I woke up with a jolt and started breathing heavily.All night I've been dreaming of dragons and being chased by them.Obviously,this is a sign.
I put on my slippers and go swiftly out of the room,not disturbing the girls,and enter the boy's room and gently shake Draco awake,feeling anxiety rise in my brain.
I have to calm down and think of ways to go against a dragon and I need all the help I can get.Especially since the First Task is...well...next week.
Draco easily woke up,and in a sleepy voice and half-opened eyes he mumbled my name and asked what was I doing there.
I briefly told him the situation,to which he immediately woke up,got his warming robe over his pyjamas and went with me to the library,so we could research on the topic.
Thanks to Newt Scamander's 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them',we saw all the types of dragons,their description and their danger meter.
Also,we found other books related to dragon-taming and how to calm them.Guess that's how Ron's elder brother got interested in dragon-taming.

Draco:As far as I remember,you're only allowed your wand and I don't know what you could do with it.
me:Definitely not poke its eye out.
Draco:*snorts*Yeah,and maybe throw a bucket of water to extinguish the flames.
me:In our first year,Hagrid had a giant Cerberus guarding the Philosopher's stone.The way to get him to calm down was music...So Quirrell bewitched a harp so play while he went through the trapdoor...think that could work?
Draco:Could be a possibility...But how will you get a harp out of nowhere?
me:Maybe not necessary a harp...but maybe...another medieval instrument...that dragons might be  nostalgic of...
Draco:What do you mean?
me:Considering that I doubt young wizards learn about this things much in their 'History classes',here is this.The dragons were stereotypical in the Medieval ages,when the dragon stole the princess,and the prince had to kill the dragon and save the fair maiden.At those times,there were many entertainers that would play music for the kings.Mostly the lute,harp,later on,the viol,an early version of the violin...And so on.See the connection?
Draco:Interesting mythology these muggles have...It could work,I suppose,but we better ask an adult as well...or more.
me:Good...And if that's settled...I have to start practicing again...And ask Flitwick for an intrument from his choir...
Draco:Piece of cake.
me:Hope so.

After our research hours,we went to eat breakfast and start our lessons.Luckily for us,we had potions first.Perfect opportunity to ask Snape for his opinion.
The Slytherins and the Gryffindors sit themselves on the opposite sides  of the room,I stay next to Draco and await intructions of the potions we're about to brew.
Obviously,what we have to do is easy-for our standards-and we finish first-much to Hermione's desmay-and high-five as we are rewarded 10 points each.

At the end of the lesson,I stay behind and go next to Snape.

me:Ahem...Professor...May I ask something regarding a more...controversial topic that regards...let's say...possibilities?
Snape:Like...?
me:Dragons...such majestic yet dangerous creatures...are there ways to...calm them?
Snape:Perhaps there are.
me:In some books,they say music helps,yet,they never state what kind.
Snape:And your trouble is...?
me:If a dragon were to hear music played by a medieval instrument...such as...a lute...would they calm down?
Snape:It is a high chance indeed.And your purpose is?
me:Staying alive and successfully finishing the First Task with a high score?
Snape:Then I wish you the very best and advise you to ask someone with more knowledge on the matter as well.
me:Thank you for your wisdom,professor.Have a good day.
Snape:Black!
me:Yes~?
Snape:Bring pride to this house.
me:*smirks*Don't I always?
Snape:Precisely.

I asked Hagrid the same thing,and he said he talked to Charlie about this,and yes,Dragons can be lowkey calmed with a certain type of music,and Flitwick let me borrow the lute.Guess I have to practice a song in the meantime...

At dinner,while I was discussing with the group about songs I should play,I see Harry coming towards our table,and with a concerned and confused face,I got up and quickly went near him,asking what's wrong.

