John found the second task of the Triwizard Tournament far less engaging than the first. Unlike the previous event, which had been a spectacle for all to witness, this challenge left spectators staring at the dark, inscrutable surface of the Black Lake, their imaginations running wild with speculation. Some students attempted to narrate the underwater events as if they were commentators, but their guesses were as good as anyone's. John overheard one student so convinced of his own theory, he seemed to believe he was narrating a live broadcast. The atmosphere, initially buzzing with excitement, gradually dulled to a murmur of confusion and disappointment. John couldn't help but think the event was poorly designed for spectators.
As time sluggishly passed, a single bubble broke the surface tension of the lake, catching John's keen eye. "Someone is coming out," he announced, drawing the crowd's attention back to the water. Excitement surged as everyone craned their necks, eager to see who would emerge victorious.
The first to surface was Fleur Delacour, her bright silver hair fanning out in the water like a halo. However, the ordeal had taken its toll; her usually vibrant complexion was pale, and she looked more like a water nymph drained of life. Fleur struggled towards the shore, noticeably alone, without having rescued her designated person.
Upon reaching the shore, Fleur's legs gave way, and she nearly collapsed. John noticed the scratches marring her skin, suggesting a violent encounter underwater. Gasping for air, Fleur coughed up water, her eyes reddening from the strain. A Beauxbatons student rushed to her side with a towel, but John, moved by her plight, draped his own wizard robe around her shoulders.
Tears brimmed in Fleur's eyes as she clutched John's hand, her voice laced with panic. "Gabrielle, she's still down there. The mermaids attacked me," she revealed, her voice trembling.
John's expression darkened at her words, and he looked towards Dumbledore, seeking intervention. Dumbledore, with a flicker of concern in his eyes, had not anticipated aggression from the lake's inhabitants. He had assured the safety of the champions by negotiating a truce with the merpeople, who were not to assist nor harm the participants.
"This is an attempt on the champions' lives," John stated gravely, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. The surrounding crowd gasped, the students especially shocked by the revelation of real danger in what they had thought was a controlled competition.
Dumbledore, recognizing the severity of the situation, attempted to summon the merpeople using their native tongue. However, his calls went unanswered, escalating the tension among the onlookers.
As discussions among the judges ensued, aiming to halt the task for a safety assessment, another figure emerged from the lake. It was Cedric Diggory, who had managed to rescue Cho Chang, though his grim expression spoke volumes. "The merfolk have turned hostile, and the Grindylows are hunting the champions," he reported, his voice laced with urgency. "I had to conceal myself among the water plants to find the right moment for the rescue."
Cedric's alarming update only added to the growing unease. He approached John with even more troubling news. "When I arrived, it seemed the mermaids intended to kill the hostages."
Meanwhile, Harry Potter found himself in a dire situation, ensnared by unseen assailants. Initially unable to see his attackers, he was dragged through thick water plants until he came face to face with his captors - a group of Grindylows armed and seemingly intent on drowning their prey. Harry, managing to grasp his wand, retaliated. To his surprise, the Grindylows, though menacing in appearance, were quickly dispatched, fleeing at the first sign of resistance.
Once free, Harry surveyed his surroundings, only to realize he had stumbled into a mermaid village, the heart of the conflict. In the center of the village square stood a roughly hewn statue of a mermaid, its tail entwined with three figures: Ron, Hermione, and a silver-haired eight-year-old girl Harry recognized from John's tent during the World Cup. They appeared to be in a deep slumber, tiny bubbles escaping from their mouths. Harry, struggling against the water's resistance, swam towards the hostages. The merfolk, initially oblivious to his presence, soon became an obstacle as he attempted to untie the ropes binding his friends. The task proved more challenging than anticipated, forcing Harry to scour the lakebed for a sharp stone to cut through the bindings.
Just as Harry was about to free his friends, he noticed movement among the mermaids. A figure with a shark's head, later revealed to be Krum transformed, darted towards them, prompting the previously stationary mermaids to pursue him with their forks. Krum's intervention startled Harry, causing a momentary distraction that allowed the mermaids to regroup and defend their captives aggressively. Despite Krum's efforts, the mermaids relentlessly drove him away, preventing any chance of a rescue.
In the midst of the chaos, Harry managed to sever the ropes. However, the situation escalated when one of the mermaids, brandishing a fork, threatened the still-bound hostages. Harry rushed to intervene, his actions drawing the attention of the other mermaids who then directed their aggression towards him and the hostages. Amidst the turmoil, Krum, noticing the peril, bravely fought off a mermaid attacking Hermione, only to be wounded by a spear.
As the conflict continued, Harry resorted to using his wand, launching spells at the encroaching mermaids. Time seemed to stand still, with no sign of any other competitors emerging from the lake. Karkaroff, unwavering in his belief in Krum's abilities, refused to call off the task, despite the growing concern among the spectators that the mermaids might harm the hostages.
Cedric, having observed the situation, voiced his fears, suggesting that the mermaids were on the verge of violence. His warning resonated with Fleur, who, distraught, pleaded with Ms. Maxim to intervene on behalf of her sister, Gabrielle. However, the strict adherence to impartiality among the referees prevented any immediate action.
John, determined to act where the referees would not, inquired about the location of the mermaid village. Armed with this information and a silver long sword conjured from thin air, he prepared to enter the lake. His actions, though initially met with confusion, soon garnered the attention of all present, including Dumbledore, who ceased his objections to observe.
John's approach was unconventional; he infused his magic into the lake, communicating with the spirit of the Black Lake through ancient magic. The lake water, responding to his command, formed a protective sheath around his sword, symbolizing the lake's blessing.
As John prepared to venture into the lake, Karkaroff's protests were loud and clear, demanding an explanation from Dumbledore. Ms. Maxim and Fleur, meanwhile, discussed John's intentions, with Fleur explaining his mission to rescue those in peril.
Dumbledore, intrigued by John's method, watched intently, along with everyone else, eager to witness the outcome of this bold endeavor to save the hostages from the mermaids' clutches. John's focus intensified, halting his song abruptly. His eyes transformed, taking on the fierce appearance of a dragon's, as an imposing aura emanated from his being. His hair seemed to move as if caught in an unseen wind, and his hands clenched the sword's hilt with unwavering determination. "Break through thorns!" he declared, channeling a spell of his own creation into the blade. Runes emerged from the metal, dancing around the sword as John prepared his strike. With a swift motion, he swung the sword across the lake's surface.
To the astonishment of the onlookers, the lake began to part. An invisible force emanated from the blade, slicing through the water and rapidly extending towards the lake's center. The waters split as if they were mere jelly, retreating to either side with astonishing speed. The spectators watched in awe as the vast, dark lake was cleaved in two, revealing a hidden mermaid village nestled within its depths.
The scene left everyone present in a state of shock, their eyes wide with disbelief. John, standing amidst the divided waters, resembled a deity of the sea, wielding the power to part the lake with a mere human's strength. This moment of awe-inspiring magic underscored the extraordinary capabilities that lay within the world of wizards and witches, leaving an indelible mark on all who witnessed it.
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If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge