Thursday, December 08, 2005
Chapter 13
The Second Task
Why did life have to be so difficult for him? But there was nothing he could do. He was born into this world for a reason. His destiny was already decided for him the day he was born, the day the Dark Lord had fell. He had been cursed with a responsibility far more dangerous than anyone had ever imagined. He felt like a pawn, being manipulated by strong forces which were the purest of evil. He hated that feeling. Afterall, he was a Malfoy, and Malfoys hated being told what to do, let alone have their destiny pre-planned and carved out in black and white as well. It was the first day of school after the Christmas break and Draco was walking alongside the Great Lake. 'I doubt even the most bravest of us all, our dear Pothead, would be have figured out the clue to the second task.' Draco smirked to himself as he pulled out the golden egg to get another look at it. Draco had help with the egg himself of course, but he was quite sure that Harry had no clue as to what the second task was all about. 'Ah well, Pothead always had his head in the clouds...' Draco thought as he tossed the egg and caught it with one hand. Just then he saw something glimmering from the corner of his eyes. He turned around and his eyes settled on Lodina. She was sitting under the big Oak tree with Ginny. 'What's this? She's wearing my bracelet?' Draco grinned to himself. 'I guess things may not be as difficult as they seem to be, afterall.' thought Draco as he scratched his arm. His arm had become really itchy and Draco was now rubbing it furiously. The more he rubbed the more painful it got. It felt as if Werewolf teeth were sinking deeper and deeper into his arm. As he unbuttoned the cuffs of his long sleeve shirt, Draco could see it becoming clearer and more visible now. The Dark Mark illuminated on Draco's fair skin. It was time. He had to do it soon or everything he had been longing for would be in vain. 'Perhaps I should let Snape know about this. He is afterall, a close family friend..." Draco dismissed this idea immediately as he didn't want to drag others into his own matters. As his father, Lucius always said : Don't get a troll to do a Malfoy's job. Draco had always thought this quote was amusing. "Darling! Where have you been? I missed you at breakfast!" Pansy was rushing towards him. 'Drats. How did she find me here?' Draco wondered as he pulled down his sleeve and buttoned it quickly. There was no stopping it now. It had already begun and whether or not he liked it, he had to act soon or lose it all...
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"Just look at those two! Looking at them makes me feel like puking. I'm definitely voting them for the 'foulest-and-most-loathsome couple award' this year. I've got to say, they've thoroughly earned it. Don't you think so Dina?" Ginny finished her ranting and turned to look at Lodina who seemed to be drifting away in her own trend of thought. "Honestly Dina! You're really aloof these days! You're starting to become like Harry. Drifting off into a world of his own..." Ginny started but Lodina cut her short. "It's nothing of that sort Gin. I was just uptight with our Transfiguration test this afternoon." Lodina lied to Ginny again. Why did that slutty bimbo Pansy have to ruin everything?! "Lets get going to class then shall we? I need to find Harry too. Sirius gave me something to pass on to Harry." Lodina said as the pair of them stood up and walked back to the Hogwarts castle.
"Harry! Hey! Wait up!" Lodina called out to him as she managed to find him amidst the fourth years in the Great Hall. "Hey Lodina, Ginny! What gives?" Harry said as he caught Ginny's eye. He quickly looked away. He couldn't look into Ginny's eyes. Her eyes were soo true and it pained him to think that he still hadn't asked Ginny out. Not even on a lousy date to Hogsmeade for that matter. "Oh Sirius asked me to pass you this book. He said it'll be helpful. No idea what it means though. Anyway, we'll catch ya soon. Gotta go for our Care for Magical Creatures lesson. Ciao Harry!" Lodina said as both Ginny and her moved off to their next class. Harry took another look at the title of the book, 'Drakonia: The History of Dragons and Wizards'. This book must be ancient! Sirius had probably found it in the Black library. He did have a huge collection of rare books in his library. But Harry knew why Sirius had sent the book. He quickly put the book in his bag and joined Hermione and Ron on his way up to Charms lesson.
