13:57
A/N: Thanks as always for the reviews! Keep them coming, they keep us silly writers motivated!
The day of the Second Task dawned bright and cheery. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground and the air was brisk. Kurt considering it an ultimate success, and carefully considered which of his many scarves he would wear. On the one hand, he loved his Gryffindor scarf – he'd personally adjusted it, sewing in strips of golden thread to really highlight the colors and pick up on glints of sun. On the other hand, none of the Champions were from Gryffindor, and he supposed that he should wear a scarf in support of them. He was pretty sure that was what people did at sporting events.
But Rachel was in Slytherin, and Blaine in Hufflepuff. He left him with a pallet of black, yellow, silver, and green. Eventually he settled on a silver and black ensemble, which really brought out the grey in his eyes. He looked absolutely smashing.
He headed down to the common room, expecting to pick up Mercedes and head to breakfast. Instead, he found himself staring at Blais Zabini. Standing in the common room.
Best.
Year.
EVER.
In the three months that Zabini had been randomly showing up at school, Kurt had never actually been able to get so close to him. Up close he. . .he smelled good. Really good. There was sandlewood, and musk, and a hint of vanilla, and something else. . .something woodsy. . .
"It's my new fragrance," Zabini said. "Zablaise. In stores next April."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't. . ."
"Your nostrils were flaring." Zabini said. Kurt instantly lifted his hand to try and cover his face. That was humiliating. Zabini just smirked, and Kurt realized, a little disdainfully, that he really wasn't much to look at. Sure, his face was perfectly symmetrical, and his hair impeccably styled, but his eyes were dead and snakelike, and his hands fluttered like a pair of white handkerchiefs. Plus, his skin looked dry.
"Come on, kid," Zabini said. "You're needed in the Champions tent."
So Kurt found himself practically running to try and keep up with the other man as they headed to the stadium. He wanted to leave a message for Mercedes, he really did, but Zabini was clearly having none of it, walking at a clipped pace. Kurt struggled to keep up. Really, one of the best things about attending Hogwarts was the lack of a physical education class.
"This can't be good for my pores," he muttered irritably.
Zabini just dropped him off at the Champions tent, without a word. Kurt sighed. His respect for the famous designer was rapidly diminishing. Still, he was intrigued to see what was going on, so he walked in to the Champions test.
"Dude, Kurt, what's going on?" Finn's confused face was the very first to meet him, followed by an equally confused Sam.
"I have no idea," Kurt said honestly. "Did they say anything to you?"
Finn didn't get a chance to answer, because Headmaster Figgins walked in at that moment, raising his eyebrows at them. "Okay, okay," he said. "So you three are the most-valued people in the Champions lives. . .or at least, the most-valued people that we could get a hold of in such short notice."
Kurt frowned, and raised his hand. "But there are four Champions, and only three of us," he pointed out.
"Yes, yes," Headmaster Figgins said, nodded his head over and over again. "Unusual circumstances. What you need to know is that nothing will happen to any of you. Probably. The Champions will think that you are in mortal danger, but have no fear, everything is well under control."
"So we're going to be in fake mortal danger?" Finn asked.
"Yes," Headmaster Figgins said decisively. "That is a very good way of putting it."
For some reason this seemed to please both Finn and Sam. Kurt, however, maintained his frown. Obvoiusly one of them was bellowed by two Champions. He had to assume that was Finn. . .Kurt had no doubt that he was there for Rachel, but maybe for Quinn as well. They had gone to the Yule Ball together. And Sam was probably there for Blaine, since they were best friends. Which meant he was the most-treasured person in Hogwarts for Jesse? Somehow that just didn't seem right. . .shouldn't one of the goons from Durmstrang be there?
Just then the tent opened, and the four Champions walked in. Once again they had been outfitted in Blais Zabini outfits, this time in four jewel colors. Kurt viewed them critically. Quinn was in emerald green, which was an excellent choice, he thought, since it brought out the green in her eyes. The form-fitting suede didn't hurt her figure any, either. Rachel was in sapphire, and Blaine in a deep ruby. Jesse was once again in silver.
