Author's notes:

Hello everyone. I'd just like to reference an author's note I typed up from Ch7. There, I mentioned Bella's future relationships, i.e. Harry.

Bella's relationship with Harry will always be a key point of the plot; I intended to pair them in the distant future, as I explained in Ch7's A/N, she's technichally 'growing up' with Harry and her peers with the emotions and mindset of a fourteen year old girl.

They don't need to be paired. If you all think it's a little weird, now is the time to tell me, as it will affect future chapters that I've already written. I'll cut it straight away if it's not something people want.

It's an easy change— their relationship will always be a key point to progress the plot, but a romantic relationship was never a major plot point. I can work around a platonic relationship and still come to the same conclusion.

You decide.

Chapter 12 - Perilous inferno

It was a bleak walk to breakfast the next morning. There was little light that shone through the castle's windows, owed to the grey, looming clouds that Bella had spotted on her walk to get breakfast. Bella stared up at the charmed ceiling of the Great Hall distractedly as the two large masses of grey clouds converged on each other, competing to block the sunlights rays.

"What's with you?"

"Hmm?"

"I said what's with you?"

"Nothing," Bella mumbled, ignoring Tracey.

"Oh come on, Bella. You may as well tell us, we know. Why do you insist on being so secretive?"

Bella continued to stare at the ceiling, shrugging her shoulders at Tracey's question.

"Why'd you ask Harry about You Know Who?" Tracey whispered.

Bella turned her attention to Tracey, who was sitting opposite her. She had leaned over a plate of muffins in the middle of the table, head down, trying to appear discreet in her questioning. Daphne was next to her, eyes on her plate carving a sausage, but Bella knew she was listening intently.

Harry's revelation last night was news that she hadn't expected. At first Bella had been apprehensive to believe him as she lay awake in bed that same night. How he could truly believe the Dark Lord had returned from a mere dream astounded her.

But the more she thought about it as she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, it seemed to make more and more sense. Theories were suddenly running rampant— the idea was no longer so far-fetched.

After all, the Dark Lord did return— he had to have come from somewhere. There was no trace of a body found by the Ministry all those years ago. He was so well hidden that even she couldn't find him— his most loyal. But according to Harry, someone had. But who?

"I don't know," Bella lied.

"Do you honestly believe him?" Tracey asked, returning to a normal seating position and stuffing scrambled eggs in her mouth. "Mm— I mean, he dreamt he returned. Seems a little… I don't know… insane?"

"I'm more interested in Moody," Daphne said, dropping her cutlery and turning to them. "Why would he help Harry… through you?"

Moody was truly an enigma. Bella had grown tired of thinking of how he had managed to work out every single button to push from her past to manipulate her into casting the unforgivables.

"I don't know," Bella whispered, her eyes catching Pansy leading the rest of the fourth year Slytherin students to the table, sans Malfoy and his goons. Tracey and Daphne turned, following her line of sight. They were hard to miss, with their 'Potter stinks' badges proudly pinned on their lapels, which most of the students on the tables had adorned as well— even most of the Gryffindors.

"Don't stop on our account," Theodore said, sitting next to Bella, the other Slytherin's splitting at the end and sitting evenly across from one another. Pansy sat across from Theodore, staring pointedly at Bella, raising her head and squinting before she spoke. "Where were you three last night?"

"We went for a stroll," Bella said, averting her eyes from Pansy's stare. Tracey spluttered, then coughed, managing to hide her giggle from Pansy, who didn't seem to notice.

"You were spotted with Potter last night," Pansy said matter of factly, buttering a piece of toast and splitting it.

"Is that so?" Bella replied airily.

"All three of you." Pansy finished the piece of toast in three hungry bites, then stared at the other half, apparently in a dilemma. She threw the other half back onto the serving platter quite reluctantly, then pushed her plate away. "Are you denying it?"

"Are you admitting to spying?" Daphne asked.

Pansy scoffed. "I was told. I have better things to do than follow blood traitors around."

"Then who told you?" Daphne asked.

"I did," said Theodore, sending them a glance.

"What were you doing in the library?" Daphne said with an incredulous look on her face. "Did you finally get sick of barely scraping the bottom of the barrel?"

