Chapter 21
Harry stared at the water of the black lake and felt his stomach twist. He stood along with the other competitors, and wondered how he would’ve felt if he’d been in school this whole time, likely accused of entering himself for the glory.
Instead, even as competitors, they all stood as comrades as well, pitted against the task as much as each other.
They exchanged grim nods, and Harry wondered what was waiting for them in the water, even as he wondered what was waiting for him.
He hadn’t seen either Fred or George before he’d been needed on the platform, and it left a feeling of dread in him he didn’t like at all.
They’d promised to see him off, and it worried him that somehow, what had been taken from him and was hidden in the depths, was them.
It sent a rush of anger through him, and from the waterproof pouch at his hip, he pulled the Stark Tech breathing device.
They’d tested it already in a magical environment, and he knew it would work even here, and Newt had helped him charm it against being stopped up, but they’d packed him an extra just in case.
At one point, Neville had suggested using Gillyweed, having read about it in one of his herbology books, and while it had been a good idea, Newt had pointed out they didn’t want to have to worry about potential odd reactions to a fairly rare item.
Preparing himself, Harry listening to the countdown, putting the device on his chin and feeling the device expanding itself into a full face mask. He knew he had only to ask for Jarvis to connect, but he didn’t want it to seem like he was cheating too much.
On the sound of the cannon, he dove into the water, and wasted no time clicking his heels together, the nanotech flippers activating and covering his limbs. It spread along his body, warming him in the freezing cold water.
He watched Viktor streak by, torso transfigured into that of a shark, and glanced back to see both Cedric and Fleur had donned the bubblehead charm.
Satisfied that everyone in the water was safe, he wasted no more time, shooting off into the depths of the lake.
He was fairly certain he was halfway through the veritable forest of seaweed when he sensed the movement. He didn’t slow his pace, knowing he was a far easier target if he stopped, but it didn’t stop the lick of fear from sliding down his spine.
He spun at the last minute, wand in hand, shooting a blasting hex, and seeing the beady eyes of the Grindylow, knew he’d made the right choice. He pushed himself faster, definitely not wanting to be caught by the tiny creatures. They had sharp talons that would definitely be able to tear through nanotech, and while he knew it wouldn’t be destroyed completely, it would still hurt him.
He was forced to an abrupt stop when a group of them shot up in front of him to cut in off, and he gave a shout of surprise as he twisted to avoid them.
It twisted him, unwittingly, into another group of them, and he felt the sharp slash as tiny claws sliced at him.
He saw the ribbon of his own blood drift through the water and slashed at the water with his wand, a cutting hex, because if they were willing to draw blood he needed to be willing to do the same.
The green blood of the Grindylow slipped through the water, creating further murk, and Harry pushed through them, ignoring the many cuts he got for his efforts. He needed to move on or he’d never make it through.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, he burst from the seaweed only to scream and twist away as he came face to face with a massive shark.
He realized a moment later that it was Viktor, and that the blood had obviously drawn his attention.
At the sight of Harry though, those empty black eyes turned to head back towards the underwater city in the distance.
Looking over, Harry could see the figures floating in the water, and even from here he could see only one redheaded figure floating.
His eyes narrowed and pushed forward.
There was Fred, obviously the one he was supposed to save, but it worried him that George wasn’t here.
A few feet to Fred’s left was a small blonde girl, a miniature of Fleur, which left no question as to who she was. Just past her was Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw girl, and finally, while he didn’t recognize the boy, he recognized the Durmstrang uniform of the boy at the end opposite Fred.
The merpeople were circling them, ever the predator, and Harry felt all the hairs of his body stand on end.
He moved to Fred, cutting the rope holding him steady, and then looked around for the others.
He could see from the projected clock in his mask that the time was nearly up, but only Viktor was approaching, biting through the rope and dragging his classmate towards the surface.
He saw the burst of yellow next - saw Cedric clear the forest of seaweed, kicking a Grindylow off as he swam forward, and felt a rush of worry.
Where was Fleur?
Cedric approached, pointing at his watch, but Harry waved him off.
“I’m not leaving anyone down here.”
Cedric hesitated but Harry waved him off, tapping the side of his mask.
“Jarvis, give me an update.”
The mask powered up, the familiar blue of Jarvis filling his screen, observing his surroundings.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Potter. What can I do for you?”
“Fleur’s late. Any heat signatures large enough to be a human out there? Barring the mermaids of course.”
“The merfolk do not put off a heat signature like that of a human.” Jarvis noted before scanning outwards. “I cannot sense the presence of any other witches or wizards, Mr. Potter.”
“Right then.” He turned, aiming his wand at the young girl beside him and only just managed to dodge as the merfolk closest to him charged.
