𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒯𝒽𝓇𝑒𝑒

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"A Chinese Fireball, Welsh Green, Horntail and Short-snout," Iris threw her copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them onto the table their group had occupied. She had disappeared while everyone else went off to dinner to find the dragons that had Cedric Diggory in such a disastrous state, and an hour after they had returned to the library to study, she finally waltzed back in.

Cedric grabbed for the book, skipping straight to the dragon section as Valeria started flipping through her own copy of that same book for the other girls to see. Theodore Nott remained to be the only one who hadn't clamored at the news, instead watching as Iris paced, rambling for Cedric.

"The Welsh Green is the one to hope for, won't mind you being near until you pose a threat... give some time to at least access whatever situation. Their fire is fast, though, precise too. Horntails are nasty, club-like tails, and their fire can reach far. Horrible flyers... comparatively... could be something to use to your advantage. Chinese Fireballs produce smoke from their nose, would leave you blinded... easily distracted with food, though. The Swedish Short-snouts shoot fire from their nostrils, so hot it will leave anything to ash. They aren't as studied, prefer to live up in the mountains, hard to find... couldn't even tell you a plan for them...."

She trailed off as her mind raced with information, some of it not even to be found in the book, as Valeria started flipping through a few more spread across the table. Jane bit away at her cheek as she leaned into Valeria, looking at the picture on a page, "Horntails are the most vicious, correct? By Ministry standards?"

Cedric looked up to Iris out of instinct, face lacking much color... a forced smile at Tracey when she attempted to rub his back and soothe worries.... Something that would be made useless as Iris rolled her eyes, always giving the truth, "The Ministry classifications are jokes, a whole category for boring. All dragons are just as territorial and protective. Pose a threat, and it doesn't matter if you are staring down an Opaleye or a Horntail; either way, you...."

Iris seemed to catch herself from finishing that sentence, glancing at Cedric as she continued to pace silently. Probably worse to leave everyone in the tense quiet that formed as they filled in the rest themselves... Cedric picked at the pages of Iris' book as he looked more and more ready to throw up.

Theodore was once more the only one left unfazed, just tracing Iris in her back-and-forth walk. Catching the faint glimpses of her face as she went back and forth. Her eyes were dazed, no doubt focused on their friends, zeroing in on head-to-head as they returned to reading. Her face was in its most neutral state... a state that almost felt sad the more you looked. Her lips fell into a bit of a natural downturn, eyebrows rested, eyes soft as they pointed at nothing in particular...

Theodore took in a breath before clearing his throat, Sally-Ann and Tracey both just briefly looking up before sharing a look at his focus on Iris. Smiling a bit to themselves when he finally spoke for the first time in hours, "You should eat."

Something about Theodore Nott's voice always seemed quick to grab Iris' attention despite her dazed state... he did have quite a clear voice, though, so perhaps it wasn't much to think about. But still, almost immediately, Iris had snapped back and found Theodore's voice, her pacing stopping for just a moment... such a change despite how nothing changed on her face but her eyes gaining a practiced sort of hardness.

She did glance down to the plate right in front of what was her seat... but so quickly she was shaking her head and returning to pacing. Her turn to be quiet as everyone else talked late into the night... strategizing for Cedric as best they could with what little they knew.... Preparing the boy who would have to face a dragon....

