"... What does it mean?"
"It means that if you don't take protective measures, you'll likely be turned into ice blocks—the Black Lake in December is probably already frozen over."
"..."
Although Harry had realized it the moment Hermione mentioned December, he instinctively didn't want to admit it. However, clearly, avoiding reality wouldn't solve the problem. Harry sighed and resignedly hung his head.
"So, not only do we have to solve the underwater breathing issue, but also—"
"Not freeze to death," Neville interjected. "Knight, move one square forward to the left—" The next moment, the black knight on the chessboard scratched its head and moved one square forward. Ron, sitting opposite Neville, began to ponder the deeper meaning of the move.
But he never realized that Neville was just playing randomly.
"The Bubble-Head Charm—might be a good choice."
Hermione lifted her head. Her breadth of knowledge had increased immeasurably compared to a few years ago. After just a brief thought, the girl had already come up with several methods—half of what seemed to Harry to be an insurmountable problem had been solved. "But you have to make sure you don't have bad breath that day—"
"... I'll start brushing my teeth well from today."
Harry said solemnly. After hearing Hermione's description of the Bubble-Head Charm, he also realized the importance of having no tooth decay (scratch that) or bad breath.
"But if you don't want to freeze, you can't just carry a bundle of Fiendfyre in your arms—"
Hermione continued to frown and said.
"Alright, there's still nearly a month until the next task, and you've just cracked the contents—"
Ron suspiciously used the bishop to take Neville's queen and then picked up the toppled queen, playing with it in his hand. "There's no need to rush, we can slowly think of a solution—today is the weekend, we should have some fun!"
"Such as?" Hermione asked.
"Like visiting Hagrid, we haven't seen him this week—" Harry suggested.
"Harry, I said have some fun, not to become the fun. Did you forget? Hagrid's 'little guys' just came of age." Ron said, resisting.
...
Despite the reluctance, the group of four still arrived at Hagrid's hut, with Neville and Ron also bringing their chessboard.
"Oh, why does it look so... droopy?"
Harry gently scratched two of Fluffy's chins. Although the third head of the Three-Headed Dog was quite dissatisfied, Harry had no choice because he only had two hands—looking at Fluffy who seemed a bit spiritless and lacking appetite, Harry asked curiously.
"Because those little ones are just too rambunctious."
Hagrid seemed not in great spirits either. His large brown suit was crooked, his hair was a bit messy, and the dark circles under his eyes were especially prominent.
"Those Explosive Snails?"
Hermione instinctively shivered, then spoke before Hagrid could, "No need, Hagrid, don't bring those guys out. I'm currently not interested in those creatures that look like they've crawled out of Hell, and I never will be; please!"
"Oh, alright then..."
Hagrid seemed a bit disappointed, his forlorn expression making Hermione feel a little guilty.
But just the thought of those creatures that sizzled and cracked when they passed gas—had no eyes, were pale gray, sticky, had no heads, and had many legs randomly stitched together—completely banished any guilt the girl felt.
On the contrary, Hagrid should be compensating them for emotional damages!
"But you're here just in time, I've got a visitor coming soon—"
Before Harry could ask if Hagrid knew any ways to protect him from freezing in the Black Lake in December, Hagrid suddenly boomed, "Oh, you're probably not familiar, but maybe you can get to know them this time?"
"Who is it?"
Ron asked curiously.
"She should be here any—"
"Knock knock—"
Like they say, speak of the devil and the devil appears. The knocking sound immediately followed, and Neville, who was sitting by the window, instinctively pulled open the curtain and blinked.
"Who is it? Who is it?!"
Ron leaned over to take a look through the window and also blinked.
"How do I look?"
Hagrid looked a bit flustered. He straightened the slightly crooked tie around his neck and asked eagerly.
"Honestly, not as good as at the welcome feast. You should comb your hair—wait, Hagrid, put down that bottle of motor oil!"
Hermione stopped Hagrid from pouring a foul-smelling unknown liquid onto his head and waved her magic wand. The crooked clothes on the man became much more fitting, and his messy brown hair was tied back into a ponytail. "Now you look much better!" The girl looked up and down and nodded in satisfaction.
She had already guessed who was outside the door.
"Alright, I'm opening the door—"
Hagrid coughed and then pulled the door open with a smile.
"Sorry to bother you."
Madam Maxime squinted, her gaze instinctively locking onto the boy sitting on the chair not far behind Hagrid—she didn't have a good opinion of Harry, the "cheater," but she didn't show much on the surface. After all, she was mainly there to see Hagrid. "These two little ones are my students—Delacour."
