CHAPTER 21: VALENTINE'S RESILIENCE IN THE AQUATIC TRIAL
The wind playfully tugged at the delicate fabric of Fleur's gown, a masterpiece woven with shimmering silver threads that danced like rippling sunlight on the surface of the sea. She stood on a precipice, her bare feet feeling the void beneath, a profound darkness that seemed to stretch into eternity. As if walking through a dream, the world around her dropped away, fading into the obscure depths. Thick, enigmatic mist swirled and billowed, carrying with it a multitude of tiny, mysterious objects.
Fleur extended her hand into the obscurity, her fingers brushing against a glass flower, its petals unfolding in a mesmerizing display of colors: yellow, white, blue, purple, red, and back to yellow. Memories flooded her mind. "Gabby broke this years ago," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the smooth stem of the glass flower. "Years," she repeated, releasing it to let it drift away into the abyss.
Countless other trinkets floated by, like lost treasures from her past. An ice-crafted bird, a handful of wooden fish, and two miniature trees sculpted from webbed stone, one dark and the other light, none taller than her palm. Fleur marveled at these long-forgotten or broken things suspended in this surreal dimension.
"The remnants of the past," she mused.
As she gazed down at her feet, she noticed the tear-stained pages of a burnt journal eddying past, followed by a whirl of photographs, each featuring smiling girls whose faces seemed familiar.
"Emilie, Caroline, and me," Fleur whispered, her heart bearing the weight of a bitter nostalgia. "Long since burnt to ashes," she added, gently swatting away the ephemeral images.
The oppressive darkness suddenly parted, revealing a remarkable sight. Countless figures moved beneath her, strolling through an endless array of Fleur's creations. They walked arm in arm, hand in hand, embracing, smiling, and sharing tender kisses, all without a single glance upward. Though she couldn't see their faces, Fleur knew them intimately. A procession of girls donned in elegant blue robes, accompanied by enigmatic, faceless boys, moved in a harmonious celebration of love and togetherness.
A silver chalice tumbled to the ground at her feet, producing a resounding clatter that echoed through the room. The polished vessel bore inscriptions, the letters slightly blurred, etched elegantly along its stem. She sensed that those words conveyed her name, although she couldn't quite make them out with clarity.
Fleur gracefully stooped to pick up the cup, her countenance adorned with a triumphant smile. "I've emerged victorious," she declared, her gaze sweeping down towards the assembled throng below. "I've outshone each and every one of you, becoming everything you aspired to be. I am the embodiment of your dreams."
Yet, to her dismay, none of the onlookers bothered to lift their heads in response. The silver cup, now clutched in her hand, felt as icy as a winter's chill against her fingertips.
"I've won," she whispered, the words soft and almost pleading. "I've won, haven't I?"
The crowd gradually dispersed, leaving Fleur standing alone on the lofty spire. As the last remnants of the audience dissolved into the shadows, she thought she glimpsed a fleeting image of emerald eyes, a lopsided smile, tousled chestnut hair, and those scruffy brown eyes she once cherished.
"Perfect," she hissed, the once sweet word now tinged with raw, bitter emotion. She hurled the cold silver chalice into the abyss below, its disappearance into the dark symbolizing the shattering of her illusions.
A hushed, mirthful laughter reverberated in the distance, gradually intensifying like an approaching wave, inundating Fleur's senses, akin to an unintentional spill of inky darkness. Just as she was engulfed by this enigmatic laughter, the very ground beneath her feet gave way, and the spire on which she stood crumbled into nothingness, sending her into a sudden awakening, gasping for breath beneath her shimmering silver blanket.
Down the hallway of the carriage, the piercing, high-pitched laughter of Caroline cut through the air, a stark contrast to the surreal dreamscape Fleur had just experienced. A subtle warmth began to radiate through Fleur's body, as if the remnants of her dream had left a lingering trace beneath her skin. It felt as if invisible feathers were prickling just below the surface of her skin, a testament to the vividness of the dream's impact on her waking world.
'A stupid dream.' She kicked her blanket away and wriggled out. 'If I wanted a boy, I'd have one.' Fleur locked the door with a flick of her wand and ripped her nightdress off.
