LAURA DRAGGED Draco out with her on a walk.

She had asked Blaise and Pansy, but Pansy had to finish an assignment, and Draco claimed Blaise had fallen asleep.

Laura looked around; everything looked ethereal and enchanting by the moon's bright glow. It was about midnight, way past curfew, but Laura had things to find.

"What's with the smile?" Draco asked, noticing the smile on Laura's face.

"Nothing, it's just beautiful out here," Laura said with a happy sigh.

"Especially since you're out here," Draco said casually.

Laura snorted at this comment. However, she felt her face heat up a bit.

Draco had been in a flirty state with Laura that week. He made little comments here and there. Though, Laura tended to ignore it.

"Wait-" Laura said, putting her hand out, stopping Draco. "I- is that Hagrid and... Madame Maxime?"

"Yeah... that is them," Draco nodded, squinting his eyes. "I don't get how you like the oaf."

"It's because I'm not judgmental," Laura shot back, causing Draco's eyes to widen a bit. "No majes- or I guess muggles, people, giants, merpeople... they're all people."

"Well," Draco turned away, causing Laura to roll her eyes.

"They're leaving," she said before he could say anything more. "I'm following them. You either come with me or go back to your dorm."

"They're going to see us, Pickering," Draco said, folding his arms.

"No, they're not," Laura sighed, pulling out her Invisibility Cloak. "Not with this."

Draco raised an eyebrow at this. Laura didn't blame him. She got the same reaction every time a new person saw it.

"Funny joke, Pickering," Draco said. However, Laura couldn't help but laugh when he froze as she disappeared. "Laura-?"

"Invisibility Cloak," Laura said, pulling it off. "So, are you joining me?"

Draco hesitated but nodded. Laura pulled him over to her and covered them with the cloak.

They followed Hagrid and Madame Maxime. As they did, they walked further and further from the castle and lake.

Suddenly, there was an ear-splitting roar. It was accompanied by shouting and spell-shooting. Draco looked at Laura skeptically.

"You can still go back," Laura said in a hushed whisper.

"What if you do something stupid? Who is going to protect you?" Draco asked as Laura dragged him to get a better view.

"Oh. my Merlin's beard," she groaned, "if you only came to 'protect me,' I'm sorry to tell you this now, but I don't need protecting. Especially from you, Malfoy."

"I'm still not leaving, Pickering..." Draco didn't finish his sentence, his eyes getting wide. He turned Laura around to see.

Her jaw dropped.

Dragons.

She turned to see four fully grown dragons in a fenced-off area. They watched as they thrashed around, shooting fire into the dark sky.

"Okay, wow," Laura breathed.

Draco was too enthralled by the dragons to say anything.

There was a silvery-blue one with long, pointed horns. A smooth-scaled green one. A red one with a fringe of gold spikes around its face. Finally, a gigantic black one. Laura noticed it looked more lizard-like than the others.

"Keep back there, Hagrid!" one of the wizards yelled. "They can shoot fire a range of twenty feet, you know! I've seen this Horntail do forty!"

"Is'n' it beautiful?" they heard Hagrid mutter.

"It seems as though I have a different standard for beauty than Hagrid," Laura muttered.

Laura had always had a love-hate relationship with dragons. She liked them in pictures and from far away, but this? This was too close for Laura. She felt a bit terrified.

Based on previous luck, Laura wouldn't be too surprised if she had to go against the Horntail.

"Hey- Laura," Draco said, wincing, "could you do me a favor and stop digging your nails into my arm...?"

"Oh Merlin, I'm sorry," Laura said quickly, letting go of Draco. She hadn't even realized she was clinging onto him.

Hagrid and Madame Maxime moved in closer to observe the dragons, and Draco and Laura (stubbornly) followed behind.

They watched as the wizards in charge of the dragons stunned the big black one, causing it to fall with a big thud.

"All right, Hagrid?" the wizard from earlier walked over. He reminded Laura of the Weasley siblings. "They should be okay now; we put them out with a sleeping draft. We thought it might be better for them to wake up in the dark and quiet- but as you saw, they weren't happy. Not at all..."

"What breeds you got here, Charlie?" Hagrid asked, eyeing the black dragon.

