.⊹⁀➷ CHAPTER FIFTEEN !
↳❛first task❜

"BETS TAKEN! BETS taken here!", Fred's loud voice reached Annabeth's ear. It was the morning of the first task and the champions were already being prepared in the tent.

The students were filling the ranks while the teachers were watching the waves pouring inside the stands.

The brunette girl immediately turned in her seat, when she heard Fred's voice, narrowing her eyes at the ginger haired boy before she shook her head to herself.

The twins were really unbelievable, always finding a way to make a profitable business out of something.

The brunette then turned towards Ron, who was sitting in a seat besides her, "I'm going to see Harry, Hermione is already waiting for me. Hold the seat empty for me, yeah?"

The ginger haired boy besides her nodded before he let the girl through. Annabeth then quickly hurried towards the Champions tent.

Hermione was already inside the tent when she arrived, as well as Rita Skeeter, who was currently approached by Victor Krumm. "You have no business here. This tent is for champions— and friends."

Annabeth quickly sneaked her arm around Harry's shoulder before she brought him into a big hug. Squeezing his body against her's she exhaled deeply, "You can do this."

She could feel him nodd his head in silence while Rita Skeeter was still preoccupied with Krumm.

The two Potter's let go of each other and Annabeth took a step backwards, "I know you can, Harry."

Suddenly Dumbledore entered the tent behind them, accompanied by Karkaroff, Mr. Crouch, Filch and Madame Maxime.

The headmaster had an excited look on his face, "Good day, champions. Gather around, please." The group immediately formed a circle and the Headmaster continued, "Now, you've waited, you've wondered, and at last the moment has arrived. A moment only four of you can fully appreciate."

His gaze suddenly fell onto Hermione and Annabeth, who were standing besides him, "What are you two doing here, Miss Granger, Miss Potter?" His eyebrows raised at the brunette, before he looked at Annabeth as well.

"Oh, um, sorry we'll be on our way", Annabeth quickly apologized to him, before she grabbed Hermione by her hand and dragged her out of the tent.

The two then went to search their seats right next to Ron and settled down. Just when Annabeth had sat onto the uncomfortable wooden bench, the canon went off for the first time.

The first one to go, was one of the Hogwarts champion, Cedric. As soon as the brunette boy stepped out of the entrance of the cave, the dragon attacked him. The Hufflepuff boy jumped out of the way just in time, hiding behind a gigantic stone.

Annabeth felt her heart jump in fear, her worried thoughts raising through her head. If Annabeth was being honest she thought that Cedric's strategy wasn't the best and most impressive one, but at this point she was just praying that he would make it in one piece.

The boy have had the stupid idea to transform one of the many rocks that were decorating the arena, into a dog. This indeed caught the attention of the dragon, until the gigantic beast suddenly decided that Cedric was more of his taste.

The Hufflepuff boy got burned in the process and the whole crowd gasped, before he had finally managed to get ahold of the gold egg, which was the thing that the champions were supposed to retrieve.

As soon as the boy held the golden egg into the air, the crowd went completely wild. Everyone was screaming their lungs out, cheering Cedric on.

The brunette boy had a large smile plastered on his face, and waved at the crowd, before Annabeth saw the flicker of pure pain shooting through his face.

Cedric quickly returned into the cave after that and the next Champion to enter the arena was no other than the Bauxbaton champion, Fleur.

The blond had the idea to just charm the gigantic dragon and after a few moments the large creatur went into a light sleep.

The french girl must've thought that she was already safe, but the dragon still managed to set her skirt on fire before she got to the golden egg.

As soon as she had retrieved the egg, the french students were going crazy, cheering for their Champion. Despite the burned skirt, the half- Veela still seemed to be perfectly put together, while she held the egg into the air, proudly.

The third one to go was Krumm. He had a rather cruel way to get past the gigantic creature if you'd ask Annabeth. He decided to blind the Dragon as soon as he got into his line of sight.

The Dragon let out terrible cries and stummbled backwards, crushing a few of the eggs that had been placed behind it. Of course, Krumm got marks off for the damage that was done in the process, but in the end he got the egg as well.

The only one left now was, Harry.

