Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
February passed quickly and soon it was time for the Second Task. Sky was once again in his French Auror persona, keeping an eye on things. The Champions had gone to the water a while ago and the crowd was getting restless waiting for them to return. Sky wondered just whose clever idea it was to have a Task where the audience couldn't actually see anything.
He also didn't agree with leaving unconscious underage students at the mercy of the Merfolk. They were tricky creatures and you had to be very careful when making any kind of deals with them or it could cost you heavily. He had learned that the hard way while travelling in Sicily. Sky did not know how these creatures had been convinced to not to harm the students, but hoped that whoever made the deal knew what they were doing.
It was closer to the Champions' deadline when suddenly screams and shocked gasps brought his attention back to the water and he saw one of the Champions, Fleur Delacour, breaking the surface alone, her body covered in long red gashes.
'Grindylow.' Sky thought immediately as he ran toward the water and jumped. He quickly swam to the sobbing girl who could barely keep herself above the surface.
"Please, my little sister, please!" The girl sobbed in French as Sky reached her.
"It's going to be fine." Sky tried to reassure in her language as he started taking her to the shore. "Your sister will be fine."
"Please! Safe her! The creatures…!" She clutched his clothes sobbing, unable to continue.
"I promise; we'll get her back." Sky said, silently cursing at the whole Tournament as he lifted the girl to the deck, Panther and Madam Pomfrey immediately taking hold of her. Sky turned back toward the water cursing as the bell rang and he saw the other two champions return with their hostages. Fleur's hostage was still down there and Sky knew there was no time to attempt to reason with the Merpeople, they wouldn't care if the girl died in there.
Taking a deep breath Sky dived and as he got deep enough he transformed into his Phoenix form. One thing he had learned about his Animagus was that he was like a fish in the water in that form. He was able to flash through the water although it was different than in air. It took a lot more out of him too. Water was a powerful opponent. Now, though, he didn't have time to get tired. He had a little girl to safe and who knew how much time. He did not know what kind of enchantments had been placed on the hostages and how long they would last after the hour ended.
He only hoped he wouldn't be too late.
It took several minutes for Sky to reach the girl. She was surrounded by many creatures - many of them not kind at all - trying to get through the enchantments placed around her. Thankfully she was still unconscious and didn't witness any of it – it was enough to traumatize a grown man, let alone a young girl.
Sky opened his mouth and let his Phoenix song out, momentarily enchanting the creatures to listen as he grabbed the girl with his talons and swam as quickly as he could toward the surface. The girl slowed him down severely, but he was able to make it before the creatures realized what had happened and came after them.
Minutes later he saw the light of the sun through the surface and transformed back into his human form, making sure his Auror persona was still in place as occasionally he was unable to keep his morphing intact after transforming into his Animagi forms.
As they surfaced Sky could hear Fleur's frantic screams for her sister. Exhausted, Sky used last of his strength to take the girl who was just starting to come around, back to the shore.
"Gabrielle!" Fleur cried hugging her tightly and kissing her face several times before Madam Pomfrey insisted on taking her for a checkup.
In the meanwhile, Sky was helped to the deck by Blade who was quickly pushed aside by the half-Veela who hugged Sky and kissed his cheeks over and over.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She repeated crying.
Sky gently pushed her away and told her to think nothing of it but the girl was persistent. Sky closed his eyes briefly, exhausted before glaring at Blade who found the whole thing very amusing. Sky was saved by Madam Pomfrey who wanted him for a checkup as well and Fleur moved back to her sister.
Sky sat on the conjured bed and gratefully drank the pepper up handed to him as his gaze wandered to his dad and Dumbledore who were having a discussion and not a pleasant one by the look on Marcus' face. Sky made a move to leave and go to him, but something about the conversation between the two French sisters caught his ear.
"But he looks exactly like Auntie's husband in the picture." Gabrielle was insisting.
"You know Maman told us Uncle Marcus died along with Aunt Marie and cousin Mia." Fleur said gently stroking her hair.
Sky followed their gaze and saw they were staring at Marcus as well. Curious, he addressed the girls.
"You know that man?" He asked pointing at Marcus.
"Non, -" Fleur started but Gabrielle spoke over her.
"Oui, we do! He's our uncle Marcus! I have never met him but I recognize him from pictures on Maman's photo album!" The girl said eagerly.
