CHAPTER THREE: THE SECOND TASK

There wasn't much time after the Yule Ball to dwell on Percy. After the brief reply he'd sent back with Lyra, he'd kept his word, and Audrey had not heard from him. For this, she was particularly grateful, as the mountainous piles of homework her professors had thrust upon her and the other students devoured most of her time.

As January trickled into February, the anticipation for the Second Task crackled through the air. Students everywhere discussed their speculations in excited whispers between classes, at mealtimes, and any chance they received. It was rumored, among the Hufflepuffs, that Cedric had solved the riddle of the golden dragon egg months ago, and there was no question he would reign supreme during the next Task.

The excitement was contagious. Audrey and Rhose became just as engrossed as everyone else, discussing their predictions at length with their follow Hufflepuffs and playfully baiting Fred and George that Gryffindor's Champion had no chance against theirs.

One evening, after supper, they even managed to create a huge banner to show their support for both Cedric and Harry. After all, a win for Hogwarts was all that mattered, even though, deep down, each House secretly cheered on their own respective Champion. Audrey did the illustrating, and finally, after hours of practicing, she managed to Charm the banner to change from canary yellow with a noble-looking black badger and the word "Diggory" spelled beneath it, to a rich scarlet with a regal gold lion, great maw opened in a fierce roar, the word "Potter" in place of Cedric's name.

It was announced at breakfast, on the morning of the Second Task, that all the spectators should make their way to the edge of the Black Lake no later than nine-twenty. Rhose and Audrey ate quickly and returned back to their dormitory to bundle up in warm cloaks and winter accessories. Together, they hoisted the homemade banner out of the Common Room, and met Fred and George in the Entrance Hall.

All four trouped down to the stands at the Lake's shoreline, the twins occasionally shouting out to passing students, urging them to place their bets on the winning Champion. They situated themselves about halfway up in the stands, nestled between a gaggle of cheering Hufflepuffs and a large collection of Gryffindors, who were making a fair fuss of their own. Despite the jostling crowd, Audrey and George managed to secure a seat on either side of Rhose.

"Is Brynn going to sit with us?" Audrey asked, casting her eyes about for Rhose's younger sister.

"Nah. She's with her own friends, apparently," Rhose explained with a flippant wave toward a cluster of Ravenclaws. "The nerve! It's almost like she has her own life, or something!"

Audrey glanced down at their enormous, animated banner. "Or she's embarrassed to be seen with us," she giggled.

"Fat chance of that!" Fred scoffed, falling heavily onto the bench and settling in on George's other side.

"Rhose! Audrey!"

Both girls turned around to see their best friend, Natalie, beaming down at them. She was just a few rows up, waving excitedly beside the twins' best friend, Lee Jordan. Since the Yule Ball, the two of them had been as inseparable as a couple from two different Houses could be—it was adorably nauseating. Rhose threw her arm in the air, grinning, and Audrey did the same after a furtive glance at the surrounding Hufflepuffs.

Natalie's greeting hadn't seemed to have attracted Eustace's attention. Audrey had sat her cousin down before the Task, and had explained that she'd wanted him to spend some time with the other First Years, leaving her some "alone time" with her own friends. He'd agreed readily enough, but there was just no telling with that boy. Any indication that his cousin was nearby, and he could strike at a moment's notice. As an added precaution, Audrey ducked out of sight, taking advantage of Rhose's voluminous hair.

"What d'you reckon they're gonna haf'ta do?" Fred asked, jerking his chin toward the Lake.

"Something aquatic, by the look of it," Rhose unhelpfully suggested, which brought a huge grin to George's face. All four of them stared at the Black Lake. The sun glistened off the expanse of dark water, but it somehow managed to look just as deep and menacing as ever. The Champions were already stationed near the water's edge, not far from the table that had been set up for the judges. Or . . . nearly all of the Champions . . .

"Where's Harry?" Fred wondered aloud, unheard by the others. George was already on his feet, bellowing the School Song, and Rhose and Audrey were brandishing their banner and squealing themselves hoarse. Over the screams of her fellow Hufflepuffs, Audrey caught snippets of other cheers and chants in languages she didn't understand. The stands rumbled and pulsed with the pounding of fists, the stamping of countless feet.

