Undying Devotion: A Weasley Love Story.

Chapter 17: The First Task.

It’s the morning of the first challenge. I’m walking across the grounds with Anton; Fred and George left really early to try and place bets on who will win. Overall, Anton isn’t bad company. He’s a bit big headed, but not to where I wanted to curse him, at least not all the time. Over the past few weeks people began to notice his fixation with me. It started out with jealous girls who wanted their fifteen minutes of fame with the famous Quidditch player and escalated to Fred and George taunting me about it. I felt somewhat self-conscious about it because Cedric was less than thrilled to have him following me nearly everywhere I went, but he was polite about it all the same. I guess that’s the thing with Cedric, he’s almost too nice. If it had been Fred, he would have cursed that hair off his head by now.

Anton and I finally reach the Quidditch pitch, which is where they are holding the contests. He continues to talk and I continue not to pay much attention. I nod and say ‘I know’ at what I hope to be the appropriate times. Considering he hasn’t seemed to notice, I think I’m in the clear.

I nearly run into Anton when I notice he has stopped walking and is looking ahead with an alarming look on his face. I can feel my face distort in confusion until I follow his gaze and nearly scream out loud. The dragons from my dreams are tied up on the opposite side of the pitch, which has been converted to their nesting grounds. I feel myself choke up when I realize that the dragons must have been a vision.

I stand completely paralyzed until I realize someone is talking to me. “Guinevere!” A red haired man yells swiping his hand in front of my face. I shake off the shock and standing right in front of me is Charlie. “Oh my god! You look so much older!” I exclaim hugging him. He laughs and says, “I could say the same about you. Mum and dad are going to have to beat off boys with a stick.” I giggle as Anton takes a few steps back.

“You look familiar—“Charlie begins but is interrupted by Anton’s explanation of being a ‘world famous Quidditch player,’ rant. I roll my eyes as I give Charlie one last hug and stalk off. I find Fred and George at the top of the stands collecting bets. Cedric is by far in the lead followed by Krum, Harry, and then Fleur.

An hour passes and the stands are completely packed. I feel an overwhelming sense of cluster phobia as I feel the twin’s elbows digging in on either side of me. Another twenty minutes comes and goes when Professor Dumbledore finally begins the tournament. My heart skips a beat as Cedric walks out of the champion’s tent to face his dragon. His face in unreadable. If he is scared, you sure don’t see it. The area fills up with applause.

Cedric stands facing his dragon for a few moments, not moving. He seems to be trying to decide on his first move. Finally, he mutters a spell I do not hear and it hits the dragon in the eye. It steps back crushing its eggs. The crowd ‘awes’ in unison but bursts into fits of cheering as Cedric takes his large, golden egg. No sooner than that the dragon attempts to scorch him. I see Cedric yell a protection charm just in time, but it doesn’t hold. His arm is on fire and the dragon is still attacking. It is livid. Cedric crawls around a huge boulder and puts the fire on his arm off. I see him close his eyes tightly and reopen them, fully determined. He runs from behind the boulder back into the champion’s tent.

I push myself through the crowd and make my way towards the champion’s tent. Cedric is sitting outside watching Fleur fight her dragon. I am almost to Cedric when Dumbledore pulls me to the side. “Meet me in my office after the tournament,” he whispers, glancing around and walking off. My eyes follow him and I watch him take a seat by the other judges like nothing was said.

I turn my attention back to Cedric who is fixated on Fleur and her dragon. I quietly sit beside him, kissing him on the cheek.

“Cho?” He asks not looking at me. I jump back in shock.