Chapter Nine

The first thing I was aware of was the coolness of the air and its loamy fragrance as I roused from my heavy slumber. Looking around a room so devoid of beauty, I realised I had been moved to the hospital wing in my sleep. I couldn't believe how quickly I had recovered from yesterday, a grin spread on my face as I remembered my feat. Streaks of sunlight penetrated the window and my golden egg on the bedside table glimmered. With the angle the sun was it, seemed to be midday. I surveyed the walls, a simple cream, not peeling or dirty, just cream. There was no decoration save for the limp curtain separating my bed from the others and the flowers beside me.

There were three different vases. One filled with pink peonies, I didn't need to read the card to know who they were from already.

"Get well soon, you are amazing! Love Daph, Payton and Faye x"

The other was an expensive array of multiple flowers. Bluebells, purple blossoms and yellow little daisies, they were beautiful. I picked up the little card hanging off it to see they were from Blaise, that kiss ass. I then looked at the third vase, filled with healthy red chrysanthemums. They were gorgeous, but nameless. My brows knitted together in confusion as I observed the exquisite flowers. Perhaps it was a generic gift from the whole House?

I sat up and carefully pulled myself off the bed. Ugly white hospital pyjamas hung loose on my body. As I moved I still felt some bruising but the potions had healed me for the most part. The curtain made a reeling noise as I tugged it open and found Fleur asleep in the bed beside me. I tiptoed around to feel the full strength of my body just before hearing subtle whispers. They were female, quite lecturing. As I got closer to the curtains they were coming from, I recognized them as Hermione.

They all jumped as I pulled it back. Harry was laying in his bed, Hermione sitting on the end and Ron on the chair beside him. He had received some flowers beside his bed as well. I was slightly caught off guard by Ron's presence, but assumed they must have made up. Your friend nearly dying does that to you I suppose.

Hermione beamed at me, jumping to her feet and giving me a gentle hug.

"Melody! How are you feeling?"

"Much better," I said.

"It's like magic," Harry mused.

"You are so lame." I said as I strolled in to sit on the end of the bed, just behind Hermione. "All is forgiven then?" I asked Ron.

"He's gotta be barking mad to put his name in the Goblet of Fire, both of you."

I smiled. "And so how did you go, Harry?"

"He was brilliant!" Hermione expressed. "All that practising paid off."

"Practising?" I questioned.

"I had to learn the Summoning Charm." Harry added.

I paled, had it been that easy for him? "You just summoned the egg?"

"No, you couldn't, it was charmed. But I summoned my Firebolt." He said giddily.

"Krum didn't even think of flying." said Ron excitedly.

"Did you get hurt?" I asked him.

"No," Ron scoffed, "that's why he's in the hospital."

"Hurt badly," I corrected with a slight roll of the eyes.

"A few scratches and bruises," he shrugged. "How are you, Melody?"

"You had a pretty bad fall at the end," Hermione said with worry.

"My ribs took a bashing, but worth it." I smiled merrily and reached over to grip Harry's hand for a moment. "We did it."

"We did." He smiled back.

I let go and leant back into my spot. "How did the others go? Fleur looks quite unwell." I gestured towards the other end of the hospital.

"She put the dragon into some sort of sleep, it worked for a while, but then she caught fire when it snored a huge jet of flame." Ron explained.

"Her whole body nearly lit up in flames, it was quite horrific." Hermione looked glum at the memory. "And Victor, he made his dragon blind. He lost a lot of marks because it accidentally squashed half of its eggs." I noted how Hermione had used his first name.

"And Cedric?" I keenly asked.

"Cedric did this weird thing where he Transfigured a rock on the ground, turned it into a dog. He was trying to make the dragon go for the dog instead of him. Well, it was a pretty cool bit of Transfiguration, and it sort of worked, because he did get the egg, but he got burned as well – the dragon changed its mind halfway through and decided it would rather have him than the Labrador; he only just got away."