Grinning, Cedric waved at the roaring throng, somehow the epitome of humility despite his evident delight at the swelling attention and praise. Fleur Delacour met the cacophony with a beaming smile and a bow of her neck, as regal as any queen. Viktor Krum, dressed in nothing but a pair of swimming trunks, raised his muscled arms, conducting the crowd—and ladies, in particular—into even more of a frenzy.

Rhose cupped her hands on either side of her mouth. "GO CEDRIC! YOU CAN DO IT!"

Audrey burst into laughter and joined in, yelling every encouraging thing that came to mind as loudly as possible. It really was incredible—of all the students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, before the confusion and unexpected selection of a fourth Champion, the Goblet of Fire had chosen a Hufflepuff to represent the entire school. Despite the bravery, ambition, and intelligence the other students had to offer, it seemed kindness, dedication, and hard work were most valued.

They were going to win. There was absolutely no question about it. Cedric was going to win this entire Tournament!

A magically amplified voice shook the stands' foundations and echoed across the eerily still water.

"Welcome! Welcome, welcome, one and all, to the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament!"

Ludo Bagman's words were drowned in a surge of applause. "Last night," he continued. "Something was stolen from each of our Champions—a treasure, of sorts—and must now be retrieved from the bottom of the Black Lake. The winning Champion need only be the first to resurface with their stolen treasure. Simple enough . . . except for this . . ." Bagman's tone darkened. "They will have but one hour to do so, and one hour only."

A hush settled over the crowd. George leaned over to mutter in Fred's ear. "Got quite the knack for showmanship, dunnee?"

Fred snickered.

"The Task shall begin momentarily. We are waiting only for our fourth and final—Ah!" Bagman lowered the wand tip from his throat and turned to the small, skinny figure sprinting toward the judge's table, feet pounding against the sand, jet hair flying in all directions. Harry Potter stumbled to a halt next to the other Champions and bent over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. A murmur of laughter followed in his wake.

"Leave it to Harry to be fashionably late." Rhose snorted. She leaned in and elbowed her boyfriend. "Ugh. He's such a Gryffindor."

"'ey, watch it!" Fred teased, reaching across George and giving her shoulder a shove. Rhose's exaggerated reaction caused her to collide with Audrey, simultaneously jostling a few unsuspecting Hufflepuffs beside her.

"Now that our Champions are ready," Bagman resumed once Harry had had a moment to compose himself. "We will begin the Second Task, which will start on my whistle. They have precisely one hour to recover what was taken from them. On the count of three, then. One . . . two . . . three!"

The whistle's tinny screech was swallowed in thunderous applause. Every spectator in the stands was on their feet, screaming, cheering, positively berserk with excitement.

Rhose and Audrey watched as Cedric cast an elaborate charm, his wrist and wand twirling in tandem. A silvery film flowed sluggishly from the wand's tip, hovering in midair as it formed, growing larger and larger at Cedric's behest. When he seemed satisfied with its size, he flicked the translucent orb from his wand, and it enveloped his entire head from the neck, up.

"A Bubble Head Charm!" Audrey breathed, to no one in particular. Theoretically, if properly cast, the charm would surround Cedric in a bubble of clean air, leaving him free to breathe indefinitely, no matter his surroundings. She'd read all about them, of course, but she'd never seen one cast before. . . . Without wasting another second, Cedric dove into the Black Lake and vanished from sight. Strangely enough, the Bubble Head Charm didn't render him buoyant in the water . . .

"Fascinating!" Audrey whispered.

With Hufflepuff's Champion already on his way to victory, she cast her eyes toward the other competitors. She was just in time to witness Fleur Delacour's porcelain feet slip beneath the surface, and then shifted her attention over to Durmstrang's Champion.

"Merlin's beard!" Audrey squeaked, clenching Rhose's arm and squeezing too tightly. "What in Morgana's name is happening to Viktor Krum?"

