DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING BUT Original story ideas and characters. EVERYTHING ELSE BELONGS TO J.K. ROWLING

OKAY SO HERE'S THE PROMISED REWRITE! BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!

NOW IT'S NOT JUST A SIMPLE REWRITE BUT AN EVOLVED STORY!

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I WON'T BORE YOU GUYS SO PLEASE GO AHEAD AND ENJOY!

{SORRY FOR NO CHAPTER LAST WEEK! HAD A TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY AND IT TOOK A WHILE TO REPAIR, SO DOUBLE FEATURE TODAY!}

23rd February, Second Task

The wand vibrating under the pillow woke Harry up, sitting up in the bed he yawned stretching his hands over his head. He sighed rubbing his eyes before taking his glasses from the side table and wand from its place under the pillow.

Getting out of the bed crouched pulling his trunk out from under his bed, opening it he retrieved the clothes he kept aside for this very day along with his toiletries making his way to the shared bathroom of the boy's dorm. Putting things in their place he pressed his wand on the command rune starting the water supply for the day.

He once again taped the rune near the tap on the sink before opening it and relishing in the warmth from the hot water splashing on his face. He sighed resting his hand on the stone sink and looking into the mirror. His face was the same with his messy bed hair resembling a bird's nest completely.

Shaking his head he smiled continuing with his daily routine with his mind wandering back to the days following the discovery of the clue of the second task. Shortly after the meeting he told Hermione, Neville, Hannah, the Quidditch team, his family, and Minerva in one during their tea on Monday.

Done with his ablutions he moved to the shower stall after removing his clothes in the privacy of this room. The reason was his marred and charred skin all over along with a significant part of his skin being discolored.

His torso was like a Picasso painting come to life the major difference being that unlike the master painter's work showing the beauty of the world and his muses, he only told the story of the dark past which he tried very hard to put behind him every single day.

Turning on the shower he released a content sigh as the hot water trickled down his skin, his muscles relaxing and the ever-present soreness leaving him. He never understood the value of a warm shower until he started training for this very day. It just might be the fact that it was in the middle of February which meant that the water would be near the freezing temperature.

He remembered how cold he was laying on the ground beside Sif, he had a terrible headache for the rest of that day, well he had headache every waking moment but it was simply horrible on that particular day to the level that after a late lunch, he had a nap and slept it off with Madam Pompfrey's approval, didn't wake up until just before lunch.

It was very obvious that all the girls and his friends were more than a little concerned about his health to the point that they made him eat twice the amount following it with some mandatory rest with Daphne as she still had daily nightmares. He practically was sleeping in the girl's dorm for at least two weeks before it trickled down to twice a week now.

Though he could never forget the first day of his swimming training

Flashback

Making his way down from grand staircase he tugged on his thick woolen robe as the chilly wind blew striking his skin like thousands of small sharp needles. Looking around he found that the halls and lobbies were empty with portraits still sleeping. Peeking through the window he saw that it was still dark outside.

When he reached the entrance lobby and noticed that the sun was on the horizon, a smile came on his face seeing the beautiful sight first thing in the morning and he continued towards his destination which was a little further than down south from the lake, into the forest. He didn't know how or when Dora the spot but was certainly glad that it was away from prying eyes.

Walking past the lake he saw Hagrid who was coming out of his cabin and stretching his arms. He chuckled when Fang ran out of the cabin and imitated his master before breaking out in a frantic run. For a big, lazy, and old hound, he was looking pretty energetic this morning.

Picking his pace he quickly moved past the lake where he found Fleur waiting for him, with a smile he greeted "Good morning Flower" giving her a sound morning kiss.

She hummed in contentment before returning the greeting "Bonjour Mon Amour" kissing him back before saying "Now we must haste as ozzers are waiting for us" as she took his hand and led him into the forest.

He quirked his eyebrow but didn't ask any questions as they were walking through the forest and came out in the clear with a much smaller lake compared to the black lake. He spots Dora along with Susan and Sif much to his surprise.

As they made their way over Dora greeted him with a saucy smile as her hands around his neck husking "Good Morning, lover" Before smashing her lips on his, she couldn't get enough of him, no matter how much she tried to control it.

He wraps his hands around her waist kissing her back soundly for a while before returning the greeting with a goofy smile "Good morning to you too Dora"

"Hey, what about me?" Susan whined from behind the metamorphmagus with an adorable pout on her face.

Everyone chuckled with him moving towards her, cradling her face with his hands before planting a soft kiss on her lips saying "Good morning Sue" making her beam at him and kiss him back.

Just as the kiss ended he was pulled into the cold embrace of Sif who simply took him in a rough and passionate kiss. This was the first kiss shared by them since they met and what a kiss it was. They had been spending more and more time together in the past month half, she was ready to start getting physical with him she was carving it. Now she relished in the unknown yet poison-sweet taste of his lips and memorized the ozone scent of her mate.

For Harry, it was a pleasant surprise as he loved the taste of honey on her lips which he guessed was from mead, and the scent of pine making him light-headed. Kissing her back he tried to match her sloppy and rapid pace with his hands on her toned waist.

It ended only when the need for air became unavoidable as their lips parted a bridge of saliva connected as she greeted "Godan daginn, Hadrian" with a goofy smile.

Mirroring that smile he replied "I am not sure but from context, I guess you just wished me Good morning?" getting a nod from her he continued "Well good morning to you too Sif"

Dora clapped her hands loudly announcing "Okay! Now that everyone has gotten their morning love fix, let's start without training shall we?" the saucy smirk ever present on her face as she pulled the string that tied her standard auror-issue woolen cloak open letting it pool down on the ground.

Harry's eyes widened seeing that underneath she was dressed in a crisscrossing neon pink bikini, her halter top holding back her sizable breasts while the bottom was perfectly showing her wide hips very and the hidden apex between her legs. His throat felt as dry when she did a twirl giving him sight of her beautiful huge bum.

Seeing this Dora smirked "Oh lover, this my dear is just a start, girls" on the cue other three followed her lead losing their robes.

Fleur was clad in a simple white bikini, which for a top had two triangles covering her nipples and areola with strings tying around her neck and behind her back with a similar arrangement for the bottom with a triangle covering her modesty with strings knotted on the sides and copying her sister wife, twirled giving her lover a view of her perfect derrière.

Next was Susan who was in a red high-waisted bikini with cutouts on the side of the bottom giving it a crisscrossed look along with a top that looked like it was custom-made to fit her snow white melon sized flesh globes which were only compared to her peach shaped arse.

Last was Sif was wearing a strapless black top which was a size smaller for her bust which comparable with Dora's current one and a simple matching bottom letting her toned form take center stage along with her muscular yet soft rear.

This seemed to be more sexiness in the morning than his brain could handle as he was imitating a goldfish, opening and closing his mouth, trying to come up with words to speak but failing each time.

All four giggled seeing his state and Fleur smirked as she made his way to him walking seductively and asking "See something you like, Mon Amour?" huskily striking a seductive pose for her boyfriend as she raised her hands above and leaning back a bit to emphasis her bust.

He simply nodded but couldn't do anything else.

Seeing this Dora chuckled saying "I think we broke him girls" doing her best to hide her blush with her abilities. oh, it was not the first time she was being stared at but being stared at by Harry was something she wanted, unlike other men in her life.

She loved the attention he gave her more than anything else in the world and seeing him stunned by her beauty was just a cherry on the top. She wanted to do much more but she didn't want to rush Harry into doing something he was not comfortable with besides she wanted him to take initiative for anything he wanted in their relationship.

"Mission Accomplished" Susan chirped while she was blushing red under her fiancee's stare. She wanted him to see her more than anything but she was still not that comfortable with doing anything more than kissing and teasing him.

Sif chuckled agreeing with her sister's wife "I agree Susan" feeling oddly free. She till this moment had led a life where no one ever caught her interest enough to be her husband. Sure there have been one or two who came close but her magic rejected them violently when it came to intimacy.

Hadrian was different, he was the only person who knew about her heritage apart from her family yet he wasn't repulsed by her. Instead, he proved that the opposite was true, he admired her uniqueness, he never said it at least not verbally but she caught him staring at her, admiring her from the distance when he thought she didn't know but she did.

Her magic was singing and urging her to be with him as soon as it was physically possible. That kiss soothed that hunger but she didn't know what would happen once she couldn't control it. She both dreaded and looked forward to the outcome of that possibility.

The stunned teen was storing this moment in his memory to use in the future to cast the patronus. He looked at how the hot pink fabric contrasted Dora's slightly tanned skin, while Fleur's unblemished skin looked like she was carved out of ivory, Susan's soft and curvy figure was only enhanced by the flimsy red fabric and to end with Sif imposing figure looked particularly alluring and a delicious feast only reserved for his eyes.

