The Raven's Call

The First Task

Thursday, 24th November 1994

The days have only grown colder since our night in the Shrieking Shack, and since the first task is today, we're allowed to wear our home clothes. I dress myself in warm clothes, mostly in black, with a beanie, scarf and a few layers of jackets. Sufficiently warmed, I make my way towards the stadium that had been built specifically for this task, way up in the mountains. Too lazy to walk the whole way there, I take my broom, making it in time to find some pretty good seats. Soon more and more students pile in, and Alex and Asteria taking seats beside me. I smile to Alex, I feel we've hardly seen each other at all this year, I should make more time for him.

"Bets! Place your bets!"
"Bets taken! Bets taken here!"

"Step up, folks! Who fancies a flutter in today's bloodbath?"
"Smart money's on Krum to survive!"

"Any bets?!"

The Weasley twins are making sales off of the outcomes of these tasks. Smart move. Soon we're called to hush down, being informed on what the champions must do for this task, the twins slide in between me and Asteria, Fred beside me and George beside Astra, counting their bets. Then a Beauxbatons girl sneaks past the line of us hogwarts students, taking a seat next to Alex. I stare. My eyes stare at Alex, trying to force my thoughts into his mind. 'IS THAT HER?!' I scream inside my head, but to no avail, he just turns and begins talking to her. "Eleanor, meet my best friend, Atticus." He says, his face turning a slight tinge of red as he turns to look at her, then at me. I grin. This IS her. "Hi!" I lean over to shake her hand before we're told to hush once more.

This task seemed pretty simple, steal a golden egg from the dragon's nest. Surely they just Accio the egg, right? Right??

First up, Cedric. The crowd cheers, chanting "Diggory! Diggory! Diggory!" I soon join in, happy to cheer my brother on. I'm perched on the edge of my seat in the stands, my eyes locked onto the arena below. I watch as Cedric emerges from a cave mouth, gearing up to face the daunting Swedish Short-Snout guarding the Golden Egg. The tension in the air is thick as we await the unfolding spectacle. Cedric, unwavering in his determination, takes a bold step forward. The colossal dragon glares, its eyes fixed on him. The task at hand seems hopeless, but Cedric has a plan. With a swift incantation, he transfigures a nearby rock into a lively Labrador. The dog bounds into action, drawing the dragon's attention away from Cedric and the elusive Golden Egg. The crowd erupts into a mix of gasps and cheers as the distraction works, and Cedric seizes the opportunity. Swift and determined, he moves in, snatching the Golden Egg from under the dragon's watchful gaze. The Labrador continues to playfully engage the dragon, providing Cedric the precious seconds he needs.

Just when it seems like victory is within reach, the dragon, having grown weary of the canine diversion, refocuses its attention on Cedric. A collective gasp sweeps through the stands as the creature unleashes its fiery breath, searing half of Cedric's face. Despite the perilous setback, Cedric has achieved his goal. The Golden Egg is secure in his grasp, a testament to his courage and resourcefulness. The crowd's cheers now mix with expressions of concern as Cedric, bearing the scars of his bravery, triumphantly holds the prized trophy. As Cedric proudly holds the Golden Egg, the burns on his face bear witness to the high cost of his victory. My emotions remain tangled, torn between admiration for his success and a sense of empathy for the price he paid. The stands may echo with cheers, but my heart holds a complex array of feelings, acknowledging both the triumph and the sacrifice in Cedric's courageous endeavour. I need to make sure that he is okay. I stand, making my way past the twins and Asteria, calling forth my broom to take me down to the infirmary tent.

I find him lying on a bed, his face still bearing the marks of the dragon's fiery breath. Despite the lingering worry, I muster a gentle smile as I enter the room. "Hey, Cedric," I begin, trying to sound reassuring. "How are you feeling? That was quite a courageous move back there with the dragon. I had my heart in my throat watching you." Cedric manages a weak smile in return, the pain evident in his eyes. "Well, it was a bit more intense than I anticipated, but I'm hanging in there. Madame Pomfrey is doing her best." I pull up a chair beside him, my concern deepening. "I heard the crowd cheering, but seeing you like this... it's a lot. Are you in a lot of pain?" He nods slightly, wincing. "Yeah, it stings, but Madame Pomfrey said it'll get better soon. I suppose it's the price of triumph." I nod, understanding the weight of his words. "You did brilliantly, Cedric. Retrieving the Golden Egg was no small feat. I'm proud of you, even if it came at a cost." He chuckles softly, wincing again. "Thanks. It means a lot. And hey, at least I have a unique story to tell now, right?" I smile, grateful for his resilience. "Absolutely. You've certainly added some drama to this tournament. If there's anything you need, just let me know. We're in this together." As we talk, I can't help but feel a stronger bond with Cedric, knowing that he's not just a champion but also my brother. The infirmary may be a place of recovery, but it's also where our connection deepens in the aftermath of his courageous ordeal.