sunlit meadows, winding brooks ✮ slytherin boys

chapter four // knight of wands

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Saturday, November 24th, 1994

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           "Dia duit, mo Cory," Evangeline called as she stepped over countless people to reach the caramel-haired boy. She made sure every step was calculated as she maneuvered around people. The newly built, circular fighting arena was constructed of only wood and didn't look forgiving if you fell in. The pit was filled with sharp boulders and looked hundreds of feet deep. Evangeline could not fathom the challenges that Cedric would have to face today.

          "Learning some Gaelic for me, grá?" Cormac smirked as he scanned Evangeline's body, his eyes landing on her top that was adorned with a "Potter Stinks" pin.

          "Not really," the blonde admitted, "only bits and pieces I pick up from you," she smiled slightly, allowing her dimples to show. Evangeline was usually a happy-go-lucky girl but today, her mood was at an all-time low.

          The Triwizard Tournament was a dangerous honor, one that could get you killed, and her best friend in the entire world was a part of it. She did not want to see him get hurt.

          Evangeline bit her nails in anticipation, causing Cormac to pull her into his chest. They'd only known each other for a couple of weeks, but Cormac was the only person who could sense when something was bothering her. She liked that about him. He made her feel safe.

          "Nothing is going to harm Cedric, I promise," Cormac reassured as he placed a wool hat with the Gryffindor emblem embroidered on it over her two blonde braids. Cormac and Evangeline were practically a couple, but Cormac heavily avoided labels, so he'd make gestures like that to show he owned her. He was hers and she was his. "I have a question," Cormac stated.

          "Ask away," Evangeline beamed.

          "Would you like to-"

          Suddenly, the speakers that were placed strategically around the humongous arena rang. Headmaster Dumbledore cleared his throat and spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the opening task of the Triwizard Tournament," the crowd erupted into hollers, Evangeline the chance to whisper, "Accio banner", allowing a small, triangular Hufflepuff banner on a stick to fly into her hands.

          "This task is not for the faint of heart," Dumbledore continued, "If the champions wish to progress to the next task, they must face a winged beast with shimmering scales, piercing yellow eyes, and a temperament that strikes fear into anyone wishing to defeat it," he confessed, making the crowd gasp.

          "Without further ado, I present to you the Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory!" The crowd chanted his name as he emerged from a worn-out tent looking greener than ever. He looked like he was about to be sick. He reached into his pocket, clutching his wand at the ready as he sprinted behind a boulder. He knew what was coming next.

          A silver-blue creature with long pointed horns appeared from the other side of the arena. It was an enormous, fire-breathing, Swedish Short-Snout dragon that looked ready for battle. Evangeline clung onto Cormac for dear life in that moment, the endless possibilities of what could happen to Cedric running through her head.

          Cedric then peaked behind the boulder and cast countless spells towards the dragon. 'Everte Statum', 'Obscuro', 'Fumos', you name it, but nothing was stopping that dragon. The dragon lunged at Cedric, straining against its chains, only for Cedric to duck and counter with a spell. It continued like that for a while.

          Cedric sprinted behind the same boulder from earlier to catch his breath, and that's when an idea struck him. Evangeline could see the glint in his eyes from a mile away.

          "He's got an idea," Evangeline's eyes brightened as she stared up at Cormac.

          Cedric turned towards the boulder and whispered a spell into his wand, transforming it into a Labrador. Evangeline guessed it was a 'Rock to Dog' transfiguration spell, but whatever it was, it was working. The Labrador distracted the dragon enough for Cedric to sneak over to where the egg was held. Screams erupted from the stands, Evangeline's being the loudest of them all.

          "Evangeline!" Cormac yelled.

          "Cory!" She mimicked with a smile, realizing Cedric was going to defeat the dragon after all.

          "Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?" he shouted over the loud students, making Evangeline's mouth hang open.

          "Absolutely! A thousand times over, yes!" Evangeline replied as she embraced him tightly.

         Evangeline turned her attention back towards the fighting arena, still holding on tightly to Cormac. Before Cedric could reach into the nest, the dragon grew tired of its new plaything and wanted him instead. Evangeline covered her eyes and heard a scream echo from the pit, followed by the sound of a cannon firing. Cormac removed her hands away from her eyes to reveal Cedric standing proudly, egg in hand and a small burn on the side of his face.

         "I promised you didn't I?" Cormac smiled, his accent causing him to roll the 'r' in 'promise'.

          Evangeline kissed Cormac on the lips and backed away, "You certainly did, mo Cory," Evangeline giggled as she ran off to find Cedric.

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          "Ms. Meadowbrook, you may see him now," Madam Pomfrey said as she walked out from behind the curtain.

          "How are you feeling, Diggory?" Evangeline inquired as she settled down on the bed Cedric was resting in.

          "I'm in better shape now than when that savage first struck me," he scoffed as Evangeline turned his head to face her. She touched the almost completely healed burn, causing Cedric to hiss in discomfort.

          "I'm just glad you're okay," Evangeline smiled as she dropped her hand and hugged him. "You were a natural out there you know? I think you could win this thing," she praised.

          "I know I can," he smirked. Same old Cedric, she thought.