Friendless » Fred Weasley

cxix. the final task

As the final task began to get near and near, everyone began to get more and more excited. The task would decide who would be the final Triwizard Tournament winner.

Of course, Tori wanted either Harry or Cedric to win. She just wanted a Hogwarts champion. Especially since they were both her friends. The days began to get warmer and warmer as the ice at the edge of the lake began to melt.

It was now June twenty-fourth, the day of the last task, and the day after Tori's birthday. She was now seventeen years old, and allowed to do magic outside of school. She had already planned to take her apparition test in the next week or so.

Aside from that, Tori was very excited about the task. The school arrived down at the quidditch pitch a little after dusk. "I feel like I can hear Wood screaming," Tori whispered to Angelina. "This is not the use of the pitch! My beautiful pitch!" She mocked his voice, laughing.

The field was covered in a thick bush no one could see the end to with a thick black smoke covering the top. The champions all stood in the center, staring into the black hedge. It definitely wasn't suited for Quidditch.

Angelina giggled, climbing the stands. Arthur, Bill, and Mr. Diggory were seated together, impatiently waving the group over. "Happy belated birthday, Tori," Arthur said, patting her on the back. Tori thanked him, slipping through some groups of people to get closer to the champions.

"Cedric!" She shouted, running towards the boy. She nearly tackled him in a hug, wishing him well. "You'll do brilliant!" She told him, breaking away.

"Are you nervous?" Tori asked. Cedric tilted his head. "A bit. I guess I'm just nervous about the obstacles." Tori nodded, glancing into the dark entrance. "You'll do great." She hugged him once more, holding up her arm, which had the one bracelet he had given her in their first year.

"You still have that?" He chuckled, looking at the dark purple bracelet on her hand. "I wear it from time to time." Tori grinned, hurrying off the field before Professor McGonagall could force her off. She winked at Harry, climbing back up the bleachers and standing next to Fred.

The Hogwarts band was playing a catchy march Tori already knew was going to be in her head all night. Fred slipped his arm around her shoulder, "Ready, love?"

Tori raised an eyebrow at the nickname. "I'm trying new things," Fred admitted, watching as Mr. Diggory made his way down towards his son.

Dumbledore took the center, welcoming everyone. "Earlier today Professor Moody placed the tri-wizards cup deep within the maze. Only he knows its exact position. Now as Mr. Diggory..."

The crowd cheer on hearing his name. Tori laughed, screaming loudly. Hufflepuff colored flags were raised high in the air and it seemed that the wooden stands would break from all the jumping.

Dumbledore continued. "And Mr. Potter tied for first position they will be the first to enter the maze. Followed by Mr. Krum..."

The Bulgarian crowd then went nuts. "The first person to touch the cup will be the winner. I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter, if at any point should a contestant wish to withdraw from the task he or she need only send up red sparks with their wands. Contestants, gather round."

Mad-Eye called for the champions to prepare themselves. Cedric hugged his father. Dumbledore began shouting out once again. "On the count of three... ONE..."

The cannon went off and Mr. Filch shrugged. Dumbledore groaned, letting Harry and Cedric enter first. The march was still playing loudly, and the crowd was screaming with excitement.

Krum went in, and then Fleur. Tori nudged Bill, who hadn't seem to take his eyes off her. Bill scowled at her in response.

✧ ✦ ✧

When the first red flare went off, Tori felt her heart stop. The audience went dead silent, wondering who would be disqualified.

Fleur Delacour was slowly carried out by a few teachers on a stretcher. She looked a little roughed up but was talking quickly. She seemed to be apologizing and calling for her sister. That was the second time Tori caught Bill staring.

Tori was caught up in a quiet conversation with Lee when the second flare went up. This time, Viktor Krum was carried out. He seemed to be unconscious, only making Tori more and more nervous.

The Bulgarian crowd's spirits seemed to be deflated. A few of Krum's fangirls seemed to burst into tears and try and run after the unconscious boy.

"You seem ready to shake with nerves," Fred whispered. "Oh sod off. I'm nervous." Tori replied, side hugging him. Arthur didn't seem to notice, which Tori found quite surprising.

About ten minutes later there was a loud crack and out tumbled Harry and Cedric with the goblet in hand.

Tori cheered loudly, jumping into Fred's arm. The march was playing loudly as the crowd was going wild. "They won!" Lee was screaming, hugging Alicia. Two Hogwarts champions!

But then Tori noticed Harry wasn't getting up. He didn't laugh or seem happy, instead he seemed to be crying. Cedric didn't seem to be moving as well. Tori frowned, breaking through the crowd and rushing towards the two boys.

Cornelius Fudge was already standing next to Dumbledore, looking quite pale. "What's going on?" She said loudly, immediately behind stopped for going any further by Moody.

"Stay back." He said roughly.

"What's going on? Are they okay?" Tori said louder, this time. Dumbledore turned her, pain in his eyes.

"Miss Silvers, please!"

But Tori refused to listen. She could hear Mr. Diggory coming through, and she could feel Fred's hand on her shoulder as she pushed through the teachers. "Let me see them!"

Harry was sobbing and there was Cedric. Laying on the ground. Dead. Tori didn't feel anything. She couldn't even feel tears run down her face.

Instead, she let out a bloodcurdling scream.

worst birthday present ever

happy september first!
see you all on the train!!