The Second Task
"Harry, give her a break," Hermione tried as they walked to class.
"No, she could have killed herself," Harry snapped.
He missed talking to Ariadne probably as much as she missed talking to him, but when Remus told him what could have happened to her because of the spell, he decided that his punishment was shutting her out for two weeks. He didn't care how many times she would beg for forgiveness or how many times she cried, she wasn't going to do anything like this again, if he could help it.
"Come on mate, I've never seen her so miserable in my life and I've known Ariadne since she was two," Ron added.
"Ron, I'm not talking to her."
Fred and George listened to the conversation and decided they needed to have one of their own with Harry. Ariadne hadn't been the same since that night almost two weeks ago. She was quiet and rarely smiled. Snape was even being nice to her, something the twins never thought would happen. It was really hard to see the bright enthusiastic girl that upset. That night Harry was walking back from the library and they dragged him into an abandoned classroom.
"Alright Harry, we know you're not a heartless prat so why are you doing this to Ariadne? It's been almost two weeks," Fred snapped.
"She stole from me and could've died. This is my punishment," Harry said simply.
"Mate, it's not your job to punish your siblings," George said.
"Look, Ariadne doesn't really learn from her mistakes. Kinda like you, so if my not talking to her for two weeks helps Remus and Sirius drive home a point then I'm going to do it."
"You're going to talk to her again in two days?" Fred asked.
"Well, I'm going to yell at her in two days, so yeah," Harry said smiling.
"And we thought we were devious," George said.
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Remus sat at the kitchen table watching his niece. She was lying on the couch staring at the ceiling. Harry's punishment was hard to live through and Remus was happy that it was ending tonight. Remus didn't know if he could take it much longer. Every night Ariadne cried herself to sleep and every morning she asked if he thought Harry would talk to her today. After classes were over she would come into their quarters looking like she lost her best friend, because in fact she thought she did.
Harry walked in right after supper and looked at his miserable sibling.
"Remus, can we have a minute?" Harry asked.
"Sure, I have some work to do in my office anyway," Remus said walking out the door.
Ariadne sat up and looked at Harry with hope in her eyes. She wasn't going try talking to him again. It hurt too much when he just walked away. Harry sat down across from her and said one word,
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to help and I'm a bloody prat," Ariadne said looking down.
"Ariadne, I told you to stop."
"I know, but I don't know the meaning of the word for some reason," Ariadne joked looking up and was happy to see Harry smile slightly.
"That's true."
"Harry, I'm really sorry that I stole your egg and almost broke it."
"ARIADNE, I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE BLOODY EGG OR THE CONTEST. I CARE ABOUT YOU."
"Harry, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I promise never to go against your wishes again."
"I doubt that's ever going to happen, but I know you'll try. I love you Ariadne and as you're big brother, I won't ever let anything happen to you."
"Then why haven't you talked to me? I cried every night because you wouldn't even acknowledge my existence, when you came in right before curfew or when we walked into class. You know how much that hurts, because Ron did that to you so I don't understand why you would do that to me," Ariadne said with tears in her eyes.
"Because you could have died and you never think before you act. I was really mad when I left the dorm when you told me about the egg, but when I found out what you did I got even madder. You could've died Ariadne, because you wanted to help me win a stupid contest I don't even want to win."
"I'm really sorry, Harry."
"It's ok. So what did Sirius have to say about all of this?"
Ariadne grunted and said,
"He added another two weeks to my grounding making it six weeks and then he came through the bloody fireplace so he could blister my ears before giving me ten swats. Come on that was really over kill. Remus blistered my arse with the bloody paddle and grounded me for a month. Dad really didn't need to get involved, but he said he was sick of me putting myself into dangerous situations. If I would have been allowed in the Great Hall he said he would have sent a howler too."
Harry smiled at her indignation. God, he'd missed her. His not talking to her was almost as hard on him as it was on her. He wasn't like Ron, who let his anger take completely over. Harry guessed he was happy about that, but he was even happier that this was over and hoped he never had to do it again. He walked over to the couch and gave her a huge hug and said,
"So do you want to know what the egg said or what?"
