I unfortunately do not own the world of Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J. K. Rowling.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to meandthedoctor, kizzy45, BarrelOfBananas, randomlyrite, Princess-Lazy-Chan, Loonynamelass, panneler-san, ShiningStarLily97, Allen Pitt, TheUlitimateGleekm, doulike14, SilverMoon100, Sololight, narniagirl19, and LupusMalfoy.

This is my first fan-fic. Hope you like it! (And if you haven't guessed by now, reviews are greatly appreciated!)

I am writing 5 other fan-fics at this time as well. If you could please check out my profile and check them out, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks! :)

Chapter 42:

The First Task and Freedom

Before long, Ariella found herself walking down to a newly (and temporarily) built stadium, where the first task of the tournament would take place.

The past few weeks had flown by. Most people didn't believe that Harry hadn't chosen to be in the contest, but she did. His reaction to his name being called was proof enough for her. However, one nasty and intruding reporter by the name of Rita Skeeter kept writing interesting and untrue articles about Harry in the Daily Prophet, and the young girl found herself disliking her more and more with each article, (and all the people who believed her…mainly her own house-mates).

Meanwhile, Draco ordered her to do more and more as the weeks wore on, tiring her out in the process, even though most of them were simple, no effort required, tasks. And as he ordered her to do more, Theodore became more protective of her, which just infuriated his classmate more then ever, and for which she was very grateful.

Once they got to the stands, she found herself sandwiched in between Draco and Theo. The helpers came out, dragging with them…a dragon. Ariella gasped and gaped. They couldn't be serious, could they? And by the dragon, they put a golden egg…the champions' target.

Cedric Diggory came out first, and even from her spot, she could see that the Hufflepuff boy was nervous. He decided to transfigure a rock into a dog, and while it seemed to work at first, the dragon soon got bored, and went for Diggory instead. He had to run for it, egg under his arm, and a nasty gash on his forehead.

Even though she wasn't competing, Ariella was pale, and extremely anxious. Theo, though looking calm and collected himself, sensed his friend's distress, and took her hand in his, squeezing it gently, a gesture that she appreciated.

Next came Fleur Delacour, who put a charm on the dragon, but as it fell asleep, fire was emitted, and her skirts caught on fire…though why she was wearing skirts in the first place made Ariella wonder.

Viktor Krum was next in line, making Harry the last champion. Krum decided to cast some kind of eye spell on the dragon, put as it tromped around in obvious agony, it almost crushed the golden egg, taking out several white eggs as well.

Finally, Harry Potter came out of the tent. It was for him that Ariella was the most nervous about him. But then, considering who he was, he was sure to have some kind of plan. And he did. He summoned his broom with a simple spell, and the minute he was on it, Ariella sighed, but still kept her eyes peeled. If Harry was on a broom, then everything would be all right. And she was right. Harry got away with only a scratch on his arm, and he managed to tie with Krum as well. Way to go, Harry! She thought, happy for him.

A few more weeks passed, and she was wandering the corridors with Theo when she heard a familiar voice.

"Come on, please?" she heard Hermione Granger say.

"Hermione, just give it a rest all ready!" Ron said, exasperated.

"Freeing them won't help anything." He continued.

"But there has to be something I can do to help those poor house elves! I mean, it's just sick, isn't it? The way they have to obey and everything? Just horrible!" she said.

"Hermione, relax! Just give some – " but whatever Harry was saying got cut off as they went out of Ariella's hearing ranged.

While they were speaking, particularly Hermione, she had stiffened more and more, and by this time, she was looking at the floor, feeling uncomfortable.

"Now if only she would be this open about wanting to start a club to free human servants." She muttered quietly.

"But of course, it's not as if anyone knows anymore, is it? And it's a whole lot harder to free people like me than it is to free house elves." she said, her voice still very quiet.

Theo had become very attuned to her in the past month and a half since he befriended her, and realized how upset and uncomfortable she must have gotten listening to the Gryffindors. And she was right. But in a way, that's what he was there for now…to make her realize that though she was a servant, (practically a slave) she still mattered, and was still free, in some ways at least, to do want she wanted.

And so, feeling a bit awkward, he wrapped his arms around Ariella, and let her compose herself. After a minute of silence, he asked quietly,

"You okay now?"

She separated herself from him, and nodded slowly, wiping sheepishly at the tears trickling down her face.

"Thank you," she said just as quietly. A small smile appeared on Nott's face in response. And in that moment, she realized something. That though she would most likely never be free, and that most likely most people would never know of her situation, she was still very lucky. Because she realized in that instant that, maybe not everything had been taken away from her. At least, not yet.

I AM SOOOOOOO SORRY FOR THE LONG WAIT! I promise you, this story will be finished, and I won't abandon it. Thanks for sticking with me!

Anything you recognize is from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Thanks to all who are reading, and liking it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to review/private message me. Also, if you have any ideas at all, or would like to see something happen, let me know, and I'll consider putting them into a chapter. Thanks! ~ Leanora