"Ah, the symptoms of a conflicted mind"

♢ ♢

I hadn't spoken to Cedric, I hadn't left my bed since learning what was to become of me. I hadn't seen Draco, much to his displeasure. Seamus had told me he'd been asking to see me, sometimes even begging but Seamus always explained that I hadn't left the common room.

I couldn't bring myself to face anyone, knowing what was soon to happen. However, today was the one day I had to get up. It was the day of the final task. I had supported Cedric through the rest of it, I wasn't going to let him down now, although, no doubt Draco would wish to talk to me.

Slipping down the stairs quietly, I sat in front of the sofa, ready and dressed to leave. "Oh hey, you going to see the Third task?" Seamus' accent swiftly spoke.

Nodding, I continued to gaze into the fire. "Yeah.."

"Well, it's good to see you out of bed and dressed" He smiled as I stood up. "You walking with us?" He asked.

With a small and brief smile, I nodded. "If you don't mind.."

Flaring his arms about, he grinned. "I don't mind, c'mon!" He bounced as we left the common room and wandered down the Third task.

I was beginning to shake, nerves getting to me. "Don't suppose you've spoken to Cedric?"

I shook my head. "No..."

"Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be okay" He smiled reassuringly.

♢ ♢

The noise of trumpets, trombones and other brass instruments filled my ears as well as the noise of chatter as we took our place. I sat at the edge of the line, in case I needed to leave Seamus said. The 4 champions were stood at 4 entrances to the maze. Cedric was stood with his father...Amos. Such a kind man, Silus explained he'd offered to take me in after my parent's deaths. He'd done a great many things for me.

As soon as he spotted me he smiled and waved, pointing me out to Cedric who followed his hand and gave me a smile, a smile that I hadn't seen in a long time. A smile that gave me hope every time. It did this time, it settled my nerves for a short while until I remembered what I'd heard. While I began looking down, I spotted a white haired boy, sat with his two useless sidekicks, cheering for anyone other than Cedric or Harry, of course.

Dumbledore began speaking, the crowd stop cheering and everyone took their seats. "Earlier, Professor Moody placed the TriWizard cup deep inside this maze.." He started. "..Only he knows it's exact position!"

"Now as Mr Diggory.." People from Hufflepuff began cheering as I kept my eyes fixed on Cedric who seemed to be starring right back at me as his father lifted his arm. "And Mr Potter.." Seamus, Dean, Hermione and everyone else sat in our stand stood up, cheering and clapping.

"Tied for first position, they will be the first entering the maze. Followed by Mr Krum, and finally, Miss Delacour.." People chanted for them as Dumbledore continued to speak. "First person to touch the cup, will be declared winner.

"I've instructed the staff to patrol the perimeter, should at any point a contestant wish to withdraw from the task, he or she must merely send up red sparks from their wand.." Dumbledore gestured and held his wand up, turning around and calling for the contestants.

My leg shook as I watched them gather around Dumbledore. My nerves were biting at me violently. After a few minutes, the Champions dispersed as Dumbledore shouted, "Champions, prepare yourselves!" Everyone went back to their assigned entrance and people continued to cheer. 

Amos left his son and walked away, giving him one last hug. Cedric and Harry nodded at each other. "On the count of three, one--" The cannon fired, leaving Dumbledore no choice but to send them into the maze.

So, one by one, they all entered the maze, lost from our sights.

♢ ♢

"Y'alright?" Seamus asked. I was beginning to get nauseous.

Shaking my head, I blurted, "No..all this waiting and worrying's making me feel ill.."

Panic struck him. "Do you want to stand outside for a while?" He asked frantically.

With a nod, I explained that I wouldn't be long but needed some fresh air. Seamus worried about me being alone but I didn't care.

I hurried out of the stadium as fast as I could. "In a hurry, Miss Wales?" A wise voice called from behind me.

