Next chapter. Told ya it'd come quick. Well...here it is!! I hope you enjoy.

February 24, the day of the second task, had arrived and Peeves was as nervous as ever. No matter how many times he assured himself he would do fine, in spite of the countless hours he spent that early morning taking deep breaths and trying to relax, and regardless of the gentle encouragements from Lawson, Rene, and Sean (the only people in the school who would talk to him), Peeves still felt like the entire world was on his shoulders.

Peeves woke very early that morning and instantly wished he hadn't. The worry was much easier to endure while asleep. After tossing and turning for several minutes, he got up in disgust and tiredly walked out into the common room. There he decided to settle his nerves with a cup of tea. Gazing out of the icy windows, Peeves watched the figures of several Beauxbatons students engaging in an early morning snowball fight. Deciding he was tired of just sitting around and doing nothing, Peeves stepped across the room, grabbed his cloak from its hook, and swept out of the room.

The morning air was cold and crisp. Peeves took a deep breath and gazed out across the Beauxbaton's lawn, which had been sprinkled with a new dusting of snow during the night. Jumping through snowdrifts Peeves joined the other students in their snowball fight. Before long, Peeves began to forget about his dilemma. About an hour later, some of the Hogwarts and Durmstrang students joined the fun. Even though everyone was very cold, they were all having a great time.

"You know," Lawson called over to Peeves, throwing a handful of snow at a Durmstrang. "It's really great to have you back to your old self!" Peeves grinned and threw a snowball hard at Lawson.

"I know," he replied, chuckling as his friend brushed the powdery snow off his front. Lawson's eyes narrowed playfully.

"You're going to pay for that, Peeves!" he hollered and charged strait towards Peeves, a ball of snow bunched up in his hand. Peeves ducked as the snowball flew towards him and then dodged away from another, laughing and teasing.

"Aw, come on, Lawson! Try to get me!"

Lawson tore after Peeves, laughing happily. Finally Peeves felt a snowball hit him square in the back. The force caused him to slip in the icy slush and slide right towards another cloaked figure. Both fell to the ground. Peeves was roaring in laughter, but the other person wasn't.

"Sorry there, Adrian," Peeves chuckled. Adrian Malfoy's face was clouded.

"Sure," he said, standing up awkwardly. Lawson slid over.

"Ha! Gotcha!" he crowed, helping his friend up. Peeves got to his feet and turned to Adrian. Suddenly he stopped. Adrian was holding the splintering remains of a wand, which was giving off faint orange sparks. The boy's face was full of horror.

"Look what you did to my wand!" he screamed. Everyone around them stopped. Peeves gasped.

"Man, I'm sorry..." he started. Adrian turned on him, hate in his face.

"Look what you did to my wand," he whispered, his voice dripping with malice, waving the crushed wand in Peeves' face. "You are going to pay for this, Peeves Radley!" Adrian yelled, his hands beginning to shake. With that, he ran as fast as he could through the slushy snow and into the fortress.

Lawson clamped a hand on Peeves' shoulder.

"Good going," he mumbled. Peeves shrugged.

"He can get another wand, for goodness sakes!"

"Yes, he can," said a pompous voice behind him. Peeves whirled around and looked into the blazing eyes of Scarlett Bolviand, a Slytherin. "But it wouldn't be the same. His grandfather made it for him."

"Then his grandfather can make him another one," Peeves said sarcastically.

"His grandfather's dead!" Scarlett shrieked.

"Why the hell does family mean so much to Adrian?" he shouted. "My father is this, my mother can do that, this is my grandmother's, my grandfather made that, we're all purebloods...My god! It goes on and on!" Scarlett bristled.

"The Malfoys are a better and much more honorable family than yours, Peeves Radley!"

Lawson grabbed the collar of Peeves's shirt to prevent him from tackling Scarlett.

"Take that back!" Peeves snarled, his face red with anger. Scarlett scowled.

"It's true," she said factually and turned on her heel. "I can't take any more of this," she grumbled. "I'll go check on Adrian."

"Yeah, better go check up on your boyfriend," Peeves growled, still straining against Lawson's grasp. Scarlett turned back around, her red hair fluttering in the breeze.

"He's not my boyfriend," she said tightly through her teeth and then swung back around and dashed up to and through the fortress doors. Peeves pulled himself free of Lawson's grip. Adjusting his cloak airily Peeves glanced around at all the people still standing around.

"Well!" he exclaimed. "Y'all can go back to what you were doing." No one moved. Haughtily Peeves trotted up to the fortress, mumbling about a cup of tea and not looking back.

₪

Time flew more quickly than Peeves anticipated. Towards the end of the noon meal, Peeves heard the dreaded footsteps of Professor Sourdine coming up behind him.

"Come along, Peeves," she said with crisp sternness. "It's time for the champions to prepare for the task." Peeves groaned as he stood up.

"Good luck," Lawson said through a mouthful. Sean nodded curtly. Peeves glanced at Rene's table and waved. Rene waved back and then crossed his fingers for luck.

Peeves sulked out of the Great Hall after Sourdine and out of the fortress. The day was still cold, but thankfully there was no breeze to lower the temperature even more.

This time Sourdine led Peeves towards the cliffs overlooking the foaming sea. They walked silently down the incline and onto the snow sprinkled beach. A soft, sea-smelling breeze wafted from the waves, making Peeves cringe with cold. Sourdine headed towards a tent set at the very edge of the beach, exactly like the one in the first task. She opened the flap and wordlessly beckoned for Peeves to enter. He did so, slipping by the headmistress and making a face behind her back. Shivering slightly, Peeves stepped into the warm tent and gazed into the shadowy faces of Marshall Piendreand Amy Giotisa. He smiled brightly.

"Long time no see!" he exclaimed, rushed over to Marshall and grabbed him hand, pumping it up and down in a hearty shake. The surprised Marshall quickly regained his composure and smiled back feebly. Peeves turned on Amy who immediately held her hands behind her back.

"You seem happy," she muttered darkly. Peeves smiled another happy grin.

"Well, I just guess that's how you feel, especially if you're first in the tournament."

Amy scowled.

"Not for long," she commented. "You won't last for long, Peeves Radley. You don't use talent, you use childish tricks!"

Peeves sighed.

"My dear lady, these childish tricks you speak of are indeed talent. Take for example..." he paused, "the Troy War! How did they defeat their enemy? By trickery, of course!"

Marshall snorted― Peeves wasn't sure if it was in disgust or a small laugh.

"Humor takes great measures of consideration and wit. Why, not many people would have even considered destroying a troll by tickling it to death! I consider it to be a great talent of mine!"

"And did Hogwarts teach you this talent, Peeves?" said the voice of Sourdine right behind him. Peeves turned around and grinned.

"No, Professor, I believe it is something I inherited. I must admit my school is not very humorous," he remarked somberly. Sourdine rolled her eyes and Peeves believed he say the faintest shadow of a smile on her lips. Then she straitened herself and cleared her throat.

"The second task is about to begin," she said kindly. "Headmaster Influencia is securing the area at this moment, so I have been instructed to give you your instructions."

The headmistress drew something from her pocket and held it up. The three champions leaned close.

"The task you have been assigned today is not really a test of bravery, but a test of wit, patience, and reflex."

Sourine extended her hand and revealed a shining white oyster. "In the beach have been planted numerous oysters. The object of the champion is to find the oyster containing the pearl which they have been assigned to find."

The headmistress pulled something else from her pocket and held it out for Marshall to observe. "This is the pearl Marshall has been assigned to find."

Marshall's pearl was a beautiful glossy blue that changed shades in the reflecting light of the tent. The three champions gazed in awe. Sourdine put the pearl back in her pocket and pulled out another.

"Amy, this pearl is your to the finding." Amy's pearl was blood red, like a small cherry flashing in the dim light. Amy nodded solemnly.

The headmistress replaced Amy's pearl and pulled out the last one. Peeves stared in wonder at the glistening white pearl extended towards him. The creamy white was intertwined with brilliant colors of red, yellow, blue, and green. Peeves grinned contentedly.

