FLASH!

Cosima lost her vision for a second as the photographer's camera flashed. Looking next to her, she saw Krum rubbing at his eyes as well. It was slightly reassuring to her, knowing that the strongest man in the room also had some weaknesses.

"What a charismatic quartet."

Cosima squinted up to see a platinum blonde woman (acting way beneath her years) swaggering towards them.

"I'm Rita Skeeter," she said as she vigorously shook everyone's hand, "I write for the Daily Prophet- well, of course you know that, don't you? It's you we don't know. You're the juicy news," she finished as she licked her teeth.

Cosima made an effort not to cringe away from the woman.

Rita stepped up and rubbed at Fleur's face, "What quirks lie beneath those rosy cheeks?" she punctuated with a small slap. "What mysteries to muscles mask?

Does courage lie beneath those curls? In short, what makes a champion tick? Me, myself, and I want to know, not to mention my rabid readers."

Cosima made no eye contact with the woman as she tried to shrug off her arm off of her shoulder.

"We'll start with the youngest," Rita said as she grabbed Cosima's elbow, "Lovely."

She carted Cosima off to the nearest broom cupboard and sat down at the bottom. It was a bit too up close and personal for Cosima's liking.

"You don't mind if I use a quick quotes quill, do you?" Rita asked.

"No?" Cosima didn't even know what that was.

"So tell me, Cosmo-"

"Cosima."

"Yes, Cosima. Tell me Cosima, how is it that a mere girl of 12-"

"13."

"-put her name into the illustrious Goblet of Fire?"

"I didn't." Cosima denied immediately.

"Oh, but of course you didn't," Rita said with a wink.

"I really… didn't…" Cosima trailed off as she saw the quill and notepad, scribbling away even as she wasn't speaking.

"Ignore the quill, dear."

Cosima looked back at Rita, who was eyeing her intensely. Cosima gave her a polite, toothless smile.

"Everyone loves a rebel, Cosmo," she said with a chuckle.

Cosima sighed and gave up on correcting the woman.

Rita squinted her eyes, "Scratch that last," she directed to her notepad. Sure enough the quill made three quick strokes on the paper.

Cosima couldn't help but to try and peek at the notepad again.

"What about your parents? How did they react to your obvious pathological need for attention, or worse, your psychotic death wish?"

"They don't even know- hey! My dreads aren't dripping with sweat and fear? What the f-"

"Ok thank you, Cosmo, that's all I need for today," Rita said standing up.

"Well can I at least know what the hell you wrote down?" Cosima offered. She didn't want the lady to spread lies.

"No can do, chickadee. No time. People to press, champions to chat with. Run along now," Rita said dismissively, "You, Diggory! You're up."

Cosima scoffed and walked off angrily.

"She called you Cosmo?"

"Yeah, like, what the hell? That's not even close. It sounds like a boy's name. Do I look like a boy to you?"

Delphine giggled, "Non, mon amie, you are very much a girl."

"Thank you," Cosima said as she continued writing her letter.

"What are you writing?"

"A letter to my folks, they don't know what's going on. At least, I think they don't. God, they'll probably floo over as soon as they get this. I totally don't even want to tell them," Cosima complained as she put her quill, scratching at her dreads.

Delphine scooted closer, "Cosima you have to. What if something happens to you? How will they know?"

Cosima groaned and put her head on her folded arms, "Dumbledore will tell them, probably," she said from the nest of limbs.

"Cosima…" Delphine started, but seeing her friend in suffering from so much stress stopped her from finishing her sentence. She leaned closer to the slumped girl and put her hand on her back, "Hey."

Cosima swiveled her head.

"I know you can do this. You have a chance to win."

Cosima looked at her as if she had lobsters crawling out of her ears, "Delphine, I have four less years of experience. I have zero chance of winning."

"Yes, but you are smarter than most people I have met. I think that gives you a bit of an edge, non?"

Cosima chuckled bitterly, resting her chin on her palm, "Sure, great. That's perfect. So what are the odds of one of the challenges being a trivia, 'cause if that happens, then maybe I'll survive."

Delphine sighed, "Whatever happened to cheeky, confident Cosima? If anyone can find a way through this, it would be her."