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"You what?! Harry! I thought you figured out the clue already! There's only one day left till the next task! We're gonna work this egg out even if it takes all night!" Hermione said in disbelief. "Give the poor bloke some air to breathe Hermione! It was Christmas! You didn't expect him to be working on that egg all throughout Christmas did you?" Ron said as he stuffed some chewy balls into his mouth. Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the Gryffindor Common Room figuring out the clue to the next task when Parvati stepped into the portrait hole. "Harry! Just the person I was looking for! There was an owl for you at dinner. But since you weren't there I took it for you. It came with one of the school's barn owls. Here you go! Cheerios!" Parvati said as she handed Harry the note and went up to her dorm room.
Harry,
You might want to put that egg of yours in the water and mull things over IN the water. Hope this helps. Good luck for the next task!
Cheers,
Hagrid
How did Hagrid know that Harry hadn't worked out the clue? Harry read the letter again, out loud so that Ron and Hermione could hear. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Lets move. We could use the Girls' bathroom on the second floor." Hermione winked at Harry. Harry groaned at the mention of that bathroom, seeing that Moaning Murtle was the resident ghost and she seemed awfully fond of him. "Do we really? Is there no place else?" Harry pleaded as Ron chuckled, unable to reply because of the chewy balls in his mouth. "Well, there's always the Boys bathroom Crabbe always frequents. I hear he sings at this time of night. If we're lucky we could even catch him in the middle of his chorus. But only if we hurry now..." Hermione smirked. With another groan, Harry surrendered to the fact that he had to get used to Murtle hanging around while they sorted out the clue to the second task.
Harry, Ron and Hermione got under the invisble cloak and headed out to Moaning Murtle's bathroom, the Marauder's Map and the Golden Egg at hand. There was no sign of Murtle and Harry didn't complain. If all went well, they would have figured out the clue before Murtle came back to the bathroom and haunt Harry. Ron turned the tap on one of the sinks and let the water run till it reached the brink of the sink. Harry took the egg and put it inside the water. He could hear a soft humming sound which sounded beautiful. "Harry, I know it sounds better than Crabbe's singing and all but could you get a move on? We still need to figure out the clue!" Hermione said as she pushed Harry's head into the water. This time, Harry could hear the words of the beautiful song he had heard.
Come seek us where our voices sound,We cannot sing above the ground,An hour long you'll have to look,To recover what we took.
"Well, that's pretty obvious, isn't it? It's underwater. And there's a time limit of an hour. So we've got to figure out how you'll be able to stay underwater for an hour. But what is it that they have taken? And who are 'they' in the first place?" Hermione was pacing up and down the bathroom, racking her head for an answer. "You don't suppose it's the Merpeople in the great lake do you? Charlie was telling me of how Merpeople sing really beuatifully underwater." Ron started off. "Ron! You're a genius! Has anyone told you that?" Harry excalimed. He was closer to cracking the clue than he had ever been an hour ago! "Sure. I get that all the time." Ron said as a matter of factly as they all huddled under the invisibility cloak and crept back up to the Gryffindor Tower.
"Dryfis!" Harry muttered as the portrait hole swung open for the three of them to enter. "So, how do I stay under water for an hour?" Harry thought out loud. The three of them started pacing in the Gryffindor Common Room. "Well, there's the bubble-head charm. But you can't possibly master that charm overnight. It's past O.W.L. standard. There must be an easier way." Hermione said as she twirled her quill in her hand. Just then, Neville came down into the Common Room. "Hey guys! What are you lot doing up so late?" Neville sounded chirpy. "Oh, it's nothing Neville. We're just helping Harry figure out the clue to the next task." Ron said as he stopped pacing and sat back down beside the fire. "It's no use, guys. I think the bubble-head charm is all I've got. If we start practicing now, maybe I'll stand a chance to remain alive underwater for an hour without drowning!" Harry said as he resigned to his fate, slumping down into the chair next to Ron. "I don't know about Bubble-head charms, Harry. But you could always use Gillyweed. Eating a handful of Gillyweed would allow you to remain underwater for about an hour." Neville said calmly. The three of them looked at each other. A sudden wave of relief spread across their faces. "Cheers Neville!" Harry said as he moved closer to both Ron and Hermione. "You know what this means don't you? We've got to get into Snape's storage cupboard. It's the only way." Harry whispered to the two of them. After convincing Neville to get back to bed, the three of them went under the invisibility cloak once more and headed off to Snape's dungeon.
