It was the end of January and Harry was flying high and this time, without his Firebolt. Ever since the Yule Ball, he and Fleur have been getting a lot closer to each other and even went out on a lunch date in Hogsmeade last week. Needless to say, if all continued to progress well, he was going to have an actual girlfriend rather soon and the prospect both excited and terrified him due to his natural ability to have himself and his loved ones dragged into danger. Also adding to the good news was that Cedric decided to thank him for warning him about the dragons as earlier today, he told Harry to go the Prefect's Bath when no one was around and take his egg with him. Harry immediately figured out that Cedric had figured out the clue for the Second Task that lies within the egg and he was grateful for the tip since he had made no progress in figuring it out and he didn't want to ask Fleur as she would probably think poorly of him.
Just after midnight, with the help of the Marauder's Map, he snuck through the castle under his invisibility cloak and headed for the Prefect's bathroom. After a harrowing but successful arrival, Harry entered and was kind of in awe at the beauty of the room as there was a large bath that could fit ten people with a large fountain structure with multiple faucets and the décor on the walls and windows was also quite impressive. Harry eventually disrobed and got inside the bath once he filled it with water and after thinking heavily with Rowena earlier, they both came to the conclusion that Cedric was trying to tell him to get in the bath with the egg to hear the clear version of the clue without that banshee sound, so he took the egg and went under the water. Once under, Harry reluctantly opened the egg and this time the sound coming out was a beautiful voice singing about something involving below ground and lost belongings.
Eventually, Harry rose his head and quickly noticed that he was no longer alone in the room as he saw Penny standing over him with a stern look on her face but it was crumbling when she saw a shirtless Harry and immediately blushed. She also noticed he was holding the golden egg.
"I'm assuming the egg is the reason you're in here, otherwise you have a lot of explaining to do.", she said.
Harry nodded, "I could only access the clue when I put it underwater and now I have to figure out where 'below ground' is and what they apparently took from me as the song said."
Penny nodded with a thoughtful look, "Well, based on what you said, it sounds like the Second Task will be taking place in the Black Lake where the Merpeople reside with a few other creatures. They will likely be guarding whatever was taken and Harry, based on how dangerous this tournament is and the Ministry's desire to make it overly exciting, it's possible the lost treasure could be a person you love."
Harry went wide-eyed and began to think, he had no family that he loved except for Sirius and he was in another country so it had to be one of his friends. Su, Tracey, Daphne, Susan, and Neville are all important to him but he had a nagging feeling that it was going to be one of the girls he had feelings for and since it couldn't be Fleur, he knew it would likely be either Tonks or Penny. Speaking of both, Penny had been distant over the last two months ever since the kiss and he couldn't say anything without confusing or hurting them both so he also kept his distance, while Tonks had also been surprisingly keeping him at arm's length as she often tried to avoid him when he saw her walking around and it confused him greatly as to his knowledge he hadn't offended her. He really missed them and being without them was tugging at his heart.
Penny spoke up suddenly, "Harry, can we talk about…what happened?"
Harry just looked up at her and said, "I guess. I'm sorry if the kiss made you uncomfortable and I didn't know about your engagement to Percy, I just kind of acted in the moment. The truth is Penny, I have fallen in love with you and I never told you because you were not only dating Percy but also because I was afraid someone as beautiful as she is smart would never love me back. You always help me and always keep my spirits high and I love you for it."
Penny was shocked at the confession and began tearing up at Harry before she realized something and asked, "What about Fleur? I have seen how you two have been looking at each other. What about Tonks too?"
Harry took a breath and said, "This is going to sound strange, but I think I'm falling for them too; Fleur understands my pain of loneliness which we have been helping each other with and we have a shared love of dueling and practicing magic, while with Tonks she and I have so many shared interests and personality traits that I can't help but have feelings for her too. I know this is crazy, but I'm starting to think I can't live my life without the three of you in it. I won't ask anything of you, but just know I want you back in my life no matter what."
Penny just stared in shock at what Harry had just said and her mind was racing with a thousand questions. Eventually, she just said, "I-I need to think, but I want you to know that I think I love you too and I don't know what I want but I want you in my life too. I'll talk to you soon Harry, after I have some time to process."
With that Penny nodded and left, leaving Harry to his thoughts about the three women in his life and now he realizes just how much they mean to him and while he technically has a solution to this multiple loves problem, he was afraid the girls wouldn't be as receptive. Harry finally got dressed and went to bed with a deadly revelation for the next task and a confused heart.
Tonks was the definition of a free spirit; no attachments outside her parents and best friend Hestia Jones, her work as an Auror sent her all over the country from one case to another, and any guy she dated never lasted long outside of Charlie Weasley and she preferred it that way. When she became an Auror, she knew that she could be killed at any moment even if they were in peace time, so she decided that any man she dated would be just a casual thing. Then, six months ago, she met Harry Potter and those feelings suddenly changed. He wasn't even an adult yet but somehow he was probably the most mature person she knew outside of Hestia as she could have deep conversations with him one minute and be joking around the next. She told him things about herself that she never told anyone like how sad she was when Charlie broke up with her, how she was occasionally judged because of her mother's family, and how she secretly gets anxious every morning before work never knowing if today was the day she died; in return, he told her personal things too about how his relatives were neglectful of him but she suspected there more to it and how alone he feels most of the time despite his fame.
Yep, I think I'm officially falling for a fourteen-year-old. Fuck. Mum is gonna love this.
