As Harry wakes there's a soft drizzle tapping on the windows. The usually well-lit library is dim and muted. Only the tiniest sliver of light escapes through the thick clouds. Harry wipes away the string of drool that's formed in the corner of his mouth (ugh… gross) and attempts to collect his thoughts. His brain is stuck in a grey, sleepy haze. What time is it? And why is he sleeping at a study desk with a textbook for a pillow?
The answer hits him like a shot of Madam Pomfrey's Pepperup Potion: the second task. It's today. Harry glances at the big clock above the entryway. 8:30. One hour until he loses something he'll sorely miss- along with all of his remaining dignity.
Harry groans. How could he have let himself doze off? Sure, he hasn't properly slept in days, and those books are duller than Professor Binns' lectures, and the padded study chairs are too comfortable for their own good, but this potion was his top priority. Someone should have woken him.
"Oi Ron, how come you-"
But Ron's not in the chair next to him, nor is Hermione in her usual spot by the fireplace. Harry looks around the library and finds no sign of them anywhere. There's only Cho, who's breathing softly with her head resting in her arms.
Poor Cho, she must have scoured through all those potions books alone until she collapsed from exhaustion. He shouldn't have let her get involved. She wasted her whole Friday night helping him when she could've been having fun. But there's a small comfort in knowing she didn't give up on him. He studies her sleeping form and smiles softly. She really is something else.
"Cho?" he taps her shoulder, gentle so he doesn't startle her.
"Harry?" she gives him a groggy, half-lidded stare, then gasps and sits upright, "Oh no! What time is it?"
"It's 8:30."
"Oh thank goodness. I got worried we'd overslept."
"It might've been better if we did. At least then I'd have an excuse for missing the task besides 'I couldn't figure it out.'"
"Then it's lucky for you I've got a cauldron full of Aquaspira potion brewing downstairs."
It takes a moment for her words to sink in. She did it! Shediditshediditshedidit. She did the impossible. Harry gapes at her, unsure how to react. He didn't let himself fantasize about a scenario where things worked in his favor. He didn't want to get his hopes up. He was so certain they were running a fool's errand. Meanwhile Cho can't stop beaming at him with this radiant smile- and Merlin, he's pretty sure he's in love with her.
"You- you found it?"
"I did."
"And you were able to make it? It wasn't too difficult or anything?"
"Well, I ran into trouble getting some of the ingredients, but otherwise it was pretty simple."
"Cho that's brilliant. You're absolutely brilliant."
"Thank you," she laughs and tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Come on, I think it's ready now. Let's go check."
They head down to the dungeons where Cho's set up shop in the Potion's classroom. A few Slytherins heading up for breakfast cast shrewd glances their way, but none stop to heckle them. The classroom is dark, lit only by a lone table lamp and a cauldron giving off a soft, blue glow. Harry's hit with the stench of under-cooked seafood, like those fish pies his Aunt Petunia makes. While he wishes for a window, Cho peers into the cauldron and gives the contents a stir.
"Does it look alright?" he asks.
Cho nods, "All that's left is to add a sprig of gillyweed, then if I did everything right, it'll turn bright green. Would you like to do the honors?"
"Uh… sure."
Cho sorts through her stock of ingredients until she sets sights on a large, crystal vial. She studies it in the light. Wriggling around inside is amass of short green tentacle-like vines. She plucks one and drops it into his palm. He shivers. It's cold and slimy, and he doesn't fancy holding it longer than necessary.
"I don't think I've seen this in the student cupboard before," he says.
"That's because it isn't," she shoots him an impish grin.
"I hope you didn't break into Snape's private stores to get it."
"No, I asked Professor Moody to break in for me."
"Wha?"
"Merlin, the look on your face. I'm only joking," Cho says, stifling a laugh. "Professor Moody was in the staff lounge when I ran up there at 5 AM looking for help, and he happened to have the key."
"That's fortunate. I'll have to thank him next time I see him."
The gillyweed makes a soft 'plunk' when he drops it into the cauldron. Cho stirs three times counterclockwise, and the potion turns an acid green so garish it's a strain on the eyes. Pale blue steam rises from the cauldron, and the fish pie odor is replaced with an earthy scent. Cho ladles three spoonfuls into a flask and hands it to him. He tucks it into his bag.
And that's it. With 51 minutes to spare, he's finally ready for the second task.
"Thank you again, you really saved my neck."
