Doxy Venom
Group: Fantastic Ferret
Posts: 21
Joined: 12-November 05
Member No.: 834
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A New Path
Where had Madame Maxime disappeared? For the third night in a row she had not returned to the carriage with them, and Fleur was perturbed. Apparently she had become more interested in that oaf, Hagrid, since he had provided her with supposedly secret information concerning both tasks. Fleur had not failed to notice their exchange of glances during the celebration supper ‘entertainment’ which had the pitiable choir of ghosts wailing a ballad that bemoaned ‘Oh, my poor heart, where has it gone? It’s left me for a spell…’ Hagrid had followed the lead of several pimply faced boys and dragged the statuesque headmistress from her seat for a round on the improvised dance floor.
Now, two nights later, Madame Maxime was absent again. Did she not realise this Hogwarts professor was using her? No doubt he would weaken her defences and at the critical moment, jeopardise Fleur’s last task. It was no time for dalliances. It was time for strategy.
Fleur glared out the window over the darkening lawns. An eagle owl winged it’s way over Hagrid’s hut, growing huge in the darkening sky. It startled Fleur by landing on the window ledge. It tapped the glass forcefully and stepped inside, ruffling it’s feathers importantly when Fleur opened the casement. Fleur took the parchment from its beak. It spread its massive wings and soared out the window.
Fleur broke the seal and read the unrecognisable script.
‘Be careful. Your victory is Bagman’s defeat.’
~*~
The days passed in a haze of lessons. Fleur knew her studies were important, but the third task hung like a guillotine over her slender neck. She felt helpless, unable to prepare. She observed to other two champions, Cedric and Victor. They did not seem to mind the wait. Cedric spent the days in the company of housemates, laughing and joking as they traversed the lawn. Victor preferred solitude, but even so, seemed to spend long evenings within the castle walls. Fleur had seen him lurking in the library. He never seemed to be focussed on a particular book, but rather on a particular table. She was sure it was not the two boys, but rather the wild haired girl that captured his attention. There was no accounting for taste, Fleur decided. Obviously, the librarian’s distaste for foreigners did not extend to him, because she noticed as she was driven, yet again from the stacks at the sound of the supper gong, that Victor was allowed to stay.
It was no matter, Fleur thought with a defiant toss of her silken head. Without knowing the final task, there was little to keep her in the library. She was as well off studying in her carriage without the distraction of the knot of giggling girls that seem to follow Victor incessantly. She gathered her books and headed, once again, for the over cooked repast that awaited her.
~*~
Fleur took her usual place at the long table. She was joined almost immediately by Gabrielle, who was clutching bright spring flowers. Fleur had enjoyed having her young sister here.
‘Where have you found those?’ Fleur said, admiring the small nosegay.
‘Madame Sprout let me in Greenhouse one. It is filled with beautiful plants, and none of them dangerous,’ Gabrielle added in a rush, seeing her sister’s eyes widen with anxiety. ‘I have been spending every afternoon tending to a bed of spring bulbs and today the first of them bloomed,’ she finished with a sigh, sinking her nose into the trumpet of the delicate paper white.
‘Fleur,’ whispered Suzanne, from her other side, ‘did you hear what is being said? Monseur Bagman, the Tri-Wizard judge, is taking wagers against the champions.’
‘Non!’
‘Oui!’ Suzanne hissed. ‘And everyone is betting against you.’
Fleur straightened her back. ‘I will show them.’ She attacked her veal with a vigour that made Suzanne withdraw with a start.
Two younger boys reached the doors to the Great Hall just ahead of Fleur and Gabrielle a half-hour later. Seeing their approach, the lanky red head pulled the door open and the bespectacled one gestured them ahead. Gabrielle peaked out from underneath her lashes with a blush and the boy gave her a small smile. Gabrielle suddenly thrust her fist out, proffering the bouquet to the dark haired boy.
‘Uh, thanks,’ he stammered.
With a final glance, Gabrielle followed her sister out. ‘They aren’t so bad, these English boys,’ Gabrielle thought.
~*~
‘Well, it’s your choice. We have several newer Clean Sweeps and a Nimbus 100. Take your pick.’
‘I will prefer the Nimbus, s’vous plait,’ Fleur told the hawk-nosed woman.
‘It’s your Knut,’ Madam Hooch snorted, reaching into the back corner of the broom shed. ‘Just mind those sharp turns. A two hundred-year-old broom can be cantankerous, even if it is a Nimbus.’
‘I will be careful.’
The day was glorious. The bite of the late March breeze still held a promise of spring. The sun warmed Fleur’s face as she rose into the air. To be out enjoying a beautiful day was a wonderful thing. She could almost forget the Third Task, looming ahead when she was in the air.
Suddenly she was buffeted by the tail wash of a Firebolt as it streaked out of the stand of trees that had sheltered Fleur from the prying eyes of the castle. Fleur’s shriek must have alerted the flyer of her presence, because he dove to the ground immediately, waiting for Fleur to join him after regaining control of her broom.
‘Imbicile!’
‘Sor..’
‘Have you no regard for others? A rude child whose parents buy him the fanciest, most expensive toy, but do not bother to teach him how to fly? I should…’ his dropped eyes and mumble stopped her. ‘Pardon?’
‘I said I’m sorry.’
A red haired boy on a wobbly Shooting Star fell out of the sky next to them, goggling at Fleur.
‘You are the boy from the Great Hall, who held the door, yes?’
Ron nodded his head, slackjawed.
‘Well, at least your parents taught you some manners, unlike this,’ she thrust her thumb at Harry, ‘hooligan.’
Ron came out of his stupor. ‘Hey, you’re being ruddy rude yourself. Don’t you know…’
‘Forget it, Ron,’ Harry said, stepping astride his broom. ‘I’m sorry I sideswiped you. I’ll be more careful in the future.’ With that he bound over the trees and out of sight.
Fleur snorted and mounted her broom, but Ron grabbed her arm. She turned to him with a haughty look. Ron quelled, but seemed determined to say something.
‘What?’
‘Well, Harry doesn’t have parents, you see.’
‘Oh,’ Fleur said, having the grace to blush. ‘I did not know.’
‘Didn’t know? Don’t you know who he is? I thought everybody knew Harry Potter.’
‘’Arry Potter? Not the one who…’
‘Yeah, that’s the one.’
‘Why didn’t he say?’
‘Well, that’s why he’s different. He wouldn’t say. He doesn’t like the attention, you see.’
‘And you are his friend?’
‘He’s my best friend, and not because of who he is,’ Ron added with a rush.
‘Yes, this I can see,’ Fleur said with a thoughtful smile. ‘He is lucky to have you.’
Fleur could see his ears glow red as she flew high over the lawn, leaving him standing alone in the grass.
~*~
Finally, it had arrived. Tonight the champions would be told their third task. At last the meal was finished. She, Krum and Diggory met by the front doors. They glanced at each other nervously.
‘We might as well get it over with,’ Cedric said.
Krum acknowledged him with a grunt and shoved the massive door open into the cloudy night.
They walked down the dark lawn to the Quidditch stadium, turned through a gap in the stands, and walked out onto the pitch.
‘What’ve they done to it?’ Cedric said indignantly, stopping dead.
The Quidditch pitch was no longer smooth and flat. It looked as though somebody had been building long, low walls all over it that twisted and criss-crossed in every direction.
‘Hello there!’ called a cheery voice.
Ludo Bagman was standing in the middle of the field with Barty Crouch. The trio made their way toward them, stepping over the hedges.
‘Well, what d’you think?’ said Bagman happily as they climbed over the last hedge. ‘Growing nicely, aren’t they? Give them a month and Hagrid will have them twenty feet high. Don’t worry,’ he added, grinning, spotting the less than happy expression on Cedric’s face, ‘you’ll have your Quidditch pitch back to normal once the task is over! Now, I imagine you can guess what we’re making here?’
No one spoke for a moment. Then –
‘Maze,’ grunted Krum.
‘That’s right!’ said Bagman. ‘A maze. The third task’s really very straightforward. The Triwizard Cup will be placed in the centre of the maze. The first champion to touch it will receive full marks.’
‘We simply have to get through the maze?’ said Fleur, sure it couldn’t be so innocent.
‘Well, of course there will be obstacles,’ said Bagman happily. ‘Hagrid is providing a number of creatures and there will be charms and spells to be broken…all that sort of thing, you know. Now the champion who is leading in points will enter the maze first,’ he nodded an acknowledgement at Fleur. ‘Then Mr Krum, followed by Mr Diggory. But you’ll all be in with a fighting chance, depending on how well you get on with the obstacles.’ Bagman leered at Fleur with an almost indecent grin of glee. ‘Should be fun, eh? Mr Crouch, have you anything to add?’
