What Happened Underwater

~Descending to the Lake~

I don't own the Harry Potter series, or any of the characters, franchises, or concepts you may recognize.

Ron

"So… What do we do now?" I said. Everyone was thinking it, but no one else wanted to risk sounding stupid. You're welcome. I'm so self-sacrificing. Oh, stop smirking.

"Well, my dear boy, we wait!" was the reply.

Wait? Well, that was anti-climactic. I was expecting him to say something along the lines of, say, 'We shall now enter the mysterious underwater tunnel of doom!' Oh, I don't know. Something! Why 'wait'! Oh, right. Fleur's… err… person? Prize? Hostage? Whatever… isn't here yet. Suddenly, Madame Pomfrey burst in, leading a confused and dazzled silver-haired young girl.

"Come on now, dear, it's alright. Professor, Gabrielle has just apparated for the first time. She's a tad disoriented." She said with an anxious glance at Dumbledore.

"That's quite alright. Gabrielle, please sit down." Dumbledore said kindly

'What? Who now?' I wondered. The little girl, looking positively terrified, sat down, almost disappearing into the squishy armchair Dumbledore had conjured with a wave of his wand. I looked at her closely and it hit me; she was a mirror image of fleur! This must be her little sister. Ginny…they better not touch her! Oh, right. Not a champion. Duh.

So, we've got a sister, a friend and two girlfriends. We, here in this room, are what matters most to the champions of the Tri-Wizard tournament. It does make you think, doesn't it? If we're what they care about most, would it be the same if we were switched? Would Cho's be Cedric? Yeah, I guess. I don't bloody know! Would Gabrielle's be Fleur? Probably, they're sisters. Would Hermione's be... be Krum? Somehow I don't think so. But maybe that's just wishful thinking. But- Even if it wasn't Krum, it would be Harry. I've been too much of an arse lately... Right? And mine? It would be Harry, wouldn't it? Yeah. He's my best mate. Of course it would be him. Even if... Bloody Hell, what in the world am I thinking? I'm starting to go all sappy! Merlin knows I need to focus, especially now...

Just noticed I'm the only guy in the room. Besides Dumbledore, but he doesn't count. Oh, right, focus...

Gabrielle seems like she's about to faint. I wonder what they've told her. She's just a kid, how could they put her in danger. Then again... Aren't we all?

Hermione

The girl, Gabrielle looked around at all of us, terrified. "Please, Monsieur," she said timidly "When do… will we be… how…" Her chin started to tremble.

"Hey" I said in what I hoped was a comforting voice "It's alright. Nothing bad will happen to you. Or any of us." I glared at the others, daring them to disagree.

Dumbledore's damned twinkle was back. That man seems endlessly amused by nothing in particular. Just life, I suppose.

"Correct, Miss Granger, as always. Miss Delacour, rest assured you will be returned to your family with yourself, and now it seems, your memory, intact."

Everyone's jaw dropped.

"Y-You chose to remember?" stuttered Ron.

Gabrielle lifted her chin defiantly. "Yes. I want to remember what I see and do. I want-I want to see ze mermaids."

Everyone stared at her, dumbfounded. This eight year old child, not even fully understanding what it is was she was about to do, had chosen to remember? I mean, sure, we had, but at least we had some inkling of what we were getting ourselves into! But... her reasons- They were so familiar, and I was reminded strongly of myself as a child, wishing to see these magical creatures that weren't real. And now that they were real, even at 14, I still wanted to see the mermaids, as foolish as that sounds. But is it worth all that fear?

But then, is it scarier to go knowingly into danger, or to know that you'll be helpless when it comes? Knowing you'll come out alive, but having absolutely no knowledge of what would happen? No will-power, none at all, and no memory of-of anything? That aspect of magic has always been scarier even than dark magic, at least to me. Getting inside someone's head, erasing memories, planting them, twisting them, and forcing someone to do something against their will? I think it's infinitely more scary, not knowing. But it takes more courage to seek out that knowledge.

"Do they have houses, at Beauxbatons?" I asked,on a sudden whim.

She shook her head.

"Well, it seems to me that if you went to Hogwarts, you'd be a Gryffindor through and through." I said warmly, trying to make her feel like she wasn't alone.

Gabrielle blushed, confused, but she seemed to know it was a compliment. Cho scowled, Ron grinned, and Dumbledore…twinkled.

