Changes

I was more nervous than I thought I would be by the time heading back to Hogwarts arrived, hoping for things to have changed enough and yet afraid they hadn't. Sirius and Remus along with my friends had become even more protective once the Daily Profit arrived informing all about what had happened at the World Cup.

"Are you alright?" Nev asked me as he bumped his shoulder against my own in silent support making me send him a grateful smile.

"Just feeling nervous about the upcoming year, Padfoot did warn us of what had been passed and set up to happen this year." I answered honestly making Nev nod in understanding and agreement.

"Knowing your luck you will somehow end up in it, if that does happen know I have your back." Neville said confidently and with complete sincerity.

"And of course I will stand beside you if the worst happens." Cedric added having walked up behind us before moving to stand on my other side as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"Us against the world." I agreed with a smirk getting a laugh from both boys even as we entered our compartment and got ready for the long ride to Hogwarts.

"I know if you do end up entered at least you should be able to get through it, what with Sirius and Remus training you along with your own private training." Cedric stated with a smile as he pulled me into his side as Fred and George arrived with Lee.

"So you guys do know what's going on!" Fred said with glee his father having refused to tell George and him.

"Sirius informed us, there will be a Triwizard Tournament held this year." I answered with a grimace and eye roll as the boys began to cheer in delight.

"Did you go through with your plan to take up your Headships?" Neville asked me softly as the others began to discuss what type of tasks could be used.

"I did, making me one of the youngest emancipated Lord to be alive in over a century." I answered as I held up my hand that showed off the Potter Lordship ring since as the Head of the Family I had to take the Lordship even though I was female.

"This also means we will be getting married this summer, a clause in the Contract." Cedric inputted with a smirk remembering how Sirius had wailed in denial while Remus had sulked and whined about losing his 'baby'.

"You are lucky that they didn't try to kill you and bury your body somewhere." Neville shot back with a large smirk as Cedric lost some of his color.

"They know better." I added in with my own smirk as my eyes shone with warning making Neville pout as his fun was taken away.

"Thank Hecate for that." Cedric said in agreement making Fred and George nod knowing how scary their idols could be.

TIME SKIP~ ALL HALLOWS EVE ~ NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS

It had been a crazy month leading up to All Hallows Eve, the night chosen to reveal the Champions of the Tournament. Cedric and I had spent more time together away from our friends than we usually did at my request and knowing there could be a chance I could lose him did I decide to go all the way with him. Sirius would be spitting mad if he knew. Then again we were already planned to be wed soon, sleeping with him now wouldn't make to big of a difference. And it was something I did not regret, nor would I ever do so.

"We should get ready to head to the Great Hall." Cedric commented from where we laid in the bed that the Room of Requirement had created for us.

"Let us just lay here for a bit longer." I denied as I traced my finger over his naked chest.

"I love you; you do know that don't you?" Cedric asked lightly with warmth even as he rolled over, so I now laid underneath him looking up at his smiling face.

"Of course I do Blue Eyes, I love you also. Always and Forever will I love you." I answered making his face soften as he leaned down to kiss me deeply before pulling away to begin getting dressed.

"Sirius would kill me along with Remus if they knew what we did today." Cedric commented as he came up behind me to begin brushing my hair and braiding it for me while I finished getting dressed.

"You are my husband to be and my soulmate, they have no room to complain. Sirius especially doesn't since he was the same age as me when he lost his virginity." I said with a smirk causing Cedric to chuckle as we headed out for the Great Hall.

"You look positively glowing today sister dear." Neville teased with knowing making me smack his shoulder lightly in warning as we took our seats beside him.

"Did we miss anything?" I asked as I took in those around me and after noticing Neville shake his head negatively did I relax in my seat.

"IT IS FINALLY THE DAY YOU HAVE ALL LOOKED FORWARD TO!" Dumbledore began gaining the rooms attention as we all settled into our seats making me roll my eyes at his dramatics.

"It's Viktor Krum!" Ron Weasley's voice shouted gaining people's attention causing him to burn bright red while I rolled my eyes.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" A voice questioned gaining my attention only to see Krum standing there making me send the man a smile.

"No go ahead." I answered simply taking slight enjoyment from the fact Cedric was starting to gain a possessive and jealous look in his eyes.

It seemed to fly by that before I knew it the time for Dumbledore to announce to Champions had arrived, having had to wait until we had finished eating. It also forced my nerves to act up, I wasn't ready to know if things had changed enough or not. And yet I wouldn't have a choice.

"THE FIRST CHAMPION IS, VIKTOR KRUM!" Dumbledore shouted making everyone cheer as Viktor stood and began moving toward the Headmasters and Headmistress.

"THE SECOND CHAMPION IS, FLEUR DELACOUR!" Dumbledore shouted again once Viktor had left the room and while people cheered it wasn't as loud as it was before.

"THE FINAL CHAMPION IS.... DOREA POTTER-BLACK!" Dumbledore shouted in slight surprise and confusion as my own eyes widened.

"Merlin be dammit." I muttered as all eyes turned toward me even as Cedric gripped my hand tightly in support, at least my fear of Cedric being killed were removed.

"Dorea Potter-Black had been emancipated as such could pass the age line and be in the right to wish to contend." McGonagall offered in the silence that followed, because of course that was my plan all along, not.