Previously on The Twice Blessed Child…
They walk off, and I walk towards the entrance where Remus and Sirius were waiting. I made it to them and we headed up the stairs. I was walking all the way up the seventh floor to a room I knew we would have the best privacy there.
"What was going on in there?" Sirius asked
"Just Ron and his new but buddy Seumas being rude and pigs," I said
"What happened there?" Remus asked
I stopped walking and turned to face them.
"Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about other things." I said
Sirius and Remus both looked at each other and then looked at me.
"How much farther?" Remus asked
"Were here," I said
They hadn't noticed but I had walked in front of the room three times and the door was there. I opened it and walked in backwards. I kicked my shoes off and reached up to let my hair out of its updo.
"Well, are you coming in?" I asked
I woke up the next morning sandwiched between Remus and Sirius. The events played over in my mind. I had sex with them last night. I sat up and turned around and faced them. I quickly woke them up. They looked up at me and smiled.
"Good morning lovers. You guys need to get going before someone finds out you stayed the night." I said
They both reached up and grabbed each of my arms and pulled me down between them.
"No, let's stay like this," Sirius said
"I wish we could, but we can't. I have to get back to the champion rooms. Harry and I have to figure out the next task." I said
Remus let a growl.
"I don't like that you are in this tournament you could die," Remus said
I rolled my eyes and climbed out of bed. I snapped my fingers and an elf appeared. I asked for some clothes and the elf disappeared.
"People die all the time, Remus. I'm a demi-god, we are hunted down by monsters all the time. Hell, when I go back to camp this summer I could die on a mission. You know that we talked about that when we first started this thing." I said
"We know that Anya. It's just the fact that we know someone did this on purpose." Sirius said
"Someone put Harry's name in that cup. Knowing that the outcome would hopefully lead to his death." Remus said
I let out a breath of air. The elf popped back in with some clothes for me. I quickly put them on.
"I know it's just something you guys are going to have to get over. Harry nor I are going to die during this tournament." I said
I stepped forward and kissed them both.
"Call Dobby and he will be able to take you back home," I said
I moved to the door to leave. I stopped and turned back to them.
"No matter what happens in the coming months just know that I'm happy that last night happened. And I look forward to it happening more in the future." I said
They both smiled at me.
"We will see you soon," Sirius said
"That we will," I said
I left the room and headed to the champion rooms. I found Harry sitting on the couch.
"Harry?" I asked
"I had another dream," Harry said
I moved and sat down next to him on the couch.
"I was back in that old house. Except for this time I saw a cemetery attached to it. I saw the man from the Quidditch World Cup. I heard Voldemort say 'Let me see it again'. The man rolled his sleeve up, on his arm was the dark mark. Voldemort went on to say that the time was close now. Then he acted like he saw me and he told Wormtail to move aside and a flash of green shoots towards me. And I wake up." Harry said
I nod.
"Do you remember what the guy looks like?" I asked
"I think so," Harry said
"Okay so just keep an eye out for this guy," I said
He nods.
…
Harry, Hermione, and I were walking across the bridge. I didn't like the fact that we talking about this with Hermione, but she was being Hermione.
"Harry, you told me you'd figured the egg out weeks ago. The task is two days from now." Hermione said
"We have figured out the egg we just don't know what spell, enchantment, charm, potions, or plant we are going to use," I said
"I suppose Viktor's already figured it out," Harry said
"I wouldn't know, we didn't actually talk about the tournament. Actually, we didn't really talk at all, Viktor's more of a physical being. I just mean he's not particularly loquacious…mostly he watches me study. It's a bit annoying actually. You are trying to figure something out?" Hermione asked
I watched as Harry's body language changed, Hermione didn't seem to notice the change.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked
"I mean these tasks are supposed to test you, in the most brutal way they're almost cruel. And um, I'm scared for you two. You got by the dragon because you had multiple plans. I'm not sure it's going to be enough this time." Hermione said
"Thanks for the boost of confidence there Hermione. But we got it covered." Harry said
"Potter, Anastasia." Someone yells
We turn to see Draco storming towards us. We turn and walk in the other direction.
"What do you think he wants?" I asked
"No clue but maybe if we walk fast enough he will stop," Harry said
Sadly that didn't work and he finally caught up to us.
"Didn't you hear me yelling for you two?" Draco asked
"We did but we didn't think you actually wanted us," I said
"Well, I did," Draco said
He straightened up and fixed his tie.
"Now that we are talking to each other…" Draco trailed off
Harry holds out his hand out for Draco to shake.
"I'm Harry Potter and this is Anastasia. What's your name?" Harry asked
A small a very small smile flashes across Draco's face.
"Draco Malfoy," Draco said
We stood in silence for a moment.
