Evidently, Fear is Not a Factor for You!

Day Three: On Top of the Astronomy Tower

Professor Trelawney: Here we are, at the third and final task of Professor Dumbledore's newly established contest (and I still don't know what it's called)! Our leaders so far are Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley.

Ron: Bloody hell! Did you hear that Harry? I'm in the lead!

Harry: Calm down you idiot, I am too.

Ron: I am Weasley, hear me roar!

Draco: Would you please pack it in?? You're annoying the hell out of me - and probably Professor Trelawney too.

Ron: Leave me alone Malfoy; I'm basking in my splendor.

Draco: What splendor?

Professor Trelawney: My dears! All this bickering makes for a very stressful learning environment!

Hermione: Ha! You've got that right.

Harry (smirking): What are we learning - how to be slimy gits, like Draco?

Draco: If my father were here, Potter...

Harry: Like he'd do anything to protect your pathetic arse.

Professor Trelawney: And now, my dears, for the final task! You see the medium-sized tubs of flobberworms on this table here? Your final task is to get to the bottom of the tub and find the key. Once you find they key, you must open this lock (she motions to a small locked safe on the table) and pull out the flag baring the Hogwarts coat of arms. The student with the fastest time wins 50,000 Galleons!

Ron (shaking, with big, shocked eyes): Oh my God!

Harry: Hey! You told me we didn't get money if we won, Professor!

Professor Trelawney: That is not true, my dear! I told you that you would not win 1,000 Galleons, which you don't; you win 50,000 Galleons.

Hermione (laughing): What a dingbat.

Professor Trelawney: So, for the lucky Gryffindor/Slytherin who goes first! The lucky number one is...

Ron: Not me, not me, not me, anyone but me, please not me...

Professor Trelawney: Mr. Malfoy!

Draco: DAMNIT! I've gone first every single time Professor, can't Weasley or Potter go?

Professor Trelawney: I'm afraid not, Mr. Malfoy, for they would have a terrible accident if they did!

Harry: For once, I'm actually glad she said that.

Ron: I hear you, mate.

Draco approaches the first tub and prepares himself to dig furiously through the flobberworms. Professor Trelawney gives the 'Start' signal, and Draco does just that. Professor Trelawney calls 'Time,' and he finishes with a time of 1:23. Ron and Harry laugh at the stray flobberworms still on his face.

Draco: That was the most disgusting thing I've ever had to do.

Ron (still laughing): Damn, I wish I had a camera.

Harry (laughing as well): Yeah, where's Colin when you need him?

Professor Trelawney: Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Next in line is Miss Granger!

Hermione: Professor, do I have to?

Professor Trelawney: Yes, my dear! For you will surely...

Hermione: For Christ's sake, give it a rest already! And would it be possible to stop calling us 'dears'? It's getting on my nerves.

Professor Trelawney: Fine, Miss Mundane Granger. Well, what are you waiting for? You're next, up you get!

Hermione then approaches the tub, then digs for the bottom furiously as well. She frees the Hogwarts flag and finishes with a time of 0:55.

Professor Trelawney: Well, Mr. Malfoy, Miss Granger beat your time. I'm afraid you're automatically eliminated. Thank you for playing!

Draco (turning to go): You're not welcome.

Ron: Sore loser.

Professor Trelawney: Mr. Potter, if you please! Miss Granger's time was 0:55. If you can do better, you move on!

Harry: Right.

Harry approaches the tub, digs as furiously as Draco and Hermione, and emerges with the key to open the lock and finish with a time of 0:43.

Professor Trelawney: Oh, I'm very sorry Miss Granger, but it looks like Mr. Potter got the better of you. Off you go!

Hermione (turning to go): Thank God it's over.

Ron: My turn, my turn!

Harry: Ron, really.

Ron: Hehe, sorry mate.

Ron does as all the other competitors do, and emerges with the key (with more flobberworms on his face than anyone else). He opens the lock and pulls out the flag bearing the Hogwarts coat of arms with a time of 0:39.

Professor Trelawney: I believe we have our winner! Mr. Weasley is the champion and winner of 50,000 Galleons!

Ron faints.

Harry (reviving him): Oh well, at least the bloke won some money.

Ron: Harry...was it a dream, or did I really just make our family financially secure for the rest of our lives?

Harry: You did, mate.

Ron: Yippie! Now Malfoy can't make anymore bloody jokes about us being poor!

Professor Trelawney: Well done, Mr. Weasley! You got past the hippogriff, ate your way through flobberworms, and won yourself 50,000 Galleons. Congratulations, and evidently, fear is not a factor for you!

Ron: Hail the conquering hero!

Harry: Shut up, Ron.

~Fin~