Chronicles Of Arth: Prince Of Shadows

Ludo Bagman's magically magnified voice boomed out beside them, making them all jump, and causing the crowd in the stands to go very quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision. Merchieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows. . . . Fleur Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm, was attacked by grindylows- who were indeed a bit unusual- as she approached her goal, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her thirty points."

Applause from the stands.

"I deserved zero," said Fleur throatily, shaking her magnificent head.

"Cedric Diggory, who also used the Bubble-Head Charm, was first to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour." Enormous cheers from the Hufflepuffs in the crowd. We therefore award him forty-two points."

"Viktor Krum used an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective, and was second to return with his hostage. We award him forty points."

Karkaroff clapped particularly hard, looking very superior.

"Mr. Kingscrown had completed the second task in a way that no one would have expected. However, he returned last, and well outside the time limit of an hour. However, the Merchieftainess informs us that Mr. Kingscrown was first to reach the hostages, and that the delay in his return was due to his determination to return all hostages to safety, not merely his own."

Arth wanted to disappear entirely in embarrassment.

It wasn't that he wanted to save everyone but that he couldn't find his hostage. . . . Stop glorifying his deed damn it.

"Most of the judges," and here, Bagman gave Karkaroff a very nasty look, "feel that this shows moral fiber and merits full marks. So . . . Mr. Kingscrown's score is forty-five points."

Arth quickly did mental calculations and realized that he was no longer in last place.

Cedric - 84

Arthur - 82

Fleur - 77

Even though Arth felt that it was a bit cheap that he got extra points for something he did unintentionally, it was overall a good result.

"And one more thing. As Mr. Kingscrown could only bring one hostage up to the surface, he chose to sacrifice his hostage in exchange for saving Ms. Delacour's."

Arthur stopped his thoughts and nervously glanced at Mr. Bagman.

Something wasn't right.

"At the bottom of the lake, were three hostages and a c.h.e.s.t. The c.h.e.s.t was Mr. kingscrown's hostage and inside it was the thing he gave up in order to save Gabrielle. Can we the c.h.e.s.t up here now?"

Arth started to have a mental seizure.

W-what exactly was in the c.h.e.s.t. Why was Mr. Crouch giving him a look filled with pity?

"Mr. Kingscrown's "hostage", while not a person, was indeed one of his dearest objects. To be specific, The turkey legs that are served at dinner at Hogwarts."

N-no. I-it can't be.

Arth slowly stood up and opened his mouth as if trying to stop Bagman from continuing. He had a small inkling of where this was heading and did not enjoy it one bit.

"If, any chance Mr. Kingscrown fails to retrieve this c.h.e.s.t, then, Mr. Kingscrown's beloved Turkey legs will be officially removed from the menu at Hogwarts."

Arth felt something shatter inside him as he trembled for a moment before sliding back down his seat.

He felt Hermione pat his back gently but chose to ignore it. He chose to ignore everything in fact.

He couldn't believe it. He refused to believe it.

"Let us all respect the sacrifice Mr. Kingscrown made in order to save another."

For the first time since last year, Arth started to cry.