A/N: I don't like admitting when I'm wrong, but I will do it now. I crossed the line with Astoria's attack. The last two chapters have been rewritten.
"How you feeling Harry?" Neville asked as they made their way down to breakfast.
"Considering my girlfriend got kidnapped by the Headmaster, is being held by Merpeople and unless I save her, she's going to die…I've been better Nev." Harry got out in one breath.
"Come on Harry." Neville said slowly not knowing how to respond. "I'm sure he wouldn't let Daphne just die. She's a student."
"He let Astoria and John get attacked and still has done nothing about it." Harry retorted. "So, no. I don't trust the man. And I sure as hell don't trust him to keep my girlfriend safe."
"She's an heiress to a big family Harry." Neville argued. "I know you didn't grow up in the wizarding world and I'm sorry if I'm being rude but use your brain!"
Harry glared at his friend but then sighed. "If a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight dies then Dumbledore will lose his job. That's exactly what Daphne said. Still things could happen. I doubt Dumbledore is intending for somebody to get killed but accidents occur."
"We just have to trust him to keep her safe." Neville said.
Harry snorted. "Like I said. Fat chance of that happening."
They walked into the Great Hall and Harry decided to change it up a bit.
"Where are you going?" Neville asked his friend as he headed towards the table just to the left as they entered. "Gryffindor table is over there."
"Have some variety in your life Nev." Harry shrugged and sat down at the table of Snakes next to the Head Snake himself. "Morning John."
"Harry…" John said barely looking up although he was surprised to see his friend sitting there. "You lost?"
"Nope." Harry said grabbing a plate. Around him he was getting more than a few looks. Ever since Krum and his team had been suspended from play all of the Durmstrang students had taken to eating on their ship. If they were here this would probably be a lot worse off, but Harry was still getting more than a few interesting looks from the gathered Slytherin students though only a few of them were distrusting. The rest were more curious than anything. Every one of them had grown accustomed to Duffy eating at the Gryffindor table on a regular basis but it was another story when the Gryffindor Golden Boy decided to have breakfast with them.
"Neville." John nodded at the other boy as he sat down warily next to Harry giving the students next to him suspicious looks. He had suffered at the hands of Slytherins many times over the years.
"Duffy." Neville said nodding at the boy. "Been a while."
John shrugged. "I've been busy." He said simply and tried to go back to his meal.
"We need to talk." Harry said leaning over his plate.
"We're talking right now." John said without looking up.
"John." Harry said brusquely.
John looked up and glared at him. "What is it Potter?" The Irish boy spat at him.
"We need to talk." Harry said again this time more firmly.
Duff pushed his plate away and got to his feet. "Come on then Potter. Let's talk."
Harry shook his head and got up as the other boy started walking off towards the Entrance Hall. "You can go back to our table if you want Nev." He said to his friend who was already getting to his feet. Tracey had just walked in and had started to join Susan at the Gryffindor table.
"Yeah." Neville nodded. "Good luck Harry."
"Thanks mate." Harry nodded and started walking after John.
"Morning Harry." Blaise said as he walked into the Hall.
"Blaise." Harry nodded. "John out there?"
Blaise nodded. "Yeah. Saw him over by the gates." Blaise got closer with a worried expression on his face. "Everything all right? He didn't seem himself."
"Everything is fine." Harry lied. "He and I just need to have a talk."
"Go gentle on him Harry." Blaise pleaded.
Harry nodded and walked off into the Entrance Hall.
"Oi!" John called over to him. "What was so bloody important?"
Harry glared at him as he walked up. "What the hell is your problem man?"
"Who do you think you're talking to Potter?" John snapped at him.
"I've got a lot of problems Duffy." Harry retorted. "Right now, you're one of them."
"Why? Because I haven't been eating with you lot? Fine I'm sorry. I needed some time to myself." John said and started to move past Harry who stopped him by putting a hand on his shoulder. "Get your hand off me."
"My problem." Harry said keeping his hand where it was. "Is your uncle told us both to work together, and you've been doing a pretty shit job of it."
"Aurors are here." John said snidely trying to shrug the hand off him. "Investigation is theirs now."
"Doesn't matter." Harry replied. "I know for a fact that you've been looking into it."
"Spying on me Potter?" Duffy glared. "I'm not going to say it again. Get your fucking hand off me."
Harry finally released his grip on Duffy but didn't move. "Please John. Let me help." Harry begged. "Two he-"
"Shut up Harry!" John snapped. "Uncle Daniel should've never involved you! This is the business of the Greengrass family not the business of my cousin's boyfriend."
"Is that all I am?" Harry asked. "Just Daphne's boyfriend? I haven't known her as long as you have but Astoria means a lot to me. I want to find out who did this to her just as much as you do."
"Do you?" Duffy snorted. "What if I told you it was one of your mates in fucking Gryffindor?"
This stopped Harry in his tracks. He finally stepped back a bit. "What do you mean?"
John gave Harry a sneer that would make Malfoy proud. "The Weasel is my number one suspect."
"Weasley would never do that." Harry argued. As much as he hated Ron now Harry knew that his family would never forgive him if he hurt a woman like he had done. "Someone is giving you the mickey."
"I've done my research." Duffy retorted. "Your ex mate was nowhere to be found when my cousin was attacked AND one of the Slytherins first years told me that he saw Weasley heading towards the dungeon around the same time Tori was attacked. So, excuse me if I don't believe you."
"You really think Ron did this?" Harry blinked.
"Oh, he's Ron now?" John spat. "But to answer your question yes. Yes, I do."
"What are you going to do?" Harry asked. "Go to your uncle?"
"After I have a little chat with the Weasel." Duffy shrugged.
"We should go to Daniel now." Harry insisted.
"We would only be wasting his time." John rolled his eyes. "We have no proof. It's hearsay. After I ask Weasley a few questions then we can go to my uncle."
"If you don't go to him I will." Harry said firmly remembering his promise to Daphne.
John took a step closer, so he was only inches away from Harry. He was a whole foot taller than the other boy, but Harry didn't back down. "You'd really go around my back like that?" John seethed.
