Chapter 5: The Second Task
"You're kidding me, right?"
"Not so loud, Harry." Neville winced.
"Sorry," Harry mumbled in apology. "But, you're absolutely sure sneaking into Snape's office is the only way?"
"As far as I know."
"It's not impossible, it's been done before," Cedric said.
"Yeah, I know. Hermione did it back in second year," Harry replied.
"Hermione?" Cedric smirked. "Not the good girl she'd like the world to believe, huh?"
"Never mind. Is it worth the risk, though? I mean, we could just use the Bubblehead Charm." Harry sighed. After hearing about Gillyweed, he didn't feel like using the Bubblehead Charm at all, but it seemed like there was no other option. "Even if I get in there, I wouldn't know where it was." He turned to Cedric a little hopefully. "Do you know?"
"Nope," Cedric replied solemnly. "It's the first time I've heard of it. I've never been that great at Herbology."
"I could go with you," Neville proposed.
"I don't think we would all fit under the cloak," answered Harry. "We've gotten a lot bigger, and Cedric isn't that short either."
"Well, Cedric doesn't have to go," Neville said. "I could identify the Gillyweed immediately. We'd be out of there in no time."
Harry knew how frightened Neville must be, considering that Snape had always hated both of them. But, the fact that his friend was determined to accompany him, despite the risk, touched Harry in an unfamiliar way. It was a very Gryffindorish thing to do.
"Alright," Harry said. "Let's do it."
That night, Neville and Harry departed on their little quest. They were both under the Invisibility Cloak, so they couldn't be caught, unless Mad-Eye or Dumbledore happened to see them - they both always seemed to recognize the Cloak.
"Okay, we're here," Harry whispered. "There's no light, so let's hope he doesn't like to hang out in the dark." Neville let out a quiet, but nervous laugh.
"Alohomora!"
The door opened with a soft creak, but it seemed unbearably loud. Harry and Neville stayed under the cloak, just to be sure that no one was present. Once it was clear the office was empty, they closed the door and yanked off the Cloak.
"Here's the cupboard," Harry said. He opened it and saw dozens of dozens of boxes. Harry's heart sank as he realized that it would be almost impossible to find anything in here. That is, until he had an idea.
"Accio Gillyweed!"
A little cardboard box came flying out of the closet into Harry's hand. He grinned at Neville.
"I can't believe we didn't think of that before. I used Accio during the first task!"
Neville grinned back at him, visibly relaxed. "Let's take just enough for both of you. Otherwise, Snape might realize that we've been filching from his cabinets."
"I think he'll figure it out Saturday anyway, Neville. If both Cedric and I use Gillyweed, he'll know where we took it from. Gillyweed's not that common, after all."
Neville paled.
"Don't worry. He won't be able to prove anything. If we get back to the common room without being caught, that is."
Harry and Neville snuck back to the common room slowly and quietly, only encountering the Bloody Baron, who was moaning softly.
"Quickly," Harry hissed, when he heard the shuffling footsteps and the angry muttering of Argus Filch coming from around the corner. They ducked behind a tapestry that hid a secret passageway that was a shorter route to the corridor of the Fat Lady.
"Been out again?" she reprimanded them. "You know, in all the years I've been here at Hogwarts, there's not been one student who I've had to let in after curfew as much as you, Harry Potter, except maybe your father. One of these days, I'm going to have to report you to Professor McGonagall, surely you realize that?"
"Flibbertigibbet," Harry said with a sweet smile.
"Oh, alright, come on in," the Fat Lady said.
(-) – (-) – (-) – (-) – (-)
Next Saturday was the Second Task. Although Harry didn't look forward to having to choke down the rather slimy looking Gillyweed, he was more confident about this task than the first one. Although merpeople sounded a bit scary, once Harry and Cedric had done a little research, they didn't sound very threatening. Plus, the cold was infinitely preferable to fire-breathing dragons. And, most importantly, Harry wouldn't be alone this time. Cedric had meant it when he asked to form a team. They'd agreed to stay together at all times, and although he would never admit it to anyone, the thought that someone would watch his back reassured Harry hugely.
In fact, Harry had been happier for the last couple of days than he had been in a long time. He was prepared for the second task, dating Ginny Weasley, an amazing young witch, and the jeers and curses in the hallways had stopped, probably because of Cedric.