"You know?"
"Yep."
"How'd you find out?"
"Cedric gave me a hint," Harry said deciding to leave out the part of Ariadne's spell, because she would take it as a win and decide to put herself in danger again. Cedric did tell him about the prefects' bathroom and that he needed to take a bath.
"Why would Cedric help you?"
"I helped him with the dragons, so he felt he owed me. See, my helping him out helped me out."
"I guess he isn't the enemy after all," Ariadne said smiling.
"Anyway, the mermaids are going to take something that's important to me and I have to find a way to breathe underwater for an hour."
"How are you going to do that?"
"No idea and you're not allowed to help. Got it?"
"Yeah, because if I do you won't talk to me right?"
"Right. I gotta go," Harry said pulling her into another hug.
"Why?"
"I have to figure this out," Harry said. "Remus said you can have lunch in the Great Room tomorrow."
"Really?"
"I think he wants to give Sirius a chance to send that howler," Harry teased.
"I wouldn't put it passed them," Ariadne said rolling her eyes.
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"How's it going?" Remus asked Harry a week later.
"I'm no closer to finding an answer than I was three weeks ago. Should I let Ariadne back in?"
"That's up to you, Harry. I can't guarantee that she'll be safe about it though."
"Alright, I'll keep her out," Harry said.
Harry slaved away in the library for the next two weeks, not getting any closer to an answer. Ron and Hermione were working right alongside him. Should he let Ariadne back in or not? No, he wasn't going to chance it.
"Hey Harry," Neville said walking up the night before the second task.
"Hi Neville," Harry snapped.
"Where are Ron and Hermione?"
"Professor McGonagall wanted to see them, now I have to figure out a way to breathe underwater for an hour before tomorrow morning by myself and I have no idea how I'm going to do it."
"That's easy, gillyweed," Neville said shrugging.
"Gillyweed?"
"Yeah, it's a plant that allows you to breathe underwater."
"Do you know where I can find some?" Harry asked excitedly.
"Snape should have some. Most Potion Masters do."
"Neville, you're a genius," Harry said running out of the library and into the dorms to grab his invisibility cloak.
The minute Harry walked out of the library Neville found Ariadne,
"He bought it."
"Thanks Nev, I knew he would believe it coming from you. He knows what that you're brilliant when it comes to Herbology."
"You're the one who figured it out."
"Yeah, but Harry can never know or I'll be in a world of hurt," Ariadne said smiling. She needed to get back to Remus' quarters because her fifteen minutes were almost up. She ran back in and Remus looked up from the papers he was grading.
"Did you con someone into telling Harry about gillyweed?"
"How'd you know?" Ariadne said flopping onto the couch in defeat.
"I've known you since the day you were born and you don't know the meaning of stop."
"I didn't do anything dangerous and I didn't find it alone. In fact it was…"
"Do you think it's a good idea to lie to me, Ariadne?"
"No sir. Are you mad? I didn't do anything dangerous. Professor Snape was talking about gillyweed with us a few weeks ago and I remembered what it did."
"I understand that, but you need to tell Harry the truth after the second task. The more I think about it, I shouldn't allow you attend the second task as well."
"Please don't," Ariadne pleaded.
"Which part?"
"How about both?" Ariadne asked hopefully.
"Not happening. You're telling Harry, but I'm going to let you go to the second task."
"Do you think he's going to be mad?"
"He asked you not to help."
"I didn't until I was sure he wouldn't figure it out, so please don't make me tell him."
"Sorry, the decisions been made," Sirius said walking out of the fireplace. Ariadne glared at her father. The two against one was going to make it impossible and now she would have to tell Harry and he was going to stop talking to her again.
"Please don't make me," Ariadne whined.
"Sorry, but actions have consequences," Sirius said pulling her into a hug.
