Days returned to normal for everyone, though many people were concerned when they spied 8 people jumping into the frozen lake, Hermione defrosting a hole every few yards and putting guide chains in the water for her friends. Already knowing what the next task would be, the champions had chosen to get training in that way, and Penny, Neville, and Faye joined in to show their support, though did curse their choices the first dozen mornings before they got truly used to it.

A big surprise from the Yule Ball was when the next morning Draco and Luna walked into the Great Hall with laced fingers, eliciting wolf whistles from their friends and congratulations on getting together. The two blondes had blushed furiously but were extremely happy at what life at given them, and outside of classes, you couldn't really find them apart, Draco picking Luna up outside of the Fat Lady every morning and dropping her off back there 20 minutes before curfew.

Valentine's Day came with a perfect sunny day that the professors had made a free day, knowing no one's mind would be on schoolwork had they had classes. So everyone from 3rd upwards went to Hogsmeade, older students sending back treats to their younger housemates, and dates were happening left, right and center. Alex, Hermione, Cedric, Penny, Viktor, Fleur, Bill, Neville, Faye, Draco and Luna all had a large date, not wanting to leave their alone three friends out, and Rosmerta happily clearing them out a large enough table for the day. Alex had gotten Hermione a golden chain necklace with a pendant of sea foam green quartz. The brunette had gotten her fiancé a dragon earring cuff, to which his eyes had opened surprised. She'd then pulled him out of the pub and led him to a magical tattoo parlour, whispering to him, "In a little we can get something more substantive if we want." Alex left with the cuff in his newly pierced left ear, and Hermione had another set of piercings in her ears.

Late on February 23rd night, Hermione and Penny were called for by the Headmistress, and only because Alex knew what was coming was he not scared, simply kissed them both and wished them luck, which earned him a clip over the head by the nervous satyr. The teen ended up taking a Sleeping Potion to assist in falling asleep, needing to be fully rested for the task the next day.

All four champions woke early, earlier than usual, the day of the Second Task, knowing that people they cared for were currently in the frigid waters of the Black Lake. They were prevented from swimming that morning, the wards were up already around the lake to stop their morning rituals, so they ran for longer than they had before, trying, unsuccessfully, to rid themselves of the nerves that were shooting through them. Each had a plan, not going into detail with their fellow champions, but they knew that their 'hostage' was safely waiting in the merpeople village.

None of them attended classes, Severus taking over those that the demigods would usually take, his own nerves up due to the two teenagers he knew who were in the water. When Minerva finally said that they could head down to the water, they ran, each transfiguring their clothes into the Muggle wetsuits Alex and Hermione had shown the three purely magical champions, and placing many heating charms on them. Once by the water, flippers were conjured and put on, as were goggles, resting on their heads.

Percy walked past them with the rest of the judges, and he scornfully said, "You four look like idiots. Really, to wear Muggle clothing."

"Percy, every time you put on bloody underwear, you wear Muggle clothing," Cedric called back, "Just be a judge on our task, not our clothes."

With his nose in the air, the redhead moved off, leaving the teens rolling their eyes and going over their plans in their heads. Minerva's voice called over the stands and water, "Welcome to the Second Task. Our champions have 1 hour to find the things they would miss most in the Black Lake. If they have successfully worked out their clues from the last task, then they shall have no problems. Remember, you have one hour to return to the surface. Go at the sounding of my whistle."

The 4 teenagers impatiently waited on the dock for the whistle, pulling their goggles in place, and when the whistle sounded, they all dove in. Alex dove head first in and silently put up a Bubblehead Charm, not missing a beat as he kicked long, strong strokes. His wand was out, leading him towards the merpeople village, and his hostage fiancée, knowing that his friends would be following on behind him. Grindylows were pushed aside softly, a barrier put up to prevent them attacking further.

Alex had one mission, find Hermione and get out of the water because while it was her zone, he truly felt vulnerable as he was unable to use any of his natural powers in the water, or else risk his friends and the creatures in the lake. Breaching the beds of seaweed that were on the outskirts of the village, Alex's eyes darted about and looked for his love, only to find her pole empty, "HERMIONE!"