My hearted leaped at the knowledge of his safety. "I expected he was okay, he isn't in here after all."

"You gave us a right fright," Ron said with a laugh.

We laughed over everyone's attempts and continued talking for a while. Madam Pomfrey then came over, assessing Harry's damage and saying she wanted to watch him a while longer before dismissing Hermione and Ron. She sent me back to my bed to see if I was clear to go.

"Just a few small cuts here and there." Madame Pomfrey said. "May you lift your shirt so I can check your ribs?" I shyly did so and it was the first time I had seen it. A huge, disgusting gash stretched between the length of my belly button to above my bra strap. And this was after healing and potions, my heart wavered slightly at the sight. I was a perfectionist when it came to my appearance, it was definitely something I developed growing up under Lydia's guidance.

"Will it go away?" My voice was quiet.

"A scar may remain in time," she said. "As long as it doesn't hurt."

I nodded understandably. It could have been worse. There was an array of blueing bruises on my legs, arms and torso, but otherwise I had come out of it quite healthily. Pomfrey gave me one last dose of a draught and dismissed me.

I changed into some clothes Daphne had left me when I was asleep. The sun was coming down as I walked back to the Common Room, my flowers and golden egg all bunched in my arms. The sky was mesmerizing, painted in the colours red, orange and yellow. Once I reached the Common Room, subtle noises could be heard from the other side which was unusual given the stone wall that defended it.

"Caverna Reguli," I spoke the password.

I was met by a surprising sight as I walked into the dungeons. All Slytherins, third year and above were celebrating. Green and silver decorations covered the room, balloons bouncing everywhere and glitter floating through the atmosphere. Small, harmless fireworks were going off from some wands as well as green and silver streamers. It was a similar set-up as when my name had come out of the Goblet of Fire, only far more elaborate. As if we had just won the Quidditch house cup. Many of them turned as they noticed my presence and the cheering escalated. A stunned laugh left my mouth as I ambled further into the room, but then agonizing pain ran through me as two figures jumped onto me.

"You're hurting her, you idiots." Blaise scolded and Payton and Faye got off me sheepishly with apologetic smiles. A gleam then sparkled in Blaise's eyes and he clapped. Loudly. Another clap. And gradually the whole room joined and they were all applauding me.

It was emotional, and maybe it was the side effects of the potions, but happy tears welled in my eyes. I was swarmed by Slytherins giving me a congratulatory hugs, hand shake's and soft pats on the back; everyone wary not to hurt me. Payton and Faye took my flowers and egg, saying they would put them in my room. Seventh year, Lilliana Dawson, came over to me with a glass of red wine and gave it to me. This would be my first alcoholic drink. I eyed the red liquid in my glass; so still and elegant. After eager encouragement from Payton, I took my first sip. The fumes wafting into my nose and fruity flavours lapping over my tongue. It left a sharp bite that I was not fond of, but for celebratory purposes I decided to have the whole glass.

I had never been so popular, I was used to being in the shadows and I often hated attention, but I relished in this. Everyone wanted to talk to me, ask me questions and toast me. This was my moment, my Champion moment. I spotted Daphne sitting on one of the plush lounges beside Nott. Malfoy and his goons were lounged on the opposing one and Blaise was perched on the arm rest.

"Finally have time for me?" Daphne joked as I sat into the small spot beside her.

"Always," I nuzzled my nose against her face and she dragged me into a hug around my shoulders.

"That was terrifying," she recounted as we pulled away.

"Exhilarating," Blaise corrected. "You looked like you knew what you were doing out there, Taylor."

Shock probably dotted my face as I laughed at his words.

"Were you scared?" Nott asked me as he leant past Daphne, his body half pressed on her.

Had I been scared? Thinking back to the task was hard, it was all such a blur. I remembered fire, water, rocks, crashing, blood, but no fear. I wasn't fearless though, it was like I didn't have a chance to be scared. It was a fight or flight situation. "It happened so fast," I said. They were all listening intently among the Common Room party. "I couldn't chance being afraid, I just had to… do it." I said hoping they would understand. As soon as I had stepped into that arena, all I thought about was getting that golden egg.

"You're a lot braver than you look," Blaise smirked.

"Yes," Malfoy said pointedly, his eyes sharp. "So brave. S great display of heroics, Taylor." He sounded sarcastic and I guarded my feelings. I had known Malfoy long enough to know where this was going when he used this tone of voice. "Let's just ignore the fact you almost died several times out there."

"Malfoy," Daphne warned.

"You barely survived in my opinion. I thought you were more prepared than that. You were thrown over the rocks countless times, not to mention falling all over the place." A spiteful scowl was on his face as he criticized me.

"Why do you care?" I retorted, feeling deeply offended. I had tried my hardest out there and no it wasn't perfect, but I lived to tell the tale. Where was his golden egg?

"I don't," he huffed and looked away.

"The most important thing is," Daphne said, turning all the attention back to her as she smiled at me, "is you're here."

"One down, two to go." Nott said with an air of encouragement.

And suddenly my happiness and relief vanished. Yes, I had done it. I had fought a dragon, but what was next? That was the first task, did they get harder? Then I remembered Crouch's words in the tent before the task. The golden egg had a clue. As if Pansy could read my mind she was running over to me with it. I guess it wasn't hard for her to steal my things when we shared a dorm.

"Let me open it," she said excitedly.

I sighed and gave her a nod, too tired to put up a fight. She clicked it open at the top and a high-pitched screaming that resembled a banshee silenced the room. Everyone covered their ears and squirmed at the piercing squeal. Pansy had dropped it now and it was rolling on the ground. Blaise picked it up and closed it.

"It's meant to be a clue." I said quietly as I moved my hands off my ears.

"Or insight into how you are going to die!" Pansy fumed before storming off embarrassed.

Great, what did I have to face next?

"Reparo," Payton said as she tried to mend the broken glass in front of her. We were currently in Charms class working on the Mending Charm, nestled in the dark back corner of the classroom. Faye leant against the wall as she lazily copied her History homework off another students work, not even trying to participate in the class. It was too easy to slack off or not pay attention in Flitwick's class. The poor part-goblin wizard could never quite control the classroom. It was probably why most of my friends, such as Daphne, did poorly in these spells.

"Where did you get that?" I asked Faye, nodding at the paper she was copying off.

"Goyle grabbed it off some Ravenclaw," she sighed as she boredly copied it.

"Are you okay, Faye? You seem off." Daphne asked.

"Her and Mitko broke up," Payton said as she focused on the mending glass in front of her.

"I forgot they were a thing," I whispered to Daphne who nodded back.

"I heard you." Faye said, still sounding detached from her usual bubbly self.

"You'll be fine!" I beamed. "Let's have a big shopping spree this weekend. It's a Hogsmeade weekend after all."

"Not interested." She said boredly.

"I need to copy that after you by the way," Daphne said. She was neither doing catch up work or trying to practice the mending charm. Just sitting in the class waiting for it to end.

"Reparo," Payton repeated. Her glass moved together, but it didn't quite mend.

"You're casting upwards too much," I tutored. "Keep the hand movement tighter." I performed the spell myself and the glass mended together perfectly as it if was never broken.

Payton copied my actions and had the same result, her glass unscathed. "Why are you so good at this?" She said, smashing it and repairing it again.

"Because I listened." I rolled my eyes.

The brown head of Theodore Nott then turned around in his chair looking back at us girls. His arm swung out leisurely. "Hey Daph," he motioned his head upwards in a reverse nod, "study hall later?"

She nodded and he smiled before turning back to his glass work. We all looked at her minutely. She tried to ignore our looks so I nudged her and Payton leaned closer.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat. "What was that, Daph?" She drawled.

"We study together," she shrugged.

"Sure, study." I teased and returned to practising my spells.

The rest of the class dragged on with meaningless conversation. Faye was a downer and kept to herself for the remainder. Nott kept stretching his arms back, 'accidentally' knocking Daphne's tables now and then in a flirtatious manner. She spent most of the time trying to hide her blushes and smiles. Flitwick then dismissed us and allocated our homework to continue practicing the Mending Charm. Payton and Faye walked out of the class side by side and Daphne followed next to Nott.

I was still collecting my things when Flitwick came over to congratulate my use of Charms during the first task. I humbly accepted them and then started to make for the door.

"I could say nice things about how you battled that dragon too, Taylor." Malfoy said as he started to walk by me, obviously having heard Flitwick's praises. "But I would rather tell the truth, you see."

"Always nice to know that I can count on you to be a complete and utter git, Malfoy." I said as we walked together.

"But, of course. You know I'd never let you down. People need stability in difficult times." He mused back.

A small laugh escaped me. "How thoughtful of you."

"Worked out that egg yet?" He asked.

"Haven't even tried," I said. The second task was just over two months away and I was more than happy to procrastinate in thinking about it.

"The later you leave it, the less time you have to prepare." He said.

"You think I don't know that?" I irritatedly frowned.

"I know you know that," he said, chin in the air as if he was the God of all things wise and almighty. "But do yourself a favour and give yourself as much time as you can to learn whatever you need to learn. Good looks will only get you so far in life."

I had to do a double take on his last few words. "What was that?" I said fervently. "I think I misheard you."

He smirked and opened his mouth to say something again, but a voice interrupted.

"Melody!" Cedric called down the hall and I shifted my eyesight to the Hufflepuff jogging over.

A low growl came from Malfoy. "Behave," I said to him before Cedric came to my side.

"I've been looking everywhere for you," he smiled and I smiled back at him. We hadn't seen each other since before he went in to face the Swedish Short Snout.

"Maybe you should be looking for a better haircut than that five sickle mop on your head." Malfoy shot at him.

"What? One like your albino arse?" Cedric retorted cooly.

Malfoy whistled, donning an expression that made him look impressed. "Look at that, a huggable Hufflepuff with some backbone."

"Alright, stop it." I said unwieldy, waving my hands in a halting motion. Malfoy was standing perfectly composed, as always whenever he wanted to be superior. Only Cedric was taller than him, it was a given, he was three years older after all. A cool look glazed over his eyes as he intricately watched Cedric's frown deepen at him. "I'll catch up with you later," I said to Malfoy sternly.

He glanced at me suspiciously and then looked at Cedric. Something in his expression changed as he looked back at me. His facial muscles were still the same, but his eye's told a whole different story. Something incredulous, but he didn't let me look into them long enough to work it out. He huffed before walking away with his usual swag.

"Why do you hang out with him?" Cedric asked as we started walking a different direction, out of Malfoy's earshot.

"He is a pain," I said, "but a tolerable one."

"I don't know how you put up with it daily."

"You get used to it." I said. "Anyway, you've been looking for me?"

He grinned, joy conquering his features. By Merlin he was handsome. "We did it!" He said happily and threw an arm around me, pulling me in for a side-half-hug.

I laughed, my own expression mirroring his. "It was the most terrifying, nerve-wracking, yet amazing thing I have ever done in my life." I admitted.

"I heard you managed to pull off the Disillusionment Charm?"

"Yeah, Snape tutored me a little. And I heard you tried to distract it with a dog?"

He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... It didn't go exactly as planned. Was quite the scuffle, but I got there in the end. Are you hurt at all? I know you were in recovery."

It then pained me to remember Cedric had not given me flowers or visited me in hospital. "Just a nasty slash up my side when I fell. I think I had a broken ankle too, but it was healed when I woke up. You?"

"Nothing too serious, just a fractured wrist. How did you score?"

"Fourth place. My robes got burnt, but not as badly as Fleur. You were third, yes?"

