We were all gathered to see whom the Goblet would pick. I was biting my nails in my nervousness and fear. I prayed that Cedric would not be chosen. He was sitting over with some of the guys from Hufflepuff's Quidditch Team. I watched him anxiously as the Goblet spit out a piece of paper. Dumbledore caught it and read out the name.
"Viktor Krum."
The room erupted in cheers as the famous Bulgarian Seeker stepped from the group of Drumstrangs up to the platform behind Dumbledore. The Goblet spit out another name.
"Fleur Delacour."
The beautiful blonde from Beauxbatons made her way to the front while the school applauded. I did so with a tense face. There was still one name left. I crossed my fingers. Another singed scrap made its way to Dumbledore's hand.
"Cedric Diggory."
The room cheered and applauded as Cedric made his way up. I felt the blood leave my face. Fear gripped me and my throat constricted. I looked over at Cho. She seemed proud. How could she smile and clap like that? He could die out there! Didn't anyone realize that? Those students could die!
I placed my head in my hands and tried to stop the tears that gathered. I needed to be strong. I need to be brave for Cedric. He would be counting on me for encouragement. I stopped my tears and lifted my head, ready with a smile for when Cedric looked my way. Only he didn't. His eyes were on Cho. And he was smiling at her.
Suddenly the room grew quiet. The Goblet was spitting out another piece of paper. A fourth one? But the Triwizard Tournament required only three contestants. That's what "tri" meant. Dumbledore read the slip and his voice thundered across the room.
"Harry Potter!"
Harry Potter? Harry? Was it a trick? Harry wasn't old enough. How did he do it? Did he cheat like Fred and George had tried to do? Questions and murmurings erupted in the Hall. The smiles on everyone's faces faded. The professors were glowering. Harry stood slowly and approached Dumbledore. He took him out of the room. Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Professor Moody followed. Professor Flitwick quickly dismissed everyone.
I made my way to Cedric. I put a smile on my face and was about to congratulate him when I noticed he was talking to someone. That someone was Cho Chang. Feeling defeated I turned and quickly walked away before he could see me. A mocking voice in my ear caused me to stop in my tracks.
"What's wrong Barry? Your boyfriend's got himself another girl? What? He wasn't satisfied with you?"
I turned on my enemy in a fury. "Shut up Malfoy! Just shut up!" In my emotion my voice cracked. Stomping on his foot, I turned and fled as fast as I could.
Cedric found me later in the tower above the Ravenclaw common room and dormitories. I liked to go up there to think sometimes and Cedric knew this. I kept my gaze out of the window as he came up the steps. He stood in the center of the room, his hands awkwardly at his side.
"Angela?" He asked. "Are you alright? Someone said Malfoy hurt you."
I didn't look at him. "Not physically."
"He insulted you?"
I nodded. "Normally I wouldn't take offense, but I was already upset."
"By what?"
I didn't answer. He came over and placed a hand on my shoulder. I still refused to look at him. I think he caught on for he sighed wearily.
"What did I do?"
"Nothing."
"That's not true. You're upset and you're not looking at me. That usually means you're upset at me. Now, what did I do?"
"Nothing! It's just that . . ." I paused, wondering what to tell him. He waited patiently, as was his way. "I'm afraid for you."
He laughed slightly. "Afraid? What for?"
"Don't give me 'what for?' You know what for. This Tournament's going to be dangerous. I just don't want to see you get hurt."
Unwilling tears spilled down my cheeks. I sneaked a glance at him. His face was serious. Taking my face between his strong hands, he turned my head so that his gray eyes looked straight into my pale green ones.
"Listen to me Angela. I entered this Tournament because you said you believed in me. Now you have to trust me. I promise that I will work my hardest and I will take safety precautions. I won't let anything bad happen. All right?"
I nodded solemnly. He nodded back.
"All right." He said.
