Chapter 29: The Second Task
French Language
Aragon's POV:
1st of February 1995, RoR, Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade Grounds, Scotland
It was pretty easy to find out about the egg since magic relies on the four elements of fire, water, earth and air.
It's not commonly known, so I did sort of have an advantage.
I tried fire and air first, since the task had been with dragons which are flying fire-breathing creatures.
But neither worked, so I went on with earth and water.
I had to think logically.
Dragon eggs hatched with fire, so maybe this one would do with water?
That's why I went to the Room of Requirements, where I wished for an open water tank.
And it did work!
Under water, I heard the song of Grindylow.
"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 recover what we took,
But past an hour — the prospect's black,
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."
Taken what I'll sorely miss?
Who or what would I dearly miss?
That could be either of my siblings, Katie and some of my Slytherin friends.
I keep guessing it'll either be Katie or Isabella. Katie because she's my love and Isa because she's my biological sister and really dear to me.
I still have 23 days to prepare myself for this task.
'Come seek us where our voices sound' refers to water, probably the Black Lake, so I need something that helps me surviving at least an hour underneath the surface.
I might ask mom, she's very proficient in Charms and Potions. Or I just might ask dad or Uncle Tom for some Transfiguration stuff if I need any.
24th of February 1995, Black Lake, Hogsmeade Grounds, Scotland
I had to rise early to get ready for the task.
There was a swimsuit made for me with a shirt, but I preferred without, so I did not put on that shirt.
I grabbed my cloak and conjured some food for myself as I went down to the lake. I am really curious who the other champions' hostages are.
I know Fleur has a little sister she truly cares for, but I think that she really appreciates Bill too.
As for Viktor, I am not so sure. I know he has a crush on my older half-sister Desdemona, but I do not dare to guess it'll be her who's down there waiting for Viktor to get her since I don't know if she's even here on Earth!
I arrived at the lake, seeing the other two standing on the wooden stance.
"Vat do ve have to face down there?" Viktor asked.
"Grindylows." I growled. "Are you two ready for it?"
"I 'ope my magic can stand the water." Fleur said, utter concern in her voice.
I remember Veela are creatures of fire and therefore enemies of the Grindylow. I lean towards Fleur. "Stay close to me, I'll protect you."
"You would?" Fleur asked, staring at me in wonder.
"Of course, I am bound to help people. It's quite in my blood, my mother's side at least." I replied, laying a hand upon her shoulder.
Viktor's eyebrow rose. "I have heard that before, do you by chance know Desdemona Ti?"
I nodded. "Of course I do, we were practically raised together in the Temple."
"How close vere you?" Viktor asked.
"Not so much, she was after all 4 years older. But I know her enough to be at least something of a brother to her." I replied, fully turning to Viktor. "Look, everyone around the Temple knows you're the one that has a crush on her. And I kindly remind you that she has a lot of half-brothers and a protective father watching over her well-being. Just don't dare to try anything."
All colour drained from Viktor's face.
"I don't mean it as a threat, just as an advice." I told, taking off my robe.
Gasps from girls were heard as my muscled back was revealed for the public.
I turned my head a little to find his three siblings standing on the first row of the tribune, meaning it was Katie that was down there.
Crouch came towards the champions. "It's good to see you three all ready to begin. But before we start, we reveal your hostage. Mr. Krum, for you would that be... one Ms. Desdemona Ti. Ms. Delacour, for you it's your sister Gabrielle and for Mr. Palpatine it would be Ms. Bell. I wish the three of you good luck."
Fleur's eyes went wide as Crouch had gone. "My sister!" she shrieked.
"Calm down Fleur, nothing's lost. And if you can't come to find her, I'll free her." I said.
"You'd do that?" Fleur asked, pretty surprised.
"I told you before, I'm a honourable man. I help wherever is necessary." I told.
Fleur cried a tear of happiness, allowing me to pick that tear away. She's to pretty to cry.
