Say You Won't Let Go || Bill Weasley

Twenty Three: The Last Task

Classes were back in full swing when Isabelle returned to Hogwarts after the Christmas break. January turned into February, leaving the champions little time to figure out the clue that their dragon eggs contained about the second task, and Rita Skeeter remained in everyone's private business.

Isabelle had been outraged when she found out that Hagrid was no longer allowed to teach because somehow that awful woman heard that he was a half giant and published it in the Daily Prophet. Isabelle truly felt for Hagrid, and it was the second time she had seen a good teacher removed from their position because of who they were, after Professor Lupin.

Isabelle knew that, as the tournament went on, each task would be more difficult and dangerous than the last. Even so, it didn't prepare her for when she, as well as every other teacher and student, would be crowded around the Black Lake in the cold February wind to watch the champions potentially drown themselves.

At least Isabelle had gotten to spend a few minutes with Percy before he had to return to the judge's table. He was filling in for Barty Crouch, who had not shown up to the task. Now she was in the crowd of spectators, squished between Fred and George's ridiculously tall selves, as the champions entered the lake.

The minutes creeped along extremely slowly as they waited for the champions to return. Most people sat themselves down in the stands. No one could see anything that was going on anyway. Isabelle rested her head on George's shoulder beside her, watching the lake.

It felt like forever until they saw Cedric emerge from the water, Cho Chang in his arms. Everyone around them jumped to their feet, straining to see as a few teachers helped pull the two out of the water.

"They put students down there?" George said, looking down at Isabelle for an answer. She only shrugged, not knowing any more about it than they did.

"Wicked," Fred said.

Only moments later Viktor Krum emerged just as Cedric had, with Hermione.

"It's someone they care about," Isabelle realized, leaving the section of students quickly to go help Madame Pomfrey and the other professors take care of the champions and students.

At some point, Fleur had also returned, empty handed. She was crying, talking in rapid fire French to her headmistress that Isabelle didn't understand. She was clearly upset, though.

Isabelle waited anxiously for Harry and Ron, who she was sure would be his person. When she finally saw him break the surface, she let out a breath of relief. He had both Ron and a little blonde girl, clearly related to Fleur, with him. Ron was saying something to him but they couldn't hear.

Isabelle moved from her place next to Hermione, trying to help her dry off and warm up, to help the three as they were pulled out of the water. They waited to hear the scores and rankings, after Harry and Ron both turned bright red after Fleur thanked them with kisses on the cheek, and Isabelle was surprised when they heard the scores.

Harry, despite being well out of the time limit, came in second place for the task, just two points behind Cedric, now tying him for first with Cedric overall. The second task was finally over.

Later than night, when everyone was recovered and sent to bed at the end of dinner, Isabelle moved through the thick crowd of students.

"Fleur!" Isabelle called, catching up to the blonde girl. Fleur turned around and spotted Isabelle and nodded to her classmates, who continued walking while she stopped by the wall to be out of the way of the crowd.

"Yes, Professor?" Fleur said politely in her thick French accent.

"I just wanted to tell you that you still did well out there today and you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. Harry told me how difficult it was down there," Isabelle said genuinely.