"If you won't tell him then I will." Harry replied not moving a step. "He told us to come to him if we found anything. This is something."
Duff glared at the other boy. "Fine." He spat. "Go to him then." He started to walk off.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked and started to follow.
"Why do you care?" Duffy asked.
"You're my friend John." Harry said not stopping. "Despite what you might think."
John stopped in his tracks. "And you're my friend Harry." He said looking over at the other boy sighing. "Really. You are. I just want to be alone right now."
"What about Hermione?" Harry glared at the other boy. "What about how she feels?"
John sighed and nodded. He would be the first to admit it. He had been a right royal cunt when it came to his girlfriend lately. She had tried so hard to be with him since the attack and he had even overheard Lavender Brown say that Hermione had gone off into a snowstorm the night he had been outside the castle. This investigation might take a while, but he needed to set things right with his lioness right now. "I need to apologize to her I know. I'll do it right now."
"Let's go mate." Harry gave the other boy a smile and they both went off into the Great Hall.
"Morning all." Harry said as they walked up to their usual spot at the Gryffindor table.
"Morning Harry…John." Blaise nodded at both of them. "Here mate I saved you a spot." He patted the area next to him.
"Thanks man." John smiled at him. He had been a shit since the attack he would admit it to Merlin himself if he asked. He had missed talking to his best mate every day. "Any of you seen Hermione anywhere?"
Susan shook her head. "Not since last night when we studied together. Professor McGonagall came to get her for something and had her bring her books and everything with her."
"Are you talking about Hermione, Bones?" John looked towards the sound of the voice and there was Lavender walking with Parvati. "She wasn't in the dorm this morning."
"What do you mean?" John asked. "She wasn't in the bathroom or anything?"
Lavender looked over at the Slytherin boy and gave him a look. One that basically said she didn't know why he was so interested. By this point everybody knew he and Hermione were together, but Lavender probably noticed before the majority of them that John was distancing himself from her. Perks of being the school gossip. "No." Lavender replied simply and walked off.
"Bint." John muttered under his breath.
"So, she wasn't in the dorm room and Susan hasn't seen her since last night." Harry said more to himself than any of them. "Did any of you see her at dinner?" Hermione had been better about coming to meals lately so to not see her at with their group at dinner was strange.
Tracey shook her head. "Come to think of it I didn't see Daphne either." She replied.
"Daphne was wi- Shit." Harry's eyes went wide.
"What is it mate?" Neville asked looking over at his friend.
"That son of a bitch." Harry growled.
"What's wrong Harry?" John asked worriedly.
"What I'm about to tell you guys, you can't repeat to anyone." Harry said firmly. "Not to your parents. Not to your Head of House. No one. Not until the Second Task is over."
"Harry you're scaring us." Susan said and she definitely spoke for all of them.
"Dumbledore has taken Hermione and Daphne and put them in the Black Lake."
"What are you on about?" Tracey asked. She knew Neville was a bit more in the know than the rest of them, but her boyfriend wouldn't divulge anything to her.
"You can't be serious Harry." Neville shook his head. "Why would Dumbledore put Hermione in the Lake? Out of the champions she only means something to you."
"You think Dumbledore is in the know about his student's relationships?" Harry retorted and looked over at John. "I think the Headmaster is under the impression that Hermione and Krum are together."
John's expression darkened. "Why would he think that?" He spat.
"They went to the Yule Ball together which is basically a proposal in Dumbledore's eyes." Harry replied. "The riddle said that the champions would have to look for something precious to them in the Black Lake. They meant people who are close to us. Dumbledore must think that Hermione is precious to Krum."
John shot up and began scanning the hall. "What are you doing?" Tracey asked.
"Looking for that old shit." John spat. "He kidnapped my bloody girlfriend and put her underwater!"
"Is everything alright Mr. Duffy and what was that about underwater?" They all turned to see the Headmaster looking down at their group.
"Listen he-" John began.
"Is there something you need Headmaster." Harry all but spat out the words Headmaster.
"I need to speak with you Harry." Dumbledore said. "In regard to the next task. You may finish your breakfast if you like. You will not be coming back to finish it."
"I'm ready now." Harry replied resisting the urge to glare at the man.
"Then we should go." Dumbledore said and began walking towards the Entrance Hall.
"Easy." Harry whispered to John as the Irish boy glared at the Headmaster's back.
"Old bastard is lucky I don't f-"
"Don't pick a fight you can't win." Tracey glared at her friend. "He would break you in two without lifting a finger and that's just me stating a fact."
John returned the glare but didn't respond except to grumble.
"I better get going." Harry sighed and got up from his seat.
"We'll see you after the task?" Blaise asked.
Harry nodded. "The three of us, including Daphne AND Hermione." He didn't trust Krum as far as he could throw him in most cases and he certainly didn't trust him with the safety of his best friend.
"We'll have a big party in the CG Room to celebrate." Susan said with a smile.
"Maybe not tonight." Harry shook his head. "There's some business I need to attend to after the Task."
"What kind of business?" Susan's smile fell.
"Has to do with the investigation." John answered for Harry. "Sorry Susan but it's on a need to know basis."
Susan sighed but nodded. "I understand. I hope you both are being safe though." This sentiment was echoed by the rest of their friends with everyone's eyes on one person in particular.
John rolled his eyes, but Harry answered. "Is it safe at all in this school anymore?" He said darkly. "But we're doing the best we can."
"Harry!" Dumbledore called over. "We really must get going."
Harry ignored his former mentor. "I guess I must get going." He mocked silently so only his friends could hear.
He made his way over to the door to the Entrance Hall where Dumbledore was waiting for him. "Headmaster." He said shortly.
"Harry. Young Harry." Dumbledore sighed. "You appear to be keeping a more diverse friend group this year."
"I don't see how that is any business of yours."
"You are quite right. It is not." Dumbledore answered as they started walking. Harry wasn't surprised when Dumbledore lead him not towards his office but towards the direction of the Black Lake. "I am merely stating a fact and again urging caution in choosing your friends."