‘Ah…what?’ he asked, confused. ‘Oh…no. Um…I think you covered it all sufficiently. Thank you, Ludo.’
‘Well, if there are no more questions, we’ll go back to the castle, shall we, it’s a bit chilly.’
The champions made their way back over the low hedges towards the lights of the castle. Just as they rounded a stand of fragrant evergreens, Mr Bagman called out.
‘Mr Diggory, might I have a word?’
With a quick farewell to Fleur and Krum, Cedric turned to wait for the gone to seed athlete who was panting up the hill towards them.
~*~
Fleur sat on the steps of the Beauxbaton’s carriage pouring over the pile of books her headmistress had provided. Whenever she found something that seemed helpful, she tapped it with her wand. The page would shudder, then take on a pale blue glow.
She heard the door to Hagrid’s hut open and out stepped Harry and Ron, calling their good-byes. They turned and spotted Fleur. Ron raised his hand in greeting, but Harry just grabbed his arm and rushed down the two steps, striding across the grass intent on avoiding her. Unfortunately, none of them saw Mr Crouch coming out of the nearby wood, and the boys knocked him off his feet in their rush to get away.
Fleur jumped to her feet with a small cry of distress. She hurried over and helped Ron and Harry pull Mr Crouch to his feet. The boys were stammering apologies.
‘Not to worry. I’m quite all right. Thank you, young men…and lady,’ he tipped his hat to Fleur, leaving the three of them standing awkwardly as he strode purposefully towards the castle.
Fleur turned toward Harry. ‘I am sorry. I was very rude to you when I met you. I should not have…’
‘It’s alright,’ Harry mumbled, looking for a way to escape.
‘Don’t be a git,’ Ron hissed, elbowing Harry in the ribs.
‘No, I insulted your parents, and that was rude.’ Harry looked up at Fleur and for the first time, she noticed the lightning bolt scar marring his forehead. ‘You were flying like an idiot, though,’ she said with a small smile.
Harry grinned. ‘It’s nearly lunchtime. Wanna walk up to the castle with us?’
‘I must put my books away.’ The boys followed Fleur to the carriage and helped her collect the books she had abandoned.
Crossing the lawn they fell into easy conversation. Ron was having less trouble with stammering around her as long as he didn’t look directly at her, but stayed focussed on walking forward. They were soon in a pleasant argument about possible challenges Fleur might face.
‘Hagrid has a pretty dodgy opinion on creatures. Things we call terrifying monsters, he considers cuddly pets. He tried to raise a dragon once.’
‘Mon deiu! You do not think there will be a dragon in the maze, do you?’
‘You never know,’ Harry replied happily.
They walked along in companionable silence for a few moments, until Fleur decided to broach the subject that had been worrying her.
‘I have heard there are wagers being placed against me,’ she said hesitantly.
‘Um…yeah. I mean,’ Ron added hastily, ‘I heard that too.’
Fleur stopped. The boys turned to face her.
‘Why does he do this, this Monseur Bagman. He is a judge. Is it not wrong that he is betting against me? Should he not show favour to Cedric?’
‘Cedric,’ yelped Ron. ‘We heard he was hedging for Krum!’
‘He took Cedric aside after showing us the maze,’ Fleur said flatly.
‘Bagman’s trying to get us to bet on Krum. I’ll bet…’ Harry looked excited. ‘I’ll bet he’s trying to get everyone to bet on Krum, but is telling Cedric what’s in the maze, so Cedric will win. Then, everybody looses their bet except Bagman!’
Fleur looked confused, but Ron nodded slowly. ‘Yeah, that makes sense. Seamus told me that Bagman is having money troubles. Mr Finnigan made a wager with him at the World Cup, and Bagman couldn’t pay up. It would be just like him to try to cheat and make up his losses on this tournament, wouldn’t it,’ Ron ended with a snort of disgust.
Fleur drew herself up. ‘Then he will be very surprised. I have no intention of losing.’
~*~
‘The Tri-Wizard Cup has been placed in the maze by our head judge, Mr Crouch,’ Bagman reminded the raptly listening audience. ‘The first champion to reach the cup will be declared the Tri-Wizard Champion.’
A roar of approval reached into the night sky. A surge of adrenaline coursed through Fleur’s veins. She was ready. She had spent the month since learning of the task preparing and studying.