Theodore turned to Bella, long enough for her to catch a nervous look briefly encompassing his face before turning back to his dull, lifeless stare. "I was… doing… research."

"Don't change the subject!" Pansy said, glaring at Daphne. "You are bringing shame to this house; all three of you!" She pointed menacingly at Bella, an evil smile gracing her features. "Does Draco know you're whoring yourself out to the boy who lived?"

"Yes," Bella said honestly. Pansy's features turned sour at Bella's remark.

Just then, Harry walked into the Great Hall, all by his lonesome. His head was bowed and looked deep in thought. And for the first time the school had likely seen for many, many years, Harry glanced over at the Slytherin table, catching Bella's eyes and determinedly started walking towards her. Bella's eyes widened— after Pansy's rant, she did not fancy the confrontation. She stood, pushing away from the table.

"Where are you going?" Pansy's shrill voice called from behind her.

"Harry," Bella said, meeting him at the end of the Ravenclaw table. He didn't answer, instead turning over his right shoulder and sending a glance at the Hufflepuff's. Bella cleared her throat to get his attention— she could feel every eye on them in the Great Hall— Harry was oblivious. Bella grabbed his arm and roughly led him through the double doors and into the Central Hall.

"What's wrong?"

"I want to tell Cedric."

"Tell him what?" Bella said, her face blank. "Who's Cedric?"

Harry looked at her like she was stupid. Bella bristled under his gaze. "You know… the true Hogwarts champion?"

"No, Harry!" Bella hissed, lowering her voice and leaning her head in towards him. A group of young Gryffindor students passed, eyeing the pair oddly. They didn't stop. "You can't. If he runs his mouth, you'll be disqualified."

"But it's not fair. Moody told you, you told me." Harry's eyes glazed over, staring into space. "Maybe I should tell all the champions."

"You're an idiot," Bella said. "Do you think they'd do the same for you?"

"Yes," Harry said without pausing.

Bella shook her head. "They wouldn't, Harry. They're in their seventh year. If they don't know a conjunctivitis curse by now then it's on them."

Harry seemed to be mulling over her words. "Why did you tell me?" Harry asked, now focusing intently on Bella. "And why did Moody tell you?"

"You're my friend," Bella answered, ignoring his second question because she didn't quite know herself.

Harry smiled awkwardly and raised his hand to align his askew glasses on the bridge of his nose. "We're a weird pair, aren't we?"

Bella nodded and stared at him intently. "You wouldn't want to get your friend in trouble, would you?"

Harry waited for so long to answer Bella was sure he'd changed his mind. Just as he shook his head no, he tensed, looking at something over her shoulder. Bella turned— it was Draco, walking towards them with Crabbe and Goyle. Harry's chest puffed out, his right hand dropped, then he relaxed as Draco passed them without sending them a second glance. He turned to Bella with a perplexed look on his face. "What the hell?"

"What?"

"He uses every opportunity to torture me— he didn't even look at me."

"So?"

And Harry's perplexed stare continued during their Care of Magical Creatures lesson— the whole class seemed to be sending Harry and Draco superstitious glances, when they were sure they weren't looking, in amazement.

The Skrewts had grown in size; the particular specimen Bella found herself staring at had grown two scorpion-like stingers on each end of its body, with no face in sight. There was a hissing sound, then the gas ignited from its rear— or front— end, blasting itself into the wall of the crate.

Hagrid stood in front of the class looking down at the crate closest to him with a forced smile. He rubbed his hands together in front of him. "Righ'... so… Don't really know what they eat… I've left buckets of different food, try 'em on each, jus' try and remember what they take to."

"Hagrid?" said a Gryffindor student Bella was unfamiliar with. She was peering over another crate, her golden braid dangling dangerously close to the blast zone. "Why is there only one left?"

Hagrid scratched the back of his head. His large hand was almost lost in the large mane of unruly hair. "Well… they attacked each other, they did… Jus' came out one mornin' and there was one left per box."

"Who would have thought?" Draco said facetiously. Hagrid's large form cowered slightly at his comment. "Is there a point to this worthless class?"

