Chosen

Chapter 18

Today was the final task. I could tell that Cedric was nervous; I could see it in his eyes. I walked into the Great Hall for breakfast, sitting down in my usual spot and taking some buttered toast. Once I was done eating, I looked around for Cedric, who was staring at his the table not eating anything with the other Hufflepuffs. I decided that I needed to go talk to him, but before I could, he up and left with after some kid talked to him. I was guessing it was to prepare for the upcoming task. I wondered if I was going to see him before it started. I started out of the Great Hall to go and reserve some seats for my friends and I, but right as I walked out and bumped into someone almost knocking me down.

"Oh, I'm so sorr-Malfoy." I looked up at him.

"Oh, were you just about to apologize, go on, you didn't finish." He smirk growing wider every second.

"Oh, right, I'm sorry... that you're a fat prick and you don't give a damn about anyone else but yourself." I returned the smirk; his fading away.

"Like you're any better you slutty whore. I bet you've slept with the whole Gryffindor house, that's probably why they like you so much." I laughed at this.

"No, they like me because I'm not full of myself like some people I know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find my boyfriend." I walked away quickly so that he couldn't say anything else. I looked for Cedric everywhere, but he was nowhere to be seen. There was still a while until the task started, so I went back down to my Common Room and sat down on the black leather couch and read. I didn't look up from my book but I could see out of the corner of my eye Blaise Zabini.

"What do you want Zabini, I'm really not in the mood." I continued to read.

"Well, I-I just wanted to say I'm sorry for everything that I've done to you in the past." With this, I looked up and him curiously. His face was really serious. I squinted my eyes.

"Do you really mean that, or are you just good at acting?"

"No, I-I really mean it. I just want to forget the past and move on. Maybe we could be friends?" He stuttered.

"Well, if you really mean that Blaise, then yes, I am willing to look forward." I lightly smiled at him.

"Great! Hey are you going to Quidditch try-outs next year, I know it's been kind of busy for it this year, that's why we've canceled, but will you consider it maybe?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I? I've been dying to hit someone with a bludger!" He laughed.

"Well, sometimes us Slytherins go out to the Quidditch pitch to practice, would you consider joining us sometime?"

"Definitely! You know Blaise, you're not half bad. See you later then, I have to go reserve seats for the task." I said sitting up.

"Alright, maybe I'll find a seat near you. Catch you later Nyx." He smiled and went up the boys' dorms.

"Alright, see ya." I smiled back. I wonder if he was seriously being nice. He didn't seem half bad actually. Hopefully he wasn't just playing me, because if he was, I would be pissed.

I walked out of the Entrance Hall and up the stairs to the stadium surprised to see Cedric walking my way. I grinned widely at him. He looked upset.

"Hey Ced! What's going-"before I could finish he kissed me rougher than usual. I broke away after a few seconds and looked up into his glazed eyes.

"Cedric, what's wrong, talk to me?" I quietly asked. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a locket. It was beautiful.

"Here, it's for you." He smiled weakly.

"Cedric, it's beautiful, but why are you giving it to me? What's the occasion?"

"Does there have to be an occasion, I am simply giving it to you because I love you." He pressed coldly. I looked at him in shock. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for, I guess it's just the nerves." He gulped.

"Ced, it's going to be alright, I'll be waiting for you when the task is over." He was looking down at the floor. He put my mitten covered hands on both sides of his cheeks pulling his face back up.

"Hey, Cedric, look at me. It doesn't matter if you win or not. I'll still be there for you for whatever the situation is. I love you Cedric Diggory and don't forget it." I told him as more water glazed over his eyes. He leaned in for a tight hug.

"I love you so much Nyx." His voice cracked.

"Don't say it like that."

"Like what?" He released from our bear hug.

"Like it's our last goodbye, it's not. You just go out there and do you're best. You'll be great and I'll be waiting to embrace you with a kiss when you get back." I smiled and pecked him on the lips. "You better go... the tasks about to start." He nodded and kissed my forehead before walking off. I watched as he disappeared. I continued walking up the stairs only to find that my friends had already reserved seats. They looked around.

"Nyx!" Seamus shouted and waved his arms. I smiled and made my way over to them.

"Hey guys, sorry I didn't get here until now to get good seats. Cedric stopped me on my way."

"Oh, well you're here now." George commented. I looked around to see who else was here and noticed Blaise walk in catching my eyes and grinned. He walked over to us with a few Slytherins behind him.

"Hey Nyx, do you mind if we sit behind you?"

"No, of course not!" I ushered them into their seats. My friends were eyeing me differently.

"What?" I asked them.

"You're letting Zabini and these lunatics seat by us?" Ron questioned me.

"Look, we had a truce; we're friends now, okay?" They all shrugged and turned their attention back to the action watching the Champions walk out. Amos Diggory ran out with Cedric's accompaniment. Next were Fleur and Madame Maxime, then Viktor Krum and Karkaroff, and finally Harry and Dumbledore. We all cheered for each of them. I heard someone snicker behind us as Harry came out. I turned around to be face to face with Malfoy. I rolled my eyes and turned back around. I hadn't even notice him and his posse take their seats. Oh well, I'll survive. Dumbledore walked up to a podium.

"Silence!" He yelled putting his wand to his throat. "Yet again, Professor Moody placed the cup deep within the maze. Only he knows it's exact position. Now as Mr. Diggory." We all stood up and screamed for him. "and Mr. Potter." We cheered some more. "Tied for first position, they will be the first to enter the maze. Followed by Mr. Krum." The Durmstrang students went wild. "and Miss Delacour." The Beaxbatons girls squealed in excitement. "First person to touch the cup will be the winner." This was followed by multiple screaming fans. "I'm instructed to stop, control the perimeter, for any point a contestant wish to withdraw with the task, he or she will send red sparks with their wand. Contestants, gather around." Dumbledore walked off his podium and gathered the contestants together. We couldn't hear what he was saying to them, but it looked like it was intense. They parted ways and Cedric hugged his father by the entrance to the maze. I was still a wee bit worried about him. He turned around a looked at me. The cannon went off and once again I was surrounded by screaming students.