Harry Potter

Courage

By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related concepts do not belong to me! I am merely borrowing them for my own personal enjoyment. All OC's and anything you dont recognize is copyrighted by me: xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Rating: K

Pairing: Marcus/OC

Genre: Adventure/Friendship

Warnings: Please do not flame me for anything.

Summary: This year, their greatest test will become their darkest hour; as Charlie and Harry realize that 'Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the Snow'

Author's Note: Chapter dedication: DJScales, Razmend, ItzKevin97 and Forever Dreaming Grace. Love hearing from you guys. So here is the First Task.

The First Task

"...I just need something that will keep me alive," Charlie groaned, as she slammed her head down on the book of Dragons in the Hogwart Library "at least until tomorrow evening"

Riley glanced up "Have you spoken with Harry?" she asked

"Yes!" the Slytherin grumbled "Hermione's helping him cast the Summoning Charm; the first task is supposed to test our strengths! Harry's strengths are flying..."

Millicent frowned "How is that going to help him?" she asked "He's not allowed his broomstick"

"We're allowed our wands," Charlie answered "Hence, the Summoning Charm"

"Ah," the other fourth year girls nodded, before turning back to the books in which they were reading through. It was the night before the first task and curfew was slowly creeping up on them and they were still searching for information that would help Charlie face her dragon tomorrow morning, during the first task.

Pansy groaned as she rubbed her eyes tiredly, she was to get disoriented and the words were starting to merge together into one. "Okay, either I just read something about Dragon's having anicent magic in their hides..." she mumured, blinking to clear her eyes after rubbing them "...or -" she cut off and frowned at the book "Okay, are those lines moving?"

Her friends frowned and looked up "No," Daphne answered "I think you've been staring at the book too long"

"Ten minites girls," Madam Pince called out as she shuffled over to the five 14-year-olds "Curfew is being set in, in 10 minutes"

Charlie groaned and slammed her head back down onto the desk. Ten minutes? She had ten minutes to find a spell that would help her tomorrow, or she was screwed "That's it" she mumbled "Im dead! Im dead!"

"Wait!" Riley suddenly exclaimed "I found something, it says here that Dragon's are easily distracted..."

"How is that supposed to help me?" Charlie asked "I suck at Transfiguration, remember?"

The Gryffindor shook her head "Remember what I told you back in second year?"

"Nope," Charlie responded, popping her 'p' and shaking her head

Riley rolled her eyes "Just clear you mind and concentrate, and you'll be surprised at what you can do"

The Muggleborn Slytherin let out a low sigh, before looking up as Madam Pince returned "Im sorry girls, im gonna have to ask you to head back to your common rooms" she smiled sadly at them "Good luck tomorrow, Miss. Hunter"

Charlie nodded "Thank you, Madam Pince" she smiled, collecting up her things and following her friends out of the library. The Slytherins walked Riley back to the Gryffindor common room before hurrying down to the dungeons and into the Slytherin common room, where Marcus and the fourth year boys were waiting for them.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

The next morning the whole school, and visiting schools gathered together in the large stadium on the outskirst of the castle and just beyond the Quidditch pitch where the first task was to be taken place for the Triwizard Tournament. While the spectators took to the stands, the five champions, Fleur, Krum, Cedric, Harry and Charlie were ushered away from their friends and into a completely different tent next to the arena. Clutching one another in fear, Charlie and Harry entered together before they wre offered their uniforms to change into.

Charlie's uniform was emerald green with silver stripes under a long black jacket that had Hunter across the back in emerald green stitching. Harry's uniform was exactly the same to her's except it was red and gold colours and the name Potter written across the back in red. Once the two 4th years had changed into their uniforms, Harry set to pacing around the tent as the other champions tried to calm their nerves in their own way. Charlie, meanwhile, plopped down onto the bed near the exit and attempted to clear her mind of everything that she was about to face, if she was to face a dragon and use the transfiguration spell that the others had tried to teach her last night then she needed a clear head; but everytime she closed her eyes a giant dragon kept popping into her minds eye.

"Your attention, please" Dumbledore's voice, echoed from outside the tent "This is a great day for all of us"

Charlie closed her eyes again, as she tried to block out everything but the sound of the Dragon's roaring in the distance snapped her back to attention and caused her to jump to her feet; even Harry, Cedric, Fleur and Krum turned in the direction of the noise.

"Each of the three tasks involves very considerable danger," Dumbledore continued, from outside the tent "Please keep your seats at all times"

As her breathing quickened, Charlie felt terror course through her; she hated this feeling. Normally she could over come her fear but this was different, this was the fear of a dragon! A fire-breathing dragon; one that she wasnt even sure she could beat! When I get my hands on the person who put my name in the goblet...she thought, before letting out a frustrated growl, before she jumped practically out of her skin as someone touched her shoulder. "Jesus!" she cried, spinning around and reaching for her wand.

