Athena Potter 🎞

Chapter 19: The second Task

Students stream down a hill to the Black Lake, where small boats wait to ferry them to the viewing towers.

"I'm so nervous" Barty says, Regulus nods his head in agreement. Lily and James hold each others hands.

George, Theo and Blaise are seen running down, a box of money in Blaises' hands.

George: Anyone seen Fred?

"Where are you?" Arthur questioned his son, Fred just glares up at Dumbledore, so does Athena.

Blaise: No we haven't mate. You sure he ain't already at the towers with Athena?
George: I don't know, thank you anyways

George then runs off towards a boat.

Theo: Step up mates! Don't be shy
Blaise: Two lads...
Theo: Two ladies...
Blaise: Four go down...
Theo: But do four come up? [Ginny pops him] Ow!

Everyone laughs at Theo and Ginny. Theo turns to glare at the girl whilst Ginny smiles at him, smugly.

The champions wait. Fleur looks imperious, oblivious to the Beauxbaton girls that buzz about her. Karkaroff whispers to the impassive Krum. Cedric rolls his neck and stretches. Athena, towel draped over her neck, casts a dubious eye at the slimy green coil of leaves undulating in her palm.

Athena: Are you 100% certain about this, Neville?
Neville: Absolutely
Athena: If I eat this, I'll be able to breathe underwater?
Neville: Absolutely
Athena: For an hour
Neville: [Nodding and smiling] Most likely
Athena: Most likely?! What the fuck!

Everybody winces at Neville's response.

Neville: Well, there is some debate among Herbologists as to the effects of fresh water versus saltwater ––
Dumbledore: Your attention please! Welcome to the Second Task. Last night, unbeknownst to our champions, something they value exceptionally was taken from them [Athena is shown glaring harshly at Dumbledore and the adults] That something now lies at the bottom of the Black Lake. Their mission this morning is to retrieve it.

"It's Fred isn't it.." Dorcas looked at Athena sadly, to which Athena just nodded. Molly grips ahold of Arthur's arm whilst Fred tries to calm down his angry siblings. "He told you on the staircase didn't he? That he was being taken to the Black Lake" Regulus said "Yes, I did. I had overheard Fleur talking to someone and they had figured the entire riddle. Then Mad-eye came over to me and said Dumbledore needed to speak with me and I knew straight away what was going to happen" Fred explained. "But why did you tell Athena?" Bella asked. "I knew that if she got word that I was missing she wouldn't attended the second task, she would leave the competition to try find me" Fred smiled softly at Athena.

Dumbledore: Champions, you may begin..

BLAM! Filch fires the cannon. Dumbledore shakes his head.

Dumbledore:...now

The crowd roars and the champions sprint into the icy water. Goosebumps pebble Athena's skin as she stuffs the gillyweed into her mouth. She chews furiously. Swallows. And...claps her hands to her throat.

"Oh my" Mia gasps. Flemont tries to calm her down whilst Lily and James get comforted by their friends.

Dean Thomas: [Scared] What's happening to her?
Seamus: She can't breathe...

Mad-eye then pushes Athena into the water, whilst she's still struggling to breathe.

Neville: [Throwing his hands to his head] Oh. My. God. I've killed her. I've killed my sister, Athena Potter...