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Harry walked down towards the lake. He couldn't believe how nervous he was again. He knew that Ron was under the water and could die if he didn't get to him in time. He wondered why Dumbledore didn't choose Ariadne, probably because Sirius and Remus wouldn't allow him to. To be honest, he wished he would have asked Ariadne for help. He knew Neville was great at Herbology, but wasn't always a reliable wizard. Harry thought about it for a minute and almost smiled. He bet Ariadne gave the information to Neville. She and Neville had been friends since they were four. He would do anything for her including lying to Harry. He would have to ask her after he finished the second task. He wondered if he should be mad or not about it. Well, if she lied he decided he would be angry, but if she owned up to it he wouldn't say a thing. Harry smiled to himself, as always Ariadne and her schemes had helped him to calm his nerves making it easier to focus until the buzzer went off and he ate the gillyweed making so he couldn't breathe. He grabbed his neck, freaking out.
"Jump in the bloody water, Harry," Ariadne screamed from the stands.
Harry followed her instruction and was amazed when he was able to breathe underwater. He also realized at that moment his suspicions were correct. Not that he had time to contemplate that though, he needed to save Ron. He swam and found the captives in a matter of minutes. He was the first one there. Seeing Hermione and Ron tied down along with Cho and a little girl, Harry realized he needed to save them all. The mermaids wouldn't allow him and was excited to see Cedric and Krum save Cho and Hermione. Harry didn't see Fluer, so he had to save the little girl no matter what the mermaid did to him. He finally got the little girl loose.
Harry got himself out of the water and Fluer gave Harry a huge kiss for saving her little sister Gabrielle.
"It's no problem. I'm sure you would have done the same thing," Harry said smiling.
Harry saw his family coming towards him and he smiled brightly until Ariadne started in on him,
"You're a bloody idiot…Ow…Dad!" Ariadne complained when Sirius landed three hard swats not caring that most of the school was watching.
"Quarters now," Sirius demanded. Ariadne glared but did as she was told. Sirius smiled at his Godson pulling him into a hug before saying, "You were brilliant."
"Thanks Sirius."
"It was extremely noble, that you didn't think about winning the contest, just saving the people."
"Thanks, Remus."
"Sirius, did Ariadne help me?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Sirius answered.
"Should I be mad or happy? I mean she saved me."
"It's up to you," Remus said.
"Go party with your house and don't worry about your sister," Sirius said smiling deciding to deflect the question.
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Harry walked into the dorms and was handed a fire whisky shock by the twins. He knew if Remus or Sirius ever found out about this, his bum was toast, but they wouldn't he was sure of it.
"To Harry!" was screamed throughout the house.
Everyone wanted to do a shot with the fourteen year old. Harry knew better, but decided to take them up on the offer. Even after the second task he felt stressed. He wanted this to be over and he didn't want to face a maze full of enchantments and magical creatures. Why did things always happen to him and why did Ariadne never listen to him? He specifically told her not to, but as always she didn't listen. She was going to kill herself if he didn't stop her right now. Sure he had ten shots, but it was time. The twins had a sobering potion ready, but he really didn't need it tonight. He hadn't had that much to drink or so he thought.
Harry stumbled down the hall until he made it to the quarters. Ariadne was sitting on the couch. She knew Harry had to show up sooner or later, they were required to be in the quarters by midnight after each task and she wanted to talk to him. Harry slammed his way into the quarters. Ariadne knew right away that he was drunk and she knew if Remus found out his bum was going to pay dearly.
"The twins didn't have a sobering potion?" Ariadne whispered.
"I don't need one," Harry slurred.
Ariadne grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the quarters shutting the door as quietly as humanly possible. She dragged him back up to Gryffindor tower and swore because she didn't know the password.
"Harry, what's the bloody password?"
"I don't know," Harry slurred as he started to slide down the wall. Wondering why he was tired all of sudden?
"You know who I am. Please let me in," Ariadne begged the Fat Lady.
