- 5 - 

I was sitting with Anthony on the morning of the 31st, struggling to keep up with the conversation he and his friends were having. Part of me wanted to get up and wander over to where my friends were sitting further down the table, yet Anthony's firm arm on my waist was preventing me from doing so.

"What do you think, Elora?" My eyes shot up from my food as Anthony addressed me, the question lost to me. My cheeks grew red at the disapproving faces of Anthony's friends, and the way Anthony practically rolled his eyes. "How do you think the champions are going to be?"

"Uh... I'm not... I'm not sure." I stuttered out, Anthony's friends nodded their heads at me curtly.

"Well I reckon the Durmstrang champions gotta be Viktor Crum, I mean he's incredibly talented," Anthony spoke.

"On a broom, yes but he looks rather... slow academically." Heidi Macavoy countered. My hand clenched around the fork I was holding in my hand. My eyes glanced at the aforementioned boy, who was sitting on the Slytherin table again. Though he was surrounded by his classmates, he was silent. Part of me felt bad for the boy. He almost seemed lonely, it was like everyone saw him as too famous to be friends with. It was like they thought that he was too famous to be their friend, yet this meant the boy was left alone.

"You wanna get out of here?" Anthony whispered in my ear. I think he noticed my silent anger. I nodded my head quickly, standing up as he said goodbye to his friends. As we walked to the doors Viktor caught my eyes and I sent him a small smile and a wave. He returned my smile with his own, before returning to his breakfast. "Why is Viktor Crum smiling at you?"

"Oh, I met him when I was leaving the feast last night." I shrugged my shoulders, while Anthony looked at me with wide eyes.

"Damn Elora, you need to introduce me to him!" He exclaimed and I couldn't help but frown. "Only you would be able to become friends with the Viktor Crum." This was the exact reaction that I knew Viktor would be annoyed at.

"I wouldn't say we're friends... we had like one conversation." I tried to argue, but Anthony seemed to ignore me and pull me out into the courtyard. It was cold outside but it didn't seem to bother Anthony. Anthony pulled us to a bench against the wall of the castle.

"Okay Elora, we've been dating for six months now and as you know you, this is my longest relationship, ever." Anthony started, we were sitting side by side but his body was facing me and his hands gripped mine in front of us. "And well, I've been meaning to tell you this for a while but, well, I love you, Elora." My mind went blank, he loved me? He was staring at me expectantly.

"I-I love you too." If he loved me that meant I was meant to love him too right? I pushed away every thought that was trying to push its way through my head as he pulled me into a firm kiss. "It's cold, let's go inside."

He had a wide grin on his face as we walked back into the entrance hall and every time his eyes flickered over to me, I forced a matching grin onto my face. As we entered, I watched as Angelina put her name in the Goblet.

"Goodluck Angelina," I called to her, and she turned and smiled at me.

"Thanks, Elora! Are you putting your name in or are you too young?" She asked.

"My birthdays not till June, though I don't know if I'd even put my name in even if I was of age." I clarified, "I've had enough drama in my life to last a lifetime."

"Fair enough, how about you Anthony?" I could tell she was asking out of sheer politeness.

"Put my name in last night," His reply was gruff and basically shut down the conversation. Angelina looked between Anthony and me uneasily, before saying goodbye and walking into the great hall.

I spent the rest of the day with Anthony, and it quickly passed. Before long, it was time to return to the great hall for dinner, as well as the selection of the Triwizard champions.

"I'm going to sit with the boys, okay?" I said as Anthony tried to pull me into the seat next to him and his friends. He frowned but nodded and let go of my hand. "How have my boys been today?" Kelby. Dillon and Eli sent me laughs and grins as I take the empty seat between Cedric and Kelby. Cedric and Tommy attempt a smile, but instead, I'm met with nervous grimaces.

