-Fred's POV-
George, Michelle, and I were working on finding seats for today's task. I waved Hermione and Ron over to watch with us.
"You sure you're going to be okay Fred?" Michelle asked.
"I'll be fine. Unless something happens and she gets hurt," I answered. George patted my back.
"She'll be great! You seem to be underestimating her lately. Want to tell me why?"
I stared at him, realizing he was right. I shook my head, "I have no clue why I am actually… It's probably just me being worried."
"I sure hope so. She and Harry are both stronger than we give them credit for. Let's just hope the best for them," Hermione added. As the task started, Cedric was the first one to go. I watched carefully, thinking of what he said to me last night when I ran into him in the hall.
"Hey, Fred! Can I talk to you real quick?" he asked, catching up to me on the stairs. I nodded, looking back at him.
"What's up?" I asked.
"I heard you and Jess are finally together. Congrats."
"Thanks; but that's not all you wanted, is it?"
"No. Look, she may have been living with you for the past few years… But she trusted me with her secret first when we were kids. Don't hurt her. If you do, I won't forgive you."
"Then you shouldn't be forgiving yourself. She needed you last year when she was afraid Harry was going to get killed out there with Lupin and Sirius, and you ignored her. Hell, you avoided her. Why do you think she's ignoring you now?"
He was silent. He sighed, rubbing his face.
"I don't think apologizing to you about it will do any good will it?"
"She wouldn't be happy if she heard it from me. If anything, she'd start thinking you're a chicken."
"Do you blame me? She's kind of scary when she's angry."
"Just a little… I promise not to hurt her, as long as you promise to apologize to her and stop this… fight?"
"I will when I get my chance, and if by chance something seriously happens to me or Harry in this tournament; I want you to be right there for her."
"I will be."
He put his hand out, and we shook on it.
He got passed the first task, with what seemed like no problem. Except for the fact he got his face burnt. I wonder if it worried Jess. Fleur went next, putting the dragon to sleep. Before she reached the egg, her skirt caught on fire. George and I snorted a bit. She was able to put it out and get away without waking the dragon up. Next was Viktor Krum. I wasn't worried he'd get hurt. Chinese Fireballs' were usually harmless, if kept fed. He did well, blinding the dragon. He got the golden egg; but was deducted points, since the dragon smashed some of the real ones. Jess was next. I looked to see what kind of dragon they'd put her against. I felt sick to my stomach.
"What the hell?! It'll try to eat her!" Michelle shouted.
"A Peruvian Vipertooth… I thought they wouldn't use that dangerous," George said. Over in the teachers' area, I saw that Dumbledore's face was emotionless, but Snape looked as worried as I felt. Shouldn't it be the other way around?
"Dumbledore is testing her this much already?" I muttered.
"What?" Michelle asked me.
"He's not even worried! Look at him! Snape and Hagrid are terrified," I told her. She squinted to see, crossing her arms.
"Well… This better have a good explanation to it," she said.
"Uh… Guys, if you think that's bad… Harry's got a Hungarian Horntail…" Ron spoke.
"What?!" Hermione shouted.
"They pre-chose the dragons?" I asked. Ron nodded.
"Hagrid told me that Mad-eye wanted Harry to face the Horntail and that Jess goes up against the Viper."
"I see… She did tell me she felt like something was off about that Mad-Eye Moody."
I went back to watching as Jess rolled out of the way when it tried to strike her. She hid behind a rock behind the dragon and used a summoning charm on the egg. She got the egg without being seen. I was glad she didn't get hurt.
"She did it!" Michelle shouted excitedly. I felt so relieved; but the tense atmosphere wasn't over until after Harry passed. I knew Jess was back there, terrified for her brother.
When Harry stepped out, it was silent. His turn was more suspenseful than everyone else's, especially when he got on his broom. He was able to get the egg in time. I saw Jessie run out and hug Harry from behind when he held up the egg.
~Jessica's POV~
I ran out, past Mad-Eye, and hugged Harry.
"Thank God you're okay! Are you hurt anywhere? Burned?" I asked. He laughed a bit.
"No, no. I'm fine. I promise. Looks like we'll both be going to the next task with each other."
"Yeah, it does. Hey, will you promise me something?" I asked, lowering my voice. He nodded. "Whatever Mad-Eye over there tells you that's strange, I want you to tell me okay? I get a weird feeling about him…"
"Okay. Weird like?"
"I don't like him. Anyways, congrats!" I smiled. I looked up at the crowd to see our friends laughing and clapping.
"Looks like they're happy we're okay as well. Let's go change," Harry said. I nodded, following him.
"I wonder what we're supposed to do with these eggs," I muttered. A loud, piercing screech came from down the hall and stopped before I could cover my ears.
"Sorry! It opened when I tapped it," Viktor said.
"Man, that was annoying… I wonder what it means," Fleur responded. I bit my lip, thinking. Somewhere I heard that screech before… I couldn't remember where.
"I'm sure we'll learn in time. As for now, I'm going to bathe," Cedric said, leaving the room. Something on his face told me that he remembered too; and I wanted to figure it out.
"Same here. Harry, are you going?" I asked.
"No, I'm good. I'll go tell the others we're fine. See you later," he said. I nodded, quickly catching up to Cedric.
"You remembered something didn't you?" I asked.
"I just want to make sure I'm right before I say anything. How about you?"
"I recognize the screech… Not sure from where."
"Think about the summer before you and Harry moved into the Weasley's home."
I stopped following him, watching him as he walked away. I perfectly remember what happened that summer. That was the summer I was sure Cedric would be there for me when I needed him, no matter what.