"It's nothing."
"It's not nothing, I don't know what I'd have done without you."
"I'm just happy I could help," she says, smiling at him. "So... shall we get breakfast?"
"Actually, I think I'll head up to Gryffindor tower first. I should change into some clean robes."
"That's probably a good idea. I'm starving so I'm going to eat. I'll see you before the next task?"
He nods, "Let's meet up by the main doors in a half hour."
Harry races up the stairs to Gryffindor tower. He's bursting to give Ron and Hermione the good news, and to find out why they never returned last night. The common room is bustling and busy, but his friends are once again nowhere to be found. They wouldn't go to breakfast without him, would they? He asks around. Neville doesn't remember Ron coming to bed last night, and Parvati says the same of Hermione.
Something isn't adding up. Surely Ron and Hermione would want to catch up with him. At least he doesn't have to fear for their safety- they were with Professor McGonagall after all. Perhaps she knows something? The task doesn't start for another half hour. He doesn't have to rush, but it also isn't enough time to dawdle. If he can't find them, maybe he can find Professor McGonagall and demand an explanation.
After a quick shower Harry rummages through his trunk for something suitable to wear. He needs to keep warm without being weighed down. It didn't occur to him to buy a swimsuit on his last trip to Hogsmeade. Come to think of it, he's never actually seen wizard swimwear.
He doesn't have to wait long to find out what it looks like. When he reaches the Great Hall Cedric is in the entryway wearing a swimsuit straight out of the 1920s. It's a loose-fitting shorts and tank top ensemble with black and yellow stripes. Merlin, what was Helga Hufflepuff thinking when she made her house colors the same as a bumblebee? He looks ridiculous, even more so coupled with the cape and rain boots he's presumably wearing to not freeze to death while walking outside. And yet, there's something endearing about him. He's kind of adorable. Huh , that's an odd thought to have about his rival 20 minutes before the competition.
"What?" Cedric asks as he draws closer. Harry tries to maintain a straight face, but his amusement must bleed through.
"Nothing," he clears his throat and regains his composure, "it's just… is that really what wizard swimsuits look like?"
"Yeah, why? What do muggles wear? Just their normal street clothes?" he gestures to his outfit, a turtleneck and jeans.
"No, they've got bathing suits and swim trunks and stuff like that. I just didn't think to pack mine. In fact, I'm not even sure I own any. If I do, they're Dudley's and probably four sizes too big for me."
"Dudley?"
"My muggle cousin."
"Oh right," there's a pause. "Err… I've been meaning to ask you about your muggle relatives. I've heard rumors about them and… they're not really as bad as people say they are, are they?"
"Yeah, probably."
Cedric casts him a wide-eyed look of disbelief, "Really? Surely some of them must be exaggerations. I can't imagine anyone that… awful."
"No, they really are that awful."
Cedric doesn't say anything more in response, which is fine. He really ought to look for Ron and Hermione. He's only got... well, now zero minutes until it's time to meet Cho. Cedric takes a step closer. His eyes are remarkably grey. Harry's never paid much mind to them before. He doesn't break eye contact as Cedric throws his outstretched arms around his shoulders and pulls him into an embrace.
"What's that for?" He asks.
"Nothing. Just- good luck out there today," he says. He lets go of him, but stays close. "So uh… want to head down to the lake?"
"Actually, I was sort of looking for someone. I wanted to find them before I went down."
"Ron and Hermione are still missing?" Cho approaches with a muffin in each hand. She gives one to each of them. Cedric takes a large bite out of his. He picks at the wrapper, too nervous to eat.
"Yeah, you didn't see them in the Great Hall, did you?" he asks.
She shakes her head, "Nor Professor McGonagall. C'mon, we ought to head out. Don't want to be late, right?"
The crowd of students pouring out the oak doors clear a path for them. Are they required to go to these things? It made sense for the first task, but there won't be much to see this round since the whole thing is happening underwater. There's applause and cheers of good luck, some for Cedric, some for him, but mostly for them both. Outside the rain has calmed to a gentle drizzle. Cho takes out a black umbrella from her bag. It's just large enough for the three of them to huddle underneath it.
"Hang on, you said your friends are missing too?" Cedric asks, his words garbled from the bit of muffin he's chewing.
"Oh! That's right!" Cho says, "Cedric, have you seen Kaz at all this morning? He was with Professor McGonagall last night, which is when we last saw Ron and Hermione."
