Starlight// FW

The First Task

**** 

It was hard to focus on schoolwork with the excitement of the first task taking place that afternoon. Weeks had passed since Cedric and I stopped talking. I couldn't even call it a breakup because we didn't even technically date, which made it sting more. I couldn't even call him an ex, because he wasn't. It was painful because it was an almost. I almost had my first kiss, I almost had a boyfriend. But, I didn't.

Professor Binns dismissed us and we stood. Roger filed out of the row, then Hazel, then me. Classes had been cut in half due to the tournament, and it was time for us to go and get ready. We needed to be on the Quidditch pitch to watch in half an hour. "I'm excited to see what the task is", Roger grinned, waving at a group of girls across the halls. They blushed and waved back. I rolled my eyes. Roger was very attractive, and I often forgot about that because he really was like my annoying brother.

We climbed the stairs to the common room and answered the riddle. When we entered, the room was alive with activity. Everyone was gathering their things together, placing bets, and chatting about what they thought the task would entail. Lacey and Rachel were already ready and downstairs. They sported warms hats and signs that read "GO HOGWARTS". Nice and impartial, I noted.

"I can't believe Potter really put his name in the goblet", Roger said. "I don't think he did", I let out. Roger shot me a look, "And why is that". I shrugged, "I don't know, just a feeling". Hazel smiled, "I agree with Sawyer. I don't think he did". "Ha", I said, pointing in his face. Roger grabbed my finger and tried to twist it backyards but I was too quick. I darted out of his way and up the stairs to our dormitory.

Hazel and I quickly began to change. I pulled on a black plaid skirt and long sleeve white shirt with a turtleneck. I redid my ponytail and fixed my eyeliner. I slipped on my Oxfords. Finally I pulled on my Ravenclaw scarf. I decided to put on a little lipstick too, why not it was a special occasion. Hazel was wearing long flared jeans and a Ravenclaw sweater that she had cropped so a little of her midriff was showing. She had hoop earrings in and tall heels.

"Let's hit it!", she smiled. We made our way back down to where Lacey, Rachel, Roger, and a few more Ravenclaw boys waited. We moved as a pack towards the pitch, excited for what was to come. When we made our way into the stands, I spotted Fred and George taking bets. I laughed, "Hello boys!". They turned to me, their faces lighting up. "Hello", they chimed together. Roger and the boys broke off, and the girls and I made our way to where a group of Gryffindors sat. We filed into a row, me beside Fred who was by George. On the other side of me was Lacey, then Hazel and Rachel.

Lacey kept throwing glances at the twins and I let out a snort. "Fred, George. This is Lacey, she's in Ravenclaw with me", I said, prodding at the twins to get their attention. "Hi, Lacey", they said at the same time. She giggled and let out, "Enchante". "And this is Lee Jordan", Fred let out with a glance at me, pulling his friend out of seemingly nowhere. Lacey looked at him, basically drooling.

"Nice thinking", I whispered to Fred, "She would have been all over you guys the whole time". Fred raised an eyebrow at me, "Jealous are we, Foster?". I sputtered, pulling at my ponytail. "Calm down, nerd. You're the only Ravenclaw in my heart", he said, flinging his arm around me and shaking my shoulders. "Shut up", I laughed. Suddenly, a loud voice boomed out and all attention was turned to the field.

"The task is to get the golden egg!", the voice let out loudly. However, the words didn't click until I saw it. A dragon. I blinked, remembering. The fire and that shining object, which I now realized was a golden egg, flooding my vision. The feeling in the pit of my stomach, the blue fog. I stumbled back, Fred catching my arm. "You okay, love?", he said. I blinked a few times, "Yeah sorry, just having...deja vu". Fred looked down at me, "Are you sure?". I nodded, "It's starting, you don't want to miss anything".

I directed his attention to the field below, and the task began. To say it was heart wrenching was an understatement. Dragons darted, champions dodged, and the crowd gasped. Seeing Cedric face the dragon was terrifying to say the least, and I began to understand why he might not want to have a girlfriend at this exact moment. Facing a dragon was just the beginning, I had no idea what they would be forced to face in the future. No wonder he wanted time to himself. 

And even thought I knew it was dangerous, I couldn't help but get swept up in the crowd. I hooted and hollered, I even placed a bet. When the task was finished, adrenaline pumped through my veins. I hadn't felt this giddy since I was a kid.

I waved goodbye to Hermione and Ron as they ran down to meet Harry. As we moved down and back toward the castle, I looked up at the setting sun. It was beautiful, casting a warm orange glow over everything. Eyes seemed to shine brighter, smiles warmer. On one side of me was Lacey, who was giggling to Lee. Rachel trailed behind them, her nose in a book. On the other was Fred and George, collecting their winnings. Hazel had run off somewhere with Celeste, and I was assuming Roger was with the rest of the guys.

When we got to the castle, I began to peel off with a few Ravenclaws towards our common room when Fred yelled, "Oi! Foster!". I turned, my ponytail whipped around. He ran up to me. "There's a party in the Gryffindor common room tonight", he grinned. I raised my eyebrows, "A party?". He nodded, "And you're coming. I don't want to hear anything about school rules".

"I'm not getting expelled for one lame party", I folded my arms across my chest. "I'm offended that you think a party we are throwing will be lame", Fred said, pretending to be hurt. I let out a laugh. "Pretty please, you looked like you were having a great time today, don't you want that to continue?", he batted his lashes. I let out a sigh. It was true, I had an extraordinary time today, laughing with the twins, watching the task, being with people.

I wasn't usually such a social creature. I didn't mind being alone, reading or studying or staring at the stars. A few friends were fine with me. To be honest, this was the most I had done in all my years at Hogwarts. I felt like I had found something I was missing, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

"Fine!", I gave in, "But only if my friends can come with me". Fred ruffled my hair and grinned, "Deal". "Did you convince her yet?", yelled George from a few feet away. "Yup", Fred yelled back, "See you tonight, love".