In the weeks leading up to the first task, a few things happened, one being The Weighing Of Wands. Harry told me about how Rita Skeeter used "this fancy quill" and how she was simply rude. When I read the article, I seen that it was all about Harry- mostly lies about him- instead of focusing on the tournament. And yet another reason why I don't like the Daily Prophet.

Harry and Ron are still in the midst of a quarrel I didn't even realize had started until Harry complained to me one night about how ridiculous Ron was being. Of course, once he told me about it I immediately noticed. Ron didn't sit with us anymore, nor did I ever see the two talk. Harry managed to rope me into acting as an owl between the two, which irked me a bit as I have a horrible memory when it comes to anything but schoolwork. I didn't do it nearly as often as Hermione or Ginny, however.

Luckily for Harry, however, Hagrid warned him of the dragons. On one trip to Hogsmeade- which Harry snuck to of course- Moody seen through his cloak and waved Harry over. Hagrid apparently told Harry to meet him at his hut, which is when he showed Harry and Madame Maxime the dragons. Or at least that's what Harry told me. How come I'm never around for any of this? Oh right, I'm nearly always with the girls and the twins.

Oh, apparently even Charlie is here! I've only met him once or twice, but he was charming each time. He's here as a handler, I suppose. I wonder what it's like to be a dragon handler working in Romania... I'll have to be sure to make it out there with Fred once to see him.

Dad and I owl regularly and he asks to talk to me in person, but I refuse due to the fear that someone will walk in and report us. The Ministry, I suspect, is already keeping a close enough eye on me, since I am his daughter after all! I don't think Harry is doing the same, however.

In his letters, Dad's told me that he thinks this is all some big plot to kill Harry, due to reports about Bertha Jorkins and the fact that Igor Karkaroff was a Death Eater. I can't say I haven't thought the same. Trouble seems to follow that boy around like he's a magnet for it!

Apparently Krum is even following Hermione around! She always mentions to me about how he seems to be everywhere, which makes me a bit suspicious. Does he really like her or is Karkaroff ordering him to get close to the best friend of one of the other champions?

Harry even told Cedric about the dragons! He "figured it wasn't fair" that he got the advantage. Seriously, why am I never around for this? I always hear about it from Harry or Hermione! Ron doesn't talk to me very much.

Trelawney is still predicting Harry's death, which has put him a little on edge even if he won't admit it. He's in this ghastly tournament and there's this Seer- who may or may not be a fraud- that's predicting his death? Not to mention the fact that he hasn't got the best track record with death!

Harry told me that even Moody dragged him to the side and told him that "cheating has been a part of the tournament for ages" and that "he did the right thing." He gave Harry the idea to use a Summoning Charm to get his broom, which is actually a good idea in my opinion.

The whole school, including the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang people, made their way to the Quidditch stands, which had been transformed into a giant pit in which Harry and Fleur, along with Cedric and Krum would be fighting a dragon to get a golden egg. Quite ludicrous if you ask me, but we've already established that I think this tournament is a waste of time. Why can't we do like a foreign exchange student thing? Why is it that the only way we can get a foreign student here is by hosting a dangerous tournament that could get the students killed?

The twins tried getting me to come around with them to take bets, but I refused and instead went ahead with Sam and Betty. After awhile the twins made their way over to us, talking about how much money they were sure to win.

The first person to fight their dragon was Cedric. After him was Fleur, then Krum, and finally Harry. He had the Hungarian Horntail, I noticed, which meant that he had the most dangerous dragon. Of course. Of fucking course.

He accioed his broom. He outflew the dragon, which isn't surprising. He managed to get the egg the fastest out of all the champions, and with only one injury! Bloody hell, thank you James Potter for giving Harry your quidditch skills!

I grabbed Fred's hand out of excitement as Harry flew out of the pitch and back into the tent, egg in hand. Fred's touch sent what felt like an electric shock through my body. I didn't pay attention to this though, as they began to announce the winners of the first task. He's tied with Krum for first place! My excitement and joy made me hug Fred tightly.

I let go of Fred and he and George went around to collect the winnings of the bets, after giving me mine. I bet that Harry and Krum would tie. I'm getting better and better at placing bets, thank Godric, because if I didn't my wallet would be collecting dust and moths would fly out of it.

Fred and George bet on Krum, so they got what they bet back.

Fred, George, Lee, and I ran around Hogwarts getting supplies for a celebratory party. Betty and Sammy were in charge of keeping everyone away long enough so that we could get everything set up.

Fred and I were sent to the kitchens to get food and drinks, while George and Lee worked on decorations and silencing charms so we wouldn't get caught by McGonagall. I doubt that right now she would give us detention due to the fact that a member of her house is tied for first, but I don't want to take any chances.

After tickling the pear Fred and I told Dobby what we wanted and he gladly got it for us. While he was gathering everything Winky brought us goblets of water.

Fred and I were joking around, him flirting with me like normal, with his smirk and confidence. When he smirked at me, I almost could've swore I felt time slow down.

Dobby returned with our food on multiple trays, ending Fred and I's conversation. Fred and I had to levitate all the trays to get them back to the common room!

I gasped when we arrived in the common room. It looked completely different from the time we left it. There were banners hung all around the room and tables against the wall with gorgeous scarlet table cloths on them. Fred and I set the food and drinks on the tables. Fred left me to help George set up the muggle gramophone, so I had to arrange all the food into a organized and pretty fashion by myself. The git.

An hour later the Gryffindors were having a loud, wonderful party.

Harry and Ron had finally made up, much to everyone's relief. I was beginning to get worried that they never would!

