Tri-Ferret Tournament - The Second Task, Submissions Options

[Department_of_My...]

The Second Task

Lurking somewhere at Project Ferret is a clever creature. Awaken it and you'll be asked to solve one of a handful of riddles of varying difficulty. Each riddle solved will give you a mission for your second task. You can solve them all, if you like, and chose the mission that pleases you most. Your riddle giver will happily give you a hint if you ask, but be warned! Each hint comes at a price.

Be sure to give your submission a title. Use bold text to highlight your mission requirements and include your mission at the end of your submission, as you did in the first task. Again, please end this round's chapters in such a manner that they may be concluded in the third task.

Post your submissions in this topic by Midnight Central on Friday, November 18th.

[chad13]

Meddling Fools

Harry and Ron were the final two in the Gryffindor common room that evening. Hermione had headed off in a huff again earlier, in response to a comment Ron had made on Krum’s following her about in the Library. “Why would he go to the library for fun? He doesn’t need books really, he’s already rich and famous. Doesn’t have to work his way up like you do Hermione.” Lazing near the fire an hour later, being very distracted by the topic of the first task, it took some time for Harry to remember he had something else to tell Ron.

“Krum creamed ‘em in the end, “ Ron said lounging back in his chair, “Cedric and Fleur didn’t really know what they were getting into.“

“Krum, right!” Harry cried, sitting straight up, “That’s what Moody said, Krum and Karkaroff!”

“Yeah, we never got to that, what did Moody say?”

“Well, he pulled me aside because he was a bit worried about me and Karkaroff, the way he stopped to gape at me that first night in the great hall ...”

“Git,” Ron muttered in agreement.

“Well Moody was talking about it, asking if I’d had any more trouble with him and I said no. He told me to steer clear of him anyway, because Karkaroff used to be a death eater!” Ron gagged on the bit of chocolate frog he was chewing.

“Karkaroff!? But, he ... he runs a school!”

“And Snape works at one, “ Harry continued, “The point is, if anyone can skew the tournament Karkaroff can.” Ron swallowed.

“He’s not the only one,” Ron returned, “Fred and George were telling me about Bagman right before you showed up near the forest.”

“Bagman?”

“Well, he knows what all the tasks are already doesn’t he? And Fred and George said he’s in debt to some goblins, so with the bets he’s taking he could, you know, fix it, so his earnings come out the way he needs.”

“Goblins?” It still sounded strange to Harry sometimes, business dealings with goblins; his ignorance of the wizarding world wasn’t something he was sure he’d ever get over.

“Yeah, ugly blokes when you get down to it, painful too,” Ron said rubbing his chin.

“Painful?”

“Yeah, there was one near the edge of the forest, he’d just tripped me when you came along.”

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment, he found himself thinking much harder than usual. With Hermione still angry at the pair of them she wasn’t around to push his thoughts in the proper direction. “You going to finish that?” Harry shook his head as Ron picked up his half empty box of every flavor beans. This tournament was really making many things, aside from homework, very inconvenient, they really did need to make amends with Hermione.

***

Hermione didn’t want to hear any of their apologies the next morning at breakfast, perhaps she was perturbed by Ron’s turning straight around in his seat in the middle of the conversation to stare at Fleur, but all the same they were still on poor terms by the end of the meal. “We’re on our own on this one I think mate,” Harry said as he and Ron made their way to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

“She’s just mental,” Ron replied, “It can’t be just her and Krum all the time. She can’t be angry at us forever, can she?” Harry shrugged.

***

At the end of class Harry packed his bag very slowly, nodding at Ron to, despite much resistance, go on with out him. Once alone in the room Harry swallowed. “Professor?”

“Potter?” Moody answered in his gruff voice.

“I ... I’ve just been thinking about, about what you said about Karkaroff, before the first task.”

“Have you now?” Moody’s magical eye began to spin.

“It’s just, the results of the first task, they came out a bit lopsided, don’t you think?” Moody’s eye slowed.

“Ay,” Moody agreed, “That’s the way it looked to me.”

“Well, is there any chance, you know, Karkaroff’s cheating?”

“Is there a chance? Why I’d say it’s a definite occurrence, cheating is just as much a part of this tournament as the goblet of fire itself. The extent of cheating however, that’s what must be taken into consideration. Constant vigilance Potter! Constant vigilance! “ Harry nodded and shouldered his bad.

“Professor?” Harry said again, as he reached the class room door, “What about betting?”

“Betting?”

“On who will win and such, is that common?”

“I’d say it is, why? Who’s asked you to make a wager?”

“Not me, Ron, Mr. Bagman asked him yesterday.” Moody’s eye halted in its swiveling and stared straight at Harry, it was rather unsettling.

“Bagman you say?” Harry nodded. Moody remained silent.

“Is that bad sir?” Harry asked.

“It’s bad if Bagman and Karkaroff are in it together .”

“Together?”

“I interrogated them both back in the day Potter, for the exact same reasons.”

***

“Bagman ...” Harry called out of breath, “Was ... a ... death ... eater ...”

“What?” Ron’s mouth dropped, “Bagman was a Quidditch player, a beater ...”

“And a death eater, Moody captured them both, Bagman and Karkaroff.” Ron stared at Harry. “This goes a bit deeper than we thought. We may have to bet with Bagman after all.” I wish Hermione wasn’t so angry, Harry thought to himself, she’d know exactly what to do.

***

“Mr. Bagman!” Harry called sprinting across the entrance hall.

“Harry!” Bagman grinned, “So nice to see you.”

“I ... I was wondering if I could place a bet sir, Ron said you might be able to ... “

“Why yes, of course,” Bagman said pulling a handful of torn parchment and a quill from his robes. “How much and on which champion my boy? Diggory perhaps?”

“No, Krum if you please.” Bagman’s eyes flickered.

“Did quite well in the first task didn’t he?” Harry nodded, “Had quite a few chaps want to wager on him today, “ Bagman continued, “But, since I don’t want all of you to be disappointed, I’ll let you in on a little secret,” Bagman leaned in close to Harry, “The next task is in the lake Harry, and as well as Krum can fly, poor fellow can’t swim.” Harry swallowed, and, in the end, put his galleon on Cedric.

***

Harry found Ron looking very put out. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing, everything’s just peachy,” Ron mumbled, watching Crookshanks slinking up the stairs, “So, did you bet on dear Viktor ?”

“Bagman didn’t want me to bet on Krum at all,” Harry said sitting down.

“Course he didn’t.” Harry and Ron looked up to see Fred and George coming through the portrait hole. “Didn’t want to lose a whole galleon to a gullible fourth year.”

“What are you two on about?”

“Now Ronnykins,” Fred grinned at Ron, “Just because you’re a gambling first year ...”

“Doesn’t mean we can’t be professionals!” George finished.

“Bagman’s got his own bet on Krum ...”

“And if he’s the only one ...” George continued

“In his own pool ...”

“He doesn’t have to give up any profits when Krum wins ...”

“He just gets to keep all the galleons from the looneys who bet on Cedric and Fleur,” Fred finished.

“You two sure have thought a lot about this,” Ron scowled.

“Have to know the business,” Fred winked.

“When you’re in it yourself.” With that George and Fred started off.

“Lousy gits,” Ron muttered to their backs.

“They’re right though, Bagman’s in debt, he has to win, and he’s doing whatever he can to make sure of it.”

“But why Krum? What does everyone see in Krum?” Ron asked glaring.

“I thought you liked Krum," Harry said, remembering Ron's scheming to get his autograph. Ron just glowered. Harry quickly turned back to their original conversation. "Bagman's probably helping Krum because Karkaroff asked him too. Old chums,” Harry said frowning, “Karkaroff just had to ask for a little help in getting Krum the upper hand, so he could get a victory for Durmstrang.”

“So if he’s helping Karkaroff anyway, he might as well be in it for himself,” Ron finished, Harry nodded. “Well what are we supposed to do about it? We can’t just let two death eaters sabotage the tournament!"

“When I was talking to Bagman about my wager, he said the next task was in the lake, said Krum can’t swim.”

“That’s bollox!”

“I figured, but the task is still in the lake, which might help us even the odds a bit.”

***

It was quite a brisk morning the day of the second task, and Ron and Harry, bundled head to toe in their cloaks, headed for the lake. “Are you sure it’s all set?” Harry asked Ron, his stomach still turning at the thought of plotting against the greatest seeker in the world.

“Fred and George said they’d take care of it,” Ron replied. Harry wasn’t so sure the plan was going to work, but he was beyond questioning Ron, there was no more they could do about it now. This was for the good of the tournament, Harry told himself; it wasn’t to punish Krum, it was to promote the integrity of the competition.

The lake looked more menacing than ever. It shone gray, as if it was fighting itself not to freeze. Three large platforms were set up, anchored but floating near the center of the lake. The boats usually reserved for the transportation of first years at the beginning of term were now being used to transport spectators out to the platforms. Harry and Ron found a boat headed for the first platform, Krum’s, and set off.

Settling themselves towards the back of the queue, Harry stared out towards the shore when Bagman’s voice began booming over the grounds. “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the second task of the Triwizard Tournament!” The crowd cheered. “This time around your champions must dive to the bottom of this lake and retrieve a wooden cask we have left for them. The cask contains once again, a clue, and a few helpful items for their final task a few months from now.” Everyone began to cheer louder. “They have one hour to retrieve their cask and resurface in order to receive full marks. Without further ado, your champions!” The cheering around the lake intensified, but Harry merely gaped. Staring backwards he looked at the Durmstrang banner hovering over his platform, and then back out at the boat, baring Cedric, heading towards him. Staring about he saw Fleur heading for the Hogwarts platform, and Krum for the final platform with the Beaubatons flag.

Beginning to panic, Harry stared down through the cracked wood at the bits of toast, floating below and slowly disappearing. “Ron! What do we do?” Ron looked at Harry, very white.

“But ... but this is the Durmstrang platform!” Ron sputtered, “I ...” But it was to late. Cedric stepped on to the wood wearing swim shorts and a Hogwarts shirt. He smiled and waved to the crowd behind him. Harry could not bare to meet his eyes.

“Champions, “ Bagman bellowed, “Please take your positions.” Cedric, Fleur, and Krum, all stepped to the edge of their respective platforms. Staring down into the depths Harry saw the last bit of toast floating below him disappear. “Ready! Go!” A cannon fired.

Krum dove immediately into the water, Fleur hopped in gingerly, and Cedric took a running start. Cedric had barely hit the water when he was lifted back out. The giant squid had him by the leg and was looking for a bit of fun. It wasn’t hurting him, that wasn’t like the squid, but it wasn’t letting him begin the task either. Harry covered his eyes. Krum was supposed to be the one the squid was delaying, not Cedric. “Well would you look at that?” Bagman called, “It looks as if young Cedric has a new friend over on platform number one!”

“Go Viktor!” Harry heard Karkaroff yell. The Hogwarts students around him were moaning in despair, when suddenly a jet of ink spurted towards the crowd. A few students towards the front of the group slipped in the puddle of the slimy black substance. It was chaos.

Finally, with a stream of red sparks, the squid let Cedric fall straight into the gray water. Harry looked at Ron who had turned scarlet in embarrassment, so much for evening the odds. Suddenly, Harry was grabbed from behind and spun straight around. “Would’ve been better if you hadn’t meddled at all, wouldn’t it boy? You’re in over your head now.” Harry did not respond, as a hand tightened around the collar of his robes and a pair of glittering black eyes stared back at him.

--------------------------

Your task is to build from In which Ron receives three offers to bet and learns of some shady dealings… in 1000 to 3000 words.

Ron tells Harry the story about the betting situation, and Harry reveals his conversation with Moody. Tie the two together, revealing a dastardly plot to overthrow the tournament! The second task is set in the Lake in February, wherein the champions must retrieve a cask from the depths. How does interference by Ron & Harry succeed/fail in evening the odds for the champions on the day of the second task?

Include:
someone slipping on a puddle or ice
a torn parchment
the creature of the riddle you just solved

[Lissydove]

Padfoot Undercover

Sirius shivered despite his many layers of winter fur as a draft of icy February wind invaded the confines of his small cave. Buckbeak, for his part, ruffled his feathers and tucked his head under his wing. It was often difficult on the pair, as it was too dangerous for Sirius to light a proper fire, the risk of detection was too great. But he was willing to deal with it, as there was no place in the world he’d rather be then here right now. Harry needed him. Not only was this tournament rapidly on it’s way to getting out of control, but Ludo Bagman’s interest in his godson was discomforting to say the least.

“I’m going out to Hogsmeade,” Sirius growled to his companion who “cawed” once in response, as if to say “suit yourself.” Sirius was feeling restless again and he craved more news, paltry as it often was. He hated the fact that he could only watch from afar. He felt completely useless to Harry out here, and he had not heard from the boy in weeks.

The trip down to Hogsmeade was uneventful. In the town itself, few people were braving the freezing winter weather, as most quickly darted into the warmth of the shops that were their destinations. Sirius sighed, knowing that it would be slim pickings today. Quickly, he set out to find something, anything, that might have some information about what was going on at Hogwarts. In the end, he managed to grab hold of a mangled copy of The Quibbler that was stuffed under the door of a shop.

Upon returning to the cave, Sirius assumed his human form. Just then, a snowy owl flew in to the cave bearing a letter and a small package.

“It’s about time!” Sirius complained, his voice somewhat gravelly from disuse.

Hedwig looked rather offended by the implication that she might be slow with her deliveries. She, after all, wasn’t in charge of writing the letters. She hooted at the inhabitants of the cave as if to say just that, and Buckbeak cawed back a greeting.

Sirius ripped into the package first and tossed the owl treats that he found inside to Hedwig and a sausage to Buckbeak. His companions thus satisfied, he ripped open Harry’s letter.



Dear Snuffles,

Things have been awfully busy here lately. The second task of the Tournament is today. The whole school is set to meet up at the lake. Now I’m definitely glad that I’m not a champion! Ron figures they will be wrestling the giant squid and I don’t envy anyone having to go swimming today!

Not very much has happened since I last wrote to you. Bagman is still taking bets from the students and once we saw him talking to Karkaroff in the dungeons on the map. We are sure he is still cheating. Ron, Hermione and I have been keeping tabs on the other champions as well.

I hope that you and Buckbeak enjoy the food we sent. We’ll try to get up and visit you again next Hogsmeade weekend.

Harry


Sirius swore softly under his breath. Harry’s letter was short and not very informative. Sirius suspected that there was a lot Harry wasn’t telling him. Irritated, he tossed the letter aside. A portion of an article on the mangled front page of The Quibbler caught his eye. The article read:



Bagman: The Plot Thickens

Ludo Bagman, the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports at the Ministry of Magic, is involved in a lot more then organizing the Tri-Wizard Tournament currently being held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. As previously reported, Bagman is known to be in communication with high ranking goblins, and is bent on a plan of world domination.

But how far is he willing to go to achieve these ends? It has come to this reporter’s attention that Bagman has also been secretly meeting up with none other then Igor Karkaroff, known Death Eater, and head of Durmstrang Institute. One can only imagine what this means for the participants of the Tri-Wizard Tournament! After the ease of the Durmstrang champion’s win in the first task, we can be sure that information about the tournament is being passed on.

But could there be other sinister plans afoot? After intense investigation, we now know that the second task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament will involve the champions retrieving something of great value. Of value to whom? Could Bagman, in league with Karkaroff, be on the verge of attaining a powerful magical item? Only time will tell, but this reporter fears for the safety of all in attendance at today’s task…


Sirius swore again, this time much louder. He needed to get to Hogwarts. He had to get closer to Harry. It now seemed obvious to him that the champions would be retrieving something potentially dangerous from the bottom of the lake. But what could it be? Was Bagman simply using the kids to do his dirty work for him? Sirius couldn’t stand by and wait to find out. Quickly he grabbed a quill and parchment and jotted down a message.

“I need you to deliver this right away,” he told Hedwig, attaching the letter to her leg. The snowy owl ruffled her feathers in disdain, but flew off immediately after hooting a farewell to Buckbeak.

“I’m going down to Hogwarts for the second task,” he informed the hippogriff who cawed at him in surprise. “I need to get closer to Harry,” was all he gave himself time to say before assuming his animagus form and running out of the cave. There was no time to spare.


* * *

Sirius arrived at the arranged spot at the edge of the Forbidden Forest rather out of breath, but on time. He hoped that his contact would be as well. He was not disappointed, however, as Alastor Moody’s form came in to view. The man’s back was toward him, but the retired auror made a sudden turn of direction and limped directly over to Sirius’ hiding place, his magical eye swiveling about in his head.

“Taking a bit of a risk coming out here, aren’t ya?” Moody growled by way of greeting.

Sirius stared at the man and then at the castle meaningfully.

Moody followed the animagus’ gaze and grinned in understanding, “you want in, do ya?” he asked. “It’s certainly warmer, no mistake.”

Sirius nodded his head in agreement and wagged is tail once emphatically.

“Right then,” Moody raised his wand and muttered a spell.

To Sirius, it appeared that Moody had suddenly grown to an enormous height, but he quickly realized that it was himself, rather, who had shrunk to a size no larger then a doll.

“Easiest way to do it,” Moody grumbled and picked up the now toy-sized Sirius and tucked him in to one of the many pockets of his coat before making his way back up to the castle.

When they reached the professor’s office, Moody put Sirius down and reversed the spell. “So what brought you up here on a day like today?” he asked, settling himself at his desk.

Sirius assumed his human form, grateful of the warmth coming from the nearby fireplace. “The second task of the tournament…” he started.

“Aye,” agreed Moody, “it starts in less then an hour.”

“…and I’ve been hearing about potential dangers to the students. I heard Bertha Jorkins mention a creature that could get out of hand…”

“Bertha?” Moody scoffed, “she doesn’t know what she’s on about. The second task is in the lake. Unless there’s a chance of the giant squid running amok,” the man’s grotesque features spit into a grim smile.

“Then what about the object the champions are meant to retrieve? That it’s valuable or potentially dangerous? And Bagman in league with Karkaroff to get it?” Sirius countered.

“Old Bagman is up to his ears in trouble, no mistake.” Moody said thoughtfully, “you’ll have heard that he is working to pay back the goblins?” he didn’t give Sirius time to answer,” aye, he’s in deep, Bagman is,” he nodded, “well he’s been giving tips to champion’s heads of house, especially that Death Eater. He’s fixing to skew the results of the tournament.”

“So you think this is all about Bagman and his money problems? There’s no significance to the object in the lake?” Sirius asked skeptically.

Moody clamped his teeth on a pipe he had withdrawn from his desk. “Well we can’t rule that out, can we? I don’t trust Bagman and I certainly don’t trust Karkaroff, reformed or not. Either of them will do anything to get what they want, and it doesn’t matter who gets their way.”

“Even students,” Sirius replied grimly.

“Even students,” Moody agreed, leaning back in his chair.

“I need to be there, at the tournament. To protect Harry,” Sirius said, determined. “There’s no telling what could happen if the champions retrieve something dangerous.”

“Aye, it would be useful to have another man on the field today,” Moody reached into another draw of his desk, “I have an idea,” he placed a small vial on his desk. “Do you know what this is?”

Sirius shook his head in bewilderment.

“Polyjuice Potion,” he declared.

Sirius raised his eyebrows in response, but had a feeling he knew where Moody was going with this. “I’ve heard of it before.”

“Very useful little potion, and I’m not potions man myself,” he perused the object, “you can pose as a student.”

Despite expecting this, Sirius’ bark-like laugh filled the room, “how are you going to get a student?”

“Well that would be easy, wouldn’t it? Here comes one now,” Moody raised his wand and suddenly the office door crashed open. A broom standing in the corner sprang to life and suddenly threw itself into the hallway and into the path of a student walking by. The student tripped on the broom and landed in a heap with a muffled “oooffff” as the wind was knocked out of him.

Moody strode purposefully out to the hallway, the claw on the end of his wooden leg clanking against the stone. He leveled his wand at the prone figure on the floor and muttered a sleeping spell. He then dragged the limp figure into the office and closed the door.

“Let’s see what we got!” Moody said cheerfully as Sirius looked on, rather stunned at the man’s casual abduction of a student. “Aha!” he exclaimed, turning the boy over,” it looks like we caught us a Weasley!”

Sirius looked down at the unconscious form of Harry’s best friend, Ron, “is he alright?” he asked with concern.

“Aye, to be sure, he’s undamaged. I was almost hoping to catch us a champion, but I don’t suppose you’ll be wanting to take a swim today?” Moody laughed gravelly, “but this one will do very nicely indeed,” he stated as he bent to clip a few of the Weasley boy’s fiery locks. “You’ll be able to get closer to Potter like this.” He stumped over to his desk. “Take his robes,” he added.

Sirius bent to obey, as Moody added the hair to the potion. “Drink it quickly,” Moody suggested thrusting the vial into Sirius’ hand, “it’s easier that way, and you don’t have much time.”

It was true, the tournament would be getting underway shortly. Sirius tilted his head back and took a swig of the foul tasting stuff. Immediately he started to feel very strange, as though his insides were trying come out. He felt himself double over, and it was a few moments before his head cleared sufficiently to stand up.

Moody looked on in approval, “you’re his spitting image. “ ’Course I can’t show ya, I’m not much into keeping a mirror.” he smiled ironically. “Do you think you can sound like him?”

Sirius hurriedly pulled on Ron’s robes, “of course I can,” he declared confidently in a very good imitation of the boy’s voice and accent. Impersonations were his forte back at school.

“You’ve got an hour with that dose. Take the rest with ya, you’ll get at least a few more hours out of it,” Moody handed Sirius the vial. “Well off with ya, then. I’ll clean up here,” his gesture took in the inert form of Ron.

Sirius didn’t stop to say more as he rushed out of Moody’s office to join the throng of students headed downstairs toward the castle entrance.

“Where have you been?” a somewhat tart voice asked him.

Sirius turned to see a bushy-haired girl standing beside Harry at the foot of the stairs. Hermione didn’t give him time to reply, “we’ve been looking for you everywhere,” she stated.

“Well I had to…” Sirius began.

“Make way! Make way!” a voice called out, “champions coming through!” Percy announced with a self important air, as he lead the three champions out of the castle. Krum, stoic as ever, was unreadable. Fleur had a decidedly pinched look to her lovely features. Cedric followed them, trying to smile as a loud cheer rose from the crowd as he passed by.

Sirius became aware that his companions were observing him as he watched the champions leave ahead of them. “What?” he asked in bewilderment as he apparently had not lived up to expectations.

“Did you see Fleur pass by?” Hermione asked.

“The French girl? What of it?” Sirius was confused.

“Nothing…” Harry stated casually, but shared an amused look and a shrug with Hermione. “We’d best hurry up so we can get good seats.”

Outside, the air was crisp and cold, but less windy. The trio made their way into the stands and got seats up front.

“You were sure to put the gillyweed where Cedric could find it, right?” Hermione whispered as Bagman began making the announcements from the teacher’s box.

Sirius suddenly became aware of a small bundle in the pocket of his robes. He had a sneaking suspicion that it wasn’t the Weasley boy’s pocket money. “Yeah, I did!” he bluffed.

Down on the shore of the lake, the three champions were preparing to dive into the murky water as Bagman announced overhead that they were to have one hour to retrieve a cask from the bottom of the lake. The champion who could return within that time, with the cask in hand would be declared the winner and the possessor of a very rare object. A shrill whistle then pierced the air as the champions set off to their task.

Immediately, Krum, using some sort of transfiguration spell, sprouted the gills and head of a shark. Quickly he dove into the water. Fleur cast a spell that caused a bubble to form around her head, and then she too dove into the water. Cedric on the other had, was hesitating, as though trying to get his spell right. “Looks like Diggory is having some trouble,” Bagman’s voice boomed overhead.

“Why isn’t he using it?” Hermione asked desperately.

“Look!” Harry shouted.

Suddenly, a bubble not unlike Fleur’s, formed around the Hogwarts champion’s head. Cedric dove into the water to thunderous approval from the stands.

The next hour was passed listening to Bagman speculate on what the champions were facing beneath the depths of the lake, as it was impossible to see what was actually going on. “Grindylows, merpeople and perhaps the Giant Squid itself are all obstacles to the champions’ goal!” Bagman sounded cheerful at the prospect.

“What do you suppose is in the cask?” Sirius ventured by way of conversation.

“Well I don’t expect it’s anything too important,” Hermione stated.

“But that article…” Sirius started.

“In The Quibbler?” Hermione asked derisively, “Ron, you know that paper is rubbish.”

“But you have to admit there could be something else going on,” Harry interjected. “That day we saw Bagman and Karkaroff meeting in the dungeon. Bagman seemed desperate for something, and Karkaroff was awfully interested in what lay at the bottom of the lake.”

“Karkaroff wants to win, Harry,” Hermione said thoughtfully. “It could be nothing more then that.”

