Always - Welcome to the Wizarding World

Part 29

Draco had not come to me. He was a stubborn boy; he hadn't even looked at me once and I'm shocked to say that I missed his relentless staring. I felt dreadful, I was sure everyone was talking about it behind my back. I had earned myself a horrid reputation and it was only my first year. Zarah was the only person I could talk to anymore, Draco wanted nothing more to do with me. Not that I blamed him. 

Parkinson, as you would expect, was being particularly nasty, calling me names and cracking jokes about me. I knew she was just trying to provoke me and I mustn't let her get under my skin, but she was very good at being a blabber-mouthing bitch!

It was the day of the final task and I was so thankful that it was coming to an end. I couldn't stand the intensity of the events, they set my teeth on edge. However, I was far more nervous about this one. I could not wait for it all to be over.

Zarah and I made our way down to the stands. On the Quidditch pitch, a ceaseless, vast, winding maze had been grown. It was foggy and dark, I knew that it would be a frightening task to complete and I thanked God that it wasn't me who was having to complete it. When Zarah and I came to the stands, I suddenly realized that I had no idea which champions' supporters section I would sit in. I didn't want to support Harry, not anymore. He hadn't even bothered to apologize or explain himself to me. But I wasn't sure about sitting with Cedric's supporters, either. I'd feel too embarrassed, after everything that had happened. I couldn't sit in Krum's section because that's where Draco would be, but I didn't want people to think I was supporting Fleur either. Everyone knew she wasn't going to win and anyone who thought otherwise was kidding themselves! Zarah looked at me confusedly.

"Where are we sitting then?" she asked. I shrugged. Before I could reply, I felt a sharp tap on my shoulder. I turned around quickly to see Professor Dumbledore stood behind me, his lengthy silver beard tucked into his robes.

"Professor Dumbledore, good evening".

"Hello, Miss Snape. Sorry to disturb you, but someone wants to talk to you down in the champions' tent" he informed me. I sighed. It must have been Harry, finally apologizing. I nodded and put on my most convincing smile, leaving Zarah in the stands and following Dumbledore down to the champions' tent. 

Dumbledore reached out to pull the flap back from the tent, but stopped and turned to face me. "Please don't be too harsh on him, Radia. He's incredibly nervous about the task. Rightly so, I might add" he informed me. I nodded at him.

"Of course, sir" I agreed. Dumbledore pulled the flap back and led me inside. Standing in the corner of the tent, rubbing his hands together nervously, dressed all in yellow and black, was Cedric. He turned to me and smiled uneasily, making his way towards me.

"Ray, hi" he said, not able to take his eyes off me. I gave him a half smile and Dumbledore clapped his hands together, making us both jump.

"Well, I'll be off, then. I'll leave you two to it" he said, strolling out of the tent. I looked back at Cedric, who was still smiling at me.

"I'm glad to see you, Ray. To be honest, I didn't think you would come". I shrugged.

"Dumbledore didn't tell me who wanted to see me. So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked him. Cedric put his hand on the small of my back and led me to sit down on a sofa behind us, brought down from the school especially for the champions.

"I was thinking earlier that I don't want to go into this final task without making sure we were on good terms. Who knows what could happen to me in there?" he explained. I nodded understandingly.