Halloween's Task!
It was October 31st, otherwise known as Halloween. Not to mention it was the day of the first task in the Tri-Wizard Tournament and everyone was excited. Well...not everyone.
An important Hufflepuff was still in his bed, refusing to move.
"I'M NOT GETTING OUT OF THIS BED!" Lovino yelled at his three pursuers. Antonio, Feliciano and Rosaria sighed.
"Fratello!" whined Feliciano, "You have to!"
"No, I don't!"
"Lovi~" Antonio pleaded, "Get out of that bed~"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Rosaria grabbed a pillow from a nearby bed and hit her brother over the head with it.
"Get out of bed!" She yelled. Lovino pulled his covers over his head, blocking out all further attempts.
"Make. Me."
"Fusososo~ Lovi...Do you really mean that?" laughed Antonio.
"You want me out, you can try. Be warned that I will hurt you!"
"Antonio!" Feliciano begged, "Please don't do what I think your about to!" He went to stop the Spaniard, only to be blocked by his younger sister.
"No," She whispered. "I want to see how this turns out." At her words, Antonio walked calmly over to the champion's bedside and tore off the sheets. Lovino hissed at the sudden light. Antonio's hand crept up towards Lovino's hair, where his fingers wrapped around his curl. With nearly all his strength, Antonio pulled the hair before hiding behind the other two...like a man. Lovino's hand covered his face as it turned bright red.
"WHY THE HECK DID YOU DO THAT?!" Lovino yelled, now wide awake and sitting up.
"It worked, didn't it?" Antonio smiled. He seized a pile of clothing off the floor and threw them at the Italian. Lovino pulled them off his head and took a look. "Now hurry up and get dressed. Everyone's waiting for you!" Lovino picked up the bundle and walked into the nearby bathroom. The trio heard the click of a lock.
"No," The voice on the other side shouted at them.
"Fratello!" Feliciano said, knocking on the door. "Come out!"
"I didn't even want to do this stupid thing and I'm not going to!"
"Not even for a tomato?" Rosaria bribed.
"No. I'm not coming out."
"Magical Binding Contract, Lovi," Antonio reminded him. "You can't go against it!"
"I can and I will!"
"Now what are we going to do?" Feliciano asked. Antonio grinned.
"Wait for it..." A yelp of pain came from the other side of the door.
"You want to come out now?" Rosaria sighed. After a stream of silence, the same click rang throught the room. Feliciano cheered.
"I hate you all," Lovino said from the other side.
"We love you, too," Antonio said, turning on his heel towards the door. "The task starts in fifteen minutes!" Carriedo exited the room, before Lovino left his.
"Good luck, fratello!" Feliciano called before exiting as well.
"See you in a bit," Rosaria said before following her brother. Lovino exited the the bathroom, holding his black and yellow clothes, and let out a string of colorful language as he pulled the clothing on. It consisted of a black and yellow shirt with the school's crest on the back, and his house's crest on his upper left chest. The uniform also included black pants and trainers. Grabbing his shoes, Lovino ran out the door.
Trying his best to multitask, Lovino ran towards a tent just outside of the arena where the first task was to take place. As he tied the last of his laces together as he tripped his way into the tent.
"You're late," said Aleksander as he helped the champion to his feet.
"I'm not late," Lovino said, brushing the dirt from his clothes. "You're just early."
"It iz five minutes after ze task was suppose to start," Monica said flatly.
"So?"
"I'm afraid you'll be the last champion to face the task," Aleksander said weakly.
"I don't care. I didn't even want to be here!"
"Ve can tell," Ludwig stated. Lovino glared at the other champion. His glare was interuppted by a wave of cheers erupting from outside the tent.
"It looks like that's for me!" Aleksander laughed. He left the tent with a confident smile on his face. Lovino growled.
"I hate that guy." He said through his teeth.
"We know." The other two champions said in unison.
"Anyone want to tell me what I'm supposed to be doing?" Lovino said after some time.