Fleur heard the whistle. Her brain told her to move, but it took a moment for her to force her feet forward, into the maze.
Once within the confines of the twenty-foot hedges, the noises of the crowd disappeared. Wrapped within a cocoon of silence, Fleur’s mind cleared. She hurried forward, taking a right turning, then left. As she hurried instinctively, turning this way and that, she remained alert, waiting, yet anxious to reach the centre.
As she rounded another corner, she was confronted by the most unusual creature she had ever seen. It looked almost like a cross between a crab and a scorpion. There was no identifiable head, and it’s tail was held high. Fleur backed up several steps, thinking. It had a hard shell so ‘Stupify’ would ricochet. There was only one thing.
‘Reducto!’
The spell shot towards the centre of the massive creature, hitting square in its chest. There was a sizzling sound and the smell of scorched shellfish. The behemoth scuttled forward, pushing it’s arched tail menacingly. Pointing her wand again, she shouted ‘Stupify!’ The creature took another step forward. It had not worked, Fleur panicked. Just as she raised her wand again, unsure of which spell to use next, the great creature swayed slightly and collapsed.
Fleur dropped her wand hand, and carefully stepped around her nemesis, avoiding the tail and hurrying forward.
Fifteen minutes had passed. Where was the other two? Ahead of her? She sped up, rounding corner after corner, relying on an inborn sense of direction to guide her.
A clicking noise behind halted her. Turning, she beheld the largest spider she had ever seen. Its long legs moved in horrid synchronisation as it crept towards her, clicking its pincers.
‘Wait,’ Fleur told herself. ‘Wait until it is almost upon you, so you can get its vulnerable underside.’
The creature moved closer. Fleur fought against the instinct to run and the rise of bile in her throat. Just as the creature reached down, Fleur threw her wand arm up, sending a stream of red light rocketing into the juncture of the mandible. The spider folded into a horrible tangle of legs, knocking Fleur to the ground, unharmed.
Suddenly, overhead a stream of red sparks arched into the sky. Someone was in danger. Either Cedric or Krum had signalled for help. While concerned that they might have been seriously injured, she still couldn’t help but think, ‘One down.’
She scrambled to her feet. The maze was growing darker. She did not know if it was because the night was getting darker, or if the maze it’s self was becoming denser. She hit an occasional dead end and would have to double back, but she was sure she was still heading the right direction. She turned right and saw it at the end of the long path. The trophy lay straight ahead. She had not gone more than ten metres when a most amazing creature materialised before her. A sphinx sat proudly on its lionesque haunches, watching her through it’s long, almond shaped eyes. Fleur skidded to a stop. The sphinx spoke in a deep, hoarse voice.
‘You are very near your goal. The quickest way is past me.’
‘What must I do, oh great sphinx?’ Fleur asked, with a slight genuflection.
‘Answer my riddle. Answer on your first guess – I let you pass. Answer wrongly – I attack. Remain silent – I will let you walk away from me unscathed.’
Fleur nodded in understanding. A riddle. She could see no harm in trying.
‘Please, may I hear your riddle?’
The Sphinx smiled its mysterious smile and recited:
‘First think of the person who live in disguise,
Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.
Next, tell me what’s always the last thing to mend,
The middle of middle and end of the end?
And finally give me the sound often heard
During the search for a hard-to-find word.
Now string them together, and answer me this,
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?’
Fleur’s heart sank. A riddle. In English. Conversation was one thing, but the nuances for such a riddle was virtually impossible to comprehend.
Fleur paced and muttered to herself, trying different words to answer the different parts. A person in disguise. Imposter, oui, en Francais, but what in English? Her mind was a muddled mess. There was nothing else for it, she would have to back up and go another way.
She turned to Sphinx.
‘J’regrets. Your riddle is beyond my comprehension. Adieu.’ With a curtsey, Fleur turned and hurried back down the path from which she had come, turning one last time to look longingly at the trophy, so tantalisingly close, yet so far from reach.
Three turns later put Fleur on a path that she estimated to be on a parallel path to the one she had left. She hurried forward, determined to find another way to the Cup. A rustling in the bushes to her right made her turn, wand at the ready.
‘Who is there?’ Fleur asked, shakily.
There was no answer. The movement stopped, but Fleur could feel the presence of someone or something, just on the other side of the hedge.
‘Who is there? Show yourself!’