Cosima thought hard on that statement, looking down at her letter to her parents. Deciding her next course of action, she balled up the piece of paper, and torched it with her wand, surprising Delphine. She looked at Delphine resolutely, "I'm doing this."

"Yes?"

"Yeah."

Delphine squeaked and hugged Cosima tightly, rocking back and forth. After a moment they released each other.

"Wait."

"Hmm?"

"Why did you burn the parchment?"

Cosima shrugged, "I dunno. I was trying to be dramatic."

"Hmm…"

"Did you like it?"

"Yes, it was very… dramatique," Delphine said suavely.

"Ooh…" Cosima cooed with a smile, "Say that again."

"What?"

"Drah-mateek."

"Dramatique," Delphine said, exaggerating the guttural 'r'.

"Mmm," Cosima moaned, "I am getting chills, madame. And not 'cause it's November."

Delphine blushed.

"Come on, let's go eat." Cosima said, pulling her off of the bench. As they crossed the courtyard, Cosima saw the last person she wanted to see at anytime of the day walking right towards the pair, "Oh shit…"

Delphine looked at the shorter girl, "Quoi?"

"Oh, Cosima."

Delphine looked up to see another familiar face, except blonde. She looked back at Cosima's less than pleased face and realized that this must be Rachel.

"Not now, Ray-ray. Got somewhere to be," Cosima said, trying to walk past, but ended up walking into Daniel.

"Where, your funeral?"

"Ha ha," Cosima deadpanned, not making eye contact. But as she was ignoring Rachel, she noticed something on Daniel's jumper. It was a…pin?

"'Support Cedric Diggory? The real Hogwarts champion'? What is he, selling propaganda?"

"Not him," Rachel said, "His fanbase. If you look closer, there's even more," she finished, holding out her own pin. Cosima took it and watched it spiral from red to green.

Niehaus stinks!

Delphine frowned as she saw the message.

"Cute," Cosima chuckled, "Look, Delphine. I have haters already!"

Delphine laughed nervously, still not fond of the tension between the two girls.

"Don't flatter yourself, Cosima. The person who made these was only jealous that you somehow managed to put your name into the goblet."

"Oh, really?" Cosima said, putting her hand on her hip, "Well you'll be pleased to know that I didn't; someone simply fucked me over."

"Oh, that's certainly interesting. Then I'll enjoy watching your attempt to complete these challenges," Rachel said, "I heard the first one's going to get hot."

Cosima smiled toothlessly, head cocked to the side, "Thanks for the heads up, sis," she said walking towards Rachel, "I'll be sure to not heed your warning."

Cosima held the pin out to Rachel, dropping it just as Rachel went to take it and bumped past her, Delphine on her heels.

"God I hate that bitch," she said as she entered the corridor.

"I see what you were talking about," Delphine said empathetically. "Why is she so rude?"

"I don't know, dudette. She's always had a log up her ass, ever since we met. She just thinks she's above everyone."

"But you guys are sisters, shouldn't you be closer?"

"We should, but we are not, and that's not our fault."

"Cosima!"

Delphine and Cosima both turned around to see Alison briskly walking toward them.

"Mon dieu," Delphine gasped. Cosima wasn't kidding about identical quadruplets…

"Hey, Ali, I thought you'd be in choir today." Cosima greeted.

"No, I'm off. Where are you going?"

"We were heading to lunch. Wanna come?"

"Sure I'll- Oh! Hello." Alison said, noticing Delphine next to Cosima.

"Bonjour," Delphine said politely.

"Oh, yeah. Alison this is Delphine, Delphine this is crazy sister two."

"Enchantée."

"Nice to meet you," Alison said as she shook Delphine's hand, "Two?"

"Sarah was number one."

"How come it took me so long to meet Delphine?"

Cosima shrugged, "You weren't around?"

"I… well, I guess not."

"Can we go? I'm friggin' starving." Cosima said dragging Alison's hand forward.

"Okay, okay," Alison submitted.

After the three of them started walking, Alison nudged Cosima's elbow, "Hey," she whispered.

"What?"

"Is this her?" Alison asked genuinely.

