I Kneel Before No One | Harry Potter

N I N E T E E N

T H E warmth of the Yule Ball had faded, replaced by the chill of a mid-winter morning. The halls of Hogwarts were quieter than usual, with students either recovering from the late night or dealing with the emotions that had bubbled up during the dance. Some friendships had grown, while others had cracked under the pressure of competition and rivalry.

Evanora walked through the halls, her gown from the night before replaced by her usual dark, elegant robes. She made her way through the castle, her mind focused on the tasks ahead. There was little time to dwell on Theo's awkward attempt at conversation or the fleeting happiness she had felt on the dance floor. More important matters awaited—Harry's training, Draco's indecision, and the looming threat of Voldemort's return.

As she passed the Great Hall, she noticed Harry sitting alone at one of the long tables, staring into his half-eaten breakfast. His expression was tense, his shoulders hunched, as if the weight of the world rested on him—which, in many ways, it did.

Evanora approached, her footsteps light but purposeful. She slid into the seat across from him without a word. Harry didn't look up at first, but he knew it was her. The air around her always seemed to carry a chill, as if winter followed her wherever she went.

"Rough night?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with concern.

Harry sighed, finally looking up. "You could say that."

"Cho didn't go the way you'd hoped?" Evanora guessed, raising an eyebrow. She had seen him with her during the dance, but the tension had been palpable.

"It's not just Cho," Harry muttered, pushing his plate away. "It's everything. The tournament, the pressure, Cedric... I can't stop thinking about what's coming next."

Evanora leaned back, studying him for a moment. "You're worried about the second task."

Harry nodded. "I barely made it through the first one. What if I mess this one up? What if someone gets hurt?"

For all his bravery, Harry was still a boy, thrust into a world of life-or-death challenges far too soon. She knew he wasn't just afraid of failure—he was afraid of letting everyone down, of not living up to the expectations placed on him.

"Listen to me, Harry," she said firmly, leaning forward. "You're stronger than you realize. The key to surviving this tournament isn't about being the best wizard in the room—it's about knowing how to outthink your opponents. You need to stay calm, clear-headed, and trust your instincts."

Harry glanced at her, uncertainty still etched across his face. "But what if I don't know what to do? What if I freeze?"

"You won't," Evanora said with quiet conviction. "You've made it this far, haven't you? And you're not doing this alone. You've got people who believe in you—myself included."

That last part seemed to surprise Harry. He blinked at her, then managed a small smile. "I didn't think you believed in anything."

Evanora chuckled softly. "I believe in possibilities, Harry. And right now, I surprisingly believe in yours."

They sat in silence for a moment, the sounds of the Great Hall slowly filling the space around them as more students trickled in for breakfast. Evanora's mind raced with the details she knew about the Triwizard Tournament. The second task would come soon, and Harry would need every advantage he could get.

"Have you figured out what the second task is yet?" she asked, her voice low.

Harry shook his head. "No. I've tried, but... I don't know where to start."

Evanora nodded thoughtfully. "If I were you, I'd start by looking at the clues you've been given. That golden egg from the first task—it's not just a trophy. It's your key to understanding what's coming next."