Rosabella's Point Of View:
I got up on Sunday and dressed quickly. I decided that Winter needed a good run, so I made my way to the grounds with her following behind me. I transformed into my big black wolf and Winter and I raced across the grounds. We ran around the Forbidden Forest and even came across the pack of magical wolves like her. Some even joined us as we ran around. I didn't return to the castle intill after lunch. When I reached the castle I transformed back into my human form and went to find Harry and Hermione. Knowing them like I do, they're probably in the library. I went up the library with Winter walking at my side.
I entered the library and found a stressful Harry and Hermione.
"Hey, Ro. I was starting to get worried." Hermione said relieved.
"Where the hell of you been?" Harry snapped.
I could tell Harry was near breaking point. I couldn't blame him, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to tolerate.
"Since the World Cup, Winter is barely leaving my side. She barely leaves to hunt and she isn't getting enough exercise. She's a wild animal and she shouldn't be cooped up. So I've been running with her all morning." I stated narrowing my eyes at Harry.
"Sounds fun." Harry replied miserably.
I pushed my anger at him snapping at me to the side. I sat next to him and grabbed his hand and kept squeezing it intill he looked at me. I gave him a sympathetic look.
"You won't get anywhere like this. Take a breath, both of you. Go for a walk. Get some air. I'll keep looking and when you both feel ready then you can come back and help me." I insisted.
"We're fine, Ro." Harry said not convincingly.
I gave him a disbelieving look.
"No, she's right Harry. Let's go." Hermione said.
Harry sighed and went willingly with Hermione. He didn't have the energy to be stubborn.
I kept looking through the books but couldn't find anything remotely close to what we were looking for.
On Monday morning Harry looked extremely anxious. We hadn't figured anything out yet. I practically had to drag Harry towards the Great Hall for breakfast to stop him from going to the library. Harry didn't touch his food. I glared at him. Harry saw my glare, seeming to remember last year when he had tried to refuse to eat and the threat I made, started to eat. When he had a decent amount I stopped glaring and finished my own. When we got up to head to the green house Harry seemed to be thinking intently on something rather then worrying intently on something. I saw Cedric in front of us. Wait, did he know about the dragons?
"I'll see you both in the green houses. Both of you go on." Harry said.
I smiled at him.
This is way I really liked Harry. He was a good person. A decent person. A kind person. He had a bit of a temper but I'm not the one to judge on having a temper.
"Harry, you'll be late, the bell's about to ring –" Hermione protested.
"I'll catch up, OK?" Harry said as he dashed after Cedric.
I smiled after him. Hermione saw my smile and smirked at me.
"Why do you do that? Why do you keep smirking when I talk to Harry?" I accused.
"Ro, I honestly can't believe you haven't figured it out yet." Hermione said shaking her head and smiling.
"Figured what out?" I asked, perplexed.
Where is this going? Hermione gave me a disbelieving look.
"You like Harry." Hermione stated, she looked as if daring me to deny it.
"Of course I like Harry. He's one of my best friends." I replied, looking at her as if she's losing her mind.
"Dont play dumb, Ro. You like him more then a friend. You have for a while. Think about. You've started blushing when you and Harry get caught having a moment. You were mortified when the article said you were dating. You hate Cho because Harry likes her and she may like him." Hermione said, leaving no room for arguements.
"Hates a strong word." I mumbled.
But it was still true. I couldn't believe it. I had a crush on Harry? When did this even happen? Does Harry like me back? Could Harry ever like me back?
"When did this even happen?" I said, not bothering to deny it.
"I don't know. Definitely last year." Hermione said, smiling broadly. "I'm rooting for the both of you. I think you'd be great together. You're the only one who can really talk sense into him anyway." Hermione said, excitedly.
I rolled my eyes but didn't reply. I was trying to pinpoint when I had started to like Harry in a different way.
Harry sprinted into Herbology ten minutes later and muttered an apology to Professor Sprout.
"Ro, Hermione, I need your help." Harry whispered to us.
I gave him a disbelieving look.
"What do you think we've been doing? Researching dragons for the fun of it?" I said, disbelievingly.
"I need to learn how to do the Summoning Charm properly by tomorrow afternoon." Harry whispered urgently.
I grinned at him.
I'm up for the challenge.
So we practiced.
We skipped lunch and headed for a free classroom. Harry tried valiantly and with all his might to make various objects fly across the classroom towards him. He was still struggling. The objects only made it halfway across the room.
"Concentrate, Harry, concentrate . . ." Hermione said.
"What d'you think I'm trying to do? A filthy great dragon keeps popping up in my head, for some reason!" Harry shouted, stress and fear laced his voice.
"It's OK, try again. Harry, you can do a Patronus. This is nothing compared to that. Your mind is too preoccupied. Breathe. Let's try again." I said soothingly.