"Well this is the longest Tom and Ced haven't been shaking from nerves all day, so I'd say we're grand," Eli smirks, passing a bowl of roasted potatoes across to me. I take them gratefully, piling some onto my plate before passing them down to the next person. Cedric throws a carrot at Eli, who ducks quickly, laughing. Though we settle into easy conversation, I can't help but notice both Cedric's and Tommy's quieter demeanors.

"Hey, you okay?" I ask Cedric quietly, nudging him lightly. He nods quickly.

"This is my chance to be more than just Cedric the Quidditch player." I sigh, grabbing his hand underneath the table. The plates clear and Dumbledore interrupts the voices of students.

Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" — he indicated the door behind the staff table — "where they will be receiving their first instructions."

With a wave of his wand, the lights in the Great Hall went out. The bright blue light from the goblet illuminating the room. Every person in the room was silent, wondering what would happen next. Cedric's hand tightened on my own as the flame turned red, sparks shooting out the top. Dumbledore caught a piece of paper, which had come flying out of the goblet.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read, in a strong, clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

The applause was deafening as the famous boy made his way past the staff table and into the next chamber.

"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, he was louder than even the cheering students. "Knew you had it in you!" As the cheering subsided, another paper launched out of the goblet and into Dumbledore's hand.

"The champion for Beauxbatons," said Dumbledore, "is Fleur Delacour!" The cheers were loud, though noticeably not as loud as the ones for Viktor Krum. A girl rose from the Ravenclaw table. She seemed to glide across the room, following after Krum. I frowned at the other Beauxbatons students who, instead of cheering on their classmate, were crying at not being chosen. Silence fell over the great hall as Fleur Delacour disappeared through to the next chamber. I held my breath at what I knew was happening next.

"Whoever's name comes out, I'm proud of you already Ced." Cedric looks at me and smiles.

"The Hogwarts champion," he called, I held my breath. "is Cedric Diggory!"

I couldn't help the sinking feeling that filled my chest, though I quickly forced a smile on my face as Cedric's eyes lit up. I stood as Cedric did, wrapping my arms tightly around him. I sit quickly as he disappears the same way the others had. I feel deaf to the cheers. I was happy for Cedric, I was. I felt Kelby's arm wrap around my shoulder and squeeze.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily as the last of the cheers died down, though the sunken feeling in my chest did not. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real —"

As Dumbledore paused, everyone's attention was drawn back to the goblet which was once again lit with bright red flames. Another piece of paper shot out and into Dumbledore's outreached hand. The room was silent again as Dumbledore stared at the paper in his hands.

"Harry Potter."

It was like my heart stopped.

Slowly whispers spread out through the Great Hall. My eyes flicked between Harry and Dumbledore, who had been joined by an urgently whispering Professor McGonagall.

"What does this mean? Is he...?" Dillon asked from across the table, I couldn't answer.

"Harry Potter!" he called again. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

The boy rose slowly and made his way to the front of the hall. I grabbed his hand as he passed me, his eyes locked onto mine but I was still speechless.

"I didn't put my name in." I could tell he was in shock, and I knew he was telling the truth. "I swear I didn't."

"I believe you." His eyes flicked between me and Dumbledore, who was still looking at him expectantly. I let go of his hand as he made his way down past Dumbledore and through the door to the next chamber. After a moment of silence, Dumbledore dismissed us back to our common rooms. I stayed in my seat as the others got up to leave, "I'm gonna wait for Cedric."

I wasn't sure how long Cedric would be in the other room, though I had been lying when I said I was staying just to wait. I needed a moment to myself, to process what the hell had happened in the last half an hour. Two people, I viewed as family would be competing in a competition where someone had died. I was sitting backward on the pew, leaning uncomfortably against the table when I heard someone clear their throat. My eyes shot up, seeing Fred leaning against the wall next to the doorway.

"Sorry, I uh... I saw you stay behind and didn't want you to be alone." With his hands in his pockets, he slowly walked towards me. "Two people you care about in the tournament, that's... intense."

