Magical Origins

Year 4: The Second Task

The winter holidays were over, that meant studies and classes had come back. For the Fourth Years, several of them were starting to fall behind. Well, half the Gryffindor Fourth Years because they lacked discipline. The center was Ron Weasley, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown, and Parvati Patil, who had been seen routinely either running around playing, or gossiping. Slytherin, too, as Crabbe and Goyle were particularly behind, with Millicent Bulstrode just barely beneath par.

When Harry wasn't in class, and when they had breaks, he was regularly seen swimming in the Black Lake and was known to disappear for long hours.

Harry had written to Olivia and Samuel saying he needed gillyweed for the second task, and he would need some to explore the Black Lake. Harry soon learned gillyweed worked well underwater, but once he reached the surface, it would "break" and disappear. His hands and feet became webbed, allowing for increased mobility underwater, bettering his ability to swim than he would have usually been able to do.

Cho Chang wanted more nights with Harry and true to her word, she got the anti-pregnancy potion so she wouldn't end up being pregnant. Though Madam Pomfrey did say, there was the possibility of her being pregnant if she was fertile. Now Cho wanted to go another round with Harry and was trying to find various ways to reach him. They did talk a few times, though only briefly. Her friend Marietta Edgecombe tended to loudly suck her teeth in impatience, causing Cho to end the conversation early.

It didn't take long for Harry to realize Marietta didn't like him. Harry also knew she was a gossip queen herself, and she tends to spread rumors about people she didn't like.

This was unusual due to the fact Harry has never done anything to Ravenclaw except beat them at Quidditch. Harry had never had a run-in or trouble with Ravenclaw students. He's even been part of quite most of their study groups in the library on the few projects they've had to do. Harry found he liked spending time with the Ravenclaws when they weren't all about studying.

Apparently, Cho never told anyone about the night/day they had together and only told people she slept in a classroom crying because Diggory was an ass to her. Many of her friends felt sympathy for her while Marietta admitted she had a great time with Diggory. Claiming Diggory was quite the lover and pleased her greatly.

Harry knew if Cho ever got the chance to spend time with him again, it would be harder to get her to leave, due to the fact she was practically insatiable. She was really addicted to both him and having sex with him.

Thankfully, for the time being, Harry didn't run into Cho overly often. Mostly because she was in a separate House and since she was a year older than him, she had different classes than he did. So they didn't really run into each other. Though Cho and Harry would occasionally glance at one another during meal times.

Daphne, on the other hand, was around Harry much more frequently. Thankfully, Daphne had yet to push for her night with him as she seemed to understand that Harry needed to prepare for the upcoming second task. Though he was sure, he was going to have a crazy night with Daphne once he completed the second task. He was sure Cho would want to spend time with him as well and 'congratulate' him for completing the task.

Now that Harry knew what the second task was, Harry had more than enough time to prepare. Though Cedric did catch him before the term started to give him a hint about taking a bath with the egg. Mostly to repay him for telling him about the dragons. Only for Harry to tell Cedric that he already worked out the egg's clue and knew what it was. That put a real damper on Cedric's mood when he realized his repayment was now worthless.

The teachers were a bit lenient on Harry as they recognized he was putting time into preparing the Second Task. So they didn't give him a hard time and allowed him to skip some classes, as long as he still turned in his work.

As Harry was currently in first place in the tournament, he held a substantial lead over the other champions. With a score of forty-two points, he was the leading champion. Fleur was currently second with thirty-eight points. Meaning she was only four points below Harry. Then Viktor Krum was tailing with thirty-two points. Cedric was in real trouble. He only had twenty-five points against the rest of the Champions, putting him in last place.

It was a bit ironic seeing a Hogwarts Champion who was both in first and last place.

