enchanted • draco malfoy

Year 4: The Final Task

Felicity's POV

The four of us met at Hagrid's later that night for some hot chocolate and reminiscing. We wandered through the edge of the forest, Hagrid's loud voice the only noise. "Now, I remember," he spoke, smiling fondly, "I remember when I first met you all. Biggest bunch of misfits I ever set eyes on. Suppose you reminded me of myself a little." I cracked a smile and Mione laughed. "And here we all are," Hagrid continued, "four years later." "We're still a bunch of misfits," Ron pointed out. Hagrid huffed. "Well, maybe, but we've all got each other." He raised his voice so Harry, who was walking a bit in front of us, could hear. "And Harry, of course. Soon to be the youngest Triwizard champion there's ever been!"

He went on to chant some song, Mione, Ron, and I laughing along, before we caught up to Harry. He was staring at something on the ground. Finally, he said, "Mr. Crouch?"

~*~

I awoke the following day after only a couple hours of sleep, nerves keeping me awake. Today was the day of the final task of the Triwizard Tournament. I dressed in jeans and an oversized woolly jumper with my Gryffindor beanie. Though I was more worried for Harry, I was still anxious about Cedric. I followed Hermione, Ron, Seamus, Neville, and Dean down to the Quidditch field, where rows and rows of stands had been set up. I managed to snag a seat between Dalton and Hermione, who was equally as nervous as I was.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and jumped up from my seat. "I'll be right back," I said abruptly. Without waiting for an answer, I hopped down the stands and into the closest tunnel, praying it was whose I thought it was.

Just as I hoped, a familiar figure paced inside. "Cedric," I said in relief. Ced turned to me and grinned, but I could see his unease beneath it. I tackled him in a hug before he could say anything. He just chuckled, wrapping his arms around me. "You've got this," I murmured into his shoulder. He didn't say anything and I pulled away, examining his face. He wore only a look of reassurance. "You've got this," I repeated, as if saying it would enable him to win the Tournament. "I'll be fine," he answered.

"I know," I said. A thought popped into my head, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out a question. "Ced, what would you do if you really liked somebody but couldn't be with them?"

I instantly scolded myself. He was about to enter some death maze, and I was distracting him with my insignificant love life, or lack thereof. He didn't seem bothered, though. "Follow your heart," he replied, grinning faintly, "You're always able to tell right from wrong. Make the decision know is the right one."

I opened my mouth to respond before I noticed a petite figure that I instantly recognized as Alana appear in the entrance to the tunnel. "Mind if I have a word with Cedric, Felicity?" she asked quietly. I could tell she was as worried about him as me. I nodded and offered her a supportive smile.

"Cheer for me, okay, Felicity?" Cedric asked, smiling a little. I could tell he was nervous, too. I bit my lip before nodding as the nerves came flooding back. "Of course. Be careful, Ced. And come back in one piece," I tried to joke. His smile widened. "I will. Promise." I pulled him in for another hug, even though he was half a foot taller than my 5'6 frame. He was still smiling when I pulled away and ruffled his hair. "See you, Diggory."

"See you, Fel."

~*~

I returned to my seat, ignoring the questioning glances from my friends. Not long after, Dumbledore's voice rang across the clearing. "Earlier today, Professor Moody placed the Triwizard Cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now, as Mr. Diggory-" there was an explosion of whoops and hollers, "and Mr. Potter-" more cheering, "are tied for first position, they will be the first to enter the maze, followed by Mr. Krum-" the Durmstrang boys yelled and cheered, "and Miss Delacour." All the Beauxbaton girls clapped and whistled.

"The first person to touch the cup," Dumbledore continued, "will be the winner. I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter. Should, at any point, a contestant wish to withdraw from the task, he or she need only send up red sparks with their wands." He made eye contact with each Champion, making sure they understood. He then instructed the contestants to gather round, where he spoke to them in a low and serious voice. I couldn't make out the words and turned to Hermione instead. "You think he'll be alright?" I asked. Hermione nodded. "Of course, he's Harry Potter," she said, though she sounded unsure.

Dumbledore announced, "Champions, prepare yourselves!" The Champions scattered to their different entrances as everyone stood to clap and cheer more. "On the count of three," our Headmaster said, "One-"

True to tradition throughout this Tournament, the cannon fired. Filch gave an unapologetic shrug. Dumbledore masked his irritation before gesturing for Harry and Cedric to begin. They set off, and the leaves of the maze closed behind them, trapping them inside.

My leg was bouncing up and down as I waited for something, anything. Red sparks, the declaration of a winner, anything. I managed to find Draco, sitting across from me and two rows down. He was already looking at me. He smiled reassuringly and looked like he was about to say something before I was distracted by a warm hand on my knee, stopping the bouncing of my leg.

"They'll be okay, Felicity," Dalton said gently, his warm brown eyes sparkling. I looked past him down to Draco, whose face was now stony and closed off. He turned away from me and faced the maze.

I sighed and my eyes flashed back to Dalton. "Yeah," I said, "I hope so."

A few minutes later, the first red sparks were sent up. Professor Moody followed them and tracked the sparks to Fleur. She was pulled to a bench made specifically for the Champions, but was too shaken to say anything.

The next sparks went off only seconds after, and Hagrid ventured in. I held my breath before he reappeared, lugging an unconscious Krum. I heard Hermione's sharp intake of breath, but she said nothing.

This left only Ced and Harry. Murmurs spread throughout the crowd, everyone speculating whether the Triwizard Champion would be the humble Hufflepuff or The Boy Who Lived. Their questions were answered when Harry appeared in the middle of the clearing. Everyone erupted into cheers. He collapsed instantly.

On top of Cedric's body.

I was the first to scream.

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hella short chapter, i know, but i'll be updating tomorrow

i am in physical pain writing this bc cEDRIC IS MY CHILD

also i made him get close to fel bc i'm an awful person and now i don't even wanna write the outcome i'm in literal tears

~xo