Disclaimer: Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R. Note the opinions in this story are my own and in no way represent the owners of this site. This story subject to copyright law under transformative use. No compensation is made for this work.

Chapter Thirteen: Prelude to the First

Ginny was worried sick. Harry had gone out for a walk the night before and he had not come back even through it was well into the afternoon. He wasn't answering his compact, and he hadn't left a single clue as to where he might be going. What was worse, the First Task was only hours away and she still had no idea what the task might be or if she had properly prepared herself for it.

She paced nervously inside her room, having used the excuse that she was going to get dressed and prepared for the Tournament but really she could care less. Her main worry right now was Harry. She was just about to throw something in frustration when the compact inside her pocket grew warm. Pulling it out, she muttered as she flipped it open, "Harry James Potter… I am going to murder you!"

"I know you're mad at me," Ron's voice said quickly, "but I called to apologize."

"What?" she said distractedly, staring at him in disappoint and confusion.

"About the letter…" he said. "Hermione says I need to lay off you about this Tournament because I'm only making you more nervous. So, sorry."

She stared at him blankly, trying to make sense of his words. Right now the only thing she was capable of focusing on was Harry.

Ron's forehead creased. "What's wrong?"

"Harry's missing," she said flatly.

Ron's face scrunched up in alarm. "What do you mean, missing? Where is he?"

"If I knew that then he wouldn't be missing, would he?" she shot back in annoyance. "He left last night to get some air and he hasn't come back since."

"Blimey, Ginny… that's almost an entire day. Have you told anyone?" Ron asked concerned. "Why didn't you call us?"

"Yes, McGonagall knows, but no one else yet," she told him defeated. "And I didn't want to worry you or Hermione. There's nothing you could do anyway."

"We'd still appreciate knowing that our best mate has gone missing," he said angrily. "What's McGonagall doing to find him?"

"The teachers are out looking for him, but so far no luck," Ginny said collapsing heavily in a chair. "They won't let me go, even though I begged. The First Task is in two hours, and if they don't find him by then I'm not doing it."

"It's a binding magical contract, Ginny," Ron reminded her. "You have to compete."

"I don't care. There's no way I could concentrate. I'll get flattened." She looked at her brother with sudden fear. "What if he's been kidnapped… or worse?"

Ron looked worried too, but shook his head. "You know Harry… he's probably following some kind of a lead on this Malfoy thing. I'm certain he'll be back soon."

"But I've been trying to reach him on the compact all night and he isn't answering."

Ron pursed his lips for a moment then said, "I'm sure he's fine. Maybe it's broken or he lost it somewhere."

"You're lying," she accused practically in tears. "You're just as worried as I am."

"Okay, I am," Ron conceded, then swore. "Why do I have to be so bloody far away!"

"You can't help that your best mate has absolutely no sense when it comes to Draco Malfoy," Ginny said. "You should see him Ron… he's obsessed! He's determined to find out what Malfoy is up to, and he can't think of anything else."

"He's concerned," Ron said. "We all are."

"What if Malfoy's done something to him?" Ginny asked nervously.

"Harry's always been able to hold his own with that great pillock," Ron assured her. "Listen Ginny… I'm confident Harry will show up soon and have a perfectly good explanation as to where he's been all night. You'll see. There's no way he'll miss your First Task."

(break)

Almost two hours later Ron's prediction still hadn't come true. The only think that had changed was that Ginny now found herself pacing inside the empty tent that had been erected specifically for the champions instead of the Hogwarts Express. She was worried sick about Harry – he still hadn't shown up and Ginny was beside herself.

Outside dusk was beginning to fall over the landscape casting ominous shadows in its path. They were in a part of the ground she and Harry hadn't explored yet on the far side of the school, hidden by the massive castle. The crowd was beginning to gather outside the tent to watch the opening of the First Task, so lights powered by fairies had been set up to illuminate the champions as they began the competition. A tall hedge hid the arena from sight so Ginny still had no idea what the task entailed, but she could see a large dark structure just over the tip of the huge shrubbery. It looked like some sort of building or house, but she couldn't tell for certain.

The tent flap opened suddenly startling her, causing her to spin around in surprise, but it was Malfoy walking with an arrogant strut and trailed by the Beauxbaton champion, Jon-Pierre. Ginny had to physically restrain herself from attacking the ex-Slytherin.

"Where is he?" she growled at Draco, drawing her wand. Jon-Pierre stared at the two of them with interest but didn't intervene.

Malfoy looked indignant but unconcerned. "Where's who?"

"Harry."

"Ez 'arry Potter missing?" Jon Pierre asked in shock.