Before the First Task, Ron Weasley had made 'Potter Stinks' badges and was selling them to support Cedric Diggory. Many students bought them, mostly from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, because they believed that Cedric was the real champion, and Harry had cheated to get in the tournament. Now badges saying 'Support Champion Potter,' made by Draco Malfoy, was starting to fill the school. Less 'Potter Stinks/Support Diggory' badges could be seen as more students were throwing their support behind Harry. It couldn't be helped really, what with Harry having a significant lead over Cedric. Not to mention, it was leaked that Harry assisted Cedric with the First Task, which caused many Hufflepuffs, including those who Harry has been friendly with in the past, to feel guilty for criticizing him.

A lot of students were willing to bet that Harry was going to win the Second Task too. It wasn't about how he was going to win, but how fast, seeing how he got past the dragon the quickest. Many were convinced that Harry was going to win the second task too.

Ron Weasley walked around, proclaiming that Cedric was going to win the Second Task. He was betting heavily upon Diggory on the Second Task.

On the night before the second task, Harry was in the library studying with Tracy, Daphne, and Blaise. The three of them were looking at underwater spells that Harry would find useful in case he ran into trouble. From their lessons last year, they remembered all too well what Professor Lupin said about the various underwater magical creatures that were known to lurk in lakes and ponds. Hogwarts was full of magical aquamarine life. The most famous was the giant squid. Then there was Grindylows, who usually hid in kelp before attacking anything that swam near them. Then there were merpeople. Where Harry would need to find their settlement. Which he did after nearly a month of swimming around the Great Lake. Though he didn't get too close. It wasn't clear how good relations between merpeople and wizards were.

"I'm calling it a night guys," Harry said as he puts down the Book 'Water Spells and its Uses'. "We've searched all we could, and I need the rest for tomorrow," Harry said.

"I believe you're right. We're not going to get anywhere any further." Daphne said as she puts aside her own book.

With that being said, the four of them got up and put away their books before heading back to the Slytherin Common Room to get some extra sleep.

Harry awoke the next morning feeling both anxious, yet excited. The second task wouldn't start until one o'clock. Another thing was classes were canceled today, allowing all the students to have a lot of free time.

Fred and George were trying to sort out the bets as many students were trying to make some extra gold. This also caused a lot of students to wonder who was the favorite to win the Second Task. Many were betting heavily on Krum, due to the fact he did seemed like the odds to win. However, no one but the Champions knew what the Second Task was. And the Champions didn't know what was taken from them.

When it was noon, Professor McGonagall called for the Champions to gather at the Entrance Hall, with the rest of the schools to head to the Great Lake. Cho shouted, "Good luck Harry," from where she was sitting as Harry gets up and heads to the entrance hall, where Cedric Diggory, Fleur Delacour, and Viktor Krum were all standing patiently along with Bagman. Harry almost blush at her remark as his mind went back to the wild night they had together.

"Jolly good, you're all here. Now, before we begin the second task, I must ask, do you all know what lies ahead of you for the second task?" Bagman asks.

"Something has been taken from us and has been hidden in the Great Lake." Cedric answers in a calm voice.

"That's right. Now what has been taken from you is someone dear to you. One from each of you," Bagman said. Apparently, everyone looked worried that someone was taken from them. "Rest assured, they are perfectly safe. Dumbledore has enchanted them into a slumber at the Merpeople Village. They're being put in the water right now as we speak. Rest assured, none of your loved ones are in any immediate danger. However, since you all know the clue, that means you know you have one hour to collect them and bring them back. Your objective is simple, find them and bring them back before the hour. Complete the task before the hour is done, and you'll receive full marks. Fail to complete the task within the assigned time, and your points will get reduced. Now, as you know, Mr. Potter is currently in the lead with Forty-Two points. Followed by Miss Delacour with Thirty-Eight. Then it's Mr. Krum with Thirty-Two, and last is Mr. Diggory with Twenty-Five. Now, I must advise you, as Dumbledore wants you all to be told. Try to complete this task as quickly as possible, because whoever has the higher points, will have an advantage in the upcoming Third Task. The lower your points, the less your odds are at winning the tournament." Bagman said.

They all looked at him before looking at each other. Slowly Harry nods his head as do the others.

"Who has been taken?" Harry asked slowly.

