Backfire

The Black Lake had been nothing but ice cold, sharp winds blasting through the air as the champions nervously chatter about and listen to their headmasters. Holland grumpily made her way to the giant towers alone, cursing at her so-called friends who'd promised to go to the lake with her, rowing to the venue with Harry, who was also upset at his friends, and Neville. The task was about to start, and there was still no sign of Ron nor Hermione. Harry weakly shrugged their absence off, now trying to calm himself down before ingesting a handful of a sort of plant that Neville had given him. Holland had no idea what on earth a Gillyweed was, but she knew (or at least hoped) in his Herbology proclivity that she could trust Neville's judgement. For the second task, Holland and Cedric had settled on another charm, knowing that the bubble-head charm would suffice. Holland had no doubts for her little trainee. Her good friend, however, was bouncing on his heels, turning his head left and right while breathing frantically.

"What on earth is going on with you?" The Slytherin in the black jumper asks Harry, who resembled a cat about to deliver a litter of 8 kittens.

"I- Ron and Hermione," The boy tried to answer, then rapidly turning his head in search for his two best friends. The two not being in sight probably added to the boy's nerves. Holland had always felt sympathetic for the boy, but he seemed almost hopeless at this point, she needed to get him to keep it together. She began to strike the boy's red tank-clad back, hopefully letting him breathe better as he began to cough.

"Oh, Merlin's beard, boy!" Holland still comfortingly tapping the boys back in hopes of calming him down. "I have to go on to George, okay? You're going to be amazing." Holland hugs the boy in the red top before going to her boyfriend who'd been going around and placing bets. The boy in a similarly designed house top, but in yellow, eyes the scene but proceeds to keep quiet, knowing that asking for another good luck hug might cause trouble up in relationship heaven with Holland and George. Holland not seeming to have noticed Cedric, headed straight up to the crowd and find her friends.

"Do you want to place a sickle or two?" Fred asked the girl who'd finally arrived, earning a smack on the arm. "Ow! Oi, mate. Calm your girl down!" Fred chuckled, shining the binoculars he probably won't be needing.

"Where is she?" The taller twin inquires excitedly, eyes landing on Holland. "Hi, honey," George greets happily, pulling Holland close to him in a loving embrace. Holland looked back at the champions, seeing Cedric looking at the two of them. 'Good luck', the girl mouthed, Cedric sent back an unsure smile while Dumbledore was beginning to welcome everyone to the second task.

"Last night, something was stolen from each of our champions." Dumbledore announces, the crowd separated in three platforms on the water, each platform shaking despite its sturdiness as people on them holler and bounce, cheering for the champions. "A treasure, of sorts. There four treasures, now lie on the bottom of the Black Lake. In order to win, each champion need only to find their treasure and return to the surface." Each of the champions taking soothing deep breaths as they prepare themselves and listen to the headmaster's instructions, fellow schoolmates and trainers cheering them on behind them. "Simple enough. They will have but one hour to do so, and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own. No magic will save them." Holland's eyebrows scrunch in worry, the tasks of the tournament seeming more and more dangerous.

"Harry!" Holland called out in concern as Professor Moody tapped on his back like Holland had, though a lot harsher. Dumbledore announces that the champions' cue to dive in the water were the cannon, not even a second after saying so, the cannon shot and the champions dove immediately. Harry was still looking as if he couldn't breathe. As he was the last one still on land, Professor Moody pushes him, causing the boy to fall over into the water in contrast to the other champions' graceful dives. "Oh my God," Holland whispers the exclamation to herself.

"Harry will be okay. I guarantee it." George comforts Holland.

"How much do you guarantee it, eh?" Fred jokes, gesturing the the box strapped onto him, the box they use for placing bets.

"Fuck off." Holland laughs, then watching the quiet Black Lake in anticipation. Then, like magic, Harry emerged from the water doing a single flip in the air before going back in the water, people cheering. Holland smiled, Harry's little Gillyweed had transformed him to a merman. She let out a relieved breath, now confident that both Hogwarts champions were safe underwater. For now, at least.

As Holland and Cedric found out the next task were to be held in the Black Lake, the two head on straight to the library in search for charms that could last the boy more than an hour underwater. The two settled with the Bubble-head charm, satisfied with the knowledge of a bubble surrounding the boy's nose and mouth much like a muggle oxygen mask. So she knew nothing could go wrong, Cedric couldn't possibly incompletely charm himself and lead to some sort of mishap, only fools could ever.

