HOGWARTS OVEREXPOSED - SALAZAR'S RETURN
The loud talking of Janice and Denise awakened Emily. They had no respect for anyone else. If they were sleeping, they expected everyone to walk around on tiptoes, but it they were awake then everyone else should be too.
Emily checked her watch. It was good that Janice and Denise were so rude. If she and Kim didn't hurry they'd miss breakfast. Emily stuck her hand through the drapes of Kim's bed and gave her a gentle shake. "Time to get up sleeping beauty or we'll miss breakfast."
Kim stretched and then rubbed her eyes before slowly opening them. "Emily why are you waking me in the middle of the night? Its pitch dark."
"What are you going on about," Emily retorted, pulling Kim draperies open. "It's the middle of the morning. Open your eyes and get out of bed, lazy."
Kim didn't answer Emily; instead she screamed and then started crying uncontrollably. Her eyes were open. She was blind.
Chapter Twenty
See, Hear and Speak No Evil
Emily was still recoiling from the shock of Kim's initial scream when the dormitory door flew open and Professor Ginevra Weasley rushed into the room.
"Professor! It's Kim! She's blind," Emily cried hysterically.
Ginny ran to Kim's bed, dropped down on her knees and took the trembling girl into her arms. "Calm yourself," she said soothingly. "Everything will be all right. The blindness is only short-term; it's a result of the potion that bastard, Simone, gave you last night. The effects will wear off within eighteen hours. Your sight will return sometime this evening."
Although her professor's words calmed Kim slightly, she still could not stop crying. She continued to whimper softly as Ginny stroked her back with sensitivity.
"How could he do something so cruel and hateful?" Emily shouted. Immediately her thoughts turned to her sisters, Jamie and Caitlin. "Are all the contestants blind?"
"No," Ginny answered. "Some have lost their hearing while others have no capacity to speak. Jamie was the first to recognize the effects of the potions when she awakened this morning. She roused Caitlin and then they alerted your parents, who in turn alerted the heads of house. Professor Malfoy is with Dick Bancroft now."
"Do you know how Jamie and Caitlin were affected?" Emily asked concernedly.
"Caitlin is totally deaf and Jamie can't speak," Professor Weasley answered solemnly.
"I have to go to them," Emily shouted urgently.
"No you don't," Ginny asserted. "They have each other, plus your parents are currently seeing to them. Their disabilities are much more easily dealt with than Kim's affliction. Your friend is the one who needs you at the moment."
One glance at the look of desperation covering Kim's beautiful tear stained face and Emily understood Professor Weasley was correct.
"He did this to them for that stupid contest?" Emily asked, shaking her head in frustration. "Couldn't he have simply blindfolded or gagged them?"
"That's what your father asked Rishard," Ginny said. "I think he was ready to thoroughly thrash the man. He probably would have if Hermione hadn't intervened. Rishard claimed that there was too great a chance of cheating with blindfolds, ear plugs and gags."
"He could have at least warned them what was going to happen," Emily sighed, her voice echoing disgust.
"That would have been the considerate thing to do, but Rishard maintains that would have spoiled the surprise and given the participants too much time to adjust to the handicap before the task,' Ginny responded.
"Rishard is an arse," Emily sputtered, before remembering that she was talking to a school professor and not a fellow student. "I'm sorry Professor, that was impertinent of me."
"No apology necessary," Ginny said, giving Emily an honest smile. "I totally agree with your appraisal of the man. Now, can I count on you to take care of Kim up until the team gathers together? She'll need assistance showering, getting dressed and making it to the Great Hall for breakfast."
Emily nodded her head, but then recognized that Kim wouldn't be conscious of this physical gesture. "Of course I'll take care of her. She's my best friend," Emily said soundly, grasping Kim's hand and squeezing it tightly.
"Then I'll leave matters in your capable hands," Ginny said, giving Emily another smile. "Don't worry Kim, Draco is familiar with the potion Simone used. He assures us that there will be no lasting affects; you'll be as good as new this evening."
Kim waited until she heard the door close behind Professor Weasley, and then whispered. "Are we alone?"
<BR.
"We are now," Emily answered. "Janice and the Butcher were here, but they departed just before Professor
Weasley. I like her; next to Mum and Dad, she's the coolest professor we have. She wasn't even fazed that we
were both nude."
Kim turned scarlet. "I forgot! Oh my God! I can't believe I just sat here totally starkers and allowed my professor to stroke my back. What must she think of me?" Kim asked.
"She's okay with the whole nudist thing," Emily said reassuringly. "Professor Weasley has seen Caitlin and me naked numerous times. She's even popped into our quarters already when Mum was nude. Honestly, I think she'd give naturism a try herself if it weren't for Professor Malfoy; he likes looking, but otherwise he's a prude."
Kim didn't responded, but rather sat silently, a vacant expression on her face.
"Kim, are you okay?" Emily asked when she realized Kim wasn't listening. "Don't be concerned, Professor Weasley said you would be all right by this evening."
"I know," Kim answered glumly. "It's just that I always sort of took my vision for granted. I can't imagine having to live the remainder of my life like this. I think I'd rather die."
"Kim, don't talk like that," Emily scolded.
