Raylynx's POV
The talk of James' success with Lily went around like wildfire and sustained the school's gossip desires for a week. Head Boy and Head Girl, finally together!
But I, though admittedly slightly biased, thought of it as a mutual success- they had both not only got each other now, but had taught each other to grow up, had taught each other what love meant before they decided to fall into it together.
I was glad- no, more than that- I was genuinely happy for them. But for me the passing of the holiday season shoved one priority straight into my face: the Second Task.
So while everybody immersed into the start of the new semester and celebrated Valentine's Day and went to Quidditch games and so on, I spent as much time as possible in the Room of Requirement again. But how does one practice compassion and friendship? Those were life questions, not TriWizard Tournament questions.
And other times I wouldn't be able to access the Room of Requirement. The door simply would not appear. I couldn't understand why unless- unless it was already in use by someone else.
Luckily, I felt I had found a true comrade in Julian and I spent many hours with him, testing spells and dreaming up hypothetical TriWizard tasks. We were often joined by Lorraine, whom, when I pulled aside to ask her if she all right about James and Lily, cheerfully shook me off with an, "Oh no, I knew they were going to be together. I told him at the Yule Bull, there's a gorgeous ginger who can't keep her eyes off of you and he just couldn't pull it together. That's when I knew."
And she was a highly intelligent individual who taught me all sorts of tricks and was always happy to present us with yet another logic puzzle.
Two days before the Second Task and the nerves were starting to hit.
"How are you feeling about the next task?" James asked me. He sat besides Lily as we all ate breakfast together.
"The plan," I told him, "is simple. Don't die."
James thought it over and shrugged, "Simple. Easy to remember. I like it."
I tried to get into the Room of Requirement that night and found it locked against me again.
I let out a growl of frustration- of all days! Then, suddenly, the door began to materialize in front of my very eyes. Somebody's coming out.
I quickly backed away and hid behind a hallway pillar, my heart thundering. What if it was Jared? Or possibly even a Professor?
I sneaked a quick look to see and then ducked my head back in but-
Was that…
I looked again and sure enough, leading a large group of recognizable Slytherins: Avery, the Carrow twins, Nott, Rookwood, Rosier, Jugson, Travers, Yaxley, Crouch, Snape, and Audrey Zena and a few Letra Damien students, among them Karkaroff, was Regulus Black.
I heard snatches of their conversation:
"-can't wait to try the Cruciatus Curse again tomorrow-"
"-d'you reckon there's anything more powerful than Avada Kedavra?"
"-the Dark Lord wants to test us, but we'll be ready when the time comes-"
"-can't wait to leave this bloody school, where Dumbledore protects all the Mudbloods-"
Something struck deep in my heart. Regulus was among them not only now, but clearly for the rest of his life…and I, who preferred Sirius in the way that mattered most to Regulus… I was not worthy to pity him. I should be begging for his mercy for the pain I had caused him.
I looked around again. They were all leaving; I watched the last of their shadows leave the corridors.
"You should not be wandering around at night," a chiding voice spoke behind me.
I turned. "Gray Lady!" I said, for it was indeed the Gray Lady, the Ghost of Ravenclaw.
"You hide from those boys? Are you afraid of them?" she questioned.
I hesitated, then answered, "One, in particular."
"Indeed? Is he stronger than all the others?"
I knew she was questioning me about his magical ability but I answered instead, "In heart, maybe. I'm afraid he will betray me, or I him."
I shook my head, "I don't wish to trouble you with my insignificant problems, Gray Lady. I am sure you do not want to deal with the idea of betrayal even in death and I wish to leave you in peace."
I turned to leave her, but she spoke to me, "You are wrong in assuming I am at peace. If I were, I would hardly return a ghost."
I stopped and looked back at her, "Gray Lady?"
"I died a betrayer, was killed by a betrayer, and am betrayed even in death. And it is these three things that torment me, even now, in death."
I stared at her, uncomprehending.
She gazed not at me, but beyond me, most likely into the realm of her own life memories.
