tradition

13

Harry walked alongside Neville and Georgia, the cold morning air making his breath visible in front of him. The trio moved with purpose across the frosty Hogwarts grounds, the anticipation of the second task hanging heavily over them. Georgia handed the bespectacled boy a slimy green coil, resembling seaweed, its damp texture leaving a residue on her fingers. Harry stared at the strange plant, feeling a mix of curiosity and anxiety. "And you're sure this will work?" he asked the twins, his voice betraying his doubt. Georgia nodded her head confidently, her long hair bouncing with the motion. "Moody told Neville about it, and I found more about it in one of Briar's books," she assured him, her tone resolute. Neville nodded his head in agreement, though his eyes darted nervously.

"It should most likely work," Neville added, his voice barely above a whisper. Harry, who had heard the boy's words, looked at him with a dubious eye. "Most likely?" Harry asked in shock, his stomach knotting with worry. Neville stammered, trying to find the right words. "Well, there is some debate among herbologists as to the effects of freshwater versus saltwater... but—" Neville trailed off, feeling his sister's hand clamped over his mouth. The interruption was sudden, and Neville's eyes widened in surprise.

"What Neville means to say is that it's just rumors. There's no actual proof yet," Georgia said quickly, her attempt to reassure Harry evident in her voice. Her grip on Neville's arm tightened, and she gave him a warning look. As they approached the viewing towers, the sound of excited chatter filled the air, and the tension seemed to heighten. Ron appeared out of nowhere, giving his friend a quick pat on the shoulder. "You'll do great, just don't run into any um, sea monsters or anything," Ron chuckled, his attempt at humor not lost on Harry, though it did little to calm his nerves.

Harry looked at his friend in disbelief, feeling the weight of the task pressing down on him. Before he could respond, Eloise dragged Ron away, preventing the redhead from making his friend more nervous. "Look, if Briar were here she would say good luck, no matter how much she despises you," Eloise said, her voice firm yet comforting. Harry nodded his head and grew quiet as Dumbledore stepped up to the speaker, the headmaster's presence commanding the attention of everyone present. The crowd hushed, anticipation palpable in the cold morning air.

"Welcome to the second task," Dumbledore's voice boomed, carrying easily across the grounds. "Last night, something was stolen from each of our champions. A treasure of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion, now lie on the bottom of the Black Lake. To win, each champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough... except for one detail. They will only have one hour to do so, and one hour only. After that, they will be on their own. You may begin at the sound of the cannon." The tension in the air thickened, and Harry felt his heart race.

Filch fired the cannon loudly, the sound echoing through the grounds and signaling the start of the task. All of the competitors dived into the water with determination. Harry stared at the slimy green coil in his hand, feeling a rush of urgency. He shoved it into his mouth, the taste bitter and unpleasant. The boy writhed in pain, groaning as the transformation began. Ron and Moody shoved him into the lake, the cold water shocking his system. Harry grunted and gasped as he noticed his hands and feet webbing together, gills sprouting on his neck, allowing him to breathe underwater.

"What's going on with him?" Seamus asked, peering into the murky waters with concern. "I dunno, I can't see anything," Dean murmured, squinting his eyes in an attempt to get a clearer view. Neville placed his hands on his head, looking at his sister in fear. "We've killed Harry Potter," Neville squealed, panic creeping into his voice. Georgia shook her head, trying to remain calm. Just then, Harry jumped out of the lake, shouting in joy as he surfaced. Georgia grabbed Neville, shaking him in delight. The two twins grinned in amazement at Harry's transformation in relief.