章 92: Second Task
Christmas came and went in bliss for Artland. He spent it with his friends, Fleur and Gabrielle, exchanging gifts and laughs in the Gryffindor Common Room. They joined up with Cedric and Cho in the Great Hall where many students were celebrating.
Soon school started again and Art went into the Great Hall in a great mood until he read the Daily Prophet. His face clouded over and he looked up to the head table, seeing that Hagrid was missing he slammed the table. Many students looked at him but didn't say anything. George and Fred soon entered with dark looks on their faces.
"You read the article?" George asked darkly.
Art nodded his head and got up from the table, Fred and George following him. Cedric also joined them, knowing where they were going. Malfoy had a gloating look on his face while Crabbe and Goyle snickered behind him. Many of the untrue quotes were directly from their mouths.
"Say one thing Malfoy and I will turn you into a worm and make one of these dumbasses eat you." Art said in a low voice, filled with ice.
Malfoy, seeing the threat was real, paled and quickly walked by Art in fear. The four of them headed down to Hagrid's cabin.
Art knocked loudly on Hagrid's door. "Hagrid! Open up!"
"Go away!"
"Open up Hagrid or so help me I will break this door down!" Art yelled.
Hagrid eventually opened the door, his face puffy and red and the smell of liquor on his breath.
The four of them entered the small shack and were assaulted with a gross smell.
"Damn Hagrid, it reeks in here!" Fred said, holding his nose.
Art waved his hand and the place started to clean and organize itself. Once the place was clean, they all took a seat around the table. Art made some tea for Hagrid and placed it in a large mug.
"Hagrid, you can't hide in here." Cedric said.
"I know, I know. Jus' needed couple o'days." he said while taking a big swing of his tea.
"Rita Skeeter… I think we need to have a talk." Artland said under his breath.
---
School was back in full swing and things were a little tense. Art was mad at Maxime about what she said to Hagrid which caused an awkward situation for Fleur. Art tried not to bring it up around her but there was still tension.
To take his mind off it, Art focused on his studies and training. Harry was also training hard with the twins in the Room of Requirement.
"Have you solved the egg yet Harry?" Art asked, taking a sip of water while taking a break.
"No." Harry said dejectedly.
Art smirked and said, "Try having a bath with it, okay?"
Art walked away and pulled a book off the shelf before reading it. Harry looked at him with a bit of confusion.
"Does he ever stop?" Harry asked George.
"Art? Nah, not really. I am curious how strong he really is though." Fred said curiously.
"Back to work!" George yelled at Harry.
---
The Second Task was quickly approaching and Art noticed that Harry seemed to be stressed. Art fought the urge to help him out but it seemed like it was in vain as Neville, of all people, helped solve Harry's problem.
"Thank you Neville." Art thanked him quietly in the Common Room.
Neville turned red, a rare look of pride on his face as he nodded to Art.
Artland noticed that Hermoine, Ron and Cedric seemed to disappear from the castle the day leading up from the task.
'Must be for the task. Retrieve something that is precious, eh?' Art thought before glancing at the twins.
'They will be pissed when they find out Cedric was chosen and not them.' Art chuckled to himself.
On the day of the Second Task, Art and the other Champions made their way to the lake. Large stands were made along the edge of the lake. Art saw Newt and Tina waving at him, which he returned.
Ludo seemed to be in an excellent mood as he addressed the audience.
Art walked over to Fleur, who was looking pale. "Breath. Just breath." he whispered.
"They have Gabrielle." she whispered back, panic in her voice.
"It is part of the task. Nothing will happen to her. You have my word."
Fleur nodded before Madame Maxime guided her away from Art. He shot her a dirty look and took his position.
Ludo sounded the start and Art dove into the cold water. Waving his hand, a large bubble surrounded his head. He took out his wand and pointed it behind himself. Water shot out of his wand, propelling him forward at high speed and leaving the others far behind him.
Entering the familiar water, he saw that many Grindylows were lurking in the weeds. Scoffing at the idea of a measly Grindylow attacking him, he waved his wand and sent a light shock throughout the water, sending them running.
He eventually found where the four hostages were being kept and saw a few Meremen guarding it.
"Artland." the one guard said, familiar with Art.
"Biki." Art said nodding his head at the mereman.
"Only allowed to take one." he said.
Art looked up and saw Hermoine, Ron, Gabrielle and Cedric floating there with ropes around their ankles. He frowned but didn't argue before cutting the rope on Cedric, who floated to the surface.
He followed Cedric to the surface and when they surfaced, a huge roar of cheers greeted them.
"Who knew being your friend was so annoying." Cedric chipped with a smile as he started to swim towards shore.
"Can you manage?" Art asked him.
Cedric shot him a glare and swam to shore. Art chuckled and dove back into the water. He waited at the hostages until Krum appeared and grabbed Hermoine. He transfigured his head into a shark.
'Not bad.' Art thought.
Soon Harry appeared and took Ron away. He asked Art about Gabrielle but Art told him that he would take care of her.
'Come on Fleur, where are you?'
The time limit was running out and Art went to release Fleur but was met with a spear to the throat.
"Only one, you know the rules." Biki said threateningly.
Art smiled at Biki and said, "No hard feelings, okay?"
Before the merman could answer, Art waved his wand creating a small explosion and sent the merpeople flying back. He grabbed Gabrielle and darted towards the surface.
"Are you okay?" Art asked her when they broke the surface.
"Art!? Where's Fleur?"
"I don't know. Let's go find out." Art said with a smile as they swam back to shore.
Gabrielle was on his back and refused to get off, saying she was tired. Art shook his head and brought her back to shore where they were wrapped in blankets.
"Gabrielle!? Gabrielle!" Fleur yelled, seeing them.
She ran over and hugged her sister fiercely before hugging Art.
"Thank you." she said, tears leaking out.
Art smiled and patted her back gently.
The judges were huddled together and discussing something amongst themselves.
"You came last to impress your girlfriend?" Cedric asked with a smile.
"Worth it." Art said with a smirk.
"Oi! Why did they pick Wolfy here instead of me!?" George yelled in anger.
Art and Cedric started to laugh loudly as the twins glared at them.
Soon the results were out and the judges awarded him second place instead of first because of staying in the water.
Art shrugged it off, making no difference to him. He knew that Fleur would make it up to him somehow.
Though he came second, everyone witnessed Art's dominance once again in the competition. It showed everyone that Artland Cason was no joke and showcased how strong he was.
After the task, the castle was a buzz, with everyone wanting to know what happened in the water. Art let Cedric explain it as he didn't care much.
What he found interesting was that Mr. Crouch wasn't showing up to the Ministry or the Tasks anymore, using sickness as an excuse.
Art tried to figure out what was going on the Crouch but the ministry was being tight lipped, even Aunt Amelia.
This news made Art feel uneasy as he realized that something was definitely happening behind the scenes. He felt powerless not knowing what was going on so he decided to train even harder.
'If I am strong enough then it doesn't matter what plot I fall into, I will kill them all.'
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