I noticed a bit of improvement but at that moment it was time for lesson. Harry wanted to skip Divination and usually I would of skived off Arithmancy to help him but we had an important test that we couldn't miss.
"Harry, dont panic. Go to Divination and try to . . . I dont know sleep or clear your mind. We'll eat dinner quickly and if I have to, I'll stay up with you all night till you get this spell. You're close, Harry. You've nearly got it. Get going before you're late." I said, encouragingly.
Harry nodded and went off to Divination reluctantly.
Hermione smirked at me.
"Don't start." I said.
Hermione and I were feeling confident about the test we just did. We ate dinner quickly with Harry and we then returned to the class room. We practised till midnight. We only left when Peeves started throwing stuff at us, making a bunch of noise that would attract Filch.
Harry, Hermione, Winter and I ran back to the Common Room and we continued to practice. By two O'Clock in the morning Harry had mastered the Summoning spell.
"That's better, Harry, that's loads better." Hermione said, looking exhausted but very pleased.
"Well, now we know what to do next time I can't manage a spell." Harry said, throwing my Rune dictionary back at me.
"Threaten you with a dragon." I said, grinning triumphantly.
"Right . . . Accio Dictionary!" Harry said, raising his wand, and beaming.
The Dictionary soared out of my hands towards Harry.
"Harry, I think you've got it.!" I said, delightedly.
"Just as long as it works tomorrow. The Firebolt's going to be much further away than the stuff in here. It's going to be in the castle and I'm going to be out in the grounds . . ." Harry said, anxiously.
"That doesn't matter." Hermione said, firmly.
"As long as you're concentrating hard enough on it. It will come. We'd better get some sleep. You're going to need it." I said to Harry in a soft voice.
Harry was panicking so much the next morning, I thought he was going to pass out. Lessons ended at midday today so we had enough time to get down to watch the first task. Halfway through lunch McGonagall came to take Harry down.
"You'll be fine." Hermione and I said, trying to reassure him.
He didn't look convinced and looked more nervous then ever.
I couldn't stop picturing Harry's terrified face after he left. After five minutes of deliberating, I stood up and followed them before Hermione could stop me. I saw Harry enter the tent, even from a distance I could see Harry shaking from head to toe.
I didn't bother to hide from McGonagall and I made my way towards the tent.
"Miss Black? The first task doesn't start for ten minutes." McGonagall said giving me a knowing look.
"Go on. I believe he needs it. Be quick Bagman and the judges will be here shortly." McGonagall said.
I beamed at her and ran towards the tent. I rushed into the tent and saw Harry in the far corner. I sprinted towards him and threw my arms around his neck. A shocked Harry returned my hug with a tighter one.
"You'll be okay, Harry." I whispered.
I just felt Harry hug me tighter.
"Good day, champions!" Said the familiar voice of Ludo Bagman.
Harry and I pulled out of the hug. Harry and I weren't in their direct eye sight so they hadn't spotted me yet. I looked for a way to sneak past them but there wasn't one.
"Gather round, gather round." Dumbledore said.
The champions and I were being hearded forward and I ended up standing by Dumbledore. I clung to Harry's arm as Dumbledore put one arm round Cedric and his other, which I'm guessing was meant for Harry, round me.
"Afternoon, champions. You are about to receive your instructions for the first task. If the four of you —" Dumbledore said, but broke off when he noticed me.
Dumbledore looked at me then at the four champions, then back to me and then backed to the champions. His eyes then landed and stayed on me. He looked completely perplexed.
"— what are you doing here, Miss Black?" Dumbledore said, confused.
"Sorry. I'll just go." I said.
I squeezed Harry's hand one last time before I released it and left the tent.
I found Ron and Hermione sitting in seats usually used to watch quiditch. They were saving me a seat. I sat next to Hermione and my brothers were behind us.
"How's Harry?" Lucas asked concerned.
"Terrified." I replied.
Cedric went first. He did relatively well. He did some impressive Transfiguration. One side of his face got burnt but it didn't seem to serious. Fleur went next. She tried a charm to put the dragon to sleep. It sort of worked. The dragon got sleepy but it snorted fire and her skirt caught on fire. She put it out with water.
Krum then went next. Krum hit the dragon in the eye with a spell. The dragon went trampling every where and squashed half the real eggs.
It was now Harry's turn. Hermione and I gripped each others arms.
Harry entered the arena. He raised his wand and Summoned his firebolt. We all waited a moment and Harry firebolt came zooming towards him. Harry mounted his broom and took off. The crowd was cheering louder then ever. I couldn't keep the grin off my face. I whopped, clapped and cheered louder then anyone else.
Harry used diversion tactics. Diving and the Horntail followed him. Harry pulled out of the dive, narrowly avoiding the fire that the dragon shot out at him moments later.