"I'm serious," Kim insisted. "People who are whole go through their entire lives not being thankful for how good they have it. I'm actually grateful Simone gave me that potion. I'll always have a greater respect now for handicapped people and an appreciation for how lucky I am."
After some prodding, Kim reluctantly got out of bed and allowed Emily to steer her to the bathroom. She blushed profusely as Emily guided her to a seat on a chamber pot. Although Kim had progressively gotten accustomed to being seen nude, she still preferred privacy for such personal matters as relieving herself. Emily, of course, considered Kim's insistence on modesty as silly.
"It's just a natural body function," Emily reminded her. "You don't hide in a stall when you eat or drink. I don't understand why people feel it is so shameful to purge body waste? It's a natural body function; everybody does it."
Much to Kim's relief, she was able to convince Emily that, despite her blindness, she was fully capable of relieving herself unaided. She did, however, appreciate Emily's help when it came to such things as applying paste to her toothbrush.
"Would you like me to wash you?" Emily asked as they entered the shower room.
Kim shivered at the thought of her best friend touching her in such an intimate way. "I think that I can manage," she answered, uneasily, "if you'll just guide me under a shower head."
Emily did as requested and after helping Kim adjust the water temperature; she went to an adjacent shower and began to bathe herself. She was shampooing her hair, not paying close attention to Kim, when she heard muffled sobbing. Emily looked in the direction of the weeping to discover Kim on all fours desperately feeling about for her dropped soap.
Emily hurriedly picked up the soap and then helped Kim to her feet. "I feel so helpless," Kim cried.
"I'm sure you'd become quite independent in time," Emily said reassuringly. "Fortunately, yours is just a temporary handicap and until it passes, I'll be here to help you."
Without thought, Kim reached out to touch Emily and then pulled her best friend into a tight embrace. They stood wordlessly, holding each other closely, as the water cascaded off their glistening bodies. Had someone observed them, the meaning of the embrace might have easily been misconstrued. Neither girl gave thought to this nor were they the least bit self-conscious. Providence had brought them together and only death would end their extraordinary friendship.
* * * * * *
"Ron, why doesn't Severus just call the competition off?" Sam asked. It was obvious that she was
extremely irritated.
"I'm sure he would, if it were within his authority," Ron answered. "Severus may be the headmaster, but he still has to abide by the directives of the Board of Governors."
"I can't believe that the Governors approve of Simone's shenanigans," she countered disgustedly. "First he forces the contestants to wear those licentious costumes, and then he introduces those dreadful spiders into the first event. Now he's slipped disability-causing potions into the competitors' drinks. What's next?"
"I don't know," Ron answered, shaking his head in frustration. "Rishard, or at least the people he works for, seem to have all the angles covered. When complaints were raised concerning the costumes, they were quick to point out that until recently such competitions were held in the nude. They also reminded everyone that two of the school's most celebrated professors were devout nudists."
"That's totally different," Sam interrupted. "Being a naturist is poles apart from being forced to dress in provocative and suggestive costumes. Besides, most of the contestants aren't naturists."
"You don't need to convince me," Ron said, raising his hands in capitulation. "I'm just pointing out some of the arguments they've used. Personally, I think some of the Governors are either under the Imperius Curse or have accepted bribes. But we all know how much my opinion counts for."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley! You know very well that I value your opinion highly," Sam shouted, affronted by Ron's comment.
"You know what I mean," Ron replied apologetically. "In our world the opinion of a werewolf isn't worth a Knut."
"Perhaps in the Wizarding World," she said, pulling Ron into her arms, "but not in our world." She kissed him passionately.
* * * * * *
The room was bustling with excitement as Kim entered the Great Hall guided watchfully by Emily. Evidently word had
rapidly spread about the fortune of the competitors because Emily was acutely aware of many eyes falling upon the two
of them as they crossed the hall to the table where the team was all seated together.
Unlike the other students who were talking animatedly, the Hogwarts competitors sat in near absolute silence. Emily helped Kim to be seated and then without waiting for an invitation plopped herself down at the table beside her friend. Jamie and Caitlin both gave Emily strained smiles of approval, but said nothing. Both girls had faraway looks covering their faces. As Emily glanced from face to face, she realized that all the contestants had the same gloomy expressions.
"Are you guys coping all right?" she asked.
Caitlin just stared at Emily questioningly, but Jamie nodded and gave Emily a weak grin. It was then that the bleakness of the situation became wholly apparent to Emily. In little more than an hour the competition would be commencing; it would be crucial for the players to communicate among themselves, but how? Kim was blind and it appeared that Nora Jordan and Lee Wilson, the two reserves, were suffering the same adversity. The three would need a great deal of assistance during the task, but half the people available to give that help couldn't hear them and the other half couldn't speak
Jamie had always been the group's leader; now she was unable to talk and even if she could Caitlin and Donald couldn't hear her words. Maybe she could use sign language with them, Emily thought, but that certainly wouldn't work with Kim and the others that were sightless.
Emily shook her head with disgust. How could the competition be considered fair with the Hogwarts team being at such an obvious disadvantage? Unless? Her eyes quickly darted to the nearby table where the American contingent was seated. One glance was all it took for her to discern that the Americans, as well, had been treated to Rishard's wicked potion.
