Chapter 17

It had been a month since the funerals took place. Everyone had placed his or her hope, faith, and future in the up and coming second challenge of the Heir's war. The last challenge was to be held in May.

"The security of the challenge is to be doubled according to professor Vansire." Said Hermione

"It makes perfect sense, a big event like this and all." Said Ron who was agreeing with his female friend with a sarcastic tone of voice.

"Does Professor Vansire have any Idea what we will be doing for the challenge?" asked Harry

"No, but McGonagall wants to see us after dinner tonight to brief us on the challenge." Answered Hermione

"So, I see you have all arrived on time. Now we may begin the meeting."

Everyone remained quiet and patient as Professor McGonagall began the meeting.

"The second challenge will be based on your unique physical talent. The challenge is a race, broom race to be exact, through the forbidden forest."

"That won't be too hard." Blurted Draco

"At night" finished McGonagall

Draco's smirk slowly fell from his face as a slightly green, upset look crossed his handsome features.

"Oh…" was all Draco could say

Broom riding during the day was easy enough, but at night was a whole new Quidditch game.

Harry and Ron looked at Hermione. She had always bee afraid to ride a broom, even after everything the trio had faired through. They knew automatically that she would be eliminated.

"Two of you will be eliminated in this round. The remaining four will go on to compete for the Heir's War cup in the last challenge in early may."

"That's it?" asked Draco

"I'm afraid so Mr. Malfoy. Good night all."

Harry was digging through his trunk in search for a pair of socks. He resurfaced from his last dive into the bottom of his trunk with a small, cold metal chain in his hands. It was the locket he and Dumbledore had gone in search of the last year.

"Harry, please don't do this now. Go back to school and learn. Then, when the time comes, you will know what to do."

Harry could hear his mother's request from his trip to Godric's Hollow. Harry opened his hand to look at the faded, stained silver locket. He opened it to see the bright, clean center of the tiny heart. The parchment fell from the center and landed on his bed. Harry seized the paper and read the message left for Voldemort.

To the Dark Lord

I know I will be dead long before you read this
But I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real horcrux and intent to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.

R.A.B.

Harry would still have to find out who R.A.B. was. He had promised himself that whoever R.A.B. was, they would have hell to pay.

"'Mione, eat something, please." Asked Draco

"No." Hermione protested for the umpteenth time.

"Please," said Harry

"No, I'm not touching anything until this challenge it over." She protested yet again

"Your Funeral." Said Ron

"Mione, we don't want you to get hurt."

"I know, but that still won't make me eat."

Hermione wasn't going to eat and no one was going to change that fact. She just wouldn't eat because of the challenge. Her stomach was in knots over it. She had secretively gone out to the pitch every night to practice, well secret until as of late. Draco came out for a midnight ride once and caught Hermione flying around.

Amanda walked in and took her normal seat. She had not slept well because of haunting dreams about the final battle. As of late, that's all she ever dreamed about. It scared her every time she saw a new person shot with the killing curse.

Jacob rolled out of what he thought was his fiancé's bed. When he opened his eyes, he realized it was his own. He missed sleeping next to Amanda. Realization hit him. Today was the day of the second challenge. He was pretty good with a broom. His Intremance skills always came in handy physically… always.

The sun was bright over the Quidditch pitch. You could find the champions out on their brooms high above the ground. Hermione was the only one missing. She was really flying with a cloaking charm over her. No one new she was there practicing.

The day was spent watching the champions practice. Or it was spent with a loved one, namely a boyfriend or girlfriend. The teachers spent much of the day in the forbidden forest. They were preparing the race path. The teachers had fun envisioning the ways the students would wipe out their brooms.

Jacob and Amanda were sitting in the room of requirement. They had created a desk for two so that they may both sit at it, one on each side. They were working on wedding details. They had planned the wedding to be at midnight between December 31st and January 1st. They would be pronounced man and wife at one of the most infamous in-betweens of all time.

"What colors will your bride's maid's dresses be?" asked Jacob

"Blood red. Why?" asked Amanda in return

"So I can match my best men's shirts." Replied Jacob

They stayed at this for a while…an hour to be exact, before they realized the time. The challenge would start in a few hours. Amanda wanted to get some practice in before the challenge. She looked at Jacob, who was wearing a frustrated and tired mask over his face.

"So you want to take a break for today? We can always work on it tomorrow." Asked Amanda

"Yeah, that sounds great kitten."

"Great…Let's get out of here."

"WILL EVERYONE PLEASE REPORT TO THE VIEWER'S STADIUM IN FRONT OF THE FORBIDDEN FOREST" Came Professor McGonagall's voice all over the school.

It was time for the challenge, meaning it was 11:00 that night. The champions were already at the champions' tent, waiting for last minute instructions from McGonagall.

The champions were pacing about much in the same way they did for the first challenge. Draco was calming Hermione down the best he could. Harry and Ron were pacing in large circles. Amanda and Jacob looked unconcern, but were mildly worried in their heads.

McGonagall walked into the buzzing tent. All eyes were instantly glued to her.

"You will proceed to the beginning line in five minutes. The rules are simple. If you fall off your broom three times, you are instantly removed from the challenge. The two of you who perform the worst will be eliminated. Prepare yourselves. The bell will ring when we are ready for you. Good luck."