"You can say that again," I sighed. Fred took a seat next to me and we sat in silence for a minute. I lay my head on his shoulder.

"They're gonna be okay, El." He says quietly, "Dumbledore wouldn't let the tournament happen without it being safe." I knew this, but Harry was fourteen. The whole point of Dumbledore's age line was to prevent something like this from happening. I don't know why I told him what I told him next, truly there wasn't really any reason for me too.

"Anthony told me he loves me today."

Fred was silent.

"You're pretty serious then huh?" I could sense he was uneasy with this topic of conversation.

There was a loud thump as the door swung open and Madame Maxine and Fleur Delacour exited, shortly followed by Karkaroff and Viktor Krum. Both Fred and I stood as the small group made their way out of the Great hall. Viktor looked between Fred and I before smiling slightly at me.

"I should get back to the common room, I'll see you later." Fred disappeared out of the hall just as Cedric and Harry appeared. I watched as the two boys conversed somewhat awkwardly.

"So . . . tell me . . ." Cedric continued, throwing his arm around my shoulder as the two boys caught up to where I was standing. "How did you get your name in?" I winced.

"I didn't," Harry replied, he still looked uneasy at the idea of competing. He even seemed uneasy at the idea of people thinking he put his name in. "I didn't put it in. I was telling the truth."

"Ah . . . okay," said Cedric. I frowned at Cedric, who obviously still didn't believe the younger boy. "Well . . . see you, then."

"I'll see you later Harry, if you need anything, let me know." Cedric started down the steps towards the common room, though I paused for a second. "I believe you Harry, I promise." I smiled at him before turning and following Cedric down the steps.

Loud cheers erupted from the common room as we entered, a banner with the words 'Cedric Diggory: The Hogwarts Champion' hung above the fireplace, and Balloons in yellow and black were scattered around the room. Most Hufflepuff's already had drinks in their hands, and food from the kitchen was already spread on the tables. Cedric was quickly overwhelmed by students surrounding him, asking questions and congratulating him. I made my way over to the boys, who sat on and around the couch watching the commotion.

"Look at our little Ceddy, he was popular before but now it's like he's Gilderoy Lockhart," Dillon states, grinning in a way that told me he was kidding.

"Aw c'mon Dil, don't compare Cedric to that git." Eli groans, he throws his head back in disgust, hitting his head on the arm of the couch he was leaning against. He mutters a quiet whimper in pain and rubs his head, "We all know Cedric's is a much better wizard than him."

"How you doing Tommy?" I ask, taking a seat on the couch and sitting sideways so my legs are rested over top of Tommy's lap.

"I'm alright," He smiles, "if I can't be the champion I'm glad it was him."

"Speaking of Champions, what's the deal with Harry?" Kelby questions, I sigh.

"He has no choice but to compete, and he's still saying he didn't put his name in the goblet." I watch the doubt cross their faces, and I frown knowing they wouldn't be the only ones who wouldn't believe Harry. I hear my name being called from across the room, Anthony waves me over to him with a bottle of firewhiskey in his hand.

"Loverboys calling, you better go." Tommy grins, shoving my legs off his lap and winking in my direction.

"Oh shove off," I laugh, flipping him the bird but still standing and making my way towards Anthony. As I make my way to where Anthony is laughing with his friends my mind wanders back to thoughts of our future. Did I see a future? Did he see a future? And if he did, what did it look like?

"Babe! Here take this, I snagged you a bottle." Anthony shoves a bottle of firewhiskey into my hands and I have to stop myself from wincing as the memories, or lack of memories of the Gryffindor party I went to last year. I take a tentative sip, determined to not repeat that night. "Oh cmon, a little more!" Anthony laughs, looking at me expectantly. I take another sip, this time it being significantly larger than the first. The liquid burns as I swallow. Anthony kisses me quickly before snaking an arm around my waist and turning back towards his friends.

