Disclaimer: I don't own any of this

Chapter 10

"Harry can I talk to you?" I asked a few weeks after Halloween.

"Sure," he responded, I noticed that he was alone.

Together, we walked out of the castle and towards the lake. When we got near the lake, we picked a tree to sit under. Harry turned and looked at me expectantly.

"How are you doing?" I asked.

"Ok, I guess," Harry responded.

"That's good," I responded. "How do you feel about the whole Hogwarts champion thing?"

"I didn't put my name in the Goblet. I swear—"

"I believe you Harry," I interrupted.

"Really?"

"Yes, and Cedric believes you too. He-he just won't publicly admit it yet."

"And you're sure about it?"

"Of course. I am supporting you both. You're both Hogwarts Champions, and you're both going to need as much support as possible."

"Thank you," Harry responded. I nodded my head.

"People aren't going to have the same views as me though."

"Yeah I know," Harry replied. "I've seen that a lot around here."

"Where's Ron and Hermione?"

"Ron and I had a fight. He doesn't believe me. He thinks I put my name in the Goblet."

"Well, Ron's stupid then. You obviously didn't put your name in the Goblet."

"Glad to know someone believes me."

"Cedric supports you too. He doesn't think you deserve all the mean looks you're getting."

Harry nodded. "Tell him I'm grateful."

"I will," I replied. "So have you talked to Snuffles?"

"Um…yeah the other day. He's off in some came somewhere around Hogsmeade. You should write to him, it'd cheer him up."

"Ok, maybe I will."

Harry nodded. "Was your mum close to him?"

I thought for a second. "I think so. She was a fourth year when your parents, my dad, and Sirius were seventh years. My mum married my dad after graduating, and she lived with Sirius after her fourth year."

Harry nodded. "Sometimes I try to remember my parents, but I just can't. I try and try but no matter what I can't."

I nodded. "My dad doesn't like to talk about my mum much. If I ask about her, he answers but he doesn't like to I think."

"I wish I had someone to talk to about my parents."

"You can talk to my dad or Sirius," I suggested.

"I guess you're right."

"I am right," I said, laughing.

"Someone has a big ego today."

Somebody walked by and flashed one of those badges Sean made. Even though Cedric doesn't like them, Sean gave them out anyway. Cedric didn't want to fight anymore, so he just went along with them, but he refuses to wear one. I rolled my eyes.

"Ignore the badges," I said.

"I do," Harry replied.

"Hey guys," a familiar voice said.

"Neville!" I exclaimed jumping up and hugged him.

"Hi Charlotte," Neville said hugging me.

"Sit with us!" I exclaimed.

"Ok," Neville replied.

Neville, Harry, and I talked for awhile. Ron walked past us and gave us a look. I gave him a look back, and he just looked straight and continued walking with Seamus. After that, Harry said he was going up to his room, leaving me and Neville alone.

"Are you going to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, are you?"

Neville nodded. "We can hang out if you like." I noticed that he was blushing slightly.

I smiled. "I'd love to."

"O—Ok," Neville replied. "We can meet there at one?"

"Sure," I said. I could feel my cheeks turning pink.

We stayed under the tree together for a few more hours. Before dinner, we started walking towards the castle. I felt really happy. I've had a crush on Neville since my first year, and he finally asked me out! I can't wait to tell Cedric and Ali.

Outside the Great Hall, I kissed Neville's cheek before going into the Great Hall. We separated and I went over to the Hufflepuff table, and he went to the Gryffindor table. I sat down next to Cedric who was in the middle of a conversation with Sean. He looked over at me and smiled slightly.

"What's with your expression?"

"I'm going to Hogsmeade with Neville," I replied.

"Congratulations," Cedric replied. "I want to talk to him before you go."

"What? Cedric!" I whined.

"As your best friend, and surrogate big brother, I think I can talk to him about hurting you."

"Ugh. Cedric!"

"Nope, I'm still talking to him."

I pouted, "You have nothing better to do?"

"Not really, no," Cedric replied.

After dinner, me and Ali rushed up to our dorm and sat on my bed. She was bouncing up and down. I started laughing.

"You're going to Hogsmeade with Neville?"

"Yes," I replied, smiling and giggling.

"How did he ask you?"

"We were just hanging out and he just asked me."

