Through Fire and Water

Chapter 5: Quiet Moments

Harriet's POV

The rush of the first task had finally started to settle, though the buzz of excitement around the castle showed no signs of slowing down. News of Caden's triumph over the Hungarian Horntail spread through Hogwarts like wildfire, and it seemed like every student had something to say about it. Everywhere I went, people were talking about the tournament, about Caden, about the champions.

But for me, the world felt quieter now. My biggest worry had passed-for the time being, at least. Caden had faced one of the most dangerous creatures known to wizards, and he'd come out victorious. I couldn't have been prouder, but I also couldn't shake the lingering tension in my chest. There were still two more tasks to come, and each one would only get more dangerous.

We sat together now, far away from the noise of the Great Hall and the endless chatter of the students. Caden and I had found a quiet spot near the Black Lake, the trees offering a blanket of privacy. The sun was low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the water as we sat on the grass, his arm wrapped around my shoulders as I leaned into him.

"I still can't believe you faced a dragon," I murmured, breaking the comfortable silence. My fingers traced small patterns on the back of his hand, the warmth of his skin grounding me.

Caden chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "I can't believe it either. It didn't feel real at the time. Just... pure instinct."

I tilted my head back to look up at him, my heart swelling with admiration. "You were amazing. I don't think I could've done it."

His silver eyes softened as he looked down at me, brushing a stray curl away from my face. "You'd be surprised what you're capable of in the moment, mia luce." He paused, his thumb gently stroking my cheek. "But I'm glad you didn't have to. I don't know what I'd do if I had to watch you face something like that."

I smiled, resting my head against his chest again. "I guess that's why we make a good team. You face the dragons, and I'll be here waiting to patch you up afterward."

He chuckled again, his chest rumbling beneath my cheek. "That sounds like a good deal to me."

The breeze off the lake was cool, but his warmth was enough to keep the chill at bay. We stayed like that for a while, the comfortable silence settling around us like a familiar blanket. It was moments like these that made everything else fade away-the tournament, the danger, the uncertainty. In these quiet moments, it was just us.

"Do you ever wonder what we'll do after the tournament?" I asked suddenly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Caden's hand stilled on my arm, and I felt him shift slightly beside me. "I think about it all the time," he admitted, his voice soft but steady. "About what life will be like when we don't have to worry about tasks and dragons and everything else."

I smiled, imagining it for a moment. "It'll be nice. Peaceful."

He nodded, his arm tightening around me slightly. "Yeah. I want that. Just us, no pressure, no fear. I want to be able to wake up and know that the only thing I have to think about is you."

His words sent a warmth through my chest, and I turned to press a soft kiss to his jaw. "That sounds perfect."

We stayed by the lake for a long time, watching as the sun dipped lower and the sky began to change colors-soft pinks and oranges blending together like a painting. The world felt still, and for once, I wasn't consumed by worry or fear. I was just here, with Caden, and that was enough.

Caden's POV

The sun had almost completely set by the time we decided to head back to the castle. Harriet's hand was warm in mine as we made our way up the path, her presence always a comfort, especially after the chaos of the tournament. There was something about the quiet moments with her that made everything else feel manageable, even when the world seemed intent on throwing danger our way.

As we reached the entrance to the castle, I could feel the shift in energy-students bustling around, voices loud and excited. It was like stepping back into reality after being wrapped in a dream.

"You ready to face the crowd?" Harriet teased, glancing up at me with a knowing smile.

I sighed dramatically, making her laugh. "Not particularly, but I suppose I can't hide forever."

We entered the Great Hall, and sure enough, a few students turned to look our way, whispers following us as we walked. It was nothing new; I had gotten used to the attention ever since the tournament started. Still, I preferred the quiet moments, away from prying eyes.

We made our way to the Gryffindor table, where Hermione and Ron were already seated, deep in conversation. Ron was clearly recounting Caden's performance in the first task, his voice animated as he waved his hands around for emphasis.

"And then, just as the dragon went for him, Caden dived out of the way-barely missed the tail-and grabbed the egg! It was brilliant!"

Hermione rolled her eyes but smiled as Ron finished his retelling. "You're making it sound like he planned it that way."

"I did, mostly," Caden said with a smirk as we sat down.

Ron grinned, giving him an approving nod. "Mate, you've got nerves of steel."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Caden replied, though his tone was light. He squeezed my hand under the table, and I smiled up at him, feeling the warmth of his affection even in the midst of the crowded hall.

"So, how's the egg?" Hermione asked, ever the practical one.

Caden shrugged. "I haven't had much time to look at it yet. I'm planning to figure out what it's hiding tomorrow."

"I can help if you'd like," Hermione offered, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. "I've read a lot about the previous tournaments, and sometimes the eggs have riddles or clues hidden inside."

"That'd be great," Caden said with a nod. "I could use all the help I can get."

As they continued to talk about the tournament, I found myself tuning out slightly, my mind drifting back to the lake and the quiet moments we had shared. The tasks ahead would be difficult-of that, I had no doubt-but as long as we had moments like these to fall back on, I knew we could face anything.

Harriet's POV

The next few days passed in a blur, and before I knew it, Caden was deep in preparations for the next task. The golden egg had been a puzzle, one that he, Hermione, and I had spent hours trying to decipher. We had finally cracked it-literally-by figuring out that the clue lay in the sound the egg made when submerged in water. It had been a riddle about merpeople and an underwater challenge, one that would take place in the lake.

The news had made my stomach twist with nerves all over again, but I tried not to let it show. Caden had been calm, as always, but I knew him well enough to see the determination in his eyes. He was ready for whatever came next.

In the meantime, we took advantage of the slower days. The tournament loomed in the background, but we found ways to fill our time with quiet moments together-whether it was sneaking away to the library for some peace and quiet, or taking long walks around the grounds, just talking about anything and everything.

One afternoon, we found ourselves back at the Black Lake, sitting on the same stone bench we had occupied so many times before. The water was calm, the soft ripples reflecting the blue sky above.

"I never thought I'd miss these quiet moments," Caden said, his voice thoughtful as he gazed out at the lake.

I tilted my head, looking up at him. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "With the tournament going on, everything feels... chaotic. I miss the days when it was just us, before all of this started."

I nodded, understanding what he meant. "Yeah. It feels like everything is about the tournament now."

He looked down at me, his eyes soft. "But I wouldn't change any of it. If it weren't for the tournament, I wouldn't be here with you."

I smiled, leaning my head against his shoulder. "I wouldn't change it either."

We sat there for a while longer, the world around us fading into the background as we focused on each other. The next task was coming, but for now, we had this-our quiet moments, our peace. And that was enough