When the morning of the second task came, Harry awoke in an empty dormitory. When he came downstairs he saw there was no one in the common room as well. Panicking slightly, he looked at his watch. It was a quarter to nine, still and hour and fifteen minutes until the test started. Where was everyone? He wouldn't have gotten the time wrong, right? Bagman said that the task was at ten o'clock, Harry reassured himself, and promptly walked down to the Great Hall, alone. Harry almost had a heart attack when all of Gryffindor House jumped out of their seats, waving with flags, scarfs, and banners. He was overwhelmed by all the support and he just stood there for a few moments until he realized that someone was missing.
"Where's Ginny?" asked Harry for the third time.
"I don't know," Hermione said, looking slightly worried. "She hasn't come down for breakfast yet.
"Maybe she's sick," offered Ron.
"Oh, honestly, Ron," Hermione snapped. "Ginny could be dying and she wouldn't miss the task."
"She'll come out eventually, mate," Ron shrugged.
Hermione rolled her eyes. Harry felt a great chunk of his confidence disappear. Yesterday and today, Harry had boasted of his ability. Now, he found himself doubting again. How could he really have thought that he was going to win?
It seemed like an eternity until Professor Dumbledore stood up from the staff table and announced that it was time to head to the Black Lake for the Second Task. He joined Cedric a little numbly at the entrance of the Great Hall, and side by side, they headed to the lake.
"You seem nervous." Cedric definitely had a thing with stating the obvious. "Weren't you more confident about this task?"
"I was," Harry said. "I mean, I am." After a short pause he confided in Cedric, "I didn't see Ginny this morning."
Cedric frowned. "Hmm. I didn't see Cho this morning, either." He hesitated. "Do you think they're using them?"
Harry looked at him, everything suddenly making sense. "You mean as hostages?"
"Well yeah. I mean, it makes sense, doesn't it?" Cedric answered. "They would both want to be here and neither of them are. Kind of a big coincidence, isn't it? Plus, they're both our girlfriends, so…"
"I guess. But wouldn't that be dangerous?"
"Of course not," Cedric reassured him. "They would be safe, of course. Dumbledore would never let anything happen to his students."
Harry nodded. The headmaster might be eccentric and incomprehensible sometimes, but Harry knew he would give his own life before endangering one of his students. They arrived at the lake.
"Gather round, gather round," Ludo Bagman said, his face flushed with excitement once more. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen. I'm sure you've all figured out the clue that was in your golden egg?"
They all nodded.
"Very well. You have one hour to recover what was taken. Ready? On your marks… Go!"
Harry stood between Cedric and Fleur. When the signal was given, Harry saw Fleur perform the Bubblehead Charm and dive straight into the water. Krum had also disappeared, though he didn't see what he had done. Harry and Cedric simply walked into the water, quickly chewing on the gillyweed. The spectators were watching with puzzled looks on their faces. Suddenly, Harry wasn't able to breathe, and instinctively, he dived into the water. He saw Cedric doing the same out of the corner of his eye.
They searched for the hostages for about half an hour before they encountered Moaning Myrtle, who grinned at their worried faces.
"I'd try that way," She said, pointing to her left. "Quickly." She then drifted off again.
Harry and Cedric swam quickly through the village of the merpeople, attracting a lot of attention. They arrived at what looked to be a public square, where four people were tied up to wooden poles. Harry immediately recognized Ginny and Cho, apparently sleeping. Next to them, there was a small girl with silver hair and a foreign-looking boy, probably from Durmstrang.
Harry pulled out a knife and cut the ropes holding Ginny, and tried to do the same with Cho before a merman shook his head and said, "Only your own hostage."
Harry stared for a moment before shrugging and giving his knife to Cedric, who smiled and cut Cho's ropes. Together, they made their way to the surface, meeting Fleur and Krum on their way. Right before they resurfaced, Harry felt his Gillyweed wearing off.
"Now, that's what you'd call timing," grinned Cedric.
When they came up to the surface, they heard a deafening noise. With the fresh air rejuvenating them, Ginny and Cho both woke up.
"You did it!" Ginny yelled. She hugged Harry closely, while Cho did the same to Cedric. "Not going for anything less than first place, huh?"
Harry and Cedric grinned broadly as they reached the dock. They finished first, with Harry leading the tournament and Cedric a close second. They were unsure about the Third Task, but were never surer about themselves.
"We shall win only by working together." – Gnassingbe Eyadema