A/N: Shortest chapter in a while, but it's a task so it's justified. There should be a few more chapters this weekend I hope. But for now, enjoy and review. I love reviews.
A few weeks after term started back we had another Hogsmeade trip, which Draco very politely asked me to accompany him on. I guess he was feeling my rebuttal from the Yule Ball somewhat. Graciously – so I thought – I accepted, meeting him early that Saturday afternoon in the courtyard.
Bending slightly he offered me his hand. Not quite fully formal, but enough to tell me this was the apology I was going to get. Hopefully he wouldn't take me for granted anymore, then. Smiling at his courtesy, I took the offered hand, being pulled in close to him before we walked down to the village.
After much of the no-melt ice cream from Honeydukes, a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks and a parcel of sugar quills later, I had forgiven Draco and we laughed and joked as we headed back up to the castle. He'd even risked a venture into Madam Puddifoot's and we'd gotten a coffee at the couple's café after Honeydukes. Back at the castle, down by the lakeshore, he'd pulled me close and kissed me. It was a particularly good kiss, I might add, his arms wrapped around my waist, sliding up my back, his warm body standing so close against mine, supporting mine even, as my knees went weak.
And dear, dear Spark sent me the mental image of Aleksandar seeing us as he walked towards the Great Hall for dinner, scowling at the blonde boy holding me so close.
The weeks before the second task grew faster and faster, and once again I found myself worrying about Harry, as he still hadn't found a solution to the second task. So as the evening of the 23rd of February bloomed, a small bead of hope dawned. If the contestants couldn't perform the task, would they be removed from the Tournament? I sincerely hoped so, and quietly inside hoped that Harry did not find anything in his last night of research.
The morning dawned bright and clear and everyone got seats on the grandstand that was now lining the edge of the lake. The Headmasters and judges were sitting by the shore at their gold-draped table with the contestants standing nearby … but Harry wasn't there. I hoped that he didn't have to participate, he could sit it out, he hadn't found a way, but as the clock read five minutes to the start of the Task, he came running out of the castle, down to the shore. That little bead of hope melted, and the worry that felt like a rock in my stomach was back.
The second task began and Harry waded into the lake, stopping about waist depth. The other contestants had dived under already, and I heard several students laughing as he stood there shivering. I hid my face in my scarf. What on earth was he doing? I heard the laughter die away though, and looked back up to see him throw himself into the water, and the ripples fade as he swam away.
Without surfacing.
Obviously somehow, miraculously even, he had done it.
Fleur Delacour was the first to return, within an hour – without her hostage. She emerged from the lake, covered with red scratches and bites, looking as if she had been chased. After a moment or two of being patched up by Madam Pomfrey, she was looking back at the lake, as if wishing to re-enter.
The hour finished, and still none of the others had returned. I saw several people glance about nervously. Had this gone terribly wrong? Were the champions perhaps unable to return? A moment later, however, Cedric Diggory emerged from the water, with Cho Chang. A small part of me remembered how much Harry liked her, and how this wouldn't please him too well. Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws and more than a few Slytherins. So far, the Hogwarts champion was first.
Shortly after Cedric, Viktor Krum emerged from the lake, carrying Hermione, to the cheers of the Durmstrang students. A cold knot of fear began to swell. Krum was plenty outside the time limit … where was Harry?
It seemed like a year, or a million, before Harry emerged from the lake, gasping and floundering, with Ron and a silvery-headed girl, who must've been related to Fleur. Distantly, I heard the Gryffindors, and some Ravenclaws start cheering. He was safe. He was okay. He was being a dumbass rescuing more than once hostage, but he was alive.