The champions were sent into the tent to await their call. This prevented them from watching the progress of those called before them and learning from their efforts.
Viktor and Al were the first to champions to start. They each jumped into a small wooden sailboat. Viktor used a charm to blow wind into the sail while Al pointed his wand at the water behind the boat and cast the spell to propel the boat forward. The eels went crazy swimming around the boats and screaming. Al's spell seemed to attract the eels. Viktor managed to pull ahead as the eels forced Al off course. Viktor made it to the other shore almost 20 seconds before Al.
As the boys disappeared into the Forbidden Forest, two more started, Roger Davies and August Penev. Both boys tried to use the same wind generating charm Viktor used to a less effective result.
On the monitor he could see Victor and Al moving through the Forest. They had chosen separate paths. Viktor vaulted a quicksand trap with an impressive display of athleticism. Harry turned to another mirror just in time to see Al using a Flame Freezing Charm to charge straight through a fire trap without so much as a burn mark. The crowd was going crazy cheering for the two champions. Harry was glad to see the two were doing well.
Then screaming started from certain audience members. Harry glanced at the mirrors and saw the Durmstrang wizard, August Penev was in trouble on the lake. The eels managed to capsize the boy's boat and were circling in an excited frenzy. The boy was screaming in panic as his grip started to slip. One of the eels latched onto the boy's foot- jerking him back into the water. The boy disappeared under the black water in a boil of eels. Further ahead, Roger Davies was watching in helpless shock at the loss of a fellow champion.
The audience started to protest when August appeared in the centre of the stage dripping but none the worse for wear. He looked around in shock at his sudden apparent rescue before fainting to the floor.
"Ladies and gentleman, how about a round of applause for our first champion, August Penev!" The audience was silent in shock themselves as they watched a trio of house-elves help the unconscious boy off the stage. "Come on now, surely you didn't think we would allow a student to potentially die! "
"Do you think potentially scaring a student to death is a prank, Mr Black? That it is funny?" McGonagall demanded as she stormed onto the stage.
Sirius looked like a Firstie caught sneaking into the girls' loo. "Um, yes?"
It was only Dumbledore's arrival that saved Sirius from becoming a throw rug in front of the Transfiguration professor's fireplace.
"Now Minerva, don't be too upset. Mr Black has assured me there are no truly dangerous obstacles on the course. And I have assured myself they have a sufficient supply of Calming Potions."
"Can we give her one now?" Sirius asked. McGonagall stared in outrage as Dumbledore chuckled.
"Sorry my boy. Those are for the students. You shall have to deal with Professor McGonagall on your own." Sirius looked betrayed as the crowd laughed. McGonagall silenced them with a glare that even impressed the Beast.
Turning back to her former student, the professor announced, "For every student that is physically harmed on this 'quest' of yours, you will serve a day's detention!" Sirius tried to protest but the Scottish witch was on a roll. "No, I don't want to hear it, Sirius Black! Or do you want to make it two days!"
Sirius' arse chewing was interrupted by the tone announcing two more champions were starting. Harry saw Malfoy jump into a boat with Michele Desmarais of Beauxbatons just behind him. Harry moved over to the mirror showing Draco. He really wanted to see this.
Malfoy tried to use the same propulsion charm Al had tried. Harry expected the wealthy scion had used small boats before as he seemed rather comfortable in the boat and was making good time crossing the lake. He was nearing the far shore when an eel suddenly leapt out of the water.
The eel smashed into Draco's chest sending him crashing to the bottom of the boat. The eel thrashed around while Draco tried to dodge its thrashing jaws while trying to recover his wand. He managed to get his wand from where it had fallen without being bitten. His panicked but angry expression was visible as Malfoy prepared to cast a spell at the land-bound eel.
Before he could cast, another eel hit the front of the boat knocking it to the side. Concentrating on punishing the beast that threatened him, Draco was not prepared for the sudden lurch and fell back over the small sides of the boat. He hit the water as the shrieks of the eels grew incredible loud drowning out any noise coming from Draco.
Narcissa Malfoy screamed as her son disappeared in the swarm of shrieking eels. She ran down from the VIP section of the stage anticipating her baby appearing like the Durmstrang boy. But Malfoy never appeared.
The crowd was breathlessly silent as they waited for Malfoy. Then a spectator cried out, "Look there!"
As one, the crowd turned to the mirrors to see Malfoy flying over the lake in a ballistic trajectory. The young wizard was already at the top of his arc as he rocketed towards the lakeshore. The projecting crystal's location was at a 90 degree angle from Malfoy's path and was pulled all the way back so the crowd could easily visualize his probable flight path.
"And it think he has the height!" Harry announced from the stage. "Does he? Yes! Young Draco Malfoy has successfully made it to the other side of the Black Lake." Draco smashed into the small sandy beach area that had been created as a landing spot for the sailboats. A new crystal activated that was much closer and zoomed in on Draco. He was laying in the sand drawling deep breaths; his eyes wide in shock at his encounter with the eels and his sudden unpowered flight.
"Get moving, Malfoy!" Harry yelled into his microphone. Draco seemed to hear him as he sat up with a jolt.
"Damn you, Potter," the blonde wizard cursed as he forced himself to his feet. The crowd watched as he drew his wand and ran shakily towards the Forest.
"I guess there are some things even the eels won't eat," Harry commented to Sirius. The glare Narcissa threw him when she heard was truly worthy of Snape.