The four champions and their dates were supposed to meet in a room adjacent to the Great Hall ten minutes before the ball started. This was so they could go over last minute instructions on their roles and to answer any questions that they might have. Harry arrived a few minutes early to find that the only champion there was Cedric Diggory and his date, Cho Chang.
"Hi Cedric, Cho." Harry said as he walked towards them. The couple turned and smiled brightly at Harry, each giving him a small wave. Harry looked at Cho and noted that his earlier comment about her being pretty wasn't entirely accurate. She was, in fact, beautiful. He felt no jealousy towards Cedric because of this though, he was actually happy for them both. It was obvious that they liked each other quite a bit.
"Hey Harry. Where's your date?" Cedric asked, turning his head to look around the room.
"On her way. I offered to pick her up but she said she would meet me here. Something about 'making a grand entrance'." Cedric laughed in response, and then got a serious look on his face as if an idea had just struck him. He glanced around to make sure they could not be heard and then leaned towards Harry.
"I still owe you for helping me out on the first task, Harry. If you get stuck trying to figure out the clue you ought to consider taking a bath. In fact, use the prefect's bath. The password is 'pine fresh', just remember to take your egg with you." he said, still smiling at Harry. Harry grinned in response, having already figured out the clue.
" 'Come and seek us where our voices sound…' " Harry replied. Cedric eyes shot open in surprise, recognizing the first line of the clue.
"You've already figured it out then. Amazing." he said in a slightly awed voice.
"Well you obviously did too, Cedric. How'd you figure it out? I did it on accident after I kicked the egg into the lake. It was more luck than anything else."
"I'm probably not supposed to tell anyone this, but it probably won't hurt for you to know. I didn't actually figure it out on my own. Professor Moody kept me after class last week and told me to take a bath with the egg. I thought he was crazy until I tried it and it worked. Actually, he probably still is crazy but that's not the point. I would still be clueless if it weren't for him." Cedric admitted. Harry nodded, wondering why Professor Moody would help Cedric out this time but not before the first task.
"Thanks anyway, Cedric. I hope one of us wins." Cedric nodded in agreement and the three began to chat about their expectations for the ball when the doors opened and Fleur Delacour walked in, escorted by a Hogwarts seventh year that Harry recognized but could not name. Her date was staring at her trying not to drool on himself, obviously entranced by her Veela charms. Harry felt a slight pull from the charm, causing him to suddenly think about how attractive the Beauxbaton's champion was, but nothing more. Harry looked over at Cedric who was forcing himself to look away, apparently aware of the effects of the Veela charm. For whatever reason, Fleur's Veela powers were especially strong tonight. Cho seemed to understand what was happening, because she simply laughed.
"It's ok Cedric, I know it isn't your fault." she reassured him.
"I'm just annoyed that Harry doesn't seem to be having any trouble with it at all." Cedric answered.
"I feel it, just not as strong as other people I guess. I heard that she had guys throwing themselves at her feet, begging her to go the ball with them. Some people can't fight it." Harry explained, grateful for his natural resistance that enabled him to not make a fool of himself.
"Yeah, I saw your friend Weasley do just that." Cho added, not knowing that Ron and Harry weren't exactly friends anymore. Harry did not bother to correct her. Moments later their attention was again drawn to the opening door to see Viktor Krum walk in with a pretty girl in a blue dress. It took Harry's brain a few seconds to register what he was seeing. Hermione was Viktor Krum's date. She had managed to tame her bushy hair, Harry assumed she used magic to do so.
"Hermione?" Harry said, a little uncertainly. Hermione smiled and dragged her date over to where Harry, Cedric, and Cho were standing. Harry's mouth was still open from the shock of seeing how attractive his friend looked. "You look great, Hermione." The rest of the school was going to be in for a surprise when she walked in.
"Thank you, Harry. Harry, I want you to meet Viktor. Viktor, this is Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, and Cho Chang." she said, introducing everyone.
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