Lots of fluff and I did skip a lot because there were just like 2 chapters of hagrid being in the papers and dealing with the egg (something sven changed the stinker) but hope you enjoy it nonetheless! I'll try to get another chapter of this out again soon. in a Harry Potter mood right now apparently.

"A ball?"

Harry nodded, looking downtrodden as he, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny relaxed in the Room of Requirement with Sven after Transfiguration class.

"What is… a ball?" Sven questioned, brows furrowed in confusion.

"It's where boys ask out girls and they go dancing and eat food and stuff," Ginny explained as Hermione nodded.

"It's only for the upperclassmen, but they can ask younger students too."

"Yeah," Harry sighed, "and the champions have to have a date. McGonagall said so. Champions and their partners open the ball. I don't even know how to dance."

"Who are you gonna ask?" Ginny questioned, curious.

"I don't know. I don't even know where to start," Harry grumbled.

"Are you going to ask Luna, Sven?" Hermione asked, making Sven hum with a tip of his head.

"I would not go if I could. There are lots of people at balls, are there not?"

The group nodded, knowing that because of his condition it wouldn't exactly be a great thing.

"But champions must go, so I will take Luna," Sven said with a firm nod, returning to the book he had on his lap.

"You going to do anything special?" Hermione asked him, making his brows furrow in confusion.

"Special?"

"Yeah, like bring her flowers when you ask or do something sweet?"

"Why?"

"Well, girls like to get things from people they—"

Ginny nudged Hermione, stopping her from spilling that Luna and Sven liked one another; earning a strange look from Sven as Ginny plastered on a grin. "We just think Luna might like something nice when you ask. Like a…. Gift! A sort of…. Thanks-for-accepting gift."

"But if I bring a gift before she accepts—"

Hermione sighed, realizing that getting Sven to realize anything was between him and Luna would be a real struggle. "Just… try and do something nice, Sven. She'll appreciate it."

Sven hesitated but nodded slowly and went back to his reading as they discussed the other problem. The egg they'd both received from the last task.

"Yours screeched too?"

Sven nodded. "Very loudly, so I closed it and left it alone," he said, not looking away from his book as he pointed over at the egg sitting on a desk nearby.

"Do you think Krum might know something about it?" Harry asked, curious and hopeful.

Sven perked up and hummed. "Perhaps. I will ask at dinner."

Turns out, Krum did know what was going on with the screeching egg, recommending the two of them to dunk it underwater to hear its riddle of a message that warned them they would need to be able to hold their breath underwater for up to an hour. There was just one problem…

"You can't swim?"

Sven shook his head as he walked with Ginny towards their Ancient Runes class. "No. I don't… care for water much. I never needed to learn and would rather avoid it if possible."

Ginny scoffed. "Doesn't sound possible if you need to be holding your breath for an hour. I can teach you if you want. Luna too, probably, if you'd rather her."

Sven looked away wistfully for a moment as Ginny cracked a small smile, knowing the boy's obvious feelings for her friend. Still, it's getting kind of ridiculous how close they are without actually admitting it.

"Have you asked her out yet? To the ball?"

Sven shook his head. "Not yet. We haven't met recently because of our different courses. I don't want to interrupt her if she's studying for her tests."

"The ball's coming up though. What if someone else asks her first?"

Sven frowned at that, making Ginny smirk and give him a nudge.

"Just ask her. Even if you don't have flowers or anything. I'm sure she'll be happy to go with you either way."

"Does she like flowers?" Sven questioned, and Ginny shrugged.

"I don't know. I'm sure she would if you brought them. It's the thought that counts, you know? Just the fact you're giving her something. Like… that happy feeling when you get a gift."

Sven nodded, knowing what she meant with that and looking more confident. "Then, I will ask and bring flowers. Could you—"

"I'll send her to the owlery after dinner," Ginny easily agreed, knowing there was no way Luna wouldn't accept Sven's offer. "How've things been with the Dark Arts class?"

Sven shrugged. "The professor hasn't called on me as much after Dumbledore spoke with him, though his…" Sven gestured to his eye. "...eye thing stares at me through the lesson now."