Cho

Dumbledore spoke, his eyes twinkling. "Now, I think it's time you were heading down to the underwater tunnel-"

"Of doom?" Ron offered hopefully.

"No, Ronald." said Hermione, glaring at him and squeezing Gabrielle's shoulder.

Ron at least had the good grace to look slightly abashed.

I choked back a laugh. Honestly, 'Tunnel of Doom'? Then Dumbledore flicked a switch hidden somewhere in his desk and a door opened emitting a smell reminiscent of sewage treatment plants I'd passed on my way to muggle primary school. It was pitch black, and we heard strange whispers and moans (The wind?) coming from the foul opening. I stopped short, realizing, that though absurd, 'Tunnel of doom' was a morbidly fitting moniker.

"Ack, is that really what the lake smells like?" coughed Ron.

"No, it actually smells like cotton candy." I said, trying to keep a straight face.

Ron turned red and glared at me as I smirked. Stupid Chudley Cannons fans…

"Perhaps you should start walking. You've got a long journey ahead of you." said Dumbledore mildly.

"Wait-you-aren't- you mean to tell me you're not coming with us?" I sputtered.

The others looked taken aback, but oddly I was the only one who found this perturbing. Well, it's alright for them, with their Gryffindor bravery (stupidity), but I didn't sign up for this.

"Well, no, Miss Chang, or rather yes, that is indeed what I mean to tell you. I do after all have a school to look after, and it's fairly straightforward from here on out." He said kindly

I blushed, slightly ashamed. "Oh. Alright, then. Carry on"

"You must travel down this tunnel until you reach the cavern, where you will be greeted by the merpeople of the Black Lake. Please treat them with respect, and do not fear. They mean you no harm. Miss Chang and Miss Granger, you shall be the leaders, and the ones to communicate with the merfolk." Ron looked mildly insulted, and Dumbledore smiled and explained

"Merfolk have a deep distrust of human men, what with the events in the sea under Triton.** They will share with you a complex spell that allows humans to breathe underwater for a limited amount of time. I am not permitted to know it, nor what will happen from that point on, lest I use it to my school's advantage." His mask was that of a mild, benevolent old man, but you could see a hint of that legendary warrior when the question of his honor was raised.

"But, umm, Professor, none of us speak Mermish." said Ron

"No, indeed we don't, so it's a good thing they speak English." Dumbledore chuckled "Otherwise, where would we get our fresh fish?"

When everyone just looked at him bemusedly, he cleared his throat, and said "Well, best of luck on your journey children, and one more thing. NEVER discuss what you remember with anyone but one another and your champions. Now, you'd best hurry, the task starts soon. Here, take these, and be on your way."

He handed us all a bundle, Hermione's slightly larger than the rest. I eyed it suspiciously, wondering what could be in there. I made a mental to try and find out. Dumbledore wished us luck, and exited the room.

We stood facing the dank, dark corridor, and we looked at one another. I subconsciously took a step back as a fresh wave of noxious odor came from the gaping doorway. Gabrielle wrinkled her nose, Hermione coughed and Ron made a face. "Well, what're we waiting for?" he said, stepping into the corridor. Hermione and Gabrielle, who were now joined at the hip, followed, and after a moment's hesitation, I did too. Just as I stepped into the tunnel, the door slammed shut and we were left in complete and total darkness.

A/N: Phew! Longest chapter yet! How was it? Now that I'm done with reactions/introspection (for now), I'm reverting to a more traditional style. Next chapter will be the champions, then the hostages, and it'll keep alternating. I'm going to do all 4 POVs for each. I realize I left out Gabrielle this time, but her character was introduced in this chapter, and it seemed like a good place to end. She'll be there next time. I've never written Cho before, so I'd appreciate feedback on her, or really anyone. In my headcanon, she's a half-blood, and I write her as a slightly more naïve, snootier Hermione. I'm overwhelmed, I've never had this much response to a story! As always, review and thanks for reading!

Love, Leviosa

Edit: Thanks to loveislouder, I fixed the repeating text. Sorry. Next update should come today or tomorrow. No More School! That means more updates! Edit (again): As mentioned in chapter eight, editing all chapters.

* Did I just break the fourth wall? I think I broke the fourth wall.

**The Grimm version not the Disney-fyed.