Chapter 241
Soon, the first week after Christmas passed, and it was Saturday.
In Gryffindor's lounge, Hermione Granger sat at a wooden table covered with a scarlet cloth, resting her cheeks in her hands as she read an unfamiliar book.
"Hermione, I heard the second task is related to water. We might have to go into the Black Lake to find something."
Harry Potter rushed in like a gust of wind, stopping in front of her and slamming his hands onto the table.
"Where did you get that information, Harry?" Hermione looked up, her brown hair swaying.
"I can't tell you, but it should be true." Harry avoided her gaze, glancing briefly at the fireplace as if feeling guilty.
Hermione studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
She didn't press further. If someone had secretly told him, it made sense he wouldn't reveal it.
"Then what do we do? Harry, can you swim?"
"The deepest water I've been in is probably a bathtub," Harry replied. "The Dursleys were 'generous' enough to let me use it during holidays."
"Then we abandon normal methods," Hermione said immediately. "It's too late to learn swimming properly. Wizards solve problems with magic—this is probably what the task is testing."
"How about scuba diving?" a voice cut in.
It was Ron Weasley. He pulled up a chair and sat beside them.
"Ron?" Hermione frowned. They still hadn't properly reconciled after their argument.
"I'm not here to argue," Ron said bluntly. "I'm helping Harry."
Hermione didn't respond to that, but she didn't argue either.
"Scuba?" Harry blinked. "That could work… but how would we explain bringing it into the task?"
"Use the Summoning Charm," Ron said confidently. "Buy equipment from a Muggle town, hide it in the castle, then summon it during the task. Say it was a gift from Sirius. No one will question it."
Hermione nodded slightly. "It's workable… but not ideal."
She tapped the table. "Transfiguration would be better. Most problems can be solved that way—but Harry, your Transfiguration isn't strong enough yet."
Harry flushed slightly.
"Fine," Hermione said, standing up. "I'll search the library for spells. You two go find Sirius. Preparation is always better."
---
Later, with help from Sirius and even permission from Minerva McGonagall, they accessed restricted books in the library. Even with assistance from the strict librarian, they found nothing that could reliably let Harry survive underwater for an hour.
Eventually, Hermione suggested checking the lake itself.
As they passed the Durmstrang ship, they saw Viktor Krum step onto the deck wearing only swimming trunks.
He climbed to the edge and dove straight into the icy water.
"He's insane!" Harry exclaimed. "It's freezing!"
"It's warmer than where he comes from," Hermione replied calmly.
"There are giant squids in there," Ron added, though his tone suggested he almost hoped something would happen.
Hermione frowned slightly at that.
"He's actually quite nice," she said. "Not like you think. He told me he prefers Hogwarts."
Ron said nothing.
Hermione turned her gaze back to the dark, cold surface of the lake.
"Harry, we also need to think about the cold. Even if you can breathe, the temperature will affect you."
Her eyes lingered on the water, as if her thoughts were sinking into its depths.
Then, involuntarily, another thought surfaced—
What would Draco Malfoy do in this situation?