“Only one!” They hissed, and Harry shook his head, glowering.
“Not on your life.” He snarled right back, and braced for a fight.
He needn’t have.
He heard the sound first, the whinny of a horse, and turned in time to see the massive form of a kelpie shooting towards them, teeth bared.
The merpeople scattered, screeching in fear, but Harry kept himself braced. He recognized this creature.
Even as it approached him it slowed, rearing in front of him before dipping it’s head towards him.
“Hello, Harry.”
“Cai.” He greeted in return.
“I will protect your flank.” Cai promised, turning to let out a snarling sound, scattering the few who’d tried to stay close.
Harry dipped his head, giddy with the relief that Newt had somehow managed to send him help in the form of the Kelpie they’d helped months before.
He didn’t waste anymore time, grabbing onto he young girl and propelling the three of them to the surface.
He heard a sound like a battle cry behind them, but didn’t look back.
They reached the surface and the suit retracted, mask reducing to a patch sized piece on his chin, but he wasn’t paying attention to that. He was looking at Fred who had woken with a gasp, and the girl who was struggling in the water. He hefted her higher up, letting her cling to him, barely 8 and terrified, but even as he soothed her, Harry was looking back at Fred.
Fred who looked at him with relief and fury in his eyes. He was pulled in for a kiss that startled him even as it seared the blood in his veins. He was dazed when Fred pulled back, but the murderous rage hadn’t left the redheads gaze.
“They took George. I knew you’d find me. But they took George and I’ll kill them.” The sincerity of the promise shook Harry to his core, even as he was reminded that Fred had always been the more violent of the two; the less tempered.
“We’ll find him.” Harry promised, and then turned his attention back to the cries on the dock, and the soft sobs of the girl clinging to him.
It softened something in Fred, but only for a moment, and he helped Harry to the dock.
“Shh,” Harry soothed, “You’re alright.” He promised the girl, and she nodded, but didn’t let him go until they reached the dock and Fleur was reaching for them, helping them out of the water before she clung to her sister with a sob of relief.
“Thank you.” And she kissed him full on the mouth before turning to Fred to do the same. “Thank you both.” Then she leaned in close, keeping her sister close to her side. “The man from the ministry, they say your other half is in the hospital wing.” She whispered. Then, she turned, and with all the drama of a stunning French woman, drew all eyes to her as she wept her relief in somehow graceful wails.
“Come on.” Harry prompted, understanding the distraction for what it was. He grasped Fred’s hand, dragging him from the lake. He cast the strongest notice-me-not he could, and had no idea that the power of his intent covered them both three-fold.
Neither boy noticed the magical eye following their progress to the castle as everyone else began the frantic search for the fourth champion.
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Harry followed Fred into the Hospital wing, letting Fred’s rage carry them through. The doors slammed open in front of them, and they see George immediately, pale but sitting up in the hospital bed, spitting curses at Mr. Bagman who was trying to calm him.
The whole room went silent at the sight of them, and Mr. Bagman actually stumbled back as Fred snarled and started forward, wand raised.
Harry’s wand was in hand, a ready second, but it was George who stumbled from the bed, stepping into Fred and keeping him back.
“Get out of my way, George.” And the violence shimmered in Fred’s tone. George didn’t reply, but he also didn’t move, and when his eyes slipped past Fred to Harry, the younger stepped forward.
“He’s not worth it.” Harry decided, voice even. He looked directly at Bagman as he spoke, let him see that he and George had just protected him. The man in question only paled further, jumping when the doors slammed open again, McGonagall sweeping into the room.
“Out.” She ordered the man, with so much heat that he practically flew out the door. The moment it closed behind him, she approached her students, eyes searching all three of them for injury.
With a sigh, she put a hand on each of the twins shoulders. Fred stiffened under the touch, but the violence was gone as he looked up at his head of house.
“I’m sorry.” and they all heard the exhaustion there. “I didn’t know until it was too late. You were to be kept together.”
As she’d always been honest with them, they knew she was now too, but it did nothing to soothe them.
“If it happens again, you won’t stop me.” Fred’s voice shook with his conviction, and though McGonagall pursed her lips, she nodded.
“No, I won't.”
Fred finally settled, slinging an arm around George, and then reaching out for Harry, dragging him in as well.
“Harry’s bleeding.” He pointed out then, and managed a smile when Harry huffed out a breath.
“I’m fine.” He tried to dismiss, but nobody would hear it. He didn’t fuss too much though, because he understood the tight grip Fred kept on them both, understood the fear that drove it.
He promised, to himself, that he’d do anything he could to keep any of them from being that afraid again.