As soon as Krumm had left the arena, Annabeth felt her heart beating heavily in her chest. The brunette tried to control her breathing, while her eyes were still fixed onto the entrance of the cave.

The Horntail was brought into the stone arena and the brunette remembered the warning that Hagrid had given them. The Horntail was the most vicious out of all of the Dragon's that were brought to Hogwarts.

The Potter girl began to tap her feet onto the floor nervously. She was sure that Harry could do this, he would survive. But she was worried that he wouldn't survive in one piece.

The canon went off one more time, announcing the entrance of the last champion, before it disappeared once more.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the cave and after a small moment Harry emerged from it, his brunette hair as messy as always.

He had his Gryffindor coloured champion roaps on and his wand in his hand while he took one careful step after the other.

Annabeth had to hold herself back from shouting at him, that the Horntail was right above him, only waiting for the boy to step out of the shadows.

As soon as Harry stepped into the arena, the Horntail swung it's spikey tail at him, roaring loudly.

Harry immediately hurried over to the large stones, while the Dragon flew into the air.

The boy had to avoid another attack from the dragon before he could hide behind the stones. Annabeth couldn't hold still in her seat, she was almost jumping up onto her feet.

At last she couldn't take it anymore, the brunette jumped onto her feet like everyone else while the Horntail spit fire at the stone. "Harry! Your wand!"

She caught a few simpathetic glances from Hermione and Lavender, while they had to watch how the Horntail was attacking the stone that shielded Harry from the fire.

Suddenly the Firebolt rushed past the crowd, making everyone gasp when Harry jumped on it, nearly escaping the fire.

Annabeth felt her heart lightening, but she felt like she was going to puke when the Dragon broke free from it's chain and followed after her twin.

Harry immediately noticed the gigantic creature chasing after him and took off towards the castle, the Horntail on his tail.

The cheering of the crowd around Annabeth slowly came to an end and the brunette could hear her heartbeat in her ears. Her hands was firmly closed around Hermione's and the bushy haired brunette besides her rubbed her back.

It felt like hours went by before suddenly a dark figure appeared on the horizon. It approached them and after a moment, everyone could recognize Harry.

The crowd immediately erupted in cheers and roars while they clapped their hands in amazement and jumped onto their feet.

Annabeth released a deep breath and got onto her feet as well while she started cheering for her brother, who was now holding the golden egg up into the air, a confident look on his face.

After that the brunette boy disappeared into the champions tent and Annabeth immediately pushed her way through the crowd.

Dumbledore's voice was reaching her ear, but she didn't really listen to the man, her thoughts preoccupied with her brother.

The brunette dashed into the champions tent, immediately spotting Harry, who sat on one of the benches while Madam Pomfrey was taking care of his shoulder.

Annabeth immediately broke into a wide grin when she saw her brother's smile. Harry seemed still excited while she smiled at her, "Did you see that?"

She immediately hurried over to him, tackling her brother into a tight hug. "Oh, Harry! You did it!"

The boy flinched in pain while she squeezed him. Annabeth then let go of him and Madam Pomfrey shook her head to herself while she went back to take care of his arm.

Annabeth stood behind her, watching how her brother got taken care off before suddenly a voice addressed her, "Annabeth?"

The girl spun on her heel, and saw no other than Cedric Diggory, laying on one of the hospital beds.

One half of his face was covered with something that looked like a white ointment for his burns.

The brunette slowly approached his bed, not sure if she was ready to speak to him again after the stunt his friends had pulled.

The brunette boy had a small smile on his face, his right eyebrow was raised, "I'm not sure but am I right in assuming that you won't go to Hogsmead with me anymore?"

Annabeth couldn't help but let an amused chuckle escape her lips while she thought back to the scene in the yard.

She immediately frowned at the boy in amusement, "You just battled a dragon, and that's your biggest concern?"

The Hufflepuff boy still smiled at her, but flinched, still feeling the pain of his burns, "Yes."

She gave him a sceptical look, but after a second she shrugged and rolled with her eyes, "Alright, I'll go with you. But—"

"I told them to take those stupid badges off— it's completely stupid", the boy quickly assured her before the brunette nodded her head at him. "Thank you."

IN THE LATE evening, the Gryffindor Common room was filled with a large crowd of students from all years, who were all cheering and clapping loudly in complete amazement.