All except for Theodore, of course. Just tracing Iris back and forth.

~~~~~~

"You spent the morning memorizing what they all look like, right?"

Cedric nodded absently, hand tight around his school bag as he headed off for lunch, Iris attached to his side the moment class had ended. Quizzing the boy.

"Chinese Fireballs have gold spikes on their snout. The Welsh Green is green. The Horntail is black scaled will have spikes on its tail. And the Short-snout is a sorta blue color."

Iris nodded along as her eyes scanned the crowd flooding into the Great Hall, "And remember, distract and evade. Never attempt to fight a dragon head-on. At most, you just irritate it more."

Sally-Ann popped up behind Cedric, "Are you sure you are confident in your transfiguration? I mean, making something... alive?"

Cedric's hand relaxed as he smiled, his nod less absent and more self-assured, smiling as the rest of the girls all joined, "This is what I am good at, think I could make a dog. Any barking might help if I have to get past the dragon."

A giggle went through the girls as they all glanced at Iris, Cedric on the outside of the joke as Iris cringed... though for more reasons than one as she frowned, "A bit cruel to use something living."

And quickly, giggles were silenced... Cedric even cringing... a bit troubled as he looked to Iris, about to try and alleviate the discomfort that had been made clear the night before. But Iris had spotted what... or rather who she was looking for in the crowd, leaving without a word to walk up to Harry Potter... Theodore Nott, as always, just silently followed behind.

Leaning between Hermione and Harry's shoulders, she had both jumping, "You have a plan, right?" She quickly clarified as a question popped into Hermione's head, "Cedric came to me yesterday for help."

It took a moment for Harry to find his words, calming his startled heart, but he could eventually nod, "Practiced all night with Hermione."

Hermione nodded as well, about to go into an explanation no doubt before Iris was already nodding, coming out of a daze only Theodore ever seemed to immediately recognize, "You should have the broom kept close by in the woods. Or at least somewhere it can easily get out of the castle. By the time it reaches you, you could already be dead."

There was something to be said for how much more honest, upfront Iris could be with Harry. No holding back on finishing the hard truth of a thought... knowing that Harry wouldn't even flinch at the word death. Maybe he wasn't the most skilled, but in the face of danger... the boy who lived proved strong.

Harry seemed struck by the idea of having his broom at a more easy access point, almost automatically turning as he was undoubtedly going to heed it. But before a word could be uttered, Mcgonagall was fighting through the crowd, "Potter, the champions have to come down onto the grounds now..." she paused a bit, looking at his companions, "You have to prepare for the first task."

Harry complied, of course, but not without sending a pleading look back, him and Iris making eye contact as she would be the one to catch the unasked question. Iris nodded, not even needing a second to think before she turned away from the Great Hall.

Theodore furrowed his eyebrows, not moving to stop her but urging her, "Iris, you skipped breakfast. You should eat."

And she did spare him a glance... she always would... but she didn't stop. Leaving Theodore to trail her with his eyes once more as she walked off.

~~~~~~

Theodore had lost Iris after that. Spent all of lunch looking. Spent the entire walk to the woods looking. And still continued to look as he and the girls settled into the stands. The girls chatted excitedly with some of Cedric's friends as they waited with the rest of the school to witness the First Task. Everyone speculated just what would take place below in the rocky enclosure.

Sally-Ann fed the drama a bit. Fully aware of what was being kept behind the door, surrounded by wizards down below... but seeing no wrong in throwing out outlandish ideas. Valeria was no better, starting small bets with people here and there, brushing off Jane's scolding with the excuse she still needed to buy shoes for that ball they still had no word on. Tracey was quiet, looking sick as she stared below, eyes scanning the entire miniature arena as she dwelled on all the possibilities of what was to come.

And then there was Theodore, still scanning the crowds as they slowly shuffled into the stands to settle. There were quite a few older faces, nonstudents, a reminder that this wasn't just a school event... but an anticipated event for the entire Wizarding World. Maybe not the World Cup... but certainly exciting... some form of mass entertainment in the danger of this tournament.

He should have been more prepared for the figure that slid into the seat next to him... instantly recognizing that accent, "So rooting for Harry Potter or the other one?"

The girls all shot their heads over, instantly pulled in by that deep, commanding sort of voice... nerves spiked in Valeria and Jane as they shared a look in the seats just behind Theodore. Sally-Ann more so looking to form hearts in her eyes, and Tracey... well, "Cedric Diggory."

Ryker raised an eyebrow as he looked at the girl on Theodore's other side, "What was that?"

Tracey turned a bit red as she just realized how dry she just was... folding under the grey eyes as she looked away, "He was left out of the article, but the other champion's name is Cedric Diggory... he just deserves to be known by name."

Ryker's lips twitched as he nodded... repeating the name, "Cedric Diggory... that who you are cheering on?"

Tracey looked back, a bit shocked to still see his eyes on her... usually, the one who was most forgotten and brushed aside quickly. Shaking her head, she snapped her eyes away from eye contact again, "No opinion on that matter yet, just hoping no one gets to hurt."

Sally-Ann shoved her way in to save Tracey... and really just finally talk to Ryker Peverell herself, loud as she leaned in from Tracey's other side, "I, for one, am rooting on Viktor Krum. That snitch catch at the World Cup was extraordinary."

His smile wasn't as genuine... remaining polite, but not an ounce of interest to be found towards Quidditch in those eyes. Lucky for him, unlucky for Sally-Ann, Valeria found the opportunity to make her opinion clear, "I for one and wishing Fleur the best. No one seems to take her as seriously as the others."

