Chapter 27

'How,' Percy asked himself for the hundredth time as he stared at the day's newspaper. It had been a week since Valentine's' day. A week of Fleur bugging him to teach her how to be an animagus until he finally caved in and told her.

That weekend Fleur had began the month long process to turn into an animagus. She didn't like it at first, but after Percy insisted there was no other way she accepted it. Everything was fine, everything was good. And then, on Monday morning, Rita Skeeter struck again.

'The Knight of Hogwarts: Animagus!' was written in bold across the front page. And below was a detailed article about how Percy was in fact a pegasus animagus. Rita had done her research on this one, she had a list of all the magical animagi ever recorded, and surprise surprise, Percy was the only one.

She even went to the ministry and talked to Fargus, that ministry worked Hecate convinced to keep his mouth shut. The man had sung like a canary. He told Rita everything. He told her everything and more.

'This young man was quite extraordinary, you see he is not only the eight animagus ever registered in this past century, but arguably the youngest as well. His prowess in magic is phenomenal and is truly a gift to be praised by the community. I wished to tell everyone I could about this discovery the moment I found out about it, but upon his request I kept quiet, the boy does deserve some privacy, but now it is all in the open, I see no reason I should keep my silence...'

He went on and on about how great it was and about what Percy's gift could mean for magic itself. It was generally accepted wizards can't become a magical animagus, that notion is now thrown out the window.

He never mentioned Tonks, thank the gods for small miracles, he made it sound like he single handedly discovered Percy's powers, like a guide rather than the moron who just filed the paperwork.

Percy tossed the paper aside, he looked up, people were all looking at him, staring at him and whispering. Again with the damn whispering. Fleur was by his side, she looked sad, she hadn't had any of her secrets exposed, hence why she wasn't crying.

"Percy, are you actually...you know," Gordan asked.

"Shut it!" Juan hissed, hitting him up the head, "he doesn't need this right now!"

"I'm zo zorry Perzy," Fleur whispered, "I zwear I didn't tell 'er."

"I know Tweety, I know," Percy replied calmly. He looked around, everyone was looking at him, they were curious. Percy sighed, he didn't need them right now...there was only one thing to do.

Percy stood up from the Hufflepuff table and stepped away from his seat. Everyone watched him as he unclasped his cape and pushed it away, allowing it to float about in the air. Percy then walked towards the castle window, he waved his wand, vanishing the glass, before leaping out.

"Stop him!" a teacher cried out as everyone ran to the window, some students with their wands out.

Dumbledore and the other teachers all ran, fearing for the worst, fearing that the gossip and whispers finally got to the boy.

"Percy!" Harry cried out as he pushed people away, running to the window, looking out. His heart skipped a beat, his friend, his friend had just thrown himself out of a window! He looked out, but saw nothing.

"Where's the body?" Draco Malfoy asked with a hint of sadist glee. Snape of all people turned to him and glared, making the boy gulp, muttering an apology.

"There!" someone cried out, almost as once, the entire school and all the visitors turned to see a black blur fly towards them, before taking a sharp turn and going above the castle walls.

Suddenly they heard the flapping of wings coming from inside the castle before it was replaced by the clicking of hooves. Everyone turned to see a black horse with green eyes and a majestic mane of hair trout into the great hall.

People all gasped at seeing it, and when it opened it's majestic set of wings, they were rendered speechless.

McGonagall and Dumbledore approached him first, walking around to inspect the transformation. Dumbledore ran his fingers along Percy's coat humming while McGonagall had her eyes stuck on his wings.

"When did you complete this transformation Mr. Jackson?" McGonagall asked.

Percy shifted his weight and before anyone could blink where a pegasus was a demigod stood in it's place. Percy patted his clothes, "I finished the transformation before coming to Hogwarts, a little before the world cup."

"You were sixteen then?" Dumbledore asked.

Percy frowned, "I don't really remember, but I believe I was seventeen when I got it down, I think I began the process when I was sixteen."

"Incredible," Dumbledore muttered, "you truly have a gift Mr. Jackson, it is….impossible for any animagus to have a magical creature as their animal, least of all one from legend itself."

"Why did you not tell me this sooner?" McGonagall asked, fixing him with a glare that made Percy involuntary gulp down.

