Chapter 7: I Fight a Monstrous Monkey

(Hugo)

It grew colder as September shifted to October and all people could talk about was the first task of The Hogwarts Tournament and who the contestants from each house would be.

The contestants were to be revealed today during lunch.

"I wish we could enter," whined Jacob as we made our way to lunch.

Lily snorted. "You wouldn't even get picked. And if you did you'd last about two seconds."

I laughed and Jacob glared. "I happen to be very skilled with a wand."

I rolled my eyes. "It takes more than a wand to win these types of things. It takes common sense."

"Maybe someone should tell that to James," muttered Albus as we sat down next to him at the Gryffindor table.

"It appears," James said very loudly from a few seats down, "that my brother thinks I am deaf."

Albus smiled good-naturedly. "Sorry, bro, but I'm just speaking the truth."

"Yeah, Jamie, don't pretend you have a chance at being Gryffindor's champion," Fred teased.

"Please," James snorted. "The chances of me not being Gryffindor's champion is around the same chance of Alice ever pulling a prank."

Alice mumbled, "Notice how I say nothing, yet I get victimized?" Then a small, evil sort of smile spread across her face but it seemed I was the only one who noticed.

"Can I have your attention please!" squeaked Flitwick from the teacher's table. "It's come time to announce the House Champions."

Everyone quieted.

"Ten sickles say James wins," I whispered to Albus.

My cousin grinned. "Deal."

Parkinson then stood up. "The champion representing Slytherin will be Lucas Reed."

There was a roar of clapping and cheering from Slytherin and a polite clap from a few Ravenclaws.

Professor Lusk, who taught Ancient Runes stood up. "The champion of Ravenclaw house will be Samuel Scone!"

Another roar of cheering and clapping. And booing from James.

Bryson stood up. "The Champion of Hufflepuff will be Steffi Roberts."

I slouched in my chair disappointed as the Hufflepuff table exploded. I knew Sarah had been hoping her sister would be the Hufflepuff champion.

Finally Neville stood up. "And the Gryffindor champion is… James Potter!"

The loudest cheer of all from the Gryffindor table. It seemed everyone forgot that James Potter was supposedly an attention-seeking prat. Now he was the one chosen to represent our house in the tournament.

Almost immediately after James' name had been announced, banners dropped down. They were red and gold with James' face on them. Fireworks exploded that said spelled James Potter. Then a realistic looking lion bounded into the Great Hall.

After seconds everything disappeared.

Funnily enough James looked shocked. He got up and said, "Okay, I know this sounds like a lie but that was not me."

"Well," Flitwick said slowly. "I suppose there's no harm in a little fun. Thank-you for that display of… you."

James tried to explain that it wasn't him but just ended up slumping back in his chair.

Once lunch was over I went to find Sarah.

"Are you okay?" I asked her after I had chased her down.

She shrugged. "I'm fine. My sister's pretty upset though."

I nodded. "Well, I wish it had her."

"Yeah me too. I'm glad your cousin won though."

"I won ten sickles off it so I guess I am too."

Sarah laughed and I mentally patted myself on the back. I wasn't really good with girls. I didn't know how to talk to them, and except my cousins, they didn't really like talking to me. But Sarah was different. She laughed at my jokes, even the stupid ones, and she seemed to genuinely enjoy my company.

"I like you Hugo," she said studying me.

I tripped and flailed my arms like an idiot trying to regain my balance but I landed flat on my face anyway.

She laughed again. "I think you're cute. I like the fact that you're so… natural."

After a second's hesitation she kissed my cheek. "I got to go, but talk to me later okay?"

I smiled dumbly in her direction as she walked away. The only thought going through my mind was She likes me. She actually likes me.

I didn't get back to the dorm until pretty late that night. I had been looking through half the books in the library trying to come up with an idea to do something special on Sarah's birthday. Sure it was three months away still but it was never too early to prepare.

"What are you doing out so late?" asked Jacob closing the book on his bed as he turned to me.

Unfortunately I was a terrible liar. "Uh, studying… and stuff."