Harry:Dragons.That's the First Task.
me:Just found that out in the morning.Bit of a nightmare,really..
Harry:Yeah...also,Padfoot said to be aware of Karkaroff.He was a...y'know..
me:Death Eater.I can imagine.But...How or when did you talk to him?
Harry:He uh...his face appeared in the fire in the Common Room last night.I had sent him a letter previously telling him about everything that's happened.
me:Oh...right...Did he..mention me?
Harry:Ergh...He told me to tell you this as well...
me:Ah,yes.Very fatherly.Thank you,Harry.And be careful.
Harry:Have you found any way to beat them?He mentioned a very simple spell but...He hadn't had the chance to say it,cause Ron intrerrupted us...and he was gone.
me:A simple spell...I don't know,Harry...The only thing that crosses my mind would be to Accio the object we'd have to get.I mean...what else could we have to o against a dragon?!
Harry:Right...You're right...I'll tell Hermione too!Thanks,Raven~!

Pfewf...that was close...If two champions from the same School AND Year were to come up with the same idea...it would have been bad.

~~~

The next week,while I was in the Common Room,practicing the lute,Snape came in and told me to hurry to the First task,and that the oders better hurry and get nice front seats.
Hearing their encouraging words,I inhale deeply and let Draco get my lute,as I hurry to the tent in the forest.
I was dressed comfortably,in combat boots,black jeans,a black loose Tshirt and a black warm hoodie,with the green Jewelry from Draco,to show off my house Pride.

There,Ludo told us that we had to collect a golden egg and that we had to pick up a small 'model' of something from a purple silk bag.Saying a confident 'Ladies First',I choose the first dragon,a little dragon with pearly scales that line its body, and glittering multi-coloured eyes that have no pupils.The Antipodean Opaleye.Not particularly dangerous and rarely killing,unless he's hungry.It had the number 1 around its neck.

me:He's gorgeous...May I keep him,Mr.Bagman?
Ludo:Uh..well..since it'll remain a miniature...sure..I think?
me:Thank you!

I said,as I snuggled the little dragon close to my face.

Next was Fleur,who put a shaking hand inside the bag and drew out a tiny, perfect model of a dragon - a Welsh Green. It had the number two around its neck.

Krum  pulled out the scarlet Chinese Fireball. It had a number three around its neck. He didn't even blink, just sat back down and stared at the ground.

Cedric put his hand into the bag, and out came the blueish-gray Swedish Short-Snout, the number four tied around its neck.

Harry put his hand into the silk bag and pulled out the Hungarian Horntail, and the number five. It stretched its wings as he looked down at it, and bared its minuscule fangs.

Guess I'm the first to  show off.

I go in there,a bit nervously,my eyes being multicolour,to match the dragon,and I look at her-since she's rather smaller in size than a male would be,and I smile and greeted her,as she started hissing at me.

One night, I hold on you
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, you
Castamere, Castamere, Castamere, Castamere  

I calmly took out my wand,Accio-ed my lute,and started playing and singing the Rains of Castamere from the Game of Thrones series.Medieval music on point.
The dragon started wagging her tail to match the music and would every so often spread her wings,showing that she was happy.

A coat of gold, a coat of red
A lion still has claws
And mine are long and sharp, my Lord
As long and sharp as yours  

With this,I started 'dancing'around until I reached the dragon,as she put her head near me,and I stopped playing briefly,so I could stroke her and pet her,saying admiring words about her,which seemed to please her.

And so he spoke, and so he spoke
That Lord of Castamere
And now the reins weep o'er his halls
With no one there to hear.  

Looking at her with my multicolour eyes,in her matching eyes,I plant a soft kiss on her snout,and she curled down,relaxing to my music.  

Yes, now the rains weep o'er his halls
And not a soul to hear  

Ending,I grab the golden egg and with a graceful bow,I left the area,giving Ludo the egg with a smirk,leaving behind a cheerful crowd.

Draco,Pansy,Emma and Jessie all came to congratulate me on my amazing performance and in the back,Snape trailed behind with a proud smirk on his face,saying that I did well.
Then,I went for the scoring.

Draco:It's marks out of ten from each one
me:Oh great...Let's see the subjectivity start.

Madame Maxime - raise her wand in the air. What hooked like a long silver ribbon shot out of it, which twisted itself into a large figure nine.

Pansy:Great!Maybe she took a point off for not being too flashy?
Emma:Oh,yes,because just ANYONE can tame a dragon!

Mr. Crouch came next. He shot a number ten into the air.

Jessie:Looking good!That's how you do it!  

Next, Dumbledore. He put up a nine. The crowd was cheering harder than ever.

Snape:Dumbledore obviously wouldn't know what talent was,even if it hit him in the face. 

Ludo Bagman - ten.

me:He must really like me.Quite cool,since I robbed him of 100 galleons last time we met.
Draco:Don't complain,silly.

And now Karkaroff raised his wand. He paused for a moment, and then a number shot out of his wand too - four.

I burst into laughter when I saw that four,since he obviously wanted Krum to be in first place.

~~

After the task was over,I was on the first place and Harry and Viktor were second,Charlie told us,and also,that the champions were to stay behind in the tent for a little longer,to have a word with Ludo.Draco said he'd wait outside in the meantime.
Fleur, Cedric,Harry and Krum all came in together. One side of Cedric's face was covered in a thick orange paste, which was presumably mending his burn.I went next to him with a worried look.

me:Are you going to be okay?
Cedric:*grins*Better than ever.Great performance there.You're a natural.
me:Thank you.I think I have a think for magical creatures.Or...maybe colourful things?
Cedric:*chuckles*I see you really kept the little dragon.
me:Oh yes!Look at her!It's so adorable and pretty!And very affectionate!She loves snuggling.
Cedric:Oh really?A snuggling dragon?That's a new thing.
me:*grins**puts her on his shoulder*I think she likes you.Dragon snuggles are the best.
Cedric:You're right.She's adorable-
Ludo:Well done, all of you!Now, just a quick few words. You've got a nice long break before the second task, which will take place at half past nine on the morning of February the twenty-fourth - but we're giving you something to think about in the meantime! If you look down at those golden eggs you're all holding, you will see that they open...see the hinges there? You need to solve the clue inside the egg - because it will tell you what the second task is, and enable you to prepare for it! All clear? Sure? Well, off you go, then!
me:-Oh nice.Let's look inside a golden egg and find a magical treasure.Woo-hoo!

