The school year ventured further into June, meaning the third and final task was getting nearer and nearer. With O.W.L.s out the way Queenie could once again devote her whole time to helping Cedric train for the grande finale. Sitting outside on the grass one free lesson (with Cedric's friends taking N.E.W.T.s meant they had less classes and so more free lessons and now Queenie's friends having done their exams they didn't need to attend classes for the rest of the year), Cedric, Queenie and all there friends were helping the Hufflepuff and Hogwarts golden boy with some alfresco and half hearted training and preparation. The excitable, summer ready teens only went for 5 minutes or so actually preparing and researching before a joke would be made or a comment said that would sent them off on a tangent of giggles and laughter for 15 minutes before they'd settle back into work again but the cycle would just repeat itself.
Queenie was laid on her front, resting on her elbows, as she flick through a book on all sorts of defensive spells and charms. Cedric was sat next to her looking at the notes he took from a book about traveling and direction. They were chuckling at something Clarke had said.
"Little one, when this is finally over we have some serious dates to catch up on. I mean, we've been nowhere … I feel bad" Cedric confessed quietly when the group dispersed back into there own mini conversations and studying of the pile of withdrawn books about the tournament and spells, curses and charms from the library. His hand was on her lower back, dangerously close to her non-regulation school skirt clad bum
"Don't, it's not your fault. Besides you're here and that's all that matters. As long as we're together -" Queenie began, nuzzling the side of her body into his legs
"-We're fine"
"We're fine"
Queenie finished and so did Cedric with her exact words.
"Trelawney's tash! We're even think the same!" Queenie rolled on to her back to get a better look at him
"Well at least we'll never have a conflict of opinion" Cedric laughed, capturing her closest hand and then manoeuvring her upper body onto his legs/lap
"True" Queenie hummed in agreement, content in her new position
"I feel like I haven't kissed you in ages" Cedric confessed
"You have. You kiss me at least twice every day"
"I know but it's not like the kisses I gave you before" his hand tangled in her short white curls
"Before? I'm not sure what you're getting at" She sat up, shuffling back so she now sat on his lap, their voices still low as not to attract the others who'd started howling with laughter again's attention.
Her worried eyes flickered over his face rapidly, her hands finding his cheeks and his hands now on her upper arms, stroking them
"Hey, no need to look so panicked! I just meant that our kisses have been quick and I've not treated you … intimately, so to speak for a while" Cedric shrugged and Queenie couldn't help but laugh
"Hey, don't laugh at me!" He whined, nuzzling into her
"I'm not, I'm not. I'm laughing with you not at you, i swear" was her defence
"I'm not laughing" he mumbled against the little patch of skin her undone top button of her shirt exposed
"You know what I mean" she pushed him out from the embrace, this time a hand tangled in his hair and the other using a finger to trace his jaw
"And you're right but you've not been 'treated intimately' for a period now either. Ced, you don't have to be the one to take charge when it comes to sex. I've been neglecting you too. I could have started something and I didn't, I thought you were too busy and it seems judging by your comments, you are" Queenie kept up her whispering, so no one else could hear them
"I'm never to busy for you, little one. Never " Cedric stressed in a equally hushed tone before drawing her in for the most risqué kiss they could have with all their friends around, in broad daylight and in public
-line break-
June 24th had finally arrived and the air was tense to say the least. The Hufflepuff table was practically buried by fan mail and good luck wishes to Cedric from students, former students, students parents and pretty much everyone else. Cedric and Queenie were pretty much having to bat them out of the way from falling in their breakfast. Cedric had one arm over Queenie's shoulders and holding her close to him. Under the table, Queenie's legs were thrown over his as she slouched against his taller form.
"I can't wait till tonight, it'll be all over" Cedric sighed kissing her hair before taking another bite from his buttered toast
"Me too … I love you. I want you back. This tournaments been far too demanding" Queenie yawned, stretching a little from her position
"I want you back! I'm having to sacrifice time with you for some stupid contest. Ergh, why did I even enter again?" Cedric groaned, tightening his grip on Queenie
"Erm, let's see was it the fame or fortune or, um, oh that's it - Eternal Glory" she teased, scooping some cornflakes into her spoon before eating them
"I'd rather have you than stupid eternal glory, is it too late to drop out?" He looked at her hopefully
"Yes" she giggled, ruffling his hair
"Queen Bee, Rita Skeeter's at it again" Rita came and sat opposite the pair, shoving the piles of letters and envelopes out the way so she could put the paper she was holding down.