"I'm not allowed to say. You must figure that out for yourself. However, upon seeing your loved one, you should recognize who is your treasure." Bagman chirped.

Harry didn't like that, his mind went back to who was taken from him. Blaise, Tracy, and Daphne were all present with him in the Great Hall, so they weren't taken or being held as a hostage. That left Harry pondering, who was taken. Cho was out too, given the fact she was noticeably sitting at the Ravenclaw stands and cheering for him.

That meant it was the Champion's Yule Ball dates that were the hostages.

Harry shuddered to think if he had to rescue Ron Weasley. Or worse, his sister Ginny Weasley. He would have nightmares for weeks at saving them. Though he wouldn't deny, he would attempt to drown either of them in progress.

Harry and the other champions followed Bagman to the Great Lake, where Filch was waiting with a nasty look on his face. He was holding his familiar, Mrs. Norris, in his hand as he was petting her gently as she turned to keep her eyes on Harry.

Harry ignores the look and climbs into one of Hogwart's magical boats with Bagman and the Champions before they reach what appeared to be three magical platforms in the middle of the Great Lake.

Harry paused as he looks at his surroundings and studies the area.

They were rather close to the Merpeople village. About a quarter-mile away or so as near as he could tell. Once Harry was in the water and could see his surroundings, he could orient himself properly and be on his way quickly. Having done reconnaissance for around a month to recognize where the dangers were and the best routes, he would have an easy time.

When it was five minutes till one, Dumbledore's voice boomed out at a volume everyone could hear.

"Welcome, all, to the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament. 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. To succeed, each champion needs only to find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough, except for this: 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." Dumbledore said.

Harry began to strip off his robes, showing he had already been dressed in his water trunks, before piling up his clothes. He also removed his necklace, placing it on his discarded robes where Blaise, Daphne, and Tracy were standing. Strapping a wand holster on his right leg before putting his wand on it. Harry then reached in and grabbed his collection of Gillyweed. Enough for two hours beneath the lake.

With barely a minute left before the start of the second task, Harry puts the gillyweed in his mouth as the other champions took several breaths as they got ready.

Then the sound of cannon went off, and Harry dived into the Great Lake with the other champions.

Once in the water, Harry could feel the gillyweed starting to take effect. His hands slowly changed into a more weblike feature as did his feet. On the side of his neck, he could feel gills forming, allowing him to breathe underwater. His vision also became sharper under the water. When he had jumped in, it was not dark and murky but also cold. Hard to see anything. Now his vision was sharp and to able penetrated the darkness. He was able to see the refraction of the sunlight off many rocks and kelp. See the movements in the water. The coldness in the water also disappeared.

Harry grabbed his wand and placed a modified disillusionment charm on himself to allow his body to mimic his own surroundings, traveling unseen by all that dwelled in the water.

Harry paused as he looks around and sees Viktor Krum was swimming away, and he disappeared into the depth of the Great Lake. Fleur and Cedric both disappeared as well. Their shadowy forms appeared briefly before the shadow of the depth made them disappear too.

Harry looks around and recognizes the place he was at. He had passed by here many times.

Harry takes off heading for the merpeople village quickly but made certain to avoid the tall kelp where the grindylow were known, from experience, to frequent.

Passing the kelp swiftly, Harry still himself, feeling something was wrong. He'd entered an area where a great shadow made everything dark and hard to see. His instincts were telling him to run. That he was in danger. He was also confused as he enters an area he wasn't familiar with. He was sure he took the right route.

Then a sudden movement. The shadow began to move, and Harry was trying to swim away. In startling realization, he suddenly realized why the giant shadow was moving. It was because the Giant Squid was resting, and he had disturbed its slumber.

The giant squid obvious couldn't see Harry, but he knew that someone or something was near him. In a state of panic, the giant squid moved quicker than anything Harry has ever seen. It moved and quickly darts away. Harry, unfortunately, wasn't so lucky to escape unscathed. He was thrown off of his course and sailed through the water and past the kelp.