"Hey can we talk?" I mutter to him, and he looks between me and his friends quickly before frowning a little. "Please?" He nods quickly, leading me away from his friends. His arm never leaves my waist as we walk to a quiet corner of the common room. We sit on the bench seat in the corner, his hand now resting on my thigh. "Okay I know this is so weird but what you said today, it just got me thinking. Well, I've been thinking about it for a while, but I guess it became more real with what you said today-"

"Elora, you're rambling, what's on your mind?" Anthony chuckles.

"Well, have you... have you given any thought about our future? About what's going to happen to us when you leave Hogwarts specifically?" I manage to blurt out the question, but Anthony stares blankly at me.

"Well, ah... I guess I haven't given it that much thought..." I start to frown, though it makes sense. I hadn't exactly thought of any solid plans. "But that doesn't mean I don't want a future with you!" Anthony sputters out, noticing the frown on my face. "We've just got so long still that I don't want to spoil our time thinking of the future when I can enjoy the present with you now."

"I get that of course, but do you think we'll last after Hogwarts?" I feel myself looking towards my lap.

"I love you, Elora," With one hand he grips my hand and the other he lifts my hand and stares into my eyes. "Not seeing you every day isn't going to change that. When I'm gone we'll communicate through letters, and I'll come visit on Hogsmeade weekends and we'll spend the Christmas holidays together. Then when you finally finish school" I giggle at the word finally, "We'll get an apartment together and I'll be working at the ministry and you'll be..." I realize I'd never told him what I planned to do after Hogwarts. "Doing whatever your heart desires, and we'll be together, and in love and that's all that will matter. Okay?"

"That sounds amazing," He smiles at me, before pulling me into a deep kiss.

"To our future!" He cheers, holding his own bottle of firewhisky towards me and I laugh but do the same. We return to his group of friends, and I take sips of my firewhiskey whenever Anthony looks at me expectantly.

The night quickly blurs together, the only constant being the presence of Anthony's arm around my waist, and my friends watching me from afar.

A warm hand on my upper arm alerts me to Cedric's presence to my left, and I smile widely at him.

"Ceddy!" I cheer, throwing myself into his arms and hugging him tightly, "My best friend, the Hogwarts champion!" Cedric laughs loudly at me, and I feel myself giggling at him for no particular reason.

"How are you Elora, maybe ready for bed?" He pulls away from me but grips my hands. My eyes shift in and out of focus as I look at his smirking yet somewhat concerned face. My head whips towards Anthony as his heavy arm is thrown over my shoulder, I giggle again. Anthony, he loves me. He looks at me amused as I giggle at the two boys who are watching me.

"I've got her Cedric, you enjoy your party." Cedric nods, sending me one last look before making his way back to the boys. "Let's go, babe." Anthony's words are slurred, but he seems more sober than I am. Anthony leads me towards the stairs to the dorms, but instead of turning right towards the girls' dorms, he turns left. He leads me towards his empty dorm.

"Where are-"

"Shh," He smirks at me.

"Where are we going" I giggle, though my voice is quiet. I never get an answer, instead, his hands grab my waist, pulling me towards him. Suddenly he's kissing me fiercely, fiercer than he ever had before. In a second, he's pushed me back onto the bed. In my drunken state, I have no time to question if what is happening is what I want.

"I love you, Elora," he whispers into my ear. The rest blurs together, and I barely notice as both our clothes are quickly scattered across the floor.

I wake early the next morning, dressed only in one of Anthony's shirts, his arm wrapped tightly around me. I'd never before really used the curtains around my own bed to give myself privacy, but suddenly I'm grateful for their existence. I slip quickly out of Anthony's grip, dressing quickly and walking silently out of his dorm. As I settle into my own bed in my own dorm, I glance at the clock on the wall. 5 o'clock. I try to sleep, but instead, find myself watching the time slowly ticking past.

Anthony loves me, and I love him, so what just happened was expected.

He loves me.

I love him.

Right?