Saviour of Magic

The Second Task

Harry tossed and turned in his bed; he couldn't sleep! Having Daphne down there in the Black Lake was bad enough, but his brother too? Why did they need two hostages? Sirius had informed him immediately after the meeting about the changes. Not being able to go to sleep, he finally got up from the bed at dawn, pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for his morning run.

Two hours later, he returned to the Room of Requirement, tired but feeling a lot better. Visualising a bathtub, he let his aching muscles relax as he slipped into the hot water. Half an hour later, he called for a house-elf who provided him with breakfast. Once done, he checked his surrounding to ensure everything was ready, including the hip flask containing the Amphibian Potion. He shucked off all his clothes and put on a pair of tight emerald green swim trunks which he had specifically bought for the task. Wearing a robe to cover himself, he exited the room with everything he needed.

Harry calmly walked across the grounds to one of the boats which led to the judges' podium that was constructed in the middle of the Black Lake. He could see several stands all around the lake and the tens of thousands of people who had come to watch the task. Miller's Mirrors were placed everywhere so that they could watch the champions' progress up close. Harry walked up to where the other champions were standing and flicked his wand to conjure an armchair for himself. He sat down and closed his eyes to centre himself. He needed to focus; he couldn't let his emotions take control of him at such a crucial moment.

Fifteen minutes later, they heard a cannon blast as Lodo Bagman ascended up to the corner of the podium. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he began, his voice booming. "Welcome to the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. All our champions seem to have solved the puzzle of the egg and arrived at the clue given with it. Now, something precious has been taken from each of them and they have two hours to retrieve their hostages. Starting with Cedric Diggory, his hostages are Miss Cho Chang and Mr Joshua Hopkins; Viktor Krum is to rescue Miss Hermione Granger and Mr Abelard Muller; Fleur Delacour's hostages are Miss Gabrielle Delacour and Miss Abella Moreau; and finally, Harry Potter is to rescue Miss Daphne Greengrass and Mr Dylan Lestrange. Champions, get ready!"

Harry removed his robe and gave it to his godfather who was standing behind him.

"Good luck, Harry," whispered Sirius, sounding worried. "Do your best, but don't go looking for danger."

"My brother and fiancée are down there," said Harry flatly. There was no question in his mind that he would do everything possible to rescue them from under the lake.

He took the hip flask from Sirius and waited. When there were just a few seconds left, he drowned the potion; the cannon blast signified that the task had started. Already gasping for breath, Harry dived into the lake, soothing his newly formed gills.

"Lumos!"

A bright ball of light appeared at the tip of his wand as he swam forward. He only had to concentrate on the tracking charm located on both Daphne and Dylan's lockets which were tied to the locket he himself had around his neck. He had no idea how the other champions were supposed to find their hostages, but he did not care to find out.

"Both Miss Delacour and Mr Diggory seem to have used the Bubblehead Charm," Mr Bagman commented. "Mr Krum has done a remarkable piece of Transfiguration on himself, turning himself into half-shark. As a world-renowned expert on Transfiguration, I'd like your views on this, Professor Dumbledore. Mr Potter is the mystery because I saw him drink some sort of potion, though what, I'm not sure – oh, of course, Master Slughorn, go ahead – an Amphibian potion? You mean he invented a potion himself? At the age of fourteen? Incredible! Do tell me more!"

Down in the lake, Harry was swimming towards one of his targets when he encountered an illusionary ward. Scanning it, Harry was impressed. It gave off a feeling as though whatever was on the other side would be a tunnel leading him to one of the hostages and if anyone crossed it, it would create a whirlpool, swallowing them. If not for his advanced Occlumency, he would have fallen victim to the ward himself. He tried to avoid it and swim in the other direction, but the trap had been designed very well. He could not avoid it. Ten minutes of trial and error later, Harry disabled the ward and went on his way.