What is right and what is easy (Book 1) [A Draco Malfoy Love Story]

The first task

I had been focusing so hard on learning the summoning charm yesterday that some of my blind panic had left me. It returned in full measure, however, this morning after Draco shook me awake and kissed my forehead again. The atmosphere in the school was one of great tension and excitement. Lessons are to stop as midday, giving all the students time to get down to the dragons enclosure- though of course, they don't know what they'll find there.

I feel oddly separate from everyone around me, whether they were wishing me good luck or hissing "we'll have a box of tissues ready Potter" as I passed. It is a state of nervousness so advanced that I wonder whether I mightn't just lose my head. Time is behaving in a more peculiar fashion than ever, rushing past in great dollops, so that one moment I seemed to be sitting down in my first lesson, mindlessly braiding Draco's hair, and the next, walking to lunch... And then professor Snape was hurrying over to me in the great Hall. Lots of people were watching.

"Potter, the champions have to come down into the grounds now... You have to get ready for your first task"

"Ok" I replied, standing up, my fork falling onto the plate with a clatter.

"Good luck, Chloe" Blaise whispered "you'll be fine"

"Yeah" I agreed, giving Daphne one quick hug and shooting a death glare towards Pansy, I hope she'll be pleased when I've broken my neck.

I left the great hall with professor Snape. He didn't seem himself either; in fact, he looked nearly as anxious as Draco, who hadn't even spoken to me yet, but smiled weakly... He seemed terrified for me. As he walked me down the stone steps and out onto the cold November afternoon, he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Now, don't panic" he said "Just keep a cool head... We've got wizards on hand to control the situation if it gets out of hand... Are you alright?"

"Yes" I heard myself say "yes, I'm fine"

I went inside a tent where the champions waited. Fleur was sitting in a corner on a low wooden stool. She didn't look nearly as composed as usual, but rather pale and clammy. Viktor Krum looked even surlier than usual. Cedric was pacing up and down. Harry arrived after me and smiled towards me. I returned it, feeling the muscles in my skin working rather hard, as though they had forgotten how to smile.

"Your task is to collect the golden egg" Bagman filled us in on the task. Harry looked like he was going to be sick; that's certainly how I felt.

It was time for us to pick out dragons out of the bag. Fleur had gotten a Welsh green, Krum had pulled out a Chinese Firebolt, Cedric had gotten the Swedish short-snout. When it was my turn to pick one, I out a shaking hand inside the back and grabbed the first one my hand had came across. I pulled my hand up to find a Norwegian ridgeback in my hand. I sighed, as far as dragons go, a Ridgeback isn't that bad. It was Harry who pulled out the worst dragon... The Hungarian Horntail.

A hand grabbed mine and pulled me outside of the enclosure. Draco. His icy eyes stared back into mine, they looked slightly glassy, as though he was fighting back tiny tears. He pulled me into the tightest hug he'd ever given me, like he wasn't prepared to let me go.

"Remember to concentrate Freckles" his voice was soft, yet urgent "I'm betting on you"

I nodded lightly and rested my head on his chest, his heart beat wasn't slow and soft anymore, it was fast and harsh. He really was worried about me. I lifted my head to meet his icy eyes one last time but my lips hit his lightly. A giant jolt of an unknown feeling shot through me, I'm surprised I didn't literally jump back. My whole body shivered and my brain ached for more. However, Draco had pulled back and moved further away from me and whatever had just happened was over before it had even started.