Emily hoped that somehow the team would be able to deal with their temporary handicaps and prevail in the day's competition, but at the moment that wasn't her pressing concern. After sharing her observations with Kim, she concentrated on assisting the girl to acquire a healthy breakfast.
Kim's first sightless meal was both frustrating and messy. Once again she was reminded of how much for granted people take their vision. Kim had just finished eating when she felt someone's hands grasp her shoulders in a heartening way.
"I'm pleased that you are handling the situation so well," Professor Granger said reassuringly. "What Mr. Simone did to you is inexcusable. Mercifully it is only short-term."
Hermione kissed Kim on the cheek, then in turn approached Nora and Lee and likewise offered them words of encouragement. As Hermione made the rounds of the sightless students, Harry placed a blank parchment in front of Caitlin and Donald, the students that were rendered deaf by the potion. He pointed his finger to his eyes and then to the parchment. "Watch the parchment," he said. His words appeared briefly and then vanished.
"I want to apologize to you all for what I'm sure was a frightening experience when you awoke this morning," Harry declared. "I also want to guarantee you that neither the Headmaster nor myself were aware of the effects linked to the potions you were given. Mr. Simone had informed us that you would be required to perform today's task while handicapped, but he never divulged the extent of the handicaps or how they would be imposed."
"What he did was beyond the pale," Harry emphasized. "Professor Malfoy has examined the vestiges of the potion and assures me that the effects, although devastating, are only temporary. When you awake tomorrow morning you will have returned to your normal complete selves. Meanwhile, it is my unpleasant duty to notify you that the task will go on as scheduled. Your afflictions are just considered another obstacle that must be overcome."
Kim raised her hand warily, hoping to get Professor Potter's attention.
"Yes, Kim. Did you have a question?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Sir," she answered. "I was wondering, couldn't Caitlin cure us? Not just us! I wouldn't want to cheat. I mean all of us. The American team as well."
"I'm sure that Mr. Simone would consider that a violation of the contract," Harry answered bleakly. "Unfortunately, the option isn't even available to us. It seems that the loss of her hearing has negatively affected Caitlin's Hyperempath powers."
Kim frowned.
"If there are no further questions, I'd like to stop by the American team's table and reassure them before we all head down to the pitch," Harry said. He looked desolately toward Caitlin and Donald. "I'm sorry, but I can't allow you to hold onto those parchments. It would be considered any unfair advantage."
Don and Caitlin both nodded their acquiescence and reluctantly handed back the parchments. Although it was nothing like actually hearing, it had been nice to briefly discern what was being discussed in the room.
Emily noticed that Ron and Sam had joined Harry and Hermione as they conversed with the American students. After a few minutes the Americans rose to their feet and departed the hall along with their coach. Ron and Sam remained with the group to provide any needed assistance.
"It's time to proceed down to the pitch," Harry commented upon returning.
"Emily, I'll lend Kim a hand," Hermione offered. "It would be best if you rejoined your friends."
Emily nodded her agreement. She noticed that Jamie and Caitlin were assisting Lee Wilson, but was shocked to see Dick Bancroft placing his arm compassionately around the shoulder of Nora Jordan.
Emily watched transfixed until Tyler touched her hand. "We have to hurry back to Slytherin House and get our winter robes," he said concernedly. "It's bitter outside." He watched as the Hogwarts team departed the hall. "They're going to freeze to death in those miniscule costumes. They might as well be naked."
"Most of them are!" Emily said. Then without further explanation, she grabbed Tyler's hand and they scurried off to get their robes.
* * * * * *
"Roger, what are you doing here?" Emily asked in surprise.
"The same as every one else," Roger replied with a laugh. "There wasn't much logic in keeping the shop open when all of Hogsmeade is here to watch the competition. Besides, this isn't exactly ideal ice cream weather."
"You can say that again," Tyler said with a shiver. "Just the mention of ice cream makes me cold. You're welcome to sit with us if you like. No sense in you sitting alone."
"Thanks for the offer," Roger said graciously, "but I'm waiting for someone. Oh! Here she comes now."
Emily and Tyler looked in the direction Roger was facing and were both stunned to see Amanda and Alex headed their direction.
"You're meeting Amanda?" Emily questioned, surprise evident in her voice. "Are you guys dating?"
"Not exactly," Roger answered nervously. "This is sort of a trial run to see if we feel we have enough in common to try the whole dating thing."
"I think it would be great if you two started seeing each other," Emily said enthusiastically. Before she could comment any further, Amanda and Alex caught up to them.
"Hi Roger!" Amanda said in greeting. Her voice seemed to crack slightly with tension. "I hope you don't mind if Alex sits with us?"
"Not at all," Roger replied graciously. "Why don't the five of us locate seats together?"
Everyone nodded agreement to this plan as they all headed out onto the pitch where special seating had been erected surrounding the two temporary small ponds where the task was scheduled to take place. After searching fruitlessly for about five minutes, they were about to give up on finding adjoining seats when a voice called out to them. Evan was standing, waving frantically to them and pointing to an empty section of bleachers next to him.
"How did you manage to get such great seats?" Amanda asked as they joined Evan.
"I've been here since before dawn," Evan answered sleepily.