"Woah, easy princess," Marcus smirked. Charlie glared. "Someone's a little tense"

"Well, you would be too if you were about to face a Dragon!" the Muggleborn snapped back "and don't sneak up on people, especially tense Muggleborns!"

The pureblood chuckled "Just remember what we talked about last night," he told her, dropping his voice to a low whisper "Just try to relax"

"I really wish people would stop telling me to relax," she half growled

Marcus looked surprised "Hey, you're gonna be okay," he promised her "And when you pass today we'll have a surprise for you in the Slytherin common room"

Charlie frowned "A surprise?" she asked "What kind of surprise?"

"Well, if I told you it wouldnt be a surprise, would it?" Marcus smirked

"Oh you're no fun," the Muggleborn pouted

Again Marcus chuckled "You'll find out soon enough. The key is to concentrate. After that, you just have too -"

"Battle a dragon?"

Marcus frowned and gazed down at her "You'll be fine," he mumured, seeing he fear in her eyes. Subconsciously he had moved his face closer to hers, and he was running her forefinger across her cheek; unknown to the two they were being watched from the otherside of the tent, and they only became aware of it when there was a flash that caused them to move away from one another.

"Young love," Rita Skeeter gasped, as she entered the tent and approaching the two Slytherins, as the other Champion's gathered around "Oh, how...stirring," she pointed at the same quill from the interview at the Weighing of the Wands. Charlie dropped her arms to her side and glared at the blonde woman "If everything goes unfortunately today..." Rita continued "...you two may even make the front page"

Harry moved towards Charlie, as Rita opened her mouth to speak once more; but was cut off by Cedric "Last time I checked you had no business here," the Hufflepuff stated "this tent is for champions...and friends, leave now!"

"No matter," Rita smirked, as she rounded on the Hufflepuff "We've got what we wanted" and she plucked the Quill out of the air, turned to glance back at Charlie and Marcus before her cameraman snapped a picture of Cedric and the two left the tent.

Charlie turned to the Hufflepuff "Not that im not grateful," she smiled "but why did you do that?"

"Because we all know what your temper is like on bad days," Cedric answered "I'd hate to see what its like today, of all days. Besides, someone needed to put her in her place"

"Yeah, but now she's gonna spin this into a story," Charlie responded "this one im not so sure is gonna be as good as the last"

Cedric frowned, he knew what Charlie was getting at "Don't worry about it," he brushed her off "Everyone knows I don't like you, like that" he winked, before turning away as the judges and Crouch entered the Tent.

"Good day, champions" Dumbledore's voice broke through the tension that had fallen. Marcus wished Charlie luck before leaving the tent and the Muggleborn grabbed Harry's arm as they were gathered into a circle around their headmasters and headmistress "Now, you've waited, you've wondered, and at last the moment has arrived. A moment only five of you can fully appreciate," he turned to Mr. Crouch "Barty, the bag"

"Champions, in a circle around me" Crouch said, rounding them up. He held out a small bag. "Alright. Miss. Delacour, if you will"

Fleur reached inside the bag and pulled out a small green dragon.

"The Welsh Green," Crouch turned the bag to Krum "The Chinese Fireball," he nodded. He brought the bag to Cedric "The Swedish Short-Snout" he turned to Charlie "The French-de Nuit. Which leaves..."

"The Horntail," Harry whispered to himself, as Crouch approached him

"What was that boy?" Crouch questioned

Harry shook his head "Nothing" he reached into the bag.

"The Hungarian Horntail," he looked around at the five of them "These represent four very real dragons. Each of which has been given a golden egg to protect. Your objective is simple, collect the egg. This you must do, or each egg contains a clue without which you cannot proceed to the next task" he explained

Charlie looked thoughtful "That doesnt sound so bad," she mumbled

"Any questions?" Crouch asked, throwing her a look over her shoulder

When no one answered, Dumbledore stepped forward "Very well. Good luck, champions. Mr. Diggory, at the sound of the cannon you may..." there was a loud boom from Flich, who had lit the cannon early.

It was time. The first task, had begun.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

"...she's gonna be fine," Riley mumbled to herself, as she stood in the stands surrounded by the majority of the Slytherins who were wishing Charlie the best of luck "...she's gonna be fine. She just gotta clear her mind, and she'll be fine"

Daphne turned to the Gryffindor "Rils, calm down" she stated "Charlie will be fine. She's faced worse than a dragon..."