"Finn, Sam, Kurt, hi!" Blaine said enthusiastically, slapping his two best friends on the back and winking at Kurt. "What are you guys doing here?"
"They're here to support us, obviously," Rachel trilled. "What a lovely effort you've put forth!"
"Actually. . ." Sam started, but before he could finish, Rachel and Jesse were both shushin him, running to look out as Figgins and Zabini introduced them.
"Traditionally, the Second Task builds on the first one. Another struggle for our Champions, except that this time, in addition to having to best their foe, they must also protect something which is very treasured to them. Usually all four Champions go at the same time, but this year we're having to. . .alter it. So up first, in third place, we have Ms. Quinn Fabray!"
Kurt instantly began clapping, and turned to grin as Quinn stepped out. She looked a bit nervous, at least in the eyes, but was still cool and collected.
"Dude. . ." Finn whispered. "Where's Sam?"
Kurt just waved his hand at his step-brother, willing the other boy to step off. Admittedly, he wasn't terribly nervous for Quinn. Although they were both in Musical Lyricism, they weren't very close, the other girl clearly thinking that she was too good for him. Still, it would give him some idea of what Blaine and Rachel would be facing, and he was more than terrified for them.
Blaine and Jesse came to flank Kurt, one on either side. Jesse pat him absently on the shoulder. Kurt glanced at Blaine, whose face was unnaturally pale. Blaine's gaze was focused straight ahead, as he bit his lip.
He didn't know where the courage came from. . .maybe just seeing Blaine looking so lost, maybe the rush of being in the Champions tent, maybe just the fact that he was feeling a little light-headed from missing breakfast. Either way, he reached down, and grabbed Blaine's hand, giving it a quick squeeze. His heart fluttered when Blaine turned and looked at him with that special half grin. Kurt knew he was blushing when he turned to look back in the stadium.
At first he couldn't see anything different. It looked completely empty. Except that there seemed to be a strange shadow, and a massive telescreen at one end. As he watched, the screen lit up, showing what looked like a strange nest, with something. . .something. . .
"Is that Sam?" Blaine asked, a slight hitch in his voice. Kurt narrowed his eyes and gasped when he realized that it was, indeed, Sam, sitting in the nest. His gold hair was glinting slightly in the sun. He looked somewhat shocked, and more than a little confused. Kurt tried to remember what Figgins had said – that they weren't in any real danger – but it was hard, seeing the terror in Sam's face, the way he lurched to the edge of the nest, and peered over. He gasped, and quickly scrambled back into the center of the nest, his face chalk white.
And then, a pair of massive talons settled beside him. Sam looked up and yelled. Down in the stadium, Quinn screamed.
"A griffon," Jesse mused. "Interesting. I had assumed that they would use a hippogriff, since they seem so popular in your school."
"That's probably why they didn't use them," Rachel said. "It would be an unfair advantage for the Hogwarts students."
"Plus," Finn said, throwing in his two cents for the first time, "they aren't as vicious. Griffons are known for killing humans when they get angry. A hippogriff may scratch of bite, but then it will leave."
Kurt turned to stare at his stepbrother. Finn just shrugged, a goofy grin on his face.
"Oh, Finn, you're so smart!" Rachel cooed.
"Nah. I just really like Care of Magical Creatures."
Kurt shook his head, and focused back on what was going on. Quinn was frowning now, and tapping her feet, while staring up, looking slightly perplexed. Kurt squeezed Blaine's hand again. She then nodded, and began to sing in a soft, thin voice, instantly recognizable as one of the songs Professor Schuester had just taught them.
"Quiet your heart
It's just a dream
Go back to sleep
I'll be right here, I'll stay awake
As long as you need me
To slay all the dragons
And keep out the monsters
I'm watching over you"
As she sang, a gentle blue light began to glow around her, and around Sam, up in the nest. Her face still and composed, Quinn slowly pulled her wand out of her back pocket. The blue light shimmered as she ceased her singing long enough to flick her wand and whisper "Levicorpus" but quickly reappeared as she resumed her singing, lifting slowly up off the ground.
