𝑵𝑰𝑲𝑶𝑳𝑨 𝑷𝑶𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑹 ⭑ 𝑫𝑹𝑨𝑪𝑶 𝑴𝑨𝑳𝑭𝑶𝒀

SIX: The First Trial

It was the day of the first task, and my stomach organs felt like they were knotting up. I wasn't often a nervous person, but when possible death was laid out on tables it was different. It wasn't like the other 'possible deaths' in other years, because I'd had a reason for what I was doing, a reason to follow through with plans. But here? I had no plan, and I had no reason. It was just some stupid tournament that was, somehow and for whatever reason, messing my life up. I think I was more worried for Harry than myself weirdly, even though I was sure he had a plan. The four contestants had been rounded into a tournament tent beside the arena, while the stands filled with all three schools to watch. Cedric must have noticed my pacing thoughts, as he appeared beside me and placed a hand on my arm.

"You okay, Potter?" he whispered. I didn't meet his eyes, instead I turned my head to Harry, who was standing with his thoughts at the back of the tent. Cedric followed my gaze and nodded. "He'll be okay. He's a smart lad." I nodded back and sat down, Cedric taking a seat beside me. "You're smart too. Just think in a few hours the first part will be over, and we'll all be alive and well." I cocked an eyebrow at his assurance.

"You seem pretty damn confident for someone who's about to be thrown into a pit with a raging dragon," I muttered. He just laughed, flashing his usual gentle smile. I smiled faintly back. Cedric always seemed to manage a way to bring light to even the shittiest of situations.

"Rather optimistic," he corrected, smiling back at me. Suddenly there was a blinding flash at the opening of the tunnel, and we turned to see Rita had captured a photo of Harry and Hermione hugging. I hadn't even seen Hermione come in, but I assumed she was just worried for Harry. Unlike me, Hermione had always been a worried person.

"My, my," she teased, in her extremely annoying, cocky tone. Everyone stood and turned to her, hard stares on their faces. "Young love. How.. stirring. You might even make the front page!" By the looks on Harry ad Hermione's faces, this was something that strongly displeased them.

"You have no business here," Krum grumbled at her, clenching a fist at his side. "This tent is for champions and friends." Rita stares at him blankly for a moment, before grinning again and walking out with a shrug. As she leaves, Dumbledore enters with Bartimus Crouch.

"Good day champions," Dumbledore greets, as we gather around him. "The moment has arrived-," he began, but paused when his eyes fell upon Hermione. "What are you doing here Miss Granger?" She awkwardly apologised, mouthing goodluck to me before she turned to leave the tent. Barty Crouch starts to arrange us in order, before pulling a bag out from under his cloak. He stepped to Miss Delacour, holding open the bag. To my surprise she pulled out a small version of a Welsh Green dragon in her palm, which I assumed this would choose the dragons we would be up against later in the trial.

"In this bag is a variety of five different dragons. The one you pull out, is the one you shall face. Each dragon has been given a golden egg to protect. Your objective is simple: retrieve the egg. If you don't, you shall find the next task extremely difficult. For it holds a clue that you will want," Dumbledore explained, as Barty moved along, passing each of us the bag to choose our dragons. Krum with the Chinese Fireball, Cedric with the Swedish Shortsnout, and Harry with the Hungarian Horntail. I glanced at Harry in horror. The Hungarian Horntail was was of the most well-known dragons to be incredibly dangerous, and extremely territorial. I'd never been religious, but I took a very short moment before Crouch turned to me with the bag to pray for his safety.

"Which leaves Miss Potter with..." Barty Crouch whispered, as I put my hand in the bag looking directly at him as I pulled it out, refusing to look until he spoke the words. I figured this way I might be able to haul together any information I knew about the dragon before I noticed it's terrifying appearance - even if it was just a miniature version. There was a long pause to which I held the dragon before Barty spoke, I kept my eyes on him to notice his face drop. His eyes met mine before he spoke, and I almost thought I saw pity in them, like he was sure I was about to face doom. "The Horned Serpent." I looked down at the thing in my palm, and I frowned slightly as it was rather a huge snake.