Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or its characters.


Chapter 7: The First Task

Several days had passed since Nightmare and Charles's night talk. The Lightnings had done everything they could to teach Charles every basic spell, jinx, charm or curses they knew, and he was progressing quickly. And it was a good thing they did, for one day Flame came running to them, entering the Room of Requirements.

"Acromantula!" she said at their hopeful expression. They clearly thought she had finally found who the 'mystery hand' was.

"What about them?" asked Tornado, curious as to why his friend was so agitated.

She looked at them with exasperation. "They are the first task. Well – a part of it, anyway. I heard Viktor Krum talking about it to Igor Karkaroff on my way here."

Blade frowned. "Why would Krum and Karkaroff know about it?"

"I guess that cheating is a tradition on the tournament," spoke Echo, looking slightly amused.

Charles looked at them with in fright.

"How in hell am I going to get rid of Acromantula?" he said, trying to sound braver than he felt. "And they are only a part of it!"

"What do you think we are teaching you?" asked Wind rolling her eyes. "History?"

But Charles didn't feel totally reassured, even if he smiled with everyone else.

.

The first task was in one week, and the Lightnings had finished training Charles, who, although grateful, couldn't help but feel a bit worried.

"Nah," said Echo one time he had voiced his thoughts. "You'll do alright. We'll help"

How would they be helping in a task only for Champions, Charles didn't know – and that didn't make him feel less worried.

One day, when the Lightnings and Charles had been walking towards the Room of Requirement, the later bumped into Dean and Seamus (both have been ignoring Charles since the Goblet).

"Watch out!" exclaimed Seamus, before turning to look at the one that had bumped into them. "Oh, it's only you."

Charles felt a pang of hurt. "Yeah, it's me. Hi, by the way."

His hurt must have showed, because Nightmare got closer to him, and Flame touched his arm comfortingly.

"So," spoke Dean in a way that Charles felt, inexplicably, angry. "What are you doing with them?"

Charles looked at his friends sadly before turning to look slightly at his twin brother and his group.

"They are trying to help," he said quietly. "More than what you've done lately."

Both Dean and Seamus stood there, looking annoyed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that you were supposed to be in my side!" Charles yelled, the anger he had felt getting the best of him. "You are my friends, and I know I would have been there for you."

Charles, Dean and Seamus glared at each other until they were interrupted.

"What's happening here?" asked Professor McGonagall, sounding strict. "Don't you have classes?"

"Yeah," said Rock. "We are going there now."

McGonagall nodded sternly. "Well, walk more quickly, please, you are blocking the corridor."

And it was true. They were being watched by students, whom in their confusion, were gossiping and murmuring about why that trio of best friends seemed to have been broken.

.

And finally, the day of the task arrived.

Charles had woken up very early, worried out of his mind. He had tried to remember everything the Lightnings had thought him, but found he could only remember 'Stupefy'.

He warily got out of his bed, and turned to look longingly at Dean and Seamus's sleeping forms before changing in the robes he had previously prepared.

He checked to make sure Nightmare's bed was empty, before walking to the common room, and leaving it somberly. Charles had been told he had to be in the place of the task early, and that parents were going to watch – and he knew his were.

His mum had written the week before, telling Charles about it.

Dear Charles, it had said.

What were you thinking, Charles Sirius! That Tournament is no game, and now you're in it!

The calligraphy changed, it was now as messy as his, and Charles knew it was his Dad's.

Don't worry, son. It will be alright, just concentrate, and you'll do well. We are going to Hogwarts that day, just in case.

Then it was his mother again.

IF YOU DIE, CHARLES SIRIUS POTTER, I'LL KILL YOU!

Love,

Mum and Dad.

He had nearly laughed out loud with his mum's last sentence, but only had managed a weak smile.

Charles breathed more quickly as he discovered he nearly was there, and that he had been distracted by his thoughts. He then sighed: 'better finish it all quickly,' he thought before walking determinedly the last step towards the Headmaster, the Champions, the parents, and the first task of the worse competition he had been in.

.

And then, he was waiting, and something squirmed inside him. He felt anxious. He felt nauseated. And yet, he couldn't help but wish for something to happen. Anything. He felt sick when he realized he wanted the other champions hurt – only because he didn't feel brave enough.

