Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER! It is the property of J. K. Rowling, respectively.
Just a little drabble that got into my head… UN-BETA-ED
General, with a hint of angst. *
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The crowd that had amassed to watch the Second Task were full of furious whispers.
Three Champions had exited the lake, only two of them with hostages, and one Champion - the youngest champion - had not emerged at all. Those that had completed the task were clothed in warm blankets, and refusing to move to the medical tents until the last champion and the remaining hostages were no longer underwater.
Fleur Delacour had gone into a panic; her Headmistress was forced to physically restrain her less she throw herself back in the lake to find her sister.
Karkaroff was loudly congratulating his champion on his impressive performance; His champion – Krum - was fussing over his hostage - Hermione -, who in turn was watching the lake for any sign of life.
Albus Dumbledore had on his 'I'm sure everything will be fine' face, but if one looked closely, you could see his jaw was locked with tension.
The crowd grew louder with each passing minute, until everyone gasped as two heads broke the surface of the lake.
Then they frowned.
Harry had a hostage with him, yes, but not the redhead he had been set. Tucked in his arms, still safely sleeping, was Gabrielle Delacour. Murmurs once again spread like wildfire through the crowds.
Dumbledore looked down at Harry, who was now struggling to get himself and Gabrielle out of the lake. He set his face to 'I'm highly disappointed in you Harry and slightly confused" and gently inquired why Harry had not retrieved Mr. Ronald Weasley, as was his task.
Harry tilted his head slightly, putting on a confused and completely innocent look of his own.
"But sir", he said, his tone demonstrating he was positive he'd done no wrong.
"The clue said you'd taken what we'd sorely miss, and between the two choices at the bottom of the lake I'd thought I'd miss childhood innocence more than bigoted and fair-weather wizards."
Harry's answer shut everyone up.
The crowd sat in silence, shocked.
He sighed, picked up Gabrielle and walked towards the medical tents, leaving everyone to gape at his exit.
They were idiots, he thought, all of them. How the hell could they have thought he'd pick Ron Weasley as the thing he'd miss the most? They were doing it again – thinking they knew everything about him.
What did they know anyway…Harry knew he'd already lost his childhood innocence, and not even rescuing little girls from monsters – for the third time - could ever bring it back.
FIN
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Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome and appreciated. Xx