XI.   angels like you

Devore was raised on hearing the stories of her mother and father from when they went to Hogwarts. They were almost always told by her father, who was so in love with her mother that he did everything in his power to win her love. Chanel always described Isaac as arrogant, cocky, full of himself until she got to know him, and then she would describe him as heartfelt, so gentle and caring.

They had a love story like no other, though Chanel told her that it was similar to the love story her closest friend shared, Lily Evans. It was no wonder why her and Harry were so close. But James always tried to woo Lily, even when she hated him the most.

But by the time they were fifteen, Isaac had managed to win Chanel's heart, and he swore on his life that he would never break it. Who knew that one day he would but it wouldn't be his fault?

When Devore fell for Draco, she thought she was experiencing true love. She thought it was the love she deserved. But a person can only take so much until they break, and Devore broke it off with him before she completely broke herself.

But when she woke up that next morning, the colorless world she was surrounded by was now warm with color. She woke up not feeling tried like she always did, and she woke up happy.

Morgan awoke and rubbed her eyes, seeing her roommate lying in bed, smiling. "Why do you look so happy? It's seven in the morning?

"I just feel happier today, that's all."

She sat up and leaned on her elbow. "Does it have anything to do with the dance you shared with the ginger last night and then you two disappeared?" Morgan asked while smirking.

Devore returned it. "Maybe, maybe not. What about you and Angelina?"

"Oh, it was a wonderful night. She's a fabbbulous kisser." She dragged out while she stretched, and continued to smirk.

"Good to know." Devore chuckled and climbed out of bed.

"Okay, more information now. Please and thank you."

She walked into the bathroom and turned on the light. "I ended things with Draco," she started off.

Morgan's eyes widened. "Seriously?" When she nodded, she smiled widely. "Oh my gosh!"

Devore grinned and got her toothbrush and toothpaste ready. "Yeah, it felt really good."

"Well, I'm sure."

"I felt like I could finally focus on what was in front of me. And I had the best night." Devore smiled giddily and turned to her friend again. "I feel really happy, Morgan."

Morgan's smile widened and she clapped her hands. "I'm so happy for you, Dev. You deserve this."

When she entered the Great Hall, Devore bid goodbye to Morgan and went to the Gryffindor table. She sat next to Hermione, right in front of George. "Where did you disappear off to last night?" Hermione asked her.

"Nowhere." Devore answered quickly, brown eyes widening.

George smirked. "That's funny cause I thought I saw—" He was interrupted by a kick to his shin. "Ow!"

Fred discreetly glared at him.

Atlas fell into the empty spot beside her, groaning like he was in pain. "Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have drank all that punch."

Olivia sat beside George and they smiled at each other. "Tell us Freddie, where'd you go last night?" George teased his twin, earning another glare.

Fred looked at Devore and he lifted his goblet of pumpkin juice to his lips, trying to hide his smile, but it was apparent. He'd woken up feeling the best he ever had in his life, the events of last night still fresh on his mind that he'd been so afraid that it was a dream. "Just had a bit of fun is all, Georgie."

When breakfast was over, Devore walked down the hallway and somebody reached over, grabbing her by the arm. She made a small noise and her back was pressed to the wall. A warm pair of lips pressed to hers and Devore smiled when she realized. The joyous feeling from the Yule Ball stuck with them all night, and they were dying to get their hands on each other again. She wrapped her arms around Fred's neck and he cupped her face in his hands. "So last night wasn't a dream?" She said while smiling.

"Oh, of course it was." Fred smirked and leaned his arm on the wall above her head. "A very sweet dream."

Devore smiled bigger and caught his lips again, feeling another sudden jolt of happiness that she'd never felt before. Maybe it was just hormones, or adrenaline, but she never wanted to stop feeling this way. Like she was floating.

They sat together in the library, Devore holding a copy of Our Mutual Friend and Fred watching her read. "You could draw me to fire. You could draw me to water," she read out loud. He gently brushed her hair out of her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek, and Devore smiled. "You could draw me to the gallows. You could draw me to any death. You could draw me to anything I have most avoided."

Fred's fingers trailed from the side of her face, to tracing her jawlines and all the way to the nape of her neck. He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, feeling the apples swell from smiling.

"This and the confusion of my thoughts, so that I am fit for nothing is what I mean by you being the ruin of me—You're distracting me."

"And you're beautiful. Two things can be true at once."

Looking at him, Devore smiled beautifully. Fred grabbed her chin and leaned forward, kissing her softly.

From the other side of the library, Rona groaned. "Oh, bloody hell." He said upon seeing them together.

Hermione paused flicking through the book she was holding and looked over. She scoffed. "Oh, leave them alone, Ron. She deserves this."

"Of course she does. Doesn't mean I went to see it!" He grumbled again, not liking the idea of his best friend and his brother being a thing.