Jacob actually laughed out loud. "Really Hugo, that's the best you can do?"

I sighed. "I was talking with a friend."

"Ah," Jacob said slowly. "I get it. Friend, like how James and Alice are 'friends'."

"They are," I insisted.

"Yes, they're friends and much more than that. Anyway. Don't get off topic. Who's this 'friend' of yours?"

I figured there was no point in trying to lie. "Sarah Victorian."

Jacob held up a finger, grabbed a glass off his nightstand, drank some water, and did a spit take. "Sarah Victorian? Like pretty girl Sarah Victorian?" I nodded. "Like Lily's enemy Sarah Victorian?" I nodded again. "Like the one in Hufflepuff with shoulder length-"

"Yes, Jacob the only Sarah Victorian in school!"

Jacob suddenly nodded understandingly. "You told me you had a crush on her last year. Congrats on getting to first base."

I snorted. "I don't think you know what first base is."

Jacob winked. "Sure I do."

"Ew," I said squirming trying to get a very disturbing image out of my head. "Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"You still haven't run around the school in a costume of my choice."

"Oh. The bet. I almost forgot."

"Yeah, okay. Well, I didn't and I've finally picked out your costume. And I've decided you'll wear it right after Halloween."

"Oh, well great. I just can't wait to see the costume."

I went to fetch the costume out of my trunk. I held it up for Jacob to examine.

He just stared, "You want me to dress up as Patrick from Spongebob?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Are you insane?"

"Probably."

"Good to know."

Frank picked that exact moment to walk in the door. As he walked in he was hastily rubbing his sleeve on his face.

"Patrick?" he asked pointing at the starfish costume in my hand. "Why?"

"Exactly!" Jacob shouted.

"Why not?" I countered.

Jacob and I burst out laughing and Frank looked at us confused.

"Jacob is planning on running around the school wearing this. Then he's going to jump in the lake and do a lap."

Frank gave us a weird look. "Do I dare ask why again?"

Jacob looked at me and I shook my head. Part of the bet was that he couldn't tell anyone it was a bet. "You best not ask, Frank."

"I'm going to bed now," Frank decided looking at us as if we were completely insane. "If you plan to keep being crazy, please take it down to the Common Room."

We were done our crazy for that night though. The three of us got ready for bed.

It took me hours to fall asleep and when I did it was not peaceful.

I was running. I didn't know where I was but I knew I needed to get away.

From what I wasn't exactly sure.

There were trees around me. Perhaps I was in the Forbidden Forest, but there weren't any noises or creatures, so it couldn't be. In fact it was oddly quiet except for the stomping of my feet.

The stomping of my feet. No other feet. I stopped and turned around. Maybe I wasn't being chased after all, I couldn't hear anyone else.

But that was a mistake. Because as I stopped the green light came towards me. And then it hit me.

I once heard you couldn't die in a dream without dying in real life. So I panicked when I felt the light hit me. I knew without doubt it was the killing curse. But I wasn't dead. At least, not all of me. It was like I was a spirit now, watching as a man plucked a wand out of my dead cold hands.

And then I woke with a start.

Funnily enough my first thought wasn't even about the dream, in fact the dream seemed like a very fuzzy memory that happened long ago in the past.

No, my first thought was about Frank. What had he been doing coming in the dorm so late? Hadn't he had a smudge of red on his face, too? Maybe I was just so tired that I wasn't thinking straight but it almost seemed as if Frank ha a girlfriend.

Frank Longbottom. A girlfriend.

Huh, who figure?

(James)

When I woke up on the weekend before I was supposed to compete in the first event of the Hogwarts Tournament, my feet hurt.

I groaned and rolled off my bed to my feet. I fell to the floor knocking over my bedside table.

Fred, Josh, and Ben were shocked awake. And with one look at me they started laughing.

Josh was the first to recover. "James, were you drunk last night?"

I didn't blame Josh for asking. Drinking had become a regular part of my routine. It eased the pain, made me forget the suckish circumstances in my life. And best of all unlike when I was sober, I couldn't feel Code in my head when I was drunk.

