Chapter 41

Second Task News

Note from the authors: As with the last reports from Rita Skeeter, we're releasing this with another chapter, so please enjoy the two chapter updates! As always, we are loving your views and comments, please do keep them coming. There is so much more coming up in the next year, with answers that some of you will be looking for about previous chapters, we just didn't want to spoil all the fun at once, but don't worry, all your questions that you have asked will be answered in time.

With the second task of the Tri-Wizard tournament over, Lily Potter has emerged as the new favourite, now leading in points after showing strong, moral fibre in the task.

The idea of the task was a barbaric idea, determined by Ludo Bagman, Barty Crouch, and their counterparts in the Russian and French Ministry of Magic's.

Each Champion had someone close to them taken as a hostage and placed at the bottom of the Great Lake. All four Champion's had their girlfriends taken, protected by spells cast by headmaster Albus Dumbledore. One does have to wonder why such a thing was allowed to happen, however.

What if something had gone wrong? The hostages were children, school children, who should never have been placed at risk. They neither signed up to the tournament or agreed to be used as a part of it. This reporter has already filed a complaint with the Ministry of Magic, and I strongly urge you all to do the same and show them that what they are doing is wrong.

Despite the danger, however, all four champions proved that they were worthy of being called champions. Viktor Krum, the genius seeker, led the way by transfiguring himself, partially, into a shark as he leapt into the water. Perhaps he is training to become an Animagus, but his skill is incredible.

The other three champions each used the Bubble-Head charm, successfully, although each took a small amount of Gillyweed, as a way of protecting themselves, and their hostages if it would have been needed, to keep the hostages safe.

The task started for Fleur Delacour when she swam downwards but was caught in a manic fight with Grindylows. There was an entire swarm of them, but they also began to attack Lily Potter. For a moment, it looked like the two of them would be stuck, however Lily showed her skill and power by sending out a stun wave, something never before seen, defeating the Grindylows, and allowing both women to escape.

Cedric and Viktor got a little delayed as the waters became murky and dark, both having to rely on their senses. Whilst Cedric was able to use the Lumos charm, unfortunately Viktor was unable to use his wand due to his transfiguration. Of course, this wasn't a problem as sharks have excellent vision, and so he was able to get past a number of obstacles that had been set up.

Cedric, as well as dealing with getting lost in the dark, also came up against a number of Hippocampus creatures that were obtained for the task. For those who haven't heard of them, a Hippocampus is a magical creature with the head and forequarters of a horse, and the tail and hindquarters of a fish.

Lily and Fleur reached the hostages first, but both refused to leave right away, wanting to wait for the others. Lily convinced Fleur to go ahead with her hostage, worried for both the hostage and for Fleur, who was worried for her girlfriend.

Viktor arrived next, immediately cutting through the cable holding his hostage, and ensuring she got out.

Lily then waited for Cedric, although he had been delayed. However, there was a point where it looked like Cedric wouldn't make it, so Lily made the decision to take her hostage, as well as Cedric's. She refused to leave anyone down there, concerned for their safety. It seems they spoke with the Minister of Magic, and Professor Dumbledore, before the task, and voiced their concerns.

This intrepid reporter has learnt, however, that even the Minister was unhappy with the nature of the task. He, however, had no say in it. The decision came from Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch, two people who have already proven that they don't care for the champions, only for the effect the tournament has for people.

Once again, Bagman attempted to deadname Lily Potter, however Percy Weasley, a fine stand-in for Barty Crouch, who is ill, made his displeasure of Bagman's actions known. It was, in fact, quite comical to watch.

As Cedric arrived to retrieve his hostage, he and Lily left the area. However, as they began their ascent, panic struck everyone as Lily's Bubble Head charm burst, likely due to the strength and power she used when she cast the stun wave, a spell that is very rare due to the strength required to cast it.

Thankfully, they were able to reach the surface before any problems occurred, and so the task ended, but the scoring had yet to happen.

So how did the judges score? Miss Delacour made it back first, but was past the time limit, and so was awarded forty-five points.

Next back was Mr. Krum, who scored forty-three points, as he was also past the limit of an hour. Cedric was awarded thirty-eight points, due to being the last back with Miss Potter.

The judges, or rather, the judges barring Karkaroff, felt that Lily's behaviour was worthy of full points, but was given forty-three points. The points, however, were enough for Krum, Lily, and Fleur to be joint first place!

Whilst Cedric is now the underdog, it doesn't mean all is over. The final task will be on June 24th, with the wizarding world watching to see who will win, and how the tournament will end.


Blunder at the Ministry

Despite the sense of amazement with the events happening at Hogwarts, I have been conducting more investigations into blunders at the ministry. It turns out that before the Quidditch World Cup, Ministry worker Bertha Jorkins, who worked for Ludo Bagman, disappeared on her way to Albania, where she was to be visiting family who were over there.

Bagman, however, felt that her disappearance was of no consequence. "She's just a bit absent minded, I'm sure she just got lost," Bagman is quoted as saying.

However, there are unconfirmed reports that Bertha met Peter Pettigrew, the man who really betrayed James and Lily Potter to You-Know-Who at the end of the last war. If this is the case, then in this reporter's regretful view, Bertha Jorkins is most likely dead, murdered by a madman.

Continuing my investigation, I wanted to know why the truth wasn't revealed years ago, and why Remus Lupin, a good and honourable man, was left to languish inside Azkaban for so long. It was, to my horror, because of Barty Crouch, who sent Lupin to Azkaban without a trial.

The same Barty Crouch who is now not seen, with his personal assistant, Percy Weasley, leading his department, following instructions sent in daily by Crouch. Under Percy's guidance, however, the Department of International Magical Cooperation has started to work a lot smoother, with young Mr. Weasley proving how adept he is in the role. In fact, one of the wizards in the department, Robert Dean Andrews, said "Whilst Mr. Crouch has been gone, Percy has filled in admirably. He has streamlined the paperwork we deal with; he has the perfect temperament for dealing with people, and he has a passion for the job that is unrivalled,"

So, whilst it is good to see that young Percy Weasley is doing a wonderful job, where is Crouch? Is he hiding because of the facts of his past, and the mishandling of the Tri-Wizard tournament, or is there another reason why he isn't showing his face?

As for Ludo Bagman, a man who is proving himself to be an idiot and a bigot, can we really trust him with the rest of the Tri-Wizard tournament, or will he prove to make more errors?

Meanwhile, Aurors are still searching for Peter Pettigrew since he was revealed to be alive last year, and whilst they still try to find him, they have yet to find him. Kingsley Shacklebolt, who is leading the search, has said that they believe he has returned to the UK, but unfortunately, he is proving to be quite elusive. He remained hidden for twelve years, and so is clearly an expert at hiding.

He is known to be an Animagus, and can take the form of a rat, so Ministry Officials are asking people to be wary.

For further information on how to identify an Animagus, and for information on Peter Pettigrew, turn to page six.