"Big one is the Hungarian Horntail," Charlie explained, "There's a Common Welsh Green over there, the smaller one- a Swedish Short-Snout, that blue grey- and a Chinese Fireball, that's the red."

Laura knew the Horntail was the worst, but she was on edge thinking about battling any of those dragons.

"I didn't know you were bringing her, Hagrid," Charlie frowned, seeing Madame Maxime. "The champions aren't supposed to know what's coming- she's bound to tell her student- isn't she?"

"Jus' thought she'd like ter see 'em," Hagrid responded. He hadn't taken his eyes off the dragons, causing Laura to question his intent.

"Really romantic date, Hagrid," Charlie said.

Laura almost laughed, but Draco was quick to cover her mouth.

"Now, this is why I stayed with you," Draco muttered.

"Four..." Hagrid said. "So, it's one fer each champion? What've they gotta do- fight 'em?"

Laura frowned. She wasn't sure she wanted to add "dragon fighter" to her résumé.

"They're supposed to just get past them, I think," Charlie replied. "We'll be on hand if it gets nasty. They wanted nesting mothers, I don't know why... but I tell you this: I don't envy the one who gets the Horntail. Vicious thing. Its back end is as dangerous as the front."

Laura felt as though that sealed her fate. Charlie pointed to the tail. It had long bronze-colored spikes that protruded along its tail every few inches.

"Laura-"

Laura looked over at Draco, who was wincing. She looked down to see she was clinging onto him again.

"Sorry," she said, hiding her face in her hands. "This is just kind of terrifying."

"You? Terrified?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe that, Pickering."

Laura glared at him. She turned away, hearing her name being said.

"I didn't dare tell Mum what the first task was; she's already having kittens about Laura, and she doesn't even know her," Charlie said grimly. "It's all thanks to Ron writing to her about everything."

"Well, maybe I can believe you are a little terrified," Draco muttered. Laura stepped on his foot. "Oi-"

"Let's go," Laura muttered, "I've seen enough."

Draco and Laura took off, briskly walking back to the castle. Laura was wrapped up in her thoughts.

Dragons... That was going to be a handful.

Pulling her out of her thoughts, Draco grabbed her, holding her to his chest. Laura's eyes widened, but he covered her mouth, motioning towards a figure who caused a thump.

It was Karkoff.

He thankfully didn't sense them and quickly left. They watched in silence as he continued over to the dragons. When Laura felt like they were a safe enough distance away, she pulled the cloak off.

"I need to tell Cedric," Laura said immediately, looking up at Draco.

"Why?" Draco asked, raising an eyebrow. "Does Diggory really need to know?"

"Yes!" Laura exclaimed as they continued their walk back to the castle. "Madame Maxime is going to tell Fleur, no doubt. There is also no way Karkoff went to look and won't tell Viktor. I know what it is now, so Cedric is the only one who doesn't know!"

"I'm not going to stop you from telling him, Laura," Draco reassured her.

"Thanks," Laura sighed. "Well, now I have to figure out how to face off against a dragon..."

"Laura," Draco said, putting his hand on the small of her back, pulling her slightly closer to him, "you're Laura Pickering. You are going to be amazing. I know you'll be able to figure something out."

Laura blinked for a few seconds. She didn't expect to hear that from Draco.

"Wolfsbane," she blinked, the portrait to the common room opening. "Thanks, Blondie... I appreciate hearing that from you."

"That's why I'm here, Pip," he smiled.

"Oliver Nicholas Pickering," Laura groaned. "He's going to get it when I see him next. Don't you dare call me that in front of other people?"

"Yes, ma'am, Miss Laura Piper Potter," Draco smirked.

Laura narrowed her eyes, punching his arm. Two could play that game.

"Whatever, Draco Lucius Malfoy," she retorted, entering through the portrait.

"Did Blaise tell you?" Draco asked skeptically, following right behind.

"I have many ways to get information," Laura said with a shrug. "You'll never know."

🪐➶.✧༄

"I'm not dating Draco," Laura said, rolling her eyes playfully. "At this point, we're just friends. If you could even call us that."

It was the morning. Laura had been cornered by her roommates. They were questioning her since she got back late the night before.