"No, not since yesterday. He's never really been a morning person, but I figured he'd at least make an exception for today."
"That's a weird coincidence," Cho says. "You don't think it has something to do with the task?"
"I suppose it's possible," Harry says. He recalls the line 'We've taken what you'll sorely miss' . He's been so preoccupied with how he'd get into the lake, he never put much thought into what he'd retrieve when he got down there.
Cedric shakes his head, "No, it can't be. They wouldn't put our friends in danger like that."
"Well, it was just a thought," Cho says, shrugging, "So Cedric, did you figure out what you're doing for the task?"
"What do you mean?"
"How are you going to breathe underwater?"
"The bubblehead charm of course," he says it so matter-of-fact, like the answer is obvious. Harry clenches his jaw to keep it from dropping open. He can't believe it. The whole time there was a charm- a simple charm by the sound of it.
"Hang on, there's a spell that lets you breathe underwater?" Cho says.
"Uh… yeah? Well, it's not specifically meant to be used underwater, but I asked Professor Flitwick about it and he said it'd work so..." he shrugs, "Why do you ask?"
"Because Harry here has spent the last month reading every book in the library searching for that exact spell without any luck,"
"Oh no! You should have told me. I could've told you what I was doing and saved you all that trouble."
Harry had thought of the "Ask Cedric" option. He never considered doing it, even at his most desperate, but he was always acutely aware he could. And if he did, Cedric probably would've obliged, because that's the type of person he is. He's so genuinely selfless and good . Harry still remembers last year when he called for a rematch because he fell off his broom, despite winning fair and square.
But Cedric is his competition. They can't make a habit of helping each other. The Triwizard Tournament null and voids any fond feelings formed since the Yule Ball. People know they're friendly, and if they both do the same thing it might draw suspicion.
"Don't take it personally," Cho says, "he didn't even want me to help him. I had to flat out tell him I wasn't leaving this library until he put me to work."
Cedric laughs, "Harry, that's no way to treat your friends."
"I just didn't want you to waste your time," he stammers.
"It wasn't a waste. I got to study for my O.W.L.s and spend some time with you, which has been a bit difficult lately. Promise me now that the task is over you'll stop being such a recluse?"
"Yeah, the three of us ought to hang out again," Cedric says.
He grins, "I promise you, I won't step foot into the library again until it's time to prepare for the third task if I can help it."
The lake looks murkier than usual. It could be from the weather, but it's probably his imagination. There's a set of covered bleachers set up along the lakeshore. It's packed to the brim with onlookers, a sea of striped scarves and mitten-clad hands holding steaming cups of tea. The Slytherin section is easily recognizable from their 'Potter Stinks' badges. He scans the crowd for Ron and Hermione, but surprise surprise, they aren't there. From Cedric and Cho's concerned expressions, he can assume they've done the same thing.
Opposite the bleachers the judges talk at a long table draped with a gold tablecloth. Nearby Fleur tucks her long, silver hair into a pale blue swim cap, while Krum does some arm stretches. They each politely ignore them as they make their way over.
"Good, you're here. We're just about to go over the rules," Percy Weasley says. Mr. Crouch appears to be absent again. He looks at Cho, "Champions only from here, Miss. You'll have to watch with the other students in the stands."
"Can we have a moment first?" Cedric asks. Percy gives them a curt nod and stalks back over to the judges' table.
"Well, good luck out there you two," Cho says. "Harry, make sure you're in the water when you take the potion. The effect will be almost immediate."
"Got it."
"And Cedric, you're certain this bubblehead charm works?"
"Positive, I tested it out last night in the prefect's bathroom to be sure."
"Then I'll leave you to it," Cho smiles, then gives them each a quick kiss on the cheek.
While the judges are purposefully sparse on details in their rundown of the second task, it's heavily implied the 'thing' they're looking for is a person. So Cho's earlier theory was correct. No wonder she's in Ravenclaw, she's quite clever. And when he thinks about it, what else could it be? Hedwig is off delivering a reply to Sirius, his Firebolt is in his trunk beneath his bed, and his wand is in his back pocket.
Harry's heart is racing as Ludo Bagman lines them up along the shore. He calms himself down by reminding himself nothing down there could possibly be as dangerous as a fire-breathing dragon. He glances at the stands. Dean's drawn a banner that reads 'Go Harry!', which he and Seamus hold up together. Fred, George, and Ginny wave their Gryffindor scarves above their heads like lassos. Cho sits in the front row of the Ravenclaw section. She waves at him and shouts something he can't hear over the din.
