A/N: Hi! I am really sorry for the delay! I have been a bit busy with school and all.
Here's the new chapter!
CHAPTER 25: The Second Task
The students arrived the next day with a lot of chatter and excitement and for the next week, everybody settled into a routine with homework and studies.
"Damn this essay!" Ron said as he threw his quill on his potions essays
The trio was currently sitting in the library doing their homework and sharing their holiday talk.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she saw how little Ron had written.
"That won't take you anywhere Ron. You have to work a bit hard!" Hermione said.
"I got A's in all the subjects Hermione. Except History of magic." Ron added as an afterthought. "But that doesn't matter! This essay is eating me up! I need a break." He said.
"A's won't get you anywhere Ron! You need to push yourself harder!" Hermione admonished him.
She gave Harry and Ron a puzzled look as they both snickered loudly.
"What?" She asked.
"That's what she said." They said and laughed out loudly.
Hermione huffed before taking her things and moving towards another table where Anora and Kai were sitting.
"Hey! I see you realized what idiots
my brother and his friend are." Anora commented with an innocent smile. "I am surprised it took you 4 years."
"Their jokes are so gross." Hermione said.
Kai laughed.
"Welcome to the party, Granger." He smirked before continuing his work.
/
It was a week before the second task and Harry still hadn't figured anything out.
He had forgotten to ask Anora about it and was currently running towards the Library in her search.
He saw her hurrying towards the Library all the while trying to manage the huge amount of papers in her hand.
"Hey Nora!" He cried and ran towards her.
"Hey Harry." Anora said and without looking at him or stopping. After the holidays, she and Albus had had a lead on the fourth horcrux and she was putting her everything in it.
"I need your help." Harry said while trying to match her pace.
"Harry I-" Anora started but Harry cut her off.
"Okay, so I need you to tell me how I can breathe under water." Harry said seriously.
Anora gave him a 'Are you kidding me?' Look before looking forward.
"I have thousand things to do before lunch and teaching Harry Snape how a normal human nose functions, is not one of them." She said and took a sharp turn into the Library.
Harry rolled his eyes before following her.
"Just listen to me!" He said and blocked her path.
Anora huffed before keeping her things on the nearby table and crossing her arms over her chest, looking a lot like a certain Potions Master.
"2 minutes." She said.
Harry grinned before launching into the tale of the egg and what it said and what he had to do.
"So... you have to breathe under water for at least an hour?" Anora asked him and sat down.
Harry nodded before taking a seat in front of her.
"Harry, I seriously have no idea for it. There are some charms, but they won't last for an hour unless conjured by an adult because their magic is strong."
"I can do it! I conjured a patronus at the age of 13, Anora! Let's just try it!" Harry said.
Anora shook her head.
"It's too dangerous. Dad and Mum will kill me if something happens to you." She said.
Harry let his head fall down on the table before sighing.
"What do I do now?" He said softly.
Anora reached forward and gently patted his head.
"Don't worry, you'll find something. I will try my best to help you too." Anora said.
"Thanks, Nora." Harry smiled before getting up.
"Where are you going?" Anora asked.
"You seriously don't think that I will spend time in the Library willingly, do you?" Harry said and ran out.
Anora rolled her eyes before pulling out her papers and starting her work.
Not after 5 mins, she found herself walking towards the section of Aquatic Charms and their uses.
"Damn it Harry, why do you do this to me?" She said to herself before starting her quest of finding the right book.
/
It had been 6 days since Harry had told Anora about the second task. Anora and Hermione were most of the time seen in the library doing that instead of school work or eating meals.
Anora was even scolded by Severus for missing dinner twice in a row.
"Next time I see you missing any meal, I swear I will make you sit beside me in the great hall and feed you with my hands until your plate is clean." Severus had threatened her sternly.
"He's not kidding." Harry had whispered from beside her.
Right now, she was running towards their quarters with a paper in hand and her bag slung around one shoulder.
Suddenly, she bumped into someone and fell down on her back. She groaned as her head hit the floor and throbbed painfully.
"Anora? I-I am so sorry!" Draco Malfoy's face swam in front of her as he helped her up.
"It's not your fault Draco, I shouldn't have been running. Damn, it hurts!" She said and rubbed her head.
"Anora! How good to see you!" Dumbledore's sweet voice came from behind them. "Mr. Malfoy, good evening!"
"Hello, sir."
"Good evening, headmaster."
"Anora I would like to have a word with you." Dumbledore said sweetly.
"Yes, of course, sure." Anora said and with a smile at Draco, followed Dumbledore.
Draco was about to turn around and go when the paper Anora was holding, caught his eye. He bent down and picked it up before looking at it and frowning.
He folded the paper, stuffed it in his pocket and went away.
/
Harry nervously stood beside Viktor on the plank and stared at the water.
He didn't have any charm or any trick that could help him with this task.
Anora had mysteriously disappeared yesterday and Harry had vowed that he would kill her the next time he saw her for leaving him like this.
He nervously wrung his hands as he saw the others warming up for the task.
He suddenly heard a shuffling beside him and turned towards it.
"Malfoy?" Harry asked in disbelief.
"Snape, here. Eat this." Draco said and shoved a small gooey thing in his hand.
Harry was about to drop it in disgust but Draco held it firmly.
"What makes you think that I will eat something that you gave me Malfoy?" Harry glared at him as the countdown started.
"Just eat it Snape! Trust me on this!" Draco whispered fiercely and pushed Harry's hand to his mouth just as Crouch reached "1…"
"2..." Harry gagged at the taste and pushed Draco away.
"3..." Harry clawed at his neck before screaming as he was pushed into the water by someone.
The water was icy cold and Harry struggled for breath.
Suddenly, he felt a tingling sensation going through his body. His hands and legs started to feel weird. His neck itched like crazy.