Sourdine placed it back in her pocket and continued. "The pearls will be placed in one oyster each. Each champions will have exactly one hour to find his or her pearl." Sourdine paused. "But I must warn, this task is not as simple as it looks. Every oyster, except for the ones containing a pearl, holds powerful charms and curses that you must overcome in order to continue."

The professor gazed sorrowfully at the three champions, an expression not usually seen on her face. A horn suddenly echoed outside. Sourdine looked up and swished out of the tent, gesturing for the champions to follow. The cold air hit them with a blast. Stumbling out of the warmth of the tent, Peeves, Marshall, and Amy were instantly led to the center of the beach. Peeves gazed around at all the students seated on top of the cliff who had come to see that task, eager to see what Peeves would cook up next. Peeves swallowed. Headmaster Influencia walked up to the trio.

"Vell, zis is it, ze second task," he declared. Several students hurrahed. Then a single voice called out, "WE WANT PEEVES! WE WANT PEEVES!" Before long the chant was ringing through the cool ocean air. "WE WANT PEEVES! WE WANT PEEVES!" Peeves was beaming with happiness. Influencia had a very upset expression on his face and was trying unsuccessfully to quiet all of the hundreds of students. Finally the chant simmered down to a few daring people. Sourdine stood, surprisingly calm.

"May we begin?" she called.

Influencia nodded and cleared his throat. "Ze rules 'ave already been set out for you," he said prominently. "On my mark, you may begin your hunt. I advise you to keep your wands ready at all times." The three champions nodded solemnly and pulled out their wands. Influencia stepped back and pointed his wand strait up in the air. "Relashio!" he bellowed and red sparks flew up into the gray sky.

Marshall immediately dashed to the right corner closest to the ocean. Amy ran strait ahead towards the crowd of students and the large cliff. Peeves decided to stay right were he was. All of the rest of the people on the beach backed off, leaving it entirely open for the champions. Peeves calmly pointed his wand into the sand.

"Reductor!" he cried. There was a big popping noise and the sand around him exploded spraying the white grit all over Peeves. Paying no notice, Peeves pointed his wand to various places in the muddled sand crying "Accio Oyster!" right and left. After a couple of seconds of bellowing and pointing, an oyster sailed out of the sand and right into Peeves' hand. Taking a deep breath and having his wand at the ready, Peeves opened the oyster a crack.

Suddenly the oyster snapped itself open, yanked out of Peeves' hands and began to hover in mid air. Out of the floating oyster slithered a dark green, hissing snake. It plopped to the ground under the oyster and opened its mouth, revealing it's venomous fangs. Peeves started, struck with fear.

"I hate snakes!" he murmured as he began to back up, oblivious to the cries of encouragement from the crowd of students many yards behind him. The snake rushed forward at lightning speed. Peeves jumped to the side just as the snake flew by the spot where he had just been standing. Gulping down a yelp, Peeves held out his wand with shaking hands.

"Deletrius!" he wailed and a yellow stream of light burst out of his wand and strait towards the snake. The snake remained where it was; unharmed and still hissing. The blaze of light flickered and then went out. Feeling very panicky, Peeves looked desperately from side to side, trying to think of a way to destroy the snake. Backing up even more, Peeves tried to calm himself as the snake slithered forward. Just then, a light seemed to go on in his head.

"Of course," he breathed. Aiming his wand strait at the snake again and closing his eyes in concentration, he screamed, "Riddickulus!" on the top of his lungs and there was a noise like a whip crack. Quickly opening his eyes, Peeves saw the snake give a violent jolt. It raised into the air next to the still hovering oyster and writhed back and forth until, with a mighty lash, it sprouted two arms and two legs. The snake kept transforming; it's scaly head turned human, it's tail shriveled back into a torso, and the scales turned to flesh. In moments the ugly green snake had turned into an exact copy of Professor Sourdine. The audience burst out laughing. Peeves gave a small grin before he continued.