Sirius’ hour was almost at it’s end, he could feel it. But he was saved from having to distract his companions so he could take a sip from the vial unnoticed, by a commotion in the center of the lake. Large bubbles were beginning to form there and the crowd was on it’s feet shouting. Quickly, he turned to drink the potion, and when he looked back he could see the giant squid begin to surface there. It raised one of it’s enormous tentacles and everyone could see that it clasped the form of Viktor Krum. With a mighty whoosh, the squid flung Krum toward the shore. The boy landed with a loud splat. The Durmstrang delegation and a number of mediwizards swarmed to help him, though Karkaroff seemed to be berating his champion more then anything.

“Krum is back empty-handed!” Bagman’s voice boomed overhead.

Seconds later, the giant squid raised another tentacle and Fleur was deposited unceremoniously onto the shore as well.

“Delacour is also empty-handed!” was the announcement as the girl was cared for.

All eyes turned to the lake as Cedric’s head finally broke surface. Unlike the others, he was swimming toward the shore under his own steam.

The Hogwarts students swarmed to the lake edge to greet him. As he got closer and could stand up, he raised his arms triumphantly. Clasped in his hands was the cask! The cheer was deafening. Sirius, Harry and Hermione made their way to the front of the joyous crowd as the mediwizards started to attend to Cedric. Bagman was hot on their heels. “The Hogwarts champion has returned with the prize!” he announced. “Now he must open it for us all to see!”

“Open it! Open it!” the crowd chanted in response.

Sirius, Harry and Hermione shot each other identical looks of worry. “No! Don’t do it!” Hermione screamed, but too late. Cedric had already opened the cask to reveal…


* * *


Medium Riddle


Your task is to build from Padfoot Perturbed in 1000 to 3000 words.

It is now February. Sirius and Buckbeak are still watching the news from the cave above Hogsmeade. Another article in the Prophet or Quibbler prompts Sirius to infiltrate Hogwarts to watch the second task (wherein the champions must retrieve something of your choosing from the lake). What is the article and how does he perceive this information to mean a possible threat to Harry? How does he watch the second task and ensure Harry's safety without getting caught?

You must include :
the article
another letter from Harry
someone tripping over a broom

[lupinsmyman]

A Second Chance for the Second Task’s Second Placed

Fleur sat alone in the large Beauxbatons carriage with the small wooden box on her lap. For the past three hours she had been trying desperately to open it. It was more of a block of wood than a box for there were no discernable hinges or any way to open it.

She was about to give up for the day and put the box away when the door to the carriage swung open and Madame Maxime staggered in holding a rather large pint of ale.
“’Ave you oopened your box yeet?” she asked slurring her words.

“Non Madame,” she replied still holding the box between her hands. Suddenly Maxime lurched forward in an attempt to grab it. Instead she spilled her ale all over a rather distressed Fleur and the box.

“Madame!” she screeched bending down to pick up the box. What she found was not a box but a rather large piece of parchment. Hastily she picked it up and read it out loud.
Down deep is where I’m found.
Take a big breath
If that’s where you’re bound.

I may be quite smart
But I’ve still much to learn.
So get away from that beech
And come meet me and teach.
But please be kind and wait your turn.

“What help that is,” Fleur said angrily. Taking her riddle she stormed out of the carriage.

She was still a little wet and the chill November air swept through her robes like ice. She walked until she reached a large tree by the lake. Frost gripped its branches and leaves lay scattered around it.

She looked up into it to discover a gold and crimson scarf draped in some of the branches. Grateful for some warmth she grabbed it, wrapping it quickly around her neck to cover her mouth and nose. She slid down against the tree staring blankly out across the lake. She had now read the riddle so many times that she had it memorized.

All of the sudden it hit her. “Encornet! Encornet!” she shouted, realizing that she would have to face the giant squid that lived in the Hogwarts lake. Relieved, she leaned back against the tree and fell asleep.

Three months had flown by and Fleur Delacour had spent the majority of them with her nose in a book. She had looked through every book Beauxbatons and Hogwarts had on squids and water combined. She now believed she had a plan.

Fleur awoke early February 24th anxious (not to mention late). She grabbed a croissant lying on a tray next to her bunk and ran out the door. The stands around the Hogwarts lake were filled to the brim. Even though most of the action would be taking place underwater no one wanted to miss a thing.

Eating her croissant, Fleur swept herself into a large tent where the other three champions and Ludo Bagman already stood.

“Well, now that Miss Delacour has decided to join us I will explain the rules to you,” Bagman said eyeing a blushing Fleur. “You will have one hour to capture the Giant squid and teach it something- without the use of an Imperious Curse. Well you first then Mr. Krum,” he continued ushering him out of the tent. There was a tremendous roar as he did so.

Fleur was basically a nervous wreck. She paced back and forth through out each of the champions took their turns. By the sound of cheers from the audience, the Potter boy was making a spectacular performance. She could not stand that little boy with all his fame and respect. Well, to tell the truth she was rather inspired by him. He had courage and loyalty, even in the most frightening situations.

Finally, after three hours, Fleur was called out of the tent. Tying her long blonde hair back and standing up proud and straight she exited. The crowd roared in polite applause though the Beauxbatons students cheered the loudest considering they had used a voice magnifying charm on themselves.

Taking a deep breath she removed her robes and waded into the lake. It was colder and slimier than anything she had felt before. Well, ‘ere goes nozing,” she muttered under her breath. “Borrire,” she added tapping her head with her wand. A large bubble surrounded her head. She felt like her head was being dumped into a giant tub of Jell-O.

She walked out a little farther and on the blow of a whistle she plunged herself in to the water. Everything was dark and green. She could see large patches of seaweed growing here and there with little orange eyes peering out of them. Hastily she swam away.

She had been in the water now for fifteen minutes. How hard could it be to find something ten times as large as a whale? Eventually she stumbled upon a tentacle roughly the size of a bus.

“Parvus,” she said aiming her wand at the squid. Amazingly it shrunk down to size of a crab. Smiling, she swam over to it and picked it up. Obviously it was quite tired of being handled and suctioned itself to Fleur’s arm. Remembering something she had read in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, she tickled the not-so-giant squid on top of its head and offered it some fish that was in her pocket. Gleefully it let go and gobbled up Fleur’s peace offering.

“Okay now, ‘ittle one I ‘ave to teach you zomezing. ‘ill you put on zeese for me?” Fleur felt a little silly talking to a squid but all the same it seemed to respond to her voice. Whipping up some ballet slippers with her wand she fastened them to each of the squid’s arms.

“I want you to dance for ze judges, s’il te plait,” she told it. She once more tapped its head but this time with her wand. She transmitted the image of what she wanted the squid to do from her mind to the squid’s using a very simple form of Legilimency.

With about twenty minutes left in her hour, Fleur swam as fast as she possibly could upward with the squid underneath her arm. Tired, she reached the surface of the lake to be greeted with thunderous applause from the Beauxbatons.

“And now,” boomed Ludo Bagman from the judges table, “ ladies and gentlemen, for Fleur Delacour’s presentation!” Once more applause broke out across the stands.

Fleur smiled down at the little squid and placed it on a table at the edge of the lake. It immediately began to dance and twirl like a prima ballerina. It leaped and spun so gracefully that many a professional dancer would be jealous. This went on for about two minutes. When he was done, Fleur returned the squid to normal size, removed the slippers, and sent the squid off into the water.
“Well, I certainly didn’t expect that! But a wonderful piece of magic all the same,” Bagman said. “Now, for the judge’s scores.”

The judges shot up there wands and green numbers were emitted from them. A ten from Madame Maxime, a nine from Barty Crouch, seven from Igor Karkaroff, and another nine from Albus Dumbledore. Fleur hung her head; she was in third place.

After many rounds of clapping, cheering, and confetti, Fleur, Krum, Potter, and Diggory were lead back into the tent. Barty Crouch was already there waiting for them.

“Wonderful job everyone! Absolutely wonderful! Before I dismiss you to your rowdy and rule breaking celebrations, I would like to tell you that the third task will take place on June 24th,” he said.

Not surprisingly Fleur wasn’t really in the mood for celebration. Instead of taking the usual path back to the carriage she ran off in the opposite direction to ponder on what could possibly be next.



Fleur's box reveals that the second task will involve capturing the Giant Squid and teaching it something which it must demonstrate to the Judges. Fast-forward to the second task, which takes place at the end of February. Describe her preparation, journey to the squid and the performance for the judges. Did she have help? How does Bagman behave throughout this?

Include:
a Gryffindor house scarf
a pint of ale
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander

[Amaranth]

BAD BREWS MEAN BAD NEWS

According to the calendar, Spring was apparently on its way. It was difficult to believe this when trudging through muddy slush and being drenched in the sleet and rain which had been falling consistently for two days by that point. The weather was as foul as Fleur's mood, bored of the dull British weather and the dull British school boys - her date for the Yule Ball had been the epitome of boring. To top it all off, she had spent the Christmas holidays brooding over the box she had retrieved from the first task. The last thing she wanted to do in this miserable weather was take a dip in the grey waters of the lake, and yet that seemed to be precisely what she was going to have to do. After all, how could one capture a Giant Squid from the shore? Not that she hadn't considered this possibility at first, but it would be impossible.

Giant Squids, according to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander, always stayed in deep water, and rarely surfaced unless something caught their attention. Fleur had been most relieved to find a copy of this staple book for witches and wizards everywhere in the Hogwarts library, where it had provided her with everything she had needed to know, even if it had been dog-eared and covered in graffiti. In fact, a great deal of the book had been so heavily, and apparently recently, graffitied in places, it had been almost impossible for Fleur to read the sections on aquatic creatures. Time and time again she had taken it to the librarian to have it cleaned, only to return the clean copy to the shlef and find it worse than ever the next time she took it out. She'd even gone so far as to ask the other champions about it, which had only raised her suspicions further - Krum's father had sent him a copy as a reward for becoming a champion, whereas Cedric, as with all Hogwarts students, had his own copy. Someone knew she wouldn't have a copy, and someone was trying to sabotage the only copy freely available to her.

Still, knowing where to find the squid was only half the battle - she had yet to find something easy to teach it, or how to capture it and keep it in one place long enough to teach it at all. Time was rapidly running out so, against habit, she returned to the library after dinner one evening to resume her research. Her friends had tutted over her absence for their nightly excursions to Hogsmeade and The Three Broomsticks, but in truth, her opinion of the place had gone downhill after having drunk a pint of ale rather too quickly and had ended up being very ill in the infirmary. The curious thing was that Madam Pomfrey had thought her symptoms had been suspiciously like those of someone having drunk an out-of-date bad luck potion, particularly after Fleur had tried several different Bertie Botts' Every Flavour Beans and managing to pick over-boiled cabbage five times in a row.

Still, she would have liked to have been with her friends that evening. She would celebrate with her friends after succeeding in the task, and that would involve more research first. So deep in thought was she about the good times she was missing out on, that she didn't notice Ludo Bagman until she walked right into him.

"My dear girl! Do watch where you're going!" he blurted out, waving an ink-stained handkerchief at her. "Isn't it past your curfew, anyway? Even champions can't be breaking the rules here, you know." Fleur folded her arms and looked along her nose at Bagman. She had taken a bit of a dislike to the sportsman since the incident with the microphone during the first task.

"I am well wizeen my rights to be up at zis hour," she replied haughtily. "I am a senior student, after all."

"Hmm, yes, well, it's not right for a young woman to be on her own in the evening. She should be with her friends, surely, enjoying all this place has to offer! The ale down at the Three Broomsticks is particularly good, I should add." He sounded very adamant.

"I didn't zink so," Fleur replied suspiciously. "I thought it was foul."

"Spot of bad luck, I'm sure," Bagman said carefully, with a bit of glint in his eye. "Don't let me keep you then, Miss Delacour." With that, he passed her and continued up the corridor away from the library.

Fleur cursed as she mopped up the fresh ink from Fantastic Beasts with her wand, lazily waving it over the page until the words 'Merpeople' and 'Plimpies' caught her eye:

"Plimpies are considered a pest by Merpeople, who tie their legs into complicated knots and cast them adrift, where it may take them hours to free themselves."

Fleur would have bet her wand that the squid had seen the Merpeople do that before, and with all those bendy limbs, she also could see the squid picking up this skill very easily. A similar trick might even work to immobilise the squid. That was it! That was what she would do! All she needed now was a way of luring the squid towards her so that she could capture it and teach it this Merpeople-pleasing skill.