And then, the door opened, but instead of being the guy who was to tell him when his turn was, he found himself looking at his brother.

"Harry!" he said bluntly, and his brother didn't say anything at the mention of his true name. "What are you doing here?"

Nightmare walked towards him, and looking at his brown eyes, he spoke. "It's time."

Charles felt his insides squirm again with nervousness. "Now?"

"Yes now," Nightmare said, without a bit of sarcasm, as he would usually have done. "Don't worry; we'll be watching – just in case."

Charles nodded, and then walked a few steps towards the door, before he stopped and turned to his brother, embracing him in a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Harry," he said, suppressing a sob, his brother yelping in surprise.

"For what?"

"I will always regret when I ignored you," said Charles, and stepped back, ending the hug. "Thank you for all your help. You have proven us all wrong."

Nightmare looked at him confused. "I did?"

Charles nodded seriously. "Yeah, you proved you were the best of us."

And then he turned and walked towards the door, closing it after him, and leaving there a very shocked Lightning.

Charles took a deep breath before approaching Professor Dilard, who was going to tell him about the task. The borders of the Forbidden Forest seemed deserted, but Charles felt he was being watched, and wondered briefly if the spectators were under some kind of concealment charm.

"Now, Mr. Potter," said the Professor in her usual strict voice. "In the forest you will find many creatures, but only one of them will have the piece that will tell you about the second task. Make your decisions wisely. Remember this: 227662688527."

Charles looked at her confused, but nodded anyway. What was that for?

"You will have to search for a clue to find the answer," she explained, and then looked at his eyes. "Good luck, Mr. Potter."

"Thank you." He said uncertainly, memorizing the long number, and then, entering the forest, at his Professor's signal.

'Here goes nothing,' he thought as he disappeared from everyone's view.

.

Charles walked in the forest, and he seemed lost.

Nightmare, under concealment charm walked beside him.

"We are here, we are watching," he whispered in his ear, causing Charles to jump. "Don't worry."

Charles nodded, his eyes wildly searching for his twin before walking again.

"Does anybody know where I am supposed to go?" he asked no one in particular.

"Not exactly," answered Frosty's dreamy voice. "But the first clue is on your left – the threstals are unusually impatient."

Charles turned immediately at his left, and then looked over everywhere. "But I can't see Threstals. What am I going to do?"

"Remember the things we told you?" Wind's voice said. "Try 'Accio'."

"Accio clue!" Charles yelled as he turned to his left again. A single piece of parchment arrived to his waiting hand. He held it up and whispered 'lumus'.

It said:

'A large number you have been told,

Now match it with the ones below!'

1 ... 2 ...3

... . .ABC DEF

4... 5 ...6

GHI .. JKL.. MNO

7... 8... 9

PQRS ..TUV ..WXYZ

0

"It's a kind of riddle!" exclaimed Wind's excited voice. "Here, give me that, I can answer –"

Charles felt the parchment sliding from his fingers, and listened to Wind's excited whispers.

"I think I know," said Wind again. "What was the number again, Charles?"

"Two, two, seven, six, six, two, six, eight, eight, five, two, and seven," Charles said for the seventh time.

"I think I got it," Wind said. "Its –"

"It's Acromantula," Flame's voice was heard. "I should've known."

"Er – Charles?" Echo's voice said. Charles ignored him.

"Acromantula! Oh, no!" he said in panic. "I thought it was some kind of joke or something. I can't remember how to –"

"Charles!" Echo tried again.

"Stop it, Echo, I am trying to think!"

"Potter, look at your right!" Echo yelled, and Charles turned to his right, were the centaurs were starting to appear.

"Run, Charles!" Nightmare's voice yelled. "Go towards Aragog. I know you've been there! Run!"

And he obliged, without realizing there was someone following him.

.

"Aragog?" he asked fearfully, as the giant spider appeared. "I need to talk to you!"

Aragog's eyes moved madly, making Charles wince.

"What do you want, human?" he asked, before something crossed its features. "You! You are that boy that came into my home a couple of years ago! I told you, my sons and daughters have not a restriction in eating someone but Hagrid!"

Charles took a step backwards. "I know! But I need the clue!"