"Like you said Headmaster who I spend time with is my own choice." Harry couldn't resist the glare this time.
"Harry." Dumbledore sighed yet again. Before them a path was clearing in the snow of its own accord. Almost as if it could sense the Headmaster. "I am not your enemy. You must see that. I only wish to help you."
"Help me how?" Harry snapped. "By kidnapping two of the people closest to me and putting them in a lake?"
"I see you have deciphered the Second Task." Dumbledore noted. "And I would not call it kidnapping. It is well within the laws of the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
"And what about Hermione and Daphne? Did they consent to all of this?"
"I wouldn't assume to kno-"
"This is your school!" Harry felt the anger rising in him again, but he did his best this time to keep it contained. "You're telling me you don't know if your own students, who you knowingly allowed placed underwater, consented to this at all."
"Har-"
"You're off your damn rocker Headmaster. I had to say it at least once." Harry interrupted him. "You think the parents will stand for this? The head of the school allowing their children to be placed in danger?"
"I assure you Miss Granger and Miss Greengrass are in no danger." Dumbledore argued. "I have the strict assurance from the leader of the Torra Tribe tha-"
"The what tribe?" Harry asked his anger forgotten for a brief spell.
"The Merpeople Tribe in the Black Lake."
"You expect me to believe that a race that hates wizards has promised that wizards are not in danger when placed in their domain?" Harry retorted. "You can't be that stupid!"
"Now listen here boy!" Dumbledore finally snapped. "I will not be addressed in such a manner."
"I have presided over this school for many years! Your parents themselves gave me their trust!"
"And look where that got them Headmaster." Harry hissed back. "Don't talk about my parents. They were better wizards than you'll ever even hope to be."
"Harry." Dumbledore said slowly reigning in his anger. "I only wish to be your friend. Please allow me to help you."
"I don't want your help sir." Harry retorted. "You really want to help me? Just stay away from me and my friends." With that Harry walked ahead of the man. They had made their way down to the edge of the Black Lake where a group of people had begun to gather.
Dumbledore sighed. This would be harder than he thought to regain the boys trust. If he wasn't so important to the Greater Good, he wouldn't even bother but Harry had to rejoin the light. The Horcrux in him was getting stronger. He would have to have it destroyed if they were to have any hope of winning this coming war.
"Ahh Harry!" Ludo Bagman exclaimed as Harry joined the small group by the shore which was made up by the Champions and Headmasters of the schools. Krum gave his customary glare in Harry's direction which Harry ignored. "Let us begin! Barty!"
"Champions. Welcome to the Second Task." Barty began his eyes sweeping around the group. "As you no doubt deduced by this time it will occur in the Black Lake. What you may not have figured out is there will be something at stake. Something precious to you."
"Bloody mental." Cedric mumbled under his breath.
"What was that Mr. Diggory?" Barty raised an eyebrow.
"Nothing sir." Cedric responded.
"You will have one hour to complete this task. The first Champion back with their precious thing will be declared the winner of this task. Any questions? Yes Miss Delacour?"
"I am interested Mr. Crouch." The French witch asked in her heavy accent. "Just what sort of thing will we be retrieving?" It was obvious by her tone that she already knew the answer. She was only testing the man.
"Well." Barty cleared his throat. "It is something that you all would consider precious to you of course!"
"Like for instance say…a person?" Harry chimed in.
"That is definitely an option Mr. Potter." Despite the cold Barty was playing with his shirt collar looking very hot.
"Are you saying you don't know Mr. Crouch?" Cedric asked. "Aren't you supposed to be one of the people in charge of the tournament?"
"There are several people that are in charge of making decisions." Barty snapped.
"You don't communicate with each other?" Fleur raised an eyebrow.
"Was there anything else?" Barty raised his voice. Students has begun filtering down from Hogwarts and towards the waiting boats that would take them all to the staging area. Why they felt they needed one anyway Harry didn't know. They would only be seeing two things happen a Champion going in and coming out with a hostage. The other hour would be spent looking down at the water watching fish occasionally come up to the surface.
"I'm only raising an observation Mr. Crouch. If our precious things are people wouldn't they be in a risk of drowning?"
"Not if you get there in time Delacour." Krum said snidely. It was obvious from his tone of voice that he didn't care much about anyone but himself so whoever was down there was of no concern to him.
"I would have to agree with Mr. Krum." Barty said quickly seeing an opening. "You are all more than capable wizards and should be able to retrieve your hostage fro-" His face went white at he finally acknowledged just what they would retrieving from the bottom of the Lake.
"Hostages sir?" Harry repeated.
"We've wasted enough time dawdling!" Barty snapped. "On the boats! We must get to the staging area!"
"Bloody lunatic." Harry muttered.
Fleur had begun walking beside him nodded in agreement. "Is this normal in your country? To place innocent schoolchildren in danger?"
Harry sighed. "Last year I'd have to say no but I've been thinking a lot lately about everything that's happen since I started at Hogwarts and now I have to say yes."
"And your Headmaster just lets this happen?" She raised an eyebrow.
Harry looked around so he could better direct the anger at Dumbledore, but the man was nowhere to be found. Come to think of it he hadn't been there when Barty had been explaining the rules. He basically disappeared into thin air. "To answer your question yes. He's often the cause of it actually." Harry responded instead as they boarded the boat. It was just him, Fleur and Cedric. Krum had chosen to ride with Barty and Ludo.
"I don't understand how the parents of students could abide a man that places their children in danger." Fleur said speaking Harry's mind.
"He's the man who defeated Grindelwald." Cedric chimed in as the boat rowed itself of its own accord towards the staging area. "He has enough credibility from that alone to keep his position for years."
"It is true that he defeated Grindelwald in combat." Fleur nodded her head. "But that was only after years of allowing the madman to rampage across the continent killings thousands of people, my father's uncle included. All that could've been avoided if your Headmaster had fought Grindelwald and defeated him before the war even started. Grindelwald had been spouting his Pure-blood ideals for years before then."
