Save a dance for me
Chapter 2
The music had long since stopped, but Harry and Cho didn't notice. They remained in each other's arms, gently swaying as if the world around them had faded away. It wasn't until a light tap on Harry's shoulder made him jump slightly that they both realized the hall had grown quiet.
Professor Flitwick, standing on his tiptoes, smiled up at them. "The music's over, you two," he said cheerfully, his eyes twinkling. "Time to head back to your common rooms."
"Oh!" Cho gasped, blushing. "I didn't even realize..."
Harry felt his face flush as well. "Uh, sorry, Professor," he mumbled, releasing Cho's hand.
"No need to apologize, Mr. Potter," Flitwick said with a grin. "Just don't stay out too late!"
With that, Professor Flitwick turned and headed back toward the Great Hall, where the last of the students were filtering out. Harry and Cho exchanged sheepish smiles.
"Guess we were pretty caught up in the moment," Cho said, her cheeks still pink.
Harry laughed softly. "Yeah, I guess so."
As they walked together toward the entrance hall, their arms brushed, and before he knew it, Harry had offered Cho his arm. She smiled, slipping her hand through his, and they left the Great Hall together, making their way slowly toward Ravenclaw Tower.
They talked and laughed as they recounted the night, both of them still riding the high of the Yule Ball. Cho found herself smiling at the smallest things—how Harry's eyes lit up when he laughed, how he awkwardly tried to avoid looking too nervous. As they neared the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower, she felt a pang of regret that the night was coming to an end.
When they finally stopped in front of the Ravenclaw common room entrance, Cho turned to Harry, beaming.
"I had a wonderful time tonight, Harry," she said, her cheeks tinged with a light blush.
"I did too," Harry replied, his voice bashful but warm. He avoided her gaze for a moment, then looked back at her with a shy smile. "Thanks for dancing with me."
"Thank you for asking me," Cho said, stepping a little closer to him, her heart racing.
Harry smiled, but this time he didn't look away. "It was my pleasure, Ms. Chang," he said teasingly, reaching for her hand and, in a playful yet surprisingly chivalrous gesture, brought it to his lips and kissed it lightly.
Cho giggled, her face turning a deeper shade of pink. "Aren't you the gentleman, Mr. Potter?" she teased, feeling warmth spread through her.
They stood there for a few moments, simply smiling at each other, the happiness of the evening still buzzing between them. But before she could say anything else, Harry gently touched her hand, making her stop just as she was about to step away.
She turned back to face him, her heart thudding in her chest. He was much closer than she expected, and for a brief second, the world around them seemed to freeze.
Without thinking, Harry leaned in and kissed her. It was quick—a soft, fleeting touch of lips that lasted barely a second—but to Cho, it felt like time had stretched out endlessly. Her heart soared as warmth filled her chest, and before she could even process the kiss, Harry had pulled back.
"Goodnight, Cho," Harry whispered, his voice soft and full of warmth. Cho stood frozen, her cheeks burning,
"Goodnight, Cho," Harry whispered, his voice soft and full of warmth.
Cho stood frozen, her cheeks burning, her heart fluttering in her chest. The kiss had been brief, but the lingering sensation of his lips on hers sent a rush of warmth through her. She barely managed to find her voice before Harry turned away.
"Goodnight, Harry," she said softly, smiling at him.
With one last look and a shy smile of his own, Harry turned and walked away, disappearing around the corner of the hallway. Cho watched him go, unable to wipe the smile from her face. The night felt like a dream—one she didn't want to wake from.
Still feeling the warmth of the kiss, she entered the Ravenclaw common room, her mind swirling with the events of the evening. She could still feel his lips, the way he had held her close during their dance, and the way he had looked at her as if she was the only person in the world.
As she made her way to her dormitory, she was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice Marietta had entered the room. It wasn't until Marietta cleared her throat loudly that Cho snapped out of her reverie.
"Huh?" Cho blinked, looking up to find Marietta standing in front of her, grinning like the Cheshire cat. "Oh, hey, Marietta."