"You are a little overdressed Mon Amour" Fleur's honey-sweet voice broke through his haze as she moved towards him and with a light peck undid the string that held his cloak together. As it pooled on the ground she backed away to see him in his Black swimming attire. All four women gave a low whistle as they ogled their man.

Standing in front of them clad in a skin-tight black scuba suit with red accents which showed just how toned his body was showing his lean figure and muscles obvious fruits of his quidditch training. The look of hunger was apparent in the eyes of all four of them

Sif had a prominent blush on her face as she felt her body heat rising which was very rare for her as she stared at her mate with a single thought in her mind 'He is perfect!'

She was not alone as Fleur came to her senses too as she shook her head with her face flushed red thinking 'Merde, 'e looks so so…'

Her thought was completed by Dora who was drooling as she whimpered "…Delicious~"

To which Susan nodded with a slight shiver running through her body saying "By magic that's true"

Her words broke the trance as all five of them were now red-faced blushing uncontrollably. Dora cleared her throat announcing "Okay now let's start the lesson shall we?"

Harry nodded saying "Okay how do we start?"

She smiled and took a step forward taking his hand saying "By learning how to float in the water" as she led him toward the lake.

Just as she was about to enter the lake he pulled her back saying "Dora what are you doing, it's going to be bloody freezing in there!" gesturing towards the lake.

Fleur came up from behind her hands snaking around his torso and resting on his chest making him shiver a little as her breasts were mushed against his back and whispered "Don't worry Mon Cherie, me and Sif have put the wards around to warm it up to the normal temperature" nibbling his lobe lightly.

He moaned leaning back against her but before it could progress any further Dora cleared her throat getting their attention "Aphrodite, you can play with Lover Boy once we are done for now we need to start with his training"

The veela pouted before nodding "Fine, but you are a spoilsport Dora" as she backed away after kissing Harry on the cheek.

He chuckled at this before cocking his head in confusion asking "My training? What about…" Before he could complete there was a loud splash drawing his attention only to see that Fleur had dived into the lake and come out with her body glistening from the water.

Susan and Sif both came beside him with the former explaining "Yeah, well out dear Fleur knows how to swim only problem she has is her magic is very weak under water so she will be training that along with her underwater breathing spells with you"

"Now enough dilly-dallying, let's swim," Sif said as she took his hand and along with Dora pulled him into the neck-high water with Susan following them.

As Harry started to panic Susan said "Calm down, just move your hands and legs, back & forth like this" as she was floating. She noticed he was calm but wasn't watching her limbs instead was focused on her cleavage, with blush she chided "Harry! Concentrate you can admire me later when we are free"

Others chuckled at this while he blushed "Sorry Sue" continuing to learn how to float and move around in the water that day.

End of Flashback

Shaking his head out of the nostalgia he quickly finished the shower as he couldn't afford to be distracted. He quickly got dressed into a similar scuba suit which was Sirius's idea when he shared his need for privacy, the only difference from his practice suit was it had his house colors on it along with a Hogwarts symbol on the left side of his chest and back.

Quickly fixing himself up he made his way down to the common room, he spotted Daphne sitting on the couch with a heavy book in her hand. He smiled at him "Hey, beautiful good morning"

She turned to him with a light blush on her face as she closed the book and put it in her book satchel, greeting him "Good morning Harry!" she still wasn't used to the terms of endearment coming from him, every time it gave her butterfly in the stomach. She asked "Let's go for breakfast, I think Hermione went ahead of us"

"Huh, she must be hungry then" as they walked down to the great hall hand in hand which was a common routine for them by now to get some breakfast. As they took their sit on the table he greeted Neville "Hey Nev, good morning mate"

"Morning to you too Harry Daphne" Neville said in between the sip of his tea before asking "So are you ready for the task?"

He shrugged "As ready as I will ever be" his eyes roamed all around before asking "Have you seen Hermione, Nev?" with a frown on his face.

"No, I guessed that she must be sleeping in and coming with both of you" the boy answered casually. But seeing the worried expression on the couple's face he asked "Okay what's going on?"

"She wasn't in her bed in the morning" Daphne informed before adding "In fact, her bed looked like it hadn't been slept in, her books were still spread everywhere on it" grabbing Harry's hand as panic started to rise in her chest.