"I-ah, I didn't really think it was a big deal. Plus...I didn't want the attention." And slowly McGonagall's glare turned soft, thank the gods that woman still had a heart.

"Well then, thank you Mr. Jackson for that wonderful treat, please, everyone, get back to your meal, classes will begin soon enough," Dumbledore called out, motioning for all the teachers to go to their classes.

Percy put on his cloak and sat down at the Hufflepuff table, Fleur quickly sitting next to him. Harry then suddenly came rushing to him, and judging by his glare Percy was in for a long day.

"You ass!" Harry cried out, "you nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Percy chuckled, "sorry."

"Don't sorry me! You jumped out of a window Percy!"

"I said I'm sorry," Percy lowered his head.

"Without your flying cloak!"

"Yeah."

"Head first into the water!"

"Technically, even if I didn't transform I would have been fine. The Black Lake was right there."

"You could have died!"

"I know a spell that could-"

"-You could have died!"

Percy whimpered, "sorry."

"Damn, looks like Fleur's not the only one who has him whipped," Juan snorted. Everyone suddenly exploded into laughter and Percy smiled. Just like that, everything felt back to normal.

That evening after class Percy and his friends walked around the castle grounds for a while. Juan then had the brilliant idea to have Percy carry them in his pegasus form and quickly everyone jumped on the bandwagon, making it impossible for Percy to say no.

For over an hour Percy was in his pegasus form ferrying people around the sky. The first person on his back was Fleur, and when people argued she already had a turn the french veela just glared at them and replied, "I'm 'iz girlfriend, 'e belongz to me." Honestly, if Percy wasn't a horse, he would have blushed redder than a Weasley.

A lot of the little ones rode him as well, they were eager too of course, pegasi were just stories they heard about, to ride a real one was a dream come real. Percy didn't mind, he loved being there for them, the way their eyes sparkled made him almost sad Tyson wasn't there with him, he missed his little brother.

The next day though it was back to work, it was almost amazing how the situation changed. Yesterday people were talking about Percy, today they were focused on the second task, which was tomorrow.

Fleur was hard at work in the Forest, Percy let her be giving her privacy. He already had this in the bag, he knew that, he offered to help her, but she was too prideful to accept and he loved her for that.

So Percy decided to check up on Harry. He found the younger boy in the library researching underwater spell, well more like desperately looking through books with little to no success.

Percy spotted him surrounded by three huge stacks of books, Susan, Hermione and Ron sitting with him to help. With a smile Percy walked over, "hey all, fancy seeing you here."

"Sh!" came the librarian's angry shushing. She glared at Percy who quickly gave off an apology and sat down.

"Hey Percy," Harry whispered, "you look ready."

Percy grinned, "that's because I have a secret weapon."

"What's that?" Hermione asked.

"I specialise in water magic Hermione, what do you think?" Percy chuckled.

"Sh!" went that stupid vulture once more. Percy turned to her this time and glared. He quickly took out his wand and waved a charm over them, making them all sound proof.

"There, no more stupid shushing," Percy glared, the woman blinked, she didn't hear a single word, though she could see Percy's mouth moving. Percy smirked and turned to Harry, "anyway, made up any plans yet?"

"No," Harry huffed, tossing his book aside, "this is pointless!"

"It's alright Harry," Susan said rubbing his hands, holding it tightly, "we'll find a way."

"How?! The task is tomorrow!" Harry cried out.

"And we'll work until we find a way," Susan replied calmly, "I promise."

Harry sighed, slowly he smiled at her, "thanks Susy."

"Oh, Susie, what a cute nickname," Percy chuckled.

"So you have any ideas Percy?" Ron asked.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed.

"What? We can't ask?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because….because…," Hermione blinked, a lose for words.

"I don't think champions can help other champions," Harry supplied.

"Yes...yes, exactly!" Hermione said smiling triumphantly.

Percy chuckled, "and a champion can't also be younger than 17, guess that rule got broken too huh?"

Harry sighed, "yes….do you thought?" Percy raised an eyebrow in question to which Harry repeated, "do you have any tips?"

"Harry!" Hermione called out, "that's cheating!"

"Well I have to do something Hermione!"

"But still!"

"Oh cut him some slack Curly," Percy waved her off, "he's just desperate because he has to save Susan's life tomorrow."