"You know that isn't the password," the Fat Lady said.
"Harry, give me the bloody…"
Ron walked out and saw his best mate sitting against the wall and his other friend looking at him with murder in her eyes.
"Why would you let him come home like that?"
"He snuck out. I'm sorry."
"Give me the bloody sobering potion," Ariadne snapped.
Ron walked back inside to get the potion. He walked out a few seconds later and handed her the potion. Ariadne shoved it down Harry's throat, making him splutter. Ariadne handed him the hangover potion too.
"WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL WERE YOU THINKING?" Ariadne yelled the minute she knew Harry was sober and not hung-over.
"That I wanted to blast you for not listening to me again. Ariadne, I know you gave Neville the gillyweed, so just own up to it."
"I was going to, tomorrow. You know we never ever leave Gryffindor Tower unless we take both the sobering potion and the hangover potion. What in the bloody hell were you thinking?"
"I was wondering the same thing, but my question revolves around, what were you thinking drinking at fourteen?" Remus asked.
Making his two wards jump and swear in their heads. Harry's bum was going to be in a world of hurt from the look on Remus' face and Ariadne didn't think she was going to fare any better. Their only hope was if Remus called Sirius in on this. According to the twins, the diary talked about the partying the four of them did after every Quidditch match James won and whenever they felt like it. Remus would pull the do what I say and not what I did routine. Ariadne knew that from experience, but maybe Sirius would be on their side.
Remus debated calling Sirius in as they walked back to their quarters. He knew they partied when they were kids, but he also knew what his parents and what Mr. Potter would do if they were caught, in fact the two times they were caught Remus felt his father's displeasure and he knew James and Sirius' fates weren't any better. Remus took a deep breath and decided they were raising the kids together, so Sirius needed to know what Harry did tonight and what he found out the when he followed Ariadne up to the dorms. To make matters worse, Ariadne broke her grounding. Remus knew there was no way Ariadne would've let Harry get caught in that state so he was going to forgive her for that little slip up, well maybe he would add another two weeks to her grounding, making Harry and hers equal. Thinking if they want to break the rules together, they could be grounded together.
"Bed, now" Remus said the minute they walked back into the quarters.
"Uncle Remus…"
"Ariadne, it's almost 2 in the morning, so you both are going to bed and we will deal with your behavior in the morning. Go to bed," Remus said and watched the two children walk into their rooms.
Fifteen minutes later, Remus walked into the children's rooms and saw they were both sleeping. After he was sure they were asleep he threw floo powder into the fireplace and ended up at their home.
Sirius' alarms went off and the man was out of bed within seconds. Wand in hand he walked down the stairs and saw Moony standing there.
'What in the blood hell had his daughter and godson done now?'
"What's going on Moony?"
"Well, Harry decided to come home drunk."
"He didn't use a sobering potion?" Sirius said thinking his godson was not using his head right now.
"Nope. My bet is he was ready to confront Ariadne for helping him with the second task and he needed a little liquid courage to do that."
"Sometimes a little liquid courage is needed to deal with my little girl," Sirius said smiling.
"So, what are we going to do about it?"
"Moony, were drank at that age," Sirius tried.
"Yes, but we're adults now and they're our kids. You remember the time Mr. Potter caught us drinking down by the lake?"
"My bum sure does," Sirius said smiling.
"He was the adult and I would bet he drank at the same age. We can't let them get away with it."
"You're right."
"My question is what do you want to do about your daughter? She wasn't drinking last night, but I heard her admit that she drank before."
"Ground her for two more weeks and tell her the next time you catch her drinking she's getting it from both of us. Ariadne is going to spend the rest of the term grounded if she doesn't straighten up soon."
Remus smiled before saying,
"Harry is getting a spanking and I was thinking about grounding him for a month. Does that sound good to you?"
"Only fair. That means they'll be sprung at the same time," Sirius said smiling. "Do you want me to show up tomorrow morning?"
"No, I'll handle it. How are things going with the search for Voldermort and Peter?"