Slowly, I turned around to see Dumbledore, in his usual attire, fiddling with his wand.

"I was beginning to feel nauseous.." I admitted, breathing in the fresh air.

He took a few steps closer. "Ah, the symptoms of a conflicted mind.." He chuckled slightly. "You remind me much like myself. Both you and Harry in fact. I see much of you two in each other.."

With a small nod, I looked out across the scarred land. Many hills and rocky edges covered it, causing me to mistake chaos for beauty.

"Am I right in saying that the final for the Quidditch was held in Dover this year?" He asked, joining me in looking at the horizon.

With a small nod, I glanced at him. "I believe there was a violent attack. Wasn't Cedric there?" Dumbledore questioned.

I nodded again. "See, if he can get through that, I'm sure this is a walk through Hogsmeade for him!" He chuckled.

With a smile, we turned around. "Thanks, Professor"

"For what?" He laughed, leading me back into the stadium. As we entered, Draco jogged over.

We all stood in the tunnel. "Well, I'll leave you two young ones be" Dumbledore smiled, ambling away.

"Oli...I-" I threw myself at him, letting him slowly embrace me.

With a small sob, I spoke. "I can't do it...I haven't got what it takes to become one.." I cried.

He pulled away, bobbing down. "Nonsense. You can do anything you put your mind to, I've seen it!"

I shook my head frantically. "I don't want to put my mind to it! I'll lose all sanity!" I exclaimed.

He sighed. "If you don't, you'll lose who you are.." His head hung low, ready to drop and smash.

"He'll make me kill someone, won't he...?" I stuttered.

Draco shook his head and shrugged. "I don't know..I wish I did. No matter what though, you do what you have to to keep yourself safe! Don't worry, I'll be there.." He hugged me one last time before he pulled away and kissed my forehead gently.

"Lets go.." He smiled as he led me out of the tunnel.

We parted and I made my way back to my friends. In my spot was Nigel who I hadn't seen much, what with me being wrapped up in everything else.

"Hi, Oli!" He grinned, waving.

With a small chuckle, and a ruffle of his hair, I greeted him. "Hey, Nigel. How you been?"

He shrugged. "Eh"

With a smirk, I raised my brow. "Really? That good, ey?" My sarcastic comment didn't go unnoticed as Seamus chuckled from the side of him.

"You feelin' better now, Oli?" He smiled.

Nodding, I answered. "Yeah, I spoke to Draco..."

His smile fell from his face and landed flat. "Oh..what did he want?" He grumbled.

"Nothing much, asking how the history project was.." I explained.

"I thought that was already due in?" He raised his brow in suspicion.

With a shrug, I lied, "He gave us a small while longer"

Seamus left it at that, turning to face the entrance, awaiting the return of one champion.

♢ ♢

"Miss Wales.." A grumble called from the side of me.

I turned to look over my shoulder, seeing Moody stood, hovering next to me. "Yes, Professor?" I mumbled.

"Would you follow me please" It sounded like a question, but his tone made it a demand.

Slowly, I followed behind as he hobbled along, leading me to a room. With a thump, he fell into a chair. "Would you pass me that stool?" He nodded towards it.

With a small nod, I wandered to the other side of the room.

Looking back over at Moody, he licke his lips. "This one?.." My voice was slow as I jerked him from his trance, his eyes once fixed on the stool, now on me.

With an eager nod, he licked his lips again. Furrowing my brows, I picked it up, heading towards him until the ground beneath me cracked, turning into a hurricane. Golden lightening crackled as I spiralled down, being thrown about.

I landed with a thud, dull, green grass pricking at my face as I slowly sat up.

The air was chilly and the atmosphere eerie as I heard screams then, another thud. Glancing back at the stool, I cursed under my breath. This must've been what Snape was talking about, he wanted Draco to lead me to it..

"Oli...?!" Someone exclaimed.

I spun around and spotted two unlikely, but welcome sites as my mind pricked.