"Back off, Malfoy." It was Harry, who had come out from the Gryffindor circle and was staring at Malfoy defiantly.

Draco's face contorted angrily. Bella was sure an angry outburst was on his lips, then he glanced at Bella and turned away. Harry stared dumbfounded at his back, then he sighed, almost in disappointment.

"What do you have over Malfoy?" Hermione asked, after Bella had been to lunch and bid goodbye to Daphne and Tracey, now sitting in her Arithmancy class.

Bella looked at her weirdly. "Nothing."

Hermione dropped her quill, turning to Bella. "You do! Lately he's been… I don't know… quiet… and… different."

Bella sighed. "And this should concern me?"

"Yes! I mean no… I mean…" Hermione groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Sorry; it's been a weird week. How's Harry?"

"You share the same common room," Bella said, returning to her assignment. "Ask him yourself."

"He won't talk to us— he… The only person he seems to speak to nowadays is you."

Bella sighed, losing her concentration from Hermione's persistence. She placed her quill back in her inkwell in annoyance.

Hermione's head leaned sideways towards her discreetly. "Look, I've been trying to get a hold of Harry, but… under the circumstances, I think it's best I tell you." Hermione glanced left and right, then leaned in again, whispering. "I know what the first task is."

"Okay…" Bella said, giving Hermione her full attention. Did the whole school know?

"Dragons," Hermione whispered, eyes wide. "It's dragons. And I've been thinking…"

"He knows," Bella interrupted.

"—that he…What?"

"He knows."

Hermione pulled back and scrunched her face up. "How could he possibly know?"

"How do you know?"

"Ron's brother is a trainer."

"Why didn't he tell Harry?"

"Because he… Wait." Hermione was shaking her head in disbelief. "How did he know already?"

Bella turned back to her assignment, wiping off the excess ink from her quill on the side of her inkwell. "You don't need to worry about Harry."

Hermione didn't shut up for the rest of the class. When she had repeated the same question four times, Bella growled, glaring at her until she wilted. She was thankfully silent thereafter.

By the time she had reached the common room after dinner, leaving before dessert, Hermione's voice was still resonating in her mind. She was one more stupid question away from blowing. Bella fell back on a couch, rubbing her aching temples with both of her hands.

"Hi Bella."

Bella took a deep, calming breath. "Hi Theodore."

He sat down on the couch next to her and sent her a sidelong glance. Bella could feel her headache intensify.

"How… how are you?"

"Okay."

"Why do you hang around with Potter so much?"

Bella gritted her teeth. "He's my friend."

"Oh, okay." Theodore rubbed his hands together. "I saw you sitting alone in The Three Broomsticks."

"I wasn't— alone, I was with Daphne and Tracey."

"Well… the next time you find yourself alone, my table's always free."

There was a belittling laugh from behind them. "Wow. Do you mind if I use that line next time, Nott?" Blaise sat opposite them, crossing a leg over his knee, then spread his arms along the back of the couch. "You must kill it with the ladies."

Theodore's body slumped. Bella could feel their shared pillow cushion vibrate. "Yeah?" Theodore said, angrily. "And you're the expert? With who— Millicent?"

Blaise smirked. "You seem to forget that our dear friend Bella has loosened house lines, Nott." Blaise's pearl white teeth gleamed against his dark skin. "Now, I can prowl for my next victim."

"Yeah?" Nott mumbled, lowering his voice. "What about Malfoy?"

Blaise turned to Bella. She could feel Theodore's stare on her left. "Heard our dear friend Bella has loosened him too."

"What I want to know is how," a shrill voice said from behind Bella. "How are you manipulating Draco?"

Bella stood. The room was swaying; the pain in her head felt as though a split was forming along the top of her skull. When Bella gathered her bearings, she turned, holding the arm of the couch in support. Pansy was staring at her defiantly, Millicent flanked behind Pansy, then Daphne and Tracey peaked out from either side. Usually Slytherin's from other years would scatter, not daring to leer on fourth year conversations, fearing Draco, but Bella could feel every single eye watching her in the common room; her peripheral vision caught the closest craning their necks out to hear better.

"Please shut up, Pansy."