Suddenly a feel of complete and utter calmness overcame Fleur. She felt as if her mind had been wiped completely clear. Without knowing why, she turned and began to glide down the path, turning and turning, following a guide she neither saw nor heard, but simply knew. She thought to herself, ‘I should be finding the trophy,’ but a gentle feeling urged her in the other direction. No matter how hard she tried to resist, her feet were leading her further and further away from the centre of the maze.
Fleur stepped out into the lawn of the school, facing the stands packed with the students and guests. A cheer greeted her appearance. Fleur blinked in confusion. She was out of the maze. Something had lead her out of the maze.
Madame Maxime hurried to her side.
‘Madame, I do not know what happened. I was in the maze suddenly, something was forcing me to leave. I did not want to, but I could not stop myself.’ Fleur broke into tears. ‘I saw the trophy, but I could not answer the Sphinx. I am sorry, Madame. I am so sorry,’ she sobbed.
Madame Maxime wrapped her arms around Fleur’s shoulders, looking around at Professor Dumbledore, who stood behind her and had heard Fleur’s tale.
‘She has been cursed! The Imperious Curse. Someone placed an Unforgivable Curse on my student! I demand an investigation!’
‘Yes, Madame. It would appear that is so. We will launch an immediate investigation.’
A blaze of blue white light erupted from the heart of the maze.
‘It appears we have our Tri-Wizard Champion,’ Bagman’s voice boomed. ‘Mr Diggory has reached the centre of the maze. The light you see indicates he has touched the Tri-Wizard Cup. He should be returning to the judges’ table as soon as the maze opens for him. Meanwhile, let’s put our wands in the air for our other two champions. Miss Delacour overcame several obstacles, but failed to defeat the Sphinx. Mr Krum was unable to disengage himself from the enchanted mist. An admirable effort by all.’
Multicoloured sparks lit the night air, as everyone in the stands waved their wands, cheering. The sound died away and everyone waited anxiously, watching the maze, expecting Diggory to walk though the opening proudly hoisting the trophy.
Minutes passed, with no sign of Cedric. A murmur of concern passed over the crowd. Hagrid hurried around the corner of the maze and bent to confer with Dumbledore.
A burst of red light at the entrance to the maze blinded the crowd. When the light died away, there was silence. There, lying on the damp green grass, was Cedric Diggory. The trophy was clutched in his hand, his arms and legs were sprawled in an unnatural posture, but he did not move.
Fleur, abandoned by Madame Maxime, who, like the other judges had hurried over to Cedric, strained to see what was going one. She saw Ludo Bagman step backwards from the scrum, look about panicked and turn on his heel, running towards the opening of the pitch. A line of Goblins seem to materialise out of thin air to block his escape. Bagman stepped back, only to be surrounded by the wizened creatures and escorted through the entrance.
Fleur became aware of Hogwarts teachers directing the students, sending them back towards the school. A buzz of confusion hung over the students, as they continued to crane their necks towards the clump of wizards that remained on the pitch.
Soon, only Fleur, Victor, the group of officials and the parents of the champions remained within the Quidditch pitch. Fleur’s mother and Gabrielle were standing with their arms around Fleur. Victor’s parents were bracketing him and Mr and Mrs Diggory were standing, holding each other and awaiting word about their son. Dumbledore moved from the small crowd and spoke quietly to the Diggorys. A keen of anguish filled the night air and Mrs Diggory collapsed on the ground in a faint.
Madame Maxime and Karkaroff broke away and approached their students.
‘There has been a terrible accident,’ Madame Maxime explained to Fleur and her mother and sister. ‘Cedric Diggory has been killed. We do not know why. There is a terrible gash on his arm, but it appears that the Killing Curse was used on him.’ Fleur gasped and her mother tightened the grasp on her shoulder. Gabrielle buried her face in Fleur’s robes, crying softly.
‘Furthermore, Mr Crouch appears to have disappeared. He is nowhere to be found.’ Madame Maxime shook her head in puzzlement. ‘It has been a long night. Let us go back to our carriage. A bit of wine I think will help. And sleep.’
~*~
Breakfast the next morning was a quiet affair. Many puffy, tear stained faces surrounded each table. The word about Cedric had rapidly passed through the school.
As Fleur left the hall, she saw Harry and Ron talking to the girl with wild, brown hair. Harry broke from the trio and came to Fleur.
‘I’m glad you’re alright, Fleur.’ Behind him, the girl scowled slightly.
