So it starts. I walked down to the Great Hall, hand in hand with Fred. I could feel the tension of everyone we passed, where is Harry Potter? How did he get into the tournament?

I noticed Harry slipping out the front door. I squeezed Fred's hand. He nodded and let go.

On my way to follow Harry a hand came up and grabbed my shoulder, "Ms. Carlson can I have a word?"

Professor Moody. "Yes sir." I followed him through a door towards the staircase. "What do you need?"

"It is time for Harry to start trusting you; only you. Cut away his friends."

"How can I do that? His friends are just mad but still loyal!?"

"Lie. It is time you start acting like you should be. You have been dating that Weasley boy, fine. But people are thinking you are too young for this job."

"Young? People? Like who? Marcus? He is just jealous that the Dark Lord asked for me." I wasn't sure if that was true, but it sounded right.

"That may be the case. However since He has chosen you to bring him Potter, you can not let him down. That will be bad for you and your parents."

"My parents?"

"Yes. They convinced the Dark Lord to choose you. How would it look if the person they wanted does not come through?"

"Why are you trying to scare me like this?"

"Because! I am noticing slight differences with you! You need to focus. Get your heart out of this and get Harry to trust you."

"How should I do that?" My heart was beating fast. It stung to breathe.

"The first challenge is coming up. The task will be retrieving an egg from a dragon."

"So what, I just have to tell him that?"

"I doubt that will help him understand how big this challenge is. You have to show him."

"Show him?"

"Yes. There is someone who knows where the dragons are being kept. Convince Fred to take you to them."

"Fred?"

"Yes. His brother is bringing the dragons in."

"Then what?"

"Go to Hagrid."

"The big guy?"

"Yes. Convince him that Harry should be warned, and that you need to take him to the dragons. Hagrid will lead you two out at night, if you do it correctly."

I took a deep breath, "Ok. First to Fred, then to Hagrid. How do I tell Fred I know about the dragons?"

He winked, "I am sure you will find some way to bring up the point." There were footsteps coming up the staircase, "Good day Ms. Carlson."

I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall. Focus. Focus.. Ok so do this little deal with Voldemort and then get freedom.
I rubbed my eyes and went back through the door. Instead of continuing after Harry I went to Fred. "I couldn't find him." I said as I squeezed in next to him.

"Oh that is okay. Maybe he needs some time by himself." Fred gave me a half hug then started eating again.

"I think he is very nervous for the first task."

"I don't blame him!" George said. Ron looked as us, but heard we were talking about Harry so he turned his head towards Hermionie.

"Speaking of the first task.. What do you think it is going to be?" I tried to sound innocent. The look that flashed through Fred and George's eyes made me almost laugh.
It was like little kids at a school park. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Fred leaned over, "We know what it is going to be!"

My eyes widened, "How!?"

Fred smirked, "I will tell you later okay? It is only Sunday, classes aren't til tomorrow… What say you George, a walk in the woods?"

"Ah yes Fred you read my mind! Hey Ron, care for a walk in the woods?"

Ron looked interested, "It is today?"

Fred and George nodded. "What is going on?!" I laughed.

Fred squeezed my arm, "You will like it I think. But eat some breakfast! You hardly touched your food."

I smiled and suffered down a few bites of eggs. I really wasn't that hungry. There was too much on my mind to worry about eating.
"Ok! I am full. I am very curious about this walk in the woods!"

Fred laughed, "Oh you will not be able to go out there until very late at night… Do you mind sneaking out?"

I looked at him, "You guys are going to sneak out? Wow, I never expected the Weasley boys sneak out…"

George rolled his eyes, "Oh sorry I forgot who I was talking to. Cali Carlson, the girl who follows all the rules."

I nodded, "That is me!"

For the rest of the day we were outside. It was a wonderful day.
George left a little while to go play a game of pick up quidditch with Lee and a few others.
"Are you sure you don't want to go?" I asked Fred. I kind of did want to go, but I don't think it would be fun without Fred.

"No, I don't feel like playing just yet. Come and sit down with me!" He took my hand and we walked to our normal spot under the tree on the hill.

"What is it?"

"I want to talk to you."

