Chapter 10 The Second task

When Harry and Ginny walked into the common room after the ball, they immediately spotted a sulking Ron.

"Hey Ron. What's bothering you mate?"

"Do I look like something is bothering me?" he asked rudely.

Ginny frowned at Ron. She didn't understand why Ron was behaving this way. Sure he liked Hermione but that didn't mean that he could be rude to everyone when things weren't going his way. He needed to know his place and how to deal with his issues.

Harry had just forgiven him but was Ron trying everything he could to strengthen his friendship again? Definitely not. To tell the truth he wasn't even trying and she was sick of it. Harry deserved so much better and she would make sure he had everything he needed. And a bad friend wasn't on the agenda.

Even Hermione had tried everything she could do to please everyone when they had forgiven her. She helped with their pranks even though it went against all those rules that she believed in. She spent most of her time with them and not in the library. She was truly trying her best and it showed.

Ron though, acted as if it was his God given right. 'Merlin, I wonder what is wrong with this brother of mine.'

"Ron there's need to be rude," she told him forcefully. "We saw you looking miserable and Harry was being a good friend to you. Obviously it's still something you should learn. Being a good friend, that is." She took Harry's hand and dragged him to an armchair further away from Ron.

"Gosh he's being such a jerk!" she breathed out angrily. "I mean he should be kissing your arse right now but no! He's being rude and obnoxious."

"Sweetheart, come on. This is Ron we're talking about. He's always rude. He never thinks about what he is going to say. It's just how he is. I don't like the way he reacted too but I guess I understand.'

Ginny hugged him and sighed.

"Harry, you're just too nice for your own good. I know you want Ron as your friend even after everything but I don't want him disrespecting you. You deserve so much better than that."

"I know. Thanks for caring though."

Ginny smiled at him. "It's my job as your girlfriend. After all, I know you care about saving the world and forget all about yourself sometimes."

Harry gave her a sweet kiss and pulled back before saying, "My own personal heroine. I love you."

Ginny giggled at him. "I love you too. And you're my hero too."

They leaned into each other and kissed a slow and tender kiss.

"Hey guys!" they heard a cheerful voice.

Harry groaned but pulled Ginny closer to him and they ignored the voice.

"If you don't stop sucking your throats out, I'll cause a scene."

Harry and Ginny both groaned at the interruption. "What do you want Hermione?" Ginny asked irritated.

"I can't talk to my friends now?"

"Hermione, you know we love you but please go away. I want to continue snogging my girlfriend right now."

Hermione just rolled her eyes at the pair. "You two do that all the time. It's no big deal. I wan.."

"No big deal?" Harry asked incredulously. "You have got to be kidding me."

Harry looked really annoyed and crossed his arms at Hermione.

"Fine ask your stupid question then leave us alone." He agreed.

Hermione smiled brightly at them. "So are we going to tell Ron everything?"

"No" Ginny answered immediately. "Ron just blabs everything when he's mad. We're not going to take the risk of getting ourselves in trouble, especially Harry. He has to gain our trust back first."

"Yeah I guess I have to agree."

Hermione looked surprised at the pair, especially at Harry. "But why Harry? I mean you would have told him if it was just us."

"It's not just us Hermione. I have Ginny now. And Nev and Lu too. Plus I have to agree with my heroine over here. You know how Ron behaves. He was rude too when we came into the common room."

Hermione huffed. "Well fine. What's this heroine thing?"

Harry smiled and kissed Ginny on the cheek. "Well Ginevra is my personal hero."

Ginny smiled back at him and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.

"Anyways what are we…"

"Harry said one question Hermz."

"Yes Hermione. I really want to kiss my girlfriend right now. She looks really beautiful tonight, don't you think?" Harry didn't even look at Hermione instead he kissed his girlfriend again.

Hermione glared at them but walked away muttering 'stupid teenage hormones.'

H&G

"Harry can you test my shields for me." Neville and Harry were doing their charms homework together in the library. Hermione was doing research with Luna and Ginny on the egg at the other side of the library. Hermione had said that neither Harry nor Ginny could concentrate while they were sitting on the same table. She had told them, 'All you guys do is keep on making goo goo eyes at each other. Harry, how do expect to finish your homework?' She had insisted on them moving in order for them to get the most work done.