The day of the task dawned, but Fleur had been awake long before the sun rose. Pacing and muttering spells over and over under her breath, she memorised every spell in the order that she would use them - Lumos, Velocitera, Accio. Her friends, annoyed at having their sleep disturbed, and irritably told her to practise in the Ravenclaw common room, but this had suited her, particularly when she had accidentally cast Velocitera for real and had run into the sofa, badly bruising her leg, before she could stop herself. As everyone else began to rise for breakfast, wishing her luck as they left, Fleur lingered a little longer in the common room, waiting until it was empty before heading down to the lake alone. She would not lose concentration and forget a spell because of some ill-timed well-wisher!

"Oh Fleur!" One of her friends, Thea, came hurrying along the corridor. Fleur sighed at this bad luck and stopped to greet Thea with only a half-smile. "You must 'ave somezing to drink! It will be ever so cold out zere!" She proffered a steaming cup to Fleur who sipped unenthusiastically at it while noticing a beautiful brooch pinned to Thea's uniform.

"Zat is new, non?" Fleur asked, feeling a little odd. What had at first appeared to be coffee seemed have a distinctly malty, hoppy taste. "Thea, is zere ale in zis?"

"Mais oui! To keep ze chills away. Zat Bagman told me it would 'elp you. All ze champions are doing it, so 'e said. 'E gave me zis brooch, too. 'E is a good man, I can't see why everyone says 'e is a buffoon." Fleur groaned inwardly. She could only pray she had sipped little enough of the potion so that it would wear off during the walk to the lake.

After bumping into a couple of first years who had happened to be carrying ink pots which had spilled on to her robes, getting gum thrown into her hair after a chance encounter with Peeves and tripping over a suit of armour which had fallen with a clatter on top of her, Fleur had been beginning to doubt she would ever make it to the lake, let alone find the squid. There was a ferocious wind that day, too, not that it should have affected her plan at all previously, but with this potion in her system, she couldn't be sure of anything. It had even caught a Gryffindor house scarf and was toying with it far above her, until the doomed garment was sent into the eager clutches of the Whomping Willow. Pretty soon after that, only a few sad bits of red and yellow wool were to be seen.

The other champions were already stood shivering by the lake, waiting for the judges to arrive. Fleur had just decided to keep her robes on until the last minute to keep warm when the squid, presumably sensing something would be going on, flicked a wave of water towards them, which left Fleur drenched. The icy water seemed to steal her breath away for a few moments until a helpful student helping with the tournament handed her a towel. By the time the judges arrived, Fleur was ready to get in the water and begin, so her heart sank as Bagman approached wielding a small brown bag. Each champion took their token, and Fleur was dismayed to find she was last. All she could do was watch and wait as the other champions competed first, and to add to her bad mood, Cedric had also chosen a Plimpy-related activity - Plimpy juggling - to teach the squid. Luckily, the squid had managed to drop all its Plimpies back into the water, so Cedric's score was less than impossible to beat. Viktor, on the other hand, had taught the squid to hit a floating target with its ink, which it had succeeded at all too well, drenching the judges with ink too. With a 32 and a 35 to beat, Fleur dropped into the lake and swam out towards the middle.

Having already been caught and pestered twice, the squid was in no mood to play, until it saw the glowing light of Fleur's wand bobbing in the waters. Next thing it knew, another annoying student was pestering it, and it tried to catch her in order to put her back to shore, but this one moved so fast that before the squid knew it, all but two of its limbs were completely entangled.

Fleur swam to the surface, raised her wand and called:

"Accio Plimpy!"

Nothing came.

"Oh what bad luck!" she heard Bagman commentating. "Diggory's play seems to have scared all the Plimpies out of range!" At first it had seemed so, but just as the odd feeling in Fleur's stomach began to fade, one bedraggled Plimpy came shooting through the water towards her, its legs pumping furiously to try and escape. With a few scratches, Fleur caught it, took a breath and dived under the water. She held the Plimpy up to the squid and tied the Plimpy's legs together. A moment later, she untied them again. The squid, watching it, copied the movements with its own limbs, freeing itself, but not fleeing. If only she'd had a second Plimpy for the squid to practise on, but the arrival of spear-wielding Merpeople told her she was running out of time. She tried to pass the Plimpy to the squid, who fumbled it and the creature escaped. Fleur couldn't believe it!

But the Merpeople were grinning. They had watched her efforts with the Plimpy and, of course, she had been doing them a service teaching the squid to tie up these pests, so they had brought along many more to be dealt with! The squid reached out for three of the struggling fish-like creatures and then obediently followed Fleur to the surface. She'd exceeded her time limit, so she knew she would be penalised, but she could only hope that the squid would repeat what it had already seen. To her relief, the squid tied up the Plimpies so tightly they could barely move. Then, as something of an encore, it tried to repeat Cedric's task, but failed again. Still, as that hadn't been part of her task, Fleur hoped that wouldn't affect her score.

The judges conferred for what seemed like hours while the Merpeople below Fleur were batting the Plimpies around like a bizarre game of volley ball. Finally, they reached a decision - 38! That put her in the lead, two points ahead of Krum and four ahead of Cedric! With a warm, tingling wave of relief washing through her, Fleur wrapped her towel around her dripping self tightly and made her way back to the castle to celebrate with her friends.

But something told her she would be avoiding the ale.


-------------------
HARD RIDDLE

Your task is to build from A Tri-Headed Tooth-Ache in 1000 to 3000 words.

Fleur's box reveals that the second task will involve capturing the Giant Squid and teaching it something which it must demonstrate to the Judges. Fast-forward to the second task, which takes place at the end of February. Describe her preparation, journey to the squid and the performance for the judges. Did she have help? How does Bagman behave throughout this?

Include:
a Gryffindor house scarf
a pint of ale
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander

-----------------

[OtterySt.Catchpo...]

“In which perfidious plots of cowardly coups and other dastardly doings tragically threaten to embroil our happy heroes in dangerously dire peril…or Sabotage a-go-go, because Mary Poppins this ain’t.”

edit: Sorry, not allowed, unless you are not offering this for the Tri-Ferret Tournament voting
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


It was fortunate for the boys that the glittering black eyes that watched them walking back towards the castle didn’t follow them. The goblin Goldflint was weighing the profitability of ridding himself of the two meddlers now, against the risk of tending to them later when they might become embroiled in their affairs. His hesitance ultimately let his chance escape; the boys running off towards the castle.

***

“So Moody thinks this group of rogue goblins is trying to overthrow the tournament. Sounds a bit dodgy to me,” Ron said, eating a chocolate frog, sitting back in one of the squishy chairs in the Common Room his legs propped up on an ottoman.

Harry was sitting next to him on the carpet, leaning against the wall next to the fireplace. Harry hadn’t touched a bit of food since his talk with their DADA Professor. The things he’d confided in Harry seemed far-fetched but he had no reason not to believe him. Moody had told him about Snape and Karkaroff being Death Eaters and warned Harry against getting too close or letting his guard down around them. But a group of mad goblins bent on world domination seemed a bit—well odd.

“I think we should ask Hermione. If anyone’s going to know anything about this group of uhm…well she would.”

“That’s if she’s not too busy with Vicky,” Ron remarked sarcastically.

***

It was after dinner when the boys walked into the quiet, candlelit library. Hermione was sitting at a table alone when Ron and Harry approached her. Lying before her were over a half dozen books on just as many different subjects. Most telling, though, a single rose lay carefully set aside unobtrusively. She kept turning to it like her books as if to verify a fact.

“You weren’t at dinner,” Harry whispered, as Madame Pince was shelving books about five rows over. With hearing as sharp as sonar, she could detect the slightest noise.

Ron was looking around curiously to see who else was at the library, a group of Ravenclaws or two along with Hermione. Hermione sighed as she rightly guessed the red haired boy had been looking for Krum.

“In case you two’ve forgotten, it’s only the champions who’ve been excused from the exams,” she chided.

“Come off it Hermione this is more important.” Ron said, certain the Durmstrang champion wasn’t there, by the absence of his fan club. The words had come out more harshly than he had intended.

A warning shush from Madame Pince five rows down had stopped Hermione from her retort. Still hers was an expert glare at Ron, that she had had occasion to practice and perfect in the past three years.

Harry dragged them both from the library to an empty classroom across the hall. Closing the door behind him, he enchanted it with a jinx to keep the sound trapped in, thus thwarting eavesdroppers and making it safe to yell if need be. With Ron and Hermione it seemed a likely development. He proceeded to explain everything.

***

“Moody wants us to help him against this goblin group, and Bagman...” Ron said.

“Bagman might be in it for the gold,” Harry quickly added picking up the thread of his friends argument, “but Moody seems to think the goblins are in it for more than just the money. They’re out to cause serious trouble.”

“Moody asked you Ron?” Hermione asked surprised.

“Well…no, not precisely.” He turned a shade of embarrassed red answering her, and gave her an injured look.

“You don’t think Moody’s right, do you?” Hermione asked Harry as they sat together. Ron continued pacing up and down between the two rows of desks.

“He’s cracked, I’m telling you. Shoulda known, when he brought those spiders into class for a demonstration,” Ronald said, still annoyed at Moody for brushing him off earlier. The thought brought painfully back to memory at Hermione’s prodding.

Hermione turned a scowling glare at him, which he returned defiantly. Well what was he supposed to think? Hadn’t she been thinking the same thing only a moment ago? Her face had been a mask of disbelief only a moment ago.

“Moody seems to think someone’s trying to overthrow the tournament.” Harry explained.

“You don’t think its You-know-who?” Ron asked.

“Could be.” Harry said turning to him. “But if there are goblins involved, I don’t think so. They didn’t fight in the last war?” Harry asked.

Ron shrugged.

Both boys then turned to Hermione. It sometimes did seem (especially at times like this) like she did indeed have all the answers.

“Yes,” she answered. “But then there’s the Society of Malice.” Ron looked at her curiously, “A group of goblins still sore about the rebellions.” On failing to see a look of recognition on the boy’s face she added rather less than amused, “Professor Binns went over this last week.” She gave up with a defeated sigh. “And the Legion of Villainy, but they were also made up of angry pixies, and fairies but they were just trying to rebel against the magical establishment.”

Who knew that goblins liked to get into groups for the sole purpose of hating wizard kind?

She looked as if she were about to add something else to that. Ron however recognized the look, and knew he had to stop her. If Hermione got too enthusiastic about anything Harry and he would be subjected to a lengthy lecture. He nudged Harry.

“But why ruin the tasks?” Ron asked eager to keep her focused on the problem.

“Where’s the profit in that?” Harry asked.

“Don’t they want Bagman to pay them back?”

“Of course. It makes perfect sense.” Hermione remarked in that annoying way which meant she might keep the answer to herself.

“What does?”

“Try to pay attention Ron,” Hermione said testily. Ron glared at her and turned to Harry who wore an equally surprised expression on his face, that seemed to say, “I don’t know either.”

“The whole purpose of the Tournament is to promote international wizard cooperation and by toppling the tasks tampering and cheating. That’s just going to help divide the schools. I bet you the globins mean to have the cheating found out.”

“So?” Ron asked.

“So who do you think that benefits most, Ronald?”

“If you already know the answer…” he shot back.

“Then it is Voldemort.” Harry said in a quiet whisper.

“He’d be the last one to want any kind of unity in the wizarding community.” Hermione added. “If any of this is true, I think we should tell Dumbledore.”

“That’s just it. We can’t.” Ron said.

“Why not?” She asked, her arms crossed, waiting for a plausible reason. She’d been expecting the boys’ objection, they had a habit of wanting to handle everything on their own.

Ron turned to Harry, and Harry looked back at him. It was a silent argument over who should be the one to tell her.

“Fine!” Harry finally remarked, and with a deep breath blurted it out, “Moody seems to think Dumbledore’s a clone.”

“What?” Hermione asked.

“A clone?” A voice came out of the other side of the classroom, and they all turned to look. “Oops. Did I say that aloud?” the dark haired boy asked.

***

Ron was still wondering what pixies and fairies could possibly be angry about, as he paced up and down the room.

“So the teachers are likely cheating, a villainous society of pixies is trying to overthrow the tournament, goblins and ministry officials are rigging the game, and Dumbledore might be a clone.” The dark haired boy was reiterating what they had come to conclude over the last hour. He couldn’t keep the tone of enthusiasm out of his voice.

“Yeah, that’s gonna sound convincing,” Ron said walking back to sit next to the new conspiracist.

“I always wondered why the Quibbler didn’t run an article on that, I’ve had my suspicions,” the boy muttered. “Chocolate frog?” Ron smiled and took it.

