Chapter 15 – The First Task
Cedric had left early the morning of the task and I got dressed in yellow colours to support him. I felt so nervous I let my hair change into a dull colour and pulled into a lose bun. I went to the great hall, but once I stood in the large doors, my stomach clenched even more as my eyes darted over the excited students. I turned on my heel and walked out of the castle. I breathed in the fresh air, trying to calm my nerves, but it didn't work. So, I started walking to the champions tent at the arena, knowing Cedric would be there on time to prepare. He never told me how he knew the first task involved dragons but was happy he had something to prepare for then to go in blindly.
When I arrived at the tent, I pushed the tent open and saw him going over a book with his wand tucked behind his ear as he paced the room. I leaned against the wooden pole of the tent and watched him. He was wearing a uniform of sorts, a mixture of yellow, grey and white, his name in bold letters on the back. I smiled as I took him in, the little crease between his eyes I had always adored. After what I thought was just long enough for me not to look creepy, I spoke up.
"Nervous?"
Cedric's head snapped to me, his eyes soft and a smile on his lips. "Better now." He walked over and pulled me in a hug. My head on his chest and I nuzzled it, as my arms wrapped around him. He kissed the top of my head. "I'm happy you're here."
"Me too." I smiled but didn't let go. I wanted to savour this moment, imprint it in my memories. We only pulled apart when we heart footsteps coming closer. Cedric pulled me to his side of the tent, and we sat close to each other talking a bit when the other champions came in. I smiled at Harry, who gave a nervous smile back. My eyes drifted to the two other champions, who she never had spoken to. Cedric suddenly pulled me up and walked over to the Durmstrang boy.
"Viktor, good morning." Cedric smiled as they shook hands. "This is Gwen. Gwen, this is Viktor."
"Krum, yes I know." I smiled as I shook his hand. "I saw you play at the world cup."
"Not vy bvest game." He shrugged.
"I agree." I nodded and chuckled when I saw Cedric and Viktor looking at me in shock. "I've seen the game against the Netherlands." I pointed out with a smile. That game was the craziest game I had ever seen. Viktor took me in for a moment before he laughed loudly.
"I like your girlvriend." He clapped Cedric's back still a grin in place.
"Oh, I'm not-"
"She's the best." Cedric wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close, a twinkle in his eyes as he looked at me. "Let me introduce you to Fleur. Good luck, mate." He clapped Viktor's arm before he guided me to the Beauxbatons girl. "Fleur!"
"This must be Gwen." The girl smiled.
"I- uhm – yes. How do you know?" I stumbled over my words.
"Cedric told me all about you." She smiled at me. I looked to Cedric in the corner of my eye, and saw his neck turning red. I turned my attention back to the beautiful girl.
"It's very nice to meet you, Fleur." I decided to say and not tease my best friend. It was then when a flash went off on the other side of the tent and they all turned to see the reporter standing there with a smirk as Hermione and Harry pulled out of their hug. "She's such a bitch."
"Oui, 'orrible." Fleur whispered next to me. Viktor was saying something to the Skeeter woman, and I turned to Cedric.
"Goodluck, Ced." I smiled at him before I placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. "I'll find you later, be safe!" Cedric looked at me stunned, I squeezed his hand before I turned to where Hermione and Harry where standing. "Good luck, Fleur."
"Merci."
I walked away from the two champions and stopped right next to Hermione. "Good luck, Harry." I gave him a quick hug and he gave me a grateful smile, I took Hermione's hand and pulled it slightly to follow me. "Let's go get seats."
"Wait a second." Rita Skeeter said pointing at me with interest. I grumbled to myself and turned to her with an emotionless look. "You look familiar."
"I don't think we had a pleasure to meet." I say as I try not to give any of my disgust away to her.
"What is your name?" Rita inquired taking a step closer.
"Miss Skeeter, as I am no Champion, I don't have to give you anything. Good day." I smiled forcibly at her and tugged Hermione out of the tent. Leaving the four shocked champions behind.
"That was brilliant." Hermione grinned. "Does she know you?"
"Yes, she has written a fair few "stories" about my family. Can't stand the bi-witch. I'm just going to warn you, Hermione. She'll probably use that thing between you and Harry and spread it on the front page."
"But I was just wishing him good luck."
"I know, but I know her. She spins everything around until she finds a juicy story, she doesn't care what is true or not. And she seems to have it in for Harry."
"Yeah." Hermione frowned a little as she looked down. I gasped when I saw one of the dragons in the corner of my eye, and Hermione stopped as she looked at where my eyes had drifted to.
"Oh my. I don't think we're supposed to see them."
"Just a sneak peek." I grinned at her and pulled her with me. It was a common Welsh Green, who was nestles in the corner of the large cage, guarding a handful of eggs. "She should be free, poor thing."
"She will be, we're flying them back tomorrow night." I spun around fast as my heart beats fast in my chest. A boy with golden brown hair and blue eyes was grinning at me as he leaned against a tree. "Gwen!"