"Champions!" the loud voice of Sir Bagman announced. "For each of you, there's a hostage down there, held prisoner by the mermaids of this lake. You will retrieve your hostage within the hour, or there are consequences."
I narrowed my eyes at that announcement.
"Ready? One... two... three... GO!"
I dove into the water after placing a piece of technology on my mouth that changes water into oxygen*.
I saw Fleur using Bubble-head charm, and Viktor turns himself into part shark.
After seeing that, I dove straight to the depths of the water by using a little bit of my Force powers.
Hey, it's not cheating. Nowhere in those rules is stated that you must rely on your magic and not on other resources that are available to you.
Deep into the Black Lake, I found ruins of a lost city where the Grindylow must have lived before there was war with the wizards.
Just up ahead, I spotted the three hostages.
I swam there, finding the three girls that were taken as our hostages with their ankles chained to the ground, long hair flowing up in the direction of the surface.
I took out a lightsaber from the pocket of my swimming jeans, one that can be used underwater.
I ignited it and slice the chains, placing my arm around Katie's waist to pull her back into my chest before letting us rise towards the surface.
I held Katie strongly in my arms, afraid to lose her again.
Once above the surface, I felt and heard Katie breathe again, her eyes fluttering open.
"A-Aragon?" Katie asked, turning her head towards me.
"You're safe." I said, kissing her cheek before some helped us out of the water.
Once back on the pier with towels wrapped around the both of us, I saw Fleur trembling of the cold. Her blue eyes were full of fear.
"Wait a moment." I told Crouch before walking over to Fleur. "Fleur, are you alright?"
Fleur wildly shook her head. "No! My charm didn't work, now my sister is in danger!"
I looked at the water, remembering that little silver haired girl that looked a lot like Fleur. Then, my expression turned into determination.
I quickly threw off the towels and applied the same piece of metal before diving again.
I don't know why I do this, but I cannot leave Fleur suffering because she couldn't rescue her little sisters.
Along my way down, I encounter Grindylow who don't want me to pass them.
I used the lightsaber again.
It was officially just to warn them, but they attacked so I had barely any choice but to slice them in two near the waist or cut of limbs.
I'd rather not be doing this, but those creatures don't give me any choice.
I saw Viktor passing me, returning to the surface with Desdemona.
Near the ruins, Gabrielle was still chained.
Grindylow came out of the ruins as I attempted to free Gabrielle, trying to fight me off.
But my mind was set, I wouldn't let Fleur lose her sister in any possible way.
I sliced the chains, then using Force Speed to get away.
Guess I underestimated those creatures, they're faster than they look.
Forcing all my energy to my hand, I let electricity escape my body.
The lightning bolts I conjured hit the Grindylow hard, killing them instantly after one shock.
I was glad to reach the surface again.
The little Veela girl, began breathing and opened her baby blue eyes.
"Hello young one, your sister is waiting for you." I said as I climbed out of the water, taking young Gabrielle with me.
Fleur ran over to us, sitting down on her knees and hugged her sister tightly before she hugged me even tighter!
"Fleur... can't... breathe!" I managed to bring out.
"I'm sorry!" Fleur apologized. "I'm just so glad you saved 'er!"
"I would do it again. I'm no selfish bastard." I told her as I stood up, helping Fleur on her feet too.
"Zank you, you are ze bravest man I 'ave evair met." Fleur said, hugging Aragon again. Her arms were around his wet muscled chest.
I laid my arms around Fleur too.
After our hug, I left Fleur to join my siblings and Katie for the points, not hearing the two French Veelas talk.
Third Person POV:
Fleur watched as Aragon left for his girlfriend, one he already had for three years if not four. She found it quite a shame, such a handsome and honourable young man.
"Fleur? Is he your boyfriend?" Gabrielle asked, her blue eyes wide open.
Fleur sighed. "Oh how I wish he was! But he's with another!"
"Didn't he fall for your Veela charm?" Gabrielle asked.
"He's immune for my allure, and it's so sad. I truly wish he could be mine." Fleur sighed.