Emily was astonished as she looked about. She had never seen so many cameras or photographers gathered in one place; it looked like a paparazzi convention.
"These contests have become tremendously popular," Roger said, as if in answer to Emily's as yet unasked question. "Today's event is being broadcast to wizards worldwide. The competitions have become the equivalent to the Muggle Olympics."
"At least the Muggles have the decency to allow the participants to dress appropriately for the weather," Amanda commented. "Contestants in their winter events don't participate in skimpy bathing costumes." She looked concernedly at Jamie and the others. "They all look like they're freezing to death."
"Here comes that Simone character," Alex interrupted. "I think they're ready to begin."
Rishard whipped out his wand, pointed it at his own throat, and said, "Sonorus!" Suddenly he was able to speak over the roar of the crowd. His voice echoed, booming into every corner of the stands.
"Welcome! Welcome to the second event in this thrilling competition between the students from The Salem Witches' Institute and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"Today's task is called 'Bridging the Gap'. As you can see, we have erected two small pools, one for each team. The pools are ten foot deep at all points. There is a platform secured in the middle of each pool. The distance from land to the platform is approximately seven feet.
"Each team must cross the two expanses. They have no tools, only two boards with which to make a bridge. The two boards are four and five foot in length and quite rigid. Also, only three people may occupy the center platform at one time.
"In order to make the task more exciting, the contestants have all been temporarily afflicted with a disability. The rules were explained to them last evening because one third of the players are now incapable of hearing. Another third have lost the ability to speak and the final third have been temporally rendered blind."
There was a sudden gasp from the spectators.
Evan's face was pallid. "When did this all happen?" he asked fretfully. "What is Caitlin's handicap?"
"She's lost the sense of hearing," Amanda answered. She was about to reassure Evan, but was interrupted by the booming voice of Rishard.
"Don't worry," Rishard said in a heartening way to the crowd. "I assure you that the handicaps are only transitory. When they wake up tomorrow, all participants will have returned to normal."
"One more thing," Rishard said, suppressing a nervous laugh. "The ponds do not contain water. Although it closely resembles water this fluid is actually Petrificus Potion. It is the potion equivalent of the Petrificus Totalus spell. Any part of the body that comes in contact with the solution becomes rigid.
"Touch it with your fingers and you will lose their use. Submerge an arm or a leg and they will become incapacitated. Fall completely in the potion and you will become dead weight for your team, only your eyes will move for the next hour. Remember all member of the team are required to finish the task, even any that are out of action."
"Coaches, please assemble your teams at the starting point," Rishard added. "We will begin as soon as the certified judges are in position and all set."
"It looks like everyone is going to participate again," Alex commented. "The substitutes have ended up being regular starters."
"I'm sure that thrills Nora Jordan," Amanda remarked. "I think she'd just as soon watch from the bench."
"She wouldn't be doing much watching today," Emily said dejectedly. "She is one of the contestants that was struck sightless."
"Do you know which contestants have what disability?" Roger asked.
"Yeah! I sat with them all at breakfast this morning," Emily informed. "In addition to Nora, Lee Wilson and Kim Thatcher are also sightless. Donald Thomas and Caitlin are for the short term deaf, while Jamie, Jeffery Mac Dowell and Dick Bancroft have lost the ability to speak."
"Finally, someone found a way to shut up my dissolute brother," Tyler joked. "In his case, I sort of wish the potion's effects were unending."
"It must be weird for Jamie and Dick," Amanda noted. "Normally they are both constantly arguing with each other. Today they have to settle for giving each other nasty looks."
"Not being able to easily communicate with each other is going to make this task extremely thorny," Roger remarked. "Jamie was the team leader for the first task. Her inability to talk is going to mean someone else might have to step up and take control today."
"Who makes the better leader, someone who can't talk, someone who can't hear or someone who can't see?" Emily asked.
"I'm more worried about that Petrificus Potion than anything else," Evan said fretfully. "What if someone falls in the pond? How will their teammates get them out?"
"Good question," Alex agreed. "Those boards may be sturdy, but they're only about eight inches wide and three players on each team will need to be guided across."
"Neither team looks primed today," Amanda observed. "They're all just standing around as if in a stupor."
"They're most likely all still disconcerted. It must have been an awful shock when they woke up this morning," Alex stated. "That was only a few hours ago. They've had very little time to adjust and now the task is about to begin."
When Rishard gave the signal to start, both teams, at the outset, seemed perplexed. Not surprisingly, it was Jamie that stepped forward for the Hogwarts team and took control of the situation. Her first action was to group Kim, Nora and Lee together and then gesture instructions to Caitlin, indicating that she should keep the trio enlightened as to what was taking place.
Next, Jamie indicated for Dick and Jeff to each get one of the two boards and follow her to the pool's edge. She placed the longer board on the ground and then slid it so that most of the board extended in the air over the water like substance similar in fashion to a diving board. Jaime then motioned for Donald to join her and Jeff as they stood on the end of the board. She then indicated for Dick to walk out on the board while carrying the shorter plank.
