Skating Away Chapter Thirteen

The day of the second challenge was overcast and cold. Windy conditions only made it feel colder. If there was any precipitation, it would probably be either snow or freezing rain which would only add to the problem as that would mean the dock used for the challenge would also freeze up. For Cedric and Viktor this was bad. For Fleur it would be worse as she was already on fragile footing.

Another thing that Fleur found out was that she tired easily from using her legs without the braces she wore earlier. She couldn't use them for this challenge because of what she was going to use for the challenge to make it to the hidden spot in the lake. She knew it was a mistake to continue with the tournament and was just now seeing it. She didn't know if she had enough strength to make it to the pier for the finish. Bill tried talking her out of it, but she had to at least try to compete for her school.

Harry and the others knew she was in trouble, so Harry had Dobby find some Gillyweed for him to use in case it was needed. He hoped he wouldn't have to, but he would rather be safe than sure, and Luna had told him to be prepared at all times and he never went against her wishes.

Everyone was gathered on the pier except the champions who would be there shortly. The snow or rain held of for now, but the clouds looked ominous for the near future. Like it was just a matter of time for the sky to open up for what ever was in store for the challenge. While in the water they were all right, but if it happened while they were in there, the deck of the pier would cover with ice, making movement hazardous. There was an attempt by the judges to cancel it for the day, but the request was denied by the gaming division. It was a part of the game for weather to be a deterrent.

The assembled students soon saw the champions making their way down the fields towards the pier and saw Fleur was struggling with her walking. She didn't know if it would be different with the charm Dobby gave her, but she hoped it would be different, in a good way. They took a stand on the pier, waiting for it all to start.

Albus decided to forget the opening speech and just told the champions that something they found dear was hidden within the depths of the lake and it was up to them to find it and return to the pier with what they found. Then he had the shot fired to start the competition. Fleur jumped into the water and pressed the button on the piece Dobby gave her and hid it in her suit to use later. She turned into the mermaid and zoomed through the water effortlessly, with no sign of weakness in her lower body.

She soon saw where Cedric and Viktor went looking and she followed them while looking for traps. She saw none and continued forward trying to see what they were looking for. Then she saw it. It was like a gallows in ancient time, except instead of the dropped ropes, their dearest item were tied to poles and unconscious, probably petrified to protect them from drowning.

Fleur saw where Cedric was already leaving the area and Viktor was ready to leave himself. She saw her sister tied to the closest pole and went to her and got her rope undone and started to bring her to the surface, This was when she felt her legs start to give out due to the added weight. She tried waking Gabrielle, but she would not respond. She took them as far as she could when it was done. She could not go any further.

Luna tugged on Harry's arm and pointed in the water, meaning she needed help. Harry went to the other side of the pier and dove into the water, where he took the Gillyweed and made his move to Fleur. He found her listless in the water and her sister right beside her. Harry took them both beneath the pier and then sent them both out before the pier to be seen by Bill, who dived in and saved her and her sister. Bill got credit for it and it made both Fleur and Gabrielle very happy for what they felt were their lives. Bill told them that Gabrielle was safe the whole time and that Fleur was only out for a few seconds so neither were in any danger. Gabrielle believed him, but Fleur didn't, and she showed him how much she appreciated what he did for them both, which he only hoped it would last a long time. It did just that.

Two days after the challenge, Fred and George asked Cedric for as weird request. They asked him if they could have the Golden egg from the first challenge, since he no longer needed it. Cedric answered them with, "But it is meant to be a keepsake for the champions, guys."

"Didn't you get the miniature Dragon too? Besides you'll get it back after we are done with it, maybe."

"Maybe?"

"Ya, well, we can't be sure of that. We want to try something with it and we can't promise for sure that it will be safe. You know how loud and piercing it is. We are going to try and make pranks out of the sound for future students, like your keepsake, only smaller and hopefully, just as loud."

