Piercing blue flames.. a piece of paper withering away into them.

It had started a week ago, and then the dream had occurred to her two times again. It was nothing scary.. nothing too complicated to waste her time thinking over. Maybe it was the stress of knowing that Cedric was going to participate.

But tonight, when she saw quick flash of her name right after the usual dream, she woke up with a gasp. And then she cursed herself.

"For fuck's sake, stop waking up before getting important details!" She said to herself.

What else did I see? It was night time.. definitely. Blue flames.. the Goblet of Fire, that was for sure. That means it happened before Halloween. My name.. is someone going to make me participate? Am I doing it on my own..? What else? What else?

With a frustrated sigh, she hid her face into her palms. It wasn't enough. If her suspicion was true, and someone was going to make her participate, she was doomed. She didn't want to participate, no matter what.

A weird ache travelled through her arms, and only then she noticed that the cupboard in her room had been shaking. Oh Salazar, not now.

Ria focused on her breathing, focused on making the feeling in her arms go away. She hadn't noticed just how much she had been panicking.

As a Seer, my greatest weapon has always been my instinct. She remembered the words scribbled in Katherine Lagarde's journal.

Right.. she realised. Thinking too much wasn't good for her. It took away her instinct.

She wouldn't do it on her own.. participate in some deadly tournament, no matter what. Someone was playing a game with her. Someone wanted to trap her.

But Asteria wasn't going to let that happen, of course. This time, she wasn't just going to sit there and wait for the terror to arrive.

"Yeah, yeah— but an application? I don't think the Minister will think over an application given by two fourteen-year-olds." said Sophie.

"That's why the petition and the badges!" exclaimed Hermione. "We can expand our community! And when we have enough supporters, the Ministry will have to listen to us!"

Ria sighed to herself. At least they were getting along well.

The three sat in the Great Hall along with many others, surrounding the Goblet of Fire. She didn't think too much, but it wasn't like the vision had left her mind either. She had the Marauders Map with her and was keeping an eye on it every night.

Her mind kept slipping in and out of thoughts. Sometimes it eavesdropped on the conversation happening behind her, between Harry and Celine. And then she'd roll her eyes and train her eyes back on the blue flame.

Good friends catching up, of course..

The flames suddenly ablazed, making some students jump in surprise. And Ria moved her gaze from it. Oh.. can't be angry, I forgot.

"We can knit them sweaters, or hats, or scarves!" Sophie urged, clasping her hands together as her eyes shined like a child on a Christmas morning. Hermione gave a delighted smile at the suggestion.

Ugh.. Ria thought. In all honesty, she didn't mind S.P.E.W. It was a good initiative, great even! But she had been listening to their ideas since the break of dawn! One could only handle so much..

So to momentarily escape both the situations around her, she took the rational decision of walking around the room and starting a conversation with her cousin's potential girlfriend.

The Ravenclaw had been talking to her friends when she noticed Asteria walk towards her. She excused herself and smiled at the girl. "Hello, Asteria."

"Hey, Cho." She smiled back. "And call me Ria, please. Asteria's too formal."

"So, Ria.. I'm surprised you have heard about me.." She said.

"Of course, I have." Ria answered. "I mean.. not really, but Cedric's bad at hiding things, so.. I just found out!"

Cho nodded with a small chuckle. "I figured. He doesn't seem like someone who talks much about his friends."

Ria nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he doesn't usually. But then again.. are you two really friends?" She saw a light blush spread across her face. "Of course, you are friends, but—"

"Okay.. okay. I get it. You don't have to explain." Cho chuckled nervously, and Ria found it hard to hide her amused smile.

"Anyway.. How are things between you two now?" asked Ria. "And yes. I am aware that he has severely fucked up."

"Oh.." she sighed. "Well— er— he apologised, he's trying." She answered.

"I hope you haven't forgiven him yet." Said Ria, her tone sounding petty. "Boys like him need to be taught a lesson. I mean— if you want to kiss a girl, be fucking sure about it!"

Some feet away on a bench, Harry Potter sneezed out of nowhere.

"Bless you."

"I know right?" Cho said, agreeing with her. "I think I'll take a while to forgive him."

"As you should!" Ria egged on, and the girl chuckled. "What?"

She shook her head. "At first, I thought you were talking to me because Cedric asked you to.."

Ria scoffed out a laugh. "He asks me to not talk to you. But do I look like I listen?"

"I mean.. don't blame me. You two seem really close." Cho voiced her thoughts. "Anyone can see that."

She sighed contently. "Well, we don't really have a big family. It's just Mum, my Uncle, Cedric, and I.. So, yeah.. we're pretty close." said Asteria fondly.

