CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── "I knew you wouldn't die, Harry!"
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Y/N POV
Bright banners flapped in the morning breeze, flashing the school emblems of each champion. I could feel the anticipation pressing down on my chest as I stood with Hermione and Ron, scanning the massive arena that stood before us. This was it — the moment we'd all been waiting for. The first task of the Triwizard Tournament.
"Can you believe it's about to start?" Ron spoke up. "It feels unreal."
I nodded, my heart racing. "I just hope Harry's ready for this. He's never faced anything like this before."
Ron scoffed. "Right, he's faced worse."
"This is different, Ron," I replied with a sigh.
The truth was, no amount of training could fully prepare Harry Potter for the danger that lay ahead. I couldn't shake the fear gnawing at my insides. He was brave, yes, but this was different. Dangerous.
"Y/n!" Draco's voice cut through the noise.
I turned to see him striding toward me. "What are you doing over here? You should be with me."
"I'm not leaving my friends," I shot back.
Draco's expression grew sour as he grasped my arm and pulled me away from the group. Leaning down beside my ear, the boy spoke, "You're not allowed to be distracted. We made a deal."
Before I could reply, the voice of Dumbledore echoed through the arena, cutting through the chaos. "Your attention, please! This is a great day for all of us. Each of the three tasks involves very considerable danger. Please keep your seats at all times. This will minimize any risks you may be exposed to..."
But his words faded into a the distance. All I could think about was Harry and Cedric. More Harry, because I knew how strong Cedric was. Harry wasn't ready for any of this.
"Y/n!" Draco called again, more insistent this time. "Are you coming or not?"
"Coming," I finally agreed.
"I hope Viktor wins!" Draco exclaimed, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "What's up with you?"
"Nothing," I said, trying to mask my worry, but I knew it was a lost cause.
"Wow, okay," he replied.
"What?" I spat.
"Why are you so stressed out?" he pressed.
"Because my friend could die today! And you didn't even let me say good luck!" I shot back, the frustration in my voice clear. "Also, you made a bet with your father? That's not cool, Malfoy."
His eyes flashed with annoyance.
"Screw the contract, I'm going to sit with my friends," I said, my voice rising as I turned to leave him speechless.
As I made my way back over to Hermione and Ron, a rush of relief flooded through me.
"I thought you were going to sit with Malfoy?" Ron asked.
"I'd rather sit with you today," I replied with a small smile. "Draco doesn't own me."
The two seemed quite pleased by my reply,
"Harry is okay, by the way," Hermione assured me. "I just went down to check on him.
"That's good."
The crowd erupted in cheers as the first champion stepped forward, waving to the crowd. My heart raced, the adrenaline coursing through me as I braced myself for what was to come.
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After about thirty-minutes, Viktor Krum had finished, and now it was Harry's turn. I felt my palms go clammy, nerves twisting my stomach into knots. The arena had fallen silent, anticipating the next performance.
"Three of our champions have now faced their dragons, and so each one of them will proceed to the next task." Dumbledore announced.
I inhaled sharply.
"And now our fourth and final contestant." He said.
"Harry! Harry! Harry!" The chant erupted from the crowd.
After a few moments, Harry stepped forward. I felt a lump form in my throat as silence fell. He spotted the dragon's egg, hesitating just outside the cave, and then—BAM! The dragon's tail swung dangerously close, knocking him to the ground.
"Accio Firebolt!" Harry shouted, but nothing happened.
He sprinted behind a massive rock, the dragon's growl vibrating through the arena as it chased after him. I held my breath, praying he'd find a way to escape.
Then, something appeared in the sky. It was his broomstick.
"Go, Harry, go," I whispered.
The boy looked over, relieved. Then, in an instant, Harry hopped on his broomstick and flew out of the area just before the dragon doused him with fire.
"Yeah! Well done, dragon!" Fred yelled, laughter mixing with the cheers. I wanted to join in, but worry twisted my stomach into knots.
Minutes felt like hours as I scanned the skies for Harry, but after he disappeared, no one had been able to spot him. My heart hammered in my chest, bad thoughts spiraling around my mind.
It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.
"Come on, Harry. I know you're out there," I murmured to myself.
Then, just like that, he appeared.
"Yes! Yes!" I shouted, hugging Hermione tightly, then Ron, relief flooding through me.
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Back in the Gryffindor common room, the atmosphere filled with cheers and applause as Harry Potter held up the dragon egg. Fred and George hoisted him onto their shoulders, laughter and excitement filling the air.
"Knew you wouldn't die, Harry!" Fred exclaimed.
"Shush!" Seamus piped up, kissing the egg. "Go on, Harry, what's the clue?"
"Who wants me to open it?" Harry asked, a playful glint in his eye.
"Yeah!" We all cheered.
"Do you want me to open it?" he teased again.
"Yeah!" came the chorus of voices, eager and excited.
Harry took a deep breath and opened the egg. A screeching, high-pitched sound filled the hall, and everyone clapped their hands over their ears, wincing in unison.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron exclaimed, bewildered.
Everyone stopped and stared at him.
"All right, everyone! Get back to your knitting!" Fred said, grinning.
"This is going to be uncomfortable enough without all you nosy sods listening in," George added, and I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms, chuckling despite the chaos.