"OK, fine, but I do want it back and in one piece, please." and he went to his dorm and got it for the twins. When they got it back to their dorm, all they could hear were complaints about not opening it around them. However, Harry was interested in what they wanted to do. When he heard what the twins wanted to do, it gave him an idea to use hopefully soon. If it worked that is.

Ginny heard Harry's thoughts on the twins new toy and agreed with him, where Hermione just cringed at the thought of hearing the awful sound it made. Luna had no thoughts on it at all. Like she didn't care what they did. She pulled out her answer to the sound, which were small cotton wads that she shaped and stuffed in her ears. It wouldn't block all the sound, but enough where it wouldn't hurt her ears. Hermione saw what she did, and made copies of Luna's work and passed them out to the rest of the Eternals. They were all prepared for the twins work.

Ginny did pull Harry off to the side and asked him, "Harry, are you thinking what I'm thinking and using it against Tom?"

"How did you know I was thinking that Ginny?"

"I'm not for sure, Harry, but you saving Fleur once again maybe completed our bond. Why it did, I'll never figure out, so I may ask Hermione for an answer. If she doesn't know, I doubt anyone could answer it for me. Well, maybe Poppy."

"Do you wish to go see her to find out?"

"Not yet, Harry. I want to see if my thoughts are correct and you and I made a connection. I really think I felt you in my mind, telling me your thoughts. That was how I knew about the crazy thing the twins will try, and you seeing the possibilities."

"If it's true, does it scare you knowing it finally took place?"

"No, because we both knew it was only a matter of time. We just didn't know what it took to complete it. And we still aren't sure if it has. Maybe you and I are like the twins and know each others thoughts without the use of a bond? Or maybe the twins share a bond with each other? Ohhhh, I'm giving myself a headache, with all this thinking."

Harry started to lightly rub Ginny's temples and she felt the headache subside and it also got her sleepy. Soon, she fell asleep on Harry's lap, with a smile on her face. Harry's work must have been pleasant for her. Ginny and him both wanted to know what caused the bond to complete, so he asked Hermione and Luna for their thoughts and they had different thoughts on the matter.

Luna thought, "I think it was because you wanted it so bad and Ginny was finally coming around to wanting it also. I don't know why you would think it was because you saved Fleur's life? She should have nothing to do with you and Ginny."

Hermione thought, "I don't agree with Luna, Harry. Saving Fleur may have shown Ginny that even with you saving others, you still hold on to the fact that you want the bond to take. It probably showed her that if you continue and the bond didn't set, she would loose you to another bond."

"Well, How it happened doesn't matter anymore because it did happen. I was just wandering how it came about. Could you two help Ginny up to her bed. I didn't know I could have this effect on her. Am I boring?"

Luna used her straight face and said, "Oh yes, completely." then she yawned and moved to help Hermione with Ginny. She wasn't too happy being disturbed, but went with them to her dorm.

When Fleur entered the second challenge, Poppy was released from her kidnapping and reported it to Albus, knowing he couldn't do much about it without a lead or a clue. However she did check Fleur and found more damage done to her injury and removed her from the rest of the tournament. Both Fleur and Madam Maxime were happy with her announcement. Poppy had words with the Healer that allowed her to participate in the second challenge and sent a letter to St. Mungo's Head Healer with a reprimand for the healer stating her concern for creating a situation where the patient was not totally healed and the challenge made matters worse.

Now, the judges and the Heads had to sit down to see where they should go with the final challenge. With just two Champions left, it was no longer a Tri-Wizard event. Since Harry was released from participating, they couldn't ask him back, not that he would have. They couldn't replace Fleur with one of her fellow students because Fleur had no points to transfer, which would give the new student a distinct disadvantage. It came down to, they may have to cancel the tournament and split the winnings with the two remaining Champions.

