Chapter 29 - The Third Task
The combination of exams approaching and the third task nearing quickly, it left me in shambles. If I wasn't studying, I was helping Cedric with preparing whatever might appear in the maze. I had to pass by Pomfrey for a sleeping or calming draught more than once. Cedric tried to reassure me, that everything will be alright but that didn't help. George and Fred tried to lighten the mood with games, jokes and pranks. And I tried to engage, I really did, but I just wasn't in the mood. George never took it personally, he just helped me get through this month. He helped me study whenever or wherever he could, he slept over more than once a week, so I could fall asleep easier with my head moving from his soft and steady breathing.
Exams went by slowly, and I nearly cried out in relief as we walked out of our exam for Alchemy. I was so happy, I pushed George into an alcove and kissed him passionately.
"Now, that exams are finally over..." George murmured against me lips. "Care to join me upstairs?"
"Later?" I asked. "I'm meeting with Cedric right after dinner. Third task is in two days, you know."
"I know." He smiled as he caressed my cheek. "But after the task, your mine."
I shook my head with a smile as I kissed him lightly. "Sit with me at dinner?"
"Lead the way." He kissed my nose and wrapped his arm around my shoulder and walked me out of the little alcove.
It was the night before the third task, and everyone was talking excitedly about tomorrow. Everyone except... all of the champions and myself. I glanced around the great hall, my plate untouched and saw the same with Harry, Fleur and Cedric; Viktor was nowhere to be seen. I glanced to my right where Cedric was sitting firmly next to me. I wrapped his hand in mine under the table, and he squeezed back. My eyes found George's at the Gryffindor table and he gave a dazzling smile, his way of telling it was okay. We talked about it before, and George agreed I should stay at his side until the task. And that smile was another way of telling me, he's okay with it.
"Ready to get out of here?" I looked back to a pale Cedric. Cedric gave a short nod, before letting go of my hand and stood up. We didn't look at the students who were all watching us leave the room. Once we were out of the great hall, I looped my arm through his and pulled him close. We walked to the Hufflepuff common room in silence. When we reached it, we just kept walking until we were in his room. I dropped down on his bed, with my back against the headboard. Cedric sat down next to me, and I pulled him against my chest, my arm reassuringly around him. We didn't say anything for a long time, we just sat there as I stroked his hair softly. It was getting dark, and still no Odin in sight. He probably wanted to give us time alone and stayed with Lyra in our dorm.
"Can you stay with me?" He finally whispered, tilting his head to look at me.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"What about-"
"He knows. He insisted that I stay with you." I smiled at him.
"Let me go change then." He pushed himself out of my embrace and took a set of pyjamas and walked to the bathroom. Once he was out of the room, I transfigured my clothes into cotton pyjamas and placed my wand on the nightstand. When I pulled the covers over me, Cedric walked back in. He put his wand next to mine and crawled in next to me.
"Do you think I'm ready?" He asked me as we both laid on our sides.
"I do. We've been practicing every night for weeks. And even before that, you were chosen as a champion for a reason. You can do this, you can win." I reached for his hand, and our fingers intertwined.
"I don't know what I would do without you, Winnie."
I breathed in slowly as I looked at him. "You'll never have to find out."
Cedric pulled the arm where our fingers were intertwined and rolled on his back, pulling me close, my head resting on his chest. He put our clasped hands on his chest, I felt his heart stammering fast, once I gave his hand a squeeze, it calmed down and we finally fell asleep.
The next morning, neither of us could handle the looks in the great hall or even breakfast. So, we made our way to the maze. There was a tent set up for the champions and we walked towards Cedric's section. It didn't take long before the other three champions trickled in. They all gave a short nod at each other and sat down. Then Dumbledore walked in all cheery and happy in the gloomy tent.
"Morning, dear Champions! The last task is upon us." His smile wide. "The stands are already filled with your friends and family. Let's head outside." He turned and walked outside without waiting for a response.
"He can't read a room, can he?" I raised an eyebrow, and Cedric chuckled. "Let's go." I pulled him up and followed the other champions outside. The people in the stands began to roar and whistle as they walked out, and Amos and Olive came running towards us.
"My boy!" Amos's smile wide and pulled Cedric in a hug.
"Dad!" Cedric grumbled embarrassed. Amos pulled back unfazed before his mum wrapped him in a hug. "Mum." He groaned.
"Oh, hush you. I am your mother." She chastised as she pulled back. "Hi, Winnie." She smiled broadly at me.