"Creepy. Is he still jinxing you in the halls?"

"We don't know it's him."

"Yeah, but he's the only suspect, right?"

Sven begrudgingly agreed as they slipped into the classroom. "While I'm walking with you to our joined classes I have no issues. On the way to potions class, the Bloody Baron follows and the portraits are keeping a better eye. I've only had a few instances now, though I don't appreciate them."

"Don't think anyone would. Still, let me know if I need to get my brothers to prank him or something. Keep him off your back, yeah?"

Sven hesitated again, but nodded, grateful for the few people he could call friends. He split off with Ginny after class and once he finished dinner, started looking around the grounds for flowers for Luna. He found some dandelions in a far-off corner near the forest and pulled them up—roots and all—before bounding back to the castle. The owlery wasn't far and given it was just after dinner there weren't many students in the halls. Sven felt an odd sort of fluttering as he got closer and spotted Luna waiting by the door idly staring out the window nearby. She spotted him coming and offered a small smile.

"Hello, Sven."

"Hello, Luna," Sven greeted in return, abruptly holding out the dandelions that she stared at in surprise. "Ginny and Hermione said I should give you flowers."

Luna stared at them for a moment longer before taking them and lightly brushing her finger over one of the yellow dandelions. "They're very pretty."

"I found them near the forest," Sven said, a little jittery now. "They said you might like flowers."

"I do, but why are you bringing me flowers?"

"I…" Sven's brows furrowed, confused when his throat seemed to close a little before trying again. "I-I wanted to…"

Luna tipped her head curiously as Sven's frown deepened. "What's wrong?"

"It is… hard for me to speak. I'm not sure why."

Luna smiled a little and took his hand. "It's okay. I can wait."

Sven glanced at their intertwined hands, getting a squeeze of reassurance from Luna before he tried again, feeling her hold give him the courage he needed. "Would you like to go to the ball with me?"

"Would it be okay?" She asked, concerned about his condition and he nodded.

"Yes. I will make sure to take extra blood if I need to. I wouldn't go, usually, but McGonagal told Harry champions have to and Snape took me aside as well to say the same." Sven paused then. "I… don't know how to dance though."

"I can teach you. I… don't like formal dancing but if it's just one dance, it's fine."

Sven perked up with a nod, squeezing her hand in return before remembering something. "Do you swim?"

If Luna was confused, she didn't show it and answered quickly. "My house is near the beach. I swim very well."

"Can you teach me that too? I do not care for water much, but the second task has a riddle that says I will have to swim." Sven frowned, annoyed at the thought, but Luna nodded.

"Okay. I can show you during lunch. We can switch when you get tired of one."

Sven nodded, pleased as Luna smiled and stepped forward, hugging him. He was surprised by the action until she stepped back and lifted the flowers.

"Thank you for the flowers, Sven. I'll see you tomorrow."

Sven nodded, a little light-headed from the feelings he'd just dealt with as she left down the stairs to head back to her dorm. Still a bit jittery, he shifted to his animagus form and flew out the owlery window, doing a few tucks and turns in joy before he'd slip back in and go to the Room of Requirement to eagerly await the following day.

Christmas came quick and fast, and with it came the exhaustion of learning to swim and dance with Luna. My entire body was sore and achy, but the ball was something that made me a little… giddy. I'd never experienced a ball before and to know Luna would be there with me had a flutter in my chest that I wasn't used to but enjoyed all the same. It made the attacks in the halls almost not even a worry for me. I was handling them better now and there wasn't much else to worry about other than trying to find a way to hold my breath for an hour for the second task.

I tugged at the deep red velvet waistcoat Luna had chosen for me, given I had no real dress robes for this occasion. She'd offered to pick something up at Hogsmeade for me and the outfit felt… nice. Like a gift. It was simple, mainly black. Black dress pants, dress shoes, dress shirt, then the dark vest with black patterns etched into it. It came with a black cloak with a red lining that hung off my shoulder by a simple silver chain. It was soft and warm thanks to my charms, though it made me feel anxious about something. I almost wish I could see myself in the mirror again.