When Barty reported this to Tom, Tom became so enraged, he took it out on the followers standing in front of him that gave the report to him. It spoiled all the plans he had in place if they end the games. All of the hard work and planning would come to an end. It was bad enough when Potter was cleared of punishment he would get for refusing to participate, but now everything may be over with it all.

Barty did tell him that it was not final yet, but it didn't look promising for the tournament to continue. If it was canceled, Tom was looking for someone to replace the champion as his unwilling sacrifice. Perhaps this girl who was the cause for all his problems. His answer to Barty was for him to try and get the girl that was hurt and have her brought to him as the sacrifice. It would end the charade Barty was doing, but it may still complete the plans that were set up.

They did not know that because she was further injured, Fleur was taken to St Mungo's for treatment at their own expense. Only Albus and Olympe knew it happened as they didn't want to upset the students. However, Bill was with her most of the time and when he heard they took her to the ward for the further evaluations, he knew what was happening. He didn't say anything to anyone because there had to be a reason for the Heads to not say anything.

Next morning, the Eternals gathered together to go to breakfast, when Dobby appeared before them, "Harry Potter sir, I have done as you asked and I have to pass on some bad news. I think an attempt may be made to capture Miss Delacour for use in Mr. Toms plans. He has passed on the plans to Mr. Barty and what he should do with her once he has her. Mr. Tom doesn't think the games will continue, and he is making other plans to make up for the change to his original plans. He isn't happy at all with what is happening here."

"Can you get Fleur out of here to keep her protected, Dobby?"

"If she were here, then yes, but she is not here Harry Potter, sir."

"Where is she then?"

"That I do not know, only that she is not here. I wouldn't even know where to begin to look for her, sir."

"Thank you Dobby, and if I need you, I'll give you a call."

"Of course Harry Potter, sir. I will always be there when you call for me." and he disappeared.

"Does anyone know where Fleur is?" no one answered. Ginny did have a suggestion.

"Harry, Bill and Fleur have been close since the Ball. Maybe he knows where she is?"

"Good idea Ginny. Do you think you can ask him about it. Don't forget to mention to him about Tom's plans. It may loosen him up if he is holding something back. Besides, if he likes her, then he does need to know she is in danger, even if he doesn't know where she is."

"I agree Harry. I'll ask him and then tell him to strengthen my question. He has to know we mean her no harm."

"OH, I don't think he feels we will harm her, but he may think if someone lets it slip where she is, then she would get hurt. He would never take that chance with Fleur's life." he hugged and kissed Ginny before she left to find Bill.

Ginny's talk with Bill did the trick as he almost had her take an oath to give her the information she asked for. When she told Harry, he asked Dobby to look over her to protect her. He took the matter seriously and checked everyone who entered her room for any form of falsehood. Dobby was as diligent as a person could be. No one came close to Fleur that didn't get past Dobby's scrutiny.

When Barty passed on to Tom that Fleur wasn't in the castle, more punishment was dealt to those around him. Tom was losing his mind to his fear of losing his chance to become himself again. He was weak in this body and it was hard to cover this up with his followers. He also saw where many of his followers were missing, and he knew it was because he scared them if they failed him, or if anyone else failed him. They did not want to be around him if something displeased him. He would let those around him know and no one wanted to be there when that happened.

Barty didn't know where she was, but the French were still there, so she couldn't be far, or so he thought. Madam Maxime was very protective of her students and would do everything she could to see them remain safe.

Saturday morning saw Harry and the twins take off for a destination only the twins knew about. Harry had to see how far they got with their new toy. He was surprised to see they had it perfected and showed it to him to prove it. However it wasn't loud enough for Harry's thoughts. "Is there a way to turn up the volume, guys?"

Fred looked shocked that he would even ask that question, "It's this low to keep our sanity, Harry. Of course we can turn it up. How loud do you want it?"

"Full volume if you please, and how many do you have finished?"

