Hello again,
I've had quite a few reviews so thank you guys for the feedback. There's just a couple of things I want to address:
I've had a couple of people asking about the final pairing. I won't reveal anything just yet... if anyone has any ideas, you're more than welcome to leave a review or PM me.
Also, I've planned to make the chapters longer once we get to the Order of the Phoenix. And to those people who have asked, yes, this will contain the rest of the books, so all the way up to their seventh year.
Thanks again for reading, I hope you enjoy, and please don't hesitate to PM me with anything!
The next few weeks went by way too quickly, with every free moment I had either spent studying for my exams or helping Harry prepare for the final task. Even my birthday was spent practising curses in an empty classroom. Despite that, it was still one of my better birthdays simply because of who I was spending it with. While I was happy, it was obvious Harry still felt really guilty.
Actually, he had been feeling guilty even before my birthday, constantly reminding me, Ron and Hermione that he could practise on his own while we caught up on our studying.
"Don't be ridiculous," I'd always said. "If it's a choice between getting good grades or helping my boyfriend survive a maze of terrors, it's pretty obvious which I'd choose."
"And at least we'll get top marks in Defence Against the Dark Arts," Hermione pointed out. "We'd never have found out about all these hexes in class."
The Defence Against the Dark Arts exam did go very well – both the practical and written. As for the rest of my exams, I think I did okay.
Except maybe in History of Magic. In my defence, that was the exam that took place the morning of the third task so I was a little distracted. I managed to scrawl out a few correct-sounding answers, enough to pass I reckon.
When lunch finally arrived, Hermione ran off to the library while Ron and I made our way to the Great Hall.
"Why do we even have to learn this stuff," Ron complained as we walked. "Where in our lives are we going to have to remember all the names of the goblin rebels?"
"If you become a historian," I suggested.
Ron scoffed. "Yeah, because I'm going to become a historian. I could think of so many better career paths like—Mum!"
I raised a brow. "A mother, really? Well, if that's how you feel..."
"No," Ron said, elbowing me in the ribs. "My mum is here. And my brother, Bill."
"What?" I exclaimed, following Ron's gaze to the Gryffindor table where two Weasleys – who definitely didn't go to the school – sat beside Harry.
"Mum — Bill!" Ron called out as we approached the group. "What're you doing here?"
"Come to watch Harry in the last task!" Mrs. Weasley said. "I must say, it makes a lovely change, not having to cook— oh hello."
"Hi," I said, outstretching my hand politely. "You must be Ron's mother, I'm a friend of his. My name is Lean."
"I recognise you," Bill said slowly. "You were in the Top Box at the Quidditch World Cup – you're Lucius Malfoy's daughter."
My smile faltered slightly. What had I been expecting? For Bill and Mrs. Weasley to just forget who my father was after everything that had happened between him and Mr. Weasley. Not likely.
"Yes, that would be me," I said grimly.
"You're a Malfoy, you're in Gryffindor, and you're friends with a Weasley?" Bill said curiously. "What does your father think of all that?"
"I couldn't care less what he thinks," I responded, holding my head up high.
"Nice to meet you Lean," Bill grinned, clearly happy with my answer.
There was no free seat next to Harry, so I sat down on the edge of the group next to Ron who was busy telling his mother how his last exam went. I half listened as he told Mrs. Weasley much of what he already told me.
I also wasn't paying attention when someone slid into the chair next to me, until they were tapping me on my shoulder, causing me to turn around.
"Oh, hey Fred," I greeted politely. "There's a free seat next to your mother if you'd prefer..."
"Nah, I'm good here," he replied.
I just shrugged, turning my focus back to my food. "Suit yourself."
My relationship with Fred was complicated. Sometimes he was his usual cheery self, but other times, he was cold and bitter. I could never predict which interaction we'd have so I tended just to stay out of his way.
"I haven't seen you for some time," Fred commented.
"Yeah, I've been busy. Exams and all."
"Right," Fred nodded. He wasn't being overly cheerful, but he wasn't being cold either. "Look," he said quietly. "I know we've both said things to each other we didn't mean, but I still want to be friends, Lean. I miss having you in my life."
I gave him a sceptical look. "When did you get so sincere?"
"What are you talking about? I've always been sincere..."
"Uh-huh," I said, unconvinced.
"So...?" Fred prompted.
"We can be friends again," I agreed. "And for the record, I am also really sorry about how we left things – how we keep leaving things."
"We're a mess," Fred admitted.
"Oh, for sure," I chuckled.
The rest of the day seemed to fly by and in no time at all, I was re-entering the Great Hall for the evening feast. While lunch had been rather enjoyable hanging with the Weasley twins, I really wanted to spend this meal by my boyfriend's side.
Unfortunately, so did everyone.
It took quite a bit of clever maneuvering on my part to subtly squeeze myself into the middle of the group and into the seat beside Harry.
"How are you feeling?" I asked. "Wait, no, that was a stupid question – don't answer."
I knew how Harry was feeling. Nervous, but at the same time relieved that the whole tournament was nearly over.
I made a mental note to praise Dobby and the other house-elves on their work tonight. The food was amazing! I had several helpings of each, until I couldn't squeeze another mouthful in. Harry on the other hand, barely ate anything.
I finished quite early on, while almost everyone else was still mid-way through their meals.
"You going to eat anything?" I asked Harry.
"Maybe," he said, which I knew meant no.
"Come on," I whispered, rising to my feet.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked as he followed me up.