Ron had made an excuse to get out of the study session so it was just the two of them.

"I don't really know Nev. I guess to test your shields you need a legilimens to test the shields for you. Neither Ginny nor I can do it."

"But how did you know that your shields were good?"

"Good question. We just saw Snape's expressions. He would have a surprised expression or angry or hateful expression. Once we got the confused expressions out of him, we knew we had it in the bag."

"But what are we supposed to do now?" Neville asked worriedly. He really wanted to get good walls up and he had no way of knowing how much work he needed to do since Snape didn't take the time to poke in his mind.

Harry saw the look of worry in his friend's face and tried to think of something. "Oh I know what we could do Nev," he told his friend excitedly. "It's going to take a while but it's going to be a learning curve for all of us."

"What do you have in mind?"

"While you guys are learning occlumency, Ginevra and I will be learning legilimency. How is that?"

Neville smiled hugely at his friend. "That's a great idea Harry. Hey! How come Ginny lets you call her by her full name?" he asked curiously. After all Ginny threw a temper at anyone who called her Ginevra.

Harry laughed at the question. "Well it's because she luuurves me" he sang.

Neville laughed at his friend's behavior. "Okay whatever. So what is the real reason?"

"She knows I love her name. And I don't call her by it to get a reaction or something. It's a really beautiful name for a beautiful girl." Harry dazed off and had a glazed look in his eyes.

"Dude! You're so corny. And whipped too!"

"Hey what's wrong with being corny? I'm just telling the truth anyways."

" Whatever. I'm surprised you're not telling me about nail polish or some nonsense like that since you spend so much time with Ginny."

Harry mock glared at Neville and turned up his nose at him. Neville looked at him and burst out in laughter and Harry joined him. Madam Pince gave them a disgusted look and they tried to suppress their laughter.

"You're funny Harry."

"Thanks Nev. Anyways about Ginny, she's my best friend you know. It's so easy talking to her, it's like the most natural thing to do. She makes me feel happy, she knows how to cheer me up when I'm down and how to make me laugh. She gives good advice too. It doesn't hurt that she's a great kisser too." He grinned at Neville.

Neville smiled at his friend. "Good to know. Though I knew it must have had something to do with you kissing her. I swear you guys appear to be glued to each other's lips most of the time."

"Whatever Nev. Let's go and join the girls since we're done with our homework."

"Yeah sure."

They packed up their bags and went to the secluded corner that the girls were working in. Harry went up to Ginny and kissed her cheek and sat next to her.

"What are you guys doing here?" Hermione asked exasperated.

"We're just coming to help. We're done with our homework so there's no need to stress Hermione," Neville said to appease her.

"It's a good thing too you guys," Luna told them, "There's just nothing here. We don't know what to do now. We've tried the egg so many times; I just don't know what to do."

"Yeah," Ginny agreed, "It's as if it wasn't meant to be heard on normal conditions."

"Wait Ginny," Hermione said excitedly. "I think you're on the right track. So air doesn't work so I guess something else works."

"Yes" Luna agreed, "like water."

Everyone looked so excited and they began packing up their things.

"Let me carry that for you Gin," Harry said as they were going out of the library.

"Thanks babe" and she kissed him on the cheek.

The gang hurried out to the room of requirement where Harry paced three times until a door appeared. When they opened the door they saw a large swimming pool with swimming things ready for them.

"Wow! What did you ask for love?" Ginny asked her boyfriend.

"A place with water. I wanted the water medium to be big enough for all of us. Man this is going to be fun."

"Yeah" Luna agreed. "Lets go get changed."

Everyone followed her advice. Harry and Neville came out first and entered the pool.

"This is great!" Neville exclaimed.

"I know! Even the temperature is just right. I know we can…" Harry trailed off as the girls the girls came into view. They were wearing these one piece swim suits and they looked great. Hermione had developed more than the others since she was fifteen but Harry was only looking at Ginny.

"Wow you look great sweetheart."