"Ah, so you are one of those champions, then?" the Acromantula said. "There is it."

The giant spider pointed towards a tree, were many acromantulas had started to meet. Charles gulped.

"A-Accio clue!" he said for the second time that day, and a piece of parchment flew towards his hand. He barely saw its black cover before he placed it on his robe's pocket.

"Now, my sons and daughters!" roared Aragog, and every acromantula advanced over to Charles, who took another step back. And then, in little time all the acromantula were blocking the exits, and Charles thought about how this was the biggest problem he had been in all his life -

"Aranea Clausus!" someone shouted, and Charles nearly cried in relief. Nightmare was there.

"Are you alright?" asked Rock's voice while an invisible hand took his arm.

"I- I think s-so." Charles said weakly. "It's over, right? This task?"

"Yes, it is," Tornado's voice said. "Let's get you out of here."

And Charles walked over to the borders of the forest, where he saw that the concealment charms on the audience had been removed and everyone was applauding.

"I think you were the fastest," Nightmare said quietly.

But Charles was looking at the audience, where Dean and Seamus where, and they grinned sheepishly at him, but he shook his head. They were his friends, and friends stay with each other. He would stay with them.

.

After the task, Charles points had been revealed. Everyone had given him an eight or a nine – except Karkaroff, who gave him a five. Charles was okay with that, anyway. He had the best family and friends he could ask for.

"Charles!" had said a teary Lily as she hugged her son. "I was so afraid!"

Charles pushed her gently. "Mum! Not here!"

James chuckled, and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Well done, son. I am proud of you."

Lily stepped back, tears forgotten. "Well, I am not! What were you thinking! I am taking your broom –"

Charles gasped. "No, mum, please, don´t take my broom!"

"I don't care, Charles, I warned you."

But just before they left, Charles could see the wink his father gave him, and laughed quietly.

.

At the end of the week, four days since the first task, a letter arrived to Nightmare.

He read it gravely, in presence of every Lightning.

"Dear Nightmare,

I am afraid to tell you that the last mission on the Quidditch world cup didn't go well. You will hear all of it tomorrow morning on the newspaper, but I got to warn you – it was a chaos.

Death Eaters are starting to attack, and we, Midnights fear there is something else going on.

You need to come back. We need your help.

Sincerely,

The Midnights.

"What are we going to do?" asked Echo. "Are we leaving?"

Nightmare shook his head. "No, you and I aren't leaving."

"Then who is?" asked Flame.

Nightmare looked at two people in the room, who stepped forward.

"We are."

.

Every Lightning turned to look at the two, slightly worried about their fellow friends.

Flame turned to look at Nightmare, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Do we really have to do this?" she whispered, but everyone heard her anyway.

Nightmare nodded and locked eyes with her, and Flame noticed in his eyes that he wasn't that happy about it either.

"Yes, it's necessary that we take precautions," Nightmare said aloud, but then murmured under his breath. "And I don´t have any choice."

He didn´t see the worried glances his friends exchanged, because he closed his eyes, trying to find the reason as for why they had come to Hogwarts.

.

"The Yule Ball is approaching -a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above - although you may invite a younger student if you wish -"

Someone giggled, and Charles tried not to listen to them. He groaned as he knew who it had been. The girls were obviously excited about all this ball rubbish. The bad thing for the boys was, they were the ones that had to ask the girls, so it was easier for them to be happy. His head turned to the right, were the Gryffindor Lightnings were sitting, and glared at his brother when he realized he was chuckling silently. Of course, he had it easy, with a confidence around himself that he had surely gained from his leadership, and, Charles had to admit it, a more muscular body than his: he just had to ask the person he wanted to go with; that was, obviously, Flame of Lightning.

Charles had to hold a sight when he realized how difficult was going to be the next days, girls flirting with him and every other boy on the way to classes, Quidditch, and else...

He let his head fall to the table, just as his friend would see him do the next days.

"Why don´t you just ask her?" Nightmare asked him one day, seeing him watching a girl in the Great Hall.

"I- I can´t do it," Charles whispered, "What if I mess it all, and we can´t never be friends again?"

Nightmare nodded knowingly. "I know how you feel - I used to feel that way about Flame."