I sighed, trying to calm myself, and moved over to the desk where a few vials of blood were waiting. I downed one quickly and tucked the other two in my pocket for later. I had no doubt that the halls would be packed with students for the ball and it would take a lot of focus to tolerate the ball long enough for me to do the initial dance with Luna and get out into some fresh air. She knows about this as well. I can't stay there for long but I have to stay for my job as this stupid champion.

I wrinkled my nose in annoyance before relaxing once more and moving out of the Room of Requirement. The trek to the main entrance felt longer than ever and I had to wait at the top of the stairs for a moment to focus on clearing the hunger from my mind. It was already buzzing in the back of my head just from the sounds drifting up from down the last set of stairs. Just need to tolerate it for a little while. I'll be fine.

I took a deep breath and debated whether I should try and search for Luna or wait. She said she'd meet me here but it's crowded. She knows I don't like crowds… I glanced downstairs as the Slytherins crept their way up from the dungeons, joining the throng of people before the Durmstrangs joined through the front door. Krum spotted me easily and gave me a brief nod that helped me relax. I have friends here at least.

I took another relaxing breath only to flinch when a hand brushed my elbow. It was Luna, who offered a small smile.

"Hello, Sven. You look very nice. Do you like the clothes?"

I felt the tension ease from my body as I nodded, feeling a tingle in the crook of my arm where she kept her hand. "Yes. I like them a lot. Thank you for choosing them. I don't know much about dress robes or dances."

"Or swimming," she added with a small teasing smile.

The lessons were awkward after all. Having never swam and avoiding water most of my life, attempting to swim through the deep lake often left me floundering and at the mercy of the giant squid underneath. Luna was helping of course, but I still had trouble.

"Yes. Swimming…" I muttered, just as McGonagall's voice drifted up from below.

"Champions over here, please!"

I hesitated as Krum moved forward with his date and Fleur with hers, Harry lagging slightly behind. Luna gave my arm a squeeze though and I sighed before we stepped out and down the stairs towards the group of gathered students. Those in front of us stared and parted in surprise. I could easily hear the murmurs of the different houses and even my own house as we passed.

"Is that… That's Loony Luna isn't it?"

"A-And that Slytherin…"

"Isn't he the one who was picked on his first year?"

"No, he's the one who's friends with those Gryffindors!"

"He looks a bit… H-He cleans up pretty nice."

I raised a brow at that one, leaning towards Luna slightly. "What does that mean? Cleans up nice?"

She smiled, leaning into my arm a bit. "They mean you're very handsome."

I tipped my head in surprise, having not expected a compliment upon descending the stairs. "Oh. Then you are very handsome too. Much more than I."

Luna chuckled a little, her laugh like chimes that made my heart race and I felt pride well up in me for accomplishing such a thing, even as she corrected me. "Girls tend to be pretty, Sven. Beautiful, lovely, things like that. Only boys get to be handsome."

"That's silly," I huffed. "You can be whatever you want."

"Even something silly?"

I nodded. "Anything."

She smiled some more and I too felt a smile creep on my face as McGonagall finished letting other students in and started to lead us and the other champions in as well. We entered the Great Hall with the other champions, getting applause from everyone as I glanced around at the decor. It was still set up for Christmas and winter with silver frost on the walls and mistletoe crossing the ceiling with ivy. The house tables had vanished though, leaving smaller, lantern-lit ones. We were led to the main table at the head of them all, and I pulled out Luna's chair for her before seating myself and eyeing the menu before the plates. I tipped my head but Dumbledore knew what to do and asked for pork chops that quickly appeared on his plate.

Excitement welled up in me and I did the same, thrilled to have meat in front of me and feeling a little embarrassed when I asked for a multitude of spices as well to better season the meat. I still had issues tasting things—grateful I didn't have to ask for the blood goblet that was already waiting for me—and I overseasoned my own pork chops as Luna ordered her food.

"Do you like spicy things?" Luna asked, curious.

"I can taste it better," I replied, cutting into the meat and eating a piece with a soft sigh of relief. "I've had issues lately. I can't talk here though."