"This is it for now." Fred said before he turned the volume all the way up and opened the egg which created the same sound the original egg made and Harry looked quite pleased as he had his hands covering his ears. Fred turned it back down and then asked, "How many more do you need brother?"

"Five more should do it, I hope. Any more and I'll go deaf. Believe me, if this works, you will be getting a huge bonus for your work. How soon can you have them done?"

"The first one always takes the longest and it took two days. Now that we know the process, you will have them by this evening. And just to be sure, how huge is a huge bonus?" George asked this one.

"One hundred galleons for each device and one thousand if they work. Is that enough?"

Fred and George about fell down when they heard this. They were thinking ten per egg and one hundred for the bonus. George smiled at Harry and said, "Sounds fair to me, how about you Fred?"

"I can deal with that. And with it, if they work and we get the bonus, we will make you a partner in our company."

"OK, but I will also have to be a financial backer. Maybe Draco and Neville will help with it as well."

"Why not the whole group then Harry?" George was starting to get greedy.

"That will be up to you two for that. In fact, maybe you should ask them what they think. I think you'll be surprised by what they say. Don't count on Hermione though. You know how she feels about your dream."

Fred shuddered as he thought back when he told Hermione what their plans were for when they left school. His butt still hurt where she stung him. He also remember how George stayed behind him for protection. He still hasn't paid him back yet.

However, Fred still had one more question, "Harry, what are you going to do with these eggs when you get them?"

Harry smile at the twins and said, "Why I'm going to give them away as presents. I think they will make a great gift, don't you?"

"Only for someone like us, who has a sense of humor." then Fred broke out in a smile and then George joined him, "Oh I wish I could be there when you gave them away, to see the expression on his face. Bring a camera to take some pictures, would you Harry?"

"I can't promise that guys, but if I happen to think of it, I will, providing there is time." and the three left the little cove they were in to return to the sitting room in their dorm.

Harry felt the stares he was getting from Hermione, Ginny and Luna when he entered. Hermione was sharing hers between Harry and the twins. Ginny stood up and went to Harry and asked the question all the girls had on their mind, "What are you three planning? What does the egg have to do with it and why keep it a secret from us, your friends? I know it isn't strong Harry, but I feel your thoughts at times and see you are planning something. We can help you with what ever you are planning."

Harry was silent for a minute, trying to figure a way out of this, when he hit on another plan, "OK, Gin, I will tell you all, but it has to be kept a secret. Now follow us to the boys dorm." and the three of them lead the way up to the dorm. Everyone took a spot on the beds to listen to Harry. They watched as he walked around and silenced the room and blocked anyone else from getting in.

Hermione wondered what could be so important for this level of secrecy. "I don't think we will be having any intruders, Harry, Why all the secrecy?"

"What was the most annoying thing we have dealt with this year?"

Ginny answered, "The stupidity of the Ministry, except for a select few."

"Good one, but not the one I was looking for."

"The terrible way they are treating Fleur during this fiasco." Hermione chimed in.

"Another good one but still nit the one I was looking for."

"That only leaves the horrible noise that egg makes and secret about them you and the twins were trying to hide from us." Luna said her piece.

"Not the way I would have put it, but that's it. How many of us had headaches and couldn't think straight after hearing it? No need to answer that because we all were affected. Now I came up with a way to block the sound of them while using them against the Death Eaters and Tom. I had Fred and George make me six smaller versions that made just as much noise. We were going to do this alone, but, I can see where with all our brains put to use, there may be a better way to use them. What do you all think?"

Hermione jumped right in, "That's not a bad idea Harry. In fact it is brilliant, except for the fact that they are not here. How do you expect to use them, unless you intend to attack them, which is a horrible idea."

"Attacking them is a bad idea, Hermione. But what if instead of attacking them, we let their plans work and just allow them to finish their work. I think one of the champions is meant to be taken to them for something. This is what I think should happen..." and Harry explained his plans and how he intended on using the eggs. It took a couple of hours of different ideas on how to do it, but they eventually came up with a working plan, with Hermione being the focal point of it all, but she wouldn't be alone. In fact the entire Eternal team would be with her when it came time.

