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The day of the first task was filled with abundant nerves. Everyone felt the keen sting of anxiety in their chest that morning accompanied by the shaking rush of excitement. The day began in complete silence from Harry and nervous rambling from Zinnia and Hermione. They were huddled over the breakfast table in the grand hall whilst Harry kept his head low, unsure if he would be able to keep his breakfast down for the rest of the day.

Zinnia nervously sipped her morning pumpkin juice whilst looking at the pale faced Harry, moving his fork around the scrambled eggs on his plate.

"Dragons aren't that bad if you think about it. They're just... big." Zinnia dismaly attempted to comfort her discontent friend. Harry did not reply but only looked up to the girl with flared nostrils and furrowed brows. She calmly smiled back at him and returned to awkwardly sipping her juice.

"Moody helped you right, you know what to do." Hermione joined the attempt to make Harry feel better. Alas they were both met with more silence from the boy.

All the sudden, as if the world was crashing in around them, Harry was called from the great hall to get ready for his task. The Girls wished him good luck only to be met with the shaky humm of Harry as he waddled away on his unsteady feet.

When it was time for the task to begin, the whole school and their international guests were escorted to a newly built arena in the middle of the mountainside. Zinnia and Ron sat next to each other in a nerving silence, neither one of them willing to admit how unbelievably worried they were about Harry. The cheers of students flooded Zinnia's ears like a deafening white noise, the sound would have driven her mad if not for her cool composure.

Bringing her out of her anxious trance, the Weasley twins approached the two, boxes in hand and asking for bets.

"Bets, take your bets" Fred shouted tremendously over the roaring crowd

"Bets taken! Bets taken here!" George followed, keen to earn some quick cash at the expense of Harry's dignity.

"Step up folks, who fancies a flutter in today's bloodbath!" Fred aggressively convinced the crowd of their scheme.

"Smart money's on Krum to survive, any bets?" George shouted as he approached the two.

"Care to bet on someone, Z?" He directed his flamboyant energy at her

"You've got to be mad" she scolded the boys "Profiting over Harry's potential.." she couldn't finish her sentence, too afraid and uncertain of what would finish it.

"I think my moral code is okay with it, what about you George?" Fred smiled at the girl, not taking her worries seriously.

"Perfectly sound up there, no objections from the big guy" George replied, pointing at his head as if it were its own person.

"Ridiculous you two are" she scoffed playfully, finding this honestly amusing besides the obvious ethical issues. The two boys looked her dead in the eye.

"BETS, PLACE YOUR BETS" they both shouted all the sudden, returning to their route around the stands, Zinnia watched them leave and shook her head at them. She turned to Ron, noticing the absence of a particular bushy haired girl.

"Hey, do you know where Hermione went?" she asked the jittery Ron.

"No idea, said something about Harry and the Champions tent" he disregarded her, too focused on his own worries to be concerned with hers. Zinnia put two and two together, then decided to descend the stairs to the champions tent.

As soon as she arrived around the back, she found Hermione whispering through the white cloth of the tent.

"What on earth are you doing?" she questioned the queasy girl. Hermione's head shot up as she shushed the girl for being too loud.

"Is that Zinnia?" she heard the dulcet tones of Harry's voice on the other side of the tent. She ran up to where Hermione was just talking to him and sighed.

"Harry? How are you?" she asked nervously, not too sure what to say in a situation like this.

"Fantastic, can't wait to be burned alive" he sarcastically responded, tired of hearing that question as if he would give a casual answer.

Zinnia couldn't take it anymore, she swiftly pushed away the cloth that separated the two and tackled Harry with a voracious hug in an attempt to comfort him, in return he quickly wrapped his arms around her, burrying his head in her neck for a bit of comfort.

All the sudden the two heard the unmistakable sound of a camera shutter and the flash of a blinding light. They separated slightly to see a woman dressed in a horrible leather brown outfit approaching the two. Her platinum hair pinned to the gods and a dirty look on her face.

"Young love!" she sighed at the two students. "How...stirring" she instructed her quick quill writing beside her.

