Call Me Em

Second Task

Chapter Nineteen: Second Task

***Embry's POV***

"You should really get some sleep, the task is tomorrow." I told Cedric for the twentieth time. It was nearly eleven and we were in the perfect's bathroom again so he could practice for tomorrow. We'd decided that he was using the Bubblehead Charm to be able to breathe under the water for the hour.

"I'll be fine," he groaned as I got out of my place on his lap.

"You need sleep." I shook my head as I got out of the large tub and dried myself with the flick of my wrist. He followed my lead in getting out of the water and dried himself off too. His bronze hair was still damp as he ran a hand through it while I pulled mine up into a bun.

"I love you," he mumbled as he kissed me softly on the lips.

"I love you too, now get to bed." I shoved him towards the door which he disappeared through with one last glance back at me. I couldn't help but smile as I headed out of the bathroom with Cedric's Hufflepuff shirt on along with a pair of my own sweatpants and shoes. I slipped through the corridors silently and was almost to the portrait when someone called my name.

"Miss Dobbs." I froze at the voice and turned to see Professor Snape standing there.

"Yes Professor?" I gulped.

"Come with me." He turned with his robes billowing behind him. I had no other choice but to follow him back down the stairs and through the corridors. When we finally stopped we were in a small office and we weren't the only ones there. Ron, Hermione, and a young blonde girl were all sitting in some chairs while McGonagall stood in front of them.

"Please take a seat Miss Dobbs," McGonagall gestured to the empty seat next to Hermione. I sat down in it and looked at the others, they all seemed just as confused as I was. "As I'm sure you're all aware of the second task in the tournament will take place tomorrow and each champion will be looking for something in the Black Lake. These treasures at the bottom of the lake are things that each champion will sorely miss in their absence. These treasures are you four. Miss Granger for Mr. Krum, Mr. Weasley for Mr. Potter, Miss Delacour for Miss Delacour, and Miss Dobbs for Mr. Diggory."

"You're sticking us at the bottom of the lake!" Ron looked at her as if she'd lost her mind.

"Yes, we shall be putting a charm on each of you so you'll be in a sleep like state until you return to the water's surface with your victor." McGonagall explained.

"Is it safe?" Hermione asked.

"Of course, now if you could follow me to the lake we can go ahead and get this all situated." She opened the office door again and we all got up and followed her through the quiet school and out onto the grounds.

"We can't tell the others good luck?" I asked in a whisper as we neared the lake. I didn't want Cedric to go into the task thinking I'd abandoned him or something. This wasn't fair.

"I'm afraid not," McGonagall shook her head as Hermione reached over and squeezed my hand for some act of comfort. When we reached the edge of the lake we were lined up and McGonagall took out her wand. She started with Ron, then Fleur's sister, and then she came to me. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly so I wouldn't see her wand aimed at me. After that there was nothing.

***Cedric's POV***

I woke up already nervous. Today was the second task and I wasn't sure that I was ready for this. I quickly pulled on my clothes and hurried out of my dormitory to get to the Great Hall for breakfast so I could see Embry before the task. People smiled and wished me good luck as I hurried through the common room and then down the corridors until I reached the Great Hall. It was eight o'clock which meant that Embry should be awake already and down here eating with Ginny or Hermione like every other day. I scanned the Gryffindor table and spotted Ginny easily but I didn't see Embry with her. I didn't see her anywhere. I hurried over to the table and tapped on Ginny's shoulder. She turned away from the girl she was talking to and looked at me.