"My love is a light
Driving away all your fear
So don't be afraid
Remember I made a promise to keep you safe."
When she reached the nest, she gingerly stepped over the top, and grabbed Sam in a tight embrace. From below, however, it looked like Same was the one comforting her, brushing down her blond hair. Above them, the griffon began to scream.
"Griffons particularly hate women," Finn stated helpfully.
"Mr. Anderson," Headmaster Figgins said, popping his head in. "Could you come with me, please?"
Kurt squeezed Blaine's hand, one more time, before the other boy walked off. And maybe he imagined it, but he thought that Blaine's fingertips trailed along his for a bit longer than strictly necessary. Kurt tried really hard not to sigh, he truly did, but it came out anyway.
Sue him. He thought the gentle brush of fingertips was the most romantic thing out.
When he turned back to the stadium, to the video playing on the telescreen, he saw Quinn shaking her head viciously. He licked his lips and looked at the clock. Seven minutes. Only seven minutes so far, not so bad. Then, unbelievably, Quinn handed her wand over toe Sam. Rachel clapped her hands.
"This is fantastic!" she exclaimed. "If Sam does some of the magic, Quinn will be sure to be docked points!"
Sure enough, it was Sam that flicked the wand, and began levitating them both down. And – oh – that made sense. The protection from Quinn's spell couldn't last if she wasn't singing, and they were both in to much danger, beneath the griffon's flashing talons, for her to have stopped, even long enough to cast such a simple, first year spell.
When they were on the ground they embraced once again, quickly, before returning to the tent. Kurt let out his breath. That hadn't been so bad, really, although, from the telescreen, it looked like the griffon was getting progressively angrier.
"Quinn, that was a marvelous performance," Rachel congratulated the other girl.
"Dude, mega badass!" Finn congratulated Sam, slapping the other boy on the back. Kurt just gnawed on his second knuckle. Figgins walked back to the middle of the stadium.
"The scores are just in. . .after retabulating for the assist from Mr. Evans. . .no, no, the judges did not disqualify her. . .a total of 52 points for Ms. Fabray. Now, our fourth place contestant, Mr. Jesse st. James!"
Kurt's eyebrows knit together as he turned to look at Jesse. He'd assumed that he'd been brought to the tent to be Jesse's "most-treasured" person, but that clearly wasn't the case. And hadn't Blaine just been called out of the tent to take on the test? He hoped nothing was wrong. . .
He moved on to his second knuckle.
Jesse walked out into the middle of the stadium, waving and blowing kisses to the audience. The telescreen went blank for a moment, presumably as somebody entered the nest. When it turned back on again, Kurt felt his knees buckle, and grabbed on to Finn's shirt sleeve to keep from falling to the ground.
Blaine was in the nest.
He was curled up in a tight ball, his eyes squeezed shut, shaking a little. All of the color had completely drained from his face. Kurt felt sick.
"I have a horrible fear of heights. It's true! Absolutely terrified!"
"Blaine's perfect. About that only thing he doesn't do is play Quidditch, and that's just because he's scared of heights."
"Oh my Dumbledore," Kurt breathed out. Jesse was still just waving at the audience, apparently not concerned at all that Blaine was cowering in the nest, an angry griffon standing just over him. If Kurt had thought the Tournament was rigged before, he was now positive.
"Why isn't he doing anything?" Rachel gasped.
"Blaine will be fine," Sam said reassuringly. "The Headmaster told us that we wouldn't be hurt."
At that moment the griffon gave a particularly angry scream. It's furious red eye appeared on the telescreen, staring almost defiantly at the camera, before it reared back and lunged at Blaine. Screams and gasps scattered through the stadium. Blaine just barely managed to scramble back from the snapping beak. In doing so, his left hand slid off the edge of the nest, dangling in open space.
"Jesse, knock it off!" Finn yelled.
"You'll lose points if he gets hurt!" Quinn added. Kurt had to hand it to the girl, that was more likely a motivating factor than any threats Finn or Sam made.