The handsome profile of a moment ago was unnaturally elongated, his skin pewter and glistening. White daggers grew in his mouth where there had once been human teeth. One dead black eye stared unblinkingly at the crowd.

Rhose grimaced and leaned against her best friend. "Looks like some sort of Transfiguration gone wrong . . ."

"Yea," George chimed in, nodding. He pointed to Fred with his thumb, then himself. "We just started learning Human Transfiguration this year. Really tricky stuff! Quite advanced. My hat's off to him for making an effort . . ."

The small party sat still, equal parts riveted and unsettled by the physical change taking place in the Durmstrang Champion. After what seemed like ages, Krum stood tall at the Lake's edge, his head completely replaced by that of a great white shark. The rest of his body had not been altered, but he did not return once he'd slipped into the dark water.

"Whatever works!" George laughed, still on his feet and clapping madly.

"Erm . . . what exactly is Harry doing?" Rhose asked, squinting at Gryffindor's struggling Champion.

No one had an answer.

He had waded into the water up to his waist, black robes billowing in the subtle ebb and flow of the waves. A good majority of the spectators were pointing and laughing. Harry merely stood in place, his shoulders heaving as though he might be sick. Finally, his tangled mess of black hair disappeared beneath the surface of the Lake, and, like all the Champions before him, he did not reemerge.

"Huh. Wonder what that was all about," George mused once the cheering and applause died down, replaced by the low roar of animated conversation and the shifting of countless bodies returning to their seats.

"Who knows?" Fred replied with a shrug. "Imagine we'll find out once the Task's over."

"Yea, but in the meantime, it's gonna be totally awesome! Wonder what they'll have to face down there? There's our good friend the Giant Squid, of course, we know that . . ." George was beaming. "But what else to do think is down there?"

"Hmm, a Kelpie, perhaps? Grindylows? Oh . . . merpeople, maybe! And if that's the case, probably a hippocampus or two! I've read that a breed was domesticated off the shores of Scotland!" Audrey offered, mentally leafing through her copy of Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them. "And . . ." She leaned in, an excited gleam in her hazel eyes. "If there's a Giant Squid down there . . . who's to say there isn't a Water Dragon, too?"

"You mean, like a sea serpent?" Rhose swore in her native Welsh. "Don't those things grow to about a hundred feet long? What kind of bloody competition do you think this is, dear?!"

"That's just it!" Fred cut in, grinning as broadly as his brother. "It's the Triwizard Tournament! ANYTHING can happen! Literally ANYTHING!"

"Exactly! See what I mean?" George exclaimed. "This is gonna be AWESOME!"

"YEAH!"

The four friends stared at the Black Lake's waters, giddy with anticipation for the daring adventure about to unfold before them . . .

Except . . .

The water remained undisturbed. The crisp winter wind scarcely ruffled the glass surface.

The gang glanced at one another.

"Wait. . . . So . . . are we just going to sit and stare at the Lake for an hour, then?" Rhose's question, once again, went unanswered.

"Well!" Fred threw up his hands. "THAT was anti-climactic."

"Aw, c'mon," George urged in an attempt to salvage his former spiel. "It can't be ALL bad . . ."

"What? That this Task was very poorly thought through?" Fred grumbled, arching an eyebrow.

"Well . . . we'll just have to come up with a different way to pass the time, is all . . ."

"And how do you propose we do that, Georgie?"

Rhose and Audrey shared a knowing smile while the twins bickered beside them. A gust of wind blew through the stands and the girls worked together to hoist the Diggory/Potter banner over their shoulders for some additional warmth. After all, they wouldn't need it until the Champions resurfaced.

Many of the other students had come to the same conclusion regarding the lack of spectacle during this Task, and while they continued to talk amongst themselves, the constant noise reduced to a low hum.

Audrey snuggled closer to her best friend and—tugging the banner tightly around her—cast her gaze throughout the stands and back toward the water's edge.

All five judges were once again seated at their golden-draped table, staring intently at the expanse of water before them. Each Wizarding School was represented—Durmstrang's Headmaster, Igor Karkaroff on the far left, Beaubaton's Madame Maxime at his side, followed by Professor Dumbledore, his long silver hair luminous, even with such a dull, cloud-filled sky overhead. Ludo Bagman was reclined comfortable beside him, and at the end, on the far right . . .