Pale skin stretched from her reflection's toes to her silver hair. Her eyes slid along each curve. She ran the fingers of her left hand down over the slight curve of her stomach between her thighs and brushed the fingertips of her right hand over her nipples.
Veela are always beautiful. She let a little of the heat in her bones creep out and watched the blue of her eyes darken to black. On the outside, at least.
"I look flawless, as always," Fleur mused, her voice filled with a hint of self-assuredness. She inhaled deeply and allowed her hands to gracefully fall to her sides. In the mirror's reflection, her eyes slowly transitioned back to their natural, captivating shade of sky blue. "And I value real substance over the shallow whims of those petty girls. There will be someone out there who appreciates that."
In the recesses of her thoughts, a pair of green eyes flickered briefly, accompanied by memories of someone who didn't resent her for her ability to captivate and for breaching their personal boundaries just to prove a point.
Fleur cast another glance at her mirror image. "Perhaps, if he saw me like this, he might forget about that impulsive kiss and try to have a real conversation," she murmured. A sigh slipped past her lips. "But then again, that would mean he's just as superficial as the others."
Resolute in her decision to dismiss such thoughts, Fleur waved her wand in the direction of her wardrobe, causing her undergarments and school robes to gracefully drape themselves over her form. As her robes fastened themselves, a thin strip of gauze slipped from the pocket. Fleur deftly caught it before it could be concealed.
"Tempus," she incanted, her expression registering mild discomfort at the time displayed before her. "Still a bit of time left until Gabby and Maman arrive."
Fleur meticulously spread the gauze veil across her bed, her rosewood wand twirling gracefully in her hand. "A solution as elegant as possible, just like Harry and the toy dragon," she mused with a small, confident smile. "Let's see who has the superior solution this time."
As she contemplated her enchantments, she knew that most of them would seamlessly intertwine. Yet, she was acutely aware that the one encasing the protective bubble needed to be positioned separately to prevent interference with the others. She lightly touched the tip of her wand to the gauze and began to utter the incantations for the ten distinct enchantments she wished to infuse it with. Skillfully, she wove them together, blending them into a harmonious tapestry of magic.
Fleur pondered the craftsmanship of her creation. "Not quite as magnificent as anything goblin-made, but their possessive and unwavering magic is better suited for powerful and enduring enchantments compared to human magic," she contemplated.
With a sense of satisfaction, she turned the gauze over. "And now, for the protective ward." Fleur delicately traced a thin layer of her own magic over the veil, allowing it to seep into the delicate threads on the surface. "There. That should suffice."
Her lips pursed in concentration as she strode into the bathroom, swiftly inserting the plug into the sink and turning the tap open. Water flowed into the basin, gradually filling it. A solitary silver hair floated on the surface, prompting a mild expression of disdain as she plucked it out. With a touch of her magic, she transformed the water on her fingers into a wisp of steam and released the hair into the air.
"Time to put it to the test," Fleur declared. She gently lowered the enchanted veil into the sink and nudged it beneath the water's surface with the tip of her wand.
A long, slender bubble gracefully materialized along one edge of the gauze, while a subtle, almost ethereal magic shimmered along the other.
"Perfect," Fleur declared, her smile radiating contentment. She removed the sink plug and hung the enchanted gauze over the sink's edge to dry. "A tad delicate, perhaps, but far more elegant than transfiguration or the bubble-head charm. And unquestionably superior to the unpleasantness of swallowing gillyweed."
Checking the time once more with a frown, she determined there was still a bit of waiting ahead. "If I walk slowly, maybe I won't be kept waiting for too long. Even Gabby can't make maman that late."
Fleur disillusioned herself and silently glided into the corridor. As she emerged, she observed the other girls gathered around the tables in the communal room. Caroline and Emilie clutched a copy of the Daily Prophet, chuckling at a picture of Fleur alongside Harry.
A surge of heat stirred within her, prompting Fleur's fingers to instinctively twitch towards her wand. But she swiftly quelled the urge, reminding herself that these were just plain, superficial girls leading shallow lives.
The world outside offered a sharp, crisp chill and an expansive, cloudless sky. Fleur cast three warming charms and awaited the comforting embrace of heat, which soon enveloped her like a cozy blanket.
She ventured down from the castle into the picturesque village, with its charming thatched buildings, frosted windows, and doors painted in vibrant hues.
