14 Chapter 14

As Krum left through the exit of the tent into the arena, Fleur contemplated her approaching situation.

Maxime had of course come to her a couple weeks ago, telling her about the dragons, giving her plenty of time to research as much as possible.

As she listened to the sounds coming from her fellow champion's attempt, she felt woefully under prepared.

Though as she sat in a side seat, she couldn't help but look to the third champion, her other rival for the tournament.

She had a feeling he hadn't been told about the dragons beforehand, as he was pacing quite quickly while sneaking looks towards the exit.

When the choosing for the dragons had been going on, she didn't notice any kind of indication that Krum hadn't known either and as they both listened to the screams and shouts she started to feel a little bad for the Hogwart's champion.

After a few minutes, she decided to assuage her conscience.

"Mr. Diggory." She politely spoke.

It would seem he didn't expect any kind of conversation, as her words caused him to jump quite spectacularly, before he looked at her with wide eyes.

Clearing her throat lightly, she continued on. "Would I be correct that you did not know of the task before today?"

The look he gave her was as if he thought her crazy, or the question itself as such. "No!" He almost seems to shout, before wiping down his robes, though they had no reason for him to do as such.

"Are you saying you did?" He asks, after taking a moment to center himself.

"Oui." She nods her head. "And I believe Monsieur Krum did as well."

The boy certainly doesn't take the news well as he starts to pace again, lightly gripping his hair with both hands.

"Well that's just splendid." His voice is now slightly hysterical as the situation seems to rise in his mind.

Giving him a moment, she sees he is only working himself up more as he continues to ponder his situation.

Turning her head at the exit, hearing more and more cheers and roars, she turns back to Cedric.

"Would you like some suggestions?" She asks him bluntly.

Her words cause him to pause, both in thought and motion, as he turns to face her fully.

After a few seconds seeming to study her, he asks the answer most would say in his position.

"Why?" Her offer seems to be incomprehensible as he elaborates. "What do you have to gain by telling me anything?"

She could ask herself that question, but a part of her feels bad that out of the three of them, this boy is the only one not let in on the task before hand in some way.

As she thinks about it herself, she can't help but think to herself that regardless of her desire to win, she does not wish harm on the other two champions.

And this boy out of the two certainly has a more pleasant personality than Krum.

That's not to say that Krum has been anything but polite in their few interactions, but he is very stoic.

One could say that he needs to be in his profession as a Quidditch player.

Especially one who had such success as he did just this year.

But Cedric has shown himself to be a polite and sociable boy, who while what little she has seen has shown he knows his fair share of magic, has certainly been caught flatfooted in the current situation.

Returning to the question at hand, she focuses back as he continues to wait for her answer.

"I suppose," She pauses for a moment before continuing. "I just feel like helping someone whom I see needs a little support."

She doesn't elaborate further, as the boy ponders her words, before giving a hesitant nod and his full attention.

Beyond the focus he had given her since she first uttered her offer of help.

The next dozen minutes are spent giving a brief overview of the common traits of the majority of dragons, focusing on the ones they both are supposed to face.

They were in the middle of talking about some simple distractions when the tent's curtains were flung open, a charred body still on fire crashing to the floor just beyond the exit.

With a muted gasp, Fleur finds herself unable to even comprehend what she is seeing, as the curtains to the left flash open, and a team of healers rush to what can only be the third champion.

Moments later Krum is rushed back through to the side room of the tent, a golden egg clutched tightly in his hands.

She looks at Cedric as they stare at each other in horror, before a cannon blast sounds out, both silent and in shock for minutes as the dragons were traded out.

The sound itself shakes her out of her stupor, the realization that it is now her turn to walk out to the crowd for them to watch her failure or success.

Numbly she half stumbles over to the curtains leading out to the arena, stopping as her fellow champion comes up to her side.

It takes him a moment to even form the words as both come to a sudden realization that things are certainly not going to be in any way shape or form, easy.

"Thank you." He finally says after a moment. "Truly," He grabs her hand, giving it a gentle shake. "Thank you.."

Unsure of how much time she has to start, and not having any idea of how to respond verbally, she just nods lightly, before walking through the tent flaps.

The moment she is through, the noise hits her, much louder than what she had heard prior.

Cheers and shouts sound out, as she cautiously advances.

As she comes out into the arena proper, the noise dims, anticipation growing, as the crowd awaits the coming battle.

Fleur is unable to see the dragon, but her eyes alight upon its nest on the other side of the circular arena.

With a twirl of her wand, she tries to summon the glint of gold she sees in the nest, getting no success beyond confirming such an action wouldn't work.

Shame, she gave it good odds that it would, considering some of the stupid she's seen of this government and people in general.

