Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing except Chloe and anything else you don't recognize.
Alrighty, here's chapter 11. I hope you like it!
Chapter 11:
The First Task
Cedric and I were sitting in out corner in the library studying a few days later. I was writing an essay for Divination. Cedric was…well, I don't know what he was doing. He seemed stressed, nervous and tense. He kept switching between subjects and fidgeting and occasionally pacing. I had finally had enough when he got up for fifty-hundredth time!
"Okay, what's wrong?" I asked, putting my quill down.
"Nothing," he answered.
"Are you sure?"
"It's nothing Chloe," he said sitting down again.
"Okay," I sighed, grabbing my quill and putting the finishing touches on my essay. Cedric became restless again. And that's when I remembered. The first task was tomorrow! That's probably why he's so nervous.
"Cedric," he looked up at me. "Is this about the task tomorrow?"
"I don't what to do about my dragon, Chloe!" He exclaimed as he stood up and started pacing again.
"I don't know what to do about your dragon either Cedric," I sighed, putting my quill down again. Cedric groaned and sat down again, burying his face in his hands.
"I'm just so nervous Chloe,"
"The great Cedric Diggory's nervous?" Okay, I couldn't help it! I've never seen Cedric like this, or admit that he was nervous for that matter. He looked up and glared. "Listen Cedric, I don't know what you're going to do but I'm sure you'll think of something." I wasn't very good at pep talking. He didn't look confident. I sighed. "And, if it helps, I'll be in the stands cheering you on," okay, it was cheesy but it was true and hopefully it helped. I think it did. He smiled and his eye brightened. I smiled back. "Now let's get this homework done, the sooner the better."
"Okay," I picked up my quill and continued with my essay.
At the first task the next day:
I shuffled into my seat amongst the fellow Hufflepuffs. Everyone was rather restless and excited. I was nervous. Dragons were very dangerous creatures. They could kill you! I hoped that the dragons weren't too deadly, especially Cedric's dragon. I was worrying about him the most. The Quidditch pitch had been completely changed. There were rocks instead of the field and goal posts. And the usual towers of the stands weren't there. There were people talking in excitement everywhere. Fred and George Weasley were going around taking bets.
"I'm so excited, I can't wait to see who wins, who do you think'll win?" That voice sounded familiar. I took a deep breath and turned to see who was beside me. Ugh, it was that first year who sat beside me at the champion selection! I groaned inwardly.
"Hey! I remember you! You're the girl who knew people who put their name in the goblet!" Phew, he didn't call me 'the girl who was almost raped' as the rest of the school knew me as.
"Just one person, actually,"
"Oh, did he get into the tournament?" Urgh, this kid was so annoying!
"Yes,"
"Really? Who is it? No, wait, lemme guess." I rolled my eyes. He was so annoying! He was luckily cut off by a loud roar. It caused everyone in the arena to jump. There was a Swedish Short snout in the ring below. "Whoa, what kind of dragon is that?" The boy asked.
"That's a Swedish Short snout." I answered.
"Cool,"
"Not really, dragons are dangerous." I told him. "I think its crazy making the first task dragons," I continued. "They're dangerous not only to the champions but to us to." I think I scared the poor kid, judging by the look on his face. Then Dumbledore came out and told us about some precautions we should take. That was good timing. He also told us the champion's goal. They were supposed to get the golden egg that their dragon had been given to guard. The egg was a clue for the next task. After Dumbledore had finished he walked into the champion's tent, which was connected to the Quidditch pitch. The excited jibber jabber started up again.
"So, who do you know that's in the tournament?" I groaned a little.
"Why do you care?" I asked. He just shrugged. I shook my head at him. I folded my arms on the railing and rested my head on my arms and waited anxiously for the first champion to exit the tent. There was a canon blast and the first champion walked out. I lifted my head and gasped at who it was. It was Cedric! Everyone in arena quieted down. The dragon froze and watched Cedric with weary eyes. Cedric apparently didn't see the dragon. He cautiously started toward the egg. The dragon glared at him before opening its mouth.
"Cedric look out!" I screamed. He looked at me and I pointed to the dragon. He looked at the dragon and dove out of the way just before the dragon let out a gust of fire. I could feel the heat from where I was sitting! I must be hot down there. Cedric must be burning. And he was wearing a jacket to! Poor guy. The dragon roared ferociously at him before launching itself at him. Cedric jumped out of the way. The dragon roared again.
