Chapter 6: The truth behind the letters.

Nadia woke on the morning of the first task, fear was gripping her stomach tightly, she was terrified. Yet, however much her brain was begging her to grab her broom and fly back to her small town of Cherry Tree. Although, she couldn't, maybe it was her over insane confidence or her Gryffindor bravery, whatever it was she was determined to stay, to prove to herself and everyone else that, she Nadia Bowmen could do this. That She Nadia Bowmen could defeat a dragon. Suddenly her mind changed, to a thought of a sweet, platinum blonde haired boy and her stomach knotted even more.

Draco.

She had to see him, speak to him and apologise for her outlandish behaviour. Ever since her transfiguration lesson with Blaise yesterday, she couldn't stop feeling guilty about what she said to Draco. It was mean and horrible and she threw away a blooming friendship for nothing. However, she has a slight chance of changing that. She had to talk to him sooner rather than later, even though Nadia was confident that she would survive the first task, there was still some part of her that wasn't sure. Which meant she had to somehow talk to Draco alone and quickly.

A letter!

The thought shot through her head like a rocket and she bounced out of bed to retrieve some parchment and a quill from her trunk. Her sudden outburst of thought made Hermione groan in her sleep and Nadia scolded herself for her stupidity. Hermione can't know about Draco! Thankfully, though, Hermione remained asleep. So Nadia tiptoed back to her bed and proceeded to write her letter. Frustratingly though, everything she wrote just sounded, wrong. It was either to mean, too sweet, too formal. Everything just sounded wrong. Although, after many failed attempts and long wasted minutes her letter was finally right.

Dear Draco.

I wanted to apologise for the way I acted at Hogsmede, it was totally unacceptable. I'm hoping, if you're not still mad at me that is, if you can meet me in the tent before the first task. I want to speak to you before the task, just in case I die you know? Only joking!

I'll be waiting.

Nadia xx

She quickly sealed the parchment, wrote Draco's name in her curled calligraphy and gave it to Athena before she changed her mind. She watched as the owl, fluttered out the window and down towards the Slytherin common room. However, the clang of the window must have caused a lot of noise because Hermione began to stir again and this time she decided to stay awake.

"Morning Hermione." Nadia whispered quietly, cautious not to wake the rest of the girls sleeping in the various beds. Hermione jumped slightly and her words and Nadia noticed her focusing her sleepy eyes to identify the speaker.

"Ohh Morning Nadia, how are you feeling?" She gave Nadia a look of sympathy, which Nadia returned with a small smile. She quietly walked over to Hermione's bed and sat opposite her.

"I'm ok. Just a little nervous I guess." She gave a small shrug of her shoulders and then felt to soft feel of Hermione's arms encasing Nadia. She soft feel of Hermione helped to relax her nerves and untighten to knot in her stomach, however only slightly.

"Why don't we get dressed and go down for breakfast? Maybe some food is what you need?" Hermione offered gently and even though Nadia didn't feel all that hungry she quickly agreed.

After Nadia had gotten dressed into her task uniform and braided her messy her, she walked out of the dormitory and into the common room, where she met Hermione reading a book. As always. However, the title of the book surprised her, it read "The history of pureblood families", Nadia would never imagine Hermione reading something like that! Hermione liked reading about Hogwarts's history and spell history, not pureblood history? Why was she reading about pureblood's? Maybe she had a little crush on Blaise? Or maybe Draco? The thoughts made Nadia chuckle and she continued around the corner and approached Hermione. The book was so big that Hermione couldn't even see Nadia approaching and she gave a little start when Nadia began to speak.

"Ready to go?" Nadia asked quietly and she watched in humour as Hermione jumped and proceeded to hide this gigantic book from Nadia's eyes.

"Ohh erm Nadia, didn't see or hear you coming!" Hermione said loudly as she continued to hide the book from Nadia, eventually after a long struggle, Hermione reduced the size of the book and stuffed it in her school bag. They then started the walk out of the common room and towards the great hall for breakfast, however the only thoughts occupying her mind was why was Hermione hiding that book from her?

Nadia sat on the stiff wooden bench, pulling apart her jam toast and half listening to what Hermione was saying. Every second that passes are one second closer to the task, which made Nadia feel even more nervous and a little terrified. She kept repeating the invisibility spell, over and over in her mind, so she wouldn't magically forget it. She felt like she had everything covered, that she felt like she could complete this task with flying colours. Yet, why did she feel like there was something missing? Like she was forgetting something? Whatever it was though she wasn't able to identify because the windows burst open and in flocked dozens of owls, delivering this morning's post.

"Look there's Athena! And she's got a letter for you! I wonder who it is?" Hermione squealed and Nadia couldn't help but feel curious also. How would send her a letter? Her only thought was...

Draco.

