Chapter 8 is here. Sorry I didn't upload last week. School started this week and I was stressed with making sure I had everything and then getting back into a routine, so I didn't have time to write. I'll probably have more homework this year, as I'm going into year 9, so I'll try keep up with updates but I might miss a few weeks. Just a heads up.

o-o-o-o-o

Kara sat next to Hailey's tired form and moved her girlfriend so she would be more comfortable, talking with Artemis and Diana as the twins copied Hailey and fell asleep.

November 25th

The morning following the first task, Hailey woke slowly. She took a few minutes to lie there, familiarising herself with where she was, remembering that she had fallen asleep as soon as she had returned back to the guest quarters before passing out asleep on the sofa. It took several moments before she realised that Kara had probably taken her to their bed and let her sleep.

Hailey propped herself up on the pillows carefully, mindful of Kara, who was half lying on her and still asleep. Looking around the room, she spotted her newly acquired golden egg sitting on the dresser across the room. Remembering the wound she had received the day before, Hailey glanced at her shoulder to see her shoulder healed, but a faint scar remained. While she knew she could remove the scar, she didn't like doing so, as they showed she had lived to see another day, so left the healed injury alone.

Hailey gazed down at Kara as she moved in her sleep, mumbling in discontent. Kara began shifting around more desperately as Hailey quickly wrapped her arms around Kara as she woke the Kryptonian gently. She moved her head as Kara jerked awake, narrowly avoiding being headbutted by her girlfriend.

"Hey, Kara," Hailey soothed, "It's okay. I've got you, I've got you and I'm not letting you go." Kara calmed down as Hailey continued to soothe her, wiping away the tears forming in her eyes. It was a few minutes before she was completely calm, if shivering slightly from the cold air in the room. She wrapped herself up in the covers, nestling into Hailey's side.

"Nightmare?" Hailey asked tenderly. She knew Kara still had a couple nightmares from Krypton exploding, but they were few and far between now, however, it didn't make them any better.

"Yeah," she replied softly. "I didn't escape this time."

"You did escape Kara. You got off Krypton and made your way here where I found you, don't forget that."

The two lovers spent several more minutes in bed, sharing soft kisses and just relaxing before getting up. Soon, however, Iris and Isla came running into the room, jumping onto the bed. Artemis followed the twins into the room at a more sedate pace

"Good morning," Artemis said, leaning against the door.

"Morning," Kara replied.

"What are we doing today?" Isla asked excitedly.

"Well," Artemis drawled, "I have yet to go to the nearby village, and you want to get some chocolate."

"It seems we're going to Hogsmeade today then," Hailey said. The twins cheered at the possibility of chocolate before running out of the room to get dressed.

"I'll make sure they don't run off," Artemis said, going after the four year olds. Hailey and Kara got out of bed, making their way to get ready for the day. Before they got far, Hailey gently took Kara's face in her hands and locked eyes with her.

"Kara, don't ever forget that I love you, and that I will never let you go."

"I know. I love you too. Always have, always will."

o-o-o-o-o

The walk down to the Great Hall for breakfast was a quiet one, the only noise between the group being the twins chattering excitedly to each other. Hailey was silently seething at the fearful and awed looks she got from the students they passed. It was only Kara and Artemis' arms linked with hers that prevented her from lashing out at the staring at the students. The group of four sat at the Slytherin table near Daphne and Tracey before promptly beginning to ignore the rest of the students from the foreign schools.

After a tense breakfast where Kara was trying to prevent Hailey from yelling at some staring students nearby, Artemis led the rest of the group out of the hall. The twins then took over, running through the doors into the grounds and playing tag on the way towards the village.

"So, where do you want to go first Artemis?" Hailey asked.

"Iris and Isla want chocolate, and I haven't had any since you brought some with you last time you came to visit, so how about we do that first?"

"Good idea," Kara agreed, "It'll be easier to walk around with the twins as well once they have what they want."

After buying sweets from Honeydukes, Kara led Artemis and the others to Zonko's before the group of five made their way to the Three Broomsticks for lunch. The pub wasn't bursting like it was on Hogsmeade weekends, but it was still full. Making their way to a table, they sat down as Hailey decided to order their drinks.

