Several enormous streaming mirrors stood before the audience, each displaying live footage of different contestants in the competition.
The second task did not completely forbid the use of magical items, so the champions each came up with their own methods to adapt to the underwater environment.
Some used Bubble-Head Charms, some transformed part of their bodies into fish, some ate gillweed, some drank water-breathing potions, and there were even those who relied on Muggle diving equipment.
Because of Wade's "outstanding" performance in the previous task, one mirror had been following his every move.
The audience saw Wade as the first to seize the cylinder, and then the first to grab the disc. While several other contestants were still struggling against grindylows, Wade was already nearing the completion of the task.
Bagman exclaimed excitedly:
"An astonishing performance, everyone! Wade Grey may very well become the first champion to finish this task! In fact, this could even give him a slight advantage in the third challenge…"
Before he could finish, the image following Wade suddenly spun wildly. The rocks, fish, and weeds at the bottom of the lake all twisted into blurry streaks, as if the mirror recording him had been thrown into a washing machine.
The young wizard vanished from the mirror in an instant.
But just before disappearing, it was clear he had been pulled into—no, rather, that he had dived of his own accord into the whirlpool.
Bagman quickly pointed his wand at the mirror, magnifying the sound.
Yet no noises of underwater monsters came through, nor was there any sound of Wade Grey casting spells. There was only the deep murmur of rushing currents and the faint groaning of the master mirror under water pressure.
From time to time, a fleeting image flashed across the surface— a grotesque fish baring rows of needle-like fangs, the broken mast of a sunken ship, glowing underwater plants…
But most of the time, the mirror showed nothing but dark, turbid waters.
A faint murmur of unease and speculation spread through the audience. Karkaroff leaned forward slightly, Madame Maxime frowned, and old Barty Crouch raised his eyes. The other headmasters each had their own subtle reactions.
Bagman, the commentator, froze for a moment. After staring at the mirror, he finally said lightly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, it seems the master mirror fish was dragged into the lake's whirlpool, so we've temporarily lost sight of contestant Wade Grey…"
As he spoke, Bagman darted a quick glance at Dumbledore at the judges' table.
Behind the half-moon spectacles, those blue eyes narrowed slightly, but otherwise, Dumbledore sat motionless, like an ancient tree, with his face betraying no extra emotion.
From that expression, Bagman could not tell whether Wade Grey had encountered unexpected danger—or whether this was part of his plan.
Could it be that boy is trying to set up another trap for the others? Bagman muttered inwardly. Then, with a bounce in his voice, he continued:
"Well then, I believe Wade Grey will soon return to our sight. For now, let's take a look at the other contestants… Ah, Viktor Krum is already approaching the giant squid. Will he risk waking that enormous creature…"
"Dumbledore," said Ilvermorny's headmaster, Agilbert, and leaned closer to ask in a low voice, "In the Black Lake—aside from what we've seen so far—are there any other dangerous beings? I mean, creatures as dangerous as the Merpeople tribe?"
Dumbledore leaned back with his fingers interlaced over his stomach and his long silver beard swayed lightly in the wind.
"Ah, Agilbert, I wish I could tell you that I know every secret of that lake," he said gently.
"But in truth, it is not so. That dark water is older than even the walls of Hogwarts, and even I cannot say for certain how many ancient beings dwell beneath its depths."
"Are you not worried, sir?" asked Ms. Fujiwara from Mahoutokoro, gently hiding her face behind a paper fan as she spoke softly. "Your student has gone missing down there… or perhaps you have a way to rescue him in time?"
All of the headmasters knew that, to ensure the champions' safety, the Ministry of Magic had already made arrangements with the giant squid and the Merpeople tribe.
These creatures guarded the treasures the champions sought, but would not attack the wizards who came searching.
Even if the young contestants tried to break the rules or foolishly launched attacks, the creatures would only feign aggression and drive them out of the lake.
However, to avoid interference, Aurors had not gone down this time. If a champion truly faced some unforeseen danger, those onshore might not be able to act in time.
All the more so because no one had the faintest idea what was happening with Wade Grey right now.
At Fujiwara's words, a calm smile tugged at Dumbledore's lips.
"I do not know everything that lurks beneath the Black Lake," he said, "but I trust my students. When faced with danger, they will surely display courage and wisdom that astonishes us all."
Ms. Fujiwara gave a small smile, turned her gaze back to the mirror, and smoothed her robes.
Karkaroff let out a cold sneer and said in a mock-sincere tone, "Then let us hope he walks out of the Black Lake alive… ah, provided there isn't a Scylla waiting in there."
…
Dragged by the whirlpool down to an unknown depth, Wade finally managed to steady himself. Before him loomed a towering black rock wall, and at that moment he happened to recall the legend of a mythology creature.
It is said that the Scylla is a six-headed, twelve-legged man-eating monster. Its underwater body is as vast as a mountain, capable of merging with cliffs, and it could destroy human ships with hardly any effort.
Of course, Scyllas were like Death itself in the wizarding world—a creature always spoken of in legend, yet no one could clearly claim to have seen one.
Touching the slick wall of stone beneath the lake, Wade realized his earlier assumption was wrong.
The reason was simple: he was inside an underwater canyon within the Black Lake. Its depth was unknown, but the crushing water pressure was already tormenting his body.
He breathed extremely slowly, feeling as though the currents around him had thickened into gel. The thunderous sound of his blood racing through his veins roared in his ears, while his body felt clutched by an invisible giant hand and the pressure squeezed even his internal organs.
Only because he had transformed himself into a merperson could he survive here. Anyone else—whether shielded by a bubble charm or with the head of a shark—would have been fatally endangered within minutes.
The Ministry of Magic could never have set the second task in a place so perilous. If did something like this, no champion could possibly survive.
Without speaking, Wade slowly raised his wand. A series of spells glimmered across his body, and at last he felt a bit of relief.
With another flick of his wand, a pale white orb of light shot out from the tip, floating ahead of him and illuminating a vast stretch of the dark water.
He glanced upward at the pitch-black lake above, swished his fish-tail, and swam out of the whirlpool's reach. Yet he dared not swim too fast, instead ascending at a cautious pace.
The water was not entirely dark and silent. Strange plants and creatures glowed faintly, casting gentle light, and somewhere in the distance came muffled, rumbling noises of uncertain origin.
Suddenly, Wade froze.
Ahead of him floated a white, semi-transparent figure, quietly suspended in the water. Its long hair drifted like seaweed, glowing faintly, and its robes billowed like thin smoke with its figure oscillating between reality and illusion.
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⭐Harry Potter: Becoming a Study God (HP:BSG)- 200+ Chapters
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