"How the hell did st. Douchebag find out that Blaine's afraid of heights?" Sam asked. "If I find out who told him, I'll strangle the loser with my bare hands!"
"Jesse, stop playing around!"
Blaine was gasping on the screen, short, hiccupping little sobs. His gaze kept shooting back and forth between the griffon, which was now rearing up on its hind legs, and the ground below him.
Jesse finally glanced up, and almost negligently flicked his wand. "Accio Blaine," he said, his voice lazy and drawling.
Blaine's body shot out of the nest like lightning, narrowly missing the griffon's claws. He was plunging toward the ground now, way too fast. He didn't make a sound as he fell. Kurt did, however. Kurt screamed. Loudly.
He actually started to run onto the pitch, too, until Headmaster Figgins grabbed him by the arm.
"Come with me, now, thank you very much," Figgins said. "We need to get you set up. You're next."
Blaine was only meters from the ground when Jesse flicked his wand again, muttered "Levicorpus," and then began to bow as Blaine's body came to a shuddering stop. He bowed three times.
Kurt was dragged out of the tent, and toward a stand contraption next to the stands. He kept jerking his head back, trying to find Blaine. He knew he was okay, physically safe, at least, but. . .oh, God, what he had to be feeling just then. All that Kurt wanted to do was grab him in his arms and hold him tight. Promise him that nothing would hurt him. Kiss away his tears and. . .
Yeah, that old crush was definitely never going away.
As Figgin's loaded him into a wizardvator, he felt intense rage and anger boiling inside him. Jesse had tricked him, at least he knew that much. Seen that he was friends with the two Hogwarts Champions and tried to squeeze some info out of him. And he'd fallen for it. Just because it was the first cute guy who had ever asked him out. . .
Kurt felt like an idiot. But more than that, he felt like he'd somehow betrayed Blaine, and the fact that the terror on the other boy's face had been his fault. . .
Kurt tried to shake it off as the wizardvator ground to a stop, just a few inches from the massive nest. The griffon was currently being restrained, a collar around its neck beeping red. He gingerly walked into the nest. He'd deal with Jesse later. Right now, he had to focus on staying alive, because the griffon looked pissed, and regardless of what Figgins had said, Kurt had the definite feeling that things might be getting really dangerous, really fast.
Curious as to which Champion was going now, Kurt crawled gingerly over the edge to look down. Figgins was back in the middle of the stadium again.
"Highly unorthodox. . .the judges would like to say that simply using "accio" to retrieve the hostage will no longer be permitted, but as Mr. st. James did not know that, he will not be docked too many points. Stil, too much hot doggery will count against him, and he comes in at 60 points even. Up next is your second place Champion, Mr. Blaine Anderson."
"Oh no," Kurt whispered. Behind him the griffon shrieked. When he turned to look, the collar around its neck promptly glowed green and it leaped over him, lion tail thrashing angrily. "Nice lion-eagle-thing," Kurt said, trying to sound placating. "Such a handsome boy."
He'd always heard that flattery would get one everywhere. The griffon just cocked its head at him. Kurt held up in hands in the universal gesture of surrender. "That's right," he cooed. "Who's a good birdie-kitty? You are. Yes, you are!"
The griffon seemed to settle down at that, sitting on his haunches and beginning to preen. Kurt let out a long breath and stared over the side. Blaine was kneeling on the ground, and even from this distance, Kurt could see that he was trembling. Kurt bit his lip, and glanced at the clock. Three minutes had passed. Still, it was probably for the best. If Blaine didn't do anything. . .if he just stood there and the time ran out, then he would be out of the competition. Which meant that he would be out of danger, and Jesse st. James could take home the trophy.
Absently, Kurt reached over and pat the griffon's foot. It leaned down and nuzzled him. Yes, Kurt, thought, this was really for the best. Especially since there was no doubt that the whole thing was rigged, anyway.
Except that Kurt's life sucked, so the best thing didn't happen.