Zinnia turned to Harry, the both of them flushed as they looked at each other, Zinnia noticing how cute he looked in his robes, then quickly scorning herself as now was not the time to act like a lovesick child.

"If everything goes unfortunately today you two may even make the front page." she spoke excitedly, as if Harry's death would be the most opportune moment for her.

"You have no business here, this tent is for champions, and friends." the booming voice of Cedric Diggory spoke from behind the sneaking woman. She shuttered seductively at the man with a promiscuous scowl.

"No matter, we've got what we wanted" she spoke to him, then prowled out of the tent with another click of her oversized camera.

Once the woman had left, Zinnia returned her gaze back to the raven haired boy next to her. They both gave each other nervous glances and embraced once again. This time not letting go.

"It's okay Harry, I know you'll be fine" she whispered to his ear.

"Don't jinx it okay" he whispered back with a breath of laughter. Zinnia shuttered at this, feeling his breath so close to her, reminded of when they were in the owlery. She held on a bit longer, embracing the moment between the two. She broke apart from him and pulled out a small green clip from her hair.

"Here" she said, taking the clip out and attaching it onto the underside of Harry's sleeve. "For good luck, '' she explained, moving her gaze from his sleeve to his eyes. He fiddled with the clip for a second then returned her gesture with a last hug.

"Good day champions. Gather round please." Dumbeldore boomed from behind Harry and Zinnia, breaking them apart. The two moved around into a circle.

"Now you've waited, you've wondered and at last the moment has arrived. The moment only four of you can fully appreciate." he moved his head around the group, noticing Zinnia clinging to Harry in desperation.

"What are you doing here Miss Beaumont?" he questioned her.

"Oh, um, well.... Yeah i'll go" she swiftly turned, giving Harry's hand a last squeeze and exiting the tent. She moved back to the stands where Hermione and Ron now stood, nervously awaiting the task to begin.

The large boom of the cannon signaling the start, proceeded the task. One by one, in a state of nervous jitter, the champions exited the tent and fiercely fought their dragon.

Beginning with Cedric, greeted by the crowd chanting his name, who used a transfiguration spell to turn a rock into a dog. Momentarily working as Cedric leaped for the egg, however not escaping without a scratch. Followed by Fleur who successfully enchanted the dragon to sleep but not before it let out a huff of fire that almost singed the hair off of her head. Then Krum, who used the conjunctivitis curse to blind the dragon, however, was docked points when the dragon stumbled around and crushed some of her real eggs. Zinnia let out a whimper at this thinking of all of the baby dragons.

Finally it was Harry's turn. The crowd cheered his name as the small figure of Harry emerged from the rocks within the arena . Zinnia's heartbeat quickened as she grabbed the arms of both Ron and Hermione in comfort. Harry looked around, bemused at the cheering crowds after weeks of ridicule. Looking around for a moment, he spotted the ornate golden egg perched upon a neatly arranged nest.

Without a thought, he proceeded towards the egg only to be abruptly stopped by the thrashing tail of the Hungarian horntail. Zinnia winced, scared for the boy's life and shunning his spontaneous behaviour. The whole crowd gasped and fell back as Harry was flung across the rock, tumbling down to the bottom. She didn't think it possible, but Zinnia's heartbeat pumped even faster, she had to take large breaths to calm herself down.

The dragon turned around to the fallen Harry, and blew a gust of fire towards him. Harry quickly ducked away from the blast and ran away to a nearby rock. As Harry struggled to climb the rock the dragon opened its wings and roared at the small boy. Zinnia noticed just how big it was and felt stupid for the comment she made about it earlier, this was definitely ranked high on her terrifying moments list.

The dragon thrashed around its boulder-like tail at Harry as the crowd gasped in shock and fear at the near miss. Harry slid down the rock he attempted to climb and was viciously knocked across the arena by the flailing tail. Zinnia didn't want to look, too scared of what would happen to her best friend, but out of pure fear she couldn't turn her eyes away. Harry ran away from the bursting flames of the dragon once more.

"Your wand Harry! Use your wand!" Hermione shouted from beside Zinnia. She would have said the same if not for the state of shock she was in. She was so nervous, she was afraid that if she opened her mouth she would see breakfast again.