"No! I want to know. What do you have over Draco?"

"Uh… Pansy," Tracey mumbled, grabbing Pansy's arm. "Maybe you should shut up."

Pansy fought her off, stepping closer to Bella. "How are you manipulating him?"

Bella let go of the couch, swaying on the spot. She raised her wand. Pansy grinned evilly, stepping closer to her.

"Going to torture me, Bella?" Pansy asked, leering at her. She mockingly covered her mouth with both hands, turning to the curious onlookers. "Oh wait— she can't!"

"She can't do what?" Draco asked, stepping between them.

And just like that, the spell had been broken. Pansy spluttered, looking between Draco and Bella. The remainder of the Slytherin common room, sans the fourth years, suddenly found something better to do— their conversation was now private. Bella lowered her wand.

"Everyone out," Bella mumbled to Malfoy. "Tell everyone to get out."

Draco yelled out at her instruction, making her wince, but most had left without a second glance. Pansy stayed, however, with Millicent reluctantly staying by her side due to Pansy holding her by her sleeve. Bella waved off Tracey and Daphne; they left the room after sending a worried glance over their shoulders.

Draco turned towards Pansy. "What happened?"

"She happened, Draco!" She angrily pointed at Bella, then stepped closer to Draco, craning her neck up to meet his eyes. "You're different. You've changed ever since she got here."

Draco's face hardened. "Bella's doing something for me, Pansy." Bella had to resist the urge to scoff, distracting herself by sitting down on the couch. "And I suggest you leave her alone."

"What could she possibly be doing with Potter?" Pansy spat.

"Nothing that concerns you. Leave us."

Pansy looked heartbroken over his dismissal. She sent a scathing look at Bella, then left, her retreating form blocked by Millicent as they left through the door to the female dorms.

"What's that about, then?" Draco said, sitting opposite her.

"Your girlfriend is annoying."

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Then what is she?" Bella asked, glaring at him. "Because she certainly thinks she is."

Draco leaned back, eyes becoming distant. "She's pretty enough… She's just a— a follower, I suppose."

"A follower of what?"

Draco grinned at her.

"She's only got eyes for you, not your games. Don't lead her on."

"What do you care?" he asked, furrowing his brows and shaking his head.

"I know what it's like to be led down a path at someone else's will."

Draco's face lost all expression. "What exactly do you know, Bella?"

"Whatever you were doing with Harry, go back to doing it."

"What do you mean?"

"He's becoming suspicious. Everyone is becoming suspicious. You need to start… torturing him again."

Draco's face turned to understanding, then he grinned. "Well that won't be hard. I was trying to help you."

"Well you weren't," Bella bit back.

Draco sat up. "Told him about the Dragons, then?"

"How do you know?"

"You're not as discreet as you think you are."

It was silent for a long time— Bella nearly stood to leave, but Draco halted her with his outstretched palm. He looked hesitant. "My… f— family asked about you."

"Okay?"

"They want to meet. You live with—" he visibly shuddered; "— muggles, right?"

"Are you proposing to me, Draco?"

Draco ignored her. "Maybe you could come for a visit over the holidays?"

"I'm not going home over the holidays," Bella said, inwardly deflating. She had every intention of going back to see Lionel and Margaret, but this conversation was becoming dangerous. She wouldn't tempt fate— knowing Lucius, he'd surely weasel her location from his Ministry contacts and march up to her door.

Draco outwardly deflated, then he stood, reaching a hand out and pulling her up. Bella grabbed her head in pain.

"No matter— stay the course."

Bella watched Draco until he passed through the entrance to the male dorms, a frown creasing her features. She knew he was her nephew, but she felt no connection to him whatsoever. It was different from when she first arrived. Even the few memories that she had of her past with him and Cissy didn't feel right. They were there, but they were hazy.

Bella held her head. Something was wrong.

The sky looked even gloomier than yesterday as she made her way to History of Magic the next morning. Her headache had lessened, but was not entirely gone due to her restless sleep. Bella had lost count of how many times she had angrily tossed and turned in her bed, but just could not get comfortable.