"I don't even want to know, Rita. Let's just get through today and then we'll grab Harry and together we'll kick that blasted woman off the premises before I throttle her" Queenie sighed and Cedric kissed her head again
"Little one, you shouldn't say such things" he smiled into hair
"Diggory, the champions are congregating in the chamber off the hall after Breakfast. Askoy as you've finished your lessons for this school year you may accompany your partner" McGonagall informed them as she stood behind the pair. None of them had even noticed her walking up to them but in all fairness they were snowed under, barley being over to see over the mountainous piles of paper.
"Thanks for letting us know, professor" Cedric smiled
"Why do they need you now? The trials not until tonight" Crete plonked himself down next to Queenie, giving her a side hug and kissing her cheek
"No idea, family?" Queenie suggested
"Why would mum and dad show up for Ced, no offence or anything it's just your not their son" Crete opposed
"Thank god" Cedric mumbled and Queenie and Crete turned to him, identical looks of confusion across their faces making it plainly obvious, even to a complete idiot that they were related
"Well, if we're related we couldn't date and that would an awful shame" Cedric smirked, making Queenie blush and everyone else roll they're eyes. Cedric didn't pay his friends of large gaggle of fans any mind as he ducked down, peeling Queenie from his side and tickling her and as he kissed her face all over evoking squeals, laughter and pleas for help to escape her lips.
-line break-
As breakfast slowly drew to a close with the friends in Cedric's year having a late starting lesson and the friends in Queenie's year didn't have anything to do aside from wander the castle or hang out in the common room.
"You want to go to this chamber then?" Queenie asked as all their friends leisurely got up from the table and began saying the goodbyes and such before meandering off at a snails pace. Cedric's arm found its way around Queenie's waist, occasionally squeezing her hip
"Yeah, Fleur's coming now too by the looks of it" Cedric tipped his head in the French girl's direction as he and Queenie began to walk over to the entrance to the chamber
"Bonjour" Fleur smiled at them, as she fell into steps with them on the other side of Cedric
"Salut" Queenie gave a replica smile in response
"Parlez-vous Français?" Fleur seemed shocked
"Un peu [translation: a little]" Queenie gave coy smile
"Je suis une Sang-Mêlé. Nous étions Français à l'école petite" [translation: I'm a half blood. We were taught French at little school] Queenie explained and Fleur nodded enthusiastically, seeming to be intrigued
Cedric who'd never attended a muggle primary and so didn't know any foreign languages let their conversation wash over him. Once they reached the chamber door, he removed his grip on Queenie and opened the door, holding it open for the two ladies.
"Merci" Fleur smiled
"Thank you" Queenie got up on her tippy toes and pecked his lips. Cedric closed the door behind them as they stepped into the room.
"Mum! Dad!" Cedric cried. Mr and Mrs Diggory were stood quite close to the door and as soon as Cedric noticed them he wasted no time in barrelling towards them, embracing them tightly. Queenie followed closely behind, noticing Fleur go over the other side of the room babbling French so fast and so thick she couldn't understand a word. Fleur also hugged her parents and little sister tightly. Viktor and his mother and father were in a corner but you could still clearly see the resemblance. Viktor had his parents dark features and his father's nose.
Queenie's eyes flitted over the room as she waited for Ced and his family to have their moment. She noticed Mrs Weasley and Bill stood in front of the fireplace. She smiled at them and Bill mouthed back an eager: 'hello'
"Ced where's Harry?" Queenie wrapped her arms around his waist from behind him and mumbled in his ear, not to completely interrupt he and his parents conversation
"Er, not sure … one minute" he told his parents, excusing himself. He slipped out of Queenie's grasp and went over the the nearby door of the chamber, opening it and sticking his head out.
"Ah, Queenie how are you?" Cedric's mum tackled her into a hug while Queenie could hear Cedric shouting to Harry, who must've still been in the great hall.