Fred and I danced and laughed, being carefree for one night. A shock made its way through my body when our hands or something would brush, similar to how it did out when the first task ended. You are not crushing on Fred Weasley. He's your best friend. You can't possibly have feelings for him. He's like a brother. Or is he? No! Stop thinking like that! Why are you feeling these things all of a sudden? Get a grip, Black!
_____
The next day Draco cornered me after Defense Against the Dark Arts. He dragged me to an abandoned class room.

"What do you want?" I spat out of habit, annoyed that he had taken me away from talking about our joke shop with the twins.

"I'm not a complete arse all the time Elle. I just wanted to talk to you." His eyes softened.

"I'm sorry," I replied, feeling guilty. Maybe he's really not as bad as his parents. I still don't know how to feel about the pale blond.

"It's okay. I'm the Slytherin Prince, the Malfoy heir. I understand. I just... I just need someone to talk to that isn't obsessed with pure blood supremacy," He babbled, pacing around the empty classroom.

"Aren't you? You live with them!" I retorted, still on the defense.

"I used to be. Over the summer I just sort of realized that their views were wrong. I mean, muggleborns didn't ask to have magic, so why are they getting abused for it?" He finally stopped pacing, leaning against a table.

"What made you realize they were wrong?" I asked, suddenly curious. Maybe he can still be saved from that horrid family. Maybe he doesn't have to be bad.

"I was locked in my room for most of the summer. I had time to think," he replied shortly, giving me the impression that I had stepped on a nerve.

I let it go, satisfied with what he told me. Besides, I don't want him getting pissed at me and retreating back to his so-called-friends. If he's going to prove that he's good, then I need to stay friends with him.

"Why don't you break away from them?" I asked, moving to lean against the table with him.

His hair was disheveled and he looked quite a bit paler than normal. He didn't look as sharp as normal, with his tie undone and his vest off, leaving him in the white button-up. He looked like he just needed a friend.

"I'm a fourth year, what can I do? I have to stay. No one would take me because of my name! Maybe when I'm older I'll leave. I just have to... tread lightly," he replied, not looking at me with his arms crossed.

"Just stay safe, okay?" I told him, reaching out to lay a tentative hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah," he muttered before leaving. He didn't storm off, but he didn't leave completely politely either.

That was odd, I mean he drug me in there! What is going on in the life of Draco Malfoy?

——

One day in Transfiguration, just before the end of class, McGonagall told us, "I have something to say to you all.

"The Yule Ball is approaching- a traditional  part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above- although you may invite a younger student if you wish. Dress robes will be worn and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day , finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then- The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to- er- let our hair down, but that does NOT mean that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way."

Thankfully the bell rang, so me, Sam, Bets, and the twins all rushed out.

That evening Sam and Betty had the best idea ever. Note my sarcasm. "Why don't we go to the Room of Requirement to practice dancing? It's been ages since I've danced and I bet you two," said Sam, gesturing to the twins, "have no idea how to dance."

Everyone agreed, however reluctantly, and we made our way to the Room of Requirement. Betty walked past the wall three times before we were let in. Inside was a plain room, with no chairs or anything to get in our way. There was soft music playing, but no gramophone or anything. Must be magic.

Fred smirked and walked over to me, bowed, and said, "May I have this dance, m'lady?"

I smirked and took his hand. "You may." Again with the electric shocks running up and down my body at his touch. What is it with that?

His hands found my waist and mine found their way around his neck.

"You excited for this ball thing?" Fred asked with a smirk. He's thinking of something.

"Oh yeah, totally," I replied, sarcasm dripping from every word.

"It's the perfect chance to pull a prank, love," he winked, stopping to dip me slightly.

Holy crap. He just called me 'love' and dipped me. His hands are on my waist and I... like it. What is happening to me?

"We can't do that, Freddie! You heard McGonagall, this is a serious thing!" I whisper-yelled after smacking his chest lightly.

His smirk widened, "Is that sarcasm I detect, love?"

"No! I'm serious!"

"No, Sirius is your dad."

I rolled my eyes at his comment, continuing, "Any other time I'd be all for it. Tell you what, maybe we can spike the punch. Just nothing big, okay?"

He pulled a face of mock seriousness. "Yes, Mum. I, Frederick Gideon Weasley, will not pull a huge prank on the night of the Yule Ball."

"You're such a dork," I snorted, putting my head on his chest like I had done so many times before when he hugged me.

I ignored the butterflies that erupted in my stomach, telling myself that it was just nerves about this whole ball thing.

"Only for you," I could've sworn I heard him whisper. No, you didn't hear that. Don't think too much into it, Elle! If anything, you had too much pumpkin juice this morning and are hallucinating.
——
"I can't believe I have to wear a dress and heels to this thing!" I complained and complained, but to no avail. The other girls were simply ignoring me at this point. I suppose I've been complaining just a smidge...

"Elle you are going shopping with Sammy, Hermione, and I in Hogsmeade in two weeks whether you like it or not. You are going to look drop dead gorgeous and have every guy drooling over you."

I snorted, "Yeah, right," I said under my breath.

I eventually gave up my attempts to get out of going. No one was listening and I knew they would drag me there if they had to. I had no doubt that they would literally bathe me and dress me themselves to get me to go.

The next two weeks were boring because unfortunately Moody didn't turn anyone else into a ferret. I've been waiting and waiting for him to do it again! My days are quite boring without it...

Finally the day I was dreading was here. Yule Ball dress shopping. I was woke up by Betty jumping on my bed, yelling at the top of her lungs.

I begrudgingly got dressed in a maroon sweater, black leggings, and some boots. Maybe I can fake being sick...

I met the girls in the common room, as I was the last one to get dressed (most likely due to my purposefully slow movements this morning) and we left for a day of hellish dress shopping.

Merlin help me.