Charles looked at his twin with curiosity. "How did you -"

"I just did that, asked her," Nightmare laughed. "Someone told me she felt the same. And I know she does too," He nodded towards the girl Charles was looking at.

"Okay," Charles sighed, but got up from his seat. "Thanks Nightmare."

Nightmare patted his back, and nodded. "Just go."

And Charles obeyed, walking towards his objective.

"So?" Nightmare asked his twin that same night on the common room.

Charles smiled at him. "She said yes."

Nightmare smiled back at him, but his smile vanished when he heard his twin´s next question.

"So, where are Blade and Tornado?"

"We had a little trouble at the Quidditch world cup, as you know," Nightmare sighed. The Prophet definitely had been enjoying causing so many whispers. The paper had in the front page 'The Dark Mark was seen again', and Nightmare knew it was just a matter of time before his Midnights started snapping.

"Oh, so you sent them away to help?" Charles guessed, and turned to look at the fire after Nightmare answered, getting captivated by watching the wild flames dance.

Everyone was excited about the Ball, even if the boy's didn´t admit it. Nightmare waited calmly outside the Hufflepuff common room, for his date. And she was surely breath-taking. He walked towards her, and, conjured a white lily, which he gave to a blushing Flame; he took her hand, making a bow that made all the girls sigh.

"You look beautiful," He whispered, leading her towards the Great Hall.

"You look handsome yourself," Flame told him with a smile, as they waited outside the hall, hidden by the shadows.

They both certainly looked great, like one of those pictures of Greek gods and goddesses.

"Are we all going to enter at the same time?" Flame asked, not knowing if the boys had planned a grand entrance or not.

Nightmare grinned at her. "Of course, it will look stunning seeing us; boys enter with the most beautiful girls!"

Flame smiled as she felt her cheeks warm, and knew she was blushing.

"What´s up with you tonight?" she asked him, as he was being abnormally flirty the whole time.

"Nothing," Nightmare smiled. "I just decided to let go my Leader cover for tonight."

Flame grinned at him. "I am glad to hear that."

.

Everyone in the hall froze when the doors opened and the Lightnings entered.

They looked wonderful, full of power: Nightmare in the middle, hand-in-hand with Flame; Wind by Echo´s side, next to her, at the other side of the leader was Frosty, grabbing the arm of a shy, but happy and strong Colin Creevey; next to Echo was Rock, who had his arm around Hannah Abbot´s shoulders; and next to Frosty and Colin were Charles Potter, and his date, Susan Bones.

They all were dressed elegantly, the Lightnings in robes that matched their elements, except Nightmare, who went by a black one, with emerald lining, matching his eyes, the rest, in colors that went beautifully with their partners. The Lightnings girls wore long dresses that looked like the ones the Greek Goddesses used; the boys looking like Arthur Pendragon himself.

Nightmare grinned at Flame after a few minutes. "Do you think we´ve caused enough chaos?"

Flame laughed with him but then whispered at him. "Looks like I won, you owe me five galleons!"

Nightmare smiled at her. "Why did I ever go against you?"

Flame grinned at him. "Don't know. It's obvious I am the Queen of bets."

Nightmare laughed as they choose a table, and sat down, waiting for everyone to unfreeze.

"You know," Echo said after a few minutes. "The light side is extremely predictable."

Every Lightning laughed and nodded their agreement, except for the rest, who voiced their confusion.

"When they are shocked they just froze," Wind explained, placing a hand over her mouth when she let out a giggle.

"I wouldn´t have guessed they would be so shocked about how we look," Rock thought aloud.

"You are right," Nightmare chuckled. "They must be really superficial. We´ve just broke them."

And that comment had the table laughing, and chatting, like there was no Voldemort, no responsibilities, just them and the night. They danced with each girl, in case of the boys, and the girls danced with each boy.

That night it didn´t care the world that was waiting for them outside, just that it was Christmas, and they were with their true family, at least.


AUTHOR NOTE!

We finally are were we started! Yes! I'll post Monday and Friday, every week. I guess, for you, it will not end on Thursday, :C

Next chapter is totally new, and, a bit more of the mystery of Lily and James is let out.

Have a nice night!

Lily.