She nodded in understanding, eating some of her salad that I eyed for a moment before passing her a tomato from my plate. She smiled softly at me, making me crack a small one back before Krum spoke to me, drawing my gaze away.

"Sven has shown me the library. We have a castle also but not as big as this."

I nodded, knowing what he meant as he'd told me about Durmstrang before. It sounded like the coven almost. Cold and unfeeling. He'd liked Hogwarts because it gave off a homely sort of feeling. Warm fireplaces lit when the weather was poor, comfy sofas, and extensive libraries. Fleur was talking about Beauxbaton too, saying how their decorations are extensive and the cuisine superb. I bobbed my head to that as well, knowing that the cultures were very much different between the gruff Durmstrang, the posh Beauxbatons, and the medieval halls of Hogwarts. I knew a little bit about the other cultures but not enough to really talk about things other than to nod or occasionally give an opinion on how I felt about the French cuisine or the differences in studies.

We finished eating though, and everyone was asked to stand so Dumbledore could whisk the tables to the sidelines and conjure the band items for a group to play. People must have known them, for they clapped enthusiastically before they began to play and the champions were to take their partners to the floor. I wasn't sure how to ask Luna, but she understood and took my hand, leading me out to the floor with the others and setting us up in a position like we'd been practicing. I'd picked up dancing easier than I expected and we stepped smoothly around the floor with the others. More people soon joined and my gaze flickered to the multiple heads now being added to the floor.

A bit of the hunger was creeping up and I forced myself to close my eyes and take a steadying breath. Luna's hand tightened slightly on my arm, drawing my gaze back to her as the song started to slow to an ending.

"Are you all right?"

I nodded. "For now. I have what I need if it gets worse, so we can stay a while longer if you'd like."

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

I shook my head. "I'm fine. I want you to have fun too."

She smiled again as the song switched to something more upbeat. I frowned, seeing others dancing far differently than we had been and growing uneasy. Luna noticed this and took a step back, taking my hands and swinging them a little. I eyed our hands for a moment before tipping my head at her.

"I'm confused. Why are we not dancing like before?"

Fred and Angelina in particular were dancing so excitedly people had to back up out of their way.

"It's different."

Luna nodded. "The song styles are different. We can dance however we like."

I frowned, confused as she let my hands go and began to spin in a slow circle and wave her hands about like she was swatting at something. "I-I don't know how to dance."

"Then, just follow me."

I watched her for a moment then tried the same. It was… different, but she was smiling and laughing and having fun. It didn't matter that some Slytherin were snickering—especially when Fred and Angelina edged their way towards them and nearly pushed Malfoy into the butterbeer on a table nearby. Her being happy was all that mattered at that moment.

After another song, she looked a little tired and I knew I would need one of the vials as well, so we moved off the dancefloor to join Harry, Ron, and Hermione who were taking a break nearby as well.

"It's hot, isn't it?" Hermione commented, waving her hand at her face. "Viktor's just gone to get some drinks. Oh! Hi, Sven. Hello, Luna. Taking a break too?"

I nodded, pulling out Luna's chair again and passing her a drink as I pulled out a vial of blood and downed it. The trio wasn't even bothered at this point and Ron was more focused on Hermione.

"Viktor? He hasn't asked you to call him Vicky yet?" He said with a bit of bite.

"What's up with you?" Hermione questioned.

"If you don't know, I'm not going to tell you."

I blinked in surprise, confused as well before he blurted it out.

"He's from Durmstrang! He's competing against Harry! Against Sven! Against Hogwarts! You—You're fraternizing with the enemy, that's what you're doing!"

"But we're friends with Viktor," I piped up, brows furrowed at the sudden anger from Ron. "Fleur as well. We're working together on tasks and Viktor doesn't like the name, Vicky."

Ron flushed red, struggling to counter as Hermione snapped at him as well.

"Don't be so stupid! Honestly, who was the one who was all excited when they saw him arrive? Who was the one who wanted his autograph? Who's got a model of him up in their dormitory?"

Ron only continued to fight back. "What happened? Trying to get him to join SPEW, were you?"