"What?!" Susan and Harry cried out.

"Ah, yeah," Percy nodded, "remember the riddle? They are going to take which you will miss most, in this case..." he looked at Susan.

Harry's eyes went wide, "no….they can't do that!"

Percy shrugged, "them's the rules Harry."

"How are you so calm about this?! What if it was Fleur!"

Percy shrugged, "well first off, it won't be Fleur, she's a champion too. And second, it doesn't matter who it is, I will save them no matter what. It's not even a question."

Harry and the others were silent, amazed by the Hufflepuff's confidence in himself. Finally Harry spoke up, "Percy, can you help me?"

Percy smiled, "I thought you would never ask," Percy reached into his robes and pulled out a yellow green potion tossing it to Harry, "here."

Harry caught it immediately and looked at it, "what is it?"

"It's a potion that will help you breath underwater, it lasts for about an hour I think, maybe more," Percy shrugged.

"What? How?!" Hermione cried out, "I have been through every single potions book I could think off looking for a potion like this! I never even found one!"

"Well that's because it didn't exist until now," Percy shrugged, "I made it myself. I haven't really decided on a name thought, I was thinking, 'Poseidon's touch', but then the implications became...weird to say the least," Percy shuddered.

"You can't just invent a potion that's never been invented!" Hermione cried out, "you need to be a potions master to do something like that!"

"Or just really smart," Ron argued.

Harry looked at the potion with a focused glare, "will it work?"

Percy nodded, "I haven't tested it, but it should work. I have never made a potion that didn't. Maybe you should go to the lake and try it for yourself, here," Percy took out a second vial of the potion, "for tomorrow."

"Why do you have two?" Susan asked.

"I made one for Fleur too, in case she asked, but my little bird is too proud. Personally I think it's because she doesn't want to seem weak in front of me, so cute," Percy chuckled.

Harry grabbed the potions, "thank you, I-I don't know what I would have-"

"-Save it Harry, it's fine," Percy waved his thanks, "I promised Hecate I would take care of you, and besides, you didn't actually want to do this tournament, if Voldemort is the one who forced you into this then you can't die, not yet anyway."

Harry smiled, "thanks Percy."

Percy shrugged, "you're welcome. Now, go and swim around in the lake for a while, get used to the water and try and figure out how to swim. Oh, and if there is anything wrong with the potion just tell me, I'll be sure to fix it in no time."

The four fourth years nodded and quickly left the library making their way to the school grounds. Percy dropped his charm and walked out of the library whistling as he left. The vulture at the front glared at him again, but the demigod just smiled back.

The next day:

Percy woke up early that day and took his time getting ready. Unlike the First task Percy knew what was coming and knew he would ace it. He walked leisurely to the Great Hall, people sent him strange looks, confused as to why he was acting so easy going.

As he walked into the Great Hall he spotted the other champions. Krum looked nervous, he kept looking around, his eyes red. Fleur looked up and spotted him, smiling at him.

Percy sat down and gave a quick peck on the lips, "hey, you ready?"

Fleur nodded, "yez, you?"

Percy grinned, "I'm the son of the Atlantic Ocean, they don't have shit on me."

Fleur huffed, "zo unfair."

"Hey you can charm the pants of any man you see just by smiling at him, you don't seem complaining."

Fleur laughed and nodded. She drank some pumpkin juice and got up, "I'll zee you by t'e lake."

Percy nodded and wished her luck. He grabbed an apple and walked out of the Great Hall, going back to his dorm. When he reached he noticed Kelly sleeping away, she had been awake all night playing with her little dragon toy, so she would probably be asleep until the afternoon.

Percy quickly changed into a pair of swimming trunks he transfigured out of an old pair of tracks and strapped on his wand holder to his left arm. He threw his cloak around himself, applying a warming charm, the cold didn't affect him, but that didn't mean he didn't like being warm.

"Hey Percy! Wake up!" Percy turned to find Cedric run up to him wit Cho, his girlfriend, walking closely behind.

"Hey Ced," Percy smiled, "Cho."

"Hey Percy," Cho smiled, "ready for the task?"

Percy grinned, "should be a piece of cake."

"Careful there Percy, your overconfidence could get you killed," Cedric smiled.