During breakfast, Dumbledore had stood, amplifying his voice and declaring that classes would be postponed after lunch; be at the stands by one. Her only class, then, would be History of Magic in the second period, which was why Bella was walking determinedly towards the classroom— maybe she could at least get fifty minutes of uninterrupted sleep. Professor Binns' monotonous, ghostly voice was as good as any sleeping draught.

The Gryffindors were just leaving, heading down the stairs before the classroom. Bella caught Harry's arm at the front of the pack, pulling him aside. He was pale and visible sweat adorned his forehead.

"What's the matter?" There was a noticeable quiver in his voice.

Bella leaned her head in, whispering. "Remember; conjunctivitis curse at its eyes, then grab an egg."

"And if that doesn't work, or I miss?" he asked worriedly.

"I don't know, don't miss?" Bella whispered annoyedly. Harry deflated. Bella sighed. "I don't know— send a cutting hex to its eye or something. You do know how to cast a cutting hex, right?"

Harry bristled at her question, a small amount of colour returning to his cheeks. Bella smiled. "I'm not as stupid as you think I am."

"Oh, this is perfect. Potty and White kissing before he goes off and dies in the first task."

Harry tensed, pulling away from Bella. "Shut up, Malfoy."

"Like my badge, Potty?" Pansy said, curling an arm around Draco and pointing at her badge. "Look here— the true Hogwarts champion. You're a cheater— and you stink!"

They were gathering a crowd. Every fourth year Gryffindor and Slytherin was now in attendance, watching with bated breath. Weasley and Hermione had come to stand behind Harry, pushing their way down the stairs, though they didn't intervene. Even Binns was perched at the top of the staircase, staring down at the commotion uninterestedly.

"Alright students, if you would please… enter the classroom… take your seats… the lesson will start… shortly." Binns turned, and Bella watched his ghostly form float back into the classroom. Bella yawned, her eyelids suddenly heavy.

"Good luck with your task today, Potter. You'll need it."

"I don't need luck. Especially not from you, Malfoy."

Draco grinned then pushed past Harry and knocked his shoulder. Harry stumbled back then glared at Draco's retreating form. The rest of the Slytherin students followed into the classroom. The Gryffindor's, sans Hermione, were now uninterested, and started to head down the stairs. Harry followed the back of the pack.

"Mm— Harry?" Bella asked, covering her yawn.

Harry turned. He wore a massive grin; the colour had fully returned to his cheeks— he looked as if he'd won the whole tournament; like he was on his way to hoist the cup.

"Yeah?"

Bella returned his grin with a sleepy smile. "Good luck."

"Thanks!"

"Boys," Hermione muttered, following his exit.

Professor Binns' voice worked its usual charm and Bella did manage to sleep the whole lesson, only waking when Tracey roused her.

The atmosphere of the hall during lunch was different; the general buzz seemed to be louder, students chattering amongst each other excitedly, no doubt due to the cancelling of classes and the first task.

The sound died suddenly, warranting everyone's attention. Bella raised her head and followed everyone's stare. McGonagall had risen from the staff table, walking towards the Gryffindor's. She didn't stop until she reached the end of the table, leaning down and whispering something to Harry. He followed her exit. Sprout led Cedric behind them.

Before Bella knew it, they were all walking in a large group along the forbidden forest towards the recently erected stands— They were eight rows high, surrounding one edge of the forbidden forest in a semicircle. Bella sighed when she had climbed the stands, observing the large clearing. The dragons had no doubt been moved further in the forest, but it was unmistakable— this was the same clearing they had seen a few days prior.

"God, Bella," Tracey whispered, sitting next to her at the top of the stands. Daphne sat on her other side. "You did really drag us through the forest for nothing."

Bella laughed quietly, releasing some tension she didn't realise she had been harbouring. "Sorry."

"It's okay," said Tracey, "Believe it or not, I wasn't that scared, knowing you and Harry were there."

This didn't seem like a task that could bring forth the Dark Lord's resurrection— there was a clear view of the clearing and many people present to watch the action. Bella leaned back in her seat and relaxed.