The professor exited the tent and headed to her seat to judge. She nodded to filch who began counting out five minutes time.

Filch rang the bell and the champions exited the tent. They lined up on the beginning line and waited for the command to be called.

Madam Hooch came forward. She lined herself up with the group. The stands quieted.

"On my whistle you will begin the race. Attempt to knock each other off course and you will be added a ten second penalty. On my whistle…Three…Two…One…"

Hooch blew the whistle long and loud. The champions zoomed forward into the forest and down the path. The Audience watched from the stands by watching a giant screen. The screen had been enchanted to follow the champions through the forest and display it to the crowd in the stands.

Harry whizzed past a low branch and onto the tunnel between the two large and long lines of bushes. Draco and Jacob held a close second with Amanda behind them. Ron followed close behind but poor Hermione was lost around the corner.

Jacob speed forward in an attempt to pass Draco and claim and even second. Draco caught wind of Jacob's intentions and charged as well. Jacob watched Draco as he began to lead second place. Draco kept his eyes on Jacob as they matched the other's speed. Jacob looked ahead and ducked. Draco was caught by the low-hanging branch and was knocked off his broom. Amanda then claimed Draco's spot in the race.

Hermione had somewhat caught up with the pack. She was still in last position. Ron led her by a few feet. Then Draco caught back up. He had reclaimed his broom and Trailed behind Hermione. He gradually brought his speed back up and passed Hermione. He tried to pass Ron, but was knocked off course. Madam Hooch blew her whistle from the opening of the racecourse. Ron was teleported to Madam Hooch's side. He gave her his broom, but not without a fight. He watched the remainder of the race from the stands with the rest of the school.

Harry continued his lead. Amanda had a firm hold of second place. Draco and Jacob were still competing for third place. Amanda speeded up to the point of being head to head

With Harry. Harry continued to watch the path. Amanda kept her eyes on the course as well. Jacob speed forward and succeeded in passing Draco. He looked back and laughed in Draco's face. Amanda had slowed down to handle the curve in the path. Jacob crashed into her, knocking her off the course along with himself. Draco claimed second. Harry had full control of first.

Amanda and Jacob got back on their brooms quickly. Hermione had taken her time on her broom and was still trailing the pack when Amanda and Jacob caught up with her. Hermione got side tracked by the up coming bushes. She would have to get her face hit with the branches unless she let go. She did let go and she crashed horribly. She flew face first into the ground. She tried to use her arms to keep herself in control, but it only caused her to twist about more so. When she finally lay still, her arm was broken and she was unconscious. Madam Pomfrey summoned her body and she was soon laid on a stretcher in the medical tent. Two were out of the race, four left to fight through the forest.

Harry, still in the lead, looked back at the remaining racers. Draco was trailing him, and Jacob and Amanda were striving to catch back up to them. Jacob gained speed and began passing Amanda. Amanda watched as he did so. Draco, having not learned his lesson the first time, looked back at the two behind him. Harry followed the sharp upward turn with ease. Draco, who was following close behind Harry, crashed into the wall of trees. Jacob and Amanda followed the upward turn and continued to race forward.

Draco seized his broom, got on, and took off. He tried to catch up, but to no avail. The pack was far ahead and there were many turns and twists. Thankfully, the pack had to slow down so that they didn't crash, and that gave Draco an advantage to catch up.

Harry could see open space straight ahead. He drove his broom as hard as he could. Jacob took note of Harry's findings and sped up as well. Amanda, not being able to see the end of the path, sped up with her fellow racers. Draco was still a few turns back and, of course, could not see the end of the race.

Harry zoomed over the finish line, shortly followed by Jacob, then Amanda, and then a little later than the rest, Draco.

The racers all stood in a line shoulder-to-shoulder, and waited for the points and such.

McGonagall stood from her seat at the judging area to announce the points that each racer was awarded.

"In first place is Mr. Harry Potter with 49 of fifty points. He was awarded this amount for his constant lead and his good broom racing skills. In second place with 40 of fifty points is Mr. Jacob Vansire. He was awarded this amount for his enthusiasm to the race and his exceptional broom racing skills. And of course, his second place finishing spot. In third place with 37 of fifty points is Miss. Amanda Slytherin. She is awarded with these points because of her exceptional broom racing skills and her third place finishing spot. In Fourth place with 35 of fifty points is Mr. Draco Malfoy. He has been given these points because of his enthusiasm to win and his finishing place. In fifth place with 20 of fifty points is Miss. Hermione Granger. Miss. Granger has been awarded these few points for effort and patience while still in the running. In last position is Mr. Ronald Weasley with no points. He has been disqualified from the challenge and will not participate in the next and final round of the challenge. Miss. Hermione has also been eliminated from the challenge because her score was too low. That is the standings. They will be posted in each common room for all to see."

Everyone walked back to the castle to either sleep or have a big bash for the remaining champions. Ron admitted defeat by Draco for the first time in his life. Alira spent time with Salen. Jacob and Amanda spent time away from the wedding details. Harry was patted on the back so much that he was sure that is was going to be sore the next day. Thank Merlin that the Challenge was on a Saturday and that the school could sleep in the next, or same, day.