Harry shouted something that Zinnia was too far away to hear, she was disappointed however that his spell produced no effect. Harry ducked behind the protection of a large rock as the dragon loomed over him. Harry looked in the distance at an object that seemed to be flying towards him. Zinnia spotted his broom whizzing through the air and felt somewhat silly that she didn't put two and two together.

The dragon blew its last gust of fire at Harry as he hid behind the rock, just as the stone was getting too hot to protect Harry, he jumped on his firebolt that came passing beside him. Harry was met with the uproar of cheer from the crowd. Zinnia let out a sigh of relief and cheered on Harry as he flew circles around the arena.

As Harry was flying, the fierce dragon attempted to come after him as he swooped for the egg. Unluckily for Harry, the dragon was strong enough to break free of the chains that confined him to the arena. The chains dropped to the ground with a morose echo as the dragon chased Harry out of the safety of the arena.

Those less enthusiastic about Harry cheered on at the excitement of the dragon ripping through the tent and disappearing into the mountains, approaching the castle.

"WELL DONE DRAGON" Fred roared from behind Zinnia, enthused at the velocity of excitement the students felt. Zinnia whipped her head around at the twins and scowled, disappointed that they would take joy from such dangerous happenings.

The arena was entranced by the disappearing figures of the dragon and Harry, once the two were no longer visible, everyone broke out into fits of chatter. Some people were yelling and some laughing at the ludicrous event unfolding right in front of them. Zinnia couldn't help but feel any other emotion than angry at the careless safety precautions of the event.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" she shouted over the voracious chatter of the crowds. "Who's bloody idea was it to hold an untrained dragon with a rusty chain?!" she roared out, furious at the danger that had become of Harry's task.

Ron and Hermione shared her frustration and worried amongst themselves, they all yelled over each other to the point where none of their sentences were comprehensible to anyone around them, only the white noise of anger and fear through the students in the stands.

Without warning, the whole stand was forced into a silence when the vicious roar of the dragon echoed across the jagged rock of the mountain from the tumbling castle. Everyone stopped what they were doing and starred in the direction of the noise. It had felt like hours that they all nervously looked on into the mountainscape, the heartbeat of Zinnia flooded her ears and deafened her ability to think clearly. She was stuck in a moment of time, only feeling like she could breathe again if Harry safely came back.

But like a white knight of fury, Harry's small figure proceeded back to the arena, triumphantly fisting the air. The crowd broke into roars of cheers and disappointment from a select few groups. His broom was smoking from behind him from the battle that ensued, and a proud grin plastered on his face. He approached the field as the cheering got louder and louder then swooped down to pick up the unprotected golden egg. The crowd roared even louder than before as Harry landed and retreated to the exit of the arena per the judge's instructions.

Zinnia immediately raced from the group in the stands to meet back outside of the champions tent. Harry came rushing out, breath heavy and eyes twinkling with adrenaline. The two spotted each other as Zinnia rushed to him at full speed and tackled him in a great bear hug. He returned the gesture as he picked her up and swung her around. Zinnia laughed as her feet left the ground and she was gently placed back by the amused Harry.

"You actually did it, I knew you could do it" Zinnia shouted through her wide smile, unable to rid herself of the immense happiness she felt that he was standing there almost unharmed.

"It was a close call for a second but I think that clip did the job" He laughed at her, looking over his shoulder at the approaching media, staff, and medical assistants. He took the small green clip from his robe and held it out to her in his hand. Zinnia looked at it for a second and shook her head at him.

"That was all you Harry, keep it though, maybe you'll need it for the next task" she told him right before he was dragged away by the fussing medi-witches trying to attend to his cuts and bruises. Zinnia watched him go and couldn't help the immense feeling of pride in her friend.

Zinnia walked back to the enormous crowd headed back to the castle, everyone retreating back to the school whilst they awaited the champions to be put back together again. Zinnia, unable to spot her friends in the mass group that was walking together, calmly followed in her own thoughts. She was caught up again in her feelings for Harry. She had predicted that it was a momentary thing and would simply disappear over time. But as September to November passed, she still couldn't shake the feeling. Although she was hesitant to do it, she had to admit to herself that she liked Harry and it wasn't going away.

