Ever since young Harry Potter spoke to the Squid he avoided his friends like the plague even Neville who was worried for him didn't have time to speak when Harry ran away from the lake.
Ron and Hermione were stumped not knowing what is this sudden change of their friend's attitude.
Harry who was been his juvenile self was doing his charms essay. He may steer clear of his friends but he ain't deaf especially since their "hush voices" were stentorian.
"You go ask him Ronald Weasley." Hermione forcible gestures Ron to go speak to their friend.
Ron knows that when Hermione uses his name in that tone the situation is very serious. The youngest redhead male Weasley awkwardly made his way towards the black haired boy who's lighting scar was half covered as he furiously scribbled on his essay.
"Harry, uh...Hermione and I are worried for you mate and ever since your swim you haven't been acting like yourself and Neville has been moping for not going with you in that swim. I...we were wondering if we did something for you not to speak to us."
Harry did feel bad on his treatment to Neville for it was harsh on his part for he will later apologize for but how can he tell his friends that he has a another different talent from theirs with a new heritage. On top of it he's no longer just Harry or the boy who lived, but also a prince of a mythical kingdom and has the weight on top of his shoulders.
He really wanted to tell his friend but thought of Ron's reaction will be when he barely got his best friend back and knowing Hermione will want some type of proof or just tell him to speak with one of the professors or directly speak to Professor Dumbledore.
Instead he just decided to omit the truth and say," I'm just tired Ron. I feel under the weather with the pressure of the second task."
"Oh," Ron dumbly responds. "That explains everything for Hermione has been nagging me if I did something to make you not speak to us. I've should of guessed it was this. Just remember your not alone mate, you have us."
"Thanks Ron. It means a lot having you and Hermione as friends." Harry sheepishly smiled for Ron uncomfortably not used of gratitude just nods.
"What are friends for but you are going to explain to Hermione why you didn't speak to us during this two weeks."
Harry inwardly cringed. It didn't help seeing his friend with a determined look of anticipation for sometimes he wished to face the dragon once more.
After, he explained to Hermione who in return berated him and later hugged him for being foolish of pushing them away. He guessed that in some part he was foolish thinking they won't notice his demeanour. Also, apologized to Neville who no longer looked guilt ridden.
Comfortably that how his body feels as he lays in his bed looking at his four poster bed until he unconsciously sleeps.
During the night many creatures were sensing the changing atmosphere of their surroundings not knowing if it's foreshadowing something good or bad.
"Can you sense it?" The Squid asked Starella.
"I certainly do. Is the prince isn't it?"
"Yes, his powers are awakening."
" He already displayed some of his powers. What do you mean trying to awaken?"
"It's not enough."
"What do you mean not enough?He seemed very in control in his last visit." She tilts her head to look at the Squid.
"He seemed in control but his powers manifest itself based on his emotions which he has no control of. That's why I asked Tamaki to contact our king to visit Harry."
"Has the king replied?"
"Yes, he will make an appearance to the second task."
"So the situation is very severe for you to contact the king."
"Yes, you and I know that this climate change can only be our prince doing. If this is little of the display when our prince is in his best but if he is provoked there's no telling in the aftermath. If someone discovers his displays of power will take advantage of him and that is why I asked for our king for he will guide the prince."
"It's for the best then."
"Yes."
"Then, I will notify everyone to prepare for the Kings arrival."
The squid waved his tentacle for Starella has approval to notify everyone.
"I do hope our prince does hold on a little while longer." He spoke to himself.
February twenty-four has come for the champions to be challenged in their second task it has made news throughout the three magical schools having mixed emotions of excitement. Many had a certain support for the four contenders, for the four champions were nervous or simply they were cold in their swimwear looking out of the ordinary compared to the audience who were wearing their warm clothes. For they were lucky of the bunch.
Sometimes, Harry did wonder what went through the people who organised this event to do it in winter instead of at least do it in summer and not freeze his arse off. Harry really wanted to put a stinging hex at Barty Crouch, Bagman and Dumbledore for not making sure the age line worked well or have people stationed to monitor the dumb cup. Harry can't dwell on something he has no control of.
Like many of the teenage boys, Harry noticed Fleur's attire but comparing to the other male teenagers he wasn't in a drooling mess and thought the young half quarter veela was terrified with a panicked look. He swore he heard her say she was coming for Gabrielle whoever that was and didn't put too much thought in the matter. It also reminded him of his friends didn't show up at least to show him support. He was grateful for having Neville but sometimes he overwhelmed him with his different plants for it didn't help him calm down his nerves. On top of it gillyweed that has fifty - fifty probability of working even if Neville and Dobby went out of their way to help him.
Harry could of have swear the climate was beginning to chill from how it felt earlier and the wind started to pick up. He could hear from the stands the Weasley twins still taking bets for he wondered what they are doing with all that money most of the time. Knowing them they probably going to create something amazing in the end.
Harry still in the company of Seamus, Dean, and Neville. For the three of his friends advising him better ways to swim. Until Professor Dumbledore started to speak.
"Welcome to the second task. Last night, something was stolen from each of our champions. A treasure, of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion,now lie at the bottom of the Black Lake. In order to win, each champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough."
Harry making way came across professor Moody who ordered him," Put that in your mouth."
Harry still listening to professor Dumbledore as he stared at the Black Lake for it has been some time he hasn't been in there since that day.