Holland waited for the first champion to return while in George's arms, not feeling too secure. Dare she say it, but the feeling of insecurity wasn't because of the task. For nights on end, Holland began to feel her relationship with George deplete, as if things were decent-looking on the surface, and on the surface solely. Yes, the two spent countless hours hugging and being nothing but affectionate, but their conversations seemed senseless, as if small-talk were the only thing the two could share. Holland felt that George was only able to be their for good and happy moments, but Holland couldn't bring herself to talk to him about the deeper things, things that kept her awake at night, her darkest, and most treasured secrets. Mind-boggling on how it became so, as the two were long-time best friends. But it was true, Holland felt like she was only affectionate with a best friend, not that she was actually in a relationship with a boyfriend. Being with George had been everything that occupied Holland's mind, countless of fantasies and daydreams leading to mountains of expectations. And once she'd finally been able to see the day her dreams come true, she felt all but disappointed, expecting the relationship to be just like how she'd imagined. She didn't know what more she could ask from a boy at all, but she knew she couldn't find it in George, as much as it broke her. As the crowd waited in silence, Holland began to feel guiltier and guiltier. Not only did she feel that her relationship with the boy must come to an end, but talking to Cedric seemed to have messed her thinking, as well. She was even more lost the moment Cedric confessed his feelings for Holland. Holland was still skeptical, but she couldn't deny the sense of happiness that sparked through her body when she'd listened to him tell her how he felt. Holland grimaces, not feeling right as she'd been thinking such thoughts while in the hold of George. How could it have come to this? After an hour, just as Holland was about to make a mental list comparing and contrasting pros and cons to keep dating the boy, two bodies rose to the surface of the lake. The crowd erupts in cheers as the first champion to complete the task was none other than Cedric Diggory himself, holding on to the treasure he'd retrieved from the lake, Cho Chang. Holland bursts in applause, proud of her little tutee, George eyes her for a quick moment before grinning and applauding, as well. After Dumbledore announces the current ranking of the Hufflepuff, the crowd falls into silence once more, awaiting the next champion to arrive.

Holland began to wonder. If Cho was Cedric's treasure, what could Harry's be? Were all champions expected to retrieve their loved ones from the lake? Harry had no girlfriend, so Holland felt clueless. She took a look around, looking for people that could be missing when they were sure to be Harry's support. And then it hit her, Holland's eyes widen in realization.

"That's where Ron and Hermione are." She whispers to herself, Fred and George turning to look at her. Holland was now tucking strands of hair on either side of her face, the wind having the strands hit her face was getting on her nerves.

"You suspect them to be down there in the lake?" Fred asks curiously, peaking at different crowds to look for the two Gryffindors. "Ron being considered a treasure. Never thought I'd live to see the day." He jokes under his breath.

"What do you think will happen if, —I hope it doesn't happen— but if they don't get rescued?" Holland asks worriedly, the twins not seeming to take the situation too deeply. Holland rubber her hands together in anticipation, the gusting wind and her anxiety causing chills to run through her body.

"Well, the merpeople could do whatever they want to Ron," George jokes and Fred begins to laugh, earning a glare from Holland.

"I'm serious." Holland scolds the two who were in their usual identical jumpers, holding onto their stomachs as they chuckle.

"You can't possibly think Dumbledore would be mental enough to let people who aren't champions die out there, do you?" Fred asks incredulously, throwing his arm around Holland's shoulders to comfort the girl.

"Yeah, you've been nothing but jumpy about this whole task. Ease up, Holls. Your little trainee's alive!" George says, talking about Cedric. Whenever George talked about Cedric, Holland felt uneasy, as if she weren't sure if he was actually talking about the boy on a good note or trying to at least make her think so. Holland now eyes Cedric, who was with Cho and making sure she felt warm while he was shivering in his towel. His friends crowded over them, all in applause and the others asking them how they were and what it was like down in the water. Holland teared her eyes away, satisfied knowing that her tutee was doing fine.

"I've still got three friends to worry about." Holland says shortly, not wanting to talk about Cedric.

Then suddenly, two more people emerge from the water. It was Hermione and what seemed to be a being that was half-human and half-shark. Holland didn't have enough time to panic, too busy wondering what the hell a shark was doing in the Black Lake. Things made better sense when the shark slowly turned into Viktor Krum, Holland chuckling. After a while, Fleur Delacour was announced forfeited from the task, being attacked by Grindylows. The girl being immediately taken care of as she'd been in shock and looked slightly scratched. Harry was the last person under water. It was way over an hour, what was going on down there? Just then, three people emerge in the water. Holland tried to take a closer look, she knew she'd be seeing Harry and Ron, but the pair had another person with them. A girl, a fair-skinned girl who looked a lot younger than Harry and Ron. It was the girl that had done a series of tumbles and flips in the Great Hall, Fleur's sister. Holland smiled, there was no boy out there like Harry. Fleur's sister was not Harry's to save, yet he still did.

Beginning the ranking, Cedric had been in first place with forty-seven points, Harry was originally in third place as Fleur never actually finished the task, but because he'd brought Gabrielle as well, he'd been given more points to land him second. Viktor being third, and Fleur the last.

-

"Oh, merci." Ron says for the umpteenth time, hair dried and hand still on his cheek. Holland snickered at the boy, his half-veela crush Fleur had given him a kiss on the cheek as she thought he'd helped in saving Gabrielle. The lot were walking back to the castle, Holland telling the twins she'd like to check up on Harry.