With that, she stepped aside a bit, revealing the two silver-haired girls, one large and one small, behind her.
After they all exchanged greetings, they walked into the room—luckily, Hagrid's little hut wasn't actually that small. Even after squeezing in two Half-Blood Giants, the remaining six little wizards sat down without being too crowded.
"I'm here to thank you, Hagrid. You've taken good care of my horses—"
Madam Maxime fished out a bottle of amber-colored liquor from her pocket, some of the liquid visible inside. The little wizards exchanged glances.
"Maybe I should take you to see Hagrid's pets?"
Hermione very perceptively stood up, and almost simultaneously, Fleur, who had been standing by the door without even stepping inside, spoke up as well, "Would you be interested in visiting our carriage?"
So, amidst the feigned attempts of Hagrid and Madam Maxime to have them stay, the six little wizards "reluctantly" left the hut.
"They planned it all along!"
Hermione declared emphatically, and Fleur nodded in agreement.
"Yes, originally Professor Maxime didn't intend to bring us along. She brought us last minute just so we could take you away—"
Fleur said calmly, glancing back at the little hut—she saw nothing because the curtains were already drawn.
The group walked by the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Of course, they didn't go to see Hagrid's little pets, nor did Fleur intend to lead them towards the Beauxbatons Carriage. The six people and two dogs wandered aimlessly—yes, Fang and Fluffy had also been shooed out.
"So, have you found any clues about the second task?"
Fleur looked up, gazing at Harry, who was deep in thought.
Harry was taken aback by the question and then looked up, "Of course."
"What is it?"
The girl blinked, her eyes captivating enough to make Harry a bit dazed—of course, it wasn't just him; Ron and Neville next to him had similar expressions.
"It's going to make us... Wait, why should I tell you?"
Harry stopped himself, his emotion-controlling magic instantly putting him into a sage-like state. After nearly being enchanted to jump off a building by a group of Veela at the Quidditch World Cup, he was wary of this situation. Thus, he successfully shut his mouth before "exposing" anything.
He even covered Ron's mouth, as he almost spilled the beans.
Neville didn't have much trouble; he snapped out of it after a brief daze. Actually, his infatuation wasn't as intense as when he saw the Fire Dragons. It's just how people who deal with Magical Creatures and Herbology are like.
"Because if you tell me, I can agree to one thing for you—even being your dance partner on Christmas Eve wouldn't be impossible—"
Fleur's voice was filled with temptation as she flicked her hair, sending a fragrant breeze with her silver locks. Harry felt like he could barely restrain the restless Ron, as if if he let go, they would turn from six people and two dogs to five people and three dogs.
But someone reacted even faster than him, Hermione glaring, "Do you think you're so charming... Wait."
The girl blinked, seemingly only understanding Fleur's words completely at that moment. Then Harry saw Hermione's eyes light up as she turned to him with a solemn tone, "Agree to her, Harry! Just agree with her!"
"Why?"
Harry blinked. He knew he still didn't have a dance partner, but his enforced sage-like state left him uninterested, asking in bewilderment.
"Don't ask, Harry! Just agree with her! Do it for me!"
Hermione raised a hand to hold Harry's shoulder, speaking anxiously—after all, she hadn't had a chance to ask her senior to be her dance partner. At the same time, she worried about being outshone by Fleur, even though she knew William wasn't swayed by Veela's charm. Still, who can be too careful—
But now, if Fleur and Harry paired up in advance, she wouldn't have to worry about this formidable competitor.
Unfortunately, Harry remained firm. He seemed to have a target in mind and righteously refused the suggestion from the two girls.
"Alright, looks like I'll have to ask Mr. Diggory then—"
"Don't even think about it. He's even harder to deal with than I am. You should ask someone else, or—be Ron's dance partner, and I'll tell you the secret of the Golden Egg."
Harry's eyes darted around, suddenly proposing an idea. Ron, walking beside him, heard this and instantly widened his eyes, nearly dropping to his knees to shout "My lord father."
"...I can try to figure it out myself."
Fleur glanced at the overly excited Ron, who was practically a tongue-wagging Fang, shook her head without saying anything more, and turned to leave with her sister without a second thought.
"It seems she didn't say much," Neville commented softly as he noticed the color drain from Ron's face.
"Boom—"
Before the other three could utter words of comfort to Ron, they were startled by a loud noise and instinctively turned to look back, only to find the entire Hogwarts Castle seemed to shake, and the usually calm Black Lake surged with waves.