"Riddickulus!" he said again. The replica of Sourdine, which had begun to advance on him stopped in her tracks and a look of horror planted itself on her face as she fell to the ground and turned instantly into a small, brown puppy dog. It began to yip and chase it's tail, running in circles for several seconds until Peeves shouted the curse again.

The puppy became a rabbit, the rabbit became a toilet, the toilet became a watermelon, and the watermelon turned back into Professor Sourdine. The crowd was shrieking with laughter. All attention had been taken from Marshall and Amy, who were battling feverishly with their own challengers. The Professor Sourdine looked wildly around in confusion and terror. Peeves smiled slowly, took a deep breath and belted out laughing as loud as he could. The poor duplication of the headmistress could stand it no longer. There was a mighty crack and Professor Sourdine disappeared, as did the suspended oyster. The audience burst out in applause. Peeves hardly had time to gloat.

"Boggarts have always been my specialty," he muttered and was reduced to the earlier act of shouting "Accio Oyster!" all over the beach. The crowd had hardly any time to calm down before Peeves had found yet another oyster several yards away from the first.

Bravely opening it, the oyster again leaped from his hands and opened. Peeves stood his ground as the smoky outline of something drifted out of the oyster and grew increasingly bigger in size. The thing floated above Peeves, who looked up in awe. It was a being dressed in a dark, billowing cloak and its face could not be seen under its hood.

Wordlessly and silently, the spirit thing reached into its robe and pulled out a faint black wand. It pointed the wand strait at Peeves, who also held up his own wand, ready for whatever spell was headed his way. Not a second too late, Peeves bellowed the first spell that came to his mind—"Genius Loci!"—just as the being began to hiss, "Crucio!"

Half a second before the thing's curse reached Peeves, a jet of silvery-white light shimmered out of Peeves' wand and formed a quick, solid wall around him. The thing's curse hit the wall at full force, but luckily did not go through. It spread out along the silvery-whiteness and dimmed into nothing.

Peeves and all of the students watched with baited breath. The thing began to advance on Peeves, it's wand still raised, ready to try again. Peeve knew that his Shielding Curse wouldn't stand the being's Cruciatus Curse too many times. Taking a deep breath, Peeves pointed his wand at the thing and screamed "Expelliarmus!"

The thing's wand sailed through the air and right into Peeves' left hand. Feeling exhausted and not up to doing something exceptionally entertaining, Peeves simply finished the creature off by calling "Incendio!"

The being burst into flames that it couldn't extinguish and writhed to the ground in defeat. In a matter of minutes it disappeared along with its oyster. Peeves stood panting as he fought to catch his breath. He had never encountered a Cain before, but he was glad that he had known what to do.

The audience burst out into polite applause. Peeves sighed, glancing around at the other champions. Marshall was busy battling some sort of animal and Amy was backing away from a vampire.

Looking quickly away, Peeves aimed tiredly at the ground with his wand. "Accio Oyster!" he gasped several times. Before long another oyster was in his hands. Gulping down his exhaustion, Peeves opened the oyster, which went through the normal routine of jumping from his hands and hovering several feet in the air. Peeves was hunched over with fatigue, but he held up his wand boldly.

Seeping out of the oyster poured a dark, foreboding mist. It floated to the ground, still pouring from the oyster and slowly and ominously gaining on Peeves. Stumbling backwards, Peeves raked his mind for an idea of how to defend himself. The mist began to swirl around him and Peeves felt his mind slow down.

What are you doing? a lazy voice said in his ear.

"I—I don't know..." Peeves murmured, enveloped by the languid blackness.

Come with me... the voice coaxed soothingly. Come with me and stay away from all you dread, from all you despise. I can show you peace and happiness...

Peeves closed his eyes and put his head back listening to the warm cajoling voice.

"Yes...yes, that would be nice..." he breathed.

I will take you to a place of happiness and everything your heart could desire. Trust me...trust me...

Peeves nodded and felt himself being lightly pushed by something, what, he couldn't tell. All he knew was that the voice was wonderful. He just wanted to sleep...to sleep...

