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"Out, out."
"But Madam Pomfrey-"
"I said out. The next champion will be here any moment now and who knows what kinds of injuries they'll have." Madam Pomfrey was stirring a bowl of orange paste, no doubt the burn ointment. Eleanora kissed Cedric goodbye and stood up.
"Take care of him," she said good-naturedly to Madam Pomfrey, and left the tent. Her heart was still beating faster than normal and the shaking in her hands was just starting to slow. She took a deep breath and brushed her fingers through her hair.
"Eleanora!"
She turned to see Charlie striding towards her, arms outstretched.
"Hey," Eleanora exhaled, and jogged over to him. Charlie wrapped Eleanora in a brotherly hug. She immediately felt calmer.
"How are you?" he asked, not letting her go.
She shrugged. "Fine." Her voice was almost inaudible.
Charlie released her and took a step back, surveying her face. "No you're not." He gave her a comforting smile. "What's wrong, Marks?"
Eleanora took a deep breath and brushed her hair behind her ears before answering. "I just wasn't expecting dragons, you know? I knew the tournament was going to be dangerous, but this seems- ...I just don't want Cedric to get hurt."
"That's why we all told you not to enter," Charlie murmured. "I promise if things had gotten out of hand with the dragons, we would've stepped in. Remember, they did this for years and never had a death."
"But people got hurt."
"Everyone's going to be okay. And anyways, there's no use worrying about it now. It's not like any of the champions can back out or anything, and you're not even allowed to help them."
She was silent for a moment, thinking. Then, she said, "I just feel like everyone else is enjoying the tournament, but I can't because I'm so worried about someone getting hurt." She spoke slowly, like she was choosing the words carefully as she spoke them.
Charlie didn't know exactly how to answer. "I think... I don't think there's anything wrong with worrying about the people you care about," he said at last.
Eleanora fell silent again. Before she could respond, Cedric exited the medical tent and approached them. The burned side of his face was covered with the orange paste Madam Pomfrey made.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, reaching up to kiss him on the unburned part of his face. Charlie watched the scene with an amused expression. He would've never expected Cedric and Eleanora to end up together. He'd always expected Eleanora to date one of his brothers, and he'd secretly had his hopes up for Bill. Every time they all got together, he could see it. Eleanora obviously liked him, she hardly left his side, and it was evident that Bill cared about her so much... But Eleanora and Cedric? Charlie didn't hate it. In fact, Eleanora looked happier than usual with Cedric, and Charlie rarely saw her act so gentle with anyone.