"Wha-" Cosima panicked for a second, looking at Delphine, who was looking curiously at aspects of the castle, no doubt trying to figure out where they are. Cosima sighed and submitted to Alison's questioning, "…yeah."

Alison turned forward and smiled triumphantly, "She's pretty." She whispered.

"Shut up."

Delphine looked over at the whispering pair of identicals and smiled softly. This sister seemed a lot more rigid, walking lightly on her feet, and hair neatly combed back into a ponytail. It was interesting for her to see the differences between the sisters. Even if they had the same hairstyle and no make up or glasses, she could still tell who was who just by the way they held themselves. Delphine giggled softly to herself as she pictured Cosima acting like her sisters.

"What are you giggling at over there, mademoiselle?" Cosima asked.

"You."

"Me? Why?"

Delphine giggled again, "No reason."

Cosima squinted at her suspiciously, "Okay… whatever you say."

The three girls arrived at the Great Hall a few minutes later, sitting down at one of the tables as food appeared before them.

"Aw, shit yeah, we got chicken." Cosima said excitedly, tucking a napkin into her sweater.

"Your day has come, mon amie."

"You know it!" Cosima exclaimed before biting into a leg.

"So, Delphine, I take it you've seen Cosima eat," Alison said conversationally.

"Yes, I have. It is fascinating to watch," Delphine said, resting her chin in her palm and watching Cosima demolish her chicken across the table.

Cosima, who just finished her leg, was sucking her fingers when she finally looked up at Delphine, who was watching her like a kid at a zoo, "Wha?"

Delphine giggled, "Nothing."

"That's the second time you laughed at me today, what is there something on my face?"

"Yes, actually," Delphine said.

Cosima went to wipe her face but was stopped by Delphine's hand, sporting its own napkin. She wiped the piece of chicken off of her chin showed it to Cosima, who's jaw was now hanging open.

Alison watched the entire situation and scoffed humorously. Cosima was in it deep for this girl.

"Oi!"

The three girls looked up to see Sarah swaggering towards their table.

"What up Sarah?" Cosima said recovering from her shock.

"Hello Sarah."

"Heyy, Frenchie!" Sarah smiled as she saw Delphine.

"Bonjour."

"You aren't sitting with your other frilly, frenchie friends?"

Delphine frowned not understanding, "My… what."

"Ignore her, sweetness, she's just being rude," Cosima reassured, biting into her stuffing.

"Yeah, whatever. Scoot down, yeah?"

"Just sit on the other side."

Sarah shook her head and slid into Cosima's side, scooting her down across from Alison.

"Ow! Bitch…" Cosima cursed, rotating her shoulder.

"So Dolphine, was it?" Sarah said leaning forward and ignoring Cosima.

"Uhm… Delphine."

"Right, right. How do you know our dear Cosima?"

"The hell is this, an inquisition?" Cosima said, angrily biting another leg.

"I'm just gettin' to know your friend, Cos."

"Cosima is in two of my classes," Delphine participated, "Charms and umm…"

"Tanfigerafon," Cosima offered.

"Yes! Transfiguration."

Sarah nodded slowly, taking it all in. Alison continued to chew her food neatly.

"How is she doing, in those classes?"

Cosima swallowed, "You know, you can ask me. I'm right here."

"I'm getting my information from an unbiased source, thanks."

"Unbiased? Someone's been reading a dictionary," Cosima mumbled.

"She is doing better than I am. I have to go to her for help," Delphine said proudly, "She is a natural."

"There, Sarah. See? I'm a natural," Cosima said with a cocky smile.

"Yeah, I'll naturally fuck you up, you little-" Sarah said as she pulled Cosima into a headlock, rubbing at her hair.

Cosima dropped her chicken immediately, "Locks, Sarah! Locks!"

"Delphine?"

The four girls turned around to see a trio of Beauxbatons students, adorned in blue, and eyeing Delphine in question.

Delphine smiled at them, "Oh! Bonjour."

One of the girls spoke up, "Qui sont ces filles?"

"Oh, euh…" Delphine looked back at the three girls. Sarah looked at the girls, eyes squinted, Alison's eyebrows were raised, and Cosima's head was cocked to the side, looking back and forth between Delphine and the girls in interest. "C'est mon amie et ses sœurs."