Excitement and a little bit or worry coursed through her. What if he didn't want to speak to her? Although, she wasn't able to worry for long because Athena dropped the letter from her beak and flew through another open window into the chilly morning air. Nadia reached forward and grabbed the letter. Her name was scrawled in neat calligraphy and the Only person she knew with that neat hand was Draco. Her assumptions were correct. She clutched the envelope in her hands and waited. She was worried, anxious and a little excited. She flicked her gaze up and over towards the Slytherin table and she caught the eyes of Draco. He winked and gestured at her to open the envelope. Surely that was good sign right?

"Well aren't you going to open it?" She could hear the excitement running through Hermione's and she knew she wanted to know who it was from. However, Nadia knew that if she knew who it was from she won't continue to be excited.

"Look before I open it there's something I have to tell you, and the only reason I'm telling you is because you are my best friend. However, once you know it's ok if you hate me." Nadia said with a hint of sadness, she had to tell Hermione though she could keep secrets from her best friend.

"What do you mean Nadia? I would never hate you!" Even though Hermione's words felt like a comfort she knew how Hermione would react, but still Nadia had to tell her.

"Hermione, this letter is from Draco. Were kind of friends, but I feel like I kind of like him. But now that I've told you, promise you won't tell anyone, especially Ron." Surprisingly to Nadia, Hermione reacted differently to how she expected, her revelation made Hermione's face turn to a look of sympathy.

"Ohh Nadia it's ok I don't hate you for that! I know Draco can be mean at times in the past, but I have noticed that he's been less horrible to me lately. And I've also noticed that you two can't stop looking at each other!" Once she'd finished, she grabbed Nadia into a comforting hug and let go. "Now open it I want to see what it says!" So Nadia proceeded to open the parchment and read the letter.

Dear Nadia,

There's no need to apologise it was my fault, I should've made things clear in the sense that I have no feelings for Pansy. None. I would very much like to speak to you, I'll meet you in the tent for a talk once the task has started.

Stay safe

DM.

Nadia re-read the letter again and her heat flutter at the gentlemanly way that Draco writes. She then quickly remembered Hermione and she glanced up to notice a confused look plastered over her face. Realising that Hermione had no idea what happened at Hogsmede, Nadia decided to fill her in. After her quick re-telling if the Hogsmede fiasco, Nadia looked up and realised that Draco had gone and so had most of the students. Which made Nadia suddenly remember the tournament!

"Come on were going to be late!" She grabbed Hermione's hand, ultimately cutting of her response to what happened at Hogsmede, and they quickly rushed out of the great hall and towards the tournament.

Nadia quickly rushed into the tent and was met by the many eyes of the champions. Cedric, Nadia noticed first, stood a little nervously but also looked determined and ready. Viktor however, looked menacing and blood-thirsty and Nadia shrunk away a little. She then noticed Fleur, her face was pale white and her hands were trembling by her sides indicating that she was in fact terrified. Then lastly her eyes seeked out Harry's, she noticed the bags around his eyes and his sullen cheeks. He looked scared and tired and Nadia felt somewhat guilty, for not being a friend to Harry. However, there was time to make up for that afterwards.

Suddenly Harry began to look away from the other champions and to the one of the gaps in the tent. Nadia guessed it was Hermione, which meant the plan was working. The walked over to the opposite side of the tent and poked her head out where she was met by the face of Draco. She quickly glanced back into the tent and realised all the champions were preoccupied, which meant her and Draco wouldn't be over heard.

"Hey Draco" She said softly and she noticed his face turn up into a genuine smile that made Nadia's stomach knot in guilt.

"Hey" He replied, with a hint of sadness, which again also continued to tighten the knot in her stomach.

"Look I wanted to apologise in person for the way I reacted, it was well out of order and I'm sorry. I also want to say that you a good friend and I'm glad I met you. I know it sounds cheesy but I could die soon and I just wanted to get that of my chest you know?" Tears began to pool slightly in her eyes and she squeezed them back in fear of what Draco would think. However, what he did took her breath away. Her placed his hands on her cheeks and looked deep into her eyes.

"You're not going to die, ok? I won't let you! Remember the spell and be quiet! Also well done for not wearing your heels." He whispered and his face changed to his famous smirk and Nadia felt her cheeks flame and her stomach swarm with butterflies. She then heard a chorus of voices a click of a camera and a screech of delight that could only have come from Rita Skeeter. She was so glad she missed out of the interview last week, Rita was so caught up in getting an interview with Harry that she didn't even notice there was a champion missing. However, Nadia assumed she would realise this soon and she would be grabbed to an interview with the annoying Rita Skeeter. Then the voice of Professor Dumbledore wafted through her ears and Nadia knew she had to leave Draco, so she said a quick goodbye, accompanied by a hug and returned back inside the champions tent.