But I hadn't been drinking last night. Hadn't for a while now. Alice had stopped me. At first she'd just try and hide the liquor. Well, I played that game better than her. Just two weeks ago Alice thought of a better solution. She hexed all the bottles I had to make sure the liquid was undrinkable. Literally no matter how hard I tried, no matter what drink I tried, it would just miss my mouth. Sometimes it'd spill all over my shirt- which was really embarrassing when you were trying to impress girls- sometimes it just wouldn't come out of the bottle. I had finally stopped when one time it spilled all between my legs, and five different people asked if I'd soiled my pants.

I didn't talk to Alice for a full day after that. It was almost pathetic that was literally how long I could last without her. At least that's what Fred told me. Alice thought it was cute. I just thought it was nice that I knew I could always turn to her for anything and everything.

I was so lost in thought it was a few second too long when I responded. "No."

Fred tilted his head. "Did you get laid?"

"What?" I exclaimed. "No!"

"Look down mate," Josh said before him and Fed burst into another fit of giggles.

It wasn't until then I noticed I was wearing high-heels and a pink dress.

"What the…" I began sitting down trying to take off the shoes. As I did the dress became pinker and poofier and… well more girly.

"Fred…" I growled.

He put up his hands. "It wasn't me. I swear on the words of the Marauder Code."

I frowned. Fred wasn't lying. So if he hadn't… who had?

"Josh?"

He shook his head.

"Ben?" I said with disbelief.

Ben who was still chuckling shook his head too.

The door opened.

"Merlin's pants, woman, don't you ever knock?" shouted Josh, who was in his underwear.

"I expected you'd be awake and ready by ten o'clock," Alice replied rolling his eyes. "Uh, James? What are you wearing?"

She was looking at with an accusing gaze.

I shook my head. "I swear, Alice, I promised you I'd only drink on a special occasions."

"I still have my suspicions you were hooking up with a chick in a broom closet," mumbled Josh.

"I swear, I didn't. You believe me don't you, Ally?"

"Yeah, I believe you."

But there was something in her eyes. It took me a few more seconds to realize. "Alice!" I growled.

Everyone else in the room burst out laughing as I stood there bemused. Alice had pulled the prank? Alice. But why would she?

I didn't really know what to do. If it had been anyone else on the planet I would've hexed their asses into 3017 but this was Alice. My Alice.

"Why?" I finally asked.

Alice accepted high-fives from all the guys as she answered. "Figure it out."

"Damn, Alice, you're one bad cookie," Ben said shaking his head. "Seriously, you're a prefect!"

"What're you gonna do, turn her in?" Fred laughed patting Alice on the back.

"If he doesn't, I will."

Alice turned to me. "Seriously? Do you realize how much dirt I have on you? Comes to think of it maybe I should start using that as leverage. I'm sure there's tons of things Professor Parkinson would be interested in knowing…"

The conversation ended with me apologizing to Alice and begging for forgiveness.

After that Alice and Fred insisted we go walk around the school for a bit.

"I don't know why you couldn't have told me not to take the stuff off," I grumbled.

In addition to my pink fluffy dress, and high-heels, I also now had a tiara and make-up. Alice had "forgot" to mention that every time I try and take an item off another one would appear.

Alice giggled. "Sorry, James, I really forgot."

I harrumphed as I got more stares from some passer-byers.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Princess Jamie?" said Adam Wright as he walked by me.

"If it isn't Adam Wright King of the dicks," I shot back.

"Aw, what's wrong? Did you expect me to be bowing down to you, your highness?"

As calmly as I could- which wasn't very calmly at all- I walked up to Wright and punched him in the face.

I smiled satisfactorily when I noticed the diamond ring I was wearing caused him to bleed.

Alice grabbed my arms and pulled me back. Wright fired a curse at me which I ducked.

He fumed and walked away.

"Looks like I can kick your ass even in a dress!" I shouted after him.