Fleur gave him a weak smile. ‘Thank you, Harry. I am sorry about your schoolmate. You had better go back to your friends.’ She nodded towards Hermione and Ron.
‘No, please, we’d like you to join us. We’re going for a walk around the lake.’
~*~
‘So Fred and George told Sankort that a minimum of three hundred galleons of Bagman’s booty was theirs by right. The goblins aren’t too keen on the idea, but if I know Fred and George, they’ll weasel it out of them. The goblins have met their match with those two!’
Fleur laughed. It was good to laugh about something, after yesterday.
‘Do you know what has become of Monseur Crouch?’ Fleur asked.
‘His body was found in the Forbidden Forest, I heard. They don’t know why, but he seems to have been on the receiving end of a Killing Curse, too,’ Hermione said.
They all sat quietly for a moment, digesting this latest news.
‘Something is going on. I don’t know what, but Voldemort,’ a hiss interrupted Harry, ‘is involved. I know it. He has been messing with my head all year, but last night I thought my scar was going to explode just before Cedric came back.’
Fleur looked puzzled.
‘Harry seems to have a connection with You-Know-Who.’ Hermione explained. ‘He gets flashes of pain occasionally. Usually when You-Know-Who is nearby.’
‘You think he was nearby last night?’ Fleur gasped.
‘I don’t know. All I know was I could barely walk back to the castle.’
‘D’ya think Karkaroff had anything to do with it? I mean, he was a Death Eater…’
‘Non!’ Fleur gasped.
‘Yeah. Siri…I mean, Harry’s godfather told us. ‘Course, he’s got other problems to worry about. Word’s got out how he was getting inside information about the tasks. That’s how come Krum got through the first two tasks so easy. There’s gonna be an investigation into it. Karkaroff’s gonna have a lot of explaining to do.’
Fleur blushed. What would they think if they heard about how Madame Maxime had helped her? Suddenly she was ashamed of the help she had received. Fleur stood up and dusted off her robes.
‘I need to return to the carriage. Madame Maxime will be concerned.’ Fleur hurried towards the edge of the wood and the questions she knew were waiting.
The roar of anger made her jump. Fleur broke into a run. Was someone in danger? She threw open the door of the carriage, to find Madame storming about, muttering and cursing. The carriage was otherwise empty. No doubt the others had abandoned it hurriedly when they saw their headmistress’ wrath.
‘Madame, what is wrong?’
‘Wrong? What is wrong? I have been insulted! My heritage has been slandered! I shall not stand for it!’ A vase flew across the carriage, smashing in the enormous fireplace. ‘He toys with my affections, then this!’
Madame Maxime looked around at Fleur’s frightened face. ‘Oh, I am sorry!’ She collapsed into a chair, pulled out an embroidered handkerchief the size of a tea cloth and buried her face in it.
Fleur sank onto the arm of the chair, patting the enormous arm of her headmistress. ‘What has happened, Madame?’
‘It is that Hagrid. He has insulted my parents and me. C’est horrible’
Fleur rolled her eyes. She knew her mentor had been spending an inordinate amount of time with the enormous Hogwarts professor, but had not realised anything had come of it.
‘He insinuated that I am part Giant! Moi!’ The sobs redoubled.
Fleur stifled a smile. Madame had never said anything, but Fleur was sure Hagrid had got it right. Of course, being part Giant had societal stigma, so it was understandable that she was upset that her secret had been guessed. But Fleur also was sure that Hagrid was of the same heritage. They seemed a good match to her.
‘But Madame, what does it matter? He is only one man. Surely his opinion means little.’
‘But if word gets out, I am ruined!’
Fleur patted her arm. Soon the sobs became sniffs and Madame Maxime daubed at her eyes. Fleur knew the storm had passed, for now.
~*~
‘This reporter can now reveal that cheating was rampant throughout the Tri-Wizard Tournament. No Champion entered a single task without foreknowledge. Did young Cedric Diggory die a hero’s death, or was he a victim of corruption. We may never know.
Fleur threw the paper aside in disgust. This woman, this Rita Skeeter, was simply using poor Cedric’s death to further her career. Empty accusations did nothing to help solve the question of Cedric’s death. It simply fed the mobs more sensationalised rumours.
Fleur looked around the Great Hall, spying Ron’s red hair and heading for the Gryffindor table. As she came up the aisle she encountered Hermione, who scowled slightly as she realised where Fleur was heading. Fleur then surprised Hermione by saying, ‘Can we take a walk, Hermione?’