"That's nice." She replied with a smile.

"But I do hope things get better between you two." Ria said, her tone genuine. "He seems to really like you. And you two look good together."

Her smile widened. "Thanks."

Soon, their attention was taken by a group of Hufflepuffs running in, led by Cedric. Two Slytherin boys walked in leisurely after them.

"Hello, girlfriend!" said Blaise, as they walked up to her.

She rolled her eyes. "Hey, Zabini." She knew they did that just to piss her and Sophie off. The curly-head joined them too. "Hey! So.. anyone from Hogwarts yet?"

Theo raised an eyebrow. "You've been sitting here with Ria and Granger since dawn. You're telling me you didn't see shit?"

"I was busy, alright?" She rolled her eyes and looked at Ria for answer.

"Davies and Montgomery from Ravenclaw, Johnson from Gryffindor, that Jones girl from Hufflepuff, Warrington from Slytherin—"

Blaise snorted, "Warrington? Really?" He shook his head, "Even Nott here would've been better than him." He taunted.

"Oi! I'm right beside you!" He exclaimed, quite offended.

Cedric finally emerged out of the group and walked towards the enormous cup. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Cho and Ria. Cho just smiled, while Ria gave him a thumbs up.

He gave them a small smile before walking through the age line and finally putting his name into the blue flame. The piece of paper withered away, and a shiver creeped up Ria's spine as she was reminded of her dream. Though she ignored it for the while, clapping and cheering along the crowd for his cousin.

And when he walked towards her, she said: "I can't wait for you to get picked.." he raised a suspicious eyebrow. "And for the day that you come running towards me to let me know that you're shitless scared and I was right about you not taking part all along." She added.

He sighed in relief. "Oh, thank heavens.. thought you had a fever or something."

Two identical smiles slowly broke onto the cousins' faces, and they laughed. "Just joking.." said Ria. "I hope you're the Hogwarts champion— wait, no. I know you'll be the Hogwarts champion."

"I'll take the Seer's word, then." He said to her, winking. And then, his eyes fell on Cho.

An apology was on the tip of his tongue again, and he was going to say it until he noticed Ria giving him a wide-eyed glare. He looked at her, she was shaking her head no, mouthing 'not here' and tipping her head towards the door.

Cedric gave her a little appreciative nod, and then looked at Cho again. "Do you mind if—"

"No." said Cho as she left her seat, making him smile. And as they walked out, she looked back at Ria and mouthed a little 'thank you'.

"Look at you playing matchmaker." Sophie nudged her shoulder with hers, and Ria shrugged.

"You gotta do what you gotta do." She said.

"I wonder though.." Theodore mused. "How haven't you taken part? I thought you would."

"Yeah.. taking part in a tournament like this totally fits you." Blaise added.

"It does not." Ria chuckled.

"Oh, it does." He nodded. "And so does playing a sport that could literally break your bones. You like danger."

"I do not." She said. "I don't like danger, I just like Quidditch."

"No, you totally do." Sophie added. "Remember that plan you had back when I first met you? Being a Muggle magician on the run, being chased by the Ministry?"

Ria rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! You too, Soph?"

"That's a brilliant plan though.." said Theo. "Would be really fun."

"Thank you!"

Harry's eyes kept skimming over towards Ria's group, where they had been talking about something intense. But his eyes couldn't specifically leave Blaise Zabini as he pinched Ria's cheek, making her smack his head from behind.

His words from before came back to his mind. "Hello, girlfriend!"

Why did he call her that? If they were really dating, hell, even if she liked him, Ria would tell Harry, surely. They were best friends, after all.

Maybe it was the right decision, making her forget about the kiss.

His cheeks felt warm, and he cursed himself. Why'd he have to blush every time he thought about the kiss? It was an accident!

"That's Asteria Edwards, right?" Celine's voice took him out of his thoughts. And he nodded.

"Yeah.. why do you ask? You know her?"

She just shook her head with a small smile. "I've heard about her." She said. "Heard she plays well."

"What?"

"Quidditch. What else?"

"Yeah.. right."

Another cheer boomed across the Hall, and this time, Fred, George, Lee and Amelia rushed inside. Everyone applauded again.

Lee and Amelia sat with the Gryffindor trio, while Fred and George high-fived many students on the way, muttering thank you's.

"Well, lads, we've done it!" bellowed Fred.

"Cooked it up just this morning." George added, grinning at his twin.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "It's not going to work." She sing-songed. The twins did a dramatic double-take and then plopped down on either side of her.

"Oh yeah? And why is that, Granger?" George asked.