"It's not overconfidence Cedric, I just know I'll do fine," Percy chuckled as they walked towards the Black Lake. Off in the distance Percy could see bleachers being set up. They had just started work that morning, and thanks to magic it was nearly ready.

"Hey Ced, did you notice anyone...missing from the Badgers?" Percy asked.

"Missing? No, I don't think so, why do you ask?" Cedric asked.

"Well the task has someone special kidnapped and kept under the lake for a hour, I figured they must have taken someone from our house."

"What?!" Cho gasped.

"Yeah," Percy nodded, "Fleur and Harry are competing so they are out. The twins could be a subject but," Percy pointed at two red heads of hair running away from a bunch of girls throwing hexes at them, "they are out too."

"Well...now that you mention it, Juan was kind of missing," Cedric groaned, "I just thought he was sleeping but..."

Percy nodded, "no, it makes sense. Alright then, I would have prefered it if it was a smoking hot babe, but no matter, I'll take the wannabe playboy as well."

"Careful Percy, don't want Fleur to hear you say that," Cho smiled.

Percy chuckled, "yeah, I don't really think she has anything to worry about." They quickly reached the lake shore and Cedric and Cho wished Percy luck, moving to the stands to find their seats.

Percy found a newly built pier near the stands and standing on it was Bagman waving him over. Percy walked up to the man and smiled, "hello there, lovely day for a swim isn't it?"

"Ah yes, yes, I don't envy you one bit," Bagman said looking at the cold water before him, "you know what to do yes?"

Percy nodded, "yup. Ah, but could you tell me one thing?"

"Oh? And what's that?"

"Is my hostage Juan? From Hufflepuff?"

Bagman smiled as he nodded, "yes, I'm surprised you figured it out so quickly. Not to worry thought, we have taken every precaution, he will be fine. He has been put in a bewitched sleep, perfectly harmless."

Percy smiled, "well that's too bad."

"Why is that?"

"Juan would hate the fact he's asleep when he could be flirting with a mermaid," Bagman laughed heartily before wishing Percy good luck and left in a hurry.

Krum quickly came as well, he took one look at Percy and nodded. Percy returned the node before they both looked out into the lake's cold waters. "Are you ready for this?" Krum asked in a rough voice.

Percy chuckled, "born ready. You?"

Krum nodded but said nothing else. He unlatched his cloak and threw it aside, one of his friends from school grabbed it and walked away. Krum stretched his arms, his muscles clearly cut, his body frame was square and well packed with muscle.

Girls in the stands started to whistle and cheer as they saw Krum bend over and touch his toes. Percy noticed several cameras click, snapping photos of him. Krum didn't seem to mind though as he continued to just stretch.

"You'll get used to it," he suddenly spoke up.

Percy blinked, "what do you mean?"

"The staring, the pictures," Krum replied finishing his stretches and looking at Percy, "you gained quite a bit of attention recently, only you didn't seem to know what to do with it."

Percy nodded, "yeah, I've always been...kind of private."

Krum nodded, "well with the tournament and being...a magical animagus, it will not stay that way for long."

The demigod sighed, "yeah...maybe," he sighed as he unlatched his cloak and pushed it aside, allowing it to float on it's own. Percy sighed as he stretched and suddenly he heard someone wolf whistle.

"Damn!" someone cried out. Percy and Krum turned to the crowd and saw cameras flashing and a large portion of the female audience blushing, trying to get a closer peak.

Percy sighed, "right, forgot about them."

Krum smiled as he looked over Percy, "you are a swimmer?"

Percy nodded, "yup."

"Any good?"

Percy grinned, "the best."

"Overconfidence can be your downfall," Krum warned.

Percy shrugged, "I'll take my chances."

Soon Harry arrived with only Ron in tow. He looked scared, very scared. He took off his cloak and gave it to Ron revealing a Gryffindor red shirt and a black set of trunks. He walked up to Krum and Percy, nodding at them both.

Percy spoke up, "okay, where's Hermione?"

Harry sighed, "I don't know."

"She is my hostage," Krum replied.

Harry and Percy blinked as they stared at the Bulgarian student. Percy whistled, "damn, that serious huh? Wait...is it serious?"

Krum raised an eyebrow, "are you serious about the veela?"

Percy shrugged, "I have no reason not to be. Plus she likes me, as far as I'm concerned that's enough."