"Dragon." Monica said simply while she looked out the tent.
"You've got to be kidding me...Is the she demon tricking me?"
"I am not a she demon!"
"Well a she b*tch then." Monica's hand slapped Lovino's face. The Italian went red with anger. "Why you son of a-" Ludwig grabbed Lovino by the arms as he struggled against him. The French girl smirked. "Let me go potato bastard!"
"Nien." Ludwig answered, keeping the Italian from attacking her, "I'm sure your brother vould not vant you to gouge someone's eyes out."
"I don't care about my younger brother's stupid thoughts! LET ME G-" Lovino's rant was cut short by a wave of cheers. Aleksander came back into tent with his face and clothes slightly blackened. He held a sliver box in his hands. "What the hell happened to you?"
"Nothing a little water can't fix!" Aleksander said, grinning. "I'm going to go find Vladimir and tell him." The Bulgarian left the tent.
"Stay away from my sister!" Lovino yelled after him.
"Grow up." Monica said before turning on her heels and leaving the tent. Lovino looked over at the person he was left with.
"Vhy did you vant Aleksander to stay avay from your sister?" Ludwig surprisingly asked.
"That's none of your business." Lovino said.
"Yes. It is."
"I don't see how."
"It's a long story, but ve're not allowed to keep secret vithin zhe Axis."
"Since when?"
"Ask Kiku about it once zhis is over. Or blame it on him if you vant to. Now answer mien question."
"No, stupido bastardo di patate! È nessuno del vostro dio maledetto affari adesso lasciami il cazzo da solo!" Lovino yelled.
"You know if I ask Feliciano, he'll tell me everything." Ludwig reminded him. Lovino flipped the German off. "Fine zhen. I give up. You are impossible to deal vith." Lovino smirked as cheers erupted outside the tent. Monica reentred the tent, her clothing singed. Before either boy could say anything, the Beauxbatons champion rushed out of the tent. Ludwig stood and moved towards the enteryway.
"Vish me luck." He muttered.
"I hope you die." Lovino said. Ludwig glared at him before exiting the tent.
Ludwig blinked his eyes as they adjusted to the sudden light. The crowd cheered as he took in his surroundings. In the center of the arena was a large, glistening dragon. In the center of it were two sliver boxes. The dragon seemed to be fast asleep.
'This should be easier than I thought.' Ludwig thought as he approached the beast. The dragon shifted in its sleep. 'Or maybe not.' The dragon opened one eye lazily and blinked. It awoke on sight of the German.
"Scheiße." The dragon roared loudly and swung its tail, trying to knock the champion off his feet. Ludwig jumped out of the way just in time, but the tail scraped his heels and sent him flat on his back. He pulled himself to his feet as the dragon roared again.
"How zhe hell did it vake up?!" The dragon let out a breath of pure flame. Ludwig casted a stream of water against it, and steam grew between man and beast. "Nien! It doesn't matter now, I have to find a vay to get zhat box!" The dragon let out a stream of fire towards him, but it only singed the end of Ludwig's pants.
'I have to act fast, or else I'll get burned!' The dragon whipped its tail around again and caught the German off guard. Ludwig face planted into the ground. Pulling himself to his feet, Ludwig spat the dirt out of his mouth. Another wave of heat came towards him, but the Gryffindor maneuvered away from it successfully. He spat more dirt from his mouth when something came to his mind. It was exactly what had happened in the mock duel between Kiku and him a few weeks ago. Ludwig snatched up his wand and waited for the dragon to get closer. The crowd was on its feet in suspense. Once the beast was close enough, Ludwig aimed his weapon and cast the stunning spell. A large chunk of dirt expelled from the ground. Ludwig covered his face just as the dirt hit his sleeves, but the dragon wasn't so lucky. Dirt flew into its eyes and the dragon roared as it was blinded. Taking his chance, Ludwig grabbed one of the sliver boxes. The crowd cheered as he headed back to the tent.