When he stops sailing through the water, Harry pauses as he shakes his head. A constant ringing that he just knew he'd be feeling for a week. Taking a moment to gather himself, he looked around and quickly noticed someone swimming ahead of him.

It was Fleur, and she was swimming further down, navigating herself between the stalk of kelp.

Then Harry's eyes spotted movement down and around her.

Grindylows. Like rockets, they shot forward and quickly attacked Fluer. Caught off-guard by the attack, and she starts to struggle against the attackers. Several were grappling her legs and feet, preventing her from swimming away. Fleur had her wand out but was firing blindly as the horde of grindylows attack her. Swarming around her, attack her, tearing her swim gear. A pair of grindylows grabs her arm, and they start to squeeze. Causing Fleur to be in a bit of a panic at the moment. Harry was sure if she were able to, she would be screaming. It wasn't a pleasant sight, seeing Fleur defenseless as the Grindylows attack her in waves and were attempting to both break her body and drown her.

Harry swam forward and holds his wand tightly. He fires a spell 'Relashio,', but he could see it wasn't working.

Using his water abilities, Harry suddenly increases the water density and pulls his hands together, as if raindrops were forming in the water, they quickly gathered around Harry. Then Harry sends them flying at the grindylows as they were pelt. They had to feel like bullets were penetrating their bodies. When it ended, they scattered, disappearing into the kelp.

Harry took one good look at Fleur and realized her right leg was broken. Nearly snap in half by the looks of things. It wasn't hanging off, thank Merlin for that. But it was bent in an odd direction that showed it was broken.

Then Fleur began to panic. She was trying to swim upwards, but she wasn't moving. Harry took one good look at her and realized her bubble-head charm had come undone, and if something weren't done soon, she would drown.

Harry swims up to her and places his web hands on her arm, but she was panicking. Harry could tell if she didn't get oxygen soon, she would suffocate. It was hard to calm her down, she was thrashing and trying to swim upwards. Then Harry saw his chance. Without pause or hesitation, he places his lips on her lips and forces her mouth open. Then he sends a fresh wave of oxygen down her throat.

Fleur stopped panicking and realized someone was saving her. Harry continues to take in oxygen and sends it into Fleur's mouth. She took each breath greatly.

Harry breaks off and looks at her. She wouldn't last much longer, and she needed to return to the surface as soon as possible. There Madam Pomfrey would be able to see to her. With Fleur no longer in immediate danger of drowning, Harry could focus on a more efficient method of helping her. Frowning in concentration, Harry placed his hands together and spread them out, creating a semi-permeable air bubble. He then casts an air-bubble charm over Fleur's head where Harry could hear her taking in slowly lessening gulps breathable air. Harry points his wand at Fleur, and she suddenly was launched upward towards the platform.

With Fleur safely away, Harry ventured onward. He continues to swim, keeping a sharp ear out for any possible signs of an attack. None came.

Then something swam past Harry at an alarming speed. Harry looks at sees it was a mermaid. Holding a trident as she swims towards her village. Harry follows her, and as he got nearer towards the mer-village, he could hear a group of mermaids singing. Their voices calling to the champions.

Harry swims and assumed the treasures would more than likely be in the center of the village. Harry swims past the countless mermaids and mermen that were swimming, watching him with interest.

Just as he predicted, the four hostages were in the center of the village, floating softly and seemed to be tied to some decently sized kelp to keep them in place. The mermaids who were singing were near them. Harry swims up to them and takes a close look.

There was a little girl, barely eight-year-olds that looked like a younger version of Fleur, resting. Marietta Edgecombe was beside her. On the far end was Hermione Granger. On the far left was –

Lily.

Harry swims up to her and places his web hand on her face to see if she was alright. For a moment, he forgot that she was in no danger. He looked at her and realized she must be his treasure. Harry pulls back as he looks at her and pulls out his wand. Once it was firmly in his grip, he cast the severing charm to undo the bindings tied to her. Harry grabbed Lily and was about to take off when he stopped and looks back.

Fleur wasn't coming. Her sister was still down here. Harry pointed his wand at the younger Delacour and released her from her bonds.

