Chapter 26 - White Lies

Bubbles escaped his lips and drifted towards the surface far above, gleaming in the light of the sun that reached even these depths. Harry breathed out again as he rested his head on the bottom of the lake, tiny plants tickling his skin. How long would it take for Voldemort to arrive, he wondered. For it was certain that this was a shared dream, he would not be so aware of himself dreaming otherwise, not without waking.

It had to be his own dream, he decided. He'd started noticing the subtle differences between his own mind and Voldemort's: his consisted of vast spaces that were clear where he stood and faded into distant shapes the further one got from the centre, whereas Voldemort usually had them confined in a specific spot that was entirely detailed, such as closed rooms or a forest clearing with such thick vegetation around that Harry knew that he could never go past it without falling into a void. Another giveaway were the senses: in his own, there were barely any sounds apart from their own voices, as opposed to the Dark Lord's, where smell was absent.

~A peculiar place of meeting,~ he heard. ~Was one trip not enough for you?~

Harry sat up slowly, noticing the other at last, sitting on a throne-shaped rock that was overgrown with colourful, slowly waving aquatic plants. Had Harry placed that there or could the man influence the shape of Harry's dreams now? The water gave Voldemort's skin an oddly blue tint, and made his many-layered robes drift to all sides, making the man look much larger than he really was. It looked... highly disturbing. ~I don't know why we're here,~ Harry freely admitted. ~I only recall falling asleep in the medical tent... that was in the morning though.~

~It still is morning,~ the Dark Lord clarified. ~You called out to me from your dream, which is why I decided to pay a visit like this.~

Harry blinked. He'd... called out? To Voldemort? ~That... was not on purpose.~

~Well, it was not you, technically, instead the piece of my own soul reaching out. It does still have a certain consciousness. You suffered from brain damage.~

~Tell me something new,~ Harry scoffed, trying to stand up now.

~It's not a laughing matter. Tell me what happened.~

Harry took a moment to collect his thoughts, then gave a brief summary of how he'd fared during the Task, starting from the first ritual and ending with his last encounter with the Merfolk. When done, he was glad to see that the Dark Lord showed no sign of disappointment or anger.

~So you used Draco Malfoy to divulge his family secrets... rather unexpected. And, I assume, he was also the one to inform you of that the Slytherins communicate with the Merfolk here using sign language?~

Harry nodded. ~He tried to teach me a bit of Mermish but I was absolutely rubbish at it, so he showed me a few signs that could be useful. I thought that being able to communicate even a bit could help. It was a surprise that it's a common thing the Slytherins do.~

~It's a tradition that started about two centuries ago by a deaf student, who was not yet allowed to use sign language in class. To still practise, she befriended the Merfolk, who often drift by the windows of the common room, and slowly they caught onto the signs. Being ambassadors to the Merpeople, the Malfoys who were at Hogwarts at that time picked up on it and endorsed it then, since it was far easier to communicate from the comforts of the common room than to go out to the lake each time to speak. I've witnessed many conversations between them and Abraxas when I went to Hogwarts myself. Not that I ever actively participated.~

~Why not?~

~Already having ideas of a revolution back then, I didn't think that the Merfolk of all people would be among my chosen allies. They are confined by the bodies of water they live in, and this group in particular is very loyal to Albus Dumbledore. They even were when the man wasn't Headmaster yet. Thus, I found it to be a waste of my energy. I kept myself busy with other projects...~

~Such as?~ Harry asked curiously.

Red eyes gave him a calculated look that was too unsettling to not dread the answer.

~Such as trying to see how many times a human can disappear from the face of this world without consequences. Or testing out which poisons have what effects exactly, since all we learnt about that in Hogwarts was theory. Or seeing for myself where the pain limit of the human mind lies... I possibly killed more people in my last year at Hogwarts than I did in any year after. It wasn't very difficult, with people panicking about Grindelwald, even up in Hogwarts.~ Harry looked at the other with wariness, only receiving an eerie smile. ~Ah, nostalgia... the world is not that simple anymore. I have to fulfil those desires mostly with Muggles now.~

It was hard to find any kind of appropriate answer to that, Harry found. He was in no position to berate a Dark Lord on his urge to murder, nor would a conversation about the worth of Muggles bring him further again. And unfortunately, Harry was too far into this now to pull back and wipe his hands clean, nor did he truly want to. He was torn between wanting to help magic, and following his own views of right and wrong. It was difficult to explain, even to himself. Everything he'd seen in Voldemort's mind screamed at him to help the man, the only person who could improve the world for their kind, the man who had been chosen by Magic for this purpose. On the other hand, how could he silently stand next to someone whose greatest enjoyment seemed to be watching the life be drained from another beings' eyes? Why could Magic not have chosen another?