Ludwig entered the tent, and sat down on the ground, running his hand through his hair, returning any stray blonde strands to their place.
"What the hell happened to you?" Lovino asked.
"Get out zhere und you'll see." Ludwig told him. Lovino shrugged and walked out into the arena.
Before he could register what was even happening, something slammed into Lovino's stomach and threw him against the wall. He fell flat onto the dirt as the crowd winced. Lovino picked himself up, spitting out dirt and a little blood out of his mouth.
"If that's the game you want to play, fine then," the Italian said, wiping a bit of blood off the corner of his mouth, "Let the game begin." The dragon swung its tail again, which Lovino stepped on the first chance he got. The dragon roared and shot a stream of fire, which missed Lovino's foot by an inch. He took his foot off the scaly appendage and the dragon used his tail to attack again. Lovino jumped out of the way, with the tail missing him only by less than a centimeter. He rolled out of the way as a wave of pure flame crossed over him. An idea popped into his head. Lovino used his wand to counteract the dragon's flame with his own, magic made fire. The two flames pushed at each other, but in the end, Lovino won. The dragon roared as it was blinded. The Italian raced over and picked up the final box. The crowd cheered as Lovino walked back to the champions' tent. But the dragon, with scorched eyes, sent out one last flame. Without so much as a second's warning, the flame hit its intended target-Lovino Vargas.
Lovino screamed in pain as he hit the ground. Someone grabbed him by the arms and dragged the Italian into the tent. Out of the corner of his eye, Lovino saw it was Ludwig who had pulled him to safety.
"D-Don't touch m-me." Lovino winced.
"You're hurt," said Ludwig, "Put your pride aside for one minute!"
"No." Ludwig groaned at the response.
"Let me help you!" Lovino turned over on top of his back, which in retrospect was a horrible idea. Biting back his pain, Lovino turned back over. From his position, he heard the sound of footsteps running towards them. He craned his head to see the rest of the Axis and Antonio standing at the tent's entrance.
"Dios Mio, Lovi," Antonio said with a shocked look on his face.
"D-Don't call me th-that," stuttered Lovino.
"You look like shit," Gilbert commented.
"NO F*CK I DO! I WAS BURNED BY A DRAGON, BASTARD!"
"Fratello, please don't yell," Feliciano said, moving closer to his brother with every word.
"Sh-shut up!"
"I think we need to get Rovino-kun medicar attention immediatery," added Kiku.
"No shit!" Antonio walked towards Lovino until he was opposite to Ludwig. Both seventeen year olds (A/N Germany's birthday is October 3rd, so Ludwig would be seventeen by now,) carefully lifted Lovino to his feet. The injured teenager winced and bit back tears as he screamed once again.
"Try to relax, Lovino," Gilbert instructed, "Ve're going to get you help."
"Do you think I want to be in this pain?" Lovino said through his teeth.
"Calm down, amigo," said Antonio.
"N...no," Lovino forced out as his breathing became heavier.
"Fratello?" Feliciano said as he began to panic, "Stay awake!"
"You have to stay avake," Ludwig ordered.
"Like I...would listen...to...you..." Lovino's hazel eyes rolled back into his head and his body went limp.
"BIG BROTHER!"
Working as fast as they could, the Axis and Antonio took Lovino to the hospital wing. By now most students would think they had been there too much. I mean, it's only Halloween and they had been there three times already. Three! Anyway, back to the story.
Lovino was still unconscious. The nurses had done their best with the burns and were currently wrapping them up, and replacing Lovino's shirt. The small group that had arrived there were a few feet away from him, as the crowd that had formed outside were forbidden to enter. Feliciano held onto his little sister, clutching her hand tightly. But in truth, it was vice versa.
"Is big brother going to be okay?" Rosaria asked Feliciano. He nodded.
"Si, sorella," said Feliciano as he kissed the top of her forehead.
