How could he be so nervous when approaching one girl? He's the chosen one, damn it! He's been through a lot of life threatening situations and this one thing unnerves him? He exhaled sharply as he steadily made his way towards her.

He came up next to her and stood there for a minute or two before speaking. He turned to her and said, "Uh, about the other day, I never got to say thank you."

She kept her gaze forward.

Harry stuttered a bit; he waited for her reply. A nod or something but she just stood there. Taking that as a sign, he nodded slowly before turning back.

The boy who lived halted in his steps when he heard her whisper.

"It's nothing.7" She whispered, her face straightforward but her eyes shifted to the side.

A light smile showed upon his face. At least it she said something. It's better than nothing. He felt utterly happy she said that. He didn't know why but he just did. He sent her a nod before leaving her.

On the other corner of the tent, Cedric noticed the two talking as he tried to calm his nerves. Kagome never talked to the three of them and he wondered why she would only talk to Harry of all people. Wait, is he feeling jealous that this girl was talking to Harry but not him? It can't be, all the girls drool over him and so why would one make a difference?

Cedric mentally scowled when at his thoughts. He needed to focus and this girl, this woman was distracting him from the prize. To bring pride to his house and family, that's all he ever wanted. But the feeling of mere jealousy was making him confused. Very confused.

Krum sat on the edge of the bed, thinking hard about the tournament…well, trying to. His eyes kept lingering on the girl and that Potter boy. He silently growled at this foolish sentiment. No. He can't lose focus; he has to concentrate. He's a champion and she is his opponent to beat. His goal is to become the champion, the only one.

Fleur sighed to herself. She shouldn't waste her time for childish thoughts. That girl, Kagome, kept to herself, never said anything in a full sentence to them. Fleur kind of admitted she admired her, maybe she was here to win, nothing else, that's why she never associated with the others. Perhaps, her eyes were on the prize and that was what she needed to do. Focus.

Harry left Kagome's side when he heard someone calling his name from the other side of the tent. He opened the curtain and Hermione popped in. Immediately,, she looked at Kagome for quite some time before turning to him.

"Did you find something?" he whispered in a low tone.

Hermione looked at Kagome again before turning back. "Not now, but given the situation at the moment, you have to get ready, okay? Concentrate and Harry, you better come back alive!" She tried to catch her breath as she pulled Harry into a bone-crushing hug.

Dumbledore and the others entered the tent. "Good day champions! Gather round, now." The old man declared.

The champions gathered around Bartimus and Dumbledore. Fleur and Kagome were both on his sides. When Cedric saw Harry making his way next to Kagome, he hurried and took his place before he did. Harry simply stared at him before he moved to stand next to him. Krum stood in between Fleur and Harry.

Cedric threw a smile at Harry before glancing down at Kagome. He cleared his throat as he straightened out his already straightened and smooth robe. 'Keep it together, Cedric.' He thought, still straightening out his robe.

Kagome took a quick glance at Cedric, who was still tugging his robe for minutes now. She mentally shook her head and she whispered to him while staring ahead.

"How smoother do you want it to be?" she whispered enough so only he can hear her.

Cedric looked up and heard Kagome's voice. He choked a bit before replying. "O-oh, no, I'm, uh, um, trying to, uh, do…something, um...yeah."

She turned and glanced up at him. "You know, it's okay to be nervous." She whispered.

He stopped tugging his robe and simply stared at her. Cedric was about to say something but noticed her attention was now on Bartimus. He grinned as he shook his head. 'Very smooth, Cedric, very smooth.' He thought as he tugged his robe one last time before paying attention.

Dumbledore began to speak. He turned to his side but looked again because he saw Hermione. "Granger, what are you doing here?"

Hermione chuckled nervously before leaving the tent. "Uh, right, sorry." Was all she said before she disappeared behind the curtain.

Dumbledore cleared his throat before turning back to the group. "Alright, Bartimus, the pouch."

Bartimus, Sr. nodded his head as he stepped forward with a ragged brown looking pouch in his hand. "Each of the dragons have been given a golden egg to protect. Your objective is to collect the egg. Remember, you have to obtain the egg for in order for you to proceed to the next task. Is that understood?" he looked at each and every one of them, but glanced at Kagome a little bit longer than the rest.

"Yes, sir." They all said in unison.

"Very well then, ladies first, Ms. Fleur." He said as he turned to Fleur to start the selection.

Fleur chuckled nervously as she reached inside the bag. She flinched as she struggled a bit to pull out a dragon. "What the...W-What is this?!" she freaked a little, more like a lot, when she saw two heads on the dragon.

Bartimus was about to say something when a voice rang out in the tent.

Kagome's eyes widened as she whispered aloud.

"A-un...?"

This is the final poll result:

Cedric Diggory – 5

Harry Potter – 4

Krum – 4

Draco Malfoy – 2

Ronald Wesley – 0

Thanks KagLover684