Tonks was walking the grounds of Hogwarts in a melancholy mood as recent thoughts about Harry plague her and that's why she has been avoiding him. Over the last few months, she's noticed how close he and the Beauxbatons champion Fleur have gotten and she saw the kiss she gave him at the end of the Yule Ball; not to mention there's still Penny who she knows he still harbors strong feelings for and probably vice versa. Her heart ached at the thought but she knew she had to stand aside and let him be closer to someone his age as no one would let them be together except maybe her mother once she sees Harry is nothing like her other boyfriends. Therefore, she was going to distance herself from him for a little while until she could get over this heartbreak although she was really starting to miss him and it wasn't like she could quit this assignment without a valid reason to go meet other people.
A familiar voice stopped her, "So this is where you have been hiding, huh?"
She turned around and saw Harry himself standing there with a concerned look towards her. She couldn't really meet his eyes and she cursed herself as she was never this nervous around almost anyone.
He broke the silence, "Why have you been avoiding me Tonks? Did I do something wrong?"
She shook her head, "No Harry, it has nothing to do with you. It's more about me and my stupid feelings on something. Sorry for not being there, I didn't want you to feel abandoned."
Harry smiles slightly, "It's okay, I just missed you is all. Is there anything I can help with? My feelings lately have been kind of out of sorts too."
Tonks said, "No, I'll be okay Harry. You just focus on the tournament. I'll see you later."
Tonks began walking away when suddenly something within her told her to stop being such a wreck and be classic unapologetically bold Tonks.
Taking a breath she asked, "Harry, what do you think of me? What do you see when you look at me?"
Harry looked confused for a second but then smiled and said, "Tonks I think the world of you, because you make me feel like myself in a way others can't. You help me to unload all of my emotional baggage that I carry with me, while also having fun with dueling, flying, or pranking. I see someone who is kind and loyal like a true Hufflepuff, but also the bravest person I know. I don't care who your family is or that you're a Half-Blood. You mean…a lot to me, more than almost anyone else as I care about you greatly."
Harry finished talking and after Tonks heard everything, her body seemingly decided to move on its own as she embraced Harry and kissed him. Harry was shocked but didn't stop as to him, it felt right just like it did with Penny and Fleur. Eventually, Tonks broke away and was grinning wickedly until she had a panicked expression on her face.
"Oh God, sorry Harry. I know you and Fleur are probably together and I shouldn't have done that. I want you to know though, that…I love you.", she said. After she said that, her hair turned scarlet red and she bolted before Harry could stop her. She just sighed and hoped she didn't ruin her friendship at least, lord knows they both have very few.
Harry was walking back to the castle stunned at what had just transpired between him and Tonks. She had confessed her feelings for him and he in turn heavily hinted at his own feelings for her, and he just let her go without following just like he did with Penny last week. Harry sighed as his life was getting more and more complicated by the day and he knew he was going to have to sit down with the two girls and Fleur individually or together and try to clear the air with their relationships moving forward. One thing Harry knew for certain though, the idea of not having all three of them in his life was gut wrenching and he was thinking of telling them about his heirships but to do so puts them in danger.
Harry stopped walking when a figure revealed themself in front of him, it was an upset Fleur who appeared to be on the verge of tears. She decided to speak, "I saw you kiss Tonks Harry. I knew you liked her, but to kiss her behind my back."
Harry's eyes widened in horror, "No Fleur, you don't understand. She kissed me after she had said that she liked me."
Fleur studied him before saying, "And do you like her?"
Harry hesitated, "I-I…I love her. I won't lie, I think I'm in love with her. Also, I think I'm in love with Penny and you too. I can't explain it but the three of you mean too much to me."
Fleur just stood there shocked at his very personal confession for a moment before speaking, "I think I want to be alone for a while Harry. You can just…sort out your feelings."
With that, Fleur turned around and began a fast pace to her school carriage, leaving Harry alone to his depressing thoughts. And to think, he was so happy a week ago; typical Potter luck.
With the Second Task only two weeks away, the five judges of the tournament gathered in the Great Hall and stood next to the Goblet of Fire to select the 'treasures' that would be taken from each champion. They had decided to use the Goblet to aide in the selection by reworking it to reveal the people closest to their hearts and from there, each headmaster shall choose which one shall be given to the Merpeople.
They placed the four names in the Goblet and waited until it lit up and the first parchment came out, which had Fleur's name on it. Madame Maxime looked and saw four names: Jean-Luc and Apolline Delacour (Her parents), Gabrielle Delacour, and Harry Potter. Maxime's eyes narrowed at the last one as she had known that Fleur had gotten friendly with Potter, she did not think he would be one of the people she loves most and she would have to think on this later. For now, since she couldn't pick Potter and she didn't want to pick her influential and busy parents, she decided to pick Gabrielle.
Next, a parchment with Krum's name came out that listed Krum's parents and Hermione Granger, which annoyed Karkaroff greatly as he still silently detested muggleborns even after his life as a Death Eater ended. He chose Hermione rather easily and no one was surprised he did.
A parchment with Cedric's name came out next and there was quite a few family and friends listed, which didn't surprise Dumbledore as he knew Cedric exemplified the Hufflepuff house in every way as one of the most kind and loyal souls ever to grace the House. He decided to pick Cho Chang as he knew Cedric would stop at nothing to retrieve her.
Finally, the parchment containing Harry's name came from the Goblet and Dumbledore looked at the paper with a calculating gaze. There were three names listed: Penelope Clearwater, Fleur Delacour, and Nymphadora Tonks and the old man was very curious why these three were listed over Hermione and any of the Weasley's. Minerva had informed him of the falling out between the trio of friends but he had hoped it would have been resolved by now as it interfered with what he needed from Harry in the potential future. He had seen Harry being close to these girls throughout the year but he never thought they would be this close and that could be potentially dangerous as Harry had a role to play in the coming times as he knew Tom was going to try something to gain his body back permanently this time and these girls could prove troublesome. He didn't want to interfere in Harry's life more so than he already did, but he might have no choice; regardless, it was clear he needed to keep a closer eye on Harry. Now who to choose…?