Ginny rolled her eyes and entered the pool. "You only saying that since I have so much skin showing."

"Well yeah, I'm a teenage boy so what's wrong with that?"

Ginny rolled her eyes again. "Not like I have any boobs or anything," she complained.

Harry just rolled his eyes at his girlfriend and splashed her with water. "I'm sure they're going to grow. Even if they don't become big I'll still love you."

Ginny smiled back at him and splashed him with water.

"Thank goodness Ron isn't here. He would have flipped at the mention of his baby sister's boobs," Luna told the other two.

"Right you are Lu."

"Well" Luna said and joined in the splashing, "Let's have some fun!"

They continued playing in the water for half an hour until Hermione reminded them that they had to go to lunch soon.

"Oh yeah" Ginny said out of breath. She had been splashing Neville with water since he was teasing her about Harry. She was so happy at the changes Neville had gone through just because he had a great group of friends. She was proud that she was in that group that helped him gain confidence.

"Harry, go and get your egg."

"Yeah yeah I'm going."

Harry went and retrieved the golden egg. They all came together in a small circle.

"Ok I hope you ready. Take a deep breath and let's go."

They all took one and went under water just as Harry opened the golden egg.

'Come seek us where our voices sound

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching, ponder this:

We've taken what you'll sorely miss'

An hour long you'll have to look'

And to recover what we took

But past an hour – the prospect's black

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.'

They all gasped for air when they came up again.

"So what did that mean exactly?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.

"It means Harry," Luna answered, "that you'll have to go into the lake probably and get what you'll sorely miss which they will take. You'll have an hour to recover whatever that is and if you don't then you'll lose it forever."

Harry looked horrified and he pulled Ginny to him. "No" he said in a low voice. "They can't take Ginny to the merpeople. I won't allow it."

He held Ginny closer to him and more tightly.

"Harry" Hermione tried to reason with him.

"No Hermione. Ginny is not going down there."

"Harry, it's not like we have a choice in this…"

"LIKE BLOODY HELL WE DON'T!" Harry shouted interrupting Ginny.

Ginny winced and so did everyone else.

"I'm sorry baby ok. I'm just…guys can you give us a minute," he asked his friends.

They all compiled saying they had to go and get changed anyways.

"Gin I'm sorry for shouting at you ok? I didn't mean to. I'm really sorry."

'It's ok Harry."

"No it's not. I know you hate being shouted at and I'm your boyfriend so I should know."

'Harry, really it's ok. I understand. Really I do. That doesn't mean I will tolerate you treating me like that but I forgive you. I know you're stressed out but there's nothing we can do about the situation."

"Ginny, you're not going out there ok? I don't care what it takes but you not going. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you.

"Oh Harry you won't lose me." She hugged him tightly. "We'll work something out if that's what you want ok?" she told him while kissing him on the cheek.

"Thank you, sweetheart."

"You know I'd do anything for you Harry," She kissed him, "Now let's go and get dressed and go to lunch.

H&G

Harry had been worried about the whole Lake thing until he realized that he could portkey Ginny to Sirius and have a dummy pretend as if it's Ginny. Harry was relieved that Ginny didn't need to be in that lake for an hour.

He had been worried about breathing in the water for an hour but Neville had assured him that gillyweed would do just the trick. Harry had been ecstatic at that news and so had placed an order for it by mail. It had arrived two days later and he had been keeping it in his trunk ever since. Neville had told him that he would be able to breathe underneath the water for about an hour. He would also be able to swim faster than normal. He was happy that he didn't have to practice as many spells like for the first task.

In fact Ginny and him had even begun looking up on legilimency and doing the mind exercises. They didn't have much time for it because of homework and all but they made time. They knew Luna, Neville and Hermione really wanted to be tested on their shields and they wanted to help their friends.

There were only two days till the second task and Harry was a bit nervous. They had discussed the plan over and over again. He knew what he had to do. He would say the trigger for the portkey once Ginny was taken into the lake. He would need to say the trigger again to change the dummy for Ginny just before coming out of the surface. He wasn't sure about the ability to say 'red for green' underneath the water but Hermione had assured him that it would work none the less.