At first Bancroft hesitated, giving Jamie a 'do you think I'm crazy' look. Then, as if a light went on, Dick understood Jamie's plan and nodded his approval. Slowly he walked out on the plank; it wobbled slightly, but remained in place. Cautiously Dick bent down and placed the other board in place. Six inches of wood touched and extended over the island platform, while the other end just covered the edge of the 'diving board'.
Dick took a deep breath. He felt as if he were walking a tightrope three foot above the deep pool of Petrificus Potion since nothing was securing the second board in place. He took a wary step and placed a slight bit of weight on the board; it remained in position. He held his breath as his full body weight moved to the second board, and then without hesitation he leapt to the platform.
Dick had made it to the middle of the pool. He quickly made sure the boards were still properly lined up and then gave Jamie the okay signal.
"I never thought I'd see the day that those two would work in concert," Tyler said, taken aback. "Did they actually just exchange smiles?"
No one responded; Emily and the others were all too absorbed in the spectacle that was taking place before them. Even the American Team had seemed to be watching the group from Hogwarts, but they now were quickly replicating the procedure.
Jamie hadn't wasted time checking on the American Team; instead she had motioned for Caitlin to bring Nora and Lee forward. She had Caitlin explain to Lee what Donald's job was and then had him take the boy's place. Once Lee was weighing down the board, Donald began his journey across to the platform. Donald had watched Dick vigilantly and was able to repeat the Slytherin boy's efforts without any difficulty. It was Nora's turn next. Caitlin guided the girl until Nora had her feet positioned securely on the first board.
"Keep shuffling your feet little by little to the left," Caitlin instructed. "I'll tell you if you are getting too close to the edge of the plank. To help you maintain your balance, Jamie will hold your right hand. I'll let you know when you've reached the halfway point."
Nora inched her way along the board at an agonizingly slow pace. At the speed she was moving, the Americans would surely catch up soon. Caitlin was about to urge Nora to move more rapidly, when a scream penetrated the air. One of the American girls had just fallen into the pool.
"That's right! Take it nice and slow," Caitlin said positively. "Haste makes waste. Careful now, your left foot is about to touch the second board; you will need to lift it up about an inch. Perfect! Now let your right foot touch before lifting it. Great! You're on the second board. Keep moving slowly to your left. Reach out your left arm so that Dick can help steady you."
"You made it," Caitlin screamed in excitement as Dick gave Nora an unexpected hug.
Jamie gave Caitlin a nudge, encouraging her to cross next, but Caitlin frantically shook her head and shouted, "No!" She held three fingers up in front of Jamie's face. "Remember, only three people are allowed on the platform at a time."
"Good thing Caitlin remembered that," Alex groaned in relief. "If she had crossed over to the center, the team would have been disqualified."
The American team had thus far only managed to get two people across to the platform and was currently struggling to rescue one of their numbers from the pool. If Hogwarts could maintain a steady pace and avoid any calamity, the contest could, without doubt, be won.
Dick pulled the four-foot board onto the platform and then stood back as Jamie deftly sent the longer plank flying through the air in his direction. Bancroft wasted no time getting the five-foot plank set into position and then sent Donald on his way toward the other side.
The Ravenclaw boy had no difficulty placing the shorter board in position and then hurrying across to terra firma. The Hogwarts team had now successfully moved one contestant completely from side to side. With Donald safely ashore, Dick sized up Nora and then looked to Jamie for guidance. He felt that he could adequately support Nora's weight by himself, but was concerned about sending the blind girl out on the plank. Since neither he nor Donald had assistance supporting the planks, they would be unable to give her any balancing aid. Also, Dick was concerned whether Donald's guidance of Nora would be as through as Caitlin's had been.
Jamie seemed to comprehend Dick's concern, but indicated that he should try. Jamie obviously felt that they just couldn't afford the luxury of exchanging boards after each individual.
Dick gave Nora a hug and then helped position her feet on the board. He took her hand and then gave her a gentle nudge indicating that she should start her journey across. Dick wished that he could somehow warn her that he would not be able to offer her constant support; that he would need to withdraw his hand and that for a time she would be on her own.
Dick watched intently as Nora moved little by little along the board listening to Donald's instructions and encouragement. Bancroft panicked briefly as Nora neared the second board. Don had forgotten to warn her about stepping up an inch. It looked like she stubbed her toe, but somehow still managed to maintain her balance. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief when the young girl finally reached shore. Hogwarts had two across and the Americans had only just managed to get their petrified player out of the water.
Since it was illegal to walk the boards around the pool to the starting side, it was necessary for Dick to remain on the platform so that the planks could be passed to him and then back to Jamie. Once the boards were set up again as they had been originally, Lee and Caitlin were the next to cross. Lee was guided across in a similar fashion as Nora and then Caitlin followed. Both players finished their crossing to the far side without incident.
While Hogwarts was getting their third and forth players complete, the American team had found it necessary to abandon the platform and essentially start over. This was necessitated because two boys had to carry the petrified girl across the plank bridge. That required the platform being empty to start with so that the three could arrive at the same time and then proceed to the finished side. The one male contestant had to then return back to the platform with the planks. Thus while Hogwarts now had four members of their team safely back ashore, the Americans had only gotten two people totally over and done with.
