Under My Skin

~ Chapter Twenty Five ~

"Barbaric And Manly"

Kieran and I were patiently waiting in the hallways about to walk in and enter his name into the goblet. The goblet of fire to be exact, so he could possibly be nominated to a suicide game.

I wasn't thrilled with the idea but promised to stay with him along the way. I calmed down his nervous jitters and then we made our way into the room.

The goblet in the middle, our friends and my siblings on the benches cheering. Hand in hand, we made our way closer to the flaming goblet. "You got this." I reassured him pressing a kiss to his soft lips.

They curve into a smile and a moment later he was putting his name into the goblet. Cheers erupted from everyone but Gregory Flint and his posse.

I gave Gregory a death glare and then took a seat beside Atlas. Kieran beside me, his eyes never once leaving me.

____

"Students! Students quiet down!" Headmistress demanded. Two other schools had entered Hogwarts. Their most accomplished, and arrogant, students nominated themselves for the tournament.

"We will now announce our chosen nominees for the Triwizard Tournament!" She made her way to the Goblet as it spewed blue flames. A paper flew out into her hand seconds later.

"Olivia Dumont!" The Beauxbaton girls cheered loudly squealing for the head girl. She smiled brightly which made me want to barf.

The second paper flew into Headmistress McGonagalls hand.

"Baron Barbosa!" The Durmstrang boys yelling. Always so barbaric and manly. Then the last name was shot out. Everyone was quiet, my hand gripped onto Kieran's tightly.

Please don't be him.

Please don't be him.

Please don't be him.

Was it shitty that I didn't want him to have the opportunity of a lifetime like this? Something he's dreamed of since he was 9? Yes, extremely shitty of me. But it was dangerous, too dangerous.

"And the finally nominee, who I am very pleased to announce is...Kieran Riddle!" Everyone stood clapping as the students roared out. Slytherin students were ecstatic, Slytherin usually didn't get these chances.

My heart dropped to my stomach as tears stung my eyes. I tried to hide my disappointment but my siblings noticed. They stared at me with empathy. I shook my head forcing out a laugh as Kieran hugged me from behind kissing my head. He was so happy, but I was so scared.

"The first challenge will begin tomorrow morning! Be up early and ready nominees. And good luck." Headmistress winked in Kieran's direction.

_____

I was up all night. Kieran wanted me to stay in his dorm with him but I needed to be alone. Or at least slightly alone. Lilah had moved into our dorm after Bella left for France. The three of us in our freakishly large dormroom.

Athalia and Lilah sound asleep and me wide awake. Waiting for hours so I could watch my boyfriend get killed by a dragon. At 6 am I took a cold shower and dressed warm for the fall crisp air.

Athalia and Lilah excited for the first challenge but I was a ball of nerves. We made our way to the stadium following the crowds of students. Athalia and Lilah going to sit in the stands while I went to find Kieran. I peeked behind a flag to find Kieran with the rest of nominees preparing.

I burst into the room, Kieran smiling at me with a toothy grin. "Hello gorgeous." He kissed my head while I hugged his torso tightly. "Nominees it tis time to choose your dragons." Announced the minister Ludovic Bagman.

Igor Karkaroff headmaster of Durmstrang and Olympe Maxime Headmistress of Beauxbatons coming in behind him. Then Rita Skeeter herself barged into the room. Snapping headshots of Kieran and i together.

"Such an adorable couple! Now tell me Ember how do you feel about this all?" I froze. Refusing to speak. "Quiet Mosquito." Kieran demanded, brushing her off with the swish of his hand.

Headmistress McGonagall stood beside the minister. "Pick a paper and that is the dragon you will be defeating today." The minister informed. Olivia picked first, of course she got the easiest.

A common Welsh Green Dragon. My prayers didn't work and I feared Kieran would get the worst. Baron got the Ukrainian Ironbelly which left only two for Kieran. The worst and the safer option.

He stuck his hand in the small sack gripping onto a paper. We all waited on edge to know what he got. He opened the paper and spoke. "Hungarian Horntail." He muttered making me slightly gasp.

He got the worst. I was petrified now. "Olivia you shall go first." And so she did. Then Baron and last Kieran would go. We sat on a bed, I clung onto his arm. Fear overpowered every other feeling overwhelming me.

"Don't be stupid." I told him once his name was shouted from the arena. He kissed my cheek swiftly before leaving me in the room alone. I rushed into the stands along side Athalia. Scorpius had joined them while I was gone.

Kieran was in the arena, hiding behind a rock. Sliding along it to get the egg. That was until the Dragon whipped it's tail into the rock. It exploded into dust and bits of smaller rocks. Kieran had fallen to the ground a cut along his cheekbone.

I gripped Athlias hand, tears streaming down my cheeks. The crowd yelled ooos and ahs over and over. It seemed never ending. After multiple failed tried Kieran had gotten the egg. Everyone screaming in excitement and standing as I sat down.

My hand on my chest, I was so grateful. He could've died, I knew that. The thought of it refused to leave my mind. I took out my inhaler from my purse taking a puff as Aspen appeared behind me her hands on my shoulders.

Athalia placing her hand in mine. I thought nobody else had noticed but then I looked. Kieran stood in the arena regret smeared on his face as he eyed the inhaler in my mouth. He threw the egg into the room which we were In before i bolted to the stands.

Getting pats on the back and congratulations which he ignored. He came straight to me. Aspen moving back so Kieran could place me in his arms. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry." He whispered in my ear holding me tightly.

I nodded my head but couldn't do anything but panic. Tears still falling onto my cheeks and my breath still not to where I wanted it to be. I couldn't lose him.

He now knew how this was affecting me.

But it was too late.

He couldn't get out of it now.