"Stop, we've seen the way he looks at you, Laura," Daphne said, taking Laura's hands. "He's definitely into you."

"Is Laura into him?" Alana asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I think Laura might have a little crush," Pansy remarked, walking in from the bathroom. "You can't deny it, Laura. Blaise and I have noticed you two spending more time together..."

"Yes, we have been spending more time together, but it's still the same," Laura sighed. "Plus, I don't think I'm ready to be in another relationship. If Draco likes me, he'll have to wait for who knows how long."

"Hey, that's okay," Daphne smiled. "If Draco likes you that much, he will be willing to wait."

"He hates being called a quitter, so I doubt he'll quit before you figure things out," Natalie agreed.

"Also, we're here to listen and talk it out with you if you need help," Alana grinned.

"Thanks, you guys, I love you, guys, so much," Laura grinned. "But speaking of Draco... I'm supposed to go to breakfast with him right now. I have to talk to Cedric, and Draco wanted to tag along."

"Blaise and I'll come find you later," Pansy grinned. "Have fun, Laura."

"Oh, you better tell me about you and Blaise later, Parkinson," Laura quipped before she went downstairs.

"Malfoy!" she called out when she got to the common room, causing Draco to look up at her. "I'm ready to go!"

"Got it," Draco said with a smile.

He got up, and they left for the Great Hall. Laura was fidgeting a bit as they walked.

"How are you holding up?" Draco asked, nudging his shoulder into hers.

"Pretty okay," Laura said, looking over at him. "It's just kinda nerve-wracking that I'm going up against a dragon soon. I know it's been less than twelve hours, but I hate that I don't have a plan yet."

"Laura," Draco said, stopping her. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "You're one of the most stubborn people I've ever met. If anyone can defeat a dragon, I know it's you.

"I know you're scared, and I know I can't relate to anything you're going through," he said, "but I believe in you. First, let's tell the Hufflepuff what you know. Then, we can go think about what to do, okay?"

"Okay," Laura nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's go find Cedric."

Draco smiled, and they walked over and into the Great Hall. Laura scanned the room, looking at the Hufflepuff table, when she found Cedric laughing and talking to his friends.

"Hey, Cedric," Laura said, walking up to him, "can I talk to you alone?"

Cedric nodded, getting up. The table of Hufflepuffs sent Laura dirty looks, but she just smiled at them as she walked to an empty part of the Great Hall with Cedric.

"So, what did you need to talk to me about?" Cedric asked, tilting his head. Laura really did like gray-eyed guys.

"The first task is dragons," Laura said, watching Cedric's eyes widen. "I found out last night. Madame Maxime knows, and so does Karkoff."

"You're pulling my leg, Laura. I know how you like to be funny," said Cedric with a laugh. Laura looked him dead in the eyes, causing him to stop laughing. "You're not kidding."

"I wish I was, but it's dragons," Laura sighed. "Big vicious ones."

"Well, thanks for telling me, Laura," Cedric said, looking slightly terrified. "I owe you one."

"It's nothing, I know you'd do the same for me," Laura said, giving him a reassuring smile. "See you around, Cedric."

Laura walked back over to where Draco was waiting for her. He had an apple in his hand handing Laura a piece of toast.

"Why don't we go to the astronomy tower?" he asked. "We can make a plan and even throw some spells at me if you want- as long as they don't kill me."

"I would love to," Laura smiled, taking a bite of the toast. "Thanks, Blondie."

They went to the Astronomy Tower together after finishing up their food. Draco let Laura shoot spells at him for about an hour when Laura came up with an idea.

"I could use my broom!" Laura said, the idea popping up in her head. "I would just need to master Accio..."

"I thought you did with your 'Accio glass' incident," Draco said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, yeah," Laura frowned, "but I neglected to bring my broom. It's still in America, and I don't know if I can get something from there... here."

"My broom is in my dorm. You could use mine," Draco suggested, tilting his head.

"What kind of broom?" Laura asked.

"It's a Nimbus 2001," he said, trailing off at the end.

"That wouldn't do," Laura sighed, shaking her head. "Plus, you technically can't help me, Blondie. I'm sure brainstorming is fine though."

Draco nodded, the two of them trying to figure out a plan.