Her first plan failing, she continues to inch towards the nest, eyes wide and peeled for the dragon that seems to be hiding.

She makes it only a few more feet before gasps ring out from the crowd, a roar following and a rush of flame after that.

The Chinese Fireball had been crawling along the outer edge of the arena to her left, having spotted her it released a giant ball of dragon fire.

The fire itself was both wide, and yet condensed, being very much accurate in the description as a fire 'ball'.

Adrenaline spiking, she jumps to the right, slamming into a boulder just before her previous spot is engulfed in flame.

The heat is immense, but thankfully even with its close proximity, her inner nature gives her some protection from flame.

Obviously that would do nothing if she was hit directly, but in this case, she is fine.

Quickly, she reorients herself, before moving to another set of boulders.

Which turns out to be a smart choice, as the dragon had followed its attack, its head and front claws scratching stone above where she had just been.

It not finding its prey, it's head swivels trying to find her again.

Gaining as much distance as she can, she continues to sprint as quietly as she can from boulder to outcropping, heading towards the nest holding her ultimate goal.

Having a spark of inspiration as she gains a glimpse of the golden egg in the nest, she leans against another piece of rock, her back to the dragon as it shifts back and forth looking for her.

Bringing her wand up, it begins to twist and turn, some rocks near the eggs seemingly melting, only to rush into the nest and around her target, before she gives a jab summoning the rock now surrounding the egg.

Her elation at her success is crushed as the dragon seemed to have noticed her action, having jumped into it's nest to push the egg almost tenderly to the ground, seemingly attacking what it had viewed as something attacking its egg.

Thankfully the instincts driving the dragon had it focusing on the egg itself, apparently not having seen her actions, giving her a chance to shuffle around the rocks to put them between the Chinese Fireball and herself.

The dragon having succeeded in destroying the earth around the egg, seems to take a moment to inspect it, just now realizing the oddness of it, before seeming to not care and nudge it back into the nest proper.

It's main priority achieved, it turns its head back and forth, returning to search for her.

Taking the time given to catch her breath, she pushes on with plan C.

Some of the crowd gasp as she rushes out into view, gaining the attention of the dragon in contrast to her previous actions.

Before the dragon can act however, she opens her mouth, not to send any spell, but to sing.

As her voice rings out in the arena, she lightly begins to sway, her wand gently swishing and swooping.

Her actions are rewarded as the dragon, head reared back to obviously send fire at her, seems to tilt it's head, eyes beginning to droop.

As she continues to sing, she begins to slowly advance towards the nest, and the dragon standing almost on top of it.

Once again however, luck is not on her side.

Even though the dragon seems to be slouching, it's prior actions have caught up to even itself, as the fire she had thought had been aborted rushed just to the left of her, they ball merely having been stalled before she could start singing.

The suddenness of the action caught her off guard, forcing her to abandon her enchantment to avoid the incoming ball of flame.

By the time she scrambled to her feet again, the dragon had shaken off the drowsiness, anger very much apparent in its gaze.

Finding herself stymied yet again, she decides to go on the offensive, also realizing that the close distance she now finds herself to the beast making any retreat impossible.

Her first course of action is to swipe her wand a few times back and forth, a few rocks following the motion to fly in the air at the dragon's head.

The action put the dragon on the defensive for a moment, it's neck twisting back and forth to let the rocks sail past, only to slam against the wards protecting the crowd.

Targeting a few more boulders and larger rocks, she transfigures as many as she can into various forms of birds and other flying animals, directing them to target the dragon's head and eyes especially.

Thankfully her skill in the branch of magic is high, as the dragon has little chance to send out more flame before the birds focus bring the dragon to focus itself on protecting it's eyes.

Fleur tries to direct a few birds to try and direct the dragon away from the nest, but fails in every way as it decides to huddle over its eggs.

With the dragon refusing to move, she decides to try her previous tactic again, hoping the distraction will allow her to find a better vantage point to succeed.

Moving around a few more outcroppings of earth, coming up to the incline to the nest, the dragon has seemed to have taken care of the majority of her distraction.

After pulling herself into position, she once again begins to sing, the last of her birds either flying back or being destroyed.

The words draw the beast's attention again, but the enchantment begins to work quicker, wisps of her first attempt not having fully dissipated.

As she walks up the incline, the dragon's head begins to sway as its eyes droop once again, its body leaning to the side to not fall on its eggs.

Reaching the nest proper, she leans to the side, her hand groping awkwardly as she searches for the egg she needs completely by touch.

No way was she not going to keep every ounce of her attention on the dragon.

Good thing too, since even with the success she is currently having, the resistance the dragon has doesn't allow for her enchantment to fully take, its legs shaking as it slightly stumbles back and forth trying to shake it off.