He nodded and the elbowed me jokingly. "Might catch up to me in the next task though, hey?"

I faked a small smile and then looked at him anxiously. "Have you-"

"No," he answered, knowing the rest of my question. "But when I do, I will be sure to help you as you helped me." He said lowly.

I nodded understandingly. We continued walking and talking to the Great Hall until splitting into our respective house tables. Maybe it was time I started working out the second task, like Malfoy had advised, a head start would only be beneficial. I sat between Pansy and Daphne at dinner and helped myself to some warm lasagna. I needed comfort food. Faye was her giddy self again, swooning over a new boy to Payton who had never looked more uninterested. A white barn owl came swooping in that I recognised as Ezra's from the Ministry. It dropped me a large box and I figured Lydia had given me a present for succeeding in my first task.

Later in my dorm, I lifted the lid to reveal a beautiful dress. I picked it up lightly to admire its soft material and the glacier meltwater blue it was. Crystals dazzled the upper torso and I tried to imagine the money it would have cost. Not that money was an issue for Lydia and Ezra, but this was not something I wanted others to know was in my room. It confused me for a moment as to why Lydia would send something so expensive here. I had no use for it at Hogwarts.

"Have you opened it?" Daphne called from the bathroom.

It was just her and I in the dorm at the moment, the others still in the Common Room. I quickly placed it back into the box and cast a Disillusion Charm on it before slipping it under my bed. Keeping it hidden from people like Pansy.

"It was a dress." I said with confusion.

"Odd," she thought as she came back into the room. "Payton's mother recently sent her money saying it was to buy a dress."

I sat down on my bed to pet Mia who mewed under my touch. "That is odd."

A gasp then came out of Daphne's mouth. "Who gave you those?" She said with wide eyes.

I followed her eyesight to see her staring at my flowers. "Well you know who sent the peonies, the other is from Blaise and well... I don't know who sent these." I said as I smelled the chrysanthemums.

"It was anonymous?" She inquired as she quickly sat next to me on the bed.

"I guess. It didn't have a card. I thought it was from the House or maybe Professors."

"No," she said quickly. "No, no, no, Melody." My full name, okay. "Father always buys mother red chrysanthemums on their anniversary. It's a symbol of love." She exclaimed.

"You are looking too far into it. Maybe they were on sale at the florist."

"No!" She slapped my arm.

"Ow-"

"Red chrysanthemums are hard to get. These aren't just any flowers, Melody. They aren't yellow or orange or blue. They are red. Red chrysanthemums. This is on purpose," she lectured, shaking her finger as she thought out loud. She stood up and stalked over to them, peering at them curiously. Then she turned to me with a big sickening smile which I knew only meant one thing. "You have a secret admirer."

I groaned and fell back onto my bed. Here we go. Mia climbed over me to curl up on my pillow. "Daph, before you start-"

"They're from Cedric, definitely." She said proudly.

I perked a brow. In fact maybe that could make sense. I was disheartened he didn't give me any, but it completely skipped my mind he would have dropped some anonymously. "Why wouldn't he put his name on them then?"

"I think it's romantic." She said before falling happily onto her bed.

It was my turn to interrogate her now. "On the topic of romance," I said and noticed how she quietened. "You and Theodore?" I sang.

"We're just friends," she said. "For now," and then broke into giggles.

We dove into a conversation about how wonderful Theodore and Cedric were. Of course I didn't get anything Daphne was saying about Nott. He was quite awkward, lanky and shy. But I guess an alpha woman like Daphne preferred that. I was on the other end of the spectrum. Cedric was heroic, loyal and handsome. I wanted to be a princess beckoning for him, my prince, to save me. We sounded like two love struck teenagers as we gossiped, but I guess that's what we were.

It was a bit plot-less, but I stories need fillers now and then. The next chapter will be sure to heat things up again! Thank you to everyone reading and following along, special thank you to Katkloss; your review made me smile! xx