Chapter 10: The Second Task

The next day Harry had tried to find Hermione before the task but couldn't he had only seen her when all the competitors met up "what are you wearing?" On Hermione's head was a swim cap and "an underwater breathing apparatus is a muggle device to breathe underwater, I borrowed it and some goggles from the muggle studies room. "

"So we both borrowed from professors' classrooms,'' he said as he showed Hermione the gillyweed he took.

"Uncle Sev is going to kill you, where is he anyway ?"

"Don't know, just grateful he wasn't around last night, or else it woulda been my ass on the line ."

As the whistle blew harry took the gilly weed before plunging into the too cold lake swimming down it was murky and felt as though you could hardly see in front of you but he swam further he could still see Hermione was in front of him swimming a bit further they came upon a strange sight there were two merpeople in front of a bunch of chains and connected to those chains were people specifically people they knew his dad and grandma were next to each other while a Cho chang a young blonde girl who looked kind of like fleur was next to her along with one of the darmstrug boys. Hermione grabbed their grandmother and began heading to the surface looking towards Harry, her eyes clearly telling him to hurry up. just as he was about to grab his dad a shark started racing the way he quickly moved out of the way only to find it was Victor as he grabbed the darmstrung boy harry could see Cedric coming Cedric had grabbed Cho and looked at Harry as if asking why he was just standing there harry pointed to the blonde girl Cedric shrugged shaking his head. harry cursed he knew what he had to do slowly he untied his dad and then moved to the blonde girl when the merpeople started to attack him "but she'll drown." he said in a watery voice

"Only one " the merperson parroted back a small triton pointed at his neck quickly harry stunned the merpeople and swam away after grabbing the girl but as he was about to reach the surface he felt his leg being pulled down without thinking he lifted up the two so they could break the surface feeling himself being pulled deeper into the water as the gilly weed wore off he grabbed his wand kicking the creatures away before using the only spell he could think of "ASCENDIO!" he shouted as he was shot out of the water and onto the wooden platform by the lake sputtering out water. Harry felt as a towel was draped around him and he was kissed by Fleur, who was prattling on about him saving her sister . "harry are you alright " Hermione asked coming up next to him and giving him her towel "personally I think you behaved admirably "
"I finished last Hermione " Hermione kissed his head as he yelped.

"Next to last, Fleur never got past the grindylows !"

Just then they announced the winner as Hermione for using wit and logic instead of magic and coming in first but gave Harry points for moral fiber since he was in first, to begin with so he ended up in second place followed by vicktor then Cedric and leaving fleur in last place.

Everyone was headed back when Harry and Hermione were stopped by Barty Crouch. Ron had said he would meet them both later at Hagrid's. " He wished them both well and told them he had been enjoying seeing the two compete. " I'm sure your mothers would be proud of you, " he said looking at both Hermione and Harry. just then snape showed up sorry to interrupt sir but these two need to come with me immediately. the two wished mister crouch goodbye before following snape back to their quarters "I suggest both of you take warm showers and then return here there are some things I wish to discuss with you both about today both of them did as they were told Hermione using Severus bathroom while harry took their shared bathroom. Once they were both refreshed and in clean clothes, they sat in the parlor where Severus was. "I must say, Hermione, I'm impressed you managed to get first place. You know, after the event as I was headed to get you, two professor, Burbage came up to me and wondered how you got your gear used as she has a set exactly like it in her classroom, her locked classroom. "

Hermione looked away . "and you what in merlin's name were you, thinking boy, you realize you could have died ."

"But Fleur's sister she was …"

"Someone was going to get her! the only way you can die in this tournament is if you don't follow the rules! "

"Oh I didn't know ."

"Not to mention I have it on good authority that something was taken after hours from my potion storeroom . "

Harry looked over at his cousin who was trying not to cry or really even move .

"It was me. I took the gilly weed from your store room after hours and broke into the muggle studies room to get Hermione the equipment she would need . "

"Why did you not just ask someone if you could borrow these things Harry ?"

"I didn't think of it ."

"I swear boy I'm going to go grey trying to get you to think through your actions ."

"Hermione please go, you may go to hagrids if you wish." Harry gave her a small nod and so with a grimace she left .

"Come here Harry james"

"Dad really "

"YES, you trespassed, stole, were out after curfew, and needlessly risked your life need I go on?"

"No sir ."

Harry walked over to Severus as the man pulled the boy over his knee smacking his rear with every few words; "you do not steal, you do not go out after curfew, you do not break into other peoples rooms, and you certainly don't needlessly put your life in danger Harry am I understood ."

"Ahh yes ...dad yes I understand just please I'm sorry ."

After that, he let his son up and hugged him before getting a floo call. heading over he answered it to see his mother . "oh Severus thank god it's Hermione .come meet us at the entrance hall ."

"Come on I know you won't stay here if you think your cousin is in danger " leaving the two found Hermione shaking and it was obvious to anyone she had been crying " Hermione " she looked up before launching herself at her uncle "Uncle sev it was horrible for someone to do that I-I Hermione released her grip on Severus going over the side and vomiting harry looked away horrified wondering what had made his cousin like this Hermione was nearly on the floor now exhausted from her ordeal and the vomiting Severus cast a featherlight charm before picking the girl up come along harry.

"Where are we going? "He asked worried about Hermione.

"To see madame Pomfrey, Harry I need you to stay with Hermione while I meet with the headmaster can you do that for me?" Harry nodded his head. Though he hated the hospital wing he knew how awful it could be being alone in there so at least Hermione wouldn't be alone, and maybe without the adults there, Hermione could tell him what happened.