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┈┈・୨ ✦ ୧・┈┈

(Y/n)'s POV

It was Friday morning, and I felt a strong reluctance to leave my bed. This wasn't just the usual teenage resistance to waking up for school; today, I had an entirely different reason to want to sulk into my mattress, and that reason filled me with so much anxiety I thought I might succumb to a heart attack right then and there.

Today marked the start of the tournament, and it could also be the last day of my life—perhaps I was being overly dramatic with that thought, but can I really be blamed for being as scared as I am right now?

My room was quiet and empty, the others are off in class while I had been given the day off to prepare for the task; mentally. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with questions about what was to come.

I knew a dragon was part of the challenge, but the specifics were unknown; would I have to fight it, to kill it before it could kill me? The thought twisted my stomach into knots. As terrifying as dragons are, I didn't like the idea of causing one harm. They are magnificent creatures, and they shouldn't have to suffer for being the unlucky few brought into this.

With a heavy sigh, I pushed myself up in bed. I had less than an hour to meet with the other champions. I couldn't stay in here any longer, I needed to get a grip on myself and get this over with.

Just as I was about to get up, something on my nightstand caught my eye. It was a small vial filled with a shimmering blue liquid, a note residing just underneath. The note read: When hope seems lost, drop it at its feet. Then below in the corner, it read: Don't worry, it won't hurt it. As if whoever wrote this could read my mind.

I furrowed my brows, reading the note over and over, curiosity gnawing at me. Who could have left this? I carefully folded the note and tucked it away in my drawer before slipping into the uniform I had been given, the vial safely hidden in my pocket.

🐍💚

Hours passed, and I found myself sitting in the tent. All we could do now was wait as the arena filled with teachers, students, and family members. I tapped my foot nervously. Fleur sat quietly, her face like stone. Krum was dozing on a bench, the only one who seemed calm. Meanwhile, Harry was pacing back and forth, lost in his own thoughts.

I felt for the vial in my pocket. I couldn't take it out the; that was one of the rules, I can only have my wand and my wits. So I had to think of a way to—

"Pst."

I halted my thoughts and turned my head. The tent fabric swayed, and a shadow on the other side told me someone was there. "(Y/n)?"

I recognized the voice right away, "Hermione?" I quickly glanced around the tent to see if anyone was watching. No one was supposed to be near the tent except champions or professors. Luckily, no one was sparing me a glance.

"How are you two holding up?" she whispered.

I looked at Harry, still pacing, "We're in a bit of a panic," I admitted.

"Do you have a plan?" she asked. "Harry does, believe it or not, but I was worried about you."

My hand tightened around the vial, and then it struck me. Hermione could be the one to help me. "Actually, you are my plan."

"What?" Her voice rose as she pushed the fabric aside, confusion on her face. "How—"

"I need you to sit front row, or at least try to be as close as you possibly can." I quickly took her hand and slipped the vial inside, closing her fingers around it. "Then I need you to toss this into the air when I give you the signal."

She stepped back slightly and tucked herself behind the curtain once more. "What is this?"

"To be honest, I have no idea." She pulled the fabric aside again, looking at me as if I had lost my mind, and I quickly shut it again to keep her hidden. "Can you please stop trying to get us caught?"

"I'm sorry, but can you blame me for thinking you're insane for using something you know nothing about?" she whispered loudly. I glanced around to ensure her dramatic whispers hadn't attracted any attention. Thankfully, we seemed to be in the clear for now.

She had a point; I might very well be insane. This could turn out to be completely useless or, even worse, something that could harm me rather than helping me win. "That's why I plan to use it only as a last resort."

After a moment of silence, she let out a nervous sigh. "Okay. What's the signal?"

I shrugged, "You'll know it when you see it."

Hermione took the vial and left soon after we spoke. Harry came over to me once he seemed to have calmed down from his earlier panic.

He settled beside me, twirling his wand slowly in his fingers. "No matter what happens, meeting you has been—"

"Can you please not talk like we're going to die?" I nudged him playfully with my shoulder.

He met my gaze and smiled, "You're a great friend (y/n), and there's something I've been wanting to tell you." Suddenly, he looked a bit anxious, and I noticed he shifted a little closer. Maybe it was a secret he wanted to whisper. I told myself that was the reason, as the other thought made me uneasy. I care for Harry, but not in a way that goes beyond friendship.

Just as it seemed he was about to speak, a flash of light interrupted us, making us both turn to see none other than Rita Skeeter. My eyes narrowed, and loathing twisted in the pit of my stomach. "Oh, how lovely! You should see this picture," she said, strutting toward us. "The closeness, the way you're looking into each other's eyes—it's perfect for the front page."

I noticed how close Harry and I were sitting, our legs lightly touching, and I realized that anyone watching might think our looks meant something deeper. She was definitely going to use this to twist her ridiculous love story.

I stood up, "Mind if I see it?" I asked sweetly as I reached for the camera, but it was quickly yanked away.

Clever woman, I was ready to break it.

"Oh, don't start with your theatrics, you silly girl," she chuckled, "You'll be grateful to me later for putting you in the spotlight."

I had never felt such a strong urge to fight someone in my life. It didn't matter to me that she was older and I was just fourteen; I knew I could take her. But a tall figure stood between us—lucky for her.

Krum seemed to have woken up from his power-nap, since he was the tall figure, "You don't belong here; this tent is for the champions only," he reprimanded her in his thick accent.

She dismissed him with a wave, "No matter. We got what we wanted." Then she walked away, and Krum turned to watch her leave.

"Thanks," I exhaled, feeling my tension ease.

He looked at me and nodded, "Any friend of Granger is friend of mine."

I tilted my head in surprise; he was friends with Hermione?

Before I could ask him anything, Dumbledore entered the tent with a confident stride, "Good evening, champions." We all gathered around him, eager to hear what he had to say, "You've waited. You've wondered. And now the moment has arrived. A moment only the four of you can truly appreciate." He looked each of us in the eyes before continuing, "Now, let's discuss the first task," he said, his tone shifting to one of excitement. "You will each face a dragon. Yes, you heard me correctly—a dragon. Each of you will have to retrieve a golden egg from the nest of your assigned dragon. It will not be easy, but I have every confidence in your abilities. Barty?"

Barty Crouch stepped forward, holding a silky purple bag. "There are four dragons, one for each of you. You will reach into the bag and pull out one. That will be your dragon for this challenge."

A wave of anxiety washed over me again, and I tried to calm my breathing to avoid fainting. Barty approached Fleur first, opening the bag. My mother stood behind her, and for a brief moment, our eyes met before I turned my focus to the dragon Fleur had drawn; it was the emerald green one.

Barty announced the name of the dragon, but the sound faded as my heart raced in my chest when reality began to hit me that this was real and it was happening.

Next, he moved to Krum, who pulled out a dragon with scales that sparkled like sapphires.

Then it was my turn. My heart pounded faster, and I could feel my breath coming in quick gasps. I was sure everyone could see my fear, but I didn't dare look at them out of embarrassment. I reached into the bag, my hand trembling as I grabbed the first thing I touched, terrified it would be grey. When I pulled it out, a bright yellow caught my eye. The small yellow dragon I had seen earlier curled up in my palm.

"That leaves," Barty said, as he dropped the last dragon into Harry's hand, revealing the grey dragon known as the Horntail.

Harry's dragon roared in his palm and I locked eyes with him, he looked nervous before he looked away, back to the dragon he held. I was grateful I didn't get that one, but worried for my friend that did.

"Krum is first, Fleur is second, (y/n) is third, and Harry, you will be last." Barty announced to us before gesturing to Dumbledore.

"Let the games begin."

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