"I know," Riley nodded "I know! But I have a bad feeling that this is gonna go south"

Daphne patted her friends shoulder as a booming sound was heard, and Dumbledore spoke once more his voice filling the stands "Four of our champions have now faced their dragons, and so each one of them will proceed to the next task. And now our fifth and final contestant...one of Slytherin's finest, Miss. Charlie Hunter"

The Slytherins erupted in cheers as they all, and some of the Gryffindors started chanting Charlie's name over and over.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

With a gulp Charlie hurried out of the tent and into the arena, the Muggleborn Slytherin had to calm herself of all fear and panic that had ignited once more at the sound of her name. She had to clear her mind if she wanted this to work; You can do this, girl she told herself you can do it! Just concentrate!. Despite the nerves the Slytherin was ready and determined, she wasnt about to let some overgrown lizard kill her, she had come to far and fought to many creatures and faced death in the face several times to be taken out by a bloody dragon! Once she had exited the rocky cavern that led into the arena, Charlie spotted the golden egg that she was supposed to retrieve and lying down next to it was none other than the dragon, its golden eyes trained on Charlie the moment the Slytherin had entered the arena.

Okay girl, all you gotta do is get the egg. You can do this. You do not have to defeat the dragon, just get past it! Out smart it! Distract it! taking a deep breath, Charlie removed her wand and stepped forward hestitantly, the Dragon reared its held and shot a fireball at her; Charlie's eyes widened as she pointed her wand and shouted "Protego!" instantly an invisible barrier shot out iin front of her and although it stopped the fireball, it wasnt strong enough to withstand the energy behind the heat and exploded the force pushing Charlie backwards into the rocky wall of the arena. The crowd hissed, as the Muggleborn hit the ground on her stomach and pushed herself back up onto her feet quickly, and just in time to duck behind a boulder as the dragon shot another stream of fire at her. Come on Charlie, think! she scolded herself what's the opposite of fire? Water! That was it!

The dragon crept closer to the hiding spot where the Slytherin was resting, the back of her head hurt and she could feel something sticky on her forehead, she didnt have to see it to know that she was bleeding. Peaking around the corner of the boulder, Charlie dodged another attack of flames; before raising her wand and shouting "Aquamenti!" as another blast of flames showered down upon her; the water shout out from her wand and Charlie frowned as she felt her wand start to vibrate beneath her fingertips What's happening? she wondered quietly, before the jet of water turned into a stream and hit the Dragon dead in the mouth, extingushing its flames. Pulling back the dragon beat its wings and took into the air, although it couldnt go very far due to the thick chain arond its neck. Taking the Dragon's distraction to her advantage; Charlie made a break for the egg; but the tail of the dragon caught her around the stomach as it snapped in her direction, knocking her once more into the rocky wall of the arena.

Riley let out a cry of despair from the stands, and Charlie looked up to see her best friend watching her fearfully.

Concentrate Charlie! she reminded herself Concentrate! You can do it!

Raising her wand the Muggleborn felt it vibrate once more I don't know what you are doing, she thought, speaking mentally to the wand but don't let me down, now! "SERPENSORTIA!" she shouted, as a large python shot out of her wand. It landed a few feet away from the dragon, which was circling in the air. The snake hissed and the Dragon's attention was diverted towards it; letting out a screech the Dragon swooped down on the second invading predator in its arena that was close to its clutch of eggs. You did it Charlie! she grinned, watching as the Snake and Dragon fought RUN YOU IDIOT! she mentally screamed Grab the egg and go! shaking her head, the Muggleborn turned towards the centre of the arena, grabbed the egg and turned to point her wand at the snake "Finte Incantartem!" she commanded, and the snake disappeared as she made a break for the exit and several men rushed into the arena to subdue the dragon.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Dumbledore's voice echoed telling them that Charlie had made it onto the next round.

"She did it!" Riley squealed, jumping up and down and hugging Millicent, Daphne and Pansy "She did it! Knew she could do it! Come on!" and with that she pushed her way through the crowd and down to the tent where she was sure the Champions were hiding. She quickly run in to see Madam Pomfrey dabbing a potion onto the wounds around Charlie's neck and head from where she had been thrown into the rocky wall "You did it!" she shrieked, launching herself at the Slytherin and the two of them tumbled backwards onto the bed. Madam Pomfrey smiled, put down the potion and left the two friends to themselves as she checked on the rest of the champions who needed attending too. "And you did it without getting too injuried..."

Charlie smirked "What's a few cuts and brusies?" she asked

"Exactly," Riley nodded "So? Party in the Slytherin common room?"