Harry was shocked out of his musings when freezing fingers tightly gripped his chin and forced him to look up into blazing eyes. ~It's a bit late to have second thoughts now, Harry.~

~This summer... life with you can be so absurd,~ the teen suddenly noted, trying to ignore the nails digging into his skin. His Lord didn't react at first, watching him in silence for a good while.

~How so?~ the man finally asked

~You can't tell me that it is normal to one day explore magical theories, the next to fight over the ethics of killing Muggles and the day after to read a book in all peace as if nothing has ever happened.~

~I fail to see why not.~

~Well, you know... I always thought that doing... doing illegal things and hurting others would define one's character more. Maybe it is silly, or I read too much, I don't know... But you know how murderers and thieves are usually portrayed as only doing that one thing?~

~That really is a surprisingly childish view,'' his Lord said with a slight smirk. ''People are not one-dimensional characters who are defined by the last impacting action they took. Murderers do not suddenly lose the ability to enjoy a good meal, to relax in the evening or to take care of pets or other people. Of course, some people might think that we would lose the right for those things, but that is a whole ethical debate I won't touch upon now. Look at Barty, for example. The experiences he had before becoming a Death Eater, his whole childhood and character that formed then, did not suddenly disappear from his mind. The training I gave him does not consume Barty's whole thoughts nor does it make him unable to take pleasure in the small things in life. Take a look at yourself too. I know you may not consider yourself a murderer since you only killed on accident... and yet that is the exact point I am trying to make. You did kill Quirinius. Did it change who you were? No, not in the slightest. So try not to worry too much about any of that and move forward.~

Harry sat in shocked silence for a while as the knowledge dawned on him that it was true. He was already a murderer too... Somehow, this underwater dream state softened the impact of this knowledge to such an extent that he was able to brush it off in a way that would never have been possible otherwise. He sincerely hoped that he'd forget this particular piece of info. ~No wonder you got so many people over to your side,~ Harry grumbled. ~You certainly have a way with words.~ He was released again and Voldemort sat back down on his throne while Harry grabbed onto a nearby plant to not drift upwards at the sudden movement.

~Indeed. Now, time is running short again, you will have to wake up soon. I hope you are prepared to face Dumbledore. The man has been meddling quite a bit again to my knowledge. It appears that your godfather returning to his old home was Dumbledore's doing. I had not expected Black to ever set foot in there again, it must have taken quite an argument to convince him, which is worrisome. The Black home is one of the most well-protected properties in the country, so Dumbledore must have ulterior motives with that building. That also raises the problem of your request... Should Black invite you to spend the coming summer with him, it would be suspicious if you declined, and you already are on thin ice with Dumbledore now, I'm sure. Barty informed me of how wary the old fool was after the first Task, and you using a Rite of Weaving will certainly not sit well with him either.~ Harry wanted to ask about the name, then had second thoughts. He would not remember most of this anyways, he might as well ask Malfoy. He hoped the blond could tell him more though, Malfoy had never mentioned this ritual to have any particular name.

~I'll try to come up with believable excuses for both Sirius and Dumbledore,~ he promised, surprised at the news of Sirius. During their last conversation at the burrow, the man had made it quite clear that he didn't want to return to his ancestral home.

~Let us hope that your creativity in lies improved over time then.~

~Never going to let me live down 'Harrison Black', are you?~ Harry glared when Voldemort merely upturned his lips. ~At least I didn't spend hours trying to find an anagram that didn't sound entirely ridiculous!~ Eyes flashed up dangerously, which Harry ignored, feeling defensive. Considering that this was his dream, he should be relatively safe. ~And you didn't even completely succeed, I found out through Dixie that 'Voldemort' isn't even grammatically correct.'' His smirk froze as the Dark Lord was suddenly in front of him again, ever so slowly and deliberately closing a hand around Harry's throat and squeezing until it was incredibly uncomfortable. His face was a blank mask, which was possibly even worse than if Harry had managed to get him furious. His heart drummed in his ears as he realised just what he had said and to whom. He struggled to breathe -strange, considering that they were first of all submerged and secondly all of this was a mere image of his sleeping mind-.