"Good luck tomorrow," Draco said
He turned and left.
"You think his dad sent him to talk to us?" Harry asked
"Most likely. I mean I did have the goblins set up a meeting with him in August to see if I'm going to let him back on the board." I said
We turn and start to walk back towards the school.
"Why?" Harry asked
"Cause," I said
"That's not an answer," Harry said
"Is at the moment. Plus we have other things to talk about. Like what the egg means. I finally got an Iris message back from that girl at camp. Someone or something we care about is going to be taken into the Black Lake and we have an hour to get it back. So we are going to have to focus down on what will work best in water." I said
"We could do a combined wind spell to make an air tunnel to them," Harry said
I nod at him.
"I think we should take a run around the lake. I mean didn't you notice that Viktor has been doing that." I said
"I had I just thought it was him being him," Harry said
"Well it might have been but he has been paying more attention to the lake," I said
"So let's go get changed and go for a run," Harry said
We went our separate ways to get changed. Once we were changed we meet back up in the main room. We left and head out to the lake. We slowly started to walk around the lake. I took notice of the high cliff on the far left side of the lake.
"I'll race you to the top of the cliff," I said
"No, you'll win," Harry said
"I'll give you a five-minute head start," I said
I could tell Harry was thinking about it when a few people started to walk towards us. I could see the twins, Dudley, Neville and Luna in the group.
"What's he thinking about?" Neville asked
"If he wants to race to the top of the cliff," I said
"Why would you want to do something like that?" Dudley asked
"Because once we are at the top we can jump off the top into the water," I said
"That sounds dangerous," Dudley said
"That's what makes it so much fun," Harry said
"Well, we want to…" Fred started
"…go as well." George finished
"Well, I don't see you can't. Hurry up and get into something other than your robes." I said
The twins smirked and snapped their fingers and were out of their dress robes. They now stood in what looked like shorts and a t-shirt.
"We all get a head start to the top," Harry said
"Fine. Your time starts now." I said
I finished my sentence and they were off. I waited.
Five minutes later
I was off. It didn't take me long to reach them. I was surprised by how far up they were. I guess the quidditch workouts actually worked for something. I quickly passed them, it didn't take me much longer to get to the top. It took them another minute or so to get to the top.
"How are you…" George started
"…so fast?" Fred finished
"Camp," I said
I walked up to the edge of the cliff and looked down. There were no rocks pointing out of the water which was good. I also didn't see any just under the surface. I turned and looked at the boys.
"Who wants to go first?" I ask
None of the boys looked like they wanted to.
"Really boys. Are you scared?" I asked
"No, I just don't want to die," Fred said
"You won't the worst is you get a little hurt when you hit the water," I said
"I'll go first," Harry said
He kicked off his shoes and shrugged off his jacket.
"I suggest a running start," I said
Harry nods and he moved as back as he could. He let out a breath and look off running, he jumps as he gets to the tip of the cliff. We move to watch him as he hits the water. It takes him a moment but we see him resurface. Fred goes next, he also kicks off his shoes. He jumps and flails about as he falls towards the water. He hits, and when he surfaces we can hear him scream out in joy. George's jump is very much the same. I wait till he resurfaces before I turn and walk back as far as I can. I turn and run as I get to the tip of the cliff I push off with all of my strength. I do a few flips and dive into the water. Once in the water, I send out the mist to look around the lake. I come back to the surface.
"That was so much fun," I said
"Yeah maybe for you," Harry said
We swam back to shore once we got to the shore we got of the water.
"That was amazing Ana," Dudley said
"No I wasn't, my form was off," I said
"He's right it was pretty impressive," Draco said
Most of the group turned and looked at him.
"Thanks, Draco," I said
"Even Harry looked alright, sadly I can't say the same for the twins," Draco said
"Oh, we know…" Fred started
"…we didn't do too good…" George continued
"…little Slytherin." they finished together
Draco kind of looked at them.
"I take you two do that often," Draco said
"Yes, they do. It's even more irritating when Harry and Ana do it." Dudley said
We simply smiled at Dudley. I drew my wand and accio the clothes and shoes that were at the top of the cliff. They came flying towards us. I handed them to the people that they belonged to. I then dried us off once we were dry we made our way back to the castle. Once Harry and I were in the safety of the champion rooms, well my room.