“Thanks mate.”

“Moody seemed really convinced of that last one.” Harry said as Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron who was looking at him trying very hard to believe his best mate, but that particular point seemed the most far-fetched of all.

***

Hermione’s lone dissenting vote had been outnumbered 3-1 by the boys. Ron and Harry had decided to let the eavesdropper in on their mission when it had been discovered that sleeping behind the teacher’s desk he had overhead everything—though he would not rightly say why he was there. It was soon after decided that the best course of action was a direct approach.

It was a simple enough thing they had to keep the goblins from trying to ruin the tournament in any way. They had to keep the teachers away from the champions on the day of the second task. To keep them from slipping the champions any assistance that Ludo Bagman might have purposefully dropped to help skew the task in his favor. Now they just needed a plan to do it. It had started seemingly as a simple enough thing.

***

At the Hog’s Head, a week later, they gathered together to discuss the assignment. Ottery had taken it upon himself to draw up a plan, which Ron and Harry had thought was a brilliant idea, but Hermione had reminded them was careless. Blueprints were just something begging for anyone to read them and thus give away their goals. She enchanted it to disguise the drawings and scribbles. It was not until the boy began to explain that she realized she had not needed too.

“Anyways, the plan’s simple, see? If we get the Giant Squid to cooperate, along with that Porsche 911 that’s rumored to be running around wild in the Forbidden Forest,” at the mention of the car Ron and Harry exchanged looks. A smile and a sigh went unnoticed; the Hogwarts rumor mill really worked overtime on some things. “Of course, I still haven’t figured how we’re going to get a cartload of explosives into Professor Snape’s office…”

Hermione slammed her hand down on the table to get all the boys’ attentions. “We are not blowing up Professor Snape’s office.” Hermione whispered, the tone of surprised disbelief still in her voice.

*Things get Harry*

Soon enough February was upon them and the trio and Ottery were hard at work on saving the world. The morning of the tournament was a cold, crisp one. A long hard cold winter clung desperately against the coming spring. Snow still lay in patches over the grassy school grounds.

The lake though had been magically defrosted, and the large Durmstrang ship swayed on the waters just off the snow covered school grounds. The Giant Squid was happily swimming while some Durmstrang students on the deck of the boat watched it warily.

Ron was leaning against the tree holding a torn parchment, on the back it looked like a bit of Ottery’s blueprints. On the other side however was written a series of letters and numbers that seemed to mean nothing, in a familiar handwriting. He took out his wand and spelled the paper again. The letters and numbers rearranged themselves into the message that had called for him to be under that tree at that certain hour.

He was wondering were everyone else was. Ron sighed. He was about to go back inside the castle when turning around the tree he bumped into a familiar face, which had appeared coming around from the other side of the tree.

“Hermione.” He said surprised.

“Ron. Good you’re here.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Question is where’s everybody else?”

“Don’t mind that.” She said swatting the question away in a less than coy way Ron knew. She did that when she knew an answer but didn’t necessarily like it. “I wanted to talk to you.”

In the distance stands had been erected overlooking the center of the lake, the different school flags flapping over the seats designating each schools section. She was worried about him, he would later realize, which is why she had wanted to talk to him. However, at the time it had ended in another quarrel, both of them walking away angrily.

***

“Excuse me,” the black boy spoke to the goblin hiding behind the trees.

“What?” The creature asked annoyed, he had been watching the champions make their way to the boats by the lake where they would set off to start on their task.

“Is that your galleon there?” Dean asked politely in spite of the creature’s mean tone.

“Why yes. Yes it is,” Goldflint said greedily. Rushing over to pick it up should Dean suddenly change his mind.

“All right then,” Dean said burying his hands in his robes pockets. Smiling pleasantly, he walked off towards the lake where a sandy haired boy met him. Seamus was grinning mischievously from ear to ear, as they walked to their boat.

“I told you, you couldn’t do it. You can’t stop smiling.” Dean scolded his friend playfully, his face still solemn.

“Shut up.” Seamus complained, the grin still not having left his face.

“And…”

“The leprechaun’s are leaving a trail of gold all the way to Hogsmeade. So that’ll keep the goblins busy until after the Tournament is over.”

Sure enough, as Dean turned to look back he saw a group of goblins fighting over the gold pieces. He did not know how Ron had gotten involved with goblins, but if a mate were in trouble, he and Seamus were always willing to help.

***

Another target on the Ottery hit list was Professor Snape. Given what Moody had been hinting at, he was a likely suspect to help Karkaroff help Krum win the Tournament. Despite Hermione’s boisterous defense of Krum vouching for how honorable he was Harry preferred not to take any risks. Ron for his part while he doubted that, could have cared less, he just did not want Krum to win if Hermione wanted him too so badly. For the life of him he could not understand why Hermione liked him so much.

The greasy haired git was running across the school lawns his dark robes meticulous in the sunlight, as dark as his countenance, when suddenly he was accosted by a Ravenclaw student.

“Professor, I had a question about our potions exam last week.”

From behind a tree George Weasley looked across the field where hiding behind another tree, his twin was standing wand at the ready. Nodding, and grateful at the Ravenclaws distraction they cast their spells. Suddenly the clear path to the lakeshore where the little boat awaited to take him to the stands, was covered in magical ice. Professor Snape who had been trying to brush of the Ravenclaw student, suddenly found himself slipping on a puddle of ice. The magical ice was more like oil and the Ravenclaw girl found herself staring at the professor rocketing into the lake like a torpedo.

“You better hurry up Davies,” Fred said running to the empty boat Professor Snape had meant to take.

“Or you’re going to miss the start of the task,” George finished for him.

They boat magically sped past the figure of Professor Snape, who, arms crossed, and upside down was spitting water as the Squid held him up. He could already hear Professor McGonagall complaining about upholding the school’s image.

***

“Madame Sprout there seems to be an emergency back at the greenhouse,” a Hufflepuff girl said. “There’s a giant beanstalk smashing through the building.” The Professor let out an exclamation, “Neville’s trying to handle it, but…” she cut off dramatically for emphasis, like Hermione had suggested.

“What about Cedric,” Professor Sprout said.

“I’ll be all right Professor.”

“I’ll help him Professor,” Harry said piping in on cue. He felt bad that having done that to Neville. Still who knew he was so good with a spade and trimming shears?

“All right then Potter,” Professor Sprout said, giving the boy a tiny envelope. “Give this to Cedric. It’s a powder…to help his nervous stomach.” She explained. As soon as she was out of sight he pocketed it.

“What’s up Potter?” Cedric asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just rubbish,” he exclaimed and walked Cedric to his boat.

***

“I don’t think Viktor needs any fangirls draping off his arms while he’s preparing for the task,” Karkaroff exclaimed petulantly.

Hermione’s face was struggling with embarrassment and anger. Viktor came walking down the plank of the large Durmstrang ship.

“Hermy-o-ninny,” he said, a rare smile crossing his face. Seeing Karkaroff caused his smile to fall. The look of disgust fell from Karkaroff’s face replaced by one of smarminess.

Krum walked down to Hermione who smiled up at him.

“Thank you for coming,” Viktor said taking her hand. They walked over to the champions boat. “Is there anything you need Viktor. You haven’t forgotten anything have you?”

“No.” Krum replied curtly, helping Hermione into his boat. “You vill need another boat.” Krum said, climbing in.

***

At the center of the lake a tiny island sprung up, floated to the surface from the watery depths by a large group of merpeople, while a group of them played eerily, sweet, soft music on conch shells. The crowd had not been expecting that and students from all the schools looked on in awe, as the boats carrying Dumbledore, Bagman, Percy who was substituting for Mr. Crouch, and a very surly Karkaroff (Madame Maxime had her own boat), and those carrying the champions and their assistants Harry with Cedric, Hermione with Krum, and a very love struck Ron with Fleur Delacour.

***

“I guess Moody forgot to mention the casks were guarded by a large sea dragon.” Ron said watching the Giant Squid waving past them at a large green sea monster that appeared out of the lake…

***
You have already solved this riddle. The mission is:

Your task is to build from In which Ron receives three offers to bet and learns of some shady dealings… in 1000 to 3000 words.

Ron tells Harry the story about the betting situation, and Harry reveals his conversation with Moody. Tie the two together, revealing a dastardly plot to overthrow the tournament! The second task is set in the Lake in February, wherein the champions must retrieve a cask from the depths. How does interference by Ron & Harry succeed/fail in evening the odds for the champions on the day of the second task?

Include:
someone slipping on a puddle or ice
a torn parchment
the creature of the riddle you just solved

This post has been edited by McGonagall's Cat: Nov 17 2005, 01:09 PM

[nundu]

IN TO THE DEPTHS

‘C’est impossible.’

The book flew across the room, hitting the wall in a flutter of pages released from their binding. Fleur stood to pace the floor again, running her hands jerkily through her hair. The stack of books on the table was intimidating, but the pile of discards littering the floor was higher. The afternoon’s thin winter light had long since disappeared from the windows set high in the walls. The torches burning along the walls cast menacing shadows through the seemingly endless rows of tomes.

Surely, somewhere in all of these books, Fleur thought, there had to be a clue. She had been spending most of her days pouring over volumes, thick and thin, to no avail.

A deep booming gong sounded, signalling the end of the day’s lessons and the beginning of the supper hour. Fleur looked back at the table and sighed. She would have like to have taken the unread books back to the carriage, but the hag ruled the library with an iron fist, and would never entrust a ‘foreigner’ with one of her precious books. With a flick of her wand, Fleur banished the books, watching them zoom hither and thither, searching for their proper homes. Hopefully, she would be able to find them all again tomorrow.

Fleur gathered her quill and parchment rolls, stuffing them unceremoniously into her school bag, slung the bag over her shoulder and marched out of the library, ignoring Madam Pince’s glare.

Supper was the least favourite of her meals here at Hogwarts. Everything she had ever heard about English cooking was true. Granted, they were in Scotland, but obviously the influences in the kitchen were English. Boiled meat, boiled vegetables. Mon deau, they even found a way to boil fruits. Coarse, dark breads. She missed her mother’s deft hand with delicious, light sauces over carefully seared meats and crisp, steamed vegetables. She would kill for a plate of fruit and cheeses with a glass of wine to finish her meal.

Fleur rounded a corner at the bottom of a narrow flight of stairs, to be startled by two young boys hurrying through the corridor. They appeared to be as surprised as she, because they threw themselves against the wall and mumbled what they must have felt were apologies as she sailed past them. Fleur gave them no more that a passing glance, long enough to wonder what made the gangly, goggle eyed one think he should wear a Gryffindor House scarf when it so obviously clashed horribly with his violently red hair.

By the time Fleur entered the Great Hall she had regained her accustomed composure. She glided down the aisle toward her schoolmates, absorbing the admiring stares of the besotted boys and deflecting the hostile glares of the envious girls. As she slid into her seat her classmates leaned into her to discuss in intense whispers her findings of the day. They, like she, were disappointed and promised to continue their own research on her behalf.

At last, the meal ended. Madame Maxime rose and as one her students rose in acknowledgement. They remained standing as she regally swept past them. They fell into line behind her, following her to their home in these cold, windswept mountains.

The warmth of the carriage was welcome after the biting cold. Stoles were discarded as students grouped in chairs and couches near the fire. Madame Maxime gestured for Fleur to join her on a small settee separate from the others.

‘Oui, Madame?’

‘Was your day productive?’

‘No, Madame. Again, I found nothing useful.’

‘I see.’

‘Madame, I have only two days more to prepare for this task. I fear I will fail.’

‘Non! You will not fail. I have one more resource. I will pursue it tomorrow. You will accomplish your task. You will represent Beauxbaton with pride. You will show these Englishmen…’

‘Oui, Madame. J’comprende.’

~*~

Once again the supper gong found Fleur in the library. The stack on the table had diminished, but the pile on the floor was still a sign of the futileness of her search. Her nose was buried a thin volume titled ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’. She had scanned the pages searching for any reference to water creatures. The only listing for a freshwater creature was a ridiculous being with the ridiculous name of a Plimpy. She couldn’t see the need for a spherical fish with long legs that merpeople seemed to enjoy torturing. Once again Fleur’s long white, blonde hair showed the ravages of a long frustrating day. A hoarse bark of throat clearing made the seemingly unflappable girl jump. Madam Pince was peering at her over the glasses perched on the end of her long, hooked nose.

‘The gong has sounded, girl. Best get on with you. Library’s closing now for non-Hogwarts students.’ She seemed to take great pleasure emphasising in the last phrase.

