Dylan Lestrange was walking towards Ravenclaw Tower after his last class in the middle of the afternoon. It was a week after they had returned to school and he couldn't stop but wonder what Harry was up to. Throughout the holidays, he had been busy doing something secretive while Dylan spent the holidays at Black Manor. Daphne was oblivious to it as the Greengrasses had gone abroad during that time for a family vacation. Just as he was about to turn towards the tower, someone grabbed him by the arm and yanked him towards a classroom. Immediately flicking his wand out of his holster, he pointed it at his attacker, only to be surprised to find who it was.
"Harry? What's up?" asked Dylan as he returned the wand to his holster.
"I need your help," muttered Harry as he led them towards the Room of Requirement. He paced three times in front of the wall until the door appeared. When they entered, Dylan found himself standing next to a large swimming pool.
"You need my help to swim?" asked Dylan confused. "Harry, you were the one to teach me how to swim."
Harry rolled his eyes as he expanded his trunk next to the pool. Removing everything required, he began explaining.
"The second task of the Triwizard Tournament involves me having to rescue someone I miss the most," said Harry, "so that is going to be either you or Daphne. Anyway, it's going to be held underwater, in the Black Lake to be specific, so I'll need something to help me move and breathe. That's why I invented a potion which would help me."
"You invented a potion on your own?" asked Dylan, looking impressed.
"Well, I did have a potions master help me sort out the more delicate matters, but in essence, yes," said Harry. "This is what I had been doing during the holidays. I've been working on this since the day I got that golden egg from the first task."
"What do you want me to do?
"I need you to monitor me while I drink the potion," explained Harry. "If something goes wrong, take me to Madam Pomfrey, okay?"
"Goes wrong?" said Dylan, panicking. "Harry -"
"Please, Dylan?" said Harry softly. "Look, I know you're worried, but it checks out! The potions master verified it and said it was perfect, but I won't know until I actually use it."
"Why don't you let me take the potion instead?" asked Dylan desperately.
"Absolutely not," snapped Harry. "I'm not going to risk something happening to you. So, are you willing to help me or not?"
Dylan sighed as he nodded.
"Thanks, little brother; I knew I could count on you. I'll put a bubblehead charm on you so that you can monitor what's going on. This pool is about ten feet deep and has underwater obstacles for me to practice. We'll also keep a timer so that we know how long we can pull it off."
"How long are the effects supposed to last?" asked Dylan curiously.
"Well," answered Harry as they stripped, "I based it off an amphibian, so the effects should wear off a few seconds after I come out of the water. After I take the potion, there should be no limit on the time; at least, that's what it is supposed to do. As I said, mathematically, it checks out, but practically… it remains to be seen."
Once they were both naked, they stepped into the shallow part of the pool. Harry flicked his wand at Dylan's head and the Bubblehead Charm took effect. Carefully taking the potion which was stored in a hip flask, Harry raised it.
"Cheers," he said quietly as he drank the potion.
Dylan was looking at his brother worriedly. A few seconds later, Harry began gasping for air as he dived underwater. Dylan too plunged his head into the water, hoping that it would all work out. Harry's legs transformed to make it look like it had properties of webbed feet. His hands were free for him to use. Gills formed on his neck making it easier for him to breathe. Once the pain stopped, he found Dylan next to him, looking relieved that the potion had worked. Showing him a thumbs up, they swam over to the deep side of the pool where they had the underwater obstacle course. Not wanting to miss out on another opportunity to train with Harry, Dylan flicked his wand to his hand and started firing spells at the targets.
Three hours later, they emerged from the pool, Harry gasping for air when his head came out of the water. After about five seconds of discomfort, he began breathing normal air, sitting at the side of the pool with a happy grin on his face.
"I did it," he whispered happily, grabbing his brother in a wet hug. "I actually did it."
"Of course you did," said Dylan, shaking his head in fond exasperation. "Nothing is impossible for the great Harry Potter."
Harry laughed as he summoned towels and clothes towards them. As they got dressed, Dylan asked, "Why don't you go explore the Black Lake? It would give you a better idea of what you are facing."
"I can't," said Harry, sounding annoyed. "I tried that two days ago, but there are barriers in place and I don't want to get into trouble by trying to breach them, especially considering my unique entry into the tournament. The Triwizard Committee doesn't want anyone, champion or not, anywhere near the Black Lake. I assume they are preparing it for the task."
"Hmm…" said Dylan, rubbing his chin. "If you can't practice here, the lake on the grounds of Potter Castle would have to do."
"Exactly," Harry grinned. "You better get up at five in the morning, brat. You'll be coming home with me every day."
"I should have seen that coming; me and my big mouth."
....
"Okay, I'm confused," muttered Dylan. "Why do they want both of us?"
Daphne nodded in agreement, curious and confused at the same time. They walked to McGonagall's office which was packed with people. The Head of the Triwizard Committee was explaining from a sheet of parchment to those present - there was Sirius Black, the Minister of Magic; Lord Cyrus Greengrass, Madam Maxime, a man who looked French who Daphne guessed to be Fleur's father, Fleur's sister Gabrielle, another Beauxbatons student, Hermione Granger, a Durmstrang student and teacher, Cho Chang and one of the sixth year Hufflepuffs.
"Ah, Miss Greengrass, Mr Lestrange," said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling. "You're finally here. Let us begin, shall we?"
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "As I was saying, we need two hostages for each champion to take part in the second task tomorrow. I assure everyone present that the strictest safety measures have been taken to ensure that none of you is put in danger. I must tell you now that it is imperative that we have two hostages as they are essential for the task. If any of you wishes to not participate, feel free to do so, but please let us know immediately so that we can choose an alternative hostage."
" Two hostages?" asked Daphne, frowning slightly. "I was under the impression that there was only one hostage."
"Ah, yes," said Dumbledore with a smile. "I was quite impressed with the riddle myself. Did it actually say there was going to be only one?"
"Well… no," said Dylan, thinking hard. "But you will tell them about the two hostage situation, right?"
"Just before the task, yes," said the Head of the Triwizard Committee.
"I'm still not sure about the safety issue," said Cyrus Greengrass. Sirius nodded grimly.
"The Triwizard Emergency Squad would be present throughout the duration of the task, Lord Greengrass," said the wizard briskly. "If any issue gets out of hand, they're more than qualified to take care of it."
An hour later, Daphne and Dylan, along with six others were put in suspended animation. Early the next morning, they would be transported to the bottom of the Black Lake.
....
Join my exclusive P@treon community for 60+ thrilling chapters!
Link: pa*treon.com/MidnightWonder (Remove the *)
If you join now you will get 2 Chapters for free as well.
Don't miss out, join now!