~I think,~ Voldemort whispered, leaning forward so his lips were almost brushing the shell of Harry's ear. ~That you have gotten the wrong impression here. I do not enter your dreams as a form of entertainment for you.~ There was a slight tremble in his words that spoke volumes of the amount of tightly strung control the Dark Lord was currently exercising. ~Let me make this abundantly clear. I am the most powerful sorcerer in the part of the world assigned to me, perhaps the most powerful being that you will ever have the privilege of encountering, and I will not have you belittle me. You being the vessel of my soul does not exempt you of the same basic courtesy that all my followers show me, nor will it stop me from punishing you as I see fit should you fail to meet those standards. So if you wish to retain the position I bestowed upon you and leave our compromise intact, you shall behave accordingly. Else, you might find yourself in a rather... unfortunate position. Understood?~

Harry swallowed thickly and nodded as well as he could with his neck still in an iron grip. ~Yes,~ he rasped out.

~Good.~ Sharp nails were pressed into the skin of his neck in warning for a few seconds before he was released. The Dark Lord did not move away, mouth still at the teen's ear. ~I realise that sharing dreams might have given you the incorrect impression of that we are equals in some way and that formalities do not matter. Or perhaps, we shall chalk it up this once to you not being apt enough yet to filter your mouth when required. Should there be a next time in which you find it necessary to utter unwanted critique that is not relevant to any situations I have asked your opinion on, you will find yourself on the wrong end of my wand.~ Finally, Voldemort moved away, his gaze narrowed at Harry's face. ~Wake, now.~

Harry gasped as he was forced out of his own dream, harshly woken up by the foreign presence that threw him out of his own mind with ease. Pomfrey rushed over instantly, unwanted attention that Harry could not use right now as he grasped his dizzy head with sweating hands. That had been... different. If there was one thing that Harry absolutely hated about Voldemort, it was that the Dark Lord was so unpredictable. One minute he would be talking of leniency and tell stories, the next he was threatening.

''Mr Potter! I had already wondered when you would wake. You were... hissing.''

Again?

He muttered something about nightmares, really not feeling up to trying to find a different explanation. It was really a pain that he was a sleep-talker. At least in the dorms he had silencing spells now to keep the other boys from waking up. He closed his eyes again as she checked on him, noting that he had a heightened pulse. Not exactly surprising information, considering that the most dangerous man on earth -in Harry's humble opinion- had just had him in a chokehold, speaking of threats that were left to his imagination if he stepped out of line again. At the very least, Harry reassured himself, it would be much easier when he would meet Voldemort in person again, for the sheer magic that hung around the man like a suffocating cloud was enough to bring him to his knees without a word of protest. Even the memory of it gave him pleasant goose bumps. Maybe that was why it was so much easier to defy the Dark Lord in his dreams: every scrap of the magical power he normally wore was gone in there, and words alone had never been the way to impress Harry.

''What happened to me?'' he asked after struggling for a moment to not slip automatically into Parsel.

''What did you do to yourself, you mean,'' the nurse scowled. ''Your half-transformation or whatever it was, failed at the bottom of the lake, putting intense strain on your body. Then, the oxygen in the Bubblehead Charm that you produced wasn't nearly enough, so while you were being dragged upwards by the Merpeople, you managed to get water in your lungs and fainted. Their amulet,'' she pointed at his chest, where the necklace he'd been given still hung, now looking rather sad as the plants had dried and shrivelled up, covering the snake fang beneath it, ''saved your lungs from the normal effects of being exposed to rapidly declining water pressure, thank Merlin. Why did you wait so long? I've heard you were the first to arrive at the hostages.''

''I saw that one of them was in danger,'' Harry commented. ''Fleur's sister was waking up, I had to make sure that either Fleur still got there in time or bring her up myself.''

