Merrick's Random Stuff That He Thinks Is Cool!

Things get a lot more complicated

Chapter 2

Kim sunk back down in her seat. She felt every eye in the hall on her. She hadn’t entered, she hadn’t even given the goblet a second look. Avoiding it completely, so how had her name got into it!. “Kimberly Hart if you please!” Professor Ford repeated. Jason gave her a little push. “Kim go on!” he looked incredibly excited. Kim felt incredibly sick. As she tried to remember how to walk. Her legs felt numb, as she walked between the Slytherin and Gryffindor tables. After what felt like and age. She finally made it to Professor Ford, who shook her hand. “Congratulations” she said smiling at Kim. Giving her an encouraging nod towards the chamber door. Kim nodded, willing her feet to keep moving.

She had never been in this room before. She walked down the stairs, until she reached Amelia and Viktor. Amelia gave her a small smile. While Viktor simply nodded his head in her direction. She didn’t open her mouth, afraid of what might come out. Profesor Ford closely followed By Ivanoski and Madame Julienne. Followed by Mr Hart and a man Kim had only seen when she visited her father’s office. Mr Delgado was the head of International magical co operations. He smiled at each of them. Winking at Kim, who suddenly found herself fighting the urge to vomit.

“Well done for being selected by the goblet of fire. Now your instructions for the first task. It will take place on November 25th at 10am. You will only be allowed your wands, you will need to complete this task. Failing to do so, will mean you can not proceed to the 2nd. Good luck” Kim wasn’t sure if she could feel any worse. “To bed” Professor Ford said with a smile. Viktor and Amelia left without glancing back. She felt her father slip and arm round her shoulders. “Well done Kim!” he said a bit to loudly in her ear.

“Thanks” He smiled, “Your mother will be so proud” Kim resisted the urge to laugh. Her mother would probably send her a howler. “You better get to bed” he said as they left the chamber. Walking through the now empty great hall. It seemed he wanted to escort her to her dorm. But she needed time to process. “I’ll be ok on my own” she said with a shrug. Mr Hart looked like he was about to argue. But thought better of it. “Goodnight KIm” he kissed her cheek. “Goodnight dad”

Kim didn’t sleep at all. Grateful that it was Saturday, and she didn’t have to deal with people staring at her all day. She gave up on sleep, throwing her duvet back. She got dressed silently, and left the dorm. She made her way through the castle quietly. Slipping out the front doors, and into the fresh air. She stretched, before taking off at a sprint. One of her favorite things about Hogwarts was the grounds. She had lost count of how many laps she had done. But the sun had fully risen now. As she made her way up to the courtyard.

“You shouldn’t run away from your problems” a voice said from behind her. Kim turned and frowned it was Trini. Sat reading a book, not even looking at her. “Who said I was?” Kim asked. Trini smiled. “I saw you doing laps of the lake” Kim smiled “Spying on me?” Trini snorted “You wish” Kim laughed. “You not going to congratulate me?” she teased. Trini shook her head. “You already seem to have a big enough head”

KIm looked affronted. Trini smiled and went back to her book. Kim moved to sit next to her. “I haven’t spoken to anyone about it” she said softly. Trini didn’t look up, Kim took a deep breath. “I don’t think I can be, who they want me to be” Trini closed her book. “They don’t want you to be anything. The goblet chose you, it must have had a good reason” Kim shook her head. “I doubt that”

Trini bit her lip. “Why did you put your name in?” Kim didn’t answer straight away. “You don’t have to say.” Kim scratched the back of her neck. “Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger” Trini said off handedly. Kim snapped her head to look at Trini. “You’re not a stranger” Trini laughed “This is the most we’ve spoken in six years” Kim opened her mouth to argue, but she had a point. “Kim! There you are!” Jason shouted, coming out of the entrance hall. “Here I am” she said trying to sound cheerful. “I didn’t hear you come in last night.” he said as he joined them in the courtyard.

Kim shrugged, “You were probably snoring too loudly to hear me” Trini snorted from beside her. “I don’t snore” he said crossing his arms. “Whatever you say Jase” “Maybe I’ll leave you to it” Trini said standing up. “You don’t have to go” Kim said turning to look at Trini. Trini smiled “I’d hate to get in the way of your lovers tiff” Kim’s eyes went wide. “We’re not!” she snapped getting to her feet. Trini just nodded, before slipping back into the entrance hall. Kim scowled at Jason. “What?” Kim just scowled at him. “You never did have good timing Jase” she replied punching him on the arm.