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The common room was abundant with chatter of the victory of their very own Gryffindor. Although unsure at first, the entire house was now completely backing the bespeckled boy in his tribulations in the triwizard tournament.

Party snacks were passed around and Fred and George even tried some of their new prank treats on the students, turning poor Neville into a canary momentarily after George had offered him a delicious canary cream. Along with the treats, more mature substances were passed from student to student, each feeling the burn of celebration and firewhiskey in their throat. Although some of the younger students chose to stick to a less illicit substance, the fourth year students were venturing into curiosity about just how much fun they could really have.

Heads were turned to the doorway as Harry burst through, stitched and bandaged up from head to toe and smiling so widely he thought his cheeks would fall off. The room rose to a deafening cheer as they all chanted his name and shoved him into the middle of the room. The two tall twins grabbed him and hoisted him by his legs onto their shoulders. Egg in hand and showing off to the rest of the group, Harry basked in his moment of glory as he was praised by his peers.

"We knew you wouldn't die harry, loose a leg" George celebrated looking up at the boy he hoisted in the air

"Or an arm" fred added

"Pack it in all together"

"NEVER!" Both the twins cheered to Harry

Zinnia passed back the egg that had been thrown in her direction back to Harry. Seaumus shushes the crowd and grants it a kiss before throwing it to Harry.

"Go on Harry! What the clue" he asked as the crowd fell silent. Harry bathed in the attention of everyone in the room and soaked up the silent tension.

"Who wants me to open it?" he asked the crowd enthusiastically. Everyone replied with a clamour of yesses. "Do you want me to open it?" he asked again, this time receiving an even louder response. Zinnia turned to Hermione next to her with a smug look.

"How long is he gonna drag this out for?" she laughed into Hermione's ear, secretly making fun of the boy's proclivity to catch the attention of the whole room. They both laughed quietly to each other before they turned back to Harry as he was about to open the egg.

As Harry turned the ornate leaf detail on the top of the egg, the sides of the structure fell open to reveal a glowing, bubbling light that let out the most gut wrenching screech that anyone had ever heard. The whole room immediately ducked to cover their ears from the wretched sound. Harry quickly shut it again in a frantic fluster as he dropped from the twins shoulders onto the floor. The room was left in silence only a moment before Ron came waltzing back in.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" he asked as he lowered the hands that were covering his ears. The room stared in awe and entrancement as the tension between Harry and Ron was more noticeable than ever. Zinnia couldn't help feeling extremely worried at that moment, unable to predict if this would end up in some sort of physical fight.

"Alright everyone, go back to your knitting. This is gonna be uncomfortable enough without all you nosey sods listening in." Fred announced to the room as the partying students dispersed themselves. Ron approached Harry in a bashful stance as Zinnia held her breath.

"I reckon you'd have to be barking mad to put your own name in the goblet of fire." Ron hushed to Harry, finally admitting his wrongdoings and putting his stubborn nature aside.

"Caught on have you? Took you long enough" Harry sarcastically spoke back to him, still with a bit of sharpness in his tone. Zinnia worried for a second that Harry wouldn't forgive him and they would end up fighting for another month or two.

"Wasn't just me who thought you'd done it. Everyone was saying it behind your back." Ron admitted, defending himself against the pressure to agree with everyone. Harry looked around at the people who had just moments later been cheering his name until their voices hurt. He felt quite silly in that moment to forget the hurt they all put him through since his name was called out from the goblet.

"Brilliant, that makes me feel loads better" Harry said sarcastically, looking at Ron's face bashfully facing the floor in regret.

"At least I warned you about the dragons" Ron enthused

"Hagrid warned me about the dragons," Harry asked, confused.

"Oh no no, I did. Don't you remember? I told Hermione to tell you that Seamus told me that Parvati told Dean that Hagrid was looking for you." Harry returned a blank and confused expression as Ron moved him closer to Hermione and Zinnia who were sitting at the nearby table. "Seamus never actually told me anything, so it was really me all along. I thought you'd be alright, you know, after you figured that out." he finished, timidly looking at the floor

"Who- who could possibly figure that out, that's completely mental" he replied, littered with confusion and a hint of amusement. The two let out small breathy laughs to each other.