~-~
"Alohamora!" Hermione whispered as the three of them slowly snuck into Snape's Dungeon. The coast was clear. Harry opened the storage cupboard and rummaged through the potion ingredients till he found the Gillyweed. "I hate spiders. Why are there spiders' eyes in Snape's storage cupboard? Why can't it be beetles or something?" Ron made a twisted face as he winced. Ignoring Ron, Hermione motioned towards Harry, "Are you sure you got the right one?" she asked. "Yes. I'm very sure Hermione. Don't worry. Things will turn out fine. If it doesn't you can have my 'prized' possession of books." Harry grinned at her as he shut the cupboard. "Guys..." Ron started but was cut short by Hermione. "Not now Ron! We don't have time to deal with your fear of spiders. We need to get out before Snape.." but before Hermione could finish her sentence, they heard the door of Snape's dungeon open. Quickly, Harry, Ron and Hermione moved under the invisibility cloak and stood at a safe distance.
"Why didn't you come to see me earlier? You realise what this means?" "I just didn't want anyone to be bothered with all of this. That's all." "Now's not the time to be all-valiant Malfoy. If I hadn't seen it myself during Potions lesson...What's that? Did you hear it?" Snape took out his wand. and pointed it to the direction where Harry, Ron and Hermione stood hidden. He couldn't have spotten them, could he? "Professor, it's running late. I reckon I should get some sleep before the next task, and I don't think there's anyone in the room, sir." Malfoy said as he turned around to leave the dungeon. "Malfoy, just remember. I'll be watching." Snape said as he shut the door after Malfoy had left. Harry, Ron and Hermione could hardly believe their ears. There was something going on with Malfoy and it had 'Dark Magic' written all over it. Once the coast was clear again, the three of them crept back up to the Gryffindor Tower, pondering the likely reason as to why Snape had that conversation with Malfoy.
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It was time for the second task. Harry was in the Gryffindor Common Room waiting for Hermione, Ginny and Lodina. "Where are they? You're gonna be late at this rate Harry. I suggest you get a move on. I'll let them know." Ron said irritated. Just then, Hermione and Lodina strolled down the stairs and into the Common Room. "Sorry! We were looking for Ginny. But she wasn't there. I guess she must be at the stands already with Fred and George." Lodina said as the four of them made their way to the stands just beside the Great Lake. Harry had really wanted to just catch a glimpse of Ginny before the second task. He was downcast, but decided that he should just concentrate on the task that lay ahead.
~-~
Draco scanned the stands for Lodina. She was seated beside that know-it-all mudblood and Weasel-boy. She was waving in his direction. But he was sure she was waving at Pothead instead. True enough, Potter waved back to her. Draco hated standing anywhere within ten feet of Harry. On the otherside of Draco, stood Krum and Fluer who were trying to compose themselves. At the sound of the canon. All four of them jumped into the lake. Draco used the bubble-head charm on himself and followed his instincts. He knew he had to get to where the Merpeople lived before Harry. He had to be ahead of Harry at all costs. He didn't want it to happen now. It wasn't the right moment. Besides, the thought of clashing with Harry and losing to him in terms of points disturbed Draco. As he swam deeper and deeper into the depths of the Great Lake, Draco finally caught sight of the dwellings of the Merpeople. He could hear the song getting louder as he swam further into the depths of the Great Lake. Just then, Draco saw a Grindylow. The Grindylow sped towards him. On impulse, Draco drew out his wand. He was about to cast a spell when the Grindylow swam right past him, grazing his arm. Draco was puzzled he followed the Grindylow and found Potter. He was drawing nearer to the dwellings of the Merpeople too. Draco sped off, determined to reach the Merpeople before Harry. Harry saw Draco speeding off and sped forward as well. Both Draco and Harry were neck to neck, when a Hinkypunk reached out and grabbed Harry's webbed feet. 'Webbed feet? He used Gillyweed? He wasn't in Snape's dungeon last night, was he?' Draco thought as he grabbed the opportunity and swam as fast as he could. He was now ahead of Harry and he had finally reached the source of the lovely music. Ginny, Pansy, Cho Chang and another young girl, who looked extraordinarily like Fleur, were held captive by the Merpeople. They were in a sort of stasis state and were floating with their legs tied to some seaweed. Draco looked behind once more to see if Potter had caught up before he cut Pansy free and quickly swam back up to the surface.