~~~

Soon enough,winter came,and Snape had to make an announcement to all the Slytherins.

Snape:The Yule Ball......has been a tradition of the Triwizard Tournament...since its inception.On Christmas Eve night,we and our guests...gather in the Great Hall...for a night of well-mannered frivolity.As representatives of the host school...I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward.And I mean this literally, because...the Yule Ball is, first and foremost...a dance.

 At the word 'dance'everyone started fidgeting and whispering around.I was rooted to the spot,since I absolutely DREAD dancing.  

Snape:The house of Salazar Slytherin has commanded the respect of the wizard world for nearly 10 centuries.I will not have you, in the course of a single evening, besmirching that name...by behaving like a bunch of dunderheads.Now, to dance...is to let the body breathe.Inside every girl,a secret swan slumbers...longing to burst forth and take flight.

Daphne Greengrass let out a shrill giggle.Tracey Davis nudged her hard in the ribs, her face working furiously as she too fought not to giggle. They both looked around at Draco. 

Snape:Inside every boy,a lordly lion prepared to prance...Mrs.Black.
me:Y-yes,sir?
Snape:Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball.
me:Can I pretend to be dead during that night?
Snape:Unfortunately,no.
me:Couldn't I rather dancewith the dragon?At least thatwould be less embarrassing than showing upwithout a partner orwith no dancing skills.
Snape:You seem rather energetic today,don't you think?How about you join me?
me:Wouldn't it be rather counterproductive you show the others how to dance,when I personally do not?So rather ask a girlwith dancing skills,show us how it's done,and I promise you a dance at the ball.Deal?
Snape:*smirks*Sharp tongue.Mrs.Davis,since you've been talking all the time over me,I suppose you'd be more than enthusiastic to show off your dancing skills?
Tracey:Oh..m-me?N-no,I could never..
Snape:Here.Now.
Tracey:Y-yes,professor...
Snape:Pay attention,Black.

Tracey looked absolutely embarassed as she started dancing with an extremely aw kw a r d looking Snape.Then,he told everyone to start practicing until the  class was over.
The girls around me quickly got to their feet,while the boys looked around,not willing to dance.
I tried to hide myself behind all the girls that were giggling and whispering around,trying to find a partner,when suddenly,one of the boys got up confidently an made his way to our side.
All the girls started blushing and giggling,thinking they'd be picked by the prince charming.I bit my lip as Pansy smirked and nudged me with a knowing wink.
Draco,obviously,was that prince charming,who got past the girl without even looking at them,and went straight to me,with a confident mark smirk.