He pulled me down from my perch on the windowsill in order to wrap his arms around me in a tight hug. I held him close, my tears wetting the front of his shirt. He did not flinch. He only rested his cheek on my hair. After a while my tears subsided. I pulled away, apologizing for my messy state.
Cedric just smiled slightly, his eyes compassionate. He took my arm and together we walked down the stairs. He left me in my common room and when he left, I suddenly felt cold. I missed him already and an ache filled my chest. I gasped at the feelings welling up inside of me and placed a hand over my racing heart. I knew I had always had a crush on Cedric, but was this love? I was too afraid to guess. I quickly got ready for bed and tried not to think of him. I thought about my mother instead, and my father. That night, my dreams were full of fire.
000000
The first test was dragons. That and little badges that said "Support Cedric Diggory" which then changed to "Potter Stinks." I thought that was mighty unfair to Harry. Cedric tried to get his Quidditch team to take the badges off, but he wasn't that popular. When I found out it was Draco who provided the badges, I went on a witch-hunt. Or wizard-hunt if you prefer.
He never knew what hit him. The first thing he saw was me coming at him with a livid face, the next thing he saw was the bright blue sky.
"That's for the badges." I growled.
Malfoy's two friends, Crabbe and Goyle, helped him up. He fingered his lip which I saw now was bleeding. I didn't feel sorry. Draco leered at me.
"What now Barry? Potter's your boyfriend? You picked him over Diggory? Bad exchange, I'd say."
I slapped him across the face. When he turned back I could tell he was mad. I was surprised he wasn't crying for his daddy. I was so busy trying to figure out where he had obtained this suddenly resilience to pain that I didn't noticed Draco nod to his two sidekicks before it was too late. I soon found myself covered in egg yoke.
"That's for the egg." He growled.
Once that was finished I saw his eyes welling up. He touched his lip again. "My father will hear about this." He whined.
"Oh boo-hoo." I said, trying to shake of the slime that stuck to my robes.
Draco and his minions ran off and I went to the bathroom to clean off. I was in the process of drying my robes and washing my face when Moaning Myrtle came wailing out of a toilet. I barely glanced at her.
"How can people be so cruel?" She shrieked.
I shrugged. "The same way they can throw eggs on people."
Myrtle looked at me with little interest. "I see you've got yourself into a bad case just like me. Was it Draco again?"
I turned to her, drying my face on a towel. "How did you know it was Draco?"
"Oh everyone knows you two hate each other as much as he and Harry do. I think its denial."
"Denial?"
She floated down until she was eye to eye with me. "Oh yes. I think you and Draco are in love, but are in denial about it which makes you argue."
My mouth dropped open for a few seconds before I recovered and groaned. "Not you too! I already get this from Cedric; I do not need it from some moaning ghost."
Myrtle giggled knowingly and whooped back into a toilet, obviously feeling better. I growled underneath my breath. Now I had a notion to go shrieking around the room. I left the bathroom in a huff.
0000000
Then came the dragons. Cedric told me Harry had tipped him off and he had a plan. That didn't stop me from practically cutting off his air supply with a tight hug right before he had to enter the champion's tent. He laughed slightly at my nervousness.
"It's going to be okay Angela."
I sighed. "I know." I reached up and kissed his cheek. "Be careful."
His smile widened. "I will."
He started towards the tent. Just then Cho came up to him. One look at his delighted eyes made me want to run away in tears. But I held my composure and made my way to the stands. Fred and George were taking bets. I could tell that a lot of the money was being placed on either Krum or Cedric. I didn't bet, just concentrated on breathing. Ginny had saved a seat for me. I smiled gratefully.
Then the tournament began. At the sound of the cannon, Krum entered. He battled his dragon fiercely, finally swiping the golden egg from its nest. Fleur came next. I could see her terrified expression when she first saw the dragon but then it was replaced by a strong resolve and she bested her dragon as well. Then it was Cedric's turn. I gripped the wooden railing until my knuckles turned white. Ginny noticed and patted my arm.