''A remarkable action,'' another voice spoke that made Harry freeze. How long had Dumbledore been standing there? Madame Pomfrey was startled by it too, though that didn't mean much, the Headmaster had ways to make himself invisible without a cloak, he'd said so himself. ''You did many remarkable things today Harry... a few of which I would like to talk about before we return to fulfil everyone's anticipation by giving marks.'' Harry merely gave a nod and tried to sit up straighter while avoiding looking into Dumbledore's eyes directly, as even Voldemort's amulet couldn't protect him from invasive magic then. Harry had hoped that he'd have some time to come up with a plausible explanation over the day before maybe being invited by Dumbledore. No such luck then. Could he keep his promise to Voldemort of coming up with a good enough excuse?

The man sat down at Harry bedside, ignoring the nurse's protests until she walked away steaming. Piercing blue eyes twinkled beneath their spectacles, bright and curious. Harry relaxed slightly. For all the man's possible manipulations, Dumbledore was not evil either, and certainly morally a better man than Voldemort, wasn't he? Harry frowned at that sudden thought, a spark of fear growing in his chest. He should not let down his guard so much. Yes, he could partially agree with the statement of that Dumbledore had, in general, better morals and also protected his people, yet he'd exactly used and betrayed those dear to Harry: made teen soldiers out of his parents, left Sirius in Azkaban, put Lupin in a certain harmful position, left Harry and his friends to solve a bunch of clues that anyone else should have been ale to handle better than a couple of children...

''Harry?'' the tone was soft and calming, relaxing Harry again. He was perhaps a bit too paranoid after everything he'd been told... much of which had still not been verified.

''Sir, I am not entirely sure what you wish for me to say,'' he spoke in the end. ''If it's about Gabrielle, she should never have been put in that position. She's part-Veela, of course she would wake up under water!''

''A fact that is not very well-known. I myself had no idea of the consequences, neither did Madame Maxime, otherwise we'd never have allowed it. Where did you pick up such a thing?''

At least this was one thing that Harry didn't need to make up an excuse for. ''The Hogwarts Library actually. At the Weighing of the Wand ceremony, I found out that Fleur has Veela heritage. I thought that it would be a good idea to look up more about Veela, to see if she had any advantages over the other Champions due to that or any weaknesses that could be used against her, should one of the Tasks be a direct duel or so. Hermione combed through the whole library and found a few books that mentioned them. Having that knowledge, and seeing that Gabrielle was a lot more restless than the rest of them, I couldn't just swim away and leave her behind. I wasn't sure if or when the merfolk would notice.''

''I see... a heroic action worthy of praise. Both Madame Maxime and Miss Delacour are very thankful to you and it will surely be reflected in your scores. About the Merpeople, I came across the delightful knowledge that you talked to them?''

''Not... exactly,'' Harry spoke. ''I don't know Mermish or so. I used sign language, knowing that they can understand it since some of the Slytherins communicate with the Merpeople from their common room like that.'' A thought suddenly came to him. ''I saw that two years ago when.. eh... when Ron and I snuck into the common room to grill Malfoy. We thought that he might be the Heir of Slytherin and took it upon ourselves to find out.'' He peeked upwards, trying to gauge the headmaster's reaction.

''Ah. I take it that this was the moment when Ms. Granger had to spend an unfortunate night in the Hospital wing with a cat face- and tail?'' Dumbledore's eyes glittered with amusement. ''Do not worry Harry, I am not going to deduct points for rules you broke two years ago. Well, that does explain quite a bit... yet not your most fascinating piece of magic. Did I not tell you after the last task to stay away from anything not taught at Hogwarts?'' the words held a warning edge to it.

''With all respect, Sir, I still have more than three years to go and do not know the entire curriculum that is to come. During my entire time at Hogwarts, I have not learnt of a way to stay underwater.''

''You also used the Bubblehead charm, I heard.''

''A spell I was told about from Dixie, who learnt it at Beauxbatons. I had no idea that it was taught in Hogwarts until I saw that Cedric used it. By my own knowledge, I would not have been allowed to use that either.''

''A charm is a different story from a rune ritual that requires the death of an animal,'' Dumbledore spoke, his friendly tone oddly enough reappearing. '''Surely, you knew that.''