Unfortunately Wright wasn't the only prick I had to deal with that day. Tons more people commented on my new look. Alice told me to ignore them.

"It's your fault they're provoking me in the first place," I told Alice as she steered me in the opposite direction of Samuel Scone.

She shrugged. "If you can figure out why I did it and apologize, I'll fix it."

I stared at my so-called best friend. "You want me to apologize to you?"

Alice pretended she hadn't heard me. I crossed my arms mumbling "I'm never talking to you again."

"Ah, yes, I remember the last time you were 'never going to talk to me again.' How did that last again, Fred? A day?"

"Even less," Fred snickered.

I kicked my cousin with the heel part of my shoe. He bent over clutching his shin. I laughed and he punched me. Alice had to kick us both in the…sensitive area to get us to stop fighting each other.

"I hope you know you are both imbeciles," she grumbled as we took a seat at the Gryffindor table.

"And you're a prick," I countered.

"Do you want me to lift the curse?" Alice asked.

"Yes," I muttered.

"Then you better be nice to me."

I gave an exaggerated sigh. "Sorry."

As the day wore on I got more funny looks and more taunts directed at me.

It was almost dinner time when I ran into Cassidy.

"James…" She said slowly taking in my appearance, "Nice look."

"Oh, shut up, Cassy. This wasn't exactly my choice of dress style."

"Yeah, so back off, okay?" Alice snapped sharply turning in the other direction, taking me with her.

"What's your problem?" I demanded.

"What are you talking about?"

"Why do you hate Cassidy so much?"

I could tell Alice was struggling to bite a back a rude comment. She took a deep breath and finally replied, "I don't trust her James."

"Yeah, well I do. And for your information I am completely capable of judging a person without your help."

"Please," Alice snorted. "Your idea of judging a person is what house they're in."

"That's not true I have plenty of friends that aren't in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff."

"Name one Slytherin friend you have."

"One? I could name tons. But- one? Well Brianna for starters."

"Brianna Stone?" Alice reiterated. "You've had one conversation with her."

"That's not true! Look, she's right there ask her."

Alice turned to the direction I was looking and saw Brianna walking with a few of her friends. "Hey, Brianna!" I yelled. "Come over here."

She looked at me funny but came over none the less. "Yeah, what is it?"

"Please tell Alice here that we are fairly good friends."

Maybe she was good at reading people, or maybe she just believed what I said was true but she replied, "Me and James? Yeah, we're pretty good friends."

Alice humphed and I held my head high and walked away from her with Brianna.

"Care to tell me why you're in a dress?" she asked causally.

"Alice," I growled.

"Ah, and let me guess. You got in an argument, something to do with you have no Slytherin friends, so you called me over to pretend your friends so you could win your little argument and get back at her."

My mouth hung wide open. "Should I be scared that you know all that?"

She shrugged. "I'm not going to tell you how to feel James."

I smiled. Brianna and I weren't exactly best friends. I sat next to her in Charms and said maybe all of ten words to her this year. But she was the closest thing I had to a friend in Slytherin. And there was something that felt good about proving Alice wrong.

I smiled. "You know, I think we could be friends."

Brianna nodded slowly. "Because you like me or because you want to prove Alice wrong?"

My smile widened. "Can the answer be both?"

"I suppose." She paused. "But not while you're wearing a dress."

I was about to protest but she had already walked away.

I stared after her. I could get used to having her around.

When I woke up the next morning the dress and the make-up and the high-heels were gone. I breathed a sigh of relief.

I went up until dinner without talking to Alice. Instead had spent the afternoon in the library looking up spells that could help me in the Hogwarts Tournament. They had told us that the first task was going to be a complete surprise. I had felt tempted to find out myself- I was James Potter after all, I could find out anything I wanted- but I figured I'd rather be fair.

I didn't leave the library until dinner time. I was eating my peas and chicken when a gazillion copies of the Hogwarts News fell into everyone's food. I was used to this happening by now. It was like the mail except with no owls. The newspapers just fell from the sky.