"You'll see," I said mischievously.
Harry still looked unsure. "I'm not sure if I should leave—"
"Oh relax, we'll be back before anyone even realises we're gone..."
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
"Where are you two going?" Ron demanded.
"Bathroom," I answered.
"Both of you?" Molly said, lips pursing disapprovingly.
"We both need to go," I shrugged.
Mrs. Weasley looked like she was about to argue but Fred spoke up first. "Sounds like a party, make it three."
"That's really not necessary—" I tried to say, but Fred was too stubborn for his own good.
"What are you doing, Fred," I hissed as the three of us walked towards the doors.
"Would you have preferred my mother accompanying you two?" Fred said, giving me a knowing look, which I purposely ignored. He grinned, taking my silence for agreement. "I didn't think so. Don't worry – I won't tell her whatever it is you two are actually doing behind the stall..."
"We're not going to the bathrooms," I interrupted quickly.
"Broom closet then, whatever," Fred said with a slight eyeroll. "The point is, I won't snitch."
"We're going for a walk," I said sharply, a little offended by everyone's assumptions of how Harry and I spend our private moments.
"Whatever you say," Fred grinned with a wink.
I rolled my eyes. "Come on, Harry, let's go."
"Thanks Fred," Harry called over his shoulder as I dragged him through the front doors and onto the grounds.
The sun was setting, the slanting rays giving a warm orange tinge to the sky. Harry's hand entwined with mine, I led him down the slope and to the edge of the lake, near where the Durmstrang ship cast a shadow over the grass.
"I want to wish you good luck," I said, coming to a stop by the water's edge.
"You could've done that inside," Harry pointed out.
"Sure, but then I couldn't do this." Slowly wrapping my arms around Harry, I reached up on my tiptoes and kissed him lightly, just for a second and then I slowly lowered my heels to the ground. "But if you'd prefer, we can always go back inside..."
I started moving back towards the castle, but Harry, took his hand in mine and gently guided me back to him, pulling me into a deep kiss.
Everyone else was at the feast, so there was no one to stop us or judge us. Even if there was, I wouldn't care. All I cared about was this moment and the wish that it could last forever.
But it couldn't. And as the sun started to dip below the horizon, in what felt like a second later, I knew it was time to head back.
"You'll be great," I promised Harry, seeing his nervousness as we started back up the slope. "If you'd practised this much for an exam, you'd come top of the year – beating even Hermione and we both know that's saying something."
But Harry still looked uncertain. "I might not win, you know."
"I know, but you have a good shot."
"Please just... just don't get your hopes up."
That was when I realised. Harry was worried about disappointing me. Me!
"Harry," I said, moving further up the hill so I was directly at his eye level, but still close enough to him I could place both my hands on his shoulders. "I don't care if you win or not. If you do win, we'll celebrate your victory tonight. If you don't win, we'll celebrate anyway, we can celebrate the tournament finally being over."
Harry said nothing, just staring at me so intently, I ran my hand through my hair self-consciously, and asked; "Is there something on me?"
"No," he said softly. "I just... I... I think I'm... I think I love you. No, I know I love you. I love you."
"One more time," I teased, stepping closer to him and running my fingers through his messy hair.
"I love you, Lean" Harry repeated in all seriousness.
"I love you too, Harry," I said softly, closing the distance between us with one last kiss.
Harry, Fred and I had barely retaken our seats at the Gryffindor table when Dumbledore stood up and announced the final task would take place shortly, and that the champions needed to leave now.
"You'll be great," I reassured Harry as he stood up and left the Great Hall, applause rising from the Gryffindor table.
Five minutes later, I was making my way towards the Quidditch field with Hermione, Ron, Mrs Weasley and Bill. We found seats half-way up the stands where we had a clear view of Harry and the other champions. Not that we'd be able to see much once they entered the maze that used to be the Quidditch field.
I'd never gone down to the Quidditch pitch – before today I'd never had a reason to. But I was fairly certain it didn't usually have a twenty-foot hedge running around the edge.
Ludo Bagman – in his magically magnified voice – introduced the final task and reminded everyone where the champions all stood in terms of points. There was Harry and Cedric, both in first place. Then Krum in second place. And lastly, Fleur in third place. After her name was called, I saw Harry wave up at us and I waved excitedly back.
He and Cedric were the first to enter the maze. Krum and then Fleur followed shortly after.
And then there was nothing. The suspense was killing me, making me wish more than anything that I was beside Harry, helping him battle his way through the maze of horrors.
When red sparks shot into the air about twenty minutes later, my heart stopped beating.
I turned to Hermione who was sitting right next to me. "You don't think that was him?" I asked, not bothering to hide my fear from my voice.
"If it was, he'll be fine," Hermione assured me. "One of the professors will find him quickly, don't worry."
"Yeah, yeah," I agreed, though I still couldn't shake my worry at the idea of Harry... hurt...
That was the worst part of this challenge; not knowing what was going on. Harry could have been attacked by something but not had the chance to send for help. If so, how long until the professors decide to go in looking for him? Even then, how long until they find him? And in what state?
I don't know how much longer I sat there, staring at the maze, waiting for Harry to appear. Why wasn't he? Surely it wasn't meant to take this long...
No sooner had that thought crossed my mind did I see it; someone appearing by the edge of the maze. I didn't have the best view from where I sat, but I could see something glinting in the moonlight; the Triwizard Cup.
Relief flooded through me as I realised the tournament was over, it was finally over.
But then, someone screamed.