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"We have our first champion to finish the task! Draco Malfoy!" Dumbledore said to the cheering crowd as Draco and Pansy took huge breaths, as their lungs felt like bursting from all that water pressure. Lodina looked murderously at Draco. Pansy again? She was starting to think Draco wasn't really serious about her. Draco caught her gaze and he quickly let go off Pansy. He turned to the medic tent and disappeared from her sight. Just then, Dumbledore stepped forward to make another annoucement. "Our second champion is Viktor Krum!" Professor Dumbledore bellowed as the chants and cheers of Viktor Krum filled the stands. "Look at that smarmy git. He thinks he's done it all hasn't he? Saving Cho and all." Ron said as he crossed his arms and gulped down his bottle of butterbeer. "Honestly Ron! Just the other day, you were dying to get his autograph! Fell out of love did you? I guess Fleur was just more feminine." Hermione said as she winked at Ron, whose ears became pink around the edges. Lodina managed a small giggle as well and Ron became flushed. He sat back down and waited for Dumbledore's next announcement. Ten minutes later, Fleur had come up with her hostage. It was nearing the end of the time limit and Harry had still not emerged. The crowd grew tense.
One minute before the end of the time limit. Ginny surfaced with Harry by her side. Hermione, Ron and Lodina started cheering their hearts out as they rushed into the medic tent.
"So that explains why Ginny wasn't in her dorm room." Ron said as he grinned at Harry. "Harry! I'm so gald you're ok. But Harry... you surfaced last. You still did well though. You finished just before the time limit." Hermione said, a little sad that Harry finished last. At that moment, Dumbeldore stood forth again to make the last of the announcements. It was time for the results. "Draco Malfoy receives 48 points for the magnificent use of the Bubble-head charm and coming in first amongst the Champions. Even though Viktor Krum emerged second, we decided to award Harry Potter with the second place.." All of Krum's supporters were now loudly 'boo-ing' as Dumbledore said this. "Now, now. settle down all of you! I had a talk with the Merchieften, and he told me that Mr Potter had reached his hostage soon after Mr Malfoy. But his determination to rescue all of the hostages, and not only his own, made him finish last among the champions. Therfore, in lieu with what the Merchieften had told me, we decided to award Harry with 46 points!" Dumbledore said. "That's great Harry!" Hermione squealled with delight as she hugged Harry. Ron and Lodina congratulated him as well, but their 'congratulatory party' was cut short as Madam Pomfrey chased them out of the tent.
Harry was now alone with Ginny. "What were the odds that they picked me to be your hostage, eh?" Ginny laughed as she tried to lighten the atmosphere. "Ginny..." Harry started out but was hushed by Ginny, herself. She reached forward and kissed Harry on the lips. Harry could feel the warmth radiate through his body as she leaned closer to him. He pulled her closer and his head started to swirl. He had always dreamed of this moment and was enjoying every bit of it, when both of them jerked away from each other after hearing a loud 'thud'. "Oh please! Would you two cut it out already? You're making me sick!" Malfoy spat at Harry, as he stomped out of the medic tent...
[Tonks was grooving to Doris Day's Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps | 
~ reflective]
~Nymphadora~
~ reflective]