"This sounds kind of serious?" I haven't heard that tone in his voice yet. It isn't full of the laughter I have heard before.

"It is about Marcus…"

I sighed, relieved, "What about him?"

"Well I can see the way he looks at you. Full of protection, obsession and lust. Do you two have a past?"

I sighed, relieved, "Fred. I hate Marcus. Hate him. He tried to kiss me when I was thirteen; he has been obsessed with me sense."

"So you guys haven't dated?"

"Ha no. Fred now is not the time to worry about him. I am with you, and I am happy being with you.
You are funny and take things lightly. No one I know does that except for you."

Fred blushed, "Oh.. Well, ok.. I am happy with you too, and I am happy you don't have feelings for him."

"None what so ever." I smiled, "Now let's go play some quidditch ok?"

He nodded and we started walking over to the field behind the pitch, commonly used for broomstick lessons.

In the air was Katie Bell, Ginny, Ron, George, Lee, and Thomas. Fred and I each grabbed a broom and took off into the sky.

"Who's on a team?" I asked Ginny when I came to her.

"OH Hi Cali! It is Lee, Thomas and Ron vs George Katie and me. Everyone bring it in!" We all flew to the middle. "I call Cali on my team. I am captain!" She smiled at me.

"Fine with me! Fred is on our team." Ron said.

The game didn't last very long.. Or it didn't seem like it did. Maybe because Fred and I showed up late. But it was a much needed break.
The whole time I was flying I didn't think of the tasks or Voldemort or even my parents. I only thought about how much fun it is to play a pointless game with people who care about each other.

At one point Fred jumped from his broom to mine to try and get the quaffle. "get off!!" I laughed as my broom started getting closer to the ground. His broom (luckily) landed on the ground below us.

"Oye Fred you are attacking my chaser!" Ginny was smiling.

We landed on the ground and he got off the broom and took the quaffle, "I win!" He winked at me.
I ran after him, "Hey! That is mine!"

"Not anymore dear you are too slow for me!" Ok so maybe that is why it was a short game. I had to chase Fred all around the field while everyone else sat back laughing.

Finally I got the ball back. "Ha. Girls always win." Fred was on the ground laughing and out of breath.

Everyone was in high spirits as we came through the door. That was when we saw Harry and Neville walking down the hall.
I glanced at Ron, he didn't say anything. Instead he walked straight into the Great hall. Ginny smiled and waved, but chased after her brother.
All the other people said hi, but continued on their way without starting a whole conversation.
I reached out for his hand and smiled weakly, "They will come through." I said.

"I know. Eventually. They always do… Thank you though, for believing me from the start." Harry smiled back.

I ran to catch up to Fred, "You guys need to be nicer to him."
"Yeah I know… But we need to be on Ron's side or else he will be mad to go against family."

"well Ron needs to grow up too." I said without really meaning to.

"Ron will come around. He is a stubborn git, but give him some time Cali." George said.

"Look guys the sun is going down! Almost time for our walk in the woods!" Fred smiled.

"OH that is right! Ok so what time should I get out of my dormitory?"

"Right.. Um well when we are called to bed, wait for two hours then come down." George shrugged, "it is the only way to make sure we are leaving at the same time."

"Haha you guys sound like you are up to no good."

"Never are Cali." George winked.

I laughed. "I wish you could tell me why we have to go walking through the woods!"

"Well where else would they hide them?" Ron asked.

"Them?"

"Ron you twit she doesn't know!" Fred said while George punched his arm.

"So it is a them we are after?" I poked Fred. "Commee on Fred! Tell me what it is!"

"Stop it Cali you will have to be surprised!" He grabbed my hands and didn't let go, "Now. When I let go, you have to stop tickling me."

"I wasn't tickling you.. But you are ticklish?" I smirked.

Fred blushed, "maybe… Now that you know this, I don't think I will be able to ever let go of your hands."

"Oh I wouldn't mind that." I blushed. Fred and I haven't really flirted that much.

"really? Because I will hold your hands forever, if you let me."

"Woah you two. Get a room!" George laughed. Ron's face looked slightly embarrassed but also impressed at Fred's flirting.

Finally it was bed time. "All students report to their common rooms!" Professor McGonagall voice echoed through the hallways.

