Hey guys, sorry this took so long, I wrote part of it, then pretty much scratched it all out since I didn't like the way it sounded. Turns out that happened a lot with this chapter. Probably because this was such an important chapter to me, that I wanted it to be perfect.

Also (I know this is not an accuse) but A LOT of stuff has happened, and has left m with no time, or no motivation to even attempt to write. But now here I am! Hopefully with quicker updates then what? Half a year? I feel horrible. Sowwy.

Well, as I always say, please enjoy this long-ish chapter.

~ JoyfulTrouble

My eyes flutter open slowly, as my mind grasps unto consciousness. My lips grace upwards into a smile, as my mind lives in the limbo of sleep and wakefulness. As my mind oozes ignorance of what today holds, and of what it could do. Though it doesn't last forever, and when my mind brings me back to reality, opening me to thoughts I wish to forget, feelings of worry for this day, my smile descends into a frown. For today is the second task, and with it, a phrase that can't seem to leave my thoughts. A warning, from the Golden Egg.

We have taken what you'll sorely miss.

I sit up and stretch, and reluctantly slip out of my warm blankets to get dressed. I may wish this day to pass, but laying within the safety of my bed is not the way to do so.

The phrase still runs through my head, as it has done throughout the days since I've heard it. The voice ringing in my ears as it goes from a sing song voice to a now dark and eerie whisper. We have taken what you'll sorely miss. What could they possible have taken? And where was I to find it? That lake is huge, and dangerous.

I check the time, and notice I slept in a little later than I wished to. I only had a little less than an hour left than when the champions were to be at the docks.

Pulling on a shirt quickly, I make my way towards the docks, where many students were already taking their seats on the stands. The stands seemed to have been placed there just for the task, as they seem misplaced and awkward. Almost as soon as I step unto the wood of the dock, I am immediately bombarded by my headmaster asking loads of questions about if I was prepared, and my sister asking if I was okay. I only answered them half-heartedly, since I was more interested in finding Hermione within the crowd of people. I wondered why she wasn't with the two looking at me worriedly and asking an abundance of questions. She's always so protective like that, overly protective, which is probably influenced by her wolf.

I gazed at the stands, then to the new crowd coming down the steps, but none held my beautiful brunette. I simply thought nothing of it. Hermione was probably waiting for her friends who always seemed to be late.

I twiddled with my wand, a habit I picked up years ago. I only did it when I was nervous, or as Hermione likes to point out, 'It's because you need a distraction'. Just the thought of her brought a smile to my face. I wish she was here, heavens know she always made everything better.

Cedric was already at the main platform, sitting on the edge of the docks with his feet in the water. Victor wasn't here yet, which is surprising since the rest of the Durmstrang students were already seated. The amount of students that were trickling in were getting fewer and fewer, and the stands much more full.

I started to pace. Back and forth and back again, still twiddling with my wand as my whole body was ignited with nerves. Something just seemed so off. I felt like I was going into this task blindsided. I knew what was to be done, but the one line from the riddle kept playing in my head, We've taken what you'll sorely miss. What have they taken? Her most valuable possession was her mother's ring. That ring has been in the Delacour's family for ages, and it held a large value to the whole family. Though the ring was left in France, they couldn't have traveled there and taken it, right? Would they? Well they did make three teenagers fight against dragons, which witches and wizards go to post-secondary to learn to fight. I guess it wouldn't be out of there bag of tricks to do something like that. Though even with that conclusion, something still seemed off, missing of sorts.

It must be that Hermione is not here yet. I need Hermione, she always helps me feel better when I'm stressed. She always knew what to say, knew what to do. Though as a scan once again through the crowded stands, hands still twiddling with my wand, there was no sign of Hermione. I checked once again, but what really worried me was when I saw Ron and Harry in the stands, and with no Hermione. Where could she possible be? Was she okay?

I was about to turn away towards the starting line, when Ron caught my eye. I gestured to him what I hope was 'where is Hermione?' to which he responded with a shrug. With that simple gesture my whole body went ridged, now I know something was definitely wrong. If her best friends don't even know where she is, then something must have happened. I need to find her, I need to know that she is okay.

I start to walk towards the castle, almost on auto-pilot. How could I even consider competing in the tournament when Hermione could be hurt? Could be in danger? I walk swiftly, passing everybody with ease as I head to the castle, but one body steps right in front of me, and I quite literally bounce off them a little. I look up to the tall person, face paling as I go, to the determined eyes of my headmaster.

"And where do you zink you are going, Mademoiselle Delacour? Ze Tournament is about to start ze second task. And in case tu as oublié, you are our champion." She said, looking down at me with a raised eyebrow, as if to say 'try to prove otherwise'. I didn't have time for this, I needed to find Hermione.