'If I ever get out of this alive, Malfoy's going down with Anora.' Harry thought angrily.
Just as fast as it had come, the sensation went away.
Out of curiosity, Harry took a deep breath.
He could breathe!
His eyes widened in happiness.
'Okay Malfoy's surely not going to die now.' he thought and swam forward where he had seen the other champions go.
'What is the most precious thing that I have?!' he asked himself as he looked around.
Suddenly, he stopped.
'ANORA! That's why she's been missing!'
With some newfound energy and determination, Harry swam around in the black lake looking for some clues or whatever.
Finally, he found Fleur. She was floating in front a part which was fully covered in aquatic plants.
Harry signaled her and asked if she was alright.
She replied with a thumbs-up and tried to warn Harry to not go in there.
Harry gave her a confused look before swimming inside.
It was dark.
Very dark.
His instincts smelled something bad, but he had no choice.
He swam in there for a long time, trying to find a way out to the other side.
Finally, after what seemed like ages, he came out of the plant filled area and saw 2 figures floating in mid water, restrained by some ropes.
He went near it and his eyes bulged out.
There she was! Anora! Floating in the middle with a small girl beside her. Harry quickly went forward and was about to free Anora when a scary creature blocked his way.
Harry suddenly backed off.
The creature had a sword kind of thing in its hand.
Harry took out his wand and pointed it at the creature.
No effect.
Another creature lurking by came out with the similar weapon and pointed it at Harry.
Harry's heart was beating fast.
He had no idea what these creatures were how to defend himself against them.
Suddenly, his dad's words from at least a year ago, rang in his ears.
"There are many creatures in the black lake. One of them being the Grindylows. They are a bit aggressive, but you can frighten them with light or shooting mild stinging hexes or something."
Harry looked at his watch. He didn't have much time left.
He quickly started shooting random hexes and jinxes at the Grindylows.
It worked and they started to back off and eventually, swam away.
5 mins left.
Harry quickly untied the knot and took Anora by the waist. He was about to swim up when he caught sight of the small girl.
He looked at the way from where he had come, expecting to see Fleur's figure swimming in but he couldn't find anything.
2 mins left.
'Damn it.' he thought before freeing the small girl and taking her with him.
With both the girls on his both the sides, Harry swam to the surface.
His 'gills' were starting to disappear, making it hard for him to breathe. He quickly pushed the girls on top before tiredly swimming up.
He gasped loudly as fresh air entered his lungs. He looked at his right and saw Anora and the other girl do the same.
"Harry!" Anora exclaimed and swam towards him.
The crowd was so loud that she had to shout for Harry to listen.
She quickly went towards him and Harry pulled her close.
"I was so sure I was going to kill you for ignoring me." He whispered in her ear.
Anora chuckled in his neck.
"I am sorry."
"Not your fault. Indirectly, you did help me. Malfoy pushed something gross in my mouth before plunging me in the water." Harry said as they together swam towards Albus who was standing on a small wooden ridge.
"The Gillyweed! I was coming over to give it to you, but Dumbledore abducted me and Draco was there! He must have made it and gave to you! That was awfully nice of him." Anora said.
"Yes. Remind me to thank him." Harry said as he watched Anora first push the small girl out of the water before helping herself up.
"Congratulations my boy! You saved not only Anora, but Fleur's sister too." Albus said as he handed them both 2 towels and sent the small girl towards her sister and mother.
"What happened to Fleur?" Harry shouted over the noise of the children.
"Grindylows." Albus shouted back before pushing them towards the champions side.
"I am going to go over to Kai. This is Champion's place." Anora told Harry and after his nod, moved towards Kai.
The positions were announced soon. Viktor was the first one to rescue Hermione, then came Harry's name as he had saved both Anora, and Fleur's sister. Cedric was third with Cho Chang. And Fluer was the fourth.
After all the excitement died down, Harry was pulled away from his friends by his parents.
"You were brilliant!" Lily said and kissed his damp hair. "And you need a shower."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"You did great, son." Severus said proudly and patted his back.
Harry smiled at him before spotting Malfoy going from behind them.
"Excuse me for a minute." He said.
"Come to the quarters after partying or whatever." Lily told him before she and Severus went away.
Harry ran behind Draco.
"Malfoy!" He shouted.
Draco stopped and looked back.
"Snape. You were exceptional in the water." He said.
Harry gave him a puzzled look.
"If that's your way of giving a compliment, thank you. And I owe you for pushing Gillyweed in my mouth. It worked well." Harry said as they walked side by side.
"Thank Anora for that." Draco said. "You don't owe me anything. I was just helping my school. And I am surprised you even know it was Gillyweed." Draco said.
"Anora told me right now." Harry sheepishly smiled at him.
Draco shook his head but Harry could see the ghost of smile on his face.
"Congrats Snape." Draco said and went away leaving Harry with confused feelings towards the blonde.
After 2 hours, a very tired and drained out Harry entered the quarters.
"Done with the autographs and photographs?" Severus, who was sitting on the sofa reading a book, smirked.
"Ha ha dad, so funny." Harry said and fell down on one of the armchairs.
"Harry Eliot! Bathroom. Now." Lily snapped as she came out of the kitchen.
"Mum 5 mins!"
"No. Now!" Lily pulled him up.
"But I am exhausted!" Harry protested.
"Take a long bath in the tub! You'll feel better." Lily countered and pushed him towards his room.
Harry groaned but obeyed.
Severus watched the exchange with an amused look.
"What?" Lily asked as she sat down beside him.
"Stern mum role makes you look so sexy." Severus said and laughed as Lily blushed and hit him on his shoulder.
A/N: Did I pass? :p
'TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY GUYS! I CAN'T WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS!