We were in the library again at the beginning of the winter term, trying to learn how to keep Cedric safe.
He'd figured out what most of the task was, but still couldn't find any information on what he had to retrieve from the lake.
"What could they possibly take that is so important? I mean, important enough to have us dive into the freezing early morning water." Cedric ranted.
"I don't know." I said bluntly, trying to find out how he could hold his breath for an hour.
"Since you're going underwater, you'll either need gillyweed or the bubble head charm." I informed Cedric.
"Both options have their downsides. The gillyweed tastes nasty, and it's also painful, but on the other hand the bubble head charm might pop causing you to automatically forfeit the competition."
"I think I'll use the bubble head charm, it has the least amount of disadvantages. But then again, the one con is a pretty big one." Cedric admitted, slightly unsure in his decision.
"If a mermaid does grab onto me, it could make the air bubble burst and cut off my oxygen." he stammered.
"If a mermaid does end up gripping onto you, just use the Revulsion jinx to protect yourself." I recalled. "Got it." Cedric insisted.
"I can't believe the second task is tomorrow." Cedric sighed.
He looked confused and concerned, still trying to process the fact that he had to do such a difficult task the next day.
"You'll do great! I promise. I wouldn't lie to you." I consoled.
"I'm a nervous wreck! I'm going to fail, I can't do this, Alice, I can't." Cedric blabbered as he stood up from his chair and paced around the library.
"I think you're looking too much into the situation. You fought a dragon, Ced, you'll be fine with some mermaids." I assured him.
"The only reason I survived that was because of you Allison. You yelled advice to me and I took it. This time I won't be able to hear your suggestions, I'll fail for sure." he breathed.
"Cedric, you're one of the bravest people I know as well as the smartest. You'll do great." I gushed while sympathetically putting an arm on my shoulder.
"Alright, if you say so." he conceded, hesitant to believe what I just said.
Cedric's POV
My eyes opened quickly as my bright red alarm clock went off, a loud groan escaping my lips as I stretched my long arms out.
I hit the alarm clock with my palm and it silenced. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and let my feet fall to the cold floor.
I walked over to the bathroom and brushed out my hair, making sure it wasn't too messy from my restless night of sleep. The competition had caused me to toss and turn all night, thoughts invading my head.
The second task is today.
I'm not ready for this it's too much pressure, I have to come in first place.
I can't let my dad down.
The task was in two hours, so I changed out of my dark green flannel pajamas and started to put on my swim clothes. At this time of the year, the water was freezing.
I'm in for a fun ride.
I put on my yellow Hufflepuff swim tank top. It was a bright sunny yellow with black straps, and a badger patch decorating the front of it. I then pulled on some black swim shorts with sandals that I could take off quickly, and headed out of my dorm.
I quickly walked over to the girls dorm, frantically knocking on Allison's door.
"Yes?" Ada answered as she opened the door. "Oh, it's just you Ced, come on in! We've been having Malfoy's nasty group knocking on our door at all hours of the day. It's stupid really." she expalined.
"Oh, that's too bad. Do you mind if I speak with Allison?" I asked.
"I don't mind at all. The only reason Allison isn't all over you right now is because she's sleeping. If you can wake her up I'm sure she'd love to talk." Ada informed me. I blushed a bit at Ada's remark.
I lightly shook Allison, trying to wake her. "Wake up, Alice, I want to head down to breakfast with you to keep myself sane. I can't not talk to you before the task." I whispered.
Allison immediately shot up out of her bed and gave me a hug, her sweet intoxicating scent comforting me.
I was crouched over a book about past Tri-Wizard tournaments all breakfast, desperate to know what I had to get from the lake.
"Cedric, I hope you realize that you're going to drive yourself insane by wracking your brain to try and find answers!" Allison scolded as I neglected my breakfast.
"At least eat some breakfast, you'll need your energy." she suggested while nudging me in the shoulder.
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I was standing on the dock waiting to be signaled by Dumbledore to go in, my legs tense, ready for take off.
Dumbledore lifted his hands into the cold morning air, about to tell us to launch forward. I quickly cast the bubblehead charm so that I could breath when I submerged into the water.
"Go!"
I dived into the water, kicking my legs as fast as they could go. Venturing further down, I observed my surroundings, trying to find what I had to retrieve.
The water was murky and dark, seaweed blocking most of the light that shine through the top of the lake. It was everywhere, long stalks of it coming from the very bottom to the top of the lake.
I turned around a large patch of seaweed, and quickly turned around it. I saw something very distant so I swam closer, curious as to what it was.
My heart stopped. I saw Allison frozen in the water, her limbs tied up with seaweed. She looked so peaceful in this state, her lips slightly parted, her eyes closed, and her hair gently flowing from the current in the water.
I was happy that she wasn't conscious, otherwise she would have been stuck underwater with no air.
I swam over to her, propelling my legs and arms faster. I slowed myself down and went at a steady pace, swimming up to the seaweed that was holding her down.
I carefully undid the knots and clutched her close to my chest.
"I've got you." I murmured, knowing that she couldn't even hear me.
Allison's POV
I opened my eyes and saw nothing but dark blue murky water surrounding me. Looking around frantically, I tried to recognize where I was. Strong arms gripped my torso, swimming me towards a blurred brown object. I struggled against the tight hold, wanting to get out of the water.
"Let me go!" I exclaimed.
"Calm down, doll, it'll be alright. We're almost at the dock!" Cedric murmured into my ear.
"Ok, good. It's only you, Ced." I sighed, coughing loudly afterwords. My lungs were heavy and sensitive, it felt almost odd to breathe.
Cedric hoisted me up the metal ladder that headed towards the dark brown wooden top of the dock. Cheers erupted and camera's flashed,
We must be the first one's, I pondered. Cedric gently took his wet hand in mine and walked us over to the benches, making sure to wrap me in loads of blankets.
I put my head onto his shoulder and melted to his warm touch, I was so cold.
"You know, right after I got out of the water Dumbledore told me why you were under there." Cedric said while looking out at the water.
"Oh, and why's that." I giggled.
"Because you're my favorite person here. You are the person that I would miss the most if you were gone."