The Wolf's Lion ~ Harry Potter (Editing)

Chapter Forty-Eight | Counting Down to the Third Task

The task was just over twenty-four hours away and Ariana was feeling the horrid swell of anxiety in the pit of her stomach. Every time she heard anyone discussing the task, the witch was hit by a wave of nausea.

Remus had been sending her Daily letters, just as Sirius had been doing with Harry. It eased her discomfort a little to have the letters, one of which lay tucked in her pocket, to read for moral support.

Hermione and Ron were rushing back and forth to exams, but found a lot of time to help their friends practice for the third task. The brunette girl told them that she and Ron were definitely going to pass their Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, especially since they wouldn't of learned about half of the hexes they now knew about if they hadn't been working with Harry and Ariana.

During breakfast on the morning of the task, both Ariana and Harry sat side-by-side. The girl picked at her food, eating as much as she possibly could before throwing up became imminent.

Hermione had sped out of the library only minutes earlier, mumbling something about Rita Skeeter. Ariana guessed she had made a break-through in her vendetta against her, but couldn't ask anything because the girl disappeared so quickly.

"Potter, O'Connor, the champions are congregating in the chamber off the Hall after breakfast," McGonagall said, coming to a stop behind them as she walked up between the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables.

"But the task's not till tonight!" said Harry, accidentally spilling scrambled eggs down his front.

"I'm aware of that, Potter," she said. "The champions' families are invited to watch the final task, you know. This is simply a chance for you to greet them."

As Professor McGonagall moved away, Ariana, who had been taking a sip of pumpkin juice from her goblet, immediately chocked. She raised a hand to her mouth and politely covered it as Harry slapped her back until she recovered.

"Thanks," she rasped, taking another small drink to soothe her throat.

"Are you okay?!" Ron questioned from across the table. Ariana nodded.

Seeing his friend was now alright, Harry gaped after Professor McGonagall. "She doesn't expect the Dursleys to turn up, does she?"

"Dunno," Ron shrugged. "Harry, I'd better hurry, I'm going to be late for Binns. See you later."

He got up and left the hall, on the way to his History of Magic exam. Ariana and Harry finished their breakfast in the emptying Great Hall. Neither of them really spoke, both attempting to keep themselves as calm as possible regarding the task, which was rapidly arrroaching.

Fleur Delacour got up from the Ravenclaw table and joined Cedric as he crossed to the side chamber and entered through a polished wood door beside the professors' tables. Krum also stood from the end of the Slytherin table, disappearing into the room with the others.

Ariana remained exactly where she was; she knew no-one was there for her. She had no desire to go in there and see three happy families all joining to support their children, and then see an empty spot where her own parents should be. Harry didn't budge either; Ariana knew it was for similar reasons.

"Aren't you going to see your parents?" Harry asked, his eyebrows knitted together.

"They couldn't make it," Ariana said simply.

"Oh, sorry."

"Don't be, I don't mind," Ariana replied, a small smile on her lips. It wasn't a secret that she wasn't a fan if her 'parents', since her friends' suspicions began to arise when they didn't appear to see her off at King's Cross Station, come to Diagon Alley to purchase her school supplies or welcome her home. The witch told her friends that they were going through a messy divorce, therefore they were making home life a little hectic with constant arguing.