Hogwarts Champion // Triwizard Tournament

III

THE DECISION

As I returned to the Slytherin common room, the weight of my conversation with Poppy still lingering in my thoughts, I found Grace and Nerida seated in our usual spot by the windows. Their curious gazes met mine as I entered, and I could sense their unspoken questions hanging in the air.

"Sera! Where have you been?" Grace inquired, her brow furrowing with concern. "We checked the library, but you weren't there."

Nerida chimed in, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Yeah, we were wondering where you disappeared to."

With a sigh, I settled into the seat opposite them, feeling the weight of my recent conversation with Poppy pressing upon me. "I went to Hogsmeade with Poppy," I confessed, hoping they would understand.

Their reactions, however, were not what I had expected. Grace's gaze flickered with skepticism, while Nerida merely shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hogsmeade? With Sweeting?" Grace repeated, her tone incredulous. "Why would you go with her? She's always so... dull."

Nerida nodded in agreement, her attention already drifting elsewhere. "Yeah, I don't blame you for not telling us. We wouldn't have wanted to go anyway."

Their dismissive attitudes stung, but I knew better than to let their words affect me. With a resigned nod, I masked my disappointment and forced a smile. "Well, it was actually quite nice," I replied, hoping to deflect their indifference. "We had a good chat and enjoyed some butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks."

Grace and Nerida exchanged a glance before returning their attention to their own conversation, leaving me to ponder the complexities of friendship and the ever-shifting dynamics within our close-knit circle. As I sat in the familiar comfort of our shared space, I couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness, a silent reminder of the connections I had once cherished and the bonds that had begun to fray.

As I sat there, absently fidgeting with the seam on my blazer, lost in my own thoughts, Grace's question cut through the silence like a knife. I looked up from my lap, the suddenness of her inquiry snapping me back into the conversation.

"Have you made your decision about putting your name in the Goblet of Fire?" Grace asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback by the directness of her question. But then, as if propelled by an unseen force, I found myself nodding. "Oh, yeah," I replied, my voice a little uncertain. "I think I have."

Nerida, sensing the weight of the moment, scooted forward in her chair, her eyes fixed on mine with eager anticipation. "Well, what's your decision?" she pressed, her excitement palpable.

Taking a deep breath, I met their gazes with a newfound resolve. "I've decided... I'm going to do it," I declared, the words carrying a weight of certainty that surprised even me.

To my surprise, Grace and Nerida broke into excited cheers, their faces lighting up with enthusiasm. "That's amazing, Seraphina!" Grace exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration. "We knew you could do it!"

Nerida's smile was infectious as she leaned forward, her excitement barely contained. "You're going to be incredible, Seraphina! We'll be cheering you on every step of the way!"

As Grace and Nerida erupted into excited cheers, their infectious enthusiasm filling the air with high energy, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence wash over me. Their unwavering support was like a beacon of light guiding me through the uncertainty of my decision.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Grace exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement as she shoved a quill and parchment in my direction. "Let's make it official!"