"But Herm—"

"No buts, Fleur, you are needed on ze main deck." With perfect timing, the bell rang and Professor Dumbledore asked that all champions to go to the starting point. I sigh, knowing I was not going to get out of this.

I know what I'll do. I will go down there, retrieve what they've taken in record time, and hurry back to find Hermione. It seemed to be the only way. As well, if Hermione was perfectly fine, she would be angry with the fact that I blew the tournament just to check if she was okay. For all I knew, she was in the stands and simply couldn't find Ron and Harry.

I get to the main docks, where Cedric is just standing up from swishing the water, and Victor is stretching. I knew I should get ready, but all I could do was twiddle and hope, hope that Hermione would be okay until the task is over and I can find her.

Dumbledore's voice boomed through the temporary stadium, giving a spiel as to what was going to take place. How we only had an hour to retrieve our possessions, or else they would be lost otherwise. Soon enough, he was commanding us to get ready. At his shout to go, Cedric and I cast a bubble charm, and Victor did a failed attempt at a transfiguration spell.

As I dove into the water, there was a constant ringing in my ears, and the swishing sound of the bubble charm as I moved my head, trying to find my bearings. The bubble allowed me to see clearly, though I couldn't see that far ahead. It almost seemed that there was more seaweed than water, for how much was dancing around my body.

I pushed forward, moving my arms forward and back again, getting a less than ideal speed going. I was always a terrible swimmer, much due to that fact that I strongly dislike water. I personally blame the veela heritage. The bird side part of my DNA never got used to the whole 'water' thing.

The seaweed was an absolute pain to get through. Not only was the touch absolutely disgusting, but the amount of it was like trying to get through a wall. Well, a wall that swayed with the currents of the water, and you were capable of moving bit-by-bit. Though this is not the time to question my logic while I'm deep under water searching for some possession when I should be looking for Hermione!

Just with the thought of the brunette, I subconsciously push harder, lashing at the weeds vigorously attempting to find some sort of breakthrough to clearing. Though after a few minutes, my arms grew tired, and I slowed down my pace. Was I even going in the right direction? For all I knew, I could be going the opposite way, leaving my possession behind and basically giving it the finger.

No matter what though, I can't get anything done stuck in these weeds. It doesn't matter what direction, I need to get out to find my bearings. Even seeing one of the other champions will help to know I'm going the right way. Or maybe they are just as lost as I am.

I kept pushing along, slowly making my way through the weeds, when a sliver of light peeked its way through the almost complete darkness.

I followed where it came from, to finally have my vision revoked with light again. I was still stuck in seaweed, but one thing at a time.

I kept swimming in the direction of the light, hoping at the end I'd be free of the weeds I've grown to hate more and more.

Pushing away a stray weed the covered a great deal of light, I stopped, holding the string of weed firmly in my grasp as I watched a figure in the clearing.

Focusing my eyes as best as I could on the figure, with his medium hair and lanky body, I knew instantly it was Cedric. Though he was carrying something large and awkward, holding it with one arm around its middle. I push forward a few feet to try and get a better view, to almost wish I hadn't

He... he had a women, the one he went to the ball with. He held her by the waist as he frantically pushed towards the surface, trying to get her to safety as quickly as possible. Just that image alone had a burst of thoughts go through my head. The simple look of the women: pale, blue lips, completely limp in Cedric's arms; completely vulnerable. How could they do that to her? All for a task? For a stupid tournament? Was she what has been taken? Have they taken people? How could they do somet—?

Wait. Wait.

No.

No, they couldn't have.

I didn't hesitate as I swam as fast as I could to where I've seen Cedric come from. Frantically thrashing at the seaweed in my way, blocking me from a sight that I was wrong about, that I hope for the life of me is not on the other side.

I pushed as hard as I could, as fast as I could, needing to hurry, when a scaly hands grabs my ankle and drags me back into the abundance of weeds.

I spin just as fast as it happens, looking into the hollow eyes of the Grindylow, spear in one hand, my ankle in the other. I kick and thrash in his grip, trying anything to get them to let go.

I grab my wand out of my other boot out of habit. I look at it for a split second, hoping that it will work under water, before I cast a stun spell.

"Stupify!" I yell, which only seemed to create bubbles around my vision. Though it must have worked, since I was free of the creature's slimy grasp.

I spin around and move as quickly as I could, still having the horrible thought that there could be a chance Hermione was down here with me.

I hiss in pain as a sharp edge makes contact with me hip, leaving a trail of blood as I swim. The Gryndylow must have caught up to me. Holding my side, I don't look back, more focused on reaching my target. I have to get passed these weeds.