Harry sat on Fred and George's shoulders, the large golden egg still in his hand while he held it proudly up into the air. He was definitely enjoying the celebration.

"Yes, Harry!" George gazed up at the boy, a smirk on his face, "We knew you wouldn't die! Lose a leg—" Fred added, "Or an arm—"

"But pack it in altogether?—" The twins gave each other a look before they finished in union, "—Never!"

The golden egg was now taken from Harry hands and wandered around the room before Seamus Finnigan got his hands on it. The brunette boy turned to face Harry, while he made the room go quiet, "Sush!"

His eyebrows were raised, "Go on, Harry! What's the cue?" The boy handed Harry the egg and the Potter boy glanced at it.

His eyes then wandered over the crowd, "Do you want me to open it?"

They all had large smiles plastered on their faces before they roared, "Yeeess!" And that was all that Harry needed before he slowly opened the egg.

Annabeth stood by the edge of the room, next to Hermione and Ron, while she watched the whole scene with a small smile on her face.

Suddenly a terrible shrieking noise came from the opened egg, making everyone cover their ears quickly, including Annabeth.

Fred and George immediately let Harry down onto his feet, before they mirrored the gestures of the other's.

Harry quickly succeeded to close the egg and everyone was still taken back by the terrible sound that had just reached their ears.

"What the bloody hell was that?", Ron's loud voice suddenly came from besides Annabeth, breaking through the shocked silence.

Everyone turned their heads in Ron's direction, eagerly watching the rather awkward scene between the two fighting best friends.

"All right, everyone! Go back to your knitting! This is gonna be uncomfortable enough without all you nosy sods listening in!", Fred immediately told the whole Gryffindor common room, making the crowd dissolve quickly into all directions.

"I reckon you have to be barking mad to put your own name in the Goblet of fire", Ron honestly told his best friend in a low tone.

Harry stared at the boy with a piercing, sarcastic look, "Caught on, have you? Took you long enough."

Ron gave him an apologetic look, his hands stuffed into his pockets, "I wasn't the only one who thought you'd done it."

The ginger leaned more towards the boy, whispering, "Everyone was saying it behind your back." Harry's gaze quickly moved around the crowd, "Brilliant. That makes me feel loads better."

"Least I warned you about the Dragons", Ron then stated hopefully and Harry immediately frowned at him in disagreement. "Hagrid warned me about the dragons."

Ron quickly shook his head at him and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder, "No, no, no, I did. No, Harry don't you remember? I told Hermione to tell you that Seamus told me that Parvati told Dean that Hagrid was looking for you. Seamus never actually told me anything, so it was really me all along."

Ron seemed unsure of what he was about to say next, "I thought we'd be all right, you know—after you figured that out."

Harry's confusion was written all over his face, "Who— who could possibly figure that out? That's completely mental."

Ron chuckled amused, "Yeah. Isn't it? I suppose I was a bit distraught."

Suddenly Hermione's quiet voice reached Annabeth's ear, "Boys."

Annabeth gave her an amused glance while she nodded her head in agreement, "Boys."

After two hours of celebration McGonagall had broken up the get together of the Gryffindors and sent everyone to their several dormitories.

Despite that, the common room was still preoccupied by a couple of students. Annabeth was one of them, sitting in a chair, still trying to finish her essay for potions while she sat by the fire.

The brunette felt how he brain got more and more tired by the minute and just when she felt that her eyes were about to close, someone addressed her, "Want a break?"

The brunette flinched in surprise, already knowing that the twins were standing on each side of her chair before she spun around to them.

She immediately jumped onto her feet, facing them, "You don't have to ask me twice, boys!"

George streched out his arm for her to take and she quickly intewined their arms, "To the kitchen then!"

The twins and Annabeth then proceeded to sneak through the castle and into the kitchen, careful not to get caught in the process.

The house elves were still working, preparing everything for the breakfast in the morning.

The twins immediately made their presence known to the elves, smiling mischievously, "Evening!" One of the elves quickly stepped forward, his eyes wide in surprise, "Mr George and Mr Fred! How cane I be of service?"

George casually flopped down onto one of the chairs, while he placed his arms behind his head and leaned back. "Could we get some—"

Annabeth blocked out George's voice while she let her eyes wandered over the crowd of houselves that were bussing around the kitchen.

"Here's a hot chocolate for you, M'lady", Fred suddenly pulled her out of her daze while he handed her a hot chocolate.

The brunette immediately took it from his hand, smiling, "Thank you kind sir."

The twins and Annabeth then settled down besides a table, enjoying their food and drinks before they realized that it was time to head back.

They quickly snuck out of the kitchen, Fred and George at the front while Annabeth was trailing after them.

The twins had still a couple of sausages in their hands when they rounded the corner that lead towards the stairs. They both suddenly stopped, making Annabeth bump into them.

The brunette frowned in confusion, "What—"

Fred immediately shushed her, "Oh, that's not good—" The brunette peeked past them and to her shock Mrs. Norris was sitting in the middle of the corridor. That meant that Filch wasn't far.

"Good Godric—" George shot the brunette behind him a hurried look, before he nodded his head, "Run—"

George didn't had to tell her twice and Annabeth immediately started taking off, followed closely by the twins.

The three Gryffindors' hurried through the abandoned corridors and Annabeth could hear her heart beating in her ears while she dashed through the dark.

At some point she peeked over her shoulder to see if Filch was behind them, but to her shock Fred and George were gone.

The brunette gluped and took a right turn and stopped, thinking about a spot where she could hide, before she was suddenly pulled into a small broom cupboard.

The girl let out a yelp and her heart skipped a beat while she felt herself behind pulled backwards by her jumper. 

The brunette though that this was going to mean detention for her, but when she glanced up, she realized that it wasn't Filch who stood in front of her, but Malfoy.

His platinum blond hair seemed to be completely out of it's place while his blue eyes stared down at her, seeming quiet exhausted.

The brunette narrowed her eyes at him, while she watched the boy lean back against the wall behind him, "What are you doing here?"

The boy let out a small chuckle while he glanced down at her, his hair falling into his face, "I could ask you the same question."

His eyes narrowed slightly at her before he pushed himself off the wall and took a step closer towards her, "What are you doing out in the corridors alone, around this time?"

Annabeth wrapped her arms around herself while she stared up at him, "Who said I was alone—"

Malfoy gave her a curious glance, "And where is your companion?"

Annabeth shrugged simply, "I don't know— that's non of your business anyway." The brunette than focused her attention back on him, "Now— what are you doing here?"

"I was on my way to the kitchen— the houselves are very diligent around this time of the night", he stated simply and Annabeth choose to believe him, not eager to pry any further.

The boy felt his puls racing while he thought back to the cause that had him walking though the castle at this time. His nightmares were keeping him from sleeping.

Annabeth's mouth opened a gap and she wanted to say something when Malfoy suddenly placed a finger over his mouth, signaling her to remain silent.

After a moment Annabeth could hear footsteps approaching them. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized that Filch was probably just infront of their door about now.

Malfoy gave her a pointed look, his finger still over his mouth while he looked down towards her.

The brunette's breath hitched in her throat when she felt the warmth of his body radiat against her. His face was just above her's, his eyes staring into her's.

Annabeth felt her throat burning while she gazed up towards him, not breaking the eye contact they were holding, afraid that if she would move the slightest bit, Filch would hear them.

After another moment the footsteps seemed to retreated further and further away from the door.

Only now Annabeth allowed herself to breath again. She was now breaking the eye contact that they had built up, clearing her throat awkwardly.

Malfoy on the other hand still watched her face expression before he took a step backwards and slowly pushed the door a bit open.

The boy stuck his head outside the door, making sure that no one was there before he held the door open for Annabeth.

The brunette then stepped out onto the corridor, coming to a stand in front of him. "You think that you can get to your common room on your own?", the boy questioned her in an arrogant tone, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Yes— I think I manage", she gave him a death glare while she wrapped her arms around herself once more.

She then spun around and walked down the corridor, but before she disappeared behind the next corner, she glanced over her shoulder at Malfoy, who was still standing were she had left him, watching her. "Thank you, ferret boy."

To her surprise a small smile appeared on Malfoy's face while he nodded his head, finding comfort in the fact that they were still going at each other's throats.