"Thats what Marcus was getting at!" Charlie cried "When he said there would be a surprise in the common room after I had completed the task"

Riley paled "Surprise?" she asked "Uh-oh,"

"Dont worry," Charlie assured her "I'll act surprised"

"Thanks," the Gryffindor breathed in relief.

Daphne then appeared at the front of the tent, she spotted her friends and hurried forward "Their showing your score! Come on!" and tugging Charlie's hand she pulled the Muggleborn out into the area near the enclosure, where the Judges were sitting. "Its marks out of ten, from each one" Daphne exlained

First up was Madam Maxine, raising her wand into the air, she shot out what looked like a long, silver ribbon, which twisted into a large figure '10'. Mr Crouch came next, he shot a number '9' into the air. Next Dumbledore, he too put up a '10' and then came Karkaroff, he looked very angry as he raised his wand and out shot another '10'

"Almost a perfect score," Draco cried, nudging Charlie from behind "Your tied for first place with, Potter"

Charlie grinned, before turning back to the tent as Mr. Crouch's voice sounded calling her name "Oh, excuse me guys" she told her friends, before returning to the tent. She apologized to Mr. Crouch, before falling silent to hear what he had to say.

"Well done, all of you!" Mr. Crouch nodded "Now just a quick word. You've got a nice long break before the second task, which will take place at half-past nine on the morining of February the 24th, but we are giving you something to think about in the meantime! If you look down at those eggs you are holding, you wil see that they open, see the hinges? You need to solve the clue that is inside the egg, because it will tell you what the second task is, and enable you to prepare for it! All clear? Sure? Well, off you go then!" and he ushered them out of the tent. Charlie, smiled as Harry headed up to the castle with Hermione, Cedric was swept away by his own friends and Fleur and Krum were taken away by their heads of houses. Charlie, meanwhile, joined her friends and they returned to the Slytherin common room for the 'surprise' party that had been set for her.

xXxHarryPotterxXx

Meanwhile, in the common room; waiting for Charlie were the rest of the Slytherins all of whom were expectant to see Charlie after her battle with the Dragon. When the fourth years entered through the portrait hole, all chatter silenced and when Charlie entered a loud cheer ignited as the Muggleborn was lifted up onto a couple of seventh year's shoulders as she tossed the golden egg at Riley who caught it; as she was moved across the room towards the the fireplace. Still on the shoulders of the seventh year snakes, Charlie was passed the golden egg back as her friends prompted her to open it; she smirked "Who wants me to open it?" she asked; everyone nodded "You sure?", again they nodded. Touching the latch on the side of the egg, Charlie lifted it as the whole common room fell silent, and with a deep breath the Muggleborn opened the egg.

A terrible screeching filled the common room, the second the egg had been opened. The Slytherins who had been holding Charlie dropped her in their attempts to cover their ears, and the Muggleborn quickly rushed to close the egg silencing the screeching once and for all, before looking around at her fellow Slytherins who were uncovering their ears.

"What the hell was that?" asked a voice from the stairs, and Charlie turned to see Adrian standing there, watching her with mild interest.

The Muggleborn frowned, as everyone disperesed quickly as Adrian approached his friend "You're talking to me again?" she asked

"Charlie, im sorry" he apologized "I should have believed you when you said you didnt put your name into the Goblet,"

"Finally caught on then?" Charlie huffed "Took you long enough!"

Adrian looked guilty.

The Muggleborn sighed "Promise you won't turn on me again," she spoke "and maybe I'll forget you were ever mean to me!" she smiled

Adrian smirked "Whatever you say, your highness" he teased

"I'll curse you!" she warned, reaching for her wand

"Nah you wont," the older Slytherin retorted

The Muggleborn narrowed her eyes "Try me," she smirked

Adrian's smirk fell as he held his hands up in defence, he knew she wouldnt attack him; but whenever she narrowed her eyes everyone knew that it wasnt a good idea to poke the bear, sort to speak. Charlie was known to do irrational things when pushed too far. But Adrian had to admit, it was nice to have her back talking to him. In all fairness, he had missed her. Mostly because unlike most girls at Hogwarts; Charlie didnt back down from a fight verbal or otherwise...and she would always give as good as she got. He liked that.

A/N: Off to bed. Sorry its late. My brain is frazzled. See you in the morning. Night.

Oh, before I go; would just like to say to Itzkevin97; nice try on who the misplaced love triangle was between. But Adrian only likes Charlie has a friend...and a fighting partner.

Review (please)

~*Kara*~

All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted (c) and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx

Chapter updated 12/02/2011 at 04:48am