Harry was cuddling with Ginny in the common room while they talked about the upcoming task.

"What did Sirius say in his letter?"

Harry laughed and his cheeks became a soft pink hew. "Well..." he cleared his throat, "He said he can't wait to meet you since I only talk about you in my letters. He can't wait to meet the future Mrs Potter."

"Really?" Ginny squealed. "That's good right? At least he wants to meet me. Do you think he'll like me? Oh Merlin! I'll be wet when I meet him for the first time. How is he supposed to lik…" Ginny's rant was interrupted by Harry planting his lips firmly on hers.

"I love you Gin and that's all that matters to Sirius. He'll love you too."

"Promise?"

"Definitely."

The night before the task professor McGonagall went in to ask for Ginny. All of them knew what was going on of course.

Ginny gave Harry a long kiss. "Be careful Harry ok?"

"I will. Have a great time with Moony and Padfoot."

"Thank you sweetheart. I love you."

"I love you too."

"Harry just follow the plan and everything will be ok," Hermione advised him during breakfast.

"Yeah mate. Just get my sister out of there. What's the plan anyways?"

The others looked at each other. They hadn't told Ron about their plan because they would have to explain about the portkeys and so they didn't tell him.

"Ahhh…you know the gillyweed and all Ron."

"Oh yeah good plan I suppose. You don't look too nervous Harry, aren't you worried about my sister?"

"Of course I am. I just know that I can do this." Harry knew of course that Ginny must be already with Sirius since the second task was beginning in ten minutes.

"hmph" Ron grunted.

"Alright guys lets go."

The stands were full yet again. There was a flutter of excitement everyone. Loud cheering occurred when the champions were told to begin.

Harry had was not worried about the task of course but ran down the lake anyways. He wasn't going to lose.

Harry ate the gillyweed and waited for the effects to occur. The other three champions had already entered the water. The crowed was wondering what he was doing and it was obvious by the whispers that were occurring.

When Harry felt his gills he entered the water and swam down the lake. He saw Fleur who looked like she was having trouble with a group of grindilows. They were following her everywhere and Harry figured that it must have something to do with the fact that she was part veela.

Harry swam up to her and helped her with defending against them. They moved forward together albeit slowly. Harry knew she was going to be in trouble for the hour that she was in the lake and he wasn't willing to leave her. So the swam down the lake slowly, fighting sea creatures that seemed to be attracted by Fleur.

When they reached their hostages, they only saw the two of them. The Ginny dummy and Fleur's hostage were tied on some pole by tight ropes. Luna had advised Harry to carry a knife and he was relieved that he had. He cut the ropes on both their hostages.

They carried them and swam towards the surface. They still encountered challenges but they were way better than on the way down.

When they were about to reach the surface Harry said 'red for green' and a loud pop occurred.

When they broke the surface Harry smiled at Ginny and kissed her.

"Harry I missed you," Ginny kissed him.

"I missed you too. At least you had Sirius." Before either of them could say anything else, Fleur swam up to them.

"zank you 'arry for everyzing" she kissed him on the both cheeks.

"It was a pleasure Fleur. I couldn't just let you deal with those things alone. You were at a disadvantage and it wasn't your fault. By the way this is my girlfriend Ginny Weasley. Babe this is Fleur."

"Nice to meet you fleur."

Fleur kissed her on both cheeks too. "You too. I'm sure you're a great person if 'Arry is going out wiz you."

Ginny blushed and thanked her.

"This is my sister Gabriella. Thank you for helping me again."

"Nice to meet you Gabriella," Harry told her.

She blushed a deep red and said something that they didn't hear. Harry and Ginny looked at each other and smiled.

"Anyways," Fleur said, "What was zat loud pop before we reached ze surface?"

"Umm…er I'm not sure Fleur," Harry lied.

"Well ok. Let's go Gabby and get blankets."

When they were quite a safe distance away from them, Ginny turned to Harry, "Sweetie you're such a bad liar."

"Hey" Harry said affronted. "It's a good thing being an honest person."

Ginny laughed at him, "Yeah whatever. Let's go and get blankets too. It's freezing here."