Neville was alarmed now so was Harry as he suggested "Maybe she was in the library, you know how she has a habit of sleeping there sometimes"

"Good idea, let's go look for her there" Harry suggested and all three of them made their way out of the hall only to run into Susan and Hannah along with Sif. Seeing them moving in such a hurry Sif asked "Vhat's hurry? Vheres de avalanche?"

"Huh? Avalanche" Neville questioned a little confused.

Ignoring that, they were on their way towards the library with Harry practically running and dragging Daphne along as she informed them "It's Hermione! She is missing, wasn't in a dorm from what it looks like since last night so we are going to check if she is in the library" they were quick to follow them.

Reaching their destination Harry made his way to the librarian's desk where Madam Prince was sitting with a forever scowl etched on her face with a smoking pipe in her hand wearing a worn-out beige sweater and reading some scroll.

"Madam Prince, have you seen Hermione Granger here since last night or this morning?" Harry asked worried about his sister.

The dull woman simply shook her head blowing some smoke out answering "No I haven't Mister Potter, she left last night just before the curfew" never looking up from her book.

The answer only worried everyone and suddenly Harry's mind went back to the warning hidden in the clue he mumbled "We've taken that you will surely miss"

Sif, Daphne, and Susan who were standing beside him heard him but before they could ask he stormed out of the the room. Susan turned to the other two asking "You don't think?" her eyes widened.

"I hope not cause this is not going to end well if it is" Daphne replied.

Sif smiled "Hell has no fury like a broder scorned!" they followed him out along with Neville and Hannah while the former explained later what in Magic's name was going on.

Just as they reached the entrance courtyard, he spotted Fleur running towards the castle. He ran towards meeting her in the middle stopping her asking "Flower? Flower what happened? Talk to me?"

" 'ARRY! It's Gabby! I can't find 'er anywhere! Me, Marie, and Celine looked everywhere! What if she is in trouble? What if someone took 'er…. And… and.. .an.." She rambled tears spilling from her eyes.

He hugged her rubbing her back trying to calm her down "Shhhh! Shhhh, calm down flower, I… I have a hunch about where they are"

She broke the hug in a mixture of confusion and shock asking "Zey? What do you mean zey 'Arry?" as she looked around and found what he meant " 'Ermione?"

He nodded "She has been missing since last night, I think Gabrielle is in a similar situation, I have a hunch about where they are so let's head to the tent, we will learn everything there trust me Flower nothing will happen to Gabby on my watch I promise," he said before kissing her.

She melted the moment his lips touched hers, she kissed him back and as the kiss broke she felt his hands wiping her cheeks which she kissed saying "I trust you more zan myself Mon Amour, Always!"

He gave her a confident smile as he turned to Susan, Daphne, and Sif telling them "You guys get to the platforms, we will see after the task"

Susan and Sif held themselves back from giving him a good luck kiss or snog as they were surrounded by the public, Daphne took his hand saying "Be careful and don't do anything too stupid" looking at both of them, with former two nodded agreeing with the sentiment shared.

Neville came forward hugging his brother "Good luck mate"

Harry hugged her back "Thanks Nev, see you on the other side I guess," he said with them leaving to join the rest of the crowd on the floating platform in the middle of the lake.

They walked towards the tent near the lake, as they entered Ludo Bagman announced " "Ah all three champions are here let us proceed to the Stages in the middle of the lake shall we?" everyone started to exit the Tent following the host.

Just before they exited he noted it seemed that Sirius, Andi, Apolline, Amelia, and a couple that looked like Krum's parents from the feature similarities looked furious with glares directed at the tournament, all the ministry and Apolline looked like she was about attack all of them consequences be damned.

But as their eyes locked from across the room and her the flames of anger doused in an instant becoming embers. As their family came out Sirius came up to them and hugged his godson saying "Good luck pup, you are going to need it. This is all seriously messed up"

While Fleur was still a little out of the loop, he nodded "I know Padfoot" as he quickly turned to Andi pecking her lips and greeting "You are looking beautiful Andi"

The older woman smiled kissing him back before saying "And you are charming as always. It's rare but I agree with Siri on this one this is messed up" joining the glaring eyes aimed organizers with her own

He nodded and turned to Apolline kissing her on the corner of her mouth before reassuring her "Don't worry Apple, I will bring Gabrielle back safe and sound, without a scratch on her, I promise"

The older veela felt a shiver hearing her new pet name and her primal veela instincts were urging her to take her mate right then and there. But that's where her maturity showed, though her pussy was drenched, her nipples leaking and her rear was clenching and clenching around on its own, she didn't let it show on her face.