"Then stop watching!" Fred yelled and Devore covered her face, laughing behind her hands.

Harry laughed and grabbed Ron's shoulder, now looking completely perplexed, and turned him away from them.

On the day of the second task, Devore couldn't find Hermione or Ron anywhere. She searched the whole castle but couldn't find them, and neither could anyone else. She walked with Atlas, Olivia, and Legend to the boats to travel across the Black Lake. "What do you supposed this task will be?" Asked Olivia while holding herself because of how cold it was

"Maybe to see who can hold their breath the longest without drowning?" Atlas replied. That gave him strange looks. "What? Too vague?"

"What kind of headmaster would allow this students to go into that lake anyways?" Legend questioned.

"A terrible one, that's who." Devore muttered while looking around her.

Two arms wrapped around her neck. "Looking for me?"

At Fred's voice, Devore smiled and leaned back into him. "Maybe."

George appeared quietly, he'd always been the quiet twin, and he stood by Olivia's side. "Olivia." He greeted casually, slipping out a small smile.

"George." Olivia greeted back, red dusting her cheeks but she blamed it on the cold.

They all gathered into a boat big enough for their group. Once there was enough boats filled with people, they took off to the middle of the Black Lake, the water was always gloomy and grey, and the sky matched its melancholic feel. Not to mention it was freezing and the breeze that was coming from the water wasn't helping. Fred wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close, his warmth spreading throughout her body. She laid her head on his chest. He sneaked a glance from the side and spotted George sitting extremely close to Olivia, both of them too shy to make eye contact, and he smirked.

When the boat ride came to an end, everybody climbed to the top of the tall tower where the champions stood, clad in short attire, and they were very well shaking. Devore walked up to Harry and gasped. "Harry, you're shaking!"

"It's a little cold, won't lie." He responded with chattering teeth.

"You haven't seen Hermione or Ron have you?"

Harry's brows pinched together. "I figured they were with you. I haven't seen them since last night when McGonagall took them to her office."

As anxious as she was feeling, Devore figured he was probably freaking out more, so she decided not to worry him. "I'm sure they're just late and they're on their way. You need to focus." She gripped his skinny arms in her hands. "Good luck."

Harry smiled. "Thanks, Dev."

Fred opened his arm for her when she came back to his side. "Everything okay?" He asked and wrapped it around her shoulder.

Devore leaned into his frame. "Just ready for this to be over. I'm cold."

The corruption of everyone standing around died down as Dumbledore stepped forward along with Ludo Bagman and held his wand to his throat. "All of our champions are ready for the second task which will start on my whistle. They have precisely one hour to recover what has been taken from them. On the count of three, then. One, two, three!"

The whistle shrilled in the cold air. Everybody started to cheer and applaud. Devore was confused on he meant, but it all made sense when Legend blurted out, "People. It's people they have to bring back!"

Olivia's eyes went wide. "What?"

"Ron and Hermione. They're in the lake!" Devore exclaimed, hitting Fed on the arm multiple times.

As everyone began to panic, Atlas held up his hands. "Guys, I'm sure Dumbledore has it handled—"

"Handled?" She sneered. "He's barking mad for putting children in such a dangerous position! What kind of man is he?"

"Not to worry, mates. I'm sure Harry'll bring em back safe and sound." George tried Atlas's route and tried to remain positive.

Devore kept her eyes glued to the Muriel grey water, nervous swimming in her stomach. She felt colder and colder with each breeze. She knew what was down below in the waters, the giant squid, grindylows, and metepeople. Nobody ever dared to go near the lake on top of it always being freezing. And now knowing that there were people down there, her greatest friends, Devore started to feel sick.

Time went by and none of the champions were back yet. Devore curled deeper into Fred's side, anxiously hitting her nails and shaking as the cold air grew harsher. Within minutes, Fleur was the first one to appear out of the water but she didn't have anybody with her.

"Fleur!" Olivia shrieked and she and Atlas ran to help pull her in. "Fleur, what happened?"

"The g-grindylows, they got me before I could retrieve her." Fleur stuttered while shivering. Devore came with a towel and wrapped it around her cold, wet frame. Her bright eyes went wide. "Gabrielle! Liv, Atlas, she's down there! My little sister!"

"Oh, Fleur." Olivia hugged her tightly.

They lifted her to her feet and carried her away. "She was attacked by grindylows. Who knows what Harry's going through down there?" Devore said worrisome.

Time went by again and with Fleur not bringing back a person, everybody grew more worried. Cedric returned his Cho as his treasure. Not longer after, Viktor popped out of the water with Hermione. "Mione!" Devore yelled and ripped away from Fred. She pushed through everybody and dropped to her knees. "Hermione, oh my gosh!"