"Did you get the information you wanted?" Harry asked
"Yes, the mist showed me where the mervillage is located. I also saw some metal structures in the water it looked to be a good distance from the village. There seem to be a few different ways to get to the village. The direct and fastest seems to have the most obstacles. But if we make the air sphere around us it shouldn't be to be a problem." I said
"Why can't we use a modified version of the bubble charm again?" Harry asked
"Because bubbles pop. A sphere made of only air won't open. Not if we constantly slowly feed it with magic." I said
"Should we practice the spell?" Harry asked
"Yeah, I'm sure we can find somewhere. I know the pool would be too small." I said
"I'm sure the castle has a mote," Harry said
"Sadly it does not, but it does back up to the ocean. If we cast the spell while we are still in the wards it won't register with the Ministry, and the wards go out pretty far." I said
"But I thought we could only go to one place," Harry said
"We can get the information. But that doesn't extend to a place to try out the spells. We can leave to the Ravenclaw Library and from there we can floo to the castle." I said
"If we go now we will be back in time for dinner," Harry said
"Then let's go," I said
I grabbed Harry's hand and we portkey into the Ravenclaw Library and head straight to the fireplace. We step in I say the place and throw down some powder. We are gone in a puff of green fire.
We step out into the castle. We greeted by the house-elf Clay.
"Welcome back Mistress. We have been following you and Mr. Potter in the tournament." Clay said
I smiled at Clay.
"Thank you, Clay. We are actually here to use the ocean to practice a spell." I said
Clay sends me an evil smile.
"Well, you have come to the right one. Follow." Clay said
Harry and I followed Clay he lead us all the way out to the ocean.
"The wards for the ocean are on an extra set of wards. You could cast the killing curse and no one would know. The wards stretch 50 miles out in every direction. Since the wards are keyed into your magic you will know when you reach the end of the wards." Clay said
"Thank you, Clay." I said
"No problem Mistress. Also, know that the wards are at full strength." Clay said
"Thanks," I said
Harry and I quickly got into what we planned to wear during the task.
"So we walk to the end of the dock?" Harry asked
"I don't know," I said
I thought about things or a moment.
"We will practice the spell twice. Once from here and then once from the end of the dock." I said
"Okay." harry said
So we cast the spell and slowly entered the water. We felt the water on the sphere of air as we entered the water. Once we were fully underwater the pressure on the sphere wasn't as bad. But the line of sight was bad.
"Stop," I said
We stopped walking.
"How do we fix it?" Harry asked
"I not sure yet," I said
"Should we try adding more magic to the sphere, making it looser. Or should we try to make it more solid." Harry said
"We can try both. I just don't want this to use too much magic." I said
We pushed more magic into the spell and thought about the sphere becoming hard. We noticed that the line of sight got worse. So we switched it up and focused on it become more lose following with the water and not against it. The line of sight got much much better.
"It's not as good as I want but it's as good as we get," I said
"Could you send the mist out," Harry said
"I thought you said you didn't want me to use my godly powers," I said
"I don't, but I do," Harry said
I smiled at him.
"Okay, we'll see. Let's move and pray to Merlin that the sphere doesn't fail." I said
We started to move and the sphere stayed solid. We made it pretty far out before we broke the sphere and headed to the surface to cast the spell from the dock. Once we were on the dock we cast the spell and were off back into the water. The plus about the dock was we didn't have to combat the pressure of the water as we slowly walked into the water. We walked around again and were golden. We popped back up to the surface.
"We are so going to win this task," Harry said
"Hopefully," I said
We quickly dried ourselves off and head back inside the castle and we were met by Clay.
"Did Mistress and Harry find out what they needed?" Clay asked
"Yes, we did Clay," I said
"I'm glad, will you be leaving now?" Clay asked
"Sadly yes we have to get back to Hogwarts," I said
"Well come back soon Mistress and friend," Clay said
"We will," I said
We made our way to the fireplace and we flooded back to Ravenclaw manor then from there we port keyed back to Hogwarts. We arrived back into the champion room. The other champions were in the room when we arrived.
"Where did you two go? And when did you learn apparition?" Cedric asked
"We were out, and we used a portkey," Harry said
"Where did you go?" Terry asked
"We went to research the task," I said
They just looked at us.
"You can research the tasks off of Hogwarts ground?" Aleksandar asked
I looked at them.
"Wait let me get this straight. You all entered this deadly tournament but didn't think it important to read the rules or by-laws?" I asked
"Vell no," Viktor said
"Well, it's too late now to learn and read all of the rules and by-laws. But if you had you would have read the rule that says the champions are allowed to pick a place outside of the host school or their school to learn from." I said
"What place did you two pick?" Terry asked
"I don't think it is any of your business where we go," Harry said
…
Harry, Luna, Neville, the twins and I made our way to the boats that would take us to where we needed to be. I looked around and I couldn't see Dudley.
"Has anyone seen Dudley?" I asked
"No, he might already be there," Harry said
Neville was trying to give Harry and I some piece of green plant life.
"We don't need it, Neville." Harry said
"Are you sure?" Neville asked
"Yes, Neville," I said
"Okay, but I'll keep it with me if you change your mind," Neville said
"Okay, you do that," I said
We climb onto the boats and are taken to the metal platforms in the Black Lake. We climb out and onto the platforms.