With a great deal of effort, she nodded saying "I will be more in debt zan ever before 'Arry" resisting the urge to hug him, as her control was teetering. She needed to visit her aunt as soon as possible.

As they were going out he shared a similar look with Amelia who was ahead of Dora, both winking at him and making him blush. As they entered the boat he saw that Krum's usual stoic countenance had a crack of worry.

They got to the platform off their respective school with Ludo ordering "Champions Get Ready!" and all three of them removed their jackets and bottoms. Harry got many whistles for his scuba outfit but it was nothing compared to Fleur's silver monokini but still, his was way better than Krum's simple tank top and shorts.

Minerva was among the ones who whistled but as she stood right beside him he turned to her and winked making the older witch blush a storm. He started shaking his limbs and doing some basic stretches giving an unintentional show to his girls, a very horny professor, and veela along with his fun clubs in all three schools.

Just then Bagman announced "Welcome to the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament Ladies and Gentlemen. For this task, Our champions have to save their friends who are under the Black Lake somewhere and they are asleep from sleep.

For Mr. Krum it's Ms. Ekatarina Krum his younger sister.

Similarly Ms. Delacour it's her younger sister Ms. Gabrielle Delacour.

For our youngest champion, Mr. Potter, it's his best friend Ms. Hermione Granger. Now on the fire of a cannon, champions dive and start the task"

At this Fleur and Harry shared a look, the former finally understanding what her mother and Harry were talking about. All three of them had a determined and angry look on their faces.

Quickly applying the bubblehead charm when the cannon fired he took a deep breath before diving in the water.

As he entered the murky and dark waters of the Black Lake which at that moment he felt was very aptly named. It took him a minute to adjust then it became clear he looked around for the other two only to find Viktor swimming in a direction he used partial transfiguration as he was half-shark and his lower half was human.

He turned around to find Fleur only to find her swimming in the opposite direction and then Krum. He followed her knowing not wanting to leave her alone when she was at her weakest. He was falling a little behind as he was a novice swimmer compared to the experienced veela ahead.

Fleur was a woman on a mission she knew where her merpeople's village was and was hell-bent on getting there as fast as she possibly could. But eventually, she reached the thick weed bed.

Tired of the poor visibility and not liking that he was losing sight of Fleur, he drew his wand casting {Lumos Maxima!} As his wand tip lit up he started swimming hoping to catch up with Fleur.

But after a few minutes when he spotted the same ground under him, he deduced that he was going in a circle. He sighed using the spell he learned for this very possibility {Point me to: Fleur Delacour!}

It turned around to his left with his hand and he started swimming in that direction hoping he wasn't too far behind. He thanked Oliver Wood for every back-break training session for the uncountable time since this magic-forsaken tournament started.

After a minute he found himself near a weed bed and guessed that Fleur was somewhere inside the weed forest. Just as he was about to enter he heard a loud screech from inside, alarmed he quickly made swam his way inside.

The thick forest of weed wasn't easier even with his lumos he couldn't see more than a foot ahead of him. Surrounded by nothing but darkness which did nothing to calm his worry it only increased hear bunch of screams.

Having had enough of this he cast the point my spell once again only to that she was on the right to the diagonal to him and he started moving in that direction. Parting the weeds slowly until he reached the source of the shriek only to find a horrifying sight of Grindylows swarming Fleur who was barely managing to defend herself in weed.

Spring into action he starts swimming towards using all his energy to swim that short distance, as he gets closer aiming at the swarm he casts {Depulso!} overpowering a little in his anger.

As the swarm was scattered he moved closer asking "Fleur, are you…" but couldn't complete as a shriek went through the water, Harry turned to look for the source only to shriek himself as he felt a strong tug on both of his legs, he kicked it trying to free himself.

He got rid of it with another banishing charm before turning back to Fleur who answered "I am fine *pant* 'Arry…"

But he could see the clear signs of exhaustion along with bite marks, with some ripped flesh and bleeding all over her previously unblemished skin which was angry red and she was out of breath. He was about to protest but didn't get a chance as the swarm came back and was now circling them.

{LUMOS MAXIMA!} Fleur cast but her light was dimmer than normal before adding "I weel 'andle the light, you focus on getting reed of zese creatures!"