"Hi, Olive." I hugged her tightly. "Hi, Amos." I did the same to Cedric's father. When I pulled back, I saw Dumbledore waiting to start the ceremony. "I better go stand with the others; we'll catch up later." I smiled at his parents and looked back to Cedric. "And you don't do anything stupid, alright. Just get the damn cup."
"Yes, ma'am." He gave me a lopsided grin before pulled me in a bone crushing hug. "I love you."
"I love you too." I nuzzled my head in his chest. "I have something for you." I said and pulled back. Cedric looked at me with raised eyebrows. I took the necklace he gave me for my birthday from my neck and pulled it over my head. "A good luck charm."
"Winnie, it was my gift to you." He said as I placed it over his neck.
"I know. But I want you to remember, I'm in there with you." Cedric looked at the necklace for a moment before tucking it under his shirt and pulled me in for another hug. He kissed the top of my head before letting me go. "Good luck." I kissed his cheek and walked over to the twins. George and Fred put up their thumbs up for Cedric before they both wrapped their arms around me. I gave him a last smile before Dumbledore ushered them to the different entrances. Dumbledore explained the task to the crowd before the four of them disappeared behind the hedges. George pulled me close against him after I let out a trembling breath and whispered reassuring words in my ear. Amos and Olive had taken place in front of us, and I put my hands on their shoulders while we waited. And waited, and waited...
It seemed to go on forever, then suddenly red sparks were shot in the air. George's grip tightened as he felt me stiffen. Then I saw an unconscious Fleur being levitated to the infirmary. I saw Dumbledore's lips move as he talked to the crowd, but my mind was elsewhere. I didn't hear any sound; I only heard my own blood rush through my ears.
Tik Tok, Tik Tok. It was endless. Why choose two tasks where you couldn't see anything! Then it happened again, red sparks shot in the air. A few minutes later Krum was being lifted out of the maze. In the corner of my eye, I saw Hermione lean forward to see if he was alright. Fred was rubbing her arm reassuringly.
"Only Cedric and Harry." I whispered to myself. If I could hear any sound, I would have heard Hermione saying the same thing. Only Harry and Cedric. I started biting my lip as my eyes were stained on the green hedges, my sight getting blurry.
"Hey, love." George whispered in my ear, and his calloused thumb went over my lip. "There won't be anything left." His eyes filled with worry. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his chest. "He'll get through this."
I didn't answer, I was too nervous. His arms where firmly around me and I hid my face in his chest. I don't know how long I was hiding in there, but I turned just in time to see Harry and Cedric fall to the ground, the cup rolling on the ground away from them. I pushed George away, something was wrong, something was terribly wrong. I felt it in my gut. Everyone was cheering, including Amos and Olive, but they shouldn't...
I felt George's hand leave my body as I stepped forward. I looked over my shoulder and he nodded before I ran to the boys on the ground, just as Fleur screamed her lungs out. That was the moment everyone knew something was wrong. Harry was clutching on to Cedric, who laid lifeless on the ground.
"No, no, no." I whispered franticly as I started running. I fell down next to him; his eyes were closed like he was asleep but there was no breathing. My head snapped to a weeping Harry. "Harry! MOVE!"
Harry looked wide eyed at me, his cheeks wet from tears and stumbled back. I let my fingers skim his neck, trying to find a pulse. I felt a small tremor and started muggle CPR that I learned when I was younger. Suddenly I felt hands on my shoulders trying to pull me away from Cedric, but I shrugged them off. One – two –three, I counted and another more forceful pair of hands grabbed me. I felt my magic bubble up and when it burst out of me, it put a protective shield around me and Cedric. I kept counting and tilted his chin and placed my lips on his and started pushing his chest again. I vaguely saw people pounding on my shield, trying to get in. But my focus was on Cedric and Cedric alone. Blow – One, two, three, four... A familiar bushy haired girl kneeled down on the other side of the shield and pleaded to get in, gesturing that she could help. I frowned as I kept putting pressure on his chest, but I felt my magic weaken as I tried to revive him. I lowered my shield for a moment, only letting Hermione in before putting it back up.
"I'll do the chest compressions; you do the rescue breaths." Hermione instructed in the manner Pomfrey talked, and she put her hands in place. I moved a little to sit closer to his head and Hermione started the compressions. We counted out loud together before I placed my lips over his. And again. And again. And again. After a certain amount of time (don't ask me how long), I started to feel weak, but I didn't stop. I don't know how long we were doing it, or how many times I blew air in his lungs. But when my lips left him, he inhaled sharply and independently. I looked shocked at him, the tears finally filling my eyes. His eyes fluttered open for a moment and locked them with mine. I let out a breath of relieve and let the tears fall down as I smiled at him. He smiled back at me before I fell on the ground next to him and everything went dark.