Chapter 383: Going Down to the Lake, the First Use of the Water-avoiding Spell
"Place your bets, place your bets."
"Come on, everyone! Don't just think about it, act on it."
"Four boys, one girl."
"Five go into the water, how many will survive?"
Early in the morning, George and Fred had set up their betting booth around the arena.
Several large platforms had been erected by the Black Lake, and the stands were already full of people.
Apart from Barty Crouch, who was absent due to illness and had given his referee position to Percy, the other five judges were all seated neatly at a table.
Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum, Fleur Delacour, Harry Potter, and Aaron Gaius all stood before the judges' table, quietly awaiting the start of the competition.
"I've been looking forward to this for months, don't disappoint me!" Adrian said meaningfully.
Aaron placed Abbey in front of Adrian and said very seriously, "I will fulfill your request."
"We'll see."
Ludo Bagman came among the Champions, instructing them to line up along the shore, at least ten feet apart.
"Loud and clear." Bagman pointed his wand at his throat, amplifying his voice with a Sonorus Charm, "Welcome to the second task! Last night, the Champions had their most cherished possessions stolen, their treasures.
These treasures are now lying at the bottom of the Black Lake. To win, each Champion only needs to find their treasure and return to the surface.
But there's a time limit: they only have one hour. After the time limit, they're on their own; no magic can save them.
The cannon shot signals the start of the competition."
It was nine twenty-five, five minutes until half past nine.
Cedric, Krum, Fleur, and Harry had all shed their outer robes, changing into sleek swimwear to facilitate their underwater movements.
The four of them simultaneously looked at Aaron on the very edge, as he was the only one out of place, bundled up thickly.
"Why are you all looking at me? Haven't you seen a handsome guy before?!"
"You... don't need to change into a swimsuit?" Fleur asked, puzzled.
"I have my own methods," Aaron said indifferently, then assessed Fleur. "Nice figure."
Fleur's face flushed slightly, and she sneered, "Now you appreciate it?"
"Heh heh! I'm just stating the facts.
But I hope you don't make me worry this time. I'm not Roger Davies; I won't foolishly stand by your side just because you have a nice figure."
Fleur snorted coldly, turning her face away haughtily.
"Aaron, there's something I think it's better to tell you in advance." Harry said hesitantly, "Mr. Bagman just now said the so-called treasures are actually..."
"I know," Aaron said casually, "Our dance partners."
"Not just dance partners." Harry said with a complex expression, "But the people most important to us. For example, the one I need to save is Ron."
"Parvati will be sad."
Harry's mouth twitched slightly; he also felt a little bad for the girl in his heart.
He had shamelessly invited her to be his dance partner, but after completing the Champion's opening dance task, he had put her aside.
"What were you just saying?" Fleur asked worriedly, "Could the things stolen from us be..."
"If there are no surprises... it's exactly what you're thinking." Aaron said meaningfully, "All in all, do your best, Miss Delacour."
Fleur nodded seriously, but seeing no sign of her sister in the stands, her heart couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Cedric and Krum exchanged glances, clearly having also guessed what the Merperson had taken.
Boom!
The cannon fired, and the competition officially began.
Cedric, Krum, and Fleur all plunged into the icy lake water.
Harry quickly pulled out the Gillyweed from his pocket, shoved a handful into his mouth, and, enduring the nausea, chewed it several times before swallowing it down.
Gulp!
"Does it taste good?"
"It tastes awful, it's like eating a dead rat, absolutely disgusting." Harry said subconsciously, but the next moment he awkwardly turned around, only to see Aaron looking at him with a half-smile.
"Aaron, let me explain."
"No need to explain." Aaron patted his shoulder, "After this, come with me to see Professor Snape; he should be very happy to hear your explanation.
As for now, go into the water!
The effects of the Gillyweed only last an hour. If you can't rescue Ron before then, I don't need to tell you the consequences, do I?"
Hearing this, Harry's expression became extremely serious, and he cautiously walked into the lake.
Mocking laughter came from the shore, and Harryimmediately recognized Malfoy was ridiculing him, as his method of entering the water was not ordinary, basically no different from a landlubber among Muggles.
Although he was angry, he still held it in.
After all, his swimming technique was indeed very poor; at most, he could only manage not to drown.
Before the Gillyweed's effects kicked in, no amount of caution was too much.