"Hmm. Nous sommes assis là si tu veux nous rejoindre," the girl said, pointing to another table. Delphine nodded and waved as the girls walked off.

"Damn."

Delphine looked at Cosima.

"Are any of you ugly?" Cosima asked sincerely. Those were some of the most beautiful girls she had seen.

Delphine blushed, "I probably should not answer that."

"You have someone in mind, don't you? Don't play innocent!" Cosima pushed.

Delphine laughed, "Arrêtes! I do not!"

The girls laughed together for a while before Sarah remembered something, "Oh shit, I totally forgot."

"What?"

"Cos, I have a tip for you."

Cosima looked nervously at Alison, who shrugged. "Okay, what is it?"

"You know my roommate, Ginny?"

"Yeah?"

"Well it turns out she has like 6 brothers or whatever, one of them is a year older than us. Anyway, one of her brothers works with dragons or something overseas, and he just visited her because he was dropping some off."

"So?"

"So- what d'you mean 'so', Cosima? You're smart, why the hell would we need dragons at Hogwarts? Dragons."

Cosima thought hard, It could be a part of Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class, but dragons? They could fry anyone in a heartbeat. Unless… "Are you fucking shitting me?"

Sarah raised her eyebrows.

"How many did he bring?"

"Four."

Cosima brought her hands to her forehead before leaning her head against the table, groaning. Sarah patted her back sympathetically. "How the hell am I gonna beat a dragon?"

"I don't think you have to beat it, Cos. That's be doin' the impossible."

"What do you think I'll have to do?"

"I don't know, Cosima. I don't know."

Cosima went back out to the courtyard where she'd seen a few Hufflepuffs hang out before. She spotted Cedric laying out on the benches with his friends, and went to approach him.

"Hey! Niehaus!" a Hufflepuff boy shouted to her. Looking over she saw him holding up his pin, that was currently green.

"You're hilarious, really. So funny," she called to him with a fake smile before tapping Cedric's shoulder, "Hey."

Cedric looked at her and jumped up, thinking she had come to him about the badges, "Uh, what's up?"

"I just wanna talk," Cosima said, nodding over to an alcove in the corner of the courtyard.

Cedric ignored his cooing friends behind him as he followed Cosima, "What's going on?"

"Dragons. Dragons is going on."

Cedric blinked, "What?"

"Dragons, dude. It's the first task."

"S-Seriously? How do you know?"

Cosima shrugged, "I have my sources."

Cedric took in the information, "Well if that's right, I really appreciate you telling me."

"Yeah sure, man. I just feel like no one should die in this damn thing, least of all you or me," Cosima said seriously. If she could help anyone out, she was definitely up for it.

"Well, thanks then."

Cosima nodded and began to walk off.

"Oh uh, Niehaus!"

Cosima turned.

"Sorry about the badges, I asked people not to wear them."

"It's ok. I'm trending," Cosima said with a grin.

It was November 24th and the day of the first task had finally come. Cosima was adorned in her blue and black sports gear with her name printed along the back.

Cosima was curled up in one of the provided seats biting at her nails and thinking about possible strategies she could execute with her wand. She took out her wand and analyzed it, as if memorizing every groove and detail would spark an idea.

"Professor McGonagall?" Cosima called as she walked into the her office.

"Yes Miss Niehaus?" she answered, looking over her glasses, "It's getting late, and I believe you have a big day tomorrow."

"Yeah, um… about that," Cosima started as she sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. "I have no idea what I'm gonna do tomorrow. I mean, I know what the task is, or at least what it involves, but I don't think what I have to offer will be enough," Cosima said sadly as she looked down at her hands.

"Miss Niehaus, I honestly believe you are one of the brightest witches to ever grace these halls," Minerva said sincerely, causing Cosima to look up and smile, "if you apply yourself."

Cosima scoffed and leaned back in her chair.

"However dangerous this task may be, I believe these challenges will be a testament to the true potential of your magical abilities. You may even surprise yourself, Cosima."

"Magical abilities? I'm a third year! I can't do have the things a failing seventh year could. And in case you haven't already noticed, I'm half the size of these seventh years. How am I supposed to fight a dragon?"