"No luck. I'm thinking about going to the Riddle house, but Dumbledore won't let me go on my own."
"And you better listen to him, Sirius," Remus warned.
"Don't worry Moony, I won't chance my life. I have too much to live for."
"Yes, I don't think I could raise those trouble makers on my own," Remus said smiling.
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The minute Ariadne was sure Remus was gone, she climbed out of bed and snuck into Harry's room. He was actually sleeping and she woke him up by punching his arm hard.
"Ow! Ariadne!" Harry complained rubbing his arm and sitting up.
"Look, I get that you're mad at me for helping you again, but you don't need to be a bloody prat about it. Uncle Remus just went for reinforcements so we're doomed."
"I think I'm doomed, I was the one who was drinking," Harry said.
"But he heard my admission too. Damn it Harry…"
"No, you don't get to be angry with me. You break every promise…"
"But you…"
"NO! I told you to back off and you promised you would," Harry said angrily.
"You wouldn't have figured it out and you know it. You were hours away from the second task."
"And?"
"Ron could have died," Ariadne tried.
"As you pointed out not so gracefully, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have let Ron die. Maybe I would have been disqualified from the final task. I DON'T BLOODY WANT THIS! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT?"
Ariadne just shook her head, before asking with tears in her eyes,
"Are you going to stop talking to me again?"
"No, only because I know Remus and Sirius are going to ground me at least for coming home drunk."
Ariadne smiled, happy that Harry wasn't going to stop talking to her, but her smile faded when Harry added,
"If you attempt to help me on the last task, I'll hex you. I'm not kidding around here, Ariadne. Percy showed me a spanking hex and I promise I'll use it on you."
"There's a spanking hex?"
"Yep."
"Will you teach me it? I would love to use it on Malfoy," Ariadne said with an evil grin.
Harry laughed and gave her a hug, before saying,
"You better get back to bed before Remus gets back and no I won't teach it to you because there's an easy counter spell that isn't hard to figure out after your hit with the spell once. That's why parents usually don't use it, except in an extreme emergency. I'm surprised Remus hasn't used it on you yet."
"He might have when I was really little, but I've had so many spankings in my life, it's hard to remember," Ariadne said unabashed.
Harry smiled. No one could make him smile so much, even when he's angry with her. Ariadne was walking out the door when she added,
"I'm sorry for going against your wishes."
"It's ok, but I'm not kidding about the spanking charm."
"I know. Love ya."
"Love you too even though you're so annoying."
Ariadne just smiled and walked out the door.
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Remus woke up early as always. He wondered if he should let his trouble makers lie in or if he should get their punishments over and done. He decided that Harry deserved a break after the second task. Three hour later, Ariadne poked her head out of her room.
"Morning, what do you want for breakfast?" Remus said.
"Pancakes and sausages, I guess," Ariadne said hating that Remus didn't start yelling right away. That meant she was going to have to listen to a long long lecture once Harry got up. She was wondering if she was getting a spanking this morning or if her dad was going to show up.
"Your Dad wanted me to tell you he's added two more weeks to your grounding for sneaking out last night."
"That means he isn't coming, right?" Ariadne asked trying not to smile. If Sirius was staying home, maybe her bum was safe.
"Yes, I'm surprise you don't want to see him."
"I saw him yesterday and I don't think he'd be impressed by my sneaking out last night or my admission about drinking."
"Oh, so you are going to admit you've drank before."
"Uncle Remus, you know I don't lie when I've been caught red handed."
Remus smiled at that because no matter how much trouble she was in, Ariadne refused to lie to him about it. Harry listened to the conversation before venturing out of his room. Like Ariadne, he was happy that Sirius wasn't showing up today, maybe his bum wasn't going to change to an angry red after all.
"Hi Harry," Ariadne said smiling.
"Hi," Harry said sitting at the table but he was unable to look Remus in the eye this morning. He was too embarrassed about his actions the night before.