An empty, reserved row of seats in the middle of the stands were being filled by the three Headmaster's of the school's participants. Ludo Bagman walked out, to which Bella remembered seeing him from his many news articles from his professional quidditch days, then a dark brown haired slightly slim man with a crooked walk sat on the end.

"Who is that?" Bella asked, pointing at the man.

"That's Barty Crouch Senior," Daphne answered. "Head of the DIMC."

Bella couldn't help but feel like she knew him, but couldn't quite place him in her mind. She'd seen him… she was sure of it. But he had to be the father of Barty.

Barty spoke of him so much Bella knew it was an obsession. Not a healthy obsession— he'd speak about how much he hated him. Whenever Bella seemed to have a conversation with him, he either spoke of his desire to murder and torture for the Dark Lord, or his desire to torture and murder his father.

Bella scoffed outwardly. Some use that had got him— he had been sentenced to Azkaban, along with her; a cell opposite hers three doors down. His sordid cackling had lasted only three days, then there was silence. Bella briefly remembered seeing his lifeless body being dragged out by guards sometime in the future. Bella had no idea how long it had been.

At the edge of the forest, twelve trainers were moving an extremely hesitant dragon into the clearing. They pulled it along, straining against their ropes, tied to so many different points of the dragon it surely wouldn't be an issue. When a trainer arrived, bearing a basket of brown eggs that could only belong to the nesting dragon, it thrashed and roared. The trainer threw the eggs down in the middle of the clearing, along with a single, golden egg. They magically conjured a long, metal chain around its collar and connected it to a large, metal post buried deep within the ground. Then the trainers ran from the dragon and the ropes magically disappeared.

A canon blew, then Bagman raised his wand to his throat, his voice amplifying over the stands. "Our first contestant, ladies and gentlemen— Fleur Delacour!"

Bella watched uninterestedly as the blonde half-breed Veela walked into the clearing gracefully. She started to sway before the dragon, looking up at it peacefully, then started to sing. She drew the audience forward, particularly the males— most had risen to their feet, apart from Bagman, whose face dropped the minute the dragon fell under her spell, swaying gently with the rise and fall of her song.

"Fluer Delacour, ladies and gentlemen, who appears to have charmed her dragon to sleep… and she got the egg… how… interesting of a tactic. And… Oh—" Fluer squealed in pain on her way past the dragon, which had lazily dropped to the ground, but blew fire from its nostrils, catching her coattail. "—hasn't got past scott free, dear me!

"And the final tally of the judges' scores, thirty five!"

Another dragon, another canon. "Victor Krum, ladies and gentleman!"

"He strides out confidently, and oh— dear me, the dragon's certainly not happy with him." There was a collective wince from the crowd as the dragon blew a jet of flame at Krum. "And he rolls out of the way— now he's closer to it! My oh my, the conjunctivitis curse, ladies a gentleman. It's very effective, but oh, dear— the dragon seemed to have smashed all its eggs. No matter— he's got the golden egg!"

"Forty points for Krum— Marvellous. A beautiful use of the conjunctivitis charm!

"Our next contestant, ladies and gentlemen, will be Harry Potter!"

Bella drew a sharp intake of breath. She sat up ramrod straight, her body so tense she started to furiously shake. The dragon that was brought out from the trainers was a dark maroon colour, with a circle of golden spikes fringed around its short, snub nosed face. Its black eyes protruded so far from its body that it almost looked comical, but Bella couldn't find a reason to laugh.

Daphne grabbed her tense arm and rubbed it soothingly. "He'll be fine, Bella."

Tracey pointed at the dragon. "That's got to be the most docile dragon I've ever seen."

The dragon hardly pulled against its ropes as the trainers walked it out into the clearing. It appeared frustrated but not angry. It didn't react to the conjured chain. Bella relaxed slightly.

The trainers walked away, the ropes disappeared. A canon blew. "Our third contestant, ladies and gentlemen. Harry Potter!"

Bella's heart pounded as Harry's head poked out from the hallway nestled under the stands. He slowly inched forward, both his hands running along the wall. The dragon watched him closely. Bella was unable to hear Bagman or the crowd— her ears felt like they had been filled with water.