"No, I wasn't! If you really want to know, h-he said he'd been coming up to the library every day to try and talk to me, but he hadn't been able to pluck up the courage!" She said, blushing bright red as I nodded in agreement.

"He originally was looking at books. He asked me about the library too, but then asked what he should do to ask Hermione."

Hermione looked surprised at that as I rubbed the back of my neck.

"I'm not very good at things like that. I offered to take him to get a gift though like you said for Luna. It's why we were looking at sweets. I didn't know girls liked flowers or I would've told him that." I looked back at Ron then, still confused. "I don't understand though. Why are you angry with Viktor? He's quiet but nice."

"I-I, well… Maybe he's hoping you'll help him find out what his egg means!"

I shook my head. "He swims a lot and knows the mermaids in the lake. He told us how to get the egg to work before. Weren't you there?"

Ron probably couldn't get much more embarrassed but I still didn't understand where this frustration was coming from and soon Hermione had enough of it and stormed off along with the girl who'd come with Ron. I wasn't sure how to handle everyone fighting, but Luna could see I was confused and frustrated and stood, taking my hand and intertwining our fingers to draw my attention to her.

"We should go outside, Sven. I heard the grounds are very pretty at night."

I glanced at Harry and the still-bitter Ron, but Harry waved me off and I let Luna pull me outside for now. Once on the grounds, we walked idly towards the lake where glowing fairies occasionally drifted across the top of the water. Luna plopped on the grass near a tree and I sat as well, still confused.

"Why was Ron angry?" I asked her, assuming she'd know better. "Viktor and us were friends. Why not now?"

"I think Ron is jealous," she answered simply, leaning against my shoulder.

"Jealous?"

She nodded. "He likes Hermione. He just doesn't know it yet, so when she danced with Viktor, he got upset."

I still didn't quite understand. "Because they're friends?"

Luna hummed for a moment, before glancing up at me. "What if someone took me to the ball instead of you?"

I stiffened, feeling a burn of anger in my gut and frowning before her hand came up and poked my cheek, making the frown falter.

"That is jealousy."

I blinked, considering the bitter angry feeling that had welled up before tipping my head and looking at her. "Because I like you?"

She smiled. "Do you?"

My brows furrowed again, feeling as though this was a trick question that I wasn't understanding. She stood then, offering me a hand up and I followed, but she didn't let go. She tugged me a little toward her and waved me down closer before something soft brushed my cheek. I blinked in surprise, pulling away and staring, but she just smiled, giving my hand a squeeze as my heart raced and we slowly returned to the castle.

Things passed far too quickly after Christmas. For some, it passed by even faster. Sven had been in a daze ever since the ball and nothing really dragged him out of it. He'd been sent to the infirmary more often with his hazy mind unable to retaliate quick enough against the few attacks still happening in the hall, but nothing long-lasting or even bothersome enough to make him pay more attention. The trio were worried about him but had been distracted more by Hagrid's disappearance from his class. Apparently, Rita Skeeter had managed to find out he was half-giant and published it in the paper.

It hadn't taken long for the trio to convince him to return, though there was also the problem of the second task. Despite Ron's jealousy of Viktor, he held his tongue when they gathered in the Room of Requirement with Sven or watched the two practice swimming in the lake. With Sven and Krum's tip on the egg being opened underwater though, Harry had just taken Sven's word on what the riddle was. No point in sneaking around to the prefect's baths and risking getting caught out of bed when he had it already. Still, it didn't help any of them to figure out how to hold their breath underwater for an hour.

Krum had offered to try and teach them a transfiguration spell that he planned to use to turn into a shark, but Hermione was very much against it given everything that could go wrong in the process; something that made Sven upset. He was always looking for new spells to try. Ron had suggested the summoning charm to get Aqua-Lungs that Harry had mentioned but Hermione pointed out that wouldn't work either given how Harry didn't know how to work it and would get in trouble as well. So, they were left looking at charms until Sven spoke up one afternoon in the Room of Requirement.

"Gillyweed."

"What?" Harry questioned, confused as he turned to look at the vampire as he flipped through a book.

"Gillyweed. It's a plant where if you eat it, it can help you breathe underwater for well over an hour."