Jane, just for a second, grew a bit sour but was quick to fix herself and shove in, "For the sake of school spirit, Cedric and Potter are the only answers. Sally and Val are blinded by pretty faces and strong arms."

And with just that, the girls turned on one another. Valeria and Sally-Ann working their hardest to defend their choices beyond their admiration, slightly influenced by attraction.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Theodore shot a dirty look at their shoutings... but had to be grateful that they made enough of a distraction for him to settle into the fact that Ryker Peverell had targeted him once more.... And he was also grateful for the way this quick bout of chaos... for it had that smile on Ryker's face, and that smile... it made him a lot less intimidating.

And maybe, in a way, the playfulness in the air had the older boy just without some ulterior motive... because as he looked back to Theodore, Ryker seemed just genuine as he asked again, "Who are you rooting for?"

And something did cross his mind, maybe no hopes of any winner... but certainly someone he wouldn't mind losing... but he wouldn't say that aloud with the girls there... he wouldn't explain that to Ryker, who would ask so many questions.... So he kept the simplest truth, "I don't care much for these events."

Ryker nodded, messy hair bouncing in his face, watching curiously at the arena below, smiling as his thoughts left him so honestly, "I, for one, am just glad Dante wasn't pulled, not even sure I could pretend to cheer him on."

A snort of a laugh left someone. The girls breaking away from their fight to laugh at this confession... Theodore even biting away an unexpected smile. Tracey was the only one to immediately feel bad, trying to fight her own amusement, "Oh, he can't really be that bad all the time. Has to be redeemable in some way?"

Ryker laughed as he shook his head, "No, he is really just a bastard. Bit of a lazy one, too... better you keep that in mind before he wants to take one of you to the Yule Ball."

Frustration grew on Valeria and Tracey's faces as this ball once more evaded them...Sally-Ann, however, ignored that frustration as she jumped at the opportunity provided....

"Will you be attending the Yule Ball, Ryker?"

Theodore blinked, looking to Sally-Ann where he expected the question to be from but very aware that her voice was neither soft nor that French. And so naturally, he next looked to where the French invader really was.

A girl with strawberry blonde hair neatly pinned back... a boy attached to her hip as he silently sat on her other side... glancing back and forth between the girl and Ryker.

Ryker grew a bit straighter in his seat as this girl slid as close as she could without quite touching him; he gave a faint nod, "Edith," and then actually answered the question that would have Sally-Ann puffing her cheeks, "And no, I have events to attend on Christmas. No time for a ball, sure Lyall here will keep you company, though."

Lyall, the boy, cringed away as Ryker turned his smile to him. A diversion that fell flat on Edith, the girl refusing to look anywhere but Ryker... this whole interaction brought a wave of giggles through the girls. With the exception of Sally-Ann, of course, the girl was not amused with the apparent crush Edith had on the eye candy that was Ryker Peverell.

So Ryker had to change tactics, nodding to Theodore, "This is the boy that landed that hit on Dante."

And that got Edith and Lyall's attention, immediately landing sights on Theodore's wrapped hand and bruised eye. Lyall barked a laugh, reaching over to hold a hand for Theodore to shake awkwardly, "Happy to meet the one who had Dante all huffy this morning."

Edith wouldn't laugh, but a smile teased at her lips, an eyebrow perfectly raised at Theodore, "Makes more sense why he was so angry now... just some boy."

Theodore took a bit of pause with that comment, especially as Valeria and Jane snickered from behind. But before he could form a response to either of these strangers, Ryker caught his wrist. The boy having no hesitation to poke at Theodore's injury, "Strong blow from the looks of it."

Theodore snatched away his hand, a tad bit irritated at this interaction he was just shoved into, "Nothing to show for it but my own injuries."

Ryker shrugged, "A blow to the ego is more damaging to Dante than any physical one. And with how angry he was... he was hurt." Ryker scanned the crowd momentarily before nodding to a spot, "Good timing too. His father and sister are here today. Looks like he is getting an earful."

Theodore's attention to the conversation faded off again as he found Dante in the crowd, sitting with two people who looked quite a bit like him. The older man talking endlessly... not really angry but giving no room for Dante to talk back.... Dante actually just silently staring forward, his typical troubling looks gone.

"Who wrapped up your hand? Don't know many people who would just know what to do there."

