- 10 - 

On the morning of the second task, I felt very similar to how I felt on the morning of the first task. Terrified, excited? Mostly terrified. The only thing keeping me from losing my mind with worry was the fact this, unlike the last task, I actually knew what to expect and had been part of the preparation process. Cedric and I had spent weeks preparing and practicing the bubblehead charm that he would be using to breathe underwater. We hadn't quite figured out what he had to retrieve as yet, he hadn't yet noticed anything missing.

I watched from the crowd as Harry arrived on the platform looking worried and out of breath. Suddenly I wished I had had a chance to speak to him before the task. I definitely wasn't keeping my promise to look out for him this year.

"Well, all our champions are ready for the second task, which will start on my whistle. They have precisely an hour to recover what has been taken from them. On the count of three, then. One . . . two . . . three!" Ludo Bagman's loud voice echoed around to stands, booming over top of the excited students. Harry was the first in the water but seemed to be doing nothing other then slowly wading in. Fleur and Cedric both performed successful bubblehead charms. I grimaced at the fact Fleur had performed the same spell, I'm positive the judges would be awarding points for originality. Cedrics only hope at beating Fleur would be reaching his prize first. Viktor waved his wand, and his head suddenly transformed into that of a shark. No doubt he would be given points for the impressiveness of a partial human transfiguration. Harry was soon the only champion above water, and the whispers and laughs were slowly growing in volume. Finally, seconds before I planned on rushing down there and performing the bubblehead charm on Harry myself, he made an odd gasping motion and dived forward into the water.

"You know, they probably could've thought of a more entertaining task," Eli complained, slumping down in his seat. We were half an hour into the task, but nothing exciting had happened. Most students were chatting amongst themselves or playing card games. I suspected that several students had snuck off once realizing that there wasn't anything exciting to watch. I looked across the stands as my boys shot ideas back and forth about what would be more entertaining to watch. Fred was laughing with George and Lee about something. I couldn't help but admire the way his whole body rolled when he laughed. He threw his head back slightly before he leaned back into his laughter.

George caught my eye and smirked at me, nudging Fred to look in my direction. Fred smiled in my direction, though I could see the smirk behind it. Without a doubt, I knew both he and George would be teasing me for getting caught staring. Quickly I turn my attention away from them and find that Jamie's been watching me.

"What was that about huh?" She says, a smug look on her face.

"Nothing," I mutter, but my cheeks betray me and quickly turn red. I look at my boys, they're still preoccupied with their conversation, paying no attention to Jamie and me. "Fred uh... confessed his feelings for me."

"What!" Jamie shrieks, drawing my boys' attention as well everyone in a ten-meter radius of us. I shush her and smile sweetly at everyone around us. My eyes shoot back towards Fred, who watches me curiously. I shrug my shoulders at him, acting like I have no clue what Jamies freaking out about. He chuckles, turning his attention back to his brother and friend. Jamie grips my arm, whispering harshly, "when did this happen?"

"Last Hogsmeade trip."

"I thought you were going to spend the day alone!"

"Well I ran into Fred and we spent the day together instead," I shrug, watching my boys carefully to make sure they weren't paying attention. They didn't need to know about this yet, I don't need them teasing me. "And while we were in the three broomsticks he confessed he's had feelings for me since before Anthony and I dated." I know I could've told her about the lead-up. About detention and twenty questions, and him finally answering my question from that night. But part of me still wanted to keep some of the time I spent with Fred, just between Fred and me.

"So? What did you say?" She looked at me excitedly, and I sent her a confused look. Why was she so excited about this. "Elora, cmon. You'd have to be blind to have not expected something like this to happen. He sits next to you in every class, he bought you a present at the world cup for no reason, and don't even get me started about the number of times I caught him watching you."

"I told him it was too soon for me to start dating again, and that I need some time to sort my feelings out." Jamies eyes lit up.