Krum hummed before turning back to the lake. Harry looked nervous, he kept touching his trunk pocket, Percy saw the hint of a potion stopper, Harry had the potion in hand.

"So did it work?" Percy asked.

Harry blinked in confusion before his eyes widened in realisation. "Oh, yes, yeah, it worked perfectly. Although it lasted a bit longer than an hour, I think maybe ten minutes or so."

Percy nodded, "hm maybe I need to reduce the amount of gillyweed I add, thanks, that's useful."

"You're the one I should be thanking Percy, without your help, Susan...oh Magic, Susan," Harry's breath started to pick up.

"Hey it's fine Harry, nothing will happen to her," Percy assured him with a hand on his shoulder, "Bagman told me they have been bewitched to be asleep, they'll be fine. But just in case, I'll make sure nothing happens to them."

Harry blinked, "how?"

Percy grinned, "I'm good with water magic, remember? It'll be fine. But, I think Susan would be very disappointed if her prince charming didn't show up to save her."

Harry blushed and muttered something under his breath. Percy didn't catch what he said but laughed anyway. They waited for a bit longer, Percy looked at his watch and it read 9: 20, just ten more minutes. And just as he was beginning to worry about Fleur, the french veela came running into the pier.

Percy was shocked silent at her one piece swimwear. Sliver with a blue chest piece, her legs went on for miles, curvy enough to stretch the material around her hips. Percy would have spent an hour staring at those legs, but Fleur's face stopped him from even trying.

"Percy! She's gone!" Fleur cried out.

"Who?" Percy asked as she jumped into his arms, crying, "what happened?"

"Gabrielle!" Fleur cried out, "mama and papa said she was coming to see me today, but when I looked for her Mum said she was gone! They took her Percy! I thought they would take Camille or Hugo but-but they took her!"

Percy held her back by the shoulders and looked into her eyes, "then get her back."

Fleur meet his glare before slowly nodded, turning to the lake with a look of determination and focus.

Percy and the others quickly followed her lead, standing near the edge. Krum and Harry stood to her left while Percy stood to her right. Bagman began to speak, he went on and on about what the task was about, but Percy didn't particularly care.

He cracked his knuckles, a map of lake burned into his memory, he remembered every inch of that thing from all those hours spent with Nick and swinging around to relax. He turned to Fleur, she still looked scared, but focused, nervous maybe

"Fleur, don't worry," Percy spoke up, "you'll get her."

Fleur nodded, "t'ank you."

"Don't mention it, what are boyfriends for anyway?" Percy smiled seeing a hint of a smile creep up on Fleur's face, "by the way, you look hot in a swimsuit." That made her smile.

"Champions! Are you ready?!" Bagman asked in his booming voice. They all nodded, the man smiled and turned to the crowd, "then let the second task commence!"

There was a canon fire loud enough to send Percy's ears ringing, but he paid it no mind. He leaped into the water and the moment his feet passed through the water surface, he took off like a torpedo.

Fleur, Krum and Harry blinked in wonder at the sheer speed at which Percy swam at, there was no way that was natural. The water seemed to move out of his wave, causing small waves in his path.

Fleur figured it was thanks to his heritage, quickly snapping out of her surprise she casted the bubble head charm on herself and jumped into the lake. Harry snapped out of his surprise and drank the potion while Krum jumped in and transfigured his head into that of a shark's.

Percy swam like a man on a mission, which he was. The creature in the lake spotted him coming, but didn't even think of getting in his way. Percy had warned the merpeople that if anything tried to stop him today they wouldn't live to regret it, needless to say they took him on his word.

Percy reached the merpeople village in five minutes, he may have taken longer if he didn't already know where he needed to go or not have the power of a demigod on his side, but luckily, he had both.

Percy swam into the town and immediately the merpeople came out of their stone homes and watched him pass by.

The chief and his followers quickly came forward, bowing before Percy, "My lord, it is an honor," he spoke.

"Thanks," Percy replied, "but I can't really stay. Friends to save and all that."

"Understood my lord," the chief made way following Percy to the middle of the village where four youngsters were tied up with weed. Percy recognized Hermione, Susan and Juan, the last one had silver hair and looked similar to the girl Percy had spent the better part of two months making out with, he guessed this was Gabrielle.

