Authors Note: I feel like this chapter is soooo poorly written. That's my main reason for not updating this quicker. And the fact that I've almost finished this Fanfiction now. I've like pre-wrote other chapters too so the next chapter might be updated more quickly than this one, seeing as I've actually already finished it. More twists & turns to come.

Katie got annoyed at the thought of the Last Task being moved forward, but then she released it did have some upsides. Like how she wouldn't have to wait around for about three months.

This also meant that Voldemort released the clue a day after they discharged her from the Hospital wing.

Fight your opponent
In the Quidditch Pitch at noon
'Til Death do you part

Needles to say, the clue was self explanatory.

So Helena gave Katie small lessons on how to duel. Only recently Katie did not appear in the Slytherin Common Room until after dinner. Katie always said that she had to catch up in other lessons as she was so busy with the Triwizard Tournament. She just shrugged Helena's annoyance at her off. But it made Helena wonder, did she need to catch up or was she just 'with someone else?'

Helena shook her head, furious at the thought.

No, she wouldn't do that. She loves me and I love her, she insisted to herself.

What if she is cheating on you? A small voice replied. She didn't even want to think about it. She shoved the thought back into her mind.

Instead, she weighed up Katie's options and chances against Ernest Hartl, the Durmstrang Champion. Helena could beat him with ease, but Katie... She didn't know. He was one year older than both Helena and Katie, and one year makes all the difference. He'll be taking his NEWTs after the task is finished.

He'll know more things than Katie and I, she thought grimly. Durmstrang is better known for the Dark Arts than we are. They've been teaching it for longer.

It didn't help that both of them had more homework on top of this. Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms - you name it. Especially how she had such a poor start in the year. To be honest, she was starting to deteriorate a little. But that didn't get her hopes down. After all, what could you lose from not achieving an 'Outstanding' NEWT? But then again, she blamed it on the terrible excuse of a teacher for her Dark Arts. She supposed that teaching Katie would help her get back on track with improving her own work.

In other news, rumours have also began to circulate that Snape tortured The Beauxbatons Champion.

Helena did kind of see this coming, as the last line of the riddle of the Second Task did say that they would have to suffer for failing. But the rumour became coupled with the fact that Aveline Roux was muggle-born, so that might be one of the reasons that she's dead.

x

The Final Task

Helena woke up in the dormitory quite late, as it was a Saturday. But the Third Task wouldn't be starting until 1:00 PM. That gave her - them, three hours to prepare. So it was no surprise that she was the only one in the dormitory. She got changed into comfortable clothing and went down into the Common Room. Only five people were in there, and she wondered where Katie was.

She promised to stay in here, but perhaps she got fed up of waiting. I did tell her to wake me up...

She got annoyed at Katie for this thought, as she clearly did not wake her up. Katie even knew how she liked to sleep in on weekends.

She decided to go into the library, to see if Katie was in there. She wasn't.

Where on Earth is she?

In fact, she didn't find her until it was ten minutes before the actual task started.

"Where have you been?" Helena demanded.

"I... I was, um..."

"Never mind," she interrupted. "Do you know what you're doing? Do you know the spells?"

"Yes," Katie replied, confident.

"Great, so you won't be at all useless?"

"Uh huh, yeah."

"You know nothing, do you?"

"Well -" Katie started but an announcement called her to the arena. "Ooo, wish me luck!" And she left without another word. Was it just Helena or was Katie 'off' today? She supposed it was because she was nervous. It was a win or die situation.

Helena sighed and gathered into the stands with the rest of the schools.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said the voice of Lord Voldemort. "Welcome to the final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Today, both of our Champions will enter the arena, but only one can come out. This is a most perilous task of bravery and greatness. Our Champions must face each other in a duel, and in the end will bring out the most worthy of the Triwziard cup! However, Hogwarts school has not won the Triwizard Tournament in over a decade. Will they be able to come out on top with their Champion Katie Fielding? Or will the odds be correct and Ernest Hartl of Durmstrang Institute succeed? It is time for the Champions to come and meet their fate."

His words ended in an echo, and Helena saw Katie come in through a gate. Ernest came through one on the parallel side. Helena's heart was thumping hard in her chest, she wasn't sure if she could watch.

x

Ernest Hartl POV.

I clutched my wand in my hand tightly, feeling the soft, smooth wood between each of my fingers. The crowd was cheering and screaming, excited for the task to come. Most were cheering for me, as the rumours had it, I'm about to kill a Mudblood. This is probably my only chance to prove myself worthy of following the Dark Lord, serving him where I can. I'd carry out any task he'd give me to his satisfaction. Perhaps he'd even reward me! Perhaps even I'd fight by his side and we'd take on the world that's full of blood traitors and Mudbloods alike.

