Katie's hands were trembling. She felt worried and angry at the same time. How did she even come out of there? She wasn't even of age yet. Everyone knew it should've been Helena, so why wasn't it she that got chosen? She was wandering around the courtyard and she wasn't paying attention to the cold. She was shivering, but pacing made her calm. Many mutterings were fluttering about since her name came out of the Goblet. She just wanted them to stop.
She was also at a lost. She thought the Triwizard Tournament was one massive ploy to kill Helena, not to kill her. She wondered if the Dark Lord had finally found out.
No, she thought. If he did, I wouldn't be here right now.
She walked back into the castle, all eyes still on her.
x
The Dark Lord was furious. They weren't supposed to enter her name. The students were wondering how an under-aged person got through, as her birthday wasn't for months. As for Helena... well she's of age now. It would've been successful if they hadn't mistaken them both.
"I hope you understand your mistake, Dolohov. Lord Voldemort isn't sure if he can forgive you for another mistake... I'm not sure if your so-called truth will suffice my wrath."
He looked down at him, curiously and with deep disappointment in his eyes. He thought that he could trust Dolohov with his plans and to execute them properly. Severus was the only one to do things properly around here anymore...
He needed new followers.
x
The First Task would be later on in November. Helena was helping Katie learn what she knew. The first clue was also released today, although she hadn't gotten round to decrypting it just yet. After all, it was better Katie knew how to duel rather than dying. Helena did start to suspect that there was an element to predicting the tasks, and she guessed dueling the Dark Lord would be one of them.
She glanced at the clue ever so slightly, then got back to teaching Katie how to control her magic.
To truly become a champion;
One must be vigilant and brave,
Be skillful and thrive.
Be loyal and true and strong for it may be good for you.
A true champion does not misbehave or have any fears to conquer.
x
The day of the First Task arrived, and tensions were running high around the school with each of the separate schools cheering for their Champion. Katie had to stop herself from violently throwing up just hours before the task would start, but Helena assured her that she would be fine. Katie now knew how to duel effectively without even saying a word, which Helena was really proud of her succeeding at.
Katie was now standing outside two mahogany wooden doors, wondering where the day had gone. She didn't realise how quick of a blur it had been to get here. She then realised that the doors in front of her weren't perhaps wooden at all. There were magically modified screens around the Quidditch pitch, where the First Task was taking place. They were going to enter all three champions into their own enclosed area, where they would face their worst fear.
Helena told her to first attack it with an offensive spell, and if it stumbled or went through it, it was a Boggart. If it wasn't, then it would probably fight back. Katie remembered telling Helena that her worst fear was the Dark Lord. Helena said it still applies. She also told her that it was best to use an offensive spell first and then the Boggart repelling spell (Riddikulus) because that wouldn't be effective to the actual thing.
Katie was going over it in her head mentally, over and over.
Go in, cast an offensive spell, proceed to Riddikulus, come out again.
It sounded so simple, yet she did not know if it was going to be simple or not.
She was gripping her wand more tightly now, as the clocks counted down. Her hand was sweating madly, she just wanted to go behind those doors and get it over with.
The cannon sounded.
She pushed open the doors. It was a dark room. She walked into it cautiously, her wand out in front. The doors shut close of their own accord behind her, causing a loud booming sound to echo around the type-of-tomb. Then, she saw him.
Lord Voldemort stood there, looking extremely realistic indeed.
"I know what you are," he said in his usual cruel tone. Katie faltered.
It's not him, she thought rapidly, but it poured fear into her anyway.
"You're lying," she stated. She then threw a silent Stunning curse through him anyway. He stumbled. He stood there, cackling at her mirthlessly.
She then thought of the funniest thing she could.
"Riddikulus."
She saw him turn into a small being, so small that he was no bigger than her thumb. His voice came out squeaky and she could not hear what he was saying, but she laughed all the same.
The boggart disappeared in a puff of smoke. Muffled applause broke out.
Damn, she thought. She forgot that she was being watched.
She thought it was over but then another set of doors opened. Lights came on around her.
Lord Voldemort came out.
What on Earth? she wondered. Is this a sick joke?
He looked at her with those scolding, scarlet eyes of his that burnt her so deeply. Katie faltered again. She now realised how less intimidating the boggart had been compared to him.
"Hello, Katie," he said, smiling sadistically.
She was speechless. She tried to remember what Helena told her.
"Remember, if he comes out and it's the real him, stay calm. He won't kill you. He'll just probably challenge you to a duel. No matter how you feel, you have to fight back because that is the only way you'll ever beat him. I recommend starting off with a big curse to throw him off, perhaps an explosive curse. But if he starts off, try to use the counter curse. If you don't identify the spell, use a shield charm. If you think its unblockable, just dodge out of the way or throw it back at him. Just don't be afraid to fire like ten curses at once, he won't like it. Though that might just encourage him more to use one of the Unforgivables on you. But no matter what you believe, it won't be the Killing curse. If it is the Killing curse, or if it's a green spell, just dodge it just in case. Personally, I start with a Stunning curse, though I definitely need to find a new curse to start with, as it's becoming too predictable and it's too easy blocked."
She held out her wand, a little bit more confident than she was just a minute ago.
"Don't kid yourself, Katie, you won't beat me," he stated, mocking her. She ignored it.
She fired a blasting curse at him and he blocked it.
Okay, not a boggart.
She then attacked him with several other curses, each different in nature. One, which was a red colour, was a particularly nasty one which Helena taught her over the past few days. When cast successfully, it had remarkably damaging effects.
Voldemort's movements were always quick-natured and handled them all with ease. He sneered at her.
"I guess I underestimated you, Katie. I'd never thought you'd be foolish enough to fight me. I just wanted a simple talk. And the cameras can't see or hear us right now, so please pay attention. We only have a short amount of time. I know you're extremely close to Miss Prince, though she's -"
"I don't -"
He silenced her without moving. He then proceeded.
"She's on a road to be reckless, and far more dangerous than you can imagine. Although right now she could literally destroy anything. I must warn you, Miss Fielding, because she could end up hurting those around her - especially you. So why am I telling you this? Because she needs to control what she does and think about what she does before she does it. Although, I have to admit that in the past few months she has gotten better at this. So, you must tell her Miss Fielding, that she has to control her power. Even I don't know what could happen if it gets out of hand. I will know if you don't tell her. And... our time is up, Miss Fielding. Go be a champion."
And he left. Just like that. She went out the way she came in.
"First out is Katie Fielding, the Hogwarts champion!"
Cheers erupted around her and applause came with it. She searched the crowd for Helena, wondering what Voldemort meant by her being too powerful. After all, Katie hadn't seen her doing anything wrong... But did that mean that she was hiding something from her?
She forcefully pushed her thoughts aside as the other two champions came out and their scores were announced.
Author's note: I am so sorry this chapter took me longer than it should've done. But I've gotten into reading a fanfiction that's verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry long AND a James Bond marathon. Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. There's more to come, but don't expect it too soon. After all, the fanfiction that I'm reading is 125 chapters long and it has over 2 million words. Ok bye have fun.