The Forging of the Bonds

Chapter 9. The task begins.

The days ran by very quickly, and before he knew it, Mike found himself two hours away from the first task. He hadn't talked to Malfoy since the detention, but he had decided he would go through with the Tournament. If Hogwarts lost, let it be Malfoy's fault, not his.

At eight o'clock, after a quick breakfast--Mike was too nervous to eat, so he just drank coffee--he headed outside.

Almost the entire school was gathered at the lake. A small island appeared in the center. He was pretty sure they'd have to get there. Lucky I'm a good swimmer, he thought.

"Mum! Dad!" he called when he saw his parents, standing with his sister Lauren.

"Hello, son," his father, Ron Weasley, said. "Congratulations on being a champion."

"Thanks, dad..."

"Ron!" his mother chided him. "Aren't you worried?"

"Of course, honey. About Malfoy. My advice," he told Mike, "is hex her at the first opportunity. You'll do better alone."

"Ron, how can you--"

"Speak of the devil," Mike said.

Professor Potter and Elizabeth Malfoy were heading towards them.

"Well, well," Ron said. "Look what the cat dragged in."

"Ron, will you--" Hermione tried to stop him.

"How's the slut?" he asked. Mike gasped. What?

Potter's eyes flared in anger. "Don't insult my wife."

"Is she a better fuck than Ginny? How many brats have you produced by now?"

"Ron, stop it--"

"Why the hell should I stop? He killed my sister!"

"Voldemort killed your sister," Potter replied.

"And you helped! If you didn't decide to save Malfoy's--"

"Pansy died too, you know."

"She deserved it."

"How dare you!" Elizabeth rushed at Ron.

Potter firmly gripped her shoulders, holding her back. "Save your strength, Miss Malfoy. You'll need it."

He turned to Ron. "But she has the right idea. You do not tell a child her mother deserved to die. Ever. Unlike you, I know how that feels."

"You--"

"Arachnidia!" Potter shouted, pointing his wand at the ground. A two-foot long, hairy black spider popped up in front of Ron, who instinctively leaped away.

"Mr. Weasley," he turned to Mike. "Miss Malfoy. It is time."

His mother stepped forward, drew her wand, and vanished the spider. "Harry," she said. "That was cruel."

Potter gave her a look. "I know."

Mike headed towards the lake, trying to stay as far away from Malfoy as possible. A blond man stepped away from a group of spectators and headed towards Potter.

"I told you it was best for you to stay here, Draco," the Defense teacher said.

"Go ahead. Gloat. Well done, you predicted the obvious. What did he say?"

"The usual. I killed Ginny. Pansy deserved to die."

"He--"

"Draco, I don't want a scene."

"You already caused one yourself."

"Don't make it worse."

"Fine." He hugged his daughter. "Be careful."

"I will, daddy."

"If you hurt her, you are dead," he told Mike, who gasped and looked at Potter. The professor said nothing until the elder Malfoy had finally headed off.

"Miss Malfoy," Potter said, "Michael Weasley is not his father."

The girl stared at Potter, who then turned to Mike. "Mr. Weasley," he said. "Elizabeth Malfoy is not her father." And he strode off before either of them could reply.

They resumed their trek towards the lake without talking. The other contestants were already there, as were three boats with oars.

"Welcome to the first task of the 117^th Triwizard Tournament!" Mike recognized the voice. It was Lee Jordan, David's father. He smiled.

"As you can see, an island has been created in the center of that lake. On the island, there are three large poles, each one holding the flag of one of the participating schools. The contestants need to get their school's pole back to the mainland."

That's it? Mike thought. A boat race? That's the best they could come up with?

"Two things have been done in order to complicate the task. First, no summoning broomsticks. Any team that attempts this will be automatically disqualified."

He heard Malfoy mutter something unpleasant. He looked at her. "Was that your plan?" She didn't reply.

"Second..." Jordan paused for effect, "...there are three hydras in the lake."

Oh, shit.

Padma Patil stepped out, and her voice, enhanced by the Sonorus charm, rang out.

"You will move on the count of three," she said.

"Weasley!" Malfoy suddenly barked at him.

"What?"

"There's something you should know..."

"Spit it out!"

"I can't swim."