Nothing But You // N. Longbottom

Four: The Tasks

Neville and Norvina sat in the library together, sitting next to each other as usual. This was usually their weekly study time in the library, it is always the most peaceful after dinner when there isn't anyone in there. They often shifted between studying in the library and helping out in the greenhouses.

However, tonight was different.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat searching for books and seemingly searching for an answer to an obviously difficult question. Their tired voices could be heard from across the library, striking Neville and Norvina's attention. The two exchanged looks and decided to go see if they needed any help.

They overheard the group looking for a way to help Harry with the second task, the task that just so happened to be tomorrow. That's when Neville decided to intervene.

"You know, if you're interested in plants, you'll be better off with this guide to herbology," Neville spoke, coming to the conclusion that Harry was at a loss for ideas, "You know there's a wizard in Nepal who's growing gravity-resistant trees?"

"Neville-" Harry cut him off, "no offense, but I really don't care about plants. Unless there's a turnip that will allow me to breathe underwater." Harry spoke, pulling his exhausted face from his book.

Norvina drew a deep breath, drawing her anger at Harry for his outburst at Neville. It was uncalled for. Neville noticed this and was quick to stop her.

"I don't know about a turnip, but you can always use gillyweed." Neville advised.

X

"You're sure about this, Neville?" Harry asked Neville, as he handed him the handful of gillyweed. Harry looked at the pile nervously.

"Absolutely." Neville smiled, trying to make Harry feel less nervous. Though it didn't seem to work very well.

"For an hour?" Harry asked, searching Neville's eyes for much-needed confirmation.

"Most likely." Neville replied, looking at the Black Lake.

"Most likely?" Harry asked, his voice going up nearly an octave. Norvina looked at the young boy and rose her brow. 

"Well, there is some debate among herbologists as to the effects of freshwater versus saltwater." Neville informed him, though it was not what Harry wanted to hear. Norvina admitted it made her nervous, but she decides not to say anything. She knows it would only stress Harry out more.

"You're telling me this now? You must be joking!" Harry spoke, loud enough for the few people around them to hear. Neville was obviously uncomfortable and Norvina looked at Harry angrily.

"Hey!" Norvina stopped him in his tracks, "Neville is just trying to help you. You don't have to act like an ungrateful git." Norvina spoke, crossing her arms in front of her chest defensively. If it wasn't such an important event, Neville probably would have kissed her right then and there, but he restrained himself.

"Nora, it's alright-"

"Where are Ron and Hermione anyway?" Harry spoke, looking back at the castle in hopes of finding his two best buddies.

"You seem a bit tense, Harry..." Neville commented, a bit worried for his friend.

"Do I?" Harry spoke, walking backwards and searching for his two friends to no avail.

Norvina took Neville's hand as they walked ahead and got into a boat and headed off to the location, their nervousness quite evident.

X

"Welcome to the second task. Last night, something was stolen from each of our champions. A treasure, of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion, now lie on the bottom of the Black Lake. In order to win, each champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough. Except for this; they will have but one hour to do so, and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own. No magic will save them. You may begin at the start of the canon-" Dumbledore spoke, but was then cut off by the abrupt firing of the cannon.

Neville and Norvina watched as Harry put the gillyweed in his mouth. Just as quickly, Mad-Eye Moody shoved the boy into the lake. Norvina was shocked at such an action, but kept her place beside of Neville.

"What's the matter with him?" Seamus asked, looking through the murky waters of the Black Lake. Norvina could feel Neville growing tense, worried for Harry's safety.

"I don't know. I can't see him." Dean spoke, also searching for their fellow Gryffindor friend. Norvina squeezed Neville's hand in comfort, but the boy grew panicked.

"Oh my god," Neville put his hands on his head, "I've killed Harry Potter!" He shouted, just as Harry rose from the waters, signaling to everyone that he was okay. The pair let out the anxious breath that they had been holding in for so long.

"See? He's okay!" Norvina spoke to Neville, as she continued to comfort him.

X

"That was extremely smart." Norvina spoke, walking while holding Neville's hand. She smiled as she looked over at him. He seemed confused.

"What?" Neville asked, smiling back at the young girl.

"Giving Harry gillyweed." She was quick to reply, watching the smile rise from Neville's face as his skin turned pink. Neville blushed at the idea that Norvina thought of him as resourceful.

"Oh...it was nothing really." Neville spoke, blowing his actions off as a typical thing. Norvina knew better. Neville cared deeply about his friends, he'd do nearly anything they needed if they asked him to. That was just another thing that Norvina loved about the boy.

"Nothing? Neville, you just saved Harry's life. You and I both know he wouldn't have thought to use it if you hadn't told him about it." Norvina spoke, pulling his arm slightly in her explanation. Neville smiled at her, deciding to take the compliment.

"When you put it that way, it kind of sounds heroic." Neville leaned down to her ear, and smirked at her. She, too, smiled as she spoke back.

"My hero." Norvina holds him close as they walk back to the castle they called home.

X

The third task had rolled around quite quickly after the second. Norvina stood in the stands with Neville, supporting the event, watching the other champions and their handlers; Karkaroff with Viktor Krum, Madam Maxine with Fleur Delacour, Mad-Eye Moody with Harry, and Amos Diggory with Cedric.

The pair watched them all nervously, anxiously awaiting to see who would win. To see which competitor would stand tall with gracious victory. Everyone in the stands didn't seem to be scared or nervous at all. Norvina could only imagine the kind of fear and stress that the champions were feeling.

"Earlier this evening, Professor Moody placed the Triwizard Cup within the maze. Only he knows where it resides. As the scoring is close, the first to touch the cup will become the first Triwizard champion in over one hundred years." Dumbledore announces as the students in the stands cheer, including Norvina and Neville.

As the sound of the commencing cannon goes off, the champions enter the maze.

The time seemed to pass agonizingly slow. Neville and Norvina engaged in light conversation as they awaited the end of the tournament, occasionally watching the maze, trying to see if anyone comes out, hoping it would be Hogwarts' very own Harry Potter or Cedric Diggory that did so.

Just as they turn their attention away, Harry hits the earth with a massive slam. Everyone looks up from their seats and sees Harry sitting over someone. Who was the person beneath the Potter boy?

"Is that-?" Neville is shocked, looking at the two bloodied boys in the field. Norvina looked at Neville and then back at the scene.

That someone seemed to be Cedric Diggory. Harry's arms were tight over Cedric, as he sobbed into the yellow of his uniform. That was when Norvina realized that Cedric wasn't moving. 

"Cedric..." Norvina replied, placing a worried hand over her mouth. Neville put his hands around Norvina, pulling her as close to him as he could. Neville felt a pang of sadness wash over him as he looked at Cedric's lifeless body from the stands. He glanced down at Norvina, feeling the urge to protect her from everything wrong in the world.

"Don't look." Neville spoke to her, placing gentle hands over her eyes in an attempt to shield her from seeing death. Even if death is inevitable for everyone, he'd do his best to shield her from its clutches for as long as posible.