Chapter 25, Day 2

Harry

I gazed out at the lake from the treeline surrounding it. I'd been beyond happy to find the lake, as it was the only source of clean water I had found since landing in the arena. The only problem was, it was being guarded.

Zacharias, Crabbe, and Goyle paced back and forth around the perimeter every so often to look for intruders to their sanctuary as Pansy sat on the edge of the lake relaxing. I couldn't help but wonder if she had washed Leanne's blood from her hands yet.

I was surprised the four had found each other so fast, as I hadn't even managed to find any of my friends yet. I was even more surprised that Malfoy hadn't joined them yet. I knew he had said to the Daily Prophet that he didn't know if he would kill or not, but I figured it was a lie. Yes, Malfoy had helped save my life, and I his, but I still didn't think he was a good person. He was still a Malfoy, still a Slytherin, and still a Deatheater.

I sighed and turned to leave the treeline. There was no way I could get away with sneaking to the lake with the four of them guarding it. Not alone anyway.

As I ventured deeper into the woods the air grew slightly cooler, but the heat was still unbearable. It was thick, heavy, and just plain hot. As I walked on, my thoughts began to wander for the millionth time since entering the arena.

I wondered if my friends were alright, I wondered if Ginny was alright, and, overall, I just wondered who had died for the day and who would make it out alive. I knew I had seen horrible things before, but this game was by far the worst. Nobody deserved to be thrown into an arena and forced to kill or die.

As I walked on, I began to hear sticks cracking nearby. I dove into a bush to hide, hoping it wasn't any of the Slytherins. I figured I was the only one with a wand out of them and me, but I didn't want to take any chances. And even more, I didn't want to use a wand against a wandless opponent. It was a horrible thing to do, fight someone who has no chance, and I refused to do it.

The sounds of sticks breaking grew nearer and my curiosity was piqued. The sound was too heavy to be a human. As I slowly moved the branches to peek through, I could see the source of the noise and a smile came to my face.

There was a hippogriff! It was grey and white, just like Buckbeak! I slowly eased my way from the bushes and stopped to better view the beautiful creature. There were splashes of blood on its feathers in some places, and quite a bit surrounding its beak. I tilted my head to the side in confusion, "Hey buddy. Are you hurt?" The blood made the hippogriff ppear to be hurt, but it didn't act like it at all.

As I made my way towards it slowly, the way Hagrid had taught us in third year Care of Magical Creatures, I noticed something was off about this hippogriff. His beak was more pointed and the eyes were far darker. It was almost a creature of fear instead of majesty, and I couldn't tell why. Until it opened its beak.

Inside the beak were rows and rows of razor sharp teeth, not very different from that of a shark. The hippogriff let out a shrill scream similar to that of a battle cry, and charged right for me.

I turned and began to run as fast as I could, but the hippogriff was far faster and followed right on my heels, snapping at me all the way. The only way I was going to escape the beast was to hide someplace the hippogriff couldn't reach.

Luckily he was quite large as opposed to myself, so I dove into the first hole I found. There was what appeared to be a small crevice between two large rocks, and, even luckier, the space was just big enough for myself to squeeze into.

The hippogriff pecked and dug at the rocks trying to break into the small hole I was hiding in, but the entire effort was fruitless. More than once it managed to scrape me with its sharp teeth, but it was nothing more than a few scrapes and cuts.

I began to grow comfortable in the tight space, until I felt the rocks begin to move with the creature's pushing, and I knew I had no choice.

I pulled my wand from my belt and took a deep breath, I had to, or the hippogriff was going to kill me. "Avada kedavra!" The green spell shot from the end of my wand and connected with the hippogriff, dropping it dead instantly.

As I crawled from the hole I looked down at the hippogriff in sadness. I couldn't imagine where the ministry had come up with the idea for a maneating hippogriff, but I still felt horrible for killing it. It was still a beautiful creature. I knew Hagrid was going to be even sadder than myself.

I gave the hippogriff a silent nod before turning to go on my way. Hours passed before I started to get the feeling I was making a breakthrough in finding my friends, and I was right. I had a feeling someone was close and I began to walk quieter.