"Hold up on zhe touching moment," Gilbert interuppted, "I zhought zhe mädchen hated Lovino!"
"What made you think that?" The female asked, obviously confused.
"How about zhe vay you two have been acting tovards each other?"
"He may have made me mad, but I've been fine the past two weeks. The rest of it was just-"
"Don't say it," said Ludwig as his face turned slightly red, "I think ve understand."
"I don't understand why you were angry at him in the first prace," Kiku asked.
"Lovino's too overprotective of me," Rosaria explained, "I don't mind, but sometimes he treats me like a complete child. I know big brother means well, but I wish he would be less protective of me."
"It can't be zhat bad," Ludwig said. Rosaria rolled her eyes.
"Si. It can."
"I remember when you used to cling to fratello all the time," Feliciano said.
"Let's not go there."
"Vhat are you talking about?" Gilbert asked.
"When we just started school, sorella came up for Christmas Holiday," explained Feliciano, "The whole time she followed Lovino around like a little duck!"
"N-No I didn't!" Rosaria stuttered. Her face became as red as one of Antonio's beloved tomatoes.
"Si, you did!" Said Spaniard reminded her. Her face turned redder. "It was so adorable!"
"I had just turned ten and I didn't know where I was! Feliciano was hanging around with Ludwig all the time and Lovino was the only one I could count on!"
"It was still muy adorable."
"I'm denying it ever happened." Rosaria sat down on a nearby bed and buried her face in her jacket's sleeves.
"If it herps," Kiku said, "I think it's good you have a heathry rerationship with your nii-san."
"Grazie, Kiku."
"Ja, Vest und I have a good relationship, right bruder?" Gilbert added, putting his arm around his bother.
"Don't touch me," Ludwig demanded, taking off the arm. Gilbert made a heart shape with his hands.
"Love you too, Vest." Everyone, except the German (and Prussian) brothers, laughed. Their laughter was silenced, however, when a nurse walked over to the six.
"Is fratello going to be okay?" Feliciano asked.
"He will be fine, Mr. Vargas," the nurse answered, "Now if you excuse me, I need to have a word with your grandfather." The nurse left the room, leaving only patient and students behind. The door slammed behind her. As the sound ricocheted across the room, Rosaria stood up and ran towards her brother.
"Sorella!" Feliciano exclaimed in surprise as she pushed past him. Rosaria stopped in front of Lovino's bed. There was silence for a moment before she started to silently cry. The girl collasped onto her knees. One of the Axis members pushed past the others and knelt by her side. Most of you would expect it to be Feliciano that went towards her, but it wasn't. To everyone's surprise, it was Gilbert.
"Calm down, frau," the Prussian said, "Zhere is no reason for you to be crying like zhis."
"Why not? My brother's hurt and it scares me," Rosaria cried, "I don't want him to-"
"Don't say zhat!" Gilbert said, cutting her off, "I know it's terrifying and I know vhat it feels like! But Lovino vill be okay."
"You mean it?"
"Ja. Since vhen has zhe awesome me ever lied?"
"Well..."
"Hey!" Rosaria smiled a little before taking her elder brother's hand in her own.
A great deal of time passed since Lovino had been admitted to the hospital. In fact, pitch black covered the grounds, with only the moon and stars left to give light to the place. Ludwig, Kiku & Gilbert had long since left, actually they were forced to since they weren't family. The Vargas siblings and Antonio, who was to be considered a big brother to them, were allowed to remain. All four figures were fast asleep as of the current hour. Feliciano was asleep on a empty bed nearby and Antonio in the chair next to it. Rosaira was still beside Lovino, her hand wrapped around his.
Lovino, who had been in a dream-like state for the past couple of hours, had begun to awaken. He opened his hazel eyes lazily and went to sit up. Lovino winced as pain shot up his spine and spread out towards the rest of his body.
