I've been in a big writing mood lately, so that is good news for you all! More updates!
The next few weeks were different. More so than usual.
Harry and Ron's split was obvious to everyone in Gryffindor, and while at first Hermione had tried to get them to stop fighting, neither were willing to talk. Whenever Ron talked to or about Harry, it was always something negative, and he was unwavering in his opinions. Harry said he didn't want to talk to Ron anymore if this was how he would act.
"On some level, it's understandable. All his older brothers are really successful, so I can see why he's jealous. But he's taken it too far. Can't he see that I didn't put my name in? Or that I wouldn't even want to?" Harry said to Hermione and Elizabeth one morning as breakfast.
"It's really unfair, Harry. You were best friends for years, he should know you better than that." Elizabeth agreed, spreading strawberry jam on her toast.
Unfortunately, most of the school seemed to agree with Ron. The Slytherins naturally were against Harry, as were most of the Ravenclaws and the entirety of Hufflepuff, since Cedric was in Hufflepuff.
A lot of people in Gryffindor thought Harry had found a way to put his name in, or that he asked Elizabeth, but they didn't see this as bad. They were excited that Gryffindor was competing in the Triwizard Tournament, and cheered Harry on for entering.
"It's completely ridiculous! People are happy that he's in the Tournament, some because they want him to win, and some because they want him to get hurt! Don't they see how serious this is? And don't even get me started on the Creevy's! They practically worship Harry for it!" Elizabeth lamented during one of her Sunday sessions with Minerva, just days after Harry was picked.
"I'm afraid teenagers don't work or think rationally. How is Mr. Potter managing?" Minerva asked, setting out a few buttons for Elizabeth to change into beetles.
"He says he's fine, but I know he's not. Hermione told me he barely talks in class, and that he's scared about competing. He doesn't know what the task will be, he's three years behind the other champions, and no one is really supporting him, not how they should. He's not happy, that's for sure." Elizabeth replied.
Minerva pursed her lips. "I told Albus that it is completely unreasonable for him to compete, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do." she said.
They went on with their practice, but Elizabeth didn't stop worrying about her friend.
Another week went by, and one night when Elizabeth was sneaking back into the Gryffindor common room after sneaking out to the kitchens, she found Harry and Hermione still up, surrounded by books.
She tried to fade into the background and go unnoticed by her friends, but a squeaky floorboard gave her away. Harry and Hermione's heads both shot up, and Elizabeth winced.
"Hi." she said, giving them a small smile to diffuse the awkwardness.
"Hi." They said at the same time, just like she and Ginny did. Elizabeth knew they had become even closer over the past few weeks, but it seemed that they were closer than she thought.
"What were you doing in the shadows?" Hermione asked.
"Oh, I was just… sleepwalking." Elizabeth said.
They didn't buy it.
"Alright. I snuck out to the kitchens, and when I came back in I saw you both were here, so I was trying to get upstairs before you saw and I interrupted whatever this is." she came clean, gesturing to the table covered in parchment and books.
Hermione arched her eyebrows and locked eyes with Harry. She jilted her head towards Elizabeth, and Harry sighed.
"We were just up because I found out what the first task is." Harry said quietly.
"Really? I thought it was supposed to be a secret." Elizabeth said, taking a seat on one of the chairs.
"It was. But Hagrid helped me." Harry replied. Both he and Hermione looked nervous.
"And I tell by the looks on your faces that it's nothing good, isn't it?" Elizabeth asked.
They both nodded.
"You can tell me if you want. I may not be the best liar, but I can keep a secret. I know this place like the back of my hand. If it's something like a treasure hunt, I could help." Elizabeth stated.
"Well, you're kind of right. It is a treasure hunt. With dragons." Harry said. Elizabeth's jaw dropped.
"Dragons?! For real, dragons?" she sputtered.
"Yeah. Hagrid showed me. I have to get past one, and get a golden egg." Harry responded.
"But, but you could be killed! Are they insane, making you do this?" Elizabeth asked, not knowing that Hermione had just asked the same questions a short while ago.
"It doesn't matter either way. Harry has to do it, and we're trying to figure out how." Hermione said.
"I don't suppose you know anything about dragons?" Harry asked.
Elizabeth grinned.
"Actually, I know quite a bit. They were very common when I was little. My dad used to tell me stories of all the dragons he and the other founders came across. There was even talk of stationing dragons around the school for protection." Elizabeth told them.
"So, what can you tell us?" Hermione asked.
"Depends on what kind of dragon it is. Did Hagrid tell you?" Elizabeth asked Harry.
"He didn't have to. The dragon tamers were talking about them. There was a Welsh Green, a Swedish Short Snout, a Chinese Fireball, and a Hungarian Horntail." Harry said. Elizabeth grimaced at the last name.
"A Horntail? That's bad, Harry. Really, really, bad." Elizabeth said, very seriously.
Harry looked pale.
"How bad, exactly?" Hermione asked, flipping through a book.
Elizabeth sucked in a breath. How was she going to break the news to Harry, since there was a twenty-five percent chance he'd be facing one? That dragon was one of the worst ones out there!
"Erm, it's a really, really, deadly dragon. They can shoot their fire at fifty feet, are really aggressive, and have spikes all over them. And, the spikes on their tails are poisoned. Avoid those at all costs." Elizabeth said.
Harry looked even paler, and even more nervous.
"Is there any way to not get that one?" Hermione asked.
"I dunno. It's probably random." Harry replied.
"Well, either way, you should be prepared. What else do you know about dragons, Elizabeth?" Hermione asked.
Elizabeth went on to tell them about the dragons she learned about from her parents. The next few days involved a lot of studying for the three of them, Hermione helping to teach Harry a summoning charm so he could summon his broom during the task, and Elizabeth taught Harry everything she knew about dragons.
Finally, the day had come. The first task was about to commence.
Hey, I was thinking of asking you all a question at the end of each chapter, so you all can engage more with the story and the little community we have. So, comment below, what is your Hogwarts house? I am a Hufflepuff.