On the bustling main street that stretched between the two inns, a colorful array of shops welcomed visitors. The shopfronts were adorned with a delicate shade of pink, framed by intricate details, and heart-shaped white doors that beckoned passersby. The interior of these quaint stores embraced the same pastel charm, with pink cushions, napkins, walls, and chairs that created a dreamy atmosphere. It was evident that the preference for pink was a bit overwhelming, and Fleur couldn't help but cast a critical glance at the sign that read "Madam Puddifoot." She couldn't help but think, Madam Puddifoot has terrible taste.
Amidst this sea of pink, Fleur's keen eye spotted a familiar face emerging from one of the shops, a few windows down the hill. It was Katie Bell, an English girl she knew from her time at Hogwarts. Fleur observed her with a mixture of curiosity and a touch of disdain. Another shallow little girl, she thought, her gaze following Katie as she hurriedly crossed the street to join another dark-haired Gryffindor. Fleur couldn't help but feel a sudden pang in her chest as she watched them together. It was a stark reminder that Harry had returned to Katie after their breakup. A faint, unpleasant heat of jealousy and frustration swirled within her. He didn't even try to talk to me.
The dark-haired Gryffindor girl turned to gaze at a shop window, revealing her brown eyes and a curvaceous figure. Fleur felt a rush of relief that made her heart soar once more. Thank goodness, she thought, He chose me in the end. But the rollercoaster of emotions was far from over. Fleur had to physically calm her racing heart by poking herself over the chest.
She couldn't help but notice the Hogsmeade Post Office nearby, and muttered, 'Tempus,' checking the time. She made her way through the crowd of bustling students toward the portkey point, where her younger sister, Gabby, eagerly awaited her. Fleur was surprised at how early Gabby had managed to arrive, and she released her disillusionment charm.
How on earth did maman manage to get Gabby here early? she wondered, both puzzled and impressed. The reunion with her sister was heartwarming as they shared a tight hug. However, the embrace proved too much for one of the buttons on Gabby's old blue coat, which popped free.
Fleur laughed with delight. 'Hello, Gabby,' she exclaimed, stepping back and affectionately cupping her baby sister's cheeks. 'Look at you!'
Gabby's eyes lit up with joy as she twirled around in her coat. 'I look like you now,' she proudly announced, taking a moment to reattach the wayward button with a broad smile. 'I need a new coat. Finally.'
Fleur couldn't help but chuckle at her sister's enthusiasm. 'You'll still be my baby sister,' she cooed affectionately.
However, Gabby pouted playfully and let her gaze drop to Fleur's chest. 'Younger sister,' she corrected with a smirk, then pushed down her coat's collar just enough to reveal the pale corner of an envelope. 'And you should be extra nice to me now…'
Fleur's heart skipped a beat as she realized the implications. Her mother, shrouded in a shawl and a wide-brimmed hat, was waiting just inside the post office, presumably with a letter for Fleur. 'Perhaps I should look after it?' Fleur offered, extending her hand. 'There's not much room inside that coat now.'
Gabby, however, shot her a look of pure innocence. 'It's okay, big sister, I'm going to take great care of it.' A mischievous spark danced in her blue eyes. 'After all, you wrote about so many interesting things.'
Fleur was growing increasingly uneasy. 'Gabby...'
But her sister was undeterred. 'Nuh uh, Fleur.' She stuck her tongue out and raised the collar of her coat. 'You'd just do something silly if I didn't stop you, like hide away or avoid talking to him.'
'No, I wouldn't,' Fleur responded, trying to sound convincing.
Gabby wasn't convinced. 'Yes, you definitely would,' she retorted. 'You'd go and hide, and then, when you've beaten him in the tournament, you'd come back to France and never write to him. You're silly like that.'
Fleur let out an exasperated huff. 'You worry about your own boy problems, little chick.'
Gabby scowled. 'I don't have any boy problems. All my friends have boy problems. They think staring at cute boys, giggling, and chasing them around is such great fun. It's rubbish.'
Fleur couldn't help but sympathize with her sister's perspective. 'I know, Gabby.'
'But not now!' Gabby exclaimed with a beaming smile. 'Now that I look like you and maman, I'll have all the cute boys staring at me, and then all my friends will want to talk to me again.'