After ducking into a bush, I knew there was someone when I heard the sound of a can being popped open. I chose to move slightly closer, but still couldn't see the figure.

A branch cracked beneath my foot and I could hear a gasp followed by, "Who's there?"

A grin stretched across my face, I knew that voice anywhere! I edged out of the bushes and raised my hands to show I was no enemy. And my belief was confirmed as Hermione ran forward and engulfed me in a hug, "Harry!"

I was so happy, not only because it was one of my friends, but also just to not be alone anymore. I felt like I was losing my mind. And, afterall, there is strength in numbers.

Hermione sat down together and shared her can of stew. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I saw the food. We both did our best to be civilized, but we were starving. After we finished eating I told her about the Slytherins camped out at the lake.

I noticed a flash of concern and horror at the same time on Hermione's face. She asked, "Was D, er, Malfoy with them?"

I shrugged, "I didn't see him, but he's probably with them, or will be soon. He'll probably be the leader next to Parkinson."

Hermione nodded slowly before muttering a soft, "Yeah." If I didn't know any beter, I'd almost think she was sad at the idea of Malfoy working with the rest of them. But I knew it must have been the water deprivation thinking that.

"So, did you say there was a lake?"

I nodded, "Yeah, but it's being guarded. That's why I wanted to find someone else. Because I know we need water, and, so far, that's the only water I've found."

"Yeah, I haven't found any either. We should come up with a plan to get water."

"Yeah."

For the next hour we sat and tried to come up with ideas that wouldn't get either of us hurt, but so we could still get water. The only idea we wound up coming up with was for me to distract them so that Hermione could hurry and fill the canteens.

I handed Hermione my canteen and she made sure both of hers were accessible, and we started for the lake. It took us an hour to reach the treeline of the lake. I gave Hermione a quick hug and left her to make my way around the lake, closer to the Slytherins.

I was directly behind what appeared to be their camp when I could see them. Their setup was much better up close than it had been from the distance. I could tell the group had built a small firepit and had several backpacks full of supplies. I could smell fresh meat cooking on the fire and the smell made my mouth water. The Slytherins, and Zacharias, were gathered around the pit talking to each other. My stomach churned when I heard the specifics.

"Well I killed that Ravenclaw kid! Mine was better!" From behind, I wasn't sure if it was Crabbe or Goyle speaking.

Pansy laughed a maniacle cackle before shushing them all, "I killed that ridiculous Hufflepuff girl. And you know what? I enjoyed every moment of it! She was so scared, like a wittle bitty baby."

Zacharias coughed, "Who do you suppose we'll kill next?"

"Oh please Smith! Don't act like you've killed anyone! You merely let someone die! That's nowhere near the same thing! And there won't be planning. It'll just be whoever we happen upon first. For now. Until I decide to have a little more fun and play this like a real game."

Her voice was beyond intimidating and I could only imagine the dark gleam in her eyes. I would never have imagined Pansy Parkinson to be such a cold blooded killer. But here she was.

I knew it was my time and I needed to make my move now. I took another deep breath and shot a stream of red from my wand. I sent it directly at the small team and immediately took off running to my left.

The group jumped to their feet and I heard Parkinson scream my name, "Potter! Get him!"

I ran as fast as I could away from the group, making sure to leave as much of a trail as possible. After I felt I had left enough trail, I ran to the opposite direction to circle around before climbing into a tree. My feet clambered and a few branches broke, but I managed to make it to a safe height quickly, and was, hopefully, out of sight.

My silent question was answered when Zacharias came into my view on the ground below. He peered around the area, and looked directly up at me, or so I thought. He tilted his head once or twice before turning to take off running again.

I waited for what felt like centuries before I climbed down from the tree to make my way back towards where Hermione and I had agreed to meet up.

Author's Note: I am soooo sorry guys! July is a verrrrry busy month for me, and it has put me behind on updating! I will do my best to post as many chapters as I can as fast as I can to make it up to you all! Thank you for still being loyal readers and waiting for my occasional horribly slow updates! I love you all! Thank you for reading and, as always, favorite, follow, and review! -ZutaraDramione97- P.S. Happy birthday Mr. Harry Potter!