"Debating on the past won't solve anything now." Cedric said.
"I disagree." Harry replied. "Those who don't learn from the sins of the past will commit them again in the future." Fleur nodded in agreement.
"How does that help me get Cho back above ground?" Cedric snapped. "Right now, my girlfriend is at the bottom of a fucking lake."
Harry glared. "Don't forget mine is right there with her and possibly my best friend as well."
"What do you mean?" Fleur asked confused and Harry explained it to her and Cedric as they docked.
"Bloody Dumbledore." Cedric grumbled. "Putting Granger in danger. You saw Krum back there? He doesn't give a shit if the girl drowns as long as he gets the victory."
"Which is why we need to look out for her." Harry looked at both of them. "I know it's not fair to ask you both, but can you help me save her if it comes down to it? We mi-"
"Fear not Harry." Fleur put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "If I can then I will help this Hermione."
"I'm with you Potter." Cedric nodded also. "Merpeople might not like it though. They may think we're trying to cheat by taking more than one hostage."
"It might come down to a fight then." Harry said. "That's why I didn't want to ask you. It's not fair to you."
"None of this is fair to us." Fleur sighed. "But as Mr. Crouch said we are all more than capable and that includes in a fight. I only ask you the same request. If I am unable, please save Gabrielle."
"Gabrielle?" Harry asked.
"My sister. She is here at Hogwarts and is perhaps the most important person in my life. An ideal hostage for them to take from me."
"Why wouldn't they take Roger?" Cedric asked. "I thought you both were looking rather cozy together at the Ball."
Fleur's expression darkened. "Roger has no honor. He got rather…handsy with me after the opening dance."
"Bloody berk." Cedric mutter. Harry nodded in agreement remembering how Krum had tried doing the same with Hermione.
"I slapped him on the dance floor. After that I don't think your Headmaster would be under any impression that we were together."
Harry nodded. "You can count of my Fleur. If I can I'll rescue your sister."
"I- I would like to be friends Harry." Fleur said slowly. "I know I was unkind to you when you were entered into the tournament, but you have proven yourself to me since then. I ask your forgiveness."
"Champions!" Ludo called over. He and Krum were waiting at the bottom of the staging area. Above them students had begun to gather, and their stamping feet rocked the deck. "We must hurry."
Harry resisted the urge to glare the man but turned towards Fleur and smiled. "There is nothing to forgive. I would love to be your friend though."
"You've got a friend in me as well if you'll have me Miss Delacour." Cedric said. "And I'll make the same promise as Harry. If it comes to it, I'll make sure your sister is safe."
"Thank you." She said gratefully.
"We best get over there." Harry nodded over to Ludo.
The other two nodded in agreement and as a trio they made their way over to the two. "About time." Krum spat. "What Delacour? Were Potter and Diggory trying to find their way inside your pants?"
"Watch yourself Krum." Cedric growled.
"Gentlemen!" Ludo said getting in between the two of them. "There's no need for such hostility!"
"We really must get started. We mustn't keep your fellow students waiting."
"Let's just get this over with." Harry said. He took his place by Krum who surprisingly didn't glare at him but only treated him with a blank stare.
"Watch yourself down there Potter." Krum whispered. "I'm going to get my revenge."
"Revenge for what you dolt?"
"You know what Potter." Krum said and then leaned closer. "You think I'm stupid? I know you had something to do with my suspension."
Harry shrugged. "Maybe stay away from the potions next time Krum."
"You're dead." Krum growled. "You and your little bitch."
"You touch Daphne and I'll kill you Krum." Harry said with no emotion. "You look at her funny I'll put you in the damn hospital wing."
"We'll see Potter." Krum smirked. "We'll see."
Before Harry could fathom a response, a voice sounded out from above. "Welcome students from Hogwarts and beyond to the Second Task!" Dumbledore's voice rang out.
"Last night something precious to each Champion was stolen from them. They have one hour to retrieve it from the Black Lake."
"The first Champion to return will be determined to be the winner of this Task. The Task begins at the sound of the cannon."
Silence reigned around the lake. "The Task begins at the sound of the cannon." Dumbledore repeated with a hint of agitation.
From above Harry heard someone cry out "SHIT!" before the silence was replaced by the sound of a deafening cannon. "AQUAM AERUM!" Harry cried out flourishing his wand. Around his head he felt the air become more centralized almost as if he was in a space suit. "Calor!" The chill he had been feeling ever since he had stepped out of the Entrance Hall all but dissipated as heat seeped into his body. Thank God that Daphne had insisted he learn this charm as well. Honestly who in their right mind would go into the Black Lake in the dead of winter with no protection against the cold?
He dove into the water and at first his vison was distorted. Were his glasses malfunctioning somehow?
No, he realized. It was the Bubble-Head Charm taking full effect. Now that he was submerged in water it was taking full effect.
He looked around and the Black Lake looked so much different than it did from the surface. He had seen a few documentaries about underwater, but it was nothing like seeing it in person.
The water might've been murky, but it didn't take away from the natural beauty of the water world before him. It was magnificent.
"Harry!" He twisted in the water to see Cedric swimming towards him. "Get down!"
Without hesitation, Harry followed the other boy's instruction. As he ducked down, he felt something touch the back of his head. After he looked back up, he saw the some sort of…beast swimming away.
"DIFFENDO!" Out of Cedric's wand came a red light that impacted into the beast slicing into its body. It let out a roar of pain and whipped its tail at Cedric which he was just barely able to dodge. The beast roared again before limping off back into the hole in the side of a rock it most likely swam out of.
"You okay?" Cedric asked swimming over. He had also decided on the Bubble-Head Charm though on a much smaller scale. Instead of covering his entire head it only covered his mouth and nose.
Harry nodded. "What about you? That thing almost got you."
"I'm fine." Cedric shrugged. "What the hell was that thing?"
"I don't know." Was the only response Harry could give. Humans everywhere knew more about space than the waters of their own planet. That's why such legends like the Loch Ness Monster were so widely investigated.