"Oooh, I know what Audrey is going to keep an eye on so as not to get bored," Fred cooed. "Yoo hoo, Brother Mine! Percy Darling! Over heeeee—OW! What?! What was that for?"

George dug his elbow further into his brother's ribs, casting a nervous glance in Audrey's direction.

She refused to meet his eye, keeping her attention fixed on the head of red hair she and Fred had simultaneously recognized.

"What's he doing here?" she heard Rhose sneer. Her face burned.

"I dunno . . ." George mumbled. "Filling in for Mr. Crouch again, I suspect . . ."

"Wait, I don't understand," Fred butt in, his voice particularly loud compared to the others' hushed tones. "I thought the two of them were sweet on each oth—" His words ended in another grunt of pain as his twin's elbow once again found its mark. "Would you stop doing that?"

George shushed his brother with a whispered explanation that Audrey deliberately tuned out; she wasn't in any humor to relive the story all over again. Rhose immediately engaged her in an animated conversation before Percy could ruin her Second Task experience . . . uneventful, though it was. And while Audrey was grateful for her best friend's thoughtfulness, she'd already decided that she would not let Percy Weasley spoil any more of this Tournament.

Upon realizing that their friend seemed to be alright after all, the twins joined the girls' conversation, and soon the four of them were back to joking and laughing and acting their all-around obnoxiously entertaining selves. Every so often, someone in the crowd would shout out, claiming to have seen something stir beneath the water, followed by a several pointing fingers. Each time, the gang fell still and stared at the black water, only to be disappointed when nothing emerged.

As their hour of waiting drew closer to its end, the wind picked up again, doing nothing to alleviate their growing impatience. George hugged his arms and shifted on the bench. "Audrey, do you know what you should do?" He flashed her that irresistible grin that only made an appearance when he wanted something. He didn't wait for her to guess. "Trade me spots."

"What? Why?" Her objections were cut short as George stepped in front of Rhose and wedged his tall, slender body between the two girls. With an exaggerated, contented sigh, he wound an arm around Rhose, pressed his lips to her mouth, and snagged the banner from Audrey's shoulders, (cocooning himself and Rhose together) leaving her uncomfortably squished and shivering.

Well, then.

"Fine," Audrey huffed, standing and awkwardly stepping over them both to George's vacated seat. She plopped down, scowling, and crossed her arms. "Even though it's basically MY banner," she grumbled, glaring at her two friends.

"I don't think they can hear you," a knowing voice chuckled near her ear. Sighing, Audrey turned to Fred, who was watching his brother and looking amused. When she looked back at Rhose and George, they were snogging with such intensity that she doubted either of them would be conscience of anything for awhile . . .

"Yeah, you're probably right . . ." With another sigh, Audrey turned her attention to the Black Lake's polished surface, the Champions somewhere in its depths. She didn't envy them—she couldn't fathom how icy that water must be. . . . A violent shudder overtook her body.

"Alright, then?" Fred asked.

Audrey nodded. "Fine." She offered a weak smile. "Cold."

"Same. Why don't we help each other with that, eh?"

Before she could protest, Fred scooted closer and draped a long arm around her shoulders. The gesture was innocent and brotherly, and Audrey felt a wave of gratitude wash over her, along with Fred's body heat.

"Thank you," she muttered through a grin. Fred winked.

"Don't mention it. You and I have to fend for ourselves now, don't we?" He jerked his chin toward his lovesick brother and her smitten best friend. Audrey giggled.

"I guess so."

Against their best interests, both of them watched George and Rhose's romantic antics for a little while longer. For some disturbing reason, it was very difficult to look away. . . . Luckily, Fred loudly cleared his throat, distracting her.

"Hey, sorry about earlier. Teasing you about Percy, I mean. I didn't mean to be an arse."

The sincerity in his warm brown eyes broadened her smile. "It's alright," she reassured. "You didn't know . . ."

"I didn't!" Fred leapt at the chance to further defend himself. "From what I saw at the Ball, I thought you and Perce would end up together."