Her hand comes across cold metal as she finally finds her target, snatching it up before beginning to retreat back down the slope.

In her haste however, her focus falters and her charm begins to break.

After reaching a few yards distance, she abandons all attempt to keep the enchantment going, focusing as much as she dares on making it back to the exit to the tent.

The entire experience that she had just gone through, and still 'was' going through, taught her to not count her victories just yet, keeping the dragon in sight even as she sprinted towards the exit.

Her decision a good one, because it didn't take long for the dragon to figure out her taking of the egg and it reared it's head back.

Dodging behind some more rocks, she covers her head as the fireball sent at her crashes against her rocky shield.

She however does not waste much time, only waiting a second or two before once again sprinting towards the exit.

Thankfully she breaths a sigh of relief, making it into the tent just before another blast of flame hits it, the charms of the arena stopping it from following her through.

Her breath coming in gasps, and the pounding of her ears lessening, it takes a few moments to hear the cheers and shouts of the crowd, reacting to her actions.

As she hears the handlers enter the arena to subdue the Chinese Fireball, her gaze rounds back on the Hogwart's Champion.

He seems to take in her appearance, robes slightly singed, hair wild and sticking out in places, her breath still coming out in slight gasps.

A look of understanding passes between the two, as Cedric gives her a nod of support and congratulations, as she gives one in return, wishing him luck.

Stumbling over to her previous chair, she slumps down, the egg she spent so much effort to get rolling out of her fingers to stop a few feet from her.

She has more important things to concern herself with now than that stupid egg.

~}-{~

As I watched Fleur scramble into the tent, the dragon continued to rampage at the theft of its egg as the handlers rushed out to subdue it and bring out the third.

Siting in the stands, I sit between Rose and Hermione as the crowd cheers and stomps at the destruction the dragon is still bringing while being corralled back to its cage.

Hermione had of course plastered herself to my side, her face hidden between my neck and shoulder, unable to watch the mad sprint Fleur had taken to escape the fire.

Rose had found the whole thing amazing, cheering along with almost everyone else, though keeping herself to her seat.

Diana I could see a row away, a few paces down as she took in the atmosphere and lightly cheered herself.

Deciding to be cheeky, I give a subtle snap of my fingers, causing her to shudder and shoot me a glare before another snap causes her to cover her mouth from her encroaching moans.

Thankfully the noise of the crowd hides any noise she does make, and I don't keep the 'action' up for long.

Looking back to the arena I notice the handlers leaving as the Common Welsh Green settles down around its simulated nest.

As the cannon blasts for a third time, everyone quiets down, waiting for the Hogwart's champion to start his attempt.

A few moments later, Cedric nervously walks out of the tent, a few hufflepuffs giving some cheers in support.

All things considered, Cedric seems to have had the best luck, as he drew the 'tamest' dragon out of three.

Well, as tame as any dragon could be anyways.

As he watched the dragon, it seemed to find the nest to be pretty comfortable as it settled down around the eggs, eyes only occasionally looking around at the crowd.

Seeing the disinterest of his dragon, Cedric seems to take a few minutes to plan out his course of action.

Coming to a decision, he waves his wand around himself a few times, before tapping his head, his form shimmering and becoming indistinct.

If you knew what to look for, you could see his hidden form sneaking around the side, as he tried to get as close as he could.

After a few minutes, his form seems to settle, before on the other side of the arena a couple transfigured sheep stumble out to the edge bleating.

The obvious distraction immediately attracts the Welsh's attention, as it perks up before stalking towards the fake animals.

The entire crowd goes silent, as everyone sees the golden egg lift into the air before it rushes towards the exit.

Stunned exclamations ring out as the dragon seems to find out the sheep are fake, twisting back around to its nest as the egg disappears through the exit.

The dragon stomps back to its eggs, giving them a few sniffs and a look, before finding nothing wrong and wrapping itself around them again.

Rose gives a loud giggle at the absurdity of the final champion's success, and many in the crowd join her as some voice their displeasure for a boring finale.

Cedric's success is however still a success as the handlers come back out and try to bring the dragon back to its cage.

It however does not like their attempt as it fights all attempts to move it, some in the crowd quieting down to watch the more exciting actions.

Anger aroused, flame begins to stream out of the dragon as it decides to 'voice' its displeasure.

Red bursts of magic bounce across its skin as the handlers try to stun it, finding little initial success, though after so many they finally knock the beast out.

As they drag it's body away, the judge's booth is a flurry of motion as the five judges deliberate their decisions.

Finally Dumbledore stands up, hands held out to quiet everyone down.

"After much deliberation," He starts. "the following tally's have been awarded."