With a silent nod he got to work throw a banishing spell quickly followed casting {Lacero!} at the grouping of the tentacled creatures killing them. They were carnivorous creatures with a taste for living beings as such he didn't feel the need to show restraint when dealing with them.

But it seemed to have only angered the swarm as they started attacking more furiously forcing him to act accordingly to fight them. Yet for all of his efforts, some of them were successful in getting them. As a result, his suit was torn in various places and he too was now bleeding, while behind him Fleur's condition had gone from bad to worse and was nearing the worst.

She was giving it all she had until she had exhausted the last of her magical reserves as she needed more just to maintain the simple lighting charm. Losing her consciousness she called out " 'Arry! Save… angel…" As her eyes closed, the magic-depleted popped her air bubble and her wand floated away from her loose grip.

Her voice drew Harry's attention who had made a significant dent in the horde which gave him enough breathing space. His eyes widened as he screamed "FLEUR!" he took her in his one arm while catching her wand with the other.

He started to ascend but one glance around and he knew he would die if he didn't move quickly enough, worse he would lose someone he loved, the mere made his blood boil. Adrenaline coursed through as his magic howled, screeched, and roared, the cold water around him started heating up, as he cast his wand pointing at the lake surface {ASCENDIO!}

The spell took effect propelling him towards the surface of the water, he hugged Fleur tight to his body. He looked up only to see that he wasn't slowing down as they broke through the water's surface and were soaring into the air.

"AND WHAT IS THIS! MR. POTTER HAS SEEMED TO HAVE SURFACED BACK! COULD IT BE THAT HE HAS RESCUED MS. GRANGER IN HALF THE TIME?" Ludo announced with the crowd gasping. Susan, Sif, and Daphne almost cheered but seeing that it wasn't Hermione in Harry's arms but Fleur.

After after about ten feet, he felt the spell ended and they were going back down. He turned them in a way that he would be in contact with the water while Fleur was over him. As they did he felt a crack in his right leg but didn't think of it as anything.

Once again they were underwater but re-surfaced mere seconds later. With a firm grip on her waist, he started swimming his way towards the platform. His muscles were aching and it felt like he was getting ripped apart to shreds, yet he kept chanting "Almost there Flower! Stay with me, everything will be fine! Don't worry, just stay with me…"

Reaching the platform where his fiancee and friends were he took a moment to catch his breath saying "Take her to Poppy, I will go and bring Mione and Gabby back!" as Sif alone took Fleur out of the water showing her strength.

Before anything could be said by anyone he reapplied the bubblehead charm going back underwater. Retracing his path was easy but his broken leg, lack of energy, and depleting magic reserves made it so it took him much longer than before.

{Point me to: Hermione Granger} It showed him that the path was through the weed forest. Not wanting to deal with the grindylows and running short of patience, time, energy, and magic, he followed it by casting {Sculpere Viam!} swishing his wand in a blade-like motion horizontally.

A large cutting ribbon left his wand cutting a path clean through the weeds and Grindylows which were hiding among them. He could see more of them coming out getting ready to attack, but he was a bit faster as he put his wand arm at his such that the wand tip was pointing the same direction as his toe casting {Aqua Impulsus!}

A spell he learned from Dora which was used by the hunters would propel them in the water at great speed for a short distance. The jet of water shot from his wand and it had the desired effect as it propelled him forward through the weed bed but on his way a Grindylow bit a little portion of his left leg skin and muscle off, he didn't notice it that time same as before.

Coming out on the other end he found the Mervillage in his sight but there was still a distance to cover. He repeated the water jet method about five times to reach it. He saw the houses built or rather carved in the stones of the lake and the town was sparsely populated with the Merpeople.

As amused and impressed as he was he didn't have time to admire the underwater city as he spotted his target ahead at what he could only assume a town square. Three people were floating in water with vines tying them to the rock bed underneath.

Moving closer he spotted Hermione, Gabby, and another little girl who had features similar to Viktor. He assumed it was Krum's younger sister, suddenly from the opposite side the other champion who seemed to have used a partial transformation to become a shark freed the girl and made his way back to the surface.

That spurned him into action as he swam his way over to the remaining hostages. He looked at them and found that they were unconscious but Gabrielle was looking pale.

With a plan, he went back to Hermione casting {Diffindo!} and removed the vine tied around her ankle. He went to free Gabby but as he cut her vine a trident-wielding merman aimed it at his throat growling which by the context he figured was something like [The Veela stays!]

