Harry Potter and the Secret Treasures - H.P.S.T Chapter 687: Gabrielle’s Substitute
Asking a girl to be her most important person was really too direct and could easily be misunderstood.
Since arriving at Hogwarts, Fleur had received many declarations from boys in various ways.
But this time it was so straightforward… something she saw for the first time.
If it weren’t for the wrong environment, or if Fleur didn’t know Evan better, she might have thought he was like other boys…
“To be honest, your proposal is very touching,” said Fleur, skeptical. “But why do you do this?”
“I’m also worried about Gabrielle, you know …” said Evan vaguely, looking into Fleur’s eyes, “Trust me, the actual danger of the second task is absolutely beyond your imagination. Any accident under the lake is possible. You don’t want Gabrielle to take risks, do you? “
Fleur hesitated. She really didn’t want Gabrielle to take risks.
“If it’s really that dangerous, and you go to the lake instead of Gabrielle…”
“Relax!” said Evan. “You know my strength. No matter what mishap, I can face it.”
After a moment of silence, Fleur finally made up her mind.
“Thank you, Evan!” She then raised her voice, “but if we do so, will anyone believe it? Everyone knows my most important person is Gabrielle. How do you want to replace her?”
Indeed, Barty Crouch Jr. was not a fool. If Evan was so suddenly involved in the second task, that would be really suspicious.
“After all, this is a fact, there is no good reason!” said Fleur, shaking her head and suddenly thought of something, “Or do you intend to be my boyfriend? This is the only way… will Hermione Agree?”
Evan knew from Gabrielle that Fleur had just broken up with Roger Davies not long ago and was now single. Or, more precisely, it was over before it had even begun. After the Yule Ball, Fleur lost interest in Davies.
Evan would become Fleur’s boyfriend and announce the news to the public. This method was indeed feasible.
People who were passionately in love would naturally have their other half as their most important person.
Evan would also have a legitimate reason to participate in the task without causing too much doubt.
Even if Barty Crouch Jr. was skeptical, it would be hard to object.
When discussing the details with Dumbledore, the latter also raised this point.
But suddenly falling in love with Fleur was still too abrupt and strange. Evan had a better way.
Caresius and Barty Crouch Jr. impersonating Moody gave him some inspiration. If he used the Polyjuice Potion, he could perfectly replace Gabrielle to enter the task without causing any doubt.
To do so, he had to get Fleur and Gabrielle’s cooperation.
The Polyjuice Potion was effective for only one hour. Evan had to calculate the time and replace Gabrielle before the start of the second task. If they did not cooperate, it would be impossible to achieve that.
As for the real Gabrielle, she could either hide or make herself Evan. Evan was more inclined to the second option, which could confuse Barty Crouch Jr., and he was going to ask Hermione to take care of her.
In fact, he had originally intended to swap identities with Ron.
But thinking about it carefully, it was too risky, regardless of whether Ron would agree or not. The status of the champion was too sensitive, and the contract with the goblet was not to be broken.
Also, according to the information obtained from Dumbledore, Barty Crouch Jr. would be present throughout the entire second task. If he noticed anything amiss, it could jeopardize the entire plan, which would be disastrous!
They also didn’t know how Barty Crouch Jr. was going to take Harry away and where he would hide the Portkey.
Therefore, there absolutely could not be any interference from the four champions.
What’s more, Barty Crouch Jr. was only a secondary target.
His use value would be exhausted once he brought Harry to Voldemort, and the key point of the whole plan was that Voldemort should doubt nothing.
He had to use Harry’s blood willingly, and kill Harry by himself as an important target after his resurrection. Only in this way could he sink deeper step by step until death. Otherwise, all the efforts made by Evan and his friends to implement this staging would be vain and meaningless!
That was the main reason why Dumbledore couldn’t show up for the time being. If Evan suddenly changed from Ron to himself again after Voldemort’s resurrection, it would be strange not to make Voldemort suspicious, unless he was out of his mind!
Coming to think of it, there was no reason why Evan suddenly became a champion and went to the place where he was resurrected.
There was no such concern in becoming Gabrielle, Evan just happened to want to help, and did not want Gabrielle to take risks. Then he happened to follow Harry to witness Voldemort’s return.
Even if Voldemort thought it back and investigated, there would be nothing wrong. Everything would make sense.
It was obvious to all that Evan had a good relationship with Fleur and Gabrielle, and many people could prove it.
It was a coincidence and Voldemort’s plot was successful. Evan and Dumbledore wanted him to understand it that way.
As for the real plan, no one but the two of them knew it.
Snape and Sirius might know a little bit, they were responsible for subduing Batty Crouch Jr.
Evan was also going to tell Hermione a little bit and get her ready to cooperate.
As for Fleur and Gabrielle, Evan offered to replace Gabrielle, and gave a plausible reason.
Harry and Ron knew nothing about the next action, and they both acted naturally as they were.
“In short, you just have to agree… leave the rest to me!” Evan said his plan.
“The Polyjuice Potion?” Fleur looked at Evan in surprise. “You want to replace Gabrielle this way and become my most important person?”
“That’s right,” said Evan. “Trust me, no one will find out, and Gabrielle won’t have to venture into the lake.”
With the Polyjuice Potion, one could assume the physical appearance of any other person at will, without being discovered. But becoming a girl was really a unique experience.
Twenty minutes later, Evan finally persuaded Fleur to dispel her concerns and let her agree to support his plan.
Fleur cared so much about Gabrielle, and she had no reason to refute Evan’s suggestion.
It was really dangerous to get into the lake, and she was not quite sure about the second task itself.
There were not only the Merpeople in the lake, but also the giant squid, Kelpies and Grindylows.
The Defence Against the Dark Arts and combat had never been Fleur’s strong side.
She dared not even think about it, in case she did not find Gabrielle within the allotted time…