Reaching the bar, she ordered a butterbeer for her, Kara and Artemis and a glass of soda each for the twins. After paying for the drinks, Hailey made her way back over to her family. When their chosen table came into view, she was annoyed to see Skeeter and her photographer standing near the table. Striding over, she placed the drinks on the table before sitting opposite Kara and Artemis next to the twins. She distributed the drinks before looking at Skeeter.

"Can we do anything for you?" she asked with a forced politeness. If the reporter noticed, she didn't comment on it.

"I was wondering if I could have an interview. The readers want to know how the fourth champion succeeded in her first task. How did you do what you did? Who's Lara? Why didn't you use any magic? We want to know," she asked eagerly. After sharing a look with Kara and Artemis, Hailey decided to answer the reporter.

"In order of the questions. First, I did acrobatics and a minor healing charm when I was scratched on my shoulder. Second, Lara is my girlfriend's mother and finally, I did use magic, but most of the task, I did what I do best at, which is my physical strength," Hailey answered. "Leave now. I answered your questions, so you no longer need to be here."

Skeeter looked disappointed she had to leave, but reluctantly left nonetheless. Hailey turned back to her family to see Kara looking questioningly at her.

"What?"

"Hailey, why did you answer her questions? You know she'll exaggerate and twist your words," Kara asked.

"Because she would have never left us alone. That and the fact that I don't care what anyone thinks about me, since they don't know me. My family's opinion about me matters, as I know them, and they know me. Again, I don't care about what they think of me, as they don't know me," she answered.

The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering around Hogsmeade before they made their way back up to the castle for dinner.

o-o-o-o-o

December 7th

The week following the first task was mostly the same as the day after the first task. It had been a relatively tame week, not including the gawking from the students of all schools, which the group ignored. They were just about to be dismissed from their last lesson of the day, Transfiguration, when McGonagall held the class back.

"I have an announcement. As is customary for the Triwizard Tournament, there is to be a Yule Ball on Christmas Day, commencing at 8pm and concluding at midnight. The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to… er… let our hair down," she said, blushing faintly at the last statement. A few girls giggled at the professor. Kara and Hailey were confused for a second before the realisation that McGonagall never let her hair down hit them. After giving more details that everyone needed to know, the class was dismissed.

"Miss Adler, I need you to stay behind," McGonagall called before Hailey could leave the room. Rolling her eyes, Hailey encouraged Kara to go and head down to dinner before turning to the professor.

"Yes, Professor McGonagall?"

"Are you aware that you are required to dance?"

"No, I wasn't aware of that. Why, may I ask, am I required to dance?"

"Champions are required to dance the opening dance with a partner. As you are a champion, you are required to open the ball," McGonagall explained.

"Will I lose my magic if I do not go to the Yule Ball?"

"Not that I am aware of. Why?"

"Just curious. I might be there. It depends on whether or not my partner will go. I have to be on my way now professor. Bye," Hailey said, leaving the classroom.

Ten minutes later, Hailey dropped into a seat opposite Artemis and next to Kara. Loading her plate with some food, she started eating. A couple bites later, Hailey looked up at her family.

"I have to dance at the Yule Ball." Kara frowned.

"We know that, the whole school knows. What's wrong with that?"

"Champions are required to dance first. I probably won't lose my magic, at least, that's what McGonagall said anyway, but the champions are expected to open the ball by dancing first."

"Oh," Kara said.

"Yeah. However, McGonagall never said I have to have a specific person as my date. So, Kara, will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"

"Of course I will."

"Can we go?" Iris piped up excitedly, Isla perking up at the question.

"I'm afraid not, love. How about after Christmas, we have our own dance and we can invite anyone you want to be there? How does that sound?" Iris and Isla brightened up, having become subdued after being told they couldn't go to the ball.

"What shall we do with the twins?" Kara asked quietly, the twins having begun to chat animatedly to each other.

"I'll watch them," Artemis volunteered. "I don't feel like going to a dance, so I can keep them entertained and put them to bed when it's needed."

"Thank you, Artemis. We owe you one," Hailey said.

"Don't worry about it. I don't mind caring for the twin terrors for a night," she replied.

"Nonetheless, thank you."

o-o-o-o-o

That concludes chapter 8. So it seems that after the first task everyone is either scared or awed of Hailey. Now the Yule Ball is approaching and Hailey and Kara are going together.

Tell me what you think!

-SheDevil911