Was it really a legend though? He had never seen a picture of the Loch Ness Monster before but that beast sure as hell matched the description of a lake monster. He just hoped that they didn't run into the Giant Squid.
"Where's Fleur?" Harry asked looking around.
Cedric shook his head. "I thought I saw her swim off in that direction." He pointed towards the bottom of the Lake. "Come on mate. I'm not going to hurt you." Cedric said noticing how Harry was eyeing his wand. "If I want to, don't you think I would've done it by now?"
Harry slowly nodded. "I think we should stick together. It's dangerous down here."
Cedric looked hesitant. "This is a competition Harry." He said. "The goal is for me to get back with Cho before you get back with Daphne. That kind of defeats the purpose if we're working together."
"Just until we find them then." Harry compromised. "I meant what I said before. I'll rescue all four hostages myself if I have to."
Cedric nodded. "Let's find them then."
They started to swim deeper into the depths of the Black Lake. The amount of fish that found them interesting down here was startling. Harry had been expecting for them to flee in terror when they saw the two surface dwellers but schools upon schools of them swam towards them as if inspecting them. Not close enough for Harry to touch but enough where he was able to count their scales.
"Why do you think they're not afraid of us?" Cedric asked as they ventured deeper and deeper.
"Why should they be?" Harry replied. "We might be the first humans most of them had ever seen this deep in their territory." He wasn't a fish expert, but he guaranteed you couldn't find some of these fish that he was seeing, in other parts of the world. It was like a young deer seeing a hunter for the first time. It didn't know enough about them to be frightened.
"What was that?" Cedric said suddenly.
Harry stopped and leveled his wand in that direction. He had seen it too. Something out of the corner of his eye. It couldn't have been. "Be careful Cedric." Harry said as his eyes scanned the field of seaweed around them. "I don't li-"
Out of the seaweed came a shark. Or what looked to be a shark. It had the head down. The fangs looked to be razor sharp and ready to rip them to pieces if they found themselves in the way. But the rest of the body was something more familiar. That of a human.
"The hell are you doing Krum?!" Cedric cried out as the shark came barreling towards them and he was right. The bottom half of the shark wore swim trunks that had the color of Durmstrang. The same ones that Krum had been wearing on the platform.
Harry wasn't sure but he thought that Krum smirked at the two of them. A big toothy smirk that promised a horrible end.
"Cedric get out of the way!" Harry yelled and before Cedric could even react Harry grabbed him by the shoulder and ripped him towards him just in time. Krum tore past Cedric and cut him along the shoulder spilling his blood in the open water.
"REPULSO!" Krum smashed into the rock wall behind him. He roared at the two boys before him and looked like he was gearing up for another attack. "Don't do it Krum!" Harry called out to him.
Krum ignored Harry's warning and began swimming their way again gaining speed faster and faster.
"DIFFENDO!" Krum roared out again but this time it was in pain. Hot red blood floated through the water as his left fin floated along with it. He looked towards the direction where the spell came from and bared his teeth.
"Should I take the other one as well?" Fleur threatened still leveling her wand at the boy. Like Harry and Cedric, she had also chosen the Bubble-Head Charm. It was the smart choice. "If your anatomy is tied to that form then I've already amputated your left arm. What will you do without the other?"
The shark bared his teeth at the girl but did not attack. Instead his lips began to move. "You'll get yours Delacour." Krum croaked out in a gravelly voice. "You shouldn't have interfered." With that he bared his teeth one more time at the three of them before swimming off. Back towards the surface.
"You both okay?" Fleur asked as she swam over to them. Except for a scratch on her arm she looked as flawless as ever.
Harry nodded. "Thanks to you." He looked around as if expecting Krum to ambush them yet again.
"I think we are safe from him now." Fleur said. "I think he is hurt enough to seek medical attention." It was then that she noticed Cedric who was clutching his arm. "Are you alright Cedric?"
Cedric nodded but the way he gritted his teeth told the true story. "I'm fine." He got out. "Bastard just grazed my arm is all."
"Looks like he did more than graze you Cedric." Harry pointed out. "You need medical attention."
"NO!" He snapped. "I said I'm fine and I meant it."
"Cedric." Harry remained calm. "You could bleed out down here. What good would you be to Cho if you're dead?"
Cedric glared at Harry but didn't say anything else. "Let me at least cauterize the wound." Fleur offered. "We can get you to the medics once we get back to the surface."
Cedric looked hesitant about letting Fleur go near him with that wand. "I can do it myself." He said inching away slightly.
"Don't you think I would've hurt you by now if I wanted to?" She said. It was true. She had an open shot at the two of them during Krum's attack. If she truly wanted them out of this competition, she could've struck them then.
He sighed. "Do it then." And offered up his arm.
"I'm not going to lie to you." She said pointing her wand at his wound. "This is going to be painful."
"What is going on down there?" Tracey asked her friends worriedly. The competition had only been going on for the better part of fifteen minutes when a series of explosion type sounds echoed up from the depths of the lake.
"LOOK!" One of the younger Slytherins called out pointing at the lake where the water began to bubble. Moments later a few girls shrieked as first teeth rose and then the rest of a shark head.
"Sharks don't live in the Black Lake though." John pointed out. The shark head began to dissolve back into its original form. Viktor Krum. He was crying out in pain as he clutched his left arm. Or what remained of it. "What the hell happened to him?"
"And it appears that Viktor Krum has returned to the surface without his hostage!" Ludo Bagman announced a touch of worry seeping into his voice. "He looks to have been wounded down below no doubt fending off a brutal attack by the local wildlife. One can only hope that he makes a full recovery."
"Full recovery?" Neville remarked darkly. "Can he not see Krum's arm? There's basically nothing left!"
"What about the others?" Susan said worriedly. "Do you think they're alright?"
"I'm sure they're fine." Blaise remarked though he didn't sound totally convinced. "They'll be back within the hour."
John nodded absentmindedly as he glared in the direction of Krum. Although it wasn't fully directed at the Bulgarian. More so towards the old wizard presiding over him. Dumbledore looked more worried about the foreign boy than he had all year. Probably afraid that Krum would cause an international incident that would cause a war with Europe. "He needs to call off the bloody Task." John growled. "Before anyone else gets seriously hurt."
"I agree but I doubt he will." Neville nodded.
"Old bastard is playing with fire." John shook his head. "If he gets another one of my friends hurt I'll-"
"We've been over this mate." Blaise shook his head. "He'd chew you up and spit you back out before you could even blink."
"Who said I would fight him?" John snorted. "There are other ways to get rid of someone."
"I don't like that look." Tracey said softly. "It's the same one you made when you were describing your plan of how you humiliated Malfoy and Weasel."
His inner Slytherin look. John only shrugged. "Don't do anything that'll get you expelled…or killed." Tracey added.
John didn't reply. He only kept staring down at the platform. His eyes never leaving Dumbledore.
"There are so many of them." Fleur remarked as she hid behind the rock.
"I don't why you're hiding." Harry said looking down at the scene before them. "They've already spotted us."
Before them lay the place, they had been seeking this entire time. The Merpeople village. Or the Torra tribe as Dumbledore had called them. Around the village there were dozens of Merpeople patrolling. All of them were carrying razor sharp tridents that looked like they could rip through flesh like a hot knife through butter. They had been spotted almost immediately with several Merpeople swimming over their location and looking down upon them. They didn't approach them at all. They merely observed.
"I don't like the look of this." Cedric said through the discomfort. "It's too easy."
He was right. The hostages were displayed openly in the center of the village. They were chained to the lake floor and appeared unconscious. Or in some magical sleep.
"I agree." Harry nodded. "But what choice do we have? Wherever we go they'll spot us." He took a step towards the village.
"What are you doing?" Fleur snapped grabbing him by the shoulder. "Are you trying to get killed?"
"They're not going to harm us." Harry shrugged her off. "If that was their goal, they would've attacked us as soon as they spotted us."
"He had a point Fleur." Cedric nodded. "Plus, we don't have much time left. At most thirty minutes."
"If you cunts get me killed, I'm going to haunt you for the rest of your lives." Fleur spat at them.
"We won't be far behind you I'm sure." Harry said darkly before he began to swim down to the village his two companions at his side.
As they got closer Harry noticed more Merpeople coming out of the woodwork. There were dozens and dozens of them now with more coming in from behind surrounding them. Their only route of escape was now cut off.
"You better be right about this Harry." Fleur whispered as they swam slowly towards the center of the village.
As they finally came to the center of the village they finally came face to face with their goal. Their hostages. Harry saw Daphne floating next to Hermione. How much more air did they have? How were they even breathing down here in the first place? They didn't have a Bubble Head Charm like Harry and the others.
"We've come for them." Harry announced to the Merpeople surrounding them. Not one of them spoke. Suddenly the crowd parted, and a Merman came from it. He was clearly the one in charge. On his head he wore a crown made out of weeds and wood.
"Surface Dwellers." He said in a thickly accented voice. Harry wasn't sure if he was using some kind of spell to translate or if had really learned English. "Welcome to the Village of Alexia. Your Headmaster told us that you would be coming."
"We only wish to take our friends and go." Fleur declared.
"Take them then." The MerKing motioned towards the hostages. The crowd cleared a path for the students.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Harry added the last part. They were in their domain after all. It was only right that they showed respect.
"I would like to ask you three a question however." The MerKing said looking only at Harry. "Your Headmaster said that you were in our land for some sort of competition."
"That's correct, Your Majesty." Fleur answered.
"Isn't the goal of a competition to be beat your opponent? You three came as a group." The MerKing pointed out.
"We thought it would be better if we worked together." Harry answered.
"And the other member of this group?" The MerKing said. "There are four students here but only three of you."
"He is…not here, Your Majesty." Harry answered slowly. "He was forced to return to the surface."
"I see." The MerKing said. "Then you each must only take your own hostage. The last shall have to remain."
"But our competitor isn't coming for her, Your Majesty." Harry argued taking an unconscious step towards the King. Around them there was a flash of movement as a dozen tridents were levelled at Harry.
The King waved them off and his subjects reluctantly lowered their tridents but still gave Harry looks of suspicion. "I am sorry." The MerKing said. "But those were the agreed-on stipulations with your Headmaster. One hostage for each competitor."
"But she's my friend, Sire!" Harry said pointing at Hermione. "I can't just leave her down here."
"Do you not trust myself or my people to safeguard her?" The MerKing replied a touch of anger seeping into his accent.
"It's not you I distrust, Your Majesty." Harry replied quickly. "Only my Headmaster."
This took the King by surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I used to have blind faith in Headmaster Dumbledore, Your Majesty but he has proven that he is no longer worthy of my trust." Harry replied. "I don't want him around my friend."
The MerKing didn't say anything for a moment. He had known Dumbledore for a long time ever since the man had taken over for Professor Dippet. When he had first met him, Dumbledore had shown him and his people nothing but respect. Over the last decade or so Dumbledore had been putting more and more pressure on his people. Hunting grounds that been sacred to his people for generation after generation were now left dormant. All because of Dumbledore. The Headmaster never gave a reason only that the King should trust. And he had. Until now. He knew who this boy was. Dumbledore had spoken of him before. Potter. The Boy Who Lived and one of my Albus' strongest allies. But he no longer trusted his Headmaster.
"I see." The MerKing finally said. "You've given me much to think about. But all that is for another day."
"You may take the girl."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Harry bowed his head. Again, the crowd cleared a path towards the hostages. Harry and his friends made their way over and instantly went about their task of freeing their friends. "Diffendo!" The chains holding both Daphne and Hermione fizzled into nothing and the two of them began to float upward. He grabbed them both by their legs and pulled them back towards him. "I'm going to get you both out of here." He whispered to both of them. "I promise." They did not reply not that he expected them to.
"We need to go Harry." Cedric called over to him as he clutched Cho in his arms. He had cast a Tempus charm and the clock counting down told them that they only had ten minutes to reach the surface.