‘Um…all right.’
The trip through the entrance hall was made in silence. As they pushed through the front doors Fleur turned.
‘Just sitting here on the steps will be fine.’ The girls settled themselves on the cold marble. ‘I am not after your Ron, Hermione.’
‘My Ron!’ Hermione sputtered. ‘He’s…’
Fleur patted her on the arm. ‘I am not blind Hermione. Anyone can see you love him.’
Hermione made a sound of disbelief.
‘Give him time. He will realise too.’
Hermione turned away and mumbled something under her breath.
‘Pardon?’
‘I said, he’ll never see me with you around,’ Hermione repeated, face flushing. ‘When you’re around he looks like a fool, always goggling at you, blushing, hoping for your approval. How can I compete with you?’
‘You do not need to compete with me, Hermione. I am sorry Ron looks at me that way. I do not see it anymore. It is part of who I am. My grandmother was veela. I have long ago learned that men see that part of me instead of who I really am. I am not interested in your Ron, Hermione. Please, I would like to be your friend.’
Hermione sighed. ‘I don’t think it’ll make a difference with Ron. I will try, but please understand if I get put off.’
‘I understand, Hermione. Most women do not make an effort. I have very few friends.’
Hermione turned to look at her and Fleur knew that Hermione was seeing her in a different light. Fleur smiled and held out her hand. Hermione grasped it.
‘Friends?’
‘Friends,’ Hermione agreed.
~*~
The front lawn was filled with students of all three schools, exchanging farewells. Fleur approached Hermione, Ron and Harry as they stood on the steps leading the great castle.
‘I suppose this is good-bye,’ she said to the three younger students. ‘Thank you for your friendship.’
Ron flushed. Fleur glanced quickly at Hermione, who rolled her eyes and shrugged.
‘Could I half a vord, Herm-own-ninny?’
This time it was Hermione’s turn to flush, as she followed Victor Krum away from the group.
‘You’d better hurry up,’ Ron shouted after her. ‘The carriages will be here any minute.’
‘I do not think you need to worry, Ron,’ Fleur said with a nod in the direction they had disappeared.
A gaggle of giggling girls was swarming Hermione and Victor, interrupting their conversation. Krum looked annoyed and Hermione looked embarrassed as they pushed their autograph books towards the Quidditch star, jostling her in the process. As they separated her from Victor, Hermione gave him a little wave and laugh over their heads. Victor tried to push towards her, but was overcome by the throng.
Hermione returned to the group, shaking her head with amusement. ‘Didn’t you want Victor’s autograph, Ron?’ she asked. Ron was unable to reply. His mouth was crammed full of candied kumquats that Fleur had presented him and Harry as a farewell gift.
‘Here,’ Hermione said, thrusting a bit of parchment towards him. ‘He wrote it personally to you. ‘To Ron, a real Quidditch fan, Victor Krum.’’
Ron unstuck his jaw and in attempting to speak, bits of gooey candied fruit flew, spattering them.
He flushed furiously. ‘Omssowy,’ he said, attempting to brush the mess off the front of Fleur’s robe.
‘Ron!’ Hermione said as he flapped his hands in an inappropriate area.
It was Fleur’s turn to blush. She waved her wand hurriedly and the kumquat was gone.
Harry doubled over with laughter. Then suddenly, the laughter turned to a moan, then a scream of pain. Harry collapsed on the step. Ron, Hermione and Fleur knelt beside him.
‘Harry!’
‘ ‘arry, are you alright?’
‘Harry, mate, what is it?’
‘It’s…’ Harry retched.
Dumbledore pushed the growing crowd apart and knelt by Harry’s head.
‘Harry, tell me,’ he demanded.
‘Voldemort,’ Harry gasped. ‘It’s Voldemort,’
Dumbledore strode through the now panicking crowd. Screams of terror sounded as Harry’s words were repeated. The staff rushed to Dumbledore’s side as he marched down the long drive towards the gates in the distance. A great, black dog bounded over the hedge lining the drive. Dumbledore turned to it.
‘Go to him. Protect him.’
The dog galloped towards the castle, as if he had understood every word.
‘What is it, Albus?’ Professor McGonagall asked.
‘I fear the worse. I fear Voldemort has returned.’
The collective gasp made Dumbledore realise the group that surrounded him.
‘He is coming. I expect he and his followers are just beyond the gate. We must not let them on the grounds. Filius, please strengthen the protections.’