Marietta giggled, sitting on the edge of Cho's bed. "You've been in a daze for ages now. I've been trying to talk to you for the last five minutes!" she said, playfully tossing a pillow at Cho.
Cho caught the pillow, still smiling like a lovesick fool. "Sorry. I guess I got a bit... distracted."
"Oh, I can see that," Marietta said, eyes twinkling with amusement. "So, care to share what exactly has you so... enchanted?"
Cho sat down on the bed, hugging the pillow close to her chest as she grinned at her friend. "It was amazing, Marietta. The whole night was just perfect. Harry and I... we danced, we talked, and at the end..." She trailed off, biting her lip as the memory of the kiss flashed in her mind.
"And at the end...?" Marietta prompted, her curiosity piqued.
Cho blushed deeply. "He kissed me."
Marietta's eyes widened, and she squealed with excitement. "He kissed you?! Oh my Merlin, Cho! That's fantastic!" She grabbed another pillow and threw it at Cho, who laughed and batted it away.
Cho giggled, her heart still fluttering at the memory. "It was so sweet, Marietta. I didn't expect it at all." "Tell me everything!" Marietta insisted, practically bouncing on the bed in excitement.
For the next hour, the two friends chatted about the night, with Cho recounting every little detail of her time with Harry, while Marietta shared stories of her own night with Cedric Diggory. Though Cedric had been kind and thoughtful, Marietta couldn't help but tease Cho relentlessly about her kiss with Harry.
…
Meanwhile, Harry was walking back to Gryffindor Tower, his heart still hammering in his chest. He had just kissed Cho Chang. He, Harry Potter, had kissed the prettiest girl in school. And he had no idea what had come over him.
He hadn't planned on kissing her. He hadn't even thought about it. But when she had looked at him, her eyes soft and full of warmth, something inside him had taken over, and he had leaned in. And, to his shock, she hadn't pulled away. She hadn't slapped him or yelled at him for being too forward. Instead, she had smiled.
A smile that made Harry's heart feel like it was going to burst out of his chest.
As he rounded a corner in the castle's corridors, still lost in thought, Harry nearly ran straight into Cedric Diggory, who was walking with Marietta earlier. Cedric stopped, giving Harry a curious look.
"Harry," Cedric said casually, "can I have a word?"
Harry, caught off guard, blinked. "Uh, sure," he said, shrugging.
"Great," Cedric said, nodding toward Marietta. "Give me a moment, yeah?" he said, excusing himself to Marietta before returning to Harry.
Once they were alone, Cedric turned back to him, his expression unreadable. "So," he began, "have you figured out the clue from the egg yet?"
Harry shook his head, still confused by Cedric's sudden shift in conversation. "No, not yet. I haven't had much luck with it," he admitted, his brow furrowing.
Cedric's smile widened. "Good. That means I can finally repay you for the tip about the dragons," he said, clapping Harry on the shoulder.
Harry blinked in surprise. "Repay me?"
Cedric nodded, clearly pleased. "Listen, take the egg and open it underwater. Everything will become clear once you do."
Harry's eyes widened. "Underwater?"
Cedric grinned. "Trust me. You'll see what I mean."
Before Harry could fully process this new information, Cedric gave him another friendly pat on the shoulder and began to walk away.
"Thanks, Cedric!" Harry called after him, but then something else occurred to him—something that had been nagging at the back of his mind since the Ball.
"Hey, Cedric!" Harry called, jogging over to him. Cedric stopped and turned back, eyebrows raised.
"I, uh... hope there's no hard feelings. You know, about Cho and everything," Harry said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. He felt a little guilty about how the night had turned out, given that Cedric had asked Cho to the Ball first.
Cedric's smile remained easy, his expression completely relaxed. "No hard feelings, Harry. I think it worked out quite well for both of us," he said with a knowing grin.
Relieved, Harry smiled and extended his hand. Cedric took it, and they shook hands firmly. With that, the two Hogwarts champions parted ways, a mutual respect forming between them.
As Harry made his way back to Gryffindor Tower, he couldn't help but think about what Cedric had said. He felt lighter, almost as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. And as he climbed through the portrait hole, the memory of Cho's smile—and the feel of her lips on his—lingered in his mind like a sweet, untouchable dream.