Harry clenched his jaw. ''I was trying to stay alive. If you heard that I attempted a bubblehead charm, you maybe also have heard how abysmally bad it was. Since this ritual was designed by merfolk themselves, for the exact purpose of contacting them, I didn't see any harm in using it. It doesn't hurt any humans, has no negative effects on myself, and I thought perhaps the Merfolk would recognise the spell and grant me easier access.''

''Did Sirius tell you about this again?'' It was hard to gauge the tone in which Dumbledore asked his question. He was calm as always, not looking either disappointing or judging now. Perhaps Harry's words about why he'd thought the ritual harmless enough had convinced the Headmaster.

''Yes.'' Harry answered with a straight face, mentally apologising over and over to his godfather for dragging him in further. ''He's my godfather, of course he'd want me to get through this as unscathed as possible.'' Dumbledore pinched the bridge of his crooked nose and sighed, closing his eyes for a moment.

''Sirius is reckless and, after Azkaban, seems to have lost sight a bit of what was part of his childhood education and what he learnt here at Hogwarts. As much as he tried to distance himself in his youth, it seems that he has less trouble now with certain types of magic. Harry, I'll be blunt. What you performed today was very dark magic. Anything that involves having to kill another living being cannot be accepted here.'' He looked at the teen as if he expected a reaction of shock. Harry didn't do anything, knowing that he could not muster up enough energy to make it believable, nor feeling like pretending dark magic was some sort of slimy stain he'd have to be ashamed of. A flicker of disappointment entered Dumbledore's eyes. ''I see that you were already aware of this.''

''I knew that it couldn't be light magic no. I thought it was either neutral or dark and didn't ask too many questions,'' Harry spoke. ''Since the spell itself isnot illegal, I had hoped it would be more towards the neutral side.''

''Harry, neutral magic is a word made up by the Ministry. There is only light or dark, nothing else.'' Harry was actually surprised by how honest Dumbledore was with that explanation, especially since in this context, the words sounded rather extreme. It was only because Harry knew that light and dark merely referred to the weight of the spell, that he was familiar with there being nothing in between.

''That is... good to know. But then what is with the hexes and such that we learn here at Hogwarts? Aren't those dark?''

''The concept of light and dark magic is not as clear-cut as being divided in light charms and dark curses, unfortunately. Anything taught at Hogwarts though, is safe to use. I wish for you to trust me on this, it would only over-complicate matters if we started teaching such confusing matters on top of everything else. I'm sure you already have enough homework.'' Harry had to fight to put a smile on his face. So they were not taught any of this because it was inconvenient for students to learn more? That was some bull if he'd ever heard it. Dumbledore just didn't want them to find out that many beneficial spells were dark and that there were also light curses. In short, that the whole division between dark-bad and light-good was not challenged.

''I know how this must look,'' Dumbledore spoke softly, his voice but a mere ancient whisper. ''That we teach magic that we pretend is something else, I can see that in your eyes.'' A vaguely sad smile lingered at his mouth and Harry's stomach jumped a bit. Had the man read his thoughts? ''I thought much the same when this knowledge was revealed to me by a... dear friend of mine, who had attended one of the other Wizarding schools. He raged on once about several light spells that were incredibly harmful and still taught here only because they were light. Ever since I was appointed as Headmaster of Hogwarts, I have tried to protect my students by changing the curriculum of several courses to make it safer. Quite a challenge when teaching during not only one, but two wars, I assure you.''

Harry frowned, not entirely sure what Dumbledore was getting at. ''Safer how? Just this year we were taught about the Unforgivable curses.'' Two dark and one light spell respectively, he added in his mind. Also, Voldemort had specifically pointed out that more and more dark spells had been removed from the curriculum after the previous Headmaster had resigned. That didn't add up. Additionally, why opt for safe lessons when at the same time putting monsters in the school and sending students out to the Forbidden Forest as punishment?