The girl in between sighed, and pointed towards the faint white line around the Goblet. "You see this? This is an age line. Dumbledore drew this himself."

"So?" Fred mocked, making Hermione slam her book shut on her lap.

"So.. a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by a dodge as pathetically dimwitted as an ageing potion." She explained.

"But that's why it's so brilliant!"

"Because it's so pathetically dimwitted!" The twins smirked and got up from the place. They shook the tiny vials in their hands.

"I thought you wanted to take part too?" Ron whispered to Amelia. The girl smirked.

"Yeah.. but let's see what happens to them. Then I'll decide." She gestured towards the twins.

"Ready, Fred?"

"Ready, George."

"Bottoms up!" The two gulped the potion and jumped in.

Ron chuckled. "You are using them as lab rats, aren't you?" He asked.

Amelia gasped, clutching her chest. "How dare you predict my intentions so accurately?!" She whispered.

Ron laughed. "Good! It'll be fun!"

Amelia and Ron surprisingly had a good bond. As a girl with a shitty younger sibling, she found it strange that the twins treated their sweet little brother like that. She knew it was all playful, but she couldn't help but take Ron's side, once in a while.

Ron appreciated it, really. And just like that, he had another Slytherin added to his list that he genuinely liked.

The twins simultaneously put their names in, and the Hall broke out into cheers. The twins high-fived each other with grins on their faces.

But the joy drowned when the flames rustled around them swiftly. Fred and George got knocked back from the circle and fell down with a thud.

Everyone began laughing as white beards and white hair adorned the two's faces. Amelia and Ron broke out into deranged fits of laughter. The fifth-year Slytherin was grateful she hadn't stepped in with them.

"You said!"

"You said!" The two brothers started fighting. The others formed a circle around them, encouraging them to fight. Hermione rolled her eyes and continued to read her book.

Harry laughed too, along with Celine, but his attention was taken away quickly as he saw Ria leave her place and walk out the door. He followed her.

"Ria? Ria!" He caught up with her, holding her wrist to take her attention, but she just forcefully broke away from his grip.

When she looked back though, her eyes went soft and a smile adored on her lips. "Oh.. it's you! I thought it was someone else. Took me off guard." She chuckled.

Harry sighed with relief, smiling. "Ah.. no worries, then."

"Well.. d'you have anything important to tell me or something?" She asked, and his confidence faltered.

He needed something important to speak to her, now? They talked all the time! About important stuff and bullshit.. about anything and everything!

"No. I just— I—"

"I'm sorry.." she yawned. "I'm just tired. I was heading to my dorm, to bed, actually."

Another wave of relief washed over her. "Did you.. Did you not have any sleep, again? Ria nodded with a small, helpless smile. "Want me to help?" He asked.

She chuckled. "And what will you do? Carry me?" To her surprise, he nodded. "Nah.. don't wanna fall off and chip any of my teeth."

"I'll walk you, then." He suggested, but she just held his shoulders and spun him around.

"Go back inside, Potter. Don't let me ruin the fun. See ya!"

She left without hearing anything else. Harry could follow, he really could, but he had a feeling that she wasn't in the mood right now.

And he could only silently hope that it was temporary.. whatever that was going on between them.

Ria did not sleep for the next three nights. She did take naps during the day, but she didn't dare fall asleep when the night fell.

She would just sit on the couch of her dorm room with a notebook and Lagarde's journal in her hand. She would scribble a lot of different plans in her notebook.

She also thought about trying lucid dreaming. She had heard people could take control of their dreams like that. But she couldn't risk trying it during a crucial time like that.

That night, she felt weirdly uncomfortable in her room. More restless than any night. She had a plan. She was going to take action that very night. But there was one problem.

Hey, Ria.
I know we were going to study Arithmancy together tonight, but something important came up. Mum's not well, and I'm going to visit her. There has to be someone to take care of her, after all.
I probably won't be there for Halloween. I'll miss the champion selection too, but can't do anything about it. I'll be back as soon as I can though.
Amelia.

This note had been lying on her desk when she had woken up from her nap. She had sighed in frustration.

Ria had asked her for help in Arithmancy, but it really meant that she needed her help to do something about that vision of hers. She wasn't going to tell her that till the moment came.

Why Amelia? Well.. Ria needed someone who would help, but ask less questions and maybe give her some information from the other side. And Amelia had been the perfect, trustworthy contender until..

Ria rubbed her eyes. What now? What now? She was sure she couldn't do it without someone to back her up.

Though, there had been a person lurking in the back of her mind. She just didn't know if she trusted them enough..

Should she?