‘Certainly,’ the Charms professor replied, striding off towards the gate.
‘Severus, you must take your place.’
The dark-haired Potions master bowed, and turned towards the forest.
‘Minerva, Poppy, please get the students back in the castle. All of them. The Beaubaton and Durmstrang students cannot risk being in the open.’
‘What is your plan, Albus?’
‘We cannot afford a confrontation at this time. We will protect the students. We will protect Harry. That is who he is after. Voldemort,’ the Transfiguration professor shuddered, ‘cannot yet be strong. We can discourage him, for now.’
~*~
The Great Hall was still draped in the black banners that had been hung in Cedric’s honour for the leaving feast. The tables were filled with students. Some were leaning on their classmates, crying in fear. Others simply looked confused. Some, primarily at the Slytherin table, sat with a smirk of knowledge on their faces.
All jumped when the doors to the hall slammed open and the Headmaster strode down the aisle towards the head table. He turned and faced them with a stern look.
‘We now know why Cedric Diggory was murdered.’ A muttering filled the hall. ‘He was murdered by Lord Voldemort.’
Gasps and cries filled the hall at this pronouncement.
‘He was murdered for three drops of his pure blood. Voldemort used him and destroyed him. Voldemort used Cedric’s blood to regenerate his own body.’ Now the sobs in the hall were threatening to over power Dumbledore’s voice.
‘Voldemort is ready to resume his reign of terror that ended thirteen years ago. With the help of his followers, he placed Bartimeus Crouch under the Imperius curse. From that position, he was able to force Mr Crouch to skew the Tri-Wizard Championship.’ By now the hall had once again fallen into silence, as the students listened raptly to Dumbledore’s tale.
‘Voldemort needed the blood of a wizard who was too good and noble to be influenced by him. When he completed this unspeakable act, he destroyed those he had used. He murdered Cedric. He murdered Bartimeus Crouch. We know this because we found Mr Crouch’s abandoned wand lying on the ground outside the maze. We examined his wand and found he had attempted to fend off Voldemort. But stronger wizards than Mr Crouch have found themselves helpless in his presence.’
Dumbledore looked around the hall at the scared, pale faces. ‘The Ministry for Magic does not want me to tell you this. Many of your parents would agree. But you must know. You must realise what you are facing.’ Dumbledore took a great breath.
‘Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.’
~*~
Once more the carriage pulled by the mighty winged horses waited by the stairs. Very few Hogwarts students were outside to say farewell to the representatives. Many had been taken by their parents and others sat huddled in the safely of their common rooms, waiting for their own carriages.
Ron, Hermione and Harry stood, once more, talking to Fleur.
‘Take care, all of you,’ Fleur said with a shaky voice. She gave each boy a light kiss on each cheek. Ron turned a brilliant shade of red. When she got to Hermione, she grasped the English girl in a tight hug. ‘Take care of our boys,’ she whispered in her ear. Hermione nodded mutely, swiping at her eyes.
Fleur glided down the stairs to the waiting carriage. As it pulled away from the entrance, she looked back at the three standing on the steps, waving. Everything had changed, but she knew, no matter what, there was someone willing to stand in the way of evil. She knew the wizarding world lay safe in the heart of a little boy. She waved once more, and was thrown back in her seat as the mighty Abraxan tore the carriage away from the road and into the sky.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Continuation of ‘Into the Depths’
Loose end: How information on first two tasks was given to Fleur.
Missions:
1. The Ghost Choir sings a Celestina Warbeck cover during dinner.
2. An eagle owl soars over Hagrid's hut
3. Gabrielle gives Harry a flower
4. A Firebolt and a Nimbus
5. Mr. Crouch gets knocked off his feet as they rush by
6. Red sparks mean danger
7. A champion is cursed
8. Bagman is bagged
9. Goblins have a run-in with the Twins
10. Karkaroff is humiliated
11. Maxime encounters a Giant Problem
12. Rita Skeeter reveals a cheater
13. Teamwork solves a problem
14. Krum's Fanclub makes an untimely appearance
15. Ron can't answer because he's got his mouth full of candied kumquats.
16. Padfoot bounds over the hedge
17. A wand is found lying on the ground
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Tri-Ferret Tournament -The Third Task, Submissions
Department_of_Mysteries Tri-Ferret Tournament -The Third Task Nov 21 2005, 12:34 AM
Nov 21 2005, 12:34 AM