Kim didn’t mean to be mad at him. Maybe she was just looking for someone, to take her anger out on. It took her a few weeks to calm down, which was fine until she realised the first task was coming up. She was not ready. Sat in potions, listening to Professor Mitchell list of antidotes wasn’t the best way to prepare. She was glad when the bell rang. As she gathered her books, she was surprised to see someone other than Jason waiting outside for her. “Are you waiting for me?” she asked hesitantly. Trini shrugged “Maybe” Kim smiled. “Oh so I’ll just” she made to leave. But Trini put her arm out to stop her. “So you are waiting for me?”

“I heard something you might want to know” Kim smiled. “Oh like what?” Trini glanced around the still crowded corridor. “Maybe in private?” she asked. Kim nodded, as she followed Trini out of the corridor. She didn’t speak, as they walked. Not until they were a few floors up from the dungeons, in one of the empty classrooms. “So what’s so important?” Kim asked “Dragons” Kim let out a shaky laugh “I’m sorry?” she replied. “Dragons that’s the first task”

Kim frowned “How do you know?” “I’ve seen them, there’s one for each of you” Kim shook her head. “Trini if you’re trying to freak me out” Trini shook her head. “I thought you should know” she left slamming the door behind her. “Great” Kim muttered. Head in her hands, on top of everything else. She now had dragons to deal with.

“You know this is a great place to hide” Jason said as he sat down opposite her. Kim didn’t reply, just continued to flick through the library book. “So who are you hiding from today?” he asked. Kim didn’t reply. Just continued to flick through the book. “Right well I’m just going to keep talking” Jason mused. “I haven’t seen you, since I found you outside with Trini” Kim glanced up at Trini’s name. “Are you hiding from her?” he asked. Kim glared at him. But that still didn’t silence his musings.

“Kim seriously I can do this all day. Or I can go find Billy” Kim frowned “That’s cheating” she snapped. No one could keep anything from Billy. Jason smiled “You leave me no choice” he made to stand up. “Dragons” Kim muttered. Jason looked confused. “You know for a second there, I thought you said dragons” Kim raised her eyebrows. “How do you know?”

She didn’t want to get Trini in trouble. But she knew Jason wouldn’t let it go. “Why don’t you help me?” She replied pushing a stack of books towards him. Jason flipped open the first one. Without saying a word. She lost track of how long she stayed in the library. It wasn’t until madam Fairweather, hurried her out that she realised how late it was. She adjusted her books, before heading to the Slytherin common room.

The corridors were mostly empty, as everyone was still at dinner. Something she had forgotten about. As she reached the entrance hall, turning to head to the dungeons. When she felt the rug, be pulled out from under her. Her books went flying, as well as her bag. She cursed as she hit the floor. A high pitched cackle reaching her ears. “Watch your step snake” Peeves shouted. Kim ignored him, but set about picking up her books.

Before she got to the last book. It was picked up expecting Peeves. She turned to leave. “Here” she turned it was Trini. Kim glanced up to see if Peeves was still there. He was floating near the ceiling. “Thanks” Kim said taking the book. Trini smiled. “How’s it going with the tournament?” Kim shrugged “Ask me tomorrow night”

“So you know what you’re going to do?” Kim nodded, “thanks for your advice” Trini shrugged. “I thought you should know. I mean I’d hate for Hogwarts to be at a disadvantage” there it was. The shields going back up. Kim nodded, “Maybe Amelia and Viktor don’t know” she replied hopefully. Trini shook her head. “I’m pretty sure they know” Kim looked confused. “How do you know?” Trini smiled. “How do you think I found out”

With that she left, before Kim could question her further. Leaving Kim with yet more things to worry about.

She woke up with paper stuck to her face. She glanced around her dorm was deserted. She glanced at her watch, her eyes going wide. She tore out of the dorm. Heading for the grounds, pushing past the crowds heading to the newly constructed stadium.

She spotted Professor Ford, standing outside a small tent. She waved her over, “I was getting worried” she said steering Kim inside. “Sorry” was all Kim managed. Professor Ford shook her head. She handed Kim a new set or robes. Green and Silver, Slytherin’s house colours. Kim pulled them on, tucking her wand into the pocket.

She could see Amelia sat in the corner, not speaking to anyone. Victor was in deep conversation with his headmaster. Professor Ford, wasn’t saying anything. Not until the tent flap opened. Mr Delgado waltzed in, all charm and smiles. Smiling warmly at each of the champions. “Welcome to the first task, which will be testing your nerve and courage. Your task is simple, collect the golden egg. Failing to do this, will leave you unable to continue. Now” he pulled a leather pouch from inside his robes.