"I am fully confident that you will find a way to succeed, even with the handicap."

"How? I'm only good at some spells. And flying, maybe."

Minerva smiled softly, "Fortunately for you, you're allowed a wand."

"Gather around Champions!"

Cosima stood as the seventh years circled around Dumbledore.

"You've waited, you've wondered, and at last, your moment has arrived. A moment only four of you can fully appreciate. Barty! Bag," Dumbledore said as he ushered Crouch into the circle of bodies.

"Champions, circle around me. Now, miss Delacour, if you will," he said holding out a smoldering bag.

Fleur reached into the bag hesitantly, flinching as her fingers were nipped by a small green dragon.

"Welsh Green." Crouch identified, as he handed the bag to Viktor.

Viktor confidently put his hand into the bag, pulling out a small red dragon.

"Chinese Fireball, ooooh," Crouch said nervously as he switched over to Cedric.

Cedric slowly pulled out a little yellow dragon.

"Swedish Shortsnout," Crouch said with a smile as he handed the bag to Cosima.

Cosima scrunched her face as she retrieved the last dragon and winced as it clawed and crawled up her hand.

"The Hungarian Horntail," Crouch stated sorrowfully as he turned back to the group.

"These represent four very real dragons, each of which has been given a golden egg to protect. Your objective is simple: collect the golden egg, as it contains a clue without which you cannot hope to proceed to the second task. Any questions?" Crouch finished as the group stayed silent.

"Very well, good luck champions," Dumbledore said, "Mister Diggory, at the sound of the cannon you will-"

BOOM!

The people in the tent flinched as Filch fired the cannon. Dumbledore gave him a disappointed glare as Cedric walked out of the tent with a frown.

The champions were not allowed to watch, or allowed to see or talk to the others as they finished their tasks. Cosima could tell by the cheers that the three seventh years successfully completed their tasks, and was shaking by the time her cannon was fired.

She slowly walked out of the tent and through a small. Rocky tunnel to the stadium that had been converted into a rocky arena for her and the dragon.

Looking in the middle of the arena, the egg was sitting there, glistening like a beacon of hope. Peeking out, she didn't see the dragon in sight, so she began briskly walking towards the center.

Suddenly, she felt a gust of wind behind her and the side of the wall crumbled to her right. She jumped and dodged out of the way of whatever was trying to hit her, assuming it was the dragon.

Looking up, she made eye contact with the winged beast, analyzing it for any signs of weakness. The only thing she noticed was the chain around its neck before the dragon opened its mouth and sprayed fire in her direction. She ducked behind a rock and could practically feel it melting on her back as she heard it sizzle.

She stopped there to catch her breath, but looked up she heard rhythmic gusts of air. The dragon began hovering over her and clubbing at her with its tail. She quickly rolled out of the way as the tail came down next to her arm and slid into a crevice that the dragon's tail couldn't fit through. After hammering down a few times, the dragon gave up and blew fire down the crevice. Cosima managed to scoot out of the way of most of it, but some of the fire managed to lick at her left arm and the side of her torso.

She bit her lip as she kept from screaming in pain, trying not to give away her position, almost drawing blood. "Fuck. Shit fuck," she cursed silently as she held her left arm to her body. She heard the dragon land give a triumphant roar from behind her, so she snuck out of the crevice to see if she could visualize the dragon. She saw it standing over the egg, so she realized she must be near the edge of the arena.

Trying to draw the dragon away from the egg, she shot off a couple of reducto spells on the other side of the arena. It worked as the Horntail quickly turned its head toward the noise. After firing a couple more, the dragon began crawling towards where she had fired.

Taking her chance, Cosima swiftly crept over to where the egg was resting. She was within 30 yards of it when her foot slipped off of a slippery rock and brought attention back to herself. The horntail turned rapidly and angrily roared at Cosima, seemingly yelling at her for tricking it, before it barreled towards her.

Cosima didn't know what came over her, or why she thought she could beat the dragon in a race, but she attempted a last minute effort to sprint at the egg and grasp it before the dragon could kill her.

The horntail spread its wings and blew Cosima off of the high rock, causing her to somersault in the air and land awkwardly on her ankle, making it give out with a sickening crack.