Theodore had to stop himself from breaking into a cold sweat. His immediate reaction, immediate answer not something he could reveal... but when he looked at Ryker... he relaxed. Ryker's silver stare was on the ground below again, still tense as Edith leaned into him. Trying to ignore the girl's obvious crush and attention. This wasn't an interrogation; it was a conversation... and Theodore could handle that.

"A friend. She was, in her words, 'more fun' as a kid. Had to fix herself up a lot, I guess."

Ryker didn't make a show of it, but the smile that pulled at his lips... it was so genuine... soft, "I had one like that. A girl always banging herself up, horrible at magical methods...." He shook away the softness... the smile still there and just as genuine... just a practiced hardness. Looking at Theodore, he nodded to his injured hand, "Always took an interest in the healing spells, could do something if you'd like."

Theodore looked down at his own hand a moment... taken back to yesterday, biting back pain as she took care of him. The smell of coconut and that... pause at the end.... Theodore was shaking his head before he even realized he had an answer.

And once again... a softness jumped back into Ryker, looking away again, "My friend put a bandaid on me once, completely ignoring that—" he quickly ended that sentence, "Put a bandaid... or you call it plaster here, well she put one on me, and I wore it for a week until it just fell off."

Edith was sneering as she listened in but would not dare say a word for reasons everyone knew... even if Ryker didn't know that everyone knew.... Theodore... felt strange, knowing that these friends they spoke of were the same girl... this boy who could do nothing but smile while remembering her. Living in the memories of someone he thought... gone.

Theodore found that uncomfortable... almost wishing this would have been an interrogation. Because having this conversation... seeing bits of a real boy, it brought an uncomfortable reality upon Theodore where by saying nothing, he was contributing to a lie. Hiding something important from someone... so... genuine.

Theodore wasn't sure what he would say or what comfort he intended to provide as he went to speak... but he would never find out.

Ryker stood up suddenly as the big door down below started to creak open, a professional facade washing back over him as he nodded all around, "Nice meeting you all, need to get to work before Charles sets off a manhunt," and he patted Theodore on the shoulder, "Good luck with your friend."

Edith wasted no time in shooting up, following after Ryker with Lyall just a step behind. Leaving Theodore and the girls alone again, taking in the quick appearance that had come and gone.

Sally-Ann was the one to spark a shift in the awkward air, "He is so dreamy... and that voice."

Valeria whacked her head, "Oh, just look below, bringing out the first one."

