Raven (Fred x oc)

43. The First Task

Three weeks had passed since Sirius' birthday and I was laying awake in my dorm. Growing irritated, I sat up and grabbed my robe to head downstairs. At the sound of voices, I stopped. Peering out, I saw Dad's face in the fire. I went back upstairs. I spoke to Dad all the time, why take some time from Harry?

The next Tuesday was the First Task and I couldn't sleep the night before. I was so worried about Harry it was two in the morning before I could sleep and even when I could it was fitful dozes before jolting awake again. Finally, at five in the morning, I got up and dressed in athletic wear. A quarter of an hour later, I was sprinting around the pitch at full speed. The sun was beginning to rise before my panic and the adrenaline it brought finally burned out and I stopped, panting as I bent over.

I flew back into the castle and changed. "You okay, Harry?" I asked, sitting down next to him in the Great Hall. He didn't say anything, but he looked rather pale.

"This is going to end badly," I muttered, sitting next to Fred in the stands. I sighed, hiding my head in my hands. I couldn't watch as the other three tributes took their turn. Cedric went first and then Fleur, and then Viktor. Finally, Harry came out. When it was all over, I got up, rushing to the tent Madame Pomfrey had set up. "Harry!" I cried, rushing over to him.

"Valerie," he replied, wincing slightly at my embrace.

"Sorry," I muttered, pulling away. Hermione and Ron rushed into the tent over to Harry so I left, gently giving Harry one last hug. "See you later, I'll let Dad know." Once I was sure I had gotten out of sight, I flew off to find Sirius. "He's okay," I cried. "He made it out alive."

"Good," Dad replied. "He's not hurt or anything?"

"Nothing that can't be fixed in a day or two," I replied.
....................................................
Snow rushed past me as I ran around the Quidditch pitch. December had hit and with it all the usual cold weather. I had been jogging for a little over an hour when I finally decided to go in. "Hey," I said brightly, going past the boys as I came in.

Checking his watch, George said, "Val, it's seven in the morning. Where were you?"

"I went for a run," I explained. "See you later." Angelina was up and dressed when I came up the stairs, as were the other girls.

"Did you hear about the Yule Ball?" she asked, looking up at me as I came in.

"No, what is it?" I asked.

"Exactly what it sounds like," she replied. "They're having a ball on Christmas."

"Gross," I said, taking out my robes for school.

"You don't want to go?" Alicia asked in surprise.

"I don't know," I replied. "I'm not opposed to it necessarily, but balls aren't really my scene."

"Oh come on," Angelina said. "You have to go with Fred!" I sighed.

"If he asks, I'll go," I replied. "But if he doesn't, then I won't say anything about it." That same day, I was sitting down in the common room with Fred and George when Ron and Harry sat down with Hermione close by us.

Seeing Ron blow up his cards in his face, Fred teased, "Nice look, Ron. Go well with your dress robes, that will."

"Ron, can we borrow Pigwidgeon?" George asked.

"No, he's off delivering a letter. Why?" Ron asked.

"Because George wants to invite him to the ball," I said with a smirk.

"Because we want to send a letter, you stupid great prat," George corrected, sending me a look.

"Who d'you two keep writing to, eh?" Ron asked.

"I'll be back," I said, getting to my feet and going over to Angelina, still close enough to hear them.

"Nose out, Ron, or I'll burn that for you too," Fred warned. "So, you lot got dates for the ball yet?"

"Nope," Ron replied.

"Well, you better hurry up, mate, or all the good ones will be gone," Fred replied.

"Who're you going with?" George asked. "Because I know for a fact you haven't asked anyone."

"Valerie," he replied. "I just haven't asked her yet." Turning his head, he called, "Valerie!"

"What?" I asked, turning from Angelina and Alicia and coming back over.

"Want to come to the ball with me?"

"Sure," I shrugged. "Why not?" Turning to George, I asked, "Who're you taking?"

"Angelina," he said. "Oi! Angelina!"

"What?" she called back.

"Want to go to the ball with me?"

Blushing slightly, she replied, "All right, then." I smirked.

"Please tell me you meant as a date?" I asked, lowering my voice so Ange wouldn't hear. "Because if not, you need to clarify."

"No, I meant as a date," he assured, causing me to smile.

"There you go," Fred said. "Piece of cake."

"That's not fair," Ron retorted. "You have a girlfriend. That's basically a built in date. Even if you didn't ask, you still've gone together."

"Then get a girlfriend," Fred said. "Well, we better use a school owl then. Let's go George."

"See you later, Fred," I said.

"Bye, love," he replied, kissing my cheek. Heading upstairs, I hung up my dress robes so they could smooth out.