Jeff, Jamie and Kim remained on the starting side of the man made pond. Since Dick was still on the platform, they could not all journey there at once. The decision was made for Jeff to undertake the trip first and then after he had successfully made it completely to the other side Kim and Jamie would venture out to the platform. This meant moving the boards around quite a bit, but there seemed to be no viable alternative.
When Jeff had safely joined his teammates on the far side, Dick lobbed the four-foot board in the direction of Jamie and then situated the five-foot board in place before assuming his anchor position. The shorter board had to be on the side nearest the girls this time around because it was necessary for Jamie to retrieve it on her way out to the middle platform.
As Jamie guided Kim onto the board, she realized the failing in her plan. Neither she nor Dick would be able to help talk Kim across the planks. When out of Jamie's reach, Kim would be on her own until she made it to Dick's waiting hand. The other team members could yell encouragement, but their view of the planks was restricted; they wouldn't be able to advise Kim when she had reached the juncture of the two boards.
Jamie squeezed Kim's hand, after which she gave her an encouraging nudge to get started. She would have preferred to move along the plank directly next to Kim, but doubted very much that Bancroft could counterbalance their combined weight.
Jamie held on to Kim's hand tightly until the younger girl arrived at the point where the boards joined. Then she gave a slight pull hoping that Kim would comprehend the meaning of the tug.
Kim hesitated, and then felt around with her foot until she located the spot at which the two boards met. At this point, Jamie had to release her grip on Kim's hand. Kim, though, continued to move forward with deliberation, carefully checking her footing before placing her entire weight down. In a short time she felt Dick's fingertips touching hers and knew she would safely make it to the platform.
Without deliberation, Jamie nimbly started across the temporary 'bridge', stopping only to retrieve the shorter board once she had passed over it. Only after she had joined Kim and Dick on the platform, did she check on the progress of the American team.
"It's in the bag," Emily shouted excitedly, throwing her arms happily around Tyler.
"I like your enthusiasm," Tyler said, kissing Emily's cheek, "but let's not celebrate until each and every one of them is safely back on land."
Emily gave Tyler a disgruntled look, but begrudgingly returned to watching the contest.
Dick and Jamie wasted no time setting the boards in position for the final passage. As Jeff and Donald provided counterbalance, Dick was the first to triumphantly cross.
Once again, Jamie gave Kim a cheering squeeze as she sent her on her way. Dick had his arms waiting to grasp Kim's hand as Caitlin called directives to her friend. Kim's outstretched hand was mere inches from Dick's fingertips when the crowd gasped and then screamed. The distraction was all it took to cause Kim to lose both her concentration and balance and cause her to plummet into the pool headfirst.
The crowd once again screamed as Kim's body vanished below the surface of the pool.
"What happened?" Amanda asked, totally baffled. "What caused the crowd to initially yell?"
"It was that American boy that you girls know," Roger explained. "Isn't his name Brian? Anyway he was on the platform for the Americans just like Bancroft was for Hogwarts. And like us they had three more players to move onto the platform. Obviously he realized that they didn't have the time to move the boards around as often as we did. He evidently decided to clear the platform by leaping to the other side of their pool."
"Is that legal?" Alex asked.
"Evidently! They haven't been disqualified," Roger elaborated. "Brian didn't make it all the way to shore, but he did manage to grab the side of the pool. He appears to have only be petrified from the waste down."
"Who cares about him," Evan demanded. "Look at Kim! What happened to her team costume?"
Kim's rigid body had returned to the surface, but was now floating face down in the pool of Petrificus Potion. Being drenched in the potion plainly had nullified the concealment charm.
"Her nudity isn't the crucial concern," Emily said nervously. "Her nose and mouth are under water. Even though she's petrified, doesn't she still need to have air?"
"I believe so," Alex answered concernedly. "If the potion works the same as the spell, she isn't truly petrified, but rather just in a full body bind. Only seeing a basilisk's eyes indirectly can turn you to actual stone."
"Then they have to get her turned onto her back before she suffocates," Emily cried in desperation.
Fortunately Jamie and Dick seemed to have the same idea. They had hurriedly dissembled the bridge and Dick was already poking Kim's body with the one board in order to send it floating toward the platform and Jamie. Jamie couldn't risk touching the potion so had to wait until Kim was directly next to the platform, at which time she slid her plank under Kim's ankles and lifted the girl's feet onto the platform. Then avoiding the potion, Jamie drug Kim onto the platform unceremoniously by her feet.
Quickly Jamie turned the nude girl onto her back. Unable to speak, Jamie made the hand sign for OK only to promptly realize that Kim was unable to se this gesture.
Although Emily didn't seem to feel that Kim's exposure was of vital concern, it appeared that the paparazzi and the majority of the male spectators had a differing view. Flash bulbs popped incessantly and it looked as if every Omniocular in the stadium was focused on her.
"Jamie, hurry, put your plank back in place," Caitlin yelled. "Dick is coming to help you with Kim."
The longer plank was already in place extending over the water look-alike substance with Donald and Jeff firmly holding it. Jamie had barely positioned her plank when Dick hurried back across to the platform. Without delay, he placed his hands under Kim shoulders while Jamie grabbed Kim's ankles. Together they easily picked the thirteen year old up off the ground and started back across the plank bridge. As soon as they reached land, Caitlin hurried back out on the makeshift bridge and retrieved the shorter board. It was only when Caitlin reached shore and the other plank was lifted that Hogwarts was declared the winner.
