[a/n] Forgive any misspellings/grammar that might get thru. I've been struggliing with cataracts this past few weeks. My next post may be -delayed as im having surgery.
Harry Does Different CCCDXXI
Dobby's Task
"…3 …2 …1 GO!" as host, Headmaster Dumbledore counted down and Mr. Filch fired the cannon. All three of the other champions immediately dove into the lake.
Harry paused and stuffed the unpleasant looking green blob into his mouth and chewed. In less than a minute he grew fins and gills and dove in. He circled near the surface and was amazed at how well he could see. He saw the Beauxbatons champion get tangled up and fighting. Returning to the air he thought furiously and yelled out "DOBBY!"
"Great Harry Potter sir called for Dobby?" the elf appeared just above the water, toes not even touching.
Harry nodded frantically "The woman there. She'll drown in those grindylows. Help her!"
"Dobby can help firebird girl." The elf flashed away.
With his changed senses, Harry could see all the way into the Mermish village and the little girl who was the French Champion's hostage. As he dove he called again for his friend "Dobby! Good job with Fleur. Now the blonde hostage has no one to help her. Can you?"
"Dobby loves helping Great Harry Potter sir!" the elf's words were bubbles in the water.
Harry couldn't help laughing as he dove after his friend. And the expressions as Dobby held his breath provoked more amusement. On the outskirts of the Mervillage he noted "Ron, Cho, Hermione."
A half-man/half shark torpedoed past Harry, caught Hermione's bindings in its teeth and sped away. Harry freed Ron then reached for Cho. A merman told him in no uncertain terms she was none of his business, and reinforced the statement with a pitchfork to the Gryffindor's throat. The confrontation became moot as Cedric used his wand to slice through his hostage's bonds.
Dobby appeared again "Great Harry Potter sir can't be's down here."
Abcij
On the deck at the surface Dumbledore was speaking "- - -ual finish. My fellow judges and I must consult at length to determine scoring. In the meantime, please, congratulate all our Champions. Mr. Filch? Might I suggest a large mug of hot chocolate for both competitors and hostages?"
"Alright there mate?" asked Harry as his gills and fins disappeared from his body.
Ron trembled and stuttered as he drank "J-j-just k-k-k-cold. B-b-bloody freezzzzing, t-t-tell the -t-t-truth. Y-y-you?"
"Harry! You actually saved Fleur AND her hostage?!" wrapped in a gold and yellow blanket, Hermione came running up.
He began hesitantly "Well…what it is- - -"
"May I have everyone's attention!" Dumbledore's voice echoed "After careful consultation Mr. Potter's scores are as follows. From myself, he did come up last and slightly after the time limit I award 8 points. Next:"
Barty Crouch "Mr. Potter's unorthodox interpretation of the rules deserve nothing less than a full 10."
Ludo Bagman "Mr. Potter used no magic on his own and was outside the time limit. I award 6."
Olympe Maxime "While true, our youngest Champion used no magic, he did make use of a herb to perform a Transfiguration well above his curriculum. While not returning within the time limit, this can be attributed to saving both a competitor and her hostage. My pupils. A 10 is the only score I can in good conscience award."
Igor Karkaroff "The brat was a cheat from day one. A cheat today. Too bad I cannot TAKE points. As it is… a ZERO!" He illustrated by using his wand to draw a firery 0 in the air.
Beauxbatons joined the vast majority of Gryffindor and many other Hogwarts students in booing and hissing their disapproval. Durmstrang cheered their Headmaster and most Slytherins showed their support. Hufflepuff and the balance of the host school followed Cedric Diggory's silent example. Headmaster Karkaroff became VERY unpopular.