"Good day champions. Gather round please. Now you've waited, you've wondered and at last the moment has arrived. The moment only three, I mean five of you can fully appreciate. Now then Barty the bag!" Dumbledore then stepped back and his place was resumed by Barty Crouch, who was holding a small purple velvet back. The sounds of screeching and tiny roars were emitting from the bag and Nadia could only assume that there were mini sized Dragons inside.

"Champions, in a circle around me. Miss Delacour over here, then Miss Bowman here, Mr Krum, Mr Diggory and Potter over here. Right. Miss Delacour, if you will..." He opened the bag and gestured for Fleur to place her hand inside, seconds later she pulled out a small cute sized green dragon.

"The welsh green. Now Miss Bowman..." He again gestured to the bag and Nadia slowly put her hand inside. They instantly began to scratch and bite, however, because of their size all it felt like was a small tickle. She then picked one and began to pull it off the bag. She opened her hand and marvelled at the dragon before her, it was beautiful and the thing that intrigued her most of all was her multi-coloured eyes.

"Ahh the Antipodean Opaleye. Considered the most beautiful dragon there is, quite fitting that you have her Miss Bowman. Now Krum." The smiled softly at the compliment and proceeded to admire her dragon. To be honest she didn't really care what dragon Krum got. Her dragon was the colour of snow and her scales felt soft yet bubbly and she was surprised to find they weren't sharp at all. Realising how nice and not very dangerous her dragon was she was slightly relieved to find how much easier it was to maybe survive this. Suddenly the sound of Barty Crouch announcing Harry's dragon distracted her from her thoughts.

"The Hungarian horntail. These represent 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, for each egg contains a clue without which you cannot hope to proceed to the next task. Any questions?" Nadia stood and absorbed all of Mr Crouch's instructions. All of it seemed relatively easy, however, she knew the dragons would put up a fight, and Nadia hoped her invisibility charm would work. Otherwise she was screwed.

"Very well. Good luck champions. Mr Diggory the sound of the cannon..." Dumbledore said loudly and Nadia thought it was probably best to wish Cedric good luck. She did want him to win after all. So while Cedric was preparing himself to fight his dragon, Nadia walked up to him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Good Luck Cedric. I hope you win." She made her words sound honest and sincere and she noticed Cedric looking at her with a look of confusion.

"Thanks but why do you want me to win? Surely you want to win?" Nadia gave him a soft smile and shook her head.

"Let's just say I never wanted this." She said softly.

"Thank you." Cedric said and he grabbed her into a bone-crushing hug, which Nadia reciprocated. She knew her words of luck meant a lot to Cedric and she smile gently to herself. Suddenly a click of the camera alerted her from there hug and they broke apart embarrassingly. Then the cannon sounded and Cedric shot out of the tent like a rocket, leaving Nadia to deal with Rita Skeeter alone.

"My, you two make a lovely couple, shame you both competing against each other. Why don't we have a little chat before it's your turn huh?" Rita gave Nadia an evil smile that made Nadia cringe slightly to herself, this woman was annoying and she would never have a talk with this woman as long as she could help it.

"Were not together were just friends and you can stick your talk also!" Nadia said softly, however, she made sure she laced her voice with a hint of venom that even a Slytherin would be jealous of. Then Nadia turned and left leaving a very shocked Rita Skeeter behind.

Nadia sat on a wooden chair and listened to crowd outside. Her heart leapt with joy at the announcement of Cedric winning the egg and only having a sight burn to show for it. She listened to the loud shouts as Viktor Krum stepped into the arena and fought his dragon as easily as eating breakfast. Then lastly she listened to the wolf-whistles and cat calls as Fleur entered the arena and also successfully won her egg, however, she got a lot more injuries then Krum or Cedric. Then finally it was her turn, she heard her name fly out of the speaker and reverberate around the stadium and then was immediately followed by cheers and wolf-whistles, which made Nadia's cheeks flame red.

"Good Luck" She heard Harry mutter from the corner as she proceeded towards the entrance to the arena. She glanced back and offered him a soft smile before she replied.

"You two." He gave her a soft smile in return and Nadia stepped out onto the arena. She noticed her dragon sleeping softly on the rocks over by the other side, while her egg lay alone at the foot of her tail. She glanced up at the stadium and noticed banners written with words of "Our Hogwarts Princess" and "Our princess for the win!" which made Nadia's' cheeks flame even more red. The silence reverberated through her and the eyes of the students and teachers smothered over her and made her stomach tighten with nerves.

She had to do something.

She then began to wave her wand over herself and muttered the invisibility spell and felt the familiar feel of water slide of over her. A few students seemed to gasp at her sudden disappearance but then quickly hushed up in fear of the dragon waking up. Nadia quietly stepped forwards slowly, concentrating on making every footstep sound silent and soft. With every footstep she hoped the dragon would stay sleeping, so she could grab the egg and win. However, Nadia knew it couldn't be that easy, so she continued on her quiet journey in hopes of danger striking later instead of sooner.

