act two: little dark age
chapter thirty-one

A few days had gone by, and the date for the first task of the tournament had been released. It would be on November 24, which was merely two weeks away. No one knew what the task was or what the champions had to do. No one really seemed to care except the champions. Which made sense because their lives were the ones at stake.

Tensions were thick within the walls of the castle. Ron and Harry had not talked and often spared glances of anger. Hermione seemed to have flowed onto Ron's side, both practically abandoning the boy who already had so few people. It enraged Daphne more than anything. She hated the thought of being left alone.

But then again, she knew a similar situation all too well. When Harry and her had fought over Sirius Black the previous year and it had gotten out of hand, yet, Harry never once left her alone. Despite the two being angry and Daphne trying to pull away, he still stayed close and kept an eye on her even if he had said some nasty things.

Daphne for the most part stuck alongside Harry while maintaining her other friendships. She still talked to Ron and Hermione, though they were cautious of what they would say around her but both still checked in on her and asked about Harry. Daphne answered their questions but kept the answers short, not knowing what Harry wished for them to know.

Caius and Atticus had kept a close eye on Daphne. Often following her through the corridors as if she couldn't see or hear them. The girl remained quiet and unbothered, keeping a strong composure as she walked to wherever she was going to or until she saw someone she knew. Most of the time, the twins or simply Harry.

Daphne felt as of recently that it wasn't just Harry who was alone, she felt as if she was alone as well. Those who avoided Harry avoided her for the most part as well. Rita Skeeter kept going on and on about whatever she could dig up about the boy and sometimes even the girl herself which enraged her beyond belief.

Daphne swallowed down her pride as she dressed rather warmly, getting ready to meet Harry and Neville down near the Black Lake. Neville no doubt teaching the two about herbology while Harry sifted through whatever bit of information he needed. Daphne was simply along for the ride while the two stayed true to their task of not being apart for long.

Daphne wasn't too mad about the situation that they were in. Let me rephrase that, she wasn't too mad about having to be around Harry frequently. The two were often together anyways, but she wished it was at a time when she could erase her feelings and not feel... weird around her best friend.

The girl tied her hair back into a braid as she sifted through her trunk while trying to find something warm to wear. She ended up throwing on a pair of jeans and a very big quidditch jumper before throwing on her gryffindor scarf. She looked at the jewelry she adorned, the necklace and ring she had received from her brother and father the year prior.

She bit down on her lip before causing her gaze to break away as she looked in the mirror momentarily. Frowning as she noted the scars down her face. Don't be sad, you match Uncle Rem! She reminded herself while trying not to feel self-conscious about them, they're badass. Battle scars. Imagine the stories I can tell.

She laughed at her own thoughts before she slid on a pair of boots and began to exit the girl's dormitory. Slipping through the door before making her way down into the common room. Harry and Neville were sitting on the couch waiting for her, Neville was the first to notice as she entered. Giving her a huge smile which she reciprocated.

"Daphne!" Neville seemed cheerful as he looked at the girl, "We were waiting for you."

Daphne gave him a warm smile as she walked over to the couch side, "Thank you. I'm sorry if I made you wait too long. I didn't intend to take long."

Harry had a small smile as he looked over at her, "Wasn't any trouble at all."

"Let's get going, shall we?" Daphne adjusted her stance as she crossed her arms with a grin, "Hope you two are ready for the cold."

"Oh, I believe that we are," Neville spoke as he looked at the fire before grinning as he held his herbology book: Neville's happiness warmed the hearts of many, he was such a sweet boy.

The walk down was one full of jokes and small comments about interests. Harry had fallen behind as Daphne stood alongside Neville who was excitedly discussing herbology with the girl who seemed genuinely interested.

"So what is your spin on the whole fanged geranium poison?" Daphne asked as she looked over at Neville who looked amazed.

"You've heard about it?" He questioned before he began explaining, "It's amazing. They say it's like devils snare but less violent, yet, the poison that you can get when it wounds you can be fatal but it can be very painful!"

"I know, but devil's snare doesn't have poison, it kills you itself," Daphne explained as she grinned, "I find it rather fascinating."

"It truly is," Neville agreed as he looked at the sky.

The sky wasn't as clear as usual. It was near mid November, and the first task was drawing near. Daphne stepped carefully down the path as she kept blowing out hot air and watching as it clouded up in front of her face, which caused her to smile softly. It was getting cold, Daphne loved the cold.

"Oh how I'm ready for the snow," She cheered as she drew near the water.

Daphne sat down near the water as Harry was seated against the tree behind her. Neville was walking around in the water as he spoke about herbology through his excited state while Daphne let the tips of her fingers glade across the water as she watched her reflection, unaware how Harry was looking at her.

"Amazing, amazing!" Neville began to repeat himself as he looked at the plants in his hands, "Amazing!"