Audrey lowered her gaze; her stomach felt sick. "I thought so, too . . ." she confessed, voice so soft, Fred leaned in to properly hear. "But . . . I guess I was wrong."

"You don't believe that."

Audrey's eyes snapped back to his face. "Excuse me?"

Fred smirked.

"You don't. If you did, you wouldn't still be thinking about him."

"It's inevitable, Fred, he's sitting right down there!" A playful grin curled her lips.

"Naaaah, don't play stupid." Fred lifted his eyebrows. "You know good and well that's not what I mean."

She did.

As much as she didn't want to admit it, he was right. Despite her best efforts, she still thought about that night, about Percy . . . in the quiet moments, when the humdrum slowed down, at the corners of conversation and silence. She'd thought she'd done a relatively decent job keeping these moments to a minimum, but seeing him here, today, had undone every ounce of her hard work. And Fred knew that—could see it so clearly.

Audrey shrugged, aiming for nonchalance. "I'm . . . I'm better off without him . . ." she mumbled, each word setting her face ablaze.

"Is that what YOU think, or what my dearest brother over there thinks?" Fred watched as her face grew redder. "Exactly." He grinned. "Noble and protective as his intentions are, what Georgie seems to have forgotten is that Perce isn't a bad guy. He is our brother, after all. He means well, in his way. Merlin only knows what YOU see in him, but for all his arrogance and git-dom, he has a good heart underneath it all. WAY down, underneath it all. . . ."

He said all of this with a twinkle is his eyes that sent Audrey into a fit of giggles.

"So, what are you saying?" she finally managed to ask. "That I should give Percy a second chance?"

"What I'm saying . . ." Fred tightened his hold on her. "Is that it's none of my business. Or George's, or Rhose's. What you do next is between you and Percy. And if you never want to speak to him again, great! At least YOU were the one to make that choice."

Audrey stared at Fred, her eyes impossibly wide, slowly digesting his words. She'd never realized that she'd been so concerned with everyone else's best intentions for her that she'd never once stopped to consider if what they thought really was what was best. She often needed someone to keep her grounded; she was a dreamer, a romantic . . .

But she had a say.

The realizations must have dawned on her face because a huge grin spread across Fred's lips.

"Yea, a lot more than just a pretty face!" he told her, pointing to himself and sending her into another peal of laughter. "Now me, personally, I wouldn't wish Percy on anyone, but. . . . Looking at you right now . . ." His grin grew wider. "Well, who am I to interfere with that, eh? . . . THESE two, on the other hand . . . OI!" Audrey jumped, still beaming, as Fred yelled at Rhose and George. "YOU TWO! We want attention!"

Just as the other two ended their embrace—albeit, begrudgingly, grumbling at Fred all the while—several gasps and delighted screams rose from the throng. A huge bubble rushed to the surface of the Lake and burst. Another followed. Then a whole stream gurgled upward, as though the minuscule patch of water had come to a boil. Students everywhere were instantly on their feet, scrambling in the stands and craning forward to catch a glimpse or whoever—or whatever—was causing the disturbance.

The water rippled, and then exploded as two soaking figures surfaced. Despite the water weighing down her ink-dark hair, the girl was very pretty and looked very much like Cho Chang, a well-liked Ravenclaw and the girl lucky enough to have been on Cedric's arm the night of the Yule Ball. . . . Which could only mean . . .

Cedric coughed up a mouthful of water and, once he had his bearings, wrapped an arm around Cho and helped steer her toward the shore. All of the judges, save for Karkaroff, had leapt to their feet and were waiting to hoist both Champion and hostage from the frozen water. Rhose and Audrey went wild, screaming shrilly enough to shatter the eardrums of anyone in close proximity.

"CEDRIC! OH MY GOD, IT'S CEDRIC! HE DID IT!"

"CEDRIIIIIIIIIIIIC! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! GO CEDRIIIIIIIIIIIIC! W-WAIT!" Audrey gripped Rhose's shoulders and spun her around, their faces mere inches apart. "RHOSE, DOES THIS MEAN WE WON? CEDRIC FINISHED FIRST! DOES THAT MEAN WE WON?!"