"Actually- I have one important question to ask you," Draco said. "Why do you call me 'Blondie?'"

"Well, you're blond," Laura said with a small smile. "I called you Blondie once, and it's just kinda stuck. I could call you 'Lighthouse' if you hate Blondie."

"Lighthouse?" Draco asked, folding his arms.

"Yeah, Lighthouse," Laura said bluntly. She looked up at him as he towered over her. "You're so easily findable with your platinum blond hair. It's so easy to find you."

"Aw Pip," Draco said with a teasing grin, "are you implying I'm the light of your world?"

"If it helps your ego, then sure," Laura laughed, then pulled her wand out. "But back to the matter at hand. Accio Draco's broom."

The two stood there until a broom flew into Laura's hands. She looked over at Draco who's eyes were wide.

"That's my broom," Draco said. "I thought you said you couldn't do that."

"I never said I couldn't do that," Laura frowned. "I just needed to test something closer before I tried getting my broom from a different continent."

"Accio broom," Laura said, taking a deep breath.

The two of them waited in anticipation for about two minutes before Laura put her wand back in her pocket, sighing.

"You're giving up after two minutes?" Draco asked, folding his arms.

"Uh, yeah," Laura shrugged. "I can find other ways. Like you said, I'm one of the most stubborn people at this school."

Draco nodded, having nothing else to say. He cleaned his broom as Laura looked out over the arches, looking over the Hogwarts ground. She tried to think of an idea, but none came to mind.

After about half an hour, Draco finished cleaning his broom and walked to Laura.

"Well, my offer still stands-" Draco paused, "What's that?"

Laura looked over to where Draco was pointing. She pushed him out of the way.

"I think that's my broom," Laura said in surprise, a loud whooshing sound as it got closer.

"Seriously?" Draco asked, squinting to try and see it.

"All the way from New York City, baby," Laura said.

The broom flew into the Astronomy Tower, flying into Laura's hands. The force of its speed caused her to stumble. Draco immediately caught her.

"Well, that definitely could've been cooler," Laura said, looking at her broom.

"Laura, that was brilliant. What are you saying?" Draco said, a giant grin on his face, squeezing her shoulders. "But what's your plan for the first task, huh? You can at least tell me that."

"I could, but I'm going to make you wait," Laura said, the corners of her lips turning up. "You can wait a few days, can't you, Lighthouse?"

"I can wait as long as you need me to, Pipsqueak."

🪐➶.✧༄

It was finally the day of the first task. Laura was pacing the common room in front of the fireplace.

"Are you okay, Laura?" Draco said, cautiously approaching her. Laura ignored him. "Laura, I know you can hear me."

"No, I'm not okay," Laura spat, then quickly added, "I'm sorry."

Draco sighed, taking her by the shoulders so she would stop pacing.

"Pip, you're going to drive the entire common room insane if you keep pacing around like this," he said, looking into her eyes. "I know you're nervous, but you've got so many people rooting for you. Blaise, Pansy, and I are your biggest fans- and so are your parents and Nick."

Laura nodded, still terrified of what was to come next.

"Laura, take a deep breath for me," Draco said calmly.

Laura took a deep breath, and he smiled.

"Good," he said. "Now, today you're going to show that dragon who's boss, right?"

"Yeah, she is!" Pansy exclaimed, walking over to them, a reassuring smile on her face. "Laura is going to make the crowd go wild with how talented she is."

A smile spread across Laura's face for the first time that morning, letting out a laugh.

"Well, I can't argue with that," she grinned, hugging Pansy. "Thanks, Pansy."

"Don't even worry about it," Pansy said with a wink.

"Laura!" a voice called.

They looked over to see Jordan with a giant grin on his face.

"I heard through the grapevine that you're going up against a dragon today?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes," Laura said, blinking at him. She was too much in her head to figure out who would've said something.

"I'll be in the stands with these blokes to cheer you on," he nodded, squeezing her shoulder. "All of Slytherin has your back whether you win big or lose."

"Thanks, Young," Laura said, mustering a weak smile.

"That's why I'm here, Pickering," he grinned. "I've gotta get going, but good luck!"

Jordan ruffled Laura's hair a bit before making his way out of the common room.