Peeves! Wake up! Wake up I tell you! What do you think you're doing? hollered a different voice in Peeves' ear.

"Sleeping..." Peeves murmured. "Sleeping..."

Wake up this instant, Peeves Radley! Do not trust this...this thing!

Peeves kept walking with the other voice.

Come with me...come with me...happiness...peace... contentment...

Don't listen Peeves! Don't listen!

Joy...bliss...delight...ecstasy...pleasure...

Peeves! WAKE UP!

Peeves woke with a start. Looking dazedly around him, he saw that he was on his knees in the bitter cold sand, the black mist still spinning around him. A great feeling of urgency swept over him like a wave.

Peeves jumped to his feet, choking on the mist, which was beginning to feel thick and warm. Slowly and steadily the mist flowed through his nostrils, clogging his breathing. Pulling his robes over his nose and mouth, Peeves searched for a way to dispel the evil mist. But how?

Pointing his wand at his head, Peeves closed his eyes and roared; "Mousseux!" praying the Bubble-Head Charm would work. A jet of blue light flickered at the end of his wand, but went nowhere. Screaming in frustration, Peeves cursed himself. He was becoming too weak for such complex transfiguration. What was he going to do? What was he going to do? What was he going—?

A glimmer of hope washed through Peeves' nerves. Praying more than he had ever in his life, he took a last, painfully hard breath and hollered, "Diffindo!" A crack like a bolt of lightning split from Peeves' wand and cut through the deadly black mist.

The mist split away from the bolt and dispersed like great waves in opposite directions. Peeves ran as fast as he could, away from the mist, away from its stifling, coaxing inside, and into the fresh, cold, wonderful air. Peeves fell to his knees in the powdery sand, sobbing in breaths of the inviting crisp air.

He knelt panting for several minutes until he dared turn around and look behind him. The mysterious mist and the oyster had disappeared. Crying with joy, happiness, and relief, Peeves became consciously aware of the hundreds of eyes on him. Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, Peeves weakly raised his hands in victory. The beach roared with applause and whistling. Still winded, Peeves glanced tiredly at the other champions. Suddenly the crowd became very quiet as a ringing cry cut through the cheers.

"I found one! I found one!"

Peeves whirled to face the direction of Amy, who had a look of triumph on her face that quickly turned to disgust.

"This isn't my pearl!" she wailed.

Peeves jumped into action. Pointing his wand at Amy, he cried "Wingardium Leviosa!" The oyster jumped into the air, and Peeves brought it towards him at lightning speed. The oyster quickly came to a stop in front of Peeves. He plucked the oyster out of the air and eagerly looked inside. Peeves screamed out loud in great bliss and heavy respite.

"I've got it! I've got it!" he cried on the top of his lungs, dancing around, waving the white pearl, clutching it tightly in his fist. The audience howled. Peeves dashed as fast as his weak legs would take him to the headmistress and headmasters. Jumping up and down in wild excitement, Peeves stuck the pearl in Professor Sourdine's face.

"Ha!" he shouted. "I've got it!" Sourdine's face was expressionless. At that moment Amy came rushing up behind Peeves.

"He stole it from me!" she screamed. "I found it!"

"But it's not your pearl," Peeves reminded her angrily.

"She's right, you know," said the stern voice of Influencia from behind Sourdine. Peeves shook his head.

"I got it fair and square," he started.

"But—"Amy sputtered.

"No! Hear me out, okay?" Peeves stopped her. "The champions were informed to find their pearl, right? We were never instructed what to do if we found another champion's pearl. We also were never told that we couldn't take the pearl from another champion if they found it. In my opinion, this task was very poorly set up."

Sourdine sighed and looked at him pityingly. Peeves looked back in surprise.

Looking Peeves straight in the eyes, his own dark eyes placid, Headmaster Juven said, "Congradulations, Peeves. I think it is best for you to go with your friends." Peeves turned around and saw Sean, Rene, and Lawson, along with a big crowd of people gathering at the edge of the beach. Peeves nodded and skipped happily over to them.