Give it to Me

7. Not Today

✯YOU✯

You took in your surroundings as you left the tent with your colleagues. The whole party and stands were on the edge of a large forest, a thin layer of snow covered the ground and the tips of the tallest trees. It was cold, you could see everyone's breath in the air.

   "Let's take a seat on the stands, there's nothing more we can do but wait," Seokjin whispered as you both made your way to your designated seats.

A live orchestra was playing a joyful song, waiting for everyone to sit down before the first champion could face the public and go about the first task. You noticed Jimin was talking to Jungkook's partner, Taehyung, who was virtually devouring him with his dark eyes. You knew Jimin had that effect on a lot of people, but Taehyung's gaze was different, and you could tell Jimin’s own interest in the man. 

   "The demon must be in the forest, there are probably traps before even reaching it," you told Seokjin as you sat down on a wooden plank in the stands, trying to focus on the Tournament rather than on Jimin and Taehyung's interaction.

   "She's a Durmstrang student, I wouldn't worry. She's a fighter, rock solid," he replied, clearing his throat.

Hoseok and Yoongi arrived next to you.
'He better not sit next to me...' you thought as Yoongi smiled as he approached you with a large fleece blanket.

   "Hoseok brought these, we can share them in pairs..." Yoongi told Seokjin, who gladly took one from Hoseok's hands as he made room for him to sit by him. Hoseok and Seokjin shared a red fleece, the other two champion coaches shared one.
Fuck.

   "Do you mind if I sit here?" Yoongi asked you, politely.

   "Go ahead." you answer was cold, your tone sharp.

Yoongi quietly sat by you and covered you both with a dark wool blanket. Namjoon stood up and the orchestra stopped playing. People went quiet. He announced the beginning of the first task and invited Misha out of the tent by calling her name. You examined her as she came out in front of the public. She looked fierce, ready. She didn't seem bothered by the cold or by the crowd. She was doing good, establishing a good first impression with the public. Perfect. They would root for her.

   "She looks confident... just like you did," Yoongi murmured - 
   "You've taught her well." 

You ignored him. Namjoon cast a spell, red sparks spewed from his wand, marking the beginning of Misha's task. She entered the woods and soon disappeared from everyone's sight.

✯

   "Who is the auror following her in?" Hoseok asked, as you all waited for the other champions to enter the woods.

   "Jungkook and a British auror, the blonde one..." you answered. He'd told you he was in charge of Misha a couple days prior.

   "What about his usual partner?" Hoseok continued.

   "He's with mine..." Yoongi continued, in a low voice that only you could hear: 
   "That reporter friend of yours actually followed him inside the woods."

You looked for Jimin in the stands, but couldn't find him. Come to think of it, he was talking to Jungkook and Taehyung earlier... Jimin was always willing to experience things first hand, in order to write his pieces as authentically as possible.