"Yes," Ginny said angrily, not dropping her wand, "and Malfoy knows where he is."

"How should I know?" Malfoy answered with a superior sniff. "I don't keep tabs on your boyfriend. Isn't that your job?"

"He disappeared last night, and I know you know something about it," Ginny insisted.

"Just goes to show how wrong you are Weasley," he said, walking away. "I haven't seen him in days – not that I mind, really. The less I see of the wanker the better I like it."

"You're lying," Ginny said with a frustrated huff. She went after the berk and turned him around roughly. "Tell me where he is, Malfoy, or I swear I'll…"

He raised his eyebrow with interest. "Or you'll what, Weasley," he asked suggestively.

Ginny's temper rose. "Or I'll show you exactly what I do to people when they go too far."

He took a step towards her, his eyes intense. This change in him startled her and she shrank back uncomfortably. "Now that I'd like to see," he said quietly.

"Get away from her Malfoy," a familiar voice snarled near the tent opening.

Relief washed over her and she spun around to see Harry standing in the tent opening, his face dark with anger. Pulling away from Malfoy she flung herself into his waiting arms.

"I was so worried," she breathed. "Thank Merlin you're alright."

He held her tightly. "Sorry I'm late."

His words had an unexpected impact on her and she shoved him away abruptly. "Where have you been?" she snapped. Aware of the others watching, she pulled him into a corner away from the other two where they could talk privately. "I've been out of my mind all night and all day, you prat!"

"I know…" he whispered. "I'll explain all that later but you have to listen to me, Ginny. I know what the First Task is…" His tired eyes were worried and for the first time she took in his appearance. He was in the same clothes as last night only they were dirty and torn. His hair was a mess – messier than usual – and there was a swollen lump on the side of his forehead like he had knocked into something hard. The bump was red and painful-looking and as she reached up to touch it he winced.

"Ow…" he exclaimed brushing her hand away. "Are you listening to me? This is important."

"You're hurt," she said with concern. "You need to see a healer."

"I'm fine," he insisted irritably. "It's you I'm worried about. Its vampires, Ginny," he said seriously in a low whisper. "The First Task involves vampires… hungry ones at that."

Her eyes widened and she felt a cold chill run through her forgetting all about his forehead. "How do you know?"

"I overheard Malfoy talking with Nott," he explained. "Somehow Nott overheard Madame Maxime talking about the First Task. Supposedly they have special collars on so they can't bite you, but you know as well as I that won't matter. Vampires are nasty and cunning and vicious when they're hungry. These haven't fed in a week."

"What am I supposed to do?" she asked him in a small voice. "What's the goal, do you know?"

"They're guarding something – something you need to get," he told her. "Focus on that." He sought out her eyes and held her gaze steadily. "You can do this Ginny. I just wanted to warn you so that you wouldn't be shocked." He swallowed hard. "I know you're tired of hearing it but please be careful. I can't lose you."

She nodded shakily. "You won't and I will be careful, I promise. I guess now we know why the task is at night, huh?"

The tent flap opened and Madame Maxime's huge frame entered along with McGonagall, Csintalan, and another man Ginny had never seen before. He was tall and regal looking in professional dress robes that looked like they had cost more than her family's house. His hair was grey but trimmed neatly and his shoes had been shined to perfection, no doubt by a house elf. He screamed money and carried an air of importance about him that suggested he was someone with power.

McGonagall's eyes alighted on Harry and she gasped.

"Potter! There you are…" she said angrily. "I'll need a word with you, young man."

"Yes Ma'am," he said with a sigh, turning towards the group.

"Per'aps we could do zat after ze Task ez begun, oui?" the unfamiliar man said tightly in English but with a stilted French accent. "I am on a s'edule, Madame."

"Of course, Monsieur Fortier," McGonagall said politely with a nod. Beside her Ginny felt Harry tense up at the mention of the man's name, but he didn't say anything. He just stared at the man with interest.

Monsieur Fortier stepped forward and extended his hand to Harry. "It ez nice to meet you, Monsieur Potter," he said stiffly, eyeing Harry's tattered appearance with disdain. "I 'ave 'eard good things about you from Madame Maxime and others. It ez an 'onour and a privilege to 'ave you in my country."

The way he said that gave Ginny the impression that he thought he owned the country and they all had been given his permission to be there. Jon-Pierre, however, was regarding the man with rapt adoration… like he had just met a celebrity. Malfoy, on the other hand, wore his customary sneer of indifference. Harry held out his hand and shook the other man's firmly.