Percy immediately went to Juan and snapped his fingers, commanding the weed to untangle itself from Juan's ankle. Juan started to float upward but Percy quickly grabbed him and kept him tightly.

"You will find safe passage through there my lord," the chief pointed at a clearing to the North, "we will make sure your opponents have difficulty getting here, you will have no trouble from them."

"Wait, what? No! Don't do that!" Percy cried out surprising the merpeople.

"M-my lord? But why? Surely you wish to win? It will be no trouble, we can insure that they never finish their task. It will be simple and that old goat Dumbledore won't ever-"

"-No!" Percy cried out, "they aren't just my opponents, they are my friends! I have enough of lead already! Don't hurt them, in fact do you best to make sure none of them are hurt! That is an order!"

The chief looked surprised, "I see, very well, we will not stand in their way."

Percy nodded before taking off with Juan in tow. He swam towards the surface and broke it with a final push. Immediately Juan began to breath again, the spell over him broken.

"Percy?!" Juan cried out, "you found me!"

Percy grinned, "you sound surprised," he swam them over to their pier, which was now covered with people. Percy pushed Juan up first before climbing up himself.

Immediately Madam Pomfrey came up to them wrapping them with towels. Percy smiled, "it's fine, I got this," he snapped his fingers and in instantly both he and Juan were dry.

Juan blinked, "how did you do that?"

Percy grinned, "magic." Juan groaned as quickly they were surrounded by members of their house.

"Percy! How in the name of Morgana's tits did you do that?!" Cedric asked.

"You were in there for fifteen minutes!" Heather said, "that lake must be huge!"

Percy sighed, "I had the surface of the lake mapped out in my head, I knew the shortest way to the merpeople village, no big deal."

"Fascinating," came a wise old voice as the crowd parted to reveal Dumbledore and the other headmasters, "you have completed the task with...far more time to spare Mr. Jackson, most impressive indeed."

"He must have cheated! It is impossible for someone to swim to the middle of the lake and back in that short a time period!" Karkaroff cried out.

Percy raised an eyebrow, he snapped his fingers and immediately a long tendril of water rose from the lake, "I control water like second nature, what do you think?"

The man looked fuming before turning away and leaving in a huff. Percy rolled his eyes, "drama queen."

Dumbledore and Maxim left after that leaving Percy with his friends and Juan. They moved off the pier and stood by the lake shore. Percy summoned his cloak and wrapped himself with it and waited.

At the half an hour mark Fleur broke the lake surface and began swimming to the pier. Percy smiled at first, but they noticed that she was alone, Gabrielle wasn't with her.

Worried Percy ran to the pier just in time to help her up. Fleur coughed up from water before her eyes immediately landed on Percy.

"Percy! They still have her!" Fleur cried out grabbed his cloak and pulling him down. Her eyes were red, she shook of desperation, "I couldn't save her! Please! You have to save my sister! Please!"

Percy wanted to assure her everything would be fine, that nothing would happen to her, but the way she looked at him, that desperation, he never wanted her to look like that.

"I'll get her," Percy replied, taking off his cloak and wrapping it around Fleur. Pomfrey took her away and without a second to waste Percy jumped back into the water.

"Where's he going?" Juan asked, "I'm right here!" The others shared his confusion, no one offering up any answers.

Percy swam faster now, reaching the village quicker than before. The merpeople looked surprised to see him, but instead of getting him Percy noticed most were round the square where now only two hostages remained, Susan and Gabrielle.

As Percy swam towards the square he noticed Harry trying to free both Susan and Gabrielle, Percy couldn't help but smile, nobel idiot.

"No!" the chief told Harry as a few other pointed their spears at him, "only one!"

"Please! They are both my friends!" Harry cried out, though it came out in gibberish because of the water, though Percy could understand him just fine.

"No!" the chief replied, "stop!"

The mermen began to close in and Harry reached for his wand, Percy cleared his throat, "that's enough!"

Immediately everyone turned to him, Harry's fear gave way to a smile, "Percy!"

Percy smiled as he swam up to the Gryffindor and ruffled his hair, "good boy Harry, but don't worry, I'm here to help! Grab Susan, I'll take care of her."

"But them," Harry replied pointing to the merpeople who were slowly backing away.