"Gray Lady…"I began, but suddenly footsteps rang out from a nearby corridor.
The Gray Lady's eyes flickered to me, "Go! You know how to get in" and she gestured at the door.
I quickly ran past it three times and when the door appeared, I wrenched it open and dashed inside just as the footsteps rounded the corner.
It was the night before the Second Task. I was poring over last-minute spells in the Gryffindor common room, which was now deserted save for Lily, Alice, Dorcas, James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter.
They were all asleep on various couches and tables as it was nearly midnight and the Friday of a very long week. Fortunately, I had been exempt from exams this week and due to take them the following week.
I yawned as I flipped over a page on Hurling Hexes.
Perhaps it would be better now to sleep…
I had just snuggled up next to Alice when the common room door opened.
Two people rushed in frantically. I immediately sat up and to my amazement found my guardians: Professor McGonagall and Andromeda Tonks.
"P-Professor? Andy?"
Sirius stirred from his sleep and Alice shifted slightly.
Both women were out of breath, but Professor McGonagall ventured to speak to me, "K-Kingsley- no, Raylynx. You must c-come. You are- breath- called for. Hurry!"
"What?" I said, standing up. Besides me, Alice awoke with a jerk and Sirius blearily lifted his head up.
This time it was Andromeda who blurted out, "Ray- Jamie!"
"WHAT!? WHAT ABOUT HIM?!"
I raced over to her and shook her shoulders, "Tell me!"
"Ray?" Alice said confusedly, "What's going on?"
Everybody else was stirring- I didn't have time.
"Take me to him, now!"
Andromeda nodded and said, "Come on then!"
"Wait!"
I didn't wait, but as soon as Andromeda handed me a packet of Floo Powder, threw half of it in there, dropped the rest on the floor, stepped in and shouted loudly, "St. Mungo's!"
I spun, the world spun with me.
Then it spat me out at the Hospital.
I rushed down, leapt past the Visitor's Entrance where a guard tried to stop me, "Miss-!"
"Sir!" Andromeda's voice rang out, "I can explain!"
The second person followed me. It was Sirius.
Fourth floor- yes, Charles Henley Ward, Romulus Vayne Ward, Pierre Gregson Ward, then Janus Thickey Wa- yes!
I threw open the doors to my brother's ward.
"Are you his sister?" a nurse demanded.
I nodded breathlessly. Besides me, Sirius caught up to me, panting.
"We think he's waking up. We're not sure, but-" The nurse turned to me with wide eyes, "It's either he steadies his heart and wakes up or it'll fail him and he'll-"
"Shut up!" I said aggressively, "Shut up! He's going to live. You'll see."
She didn't say another word, but held me back as several Healers operated on him as he convulsed on the table, his movements symptomatic of his painfully erratic heartbeat.
My own heartbeat was erratic too- moving with him, hurting with him-
Oh my God, Jamie, please. Jamie, please. I shut my eyes. Please, please, please.
But though I would never admit it to myself, I was aware that any moment might be my last and so I opened my eyes a second later, determined to suffer through all of it with him.
Jamie, please. Jamie, Jamie, please.
Then- he screamed a piercingly loud scream.
And he was utterly still.
"J-Jamie?"
One of the Healers placed his ear on his chest, then he beckoned to me.
I couldn't move. Somebody pushed me forward.
The Healer took my hand and placed it on Jamie's chest.
I waited.
And then-
Ba…
dump….
Ba….
dump…
Ba…
dump…
It was perhaps the slowest heartbeat ever, but it was there.
I looked at the Healer in awe. He smiled kindly at me.
"Will he… wake?" I asked, my voice cracking.
"Very soon, I think," the Healer replied and wearily took a seat besides me.
"I'm sorry to intrude on you, but I want to stay with him, make sure… make sure he stays consistent," the Healer explained.
I laid my head gently, so carefully, so very slowly on Jamie's chest.
Ba…
dump….
Ba….
dump…
Ba…
dump…
Oh my God. Oh my God.
I opened my eyes, then, keeping my ear pressed against his chest, reached out with my hand to gently caress his face. He was stone cold.
I carefully pressed my palm against his cheek.
Jamie. Jamie, can you feel that? Can you feel me?
I love you.
I love you.
Then, a mad gasp of breath and-
Sola stood in the doorway, clutching at her chest and holding in her other hand- a broomstick.
She saw me there- our eyes locked- and her breath caught.
I slowly nodded.
She burst into tears and threw her arms around a very caught-off-guard, flustered Sirius.
But I swallowed the flood of tears back. I wasn't going to be crying when Jamie woke up. I wasn't- I wasn't-
Sola came to my side and rested a warm hand on my shoulder and then reached out to stroke Jamie's face with her other hand.
Then- at her touch-
Ba…
dump….
Ba….dump…
Ba..dump…
Ba-dump…
Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump, BA-DUMP-!
I lifted my head again and looked into his face- just in time to see his eyes open.
My sister's hand clenched around my shoulder like a vice.
I tried hard to keep from hyperventilating. What about his memory? Did he remember who he was? Did he remember us? Did he remember what he happened? Was he aware that he was an entire two years older now?
"S-S-Sola…?" his trembling lips produced his very own angel's voice.
"Y-yes," my sister's voice shook.
"And R-Ray?"
His dim, but clear eyes were fixed on me.
I swallowed hard before I nodded and answered in a steady voice, "Yes."
I had never been happier in my entire life, but his next question sunk me into the depths of the worst pain imaginable.
"Where are M-Mom and Dad?"
"I have to go," Sola barely managed to say and she all but ran out from the room.
I swallowed not only tears but my entire heart down. I took his hand into my own, kissed it, and then said in a clear voice, "Jamie. Listen to me very carefully. Our Mom and Dad have joined the stars. They've decided to become… angels. To protect you. To protect us."
His eyes widened for a moment and then flooded with tears. He laid his head back and silently began to cry.
He seemed to choke on his own tears; he gurgled and his body shook.
But a moment passed and though the tears still came fast and thick, his eyes had closed and he seemed in more control of himself.
"H-How long has it b-been since I-?"
I kissed his hand again, "Two years, Jamie."
"Two years?"
"Yes."
"And what has c-changed in t-two years? Are you and S-Sola okay?"
I fought a momentary hesitation- but no, that was Sola's choice- and instead kissed his hand again and said, "Yes. We were just waiting for you. That's all."
I thought I heard him murmur, "I knew I made the r-right decision", but his voice was so low and shaky I couldn't be sure.
"I love you, Jamie," I said, fighting hard to keep the tears from overwhelming my voice, "I love you so much."
I kissed his hand again.
"L-love you too," he responded and gave me a very weak smile. But it was still one hundred percent his smile. I thought my heart would burst. So he remembered what love was.
"Ray?"
"Yes?"
"I-I'm exhausted."
"I know. I know you are. You haven't said a word this whole time, but you were fighting so hard, weren't you?"
His eyelids slipped closed but he said, "Yes. I was fighti…"
His fingers became slack in my grip, his head dropped to one side.
"Raylynx?"
It was Andromeda. She approached me slowly and said in a soft voice, "You have to go. The Second Task starts in twenty minutes."
I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay beside my brother. I gently stroked my brother's face.
"Ray?"
But even in his sleep, I knew he would want me to go. Because it was my way of fighting, wasn't it? Trying's one best, always.
"All right," I said. I stood up. "Let's go."
I made it just in time as Mr. MacFarlan gathered the three champions around him.
Focus, I told myself sternly. The faster you get through this, the faster you can get back to Jamie.
"The Second Task is about to begin. You may use all your magic and all your wit at all times in this task, but recall: sometimes they are not necessary or even hurtful. You will be blind-folded and led to your designated spots. On my mark, you may remove your blindfold and begin the task."
We were blind-folded and then led apart to different parts of the Great Lake banks.