Draco:Will you offer me this dance,milady?
me:*looks away*  If I could dance,I would...but...uh... 
Draco:No betterway to learn then.
me:G-guess you're right...

With a sigh,I gingerly took his hand and slowly started dancing,me being extremely embarrassed,and him guiding and teaching me.

Draco:Nice eyes.
me:They're pink again,right?
Draco:Of course.They seem to always be pinkwhile I'm around.Any particular reason?
me:Um..I don't know...
Draco:Don't you?
me:You just seem to always be aroundwhen I'm in embarrassing situations.
Draco:Then I'm one lucky fellow.
me:If you say so...

Despite being completely red,I actually got my dancing skills straightened up,thanks to Draco.Guess I'll try not to die while opening the ball...

The next day,I woke up with a single black rose on the nightstand,and a small piece of paper,on which is was written in dark green cursive

"Will you offer me this dance,milady?"

I smiled gently,knowing from who this is from,and put the rose in a glass of water.
Leaving the girl's dormitory,Draco waswas waiting on the couch,chattingwith the goons,when he spotted me and he smirked,standing up to greet me.
I only kissed his cheek andwhispered a soft "Yes" in his ear,as Iwent to eat breakfast,the smile never leaving my face that day.
~~~

The nextweek,after dinner,Hermione invited me to go studywith her in their Common Room-sneaky sneaky-for the upcoming tests andwhat not.

Hermione:Why weren't you two at dinner?  
Ginny:Because - oh shut up laughing, you two - because they've both just been turned down by girls they asked to the ball!
Ron:Thanks a bunch, Ginny.
Hermione:All the good-looking ones taken, Ron?Eloise Midgen starting to look quite pretty now, is she? Well, I'm sure you'll find someone somewhere who'll have you.
Ron:Hermione, Neville's right - you are a girl...
Hermione:*acidly*Oh well spotted.
Ron:Well - you can come with one of us!
Hermione:No, I can't.
Ron:Oh come on,we need partners, we're going to look really stupid if we haven't got any, everyone else has...
Hermione:*blushing*I can't come with you,because I'm already going with someone.
Ron:No, you're not!You just said that to get rid of Neville!

Hermione:Oh did I?Just because it's taken you three years to notice, Ron, doesn't mean no one else has spotted I'm a girl!
Ron:Okay, okay, we know you're a girl.That do? Will you come now?
Hermione:I've already told you!I'm going with someone else!

 And she stormed off toward the girls' dormitories again.

Ron:She's lying.
Ginny:She's not.
Ron:Who is it then?
Ginny:I'm not telling you, it's her business,.
Ron:Right,this is getting stupid. Ginny, you can go with Harry, and I'll just -
Ginny:*blushing*I can't.I'm going with - with Neville. He asked me when Hermione said no, and I thought...well...I'm not going to be able to go otherwise, I'm not in fourth year.I think I'll go and have dinner.
Ron:What's got into them?
me:Maybe the fact that you're insensitive pricks.That'swhy no girlwould ever want to go dancewith you.
Ron:Oh,that's right,Raven.You're a girl.A Slytherin....but still a girl.
me:Don't even try.First of,I've been asked on the first day.Secondly,Iwouldn't stoop so low as to dancewith someone like you or Harrywho don't know how to behave.Have a good day filledwith desperation.

And with that,I followed Hermione in her room and started studying,occasionally talking about the dance and our partners or other details.

---

The dance came sooner than expected!
I got the bags and ran to the Gryffindor Common Room,to the girl's dormitory,to get changed together,and Draco said he'llwait in the Great Hall.
I made my hair bleach blonde like his,and my eyes emerald green,put on the Jewellry set from Narcissa,the green dress,and let Ginny do my make up,whichwas quite daring and confident,which I guess helped a lot.

Oncewewere done,Ginnywentwith Neville,since hewaited for her in the CR,and I  and Hermione timidlywent to the great hall.

Hermione:Can you go first?Itwill help a lot...
me:Sure.Just,be confident.You look gorgeous and you'll hav a great timewith Viktor.He's a nice guy.