"He's going to be okay," she said, although in the loud cheering I had to read her lips to understand.
Cedric took out his wand and Transfigured a rock into a yapping, barking dog. The crowd burst out laughing as the dragon began to chase the dog around and around the rocky terrain. Meanwhile Cedric made his way towards the egg. Just when he was about to grab it, the dragon lost interest in the dog and started to come for him. I screamed at the top of my lungs.
Fire shot from the dragon's mouth straight towards Cedric. Cedric grabbed the egg and rolled out of the way but I could tell the fire had burnt his cheek. Points would be taken off for that, but I was so thankful that he wasn't hurt that I almost fainted. As it was I had to sit down.
"Let's see if your new boyfriend can do so well as your ex-boyfriend."
An infuriatingly familiar voice sounded right above me. I kept my gaze directly ahead, refusing to look at the pathetic Malfoy over me. My lack of reaction seemed to annoy him. He leaned in closer, his breath tickling my ear.
"Hey Barry, who did you bet for? Your boyfriend or your ex? Cuz I don't think Potter's going to make it. Have you seen the size of his dragon?"
In a calm voice I stated as clearly as I could, "Shut your mouth Malfoy or I'll shut it for you."
That seemed to satisfy him for he leaned back and didn't say another word, although I was sure I could hear him smirking. He was probably thinking he scored a point over me, but I was proud of myself for not blowing. I think Cedric would have been proud of me too, if he were here.
Harry came out of the hole. I could tell he was apprehensive for he moved slowly and hesitantly. I could hear Hermione's breathing quicken as mine had done for Cedric. I wondered if she had feelings for Harry. Then I saw her grip Ron's hand tightly. I smiled. I could definitely see Hermione and Ron together. Much more than her and Harry.
Harry's fight against the dragon was magnificent. The dragon actually broke its chain and went flying after Harry who had used the Accio spell to summon his broom. For a while we could only hear the battle from a distance. No one could see anything. Finally we heard the dragon's dying scream, and saw Harry come flying back and pick up his egg.
Cedric got third place because of the burn on his cheek. I hurried over to him as soon as I could. Ignoring his protests, I grabbed his face and looked at the burn. I sighed in relief. It wasn't as bad as I thought it had been. A flash blinded me for a moment and I turned in dismay as Rita Skeeter approached.
"Now that is so . . . moving. First Potter and Granger, now Diggory and . . . what's your name dear?"
"None of your business."
"Barry. Angela Barry." Draco smirked at me as Rita's quill wrote down his words. "Oh, and you should also know that before this task, she had eyes for Potter and had dumped Diggory."
I buried my face in my hands and Rita exclaimed appreciatively, "My, my, my! Love is in the air this year, isn't it?"
I began to protest but before I could she had moved on to speak with Harry. Draco smirked once again.
"You know I think I'll be buying that paper." He said. "See you around."
I clenched my hands. Cedric patted my arm.
"It's okay Angela. Everyone knows we're just friends."
I was about to reply, but before I could Cho came running up. She began speaking animatedly to Cedric and before I knew it I was cut out of the conversation. I waved vaguely before sighing and returning with the rest of the students to Hogwarts.
0000000
A ball. The Yule Ball to be exact. That was why we Ravenclaws were in a classroom devoid of chairs practicing a waltz. Apparently the ball is a part of the Triwizard Tournament. It might have sounded like fun if I hadn't known I wouldn't have anyone to go with. I didn't know any boys besides Cedric, Fred and George, Harry and Ron, and Malfoy. I couldn't possibly go with Malfoy. Harry and Ron were too chicken to ask a girl out, that much I knew. Fred and George were so popular they could almost have any girl they wanted, why would they want to ask me? And Cedric . . . I knew Cedric would ask Cho. So that left me with no one.