"But you do have feelings for him?" I hesitate before slowly nodding my head. I want to expand on my answer but a splashing noise draws my attention back towards the lake. Fleur Delacour emerges from the lake, and for a second I think she has won. However, the distress that is apparent on her face as she speaks with Madame Maxime and a blanket is wrapped around her shoulders shows she hadn't retrieved her lost item. After that moment of excitement, everybody returned to their own discussions.

"Just so I'm aware, how long do you think you'll need before you're ready to pursue things with Fred?" Jamie sweetly questions, an innocent but cheeky smile on her face.

"Jamie!"

"I'm sorry but it's been a month since he confessed at Hogsmeade, and two since you broke up with Anthony." She laughs, "I'm not sure you noticed, but Anthony did exactly wait long before he started dating again." I wince as I look in Anthony's direction, his arm was slung over the same Ravenclaw girl I had seen him talking to when I fixed things with Cedric. Less then a month after the Yule Ball he started dating her. I refused to think too much about his comment at the Yule Ball.

"I don't know when Jamie, I just..." I sighed. "I just don't want to make the same mistakes all over again."

"Elora, you saying that tells me that you won't." She squeezed my hand, "if you have feelings for him you deserve to be happy." I look in Fred's direction again but quickly look away so I'm not caught staring again. "I'm not trying to pressure you into anything, but you'd be stupid to ignore your true feelings."

"How do I know I've actually got feelings for him though? I thought I felt something of Anthony and look how that turned out."

"Elora I'm sorry if this embarrasses you but I've got to do this." She turns to my boys and gets their attention. "Boys, if you had to pick any student from Hogwarts that you thought Elora had feelings for, who would it be?"

"Oh, Fred Weasley for sure." Dillon nods, and he's followed by a chorus of agreement. I look at the four of them, mouth agape.

"Elora, you spent the entire Yule ball with him, despite the fact you had just broken up with your boyfriend. Most people would've gone and cried in their room." Kelby deadpanned.

"Every time you're not with one of us, you're with him," Eli said, sending me a look that told me I was an idiot for needed this explained to me. "And honestly Lora we've never seen you happier when he's around."

"That doesn't mean-" I tried but I quickly stopped speaking at the looks on their faces.

"If you don't trust us, just ask Cedric," Tommy stated. As he said his name, splashing from the lake alerted us of his presence in the lake. Cedric pulled himself out of the lake however wasn't alone. As he pulled himself out, he turned around and pulled Cho out of the water after him. Realization seemed to hit the crowd all at once and whispers spread throughout the stands. It wasn't an item that was stolen, but a person. I scanned the crowds, wondering who Harry and Viktor's hostages would be.

Not long after Cedric, Viktor emerged from the water. Hermione scampered out after him. I felt myself smile.

"Seems your matchmaking actually worked," I jump as Fred appears out of nowhere, sitting in the seat that had been previously occupied by another random Durmstrang student.

"Fred! Hi!" I exclaim, looking between him and my friends. I try to ignore the sniggers that my boys are stifling. "Uh, yeah I guess it did."

Before we can continue speaking, Harry finally appears at the surface. Everyone stood, trying to get a better view of what was happening down on the platform. Ron and him swimming forward, aiding a small blonde girl. I try not to laugh as I remember the final line of the song. Harry was kindhearted, yet a little at daft at times. Dumbledore would never put a student in danger. There was no way that the students would be kept if the champions weren't able to reclaim them. We waited in silence as the judges discussed the point allocations.

I was well aware of how close Fred was standing and could feel his hand brush against my own. I thought over what everything Jamie had said. I couldn't deny what I felt any longer, not when it seemed to be obvious to everyone around me. I take Fred's hand in my own, willing the pink tinge away from my cheeks. Determinedly, I kept my eyes on the champions despite the fact I could see Fred looking at me out of the corner of my eye. I didn't miss the small smile that spread across his face, as he turned back to the champions.