After a few more minutes Nadia had finally made it three quarters of the way across the arena and was closing in on the egg. The tension around the stadium was as sharp as a knife and Nadia felt it piercing her skin with dread. The sense of danger was looming over her more now and Nadia was finding it more hard to steady her breathing. She glanced around the arena and caught the eyes of Draco, he smiled softly and gestured for her to continue. With the sense of Draco's confidence for her swimming instead her she persisted on.

Suddenly the dragon let out a loud snore, confusing Nadia's concentration and causing her to trip and fall to the floor. She let out a small yelp as her shin connected with a sharp rock. She knew, from the pain that it had pierced her skin. She quickly reached down and yanked the stone from her leg, which then caused her to yelp in pain again. She threw the stone on the floor and looked up to find the dragon was no longer asleep and was now looking at the place where Nadia was sitting.

Shit!

Suddenly the dragon let out an almighty roar and Nadia clenched her ears with her hands as the sound reverberated around her skull. Suddenly the roar drew to a close and the dragon opened its mouth again, but this time It shot out a river of flames. Reactions thankfully took over and she leapt up and raced to the left away from the wash of fire. However, Nadia was quick enough because she felt the burn ripple over her leg. Although, she didn't cry out in fear of altering the dragon to her position.

Nadia stood frozen still and watched the dragon to determine its next move. Nadia let out a non-audible sigh of relief as she realised the dragon didn't know where she was. She then began to creep quickly back towards the egg, making sure that she was extra quiet, then eventually when she was centimetres from the egg she stopped. Now it was time for a distraction.

While the dragon was preoccupied slightly, trying to find Nadia, she took out her wand from her pocket and pointed in to one of the stone walls behind the dragon. Thoughts ran through her head on spell that she could use but the only ones that came to mind was the invisibility spell and the hair removal spell she used on Pansy. Both that wouldn't help in this situation.

Think! Think Nadia!

Suddenly an unfamiliar spell came to mind and instincts confirmed that this was the spell to use. So to keep quiet, she spoke the spell "Confringo" forcefully inside her head, and watch as the spell hit the rock and exploded. At the sudden sound the dragon whipped its head and shot another wave of flames towards the rock. While the dragon was distracted Nadia dived and clutched the egg in her hands. Nadia had done it!

Nadia had survived the first task!

"Our Hogwarts Princess!" Fred and George shouted as they bounced Nadia up on down while on their shoulders. She began to laugh loudly as the rest of the common room began to shout and cheer in response to Fred and George. Then a few seconds later Nadia was accompanied in the air by a now welcome Harry.

Surprisingly how quick someone begins to like someone again when they become famous huh?

Nadia watched Harry's joyful face as he laughed and enjoyed the attention he's been without for weeks. Nadia felt happy for Harry, often throughout his time that everyone hated him, Nadia felt sorry for him and somewhat guilty. Because there she was in exactly the same position as Harry and they accept her but not him. Why? Suddenly the sound of a high pitch cry reverberated through Nadia's ears and she clenched her hands over her ears. She looked over to see that the noise was emitting from Harry's opened golden egg.

Suddenly, Harry clamped it shut and the sound quickly stopped, she then felt her feet return to earth and she glanced over to see Fred and George massaging their sore ears. However, something more intriguing met Nadia's eyes and she noticed a very guilty looking Ron approach Harry and she knew he was going to apologise.

To make the scene less awkward for Harry and Ron, she averted her attention and when and sat with Hermione and Ginny on the common room sofas. She noticed they were deep in conversation and Nadia felt rather rude in interrupting, so she simply sat and gazed at the fire until they noticed she was there. For a few minutes she sat gazing at the fire, and she was so absorbed that she didn't even noticed Hermione even speaking to her, until she saw her hand fly across her face frantically.

"Hello, earth to Nadia, how did you do that?" Hermione stated and Nadia couldn't help be feel like she was being interrogated again. She looked up at Hermione confusingly before she replied.

"Do what" Hermione gave a little huff or annoyance and Ginny just simply laughed.

"At the task. You performed a non-verbal spell!" Ginny stated and Nadia couldn't help but think they thought she was stupid. Non-verbal spells were easy. Of course she could do them.

"I just did it. What's the big deal there easy?" Nadia stated back and she watched the faces of both girls change to shock. They stared dumbfounded at Nadia before Hermione began to speak again.

"Nadia, only daughters or sons of very powerful witches and wizards can perform extraordinary and hard magic like that at this age." Hermione said and Nadia stared at her in shock, she was so shocked in fact that she didn't even hear Ginny's reply.

"You must have some very powerful parents, Nadia." The revelation caused Nadia to think, who actually were her parents?