Fleur repacked her school bag under the librarian’s watchful glare. She stood up and drew her wand, pointing them at the books as if to banish them. She looked once more at the sneering witch, and repocketed her wand. ‘Let her put them away’, Fleur thought viciously. ‘A non-Hogwarts student might not do it right’. With a gleam of triumph in her eye at Madam Pince’s snarl, Fleur headed for the Great Hall.

~*~

Settling herself onto Madame Maxime’s settee once more, Fleur looked expectantly at her headmistress.

‘Well, it took more than one pint of ale, but I have found the secret.’

The rest of the evening was spent in a quiet, whispered huddle.

~*~

The morning of the twenty-fourth of February dawned crisp and cold. Fleur woke early, but felt rested. She had a through plan in mind. She rose and dressed carefully, finally drawing a long cloak from her trunk. No need to freeze to death before she had begun.

Breakfast was mistake. The buzz of excitement in the Great Hall only served to bring a bout of nerves that Fleur thought she had successfully shed. Suddenly Dumbledore was asking the Champions to report to the judges’ table at the edge of the lake. Fleur, Krum and Cedric rose as one and filed out followed by a line of officials.

With the cloak wrapped tightly around her, Fleur kept her eyes cast to the ground as she silently recited her plan. She shivered. She did not know how much was to do with the cold or the upcoming task. Far too soon, they were lined up along the bank of the lake. Madame Maxime was standing beside her, murmuring words of encouragement and reminders. A wand exploded with a bang and Fleur realised with a start that it was the signal to enter the water. She dropped her cloak, withdrew her wand, touched it to her head and quietly cited the incantation. Immediately she felt a blanket of warmth envelop her. It had worked. She had cast a spell to insulate herself from the frigid waters. A second spell followed that formed a bubble of clean, fresh air around her head. She was ready. She stepped into the water, and with one last glance at her headmistress, standing on the shore, wringing her hands, Fleur waded into the water and disappeared beneath the surface.

~*~

The murky water seemed alive with creatures. Small darting silver fish flashed into view and were gone a moment later, swallowed by the swirling silt and waving fronds of plants that seemed to beckon her deeper. Where could she find it? In a lake this deep, it could be anywhere. Fleur swam deeper, using long, strong strokes to propel herself rapidly. As she skimmed just above the dark green kelp she felt a sharp pain in her ankle. She jerked around and peered at her feet, surprised by the horned, pale-green creature whose long fingers had a firm grasp on her ankle. She shook her foot, but the demon held tight, sinking it’s sharp teeth into her ankle. Fleur screeched and slapped at the vicious being, but rather than being deterred, the little devil was joined by three more of it’s brothers, all pinching and biting at her failing appendages. For a moment, Fleur thought all was lost, then in a last desperate measure, she pulled her wand, pointed it at her own foot, said a small prayer that she wouldn’t damage herself, and shouted ‘Relashio!’ All but one of the Grindylow released her when the hot stream of bubbles hit them. One hung on determinedly. Fleur gave one final kick and felt the fiend release her. She rapidly pulled herself upwards, away from further threat.

The tumult must have attracted the merpeople, for as Fleur swam rapidly forward, she found herself facing a rank of spear-bearing creatures that looked nothing like the Mediterranean sirens she had studied. She pulled herself up, treading water and weighing her chances against them. One against twelve seemed very poor chances. She didn’t like the looks of the Lobalugs the females were carrying. She knew one jet of the venom they could squirt would be the end of her. Just when she thought she had met her end, a haunting melody began to surround her. The merpeople formed a corridor and began to gesture her forward. Fleur swam hesitantly towards the leader, who kicked off signalling her to follow. Fleur sped through the water, encouraged on by the unearthly song. The chief merchieftainess waved her past, pointing towards the darker centre of the lake. Fleur understood. What she was seeking was in that direction. She threw a kiss of thanksgiving in the direction of the guardian and continued, slightly missing their companionship.

A school of darters startled her. Their quick, unorganised movement told her they were fleeing a threat. Fleur sped up, heading from whence they had come. A loud thrumming noise became gradually audible. Fleur’s heart beat faster. Her quarry was near, she knew it.

The lake bottom was scattered with enormous boulders, remains of the great glaciers that scoured out this tiny island millions of years before. As Fleur rounded one of these massive rocks she saw it. It hovered just above the lake floor, it’s tentacles gently flowing with the current. Its movements had a rhythm. Several small waves of movements followed by a spurt of motion made the noise Fleur had heard and propelled the creature. The intelligence she had said the creature was harmless, but considering the source, she hadn’t been sure. Now, seeing the behemoth lazily skittering along the rock littered floor, Fleur recognised it as a gentle giant.

Fleur kicked herself forward, slowly as not to startle the creature. She knew she was safe when it began to follow her with one inky black eye, yet made no motion towards her. Fleur glided along the long leathery flank, stroking and cooing. She settled herself near the creature’s eye and began a dance as old as mankind, crooning words not heard since the beginning of time. The creature began to sway with Fleur’s rhythm, watching her graceful hands as she caressed the long arms. They began a hypnotic dance. Girl and beast, echoing the ancients. A jet of ink burst forth, propelling the beast forward, enveloping Fleur in its darkness. When the water had cleared, Fleur was gone.

~*~

The observers on the banks of the lake were becoming restless. The hour assigned to the tasks had passed, with no sign of the champions. The judges were huddled together in frantic conference. Parents and friends of the competitors were wringing their hands and anxiously searching the surface of the lake for some sign of their loved ones.

‘Look!’ a young voice called.

The surface of the water was roughening. The Durmstrang ship was rocking on its moors. A great upheaval erupted near the bank and the tangled tentacles of the Giant Squid surfaced.

‘Ah,’ announced Ludo Bagman. ‘Mamoiselle Delacour appears to be ready to make her presentation to the judges.’ His bias was unmistakable, but a swift glance from the petite Madame Delacour cut short any editorial he might have been planning. He had learned of her formidable temperament following the first task and had no desire to experience it first hand.

The onlookers searched the surface for Fleur, but there was no sign of her. The Giant Squid began to rock to and fro, seemingly to an unheard song. It’s tentacles remained twisted as the great beast began to twist and raise the tentacles from the water. Just as it looked as if the creature would thrust it’s way out of the water, the tentacles unfolded like the petals of a flower, revealing Fleur, standing in the midst, unruffled and smiling an enigmatic smile.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

HARD RIDDLE

Your task is to build from A Tri-Headed Tooth-Ache in 1000 to 3000 words.

TASK:
Fleur's box reveals that the second task will involve capturing the Giant Squid and teaching it something which it must demonstrate to the Judges. Fast-forward to the second task, which takes place at the end of February. Describe her preparation, journey to the squid and the performance for the judges. Did she have help? How does Bagman behave throughout this?

Include:
a Gryffindor house scarf
a pint of ale
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by Newt Scamander

[cherabela]

Mysteries & Missings

February had arrived with an air of frigid tension. The Second Task was fast approaching, and the feeling of anxiety was thrown on him as if that giant willow tree had dumped all the snow stuck in its branches on his shoulders. He wondered if he would be able to manage first place this time around. Cedric was in first after the previous task and he was in second. Perhaps it was the fact that he had passed Fleur by a single point that made the students from Beauxbatons shoot glares at him whenever he passed by. But he was used to this by now. He had received numerous critiques before and he cast them off him as now he cast off his cloak on the deck of the ship. He climbed on the side and dived quickly.

The wind whistled a tale of many-an-enjoyable-night-spent in his ears, as his hands, outstretched in front of him, tore at the still water. As he resurfaced and gulped fresh air into his lungs, he heard clapping around him and looked around quickly only to find to his dismay, the same group of girls he had often seen in the library. Hermione often commented that they apparently had a lot of free time on their hands.

Their eager eyes bore down upon him as he waded through the lake. But as he looked around, another set of eyes were flashing at him. Cold and depthless, Igor Karkaroff’s eyes made contact with his student’s. Once more, Viktor felt as if someone was looking through the recesses of his mind, searching. Then a voice spoke in his head. “Come. I want to speak to you.” That was all it said and as they lost eye-contact, Viktor felt himself shiver slightly though the water was quite warm. Karkaroff had now learned of his problem.

He hated whenever Karkaroff used Legilimency on him. They had started learning Occlumency the previous year, but between all the work entailed for the World Cup and the school work he had to catch up with, it had been very difficult for him to block his mind properly.

Since he had no other choice, he started swimming back to the ship. The heavens had turned into the dull grey of their dormitory walls and before he reached the vessel his head was being attacked by a shower of liquid spears.

They had devised a simple way of pulling students back onto the ship. Through the curtain of sound the rain was producing, Krum shouted in a rather hoarse voice to Staenvich who was waiting on deck. With a loud clang the rope descending into the water started its assent, and taking hold of it firmly, Krum ascended with it.

The thick rain beat against the dirty portholes as he walked up to Karkaroff’s cabin door. Karkaroff was sitting in his large chair looking thoroughly moody and sterner than Krum had ever seen him. He was not pleased.

“Do you remember what I had told you Viktor?” he finally said after a long moment of silence. Without giving his student chance to say anything he continued, “This Tournament means too much for me lose it. I expect Dumbledore will be feeling very superior having his boy in first place.” He had taken to pacing round the room again. Krum often wondered if this was the reason Karkaroff refused to ride brooms, because he was too jittery and wouldn’t stay put.

“Why haven’t you solved the riddle yet?” he asked now, turning round and revealing his concerned face. “Viktor I fear you are wasting your time with that girl. She is Dumbledore’s student, and whatever she may tell you every other day you go throttle after her bushy mangle, she will cheer for Cedric Diggory and not for you. We all want our school to win Viktor.”

Krum did not say a word. Karkaroff was wrong. Hermione would be there in the stands, and she would cheer for him, she would congratulate him whatever the result he obtained and after the task she’d-

There was a loud rap at the door. Karkaroff who had been talking rapidly about something or other stopped abruptly and his face turned ghastly pale. The knock came again, rather impatiently this time. The Headmaster gripped him by the shoulder, stopping him from opening the door.

They heard voices as a lash of thunder hit the porthole and flooded the room with blinding light. Igor looked around the room frantically, as if searching for a cranny big enough to hide in. His eyes seemed to shine as they rested on a basin lying on his desk. Anticipating that the impatient person on the other side of the door would stride in at any moment, he ran the length of the room to his desk.

By this time, Krum had still not said a single word, and perplexed, he saw Karkaroff lean towards the silver light being emitted from the basin’s contents and in an instant disappear from in front of his eyes. He didn’t need the next roll of thunder to shake him. Where had Karkaroff gone off to?

Warily he neared the shallow stone basin. Carved runes and symbols covered the edges, and the silver light kept shining in a peaceful and swirling fashion. He started when he thought he saw a face among the cloud-like liquid. He moved his face closer to the rim. Could this be some Portkey Karkaroff had used to get away? But what from?

As if in answer to his silent question another loud knock came, and the mysterious visitor was turning the knob. The door was apparently locked though because it didn’t open.

Thoughts rushed through his head like brooms flying haphazardly: He could just stand there and say nothing. He didn’t know where Karkaroff had gone. Nevertheless, something willed him to follow his Headmaster. What if this visitor had something in connection with what had happened in the dark abandoned alley? Would he suspect in him? Why should he? He hadn’t done anything. He had seen nothing.

His original thought came back to him. Why was Karkaroff hiding? Should he too?

Hoping that it would work, he clutched the basin in his hands. If he had expected anything to happen it certainly didn’t. He was still in Karkaroff’s room with the stranger exclaiming he was about to enter now. He leaned his face closer. Perhaps he was missing something.

Without knowing how, he was suddenly lurched forward into the basin and he seemed to be falling into an eternal darkness engulfed by the icy cold of his native Bulgaria.

~***~

Meanwhile the stranger in the night had finally made his entrance into the room, only to find that whom he had been searching for had escaped him once again. “Igor Igor,” he mused with a slight sigh. “Haven’t I taught you that it’s no use running from me?”

He squatted down next to the contents of the pensieve. Krum was still holding it in his hands when he was carried away by his Headmaster’s memories. It had thumped onto the creaking floorboards and now lay upside down with all the silver liquid skittering about the room. The cloaked figure took out a small glass phial and collected the little puffs of cloud which on the floor could easily be mistaken for small balls of dust. Sneering, the man put a stopper onto the bottle and quickly left the room. His job was done. Karkaroff would not go far this time.