Bella didn't know how long Harry sat there, at the entrance to the flat arena, but it was long enough for the dragon to extend its short and stubby front legs out, then lay its head down on its legs and lay down, unthreatened. This seemed to give Harry the courage he needed, as he immediately stepped forward and walked out from the safety of the entrance. The dragon curled its long, thick tail around the basket of eggs that were placed on the rock by the trainers. It raised onto its hindquarters as Harry drew closer.

Then, almost as if a switch had been flicked in its brain, the dragon understood what Harry was tasked to do. The nostrils on its snubby nose started to flare when its body tensed. A clear haze was developing in front of its nostrils, then suddenly it ignited— there was a flash of blinding red, then mushroom-like clouds of fire burst forth from its nostrils and scorched the dirt in front of it.

Harry took this as his queue, running forward and letting off the conjunctivitis curse. It was effective, but the dragon was even angrier now as its eyes almost immediately puffed out and swelled shut, only leaving an almost indistinguishable part of its yellow eye showing. It advanced, clearly still having at least some sight, or perhaps only advancing to his last known position. And Harry, the idiot, kept backing to the stands. Bella didn't realise she was standing, leaning over the seat in front of her until she felt Daphne and Tracey tugging both her arms towards them.

Trainers were gathering around the edges of the arena, ready to intervene. The dragon was dangerously close to the crowd now, even with its bind. Harry was cornered. During his slow retreat, he had backed in a different direction to that of what he came— now between the stand's high wall and the dragon. The dragon obviously felt— or heard— the extra presence of the trainers; a jet of flame launched from its mouth, arcing between the ground and the air, narrowly missing Harry's position.

Harry rolled out of the way, now beside the dragon. He raised his wand. An opaque slither in the air burst forth from his wand, almost imperceptible to the human eye, then the dragon roared in pain, dropped to the ground and rubbed at its eye— behind its paw, blood gushed from its horribly mauled open eye socket.

Harry ran to the basket of eggs and palmed the gold one to his middle, not stopping until he passed the felled dragon and ran back into the confines of the stands. Bella sat, letting out a sigh. The crowd roared. Bagman's delighted commentary reached her ears.

"My oh my, would you look at that! Not only has he retrieved the golden egg, but he's felled the dragon! A most impressive feat!"

The trainers had to collectively stun the dragon and levitate it away— it had taken to thrashing out, jetting flame in random directions and curling in pain between its painful cries.

The energy of the crowd during the downtime of the arena reset was different now to what it had been between the other champions. There were no cries of joy, no excited laughter— just whispers. Everyone in the crowd had taken to groups, heads lowered, whispering amongst themselves.

"An impressive feat from young Mr Potter, ladies and gentlemen. Not only a brilliant use of the conjunctivitis curse, but a cutting hex to the eye. How ingenious!" Bagman chuckled into his wand. "And the scores— forty!"

"Forty?" Tracey said from beside her disbelievingly. "How has Dumbledore given him a lower score than the other school's champions?"

"It might have something to do with him maiming a dragon," Daphne said matter of factly. "I doubt that's what the Headmaster was expecting from the boy who lived."

"But he didn't have a scratch!" Tracey yelled, outraged. "All the other champions did something wrong, or got hurt, or—"

"I'm going to see Harry," Bella blurted out, cutting off Tracey's rant. She didn't wait for a reply, standing and heading to the large white tent behind the stands they had passed on their way in. Inside the tent were four separate compartments, separated by dark green coloured sheets hung from the roof of the tent. She briefly noted passing Krum and Fleur, Krum looked no worse for wear, but Fleur was laying on her stomach, a large hole where her robes should have been on her rear. She cried out in pain as Pomfrey rubbed a white, bubbling solution on the back of her red, exposed thighs.

Harry was sitting on a bed in the rear of the tent, facing the wall. He was hunched over, elbows on his knees. The egg was lying uselessly at the top of the bed. "Harry?" Bella called out.

Harry turned and sent her a half smile. "Oh; hi Bella."

Harry turned back to the wall of the tent. Bella folded her robes underneath her and sat next to him. "Are you even allowed to be in here?" Harry mumbled.

"It's never stopped me before."

Harry chuckled softly. "S'pose you're right."