"Yeah and then you can tell me all about Padfoot and Moony ok."

"Ok"

They swam up to the shore where Madam Pomphrey immediately looked at Harry's cuts. After she had healed them she gave them two blankets to keep themselves warm. Ginny ignored the second blanket and snuggled up with Harry in his blanket. The champions had to stick around to get their scores.

Neville, Ron and Luna ran up to them and hugged them.

"Are you ok?" Neville asked.

"Yeah we're good. Thanks for making me take a knife Lu."

"Well I am a Ravenclaw and we're known to be smart."

They all laughed at that.

"Where is Hermione?" Ginny asked.

Ron scowled deeply and told them that she was with Krum. "She was what he would miss the most. Unbelievable!" he growled.

The rest looked at each other and chose to ignore anything about Hermione knowing Ron's reaction wouldn't be nice.

"Why didn't you do a warming charm you guys?" Luna asked the two.

"It's a sixth year charm and it's a great excuse to cuddle with Harry."

"That is inappropriate behavior Ginny," Ron told her. He was looking at the two of them and his ears had turned red.

"Whatever Ron. Leave us alone or go back to the stands."

"Ron muttered something but left them alone.

Hermione checked on them for a bit but said she had to get back to Victor. Ron was spitting mad at that point but luckily Dumbledore chose that moment to announce the scores.

Harry got the most points for helping Fleur. Cedric was second followed by Victor and then Fleur.

"Only you would get the highest score for doing something stupid mate. I mean come on! You didn't really think that Dumbledore would allow people to be taken now did you?" Ron said this with a weird expression on his face.

"In any case I passed didn't I? So no big deal. You should have seen Fleur. She was stressing out big time because all these creatures were following her."

"Whatever mate. Let's go to the common room. I'm sure there is going to be a party."

The others just looked at Ron but shrugged. They followed him but with Ginny and Harry at a distance between them.

"What's wrong with Ron?" Harry asked perplexed.

"I don't know. Maybe he's jealous."

"Merlin I'm so sick of that."

"I know sweetie. I know."

"So what did Sirius say?"

"He likes me!" Ginny squealed.

"Of course he does. Who wouldn't?"

Ginny giggled at Harry and hugged him.

"He looks healthier too. From what you told me I was expecting…I don't know what, like a thin scruffy person or something."

"Well he was when I saw him," Harry shrugged.

"He looks good now. He's handsome too."

"Hey do you have a crush on my godfather?" Harry teased.

"Maybe. He's older and a bad boy and he's…Arggh!" Ginny screamed as Harry just picked her up and put her over his shoulders.

"Harry put me down this instant!"

"Nope!"

"Baby please! You know I was kidding! I love you. Put me down please. All my blood is going to my head."

Harry chuckled at her and put her down. He ran away just as Ginny swung her arm to hit him.

"I'll get you Harry James Potter!"

"If it isn't the Weaslette," Ginny heard someone drawl. "Where is your pathetic boyfriend now?"

"Leave me alone ferret."

"Feisty isn't she? Wonder where you get the will power with those rags you call parents. No money, no…oomph!"

"Leave my girlfriend alone! You hear me Malfoy. If you bother her again I swear to Merlin that the punch I gave you will seem like child's play."

Malfoy scurried away quickly since he didn't have his normal goons with him.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. I shouldn't have left you all alone! Malfoy is such a douche bag."

"It's ok Harry. I hate that guy! It wasn't your fault and anyways we were just fooling around which reminds me." Ginny pulled Harry's ears hard.

"Aww Gin!"

"That was for lifting me up and…" Ginny trailed off as Harry kissed her.

"Come on let's get to the Gryffindor tower.

When they walked into the tower the party was already in full swing. There was food everywhere and butterbeers. Everyone looked to be having a good time. The couple went to find their friends and saw Neville with Colin while Ron and Hermione were bickering. They both shrugged and went their separate ways.

Harry had spent a great deal of his time with the twins, Neville and Ron. He would meet Ginny and they would hang out for a while but then some girls would take her away to ask about the lake.