"I'm so happy for you!" Ali squealed.

"Thanks! I wish Sean would ask you."

"I know!" She exclaimed, sprawling herself on the bed.

"I think he likes you."

"Really?" Ali exclaimed.

"Yes, he asked you to dance at the World cup."

"That's true," Ali said.

"We've had this talk before," I reminded her.

"I know," she replied. "I just wish I could know."

"He'll tell you when he's ready."

"What are you going to wear?" Ali asked me, changing the subject.

"Jeans and a shirt," I replied.

"You should wear a dress," Ali suggested.

"No thanks," I replied laughing. I don't really like wearing dresses.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Finally, it was the day for Hogsmeade. I woke up around ten, and I took a shower. Ali was already up and dressed and going through my stuff, looking for a shirt for me to wear.

"You have no nice shirts!" Ali exclaimed.

"Thank you Ali," I replied sarcastically.

Ali went over to her stuff and pulled out a grey-blue shirt. She handed it to me, along with the jeans I was wearing today. I went into the bathroom and put the shirt and jeans on. The shirt made my eyes look blue, rather than grey. I stared into the mirror, at my reflection. If dad was here, he'd say I look like mother. I really wish mum didn't die. Sometimes, I feel responsible for her death, even though dad assures me it wasn't.

"Ok so I think for your hair—hey what's wrong?" Ali asked, standing behind me. Concern was written on her face.

I quickly wiped my eyes. "Sorry, I—I was just thinking about my mother."

Ali stepped next to me and hugged me. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I don't know. I just feel sorry."

"Oh," I replied. "Well, it's ok."

Around, eleven, we left the castle with Sean and Cedric. We got into the horseless carriages. Ali and Sean sat together on one seat, and Cedric and I sat on the other. It was a nice day out. Not too sunny, but not too cloudy either.

"Are you two excited? First Hogsmeade Visit?"

Ali nodded, "of course. I mean we've only watched you two go for the past two years."

Sean laughed. "Are you staying with us while she goes off with Neville?"

"Okay," Ali replied.

"I might go off on my own," Cedric replied. "Not sure yet."

Sean nodded. "Then I guess it's just you and me then."

We finally got to Hogsmeade. Sean and Cedric helped us out of the carriage and together, we walked down the street. People were already walking around going into stores and into the Three Broomsticks. We went into Zonko's Joke Shop, and I saw Ginny's twin brothers—Fred and George. I waved to them and they said hello back to me.

Around one, me and Neville met outside the Three Broomsticks. Cedric came with me, so he could have his 'talk' with Neville before we went on our date. After Cedric seemed satisfied, he hugged and kissed my cheek before disappearing.

"I'm sorry for him," I apologized.

"It's fine," Neville smiled. "Want to go eat?"

"Sure," I replied.

We walked into the Three Broomsticks and found an empty table. Neville went up to order our food, and then he came back and smiled at me. I smiled back. We talked until our food came, and then we continued to talk. He told me about his Grandma and how she wants him to be like his dad. I nodded and listened carefully. Even though we've been friends for three years, he never really talked about his home life before. I feel bad for him. His parents being insane and in St. Mungos must be hard on him. I don't know what I would do.

When we finished eating, we walked around Hogsmeade, visiting random stores along the way. I saw Luna and Ginny walking together, so we talked for a little while with them. Then we went into Honeydukes and Neville bought me chocolate. I thanked him and kissed him on the cheek.

When it was time to go back to Hogwarts, Cedric came and told me that he, Ali, and Sean were leaving. I nodded and looked at Neville.

"I'd better go," I said. "I had fun."

"Me too."

"We should do this again," I smiled.

"Sure," Neville replied. I saw his friends Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas waiting for him.

"Bye," I said kissing his cheek.

"Bye," his cheeks were turning pink.

In the carriage, Ali handed me with questions. So did Cedric and Sean, but not as much. I had a really nice time with, Neville. I definitely wouldn't mind going on another date with him.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"Dragons," Cedric whispered in my ear during dinner the night before the first task.

"What?" I asked looking at him.

"The first task. It's dragons."

My eyes widened as I stared at Cedric. Dragons? What are they thinking? They have to fight Dragons? IO felt sick to my stomach. I looked at Cedric's face. He looked anxious and nervous. He was incredibly pale. Oh god. Dragons can kill. Why are they using Dragons? It's ridiculous!