Harry looked over at the boy, making a slight face as he spoke, "Neville, you're doing it again."

Neville frowned as he looked at the Potter boy who was flipping through the herbology book before apologizing, "Right. Sorry."

"Don't be," Daphne gave the boy a soft look as she pulled her finger tips from the water, "You're fine, Neville. Believe me, be happy about your passions."

"Magical Water Plants of the Highland Lochs?" Harry questioned as he read off of the paper in confusion.

"Moody gave it to me," Neville was quick to pipe up which caused Daphne to look confused, "That day we had tea. He had a book for Daphne about seers, it was quite cool," Neville explained before he began to wave at someone behind them.

Daphne looked back at Harry as confusion and concern passed clearly over her face. She had a bad feeling about Moody at the moment. If he knew what she was... she was sure that he was the beast and she knew better than anyone to keep herself collected and to keep everything hidden.

"It's already been through enough people," Hermione spoke loudly as Ron and Ginny followed behind her as they came down to the group, "Why don't you go talk to him yourself?"

Daphne rose to her feet as she began to walk over which prompted Harry to follow. She ignored the icy burn within her fingertips as she watched Ron whisper something to Hermione which caused the girl to scoff in return.

"Ron, this is your problem, not mine," Hermione was quick to remark as she watched the two now stand a few feet away from them, "What do you want me to say again?"

"Go," Ron muttered after whispering something in her ear.

Hermione then walked over to the two while placing her hands firmly in her pockets, "Ronald would like me to tell you that Seamus told him that Dean was told by Parvati that Hagrid's looking for you."

"Is that right? Well, you..." Harry looked confused, it seemed that the large quantity of names caused him some confusion, "What?"

Hermione made a face and ran back to Ron while trying to get what he was saying before she came back to the two, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Hermione asked Ron.

"Do it," Ron muttered as he looked back at Harry and Daphne.

"Dean was told by Parvati that... please don't ask me to say it again," Hermione repeated, the girl looked beyond annoyed as she looked between the two, "Hagrid's looking for you."

The girl turned away and began to walk back up as Harry spoke, "Well you can tell Ron..."

"I'm not an owl!" Hermione yelled as she whipped around and glared at Harry which caused Daphne's eyebrows to raise.

Harry went quiet while Daphne placed her hands on her hips, "Funny for you to say when you're being Ron's owl. Don't speak to him like that."

"Let's not start this, Daphne," Hermione looked at the girl as she looked beyond angry, "Take care of your boyfriend."

Daphne felt as Harry was quick to grab ahold of her before she could rush forward, "He's not my boyfriend! At least I don't abandon my friends when they need me, you prick!"

"Daphne," Harry held her back as he looked shocked, Daphne usually didn't react in such a way.

Hermione grabbed Ginny and the two left rather quickly while Ron stayed behind momentarily. Ron looked at the two before he followed after the two girl's as Harry let his grasp on Daphne go. The girl let out a large huff as she ran her hands through her hair.

Daphne seemed completely uninterested in the fact that they were just messing around with Neville as she continued to run her hands through her hair, "I'm going to have a fit."

"Breath," Harry looked at the girl as she began to pace, "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm stressed," Daphne gave him a firm look before sighing heavily, "Sorry. You have it a lot worse than me right now. I shouldn't be acting like this."

"Don't apologize, you are fine. I completely understand," Harry shrugged his shoulders before looking back at Neville, "I suppose we need to get back to the castle."

"Yeah."

The walk back to the castle was quiet. Daphne felt as if something in the air kept shifting which made her beyond uncomfortable. She figured that something was coming on, something that she'd see soon enough. She wondered what it would be this time, and who would get hurt.

Harry was quick when grabbing the cloak and coming back down. Daphne remained quiet as she followed him down to Hagrid's before following the half giant into the woods. It was beyond dark and misty and Hagrid carried a lantern to light the way.

"Did you bring your father's cloak like I asked you?" Hagrid asked as he looked down at the two teens, "I see you've brought Daphne."

"Hi Hagrid," Daphne smiled as she walked alongside the two through the forest.

"Yeah, I brought the cloak. Hagrid, where are we going?" Harry asked as he looked around through the misty forest, trying his best to see anything in sight.

"You'll see soon enough, now pay attention," The two teens looked at Hagrid who's hair was done and a flower pinned to his coat, "This is important."

Harry looked confused as he seemingly spotted how well done-up Hagrid was as well, "What's with the flower? Hagrid, have you comed your hair?"

"As a matter of fact, I have," Hagrid confirmed as he held his head high, "You might like to try the same thing every now and again. If you want to impress her."

Daphne let out a laugh before covering her mouth while looking at Harry's mortification, "He can't really impress me."

A loud roar was heard not a moment later as they paused. Everyone stood as still as possible in the foggy forest while their heads went in every direction to find the source of the sound. Daphne looked rather confused, dragons. She for some reason was hearing dragons.

