the only exception | ron weasley

xv. missing

Hermione assumed it was about the tournament, so she retreated with a farewell wave to both Harry and Lorraine. Lorraine felt kind of bad that the girl was being excluded from something that concerned her best friend's wellbeing because she knew that she was probably the most worried out of everyone. She could tell her later though, she just had to ensure that Harry stayed alive.

"Cedric," Harry greeted coldly, beginning to walk away. Cedric was quick to grab his wrist and turn him back around to face him.

"How-How are you?" he stuttered out.

Harry looked at him dumbfounded, before replying bluntly, "Spectacular."

"I realise I never really thanked you properly for tipping me off about those dragons," Cedric continued.

"Forget it. I'm sure you would've done the same for me."

"Exactly!" the boy beamed. "You know the Prefects' bathroom on the fifth floor? It's not a bad place for a bath. Just take your egg...and mull things over in the hot water."

Lorraine snickered as she, with her arm still linked with Cedric's, followed the boy as he walked away. Cupping her free hand over her mouth, she let out a loud laugh when they were far enough away from Harry.

"You look so proud of yourself, Diggory," she teased, looking at the boy as he wore a proud grin on his face. He rolled his eyes and raised an eyebrow as he looked at her.

"Very helpful, wasn't I?" he said, a grin still on his face.

"Oh, well, I don't know..." she trailed off, pressing her index finger on her chin as she mocked deep thought. "Didn't Harry tell you exactly what the first task was?"

"Oh, shut up, Lorrie."

***

"Hey, you asked for me?" Lorraine said softly as she peeked around a bookcase and was greeted with the sight of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Harry was sitting at the table with an open book before him and his chin resting on it hopelessly, Hermione was pacing back and forth, and Ron was letting out soft snores as he slept upright on a chair. She smiled softly, watching the redheaded boy for a little longer before standing beside Harry.

"I need something that can let me breathe underwater for at least an hour," Harry said, getting straight to the point. Lorraine frowned, thinking for a moment before she shrugged.

"Bubble-Head Charm?" she offered, to which he sighed deeply.

"The tournament is tomorrow. There is no way I'm learning a charm before then." She shrugged once more, approaching Ron and squeezing his shoulder gently. He let out a quiet groan before his eyes slowly blinked open, taking in his surroundings. His face seemed to become the colour of a tomato as soon as he realised Lorraine was leaning over his shoulder from behind, looking at him with a soft smile.

"Hey," she greeted softly, giving him a small wave. He failed to suppress a smile, giving her a small wave in reply.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" he asked her quietly as Hermione and Harry seemed to be having a quiet argument. He propped himself up on his chair so that he was sitting straighter, having slumped on it when he was sleeping before.

"Harry asked for me," Lorraine answered with a grin. "Something about leaving things to the last minute. Reminds me of a certain someone."

Ron scoffed, trying to look hurt but she could see the smile that grew on his face. It caused hers to widen more.

"Hate to break up the skull session," Moody interrupted. "Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office." Harry got up to head to her office, only Moody stopped him.

"Not you, Potter. Just Weasley, Granger, and Winters," the man clarified.

"But, sir, the second task is only hours away, and--" Hermione protested.

"Exactly. Presumably, Potter is well prepared by now and could do with a good night's sleep. Go, now!"

Lorraine grasped Ron's hand in her own and followed Hermione as she began to walk to McGonagall's office.

"She looks angry," Lorraine whispered to Ron, who snorted.

"She's always like that," he replied quietly.

"I can't believe him!" Hermione exclaimed, stomping down the hallways to McGonagall's office. Lorraine and Ron didn't bother saying anything to the girl, only choosing to talk quietly amongst themselves and tuning out her loud complaints. When they entered McGonagall's office, they were shocked into silence as their eyes laid upon the small figure of Fleur Delacour's sister.

This was for the Tournament.

"Good evening," Dumbledore greeted as he stood beside McGonagall. "As you can probably assume, this is for the tournament. All we require of you four is that you allow us to place you all under a sleeping spell. I can assure you that no harm shall become of you, it would only be until your assigned champion pulls you out of the water."

Lorraine's chest tightened and her breathing seemed to pause as she thought of being Merlin knows where, under a sleeping spell with no way to awaken until her assigned champion saved her.

As she opened her mouth to disagree, everyone else agreed. Shy and embarrassed for being scared, she quickly changed her mind and agreed also.