Percy Jackson and the Triwizard Tournament [Book 4]

59) A Night By the Lake

Crouch moved closer to the firelight. He looked worse than he had during the Quidditch World Cup. He had dark bags beneath his eyes, and his skin looked papery, "The first task is designed to test your daring," He looked between the five of us, "so we are not going to be telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality in a wizard... very important....

"The first task will take place on November the twenty-fourth, in front of the other students and the panel of judges.

"The champions are not permitted to ask for or accept help of any kind from their teachers to complete the tasks in the tournament. The champions will face the first challenge armed only with their magical item. They will receive information about the second task when the first is over. Owing to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, the champions are exempted from end-of-year tests." Mr. Crouch turned to Dumbledore. "I think that's all, is it, Albus?"

"I think so," Dumbledore said, staring at Crouch with concern. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay at Hogwarts tonight, Barty?"

"No, Dumbledore, I must get back to the ministry," Crouch said. "It is a very busy, very difficult time at the moment.... I've left young Weatherby in charge.... Very enthusiastic... a little overenthusiastic, if truth be told...."

"You'll come and have a drink before you go, at least?" Dumbledore said.

"Come on, Barty, I'm staying!" Bagman said sunnily. "It's all happening at Hogwarts now, you know, much more exciting here than at the office!"

"I think not, Ludo," Bagman said impatiently.

"Professor Karkaroff — Madame Maxime — Chiron — Mr. D — a nightcap?" Dumbledore said.

But Madame Maxime had already taken Fleur by the shoulders and steered her out of the room. Karkaroff beckoned to Krum, and they also exited in silence. Mr. D rolled his eyes and walked away.

Chiron turned to me, sent me a strained smile, and we walked out of the room together. We walked in silence, outside to the grounds. We stopped by the lake, a ways away from the Durmstrang ship.

"Do you believe Harry is telling the truth? That he doesn't know how his name got into the goblet?" Chiron asked me after a long moment.

"I do," I said. "Harry... I know he probably thought about how cool it'd be to be in the tournament. I know he probably thought of different ways he could try and get his name in. But... I know him. I can tell when he's lying. He has no clue how his name got into that cup, and he looked terrified once Moody said it could have been put in to kill him."

Chiron nodded and sighed, "You've got a job, then." He looked down at me. "Someone is going to be trying to get at Harry. I know you won't be able to help him during the first task, but you can help him be prepared for it. Teach him things. The basics of being a demigod. The second task, you'll have to make sure he gets out safely. Same with the third. That's your first priority now. Not winning. Protecting Harry."

I nodded slowly, "Do you think... it was Voldemort? That he's behind this?"

Chiron stared out at the waters for a long moment, then finally said, "I'm not sure, Percy. But whoever this is, whoever's doing it... they won't be afraid to kill you. You have to promise me to be careful."

"I can't make that promise, Chiron, and you know it," I said softly.

Chiron nodded, "I know, Percy. Just... try not to die."

"I'll do my best," I sighed.

We spent a long time staring out at the waters together. I figured he'd brought us over there to try and make things more calming for me, but it wasn't working. When I had first been chosen as the champion, it had been fun and great and bright. Then Harry had walked in, and I realized I'd never have that chance at regular excitement.

The day of my first quest, I had resigned myself to a life of never being able to make a mistake. I knew that if I messed up, there'd be no going back. I could lose my life, my friends, everything with a simple mistake. Then the tournament had come along, and I'd realized ai could fight for fun. I'd be allowed to mess up, I wouldn't have to come out on top, and everything would be fine. But now, I had to be sure to do my best, so I could help Harry. I had to think of this as a battle instead of a fun spar. I couldn't mess up.

Chiron seemed to recognize this, and he sat with me for the next few hours as we stood and stared out at the water together, wishing none of this had ever happened.

I was gonna post yesterday but I was tired again. You know what's annoying? We had school today. Like it was just virtual stuff, but we had school cause we had a snow day ages ago? Big dumb. This makes me think of the time back in like second grade, when we had really bad weather during the winter, and missed a lot of school. We had to go every Saturday for a while nine weeks. It was so annoying. Also, we were in a tornado watch yesterday. That happens pretty often during the spring, but it was super extra windy. A power line and an awning at my school broke, and they made us all go downstairs, and that's just for the tornado watch. Of course, I naturally just bowled in the hallway. And I got to watch the Princess Bride, and I think I might be taking Journalism next year? Idk. I was gonna say something but I forgot, and now I blame you guys. Nevermind I remembered. We are officially done with all big testing for the year! Yay!

Anyway, I hope you guys have had a great Saturday, and I'll see you on Monday. Love ya!