"You took my advice."

Harry sighed. "I didn't know what else to do."

Bella bumped her shoulder against his. "You did well, Harry."

A canon blew in the distance. Bella and Harry's heads flew up in unison. There was muffled cheering then Bagman started to commentate, but it wasn't discernible. Harry lowered his head. "I told Cedric," he whispered.

Bella sighed. "When?"

"During breakfast. I pulled him aside."

"Why?"

There was a collective gasp from the crowd, loud enough for it to reach the tent. Harry shook his head. "Ron told me about the dragons last night in our dorm. Told me the other champions knew, apart from Cedric."

"Are you happy now, Harry?"

"He told me he knew already," Harry said, ignoring her question. "His father told him, but he appreciated my honesty."

An earth shattering roar shook the ground, making the tent sway. Another gasp from the crowd. "I even told him I was going to use the conjunctivitis curse, but he told me not to worry— he had another plan in mind."

A man's pained, agonised scream came from the stands. The crowd was getting louder; people were screaming. Bella felt Harry tense. "So he knew about the task, possibly before you."

Harry looked over his shoulder. His knee that was closest to Bella started to bounce up and down. "Yeah— do you hear that?"

Bella swallowed roughly. "So nothing you did, or didn't do, will make any difference."

Harry's head jerked around and looked over his shoulder, his eyes wide. "Bella, what's going on?"

Harry went to stand. Bella grabbed his arm, pulling him back down next to her. "Harry!" she hissed. "Look at me!"

Harry's wide open eyes met hers. "So it didn't make a difference if you told him or not, right?" Harry nodded his head once, indicating he was listening. "So whatever happens out there cannot be your fault."

Harry's jaw tensed as he swallowed, a visible protrusion sliding down his throat. "Right." Harry nodded his head unconvincingly. "You're right."

The roaring stopped, then there was a thud on the ground. The same pained cry came from a man, loud enough to be heard over the crowd. Harry stood and bolted through the door of the tent. Bella's hand slipped on his sleeve as he took off. "Harry!" Bella yelled.

The dark, ominous champions entrance to the arena was echoing loudly with the movement of the crowd above. The crowd had quietened by the time Bella had run through the exit; her eyes easily adjusted to the gloomy day's sky. The dragon was lying in a heap at the centre of the arena, surrounded by trainers. There was a wail from her left, then a tearful, strained sob.

A man was huddled over Cedric's body, which was next to the high walls of the stands. He pulled the boy into his arms, cradling his head to his chest and crying into his blood stained hair. The judges had come down and surrounded the commotion, whispering desperately between one another.

Bella grabbed Harry's hand when he was nearing Cedric. He attempted to pull away from her, but her grip remained steadfast. She dug her heels into the hard, flat dirt. "Harry— Harry! Let's go!"

The judges' heads snapped towards the pair. Dumbledore's blank stare met hers for the first time since she had seen him in his office. Bella's heart started to beat in her ears. This time, she pulled with all her might; this time, Harry let her.

They turned and were greeted with a woman in rectangular glasses in killing curse green coloured robes, making them stop dead in their tracks. Her pink lipstick gleamed as she smirked evilly. She clicked her fingers, then there was a blinding white flash from the camera a man held beside her. Bella ripped her hand from Harry's tight grasp, but it was too late.

With the forbidden forest as a backdrop and Cedric's bloodied, beaten body behind them, Rita Skeeter got her photo.

A snippet from CH13 of ARAT:

Bella shivered. "Why else would someone do it?" Bella asked, when she regained her bearings. "It's just too much of a coincidence with your dreams."

"Maybe they just wanted to kill me," Harry mumbled.

Bella pulled her face away from above his shoulders and stared into his eyes. "If their goal was to kill you, the person could have done it at any point in time; whoever put your name in has been in Hogwarts. You have a lot of enemies, Harry. People who remain angry about their master's death."

"So it could be anyone, huh?"

"You need to stop being so trusting."

Harry held her still. His green eyes were blazing. "And the Slytherin girl?" he asked. "Should I trust her?"

Bella's gaze didn't falter. "If I wanted you dead, trust me; you'd be dead."