...
Hermione sat wide awake in the common room, her thoughts swirling as she stared into the embers of the dying fire. She had already changed into her pajamas, her makeup long removed, but the only evidence of the night that remained was her hair, still styled up from the Yule Ball. The clever young witch was, for the first time in a long time, completely confused.
For months now, she had been grappling with her feelings for one of her closest friends—a certain redhead who irritated her to no end. But tonight had opened a floodgate of unexpected emotions, feelings she hadn't even realized were there. Like most young witches her age, Hermione had once harbored a small crush on The Boy Who Lived. But unlike the others, she had gotten to know him—truly know him—and had become his best friend.
Over time, that small crush had transformed into admiration. She had seen his bravery firsthand, been at his side for his many adventures. She had looked past the legend, beyond the scar, and had come to know Harry for who he truly was: kind, loyal, and selfless. She had always assumed that her feelings for him were simply those of a close friend—maybe even like a sibling.
But tonight, something had shifted. During their dance, she had felt... different. It was as if, for a brief moment, the world had narrowed to just the two of them. She felt beautiful in his arms, accepted, and safe in a way she hadn't expected. She hadn't anticipated how strong his arms would feel around her or how mesmerizing his green eyes could be. And the way he had smiled at her—it made her heart skip.
A small smile tugged at her lips as she remembered how her hand had fit in his as they moved together on the dance floor. The memory of it made her blush, though she had hidden it well at the time. But now, sitting alone in the common room, she couldn't help but admit that the way Harry had held her close had made her heart race in a way that confused her.
"Hermione. Hermione, wake up."
A voice broke through her thoughts, and a gentle nudge on her shoulder made her sit up with a start. When had she fallen asleep? Blinking groggily, she looked up, only to find herself staring into the familiar green eyes that had been haunting her thoughts. Her breath hitched.
"Harry! What time is it?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep. "How long have I been down here?"
Harry grinned, clearly amused. "It's a little after one. I have no idea how long you've been asleep—I just came into the common room now."
Hermione rubbed her eyes, still surprised. She hadn't expected him to be up this late, let alone still in his dress robes. "Where have you been? It's awfully late, Harry."
Harry smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I, uh, walked Cho back to Ravenclaw Tower. Then I had a quick chat with Diggory."
He sat down next to her, and in the dim light of the dying fire, Harry didn't notice how her expression faltered slightly at the mention of Cho.
"Why are you down here?" he asked in a teasing tone, trying to shift the conversation.
Blushing, grateful for the low light, Hermione held up the book she had brought with her. "I was... reading," she said, knowing full well she hadn't opened the book once. "I must have dozed off."
"Reading, huh?" Harry smirked, raising an eyebrow playfully. "Well, I'm off to bed then," he said, gesturing toward the boys' staircase.
"Yes, I suppose I'll head up too," Hermione said, standing with him. "I'm awfully tired."
They walked together in comfortable silence toward the base of the staircases. Just as they reached the point where they would part ways for the night, Harry turned to her.
"Goodnight, Hermione. Sleep well," he said, his voice warm.
Hermione looked at him for a split second, and before she knew what she was doing—or why—she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug that felt more than friendly. She kissed him on the cheek, and it wasn't in the sibling-like way she had always done before. The gesture surprised even her.
"Thanks again, Harry," she whispered, her voice soft. "For always being there for me."
Harry blinked, caught off guard by the sudden closeness, but quickly shrugged it off with a smile. "Anytime, Hermione," he said, hugging her back gently, before pulling away. "Goodnight."
As Harry ascended the staircase, Hermione watched him go, her heart fluttering from the unexpected contact.
"Goodnight, Harry," she whispered after him, before turning and walking up the girls' staircase.
That night, Hermione dreamed of dancing. In her dream, she wore a sleek, elegant white dress, and a tall, darkhaired man in a black tuxedo held her close as they moved gracefully across the floor. It was a beautiful dream.
Harry, on the other hand, tossed and turned in his sleep. His dream was confusing, filled with images of a woman with silky black hair and another with puffy brown curls. It wasn't his best night's sleep.
