Harry heard the chatter of the conversation around the corner and paused his steps. Madame Maxine, Karkaroff, and Dumbledore where discussing the second task. Harry already knew what would be happening. It seemed though, that the headmasters and mistress where discussing who was going to be who's hostage. Fleur's sister, Hermione Granger, and Blaise Zabini. But for Harry, no one as of yet.
"We just need someone he's close to." Karkaroff said irritated. "Not his bloody girlfriend or such, anyone he knows will do."
"That is the problem." Dumbledore said gently. "I know who I could send down, but I do not think it will get the desired results. Harry will not see this as a game or challenge. He may not like it…"
"None of them will 'like' it." Karkaroff hissed, "That's the point."
Dumbledore radiated discomfort. Harry rounded the corner and the three stiffened before turning to him.
"I give you my permission Dumbledore, to use who you wish as long as no harm comes to them." Harry said simply, meeting baby blue eyes.
Dumbledore knew Harry was different, Harry knew that. Dumbledore knew Harry was not just a detached young teenager. No, Dumbledore knew Harry was something much more. Karkaroff looked at Harry with anger and despise while Maxine eyed Harry and Dumbledore suspiciously and warily. Harry just nodded to his Headmaster and swept past them.
.--.
Harry stood calmly on the dock. The other three champions fidgeted, looking amongst the crowd for 'that which they'd dearly miss', not that they knew those were who they were retrieving at the bottom of the lake. The grey sky seemed to add to the tension as grey days seemed to pull everyone down. Harry brushed at his black outer robe absently, brushing away wrinkles and imaginary dirt. He was not nervous. He knew the hostages would be protected from drowning and the cold. If not, others would pay dearly. He would make sure of it.
A cannon blast rang and the other three jumped into the lake, shedding outer robes and revealing bathing suits. Harry popped a slimy ball of gillyweed in his mouth and shed his black robe. Neville had shoved the plant in his hand earlier. The boy had somehow found out about the 'test' and been worried for Harry and the hostages. Harry would not dishonour him by refusing the gift. It was as good a plan as any anyways.
Harry leapt into the water, the freezing cold barely bothering him. When he felt gills on his neck he breathed easily and started to swim. He met no resistance as he made his way to the city of mermen on the bottom of the lake floor. In the center of their city stood a tall broken wall. Four people were shackled to it. None of the other champions had reached it yet. Harry did have an advantage though. He had known where the mermen village was and how to reach it.
Harry eyed the four hostages. Blaise and Hermione he was not surprised to see. Luna he had half expected. He had also expected the familiar blonde girl Gabrielle. The necklace around her neck pulsed with his magic, warning him she was there as soon as she was on Hogwart's grounds. Harry calmly eyed them all and wondered if he would ever find himself in this scenario again. One where his wards were caught and he could only free one. He highly doubted it. Even if his 'enemies' made him try to save only one, he would get all of them. Harry floated in the water, waiting for the others to appear.
The first to come was Diggory. The boy blinked at him, but then headed straight for Blaise. He used his wand to blast the holds away and grabbed the Italian boy. He swam away with a nod to Harry. Harry continued to wait. Krum was next. He was a half shark. He went to bite through Hermione's bindings but Harry stopped them and sliced them with a dagger strapped just under his shorts. The boy took the girl and swam off. Harry waited. Fleur didn't show up. He knew the time was coming to an end. He cut the binding on both girls and took one under each arm. The mermen guards tried to stop him, but one glare and a pulse of magic and they quickly backed off.
Harry breeched the surface of the lake with ten seconds to spare. A deafening applause rose and Harry tuned everyone out as he made for land. The gillyweed ran out of power ten seconds after he burst from the lake and by the time he reached the docks the effects had completely vanished. A crying fleur took Gabrielle and Harry briefly scowled before turning to Luna. She coughed slightly and offered him a dreamy smile as a towel was wrapped around her.
"Thank you coming for me my lord."
Harry gave her a hint of a nod and waved off Madam Pomfrey who after a moment went to Luna to check her. When she was gone he felt small arms wrap around him.
"Frère!" Gabrielle yelped hugging him. "'You saved moi!"
She wouldn't let go of him even when Fleur came over and told her to.
"I'm staying with Frère!" She pouted.
Fleur drew back in shock at his title. Harry leaned over and pried her arms away. He cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.
"Hello little Gabrielle."
"'ello Harry!" She grinned.
She stuck to him for the next few minutes until her parents arrived. With some short words with him they all left. Harry was left with Fleur staring at him. He ignored the stare and set off to find the others. Hermione was fine, talking softly with Krum. Luna was already back in her dorm room and Blaise was being kissed by Cedric with a crowd of Hufflepuffs gaping at them and a Cho Chang glaring at them. Harry deemed them all sound and walked back to his room, quite bored with the events.
.--.
Harry sat on the root of an old gnarled tree, within the fold of the dark Forbidden forest. He wasn't very deep in the forest though.
He didn't even bother to look up as Victor Krum stepped up next to him. For a moment there was silence.
"I just learned that you are Her-my-o-niny's…lord." He said a soft rumble.
"I am more of her magical guardian then lord." Harry said simply.
"It does not matter which. I haff not yet asked for your permission to court her."
Harry looked up at the seeker and met his eyes. The teen swallowed thickly at his gaze and took an unconscious step back. Harry sized him up. He could clearly tell that while this older teen was indeed dark, he was not evil or cruel.
"Perhaps you shall be good for her." Harry said easily. "You have my permission to court her. But should you hurt her, I shall hurt you."
"I would expect nothing less." He rumbled.
Harry paused and turned to look into the trees.
"Best run off Victor." He said, the boy's name rolling off his tongue in an almost purring manner.
Victor's eyes flickered to where Harry was looking and obviously caught sight of the stumbling figure heading there way.
"I shall." He muttered.
Then he turned in his heel and practically ran back to the safety of his ship. Harry was left looking at the rambling Crouch. A few minutes later Harry had everything he wanted from the man's memories. He waved his hand and the man dropped to the forest floor dead.
"Moody." Harry said almost mockingly. "You are out quite late."
Mad-eye Moody stepped out from behind a tree, mouth in a stubborn line and both eyes focused fully on Harry. Neither said anything. After a few moments of their staring Harry stood gracefully. He brushed himself off and with a nod, strode off.
.--.
End of chapter 38