When I finally break through the wall of weeds, time almost seems to stop. About five feet below, on the ocean bed, were two bodies, tethered to the bottom of the lake's floor, lightly bobbing with the ocean currents. One of the two, skin as pale as the moon, lips as blue as the water she's trapped in, was Hermione.

I didn't think, I only took action and pushed my hardest towards her, hoping to the gods that she is okay. Because if those Grindylow tore a single hair from her head, I swear I will—

My train of thought was cut off by two Grindylow grabbing each arm and holding me in place, while many others, maybe five, swam around us and watched.

How dare they hold me as if I'm some prisoner? How dare they hold me from my mate? My mate, who looks like she isn't even breathing. Oh god, let her be breathing…

It was when one stopped in front of me, spear at the ready and gave me the most crooked smile, all jagged teeth and just slobbering with mischief that my control finally snapped.

My head snapped back in a silent scream as my muscle tense and rippled, as they changed. My spine arched as it grew more pointed and larger in size, ripping my shirt to an unusable mess. It was then that the Grindylow panicked and let go, watching warily from afar. I snapped my head back to look directly at one of the Grindylow, watched in the reflection of his beady eye's as mine changed to a cold, deadly blue. I revealed in the fear that was flowing freely from the petty sea creature. It almost lessened the pain. Almost.

My fingers and toes stung as nails expanded to become black, hooked claws. My skin burned as it stretched to accommodate the silvery-blue feathers growing on my arms and wings that were protruding my back.

When the pain dimmed to a minimum, I latch my claws upon the closest Grindylow, challenging it with showing my teeth. I was hoping all the Grindylow would scurry away, fearing for their lives. Only the opposite happened. The Grindylow Screeched. Wailed at such a high pitch, my human ears wouldn't have heard it.

Sadly, this caused for an all-out attack it seems, as over twenty more of the blasted sea creatures came out of the seaweed; charging straight at me.

I flap my wings, moving me away from the charging herd. I hated the feeling of my feathers all soaked, moving through the water. But I knew this was or Hermione, so I ignored my discomfort.

I slashed as the first wave of creatures came close to me. Some holding rocks, others just their claws. The Grindylow's I attacked seemed to hiss in pain, and swim away as quickly as it they could.

Huh. Easier than I thought.

Only I thought too soon. I feel two of them on my back, pushing me down until I was in the middle of disturbed sand, making a mushroom around my attackers and I.

I continue to thrash blindedly, making contact with a few. I cry out, screeching as a searing pain erupts my shoulder. One must have gotten me. How dare they touch me?

As the sand cleared, I saw what seemed to be the last Grindylow shooting through the water to get away, and I couldn't help for a moment to boast in the moment. That I quickly fought twenty or more of those horrible things. Those things that were holding Hermione hostage.

Hermione.

I shoot up quickly, stretching my wings as best as I could in the water. I turn to the left, to see the brunette beauty still floating, still oblivious to her surroundings.

I swim over, going faster now that I have my wings.

I stop in front of her, and stare at her features. How they have changed since being in the water. How she looks miserable, yet her face is sheer calm. Why would anyone want to do this to her mate? How could they? She is my mate! They cannot take her from me!

Anger surging through my veins, I lash the rope hold her mate to the sea's floor. Grasping her gently, bridal style, I make a cry into the water on instinct, in attempt to keep the creatures away. Hermione has dealt with too much already.

I quickly look to her once more, with her head resting on my shoulder, before I push off the ground, wings working with great force to shoot us towards air.

I couldn't think of anything else in that moment than saving Hermione. Screw the task, the cuts, bruises, and the discomfort of the water in her feathers. Hermione needed her, and she was going to do everything she needed to do.

As soon as our heads broke through the top of the lake, a large gasp was heard from beside me. I whip my head over to see Hermione's eyes wide as she coughed what water that seemed to have gotten into her lungs.

I couldn't help but smile and listen to her breathe, to hear her heart beat rapid. She was alive. She was going to be okay.

I took in my surroundings, finding the docks to be only a dozen feet away. It was when I focused on the crowd, as I moved towards them, that I heard all of the commotion. Cheering. They were cheering for us. I let out a light chirp. Of course they are! I saved my mate!

The chirp must have startled Hermione, because from my peripheral I could see her eye's instantly locked unto me; wide and searching. I didn't look down at her, more concerned with getting her to land.

"Fleur?" She whispered, her voice hoarse, no doubt from the coughing. I look down for a second, meeting her warm, brown eyes before looking back at my objective.

I defiantly didn't miss the way she wrapped her arms around my shoulders, holding me tighter. I ignored the pain as she dug my wound, only thinking of the brunette burrowing into the crevice of my neck.

I defiantly didn't miss the muffled whisper as Hermione said, "You're beautiful."

I pushed harder towards the docks; with the largest smile on my face.

SO… what did you think?