Chapter 21- Good Boy: Second Task
Disclaimer: I am not J.K.Rowling
The morning of the second task, Dennis was able to eat a lot more than he had before the first task. He was a little more confident. Finally, the teams were called to a field in front of the castle. They all had to give their wands to their headmaster, aside from the Champions. The teams stood waiting, while Hintz had one final talk with the Champions.
"Each of you and your teams will be on a boat in the ocean," he said. "You position will be marked with an X on the map as soon as you arrive. You must transport each of your team members to the island on the map before your boat sinks. The boats will be undetectable to Muggles, but as soon as something leaves the boat, Muggles will be able to see it. Avoid all Muggles and get all the members to the island on time and you win. Remember, Muggles will be able to see people floating in the water once the boat is under."
He nodded and the Champions went to join their team. They all grabbed onto the map, which whooshed them away. They landed with a thud.
"Why are we on a ship?" Baddock yelled when the spinning stopped.
"It's the second task, Idiot," Stella laughed.
"And what does Creevey need to do in this task?" Tummala asked.
"Get you all safely from this boat to this island ten kilometers away, making sure that Muggles in the surrounding waters won't see anything suspicious," Dennis said. His eyes looked around the floor of the boat. "How fast does this broom go?"
"Seventy kilometers an hour for a fast rider," Curran replied.
"Better get moving then," Baddock barked. "Both other teams have."
"I can't do it," Dennis said.
"This is no time for a breakdown," Lena yelled.
"The boat is sinking," Dennis said. Every one gasped. "I can't get you all there in time." There was silence as Dennis thought, his eyes traveled to the side of the boat. He way a wooden lifeboat. "I've got it."
"Well?" Kevin asked.
"Leo, Kevin, Curran, come with me," Dennis said and traveled below deck, the three he had called closse behind. "We need a boat motor and rope. Help me search."
"Here's a boat motor," Kevin found one. "But it's got no propeller."
"That's fine," Dennis said. "It doesn't need one."
"But," Curran objected.
"Rope!" Leo yelled.
"Good," Dennis said giving the rope a good tug. "Curran, how much weight can this broom of yours pull along?"
"About the weight of fifteen people," Curran said. "But why?"
"We attach the motor to the back of the lifeboat and I drag it along with everyone in it. I can use a charm to make myself invisible so even if the Muggle see it, they won't think anything weird is going on."
"That's brilliant!" Kevin exclaimed.
"You're bloody right it is," Dennis said taking the stairs three at a time.
"You're sure you're not supposed to be in Ravenclaw with that brain?" Curran asked. "You usually don't think like this."
"Um… thanks?" Dennis said. Dennis took the motor, held it to where it needed to be and used a charm to attach it to the lifeboat. He then tied the rope to the front of the boat and then to the broom. Lastly, he cast a charm on the motor so that it would make noise.
"Pile in everyone," Kevin yelled.
"First," Dennis yelled, "Lifejackets." Dennis threw everyone a lifejacket.
"Um… no," Lena said throwing it back.
"You're wearing one or you're not going to be saved," Dennis said handing it back to her.
"You're going to save me or you're going to lose," Lena said. "Plus, the boat's full. I'll just sit on the back to the broom behind you."
Dennis looked at the boat and clenched his teeth. "Plus," Lena whispered into his ear. "I think you owe me after the whole Yule Ball incident. I might be emotionally scarred for life."
"You're pushing your luck, Lena," Dennis said. He swung one leg over the broom and Lena climbed on after him and wrapped her arms around his torso. He tapped her with his wand and then himself, casting a Disillusionment Charm on them. He made sure that the broom and rope were charmed too, and then kicked off the boat.
He wasn't the most skilled flyer ever, but he wasn't bad either. He steered clear of any signs of Muggles. He passed both Gage and Maximus as he flew. Gage didn't take too much notice, but Maximus was so confused that he accidentally flew into the water.
"How much time to I have?" Dennis asked as he saw the island come into view. He could see Madam Maxime very clearly after a few seconds.
"Fifteen minutes," Leo answered.
"So why are you speeding up?" Stella asked gripping the edge of the lifeboat.
With only a few meters from the shore, Dennis lifted the Disillusionment Charm and flew the boat into the sand. Everyone in the boat fell into one another's arms.
There was cheering and the judges all nodded approvingly. Dennis turned to help everyone out of the boat. He was surprised Stella and Baddock had both toppled into one another's arms and yet to let go. And Kevin was turning red and trying not to look at them.
"Congratulations, Dennis," Dawn said as he helped her out. She held his wrist an extra moment after she was in the sand, and then allowed her hand to slowly slip from his, trailing her fingers along his hand.
Dennis couldn't think after that and forgot to help the rest out of the boat. They all grumbled and climbed out themselves.
When the time was up, Gage only had three people rescued and Brutus was just bringing in the fourth and fifth. Rescue teams were sent out to quickly recover the rest of the people. Dennis got full points for finishing on time, avoiding Muggles, and a creative approach to the problem.
The Hogwarts Express celebrated late into the night.