Harry nodded and then looked to the MerKing. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You need not thank me young Potter." The MerKing replied. "You have shown me nothing but respect today. Maybe there is hope for the rest of the Surface Dwellers as well."
Harry was momentarily taken aback when the King revealed he knew his name but nodded at him.
"Let's go!" Harry said to his friends and as a group they began swimming towards the surface. The rules hadn't stated they needed to make it back to the platform by a certain time only that they needed to make it to the surface.
"How he did know your name?" Cedric asked Harry as they swam.
"Even down in the depths of the water they know the legend of the Boy Who Lived." Fleur answered holding her sister in her arms.
"I'm not a legend." Harry replied resisting the urge to groan. It was taking all his strength right now carry his two precious people in his arms and still swim at the same rate of his companions.
"Whatever you say Harry." Cedric scoffed. The pain in his arm must have subsided or he had just gotten used to it because he was only frowning a bit from the pain now.
"How muc-"
Whatever Fleur was going to say next was interrupted by the flash of movement. Before Harry could even react, his leg was snagged by something and he was pulled back down towards the bottom of the lake. He released Hermione and Daphne and quickly drew his wand. "REDUCTO!" He pointed it down and seconds later his foot was released.
"Harry!" Again, he felt something grab his leg and he finally saw what was trying to kill him. The Giant Squid. He had never laid eyes on it before,
but he had heard tales and they didn't do it justice. Its many tentacles were coming up to join their fellow and claim their prize. Harry.
"GET DAPHNE AND HERMIONE OUT OF HERE!" Harry called out and whipped off another spell at the squid. It only served to make the beast angrier.
"Bu-"
"JUST GO!" Harry yelled and sent off another spell.
They reluctantly obeyed his request and began to paddle their feet even harder towards the surface each of them grabbing one of Harry's hostages as they passed them.
"DIFFENDO!" Harry severed the tentacle that was holding his leg. It didn't matter. It was just like the Hydra. Cut off one head and two more would take its place. "COME ON YOU BASTARD!" Harry roared at the Squid. "YOU'LL HAVE TO DO BETT-"
He was interrupted by the five tentacles that were severed by…something. Something that looked familiar.
It should have. It was the beast from earlier in the Task. The one that had almost taken his head off. He wished he could describe it, but he couldn't. It was like a regular fish, but it had the teeth of a piranha. It was the size of a small tank, but it was still only a tenth of the size of the Squid.
Something that resembled a growl came from the Giant Squid as it turned its attention to its new prey.
"GO!" Harry looked around but he couldn't tell where the command had come from. Surely it couldn't have come from.
"GO!" Harry was sure of it now. The voice had come from the new arrival and it was a voice that he knew he heard before.
Harry obeyed as the Fish like creature went it for another attack. He paddled his legs as fast and hard as he never had before. They screamed at him to stop, to take a rest but it was either get to the platform or die here and right.
He was almost to the surface when he heard a horrible cry behind him. He didn't even turn to look back. The Squid had won the day, but he wouldn't let his rescuer's death be in vain.
He broke the surface and almost immediately his charm melted away. Now that he was above ground it had no further use to him.
"HARRY!" Fleur screamed at him from the platform. She had a towel draped around her and was shaking furiously in the cold but that didn't stop her from delivering a warning. "SWIM HARRY SWIM!"
He looked back and saw a tidal wave quickly approaching him. The Giant Squid wasn't going to just give up and let him go just because he was above ground. He had to answer for this invasion of its territory.
He took off towards the platform as the Squid hurried behind him. He was going as hard and as fast as he could, but it was going twice his speed. He wouldn't make in time. HAH. So, this was how he died? Not at the hands of Voldemort. Not against a Basilisk, or a Dementor. But the Giant Squid.
"WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!" Suddenly Harry wasn't swimming any more. At least not in the water. He felt light as a feather. He was shooting through the air until finally he landed on the platform. Surprisingly he landed on his feet. Not surprising he collapsed moments later.
"Oh my God, Harry!" The familiar voice of Daphne cried out. Seconds later he felt two arms wrap around him and pull him close. "Are you okay? It didn't get you did it? Wh-"
He silenced her by pressing his lips against hers in a searing kiss. Afterwards he rested his forehead against hers. "I thought I was going to lose you down there." He whispered to her. "I thought that bloody Squid was going to get you."
"But it didn't." She smiled at him a tear trickling down her cheek. "Thanks to you. Saving my life. Again."
"Don't even mention it." He smiled at her. "You owe me though."
"Prat." She rolled her eyes.
"You still love me admit it."
"Believe it or not I do." She kissed his cheek.
"ARSE!" They looked to see the complete opposite of their interaction. Hermione was hitting her boyfriend in the chest with repeated strikes. He wasn't even trying to defend himself.
"I said I was sorry!" He offered.
She greeted that with another hit to his chest. "And that's supposed to excuse you over the past couple weeks?! Do you realize how much I've been worried about you John Duffy?! But no, you've been too much of a child to let your damn girlfriend in to help with your damn problems!"
"Her-"
"Don't!" She snapped. "You're going to let me speak."
"Can we at least go someplace private?" He looked around. People were beginning to stare.
Hermione didn't care. "I understand John." She continued. "You've had a lot going on lately. I get that. But that doesn't excuse you avoiding me!"
"I care about you." She said this time a bit more gently. "I just want to help."
"I know." He smiled sadly. "And I really am sorry. You didn't deserve that. I hope you can forgive me."
She got on her tippy toes and kissed him on the cheek. "Of course, I forgive you."
"I'm gl-OWH!" He yelped in pain and then whirled on his cousin. "OI!"
"She might forgive you, but I don't you moron!" Daphne glared at the boy. She walked away from Harry who wisely made no attempt to stop her and she stomped over to John grabbing him by the arm. "Let's talk."
John looked toward Harry giving him a pleading look but Harry could only shrug at his friend. He couldn't help him here.