Fleur couldn't help but muse, For a little bit, as she tousled her baby sister's hair and guided her back towards their mother. But I'll be here, Gabby. And I always will be.
The overcast sky cast a somber pall over the tranquil water, with the feeble sun hidden behind a veil of wispy clouds. The ominous Forbidden Forest loomed in the distance, its dense canopy of dark pine trees and foreboding shadows a stark contrast to the serene lake shore that encircled it.
Mr. Crouch strode purposefully along the shoreline, his attire—striking black robes and a stiff, high, white collar—making him stand out like a vicar at a thrift shop.
"Are all the champions present, Ludo?" Mr. Crouch inquired, his voice brimming with authority.
"Not quite yet, Barty," replied Bagman with a cheeky grin. "We're one champion short, but we're not going to wait around. Time waits for no one, after all."
"Very well, then, Ludo," Mr. Crouch declared, clapping his hands together. "Please, proceed to inform these three about the nature of the task."
Bagman, undeterred by the interruption, raised his voice to address the gathered crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second task of the Triwizard Tournament! Naturally, all of you are—"
Mr. Crouch stepped forward, politely taking over the task. "If you don't mind, Ludo, I'll handle the explanation. You might want to locate Professor McGonagall."
A flicker of irritation briefly flashed in Bagman's eyes. "Of course, Barty."
Clearing his throat, Mr. Crouch assumed the role of task explainer. "Ladies and gentlemen, the second task is now upon you. I trust that by this point, you have unlocked the secrets contained within your golden eggs, for failing to do so will leave you ill-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead."
Harry shot a determined glance at Cedric and Viktor. He was ready to emerge victorious.
"As the clue in the golden egg suggested," Mr. Crouch continued, "something dear to you has been taken away. To clarify, a hostage has been seized, and it is your solemn duty to rescue them."
Cedric's face stiffened in disbelief. "Cho... You've taken Cho as part of a game?"
Mr. Crouch snapped his fingers, redirecting Cedric's attention. "To prevent any confusion, as some of you may be aware of the hostages belonging to other champions, Ludo will now reveal who your respective hostages are. Please remember, you must not interfere with the hostages of the other champions, whether during their captivity or afterwards."
Harry nodded, acknowledging the necessity of these rules. It wouldn't do for someone to harm or manipulate the other hostages in an attempt to sabotage their fellow champions' efforts.
Bagman, flanked by Professor McGonagall and all three headmasters, returned to the forefront of the assembly. "Still waiting on one," he noted, before he was interrupted by an unexpected arrival.
Fleur Delacour skidded to a sudden stop beside Harry, her sky-blue eyes filled with panic. Although Harry felt a pang of sympathy and the instinct to come to her aid, he forcefully suppressed it. He was resolute about not playing the hero simply to find purpose; he was here to win. If she's distracted, she'll be easier to beat.
"My apologies," Fleur gasped. "I couldn't locate my sister to bid her farewell this morning."
Gabrielle was her hostage. Harry pushed down another surge of pity, all the while pondering who they had chosen as his hostage. Hopefully not Ron or Hermione.
Bagman's grin began to fade as he addressed the group. "Now that we're all present, I will disclose the identity of your respective hostages."
Fleur's eyes darkened, and Harry felt a strange warmth wash over his side. She's figured it out.
"Miss Delacour, as you may have guessed, your hostage is your younger sister, Gabrielle Delacour. Mr. Diggory, you are tasked with rescuing your girlfriend, Cho Chang. Mr. Krum, originally meant to search for a friend and Quidditch teammate, has fallen ill and will now be going after Hermione Granger instead. And, Mr. Potter..." Bagman's voice took on a mischievous tone as he directed his attention to Harry. "Your hostage is the lovely Miss Bell."
Harry couldn't help but let out a spontaneous laugh, despite his best efforts.
Bagman's face grew serious. "I assure you, Mr. Potter, this is no jest. Miss Bell willingly volunteered to be your hostage for this task. Without her, you would have been unable to participate and would have fallen far behind."
A chill ran down Harry's spine. I wasn't about to refuse saving her, Professor. It seems I owe her.
Turning away, he gazed out over the lake. The dark waters lapped gently at the shore, and algae drifted from the pebbles. The shadows of aquatic plants swayed beneath the surface.
Harry dipped a toe into the water and grimaced. "This is bound to be quite unpleasant."
Fleur managed a wry smile, and Cedric's expression twitched as he contemplated the challenging task ahead.
Viktor let out a hearty chuckle and extended his hand toward Harry. "The first one to be captured by the squid wins, da?"
"Or the Grindylows," Harry replied, firmly shaking Viktor's hand, "or whatever else lurks down there."
Mr. Crouch, poised for action, produced a slim, silver whistle from his pocket and raised it to his lips.
With a swift motion, Harry and the others shed their robes, revealing their swimwear, all the while casting warming charms to stave off the cold.
The whistle's sharp blast pierced the air.
Fleur, her face concealed by a slim veil tied securely over her mouth and nose, took the plunge first, gracefully diving into the lake. Harry couldn't help but watch her as her silver bikini disappeared beneath the water, a knot tightening in his chest. Cedric followed, descending into the water feet-first, his face and neck protected within a vibrating bubble.
Harry wasted no more time, summoning the memory of his transfiguration lesson and casting his magic. His breath caught, and he stumbled toward the water.
Krum shot past him, gills opening along the side of his neck, and his skin taking on a dull blue-grey hue.
With determination, Harry plunged into the frigid depths of the lake, a surge of relief flooding through him as his lungs filled with water. Success! He cast a sticking charm to secure his glasses in place and swam downward, guided by Salazar's memory of the Merpeople's village.
Long, light-green strands of aquatic vegetation swayed up from the lakebed, resembling summer grass in the wind.
"Grindylow territory," Harry noted to himself, deciding to keep a safe distance. Nobody wanted to be groped by one of those unsightly creatures.
The green weeds gave way to thick, black mud as Harry passed the sunken remains of a ship. The colossal form of the giant squid drifted between the two halves of the broken vessel, its tentacles trailing out across the lakebed.
"I'll steer clear of that too," Harry decided, as he continued his descent.
A pale figure came into view in the distance, drifting in the same direction as Harry, but at a more leisurely pace. Harry drew his wand and swam alongside the pearl-white figure, which turned out to be a short girl with round, thick-rimmed glasses.
"Myrtle?" he murmured, the words transforming into bubbles in the water.
"Harry," Myrtle's voice resonated through the water as if it were air. "You look better now, much happier. Are you searching for the Merpeople, too?"
Harry nodded.
"Cedric was as well; they're that way," she gestured with one arm in the direction Salazar had indicated. "Good luck!"
Harry smiled and waved at Myrtle before resuming his journey.
The muddy lakebed transitioned into solid rock, and dark, grey columns towered above him. These weed-free monoliths bore mysterious, deep-etched symbols, and faint echoes of the merpeople's haunting singing reached Harry's ears.
"Half my time is gone," he thought, increasing his swimming pace. "And if the clue's to be believed, Katie won't be going anywhere unless I find her before the other half runs out."
Suddenly, a deafening pop echoed through the water, striking Harry like a hammer. His ears rang, and his vision blurred.
Shaking his head and scanning his surroundings, Harry noticed dust rising from the lakebed in massive, swirling clouds around the monolithic columns. A shimmer rippled away across the lake, past his feet.
"Someone else is close by," Harry mused, clutching his wand and advancing over the towering stone structures. "Someone who just cast quite a powerful spell."
Two figures floated above him, gently bobbing in the water as they descended. A swarm of battered grindylows scattered beneath them, and Harry caught a glimpse of long, fine, dark hair.
"Cho and Cedric," he realized. A grindylow must have somehow punctured the bubble-head charm. Harry swam closer and noticed a stream of bubbles rising from the shrinking air bubble surrounding Cedric's face. "At least he tweaked the charm enough to prevent his head from crumpling when it bursts."
"Homenum revelio," Harry muttered through the water.
Cedric and Cho lit up with a red glow. In the distance, Harry glimpsed two more red figures, one far to his right and the other right in front of him. He wrapped an arm around Cedric and Cho, kicking upwards, but their combined weight dragged him down towards the lakebed, their feet grazing the monolithic stones.
Desperate to save them, Harry shoved Cedric and Cho above him and cast a weak blasting curse. They shot up through the water, propelled toward the surface.
"That'll do it," Harry thought, "someone will retrieve them when they break the surface."
He swam on, catching sight of a cluster of dark, stone huts beyond the receding monoliths.
A gathering of merpeople surrounded a ring of standing stones, just beyond the edge of their huts. Their copper scales shimmered in the water, and translucent webbing connected their sharp-clawed fingers and toes into fins. Small, dark eyes tracked Harry's approach.
"They're intelligent, but not overly friendly," Harry recalled with some unease, remembering Salazar's accounts. "Godric said he befriended them, but I distinctly remember him having tridents pulled out of him on several occasions."
In the center of the ring of monoliths, a stone altar adorned with red and white coral and long, sharp-fanged skulls stood. The furthest three stone pillars held human figures bathed in the faint red glow of Harry's waning revealing charm.
Harry descended towards the monolithic ring.
Viktor emerged from between two of the monoliths below, his head transformed into that of a shark. Harry froze, hovering above Viktor as he paused before Hermione, wrestling with the knotted kelp that bound her to the pillar.
"He's a faster swimmer than I am," Harry realized, taking note of Viktor's muscular torso. "Probably a lot faster. And Fleur's likely nearby as well."
Harry raised his wand. "Incarcerous," he incanted, and thick, black bindings shot from his wand, entangling Viktor's arms and legs.
"Sorry, Viktor," Harry muttered, glancing around as the merpeople scattered for cover. "But if I linger here until you're gone, Fleur might show up and enchant me. At least I stand a chance against you."
Viktor cut himself free with what appeared to be a cutting charm and released several jets of water that hissed past Harry.
Quickly, Harry swam behind one of the monoliths as a barrage of spells was sent his way.
Viktor left Hermione and swam up above Harry. His spells flashed through the lake but either shattered against the monoliths or drifted harmlessly into the distance.
On the far side of the monolith, Harry cut the kelp away from Katie while Viktor twisted in the water above.
Another volley of spells hissed down at Harry, striking the monolith and chipping off pieces, creating a cloud of dust and debris. Bits of weed and algae floated across his vision.
Frustrated, Harry kicked upward and out of the dust, casting every childish, school corridor jinx he knew.
Viktor attempted to dodge them, but the jelly-legs jinx and the dancing jinx hit him on the side. His limbs swayed like tentacles, but Viktor quickly regained control, a steely glint in his eyes.
A single ray of hot water flashed past Harry's shoulder, causing the monolith to shatter like fragile glass. The glowing pieces descended into the lakebed like falling stars.
A slight shiver ran down Harry's spine. "Maybe I should've waited and lost to Fleur," he mused, "at least I might have received another kiss."
Viktor retaliated with a hail of colored lights shooting through the water from the tip of his wand.
Harry twisted and writhed, casting the shield charm. The colored lights burst against the shimmering shield. He swept his wand at the pebbles beneath Krum's location, transfiguring them into a small school of snake-like fish.
Viktor vanished into the school of snake-like fish, and Harry couldn't help but grin. "Not completely one-sided, at least."
Suddenly, a massive stone hand gripped Harry around the waist, sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through his veins. Transfiguration, he realized.
Reacting swiftly, Harry shattered the stone arm with a blasting curse and sent the pieces hurtling back at Viktor, followed by a barrage of jinxes and the disarming charm.
Viktor deflected the stone fragments into dust and shielded himself against the curses. Several yellow jets of water hissed from his wand.
"Protego," Harry mumbled.
Three of the yellow jets broke through his shield, and one seared a line of fire across his tricep. Harry clenched a hand over the wound as red tendrils drifted through the water between his fingers.
Viktor regarded him with unyielding eyes, pointing down at the lakebed with his free hand. A pair of meter-deep holes marred the stone beneath Harry's feet. Viktor then gestured towards the hostages with his left hand and waggled his wand with his right.
"Fair warning," Harry thought, his respect for Viktor growing. "But I came here to win." He grinned and raised his wand.
A wide smile spread across Viktor's face, and he unleashed four more yellow curses. They sailed past Harry's waist and shoulder, boring holes into the monolith behind him.
In response, Harry thrust his wand towards Viktor, but it slipped from his grasp and floated away down towards the lakebed. Viktor gaped for a moment, then twisted around and hurled spells off to Harry's right.
Fleur. Harry launched himself after his wand. "Time to go," he thought, his determination undeterred. "They can duel while I swim back. And I'll win."
Fleur and Viktor continued their watery duel, exchanging jets of water, their shield charms flickering between them. Harry, torn between watching them and completing his task, decided to introduce an obstacle to keep them both occupied as he made his escape.
Harry, with a deep breath, summoned the kelp away from Katie, then made a decisive move. He transfigured the lakebed beneath them into towering spires of stone, a spell that drained his strength as he cast it. A grimace crossed his face as he felt the cost of the spell sap his energy.
Fleur, caught off guard, flinched and shattered the stone spires beneath her. The force of the transfiguration backfired, throwing both Viktor and Fleur in opposite directions. Their spells sprayed in all directions, and a yellow curse struck Fleur directly in the face. Red clouded the water around her, her trailing silver hair providing a stark contrast.
"No," Harry thought, his heart sinking. "She's dead." Ice formed within his chest. "She can't have survived that spell if it hit her in the face. Can she?"
To his astonishment, Fleur twitched and pulled her hair away from her eyes. Though her lips were swollen, her chin was red and bruised, and a long cut marred her cheek, she was still strikingly beautiful. Her veil hung in tatters around her neck, and a small plume of bubbles rose from it.
"And she's still beautiful," Harry thought, struggling against the allure of her charm. "No. Fool me once, shame on you. I don't repeat my mistakes."
Fleur clenched her jaw and dove down toward the monoliths, seemingly determined to reach her sister. Harry and Viktor exchanged a glance and holstered their wands.
As Fleur's bubble stream ran out, she turned and shot Harry a pleading look, her blue eyes filled with raw emotion. His heart wavered as he fought the rising feeling, struggling against her allure, which was almost overpowering.
"I would've saved her if you'd just asked, Fleur," Harry mused, trying to find some anger within himself. "I would have gladly helped the girl who promised she was different." His desire to help her flooded over him, like the dawn's light spilling over the horizon. "Her allure is too strong."
Fleur jabbed her wand upward and ascended out of sight. Viktor also vanished, with Hermione cradled underneath his transfigured maw.
Harry, descending back towards the monoliths, grabbed Katie's arm and pulled her into his chest, just as Gabrielle Delacour bobbed against the final monolith.
Harry struggled to break free from the powerful allure of Fleur's presence. Her bright blue eyes and the memory of her lips continued to haunt his thoughts like a hurricane, tugging at his heart.
"I would've saved her anyway," Harry thought, determined. "Fleur didn't even need to ask, let alone do this to me."
The merpeople began to gather around him, forming a ball of copper scales and claws, their tridents bristling. Harry narrowed his eyes and raised his wand, pulling Gabrielle into his embrace alongside Katie.
The closest merperson pointed a trident at Gabrielle and shook its head, raising a single claw. "Only one," it sang. "Only one."
Harry transfigured their tridents into fish, watching as they scattered away. "You can try to stop me," he garbled.
The merperson sang, "You will lose. Would you lose for this little stranger?"
"I would," Harry thought. "She doesn't deserve to drown down here. But I'm not. Fleur didn't give me a choice. I'm losing for her."
Another merperson swam from the group, flexing its claws. "We are many. You are one. You are young. If we wished, we could kill you. Swim away, land-walker."
Harry wrestled with the memory of Fleur's quiet goodbye. "I can't let them stop me, no matter what I have to do."
"You could try," Harry replied, thrusting his wand at them and pouring every drop of his magic into his banishing spell.
A massive ripple shot from his wand, scattering merpeople across the lake. It tore through the lakebed like a tsunami, shattering the standing circle, altar, and the surrounding monoliths. The stone huts were ripped away, and dust clouded the water so thick that Harry's lungs struggled to breathe. A slick, copper taste crept up the back of his throat, and pain lanced through his chest.
"Something in my gills is damaged," Harry realized, breathing out a cloud of red and dust into the water. "Not good." He glanced at the ragged group of merpeople and, with a quick spell, secured Katie and Gabrielle to his back. Then he launched himself in the direction of the shore, determined to make it back, no matter the cost.
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