Caitlin looked in the direction of the American team. Their last player was just leaving the platform. Hogwarts had won by less than a minute.
As soon as the win was declared official, the security trolls at last allowed Harry, Hermione, Severus and Madam Pomfrey to sprint to Kim's side. Hermione quickly covered the nude girl with a blanket as Madam Pomfrey examined her.
"She'll be fine as soon as the effects of the two potions wear off," Madam Pomfrey declared. "Actually, in her present state she's probably much warmer than the other contestants."
* * * * * *
"I'm disappointed, Rishard," Eric said as he and Rishard watched the crowd depart the Quidditch Pitch.
"Extremely disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Rishard cried, aghast. "What did you expect? I thought the task was thrillingly exciting and I delivered the teenage nudity that our male viewers crave."
"Are you actually trying to take credit for that young lady's costume evaporating into thin air?" Eric asked irately. "What kind of fool do you take me for? You know as well as I do that the Petrificus Potion does not dissolve clothes. That young lady was undoubtedly naked through out the entire task. My guess is that she was probably using some sort of concealment charm that had its effects negated by the potion. I doubt she is the only one using the charm; more than likely that is why there have been so few wardrobe malfunctions. I suggest you look into that."
"Sadly, that was one of the few bright spots of the day. Didn't I make it clear to you that I expected the action to be stepped up a notch today? Where was the near death experience?" Eric asked.
"I thought you were being facetious," Simone answered. "You didn't actually expect me to place those kids in genuine peril, did you?"
"What did I say to you at the conclusion of the first task?" Eric asked. "Didn't I clearly articulate that you might actually need to kill or maim someone? Have you never studied Sociology?
"No," Rishard answered, baffled as to what relevance that had with the current discussion.
"If you had, you would understand that maintaining the status quo is never enough," Eric explained. "Just as primitive man at the outset was pleased to merely have food and basic shelter, as time progressed, he desired more. The same is true of our audience.
"The time when they would be content with a flash of bare boob is long gone. Even total nudity no longer satisfies their hunger for thrill and excitement. They demand more and it is our duty to deliver it."
"I'm not sure I understand what exactly you expect of me," Rishard said nervously.
"I just expect you to broadcast the final event," Eric proclaimed. "I'm going to personally make all the meticulous arrangements, the first being a change in venue. Instead of holding the third event here at Hogwarts, it will be held on Fantastic Island."
"Fantastic Island!" Richard declared aghast. "But I thought that was a highly restricted complex. It's certainly too dangerous a place to take children; the Ministry would never give their permission. "
"The Ministry has already given their blessing," Eric replied in a boastful manner. "You'd be surprised at what positive results a few well placed curses can produce."
"But… there are dragons and Chimaera there," Rishard blubbered. "I've even heard that they have a Nundu in captivity. Someone could be hurt, perhaps even killed."
"I can't believe how thick you are," Eric asserted. "That's the entire idea. I suggest you stop worrying about those inconsequential little brats and start worrying about yourself."
* * * * * *
Sunday, February 19, 2006
"Do you have any idea why Rishard wants to meet with all the participants?" Caitlin asked as she and Jamie
departed the Gryffindor common room together. Both teams had been ordered to meet with Mr. Simone in the Charms
classroom at eight o'clock.
"Simone feels that Kim wasn't an isolated case. He thinks the majority of us were using the concealment charm rather than wearing his decadent costumes."
"Well, he's right. You'd think the pervert would be pleased about that, rather than upset," Caitlin protested. "Because of the charm's failure poor Kim ended up on display totally nude. If we'd have all been wearing the actual costumes, the most show that the deviates in his audience would have gotten might have been a few quick peeks at assorted body parts. Instead they got to gawk at Kim totally naked for a good ten minutes."
"Don't remind me," Jamie said, a feeling of guilt churning her stomach. "My plan totally backfired. How is she managing the situation?"
"Not too good," Caitlin answered. "I wish it could have been you or I in her place. Better yet, Emily. Nothing embarrasses her." Caitlin sighed. "Kim just isn't like the three of us. She enjoys naturism, but isn't comfortable being nude when others are fully clothed."
"Now, thanks to me, the entire wizard world has seen her starkers and her pictures are being disseminated on the wizard net," Jamie groaned.
"Don't blame yourself," Caitlin pleaded. "You had no way of knowing that the potion would cancel out the charm. It was just bad luck."
"I know," Jamie said sadly, "But that doesn't alter the fact that nearly every boy over the age of puberty is wanking off to her nude pictures. Worse, because she was petrified, the poor girl can't even get a moment of privacy by running out of the picture and partially hiding in the frame."
"Some of the girls are shoddier than the boys," Caitlin declared. "Emily tells me that Denise keeps hanging up life-sized pictures of Kim in the Slytherin common room; labeled pictures."
"Labeled? What do you mean by labeled?" Jamie inquired.
"Arrows pointing to her various body parts with nasty comments," Caitlin said, blushing. "Like firm succulent breasts and wet juicy…."