Finally Harry was sitting in a corner with a butterbeer in his hand when someone sat on his lap. He put the butterbeer down and encircled her waist. She smelled of wild flowers.

"Mmm…Gin you smell good."

"Thanks love. I have an idea."

"Yeah? Want to snog me for the rest of the party?"

Ginny laughed at him and hit him on the shoulder.

"No you prat. Let's test our legilimency on people. We don't have to dig for their hidden secretes or anything but see if we're any good."

"Yeah that's a great idea. Who should we start with?"

"The twins."

Harry and Ginny talked to the twins for a while and found out quite a few things in the process.

"Wow that was enlightening," Ginny said when the twins left.

"I know. They have so many ideas for their joke shop."

"Yeah and they have pulled so many pranks."

They laughed together for a while and decided on Ron and Seamus next.

"Ok Gin, I'll focus on Ron and you do Seamus ok?"

"Sure."

They called the two and started a conversation. "So Ron, why don't you like Victor again?"

While Ron was ranting on and on, Harry saw glimpses of Ron talking to Dumbledore in his office. 'I didn't know he was meeting up with Dumbledore.'

"I mean obviously he's trying to get your secretes from her," Ron continued to drone on and on.

Harry caught one particular memory and focused on it. Ron was with Dumbledore and they looked like they were discussing something serious.

"Mr Weasley, I want you to tell me about what Mr Potter is doing. He needs to be kept in his place and the only way to do that is if I know what he is doing."

"Yes Professor Dumbledore. I agree with you too. He seems to think the sun rises and shines out of him. And I want him away from my sister too."

"Yes young Ronald. Do try to separate them. Their relationship is getting in the way of the greater good."

"I will try sir."

"Harry mate. Harry are you ok?" Ron asked.

"I'm fine Ron," he answered hoarsely. He could not believe what he had seen. Ok Ron had been acting a bit off but to have been spying on him was just bizarre. But Harry knew that he wasn't seeing things and he had to deal with this. He looked at Ron and tried to hide all the hurt and anger that he was feeling.

"Could you guys excuse me? Ginny can I talk to you for a minute?"

Ginny could see that something was wrong with Harry so she stood up quickly and followed him the boy's dorm. When they reached the dorm Harry cast privacy charms and some locking charms.

When he looked at Ginny, she could see the tide of emotions in his eyes. She went to him and hugged him tightly.

"What's wrong Harry?"

"Ron," he whispered hoarsely. "He's been spying on me for Dumbledore. How could he do that to him? I thought he was my friend but this…"

"Oh Harry! Tell me what you saw."

Harry told her everything not leaving any detail out. When he was done Ginny was alternating between anger and sadness. She was angry and she was crying at the same time.

"It's a good thing we didn't tell him anything too. I'm so sorry Harry."

"It's not your fault. I can't believe Dumbledore. And he wants to separate us! I hate him!"

"Me too. We have to think about this though. We can't let him know that we know so we have to treat Ron like a friend still," Ginny deduced. "We have to find out why he's doing this."

"We should tell the others too. And I'm not going to let anyone take you away from me Ginny. You're my everything." He held her tightly to him and gave her tiny kisses everywhere.

"You're mine too Harry. I love you so much."

"I love you too Gin."

They kissed and in that kiss they poured everything they were feeling in it. Their love, anger, disappointment and fear.

"I guess we should go back down Gin."

"Yeah, but I'm not leaving your side again this evening."

"I wouldn't want you too."

When they went down they talked to Ron who asked them what the problem was since he saw that Ginny had been crying. They told him some lie which he believed. They looked for Neville and Hermione.

When they found them they put up privacy charms and told them what was going on.

"You're kidding me!" Hermione exclaimed. "Ron wouldn't do that."

"He would and he did Hermz. We didn't want to believe it too but we don't have a choice."

"Thank Merlin we didn't tell him everything then," Neville said.

"That's what Ginny said mate."

They stayed up longer than everyone else while they discussed what they should do. The could see that Hermione was very disappointed and hurt since she liked him. Ginny even took her aside and talked to her for a while.

It was a group of depressed yet determined friends that went to bed that night.

A.N please review