I was also quite used to the cover saying something like James Potter: Attention Seeking Prat or James Potter: Biggest Git in the World and I can't say I was surprised to see today's headline, James Potter: A Pretty, Pretty Princess, but I was annoyed.

I turned to the article.

We all know James Potter is an attention seeking prat. But did you know how much of an ass-hole James really is?

Yesterday James decided to wear a pink princess costume. I attempted to interview James and asked him why he decided to wear such odd attire but he told me and I quote "*u*k off." After being so rudely declined an answer to my questions I talked to James' girlfriend, Alice Longbottom.

I would have stopped reading right there, knowing it was filled with lies, but the next line interested me too much.

What Alice told me was fascinating, "I did that to him to show him how hard it was to be a girl. He kept telling me how easy it was to be female, I told him he was wrong. But he wouldn't agree with me, so I showed him what it's really like to be female. So on top of being an attention seeking prat James Potter is also a rude women-hater.

I stared at the article for a few seconds. That wasn't true at all. I had never said anything of the sort to Alice.

I marched to the other side of the Gryffindor table ignoring the looks of hatred from the girls.

Before I could even make it to her seat Alice jumped up and tackled me in a hug. "I am so, so sorry, Jamie," she said into my shoulder. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

I didn't need to ask her if the article had lied. I knew it had. It always did, I couldn't believe I thought even for a second…

I squeezed Alice hard and said, "No I'm sorry, Ally. I didn't mean to get so mad. And I know why you did it."

She pulled away from me a bit to look me in the eye. It was then we noticed that we were in the Great Hall. With the entire school watching us.

Alice blushed but I laughed. Being my impulsive self I stood up on one of the benches preparing to make an announcement. I ignored Alice's attempts to pull me down.

"That's right," I shouted to the whole Great Hall. "I am not afraid to hug my best friend in front of everyone. I am not embarrassed to have a female friend. And despite what you might have heard I am not a complete asshole, and I am most certainly not a women-hater."

Some people cheered. A girl at the Hufflepuff table shouted "I love you James!" But some of the girls were still glaring.

"For the record I did not say that about James. He's the most sweet and caring guy I know. Seriously girls, how many boys do you know that didn't mind hugging you in public? That will do anything you say just because you told them to? That shower you with gifts for twelve days at Christmas just to be sweet?"

Perhaps it was really cheesy that Alice was making a speech like this. It sounded like something you'd hear in a Disney movie right before the leading boy and girl kiss, but I still loved that Alice would do that for me. Look like an idiot just to prove that I'm not one.

There was more applause but still quite a few boos. I rolled my eyes tire of trying to win people over. "For those of you who don't care you can kiss my ass!"

Yeah it was stupid and inappropriate but it made Alice laugh. It made most of the Gryffindor table laugh. It made half of the girls cheer, and it left the teacher's completely shocked so it was worth it.

I laughed and pulled Alice along with me out of the Great Hall.

"Do you think that was the cheesiest thing we've ever done or what?" Alice asked looking behind her to see if anyone had followed us.

"Honestly, I don't care. I'm tired of them trying to make people like me. And I'm tired of them being arses, and I'm tired of stupid-" I stopped mid-sentence and sighed. "I'm just tired."

Alice smiled. "Then let's stop being tired."

"How?"

"Just follow me."

I did. Alice led me to the kitchens and asked Lukey, the house-elf who practically worshipped me, to bring down some chocolate, and marshmallows down to the Room of Requirement.

I didn't know what Alice was planning and she refused to tell me. But we went down to the room of Requirement and when we entered it was a library with comfy chairs everywhere and bookshelves lining the walls.

"As much as I'd love to just sit and relax you and I have got work to do." She gestured to the tables and books around us. "All these are going to help you prepare for the Hogwarts Tournament."

"And the chocolate and marshmallows?" I asked.

Alice gave me a fake frown. "Are you protesting an unlimited amount of two of your favorite junk foods? Cause if you are I can just ask Lukey to take them back…"

"No, ma'am."

And so Alice and I spent practically the entire night preparing me for the first task. Well, I'll admit we didn't study all night. There might've been a point where we took a break to have a marshmallow war. You were never too old build a fort out of marshmallows and attack your best friend with them.

Perhaps it was a dumb idea to stay up all night on a Sunday. Alice and I had fallen asleep at around four o'clock and didn't wake up until eight-fifty, ten minutes before class started.

That routine continued until Thursday. It felt like Alice and I had studied every single thing that could possibly come up in this tournament. I knew random facts that I really shouldn't have known- did you know that the Triwizard Tournament was initially meant as a punishment for those who had done wrong? Like instead of detention they just chucked you into an arena with a few other kids and watched while you battled dragons and tried to stay alive. Or that one time a guy was eaten by some sort of sea-monster? Or that exactly 67 people had been gravely injured during one of these tournament, and five people had died?

Those facts certainly didn't make me feel better as I walked towards a tent that was set up outside with the other champions.

I was actually genuinely surprised by how many people wished me good luck. Perhaps mine and Alice's speech actually had worked. People didn't think of me as an attention seeking prat anymore.

"Care to make a bet Potter?" whispered Samuel Scone from beside me.

"You know I'm always up for it, Scone. I'll kick your ass any day."

"You remember last year we made a bet that the loser would have to do something –anything- for the winner?"

I paled a little. "I remember."

"Well what do you say, double or nothing? If you win, I'll forget we ever made that bet, but if I beat you, you do what I say."

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean 'what I say'?"

Scone rolled his eyes. "I'm not trying to trick you Potter. I simply mean instead of one thing, you do two things for me, got it?"

In all honesty I didn't want to make this bet, but of course I was an idiot and I couldn't back down, not against Scone, so I snapped, "Of course. Deal."

We shook hands and I made of point of wiping mine on my robe afterwards. I felt satisfied by the look of annoyance on Scone's face.

"How are you guys doing?" asked Flitwick in his high squeaky voice.

"Good," all four of us mumbled.

"Are you ready to know what the task is?"

"Yes," we chorused, more eagerly this time.

"You'll be in the lake. The goal is to find a hidden island where there will be three clues for each of you. You'll get twenty points for finding the island, five points for finding one clue, ten points for finding two, and fifteen points for finding three. You'll be awarded ten points for every… problem you overcome on the way to or back from the island. You will only be given an hour to find the island and the clues, and will be awarded points for every minute you have to spare on coming back. Points will be deducted for every minute you are late. You must make it to the island or you will receive zero points, however finding the clues is optional." Flitwick took a breath. "Am I forgetting anything, Leslie?"

Professor Bryson, who was bouncing up and down on her feet frowned. "Yes, Filius forgot to mention that these clues will help you figure out what we're doing for the next task. And if you attempt to take anyone else clues or hide them, you will be disqualified. If you come across them simply leave them there. You can tell whose clue it is because they refer to the colors of your houses. Everyone understand?"

We all nodded.

"Good." Flitwick clapped his hands. "You will now each get five minutes with your heads of house to prepare."

I walked off to a section of the tent marked off for Gryffindor.

"Are you ready, James?" Neville asked me.

"Totally," I replied grinning.

"One thing you should know- there's two types of creatures in thee that are going to rip you to shreds if you're not careful."

I hid my fear. "Great." Then I paused. "Neville… will I need to go underwater?"

Neville bit his lip. "Probably not. Do you know the buoyancy charm?"

I nodded. I remembered Alice and I had practiced that all night on Wednesday. I was actually somewhat shocked it would come in handy.

"Then you'll be good."

A bell sounded. "The task starts in three minutes. Go wait at the starting line."

As I was walking towards the lake I saw Brianna.

Before I could even say anything she pecked me on the cheek. "Good luck. You'll need it."

And as quickly as she appeared she was gone. Feeling flustered I stood there for a minute touching the spot on my cheek she had kissed.

"What are you doing?"

It was Albus voice. "Nothing!" I replied way too defensive. "What are you doing?"

Albus raised his eyebrows and ignored my question. "Okay then. Good luck."