The team spent many hours trying to master the charm Harry wanted to use in conjunction with the tiny eggs. He showed them all how loud they were and they all congratulated the twins on their creation. They also showed the version they would sell when they opened their shop, which was much milder than Harry's version. It didn't send the person running from it when opened. The sound was still obnoxious, but not deafening. Parents may not take too kindly to it, but they were there for the kids, not the adults in most cases.

In the meantime, Hermione had a long conversation with Madam Maxime and Fleur and they were both thrilled with Hermione's solution to their problem. However, Albus had to be brought in on it, and that was what worried Hermione, Harry and the rest. They could never visualize him accepting such an idea.

The three conspirators approached his office and entered when asked and took a seat. They waited for Albus to ask the purpose of the visit and then Olympe started it off.

"Albus, we know you wish to finish the tournament, but without Fleur, it is impossible. What if we had a replacement for Fleur?"

Albus took interest with that comment and listened closer as Fleur went next, "Professor, wee think wee may have a solution, but it involves Miss Granger. I don't know the full details to her idea, but anything that will allow the tournament to continue should be considered."

Now Albus answered, "I agree to what I have heard so far except for it involving Miss Granger. It needs to be a student at your own school, Olympe, not ours. You saw what happened with Mr. Potter."

"Yes Albus, we know. But even though Fleur does not know, I may have an idea on why it needs to be her."

"So, I take it a potion must be taken by Miss Granger?"

Hermione smiled back to the Head Master, "Yes sir, Polyjuice, to be exact. I will brew it myself and use Fleur's hair as the agent. Now, before you say no, sir, just know that the Eternals have been working on a plan for two weeks now and are getting pretty good with the magic we will be using."

"Would Harry be willing to go over this plan in detail with me? Of course I expect the others will wish to be there as well and I agree with that. I will give my thoughts on the matter after his explanation."

"I will pass it along to Harry, Professor. I can't say what his response will be though. You know how difficult he can be."

"I am aware of his stubbornness when he has to share things with me, considering how little I share with your team. But I do look forward to hearing what he has to say." and the three ladies left Albus to consider what he has just listened to. He knew it was more than just to complete the tournament and most likely to attack Tom and who ever he has with him at the time.

Harry listened to every team member for their thoughts. He knew it was a big decision and he didn't want to be the final verdict. The majority vote would decide if he told Dumbledore or not. By the time everyone spoke, Dumbledore would be told their plans and would be asked to help out in any way he could. Hermione started it all off and most likely persuaded the other team members that followed her decision. In fact, only Harry and Neville voted against telling him, but their reasons were very weak, where as Hermiones were quite strong.

Hermione used Dobby to inform Albus about the meeting for the evening and his acceptance about being involved with their plan. Albus was pleased that they trusted him that far, even after his failure to assist them in the past. Harry and the tournament being his bigger failure as Harry proved he didn't have to participate.

The day went by quickly for the Eternals and after the meal, they gathered in the unused classroom they used for their meetings and training. They had just got seated when Dumbledore entered and created his own seat. His body couldn't take the smaller student chairs.

Albus remained silent until he was asked to speak. Then Harry opened it up. "Professor, the Eternals decided to open up with our plans to you, and ask for your help if needed. We took a vote and to be honest, I voted against telling you. You know the reason why, but you have obviously won over the others, so here we are. Do you have any questions before we begin?"

"I do. In the past I have been less than helpful for you Harry, and for that I am sorry. Is it the tournament that caused you to pass on me?"

"It was a big decision maker for me, but was not totally the reason. But, I promise to put it behind me to finish what needs to be done and that is the end of Tom Riddle and his reign of terror. Anything else?"