"Geroff me, Percy! I'm alright!"

Ron shook the sopping hair from his eyes and struggled to break free of his older brother's grip, which, of course, only encouraged Percy to tighten his hold.

"Ha! Not likely, you're absolutely freezing! You're going to catch your death out here. . . . Now stop squirming . . ."

The minutes exceeding the one-hour time limit had ticked by so slowly.

Percy's blood had gone as cold as the waters of the Black Lake as he'd stood at its edge, watching . . . waiting. . . . He had assured their mother that Ron would be perfectly safe, that he would, at all times, be in Albus Dumbledore's care. No harm would befall him. . . .

The Diggory boy had appeared seconds after the allotted hour ended, and the other two Champions had followed soon after. Still, his brother did not rise to the surface.

Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever.

Percy's stomach lurched.

This was all his fault.

His morbid mind drafted the letter home. . . .

Finally, after a lifetime, three figures emerged from the water's depths. Frigid air pierced Percy's lungs, and without another moment's hesitation, he'd splashed into the freezing water, limbs trembling, his long robes weighing him down.

The Headmaster's reassurances be damned.

Never. Again.

Percy drew Ron even closer, his entire body shaking . . . or, was Percy the one shivering? Already, the damp cold had seeped into his skin—made all the worse by the biting wind—and he was only soaked from the waist, down. Ron had been submerged for hours. . . .

"A conference before we give the marks, I think." The calm voice drew Percy's attention from his still struggling brother, back to the Lake's shore, where Professor Dumbledore stood tall, his light blue eyes glinting behind his spectacles. Percy raised his brows, taking in the thrashing tails of the merpeople that had accompanied Ron and the others back to the water's edge—their screeching cries subdued by the wind and the roar of the crowd—before meeting the Headmaster's patient gaze.

Percy opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He turned back to the hands he'd left on Ron's shoulders, panic jolting his heart as his brother was pried from them. He instinctively clutched at Ron's robes, but the assailant was only Madame Pomfrey, tutting and shooing him away. Finally convinced that his little brother was not in any more danger, Percy summoned up what remained of his frayed composure and turned toward the huddle of his fellow Triwizard judges.

Dumbledore beamed when he joined them. "As I was saying, Merchieftainess Murcus has informed me that Mr. Potter was, in fact, the first Champion to reach the hostages, and would most likely have been the first to return, had he not been so determined to see all four stolen persons returned safely to the surface."

Percy's stupefied expression was mirrored on the faces of his colleagues. Save one. Karkaroff snorted.

"Vee are going to take someone else's vord on the matter when vee vere not there to vitness it for ourselves? How can vee know these people can be trusted vith the truth, Albus?"

"See here, old sport!" Ludo Bagman's jovial words did little to hide his indignant tone. "The Merchieftainess and all her people are highly reputable witnesses! To question their integrity is an insult of the highest caliber!"

"If zey are to be believed, Monsieur Potter saved one of my students when it was not 'is responsibility to do so." Madame Maxime raised herself to her full (considerable) height. "If zat does not demonstrate a great deal of moral fiber, I do not know what does!"

"Here, here! Potter would have finished first, but the drive to compete was quashed by the desire to save his friends! All in favor of granting Potter full marks?"

"Full marks?" Karkaroff spat. Bagman scowled. "He finished LAST, and you see fit to grant him FULL MARKS? Albus this is absurd!"

"Mr. Weasley." Professor Dumbledore's silken words seemed to mollify the group's obvious tension. "What is your opinion on the matter?"

Percy felt his ears grow hot as each pair of eyes turned to him. He swallowed. Still badly ruffled by what had happened to Ron, not to mention mildly furious with both Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Crouch, (the former for allowing this asinine Task to occur, the latter for leaving him no choice but to watch it unfold) he was surprised to find he did have an opinion on the matter.

"W-well, I think it is imperative to take into account that Mr. Potter returned far outside the time limit we set to complete the Task." Karkaroff gave a smug grin. "But," Percy continued. "Only three of the four Champions followed the overall objective and returned with a hostage. If what the Merchieftainess says is—in fact—true, then I think that such noble behavior merits at least third or second place."