Hagrid sighed before looking around, "Hagrid?" A French lady's voice called out through the dark.

Hagrid grinned before moving much quicker through the forest. Causing Harry and Daphne to look at each other while Daphne was trying not to laugh as she kept up with the half giant who moved as fast as a cheetah.

"The cloak! Put on the cloak," Hagrid exclaimed as he looked back at the two teenagers.

Daphne looked at Harry who began to unravel the cloak in his arms before throwing it over her first before he got under it as well. Both stayed close while trying their best not to trip over one another as they walked after Hagrid.

"Evening," She jokingly winked at Harry as they stood close together.

"Shush," Harry rolled his eyes while grinning at the girl.

"Bonsoir, Olympe," Hagrid spoke while Madam Maxine grinned as she looked at Hagrid while Daphne's jaw dropped.

"Oh, Hagrid," The woman seemed relieved to see the man, "I thought, perhaps, you weren't coming. I thought perhaps... you had forgotten me."

"Couldn't forget you, Olympe," Hagrid spoke as he looked at the woman with such love as Harry faked a gag while sticking his tongue out causing Daphne to near choke on her laughter.

"What is it you wanted to show me?" Madam Maxine asked as she looked down at Hagrid.

"Dragons," Daphne whispered as she continued to hear that in her mind, "Dragons... I don't know what or why so don't ask."

The woman squeezed the flower on Hagrid's chest as she spoke, "When we spoke earlier... you sounded so exhilarated."

"I think I'm going to be sick," Harry whispered to Daphne as he looked horrified.

"Not on me," Daphne looked at him as if he were insane, "Nope. No, keep it in you."

"You'll be glad you came, trust me," Hagrid looked at her with pride as he placed his hands on her arms before he took her arm and led her over to a bush as a roar was heard.

The two looked over as fire began to rage out of cages that were now revealed as the bush was moved. Roars and screams of the dragon tamers were heard as Harry looked horrified. Daphne watched as the fire danced around the air, something in her screaming.

"Can we get closer?" The woman asked as she then moved closer to the dragons, watching the fire with a grin.

Harry ripped the cloak off of their heads as he looked at Hagrid, "Dragons? That's the first task? You're joking."

He looked beyond horrified as Daphne dragged him closer while they looked at the raging fire, "I told you... I felt it."

"Come on, Harry. These are seriously misunderstood creatures," Hagrid began to explain as he looked between the dragons and the teenagers.

The wood fell off one of the cages revealing a horned beast. It looked in their direction before blowing a huge lot of fire. Daphne remained standing before Harry forced her down as he flinched hard, even Hagrid had. The girl held onto the boy to remain balanced and keep the cloak on her as they slowly raised back up.

"Thanks," Daphne whispered as she looked at the fire burning the trees.

"Oh, crikey!" Hagrid exclaimed before he rose up as well, "Although, I have to admit... that horntail is a right nasty piece of work."

Daphne felt dizzy for a moment, leaning heavily on Harry as her eyes flickered and fluttered momentarily before she saw something. A gloved hand, that adorned red, pulled out a tiny horned beast which snapped and snarled. Harry's dragon. She found herself getting dizzier before she slowly came back.

"Daph," Harry kept a grip on her as she came back to reality with a look of horror, "You're okay," He whispered to the girl as he looked back at Hagrid who began talking.

"Though, I have to admit, poor Ron nearly fainted just seeing him, you know," Hagrid explained as he looked back at the two, "You alright, Daphne?" He looked at the girl with concerned eyes.

Daphne nodded while gaining her footing as Harry spoke up, "Ron was here?" He looked beyond confused by this statement, not having known that Ron had been here previously.

"Oh, sure. His brother Charlie helped bring him over from Romania, didn't Ron tell you that?" Hagrid asked as he looked confused by the two's actions, he seemed to believe that Ron had told them about all of this.

"No, he didn't. He didn't tell me anything," Harry muttered bitterly as he kept his grasp on Daphne and the cloak, there was a clear depiction of anger over his features.

Hagrid looked sad by this statement as he looked down at the two before back at the dragon which blew more fire. Harry and Daphne backed up as the girl began to internally panic. How was she going to tell Harry that he was getting this beast? She could already see how pale he was, he would surely pass out on spot if she told him now.

Daphne looked over at Harry before she sighed, "I have a bad feeling about this task, Harry."

Harry's glasses held the reflection of the fire as he looked worried, his skin was pale, "Yeah? I think I do too."

It was clear that this task was not going to be an easy one. Daphne was worried that this was going to be considered the easiest task, and if she was right it'd only get worse from here. She feared for her friend's safety and prayed that nothing went too wrong. He was Harry Potter after all, he'd make it out of this.

"We better head back," Daphne whispered as she gripped her side of the cloak, "It's late, Harry."