Disney Hogwarts

Chapter 11: Friday, November 17, The Black Lake Naveen Maldonia

"And Madame Bleu really said that she couldn't give you any hints about what the first challenge would be?" I was sprawled out on the grass next to the lake, staring out across the water, faking a perfect calm. The willow tree above me swayed peacefully in the breeze. On the inside I was freaking out. But ever since we had become best friends, Herc and I had a rule that only one of us could freak out at a time. And since I wasn't going to be facing deadly challenges tomorrow in the Triwizard Tournament, it was Herc's turn.

He paced back and forth, running his hands through his orange hair nervously. "For the last time, no! She said it would be an unfair advantage and we had to play by the rules, especially because all the other schools will be too."

I snorted and strummed my ukulele. "Hogwarts? Maybe. But did you see Headmaster Hook? He looks absolutely vicious, and I doubt he got that hook for a hand by playing fair."

That did not help to de-stress Herc. If anything he now looked even more anxious knowing that Hans, the Durmstrang champion would have a leg up on him. I sighed and strummed my ukulele. "Sit down, mon ami, just relax for a second, okay?" Herc plopped down, but started wringing his hands. "Breathe, man! Inhale." Herc inhaled with me. "Exhale."

He blew out a breath and flopped back to lay on the grass. "You know what this means to my dad, Naveen," he sighed. "I told you how my dad reacted when he read that news article about the Triwizard Tournament, right? I'm the pride and joy of the family now, and I can't afford to disappoint them. I will do anything to win. I will go the distance."

"Good. And I will do anything to help you win."

Herc's frown twisted in discomfort. He didn't love the idea I proposed, but it was our only shot to win. He needed to win to be accepted by his family. But I needed him to win to leave my family behind for good, to never have to need them again.

I sighed and set my ukulele down. "Okay. So we know the first task tomorrow is here at the lake. And so we know that I can help you. You will probably be swimming, which is disgusting, but hey. You know how to make a Bubblehead charm?" Herc nodded, sky blue eyes fixed on the water. "Good. Then that's covered. Are you willing to go the distance for this?" He nodded solemnly again. "Perfect. Then I will be at your side the whole time."

He winced. "Naveen, I don't know about that...."

I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. We always had this conversation, every time we ever planned to do anything, and he always complained and talked about honor and everything until finally giving in. In the end, he always realized that my way was the only way we could succeed. "Mon ami, don't you want to win?"

"Of course," he said forcefully. "But I can't cheat. What if they find out, and I'm disqualified? And what'll my dad think if he knew the only reason I won is because I cheated?"

"Sure, so it's fine for Durmstrang to win because they cheated."

He chewed his lip, not wanting to admit I was right.

"My friend, we are way past debating morals. Will the reward money be the same amount if we cheat? Will it change the task at all? Surely you know that regardless of how many advantages a person has, it is ultimately up to them to decide how to use those opportunities. You just happen to have one more advantage: me. Come on, now, my friend, I'll just be helping you out a little bit, and there is nothing wrong with that," I reasoned.

"I don't care about the money, Naveen, you know I'm only doing this to impress my dad."

I rolled my eyes and got to my feet. "You may not care about the money. That is fine. Your family is loaded anyways." He shrugged, embarrassed. He does not like to talk about money, which is perhaps why he agreed to help me out. I gripped him by the shoulders, my devilishly- handsome, caramel-colored eyes boring into his blue ones. "But I care because I am not rich. I need to earn the reward. How can I do that when you insist on doing everything yourself? You must help me by allowing me to help you."