"Except for this."
Harry took professor Moody's advice and put the gillyweed in his mouth as he listened to his headmaster,"They will have one hour to do so, and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own. No magic will save them. You may begin at the start of the canon." The canon went off for the three champions went in.
Harry who was holding on the rail couldn't help but be affected by the gillyweed for it was burning him probably it wouldn't have felt this way for the sideeffects for he was experiencing were for someone with non of his abilities,for he was already a fishboy maybe he should practiced on his abilities and not rely on this even the pats Moody gave him on the back had no effects for it didn't change until he felt the paranoid professor pushed him. Rude he thought.
In the end it was one way to do it. Still rude he thought, he could've had some allergic reaction or drowned to his death.
He couldn't stop the stinging sensation for a moment he felt gills on his neck until they disappeared from his body and throbbing stopped and he didn't feel it anymore but for sure he was losing his oxygen.
Harry then recalled the Squid's words "My prince stop trying to breathe just become one with the water."
Yes, he pondered for he need to accept the changes for he felt his body change.
For some crazy idea came to mind. He swam faster to the surface and made a flip for he heard the cheers and relief of some of the people.
He swam and tried to speak to the fish which most answered the same they can't help him his task even if he is their prince but they hinted on to follow the music.
He swam within the kelp forest for the light was diminishing as he swam away from the surface.
Until, he saw a mermaid swam past him and too close to his liking. To see a mermaid can only be one thing is that he is close to the colony. Harry kept swimming at not becoming aware of someone observing him, for he was too busy to acknowledge for he was trying to reach for his not so missing friends, and reached for Ron was still some sort of an enchanted sleep along with Hermione, Cho, and a smaller version of Fleur.
Many of the merpeople were staring at their prince for all of them were given an order to do nothing but to keep an eye on him.
Harry need to get his friends released and he took notice of the knot on his friend, he untied the knot on Ron's ankle, until he heard the screeching of the merpeople and turned to see Cedric release Cho.
Harry seeing Cedric pointed his watch for one thing can mean time was running out.
He was about to unbind Hermione when the vicious merfolk guards pointed their tridents at him.
"But she's my friend too." Harry tried to reason with them.
"Only one."
"The Squid gave his word that to come to my treasure."
The main guard spoke,"We kept our promise for they aren't."
The Selkie eyes filled with terror leaving Harry confused for one moment they are against him rescuing his friend, and the next they are swimming away, which seemed odd but whatever is behind him is more dangerous enough to leave their post.
He was scared to look behind but his Gryffindor self turned around to see a shark. A motherfucking SHARK. What is a shark doing here of all places? Now thinking on it he didn't even have any information of the Black Lake. Harry didn't wanted to get eaten for he moved out of the shark's razor sharp jaws.
The shark didn't eat him for it snaps Hermione's rope from what he saw a half sharks head and the body of a man for it could only mean Krum. At least Hermione will be okay with Krum.
Harry swam to Ron and waited for Fleur's appearance but found none and decided to set the girl free.
He took both of them but he started to struggle with the weight and stopped to lose concentration on his power.
Grindylows were hiding seeing the prince struggle wanted to help him but they had orders to obey.
They rushed in and started to attack.
Harry seeing no other choice to let Ron and Delacour go for their own safety.
One of the Grindylow who didn't take part of the attack saw that pesky human and nuisance veela girl fading from view.
Harry was starting to get angry having those teeth biting him and wrapping their tentacles around his skin.
The Grindylow leader seeing the expression of the prince knew it was time to reel his companions and commanded them to stop.
Harry taken by surprise saw they stopped until one made way said," I bring a message my prince for it requires of you to come alone tomorrow morning. Now hurry."
He took the small creature words to heed.
"Ascendio"
"My King you saw the boy has potential."
"He does."
"He shown qualities that he is willing to protect others than endanger them and he passed what you have set upon him."
"My king, Starella is correct for all of us were witnesses of the boys accomplishments."
"I will speak to Harry Potter tomorrow if he's willing to accept."
"So you are taking him?"
"Yes, he's my cousin's son. Even if I asked all of you to take part in all of this is because too many attacks have happened against Atlantis and that includes my half brother Orm and I wanted to see what type of person Harry is."
The Squid wondering couldn't help to ask,"I have a question my king and I don't want to intrude but why do all of this."
"I went to visit Petunia and her husband, and both seemed very rude people,Lily was right about her sister, and I was hoping he wasn't like them for they raised him.
"The boy seemed nice and he was surprised to learn he had more living family members."
"That is if he does come tomorrow."
"If he does then you hope he doesn't have his mother's temper for he will be wondering why he was threatened by the Selkie, he was almost devoured by the Grindylow, and I told him he wasn't going to be harmed along with his treasure."
Arthur groans," I sometimes hate you Squid."
The Squid gave a hearty laugh. Starella shakes her head as she sighs.
"Laugh it all you want Squid," sarcastically says Arthur.
What do you guys thought of the chapter?
I really hope you guys liked it. Obviously, Harry doesn't have control of his powers for he needs to learn like everybody else even if he seems like he does he doesn't.
I'm going to go with Jason Mamoa's Aquaman even though their's the actor from Smallville or whatever goes your way.
Wallace Shawn as the Leader of the Grindylow