Luckily, neither would remember their dreams when they woke the next morning.
…
The next month and a half had been exhausting for Harry. From Rita Skeeter's cruel article about Hagrid to
Ludo Bagman's constant, suspicious offers of help, the pressure was mounting. But the most overwhelming part had been preparing for the second task of the Triwizard Tournament.
Harry had finally figured out the clue—thanks to Cedric's tip about opening the egg underwater—but now he was faced with another daunting problem: surviving in the black lake for a full hour. He had given up trying to figure out what would be taken from him during the task, focusing instead on how to survive underwater.
Hermione had suggested using the Bubble-Head Charm, combined with a Warming Charm to combat the freezing temperature of the water. It was a clever solution, and Harry had to admit, it was probably the best idea yet.
But there was one major flaw in the plan: Harry couldn't swim.
...
It was Friday evening, and the atmosphere in the Gryffindor common room was relaxed. Fred and George were entertaining Katie, Angelina, and Alicia with their usual antics, while Neville lay in front of the fire, reading a book on magical Mediterranean plants that Professor Moody had given him. The soft crackling of the fire and gentle murmurs of conversation filled the space.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting nearby, still trying to brainstorm ways for Harry to survive underwater during the Second Task. It had been an uphill battle, and with the task looming closer, their ideas were running thin.
"What about Transfiguration?" Hermione suggested eagerly. "You could give yourself flippers, or even gills."
Harry shook his head, grimacing. "I'm not that good at Transfiguration, Hermione. I'd probably end up with fish parts I couldn't change back. And even if I could, it would take too long."
Ron leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed. "Yeah, you'd better not try that. Don't fancy seeing you halfturned into a haddock," he muttered, smirking, though his eyes flickered with frustration.
The three of them fell silent, each trying to think of an answer. The pressure of the task was weighing heavily on Harry, and the longer they went without a solution, the more anxious he became.
Then, from his spot near the fire, Neville looked up, his eyes widening as if a light had gone off in his head. He quickly started flipping through the pages of his book, scanning the contents before calling over to Harry.
"Harry, wait! I think I've found something that could help!" Neville said excitedly, holding the book out toward Harry. His voice was slightly uncertain, but there was an eagerness behind it as he pointed to a page about a peculiar plant. "It's called Gillyweed."
Harry leaned forward and took the book from Neville, his eyes scanning the page. A grin slowly spread across his face as he read. Hermione, who was reading over his shoulder, gasped.
"Neville, that's brilliant!" Hermione exclaimed, beaming at him.
Neville blushed under her praise. "I-I just remembered it from this book on Mediterranean plants," he stammered, his voice growing quieter.
Harry turned to look at him, his smile broadening. "Neville, this could be exactly what I need. Gillyweed lets you breathe underwater for about an hour—perfect for the task!"
Before Neville could reply, Ron leaned in, his expression neutral but his tone just a little too casual.
"Gillyweed, huh? Not bad, Neville. Surprised none of us thought of that," he said, his voice tight. "Though I was about to suggest something similar, maybe..." His words trailed off, and he shrugged, trying to mask his growing discomfort.
Neville hesitated, suddenly unsure if he'd overstepped. "It's just something I read about," he muttered, shrinking back a little.
Hermione caught the slight tension in Ron's voice and gave him a sideways glance, but said nothing. Instead, she turned her attention back to Harry. "This is exactly what you need, Harry. Neville's right—Gillyweed should work perfectly."
"Yeah," Harry agreed, a surge of excitement coursing through him. "I'll just need to bring extra in case the effects wear off too quickly. But this solves everything. Thanks, Neville."
Neville smiled, though he was still looking at Ron, uncertain of his reaction.
Ron, meanwhile, forced a smile and gave a nod. "Yeah, well done, Neville," he said, his voice slightly stiff.
"Good thing someone's been paying attention in Herbology." He shot Neville a quick look before turning away to stretch, his movements just a bit too deliberate.
The tension between Ron's words and his forced smile wasn't lost on Harry, but he was too focused on his newfound solution to dwell on it. "I'll talk to Professor Sprout tomorrow," Harry said. "If she doesn't have any Gillyweed, I'll send an owl to Diagon Alley to get some."