"Two hours okay kid?" George said as we walked up the stairs.

"Make it an hour and a half okay? So that you and I can talk for a bit." Fred winked.

Chills exploded through me. He put one hand on the small of my back as we came closer to my dormitory.
It made me catch my breath. George and Ron disappeared into their rooms.

"Hey. Was today too much?" He asked.

I smiled, "too much? As in how?"

"Well we don't normally flirt… and especially not in front of anyone… I also know you have never had a boy friend…"

I blushed, "I know.."

"And really we haven't talked about us since that date I basically kidnapped you for."

"Haha only because you are too chicken to just ask me out." I teased. "Look Fred.. I don't want us to get too serious. T
oday was nothing at all, but I just want you to know I can't go too far with anyone… because in the end my parents don't care about my feelings."

"I know that. But that is later. You have a whole nother year of school. Instead of pushing me away you should enjoy our time."

"And I am! I just want to make sure you keep your feelings in check…" I really didn't want to hurt him.

He nodded, "I understand… Alright, I'll see you in an hour and a half."

I nodded, "Ok…"

I closed my door behind me and slid down to sit on the floor. How can I do this to him? It isn't fair… The girls in my room were already asleep, so I just stayed in my position on the floor.

So the dark Lord only chose me because my parents. And now he is using them as leverage to make sure I carry it out. Lovely. Glad to know he is so confident in his subjects.

Time came for me to leave so I slowly opened the door. I closed it quietly and turned around. I almost screamed. Fred was right behind me. "jerk!" I punched his arm.

"Haha sorry. It was too tempting. Ok come on, let's go sit in front of the fire. I'll explain what is in the woods… But you have to promise to act surprised."

I gave him a little smile, "I knew you couldn't keep it to yourself."

"Hmm maybe I should make you wait then!" he tickled my side.

"Oh no.. don't do that I wouldn't be able to live!" I pulled him down to the couch with me.

"Ok. Well my brother Charlie takes care of Dragons in Romania."

I tried to keep my smile up. "No way.. So that is what you are saying is in our forests?"

"Yes! I don't know what they are being used for.. But Charlie was asked to bring four mothering dragons to Hogwarts."

"Why mothering?"

"I have to believe because they are most dangerous when they have kids to take care of." Fred smiled.

"Makes sense. I like it when mothers care so much for their children."

"Just wait until you meet my mother." Fred said.

"You think she would like me?"

"I know she would… She already does! You make me do my homework and go to class.. Something I barely have done before." He smiled at me.

"Oh.. Right. Haha that is me, influence for good!" I could feel the hypocrisy in that sentence, and I laughed lightly to myself.

"You are definitely an influence." Fred winked. He tried to tickle me again, but I tried to fight back but he was too strong.

"Oh man stop!" I was trying to laugh quietly.

"Did we come at a wrong time?" George and Ron came stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

We immediately stood up blushing. I fixed my hair and let out a little laugh.

"let's just go." I said. George winked at Fred and smiled.

Getting outside the castle was surprisingly easy. Fred and George borrowed their little cheat sheet back from Harry, so we were able to avoid all the teachers.

"Are you ready Cali?" George was excited.

"Yes!" I squeezed Fred's hand and he winked at me.

As we got farther into the forest I started hearing growling, then people's voices.
Ron and George looked at me to see my reaction. OH yeah. "OH MY gosh! Is that what I think it is?"

"Dragons!? YES!" George smiled and started running.

We caught up to George and Ron and I noticed the guy who they were talking to must be Charlie.

"Charlie this is the beautiful Cali Carlson Fred keeps bragging about in his letters." George pointed.

"Well she is beautiful. Hi, I am Charlie. I'll tell you I am very surprised you can keep up with these two, biggest jokers around."

"I try my best." Fred gave me a hug.

"Ok ok So tell me about these dragons Charlie!"

"I can't believe they let you come along, but I am happy to meet you! These are four female dragons, all ready to be used in the tournament." Charlie started.

And so the night went. Charlie told me stories about Fred and George growing up, and about working in Romania.
I could tell he liked me and I noticed him watching Fred closely around me too. I made a point to ask Fred in a few weeks if he got any letters.