''Defence Against the Dark Arts was always a bit of an exception.. and Alastor was right in his passionate speech to me about that one cannot defend against what one doesn't know. You may have noticed that while I allowed for demonstrations from his side, none of you were taught how to perform it.'' Not exactly true, Harry thought, they had also practised the Imperius curse themselves, but perhaps that was only on Barty. ''Rather than dark or light, I try to see what a spell does, how it is cast and what effects it has on the magician and the object of casting, if you follow me.'' Harry nodded. Voldemort's explanations had been far more long-winded and complicated than any of this. ''I put in certain criteria for a spell to be taught here... and most dark spells do not meet them. For the few that do... well, Cornelius Fudge would not be very happy about any dark magic here after the last Dark Lord wreaked havoc upon the country.''

''So now you are saying that there is dark magic at Hogwarts and you just pretend that it is light?'' -well, that certainly confirmed Voldemort's words and theories then- ''And still disagree with me using spells that might be?''

''I carefully filtered out every spell that could damage you or others that I knew of. If you then go and get books on other magic, especially given by people who know that none of this is taught at Hogwarts... it tramples all the efforts of those people who try to create a safe environment for you. I admit that I am not omniscient, nor do I know every single spell in existence. Yes, the ritual that you used is... not officially illegal, but only so because it is ancient and very unknown. Instantly upon seeing it however, I knew that I would never allow a spell that required death to be cast. Especially you should understand that Harry, after meeting Voldemort twice and seeing what terrible powers he uses. There is a time and place for most magic... and for some magic, that time and place will never come, that I hope from the bottom of my heart.'' A brittle hand pat Harry's shoulder. ''Perhaps I have underestimated how much you can handle if you are willing to go to such extents... you always were rather reckless. We should both head back to the lake now if you feel up to it. We will have another, longer conversation about this in my office in the coming days.''

''No, wait, I have so many questions!'' Harry said in frustration when Dumbledore was already moving outside. This talk had only led to more confusion about Dumbledore's view on light and dark magic. The Headmaster allowed some dark spells while knowing that they were dark, when they were deemed safe enough for students, yet still in general pushed for an image of only light magic being good? That was just wrong... and entirely flipped Harry's image of Dumbledore yet again from someone who vied to only ever use light magic no matter the consequences, to someone much more... complicated, and not in a good way.

''Later Harry, you should not let all the other Champions wait for so long. Poppy? Harry seems fine enough to accompany me, don't you agree?'' The nurse growled something under her breath that Harry took as a permit to leave, so he hurriedly put on the spare set of school robes that lay ready on a chair next to the bed. ''I shall go a bit in front,'' Dumbledore cheerfully spoke. ''Lest dear Igor will accuse me of cheating even more than he does in this Tournament. Which is, naturally, deplorable in his eyes.'' Harry nodded without answering and slowed down his pace, watching as the Headmaster took brisk strides that were far too fast for someone of his supposed age. How old could wizards get without having any physical troubles?

He took his time, not just because Dumbledore had asked him to, but also to properly gather his thoughts. Everything had happened so fast from the moment he'd jumped into the lake... the fight with the squid, rescuing the hostages, swimming with the mermaids, his dream of Voldemort and then talking to Dumbledore. He wished to have a much needed break, to sit down in a quiet spot of the castle or to listen to Ron and Hermione bickering without having any responsibility himself. Maybe he could ask Barty if he could sneak to the man's office for an evening or so, to talk about more pleasant topics than grand schemes and impending doom. The fact that Dumbledore had said they'd talk again in a few days was not very encouraging either, he had the feeling that this would not be a conversation where he'd receive a ready answer on his questions. It had already been a bit odd to finally have Dumbledore reveal some of his own honest thoughts.

The stands were still filled with people by the time he got there -how long had it been in the first place?- although they looked slightly more empty than before. Perhaps some had given up on waiting... Karkaroff and Percy glowered at him from the jury table, both apparently not so happy to have been kept waiting. Dumbledore was a lot more chipper than before, giving a bright smile and chatting away with the Headmistress of Durmstrang, who cried out when she saw Harry and stood. Not the best idea that she could have had, as she nearly bumped her head against the overhangs that were there in case of rain.

''Mr Potter! Finally! I 'ope you are well? My Champion would still like to- ah, Fleur, zere you are!''

