Chapter 247
Just as Fleur's lips were about to meet Pansy's, the faintly cool, soft touch lasted only a brief instant—
And the girl in her arms suddenly opened her eyes.
Pansy stared at her in shock, then immediately began to struggle, trying to push her away.
"You woke up that quickly? What, embarrassed already?" Fleur said with a small, satisfied smile, clearly enjoying teasing someone so close to Draco.
Pansy was just about to speak when Fleur reached out and pinched her cheeks, stopping her mid-sentence.
"Stay quiet. Don't talk. I don't care what you're thinking."
With a flick of her wand, she placed a bubble over Pansy's head, then added casually, "You can wait here for your slow champion to come rescue you."
She turned to leave—but out of the corner of her eye, she caught something.
Her expression changed instantly.
"…Why is there another one? And it's a boy?" Fleur muttered, her tone turning pained.
Behind the stone pillar, there was indeed another hostage.
Ron Weasley.
Fleur took one look at his freckled face and felt her stomach twist slightly.
The price of saving people had suddenly gone up. If she had to repeat what she'd just done—for him—it would feel less like rescue and more like torture.
Then—
Her eyes lit up.
Two figures were rushing toward her from the distance, cutting through the water at high speed.
"Thank goodness… goodbye."
Fleur let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Gabrielle, we're leaving."
She swam back quickly, gathered her sister into her arms, and immediately began heading upward. Gabrielle was light, and Fleur's speed increased noticeably as she carried her.
Sunlight filtered down through the water, guiding her path. She followed the light, weaving smoothly past obstacles until—
They broke through the surface.
The bubbles around their heads burst at the same time.
Their long silver hair, soaked through, clung to their backs.
"The first champion to successfully rescue their hostage is Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons!"
Bagman's voice rang out loudly—but every word seemed forced. He looked like he was suffering, yet he still had to sound enthusiastic.
"Well done, Fleur!"
Madame Maxime immediately rose to her feet, clapping proudly. She nearly knocked over her chair in the process, startling Karkaroff beside her.
"Unfortunately, although she returned first, she exceeded the time limit by one minute," Bagman added, trying to steady himself as he continued.
"I'm sorry, Sister…" Gabrielle said softly. If she hadn't asked Fleur to help the others, Fleur might have scored even higher.
"This was my choice," Fleur replied gently, leaning down to kiss Gabrielle's forehead. "And we're still first, aren't we?"
Gabrielle sniffed and coughed lightly.
"Go get warm," Fleur urged.
The two of them made their way to Madam Pomfrey, who immediately wrapped them in thick blankets and instructed them to stay put.
"The next to return are Viktor Krum and Mr. Potter! They have also successfully brought back their hostages!"
Fleur, now wrapped in a blanket, stepped closer to the shore and cast a mocking glance at Draco.
"She cares about you that much… and you didn't even bother to go in. How disappointing."
From the stands, scattered boos could be heard.
"She'll come back on her own," Draco replied indifferently, his gaze fixed on the water.
The judges began murmuring among themselves.
Madame Maxime looked at him with clear disdain, while Karkaroff let out a cold laugh.
"Seems even swimming is too difficult for Hogwarts students," he sneered. "I didn't expect a simple lake to stop him."
He shook his head, clearly unimpressed.
After all, Draco's performance in the first task had been exceptional—yet now, this?
"I believe we may have made a mistake," Dumbledore murmured, adjusting his half-moon glasses. A faint glint flashed in his blue eyes.
"Indeed. If he doesn't act now, the hostage might drown. That would be quite the mistake," Karkaroff replied sharply.
"No," Dumbledore said calmly. "He'll be back soon."
"How unreasonable," Karkaroff muttered, shaking his head.
Dumbledore stepped toward the lake's edge and began speaking with the leader of the merpeople, his voice shifting into the sharp, eerie tones of their language.
After a moment, he straightened and turned back to the judges.
"Let us confer before assigning scores."
And just then—
Pansy surfaced.
She swam up on her own, breaking through the water at last.
"…Well," Bagman said awkwardly, momentarily at a loss. "The final hostage has safely returned to shore."
Draco immediately stepped forward, grabbing hold of her robe.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his tone uncharacteristically urgent.
"I'm fine," Pansy replied softly.
"How ridiculous," Fleur muttered with a cold smile, clearly unimpressed by his concern.
"Here, drink this."
Madam Pomfrey pulled Pansy over, sat her down, wrapped her in a blanket, and handed her a steaming potion. She stood there, watching closely, as if ready to force it down her throat if she refused.
"Thank you," Pansy said, resigned.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Bagman announced, regaining his composure, "we have reached a decision. The merpeople's leader has informed us of everything that occurred underwater. Based on a total of fifty points, the champions will be awarded as follows—"
"Before that,"
A calm but authoritative voice interrupted him.
"I believe Miss Parkinson should clarify something first… wouldn't you agree?"
Dumbledore's gaze rested steadily on Pansy.
"Or should I say—Mr. Malfoy?"