The icy lake water caused Harry's legs to sting, and the smooth pebbles in the lake made him slip several times. The cold wind of February also continuously lashed his upper body, making his body tremble violently and giving him goosebumps.
But soon he felt his mouth and nose become particularly uncomfortable; each breath was like a knife cutting him, incredibly painful.
He subconsciously covered his throat but felt something unusual.
Several narrow slits opened and closed, like fish gills.
Harry knew the Gillyweed was working, and almost without hesitation, he dived into the water.
The lake water was no longer icy for him; on the contrary, it was particularly comfortable, like a spring breeze caressing his face.
He could breathe freely underwater; oxygen would flow into his body through the gills, meeting the body's normal requirements.
Webbing grew between his fingers and toes, which increased his speed in the water several times, making swimming seem like an innate skill.
Aaron was the only one left on the shore, and almost everyone's gaze was fixed on him; Adrian's smile grew even wider.
"I haven't used this magic since I learned it!" Aaron muttered, then dramatically pulled out his wand. "Imperturbable Charm."
A transparent spherical barrier enveloped him, then slowly sank.
"What kind of magic is this, Professor Dumbledore?" Bagman asked in surprise.
"I'm not sure either; I haven't seen it." Dumbledore stated directly, then looked at Adrian. "Miss Klein, I wonder if you could enlighten us."
"It's obvious." Adrian shrugged, "This is magic that allows one to breathe freely underwater, an advanced version of the Bubble-Head Charm."
Several judges exchanged glances; they could obviously see that, but that wasn't what they wanted to know.
The name of the magic, its usage, and its effects were what they wanted to know.
But their curiosity was quickly satisfied. Adrian raised her wand, and a ball of cyan light shot straight into the sky. Five light screens suddenly appeared above the lake, corresponding to the five Champions.
"This is..."
"It would be rather boring to just watch the lake for this one hour and wait for the Merperson chief's result.
And scoring wouldn't be rigorous this way, wouldn't you agree, Professor Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore showed a smile. "That's right."
"I'm more curious what magic my brother will use. If he thinks he's foolproof hiding underwater, he's truly underestimating me." Adrian said proudly.
"Cedric and Fleur's heads are encased in a bubble; that's the Bubble-Head Charm." Bagman now explained to the audience, "They actually know this spell, which allows them to breathe underwater.
Krum seems to have used a Transfiguration spell; he's turned himself into a... no... half a shark.
Although only his head has transformed into a shark, this doesn't hinder his free movement underwater, and besides sharp teeth, he also has his hands free, making it convenient to use his wand underwater.
Harry Potter is..."
"Gillyweed," Dumbledore whispered a reminder.
"Yes, Gillyweed. It's an extremely rare herb that allows one to grow gills and webbed feet for a short period, an excellent choice for those who can't use underwater breathing magic."
Professor Snape's face turned ashen; only his private storeroom in all of Hogwarts had Gillyweed. He felt it necessary to check his private storeroom; it might have been robbed.
"Finally, Mr. Gaius. He left a profound impression on us in the first task. This is... Oh my goodness!"
Aaron was standing inside the spherical barrier. He made no movements, yet the barrier advanced automatically, seemingly acting according to his thoughts.
And the lake water was completely isolated outside the barrier; not only could the lake water not enter, but even the swimming fish in the water couldn't break through this barrier.
"Miss Klein, I think the effect of this magic is very significant." Percy swallowed and said, "If Gaius could contribute it, he would definitely gain unimaginable renown; a First Class Order of Merlin is not impossible."
"And your position, as the one responsible for recommending and handling it, would also receive a corresponding promotion." Adrian chuckled, her playful gaze seeing right through Percy's little schemes.
"But what I said is truly worth considering." Percy's face flushed slightly. "Many Wizards who need to work underwater would find it much easier if they knew this magic."
"That's his business, not mine." Adrian waved her hand. "After the second task is completed, you can go discuss it with him yourself."
Percy nodded helplessly. His original intention was for Adrian to persuade Aaron a few words; her words as an older sister would be more effective than a hundred of his own.
But now it seemed he could only persuade him himself. He considered himself to have some acquaintance with Aaron, so the success rate would definitely not be low.
If he could accomplish this, many people in the Ministry of Magic and even the Wizarding world would praise him, and a promotion and raise would then be a certainty.