At that moment, the mermaids and mermen swam and pointed their tridents at Harry as they surrounded him.

"You only take one." The lead mermaid said.

"She's not coming." Harry barks; bubbles came out of his mouth, and he knew he was wasting time. Instead, Harry sends an underwater shockwave that sent all the merpeople away from him.

Harry swims up to the young Delacour and immediately gets to work. He severs the bindings and ties the little girl until Harry she was rested on Harry's back. Harry grabs Lily and holds her in his hand as he begins to swim upward. It was a slow process, and the two of them were slowing him down.

Harry instead using his water abilities to jet himself upwards like a rocket. As he was going up, he spotted Cedric approaching the village with Krum behind him. Cedric was swimming with a bubble-head charm, much like Fleur. Krum, however, seemed to be some amalgamation of shark and man, front half with gills, pointed nose, and teeth while most of his body below the chest that of a man. He still had his arms too.

Harry thought of nothing else as he heads towards the surface.

Harry breathe fresh air as he broke the surface. Just as he did so, he heard the clock dong signaling the hour had ended. He was pleased with himself, he not only managed to be the first one to return with his treasure, but also the only one to do so before the hour was up.

"The first Champion to return, and before the hour – is Harry Potter!" Dumbledore shouted.

"Hey, Harry," Lily said as she woke from her enchantment. She was treading water, unable to swim away as she had a rope tied around her waist. She blinks as she realized they weren't alone. A little girl looks at her in confusion. "Who is she?" Lily asked in surprise.

"Fleur's sister," Harry replies. "Fleur was taken out before she could reach the village," Harry explained.

"So, you brought her back?" Lily asked in surprise.

"I really couldn't leave her behind. Granger and Edgecombe, I could care less about saving." Harry replies.

Harry begins to swim forward to the platform with Lily beside him.

Apparently, Fleur realized who was at the bottom of the lake, and she broke from her friends and headmistress to reach the platform edge. The moment Harry reached the platform's edge, Harry undid the rope allowing the young girl to be free. Once she was on board the platform, Fleur hugs her sister in perhaps the most effusive hug she's probably ever given her.

Harry lets Lily climb up first before following her. Harry stands up as Professor McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey both hand them towels that not only began to dry them; but warm them up as well. Harry and Lily were seated down as hot chocolate was brought to them.

"You, you saved her," Fleur said as she approaches them on a limp leg.

"I did," Harry said. It wasn't really saving, she was in no danger.

"You also saved me," Fleur said.

Harry nods his head.

Fleur smiles and grabs Harry's face and gives him a kiss. Harry was stunned; she would kiss him so publicly and openly. It wasn't brief either, she kept it long, allowing Harry tongue to enter her mouth as she kissed him with deep passion.

She finally breaks, and several students were cheering at the sight of Harry being kissed by Beauxbaton Champion. She walks off speaking French to her friends and sister, obviously explaining her reasons for kissing her competitor.

"What was that about?" Lily asked as she looks at Harry with a hard look.

"Long story," Harry said from slight embarrassment. He didn't expect Fleur to kiss him.

"Tell me," Lily asked with a slight demand in her voice.

Before Harry could, Daphne flung herself at Harry and hugs him.

"Congratulations, Harry!" shouted Daphne.

"No doubt about it, you got full marks, and you're in first place," said Blaise.

At that moment, there was another roar of applause from the students as Cedric Diggory, and Marietta Edgecombe appeared on the water surface. Shortly afterward, Durmstrang erupted into cheers and applause as Viktor Krum appeared with Hermione Granger. Several mermaids appeared beside them as they swam to the center platform. Dumbledore kneels on edge and lets out a wailing sound to the mermaid as she too lets out a wailing sound. Apparently, Dumbledore was able to speak mer-tongue, who knew?

After several minutes of speaking, Dumbledore stood up.

"Judges, a quick meeting to discuss the final outcome," Dumbledore said as the judges all gathered around Dumbledore. Dumbledore began to speak, telling them what transpired in the Great Lake.