With a plan finally in place, Harry sent Hedwig off with a letter to the apothecary in Diagon Alley, just to cover his bases. As the night wore on, the group settled into a more relaxed mood, but the subtle tension lingered, unspoken between them.
…
The next afternoon, Harry and Cho sat together by the Black Lake, the cool breeze stirring the surface of the water as it shimmered under the late afternoon sun. They had found a quiet spot away from the crowds, where they could talk and enjoy the calm before the storm of the Second Task.
Cho sat close to Harry, her shoulder brushing his as they both gazed out over the lake. "You seem more at ease today," she said, glancing sideways at him with a small smile.
Harry smiled back, grateful for the brief respite from the tension of the tournament. "Yeah, I've got a plan now," he said, the relief in his voice clear.
Cho turned to him fully, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Really? What's the plan?"
Harry leaned back on his hands, his eyes scanning the lake's surface as he spoke. "Neville found something called Gillyweed. It lets you breathe underwater for about an hour, so I'll be able to swim and breathe without worrying about any complicated charms."
Cho raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Gillyweed, huh? That sounds like a perfect solution."
Harry nodded, feeling more confident. "Yeah, it'll make the task a lot easier. I won't have to rely on any spells that could run out. I'll just swim around and—hopefully—not drown."
Cho laughed softly at his self-deprecating humor. "You always seem to find a way to make it work, don't you?"
Harry shrugged, grinning. "I've had a lot of help."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the cool wind brushing over them as they watched the ripples on the lake. Cho turned her head slightly, her voice softening. "I'll be rooting for you tomorrow. I know you'll do great."
Harry glanced over at her, his face flushing slightly. "Thanks, Cho. That means a lot."
Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, Harry felt a warmth settle between them, a quiet connection that had grown over the past few months. Though they hadn't made anything official, there was an undeniable bond between them.
Cho smiled teasingly. "Just don't get lost down there, okay?"
Harry laughed, the tension in his chest easing. "I'll try not to."
As the sun began to sink lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the lake, they sat together in the fading light, simply enjoying the peace before the chaos of the next day.
…
Later that evening, Cho and her friend Marietta were walking back to Ravenclaw Tower when they were intercepted by Professor Flitwick.
"Ah, just the person I was looking for!" Professor Flitwick called, his small figure hurrying toward them. "Ms. Edgecombe, could I have a word?"
Marietta nodded, glancing at Cho in curiosity.
Noticing that Cho lingered nearby, Professor Flitwick smiled at her and added, "In my office, if you would, Ms. Edgecombe. Goodnight, Ms. Chang."
Cho waved goodbye to her friend and continued toward Ravenclaw Tower, her thoughts drifting as she walked alone through the quiet corridors.
She had been spending more and more time with Harry lately—mostly in the library, but also out on the Quidditch pitch or around the grounds. While they weren't officially dating, Cho felt certain it was only a matter of time. They had even shared an almost-date in Hogsmeade, though that had turned a bit awkward when Ron Weasley had tagged along.
Her mind wandered back to that day. What had started as a promising outing had been disrupted by an article about Hagrid, then by Ludo Bagman pestering Harry. They had ended the trip early, and while Cho didn't mind, she had hoped for a little more time with Harry.
Still, she smiled to herself, remembering the quiet moments they had shared since then. Even though he had been busy preparing for the Second Task, she had enjoyed their lunches and walks together, though they hadn't been overly romantic. She couldn't help but feel a little jealous of how much time he spent with Hermione Granger, even though Harry had reassured her they were just friends.
It wasn't jealousy toward Hermione, exactly—it was more the way Hermione sometimes looked at Harry when he wasn't paying attention. Cho recognized the look because it was the same one she sometimes gave him.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Cho arrived at the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower, solving the riddle and stepping into the common room. She took a seat in one of the circle armchairs by the fire, letting the warmth of the flames relax her.
Before long, she was joined by Roger Davies, the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain.
"So," Roger began bluntly, "I hear you've been spending a lot of time with Potter."