"Great Scott, he can fly! Are you watching this Mr Krum?" Bagman said.
I roared with laughter.
Harry was the best out of all of them, so far. Harry plummeted just as the Horntail opened its mouth to shoot fire again. Harry wasn't as lucky this time. He missed the flames but the he didn't have time to dodge the tail. The spiked tail grazed Harry's shoulder. Harry then tried annoying the Horntail. I guessed he was trying to get it take off so Harry could dive and get the egg. Harry rose higher and higher but stayed close enough to still be an irritation to the dragon. The dragon tried to hit Harry with her tail again but he was too high. She tried shooting fire into the air but Harry dodged it. The dragon reared and stretched her wings. Harry dived and as quick as lightning. He dived and swerved and retrieved the egg. The roar of the crowd was deafening.
"Will you look at that! Our youngest champion is the quickest to get the egg! Well, this is going to shorten the odds on Mr Potter!" Bagman yelled.
Harry flew over to Professor McGonagall who was waving him over as dragon keepers raced on to subdue the dragon. Harry then went over to the hospital tent. Hermione, Ron, Winter and I rushed towards the tent. I threw my arms around Harry again.
"You were brilliant!" I yelled, ecstatic.
"You were amazing! You really were!" Hermione exclaimed, beaming.
I released Harry to see him looking at Ron. Hermione and I stepped back and looked between them cautiously.
"Harry, whoever put your name in that Goblet — I — I reckon they're trying to do you in!" Ron said, very seriously.
"Caught on, have you? Took you long enough." Harry said coldly.
Hermione shared a nervous look with each other. Ron opened his mouth uncertainly, trying to find words.
"It's OK. Forget it." Harry said, before Ron could get the words out.
"No, I shouldn't've —" Ron said, ashamed.
"Forget it." Harry insisted.
Ron grinned nervously at Harry, and Harry grinned back.
Hermione burst into tears and I was close to it.
"There's nothing to cry about!" Harry told Hermione, bewildered.
"You two are so stupid!" Hermione said stamping her foot on the ground.
Hermione and I looked at each other and nodded, both of us thinking the same thing. Before Harry and Ron could stop us, we pulled them in for a group hug. Hermione and I were positively howling with happiness.
"Barking." I heard Ron mutter to Harry, while shaking his head.
"C'mon, Harry, they'll be putting up your scores." I said as I grapped Harry's hand and dragged him out of the tent.
Harry barely managed to hang onto his Firebolt and the egg. Ron was telling Harry about the other champions and how he was the best by far.
"It's marks out of ten." I said to Harry.
Madame Maxine went first. She gave Harry an eight.
"Not bad." Ron said eagerly.
"Probably took marks off for your shoulder." Hermione stated.
Mr Crouch gave Harry a nine.
"Looking good!" I exclaimed, shaking Harry's arm.
Dumbledore gave Harry a nine and Badman gave Harry a ten.
"Ten? But . . . I got hurt. . . what's he playing at?" Harry said in disbelief.
"Don't complain." Ron and I yelled excitedly.
Hermione gave Bagman a curious but suspicious look.
Karkaroff gave Harry a — A FOUR? WHAT?
"What? A four? You lousy biased scumbag, you gave Krum ten!" Ron and I yelled furiously.
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"You're tied in first place, Harry! You and Krum!" Charlie said rushing over to us with Lucas behind him. Lucas pulled Harry into a brotherly hug.
"Harry, are you alright?" Lucas asked concerned while examining Harry's shoulder carefully.
"Do you have a medical degree I don't know about?" I teased.
Lucas glared at me playfully.
"I'm fine, Luke. I've had a lot worse. Madam Pomfrey fixed it in less then five minutes. Cedric got the worst." Harry said, smiling.
Lucas hesitated and then nodded.
"Listen, I've got to run. I promised Mum I'd send her an owl as soon as I knew what happened. You were unbelievable. Magnificent. Oh and Bagman wants a word in the champions tent." Charlie said clapping Harry on the back and leaving.
"I better go to. Remus demanded the same." Lucas said, ruffling Harry's hair and leaving.
Ron, Hermione, Winter and I waited for Harry as he was most likely receiving his next instructions.
Harry came out after a few minutes and we went up to the castle, Winter running around in front of us. We were telling Harry what the other champions did in more detail. Rite Skeeter then appeared out of nowhere.
"Congratulations, Harry! I wonder if you could give me a quick word? How you felt facing that dragon? How you feel now about the fairness of the scoring?" Skeeter said.
I gave her a death glare.
That article she wrote caused so much trouble for Harry.
"Yeah, you can have a word. Goodbye." Harry said and left.
I couldn't suppress my giggle as I followed Harry.