And yet as he hid in the shadows of the night, the unknown visitor was unaware that there were two memories which had escaped him. Hidden underneath the basin they awaited as Durmstrang’s champion perplexedly explored them both.

~***~

As the stranger made his unnoticed departure, Krum landed in a memory he too shared. This was the same scene where he had learned of his Second Task! But how had he got there? And where was Karkaroff?

Just then Karkaroff himself came into the room, and with a sigh of relief, Krum ran up to him.

“Professor! Vot happened? Who vos that person?”

For some reason the Headmaster did not seem to take any heed of him; he didn’t even look at him. It was as if he was an invisible being. More people came into the room. There was that bouncy man whose name he couldn’t remember, several other important people from the British Ministry, and then- himself?

He wouldn’t have felt as shocked if he had been hit unawares by a bludger. What was going on here? Was this some sort of flashback into his memory? Maybe Karkaroff had planned him to witness once more the revelation of his Second Task. That was probably it!

Thinking that the real Karkaroff would probably be watching him then, he went over to the small golden bowl which had been placed on the table. A sinister-looking man was pouring the murky liquid he had collected in the first task into the bowl with a loud splash.

His eyes rested upon the round-bellied man, Ludo Bagman whom he noticed seemed to be doing something with a bag at his side. He inched a little closer to see better but at that moment came the sound of a droplet stirring the waters and he turned his attention back to the bowl. Karkaroff would be watching him.

The particles of dirt were falling to the bottom of the bowl, separating themselves from the water. They came to form a thick carpet, which as soon as it was completed started taking the shape of various letters. Bagman was positively beaming and itching to jump up and down, while the other Ministry men simply continued staring at the bowl like the others. There was the same sound of a droplet of water and everyone in the room closed in on the container. Marked at the bottom were etched the words:

All that glitters is not gold,
Seek the circles you will hold.
Deep in slimy, flowing grime
You must race against the time.
In this task a seeker be,
If you wish a victory.
Find the colour of the bold,
Only seek what you are told.
Find the ten not past the hour
Do not stop to take a shower.
If this task completed be
Higher grading you will see.

“Jolly good isn’t it?” Bagman said as everyone looked up again. “Barty here did a splendid job! Didn’t know you had the rhyming spirit in you!” He patted the other’s shoulder jovially. “I suppose you have understood it all already haven’t you?” he continued, winking at Krum.

“Thank you Ministers. My student and I will go back to our ship now.” Viktor heard Karkaroff’s voice cut through Bagman’s high-spirits as he directed his student out of the room. The real Krum was about to follow them when the scene around him started dissolving like smoke. He could hear Barty’s sinister voice fading as Bagman laughed heartily. Everything was fading from in front of his eyes, except his body which seemed the only opaque thing around him. As suddenly as the strange foggy atmosphere had come it disappeared, and he found himself in the same gloomy alleyway he had been in before.

The moonlight shone innocently on the bottle lying on the ground. Behind him stood three men, deep in the shadows of the night. They were talking in hushed voices and as he moved closer he heard one of them let out a small screech.

“Hush! Do you want us to be discovered Wormtail?”

“I, I thought I heard someone coming,” the man named Wormtail stuttered.

The one who had first spoken swore under his breath and turned to the other. “Have you managed to retrieve it for me Igor?”

Karkaroff shook his head.

“Well then you’d better hurry! I am getting impatient Igor and you know I don’t like to be kept waiting.”


“I think it is now time to leave Viktor,” said a voice from behind him. Turning, Krum saw Dumbledore by his side who took him by the shoulder and slowly they were leaving the memory behind them.


~***~

Once more Viktor found himself in Karkaroff’s cabin, this time accompanied by the Hogwarts’ Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

“Viktor,” he said calmly, “I know you and your friends are quite capable of taking care of yourselves in your Headmaster’s absence, and in my part I will do whatever is in my power to see that he should return to you all safe and sound. In the mean time I urge you to continue preparing for the Second Task. I am afraid it is not in my power to stop this Tournament. I am sure that Professor Karkaroff would have been of a like mind and that he will be very proud of you when he returns. And now I bid you good night.” With that he twinkled his eyes down at Viktor in their serene and peaceful manner, and left the cabin.

Krum couldn’t remember for how long he stood there. For the remaining hours of that night he turned round in his bed, paced in his room and for most of the time stuck his head out of the porthole and looked up at Hogwarts’ towers where a faint light came from one of the rooms. Silently he bid her sweet dreams and continued to wonder about that slender light, which though it seemed so far away, was closer to his heart than any other light there was.

~***~

The rest of the days flew by like those anticipating a Quidditch match. Karkaroff hadn’t returned yet, and though all was well, the nature of his disappearance was rather odd.

He had still not managed to understand the riddle in its entirety; he assumed Karkaroff had chosen the night he disappeared to tell him what it really meant. He felt a sense of pride at having tackled his riddle all by himself, unlike the other two champions whom he was sure had been helped by their respective schools. Nevertheless his pride would not get him far the next day and as he set under a large birch tree with Hermione, he retold the riddle in his head.

Daylight was waxing into the orange shade of evening light as the wind unsettled a couple of snapped branches lying on the ground. It had been long since it snowed, which was probably a good sign as he didn’t wish to face an iced lake the next morning.

There was still the problem of “the colour of the bold”. With no clue of a possible answer looming in his head he looked at Hermione as if searching for inspiration. She had her legs to her side as she was deeply delving through her Arithmancy book. Her bushy hair was swaying slightly in the wind and sometimes tickling his cheeks as her eyes continued to dance along the letters imprinted on the page.

“What is it?” she asked as she turned to look at him, sensing his eyes on her.

“I vos just vondering,” he muttered rather embarrassedly at having been caught looking at her. As she turned back to her book he noticed the red colour of her robes’ lining. “the colour of the bold”. He had still not figured what that line meant but he decided that red would be his colour, Hermione’s colour.

“Viktor Krum,” said a voice which startled him from his thoughts. The owner of the shadow cast on him was a woman with a heavy-jawed face, jewelled spectacles and a crocodile-skin handbag she was clutching in her hands. “I was wondering if I could have a little chat with you. You know, just before the tournament.”

Krum looked at Hermione whom he saw was eyeing the woman suspiciously.

“But of course, introductions first. I’m Rita Skeeter, a Daily Prophet reporter,” she said as if they had simply met at a party and not for what appeared would soon become an interview.

“Oh we know who you are,” Hermione said sternly.

“Well I’m delighted,” Rita continued turning back to Krum and acting as if Hermione wasn’t there at all. “We have had word of the tragic vanishing of your Headmaster. It must have been a very terrible reality to take in.”

Hermione muttered something under her breath.

“I’m sorry I don’t think I got what your name was,” Rita said turning to Hermione now. “Perhaps you could answer a couple of questions for us yourself as you do seem ready to participate.”

“I wouldn’t answer any questions if it was between you and the Giant Squid!” Hermione said, getting up abruptly and looking rather red in the face. “You don’t care anything about what others feel do you? You would do anything at all for a story.”

“Perhaps when you grow up little girl you will realise the reality of doing your job as is expected of you. But I’m afraid you would never understand that. I doubt any book could ever teach you what you lack,” Rita retorted back.

Krum got up, avoiding the invisible waves of hatred passing from one woman to the other.

Scoffing, Rita turned to Krum once again and said, “You seem to have a very protective girlfriend. I assume she does this with all your fangirls.”

Hermione said through gritted teeth, “Why don’t you go and ruin someone else’s life instead?” With that she turned around on the spot and left at a rather quicker rate than her normal pace. Krum followed suit.

He caught up with her by the lake and pulled her back in the cover of the trees. A few minutes later Rita Skeeter passed by. He heard Hermione hiss “That evil woman. She has ruined people’s lives enough! Look at what she did to Hagrid!”

“Hermy-own-ninny,” he breathed, looking directly in her eyes. He could feel her relax slightly as he held both her arms. Now was his chance! “I haff been vonting to tell you this for a very long time. If you, perhaps, haff some free time this summer, perhaps you could come visit me in Bulgaria. I haff been vonting to tell you that, I haff never felt this way,” he faltered slightly, hoping he was putting the words right. “I haff never felt this way about any other girl before.” With that he breathed deeply as if he was about to plunge into the lake already, and kissed her.



It was Hermione who pulled away. She seemed to be catching her breath and kept staring at the ground, her hair coming in front of her eyes. None of them said a word, until, “Viktor, I, I cannot do this. I’m sorry.” She left in a hurry, leaving her Arithmancy book lying on the ground behind her. Viktor picked it up and caressed the cover.

As he made his way back to the ship he saw a lonely piece of toast floating on the surface of the water. It had been spread with ink. Perhaps that was how he felt. Like a soggy piece of toast thrown about by the misfortunes of life.

~***~

The morning of the task dawned lonely and grey. Viktor Krum descended to where Ludo Bagman and several others were waiting by the lake. Cedric was already there. Fleur soon joined them and moments later the students started filing into the stands, probably feeling far more comfortable in their thick garments than the three champions were.

Since Karkaroff had not returned yet, his place as judge was being replaced by a young-looking redhead who seemed to be positively excited to be taking the Headmaster’s place. He looked quite like the other redhead Hermione seemed to mention a lot, Ron.

Krum knew exactly what he would do. As soon as he’d enter the lake he would start looking for the red rings and as soon as he found all ten, he’d go back to the surface. It didn’t appear to be as difficult as the previous task. He was particularly good at swimming and he could actually put his seeker’s skills to use here.

Ludo Bagman’s voice rose above that of the audience. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the Second Task! As you can see before you, it will concern diving into the lake and looking for something which was previously revealed to all of the champions in a riddle. I shall inform you of the nature of the task as soon as the champions have started their task. Although, I am sure that all of them have understood by now what is expected of them.” He winked at the three.

“As soon as I give you my go, the task will have officially begun!” he shouted excitedly. “Ready? Three, two, one…GO!!” With a yell and an outburst of purple sparks, each of the champions started doing what they had been thinking of for the past weeks.

Krum ignored everything the others did and focused on performing the complex transfiguration spell he had thought of using. He chanted it under his breath, closing his eyes. He hated doing human transfigurations. The process was quite uncomfortable and as he dived into the lake he could feel his head changed; his nose seemed to be elongating.

He gulped water down as if it were air and swam into the darks depths of the lake. Looking at his hands he realised that the transformation hadn’t been quite successful. He had meant to change completely; clearly only his head had changed shape.

Without losing any time he started his search for the red disks. Not long afterwards he found his first. Thin and glittery-looking, it shone among the weeds. He quickly collected it, and placed it in a small pouch he had slung by his side. A few minutes later he was swimming with four disks in his pouch and feeling that this was far too easy.

His thought was soon put to its test as a leech stuck to his legs and started sucking his blood. He winced and tried to shake it off though to no avail. When he cast a stunning spell at it only a jet of hot water came out, but this was apparently enough. He kicked it with his feet and continued his progress.

He discovered two more disks, one hidden in the edge of the drainage pipe from which moans were being emitted, and the other was in a crevice surrounded by a foggy layer. As he passed his hand through, he could feel as if his hand was being sucked at by millions of tiny fish. When he extracted it he discovered it was covered in red pimples.

He met two kappas which for an odd reason, rather than pouncing on him started attacking each other. It must have been because they had bumped into each other in the attempt of attacking him. One of them had been guarding a disk and he quickly took it as he left them to their little spat.

The eighth was tied in between the knot of a Plimpy’s legs. It was a very difficult process. After trying to remove it by force which proved difficult as a group of Merpeople started chasing after him, he managed to lead it away from them where it somewhat reluctantly undid the knot and he took the disk.

Time was quickly running out now and he feared he wouldn’t be able to find them all on time. Just then he saw another red disk lying among a bunch of weeds. He made as to grab it but he felt something closing round his waist and was pulled back. Looking behind him he came face to face with the Giant Squid. Underwater, his cry of shock only came out as an outburst of water bubbles. The Squid kept its hold on him though not too firmly and Krum soon saw something moving among the weeds.

A large Hippocampus passed by them, trashing its tail, looking thoroughly in anguish. The disk was round its tail; its red eyes seemed panicked and it made as if to charge at Krum, but the Squid came in its way. It blocked the mad creature’s attempt which received a hit in its torso and swam off, feeling still rather shaken from the blow.

As this episode was over, the Squid let go of Krum and he saw that on the edge of one tentacle it was playing with one of the red disks. It let it fall in Viktor’s hand and with one tentacle pointed upwards.

Krum felt more perplexed than the Hippocampus had been mad. But he realised that since the latter had gone off with the last disk he could just go up and see how long he had been underwater.