Percy shrugged, "they won't be a problem," he turned to the chief and waved him away, immediately as one they all backed up. Percy snapped his fingers releasing both the hostages. Harry immediately grabbed Susan while Percy took Gabrielle.

"Follow me," Percy told Harry as they began to swing back to the pier. Percy used his powers to speed Harry along, and in ten minutes they were back. The moment the broke the water surface Susan and Gabrielle gasped.

The little veela began to cry out, "Fleur? Who are you? You're not Fleur!"

Percy smiled, "no, me take to sister," he replied in the little broken french he knew thanks to spending so much time with Fleur.

The little girl looked confused but then suddenly Fleur came charging at them, "Gabrielle! I'm here!" she leaned over the pier, Percy pushed the little girl into her big sister's arm before helping Harry and Susan up as well.

Percy sighed and he finally got back on dry land, smiling as he saw Fleur holding her sister tightly, whispering sweet words into her ears.

"Oh Harry," Susan said before jumping into Harry's arms, surprising the young boy. She kissed him on the lips with such passion the small crowd they had gathered around them wolf whistled in encouragement.

Harry broke the kiss, blushing red as Susan hugged him, "I knew you would come for me."

Percy grinned, "oh, isn't that sweet."

"Shut it," Harry glared at him.

Fleur covered Gabrielle with a blanket and gave her to Camille to hold. She turned to Percy, "Perzy."

"I'm glad-ompf!" Percy's voice was stuck as she jumped at him, kissing him. Percy smiled as he held her close.

She sighed into his mouth, moving back, "t'ank you."

Percy chuckled, "you really don't have to thank me."

"Hey, I think they are going to announce the score!" Juan called out getting everyone's attention. Fleur stood next to Gabrielle who was now staring at Percy with curiosity and just a little bite of hostility.

Percy smiled and waved at her, "hello. I'm Percy," this caused the little girl to shrink back behind her littler sister.

"Gabby, you're being rude," Fleur hissed.

"Who is he? Is he your boyfriend?" Gabby asked.

Fleur blushed but nodded with a smile, "yes, yes he is."

"Oh," Gabby blinked at Percy before turning to Fleur, "does that mean you're going to marry him now?"

"What?!" Percy cried out with eyes filled with horror. Camille and the other french students nearby who heard the little girl laughed out loud while a few of the Hogwarts students not using the translation charm looked confused as to what was going on.

"Yes, he is," Juan spoke up smiling at the girl, "he's going to be your big brother Percy!"

"Juan, don't make me thrown you back where I found you," Percy growled to which Juan just laughed.

"Attention," came Dumbledore's booming voice that drew everyone's attention to him, Per knew it had to be a sonorus charm, no one had that loud a voice, "the judges will now announce the scores for each champion!"

"For Mr. Krum, for excelete use of transfiguration and completing the task in 40 minutes, we award him, 40 points!" People cheered, Krum smiled at Hermione who was ignoring him, instead making sure Harry was unharmed, fussing over him much to Susan's and Krum's irritation.

"For Ms. Delacour," Dumbledore continued, "for a valiant effort, 25 points!"

"I dezerve not'ing," Fleur spat out.

"Hey, don't say that," Percy whispered putting his arm around her shoulders and planting a kiss on her head, "if this was a charms creation task you would be first." Fleur huffed but said nothing.

"I have been informed that Mr. Potter had arrived in the mermaid village in 35 minutes, but insisted on staying to insure that the other hostages were rescued first," Dumbledore paused letting the crowd cheer at the announcement, "for this show of sheer moral fiber, we award him, 39 points!"

People cheered loudly for Harry, Hermoine and Ron were no by his side congratulating him, while Krum did his best to gain Hermione's attention. Percy honestly felt bad for the guy.

"And finally, for Mr. Jackson, for having the shortest time of just ten minutes and displaying and unparalleled abilities over water and proper preparation for the task ahead, we award him with 47 points!"

This time the cheering was almost deafening. Percy chuckled as his friends came up to congratulate him. He smiled and thanked them all, laughing and enjoying the moment. And just like that, something happened to stop it.

"Percy! Percy here!" Rita pushed Cedric and Cho to the side and stepped forward with a smile holding up her acid green quill.

Fleur felt Percy tense up, she saw his smile drop and a glare harden on his face. "Please be careful," she begged.

"I will," Percy replied.

