The Boy Who Fought: OC X Hermione

The Second Task

On the day of the second task Carson was stood on the platform with Viktor, Cedric, and Fleur. Harry had not shown up yet and they were all waiting for him. Just before the task was about to start, Harry came running down.

"You made it! We were just about to start." Carson whispered to Harry.

"Yeah, I had to get the Gillyweed from Neville. Are you ready?"

"Yeah. I need to save Hermione. I took the necklace off too. Didn't want it to get ruined in the water."

"Smart idea. Now, lets win this!"

As they stopped their conversation, Dumbledore started to speak. "Your attention please! Last night, unbeknownst to our champions, something they exceptionally value was taken from them. That something now lies at the bottom of the lake. Their mission this morning is to retrieve it. Now you may go champions; the hour starts now."

Carson wasted no time in casting the bubble head charm and diving into the cold waters. As he swam down, he saw a shark with legs. He recognized the half shark to be Viktor, and they shared a wave before continuing their task. All Carson could think of was Hermione. He needed to save her; he couldn't lose her in the lake. Carson would never forgive himself if anything happened to her down there.

As Carson heard the halfway message, he started to swim down faster. When he arrived to the bottom, he saw five people held down. There was Hermione, Ron, Gabrielle who was Fleurs little sister, Cho, and Viktor's yule ball date.

Carson rushed to grab Hermione and muttered, "Diffindo" At her ropes keeping her down. He carried her in his arms as he swam up and popped up in the surface. Hermione woke up, coughing and spluttering.

"Hermione! Are you okay?!"

"Yes. I knew you could do it! I knew you would save me!"

"Mr. Marshall is the first to arrive with his treasure!" Dumbledore announced, Carson coming in first place.

The two swam up to the platform and got towels to dry off. The couple cuddled up next to each other, Carson not wanting to let Hermione go after what had happened. Then Fleur came up, without her little sister.

"She's still down there! I need to save her!" She shouted, trying to get back into the water.

"Miss Delacour has been attacked by the Grindylows and cannot return to save her treasure!" Dumbledore said, with no emotion at all. Carson took off his towel and dove into the black lake.

"Carson! Where are you going?!" Hermione screeched, running over to the platform.

"To save Gabrielle! You heard the song! She'll die!" Carson said, before giving Hermione a quick kiss as he went back underwater.

Carson swam back down to see Harry fighting off the merpeople, trying to save Gabrielle as well.

"Confringo!" Carson muttered, getting the grindylows to stop attacking Harry, letting Carson grab Gabrielle.

"Lets get Ron and Gabrielle back to safety. I'll carry Gabrielle, you carry Ron. You'll come in last, but you saved more than one hostage. That has to be worth something."

The two swam back up to the surface, Gabrielle and Ron waking up as soon as their heads left the water. The two champions returned Ron and Gabrielle to the platform, Hermione and Fleur running up to them.

"You saved her! Even though she wasn't yours to save!" Fleur said, kissing both of Carson's cheeks, much to Hermione's displeasure. She did the same with Harry, and even Ron. Madame Maxine rushed over to the little girl and brought her towels.

Hermione enveloped Carson into a hug and kissed the top of his head while congratulating him, "You behaved brilliantly love! You were amazing!"

"Thanks 'Mione. I'm glad I saved you. I don't know what I would've done if I couldn't."

"Well, there's no need to worry about that. You did it!"

"Your attention please." Dumbledore shouted, everyone going quiet. "Your winner is Carson Marshall, you used the bubble head charm to save his hostage, while presenting morale fiber by going back to help a friend in need. However, Mr. Potter would have came in first, if not for his determination to rescue not only Mr. Weasley, but the others as well. We award him second place!"

"Second place Harry! That's amazing!"

"Amazing? You came in first!"

"Morale fiber, blimey Harry. Whenever you go wrong it turns out right." Ron muttered, amazed at his friend.

Hermione and Carson went off to the boats, as Ron and Harry stayed back. Carson went to go get clean warm clothes, and so did Hermione. They both changed and put their necklace's back on. They went off to Hagrid's, hand in hand as they shared kisses on their way.