"Here the thing mate, I don't like your tone," he said pointing his wand at the merman casting {Depulso Maxima!} banishing the merman far back enough to take both hostages in his arms starting to swim upwards. His priority was the safety of the girls in his arms.

His grip around them loosened when the pain flared in his left torso and he screamed in pain "Arrrgggghhhh!" looking down at his side he saw a trident embedded in his side. Fighting through his pain applied a numbing charm on the area when he spotted the horde of trident-wielding Merpeople coming towards him.

Pointing his wand down at the horde he yelled {Stupefaciunt Omnes!} As the horde was stunned momentarily he put his hands around both girls and followed it with {Aqua Impulsus!} it propelled him halfway through.

He was starting to feel the pain of his leg injuries right about now and his vision was getting blurry. Yet he reached deep inside, squeezing every last amount of magic in his body, his emerald eyes set on fire as they glowed as he once again used the jetting spell, hoping it would be enough.

And it was as the three of them broke the surface that Hermione and Gabby woke up. The former looked at her brother with a smile while later was a little disoriented.

"Harry! You did it… you…" Hermione stopped in her tracks looking at the water which was black with a hint of red. She turned back and noticed that her brother was pale and almost unconscious.

He gave her a tired smile seeing her concerned expression "I am okay 'Mione… Let's get to the… platform… Poppy will fix me up" as he started to swim the distance with his sister helping him.

As they got closer he was helped up to the platform by Sif as she pulled him out of the lake onto the platform and smiled saying "Hadrian! You did! You…" That's when he went unconscious against her.

"Harry! Oh no! He is hurt! Someone get me, Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione screamed hysterically with a blanket that Neville gave her around her.

Daphne and Susan helped to lay him down on the platform gently while the latter put her head on his chest before saying "His… his heart is beating but it is getting slower…" with a horrified and worried look which was shared by Daphne, Minerva, and Sif.

Madame Pomfrey came running to them hearing Neville shouting "Out of the way people I need to see my patient! Out of the way!" pushing the people aside and gasped seeing the state of her favorite patient. Shaking the shock and something else from her eye, she composed herself casting {Habitus!} before turning to Sif asking "Help me carry him to the infirmary, Ms. Helvig"

With a nod, she picked up her mate and followed the Healer back to the castle at a brisk pace. Susan, Daphne, Tracey, Luna, Minerva, Hermione, Neville, Hannah, and The Gryffindor Quidditch Team followed them.

Apolline hugged her Gabrielle asking "Mon Ange! Are you okay? I am so sorry, I wasn't there to protect you this morning! I am so sorry…" as she kissed the girl all over the face.

"Maman! Maman! I remember Maman! I remember!" the little girl said excitedly jumping in her place in older veela's arms.

Apolline released her with a confused look asking "What are you talking about Angel?" but before the girl could reply she said "Let's go see Fleur in the infirmary, she is a little injured from the task!" as she scooped her the little girl in her following the group with Celine and Marie following her.

Instantly the ward was crowded as Sif laid him on his usual bed before backing away so that Poppy could do her work. The matron quickly closed the screens and activated the privacy wards.

She turned back the young man laying in the bed, and with a shuddering breath, she swished casting {Alucinatio!} dropping her glamor. Gone was the illusion of a fifty-year-old woman with wrinkled skin and graying hair. In her stead stood a beautiful blond with ocean-blue eyes and an angelic face, her perfect body hidden under the healer's robes.

She started healing her patient, waving her wand nonstop for about the next 20 minutes. Once done, she took a seat on the stool saying "Why does it have to be you, Harry, every time! Why in the magic's name are you so damn noble! Do you know how tortures it is for me to see you laying there like that? Do you!?" she screamed, weeping as the tears started coming down her face.

She let out a shuddering breath shaking her head with a mirthless chuckle "Of course you don't, how will you? I never told" wiping her eyes before adding "Never been conscious enough to hear me and I never dared to tell it to you… that…" as she lost the battle with her emotions, leaned forward and placed a kiss on boys lips.

Caressing his face she smiled "One day maybe, when I have gathered enough of it… I will… for now you have others waiting to see you… I will see you later love" as she stood up cleaning her face up and reapplying the glamor.

Back to her public persona, she made her way out of the privacy screen she explained "Mr. Potter will be bedridden for about a week and on a potion regime, he will be waking up just in time for dinner" taking her leave, she made her way back to her office.