He offered the bag to Victor, who put his hand inside. He pulled out a small dragon, with a one tied round its neck. Amelia was next, after sharing a look with her headmistress. She pulled out her dragon, with a two round its neck. Kim pulled out the last dragon. With a three, round it’s neck. Maybe it was her, but no one looked surprised.

“Each dragon, has been given an egg to protect. Collect the egg, to proceed.” He smiled at them again before leaving the tent, closely followed by the teachers. The minutes seemed like hours, she tried to block out the crowd’s shouts. “Now our final champion, will face the 1st task” Kim stood on shaky legs. She was sure her wand, would snap under her grip. As she left the tent, the crowd cheered as she entered the stadium.

She looked round, the golden egg was perched on top of a rock face. Unguarded, it couldn’t be that easy surely. She moved towards it quickly. Turns out she was right. A large tail, slashed at her. Narrowly missing her by inches. She stumbled sideways, taking cover behind a rock. She peered over the top, the dragon a Hungarian Horntail by the look of it. Seemed to be angry, searching for her with its red eyes.

She took a deep breath, before springing up. “Confringo!” Her spell hit the horntail’s chest. As a burst of fire left its mouth, Kim wasn’t quick enough. It caught her on the shoulder, as she dived out of sight. She was breathing heavily, trying not to glance at her shoulder. The crowd were silent, clearly not sure if she was ok. “You can do it Kim!” She looked up to see Jason, shouting like a maniac. Billy right beside him, Kim nodded. She peered around the rock. She took a second, to line up her shot. “CONFRINGO!” She roared, this time the spell hit the horntail square in the eye.

It stumbled blindly, Kim seized her chance. Sprinting for the egg, scooping it up. The bell chimed, as dragon handlers entered the enclosure. She didn’t hang around, as she left for the tent. Madam Pomfrey was waiting for her. Tutting all the while. “Dragons” she muttered shaking her head. Kim sat on the bed. As Madam Pomfrey looked at her shoulder.

She tried not to wince, as the fabric of her robe was pulled away. Madam Pomfrey dropped a few drops of potion, on her arm. It made the skin hiss, and burn even more. She gripped the egg tighter. “There’s the champ!” It was Jason closely followed by Billy. Madam Pomfrey tutted again, as she pressed a bandage onto the burn.

“They just announced the scores! You’re 2nd behind Victor” Billy said happily. Kim smiled “They took points for your shoulder” Jason explained. Kim nodded, she had done it. She looked at the egg, still tucked under her arm. She ran her hand over it. Why did she need it. She felt a ridge, on closer inspection, it looked like a hinge. She placed her mail, in the crack. Prying it open, a high pitched shriek filled the tent. Kim snapped it shut. Looking at Jason and Billy, “You thought dragons were tough”

Kim had stuffed the egg into her trunk, intent on enjoying her break before the next task. After Christmas, which was ages away. Her arm was slowly healing, the skin still a little tender. Things were looking up, she still enjoyed her morning runs. Especially that Trini would be waiting for her, sometimes with coffee. After their first meeting, it had become a regular thing.

So when Professor Mitchell made his announcement, her good mood sank. “The Yule Ball, is a traditional part of the tournament. A chance to get to know our guests” Kim groaned, she hated dances. Especially formal ones, where all eyes would be on her. She did what she does best, she ran away from the problem. After what felt like hours.

So when she came to a stop at the courtyard. She smiled at Trini, who as always was reading yet another book. “Hey” she greeted without looking up. “Did you bring coffee?” Kim asked hopefully. Trini rolled her eyes, “Of course” she handed Kim a cup. “How’s your shoulder?”

“I never thanked you for the tip” Kim said quickly. Trini shook her head. “I’m glad your ok” Kim was about to argue. “Well mostly” she said with a grin. “So what are you running from today?” Trini asked. Kim bit her lip, “Everyone, I guess” Trini looked confused. “I keep getting asked to the ball, and I’m running out of ways to say no”

Trini was still confused, “Why are you saying no?” Kim shook her head. “Because they just want to have a champion on their arm” Trini nodded. “What about Jason?” Kim, laughed. “He got swept off his feet, by one of the Beauxbatons girls Angelique” Trini laughed as well. “What about Zack?” Trini stopped laughing, “he’s going solo, but said something about dancing with every girl there” they both laughed.