"Good-morning Harry. What would you like for breakfast?" Remus said.
"Just some sausages."
"Alright."
The sausages appeared and Harry tried to push them down his throat. He was nervous this morning and wished Remus would start yelling or something. Ariadne squeezed his knee and smiled, making him feel a little better. When they were finished eating, Remus pointed to the couch.
The couch was usually extremely comfortable, it was used for playing games, doing homework, or just having family fun. Harry loved the couch on those days, but days like today, he hated the couch. He knew Remus was angry and disappointed. Harry hated when Remus was angry and disappointed. Harry also knew the couch was easily turned into an interrogation chamber. Remus likewise turned the beloved piece of furniture into a torture chamber in a matter of seconds by turning Harry over his knee. Harry had a feeling today the couch would be both a torture chamber and an interrogation room.
"What happened last night?" Remus asked.
"When I went back to Gryffindor tower everyone wanted to congratulate me and so they gave me shots of fire whisky. I guess I drank too much and decided it was time to confront Ariadne for going against my wishes regarding the second task," Harry started.
"When I noticed the state Harry was in I decided to take him back to Gryffindor tower. I didn't want him to get in trouble," Ariadne added.
"And you wanted the twins to give you both a sobering potion and a hangover potion," Remus said.
"Well there was that too, but the stupid Fat Lady wouldn't let me in because I didn't know the password. Luckily Ron walked out, because he was looking for Harry."
"He gave me the sobering potion and the hangover potion right before you showed up," Harry admitted.
"Actually, I followed you the second you left our quarters," Remus said.
"Oh," They both said.
"Ariadne, head back into your room. Harry and I have some things to talk about."
"Uncle Remus…"
"Unless you want in on Harry's punishment, do as you're told."
"Yes sir," Ariadne said giving Harry a sad smile as she shut the door and heard the silencing spell following her. Ariadne was happy with the news, because she didn't want to hear what was coming next.
"Harry, you're fourteen and much too young to drink. I know you probably heard that I drank when I was your age, but with time I realized that it was a mistake and I would never let my children follow my poor example."
"I understand Remus. Not that I like it," Harry said smiling slightly.
"So you realize what I have to do, right?"
"Yes sir, but I rather you didn't," Harry tried.
"Trousers and pants, Harry," Remus said.
"Bare?"
"Yes Harry, bare."
"What if I promise never to drink again?"
"Sorry kiddo, let's get this over with so we can discuss the rest of your punishment," Remus said transforming a book into a paddle.
"Remus please," Harry begged.
"Ten with my hand and ten with the paddle."
"Yes, sir," Harry said forcing himself over Remus' lap.
Remus brought his hand down alternating between Harry's left and right cheek for six hard swats. He tilted Harry forward and landed the final four of the hand spanking on his sit spots. Harry wasn't going to be happy with the turn of events, because the paddle was going to attack his sit spots eight times and Remus would end the spanking with the hardest two swats on the center of Harry's bum. Harry was sobbing and he promised he would never drink again nor would he use a sobering potion throughout the spanking. Once Remus was finished he pulled Harry's pants up and hugged the boy through his sobs. When Harry was finished, Remus said,
"You're grounded for one month."
"Yes sir."
"Go get Ariadne. Sirius wanted me to relay a message to both of you."
Ariadne was out of her room a few seconds later and gave Harry a spathic smile when he tried to sit down, but was unable to do so comfortably.
"Sirius wanted me to tell you, if we ever catch you drinking again you get to deal with me first and he would be waiting in the wings for his turn."
"Got it no drinking and if we do drink we need to make sure we're not caught. OW! Uncle Remus," Ariadne complained rubbing her bum after Remus stood her up and swatted her hard five times.
Harry tried not to laugh, but couldn't help it. Ariadne just didn't know when to shut up.
A/N: Thank you itsmecoon for being my beta for this chapter, she's helping me so much with my error. Sorry again about the long wait, but my muse for this story is being a little stubborn.