"There he goes." Holland chuckles to Hermione, who didn't find the situation as funny. Holland spent majority of the second task doubting her relationship with George, and she knew there was no better person to talk to about it other than Hermione. Draco would immediately egg her on to break it off, Ron and Harry would have each their own biases, and Fred, well.. "Listen, would it be alright with you if we had a talk later? I uh.. Have a lot on my mind and I don't know who else to go to." Holland says shyly to the muggleborn who seemed excited that Holland was about to confide in her. The bushy-haired witch fought off the smile that was creeping up her face, wiping her mouth with the towel draped around her instead to cover it, before responding.

"Of course, when we get to the castle." Hermione nods, smiling comfortingly at her friend.

-

"Alright, what is this about?" Hermione asks calmly, staring at her friend expectantly. Holland had dragged the witch to an unoccupied broom closet, the two cramped up and surrounded in dusty cleaning supplies. Holland knew it wasn't the most comfortable place, but she did not want to take any chances having people catch even a word from the conversation. Hermione's expression had changed drastically at the thought that Holland was up to no good once more if she needed to be in such a secluded and private area.

"I.. I'm having a bit of boy trouble.." Holland sighs, knowing Hermione would immediately catch on. The Gryffindor's eyes widen, debating whether or not to hug the girl in front of her, or smack her senseless.

"You're pregnant." Hermione brings a hand to her mouth. "It's George's, isn't it?" She asks, Holland shakes her head in desperation. "It's Malfoy's?" Her eyes widen even more, looking as if they were ready to pop of of their sockets at any second. Holland wanted to rip her hair out. Isn't this witch supposed to be the brightest of our age?, she whined desperately to herself.

"No!" Holland stresses, wondering why Hermione had to make things much more difficult. "I don't know if I should break things off with George." She says under her breath, looking down at her feet.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Hermione leaned in a bit closer, not catching what her friend had mumbled.

"I don't know.. ifishouldbreakupwithGeorge.." Holland starts out strong, mumbling the last bit even faster and even quieter than she did the first time.

"Do you want my help or not!" Hermione scolds, losing her patience.

"I think I need to break up with George!" Holland practically yells, shame oozing out of every orifice of her body.

"You're serious?" Hermione gasps, trying to figure out why. "Is everything alright? Did he hurt you?"

"No, no. He's perfect, really. That's what hurts the most.. Things just feel a tad bit wrong, if it makes sense. We all know how I've been wishing or this day to come.. I always tried to imagine what it'd be like, longing for it to become a reality.. When it finally does, I just feel.. This is awful of me to say but, unsatisfied. Like I can't ever be satisfied." Holland says, cringing at how much of a brat she sounded.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't compare George to your expectations. Probably why you're so troubled, I suppose?" Hermione confirms, Holland shrugs. Hermione smirks in realization. "Or maybe there are things you're looking for in George, things you've found in someone else.." Holland cocks her head to the side. "Oh for goodness sake! Cedric. You like Cedric!" Hermione rolls her eyes, practically scoffing at the girl in front of her. Holland rolls her eyes. Cedric did, in fact, contribute a fair amount of confusion to the situation, and his chest and arms may be impossible not to look at, but Holland did not like the boy.

"Oh, please, Herms! This has nothing to do with Cedric.." Holland's voice gradually became weaker as she finished the sentence, wondering herself if the boy did have something to do with the sudden decision. "Nope." She nods. "I could care less about Cedric." Holland lies, biting her tongue from telling Hermione about the boy's confession.

"What's that?" Hermione asks, narrowing her eyes at Holland.

"What's what?"

"That look. You're trying to not tell me something." Hermione accuses.

"I—er—, no..." Holland defends unconvincingly.

"Spit it out, Avery." Hermione smirked, know just what had been going on behind closed doors between her and Cedric, but wanting to hear it come from Holland.

"Cedric told me that he's actually in love with me... That he always has been, love potion or not. I know he's lying, he's still got more than a hundred days left before the potion wears off." Holland shrugs, a bit hurt that she'd been reminded why the boy was even behaving like he did. "But it's been weird. He acts normal now, not like some sort of flesh-eating parasite ready to snog the daylights out of me. Yet when he talks, he still seems to be infatuated with me." Holland explains.

"Oh that's completely normal. The effect is slowly leaving his system, he's no longer the scary, vapid boy, but he's still lovestruck." Hermione explains knowingly, disappointing Holland. "You don't think it's a bit suspicious that you suddenly feel the need to break things off with George right after Cedric confesses his love to you?"

"Cedric has nothing to do with it." Holland denies, though unsure, herself.

"Right," Hermione raises her eyebrows. "Are you two meeting tonight?"

"Task days are excused, we're meeting tomorrow."

"The next time you two speak, try to really listen to him, and try to really listen to yourself. Are there instances where words come out of his mouth, words that you wish that you could hear from George?" Hermione asks, resulting in Holland falling deep in thought. "You're a smart girl, Holly. Whatever decision you make, I'll support. As long as it's not stupid." Hermione tries to comfort, only making Holland feel worse. The bushy haired witch gives Holland one last sad smile before opening the broom closet, gesturing Holland to come out first.

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