Before Harry had the chance to reply, Fleur rushed to Harry and flung herself at him, bursting out in tears as Harry stood there still as a statue, wondering what was happening. ''You saved 'er! You saved my little sister! Oh 'Arry, if you 'adn't noticed! Ze Grindylows got to me, I am a worzless witch! She could've died!'' He awkwardly pat her on the back as she pressed two kisses to his cheek, aware of a thousand jealous stares on him.

''You're not worthless, it could have happened to anyone,'' he muttered. ''Gabrielle should never have been allowed as one of the hostages. If the jury would have done more research...'' She shook her head, silvery hair flying everywhere.

''I cannot blame zem, it is not well-known zat descendants of.. well, zat people like us 'ave difficulty with water.'' She withdrew, giving him a soft smile. ''Sorry for zat. If I can ever do anyzing for you...''

''Don't mention it,'' Harry shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed being hugged and kissed by the hottest girl around.

''Well then, Ladies and Gentlemen!'' Bagman's voice suddenly boomed through the stands. ''Now all of our Champions have recovered from the shock of these terrifying tasks and showed their spirit and character to us with their actions, it is time to award some points! The head of the mermaid tribe, Murcus, has given us details on what happened exactly in those murky depths-'' Harry rolled his eyes at the pun, ''-and we have chosen a point total, the maximum being fifty. Miss Delacour has shown us her skill with magic in form of the Bubble-head charm, but unfortunately needed to back down when faced with Grindylows and did not make it to the hostages. As such, we can award her only twenty-five points.''

''I wouldn't mind getting minus fifty for failing to protect my sister,'' Fleur miserably spoke. ''I don't deserve any.'' Harry awkwardly grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

''You do, you showed some very advanced magic.'' She kept silent at that, yet didn't retreat her hand. Harry definitely hoped that Skeeter wasn't around anywhere. After that first horrid article, he certainly didn't want a second with rumours about him and Fleur. It was a good thing that she was missing and that her replacements were obviously not as apt in diving on juicy information.

''In third place, Mr Viktor Krum, being the second Champion to return to his hostage, will be rewarded forty points. While he did manage to reach his hostage, his transformation into a shark was only half-successful, and he was a few minutes more over the time limit than the first Champion, which brings us to Mr Cedric Diggory! What control of magic and speed! Returned only a single minute over the time limit and made use of a perfect Bubble-head charm! We award him forty-seven points...'' It hadn't escaped Harry's notice by now that while Fleur was fourth and Krum third, Bagman hadn't mentioned explicitly whether Cedric was in second or first place, only that he'd surfaced first.

''Ah, and now to our most complicated case! Always doing things a little bit different. Harry Potter returned last but managed to not only find one, but two methods of breathing underwater, spending forty-five minutes under a transformation specifically created by Merpeople as Merchieftainess Murcus informed us, and then still casting a weak but working Bubble-head charm far above his level. On top of that, he saved both his own hostage and the one of Miss Delacour, arriving first in the village yet waiting to see that everyone got to safety. The decision to reward extra points for this bravery was shared by almost all members of the Jury -Karkaroff was thrown a glower by Bagman-. On the other hand, some points had to be deducted for rather... unorthodox methods... bringing the total on forty-one points!''

Harry sighed as cheers broke out. He should have known that his stunt with the ritual would definitely mean that he wouldn't make first place, but he was still one point above Krum because of all the extra things he'd done. He could certainly live with that. Hell, just managing to survive this was a feat. He did his best to smile along with the other Champions, genuinely moved by his friends cheering him on, both Ron and Hermione looking much better now they were not in a magically-induced coma. He also walked up to Cedric to congratulate him. It must be great to make such a comeback after the First task, where he'd finished in last place, to suddenly shoot to the top. Harry made some mental calculations and concluded that Cedric was in the lead now by two points, followed by Harry, who was only a single point above Krum. Fleur came last with a shockingly low amount, all to blame on the fact that she was disqualified midway this time. Still, as Cedric had told him after the first Task and then been confirmed by Bagman, their points here only determined in what order they would face the third task, giving only a minimal starting advantage. Anyone could still win this...

So, I hope this cleared up a few questions about the previous chapter.
The words Harry 'said' to the Merpeople were 'Please help me' in British Sign Language by the way :) -which was a lot more difficult to find that expected, since American Sign Language always automatically comes up first in Google searches..-

Please Read and Review!
xx GeMerope