When my guard left me, I could hear a loud scratching sound somewhere nearby. I gripped my wand tightly.
Mr. MacFarlan's Sonorified voice came booming out from somewhere to my left, "On your mark, get set, and go!"
I ripped off my blindfold and blinked in the sudden brightness.
I was standing on the rocks of the bank, facing a gigantic glass tank and in that tank was-
"A mermaid," I breathed.
It- that was, she, was thrashing wildly and screaming hideously against the glass, sloshing around violently in what little water was in the tank.
When she saw me she pounded on the glass and then pointed at the lock. Her eyes were so frightening, an unearthly silver and aquamarine, but at the same time, she could not be more piteous. Her convulsing reminded me… reminded me of Jamie-
I raised my wand and pointed it at the lock, "Alohamora!"
It sprang loose. I ran to it and pushed open the top at great force.
The mermaid slapped her tail wildly, drenching me in water.
"Wait! Wait!" I shouted. "I'm trying to help you!"
Her gaze lingered on my face. I tried to make a move to pick her up but she growled ferociously and brandished her long nails at me.
"I just want to help!" I repeated.
But she hissed again.
What do I do? Do I leave her? I'm wasting my time here…
But a voice in my mind immediately said, "No! Help her. Free her!"
So I took my time and stowing away my wand, I very carefully extended both my hands to her to show her that I meant her no harm. Then slowly, my arms encircled her scaly body and I gently picked her up. I grimaced as her sharp tail scales cut into my arms. Blood was trickling down both of them by the time I had lifted her out of the tank.
Then I carried her to the Black Lake and tried to cautiously ease her in. But with a great whack of the tail that sent me flying into the water, she was off.
Water filled my ears, my nostrils, clouded my vision. I couldn't breathe, hear, see, or think. I instinctively tried to rise up, out of the water, but I suddenly felt two extremely strong hands clap themselves over my head and hold me down.
Is she going to drown me?
I tried to thrash against her, but to no avail. She was unquestionably stronger than me and then, the water was inarguably her arena.
I felt a piercing pain against both my arms as though a sharp forked tongue had raked across them and then an otherworldly, musical but almost ghostly voice whispered in my ear, "To the Astronomy Tower, go!"
And the hands disappeared.
I burst out of the water, gasping for breath, and found myself standing in waist-high water.
I looked down at my arms. They were completely healed.
I looked for the mermaid in the water, but she was long gone.
Astronomy Tower! That was where I had to go.
I dashed out of the water and raced up the banks. The water had awakened and invigorated me. The faster I got this task done, the faster I could go back to Jamie.
I ran hard and blindly- I nearly collided into Julian.
We neither acknowledged each other but continued racing onwards.
Three-quarters of the way there and I spotted Jared also running, but in the opposite direction. Upon seeing us, he turned and began to follow us.
Julian ran faster than I and arrived at the Astronomy Tower a little ahead of me, but I joined him shortly and we both stared up at the Astronomy Tower.
Confusion clouded my mind.
There was a golden structure… It looked like a ladder only… the glistening, glass-like rungs were much too far apart to be possible for it to be a ladder for one person.
I glanced at Julian, but he too, seemed just as bewildered as I.
"Propinqus simul!" Julian shouted, waving his wand at the bars.
Nothing happened.
"Vocare illi funes!" I tried and a massive rope shot out of the end of my wand and attempted to wrap itself around the second rung. With a great burst of sparks, the rope caught aflame before shattering as though it, too, were glass.
"Protego!" we both shouted and the glass shards bounced off our shields.
Jared joined us right then. He attempted to try to jump onto the second rung. He was incredibly athletic and managed to jump high enough to get his left hand around the rung-
But then he disappeared.
Julian and I looked at each other, in shock.
"Do you just touch it? Is it a sort of portal? A Port Key?" he wondered.
"I don't know," I said.
He reached out and touched it and he, too- was gone.
I somehow sensed this wasn't right. This was too easy. But I didn't know what else to do.
I grasped the first rung. The world spun around and threw me out of the sky. I landed hard in a batch of dry winter leaves.
I knew where I was right away. This was the Forbidden Forest.
So I had been right. The ladder simply Apparated you away from it, away from your destination.
With a frustrated sigh, I set off at a run again. When I got back to the ladder, Jared and Julian already there.
They were trying all sorts of things- trying to send their Patronuses up the ladder or somehow change what the ladder was made of or to try to shrink the ladder to force the rungs closer together.
No, I thought, that ladder clearly rejects magical and physical attempts to climb it. There must be another way…
I tried to recall the clue Mr. MacFarlan had given to us: You may use all your magic and all your wit at all times in this task, but recall: sometimes they are not necessary or even hurtful.
Neither my magic nor my wit can help me? How does that apply here?
This is a ladder where the rungs are much too far apart to be possible for it to be a ladder for one person.
Oh, of course!
The rungs are much too far apart to be possible for it to be a ladder for one person.
Friendship!
"Julian!" I shouted, reaching out to him. "Take my hand!"
He hesitated, but reached out and took my hand.
I then extended my other arm and touched the bar. Nothing happened.
"Come on!" I said, and he hoisted me up onto the second rung. Climbing together, we managed to get all the way up to the fifth rung.
When I reached below me to hoist Julian up to the sixth bar, I caught sight of Jared's face. It was astonished and almost… hurt.
But I couldn't think about that now. Julian and I made our way up to the very top, only to see the golden ladder suddenly unravel itself. In its place, a metal gray ladder was in its place. Then, in a violent eruption, purple flames burst up all around it.
Jared let out a yell. Besides me, Julian yelled out in a noble act, "Aguamenti!", but the water evaporated as soon as it touched the purple flames. I had already moved on- awaiting us were four silver boxes on an oak table. Behind each box was a statue. I recognized them as busts of the four Founders of Hogwarts.
I approached them and pondered just for a second before I picked the one in front of Rowena Ravenclaw.
I laid my hand on it to open it, when suddenly the bust began to speak to me:
"Answer two of these riddles three,
If you wish to open me."
"First, after me you seek a grave,
Then after that I am man's name,
I reside on kings or above fair lady's face,
Until no one knows my final resting place."
After me you seek a grave? Death, I suppose.
Followed by a man's name? I have no idea.
I reside on kings, but also on a fair lady's face? Cloaks or crowns might be the literal answer. Divine right or honor, perhaps, metaphorically speaking.
Until no one knows my final resting place.
There was something odd about that last line. It was useful to think back through history; this was a riddle. The answer did not lay in a simple historical fact.
I repeated the words to myself. To die, man's name, some crown perhaps.
Then, I recalled what Professor Flitwick had told me once. "You've not heard of the relics of our ancestors?" Professor Flitwick inquired, "The Sword of Godric Gryffindor, the Cup of Helga Hufflepuff, the Locket of Salazar Slytherin, and of course, the Diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw. It's physical appearance is that of a crown with the famous quote: Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure etched upon its surface. Its magical properties were such as to be said that if worn, it would enhance the wisdom of its wearer."
"Well," I asked, "where are they? These… artifacts? In the Trophy Room here at Hogwarts?"
"I'm afraid not, my dear girl," Flitwick replied, "they've not been seen in years, particularly the Diadem. In fact, it's now called the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw. Even her own daughter, the Gray Lady of Ravenclaw, does not know where it is.
"A Diadem!"
Die, Adam, type of crown, the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw!
The bust smiled and spoke again.
"Then, tell me second: I am the seventh of the eighth,
Two summer months; I rule their fate,
As star, a speechless king,
In winter, brightness do I bring."
Seventh of what eight?
Two summer months, I rule their fate? What rules the fate of two summer months?
As star- Oh, this must be an astronomical sign.
A speechless king. How can a king be speechless?
In winter, brightness do I bring. Again, Astronomy.
What star becomes bright in winter?
Another memory, this one less welcome intruded on my mind:
"Look," I said, pointing towards one of the stars, "Collins said that was the Regulus star, didn't he?"
Regulus gave me an amused look. "You actually manage to pay attention in that class, do you? What with him placing you besides that freezing cold window every day?"
"Well, I can't fail. Then I'd be exactly what he expects me to be, and I don't want him to be right about everything," I explained.
Regulus laughed, and it was the warmest, rarest sound I could ever treasure.
"Go on, what about the Regulus star?" Regulus said, looking out at the vast expanse of sky the view from the Astronomy Tower offered.
"It's the brightest star in the Leo constellation," I said, "It's the very heart of the lion."
Regulus was silent for a moment and then he said, in a very soft voice, "So it is."
That doesn't help! I thought, irritated with myself.
Regulus isn't-
I paused.
"It's the brightest star in the Leo constellation," I said, "It's the very heart of the lion."
A lion is a "speechless king" and as the Leo astronomical sign, he rules over July and August… and the constellation is brightest in winter!
And seventh of the eighth?
I quickly turned to Julian and said, "What about Academie des Talonxs? Do you have Houses like we do?"
"Yes," he replied, "Though we have eight Houses and they're named about astronomical constellations rather than our Founders. We have Casseiopeia, Aries, Eridanus, Aquarius, Pyxis, Serpens Major, Leo, and Volans."
So that was why friendship had been a part of this task. The riddles had to do not only with Hogwarts, but Academie des Talonxs, and Letra Damien.
"Leo," I presented my answer to the bust.
The bust smiled again, "Well played, Champion."
And the silver box began to open of its own accord.
Inside, there was a glistening strand of gold that looked far too familiar- it looked like a part of the ladder Julian and I had just climbed. I reached out and grasped it. The world spun again and I was falling towards the sky, and then I fell from it.
I landed face-first on grass. Immediately, the muddled and confused noises of a large crowd flooded my hearing. I pushed off the grassy ground and got to my feet. This sense of excitement, the high blue sky and a light breeze rustling through your hair, the feeling of soft grass under one's feet… This was the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch.
The students were seated in the spectator stands, peering down at me. I was, so far, the only one here.
I noticed something flickering in the sunlight. Covering my eyes from the sunlight, I looked up to see that each of the Quidditch goal posts had something metallic dangling from the hoops. Something gold, silver, and bronze… So then… my heart sank even before my eyes traced back to the ground and saw- broomsticks.
I froze.
No.
No, I can't- I can't do this.
My heart thumped erratically.
The crowd began to whisper.
"What's she doing?"
"She looks completely lost."
A flash of white to my right, and Julian had arrived.
"Get moving!" some Hogwarts student shouted out to me.
I stretched one shaking hand out towards my broom.
Julian peered around, trying to figure out what it was we had to do.
My hand touched the wooden broom handle.
A scream rang out in my mind: "JAMIE!"
"DOUSE THE FLAMES! GET THE FIRE OUT FIRST!"
I trembled uncontrollably. I couldn't- I couldn't-
Julian by now had figured out what it was he needed to do. He snatched the broomstick and was off.
"STOP THE ATTACKER, STOP HIM!"
"THE BOY, THE BOY!"
"AGUAMENTI!"
Come on, a voice in my head pushed me, move!
"GIRL, GET BACK HERE! HE'LL KILL YOU!"
"SOLA, PLEASE!"
"SOMEBODY ALERT THE MINISTRY!"
And my father's voice, wrenching and desperate, "THAT'S MY SON! GET OUT OF MY FUCKING WAY!"
But suddenly, a fierce voice shouted out from the stands, loud enough to distract me from the memories that intruded my mind and killed my willpower.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING? ARE YOU HIS LITTLE SISTER OR NOT? HE FOUGHT, DIDN'T HE? HE'S ALIVE, ISN'T HE? YOU OWE HIM YOUR BRAVERY, RAYLYNX!"
I stared up at the crowd, trying to look past the sunlight and find him in the throng of people. And I did. He was on his feet, shouting at me. Sirius.
His voice shocked me awake, made me move.
Shaking silently, I mounted my broomstick and gripped it tightly with sweaty hands.
But Sirius was right. I owed this to Jamie.
I kicked off the ground just as Julian snatched the gold medal from the middle hoop. The crowd screamed and applauded. A cannon went off to indicate the winner. Meanwhile, Jared had also appeared on the ground. Seeing me, he instantly leapt onto a broomstick and began to follow me.
I was high up on the ground, level with the Quidditch hoops. All I needed to do was lean forward.
I took a deep breath and leaned forward. My broom shot forth- the wind howling in my ears- and I closed my mind off. As long as I thought, as I long as I remembered, there was nothing but fear that choked me and throttled me.
I allowed instinct to take over and all that Quidditch I had once played, had once been so in love with, had once put my self value in, acted on itself. I zoomed forward, grabbed the silver medal on the left-hand hoop and with a spiral in the air, sped towards the ground where I dismounted.
As soon as I did, my knees gave out and I fell to the ground in a heap. Another cannon went off to indicate that I had finished. Jared touched down seconds after me, holding the bronze medal in his hand.
Julian walked over to me and offered me his hand.
"Thanks," I said, and pulling my wits together, I got to my feet, feeling utterly exhausted.
The crowd was whistling and whooping loudly as , Mr. Crouch, and the three Headmasters crossed onto the field. Poppy came as well, carrying as many Potions and bandages as she could.
Julian required bandages all over his arms from the mermaid scales and Jared had burns on his shoulders and back. The mermaid had healed my injuries away and I had none, save for sheer mental and physical exhaustion. I haven't slept properly for days now... My mind wavered. Everything was starting to fall away. I felt sick and dizzy.
"Very well, then. Yes. Well done, champions!" Mr. MacFarlan exclaimed. "Now, we shall have our scores from the judges."
"First, for Mr. Julian Damocles, who finished in one hour and two minutes."
Each judge shot out a purple number from the end of their wands: 9,7,8,6,8 for a Second Task total of 38 and a Tournament total of 78.
The spectators roared in approval, stomping their feet loudly and screaming.
"Second, for Ms. Raylynx Kingsley, who finished in one hour, three minutes, and seven seconds." I didn't care what the score was, frankly. My vision was blanking out and my heart was only concerned with one thing: getting back to Jamie. Behind me, Poppy laid a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. Julian cast me a worried look as my breathing got heavier and heavier.
"Girl, only a few more seconds," Poppy whispered quietly to me. I tried to nod.
The judges showed my scores: 8,7,9,7,9 for a Second Task total of 40 and a Tournament total of 68. I think there was more silent disbelief than approving applause, but I couldn't be sure. My hearing was buzzing.
"And third, for Mr. Jared Kaius, who finished in one hour, three minutes, and nine seconds."
6,4,6,4,5 for a Second Task total of 25 and a Tournament total of 71.
"I- I have to get back," I said unsteadily.
Then, somebody called me name. "Ray!"
That voice… I had been longing to hear it for weeks on end.
I turned. Marlene was there. Her eyes looked as though she had been crying. Behind her, a tall man with a tired but cheerful look on his face, stood with his hands in his pockets. So he had read my letter.
"My father…he came," Marlene said, and smiled through her newfound tears at me, "Ray, I- Thank you. I can't believe you wrote that letter."
She hugged me and I hugged her back, but I couldn't be happy for her, not now when-
Marlene felt the stiffness in my hug. She drew back and studied my face. "Rayly? What is it? What-?"
"My brother," I managed to say. "He… He woke up."
Her eyes widened and she was suddenly shoving me away, "Then go! Go now!"
I looked towards Dumbledore, who stood silently on the pitch, watching me.
"Professor-" I began. He simply offered me his hand. I took it as he let out a clear, bell-like whistle.
A low humming note sounded and not a minute later, Fawkes was flying towards us. Many students gasped and pointed. When Fawkes came to us, Dumbledore reached up and grasped his tail. All three of us suddenly vanished.
