chosen - harry potter

Chapter 2 - On the Defense

(tw: violence)

𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧

They stood in a grassy, muddy field. Hermione looked at Cassia wide-eyed, smiling at her over Cedric helping her up. Cassia hit her on the arm playfully. They followed Arthur, waving to the Diggorys as they left toward a cabin. The group approached a small clearing amongst the tents, with a small sign hammered into the ground that said "Weezly."

"Couldn't have gotten a better spot!" Arthur beamed.

They had to set up the tents by hand, Cassia helping Harry and Hermione to drive the stakes into the ground. The two tents looked as though they could house two people at most from the outside. They all took a step back to look at the small structures.

"We'll be a bit cramped," Arthur called, crawling into a tent, "but I think we'll all squeeze in!"

Cassia, Ginny, and Hermione dipped into the second tent, realizing that the inside was more than enough room. There was a bedroom with a bunk bed and a small twin bed, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. Cassia dropped her bag on the bottom bunk, walking back toward her two friends.

"So, Cassia," Ginny grinned. "What's with you and Cedric?"

"Nothing, dummy," Cassia teased. "He's quite a bit older than me. He's just a nice person."

"Right," Hermione and Ginny chorused.

Harry and Ron entered the tent, looking around curiously. Hermione and Cassia gave them a quick tour, enthusiastically showing them around. They left the tent to get water from a nearby pump, talking happily about the upcoming match. 

Cassia looked at the tents as they passed, seeing a variety of people waking up for the match.

"Are you and Cedric close?" Harry asked suddenly, making Cassia turn her head to him.

"Not particularly," Cassia shrugged. "He's just been around a lot because of Will."

"Oh," Harry said dismissively. 

"Hey guys!"

It was Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, sitting in front of a shamrock-covered tent.

"Like the decorations?" Seamus beamed. "The Ministry's not too happy."

"Well, they never are. You're rooting for Ireland, I guess?" Cassia smiled at the two.

"How'd you know?"

The quartet waved to the two, walking away from the green-covered tents. They made it to the tap in the corner of the field, filling up the jug. Cassia and Hermione walked behind Harry and Ron, who carried the heavy water jug, talking and pointing at the colorful tents that they passed by. They ran into Cho Chang, who smiled at Harry and tucked hair behind her ear, making Cassia's stomach turn strangely. As they walked further, they ran into Oliver Wood. He yanked Harry by the arm into his tent to introduce him to his parents. Hermione, Cassia, and Ron stood waiting for him, Cassia looking bored at her red nails. 

"Cassia!"

It was Ernie Macmillan, flanked by Justin Finch-Fletchley, who stared at his feet.

"Hi," Cassia said awkwardly.

"Good to see you guys!" Ernie beamed, looking between the three of them. "Excited for the match?"

"Yeah, thrilled," Ron said, glaring at Justin, who still stared at his feet.

"Ready to go?" 

Harry had come back from Oliver's tent, standing behind Cassia with a light touch on her forearm. She looked up at him and nodded, thankful for his quick return.