Chapter 15: More Drama and a Much-needed Friend

I immediately apologized to Nikki as soon as I woke up the following morning. She told me she covered up for me when George interrogated her about what happened at the Ball. I still got all the dirt on the Slytherins, plus the password to their common room and other information. Viktor still sends owls but I'm not replying… I can't seem to have the strength to face him again. Edmond's caught in the middle of all this. He is Viktor's best friend, but I'm the closest thing he has to a sister. I don't know how I can stay on my resolve in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. Whenever I see Hermione Granger, I need to find the nearest bathroom and lock myself up until all my tears have dried up. Andy and Nikki tried their best to keep me busy. Thank heavens for them. The very first meeting with George and Fred was amazing. They hugged me at the same time, I could never have the strangest, most fun and supportive friends. I'm quite thankful, really. I do hope time might heal my already-wounded heart. Meanwhile, the second task is getting nearer and nearer.

"So, what do you think might be the second task?" Nikki nonchalantly asked.

"With the mermaids, perhaps…" Ianthé said sarcastically.

Amandine nudged Nikki and made a shushing sound.

"Sorry…"

"Nah, it's okay. I'm just stressed out by the amount of homework…" Yeah right…

The second task was held in the Black Lake. Nikki asked if I really do have Seer blood in me. I kidded her and said Trelawney's a distant cousin. I really had no energy to go there, but with the betting polls made again by the notorious twins, I was obliged to go. I looked around to find Hermione Granger among the spectators but I cannot find her. Edmond joined us and asked me if I was really really okay. I know he just used this "concerned cousin" ploy to be in Andy's good graces. They, in fact, held hands secretly when we met up with him.

"What do you think they might do?"

Ianthé shrugged, "An obstacle course underwater, maybe…"

"It had something to do with the egg. I saw Viktor bringing it to the lake and he took a dive. I saw him open the egg underwater."

Nikki nodded but patted Ianthé's arm when the announcer appeared.

I regretted my watching the whole second task. The task for the champions was to get the person special to them who were held hostage by the mermaids in the lake. Cedric Diggory had Cho Chang, Fleur had her sister (although Harry ended up rescuing her), Harry had Ron Weasley, and Viktor… with his transfigured-into-a-shark head… had Hermione Granger. I ran for it when I saw him pulling something out of Hermione's hair, while she was busy cheering for her best friend Harry. I felt my chest turn to lead. I wanted to dive in the lake and yell my lungs out to the mermaids they should have chosen me for Viktor. I know it wouldn't happen. Not in my wildest dreams.

"Just stop asking me if I'm okay! Obviously, I'm not okay because of this complicated stuff!" Ianthé tearfully yelled at Amandine, Edmond and Nikki, "I'm just sick of it!"

"We just want to help you…" Amandine pleaded at her.

"Then don't mention Viktor or the Triwizard Tournament to me ever again!" Ianthé stomped off to the library.

At the most secluded corner of the library, I silently wept. I didn't mean to shout at them, but everything's just complicated. I felt someone touch my shoulder but my vision was blurry because of my tears.

"Do you need to talk to someone?" the voice asked.

I have heard that voice so many times before, always answering to professors' questions. This is some twisted fate that Hermione Grange, of all people, finds me weeping in the library.

"Just go away!" Ianthé whispered venomously, "I don't want to talk to you!"

I ran again, to find myself near the lake, exactly where I met with Viktor. I looked at the water, sat on the huge log, and cried my heart out.

"The funny thing about love is, you can experience the polar extremes of emotions. You can feel blissful one day, and then brutally hurt the next." George's voice silently crept up to Ianthé and she felt his warm hand touch her shoulder.

"How do you…?"

"Know?"

Ianthé nodded.

"You have been walking like a zombie the past few weeks. Do you really think none of your closest friends would know?"

"But how?"

"Fred and I were monitoring our betting poll, which you have won again by the way, when I saw your face become pale when Krum pulled Hermione out of the water. I know that you became bitter about the whole Yule Ball thing but I don't want to blow up Nikki's cover for you. She cares about you a lot than you imagine."

Ianthé' tears have fallen from her face. George handed her a handkerchief.

"Thanks."

"Hey, I'm your friend too… To cheer you up, I have some gossip for you."

Ianthé choked between a sob and a laugh.

"I also know Nikki had been asking me quite a lot about our brother Charlie, who happens to be in her father's employ."

"You're not as thick as you seem…"

"Must be my talent…" George shrugged.

"So, what did Charlie say?"

"That Nikki's quite cute but she's still not over her schoolgirl crush on him. He's giving her a few more years before he can ask her out."

"Oh come on…"

"Hey, I'm a prankster, not a rumor-monger! I only say what is meant to be said!"

Ianthé laughed as she gently punched George's arm.

"Nice to see you smile again."

"Thanks."

"I'm afraid that if you go on crying like that, your eyes would already bleed profusely… which is joke product potential…"

Ianthé laughed a bit more, "So, it's still on then?"

"Of course! Thanks to you, we have gold to tide us over…"

"I'm just doing my part."

"So, you are part-owner of the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes?"

Ianthé nodded, "But we need a contract for that."

George laughed at her.

"Seriously, George, thanks a lot for you know… making me not bawl my eyes out…"

"No problem. Remember, I'm going to put a Tickling charm on you if I see you cry once more, okay?"

Ianthé smiled and nodded.

"Now, let's go and prank us some Slytherins."

We walked back to the castle hand in hand.