THE DAY OF THE first task had finally arrived. Cedric was ushered away quickly after breakfast with the other champions, leaving Arden with Giselle, who, wasn't very helpful when giving comfort.
"What if something happens to him?" She groaned while laying her head on her arms, which were folded on the table. "What if he is burned alive! Human sacrifice is what this is."
"Calm down, you're overthinking the whole situation. Do you really believe that Dumbledore would let the task go that far! He said that there are specific safety precautions this year, given that the Ministry can't afford any more deaths!" Though she started off strong, Giselle's last few words only worsened Arden's stomach ache.
"That's really not what I wanted to hear," Arden grimaced, closing her eyes as she pictured Cedric being blasted with fire. She rubbed her temples, attempting to rid of the unpleasant image in her mind. Giselle, noticing her increased state of stress, looked around the hall, frantically trying to find something else to talk about.
"Erm, so, about breakfa - "
" - Arden!" George Weasley chimed while taking a seat on the right of the girl, fortunately cutting Giselle off (Arden loved the girl to death, but seeing where the conversation had gone, she really couldn't bear to listen to another word that was going to come out of her mouth).
"Just the girl we were looking for!" Fred finished, squeezing himself between her and Giselle.
"We have decided to create a gamble of sorts, and we'd really appreciate it - "
" - Truly appreciate it - "
" - If you would work that cute little brain of yours and rate Diggory's chance at winning, and kindly give us your share!" Both of them smiled at her, their eyes twinkling with hope.
"Can I make a bet?" Arden smiled, glancing between the two. They nodded their heads eagerly, George passing her the box that they were holding the money in. "Five galleons that you piss off." Giselle snorted from the other side of Fred, immediately putting her hand up to her mouth as the twins narrowed their eyes at her.
"It appears as though you're a little, well, cheesed off, right now, so we won't take it to heart, Thomas," George said, taking back the box and standing up. Though Arden felt slightly guilty for snapping at them, she didn't appreciate their insensible idea of profiting off of the possible misfortune of the champions.
"Good fortune!" Fred smiled, his previously-fouled expression returning to normal. They walked off, looking for others to place bets.
"I cannot believe how far they go sometimes," Arden muttered while staring at the table.
As the students began to file into the stadium, Arden decided to find the champions tent before settling on a wooden bleacher.
Peeking through the fabric of the tent entrance, she glanced around, looking for her best friend.
"Cedric!" She whisper shouted, seeing him pace around a nearby corner. Cedric turned his head and let out a deep breath as he saw her reaching one hand through the entrance, motioning for him to come over. Once he neared her, the girl burst through the fabric and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him harder than she ever had. He hugged her back immediately, for a moment feeling as though he was not about to face his quite possible death.
"Oh jeez Cedric," Arden mumbled into his shoulder, "you better stay safe and beat the thing, or else I will hex you into the Stone Age. You will feel my wrath, buddy." He let out a faint laugh and pulled her closer. "Please win this, I don't want you to become a human sunday roast, you know?"