Something caught the griffon's attention on the ground. It jerked away from Kurt's touch, it's red, cat-slit eyes staring down at the ground. Kurt's stomach flipflopped, because he knew what that thing was looking at. The only person in the middle of the stadium was Blaine. Who was still just kneeling, hand over his mouth now, swaying a little. Kurt gasped, as the griffon beat its wings and began to fly, circling above Blaine.
Kurt didn't know what to do. He knew that Blaine hadn't noticed anything. He glanced into the professor's area. He saw Coach Sylvester lift her wand, but nobody else seemed to be doing anything. He glanced down at Blaine again.
He knew that he couldn't do wandless magic this time, he knew that he'd get caught. But he had to do something to get Blaine's attention, something to get him out of his funk. And then it came to him.
He could sing.
Kurt wasn't very good at Musical Lyricism, and he accepted this. When he sang, it was always just for him, and he couldn't seem to put on the types of performances that Jesse, Blaine, and Rachel were so good at. He wasn't any less emotional, any less sincere. . .it was just all directed inward. So most of the time he couldn't get the spells right, and there was a very good reason that he never demonstrated a new technique in class.
That did not, however, mean that Kurt couldn't sing. And it didn't mean that he couldn't sing a spell. So he did just that.
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arrive"
Okay, so maybe a song about the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s wasn't the most appropriate song to choose. But Kurt really liked the Beetles, and the song resonated with him. After all, right now what Blaine needed most was bravery. Followed closely by the ability to fly, so that he could swoop up, rescue Kurt, and win this Tournament.
Not that Kurt needed to be saved. He wasn't some damsel in distress, locked away in his ivory tower. He was a gay boy, locked away in a stupid griffon's nest. Totally different.
"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free"
It seemed to work. Blaine was looking up, at least. He was staring at Kurt, however, not the circling griffon, which wasn't exactly in the plan. And he was staring at Kurt with this look in his eyes – like he'd just had an epiphany, like there were stars flashing. Or like he was having gas pains, but that was far less romantic. Kurt's stomach flipped over, and he almost lost the bridge, because Blaine was looking at him in the very way that he'd dreamed, ever since his second year.
But it was so, so, wrong, because the griffon chose that moment to scream, and dive out of the air. So Kurt stopped singing, and screamed. It was so like his life, that the very minute his dream guy finally saw him, he would be eviscerated by an angry lion-bird-thing. Luckily, his song seemed to have pulled Blaine out of his stupor, and the scream of the griffon alerted him to the very real danger that they were in.
Kurt expected Blaine to pull out his wand. Instead he started to sing.
"IF you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know"
All of Professor's Schuesters warnings flew through Kurt's head – how Musical Lyricism wasn't any good for battle, because it took too long to cast, how it should only work protectively, and be set up far in advance. Blaine was going to have his head torn off.
Later, Kurt couldn't explain what he was doing, or what he was thinking. He just knew that Blaine was in trouble, and for some reason, leaning his hand out seemed like a good idea. However, it mean that he overbalanced, and promptly pitched forward out of the nest.
Falling to his death wasn't anything like how he'd imagined. The wind hit him, hard, making it impossible to breathe. It was terrifying for the first beat of his heart, but then it just kind of felt. . .normal. He felt weightless. He waited for his life to flash in front of his eyes, but it didn't. He just saw Blaine spin to look at him, hazel eyes locking to his own. He knew that with the rush of wind in his ears, he couldn't hear anything but his own desperate sobs and attempts to breathe. He knew it, but somehow he could still hear Blaine, who was staring at him with a strong, almost angry glint in his eyes.
"This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go, so why don't we go?"
Kurt could see the griffon, mere feet away from Blaine, talons outstretched. An dhe wanted to scream, wanted to so badly, to tell the other boy, to warn him, but he couldn't breathe and he couldn't scream. It was so unfair that they were both going to die.
"This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go, somewhere only we know?
As the ground rose up to meet him, everything went black.
A/N: Sorry, I thought I would get the whole Second Task in, but it just kept going and going and going. . .so it's divided into two!
COMING SOON: The conclusion of the Second Task, and Kurt tries to get to the bottom of the rigged Tournament.