Hogwarts: The Next Generation

Chapter 17: Second Task

Cedric woke up with a chill on his body. Something didn't seem right. He looked around the room and everything seemed normal. He proceeded to get out of bed and throw on his uniform for the tournament and headed down stairs. He was shocked not to see Annabel not waiting for him. Was it something he said earlier that night? He saw Jenny ask asked to if she had seen Annabel.

"Sorry, Cedric I haven't seen her since last night. It's not like her to not go to bed. Why whats wrong?" Jenny asked concerned

"Nothing, Nothing I'm fine she's fine it's ok."

Cedric went on thinking about where she was and praying she had his scarf. Cedric was so lost in his thoughts he forgot he had another task to complete. All he knew was it dealt with water. He made his way down to the lake and found a crowd and an announcement stand.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the second task last night something very important was taken from our victors and must get it back" At this moment his body went numb and he said "Annabel" and ran to the water to see if she was down there.

"Each victor must go to the bottom of the lake and rescue there stolen valuable item and the fasted person will be awarded 1st place and so on and so on. Let the game begin" A horn than blew and the victors divided into the lake.

Undercover Cedric started to swim down deeper into the lake. He made a bubble around his head so he could breathe under water. As he swam deeper, the chills grew. The waters were getting darker and the water was growing colder but the grass was growing a darker green. Cedric started to swim faster that way he can be in and out when something grabbed his foot. He let out a shriek and blasted a stream of light towards his foot. All that flew off was seaweed. He looked around nothing was in sight. She then swam faster and he saw something in the distance. He saw people floating at the bottom. As his vision grew clearer he noticed the girl. The reason why his stomach was hurting earlier from the empty feeling. He saw Annabel floating on the end but being anchored by grundle chain. The chain is strong even a dragon can't break through it. Time was running out the other victors were ahead of him. One victor is already at the surface and the other victor cut loose their person. Cedric tried every spell he could think of to cut loose the chain. Finally, he tried the last spell and broke her free. Cedric bubble then popped and he quickly swam to the top with little breath.

Pulling himself out of the water Cedric finally got Annabel to the surface. He took a big breath once he reached the top. He then looked at the reddish brown hair girl in his arms. She was still unconscious from being under the water for so long. He then paddled to the dock and lifted her up to safety. He then pulled himself up and was greeted by the girl laying down.

"Annabel," he said as he shook her but nothing happened. He gently placed her down and pulled his ear to her chest to check for breathing. Not a sound. Then laid his head on her heart and grabbed her hand and pulled it closer to his lips and kissed it. He started to tear up before he heard coughing. He then got up and helped her upright. She then coughed up water and took a great big gasp.

"C-Ceddy!" Annabel's desperate voice called, as she coughed up the water in her lungs.

"I'm here." Cedric comforted pulling her into his arms. He removed his towel and wrapped it tightly around her "You're okay. I got you." Annabel gripped his shirt tightly trying to breathe. "I'm not going to leave you." Tears fell from Annabel's eyes as she had a panic attack, her chest heaving. She was in pain trying to get enough air in her lungs to stay awake. Cedric sensed it and shifted quickly to place her back against his chest. "Feel my breathing. Just focus on that." He ordered quietly. "I'll stay right here. Just breath."

"I-I'm." Annabel cried looking up at him.

"I know." Cedric smiled at her. "But I'm okay, you're okay, we're okay."

"Everyone's looking at us," Annabel said after a moment. He breathing had evened out and her heartbeat dropped to a steadier past. Cedric's eye remained on her as he smiled.

"I don't care." He said. Annabel started to look around. Her breathing got heavier and faster. Her eyelashes started to flutter and suddenly her eyes slowly closed and the last thing she remembered was hearing "Annabel, Stay with me".