"Goddamn it..." he muttered to himself, "What did I do?" All memories of the first task came back to him. Lovino traced a hand across his torso. Underneath his shirt, he could feel the linen bandages. He sighed. Maybe using fire on the dragon was a horrible idea. Just then, something squeezed his other hand, making Lovino jump and wince.
"What the hell is touching me?" Lovino followed the direction of the tug to see a small figure, their facial features illuminated by the moonlight. Even through the dark, Lovino could see the tears that had dried and stained his sister's face. He pulled on his captured hand, but it didn't come free.
"Let. Go. Already," Lovino whispered, pulling once again. No result. Rosaria wrapped her fingers tighter around his. Her eyes blinked sleepliy for a moment and she gave out a little yawn. Lovino's hazel eyes met her honey golden ones. The fourteen year old smiled. She let to of Lovino's hand and wrapped her arms around his neck. Lovino winced as her fingers grazed his burns. Rosaria buried her head into his shoulder.
"Sorella, get off me," Lovino whispered harshly. Rosaria only shook her head. "I have third degree burns on my back and you're making them worse!" She finally released him and shrunk back in her chair. Lovino held her face to the moonlight, as new tears slid down her cheeks.
"Why the hell are you crying?" He asked as he wiped away one of her tears. She smacked his hand away. "You can't still be mad at me!"
"I thought you were going to die..." Rosaria said, her voice hoarse. She brought her knees to her face and buried it in them.
"They're only burns, sorella," Lovino sighed, "And aren't you supposed to be pissed off at me?"
"I was. 'Was' being the keyword."
"Well, what stopped it?" Rosaria looked down at the ground as her fingers wrapped unconsciously around the hem of her sleeve.
"When Feliciano told me what you did. I kind of understand why your so overprotective now."
"What did fratello tell you exactly?" Lovino asked, raising an eyebrow. He swore if Feliciano told her about...that...it wouldn't be pretty.
"After Nonno talked to you two about what you told me, Feli pulled me off to a corridor," she explained, "He told me what happened that night."
"I said, what EXACTLY did he say?"
He told me someone tried to kill me," Lovino sighed a breath of relief in his mind, "He said you protected me from him. After that you kept me away from everyone else who you thought would hurt me."
"Okay...how does that make you no longer mad at me?" Rosaira laughed quietly.
"If you weren't hurt, I would slap you right now."
"Thanks," Lovino said sarcastically while rolling his eyes.
"I'm saying that it explains to me why you're so overprotective. It kind of explains why you always had me in your sight when we were little, which only increased this need." There was an awkward pause between the siblings.
"Have you been talking to Elizabeta about this?" asked Lovino.
"A little bit, yes. She's like my big sister," Rosaria said. Lovino sighed.
"Sorella, I'm not trying to be like that. I'm just-" the boy said before being cut off.
"Worried about me," the girl finished, "I know, big brother, but you don't have to. I love you and I don't want anything about that to change. Just promise me you'll back down with the protectiveness, si?"
"Si," Lovino nodded, "I will. Now go back to sleep. I know you don't have classes in the morning, but you look like you're about to pass out." Nodding, Rosaria lain back down and fell asleep as her eyes almost immediately closed shut. Lovino lain back down as well, wincing slightly as he did so.
"I won't back down," The injured Italian muttered to himself as he felt his body becoming heavier, "I need to keep you safe. I promised Mama I would, and I intend to keep it." Right before he fell asleep, Lovino took his sister's hand back in his.
Angel? Are you...crying?
N-No! My eyes are leaking!
Chill out, mon sœur. There won't be anymore feel moments for a while. You have nothing to worry about.
Okay, good. So...any plans for what we should torture- I mean, no I meant that- torture the characters with?
Well...what about...
That? I thought that was too be used in cases of last resort!
Do you have a better idea?
No. I don't. Fine. Why do I work with you?
Because we're an awesome sister combo team!
Next time on Hogwarts from Around the World!
A Magical Mistake!
We'll see you then!