"Forgive my sister…"
"Your Aunt's name wouldn't happen to be Marié Debroux?"
"How did you know?" Fleur asked amazed.
"Marcus is my boss." Sky lied his mind working. He hadn't known Marcus had living relatives.
"We did not know he was still alive." Fleur said. "And keeping touch with great grandfather." She continued in an unpleasant tone looking down on her nose at the two man.
Sky looked at her in surprise.
"Great grandfather?"
"Oui. Headmaster Dumbledore is our mother's grandfather. Although he does not deserve that title." She said darkly. "He has not had anything to do with our family for years! He even refused to come to grandmother's funeral!"
Sky looked at her in shock. Marcus' wife was Dumbledore's granddaughter? He returned his gaze to his father suddenly realizing how little he actually knew of the man's past, just in time to see his father pale and send an unreadable look towards Dumbledore before walking away and leaving the headmaster to look far too pleased with himself for Sky's tastes.
"Excuse me." Sky excused himself from the sisters and started off after his father. Something had happened. However, he only made it halfway through when he was distracted by Dora.
"Are you okay?" She asked her eyes shining with concern.
Sky smiled at her, his love for her surfacing at the sight of her.
"I'm fine." He said.
"Yes, you looked like you were enjoying yourself." She scoffed and Sky saw her gazing unhappily at the Delacour girls.
"Jealous, love?" He whispered with a smirk and she glared at him. "You know Fleur Delacour has nothing on you, Dora. You're the only one for me." He said seriously and she broke into a smile. He was very tempted to kiss her just there, but he was working and in disguise - it was too much of a risk.
She discreetly squeezed his hand and he knew she was thinking the same.
"So where were you off to in such a hurry?" She asked and reminded Sky why he had come in the first place.
"Something happened between Dumbledore and Marcus. He walked off." He said his eyes scanning the crowd for his Dad. He found him just in time to see him disappear with a whirl of a Portkey, a closed off expression on his face while his other hand was curled into a fist around his wand.
That wasn't good.
Something had definitely happened, but what?
Arthur Weasley was tinkering in his shed when he felt a familiar magical signature Apparate into the Burrow. He left the shed in surprise to confirm what he already knew – his boss and a good friend Marcus Lee had just Apparated to his back yard, an unusual sight, as never before had he visited his home and usually if Marcus needed him, he would just be summoned to the Headquarters.
All questions regarding the man's presence, however, disappeared as he saw the look on his old friend's face. He was a picture of agony and pure anger and hate, his hand clutching his wand. It had been a long time since Arthur had seen him look so dangerous and it never did end well for the enemy.
"What happened?"
"Lucius Malfoy." Marcus growled and Arthur felt his own rage rise at the name. There was no human or creature alive that he loathed more than Lucius Malfoy.
"What did that bastard do?"
"Lucius Malfoy, that son of a bitch." Marcus shook in anger. "He's the one that killed my Marié and Mia." He whispered and Arthur heard the deep pain his friend felt and his rage doubled. That son of a bitch had destroyed so many homes, taken so many lives.
He had taken his Ginny.
He was the one who led the attack on his home towards him, his children and his pregnant wife. Malfoy was the reason he had lost his unborn daughter. There was no concrete proof, but Arthur had recognized his leering voice through the Death Eater mask.
He had seen the flash of silver hair.
He knew it was him.
If it wasn't for his family, Arthur would have already killed him. But at the time, his family had needed him more than revenge and he had let it go.
But no more.
It was enough. Lucius wouldn't see tomorrow.
"I'm going to kill him Arthur." Marcus growled. "Right now."
"And I will gladly accompany you. For Ginny. For my daughter." Arthur said his tone matching him as he took out his wand and tapped into the invisible medallion around his neck that transformed him into his battle gear.
Marcus nodded at him in acceptance and gratitude.
"Thank you Ghost." He said his voice rough.
"Arthur what is going on?" Molly's voice was heard from the house.
Arthur closed his eyes for a moment having forgotten she was home, before exchanging a glance with Marcus.
"I will let Spirit know. Meet us at the usual place in thirty." Marcus said sending him a brief apologetic look, before disappearing from sight, leaving Arthur to deal with his shocked wife.
"Molly, there's something I must tell you."
A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review and tell me what you think.
- Dalnim