There's only one thing stopping me, though. And that is killing this stupid wench that stands in front of me. She is pretty, you couldn't deny it, but I'd rather not fuck her myself. Her auburn hair shone in the sun, and it danced around us and her blue eyes sparkled like the sky. But she isn't my type. Not like she'd fuck me either - I've seen her and her girlfriend. Unnatural, I tell you. But who am I to judge?

"When the canon is sounded, the Final Task will be started," said the voice of the Dark Lord.

You only got one shot, so give your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.

There wasn't a single sound in the arena now, and apprehension built within me. I could see her figure trembling slightly, I could tell. She was nervous, and that was a good thing. Her hand wrapped around her wand so tightly that her knuckles were white. It was like she was holding on for dear life. Just her and I, about to dance.

The canon echoed throughout the arena, breaking the still silence.

She sent a stunning curse at me, and I threw it back at her much more powerful than it came. This surprised me when her shield charm almost threw me off of my feet and the invisible, metal shield made a clang.

She then proceeded to send me many hexes, curses, even jinxes of all different colours and some were more powerful than others. They got me distracted and the heat of anger boiled up within me. I dealt with every single one, but by the end of it fire erupted from my wand. I didn't even realise I was doing that, but it was what my Headmaster taught me. Several gasps came from the crowd, and her eyes were wide with fear.

The fire came rushing toward her and she extinguished it quickly with some water. She almost used a shield charm, and the fire would've ripped through it and set her on fire. Almost.

I took my chance, and I shouted. "ABLEDEN!"

A dark blue, almost purple, curse erupted from my wand like a beam. The curse thundered through the air and it met my target within seconds, her eyes wide with fear. She groaned and crumpled to the floor, unconscious. Reality struck me as the cheers burst in triumph around me.

I am the rightful Champion. Joy spread like an addiction around my veins. I have never felt so accomplished in my life.

Great things were coming my way, I now knew. The Dark Lord was looking at me, knowingly.

I am ready.

x

Helena's POV.

Tears were streaming softly down my face. Why am I crying? Was it the sight of the curse hitting her so brutally? Or was it the mini groan we heard? Oh, Katie. Taylor had to hold me back from running into the arena to sit by her side, care for her, hug her until someone had to drag me away. Yet, she held me back and told me it would be ok. How can it be ok when the only thing I love is there injured? But one small part of me told me it was probably for the best. They'd have to try to save her, but the Task was that one of them had to die. She's not dead... How could he win if she isn't dead? My head shook violently and Rose just held my hand for support. I'm grateful for these moments, at least.

"Ladies and gentleman. Ernest Hartl of Durmstrang Institute has beaten Katie Fielding of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is, the Triwizard Champion!" Voldemort's voice echoed loudly over the cheers and applause.

How can he be so careless? He's probably thinking right now to recruit him as a Death Eater. Does he not care for the injured?

Of course he doesn't, he kills the injured, the weak, a voice hissed at me.

They carried Katie off the pitch on a stretcher, and honours were given to the winner. I zoned out, not really thinking of where I was going. I was walking aimlessly.

Before I knew it, I was in the grounds near the Black lake.

What am I doing here? I thought to myself. I never come here. I should be in the Hospital wing, sitting beside Katie. I checked my watch. How could it have been an hour after the task finished? It seems so long ago. There's an emptiness inside me that dug deeper and deeper every passing second. I had to visit her.

x

Katie was asleep on the bed. They allowed Helena in, but they told her not to disturb her. The curse that hit her caused her a great deal of distress, apparently. But Helena wouldn't disturb her anyway, after all that happened, she deserved to rest.

Helena didn't know how long she was sat there exactly, but she never left. One of the healers did an update on Katie but left after just two minutes. Things were obviously not looking good.

"Helena?" muttered a barely, audible voice.

"Hey," she replied quietly. "Try not to move. You're in pain."

"Helena... The - the rumours were true," she struggled. "I'm a Mud-"

"Shhh. I still love you, the way you are. I don't care about your blood status."

Her eyes looked into Helena's eyes. They were so full of pain, and heavy to look out of. Her face showed the paleness of a ghost. Her lips smiled slightly.

Her mouth opened as if to say something, but instead her head fell to her side and her eyes closed just one more time, and her body became motionless.