"So, tell us, why did Fleur Delacour kiss you?" Lily asked.

"Yes, do tell," Blaise asks eagerly.

Harry sighs as he realized he wasn't getting out of this.

"Fleur was attacked by a horde grindylows. Several dozens of them. Maybe fifty of them. They were really tearing her apart. They broke her leg, and if I had to hazard a guess, fractured her arm and ribs. They also ripped off her bubble-head charm as they prevented her from escaping. I fended them off, but Fleur was in trouble and would have drowned. I was using gillyweed, and I – kissed her to give her oxygen. Afterward, she was able to hold her breath again, I create an air bubble and sent her back to the surface." Harry said.

"So noble," Daphne said.

"Like a prince charming," Tracy added.

"So you brought her sister up because you knew Fleur wasn't coming. You're really noble, you know that." Lily said with a grin.

"Was kind of stupid, as she was in no danger," Harry admitted.

"Attention!" Dumbledore said in a magically enhanced voice. "Merchieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the Great Lake, and we have therefore decided to awards marks out of fifty for each champion, as follows – " Dumbledore said. Everyone was silent as everyone turned to Dumbledore.

"Fleur Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm, was attacked by grindylows and was injured in the process. Failing to reach her goal. She was saved and rescued by Hogwarts Champion, Harry Potter. None the less, through the use of her magic, we award her twenty-five points." Dumbledore said. The students gave polite applause as they turn to Fleur.

"I deserve zero," Fleur mutters as her friends clap her on the back.

"Cedric Diggory also used the Bubble-Head Charm, was second to reach his hostage, although he returned well outside the time limit of an hour to do so," Dumbledore said. Many Hufflepuffs clapped in thunderous applause. "We award him forty-five points."

The Hufflepuff cheered and were pleased. Cedric just jumped to second place with seventy points putting him ahead of Fleur. For the Hufflepuff's, things looked promising indeed.

"Viktor Krum return last and also outside the time limit of one hour. Mr. Krum used an incomplete form of transfiguration that was nevertheless effective. He was third to return with his hostage. We award him, forty points." Dumbledore said.

The Hufflepuff's groan as they realized Cedric was not in second any longer. He was third. Krum had seventy-two points. Drumstrang cheered at the realization of their champion was now in second place.

"Harry Potter used gillyweed to great effect. In the progress of reaching his goal, he saved Miss Delacour from a pack of grindylows and even saving her from the possibility of drowning once her Bubble-Head Charm was broken. He took it upon himself to not only return with his hostage but Miss Delacours as well. He also returns just before the hour was up. Here, most of the judges (Dumbledore paused as he looks at Karkaroff and Percy) feel that Mr. Potter deserves more points for his moral fiber. However, Mr. Potter's score is Fifty Points!"

Karkoroff was clearly displeased as he spits on the ground in disgust. That didn't matter because the House of Salazar Slytherin roared in delight. Harry just pulled ahead with ninety-two points. A twenty-point lead over Durmstrang Viktor Krum seventy-two points. It was the largest lead of the so far in the Triwizard Tournament.

"Let's go, Slytherin!" Slytherin chanted as they repeated the chant over and over again.

Fleur Delacour apparently didn't care that she was in last place. She was clapping very hard for Harry as her sister was clapping too. In fact, if Harry wasn't mistaken, everyone was clapping. It was as if the outcome was clear, the favorite to win the Triwizard Tournament was Harry Potter. The youngest Triwizard Champion ever!

Harry raises his hand, and everyone roars in a thunder of applause. Harry knew the party in Slytherin was going to be intense. He almost wished he could see Weasley's face. Though Percy didn't look pleased with Harry. He seems agitated and unhappy. That didn't matter, Harry was enjoying taking a peg out of Weasley's life.


Author Note: I hope everyone enjoys the chapter! Just a couple more chapters and the 4th Year will be done.

So the current lead is this

Harry Potter - 92 Points

Viktor Krum - 72 Points

Cedric Diggory - 70 Ponts

Fleur Delacour - 63 Points

Please like and review! I do enjoy them!