He swam every upwards, grabbing the water and pushing it under him. As he neared the surface he thought he could hear voices again. They seemed panicked. Upon surfacing he saw red sparks in the sky, could hear Phoenix song somewhere in the distance, and…



------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission:

Chose ANY of the submissions from the first task and continue its storyline!

The second task involves the lake, though not necessarily as JKR wrote it. What is the task? What are the hazards? What magic is used to overcome them? From the point of view of the character in your choice from the first task submissions, solve all these dilemmas. Keep in mind it is February.

Include your choice of three of the following:
two Knuts
toast
Phoenix song
pepper
Venomous Tentacula
Mrs. Norris
something purple

No minimum or maximum word limit!

[timeturner]

Return to Hogwarts

Sirius ran through the forest, nimbly leaping over the tree branches and other debris that occasionally blocked his path. He had been running for some time now and knew that his destination could not be much further. If memory served, and he was sure that it did, a stand of yew trees should be just around the next bend.

In his youth, he had spent a great deal of time beneath the cover of those trees, talking to Lupin, joking with James. But tonight, the yew would serve a more important purpose. Tonight, they would provide a place to meet with Harry.

When the path finally bended and he rounded the corner, Sirius saw the familiar stand of yew trees, but there was no sign of his godson. With a quick glance at the moon, he determined that he was a bit early. It was not quite midnight, which meant that Harry was probably still making his way through the wood.

As he waited, Sirius wondered if Harry’s friends, Ron and Hermione, would show up as well. A small part of him, a selfish part of him, wished that they would not. He hoped to spend some time alone with Harry, something he had not really had an opportunity to do.

The thought of being with Harry was the only thing right now that made Sirius truly happy. Sometimes, talking to his godson was almost like having James back. Even after all of these years, Sirius missed his old friend more than he cared to admit.

The thought made him realize that he would actually prefer to see Ron and Hermione with Harry tonight. Nothing was more important than friendship. Harry was lucky to have such true friends, just as he, Sirius, had been lucky to have James.

A loud and sudden crash disrupted his thoughts and shattered the uneasy quiet of the forest. The noise was followed by a cry of pain and hushed voices. Sirius looked for the cause of the disturbance, but saw nothing, which could only mean one thing.

Sure enough, moments later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione emerged from underneath an invisibility cloak, all of them looking disheveled and extremely relieved to see him. After making sure that nobody else was with them, Sirius transformed, discarding his canine disguise.

“You weren’t followed?” he asked quickly.

“No,” Harry replied. “We made sure.”

“It was lucky that we found you. We’ve never been in this part of the forest before,” Hermione said.

“Then you’re missing out. I spent a lot of time here in my school days. This is the best part of the forest, barely any creatures. You can’t beat the privacy,” Sirius added, when he saw their expressions.

“You liked coming here?” Ron asked incredulously.

Sirius laughed. “Where do you think I learned to become an Animagus, the Gryffindor common room? No, the first time James, Peter, and I transformed, it was right here under this stand of trees.”

“My dad came here too?” Harry asked.

The excitement in Harry’s voice tugged at Sirius’ heart. The kid seemed to light up at any mention of James and Lily. It was understandable, of course, just difficult to watch.

Sirius pointed out a faded carving on one of the yew trees. “See for yourself.”

Harry walked to the tree and lightly ran his fingers over the carving that read:

James + Lily
Forevermore

“Not why were here though is it,” Sirius said gruffly.

“No, but thanks for showing me,” Harry said.

Sirius didn’t know what to say, so he didn’t say anything. Instead, he put his hand on Harry’s shoulder. Harry smiled at him.

“Well, then,” Sirius said. “Let’s get down to business. What’s going on with the Tournament and Bagman.

“The second task is tomorrow morning,” Harry said. “We found out that Karkaroff has been trying to cheat. He tried slipping information to Krum about the task and they got into a huge row. Krum called Karkaroff dishonorable and said that he didn’t want any more help.”

“Viktor is so noble,” Hermione sighed.

Ron snorted and mumbled something Sirius couldn’t make out.

“How did you learn this?” Sirius asked.

“The room that you told me about,” Harry explained. “It was brilliant. You were right, nobody had found the Marauders’ hiding place. It was filled with loads of useful things. We ended up using a staring eye. Hermione bewitched it to follow Karkaroff. We wrapped it in a bit of my invisibility cloak and he never even noticed it. Each night after he retired to his ship, we waited until we thought he was asleep and then used a summoning charm to get the eye back.”

“I’m guessing you then figured out a way to see what the eye saw?” Sirius said, pleased with their resourcefulness.

“It was Hermione,” Ron said. “She figured out a spell that would make the eye show us everything that it had seen that day. We skipped over the boring parts.”

“Very clever,” Sirius said, nodding at Hermione. “What about Bagman?”

“You won’t believe this,” Harry started, but before he could finish a booming voice called out.

“Who’s there?”

Hermione gasped. “That sounds like Hagrid. What should we do?”

Instantly, Sirius transformed into the big black dog. Not more than a second later, Hagrid happened upon them, brandishing a crossbow.

“What’re yeh three doin’ out here in the middle of the night?” Hagrid bellowed when he saw Harry, Hermione, and Ron. “Yeh know students aren’t allowed in the Forbidden Forest. It’s…well, it’s forbidden!”

“Sorry, Hagrid,” Harry said quickly. “We were, uh…”

“We were taking care of this stray dog we found,” Ron said, patting Sirius on the head. “He was um…”

“Wandering around and we thought he looked hungry,” Harry finished somewhat lamely.

“Stray dog,” Hagrid said, looking down and noticing Sirius for the first time.

Sirius did his best to look like a pathetic, hungry stray. It wasn’t hard, considering he had been hiding in a cave for months on end. A lean diet of Hogsmeade scraps had done little to put meat on his bones.

“Poor feller,” Hagrid said, bending over to scratch Sirius behind the ears. “He needs a warm meal and a fluffy bed. Yeh shoulda brought him to my house straight away. What are yeh thinkin’ stashin’ him out here.”

Sirius realized that Hagrid could be his ticket into Hogwarts. From what Harry had told him, Hagrid loved all creatures. Nobody would think anything of him getting a new pet. And, getting into Hogwarts was the only sure way he could protect Harry during the second task. Sirius barked at Hagrid and wagged his tail.

“Yeh want ter come stay with me, do yeh?” Hagrid asked Sirius enthusiastically, continuing to rub him behind the ears.

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, Hagrid,” Hermione said.

“Sure it is,” Hagrid said, clearly keen on taking in a creature in need. “I’ll set up a real cozy spot fer him right next ter my fireplace. Yeh can come visit him anytime yeh want. Yeh can’t jus’ leave him here.”

Sirius wagged his tail and barked again.

“See,” Hagrid said. “It’s what he wants.”

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked nervously at one another, but didn’t argue the subject any further. At Hagrid’s insistence, they followed him out of the forest and back to his cabin.

“Yeh three better get back up to the castle,” Hagrid said. “Yeh can come back tomorrow mornin’ before the second task. In the meantime I’ll take care o’…What did you say his name was?”

“We never really gave him a name,” Harry said hesitantly.

“What?” Hagrid asked, sounding shocked. “That ain’t right. He needs a name. Every creature needs a name. How ‘bout Elmer? I always wanted a dog named Elmer.”

“Elmer?” Ron chortled.

“What? You don’t like that name?” Hagrid asked.

“Actually,” Ron said, continuing to laugh as he walked towards the castle with Harry and Hermione. “It’s brilliant, Hagrid. He looks just like an Elmer.”

Sirius watched Harry and his friends go and then followed Hagrid into the house to begin a new adventure as a dog named Elmer.

***

The next morning Sirius awoke to a piece of toast that was being waved under his nose by a smiling Hagrid.

“How ‘bout a spot ‘o breakfast, Elmer,” he said cheerfully. “Harry, Ron, and Hermione should be here any minute. You’ll probably be excited ter see ‘em, so you should eat now.”

Sirius took the toast and wagged his tail in thanks. It had been a long time since his belly had been this full. It was a good feeling. He had also had a good night’s sleep, lounging on the large purple pouf that Hagrid had laid down in front of the fireplace.

A moment later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrived, bringing a cold burst of air with them. Sirius greeted them all with a bark.

“Hagrid, Professor McGonagall is looking for you. She said that you’re supposed to be down by the lake.”

“I guess I forgot,” Hagrid said. “It’s been so excitin’ with Elmer here. I better get down there. I’ll see yeh three in a minute or two.”

As soon as he was gone, Sirius transformed. Harry hurried to lock the door and Hermione drew the curtains closed.

“Morning, Elmer,” Harry said, looking at Sirius and smirking.

“Don’t start,” Sirius said, unable to keep from smiling. “It worked didn’t it? I’m at Hogwarts.”

“You shouldn’t be here though,” Hermione said nervously. “You could get caught.”

Sirius looked at Harry and Ron. “Does she always worry this much?”

“Yeah,” Ron replied. “But, we like her anyway.”

Sirius laughed. “Merlin help me, I like her too.”

“Are you coming with us to the lake?” Harry asked.

“Planned on it,” Sirius replied. “I take it the second task takes place in the lake.”

“From what Karkaroff said, the champions don’t have to go in the lake,” Harry said.

“They shouldn’t have to. Remember the clue,” Hermione added.

“Ah yes, the clue the champions had to get from the tree in the first task,” Sirius said.

Hermione recited from memory:

“After one and before three
Should you ever be
Moored without a gourd
You must find a pickle
But please do be fickle
For a nomen you must carve
Else the beast will not starve
But do not pick just any
For only one triumphs many”

“Else the beast will not starve,” Sirius repeated slowly. “I don’t understand. What is the beast.”

“I think it’s a Kappa,” Hermione replied.

“A Kappa is a water demon isn’t it?” Sirius asked.

“Yes. They’re very aggressive and they feast on human blood. The only way that you can persuade a Kappa not to attack is by throwing it a cucumber with your name carved in it, or by tricking it into bowing. They have a hollow in the top of their head that carries water. If they spill the water, they lose their power,” Hermione explained, sounding very much like a textbook.

“That could be dangerous for participants if the Kappa gets into the crowd,” Sirius said thoughtfully. “Dangerous for the champions too if they haven’t figured out that clue.”

“Let’s get down there,” Ron said. “I want to get a good seat.”

“Fine, but when the task is over,” Sirius said. “We need to finish talking about Bagman. I want to know what he’s up to.”

That said, Sirius transformed once more into the big black dog and followed Harry and his friends down to the lake. Immediately after arriving, they spotted Hagrid, who was waving at them from a spot in the spectator seats that had been set up at the water’s edge.

“Yeh brought Elmer!” Hagrid exclaimed, his face lit up with happiness.

Sirius took a seat next to Hagrid, knowing that the sheer mass of the man would give him some cover from the crowd. The view of the lake was good and Harry was right beside him. Sirius was confident that he would be in a position to protect Harry and his friends if necessary.

The task got under way soon after. The champions came out of a tent one at a time to take their turns. Sirius was surprised to see how young all of them looked. Appearances were no indication of talent though, because all three somehow managed the task.

Fleur went first and promptly tossed a cucumber to the Kappa that rushed towards her. The Kappa bowed to investigate the object and spilled all of the water within its hollowed head.

Cedric went next, and though he didn’t bring a cucumber with him, he eventually tricked the Kappa into bowing by laying at its feet. The moment the beast leaned over to bite him, water spilled out of its head.

Krum also managed, but had far less luck. He had obviously misinterpreted the riddle, because he brought a garden pepper to the task. Unfortunately, the Kappa didn’t appear to be affected by peppers. It took a bite out of Krum’s leg and then rushed the crowd. There was a brief moment of panic before Krum had the good sense to use a tripping jinx on the beast. The Kappa lost his water just as he reached a row of Hufflepuffs.

During the entire task, Sirius kept a close eye not only on the Kappa, but also on Ludo Bagman, who was acting as commentator. From his reaction, Sirius was able to judge exactly which champion Bagman was rooting for.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Mission:

Chose ANY of the submissions from the first task and continue its storyline!

The second task involves the lake, though not necessarily as JKR wrote it. What is the task? What are the hazards? What magic is used to overcome them? From the point of view of the character in your choice from the first task submissions, solve all these dilemmas. Keep in mind it is February.

Include your choice of three of the following:
two Knuts
toast
Phoenix song
pepper
Venomous Tentacula
Mrs. Norris
something purple

No minimum or maximum word limit!