Lean On Me (SEQUEL)

Chapter 13

Athena

My toes tapped anxiously against the ground. I was sick to my stomach thinking about what was about to ensue. Harry has come so far in his life to have it possibly taken away by a stupid game. I almost couldn't bear to watch. After Harry had told me about what the golden egg held inside, we began racking our brains to find an answer. To our surprise, Neville Longbottom was the one who gave Harry is answer. He suggested gillyweed. I knew it was risky to attain, but he managed well. Snape was not pleased at his office being ransacked, but we got him out of his trouble. After all, Harry was not the one who stole it. That morning, he ran to me with the ball of green coloured muck. He was trembling with excitement, finally having a means to win the challenge. 

As I sat on the bleachers, Fred and George both had ahold of my hands. I was vibrating at the thought of something going wrong. The mermaids in the lake could be vile when they're disturbed. I had another fear of the gillyweed not lasting. I was terrified the effects would wear off before he surfaced, leaving him stranded to drown. I had to noticed Ron and Hermione were not present. I was unsure why until after the challenge was completed. As the markers went off for them to start, I watched each champion decided how they were going to proceed. Fleur and Cedric both performed a bubble-head charm on themselves. Viktor did a half-arsed transfiguration spell, which only partially turned him into a shark. Harry, avoiding his wand, ate the gillyweed. The timer had already begun counting when the four dove in.

As they went underwater, time seemed to slow for us on the surface. We watched the lake as nothing happened. It was an awful task to witness. We had no idea what was happening underwater. I continued to glance between the clock and the black water of the lake. I felt myself sweating in the cool air surrounding me. The twins did their best to reassure me silently. On their part, I appreciated it. Though, it did nothing for me. Fleur returned to the shore with nothing in her hands. We weren't sure if she had finished first or couldn't finish the task. My stomach cramped in anxiety as ripples rose towards the surface of the water. I hoped that it would be Harry. Instead, Cedric Diggory made an appearance, clinging to the body of Cho Chang. I gasped in shock as he pulled her into the dock.

"So that's the challenge? They have to save someone?" I asked the boys beside me.

"Must be." George spoke gently. I now understood why Ron and Hermione were not present. Hermione must have been Viktor's person, and Ron was Harry's. Not long after Cedric's victory, Viktor Krum appeared with Hermione in tow. They were ushered back into the dock where they were wrapped in towels and blankets. The dwindling winter weather must have been harsh on their wet bodies. Fred could feel my grip tightening on him. The blackness of the lake seemed to envelope everything around it. We couldn't see anything at all.

The clock continued to tick. I was almost ready to jump in the lake myself. My worries were only getting worse as each second progressed. Soon enough, a split in the water caused disruption in the crowd. Harry had casted 'ascendio'. He shot out of the icy pond and climbed onto the dock. The judges watched him as he finished up. Harry was holding not only Ron, but a young girl who greatly resembled Fleur Delacour. I looked over at Fred and laughed.

"He saved two of them?" I was in disbelief. He may have finished third, but he blew the crowd off of their seats. Not only did Harry finish, he had been noble enough to save someone that wasn't a part of his task. We all stood and cheered for him as he was wrapped in his own towel. I yelled until my lungs couldn't handle it anymore. We settled when we heard they were going to announce the points each contestant had won. 

I sat back down, still wondering. Despite the fact Harry had finished third, they would have to take in account what he had done for the other girl. We were on the edge of our seats as the judges called out their numbers. "Cedric Diggory is awarded first place, with forty-seven points!" The Hufflepuff's went mad at the sound. Many others in the Hogwarts section did as well. We cheered for him; we were waiting for Harry's number. "Although finishing third, this contestant showed a strong moral fibre! Harry Potter will be awarded second place with forty-five points." The twins and I yelled louder than we possibly could. Gryffindor was jumping with excitement.

Harry was laughing and celebrating by the water. I couldn't have been prouder of the boy down there. "Viktor Krum wins third place with forty points!" It was Durmstrang's turn to cheer. "And Fleur Delacour is awarded fourth place, with twenty-five points." They concluded their speech. Before they finished speaking, I was already running down the steps from the bleachers. I stopped when I came across Harry. I pulled him into an embrace and listened to him laugh. I didn't care that he was wet and cold. I was so happy that he was safe, and I was so proud of him for his accomplishment.

When I pulled away, I placed a kiss on his cheek. "I am so unbelievably proud of you." I said, looking him in the eyes.

"I couldn't have done it without you, Athena." Hermione cleared her throat from behind us. "You too, Hermione." The three of us shared a laugh together.

"Come on, let's get you warmed up." I ushered him away from the lake and back towards the castle. He obliged. His lips were tinted blue in the harsh wind. I wrapped the towel around his shoulder and we walked together. Soon after we left, the crowd filtered from the scene. I got Harry back inside and into the warmth. "We're almost there, Harry. One more task and you're in the clear." I promised.

"One more task, Athena. We can do this."