"Never mind! I get the idea," Jamie interrupted. "She wasn't happy nearly killing Emily. Now she's moved onto mortifying Kim. Don't the prefects do anything about the pictures?"
"You forget; Emily and Kim are in Slytherin House." Caitlin reminded her. "Even people like Doris and Tyler are hesitant to go against the house majority."
"I just pray that one day that girl gets her comeuppance," Jamie declared.
"Me, too," Caitlin agreed. "Is Dad going to be at this meeting?"
"Both Hermione and Harry," Jamie answered. "Also, Alex! Harry and Alex were looking over the original copy of the contract that we all agreed to, hoping to find a loophole that would permit the use of the charm."
"I hope they find one," Caitlin affirmed. "Even after what happened to Kim, I prefer the concealment charm over the actual costume. I don't want to be worried with tucking myself in every few minutes."
"I agree," Jamie said.
Caitlin and Jamie were the last to arrive and as soon as they were seated, Simone cleared his throat in order to attain silence.
"This meeting was called for two reasons," Simone announced. "The promoters have decided on some minor changes to make the last event of the tournament a bit more exciting. Before I reveal those changes, however, I would like to discuss the intentional violation of tournament rules that occurred on Saturday. This breach of contract could have resulted in Hogwarts being disqualified. Disqualification did not take place only because investigation showed that both teams had breached the contract."
"I want it understood that no such abuse will be tolerated during the final event," Simone barked.
At this point Alex shot his arm into the air. "Excuse me sir. Exactly how do you feel the contract was breached?"
"Just who are you and why are you at this meeting?" Rishard squealed. Evidently he had forgotten his previous encounter with Alex.
"I'm Alex Ward," Alex stated, taking to his feet. "Jamie Zacherley, one of the Hogwarts contestants is my intended. It was at her suggestion and encouragement that many members of both teams decided to use a concealment charm rather than wear a flimsy costume that often had a tendency to shift and expose private body parts. I read and reread the agreement numerous times and fail to see that this violated any provision of the contract."
"Then young man, I suggest you never decide to enter the field of law," Rishard replied smugly. "The contract clearly states that for all events the participants must wear the team uniform provided by the promoters and nothing but that."
"Now if it is alright with our junior want-to-be barrister, I'd like to continue."
"I'm sorry, Sir, but that's not what the contract says," Alex stated politely.
"I think I know the conditions of the agreement, young man," Simone protested. "I wrote the damn contract."
"I think that if you take the time to reread the contract carefully, you will see that you are quite mistaken," Alex stated emphatically. "The contract actually states clearly that the contestants must wear nothing more than the team uniform during participation. Obviously, your intention was to insure that no one put on a cover up.
"No one violated your terms. The contenders that used the concealment charm actually wore less than the team uniform. They were physically nude," Alex reported.
"Let me see that," Rishard said, angrily ripping the document out of Alex's hand. After studying it momentarily he threw the paper back at Alex. "You're trying to twist the meaning with semantics."
"Actually, I'd say it was you that was endeavoring to change the actual wording," Hermione declared. "Plus, I can't see what difference it makes. Either way, to the audience, the contestants appear to be wearing your tacky uniforms. Even you must admit that despite what occurred with Kim, there is less chance of accidental exposure using the charm." She hesitated for effect. "Surely you wouldn't want these children used as sex objects."
Rishard became extremely flustered. That was exactly what he wanted, but, of course, he certainly couldn't readily admit it. "Fine," he said, a beaten tone to his voice. "I suppose it doesn't matter whether they wear the actual uniform or use the charm." Quickly he tried to change the subject. "What I really sought to discuss with you tonight is a thrilling change in venue for the final event of the competition."
Rishard cleared his throat. "I'm tremendously pleased to announce that the concluding event of the competition, scheduled for June, will take place on Fantastic Island."
At first the room was completely silent, and then burst into chaotic discussion.
"Excuse me, Sir," Kim said raising her hand shyly into the air. "Does such a place in fact exist? I was under the impression that the supposed existence of an island containing fantastic magical beasts was a myth."
"Many people are under that impression," Rishard confirmed. "But let me assure you, the existence of Fantastic Island is not a falsehood. Much like Hogwarts, its location is unplottable, but I can guarantee you that it actually exists."
"I've known of its existence," Harry declared, "but it isn't exactly a petting zoo. Many of the beasts living there are considered exceedingly dangerous. I was under the impression that it was off limits to all but the most highly specialized and trained animal keepers. You can't seriously plan to hold the third event there."
Rishard nodded his head. "Until recently it was indeed a highly restricted area and the Ministry had actually encouraged the belief that its very existence was a fable. During the last two years, however, private enterprise has spent millions of Galleons on protective wards and charms to make the island completely safe."
"In a few months, advertisements will begin appearing announcing the opening of Fantastic Island as the premier vacation destination for wizard families. It is expected to over night become the magical world's equivalent to Disney World." Rishard paused briefly for effect and to let everyone take in this information.
"Due to a highly placed connection, we have been granted the opportunity to take part in a sneak peek at what the island will offer vacationers."
The students burst into thrilled applause, followed by excited discussion. Harry and Hermione simply stared uneasily at each other. They shared a horribly sickening feeling in their stomachs.
End of Chapter 20
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