"BASH!" I screamed and ran up to him. His arms went around me and picked me up, twirling me around. "Merlin, I missed you." I whispered in his neck, tears starting to fall and his grip tightened.
"I missed you too, little one."
"Why didn't Charlie tell me?" I asked when I finally pulled back.
"I made him promise to keep it a surprise." He stroked my hair softly. "And who is this?"
"Oh, this is Hermione." I looked back and took Hermione's hand and pulled her forward. Hermione looked confused between me and Bash. "Hermione, this is Sebastian, my brother."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Hermione." He bowed deep and kissed her hand. Hermione blushed fiercely at his antics and looked down at her feet. Bash chuckled slightly. "You better get going, they'll start any minute."
"Right." I bit my lip nervously.
"They'll be fine." Bash reassured her, but I didn't know if he was talking about the dragons or the champions. "I'll have dinner with you after."
"Great." I clapped my hands together in excitement and went to the stands with Hermione.
We arrived just in time to see Cedric walk onto the field, his dragon already in place. Hermione had to drag me further into the stands as my eyes were glued to Cedric. Cedric ducked behind a rock when the dragon lunged forward. My heart stammered fast in my chest and my hair turned white as I saw he nearly got bitten. It was a relief all eyes on the stands were glued to Cedric and the dragon, or otherwise they all had seen her transformation, and she didn't need that right now. Cedric transfigured a rock in a cute dog, that he tried to use to distract the dragon.
"CEDRIC!" I screamed at the top of my lungs when he dived for the golden egg and the dragon had turned back to him after she lost her interest in the dog and breathed fire at him. I heard him scream in pain as the fire burned on his skin. Cedric's eyes found mine quickly, probably due to the contrast of my hair with everything else. He turned back to the dragon, just in time to do a head roll that landed him behind a large boulder. Suddenly I felt arms on my shoulders, and I looked up in George's kind eyes.
"He's okay, look." He nudged his head to the arena. I searched for Cedric and found him as he just re-entered the safety barrier. Madam Pomfrey was already putting a thick goo on the side of his face. He held up the egg proudly, which send the stands into a frenzy, but his eyes were on me, and he shot me a wink before disappearing in the tent. I dropped down on my seat and covered my face with my hands.
"Charlie has to work with those?" Fred's voice came from behind me. I smiled, before I took my head out of my hands and looked up to him.
"Well, Charlie doesn't try to take its eggs, so it's slightly less dangerous."
"Oh, thanks for the reassurance." Fred snickered and rubbed my head. "That little bastard is here!" Fred suddenly shouted and pointed at the group of wizards, who were luring the dragon back into its cage.
"He knew and he didn't tell us?!" George shouted the same way. "Oh, he'll pay for that."
I rolled my eyes as the twins started to plan their revenge behind me. I stood from my seat, just as Fleur came out of the tent.
"Where are you going?" The twins asked.
"I'm going to make sure he's okay." I turned to look at them. Fred nodded and George gave me a look before he forced a little smile. I gave him a half-hearted smile back before I bounded of the stands.
I pushed the tent open, and Harry was standing not that far from me. "He's just in there." He pointed to the side of the tent that was closed off.
"Thanks, Harry." I said quickly and went to the other side of the tent. "Ced." I whispered as I saw him lying in a hospital bed, the burned side of his face still covered with grey goo.
"Gwen?" His voice soft and he opened his eyes. When he saw me standing there, a smile appeared on his face. "Aren't you going to watch the others."
"No." I shook my head as I walked closer and sat on the edge of the bed. "I thought I lost you." I whispered and Cedric pulled me down next to him.
"I'm here. You're not getting rid of me so easily." He whispered in my white hair. I picked up my head from his chest and looked to him. Our faces just inches from each other, our noses bumping against each other's.
I shouldn't do this, I shouldn't. He's with Cho, but I couldn't help myself. I put a hand on the gooey side of his face gently and when he didn't hiss, I locked my eyes with him before I connected our lips together. I felt him inhale sharply before his hand around my waist tightened and his other hand went to my hair, that was starting to turn back in an ash blonde colour. Our lips parted and I granted him access. We kissed for Salazar knows how long, but it felt good. It felt like a kiss they should've had months ago. Cedric had pulled me so close; I was nearly on top of him. I pulled away trying to catch my breath, my eyes still closed as I leaned my head against his.
"I know I shouldn't say this, but... I love you." I opened my eyes and looked at his shocked face. "I'm in love with you, for a while now." Cedric didn't answer and it started to worry me, I pushed away from him and sat up straight in the bed. "Say something." My voice barely a whisper.
"I - Gwen, I love – Cho!"
My heart broke into a million pieces, and I saw him glance behind me, I turned to see Cho standing there with her arms crossed. I just bared my heart out in front of him and he still chose Cho. I stand up quickly and felt Cedric's hand fall away from me.
"Gwen, wait."
"He's all yours." I say to Cho, before I disappeared from the tent without looking back.