Bagman's voice boomed over the crowds once more. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision. Merchieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows. . . . Fleur Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm, was attacked by grindylows as she approached her goal, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her twenty-five points." Fleur's face dropped, though she seemed more ashamed over failing to complete the task, rather than upset over the points. I clapped politely along with the rest of the students.

"Cedric Diggory, who also used the Bubble-Head Charm, was first to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour." At the mention of Cedric's name, the Hufflepuff house went crazy. Thunderous applause rattled the stands. I tried my hardest not to blush as Fred reclaimed my hand once the applause settled down.

"Viktor Krum used an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective, and was second to return with his hostage. We award him forty points."

"Harry Potter used gillyweed to great effect," Bagman continued. "He returned last, and well outside the time limit of an hour. However, the Merchieftainess informs us that Mr. Potter was first to reach the hostages, and that the delay in his return was due to his determination to return all hostages to safety, not merely his own." I couldn't help but chuckle at Harry's determination. "Most of the judges feel that this shows moral fiber and merits full marks. However . . . Mr. Potter's score is forty-five points." I calculated the scores in my head quickly.

"That means..." I turn to Fred who has a wide grin of his face.

"Harry and Cedric are tied for first." Fred grins, "Hogwarts truly is the best school so far huh?"

"I guess it's just a question over which is the better house now."

"Oh don't worry, Gryffindor will show its superiority in the next task." I scoff at him and shake my head humorously. The crowd starts moving, and I see Cedric and Harry are still down by the platform.

"I'm gonna go see Cedric and Harry." His eyes widen as I kiss his cheek, "I'll see you later." As I walk away, I question where my sudden confidence came from. I turn back and smile as I see Tommy laughing at something Fred said.

*

In my six years at Hogwarts, or more specifically my six years exploring the forbidden forest with Caelin, it wasn't often I ran into other animals. It was like deja vu. As I ran through the forest after spending an early morning with Caelin, a black blur appeared at my side. A stray root trips me up as I jump in surprise, not expecting the animal near me at all. Though unexpected, I immediately know who the animal truly is. I look around and frown, we're dangerously close to the edge of the forest. With a wave of my hand, I motion for the dog to follow me back in the direction I had come.

"Sirius! What are you doing?" I exclaim as I enter the cave Caelin had made into his home in my first year. Caelin was dozing in the back corner and paid me and Sirius no attention. "What if someone saw you?"

"I think the better question would be why are we in a dragon cave?"

"Oh he's harmless," I shrug. Caelin lifts his head slightly as Sirius transforms from a dog into a person, but does nothing except watch him.

"Right, I forget you're a crazy dragon lady." He grins cheekily, though he smiles widely I can tell he won't be letting Caelin out of his sight while we're here. "Aw C'mon Ace! Where's my hug?" He holds his arms out wide, and I reluctantly hug him. As I hug him I can't help but notice how cold his skin is.

"Caelin, fire," I call over my shoulder. Barely lifting his head, he shoots a ball of fire from his mouth and lights the logs that I had previously pushed into a pile in the corner. Sirius looks between myself and Caelin with a bewildered expression on his face before cautiously sitting near the fire to warm himself up. "Why'd you risk coming so close to the castle?"

"I was worried about Harry, this tournament... it's proving to be even more dangerous than we originally thought." I thought of Cedric. So far he had done well, but the final task was sure to be the most difficult. And with difficulty came danger. Sirius seemed to sense my dread and placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure they'll be okay, I came mostly for my own peace of mind than anything else."

"I'm so worried Sirius, all the time. Not even just for Cedric and Harry. Viktor and Fleur don't deserve to be hurt either." I sigh. "Merlin, I didn't even want Cedric to enter his name in the first place."

"Dumbledore wouldn't let the tournament happen if he didn't think it was safe."