"Fine thanks, glad this tournament's coming to an end then I can get Ced back" Queenie admitted as Cedric came back to stand by her side, hand grabbing hers and interlocking their fingers. The blonde girl could see Harry entering the room in her peripheral vision and making a bee line for Mrs Weasley and Bill
"So Little one have you told them how well your O.W.L.s went?" Cedric bumped into her a little, teasingly and Mr and Mrs Diggory began to gush
"Oh my dear! We didn't know! We'd have sent you a good luck card and a well done present" Mrs Diggory pinched her cheek
"My, my you're growing up! Seems like two minutes since I first met that shy little first year, Cedric's first girlfriend. He was so nervous you know -" Amos began at the same as his wife but Cedric's groaning cut him off
"Can we not, please?" He asked
"Oh course my dear! So how's preparations going?" His mother asked and Cedric went to reply but Amos jumped in:
"Ah, ah, ah, ah! No. There shall be no talk of tactics when you're surrounded … by enemies" he leaned in to whisper the last bit and the others rolled their eyes and/or tutted
"Dad it's a competition!" Cedric laughed but Queenie could tell he was fed up of his father's attitude
"That could give the Puffs the recognition they deserve, they … there you are, are you?" Amos diverted his attention to Harry who was walking past the four of them with Mrs Weasley and Bill. His voice was cold and bitter, he obviously held some kind of resentment against Harry. Queenie shared a look with her lover in which she silently asked why Amos was being that way. Cedric responded by widening his eyes and looking to his side, looking back.
Queenie's mouth dropped open as she let out a silent: 'oh'. She realised Cedric's father was still annoyed at Harry after the Rita Skeeter article
"Bet you're not feeling so full of yourself now Cedric's caught you up on points, are you?" Mr Diggory jibed
"What?" Harry was gaping like a fish
"Ignore him. He's been angry ever since Rita Skeeter's article about the Triwizard Tournament - you know, when she made out you were only Hogwarts champion" Cedric spoke lowly to Harry, the frown he was wearing very noticeable. Queenie lifted their intertwined fingers and kissed each of his fingers, easing his look of displeasure and embarrassment a little.
"Didn't bother to correct her, though, did he?" Amos was practically spitting feathers
"Mr Diggory that woman will publish what she wants when she wants regardless" Queenie tried to calm the older one but still make him understand
"That's not the point. Still … you'll show him, Ced. Beaten him once before, haven't you?" Amos began to pile the pressure on his son once again
"No that most definitely is the point, don't poo poo the girl! She's telling the truth! Rita Skeeter goes out of her way to cause trouble, Amos! I would have thought you'd know that, working at the ministry!" Mrs Weasley both looked and sounded as if she were about to explode. Amos who looked as equally enraged went to reply but Mrs Diggory rest a hand in his arm, a silent instruction to stop. Mr Diggory conceded, shrugging and walked out the door and into the great hall. Cedric and Queenie mumbled a quick bunch of apologies before following after Cedric's parents.
-line break-
The rest of the day past too quickly for the champions and their loved ones liking but for the mere spectators it couldn't have been slower. Queenie had found herself back in the great hall eating dinner - well everyone else was eating dinner, she felt sick to the stomach with worry - after what felt not to be an hour or so since breakfast. Queenie had showered and like all of her peers changed from her uniform. She now flaunted her long tan legs in a massively oversized casuallyf formal shirt that she was wearing as a dress. The shirt was blue and white, narrowly horizontally striped and it fell to her upper/mid thigh. The sleeves were rolled up to just below her elbows. She left the collar loose by not buttoning the shirt all the way up to the top. On her feet were white, canvas, low top converse. Despite looking summer-y and positive on the outside, internally Queenie felt like she could be sick at any moment. Anxiety mixed with everyone else's judgement was killing her. It bubbled inside her, making her stomach and head churn and spin.
Cedric was sat on side of her and Queenie had a tan leather satchel on her other side. Cedric couldn't bring himself to focus, the atmosphere and the buzz of the third task was weighing on him like a tone of bricks.
"Are you not eating?" Cedric asked, hand caressing her thigh slightly
"Aren't you?" Queenie gave a watery smile and laugh, her eyes filling with tears as she looked away from him, her curls falling in front of her face, shielding it
"Little one?" Cedric sighed softly, putting a hand to her face. Tucking the fallen hair behind her ear, he then pinched her chin gently to make her look at him.
"Little one?" He repeated now she was facing him. Her glassy eyes flickered up to meet his and suddenly the emotional stress became too much. A broken sob left her lips and the tears began to fall, ruining her makeup and causing her eyes to become red and raw. Cedric quickly brought her into him. The hand on her chin laced itself in her hair and held her head to his collar bone and the other arm wrapped around her waist, filling her flush to him. Queenie's small and dainty hands fisted at the material of his 'DIGGORY' Triwizard Tournament top. She nuzzled into his neck, scratchy breaths escaping her lips.