"No, please begin with your plans. I must admit to you, that what I already know has me interested. That Miss Granger is able to brew the Polyjuice Potion in her fourth year is remarkable."

Harry laughed at this, "She has been able to brew it since her second year sir. She is a most remarkable young lady. Yet, she is still not the strongest one on our team. That goes to Ginny. Hermione follows her, then there is Luna. But don't take Daphne or Tracey lightly. Since you know the first part of our plan, let me tell you the second part of it. This involves the most ingenious members of our team, the twins. They borrowed Cedric's Egg to create their own, but made the mistake of doing it in front of me. I asked them to make me six to use for our plan." Harry pulled them from his robes and placed them on the table. Albus picked one of them up and was ready to open it when Harry asked him to wait a moment. The Eternals placed something in their ears and had Albus proceed to open the egg. He about lost it from the sound it made. So loud for such a little thing. He looked around and saw the team was unaffected by the sound. He closed the egg and then watched as they pulled out the little plugs from their ears.

"Do they block out the sound totally, Harry?"

"I saw you wait until we pulled the plugs to talk to us. This is how brilliant Hermione and the twins work together. The plugs block out the sound of the egg, but not normal talk. Hermione says it is the sound waves the plug blocks. She showed the twins what was needed and the twins completed them. The twelve of us will be protected from the sounds, but our opponents will not."

"How do you plan to use them, unless you can get close to them? I don't see a scenario where they will allow you to get that close."

"We don't have to, Professor. Let me show you Hermione's brilliance, Ginny and Luna's cunning and the twins imagination. Hermione discovered a spell that allows you to silently raise and lower several items at a time. A form of Leviosa. Ginny and Luna made a way to move them into a certain pattern that will stay fixed, even after dropping the spell. Hermione's will still need to be in place. The twins found a way to use the Protego spell to protect them from spell fire when deployed. Let us show you what we mean." and Hermione used her magic to send the eggs out and formed a line in front of a training dummy. Luna and Ginny used their magic and placed them in a surrounding pattern around the dummy and when it tried to take down the eggs, it's spells met the shield and was deflected away. The eggs opened up and the glasses sitting on the bridge of the dummy's nose shattered from the combined sound they made.

Dumbledore was impressed with the show, but had doubts about the shield. On a dummy was one thing, but on a wizard, it may not be the same. "Have you tried this on a wizard yet Harry? I think the results will not be the same."

Harry smiled at this, "OH they won't be sir, trust me on this one. Keep in mind that the dummy can't hear." and Albus saw the wisdom in that statement. However he still wished to see it against a wizard. So he volunteered for the test.

Harry questioned the head master, but he was sure he would be alright. The girls did their magic and Albus was soon surrounded by the little eggs. He was ready for anything when the eggs opened. He saw where he was wrong about the anything. The sound of the six eggs around his ears took any chance of thinking straight away. He tried to concentrate on destroying the little devils, but it was like they scrambled his brains. He dropped his wand to cover his ears and the sound stopped. "Remind me to never upset any of your team Harry, I could never survive the backlash if you used these evil little demons. However, I think you have something in them that could work. I have seen the preparation your team put into this and I even felt first hand what it can do. Now all I can say is, Look out Tom Riddle, you're about to meet Eternity." and he left smiling.

Harry congratulated his entire team for everyone's effort. Even though it was mostly five people, they all had a hand in getting it done. They continued to practice moving the eggs around into different patterns for maximum efficiency and different levels if there was a major difference in heights, like Wormtail and Greyback. Then they saw where Greyback would be affected even worse than the rest of the DEs because of his condition. His heightened senses would take a toll. Little did they know how strongly they would affect him.

So, everything was in place for the final challenged and Hermione had her potion ready for use when it was time. She even had an extra bottle for an emergency. She hoped she wouldn't need it, but her life was at stake and Harry didn't want to leave anything for granted or to chance. Now they had to find a feasible way to get Fleur back into the contest.