"Champions!" Says Ludo Bagman's magically amplified voice. "On your marks, get set, GO!"
Harry wades into the lake until the water reaches his waist. He guzzles down the potion. It's a bit like seltzer water. Warm and bubbly, but lacking any distinguishable flavor. Then there's a pinprick on each side of his neck. He doesn't think much of it until a pressure builds in his chest. He can't breathe. Instinctively he lunges headfirst underwater.
It takes a moment, but Harry's body adjusts to the cold and his eyes to the darkness. He passes by schools of tiny, non-threatening fish, clumps of seaweed that stick to his newly webbed feet, and a disgusting amount of litter. His first bout of terror comes when he remembers this is where the school dumps its sewage. No wonder he's never seen anyone swimming here. There's no sign of the giant squid. No sign of the merfolk either until a half hour in when they recite another cryptic poem reminding him his friends are in mortal danger. No sign of anything remotely dangerous until he runs into a few grindylows. Two carefully aimed Relashio jinxes and the lot of them scatters, just like Professor Lupin taught him last year.
He's not sure how much time has passed when he reaches the hostages. His watch stopped working after he reached a certain depth. Tied like balloons to an enormous stone statue are Ron, Hermione, the boy from last night- Kaz was it?- and a young girl who looks like Fleur in miniature. The dozens of armed merfolk don't pay him much mind as he passes by them, nor when he uses Relashio to undo Ron's bindings. It's when he tries to free Hermione that they point their spears at him and inform him of the "one hostage per person" rule.
And he's not sure why he does it- maybe because the hostages look so green and helpless, maybe because one of them is his best friend and another a child, maybe because those spears the merfolk are holding look very sharp- but he waits to ensure they're rescued.
Cedric arrives not long after him. He gives him a wink and swims away with his friend over his shoulder in a fireman's lift. Time passes, Krum arrives and claims Hermione, and when Fleur fails to show up, he takes matters into his own hands. With some quick spell work and improvisation, he frees the girl, dodges spear attacks from some very angry merfolk, and swims off with one person under each arm
When he finally resurfaces he's greeted with loud cheers of applause. Ron and the girl regain consciousness, and he'd let out a sigh of relief if not for the gills. The girl looks confused and speaks to him in French. Ron spits water in his face, (lovingly) calls him thick for taking the song literally, and helps the girl onto shore where the two of them are ambushed with hugs and coos of concern by their elder siblings, Percy and Fleur.
"Harry! Are you okay?" Cho calls. She's standing on the shoreline close enough for the tide to lap at her shoes. She looks like she might jump in the water to hug him if not for Cedric holding her hand.
"See, I told you he'd be alright," Cedric says. He has a thick, woolen blanket around his shoulders. "What happened down there, Harry? I figured you'd be right behind me."
He tries to tell them he's alright, but it comes out as a raspy wheeze. He nods and gives them a thumbs up.
"Cedric, get back here, I haven't released you from my care yet," Madam Pomfrey shouts from a warming tent set up close to the shore, "You too, Harry. You'll get sick if you stay in that lake much longer."
He shakes his head and surfaces enough to point at his neck. It seems Cho's potion worked a bit too well- his gills show no sign of wearing off.
"Sorry," Cho says, "I might've given you a bit too much. I didn't want you to take too little and- well I'm really sorry."
"Is there an antidote?" Cedric asks.
"Yes, but by the time I finish making it the potion will have already worn off. It shouldn't be much longer, maybe a half hour?"
Cedric shrugs, "Guess the best thing to do is wait it out."
And so, feeling a little foolish, he waits half-submerged in the lake while the judges tally their scores. It's no surprise Cedric scores high marks, then Krum a little lower, and Fleur lower than that. When Ludo Bagman announces his name, all he wants to do is dunk his head underwater so he won't have to relive how big his blunder was. But the judges, save Karkaroff, all thought he showed good moral fiber, and reward him with a generous 45 points.
"Combined with the first round that gives you 85 points," Cho says. "That's the same as Cedric."
"Hear that Harry? We're tied for the lead!" Cedric shouts from the warming tent.
Harry shoots them each a relieved grin. He survived the second task, and he doesn't have to worry about the third one for four glorious, blissful months. When this potion wares off, they're going to have to celebrate.