"Immune? Who is he?" now the little French Veela became truly curious to the man that had rescued her.
"His name is Aragon Palpatine, he's the Jedi Crown Prince." Fleur told.
Gabrielle's eyes went wide. "A Prince?"
Fleur nodded.
"What do you like about him?"
Fleur got a dreamy gaze on her face. "He's so amazingly kind and generous, so selfless, honourable unlike any man I've met before and incredibly powerful. It's like his power radiates through the air whenever I'm around him!"
"And you can't deny his good looks!" Gabrielle added with a big smile.
"Indeed, he's quite a looker yes. That dark brown hair, those big blue eyes, his muscled body that radiates his power... it's just like my allure." Fleur told.
Gabrielle grinned. "It looks like you have some sort of mission for yourself."
No one had noticed that neither Ginny or Stephano hadn't been there to watch the second task.
The two Ravens were on the other side of the forest near another lake. A lake that was apparently enchanted.
"Why can't I see?" Ginny asked. She had her eyes closed as Stephano lead her through the forest.
"Because it's a surprise." Stephano replied. He didn't deny his feelings for his half-sister any longer, he just couldn't help it but love her.
Through he just knew it was totally wrong, his heart had decided against his mind's will.
Stephano had suffered heartache during last summer, all because he was denying his feelings to speak for him. And now, he just let them rule his actions.
"Alright, now you can open up." the tall violet-eyed man whispered in the smaller redhead's ear.
Shivers went down Ginny's spine as she heard that husky voice so close to her. Then, she opened her eyes.
What she saw was truly the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen!
A picnic was set up between the trees next to a clear lake where the water seemed to glow.
"Oh, Stephano... I don't know what to say." Ginny said, holding her heart.
"You don't have to." Stephano said as he lead her towards the picnic.
Both Ravens sat down, each in a comfortable position.
"Did you really do this all for me?" Ginny asked as she looked around the cloth.
There were many things stalled out: various foreign fruits, donuts, tomatoes with cheese, little pieces of chicken and a bottle in a bucket of ice.
Stephano chuckled before he smiled. "Yes, all for you, my love."
Ginny blushed and cast her gaze down, she wasn't used to such compliments.
The young wizard opened the bottle, conjuring a a set of goblets to pour the red liquid in. "Here, I want you to taste this."
Ginny took the goblet, gulping down some of the unknown liquid.
There was a slight burning in her throat besides the taste of black berries, but it was quickly replaced with a strange sensation.
"What is it?" the young witch curiously asked.
"That, is Alderanian wine. It's the finest from all over the galaxy." Stephano replied.
Ginny raised her eyebrow. "Aren't we a little young to drink alcohol?"
Stephano shook his head. "Not exactly. Maybe to Earthly rules we are, but by the laws of the Jedi Order, 11-year-olds are to be treated as young adults and thus allowed to drink ale and wine."
"You never seem to not surprise me." Ginny said as she drank the rest of the wine. She loved the taste, it reminded her of her father and Stephano.
In such moments, she could just forget all about her mother and other familial worries. The young witch did have the luck that the Horn family had been so kind to her to give her a place to stay at during summer vacation, it was just the perfect escape.
Her father came to visit once in a while, sometimes taking Stephano along with him.
Ginny did come to the realisation that Stephano had to be her father's Jedi apprentice, but she did knew there was something else too, a deep dark secret that might just tear the whole Weasley family apart and probably make her doubt her father.
But what kind of secret could be that quaking?
I hope it's a bit good, even if it's not so long as previous chapters.
Suggestions for upcoming chapters are very welcome! Thank you!
I know there's a lot of Aragon/Fleur in this chap, but Aragon is a bit of a charming man after all. I guess Fleur is too much of a damsel in distress here, but wouldn't we all be if we had almost lost our little sister?
Okay, question: Which pairing do you like better? Aragon/Katie or Aragon/Fleur? Plz tell me!
~ Artemis Hunter 441
* Think about that metal thing Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan use to dive underwater to that Gungan city in 'Phantom Menace'.