"Thanks."

I got a billion other good lucks, but all I could think of was Brianna and that kiss. I had never told anyone before, not even Alice though she probably already knew, I had never kissed anyone. The closest chance I had was Cassidy which Albus had stolen from me. Now my little brother kissed someone before I did. It was probably the most embarrassing detail about me. And stupid. James Potter the great flirt never actually kissed someone? Well, unless you counted the times where girls had surprised me and smashed their lips against mine. Oh, and that one time where Alice and I had sort of fallen on top of each other when we were seven.

"Good-" Alice began before squinting at me. "Do my eyes deceive me or is the great James Potter blushing?"

To my delight they made a final call for all Champion in the start line.

"Sorry, Ally, but I gotta go."

"Mmm," she replied smiling knowingly.

Why did I sometimes feel like that women could read my mind?

My two second conversation with Alice made me a few seconds late. Because of that I didn't hesitate and jumped right in.

The water was freezing. That was pretty much all I could focus on. I was so unfocused that I didn't even notice my foot was caught in a piece of seaweed until Steffi Robert cut me free with a spell.

"Thanks," I tried to say but it just become bubbles under the water. She nodded anyway, understanding.

It took about five minutes before I came across my first obstacle. There was a Grindylow, no three Grindylows, approaching me.

I had never really been good memorizing spells. When it came to tests and stuff I was totally lost. But for some reason whenever I was in duels, the spells came to me naturally. Apparently that applied now, when I was being attack by water demons because I didn't even have to think when I shouted "Relashio!"

A jet of hot boiling bubbles was shot at the Grindylow and they fled. I smiled triumphantly and continued swimming.

I wasn't a very great swimmer. I didn't remember getting saved from drowning by Code's sister but besides the fact that it was coming from Code, the situation wasn't all that unrealistic. Ever since I was young I didn't like swimming. We'd go to the beach, I'd sit in the sand and make giant holes or sandcastle. The water and me just didn't get along, Code's story explained why.

I had only been swimming for minutes when I got exceptionally tired. I used the buoyancy charm so I could float without doing any actually work.

"Hey, Potter, use a Disillusionment Charm," whispered a voice beside me.

I spun around but saw no one. Then I cursed myself. Of course! I couldn't see anyone because they had all made themselves invisible.

"Thanks," I whispered to the invisible person even though I knew they were probably already gone.

I floated along keeping my eye out for this island. I could actually see it now but it was so far away… I wondered if anyone had gotten there yet. I hoped not.

Something bit the back of my leg. When I turned the sight was enough to scare me into dropping my wand. The… thing- because that's really all you could call it- looked like a small monkey. Except minus the cuteness, add huge ears, a scaly body, and rows of razor sharp teeth that were currently making a buffet out of my leg.

This was definitely not one of the creatures me and Alice had read about. I would've remembered the picture. And I had dropped my wand. I panicked and attempted to shake my leg free. The monkey creature clamped its jaw down even harder on my leg and I threatened to black out.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

1: Hope you enjoyed Alice's little prank! I had fun writing that scene. Thing is, it wasn't my idea. I would give credit but I don't remember who thought of it. It was a long time ago. So... thank you to whoever came up with it.

2: So do any of you ship Sarugo? (Sarah and Hugo).

3: I noticed that everytime I post a chapter here the number of words is different then in my word doc. I have no idea why this is but if you noticed that there's a repeat of a scene (because I do this by copy and pasting) please let me know. Thanks :)

4: Happy Holidays even though it's still a little early!

What will happen between Sarah and Hugo? Will Jacob actually run around the castle dressed as Patrick Star? What does Hugo's dream mean, or was it just a dream? Does Frank really have a girlfriend? If so who is it? Isn't the relationship between James and Alice just adorable? Is Alice right about Cassidy? Why did Brianna kiss James? Will James the his first real kiss soon? Will he even survive long enough to?

"I think the truly natural things are dreams, which cannot be touched by decay," Bob Dylan.

-Monkeywoman14