Ron do?" Octavia asked wiping a bit of black mascara from her red eyes.

"I don't really know," Hermione admitted with crossed hands,"He was just so bloody rude about me attending with Viktor."

"It's probably just because he wanted to ask you."

"Well he didn't." Hermione had a deep frown.

Octavia wiped her tears again, the last of her once full face of makeup now smudged and dismantled.

"What about you? Cedric?" The bushy haired girl questioned.

"Harry," Octavia said frowning,"He said the Cedric is a ladies man and I should watch out, like he knows anything."

"That's odd."

"Yeah and then I said he wasn't my father and well he said I need mine but... he's dead." Octavia took a short breath.

"Oh Octavia, I never knew." Hermione looked at her with a mix of shock and pity.

"Nobody does," Octavia said simply, "My mother too."

Hermione gave her a sad look, the same one Octavia often received when they found out about her family.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Octavia shook her head, "It was a long time ago."

»»-------------¤-------------««

The next day the Great Hall was buzzing with excitement, with the exception of four Gryffindors. Octavia was with Hermione and Harry was with Ron. Both sets of teenagers keen on avoiding the other.

"I don't want to go to class with him." Octavia sighed, taking a bite of toast.

"You have to," Hermione pointed out,"and so do I."

"Ugh." She put her head down.

"If it makes you feel any better Harry feels terrible." Hermione added, stealing some food from her friends plate.

"It doesn't." Octavia snapped back.

"I'm just saying! Don't shoot the messenger" Hermione put her hands up before looking down at a book she was reading.

"Sorry." The girl slouched.

Hermione gave her a half smile, but Octavia's mood remained rather foul.

"Um Octavia?" A timid voice came from behind the two girls.

"I just...wanted to apologize" Harry sighed as the girl turned to face him,"I was-"

"Potter," Cedric cut in pushing him back a step, "Lets go Via." He looked at her and held out his hand.

Octavia glanced between the two, struggling to decide what decision to make.

"Come on," Cedric grabbed the girl's hand, "You don't owe him anything after what he said to you." The boy then swiftly pulled her toward the door.

Octavia managed give one last look and saw Harry's face from a frown, before dropping the table with a sigh.

She had a somewhat guilty feeling as she was ushered down the hallway, Cedric had yet to loosen up, "You didn't have to do that."

"He was giving you trouble Octavia."

"He was trying to apologize."

"You don't need his apology." He protested, giving a more gentle grip on her hand.

"Whatever." She mumbled, knowing Cedric was probably right anyhow.

That wasn't the last time Cedric would be her self proclaimed hero. Every time the boy approached, no matter how apologetic, Cedric would scare him off. It was always, "Not now Potter." Or "Bugger off Harry." Octavia didn't exactly enjoy the treatment her friend was receiving, but she let her anger and resentment stop her from doing anything about it.

However, the second task was soon approaching and Octavia did want to over some help. She had promised him at the beginning of it all.

It wasn't long until Octavia was called to the Headmasters just hours before the second task, a knot of guilt still festering inside her.

"Hello Miss Clarke," The man greeted " I would like to discuss some thing with you concerning the second task."

She listened intently about how she was to take a potion that would put her to sleep and how she would be placed into the Black Lake for the champions to find. She had her doubts at first, but was assured the staff would make her safety a priority.

"I just have one little problem."

"Yes?"

"You Miss Clarke seem to be a very popular girl."

"What?" Octavia looked confused, "Excuse me."

"Mr. Diggory and Mr. Potter both seem to have you as a person they would miss the most."

It was a shock to say the least. Octavia has no idea either boy had felt so strongly. Her time at Hogwarts wasn't exactly long, let alone enough time to miss someone the most.

"So who's am I going to be?"

»»-------------¤-------------««

The overwhelming smell of the lake reached Octavia's nose immediately as she reached the surface. The brunette was coughing for air was she was pulled up onto the platform which had several students waiting. Her cold, wet hair was dripping down her back as she was wrapped a towel around herself . It was freezing and now amount of warm towels seemed to be doing the trick. Ron was being pulled up as Cedric came rushing over to the girl.

"Are you alright?" He looked worried, checking her over and wrapping the towel tighter.

"Yes, I think so." Octavia looked around like a puppy who had a bath for the first time, "How are you almost dry?" Octavia looked him up and down.

"Well-"

"Who saved me?"

Before she could hear a response Dumbledore was announcing the winners. Viktor was first-

"And second place goes to Mr. Potter because he would have been out long ago if he hadn't saved not only Mr. Weasley but Miss. Clarke as well."

Cedric came in third, his breathing bubble didn't last and he was forced to forfeit rather early on.

"Octavia listen-" Cedric started to explain, a guilt look in his eyes.

"Harry!" Octavia's eye caught the scrawny boy who had his glasses fogged up while being surrounded by people.

Harry seemed to have noticed her as well, seeing he immediately adjusted his hair and glasses.

"You saved me!" Octavia wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug.

Suddenly all the anger she had felt at him melted away. It was if their fight didn't even happen.

"I guess I did." He adjusted his glasses again, a red blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Thank you." She whispered.

He smiled, but was then pulled off to go celebrate his second place win with the rest of Gryffindor house.

»»-------------¤-------------««

"Cedric!" Octavia said sternly, "I can't believe you!"

"What? Is it so wrong I don't want my girlfriend around Potter?" His voice was loud and echoing through the corridor.

"We aren't even dating!"

Cedric looked stunned at the girls outburst, before a look of hurt crossed his face.

"We aren't?" He looked hurt but angry at the same time.

"I can't- No I won't date someone who thinks they can control me!"

"You need control Octavia, you make questionable decisions!" Cedric fought back.

"Whatever 'this' is Cedric, it is completely and 100% over!" Octavia finished, a stone cold look on her face.

"Fine!"

"Fine!" She stomped off.

Octavia walked into the common room furrowing her brows. Who did he think he was? She could hang out with Harry if she wanted to, and he had no right to say otherwise.

"Problem?" Harry asked walking down the stairs from the boys dorm.

"Many." Octavia sat down, head in her hands.

"Wanna talk about it?" He pushed his glasses up looking hopeful and sitting down beside her.

"It's just Cedric." She sighed heavily, not looking up.

"Oh?"

"I think we're over."Octavia paused,"No, we're definitely over."

"Why?" Harry looked intrigued.

"He was too controlling." Octavia clenched her fists, finally looking up at him.

Octavia spent the next ten minutes venting to Harry and raging about how she hated being held back and couldn't stand being treated like property.

Harry just sat there watching the girl intently. Shifting the hand underneath his chin every once in a while.

"But ugh, none of my problems compare to yours." Octavia sighed and shook her head.

"Competing in the Triwizard tournament? Thats nothing compared to this" Harry joked.

"I'm sorry for making such a big deal."

"No don't be! I live to hear normal people problems."

"Of course," She laughed, "The boy who lived loves boy drama."

"What can I say?" Harry shrugged innocently, "I'm sucker for some good gossip!"

"Thanks for listening" Octavia start to get up from her spot.

"Of course!" He smiled, "I could listen to you talk forever."

"What?" She turned around.

"Nothing!" Harry quickly turned red, "I just said of course."

Octavia smiled and walked up to her dorm. Feeling warm inside for the first time in a while.