The crowd would then exclaim their shock as a Chinese Fireball crawled into the arena below, beelining for a collection of eggs... a suspiciously golden one mixed in. All eyes locked below as Cedric Diggory was announced... all but Theodore, of course, his eyes scanning the crowds again.

~~~~~~

"Oh, you look horrible."

One of Cedric's friends was the first to break through the curtain separating him from the other champions. The girls and Theodore funneling in behind to find Iris poking around the burn mark on Cedric's face. Working away at applying the healing cream Pomfrey had passed on as she had to tend Harry.

Theodore stared at her hand, taking no note of any of the loud conversation taking place... just focused on Iris once again... and, in this moment, focused on her taking care of Cedric Diggory. Fretting over him.... Theodore knew he could name that discomfort in him, but he wouldn't. Trying hard to focus on Valeria as she provided a rundown of the whole thing for Iris and Cedric.

"Fleur did the best. Managed to put the dragon in a trance, it snored and ignited her skirt for a moment, but she dealt with it quick and had no trouble getting her golden egg afterward. She is scored highest at the moment. And Harry summoned a broom, smart to play to his real strength like that. He was probably the quickest and tricked the dragon into flying up before he dived. Will score high, no doubt, once they decide, probably below Fleur for his injury but above Cedric since he was faster. And Krum shot a spell at his dragon's eye, sent it on a rampage, crushed all its real eggs... he still got his egg, but the real ones weren't supposed to be damaged."

"They put the real eggs in danger?" Iris looked a bit shocked, pausing in poking at Cedric's face.

Jane cringed as everyone who knew Iris... knew just what confirmation would mean. But she bit the bullet and nodded, "Had to make it real, I guess."

Iris shook her head, jaw tight at the thought... disgusted. Handing off the bowl of cream to Tracey, she whipped her hands on a towel, "That poor dragon is going to be in distress for weeks now. No respect for these creatures." Grumbling some more, Iris disappeared from the curtain without so much of a farewell. Theodore shared a cringe with the others as he dipped away after her.

Following her into Harry's private area, they happened upon Harry getting a burn on his shoulder healed. Iris fixed herself up to a smile, "Heard you did well, Harry. Didn't destroy any eggs, at the least."

"We tried putting in fakes. Bagman was insistent on real ones. Didn't want the dragons to catch on. A shame for that dragon; those were her first set."

Iris... just to be clear... Iris Blackwell... jumped. The girl who missed nothing was caught off guard as an unfamiliar voice came from behind. Two figures slipping past her to join Harry, Ron, and Hermione by the bed.

A man and a woman. The man was a redhead with so many freckles on his fair skin he looked tanned... he was clearly a Weasley. Probably the most interesting looking one Iris had yet to see, his hair long and pulled back, scars and burns all over his arms... Iris connected the dots quickly.

"You work with dragons?" The interest in Iris was clear, her mind so easily distracted as this older Weasley nodded enthusiastically... he too easily distracted by the interest shown in his job and passion. The woman smiled, turning to the trio to congratulate Harry.

As Iris started rambling off a series of questions to this random Weasley, Theodore further looked at the woman. Particularly the camera around her neck and notepad in her hand... this blonde woman was press. Not one he recognized, and one that clearly wasn't old enough to recognize Iris on a glance alone... but if one vulture was circling... the others would not be far behind.

Doing what he did best, Theodore hovered a hand over Iris' back, catching her attention just enough to get what he needed. Her eyes shot over to the woman... quickly catching what she had failed to focus on before. Sliding in, Theodore cleared his throat before nodding his head towards the door, eyes on Iris, "We still need to go get the food for the party."

Iris faked a sort of shock as she "remembered," smiling to this mystery Weasley first, "Guess I will have to bug you another time," and in a typical Iris fashion, she wouldn't allow a response before she looked vaguely to the trio, "Congratulations, Harry. The cheers were loud for you. Hope this is a turnaround for your popularity again."

And without meeting that blonde woman's eyes even once, she spun on her heels. Her and Theodore making a quick escape not just out of the curtained area but through the forming crowd, Iris' head down the whole way. Theodore walked rather close behind as his watchful eyes turned on the crowd, ready to spot anyone who may have paid Iris more mind than comfortable.

And once outside the tent, once a few steps into the surrounding forest... the first breath was, freeing. Theodore watched as Iris stopped, watching as a worlds worth of weight seemed to just vanish off her shoulders.... making quick grab as she stumbled.

Eyes wide, Theodore led her to a tree to lean against, failing to release his hold on her waist as he searched her face for an answer.

Worry was all she would see in those brown eyes she so struggled to figure out. Worry as he supported the weight she couldn't seem to hold. Looking into those worried eyes... worry for her... it caused a pause. A pause that left her to depend on his hold for longer than she intended... and had her heart going crazy.

Iris closed her eyes, shaking her head as she nudged Theodore away. Supporting herself against the tree for a moment longer, "Didn't manage to sleep last night."

Didn't sleep, didn't eat... didn't even want to know when her last cup of water was.... Theodore could only manage a frown at it all. Studying his... friend, the faint dark spots under her eyes, the slouch of her shoulders, the frown on her lips...

"Been a long few weeks," Theodore continued to eye Iris but stepped back, hands finding a home in his jacket, "There will be some quiet finally. Usually months between tasks... maybe you can finally find time to eat."

Iris opened her eyes, the green of them dark and all-encompassing... they were heavy... tired. Burdened for weeks by so much. This tournament was a headache in so many ways, from the friends it was leaving burned by dragons to the spectators it was pushing into her life... it was all-encompassing. So little time to focus on herself as she worried of others, was burdened by others.

Her eyes shot up to Theodore, the blue flickering out... those eyes softening as they met his. So little time for herself in the past weeks. So little time to focus on herself... what went on in her head... So little focus on herself that just when she had a moment to breathe... she looked into brown eyes and was hit with such a scary realization...

A scary feeling that seemed to grow more and more as her head accepted it could once more think for just itself again... focusing on herself was scary... and for a while, there would be little else to do.

So the least she could do was finally, in fact, eat.

Tearing her gaze away and pushing off the tree, Iris steadied herself. And with one more look to Theodore's calm stare... so different from her racing heart... she gave one firm nod to herself and took the first step in finally... shifting focus to her needs.