"And where are we gonna get that?" Ron huffed.

"I think Snape might have some," Sven hummed, tipping his head. "And Fleur told me of a bubblehead charm. I should be able to learn that quickly with her help."

"So, why mention the gillyweed?" Hermione asked.

"Because Harry needs something too, doesn't he? Friends help friends."

Harry breathed a breath of relief to have a friend in Sven, who would continue to search for an answer even after finding his own. So, it was agreed that Sven would get the gillyweed for Harry from Snape and practice the bubblehead charm himself. There was just one thing they didn't expect.

"Sven got detention?" Hermione gasped as Ginny huffed at the Gryffindor table at dinner one evening.

"Yeah, apparently Snape thinks he stole stuff from his potions cabinet."

Harry felt a hint of guilt—the gillyweed sitting in a jar in his trunk upstairs that Sven had handed over easily. "You don't think—"

"Did they say what was missing?"

Ginny shook her head. "I just know he confronted him in potions. Said he'd been the last to ask for something and when Snape said he couldn't, he must've stolen it."

Harry winced. It has to be because of the gillyweed.

"The weird thing is I heard from the portraits that Moody was around there too."

The group perked up at that, knowing how Sven was convinced Moody was attacking him in the halls.

"What do you mean?"

"They were talking about it on the stairs apparently," Ginny said, leaning in and hushing her voice with a glance up the table cautiously. "If they were in the dungeon, the portraits wouldn't have heard a thing. There's none down there. Thing is, Moody was searching Snape's office too and Snape thinks it wasn't because Dumbledore told him to. They were arguing about it pretty loud. They thought there was gonna be a fight."

The group only grew more concerned about this and confronted Sven about it the following day—the morning before the next task. He agreed to have snuck in as a bat and taken the gillyweed when Snape refused but he hadn't been the only one looking.

"Moody was there too?"

Sven nodded, brows knit together as he and Harry walked to where the champions were to meet for the task near the lake. "He was searching through the cupboards too. I saw him take some things but I'm not sure what they could be used for or what they were. I informed Professor Snape, but he assumed I was lying and stole them myself. It's why he gave me detention."

"Why would Moody need to go through Snape's things and then lie about it?"

Sven shrugged, not knowing himself as they joined Fleur and Krum by the judge's table. The other students were soon brought into the stands near the lake where they would watch as well, and Harry noticed Sven eyeing the judge's table and then the stands.

"What's wrong?"

"Where is Crouch?"

"Percy's been taking over for him. He's been sick apparently," Harry replied, making Sven frown. "Why?"

"I assumed he might have added my name but if he's not here then I need to rethink."

Bagman came over and started moving the champions away from one another and the group stripped down to their swimming clothes as Bagman gave Harry one last pat and began the announcement to start.

"Well, all our champions are ready for the second task, which will start on my whistle. They have precisely an hour to recover what has been taken from them. On the count of three, then. One, two, three!"

I used a quick charm to create the bubblehead charm Fleur had taught me once I dove into the lake. I still didn't like water or swimming but pushed the thought aside far easier than the uneasiness that had settled into me upon knowing that the second task meant something being taken from me. I hadn't figured out what it was either. Sorina was still in the Room of Requirement along with my sunhat. Still, I was on edge about something and I didn't like it one bit.

I pushed myself further down, grateful for the lack of current as I moved through a group of small fish and spotted the giant squid in the distance. Long weeds reached up towards the surface and I was quick to flick my wand at a grindylow trying to grab at my ankle. I bared my teeth at the next ones to come up and they hissed in return but backed off. Even underwater the creatures knew of vampires and when to back off from those stronger.

"Hello, Sven. How are you doing?"

I blinked at Moaning Murtle having drifted up from below me and shrugged.

She giggled a little and gestured off to my right. "Try over there. I told Harry too. I can't get much closer though or they chase me. Ooh, but you'll be angry, I bet. Oh, I'm sure."

I frowned, not knowing what she meant but did my best to swim in that direction. I was wearing down now, having swum for so long. They were muscles I wasn't used to using and even with the practices, I knew I wouldn't last much longer. I'll have to use a blasting spell to propel me up to the surface. I'm not sure I could swim up. I brushed the thought aside, for now, willing to worry about it later as I started to hear a song drifting through the water.