Cho rolled her eyes, already tired of the constant questioning about Harry. "What's it to you, Davies?"
Roger shrugged, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Nothing serious. Just wanted to make sure it won't mess with Quidditch next season."
Cho sighed but couldn't help the hint of pride in her voice as she replied, "I'm not going to go easy on him just because we're dating. Not that I'd need to—he's the best Seeker at Hogwarts, and he wouldn't go easy on me either."
Roger smirked, looking impressed. "Fair enough. Still, I'd love to see a match between him and Krum."
Cho shivered at the thought. "That would be something."
Roger's face lit up. "You know, you could probably set that up. You're close to Potter, and Krum's into Granger. If you ask Harry, and he gets Granger to ask Krum..."
Cho raised an eyebrow, cutting him off. "Before you get too excited, maybe talk to Dumbledore first?"
Roger waved it off with a grin. "I'm sure Dumbledore would love the idea."
As the night wore on, Cho found herself wondering what a match between Harry and Viktor Krum would look like. Her mind filled with images of a thrilling game, though she knew it was unlikely to ever happen.
…
Cho woke late the next morning, her heart racing when she realized the time. The Second Task was set to begin in just over an hour, and she had overslept. In a mild panic, she rushed to get dressed, barely taking the time to pull her hair into a ponytail before dashing toward the Great Hall for a quick breakfast.
As she entered the hall, she spotted Harry standing up from the Gryffindor table. He had been eating alone, and seeing him before the task brought a wave of relief over her. She hadn't missed him.
"Hi, Harry," Cho called, still slightly breathless from rushing. "I was hoping I'd see you before the task."
Harry looked up, and his shy smile made her heart flutter. No matter how much time they spent together, he always seemed adorably nervous around her.
"Hey, Cho," he said, running a hand through his hair nervously. "I was just heading down to the lake. Want to walk with me?"
"Yeah, that'd be nice," she said with a smile, falling into step beside him.
They walked in comfortable silence, the sound of their footsteps the only noise between them. Every now and then, their fingers would brush lightly against each other, causing them both to blush slightly. The tension was sweet, unspoken, yet filled with quiet anticipation.
As the lake came into view, Cho broke the silence. "Are you nervous?"
Harry let out a small laugh. "A little. But I think I've got a good plan... at least, I hope I do."
"I know you'll do great, Harry," she said softly, surprised when she felt his fingers intertwining with hers.
Harry looked at her, and there was something earnest in his green eyes. "Thanks, Cho. That really means a
lot."
Feeling bold, Cho moved closer to him. She stood on her toes, just enough to reach his face, and placed her hand gently on his cheek. Her heart was racing, but she ignored the nerves, gazing directly into his eyes.
Before Harry could react, she leaned in and pressed her lips softly to his. For a second that felt like forever, they kissed. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind blank except for the realization that Harry Potter was kissing her back. His hand tightened around hers, while his other hand found its way into her hair, deepening the kiss slightly.
The moment was perfect—until it was shattered by loud catcalls from the Weasley twins, who had apparently followed them down to the lake. Both Harry and Cho pulled away, blushing furiously, the magical moment broken by Fred and George's obnoxious cheers.
"Good luck, Harry," Cho said sweetly, placing a kiss on his cheek before letting him go to prepare for the task.
"You better not lose."
Still blushing, Harry smiled at her one last time before heading toward the competitors' area.
…
Harry's heart was racing, not just from the excitement of the task, but from the kiss that had left him stunned. He couldn't have imagined a better start to the morning—well, except for the strange sensation of the Gillyweed in his mouth, which was far less pleasant.
As the whistle blew, signaling the start of the Second Task, Harry dived into the water along with the other champions.
Almost immediately, he felt a sharp, piercing pain on either side of his neck. It was painful, but he remembered from the book that this was normal—his gills were forming. He glanced down at his hands and feet, which were now webbed, his toes elongated into flippers.
Without wasting any more time, Harry shot through the water with incredible speed, swimming deeper and deeper into the dark, murky lake.