Hermione:Yeah...you're right..Thank you,Raven.And,you're gorgeous too.Malfoy better be a gentlemanwith you,or else...
me:*chuckles*He is,trust me...Here I go...

I slowly transcend down the stairs,the heel of my black boots clinking softly,and soon,I am greeted by a grinning Draco,dressed in black,a dark green tie,looking as handsome as ever.

Draco:You'd put any princess to shame,you know.
me:That better be true.After all,we have to steal their eyes.
Draco:You definitelywill.You look stunningly beautiful,milday.
me:Thank you,Draco.You aswell,look quite handsome.
Draco:Only the best for my lady.

I and Draco were first in line,then Fleurwith her date,Cedricwith Cho,Viktorwith Hermione,and Harrywith Parvati.

Thewhole night,we danced together,chatting,making fun of Harry's and Ron's failed attempt at asking girls out,commenting on others andwhat not.Even the Weird Sisters started playing,whichwas amazing!
I even managed to get a dance out of Snape,just as I promised him,towhich he smirked.

me:I suppose therewill be no point reduction,since I kept my end of the deal?
Snape:You are correct,Mrs.Black.
me:That's great then.
Snape:Seems you also learnt how to dance properly.
me:Might I say,I had a good teacher.
Snape:You're doingwell,Black.Keep on being a Slytherin,and you'll finish this Tournament successfully.
me:That'swhat I intend.Hopefully,more visions will come up.
Snape:Don't doubt the inevitable.
me:True.Also,when I tried opening the egg...Therewas screeching...Like a strangled pterodactyl.
Snape:*snorts*Charming.
me:Iwas thinking...of any beast that might make these sounds...but the only think that crossed my mind is yet another mythologycal story.
Snape:About?
me:Sirens.Or mermaids.
Snape:Do tell.
me:I know like...2 stories.One inwhich the sirenswould have angelic voices,to lure the sailors in the waters,and then drown them...and one inwhich they have terrible voices,unless underwater.Whichwould seem to be the case.
Snape:And with this information,what do you intend to do?
me:Maybe...put the egg underwater and see if I can hear anything useful?Or...at all?
Snape:You're definitely your mother's girl,Mrs.Black.Just as shrewd as her.
me:Thank you,sir.I appreciate it.

As the song ended,I flashed him a smile andwent back to Draco and told him the idea,and Draco suggested using the Prefect's bathroom-and use this opportunity to relax aswell-.
---
As I said,the next evening,Iwent to relax in the Prefect's bathroom.The tubwas huge,filledwithwarmwater and bubbles,therewere colourful lights in thewater,everywhere aroundwas golden,and therewas stained glass.But one particularwindowwas particular-it had a mermaid standing on a rock,with her tail inwater,playingwith her hair.
Sighing,I made gills on my neck .made my eyes be like those of fish,to see clearly and not be bothered,and opened the egg.Instead of that dreadful screech,an angelic voice could be heard:

"Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you re searching, ponder this:
Weve taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour-- the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it wont come back"

That's it!
With that,I ran back to the Common room and told Draco about it,trying to decypher the riddle.

me:Maybe Dumbledorewill take something precious from each champion and throw it in the Black Lake,andwe have to take it back?
Draco:Probably.Something extremely precious,as it says.
me:And if not taken back,itwill remain there...that's scary...
Draco:Don'tworry,you'll take it back for sure,whatever it is.
me:Thanks to my Metamorphmagus ability,I can just get gills on my neck and have no problem breathing underwater.
Draco:Lucky you~
me:Think I'll encounter mermaids?
Draco:I think so.It says so in the riddle.
me:It's been a childhood dream.I've seen cartoonswith the Little Mermaid.Itwas nice...
Draco:And now it's real.
me:I'm so lucky,aren't I?
Draco:*smirks*But of course.Nobody else is THE Raven Black,right?
me:Yes,Draco,you're right.Good night for now,Prince Charming.
Draco:Sweet dreams,my lady~