[You're Next]
The day of the first task arrived with a weakly glinting sun, and Viktor's even weaker constitution. Viktor stared out of his window on the Durmstrang ship and into the Quidditch Pitch that was now filled with people milling around. Viktor could only stare at the cages that stood on the far side of the pitch, occasionally rattling as a gush hit the material that covered it.
Viktor had already ignored the summons for breakfast, resolutely ignoring the door when Alex had come around to wake him. He didn't want to face the day, or the dragons, or anyone for that matter. It felt like everything would only get worse.
Despite having a plan, Viktor expected it to fail. Viktor honestly didn't understand how Harry could expect as much as he did from Viktor. Their training had continued near the Forbidden Forest, but there hadn't been even the slightest mention of the dragons which where Viktor's biggest problem at this point. Clearly Harry believed, incorrectly, that Viktor had it all under control.
"Viktor, the First Task will begin in just over an hour. If you would prefer me to… help you out of bed continue as you are."
There wasn't a further thought as Viktor rolled out of his bed, just barely landing on his feet. Harry had helped him out of bed once before… and Viktor had sworn to never let it get to that point again. Ever.
It took Viktor little more than fifteen minutes to finally leave his room. Harry wasn't waiting for him, but Viktor hadn't expected him to. He was late already, and Harry hated being late.
At this point that just meant that Viktor would be walking to his death alone.
The choosing of the dragons passed in a bundle of nerves, Viktor hating the fact that it would be only him to blame for whichever dragon he chose.
Viktor suppressed the shudder that ran through him at the firing of the cannon. He was next.