"Yeah it is, isn't it. Suppose I was a bit distraught." Ron said to Harry. They were both caught in a moment of silence as they thinly smiled at each other.

"Boys" Hermione huffed in astonishment from below the two. Zinnia turned and nodded her head in agreement and smiled to herself.

"Yes but they're our boys and they're not fighting anymore" she laughed as she got up and embraced the two in a large hug. They all laughed at each other as Ron pushed her away playfully. The group of laughter was accompanied by the music that had been started up again and the crowds began to celebrate once more. Although the group of friends were quickly interrupted by Lavender budging into the little circle they made.

"Can I steal harry for a second, thanks" she said not giving anyone time to reply then swiftly grabbing the arms of the unassuming Harry, dragging him away.

"Wonder what that's all about '' Hermione ignored the strange interaction and went off with Ron to get some food. Zinnia stood there for a moment then sat on the table, looking out at the room full of nervous first years to extremely intoxicated sixth years. As she scanned the room she spotted Lavender whispering something to Harry in a far off corner of the room. Harry was intently listening to her then caught Zinnia's eye from across the room. His cheeks red and his eyes wide, Zinnia gave him a confused look as he dismissed Lavender and strided over to Zinnia.

"What's up with you huh? Spot another dragon?" she joked at the startled boy

"Can we go talk" he whispered to her, looking around him

"What for?" she shot back

"Just, just please" he stuttered, looking directly into her eyes with an unnerved worry. She nodded her head and followed him into the stairwell that led to the dorms where it was more quiet and absent of people.

"Do you like me?" he spurted out after a moment of silence

"What do you mean?" Zinnia asked, feeling her heartbeat quicken and her palms beginning to grow sweaty

"I mean do you like me like me? Like more than a friend" he stuttered, looking back at her with an unmoving expression.

Zinnia's heart dropped, her body felt a wave of hotness and her fingertips became tingly. She tried her hardest to hide her demeanor but Harry saw her start to get anxious.

"Lavender told me that she overheard you telling Hermione you fancy me, is it true? I mean I probably shouldn't trust gossip from her right?" he mumbled out, unsure of where his speech was going or what he was saying. He only hoped to god that she would say yes, that she would return the way that he felt towards her. Because Harry Potter did like Zinnia Beaumont and hearing those words from Lavender's mouth made him just about the happiest man on earth.

Although Zinnia did not think as such, Zinnia's mind flooded with worry. He didn't think he should trust Lavender's words. She thought anxiously that it meant he wanted to believe it wasn't true. He didn't like her back. His scared and wide eyed expression was all she needed to tell her that. She wouldn't lie to him though, she couldn't lie to him.

"Listen Harry, that was back in September, a fleeting quiver in my own assurance, nothing for you to worry about'' she blurted out at him, keen to differ the truth from his mind. It wasn't a full lie, she had liked him, but she knew he didn't like her back and it would ruin everything. She stared at him for a moment before climbing the stairs unsteadily, keen to return to her dorm before her tears would start spilling.

"But Zinnia wh-" Harry attempted to sprint after her, wanting to talk more about this. He felt a small sting in his chest as she told him that but couldn't fully believe her.

"Just forget it harry, no need to worry about me" she shouted back down the stairs as she ran away to her dorm, leaving harry standing in the desolate staircase with only his looming thoughts.

"How could i be so stupid" she uttered to herself as she retreated to the saftey of her dorm, she felt the tears welling up in her eyes and scorned her stupidity for speaking aloud her inner feelings, let alone thinking it possible that he could find her evern remotely lovable. She sat down on her bed and drew the curtains, she lay there in a puddle of her own sorrow until she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

(A.N- THANKS SO MUCH FOR 200 READS, almost at 300 now love y'all omg❤️❤️another long one but y'all it's getting juicy. Don't worry cause i have plans for what will happen later 😉)