"Sirius, in Harry's first year Voldemort himself infiltrated the castle, in his second year he had to fight a basilisk which was controlled by the ghost of Voldemort," I deadpanned, "and last yeah he couldn't even stop you from breaking into the castle."

Sirius was silent.

"People need to stop trusting Dumbledore with their lives. He's just a man, even he makes mistakes." Sirius reached up and pulled my hand away from my hair.

"Regulus used to do that," I turned my gaze away from the fire and back to Sirius' face. He had a sad, reminiscent smile on his face. "My mother cut his hair off to get him to stop. He used to pick at his nails instead. Drove her mad." I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face. It was nice knowing I inherited something from my father, even if it was something that wreaked havoc on my hair. We sat in silence for a few minutes, staring into the fire.

"So why aren't you spending your Saturday with that boyfriend of yours? What was his name? Andrew? Alex?" Sirius questions.

"Anthony." I grimace. "We broke up actually, on Christmas at the Yule Ball."

"Dammit I owe Moony now," he muttered shaking his head, "eh Sorry I said anything though."

"No, it's okay! He ended up being a dick, and I'm already completely over him." Over him, yes. As much as I tried though, I still couldn't help but feel uneasy about Halloween. I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and instead thought of the look on Fred's face after I punched Anthony. "Wait... did you bet on my relationship?"

"Maybe..." He smiled innocently. "But enough about that, your reply tells me there's someone else." He nudges me with his elbow, making me blush. For a second I wonder if it's weird I'm talking about my love life with my middle-aged uncle.

"Uh, yeah... his name's Fred." Sirius leaped onto his feet suddenly and cheered.

"Ha! I called it!" He quickly sat when Caelin's head shot up at the sudden noise and movement.

"We're not dating yet." I laughed.

"The keyword in that sentence Ace, is yet." Sirius winked, rubbing his hands together. "If you could get together before April that would be fantastic."

"You bet on that too?" I exclaim, "Sirius that's in a week!"

"Ace, I caught the two of you asleep together in the Gryffindor common room. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but you're a Hufflepuff." He narrows his eyes at me and I can only grin sheepishly. "Moony's excuse is that he taught the two of you all year last year, and obviously had a special interest in you, and who you were hanging around."

"But Remus didn't know until I knew?"

"Ace, Moony knew you were my niece the second he saw you." He revealed, "Black genetics are strong, you are the female spitting image of your father."

"I guess I never really thought about it."

"Trust me, you fit in perfectly with the rest of the Blacks." He sighed slightly, "It's a blessing and a curse I guess." He has a haunted look on his face.

"I never asked what happened between you and my father." I quietly ask, "You said you didn't know about me until he dropped me off."

"Regulus and I use to be close, but after I was sorted in Gryffindor our parents drove us apart." Sirius frowned, "They didn't want their favourite son turning into a blood traitor like me. We barely spoke but he was always my brother, and every day I regret not dragging him with me when I left."

"You left?"

"When I was sixteen," he nods, "I ran away in the middle of the night and moved in with James. Reg caught me and begged me to stay while I begged him to come with me but we both knew neither were actual choices we could make. After that, he wouldn't even acknowledge me anymore. James always said it was because he was a-" he paused and looked at me, "a death eater." I couldn't help but wince. "But I knew it was because I left him."

"I just don't understand how he could be a death eater but love my mother?" I frown.

"I don't have an exact answer for that either, though it does give me hope." he sighed. "I always believed he was good, and that he was forced, possibly by my parents, to follow You-know-who. The fact that he loved and married your mother means he didn't truly believe what You-know-who was preaching." He put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close. He felt warmer than he had when I hugged him earlier. "Whatever he was doing when he left you with me, had to mean something. All we can do is hope that it had its impact."

I spent another hour with Sirius before I realized people would soon start wondering where I was, and that I'd miss breakfast by a mile. It was now ten on a Saturday, and I had completely gone missing in action. I ran through the forest, hoping I'd be able to track down Cedric and convince him to sneak into