"Welcome to the second task. Last night something was stolen from each of our champions. A treasure of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion, now lie on the bottom of the Black Lake. In order to win each champion needs only to find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough. Except for this, they will have one hour to do so and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own." Dumbledore said
Mad-Eye hobbles over to us.
"Put that in your mouth," Mad-Eye said
Harry and I exchanged looks.
"We told you we didn't need your help. So stay away from us." Harry said
"You may begin at the start of the cannon," Dumbledore said
The cannon fires and the champions enter the water. Viktor and Aleksandar, Fleur and Amie, Cedric and Terry dive into the water. Harry and I exchange looks raise are wands and point them at the water.
"Sphaera Aeris," we said
A half sphere creates itself in the water. We step off the side of the platform and land in the sphere. Once we were in the sphere it closed around us and we sank into the water. We were lucky that the Black Lake was clearer than the ocean we practiced in. We started to walk towards the mervillage.
"This is taking too long," Harry said
"Okay on the count of three jumps," I said
"One."
"Two."
"Three"
We both jump and the sphere moved up so we now floating in it. I pointed my wand behind me and took off through the water. We passed Fleur who is trapped in some kind of plant, her bubble head charmed popped. We could tell we were getting close to the village as we could hear the singing. I send mist up the surface, I heard Dumbledore and told Harry.
"Fleur had to return to the surface. She has failed the task." I said
"Should we grab what was stolen from her?" Harry asked
"Sure," I said
I speed up the spell and soon we were at the village. We arrive at the village to see Dudley, Hermione, Cho Chang, and a blonde girl who I assume belongs to Fleur. We have the air sphere rise and we expand the sphere so it is around Dudley and the girl. They both wake up we cut what was holding them. We see a group of mermaids come swimming towards us.
"Up and out," I said
The sphere shoots up and out of the water and we head to the platform. We land the sphere. On the platform, Fleur tackles us in a hug. Then she moves to the girl.
"Thank you, you saved her, even though she wasn't yours to save. My little sister!" Fleur said
Fleur gives Harry a big kiss. Amie gives Dudley a big hug and kisses him as well. Soon blankets are being wrapped around us. I didn't see the point as Harry and I wasn't wet.
"Are you okay Dudley?" I asked
"Yeah, I'm good. Just a little wet." Dudley said
I point my wand at him and spell him dry. The next person to surface sadly is Cho, Cedric, and Terry. Not even a minute after they surface and jump onto the platform does Viktor, Aleksandar, and Hermione surface.
"Attention! Attention! The winner is… Mr. Potter and Anastasia. For not only finishing the fastest but for the creation of a spell. He will also receive extra points for saving not only his treasure but also for saving Miss. Delacour's treasure. He has been awarded 50 points. In second Mr. Diggory with 40 points. In third Mr. Krum with 40 points as well. In last sadly Miss. Delacour with 35 points." Dumbledore said
Harry and I were tackled in a hug by the twins, Luna, Neville, and Dudley.
"You two are in the lead," Neville said
"You might actually win this thing," Dudley said
"Of course they will. When has Harry ever not come out on top." Draco said
"He has…"
"…a point."
We quickly make our way back to land. We are greeted back on land by Barty.
"I thought I got rid of you," I said
"Congratulations Potter, a fine achievement. Well done fine achievement. Well done boy. I'm sorry we haven't spoken after all your story is one I've heard many times. Quite remarkable. Tragic of course, to lose one's family. Never whole again are we? Still, life goes on. And here we stand. I'm sure your parents would be very proud today Potter." Barty said
Mad-Eye comes up to us.
"Bartimus! Not trying to lure Potter or Anastasia into one of the Ministry's summer internships, are we? The last boy who went into the department of ministries never came out!" Mad-Eye said
"Haven't you heard Mad-Eye. Barty here no longer works for the Ministry. Thanks to Rita's article about the First Task the Minister fired him. And soon his name will be ruined as well. So I suggest Barty that you leave as you don't have any reason for being here." I said
Barty goes to say something but the Minister walks up to us.
"Ah Anastasia and Mr. Potter you guys are just full of surprises." the Minister said
"Minister Fudge, it's good to see you," Barty said
Minister turns and looks at Barty.
"Barty why am I not surprised. Have you not learned. You were fired because you were harassing Miss. Anastasia and Mr. Potter. Now here you are again somewhere you are not welcomed or needed. If I see you around these two again you will find yourself in a very bad situation." the Minister said
He waves his hand and a group of aurous come over and escort Barty away and hopefully off Hogwarts grounds. We talked with the Minister a little while longer before we left to head back up to the castle.