"Ssh, little one … ssh, baby girl, ssh … don't cry" Cedric mumbled into her hair whilst rocking the two of them back and forth. Multiple friends, including Viktor Krum, came over to ask if she was alright, to which Cedric assured them she was. Their Hufflepuff friends had left them alone, giving them privacy. Even Cedric's fan club and Rita Skeeter had backed off. A while later Queenie's crying fizzled out and Cedric moved her a little in his grip to get a look at her face.
"Little one, what's wrong?" He asked. Queenie took a breath to compose herself before whimpering out in a shaky voice:
"Everything and nothing. I mean it's just all this tournament stuff catching up with me, it's been such an emotional roller coaster. The thought of it being over has just set me off. Merlin, I'm so unstable!"
The both laughed a little, before sharing a chaste kiss. Once the pulled apart Cedric then pecked her head and nose.
"You ok now?" Cedric asked and a bright smile of relief graced her face though her eyes were still watery and puffy.
"Yes" she let out in a breath, raising a hand and grabbing the collar of his shirt and dragging him in for another kiss.
"Oh, I've got to do my makeup again now!" Queenie groaned when they pulled away.
"No, you don't. You're gorgeous, don't hide yourself" Cedric kissed the down the shell of her ear, stopping at the piercings
"Why thank you … but I'm going to do it anyway" Queenie pecked his cheek and turned around in her seat, fishing her makeup bag out of her satchel and quickly beginning to touch up her makeup. As she did Dumbledore stood up and the whole hall fell deathly silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes time, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr Bagman down to the stadium now" Dumbledore announced and Cedric and Queenie stood, along with most of the Hufflepuff table.
"GOOD LUCK!"
"GO ON CEDRIC!"
"YOU CAN DO THIS PRETTY BOY!"
Were just a sample of the shouts of encouragements. Friends and housemates alike clapped him on the back and 'bro-hugged' him.
"Good luck, not that you'll need it" Queenie smiled, placing a fleeting kiss on his lips and hugging him tight
-line break-
Queenie and all her friends and Cedric's friends were sat in the front and second row of one of the stands. The summer evening was warm but still shivers of anticipation ran through her body. She could see the champions stood by there respective entrances to the maze, Cedric was stood closest to Queenie. He kept sending long, smouldering glances her way to which she blushed and looked down, chewing her lip - an action that seemed to make his looks more intense
"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place - with 85 points each - Mr Cedric Diggory and Mr Harry Potter, both Hogwarts students. In second place - with 80 points - Mr Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute. And in third place, Miss Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons Academy!" Mr Bagman told them. With the announcement of each name cheers roared from the crowd, Queenie practically screaming in support for Cedric (to which he turned and winked at her, puckering his lips slightly - blowing her a small kiss, which nearly killed off a few of his fangirls).
"So … on my whistle, Harry and Cedric. Three - two - one" and with that Bagman blew his whistle and Cedric and Harry sprinted into the maze. Queenie felt her anxiousness return as she twisted the ring he gave her way back in first year around her right, middle finger in nervousness.
"He'll be alright, y'know" Rita nudged her lightly. Queenie smiled a small smile and Mr Bagman blew his whistle again for a second time and then a third time. Both Viktor and then Fleur disappearing into the maze also
The stands broke into excited gossip once they'd gone. Seen as though the students couldn't see it they started to talk about who they thought was going win. The air suddenly became thick, a humid and heavy atmosphere settling over the stands.
"Is it going to rain?" Leah cocked her head to the side as she looked up at the sky.
"It's not forecast" Harriet frowned but still the largest, single thunder cloud rolled in and a deep sound resonating from it. The thunder grumbled on and on from the eery grey cloud.
"There is going to be one hell of a lightening strike" Clarke stated the obvious. By now the whole audience were looking up at the sky and the one cloud that was booming on and on and on.
"Hang on, it's changing shape" Rohm pointed at the mass and sure enough it was. Before Queenie or anyone else could make out what the new shape was, a lightning bolt exploded from the cloud. Ripping through the atmosphere and blinding speed and right towards the stands.
It all happened so quickly. No one could even make a sound or shock or protest. Queenie felt a shooting pain on her right middle finger, glancing down she saw her ring seemed to be pulsing, an electrical current racing around the white gold band of the ring. Glancing up to try and alert her friends she just managed to catch a glimpse of white light before blackness enveloped her vision.