Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

The merfolk quotes come from the book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Frodo awoke before the dawn. His mind reeled. Then he realized with growing angst. It was February the twenty-fourth. He needed to head to the Black Lake and complete the task. And yet, there was a small amount of breakfast waiting for him on a silver tray. It was from Kanker, with a note attached.

Eat up. You'll need your strength.

-Kanker

"Thanks," Frodo said, eating the crumpet and a good amount of scrambled eggs, plus pumpkin juice. It was rather generous of the house-elf. He looked around, only to find Folco already dressed and ready to go.

"You better enjoy that breakfast, Frodo," Folco said. "I don't know about you, but…"

"What are you doing already up?" Frodo asked him. "It's early."

"The second task doesn't start until ten o' clock." Folco said. "It's almost six thirty. The sun's coming up."

"I guess I'm eating breakfast early," Frodo said.

"Yes. You are," Folco said. "Your swim trunks are over by your chair. Kanker delivered them for you."

Frodo grunted. It was for the best. He didn't want to be late, but then he wasn't sure if he would be hungry once he came to the Great Hall. Then again, the meal was small… he changed and went downstairs to the Great Hall. As he predicted, by the time he finished up and left the Ravenclaw Tower, everyone was gathered inside for breakfast. He ate some more food, but only lightly. He wanted to be prepared for the task at hand.

Eventually, the school came to the Black Lake. Frodo's swim trunks were blue and bronze, which resembled the colors for Ravenclaw. His hand shook violently, as if it knew what was about to transpire. Harry arrived close to the hour, but it didn't make much of a difference. The horn blew and Frodo leapt into the water, feeling the muffled sounds all around him.

His hand waved at his body, encasing him into a full-size bubble that shrouded his entire form. He could see. He could breathe. The water was murky and filled with so much coral and seaweed. All around him were voices. Merfolk voices. Maybe… yes. Maybe they did lead him to where he needed to go.

He passed through the seaweed unharmed. But where was Harry, Cedric, Fleur and Krum? They weren't with him. But the merfolk was, and he could hear them clearly.

"And hour long you'll have to look,
to recover what we took…"

Yes, that's what he should do. The seaweed moved away. He climbed higher past the rocks and coral. And before him were rows of houses. But in the centermost part of an arena with arched rocks were five sleepy forms. No. There was Harry, already present. But then so was Cedric, taking Cho away, back to the surface. Frodo swam as hard as he could to see who was left. He moved out of the way in time to see Krum snatch Hermione away.

But who was left? There was Sam, but… Aria? He half expected her to be there. Wait. Did Sam play a role in his future? Maybe that's what counted.

"Frodo, you made it," Harry said.

"Yes and… how are we supposed to get them free? I just got here," Frodo said, his voice reverberating inside the bubble. He jumped back when a triton tapped his shoulder. "But they're our friends. You can't expect to—"

"Only your own friend," the merman said.

"Frodo," Harry said, "Take Sam and go. I've got a plan."

"Do you?" Frodo asked him.

"Trust me," Harry said.

Frodo nodded. There wasn't anything he could do – wait. He could free Sam. He waved his hand at the rope. It snapped, setting Sam free. Frodo grabbed Sam's arm, leading the unconscious hobbit back to the surface, right back to shore. Sam sputtered and coughed, but followed Frodo's lead.

"Sam, can you swim?" Frodo asked him.

"No Mr. Frodo. I haven't tried," Sam said.

"Follow my lead," Frodo said. To his delight, there were his friends, helping them up out of the water.

"You got here minutes after Krum," Merry said.

"Did anyone else return?" Frodo asked.

"Frodo, that was nearly a disaster, but…" Aria was cut off by another sound. Frodo looked over his shoulder. Harry had made it back with Ron and Fleur's sister Gabrielle.

Frodo grinned. "Well, I'm glad they're alive."

Bagman spoke to the crowd. He announced that Cedric took first place, Harry second, Krum was third (for the moment) and Fleur last place. But Bagman wasn't finished. "Which brings us to our fifth champion. Unknown to him that the bubble charm was very effective, and we're well aware he did attempt to save the others, we've agreed to award him forty-four points."

"Third place isn't bad," Aria said.

"It's about the same place I was in the first task," Frodo said.

"Still, that's pretty good. You're up there with Harry and Cedric," Hermione said. Frodo couldn't argue there.

"Silence," Bagman continued. "The third task will take place on the twenty-fourth of June. The champions will be informed what is coming precisely one month before that time. Thank you for supporting the champions."

Frodo was pleased with the results. In spite of nearly getting in each other's way, Frodo and Harry congratulated each other. Yes, it was a marvelous day, even when Madam Pomfrey led them and the other champions back up to the castle, where they would find warmth, shelter and heal their wounds. Yes, Frodo thought, it's a good day to be a hobbit.