*SLOWBURN*
"The thing about love... is that it is found in the strangest places. Places you'd least expect. People you'd least expect. Love is the food of life. And, those without it cannot truly live."
In which a girl falls in love with the person...
"I wouldn't speak so soon, little birdy. Don't want us to clip your wings, do you?"
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I GO OUT THE DOORS, passing a laughing Malfoy and find Neville on the stairs staring out the window.
"Neville?" I place my hand on his shoulder and he turns around. "I'm sorry." I hug him and I can feel him sniffle. "You don't have to apologize. You didn't do anything, Arabella." I break away from the hug and smile. The footsteps of other students sound and I look up the stairs to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione approaching.
"There's a reason those curses are unforgivable, and to perform them in a classroom. I mean did you see Neville's face?" Ron taps Hermione on the shoulder as they come to us. "Neville?" She says softly. He keeps looking out the window.
I look up to see the professor approaching Neville. He pats him on the shoulder and Neville looks at him. "Son. You alright?" Neville just nods.
"Come on, we'll have a cup of tea. I want to show you something." As soon as they leave, I roll my eyes.
"Poor Neville, of course he's not alright!" I hike my bag up on my shoulder as we ascend down the stairs. "I don't know about you, but something doesn't feel right about that professor."
"Looks like Bella's got herself a new boyfriend" Malfoy laughs, Archie and Enid by his side.
"Shove off, Malfoy." I say quietly but loud enough for him to hear. "Why so timid, Wood?" He smirks. "You scared?" We walk down the staircase, Ron. Hermione, and Harry trailing behind me and Malfoy, Enid, and Archie taunting me. "Never." I say clutching my bag and not making eye contact. My head stays forward, honestly, scared to look back.
"I wouldn't speak so soon, little birdy. Don't want us to clip your wings, do you?" Enid speaks up getting dangerously close to my face. I suck in a breath. Enid and Malfoy trot off, Enid hanging from his arm. Archie's face comes close to my ear. I tense up as I feel him warm breath.
"And Ella, don't even think you're safe here. I'll put this little birdy right back in her cage where she belongs. Did you really think you would get away that easy?" I hold my breath the whole time he talks and when he finally stops, I let it out. He catches up with the others and takes one last look back at me.
"Who is that git?" Ron asks me as we walk. "Just... someone I knew a while back. At the orphanage. It's not a big deal." I walk faster leaving them trailing behind.
I need to be alone with my thoughts right now.
•••
Students from all houses are placing their names in the goblet, and I'm just waiting for Cedric to burst through the door. I knew he was going to put his name in. It was something he would do. Cedric was brave and always up for a challenge, but sometimes that wasn't always the best thing.
I'm sat beside Hermione as she works on a paper. My leg bounces up and down, occasionally shaking the bench. Hermione sighs and puts her quill down. "Bella, you need to calm down. You made me mess up! I'm sure he will be fine. Out of everyone putting their name in, there is a one in a million chance of him getting chosen."
"Sorry 'Mione! You're right." She goes back to her work and the doors open. Ever since we had been in here, anytime the doors would open I would look to see if it was him.
Only this time it was.
He catches my eye as he walk to the flame, and gives me a thumbs up. I smile when he's looking, but as soon as he looks away it falters. He tosses the paper in there and smiles widely. The people around him cheer and pat him on the back. I laugh as Ron awkwardly holds his hand up but Cedric doesn't see.
He walks over to me, his 'fans' following after him. "I'm officially in the running!" He cheers and pinches my cheek. "Yay." I say in a unenthusiastic tone. He rolls his eyes with a smile. "At least pretend you're happy." I sigh. "Ok, ok. Let me try again. Yay!" He gives me a look and I shift in my seat.
"Now, go on and give Ron a high five! He looked so devastated when you didn't." I give him puppy dog eyes.
Cedric laughs. "Whatever. See you later, Loser." He winks and walks away with his 'posse'. The look on Ron's face when Cedric gave him a high five was priceless.
•••
"Wait... so he actually smiled at you? Haha, the Viktor Krum smiled at my best friend!" I freak out as Hermione and I walk to the great hall. After the twins failed attempt at their scheme, Hermione had caught the eye of the Bulgarian quidditch player.
"Yes, Bella for the fifth time." She laughs. "He definitely likes you." She roles her eyes. "It was a smile! It doesn't mean anything." We reach the great hall,the dimmed lights making it seem mysterious. The blue light from the fire was the main source of light.
"Whatever you say Miss Krum." I tease as we part ways and I head over to the Hufflepuff table. I say hello to my friends before Dumbledore walks up to the podium.
"Sit down please. And now the moment you've all been waiting for, the champions selection!" Dumbledore approaches the blue flame and it turns into a fierce red. A piece of parchment floats out gracefully and into his hand. "The Durmstrang champion is ... Viktor Krum!" The durmstrangs cheer loudly as they all pat Viktor in the back.
He holds his head up high as he walks up, shakes Dumbledores hand, and walks into the back room.
Another piece of parchment floats out. "The champion from Beauxbatons... Fleur Delacour!" "The Beauxbatons girls cheer as a blonde girl. walks up, a smirk set on her face.
The last name comes out.
My heartbeat starts to speed up as I wait for it. I'm just preparing to hear his name.... oh who am I kidding? Hermione was right! I shouldn't work myself up about it. There a 1% chance it will be him.
But still, my heart thumps in my chest as the headmaster reads the name.