Minerva followed her friend's best friend into the office and closed the door behind her. The privacy activated both women dropped their respective glamors as Poppy brought out two crystal goblets from her desk drawers along with a bottle of Quintin Black whisky. It was only half filled and went to quarter when she was done pour it into both goblets.

"We are going to finish it by the end of this year aren't we?" Minerva asked as she took the Goblet from the healer.

Poppy smirked taking a sip of the drink and felt the smooth burn in her throat as she said "Aye, we are Minnie" in a teasing tone. Both laughed before she raised her goblet "To us, two pathetic witches who can't love the man they want, the way he deserves"

"To us" Minerva chimed but didn't take a drink but simply put it down on the table saying "Actually I think that might not be the case anymore, Poppy"

"What are you talking about?" the healer inquired with a mix of confused and eager looks on her face.

She smiled "I am saying that Harry might reciprocate our feelings if we show him. Not all at once but slowly, you know so not to spook him with the intensity of our emotions. I have a plan, if you agree we will have everything we dreamed about"

Poppy found the prospect very enticing but was a little reluctant and asked "But how Minnie?"

"We use our charms and magic-given bodies! Just say that you are in and follow my lead, I promise you we will be bonding with Harry before his birthday next year" Minerva said with a gleam in her eyes.

Poppy gasped scandalously asking "Who are you and what have you done with Minerva McGonagall?"

"Well, Poppy meet the new Minerva McGonagall! The woman who won't stop at anything to get the wizard she loves" Mcgonagall declared with a determined expression on her face before asking "So I ask you once again Penelope Merula Pompfrey, are you going to join me or are you going to live like this forever hiding your love, for him?" as she stood up and walked over to the door.

Faced with a choice Poppy's natural response as a Ravenclaw was to look and weigh its pros & cons before making her decision but for once she was going to embrace the Gryffindor inside her saying "Okay what's the plan, Minerva?"

"Great! Wear your best robes and come to my quarters a few next Monday for the tea with Harry. Without your glamor on Of course" taking her leave.

Afternoon

The ward was relatively empty as Poppy ran everyone but Apolline and Gabrielle out. Both of them were sitting beside Fleur's bed but they alternated between her bed and Harry's. The older veela felt her magic sing when she was around him, she could feel his magic connecting to his but the connection was flimsy at best for obvious reasons. Yet she did her best to convey her feelings through it.

She held his hand, sitting silently when Gabby's voice called "Maman! Fleur woke up!" from the other side of the room drawing her attention.

Smiling she turned to the unconscious young man saying "I will be back shortly Mon Tresor!" pecking him on the lips before making her way over to where Fleur was and smiling seeing the late teen veela sitting upright "Oh, Flower! Thank Aphrodite you are all right!" taking the young woman in her embrace.

Fleur hugged her back saying "I am all okay Maman, zanks to 'Arry" That's when she broke the hug looking around frantically before asking "Maman, where is 'e?" in a worried.

Sighing she informed "Flower after saving you, he went back to save Angel here and Hermione, he was severely injured in the task. So he was healed by Matron Pomfrey, she said that he would wake up by dinner time but would be bedridden for a week"

As she digested this information Gabby who was bouncing from toe to toe finally spoke up "Fleur! I remembered who saved you and Maman from bad men at the World Cup! Guess what, guess what…."

"Angel how? You said you didn't remember anything" Fleur interrupted wide-eyed at her younger sister. She shook her head eager to finally get the answer about the mystery that had been keeping her up at night and an equally strong suspicion about who her savior was, she asked "Who was it, Angel?"

The little girl beamed announcing "Grand frère Harry! When Maman told me to run that night! I was so afraid and alone" Her face drooped but only for a second before she continued in the same cheery tone "But then I found him and told him that you needed help with bad men. He promised me that he would save you and he did! Just like he did today!"

Fleur beamed hugging her sister tightly saying "Merci! Merci! Merci Mon Ange!…" she repeated kissing the little girl all over making her giggle and laugh uncontrollably. She sighed "I knew it! Or rather my heart did! That it was him! Isn't it great Maman?" turning to the older veela.

Seeing the knowing smirk on her face she gasped "You knew all this time and didn't tell me?"

"Why spoil the fun?" Apolline shrugged before breaking out in laughter with Gabrielle joining her while Fleur sat there blinking all that time with her mouth hanging open in shock, imitating an owl.

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