Chapter 18.- Late

                                    

                                          

February 24th, The day of the second task
"Welcome, Dear champions" Madame Moreau stood in the middle of the other two headmasters. Her chin as high as it could go with pride and confidence. There had been no hidden messages, no clues from her this time. She either thought Camille had found everything she needed that night, or she trusted her blindly. 
"We have summoned you here before the task begins to provide you with instructions." 
Behind them a wide curtain was covering a big portion of space. The insides of the tent were adorned with each school's colors and crests, couches and areas to rest. They had been instructed to sit in the long table, full of refreshments and tidbits. But Camille didn't reach for anything, the sole thought of it made her stomach churn. She hadn't been in peace for weeks, not able to rest nor sleep well with nightmares haunting her. Except for the night that sleep claimed her while holding Sebastian's hand. That had been the only night during all those weeks that she had genuinely rested. 
It didn't help that she still had not heard a word from Louis since he left... No letter, No floo call, no nothing. Strangely, a box of her favorite pastries still arrived each Saturday, without a note. Most of the contents were eaten by Jeanne, of course. 
Petrovsky's tall frame stepped forward. His icy blue eyes pierced through her skin, sending a cold chill across her spine. 
"The lands are protected with special wards. No one can apparate or dissapparate in the perimeter. No one besides the champions goes in. Due to the incident presented on the last task-" 
"You mean Attack" Sebastian jumped in at the opportunity to remark what had happened.
"Do not interrupt, Mr. Sallow" Professor Black warned, glaring at him. Sebastian leaned back in his chair, clenching his jaw to suppress the need of saying anything more. 
Petrovsky disregarded the interruption like it was nothing and continued "In consequence to that event. We will provide each of you with a ring charmed so that in case you are in need of assistance, one of the professors will apparate to your location right away." 
"I thought you said there were wards in place?" Camille asked, she almost didn't recognize her own lifeless tone. She had worked on her occlumency walls for hours before coming in. But even with that, the glance Petrovsky shot her made her feel that he was able to see right through her. Through the ice, through the falseness.
"That does not include us or the other professors that agreed to assist" Madame Moreau was the one that responded, and with a flick of her wand, a small silver ring appeared in front of them, along with a folded piece of parchment. 
"Wear the ring, turn it three times and someone will come to your aid" Petrovsky motioned the turn of his own ring before spinning to the curtain behind them "With that being said, to make everything more interesting we have decided to give you all some motivation" the corner of his lip curled into a smirk. He was younger than the other two professors, eager for action, entertainment, this was a game for him. 
He tugged on the curtain, revealing what was behind it all along, and it was like Camille could hear the ice starting to crack. 
Upon her eyes three bodies laid unconscious.
It was Louis. Her hand gripped the edge of the seat to tight her knuckles ached, preventing her from sprinting to him. His face was leaner, his cheeks had no color. She tried to hear his voice in her head, to remember what it sounded like, but she couldn't... 
"Mr. Duval has been magically petrified, Mademoiselle Beaumont." She wanted to throw up. Her friend laid there, still as stone. Someone she loved was in danger, once again, because of her... Used as bait for the delight of this stupid game. She was going to be sick. Her insides burned. But in the reflection of the silver platter in front of her, her face remained unmoved, almost as still as Louis'.