Chapter six

The First Task

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, but I have the book!

I was going to the class of Professor Flitwick, you know, the charms teacher…

When my bag's seams ripped by itself. Then there was Harry Potter, he said, "Hey, Cedric, can I talk to you for a minute?"

I looked at my friends up there who were calling me and saying that it's no use talking to Harry.

I told them, "You go on first!"

He said again, "The first task is dragons!"

"What about dragons?" I asked him curiously and then I asked myself why he would tell me about it.

"It's obvious anyway that we have to battle them!" he said.

"Okay, thanks anyway," I said then I rushed off with my friends to Flitwick's class.

After classes, I was in the dining hall thinking of the First task that would take place next week.

Is what Harry said… true? Or is he just lying?

Nah, Harry won't lie! I told myself. He's just too innocent and all.

"You know what, Cedric?" Timothy said. "What?" I asked.

"I kind of find you weirder and weirder each day of the Triwizard Tournament…" he said shaking his head then concentrating on his food.

"Well, I was always thinking of Harry… first these difficult tasks for him and the badges…" my line was cut by him saying,

"Oh come off it, Cedric! I think he asked an older student to put his name in the Goblet… he always wants eternal glory!" he said. "And you know what, they even said that Potter's friend, Weasley, is mad at him because of that! Those Weasleys are well, poor and when he wins the contest, he would get a thousand galleons!"

He stopped to breathe. Then said again, "And you'd want a thousand galleons, right Cedric?" his mouth grinned maliciously.

I said, "Not really… I guess it's better to let the Weasleys get the thousand galleons rather than me."

He laughed like a madman, "Oh Cedric! You are weird!"

"I want er—glory though but don't you think when a person is just middle-classed and simple doesn't need a thousand galleons to please a person!" Cedric said.

"Never you mind!" he guffawed.

I just continued eating.

After eating, I went to the library and thought… I need to know how to battle the dragon? How can I then?

I need defenses! I can distract the dragon's attention to something… what kind of thing does a dragon like?

I dunno! I have not encountered the lesson about dragons yet.

Hmm… a Labrador? What a crazy idea! But I think it would work.

And what kind of arena would it be? Rocky or grassy? I think rocky… so I'd better get a garden rock to try.

I went out and took a rock and transformed it to a Labrador. Hmm… it worked… I hope this would be applied to the First Task!

Suddenly Cho passed by me. She said, "Oh er hi, Cedric!" I stuttered and said, "h-hi!"

She looked at me and said, "Uhm, good luck in the First Task! See you there!" she blushed furiously then walked away.

I can't help thinking about her!

This is just the darn first time I had an infatuation with a girl! I never had in my life as far as I can remember!

Forget this silly thing! I need to concentrate on this First task and Fast!

The day of the First task….

I was very nervous with what I was supposed to do. I could barely eat breakfast!

"Cedric, you're not even touching your food!" said Timothy. "Are you ok?"

"NO!" I shouted. Everyone stared at me. "Everything is not OKAY!"

"Hey… what's the matter with you?" asked Timothy.

I was furious! I was going to battle dragons? This is extremely Dangerous.

"Timothy… I'm too nervous!" I said.

He blinked for a second then said, "You wouldn't die, trust me! Dumbledore would not ever make this happen!"

"What if…" then I was called to my DOOM! "Bye, Cedric, good luck!" he said.

I walked in the tent and found myself with the other champions. Fleur was there asking me to sit with her. I declined the offer since I didn't like Fleur… I mean I like Fleur as a friend but not a girlfriend.

There came in Dumbledore, Bagman and Crouch. Mr. Crouch handed a pouch and we were supposed to dig our hands into it.

When it was my turn to get, I got a miniature dragon. It was true! What Harry said was true. We were going to battle dragons!

I would be the first to go so I prayed. At least mine wasn't the Hungarian Horntail… like Harry's, it was much more frightening than the one I got… I forgot the name sorry! But we weren't really going to battle dragons, we were just going for the golden egg of the dragon.

I was called out of the tent… it would be the end of me. I almost fainted but stood straight and at least tried to be confident.

It was rocky, yes… and that's good! I know what to do… and I looked at the golden egg at the middle. I was just going to get it and then I'm safe.

But where's the dragon? I couldn't see him anywhere!

Then a loud thud and boom was heard on the other side. I ran to hide behind a rock but then it was somewhere near me, I could tell… I slowly and cautiously looked up and saw the dragon's head and ferocious eyes looking at me.

I ducked instantly when the dragon breathed fire. The dragon went to the left side so I got out of my hiding place and then got a sharp burn on my left hand.

I ran as fast as I could and saw a rock… I transformed it into a Labrador. The dragon saw the Labrador and almost jumped at it.

I thought, Poor dog! Now it's my chance to get the golden egg.

I ran to the middle and almost caught the golden egg but then the dragon breathed fire on me that missed about an inch.

I lurched forward and got the golden egg! The Labrador was also safe.

I looked at the scores, Dumbledore raised his wand and scored me an 8. Madame Maxime gave me a 9. Mr. Bagman gave me a 9 too and Karkaroff gave me a 6. Well… I was a little disappointed with 6 but anyway…

"Congratulations!" said Lee, just a close friend. "Karkaroff should have given you a 10!" complained Timothy.

"I don't care!" I said. I think that was a lie.

After the First Task, I had about 2-3 months to think about the clue inside the golden egg… when I opened it, it shrieked so loud!

Was that the clue? We have to shriek the loudest in the second task? I laughed at the thought of it.

There would be a road ahead for me till the second task!