章節 39: Second Task and Heroic Deeds
Harry Potter stood in the dimly lit library of Hogwarts, ancient scrolls and books spread across the table in front of him. He had spent the last several hours researching the clues left in the golden egg from the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament. The egg's eerie screeching sound had only made sense after he'd submerged it in water, where the clues became clear. He listened carefully to the voices that sang to him about something precious being taken and kept underwater.
With a smirk, Harry closed the egg and leaned back in his chair. "It's in the lake. That's what they're going to do—take something, or rather, someone precious to me and leave them underwater as bait for the task," he murmured to himself. He was sure that it would be his girls—Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, and Fleur—who would be taken. The thought of it was unsettling, but he knew they'd be safe.
Later that evening, Harry gathered the four girls in the Room of Requirement. The room had morphed into a cozy setting, with soft lighting and plush cushions scattered across the floor.
"Alright," Harry began, his emerald eyes focused on the four of them. "I've figured out the Second Task. They're going to take something precious to each champion, and in my case, it'll be one—or maybe all—of you."
Hermione, always pragmatic, nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense, considering the tournament's theme. And the lake is the perfect setting for something like that."
Daphne crossed her arms and tilted her head. "So, what's the plan?"
Harry's lips curled into a confident smile. "Don't worry. I'm going to save all of you. Not just whoever they choose from me—I'll save everyone taken for the task."
Tracey raised an eyebrow, impressed but curious. "You're going to beat the task by saving everyone?"
"Exactly," Harry replied. "I'll go in early, locate everyone, and bring them up before any of the other champions even start."
Fleur, leaning in close to Harry, gave him a warm smile. "You are always zuch a hero. But I 'ave no doubt you will do it."
Each of the girls shared a look, and there was no fear or anxiety—only trust. They knew Harry would protect them.
The Day of the Second Task
The morning of the Second Task dawned cold and crisp. The stands around the Black Lake were filled with students and spectators eager to see the champions face their next challenge. Dumbledore, the judges, and the champions gathered near the shoreline, awaiting the start of the task. The cold February air bit at their faces, but Harry's focus was unwavering.
Unlike the other champions—Fleur, Viktor, and Cedric—who were fidgeting and nervously looking at the lake, Harry stood calm, his hands in his pockets. He had a plan.
As the whistle blew to begin the task, the other champions immediately prepared to dive into the icy water. But Harry did something no one expected. He stepped onto the lake, his foot touching the water without sinking. He then took another step, and soon, he was walking across the surface as if it were solid ground. A collective gasp came from the crowd as Harry raised his wand.
"Mobili Aqua!" he called, and with a graceful sweep of his wand, the surface of the lake around him froze solid, creating a large platform of ice that shimmered in the sunlight. The spectators were stunned. Murmurs and whispers echoed through the crowd.
"What's he doing?" someone asked.
"Is he freezing the lake?"
But Harry wasn't done. He raised his wand again and cast a powerful scanning spell, his mind focusing on the depths of the lake. "Revelare!" A soft blue glow emanated from the ice as Harry's magic spread out in waves beneath the surface, seeking the captives. Moments later, the spell highlighted the location of every person taken for the task: Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, Fleur, and the others—Cho Chang for Cedric, Krum's companion, and Gabrielle Delacour, Fleur's younger sister.
Satisfied with what he found, Harry dove into action. He dispelled the ice just enough for him to plunge into the freezing water, his magic keeping him warm as he swam swiftly toward the captives. His movements were graceful and powerful, cutting through the water like a creature of the lake itself.
The hostages were tied to the rocks at the bottom of the lake, enchanted to sleep peacefully. One by one, Harry freed them, starting with Hermione, then Daphne, Tracey, Fleur's sister, and Cho. He gently lifted each of them to the surface, ensuring they floated safely on the water's surface.
The crowd watched in awe as, in less than ten minutes, Harry returned to the shore with all of the hostages. He hadn't even broken a sweat.
As Harry laid the hostages gently on the shore, Madam Pomfrey rushed forward to check on them. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, and people chanted Harry's name.
The other champions, meanwhile, were struggling. Viktor Krum, using a partial transfiguration spell to turn himself into a shark, had just located Gabrielle but was visibly tired from the effort. Cedric Diggory was still fighting to free Cho, and Fleur, though determined, was exhausted from her own efforts in trying to reach her sister.
One by one, the other champions surfaced, some barely managing to save their hostages in time. Fleur, in particular, was near tears when she saw that Harry had saved her sister Gabrielle before she could.
The task was reset for the other champions to finish, but everyone knew Harry had won the day. His heroic actions were unmatched.
After the task, the champions stood before the judges to receive their scores. The other champions were clearly exhausted, with Fleur leaning on the rail to steady herself and Cedric still trying to catch his breath. Viktor was silent, his usually stoic expression betraying his fatigue.
When Harry walked back into the tent, completely unscathed and looking as though he hadn't even exerted himself, all eyes turned to him.
Fleur was the first to speak, her voice soft but teasing. "You did it again. You saved everyone."
Harry smirked. "What can I say? I like being thorough."
Fleur blushed, remembering their playful conversations before the task. She stepped closer, lowering her voice so only Harry could hear. "You 'ave a way of making me feel like... 'ow do you say it… a damsel in distress."
Harry's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Careful, Fleur, or I might just have to sweep you off your feet again."
Fleur flushed red, clearly flustered, and Cedric and Viktor, who had overheard the exchange, exchanged bewildered looks. Cedric chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.
"You really know how to handle yourself, don't you, Harry?" Cedric said.
Krum, still silent but visibly impressed, simply nodded his agreement.
The judges gave their scores:
Viktor Krum: 39 points.Fleur Delacour: 35 points.Cedric Diggory: 38 points.Harry Potter: 50 points.
Harry's perfect score wasn't a surprise to anyone. He had saved everyone in record time, and his composure under pressure had earned him respect from even the other champions.
That evening, after the scores were announced, Harry and his girls gathered in the Room of Requirement once again. They were in a comfortable pile of cushions, laughing and recounting the day's events. Hermione leaned against Harry's side, her head resting on his shoulder, while Daphne sat next to him, her fingers lightly tracing patterns on his arm. Tracey stretched out on the other side, and Fleur, who had grown closer to the group, sat nearby, smiling warmly at Harry.
"You're incredible, you know that?" Hermione said, her voice full of admiration.
Daphne smirked. "Just wait until the third task. He'll probably win that too."
Fleur, her usual confident demeanor softened by the day's events, blushed slightly as she looked at Harry. "I 'ave never seen anyone like you."
Harry chuckled, pulling Hermione closer. "I guess I just like showing off when I know you're all watching."
The group shared a laugh, and as the night went on, they enjoyed the warmth of each other's company, content in the knowledge that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
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