After a brief struggle with a group of Grindylows, and a helpful run-in with Moaning Myrtle, who had pointed him in the right direction, Harry swam for what felt like ages, the eerie silence of the lake surrounding him.
Then he heard it—the haunting melody of the merpeople's song. Spurred on by the sound, he swam faster, and soon, he saw a large rock structure rise out of the water ahead. He passed clusters of crude, algae-stained stone dwellings, their dark windows filled with watching merpeople.
They didn't look anything like the majestic creatures he had imagined. Their grayish skin and wild, dark green hair gave them a more sinister appearance. Their eyes were yellow, their sharp teeth broken and jagged. They wore thick ropes of pebbles around their necks, and some held spears, though none made a move toward him.
Finally, Harry reached what appeared to be the center of the merpeople's village. A crude statue of a merperson loomed above him, and tied to its tail were four people. They were bound tightly with ropes of seaweed, their heads lolling to one side, streams of bubbles drifting lazily from their mouths.
Hermione was tied between Marietta Edgecombe and an older woman Harry assumed was Viktor Krum's hostage. The fourth was a young girl with silvery hair—Fleur Delacour's little sister.
None of them stirred.
Harry swam toward them, half-expecting the merpeople with spears to stop him, but they merely watched. The ropes binding the hostages were thick and slimy, but Harry had been prepared. Thanks to Hermione's suggestion, he had practiced the cutting curse underwater.
He quickly freed Hermione and grabbed her around the waist. As much as he wanted to save the others, he knew he had to trust that the other champions would arrive in time to rescue their own.
With Hermione securely in his grasp, Harry kicked off from the bottom and swam as fast as he could toward the surface. After several long minutes of swimming, he finally broke through the water, gasping for air.
Hermione awoke almost immediately, looking disoriented but unharmed. However, Harry quickly realized that breathing wasn't as easy for him—his gills were still functional, and he needed to submerge his neck in the water to breathe.
He swam with Hermione to the bank, where Madame Pomfrey and the judges were waiting. As soon as they reached land, Madame Pomfrey rushed to Hermione, fussing over her.
Harry, meanwhile, stayed in the water, waiting for the Gillyweed's effects to wear off.
Just as he was catching his breath, he noticed a merperson emerge from the water, carrying Fleur Delacour's unconscious body. The merperson handed her off to Madame Pomfrey, who quickly revived her. Fleur's eyes fluttered open, and she immediately tried to get back into the water, frantic to save her sister.
Madame Maxime had to restrain her, and Fleur's wild gaze searched for someone who could help. Her eyes locked onto Harry's, pleading silently.
In that moment, without a word, Harry understood. He gave her a determined nod, silently promising to rescue her sister.
Without hesitation, he dove back into the lake, determined to make good on his word.
As he swam deeper, he was passed by Cedric Diggory, who was on his way back to the surface with his hostage. Shortly after, Viktor Krum, who had transfigured his head into that of a shark, swam furiously past him, also heading for the surface.
Finally, Harry reached the bottom again. He pulled out his wand to cut the ropes binding Fleur's sister, but a group of merpeople surrounded her, shaking their heads.
"Get out of the way!" Harry shouted, though the words came out as a stream of bubbles. He held up three fingers, signaling them to move aside.
The merpeople hesitated, then scattered.
Wasting no time, Harry cut through the ropes and grabbed the little girl, pulling her close as he kicked off from the lake's bottom. He swam upward with all his strength, determined to make it back to the surface before time ran out.
…
Cho stood by the edge of the lake, watching the final moments of the Second Task unfold. Her eyes scanned the water anxiously, waiting for Harry to reappear. She had been nervous for him all morning, hoping he would emerge safely and succeed in whatever the task demanded.
When she finally saw him break the surface, guiding someone alongside him, her heart surged with relief— until she recognized who he had brought with him. It was Hermione.
A wave of confusion hit her. She hadn't known what or who would be taken as Harry's "treasure." But seeing Hermione—his best friend—was unexpected, and it left her feeling a little out of place, a bit unsure of where she fit into Harry's life.