"Harry." A gentle grandfatherly voice said behind him. Harry's good mood evaporated. He turned slowly and standing him was the Headmaster
"Yes?" Harry said.
"I'd like a word if you don't mind."
"What can I do for you Headmaster?" Harry asked some of the venom from his conversation with the man earlier having gone. Dumbledore had just saved his life as much as Harry hated to admit it. He had been the one to put his student in danger in the first place, but he had still rescued him. Without that Levitation spell the Giant Squid would have swallowed Harry whole.
"My dear boy." Dumbledore sighed. "I color myself disappointed."
"Excuse me Headmaster?"
"Why did you not leave Miss Granger with the Torra tribe? Their King is a trustworthy soul. He wouldn't dare lay a finger on her."
"It's not the King I don't trust…sir."
"Harry." Dumbledore sighed. "I only wish to protect you. I wish only for you to trust me again."
"You want me to trust you Headmaster?" Harry glared. "Be worthy of my trust then."
"Harry did I not just save you from the Giant Sq-"
"In a competition I was forced to enter that was sponsored by you, Headmaster!" Harry snapped. "I appreciate you saving my life. I really do. But I wouldn't even have been in that situation if it wasn't for you."
Dumbledore tried to come up with a rebuttal, but he could not. "You are right." He finally said. "I will admit Harry that I have had influence in your life's events, but you must understand that everything that I've done has been for the Greater Good."
"The Greater Good?" Harry couldn't believe what he was hearing. "The Greater Good is the reason I was forced to live in a broom cupboard till I was eleven?!"
"Harry please lower your voice." Dumbledore begged. People were beginning to stare including the eyes of a certain head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
"Why?" Harry hissed. "So, you can sweep this whole thing under the rug?" He didn't care if the old man had saved his life. He didn't care if he had possessed the beast in the Lake to save him from the Giant Squid. He wouldn't take this lying down. "I'm sorry but I don't have anything more to say to you Headmaster."
"Come now H-"
"You know what Dumbledore." Harry said. He had begun to walk away but whirled on the Headmaster when he began to speak. "The worst part about this isn't that you put my life in danger more times than I can count. But it's that you never apologized for a single one. As if it was only some mere inconvenience."
"Ever since I was eleven, I trusted you. I didn't even know who you were. All I knew was that you were the Headmaster of the school I was going to be attending and that you were a great man. You took that trust and you manipulated it. For that I can never forgive you."
With that Harry stomped off not even bothering to say anything to Daphne who had been talking to Tracey. Not even to Hermione who was speaking to John. He just made his way to the boat that had brought the Champions to the platform and sat in it.
Daphne began to go after him, but Tracey stopped her. "No." Tracey shook her head.
"I can't just let him stew like that." Daphne argued.
"I agree." Hermione said walking over with her boyfriend. "But you might not be the best person to talk to him right now. He needs a more…masculine approach." With that she looked over at John.
"Who…me?" He asked surprised.
"Yes you." She replied. "He respects you. He'll open up to you I swear it."
"Are you saying he doesn't respect me?" Daphne challenged.
"I didn't say that." Hermione retorted. "I'm just saying that in some cases males are more likely to open up to their friends rather than their girlfriends."
John nodded absentmindedly. "What about Neville?" The other boy was probably closer to Harry than he was.
"Neville is great. I just don't think that he's able to deal with Harry." Tracey replied sadly. Her boyfriend was a good person and loving, but if Harry released his anger on Neville, she didn't think he would be able to cope. Duffy was more likely to slug Harry across the mouth than take it lying down.
Daphne didn't say anything but looked at her cousin expectantly. "Fine." He finally said. "I'll talk to him." It was the least he could do. He'd probably still be at the castle eating by himself if it hadn't been for Harry that morning. He owed his friend that much.
He set off towards the boat. "Any room for one more?" He asked his friend.
"Piss off." Harry grumbled.
"I'll take that as a yes." John replied hopping in the boat and taking the seat across from Harry. "You okay?"
"No actually. I'm pretty un fucking okay." Harry snapped. "I was almost just killed by a fucking squid, my girlfriend almost drowned, I was attacked by one of my competitors and the person who sanctioned all of it is my Headmaster!"
"…So just another day in the life?" John offered.
"Again, piss off."
"I'm not going to pretend like I understand mate, but I'll try." John said. "Our Headmaster is bloody terrible at his job."
"Understatement of the year." Harry rolled his eyes.
"We'll have to suffer him for another three years if we're unlucky. As much as I might hate the man, I think he has too much sway with the Governors to be removed. It's just the way it is."
"Are you going somewhere with this?" Harry asked.
"You have to stay strong. Let him know that whatever he might do, it doesn't get to you even if it does."
"I shouldn't have to take the bloody high road."
"You're right mate. But it's the way this will work." John put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It sucks but you just have to push through. Dumbledore will never admit he's wrong so there's really no point in arguing with him at this point. In his mind he'll always be right."
"I-I suppose you're right." Harry finally said. "It's not right. Nothing about this is okay. But I understand where you're coming from."
"The man will pay for what he's done Harry. I swear it even if I have to do it myself." John promised. "We just have to wa-"
"Mr. Duffy!" They turned to see a small Slytherin first year running towards the boat. "Mr. Duffy!"
"Colin." John nodded at the boy. "What is it?"
"Sir. You told me to keep my ears open. About Weasley, sir."
"What have you found out?" John sat up.
"He did it sir." Colin said. "He attacked Astoria."
A/N: It's my favorite time of the year, y'all: OSCAR SEASON.
My personal favorite movie of 2019 is Little Women (with Emma Watson playing Meg March) but it's a longshot to win Best Picture. Personally, I feel it's down to Joker or 1917 to win.
I also feel it's bullshit that Greta Gerwig wasn't even nominated for Best Director. It's highway robbery if you ask me.
One of my favorite scenes from Little Women is near the end where it shows Josephine March writing for days on end to get the first chapters of her novel done. It just shows the dedication that writers put into their work. It reminded me why I love doing what I do whether it's writing a new chapter for my novel or writing another chapter for you guys
-RJS