"It's an honour to be here, Sir," he said evenly. "Please excuse my appearance. I was held up and didn't have time to change."

The man let out a small false laugh. "It ez quite all right. Heroes are allowed to be eccentric, no? I will forgive you zis once, Monsieur, but per'aps…" He waved his wand over Harry, cleaning him up and repairing his robes. "Ah… zat ez much better."

"At least now he doesn't stink," Malfoy commented dryly. McGonagall, Csintalan, Ginny, and Harry all shot him warning looks that made him clamp his mouth shut.

Madame Maxime laughed nervously. "I'm certain Mr. Potter ez most grateful, Monsieur Fortier," she said lightly. "But now we must get on with ze First Task, no?"

"Oui, Madame," Fortier agreed promptly turning his attention to the other champions. He went to Jon-Pierre first. "It ez a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur Bonaccord. My father was good friends with your great-grandfather, Pierre Bonaccord. Pa-pa served under him on ze International Confederation of Wizards. He was ze finest Supreme Mugwump the ICW ever had in my opinion. I know you will make your country proud."

Jon Pierre bowed respectfully. "Zank you, Monsieur Fortier. I will do my best."

He returned the bow with a nod of his head. Next he turned to Ginny, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "Ahhh… ze girlfriend of Monsieur Potter. You are a lovely woman, Mademoiselle Weazley. Welcome to Beauxbaton! I zink can now understand what 'as kept our lovely Fleur in England all zese years. Your family must be blessed wiz beauty. Ez it not true zat she ez married to your bro-zer?"

Ginny nodded. "That's right, Monsieur Fortier. She's married to my oldest brother Bill. They both work for Gringott's and they're expecting their first child in April."

He smiled. "'Ow charming. Please wish 'er my best when you see 'er. Such a beautiful girl… it ez too bad zat she chose England over France. Such a shame…"

Something about the way he said that irked Ginny but she smiled and said, "I will, Sir. Thank you."

Finally he turned to Draco Malfoy with a small frown but said in a cordial but stiff voice, "Monsieur Malfoy, I congratulate you on your success in obtaining ze title of Durmstrang champion, and I 'ope you will enjoy your stay at Beauxbaton zis year." He hesitated for a moment then said, "I met your parents once at a dinner party. You remind me very much of your father, but you 'ave your mother's eyes. Your mother… she was a very beautiful woman with ze most exquisite taste in jewellery. Interesting ze things we recall, no?"

Draco smiled slyly as if they shared a secret. "It is very interesting the things we recall, Monsieur Fortier. Very interesting indeed."

Beside her she could tell Harry was taking in every word of the exchange and she was dying to ask him what he knew but didn't dare in front of everyone. Instead she shot him a questioning look which he ignored because he was so focused on the elder Frenchman and Malfoy. She'd be willing to bet her life savings that whatever he'd been doing last night had something to do with either one or both of them, but she wasn't going to get to find out because Madame Maxime was calling them to attention.

"It ez time to reveal ze nature of ze First Task, ladies and gentlemen," she said in a loud voice. She pointed to the back of the tent where there was another smaller opening. "Through zat door there ez ze entrance to a house built especially for zis Task. Some may call it a Haunted House. Inside you will find many surprises including various dark creatures, but ze worst will be inside three 'idden rooms which you must find. Ze dark creatures are confined inside zer rooms by magical boundaries because zey are especially dangerous. Zey are each guarding three keys. It will be your task to find zese 'idden rooms and retrieve one key from each room, but it will not be easy," she warned gravely. "Ze dark creatures you will 'ave to get past are very old vampires."

Each of the contestants gulped and looked around at each other fearfully, knowing exactly what that meant.

"Ze 'ave not fed in a number of days and zey are very 'ungry," she explained, "which makes zem extremely strong and desperate. Although zey can not bite you due to a magical restraining collar, zey can and will use other means to harm you. Ze champion who completes zis task the fastest will win the round and after ze third key is found you will be Portkeyed from ze house, but only if all three keys are touching your body."

She handed each of them a medallion which they put around their necks. "If you run into trouble touch your wand to zis necklace and it will transport you out, but you will lose ze round and any keys you 'ave not found. Ze more keys you find ze better chance you 'ave of completing your next task. Your deadline ez sunrise to find all three keys and complete ze task. Ez zis understood?"

They all nodded.

"Zen let ze First Task commence."

A/N: No, this story isn't abandoned. It may take me awhile to finish a story, but I will finish eventually. The site was down last time I went to post and I just forgot to come back. Sorry, I've been busy with work and the holidays. I'll post again very soon and get CM caught up with everyone else. Thanks for reading!