"Cedric, your wand, pull out your wand!" I screamed over the noise. I wasn't even sure if he could hear me. He could and he pulled out his wand. He cast spell after spell but nothing phased the dragon. It was very protective of the egg. He needed to distract it somehow but I couldn't think of anything. And then, I saw it, the rock that was near the dragon. He could use that as a distraction.
"Cedric, the rock!" I screamed pointing at it. He looked at me. A confused look upon his face.
"And do what?" He yelled back.
"I don't know something!" He dove for cover as the dragon blew more fire in his direction and pointed his wand at the rock. I saw his mouth moving as he muttered a spell and the rock began changing. It changed into a big black dog. "That works," I said to myself. The dragon seemed to be preoccupied with the dog, watching the new threat with cautious eyes. The dog growled at the giant lizard. Cedric took the opportunity to run forward and grab the egg. Everyone started cheering as he held the egg up for everyone to see.
"Woo! Way to go Cedric!" I cheered happily as I clapped.
"Congratulations Mr. Diggory," Dumbledore said as some men came to take the dragon and exchange it with another. Cedric exited the arena. Krum and Fleur were able to get their eggs easily. That left one more person, young Mr. Potter, who had the Hungarian Horntail. This dragon was ferocious, fierce and extremely dangerous; which had me worried. I don't think Harry will be able to survive this.
It was silent as Harry walked out. He stood there for a second before marching towards the golden egg. The Horntail slammed its tail to the side of a rock nearest Harry. Harry ducked. The Horntail glared at him before breathing fire in his direction. Harry just barely got out of the way.
"Your wand, Harry, your wand!" Someone called from the crowd. I couldn't hear what he said but I did see the broom stick flying into the arena. Harry jumped on it and led the Horntail on a wild goose chase. He flew from the arena and the dragon wasted no time following him, taking the top of the teacher's seats with it. Nothing happened for a while. We heard a couple of roars but that was it. And then, there was a roar that came from the dragon that sounded like it was falling and I thought of the worst. The dragon had fallen and taken Harry with him.
Harry zoomed back into the arena.
Or not, I thought happily as I joined in with cheers.
"Woo, go Harry!" I cheered as he swooped down and grabbed the golden egg.
In the Hufflepuff common room:
"Way to go Cedric!" I cheered as I attacked him with a hug from behind. I hadn't been able to talk to him since the task ended since the Hufflepuff house decided to throw a celebration. I had a feeling that there was going to be a lot of celebrations during this Tournament. He laughed.
"I wouldn't have been able to do without you,"
"Oh please," I sighed, walking around to face him. "I never told you to turn that rock into a dog."
"But you're the one who told me to do something with that rock," I laughed at him. He was immediately attacked by his friends after.
"Congratulations Ced,"
"That transfiguring that rock was genius!"
"Great job,"
"Well, what are you waiting for? Open the egg!" This caught everyone's attention.
"Yeah, open the egg!"
"Open it Cedric!"
"What's the clue?" These were just some of the things shouted in response.
"Okay, okay but first, I want to thank someone who helped me get this egg," oh no, he wasn't going to, was he? "Chloe Baker," yes, yes he was. I could feel the blush raising in my cheeks. Everyone started applauding. I have to be honest, that did feel good.
"Just open the egg Cedric," I said, looking down still slightly embarrassed. He smiled before opening the egg. There was a horrible screaming sound making everyone cover their ears. Cedric closed it quickly. "What the hell was that?" I asked.
"Maybe it was a damsel in distress!" One of the boys suggested.
"It is not because girls don't scream like that." One of the girls said. Every other girl nodded in agreement.
"Well, then what else could it be?" We spent the rest of the night spit balling ideas on what it could be and I realized that the boys in Hufflepuff were pretty immature. At the end of the night, we ended up with nothing and Cedric seemed a little stressed.
"Cedric, don't freak out. You have some time before the second task." I assured him.
"Yeah, I guess," he sighed.
"I'll help you if you need it," I promised smiling. He smiled back at me.
"Thanks Chloe,"
"Anytime Cedric," I replied. "Now, I'm going to go to bed, good night." I headed up towards the girls' dorm.
"Night," I heard Cedric call. I smiled as I continued to bed.
Alright, the ending might suck but I was writing this at like a eleven at night. Anyways, R&R!