"Oi," Blaise said, walking over to them, "I know Laura's scared, but we still have classes today. Let's get moving."

Unfortunately, they were going to half of their classes that day. Despite the hyping Draco and Pansy did, Laura was still nervous. 

Everyone on campus seemed tense, making matters worse. However, people seemed to take different stances on her. While some people still offered her tissues, others wished her good luck.

At lunch, Laura was only given a few minutes to eat. Snape walked over to her as she ate.

"Pickering," he said, showing no emotion, "the champions are to come down to the grounds now... You have to get ready for your first task."

"Well," Laura said, letting her fork fall onto her plate.

"Hey," Draco said, handing her an apple. "We'll be there cheering you on."

"We're going to be your biggest cheerleaders," Blaise grinned.

"Go, fight, and win," Pansy said, patting Laura on the back.

Laura smiled at her friends and followed Snape out of the Great Hall.

"Are you alright, Laura?" Snape said as they walked towards where the dragons were. "Don't stress too much. There are wizards there to take control of the situation if things get messy. Just do your best."

"I'm as alright as I can be in a situation like this," Laura said, wiping her hands on her robes.

"You're to go in here with the other champions," Snape said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Wait for your turn, Laura. Mr. Bagman is in there... he'll be telling you the procedure... Good luck from me and your parents."

"Thanks," Laura said with as much of a smile as she could muster, then walked into the tent.

Fleur was sitting in the corner on a wooden stool; she looked less than optimistic. Krum looked more surlier than usual, off in a different corner. Cedric was pacing up and down the tent, like Laura had done earlier that morning.

"You ready, Pickering?" he asked when she walked in.

"As prepared as I can be," Laura said, giving him a thumbs up.

"Laura! Good-o!" Bagman said happily, contrasting the misery in the tent. "Come in, come in! Well, now we're all here. Time to fill you in!

"When the audience has assembled, I'm going to be offering each of you this bag," he held up a purple silk bag, "from which you will each select a small model of the thing you're about to face! Your task is to collect the golden egg!"

Laura and Cedric shared a less-than-optimistic look about finding a golden egg.

"Well, Miss Delacour," Bagman said, offering the bag to Fleur.

She grabbed the bag, pulling out a perfect model of a dragon. It was the Welsh green, the number two on it. Fleur looked unfazed, just as miserable as before.

Next was Krum, pulling out a scarlet Chinese Fireball, the number three hanging around its neck. He just looked at it and stared at the floor again.

Then, it was Cedric, pulling out the blueish-gray Swedish Short-Snout with the number one around its neck. Laura couldn't believe her luck, knowing what was left in the bag.

She pulled out the Hungarian Horntail with the number four. She watched as it stretched its wings out when she looked at it.

"Well, there you are!" Bagman said. "You each pulled out the dragon you will face. The numbers refer to the order in which you are to compete. I will have you leave in a moment because I'm commentating. Mr. Diggory, you're first. Just go out into the enclosure when you hear a whistle."

"Good luck!" Laura said, sending Cedric a less than confident smile, feeling nervous herself as Cedric left the tent. However, when she went to leave, Bagman grabbed her arm.

"I need a word with you, Laura. Outside."

"Er..." Laura said awkwardly. "Sure."

Bagman nodded, letting go of her arm, as they walked outside. They walked only a short distance away when he stopped, turning to her with a fatherly expression.

"Feeling alright, Laura?" he asked. "Anything I can get you?"

"Nope," Laura shrugged, causing Bagman to raise an eyebrow. "I've got a plan. I don't think I need anything else."

"I don't mind sharing a few pointers if you'd like," he said, lowering his voice. "You know, you're the underdog here, Laura... Anything I can do to help..."

"No," Laura said abruptly, sounding slightly rude, "No- no, I'm all good. I have everything planned out. Though, I appreciate it."

A whistle blew from somewhere before he could say anything else.

"Good Lord, I've got to run," Bagman said in alarm, hurrying off.

Laura let out a breath of relief as she returned to the tent. 

As she walked, she heard the crowd roar in cheers. She then heard the crowd scream, yell, and gasp. 

Laura felt all her anxiousness rush back in.