"How do you know?" I whispered.

"Shh…we'll talk in the common room tonight, after everybody's gone to sleep."

I nodded my head, but I didn't eat anything else. I felt like I was going to be sick. I know I don't have to face the dragon, but Cedric does. Oh god. And Harry. Does he know about the dragons? Fleur Delacour and Viktor Krum probably know already too. Their headmaster's seem to be the kind to find things like this out.

Around eleven, I snuck out of my dorm and into the common room. It was practically empty, except for a few students finishing homework and Cedric. He was sitting on a couch, alone, in the back corner. I immediately went to him and sat down. I rubbed his hand soothingly as I sat next to him.

"How did you find out?"

"Harry told me," Cedric replied.

"So he knows?" I asked, sounding more like a statement than a question.

"Yes," he replied.

I felt slightly happier, knowing that Harry knew about the Dragons too. Cedric still looked pale and nervous.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"I don't know," Cedric replied.

"You'll figure it out," I told him optimistically.

Cedric nodded and rested his head on top of mine. I let him lie there, rubbing his hand trying to soother him. Together we fell asleep on the couch, afraid of the next day, of what's to come.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

The day went by normally, the day of the first task. It begins after lunch. After lunch everybody made their way out to where the first task is being held. Cedric walked with Ali, Sean, and I outside the tent the champions are staying in before and after their turns. Sean hugged Cedric, and then Ali hugged him.

"Good luck," I said hugging Cedric.

"Thanks," Cedric replied hoarsely.

"Be careful I said seriously. Cedric just nodded, and I kissed his cheek.

A few minutes after Cedric went in, Harry came. I hugged him and whispered encouragement in his ear, and I kissed his cheek, before following the path Ali and Sean had gone minutes before. I found them and sat down on the other of Sean, knowing I would barely be able to watch any of it.

Time went by, and the announcer ran across the field, and went to where he was going to announce. I recognized him as the person who did the commentary for the World Cup.

Then, Cedric stepped into the arena. His dragon was lying on its nest but I could see that one egg was gold. The crowd began cheering for Cedric. I hid my face in Sean's shoulder, only seeing part of the arena.

Cedric took out his wand and started saying something and pointed it at a rock. The rocked turned into a dog, and the dog started running. The dragon went after the dog and Cedric ran towards the nest. The crown cheered, but the dragon suddenly veered and sent fire at Cedric, just before he got the egg. I quickly put my whole face in Sean's shoulder, not able to watch anymore. I don't want to watch any more of the champions.

Suddenly, everybody started cheering, and I knew that Cedric got the egg. He was rushed back to the tent. Fleur Delacour went next, followed by Viktor Krum. Finally, Harry's turn came.

I decided to try to watch Harry's turn. He stood behind a rock and shouted 'accio'. Nothing happened, and then his broom rushed to his awaiting hand. He got on it and started flying past the dragon. It went after Harry, and I hid my face in Sean's shoulder, again. A few minutes later, the crowd cheered and I knew Harry got the egg.

A few minutes later, I went to the Champion's tent. I saw Harry, Hermione, and to my shock, Ron. Harry was really smiling, not that fake, one he's been using. I mouthed 'I told you!' and then I went to Cedric. HE had thick orange pasty stuff on his face.

"Hey," I said from the doorway.

"Come in," Cedric told me, patting next to his bed.

I walked into the room and sat down next to him. He smiled, but it looked painful.

"Are you okay?"

"It's just a burn," Cedric assured me. "This stuff is healing it."

I nodded. "Good job...with the dragon."

"Thanks," Cedric replied.

"I was terrified," I admitted.

Cedric nodded. "I know, I was too."

I hugged him and buried my head in his shoulder. He rubbed my back soothingly, and I felt the tension leaving both our bodies. Only two more tasks to go.

AN: thanks for the reviews! Neville and Charlotte went on their first date, I hope you liked it! This date and another this year is about as much as the two do this year. There'll be more dating in later years. I hope you liked this chapter, I was happy with it. I need you to review your opinion about the second task. Should I stay canon and have Cedric's person be Cho Chang, or should I have Charlotte be his person. Please leave a review with your thoughts! I hope you enjoy this chapter!