The door opened after about a good minute of knocking, and Draco Malfoy opened it, rubbing his eyes. He hissed. "It's fucking midnight, Edwards."

Ria rolled her eyes in annoyance. "It's urgent."

He sighed. "Hey.. Nott— Zabini—"

"Woah.. don't disturb them!" She whispered, and he gave her a look.

"What?"

"I'm here for you. I need your help." She said.

Malfoy blinked. "What?"

"I'm pregnant, and you're the father."

"What?!"

"Great! That woke you up." She said with a sigh. "I said I need your help! Come quick, or I'll drag you by your widow's peak!" She threatened with a whisper before descending down the stairs.

When he left the common room, he saw her waiting outside, leaning against the Dungeon wall with a Map in her hand.

"It's literally fucking midnight, Edwards." He said as he approached her.

She gave him a sarcastic smile. "I'm aware. Did you not hear when I said it was urgent?"

"But, why me?" He asked. "Go to your scarhead boyfriend or something! Doesn't he like to play the hero?"

She huffed in frustration. "He is not my boyfriend!" She whisper-yelled. "And wasn't it you who helped me back at the Quidditch World Cup? You said you disliked me, but that didn't mean you wanted me dead."

"So..?"

She kept her eyes on the Map, waiting for the path to get clear. "Well.. there's a chance I could die. Now, quick. Follow." And she began walking without another word.

Malfoy blinked in disbelief. "Wait— what?"

They walked quietly, stopping in between, and then resuming soundlessly again. Ria had even scolded Draco when he had tried to light up the path with his wand.

"Are you mad? We don't wanna get caught!"

"Can you at least tell me what we're doing?" He questioned. As annoyed as he was, he was curious. "And are we going to the Great Hall? You do know some teacher guards the Goblet of Fire every night? We are going to get caught!"

She rolled his eyes. "Blind spots exist, you buffoon." She looked at the dot that said Moody was there, guarding the Goblet of Fire. "We just have to wait for the right moment.. wait until he leaves for some sort of break."

The enemy is going to wait for that too.

"That's Moody we're talking about. Constant Vigilance!" He tried to mimic the Professor, and failed horribly.

Ria shook her head. "Come on, Malfoy. No matter who it is.. everyone needs a break."

I need one too, for heaven's sake! So give me one!

"One more thing.." she said, "tell me everything they know about my magic."

"Well.. from what I've heard. You're a Seer, and you come from a bloodline containing Enchantresses who can perform every sort of wandless magic and mind manipulation. So, you're an Enchantress too."

"Alright.." she sighed. "Have you heard of any sort of— plan.. conspired against me?"

"All I know is that you're a target." He answered. "My father told me to not leave my room when he has work-related conversations with his friends. Mother says it's for my own good."

"Is that all?" She confirmed.

He paused for a while, thinking. "Yes." She gave him a quick nod. "Whatever we're doing right now.. is it because you saw something?" He asked

Ria looked back at him, surprised. "Is that logical reasoning I hear, coming from you? That's surprising."

"Hey!" At his offended tone, she smiled with amusement.

They stayed pressed against the wall outside the Great Hall. Ria could feel her heart racing in her chest.

The Marauders Map was clutched close in her fist. She wanted to look at it, but Malfoy was right beside her. He could get a glimpse, find out what it is, and she didn't want that. Yes, he was helping her, but she couldn't risk it.

Asteria exhaled slowly, trying to listen to the alarm that would go off inside her head any moment.

Trust the Seer instinct.. that's what Lagarde told me to do.

"Now." Ria walked in, not caring to see if Moody would still be there, not even waiting for Malfoy to follow.

There was no one inside. Blind spot. She thought. But then, she noticed something floating in the air. At the very next moment, the flames in the Goblet roared. Ria's eyes widened. An entry..

Another one had been floating right behind it. It had her name written on it. In a moment, it would disappear into the blue fire too. She couldn't reach it. She wouldn't be able to stop it in time.

Something knocked it off its path. And Ria looked behind her in shock. Draco Malfoy had his wand pointed right where the piece of parchment had been floating.

"Please, tell me this was the point of coming here.." he mumbled with a little tinge of hope in his voice.

But Ria suddenly wasn't so concerned about that. "Good foreseeing of the target's path. Quick decisions. Good aim." She mumbled to herself. "Malfoy, have you ever thought of trying out for the Beater's position?" She asked.

"Are you out of your damn mind?" He asked in disbelief. "Did we succeed?"

"Yes." She breathed out, running towards the piece of parchment lying on the floor. Ria crouched down and quickly picked it up. She looked around first, to see if she could find anyone. She opened the Map.. no one was around the Great Hall that was suspicious.

