My Weasel

Chapter 37 -Mermaids-

Today was the day of the second task and I wanted nothing more than to be up in my room, listening to music . The Black Lake stood before me as crowds of people came to watch the champions plunge themselves into the murky water. Next to me, Draco was mumbling under his breath, probably saying cruel words about Potter. As we walked down the path I couldn't help but groan upon spotting two red heads approaching us.

"ANY BETS?" The both of them shouted to passing people.

"COME ON STEP UP MATES DON'T BE SHY!" Fred exclaims.

"FOUR GO DOWN"

"BUT DO FOUR GO UP?" The twins yell in unison. Seeing that I was nearing them I prepare myself to walk by without being noticed. I was nearly about to hide myself behind Draco when the twins came to a halt in front of us.

"Oh don't be shy Rees, come on place a bet!" Fred grins and holds out the box they were carrying.

"Leave us Weasley, I don't think Delilah needs to help your little charity case." Draco snaps.

"Well I believe she has a voice, so let her speak for herself." Fred turns his attention to me pointedly. Looking between Draco and Fred I let out a sigh and begin to rummage in my pocket for money.

"I place my bet on Cedric Diggory." I confidently state and hand Fred ten galleons. At my side, my brother looks at me in disbelief.

"Did you seriously just place a bet with these blood traitors?!" Draco yells.

"Yes now shut up and lets move along." I drag Draco by the arm, away from a smug Fred Weasley.

"I can't believe you did that, you made me look like a fool." Draco glares harshly at me.

"Well I couldn't pass up a bet to rob Weasley of some money." I smirk.

"At least you didn't bet on Potter." Draco sneers and looks out towards where the champions were gathering. They were all preparing themselves, including Potter who, much to my delight, had gillyweed in his hand. I guess the Weasel managed to give Neville the book on gillyweed, making it so that my task was finally complete.

I released a deep breath and looked over towards the fake Moody who was taking a swig of his flask. Sensing my eyes on him, he turned his head in my direction and gave me a satisfied nod. Feeling content with myself, I looped my arm through Draco's and found us respectable seats in the front row.

"Are you sure that Cedric is going to win?" Draco whispers to me.

"What, are you scared your boyfriend might win?" I laugh

"If you haven't notice Delilah, I have a girlfriend who I could call over here right now if you want." Draco taunts and gestures to Pansy sitting a few rows away.

"Okay I'll shut up now." I huff and rub my arms trying to get warm. Suddenly, the crowds chatter dies out as Dumbledore begins to speak.

"Welcome to the second task! Last night something was stolen from each of our champions, a treasure of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion now lie at the bottom of the Black Lake. In order to win, each champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface." Dumbledore booms.

The champions nervously wave at the crowd, anxious to dive in the freezing cold water. I see Harry Potter shove the gillyweed in his mouth and reluctantly swallow, as the plant did not taste pleasant. He continues to gag on the Gillyweed as the canon goes off, signaling the start of the task. Finally he falls into the lake, scratching at his throat where the gills were beginning to form.

"I think he drowned!" Draco says excitedly from beside me and I smack him on the arm. Peering down at the lake, I notice the black haired boy has yet to resurface above the water. A minute goes by before he leaps into the air, webbed feet and fish-like features from the Gillyweed.

"Guess he's still alive." I bump Draco's shoulder and he looks at me angrily.

"Piss off." Draco grumbles. Meanwhile, the people around us were practically bouncing in their seats, waiting for the champions to submerge from the lake once more with their treasure. It feels like an eternity until a gasping Fleur Delacour is brought up from the water. Her eyes are wide and she is trembling exceedingly from the cold.

"The Beauxbatons champion, Miss Delacour had unfortunately been forced to retire. So she will take no further part in this task." Dumbledore announces. The crowd remains quiet for the most part, nervous whispers barely audible. I train my eyes on the water waiting for the first champion who I hoped would be Diggory.

A few more moments pass until Cedric splashes up out of the water with Cho Chang clutching his arm. I let out an excited shout and Draco smiles next to me, happy that Potter did not place first.

Not even a second later, Viktor Krum emerges from the lake with Hermione Granger draped around him. A roar of applause goes up among the Durmstrang students, chanting Krums name. The chants seem to dim down as everyone anxiously looks at the water, seeing that Harry has not yet to return. Looking at the champions I notice Fleur looks extremely pale and is clutching her towel around her tightly, knuckles turning white. Those mermaids must really be brutal to bring out such fear in the contestants eyes.

Continuing to look down at the water, a sigh of relief escapes the crowds lips upon seeing Ron Weasley and Fleur's little sister surface. However, the relief dies out due to the fact Harry is not with them. Murmurs go up among the crowd, nervous as to where the black haired boy could be.

When it seemed as though they were going to have to send out a search party, a sudden hand broke out of the water. This hand was followed by the rest of Harry's body flying out of the lake and on to the deck. Cheers erupt from the crowd and I see Barty Crouch Jr. with a pleased smile, the return of the dark lord was going accordingly.

A fe moments later it is announced that Cedric won the task but Harry placed second since he saved not one, but two people. Meaning that both of the Hogwarts Champions were tied for first place with same number of points. The foreign students seemed less than pleased with the outcome and their faces looked glum as everyone rose from their seats.

I was the opposite of glum as I realized I had indeed won the bet and was now able to go collect the money from Weasley. Skipping out of my seat with Draco I scanned the crowd for two sets of red hair. Unfortunately it appeared they had already made their way inside the castle.

Letting out a sigh, I realized I would somehow have to retrieve my money from them. The only time to do so would be  the party tonight which would no doubt be going on because of Hogwarts victory. Great, I was now going to have to make a bloody appearance at this celebration just to get paid. Still, I couldn't help but feel the tiniest sense of anticipation in my stomach. It was an odd feeling that had no right to be swimming around so freely within me. Shaking my head I walked towards the dungeons, with Draco looking at me curiously.

What in the hell was happening to me?