Hopeless : Sirius Black's daughter Book 2

The second task

I sought out Moody the next day. I found him in his office looking over-

"Is that the Marauders' map?" I asked in shock. He glanced up.

"Yes." he said.

"What are you doing with it?" I asked. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Didn't Potter tell you what happened last night?" he asked.

"Not yet. I need to talk to you about that book you gave me." I said.

"Ah I wondered when you would figure it out. She left it with the rest of her things at the Ministry before she died. She was never without it." he said and I was confused.

"Who are you talking about?" I asked.

"Rhine of course. That book I gave you was hers. Isn't that why you came?" he said. I couldn't believe I hadn't figured it out. The book belonged to R.D.C. Rhine Destiny Clearwater.

"But what would she be doing with a book that contains dark magic?" I asked him.

"Dark magic? No I wouldn't give you a book on dark magic. There are three types of magic Miss Black. Dark magic, regular magic and soul magic. Rhine -and you- can perform soul magic. It is more powerful than regular magic and sometimes dark magic. You should practice it." he said. I felt relieved.

"Okay. I'll ask Professor Trelawny to help-"

"No. You must do it alone. Trust me Miss Black." he said ushering me out.

Next I went to find Harry. He tried to leave before I got to him but he failed.

"So you are keeping important things from me now?" I asked.

"What gives you that idea?" he said

"I don't know how about the fact that you and Moody went on a nighttime stroll?" I asked sarcastically.

"Look, I can't trust that you won't tell Zabini or someone about it." he said defensively.

Oh no he didn't. "So you don't trust me now? After everything? Harry, have I ever told you any of Blaise or Draco's secrets?" I said appalled.

"No. But I'm not your boyfriend." he said pointedly.

My temper flared. "Oh? But you wish you were, right?" I asked. He didn't reply but the answer was all over his face. He would never admit his feelings, if he had any for me, out loud.

"And that, dear Harry, is why you never will be." I said bitterly. "Tell me about last night." He told me that he had been working out the egg and had seen someone searching Snape's office. It was Mr Crouch. Moody had rescued Harry from Snape and Filch and only asked for the map.

"Moody said that there are 'marks that never come off' and Snape clutched his left arm. I wonder what he did with his first chance if he's on his second one." Harry mused. If Snape had a mark on his arm, then I had a good idea how his first chance had been blown.

As the days went by I couldn't ignore Cedric anymore. I would watch him every time that I wasn't with Blaise and I went to the greenhouses every evening but he wasn't there. Sometimes I caught him watching me too but maybe I was just imagining it, as Ginny said.

A week before the second task we met at the greenhouse.

"Miley." he said but I ran and wrapped my arms around him in a hug. It felt good to be near him, as if I had been away from him for months.

"It feels good to hold you like this. You smell really lovely." he whispered. I stepped back.

"Listen Ced about the last time-"

"Don't say you are sorry. Because I'm not." he said sitting me down but not removing his arm from around me. I didn't say anything.

"I'm nervous about the twenty-fourth." he admitted.

"My birthday?" I joked.

"No. The second task. 24 February is also your birthday then? What should I get you?" he mused.

"Win." I said simply. We stayed there a little longer. I couldn't believe I had let myself miss out of cuddling in his arms for so long.

"It is getting late." I said standing up. I hesitated before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Just there?" he asked disappointed.

"Win." I repeated and skipped off.

I sat with Blaise waiting for the second task to start. Harry was late. However he arrived just in time for the champions to get into the water. I concentrated on the task to stop feeling guilty for being with Cedric last night. I had nothing to be guilty about. Right?

Fleur and Cedric used a spell which created a bubble around their heads. Viktor Krum transfigured his head into a shark. And Harry, Harry stepped into the water eating something.

"What does Potter think he's doing?" smirked Blaise.

"Probably doing us all a favor and drowning himself." sneered Draco as Crabbe and Goyle laughed.

I ignored them and kept checking my watch. Thirty minutes, forty-five, one hour. I was really anxious now. I had gripped Blaise's hand in terror and then Cedric emerged, holding Cho. I sighed, relieved. Then Krum arrived with Hermione. Then Fleur arrived, distraught and alone. Finally Harry, Ron and Fleur's sister emerged. Harry and Cedric tied in first place. Harry because he ensured all the hostages' safety.

I found Cedric before he could leave and pulled him into a pile of bushes. "You won." I said breathlessly.

"For you. Happy Birthday." he whispered.

Knowing that I would regret it later I pressed my lips onto his.

Again it ignited a fire in my heart.

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