"It has your name on it." said Draco, and then she finally looked at it. She felt overwhelmed.

She couldn't help the tears that brimmed her eyes. She had finally stopped something from happening.

Thank you, Katherine Lagarde. She thought. Even though you were a part of something that has taken many things from many people, thank you. I owe this one to you.

Tears streamed down her face.. tears of happiness, as she clutched the entry with her name in her hand. And Draco Malfoy looked at her, unsure what to do.

"Well.. if we're done, I'm going back to sleep." He said, and spun in his place, tracing his path back to the Dungeons without another thought.

"Hey." Ria called out. "Thank you." He scoffed at this, but she softly smiled. "I mean it, really. Thanks."

Malfoy wasn't sure of what to say. He just shrugged. "It's alright, I guess." And with that, he left.

She wiped her tears away. Halloween was going to be happy again.

Ria returned to her room after some minutes, rubbing her eyes in annoyance. If there was a definite way she could have a dreamless sleep for a day straight, she would give up anything to have it.

God, she was tired. Of everything.

As soon as she entered, her eyes fell to the letter on the desk. She smiled, first walking towards Jude and showering him with some love and food. Cassie had already been giving him some company.

Her mother had told her to not write to her because of the amount of time she had to give to her work. Letters also got lost most of the time, where she had been assigned. But finally, she had returned from Romania, and Ria couldn't wait to read everything.

Dear Ria,
I hope you're enjoying the tournament so far. I swear, I tried so hard not to tell you, but you know now. And Amos told me about Cedric's participation. And, well, I can't say I'm thrilled, but let's hope for the best.
I may or may not be visiting the school. Yes, it's related to the tournament. And guess what? If Cedric gets selected, I might come back again to watch the last task along with Amos. Exciting isn't it? Oh, I wish we had this tournament during our time. James, Sirius, Marlene, Amos and I would've created chaos.

And Remus, Lily, Aunt Kora and Dad would've all experienced cardiac arrests. Ria chuckled to herself.

I know what you're looking for in this letter.. if I met your Dad or not.

She rolled her eyes. Her mother knew her a little too well.

I really tried, honey.. I didn't know where to find him. I even tried with the Romanian Ministry, but it didn't help.

She felt a pang of disappointment. It's alright. It's fine. She told herself. Nothing to get yourself disappointed over.

Well.. I'll see you soon, love. Take care of yourself and your friends. Get into a little trouble, but stay safe from Filch.
Love you,
Mum.

Her shoulders slumped. Her Mum was great. Ria loved her to no measure. But just as much, she missed her Dad. But she didn't blame them at all. Seven years of no contact would be hard to reconcile, after all.

Cass jumped on the table, sensing her owner's sadness. She rubbed her head against her hand, getting lovely scratches in return. She meowed.

"Yes, darling." Ria hummed, and she meowed again. And this time, Jude hooted a response.

She chuckled. "Oh.. so you were trying to talk to him.. huh?"

But then, realisation hit her like lightning. She jumped up from her seat, rushing towards Jude.

"Jude, my love." She gently scratched at his little head. "You were Dad's owl to begin with.. You would be able to find where he is, right?"

The owl hooted again, and Ria grinned, ducking down to place one quick kiss on his head. "Such a sweetheart."

Why hadn't her mother thought of this?

Her limbs moved at an incredible place. She fumbled for her piece of parchment and ball pen, not having the patience to use an ink quill, at the moment.

When she sat in front of her desk to write the letter, she felt a bit unsure. It had been a while, she should start gentle.. Or a letter that would feel like a longing hug composed of words?

No.

Yeah.. gentle would be good for now.

Hey Dad..
It's been so long, hasn't it? How are you?
I honestly don't know why I'm writing to you all of a sudden. I know it's been around six or seven years since I last saw you, and I barely remember your voice, except for the time you used to sing songs to me.

Except for the time you used to sing songs to me.. under the stars. She didn't write that part. Is that why watching the stars feel like a visit to home? She shook her head, focusing on the letter again.

I don't know what else to write, honestly. But I miss you. Merlin, Dad, I miss you so much, you have no idea.
Could we talk? I wouldn't mind catching up. Would you let me know?
Regards,

Asteria Edwards.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

[word count: 4325]

a/n: heheh hi ya'll

nothing just wanted to let ya'll know that we'll be resuming the wed&sat update schedule again since my last exam will be on tuesday heheheh
I've already completed the second year of my senior college like hoLY SHIT
I remember whining about my 12th board exams on this same story-

das all byeee :)