"Percy! How does it feel to just blow your competition out of the water?" Rita asked with a smile, "did you expect this task to present any sort of challenge at all? Or was this just another day for the Knight of Hogwarts?"

Percy glared at the woman, "no comment."

"Oh come no don't be like that," Rta's smile turned to Fleur, "I see you and the french champion are still together, that's good, most celebrity couples don't really make it past the first month mark."

"And who's fault is that?" Percy snapped.

Rita looked offended, "you aren't accusing me are you? I assure you I wish nothing for the best for you both, but the readers demand to know, as such, I am nothing but a supplier."

Percy could feel the water in the lake begin to move upwards, it felt his need to destroy the creature standing before him and he had no doubt if he wasn't actively trying to make sure that didn't happen, the water would swallow her and never bring her up again.

Percy wetted his lips, "you know what Rita, I do have something to say to you."

Rita's eyes sparkled, "really? And what's that?" she asked, quill and book at the ready.

Percy cleared his throat, [I, the son of Poseidon do hereby curse you, take my pain, take my hate, take my sorrow and learn them well. Let the servants of Zeus have your flesh, let your every movement bring offence to them. Let them see you as lower than dirt, so be attacked by all forms of bird. Suffer when light meets the dark and dark meets the light. There be no end to my curse on you, least I say, forever binded are you.]

The students all blinked in confusion, even Fleur didn't really understand.

"I'm sorry dear, I didn't understand that," Rita replied as she blinked.

"We're done here," Percy replied as he walked away with Fleur and their friends following them.

Rita blinked, "what do you mean we are done? I am certainly not-"

"SCREECH!" an owl suddenly came flying down and scratched Rita across her arm. The reporter cried out in pain dropping her quill. The owl then began to circle her, pecking her hands. People looked on in surprise, Percy snapped his fingers summoning her quill before breaking it in half.

"Let's go," Percy told them all and slowly he, Fleur, Gabby and their closest friends walked towards the stands.

"Percy!" someone called out. Percy stopped and immediately a smile broke out on his face. The small entourage around them broke off as a woman came plowing through them all.

"Hecate!" Percy cried out as he grabbed the goddess in a hug, "oh I'm so glad to see you!"

"You me too kiddo!" Hecate cheered before turning to Fleur, "and this must be the pretty little bird you were telling me about."

"Hecate, be nice," Percy warned.

"Oh hush," Hecate rolled her eyes before turning to Fleur, who looked a little nervous, "hello dear, my name is Hecate, Percy's aunt."

"I am Fleur, Fleur Delacour," Fleur introduced herself.

"Right," Hecate smiled, "so how long have you and my nephew been doing it?"

Fleur turned an immediate red as she was stunned into silence. A few of the people around them giggled while Percy cried out, "Hecate! Stop!"

"Fleur, what did she mean?" Gabby asked with innocent eyes.

"Oh you'll learn when you're older dear," Hecate replied in perfect french surprising a few people.

Percy sighed, "sorry Fleur, she does this all the time."

"Oh shut up," Hecate huffed, "I'm sure she can handle it. After all anyone who can handle you can most certainly handle anything I throw at them."

Percy groaned, "kill me now."

"Oh you think I'm causing you heartache, wait until they get to you," Hecate giggled.

"What do you mean?" Percy asked.

"She means us," a familiar voice called out. The crowd parted away revealing Chanel dressed in a very warm looking coat and a smile on her face, "hey, long time no-"

"-PERCY!" Amanda cried out, running past Chanel and throwing herself into Percy's arms forcing him to carry her like a bride, "I missed you!"

"Can't you wait for one second!" Catherine yelled out.

"But I missed him!" Amanda pouted.

"Yes, well all did," Ebele huffed, "but you don't see us acting like horry little-"

"Ebele! There's a child present!" Ula screeched pointing at Gabby, who again looked very, very confused.

"Oh...sorry," Ebele said with a blush.

Chanel sighed, "I hate all of you." Percy blinked, he honestly forgot that they would be here, which made him feel awful.

And just then, Rita came running past them with several owls chasing at her, "help me!" she screamed.

Everyone watched her run into the stands, only for the owls to follow her anyway. "Huh, guess you used to bird one," Hecate said before groaning, "I still think you should have used the reversed entrail curse."