Hermione? Cho thought, trying to make sense of it. She wasn't angry, but she couldn't help the small ache of uncertainty in her chest. She had spent months growing closer to Harry, thinking they were forming something special. But seeing Hermione as the person Harry would miss the most made Cho realize just how much she still didn't know about the depth of his relationships.
She wasn't upset with him—how could she be? She knew, logically, that Hermione and Harry had been best friends for years. They had shared adventures, fought side by side in ways that Cho could barely imagine. But it still left her feeling... unsure.
She took a deep breath and reasoned with herself. Of course, it wouldn't be her down there. She and Harry had only been close for a few months—barely enough time to build the kind of bond he shared with Hermione. It made perfect sense that Hermione would be the one taken for him. After all, if Cho had been in Harry's place, her "treasure" would likely have been Marietta, her closest friend for years.
But that didn't make it any easier to reconcile the odd feeling of distance between her and Harry at that moment.
Why Hermione? she thought, not in a jealous way, but in genuine curiosity. What did their friendship mean to him, and how deep did it go?
Yet, what confused her more than anything was the fact that Harry had gone back into the lake. He had already rescued Hermione—already completed the task within the time limit. So why risk going back? What was driving him?
Unable to settle the questions swirling in her mind, Cho decided to head over to where the judges were gathered. Perhaps Hermione had some answers.
Hermione sat on the shore, wrapped in a towel, looking both relieved and worried. Madame Pomfrey was fussing over her, but her eyes kept darting toward the lake, clearly concerned that Harry had not yet resurfaced. Cedric and Viktor had already returned with their hostages, but Harry was still underwater.
Cho approached quietly, her curiosity evident as she glanced between Hermione and the lake. "Why did he go back?" Cho asked gently, trying to keep her voice calm.
Hermione shook her head, her own concern showing. "I think I know, but it's just a guess. Harry... he doesn't like leaving people behind. He must have gone back for someone else."
Cho frowned slightly, though not out of frustration—more out of confusion. "But he already completed the task. He'd done what he was supposed to, right?"
Hermione sighed. "That's just who Harry is. He's not the type to finish something when others are still in danger. He probably went back to help Fleur's sister. It's just... him."
Before Cho could fully process that, Fleur Delacour approached, her expression tight with anxiety. Her eyes flicked between the two girls before settling on Hermione, her gaze filled with understanding and worry.
"Your friend is very brave," Fleur said softly, breaking the tense silence that had fallen between them.
Cho watched the exchange, and despite her confusion, she could sense the admiration in Hermione's tone when she responded. "He's the bravest person I've ever met," Hermione said quietly, her voice filled with a deep respect that only someone who had seen Harry at his best—and worst—could express.
As Cho listened, something shifted in her heart. She realized that Hermione wasn't just Harry's friend—she was someone who had been by his side through battles Cho hadn't even been a part of. Their bond was forged in moments of fear, danger, and survival. Of course, Harry would treasure that kind of friendship deeply. How could he not?
Fleur, who had been watching both girls carefully, offered a small, knowing smile. "You are very lucky," she said, her voice gentle as she looked at Hermione.
Hermione flushed, her cheeks turning pink, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no. We're just friends," she said, her voice flustered as she tried to downplay the significance of Fleur's comment.
Fleur looked momentarily confused, then smiled again, more amused than before. "I see."
Cho stood quietly, observing the dynamic between Hermione and Fleur. She didn't feel the need to stake any claim, nor did she feel jealous of Hermione. Instead, she felt... distant. She couldn't compare to what Hermione had with Harry, and maybe she didn't need to. They had different connections. But the realization left her feeling even more uncertain about where she fit in Harry's life, and what she truly meant to him.
Before she could say anything more, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd. Cho turned her head toward the lake and saw Harry swimming toward the shore, a small figure beside him—Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle.
As soon as Harry reached the shore, Fleur rushed forward, throwing her arms around Gabrielle and whispering rapidly in French, tears of relief streaming down her face. The gratitude in her voice was overwhelming as she hugged her sister tightly.
Then Fleur turned to Harry, her blue eyes blazing with emotion. "You saved her," she said, her voice trembling with gratitude. Fleur then leaned forward and kissed Harry passionately on the lips.