Love is All; Love is New

Ten: Forming of Sides.

The Great Hall was completely deserted as Harry, Cedric and I make our way back to our Common Rooms. Cedric makes small talk with Harry, but all I can think about is Moody's theory.

Someone wants Harry and I in this competition. And badly enough to mess with the entire Tournament. Why did Elliot make me enter, does he have something to do with this? What the hell has he gotten himself involved in now?

"Florence, could I have a word?" I hear beside me, and someone places their hand on my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I look over to Cedric, who looks deeply confused. I glance over at Harry, who had looked over his shoulder at the two of us, before heading towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Er... Sure," I nod, trying to keep my voice strong, and not falter before him.

"You told me you didn't put your name in the Goblet," He states bluntly, speaking lowly, as if people were listening in on us.

"Yeah, well, I lied." I look down to my feet, "I didn't really want to enter, but my family insisted," I try to explain as much as possible, without making my family look suspicious.

"How did your name get drawn?" He asks, even quieter this time. He looks around, to be sure that no one was around.

My temper flares up inside me. Does he think I'm behind this? That I want all this glory, and attention for myself?

"How am I supposed to know?" I snap, a little more bitterly than usual. He looks a little taken back. "I mean, It's a mystery to me as well." I clear my throat, trying to return to my innocent character.

Down at the end of the hall, we hear a door opening and closing, followed by footsteps.

"Let's finish this discussion later, okay?" He asks, holding me in place for the moment. I can't help but to blush as both of his hands rest upon my shoulders. I nod, enthusiastically; almost overly-enthused.

He lets go of me, with a curt smile, and heads towards his Common Room, leaving me in the middle of the hallway.

* * * *

I enter the Slytherin Common Room, trying to prepare myself for the mob of questions I'm going to have to answer.

The minute I open the door, I hear a loud cheer.

"FLORENCE!"

I'm tore from the doorway and hoisted up on a pair of shoulders, high in the air. I let out a gasp and cling onto the person's head for dear life.

All around me, I see banners of Slytherin pride. Green and silver all over the place, with people cheering and clapping and partying.

"Florence is our champion!" The room starts in a round of cheers. Fallon, who's shoulders I am seated on, runs around the room with me.

I can't help but to smile as I bask in the pride of my fellow Slytherins. I see some sour glares as people sit in the back of the room. But, I don't let it bring me down.

Fallon drops me to the ground, keeping an arm around my shoulder. People rush up to me, from every direction, trying to give me a hug or shake my hand. I try my best not to get overwhelmed.

"How does it feel?" Skye asks me, as she wraps her arms tightly around me, nearly suffocating me. "Everyone's eyes are on you now." She laughs, messing with my hair.

My cheeks redden as I look around, meeting eyes with every single person that's packed in the Common Room. Over everyone's heads, I meet eyes with Elliot, who is one of the tallest boys in our school. He and his close friends stand near the back. Elliot gives me a proud smile and his friends give me a thumbs up.