human again / hp.

Chapter 75

The days leading up to the Third Task felt heavy, filled with anticipation that seemed to hang over everything. The castle was buzzing with nervous energy, and everywhere you went, there were whispers about what the task might hold. No one knew for sure, but rumors about horrible creatures, deadly traps, and unsolvable puzzles were spreading quickly. It seemed like everyone was on edge, too worried to concentrate on anything else.

It was a cold, crisp morning, one of those days where the air felt sharp against your skin, and the sky above was a bright, pale blue. It almost felt like the world was holding its breath, as if something was about to happen, but no one knew exactly what. I found myself walking outside to the courtyard, hoping the fresh air would clear my thoughts, but as I strolled between the stone walls, my mind was anything but calm. My thoughts kept racing in all different directions, none of them helpful.

I had been avoiding Harry for most of the week. It wasn't because I was mad at him or anything like that—it wasn't even because our friendship was awkward, because I think we had figured out a way to be around each other. It was something deeper. Being close to him stirred up feelings I didn't know how to handle. I hadn't been ready to face them, not when there was so much else going on, especially not when he was preparing for something as dangerous as the Third Task. Watching him struggle with it only made me more anxious.

As I paced back and forth, trying to get my mind off everything, I saw him standing near one of the stone columns at the edge of the courtyard. He was leaning against it, looking off into the distance like he was lost in his own thoughts. He looked tense, distant, and I could see the deep lines of worry on his face. I hesitated, unsure if I should approach him. But I knew that I couldn't avoid him forever. So, I made up my mind and took a few steps toward him.

"Harry," I called softly.

He turned at the sound of my voice, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. His gaze was tired, but there was also something in it that I couldn't quite place. For a second, I thought he might just walk away, but instead, he gave me a small, almost tired smile.

"Celeste," he said, his voice quieter than usual, like he was too tired to say much more.

I walked a little closer, wrapping my arms around myself to protect against the chill in the air. "You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders," I said lightly, trying to sound casual, hoping to break the tension.

He let out a small, humorless laugh, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Feels like it sometimes," he replied.

We stood there in silence for a moment, neither of us really sure what to say next. The sound of students talking in the distance filled the quiet, but the weight of everything else felt too heavy to ignore.

Finally, I broke the silence. "You'll do fine at the task," I said, my voice steady. "You've made it this far, and you've handled everything they've thrown at you. This will be no different."

Harry gave me a skeptical look, like he wasn't so sure. "It's not just about getting through it," he said quietly. "There's something... off about all of this. I can't shake the feeling that something bigger is coming. I feel like there's more going on than anyone realizes."

His words made my heart drop. Harry had always had this way of sensing things before they happened, and his gut feeling was almost always right. I swallowed hard, the fear in his voice creeping into my chest. The idea of him walking into that maze with danger all around him, not knowing exactly what to expect, made me want to do something—anything—to protect him.

"Then you need to be careful," I said, my voice soft but firm. "Promise me you'll stay safe, Harry. You've been through enough already."

He looked at me, and for a moment, his expression softened, the tension in his face easing just a little. "I'll try," he said, his voice lighter, but I could still hear the uncertainty in it.