way to go, tiger | Lorenzo Berkshire

࣪𖤐 Y4 | 11 . The First Task

LOOK AFTER YOU — THE FRAY
'When I'm losing my control, the city spins around. You're the only one who knows to slow it down.'

Cassie can't swallow her lunch. One bite of her sandwich and she pushes it away with disgust. That lump in her throat has taken control of her body, preventing her from relaxing. Her muscles are tense and tight.

"Why aren't you eating?" Pansy asks opposite her on the table.

Cassie shrugs. "Too nervous."

Today is the day of the first Triwizard task. Cassie knows her brother is going to have to face a dragon today, and the thought paralyses her. It makes her feel sick. She can't think, eat or sleep properly. Cedric has been doing interviews and preparation all morning, which only makes Cassie more nervous. She needs to talk to her brother, hug him again. What if she didn't hug him tight enough yesterday? What if he forgets how much she loves him?

"Come on, try and eat something. Not even something little?" Pansy asks, holding up a bowl of strawberries.

Cassie shakes her head, "I'm afraid I'll just throw it up, Pans. I'm fine, really. I'll eat once Cedric walks out unharmed."

Pansy sighs. She knows Cassie, she knows how this anxious feeling she gets tends to eat her from the inside out. She doesn't push Cassie that bit further because Cassie is stubborn like that.

Enzo sits down next to his girlfriend with a smile in the hopes of cheering her up. He kisses her cheek, but she doesn't react. Enzo frowns. "What's wrong, love?" Cassie shakes her head in response, sick of telling people what's wrong, even if it is Enzo asking. "Cedric is going to be fine, Cass. He's got a plan." he says, realising what she's so nervous about.

Enzo has always been good at doing that— reading her like it's nothing. Another quality that makes Enzo an absolute godsend. He always knows how to comfort her, even if she doesn't know what words to say.

"I've just got this horrible feeling about this tournament. He's going to get himself hurt at one point or another."

"Give him some credit, Cass. He's very tactical— and just a good seeker as Krum. He'll be more than fine."

"I don't know, it's just that feeling in my stomach."

"Yeah, it's your growling stomach. Have you eaten?"

She snorts, "No."

He frowns and holds her hand under the table. He knows there's nothing he can say that'll make her want to eat. He's patient with her, which Cassie always appreciates.

Her friends discuss everything but the task in an attempt to distract her. It works for a bit, when Mattheo makes a joke about Flint's teeth. But Mcgonagall begins calling houses over and to the make-shift stadium outside the forest.

"Slytherin fourth year!" she exclaims, leading them to Moody and Flitwick, who then take them to the stadium between the lake and forest.

Cassie's head becomes crazed at the different noises and business of the crowds. She can't focus. Everything is an attack on her senses, and she can't stand it. Drawing herself from the crowd, Cassie heads toward the lake.

She paces around the grounds, her hands trembling. This werewolf is going to be the death of her. Why can't she be normal like everyone else? Nobody else seems to be overwhelmed by the noises and sights. It makes Cassie feel like an outsider to her own life. It's almost like she's watching through a window, her life on the other side of the glass. On her side, it's all a big blur of sounds and sights. Inside the window, it's calm and Cassie's head is clear.