She was shaking uncontrollably, her face and lips blue.

"Towels, now! A lot of them!" She barked to the people around her, all of them immediately listening. Devore was handed one and she wrapped the towel around Hermione. "Oh, Mione. I was worried sick."

Hermione laughed with chattering teeth. "T-There's the Devore I've m-missed."

"I'll kill Dumbledore for doing this." She seethed and helped her to her feet, rubbing her arms up and down her back to keep her warm.

"W-Where's Harry and Ron?"

Devore's dark eyes filled with worry again. "They haven't come back yet, Mione."

With blue lips and a warm hug, the girls stood in each other embrace as they waited for their friends. It seemed like it was taking forever and it took everything in her body to jump in herself and get them back. "What's taking so long?" She whispered to herself.

It seemed like she had perfect timing because not long after she said it, a head full of wet red hair came out of the water. Everyone rushed to the edge of the tower and reached their hands out for Ron, who was accompanied by Fleur's little sister. Fred and George were able to grab them by their long arms and help them out of the water.

"Oh, Ron!" Hermione shouted as she engulfed him in  towels. "Are you okay? You saved Gabrielle!"

Ron answered with shaky lips. "I think H-Harry got pulled d-down. He pushed me and h-her up." He stuttered.

"He doesn't have much time left." Devore said to Hermione, who looked equally as worried. The pair helped Ron up and stood on either side of him to keep him warm. Now everyone was feeling terrified at the possible thought of Harry running out of air, and Devore was saying a prayer in her head.

As more time passed, everyone grew defeated and Devore's heart sank, until Harry shot out of the water and landed on the deck sopping wet. "HARRY!" Everybody shouted.

Dumbledore patted his back and Harry coughed up the water in his lungs. His face was scratched up and bleeding from being attacked by the grindylows.

"Oh my goodness, Harry!" Devore yelled fearfully and wrapped him in towels.

"You did so well!" Hermione praised him and pressed a kiss to his wet head.

"Ow! Hermione, I finished last!"

"Second to last, Fleur couldn't get past the grindylows." She mimicked Fleur's accent.

"Sheer dumb luck, Potter!" Devore laughed and kissed his head as well.

Fleur hurried his way with Gabrielle under her arm. "You saved 'er even though she was not yours to save." She spoke thankfully.

"Y-Yeah," he stuttered, turning bright red when she kissed both of his cheeks in gratitude. Fleur then turned to Ron and stood up. "And you. You 'elped!"

Ron looked shy. "Y-Yeah, a bit." He stuttered shyly. She kissed his cheek as well, and he turned as red as his hair.

Devore looked at Hermione, seeing her despair, and she grinned. "Guess we've all got a thing for the Weasleys, aye girls?" She teased both her and Olivia.

Ludo Bagman pointed his wand to his throat and his voice boomed, causing them all to jump, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision. Merchiefainess Marcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows. . .

"Miss Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the bubblehead charm, was attacked by grindylows as she approached her goal, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her twenty-five points."

The students applauded the French girl who looked sad that she wasn't able to finish. Olivia and Atlas hugged her.

"Mr. Diggory, who also used the bubble head charm, was first to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour. We therefore award him fourty-seven points."

Loud cheers from the Hufflepuff's shook the whole dock and Cedric flashed them a brilliant smile.

"Mr. Viktor Krum used an incomplete form of transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective, and was second to return his hostage. We award him forty points.

"Mr. Harry Potter used gillyweed to great effect,"  Bagman continued. "He returned last, well outside the time limit of one hour. However, due to his determination to save not one, but two of the hostages, we award him forty-five points!"

The students around him gasped out loud at the news and erupted in cheers and praises. Harry came in second place behind Cedric. Devore jumped into him, along with the others, and hugged him tightly. Fleur looked very pleased with him seeing as he saved her sister, while Viktor didn't look happy at all. After the task was over, all the students and teachers gathered into the boats to go back to the castle.

"You two literally never leave each other's sides. It's like trying to get gum out of someone's hair." Morgan said to Devore when they sat in the common room later that night.

Devore, lying across the couch in her pajamas with a book in her hands, smiled at her. "I know, isn't it great?"

"Sure. How are you feeling?"

"Like a brand new person." She answered truthfully. Devore and Fred were completely opposites, like he was the sun shining over the mountains after a storm. He had brought back the love in her soul that had been buried too deep in the shallow waters. He eased the pain in her bones, the agony in her heart. "He's wonderful, Morgan. Truly the greatest."

Morgan smiled widely and sat on the couch with her. "I'm really happy for you, Dev." She patted her on the leg. "Come up to bed soon, yeah?"

Devore nodded silently and Morgan went upstairs. She lied on the couch for a while longer, reading, occasionally getting distracted as she thought about Fred, then she would smile.