"...your time's half gone, so tarry not lest what you seek stays here to rot."

I swam into an area of stone dwellings covered in algae, seeing the merpeople standing around and watching. A few had scowls as I swam by, undoubtedly recognizing what I was as I got closer to their city center. A crowd was singing up near where four people were tied down to stone statues of merpeople, one of which sent my heart into my throat.

"Luna!" I bellowed, scrambling to get closer to her and prepared to hurt anyone who got in my way.

None of the merpeople stopped me and when I got over to where she was, I relaxed only slightly. I could hear her heart beating, her blood pumping. Slowly, but alive for now. It did nothing to calm the fury welling up in me for whoever thought they could do this to her for some cheap game. Harry swam over then, stunned himself at seeing Ron and grabbing a stone to undo his ropes before turning to Hermione. The merpeople grabbed him, making me draw my wand with a snarl and aim it towards them, more than willing to cause harm for my friends. They hesitated but still stayed between Harry, Hermione, and the other hostage.

"You take your own hostage. Leave the others."

Harry blew bubbles, unable to speak and even I hesitated. I couldn't risk keeping Luna down here for much longer and if everyone was to grab their own hostage, then there would be no reason to worry. I knew Krum would get down here to save Hermione. I trusted he had that skill. Fleur, I wasn't as confident in but I didn't recognize the other hostage other than their slight similarity to her. Family? Emotions battled within me, struggling to help me choose what to do.

Krum came out of nowhere then, head shifted into that of a shark but body remaining human. He'd tried transfiguration it seemed but only managed his head—not that it was stopping him from biting Hermione free and darting up to the surface with her. I grimaced, knowing time was running short, and groaned before aiming my wand at the merpeople.

"Move," I said dangerously slow and they shifted fearfully before I cracked a spell at the ground before them, making them scatter.

Harry turned to me in surprise as I sliced the ropes of all of our remaining hostages and I gave him a nod before grabbing Luna. It was hard to swim up by myself and I knew Harry was behind me struggling even more with the two hostages. We were both growing tired and knowing I wouldn't be able to leave Harry behind, I turned and pointed my wand at him. His eyes widened in surprise and he tried to lift his but I wrapped him and the hostages in rope, before tucking Luna close to me and firing off an exploding charm behind me. The pressure of it pushed us towards the surface far quicker than we would've made it if we swam and we soon broke the surface was gasps of air as I released Harry and his now-conscious companions.

"T-Thanks, Sven," Harry said breathlessly as I nodded weakly and we hauled them to the bank.

Fleur was with us in an instant, grateful her sister had been saved and holding onto her tight while Madam Pomfrey hurried us over to get treated. When she saw I was alright, she gave me a stern look, but I explained I'd used a heating charm and she begrudgingly left me to treat the others as I dried off and kept my eyes firmly on Luna as she was helped. I didn't even care about Dumbledore asking for a meeting with the judges or Ron and Harry getting the thanks for saving Fleur's sister. Once Madam Pomfrey walked away from Luna I was right there ensuring she was alright before scowling.

"Who took you?"

Luna took my shaking hand and ran her fingers over it softly as I resisted the urge to clench it into a fist. Even as points were being given out, none of it mattered over me finding out who thought they could get to me through her.

"Sven, it's okay."

"It's not okay," I bit back, anger making me grind my teeth and bare them angrily. "They took you. Someone took you for this stupid tournament and I—"

"Sven," she said sharply, making me bite my tongue and bow my head in frustration. "I'm okay, aren't I? The Headmaster wouldn't have let anything happen."

It didn't matter. None of that mattered. Not being tied with Harry for first place as the judges announced. Not that she would've been safe with Dumbledore around. The only thing that mattered was the tight feeling in my chest that had remained from seeing her pale and unconscious under the lake. I reached forward and pulled her to me, curling around her and holding her as tight as I dared as she hugged me in return.

"I-I won't let it happen. I won't let anyone hurt you because of me. Not ever."