"To the Durmstrang champion, Victor Krum, we award 41 points." Cheers and claps ring out, though it is mostly subdued due to his next words. "While he will make a full recovery, the injury he took when leaving, combined with the damage done to the eggs from his attack to his dragon's eyes, have cost him from full marks."

Hearing that their champion will recover, the Durmstrang students in the crowd cheer.

Waiting for the cheering to die down, Dumbledore continues.

"To the Beauxbatons champion, Fleur Delacour, we award 44 points." The Beauxbatons students give a following cheer, a few girls sending out some sparks.

Again, Dumbledore waits for everyone to calm down before finishing the awarding of points.

"To the Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory, we award 44 points."

As the words finish passing his lips, his head turns to the Durmstrang judge, Headmaster Karkaroff, giving him a reproachful look.

The other judge's follow suit, annoyance and anger in full view as Karkaroff stares out into the arena, returning no ones gaze.

It is apparent to many that some disagreement had occurred as the Hufflepuffs shout and boo at their champion not getting full marks.

I had to agree with them, as even though his attempt was bland, he achieved his objective the fastest and with the least amount of effort.

Karkaroff however could not stand to give him a full 10 and gave as little as he possibly could get away with.

I'm sure it would have been even less had Krum's score been higher, but with his injury even he couldn't argue against what he was given.

Dumbledore gave no further explanation however, and after a bit the crowd settled down and started to leave the arena.

~}-{~

As Hermione and Rose join me on the walk back up to the castle, we continue to talk about the first task.

Rose felt that Fleur should have gotten the highest points, given the higher aggression she had to deal with for her dragon compared to Cedric.

Hermione thought that Cedric should have gotten the highest as he didn't do anything wrong in regards to his task.

I stayed out of it entirely.

No way I was going to risk picking a side.

As the two bickered back and forth, I kept an eye on Diana as she followed behind us again.

Ever since my little taunt back at the arena, her face had been flush and her legs slightly shaking as the 'toy' still occasionally twitched.

Since the first task took up the majority of the day, all the students were given a free day to do with what they wanted until curfew.

Hermione decided she wanted to do some research on dragons, dragging Rose with her, the two of them having grown a lot closer since their decision to share me and the revelation of Diana's involvement.

Diana had much different things on her mind, as she followed me to our usual room.

However, neither of us noticed the third person following behind the both of us, having noticed our little byplay.

~}-{~

The two unhurt champions had been released, having been told their scores and that Krum would be fine after a week or two.

Though the damage he had sustained had destroyed his wand, as well as leaving scars on most of his right side from the flames that would never heal.

Hearing and seeing Cedric's success, Fleur had congratulated him, even though both felt that the scoring had been a sham.

The looks everyone could be seen giving Karkaroff was well justified.

Bidding her a farewell, and once again a thanks for her help, Cedric left her to join his fellow Hufflepuffs, egg tucked under his arm.

Fleur however, found her eyes drifting to a certain puzzle as he walked back to the dreary castle, two girls practically joined to his hips.

She had seen the two around him constantly, almost assured that one or maybe even both were seeing him, but nothing definite had been found.

Following behind the three, she soon noticed that it was actually four, as another girl trailed almost directly behind them.

The looks Jacob Black would give this third girl was something even she wasn't sure she was seeing, but as the first two girls left to head deeper into the castle, her observation was proven correct as the trailing girl followed the boy off a side corridor away from everyone else.

The motions they both took to avoid notice from everyone drew her curiosity even more.

Taking a look around, she did all she could to avoid notice herself, as she followed behind the two.

After a few minutes, she crept up on the door they had entered, to the sounds of obvious passion.

She couldn't help the blush that came to her face.

Surprisingly the door, while closed, had nothing to dampen the shouts and screams the girl was giving out as she came closer and closer to it.

It did however have a very difficult charm locking it, and dealing with it took her a lot of effort before she succeeded.

Maybe they had forgotten a silencing charm in their haste?

Taking a moment to silence the corridor and setting a few charms to keep a look out and hide her form from sight, she slowly opened the door to peer inside.

The sight she came to was as much as she had expected, and as far as she would have thought at the same time.

A.N. NSFW content starts

Fleur finds Jacob and Diana having fun before Jacob decides to take her virginity.

At first suggesting making her pregnant, Diana comments on the problems that would cause, though having no complaint with the idea itself, and Jacob agrees.

However he thinks the upcoming action should be special, and transforms into a werewolf to complete his decision.

Fleur is shocked by the reveal, and by her instincts shouting for her to have him give her strong offspring, finding shock and completeness at the thought in equal measure.

The entire thing causes her to stumble and bump into the door, bringing attention to her spying, resulting in her fleeing as Jacob finishes with the first round of the evening.

NSFW content end

Quickly she rushed away, hoping that she had been unnoticed.

Luckily for her, she was wrong.

~}-{~