Cosima squealed in pain, trying to ignore it and keep running from the dragon, but it was no use as her ankle wouldn't cooperate. Running out of ideas, and time as the dragon was still coming for her, she hoped her delay plan would work as she took out her wand once more.

"Immobulus!"

The dragon froze, seemingly in mid breath, as Cosima could see the fire practically building up in its throat.

She knew the spell would last only a couple of minutes, and her body was in no shape for climbing to the egg, she thought of one last idea.

"Accio Cleansweep!"

Cosima quickly hobbled out of the dragon's sight again before she heard another angry roar, followed by multiple scorching sizzles. It seemed that her spell only made the dragon angrier. She spied it from above the rock she was hiding behind, seeing it move about aggressively. It was definitely looking for her. Looking over her other shoulder, she could see her broom hovering towards her and she almost wept tears of joy. Grabbing it as it flew in front of her, she quickly went for the egg when the dragon wasn't looking.

"Yes! Miss Niehaus has done it! She has retrieved the egg!" She heard Dumbledore's voice echo. She looked warily to the side, seeing the dragon angrily being dragged out of the arena. Cosima looked around and saw everyone cheering for her, and raised her good hand to acknowledge them.

It seemed that was a bad idea, as when she raised her hand, the world seemed to dip to her right. Trying to right herself, she put all her weight to the right and felt something come up and hit her in the face.

"What's… stuff for?"

"It's… her burns, …and reduce the scarring."

"And that?"

"It's pain potion for when she wakes up."

"Mmm…" Cosima moaned, she could feel every skin cell on her body and she didn't know why.

"Cosima? Cosima, sweetie?"

"…Ali."

"Yes, it's me. You're okay, you're in the hospital wing."

"So nothing out of the ordinary."

Cosima smiled slightly, "Sarah… you bitch."

Sarah laughed, "Good to have you back, Cos."

Cosima opened her eyes all the way, rubbing at them, "How long have I been out?"

"A month."

That caught Cosima's attention, "What?"

"Oh stop it, Sarah. Cosima you've only been asleep for a few hours."

"Oh, thank Merlin."

"Goodness, I was so worried. I wanted to jump in there and help you," Alison said, tears building in her eyes.

"No. No no no, Ali, come on. Don't do that. I'm fine," Cosima said, holding Alison's hand.

"I know," Alison sniffed, "You did so well, I'm proud of you."

"Shut Queen Duncan right up. Shoulda' seen the look on that bitch's face when you-"

"Sarah please."

"What?"

"Its ok Ali, I wanna know this."

"Well you may be more interested in the way that a certain someone was looking at you the whole time," Alison said with a smile.

Cosima beamed, "Really?"

"Oh, god."

"Mhm. She was gasping and 'Mon Dieu!'-ing all over the place."

Cosima giggled, but stopped as she found that it gave her pain in her side.

As if it was sensed by Madam Pomfrey, she waltzed over and started to dismiss Sarah and Alison, saying Cosima needed her rest and that they were able to come back to visit her the next night. Pomfrey handed Cosima a vial of pain potion, and Cosima took it gratefully, drinking it in three gulps.

"Bye Cosima," Alison said.

"See ya, Cos, we'll be back in the mornin', yeah?"

"Bring food!" Cosima called.

"Yeah, yeah."

Cosima didn't know she fell asleep until she woke up to someone touching her burnt arm. Looking up she saw a concerned Delphine, seemingly unaware that she had woken up.

"Hey, sweetness," Cosima rasped.

Delphine gasped, "Mon Dieu, Cosima! You scared me!"

"I heard you said that a lot while I was down there with hell-dragon."

"I did! I was scared for you," Delphine said, looking sincerely at Cosima before taking new bandages out of the cupboard next to her bed, changing the bandage wrapped around Cosima's arm.

As Delphine wrapped the new bandage around her arm, her face got closer to Cosima's. Cosima didn't know if it was the near-death experience that gave her the courage to pull through with her next decision, or if she was still delirious from the pain potion, but with her good hand she gently grabbed Delphine's chin, tilting it towards her. And after a couple moments of looking into her eyes, Cosima pressed her lips to Delphine's.