The dancing lesson turned out pretty well, aside from a few bruised toes. I retired to the dormitories early. I was just wandering in circles when some girls came in. They were giggling over who they wanted to ask them to the dance. I went to bed.
The next day Cedric came up to me in the courtyard, his face bright and excited. The first thing he did was grab my waist and swing me around in the air. That was something he'd never done before. After he had set me down and I had finished shrieking, he told me why he was so excited.
"I asked Cho to the Yule Ball. And she said yes! Can you believe it? I'm going to the dance with Cho!"
I had never seen Cedric this bubbly, it was almost frightening. He seemed to be waiting for me to say something. I couldn't think of anything. I forced a smile.
"That's great Cedric." I said.
Knowing me for as long as he had, Cedric knew instantly something was wrong.
"What's wrong Angela?" He asked.
I shook my head, trying to make myself smile for real. All I got were tears. Cedric now looked distraught.
"Oh no. You don't have a date do you?"
I shook my head, trying not to make it seem like a big deal. Yes, that was part of the reason I was upset, but not all. I couldn't possibly tell him what the other reason was. Cedric ran his fingers through his hair agitatedly.
"I'm sorry Angela. I should have asked you. I see that now. Do you want me to tell Cho I can't go with her?"
Oh great, the last thing I needed was another enemy. I already had Malfoy. I shook my head vehemently.
"No. Go with Cho. I don't mind, really. Have fun."
"You're not going to go at all?"
I shook my head. "Probably not. I mean, what's the point?"
"You're okay with that?"
I forced a smile. "I'm perfect with that."
He smiled down at me. "You're an angel."
Kissing my cheek lightly he went in search of his owl to send home for a suit. I collapsed on a bench, my head in my hands. I sure didn't feel like an angel. The crunch of leaves nearby told me of someone approaching. I didn't move, hoping that person would move on and leave me alone in my misery. Unfortunately the person wasn't one to leave anyone alone.
"An angel, huh? A devil's more like it. I know you hide your horns in that long hair of yours."
Draco Malfoy reached out and tugged a lock of the caramel-colored hair that hung over my face. I jumped to my feet.
"The only one with horns here is you. The horns of a cow!"
He smirked at me. "Now is that the way to talk to the person who was going to grant your request for a date to the ball?"
I sniffed huffily. "If you're thinking of setting me up with one of your pig sidekicks, I think you'd better go grant someone else's request."
I turned and stalked to the large tree that stood in the courtyard. The same tree, I remembered with a smile, under which Professor Moody had turned Malfoy into a ferret. My smile disappeared when I realized Draco had followed me. I turned to face him. He spoke before I could tell him off again.
"I wasn't talking about Goyle and Crabbe. I was talking about myself."
"You?" My mouth dropped slightly in shock. "Absolutely not! I can barely walk down the hallway with you. I am certainly not going to the Yule Ball with you. Besides, I thought we hated each other."
"Potentially dislike I would say." He smirked.
I frowned. "I would say our relationship is a bit less then mutual potential dislike."
"That can change." He said, the smirk never leaving his face.
"Only if we both want it to and I do not."
I went to move past him but he suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me to him, placing his mouth over mine in a rough kiss. I tried to pull away at first but for some reason I didn't struggle as hard as I could have. Slowly my arms found their way around his neck and his found their way around my waist. Surprisingly his lips were soft and the kiss turned gentle and passionate. After a few more seconds my brain kicked back in and I pushed him away. He fell against the tree and we looked at each other, both breathless.
"Don't," I panted, "you ever . . . do that . . . again."
His lips slowly upturned into a smirk. "Are you going to deny you liked it?"
"Did you?"
His smirk widened. "Definitely."
I chewed on my lip. "You taste like Butterbeer." I stated after a while.
"And you like Pumpkin juice, don't change the subject."
I sighed. "So did I," I admitted grudgingly.
"And?"
I turned and walked away. He called after me.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"To pick out a dress, you better not be late."