"What?" The brunette's head poked out from a house and she gasped, "Oh, has the task started already? Sorry love, I was eating lunch with the Chieftain."

The wizard swam forward and hugged her as closely as possible, "We have to get going."

Hermione nodded before turning back to the Chieftain and thanking him for his hospitality, and taking Alex's hand, kicking powerful strokes towards the surface, ascending much faster, "I was awake the second I touched the water, just played to be under the Sleeping Charm until it was just me and the merpeople. I can't believe I actually slept in the village last night, it was amazing but I really missed you."

"I had to take a Sleeping Potion," Alex admitted.

The speed at which they were swimming had them both leaping out at first, and falling back in thanks to gravity. When they made it to the bank, Hermione watched laughing, as she always did, as Alex dried himself off magically whereas she didn't even have a strand of wet hair. Severus raced over and held Hermione to him tightly, "You have had me scared out of my mind young lady."

"Severus, I was safe, the merpeople watched over the others all night, made sure nothing hurt them, and fed me well. Do you have any idea how nice seaweed is?"

"Wait, you were awake? But Minerva placed a very strong Sleeping Charm on you"

With a knowing smile, Hermione explained simply, "Daughter of Poseidon remember?"

Alex laughed at the agape mouth of their friend and went with his love to sit on the dock to wait for the others. Fleur burst from the water soon after they returned, crying hysterically as she hadn't made it down there, her wetsuit saving her body from being attacked but she had Grindylow claw marks on her face. After a talk with Hermione and a Calming Draught, the French witch went to lie down until her sister was returned by the merpeople, the whole event had shredded her nerves.

Cedric came up just after the hour ran out, Penny waking as her head left the water, and was cursing that same second, "If I wanted to spend my night in water, I'd trade places with Hermione. Freezing my tail off in here, couldn't even charm my clothes to stay warm. Lucky I didn't die of hypothermia down there of everyone would be hearing from Chiron; killing off his best satyr."

"Good to know you haven't lost the fire in your soul Penny," Alex called out from his spot.

The satyr flipped him off as she swam as fast to the edge as possible, Cedric right alongside her. Once dry and warmed up, Penny did give him a kiss for saving her, then joined her wards on the dock. 20 minutes after Cedric came up, Viktor appeared, a pretty girl in his arms. He didn't say anything, simply went as fast as possible to the bank, and warmed her up before getting seen to himself, worried about her.

Heading back to the tent where everyone was waiting, the trio were greeted to the sight of Viktor and his hostage kissing deeply, only to pull apart at the cleared throat, both lightly blushing, "My friends, I would like to introduce you to my fiancé, Iliya Petrov; Iliya, these are my friends I told you about."

Iliya was a thicker girl, with black hair, black eyes, and a smile that lit up her entire face. She spoke with an even thicker accent that Viktor, "I have heard a lot about you all from my Viktor; it is a pleasure to meet you all finally."

The group spoke for a minute more until Fleur scream with joy, "Gabrielle!"

Being brought along the water's surface by three large mermen was a young girl, about 12 in age, who looked like a younger version of her sister. When she got to her, Gabrielle was speaking in very fast French, Fleur no better, and none of those watching could understand a thing that was being said. The young girl was wrapped up tightly, a large cup of cocoa in her hands as her sister dried and fixed her hair. It was only after finishing that she noticed the questioning looks and she realised that she was still speaking in her native tongue, "My apologies. This is my sister Gabrielle, she is 12 and attends Beauxbatons also; Gabrielle, these are my friends."

The young girl blushed deeply and looked at the large group around her, her blue eyes landing on the demigods and satyr, "Children of the Grecian gods, I didn't believe Mama and Fleur when they said they met you."

"Don't worry, we barely believed it when we were told ourselves," Alex told the girl.

"Guys, and ladies, the scores are coming up," Bill said as he poked his head in, wrapping an arm around Fleur as she left the tent.

Alex received 48 points, Percy again, Cedric 43, Viktor 40, and Fleur, as she didn't get her hostage, got 25 points. The total points now were Alex with 93 points, Cedric with 83, Viktor with 82, and Fleur only had 68. They had their entry order into the maze and everyone was safe, the group head up to the castle to join the party their friends were throwing for them, all happy and relaxed once more.