The Durmstrang Headmaster rounded on him, fury blazing in his eyes, but whatever vile words he might have aimed at the young Ministry Worker were veiled by those of Professor Dumbledore.

"Well, I believe we now have enough sound reasoning to come to a conclusion."

The debate continued for a considerable amount of time, all five judges awarding and retracting points for each Champion as they saw fit. When they had come to a consensus at long last, Ludo Bagman stepped away from their tiny group, raised his wand to his throat, and lifted the other arm to draw the attention of the raucous crowd awaiting their verdict.

The stands fell silent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision." Bagman's voice boomed in the still air. "Merchieftainess Murcus has told us what happened at the bottom of the Lake, and we have decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the Champions, as follows . . ."

Percy didn't bother to listen. The moment Bagman broke off to announce the outcomes, he hurried over to the small encampment where Madame Pomfrey was fussing over each Champion and hostage, tossing thick blankets around them, and forcing a generous gulp of Pepper-Up Potion down the throat of any student who looked too chilled for her liking. He let out a sigh of relief when he caught sight of Ron, still looking quite soggy, clouds of steam shooting from both of his ears.

"Thank Morgana you're alright," Percy chuckled, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. However, he was promptly shoved away.

"Shh, sod off, Perce, I'm trying to hear the results!" Ron hissed.

His concern for nothing beyond the Tournament brought a smile to Percy's face. Oh, to be younger, and have that lack of perspective again. . . . He shook his head and continued to laugh quietly to himself, overwhelmed with relief.

"Cedric Diggory, who also used the Bubble Head Charm, was first to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour. We therefore award him forty-seven points."

A sea of yellow and black burst into the loudest fit of cheering he had heard all morning. Oh yes, that was true, Diggory was from Hufflepuff House. Beaming, Percy lifted the glasses from his face and gently wiped any lingering water droplets from them, listening to the ecstatic roar in support of Hufflepuff's Champion.

She's Rhose's best friend. They're both in Hufflepuff.

George's words from the night of the Ball pounded against his skull, along with the deafening noise.

Diggory was from Hufflepuff House. . . . Percy thrust his glasses back on.

Calling it a long shot would have been generous. Trying to find Audrey amid a multitude of faces was nothing short of impossible. But she was up there, somewhere, most likely screaming her heart out for her Champion and hero. The fact that she and Diggory shared a House had not even crossed his mind when he'd voiced his opinions to the other judges, but it delighted him to know that, in a roundabout way, his Sickle's worth might have helped lead Diggory to the first-place victory he so rightly deserved.

" . . . Most of the judges feel that this shows moral fiber and merits full marks. However, Mr. Potter's score is forty-five points."

Another earsplitting surge of screams. Percy watched Ron tackle his best friend, their other friend, Miss Granger, equally ecstatic. Indeed, every Gryffindor in the stands had risen to their feet, the other Houses offering their support with tamer cheers and applause. The sense of triumph and ownership was infectious, and even though it was more appropriate to remain neutral, Percy found his hands were politely clapping for Gryffindor's unintentional Champion. A small smile tugged at his lips, his old House pride roaring to life in his chest.

"The Third and final Task will take place at dusk on the 24th of June," Bagman concluded, a tad winded. "The Champions will be notified of what is coming precisely one month beforehand. Thank you for your support of the Champions."

And just like that, it was all over. The rumble of shuffling feet replaced the shouts and cheers as the students trooped back toward the castle. Percy cast his gaze all around one last time, hoping to catch a glimpse of her . . .

"You thought I was gonna drown, too? What the bloody hell is the matter with all of you?" Ron smirked and punched his brother's arm. "C'mon, Dumbledore was involved! We weren't in any danger."

Percy glowered at Ron and gave him a shove. "Alright, next time YOU sit through an hour knowing one of us is tethered to the bottom of the ice-cold Lake in an enchanted sleep, you can lecture me about how foolish it is to worry!"

"Definitely wouldn't be worried if it was YOU."

Percy fumed, but Ron grinned the instant he reacted. Damn it! When would he learn?

"C'mon." Ron chuckled and draped an arm around Percy's quivering shoulders. "Let's go see Madame Pomfrey about getting you a sip of that Pepper-Up Potion. I mean, if anyone needs a swig . . ."

It was a statement of utmost fact that Hufflepuff House knew how to throw one hell of a party.

The wooden tables groaned under the weight of the food that had been "borrowed" from the kitchens, and the butterbeer flowed endlessly. It was a miracle Cedric got to enjoy a mouthful of any of it, because the moment he'd entered the Common Room, he'd been buried beneath a wave of handshakes, hair-ruffling, pats on the back, and countless hugs. At one point, he had even been hoisted atop the shoulders of his fellow Sixth Years, and beamed down at them all as every Hufflepuff cheered for their winning Champion.

The revelry lasted far into the night, and while Audrey had been having the time of her life—chanting and laughing just as boisterously as everyone else—she instantly lost interest in the party when one of the older students announced that he had a huge supply of Floo Powder. Audrey cringed as several excited whoops filled the air.

"Aw, come on, don't be such a prude, McGlasson!" the twins always cackled whenever they took a hit. "It sends you on one hell of a TRIP!" Every time, Audrey declined their offer, and tonight was no exception. Feeling awkward and out of place, she said a hasty goodnight to Rhose and scampered toward their dormitory.

As the round door in the wall closed behind her, she released a tremendous sigh. The noise from the Common Room was muffled, and the waiting stillness and quiet were comforting. Smiling to herself, Audrey went about her normal routine, preparing for bed, and giggled as she snuggled beneath her patchwork quilt, sinking into the warm, downy mattress. Parties were fun and all, but this was the best . . .

Not really one for parties, are yeh?

Not particularly.

Frowning, Audrey shook the fleeting thought from her mind and drew the blankets tightly around her. Her eyes fluttered closed, but sleep evaded her. It was partly her own fault, she supposed. Her throat was raw from all the shouting, and she could feel a stomachache coming on—too much food, WAY too much butterbeer. . . . Recalling the sweet taste made her groan and clutch her belly. Ugh, never again . . . well, until the next trip into Hogsmeade, at least.

She spent the better part of an hour, or so, lying awake, allowing her mind to wander. Her unexpected conversation with Fred played continuously, blending with images of Percy's hair, so vivid against the black waters of the Lake. The rigidity of his shoulders and sureness of his posture as he'd sat beside the other judges . . . the flutter of his robes as he'd darted into the water to haul his younger brother to the shore . . .

Audrey sighed and nuzzled into her pillow.

Seeing him today had undone her completely. Was it really a good thing that any one person could have such a hold on her, could so strongly effect her feelings just by being close by?

Fred had seen right through her façade of indifference. Was he just that insightful, or was she flat-out bad at hiding anything? Well, alright . . . both were probably true. But had she been especially transparent because it had all revolved around Percy? Because, deep down . . .

She missed him.

And more importantly, she was ready to give him a second chance.

Even though Rhose and George had their reservations, even though she had NOT deserved that less-than-ideal goodbye the night of the Ball, she KNEW with every fiber of her being that this was the right thing to do. Fred was right. Percy wasn't a bad person. He certainly wasn't perfect, but he was someone Audrey very much wanted in her life.

She cast a nervous glance toward the door, straining to hear. The after-party continued to rage out in the Common Room, and as far as she could tell, no one would interrupt her anytime soon. With a mischievous smile, Audrey slipped out of bed and rummaged through her bag of school things, before hauling a weathered copy of Hogwarts, A History, several sheets of parchment, and her quill and ink onto the mattress.

Fluffing up her pillows, she leaned back against them, pulled her feet in close, and tugged the quilt over her raised knees. She then propped the textbook onto her lap and laid the first sheet of parchment over it. Her makeshift desk complete, she opened the bottle of ink (perched safely beside her on the night table) and held her quill aloft, the nib inches from the paper.

Audrey drew in a deep, steadying breath.

The quill scratched across the parchment.

She began to write.