The second task arrived with the swiftness of a Bludger. Tom and his entourage, shrouded in secrecy, detached themselves from the throng and descended into the depths of the Black Lake to assume their positions.
At the lakebed, Tom levitated comfortably within a colossal bubble conjured by a Water-Repelling Charm, casually sipping tea. A squadron of mermaids occasionally glided by, giving him plenty of space, the memory of past encounters serving as a potent deterrent.
Malfoy and the other "treasures" floated nearby, eerily still, eyes shut, feigning drowning. They were under a Ministry-administered enchantment that induced a simulated unconsciousness, safe from the dangers of submersion. Even Karkaroff, bound by his position as headmaster to abide by Ministry stipulations, was similarly ensorcelled.
"What a wretched coincidence, Karkaroff, finding you languishing at the bottom of the lake," Tom mused, his voice echoing inside the bubble. Boredom nudged him towards mischief. "Oh, pardon my lapse – I forgot you were rendered mute underwater."
He spoke with deliberate provocation, fully aware Karkaroff was beyond earshot. The elder wizard would undoubtedly be apoplectic were he to hear, but his frustration was ultimately impotent. What recourse did he have, given that his champion lacked any "special treasures"?
Tom found it unsurprising that Krum lacked more intimate attachments at Durmstrang. After all, in the original timeline, Hermione – whom he'd "known briefly and danced with once" – was deemed a treasure worthy of rescue. Perhaps the Ministry personnel assumed Krum would value his wife over his comrades?
But the die was cast; Karkaroff's aquatic predicament was a fait accompli.
...
Above, on the shimmering surface of the lake, the event staff, judges, professors, and spectators arrayed themselves.
Save for two exceptions – Harry and Cassandra – the competitors had changed into swimsuits. Cassandra had no need, and Harry... well, he surmised it was inconsequential, given his impending transformation into a pink vision once more.
The assembly convened within a modest wooden pavilion erected on the lake, crowned by a large clock keeping vigil over the competition's duration.
Albus Dumbledore announced that the task was simple: retrieve the "treasure" secreted at the bottom of the Black Lake within one hour.
"Huff..."
Harry gazed at the lake, inhaling deeply. He reminisced about his encounter with Tom prior to the commencement of the games.
It had occurred in the Great Hall. Tom, Cassandra, and Harry were the only ones present.
"Harry, did you know that little box possesses a rather unique and intriguing function?" Tom had said, a sly grin hinting at some mischievous revelation. "It can alter the garments you assume post-transformation. Simply visualize your desired attire, and it will materialize a fitting battle suit to suit your specifications."
"What?!"
Harry was understandably astounded. What of the years he'd spent clad in pink dresses? Did this suggest an underlying penchant for cross-dressing?
"..."
Cassandra cast a knowing glance at Tom, detecting the familiar scent of impending bamboozlement.
She sensed Tom wasn't outright lying, but he omitted certain crucial facts. Potter hadn't considered why Tom, who relished amusement, would reveal a solution to circumvent the cross-dressing in the first place?
Therefore, Tom's revelation promised another, richer form of amusement.
As to why Tom chose to reveal this information now, it likely wasn't out of mere caprice, but more likely because this capability had only recently come to Tom's attention.
"So, when the moment of transformation arrives, test the boundaries of the box's functionality."
With this, Tom and Cassandra withdrew.
Having acknowledged Tom's instruction, Harry withdrew the pink box and examined it closely.
"..."
Gazing at the object in his hand, Harry's eyes flickered with anticipation.
Behind him, "Moody" watched intently, eager to propel Harry into the lake as soon as the starting signal resounded.
Presently, as the colossal clock commenced its inexorable ticking, the competition sprang to life.
Harry cast a Bubble Head Charm and dove into the water. "Moody" attempted to kick him, but Harry evaded the clumsy attack, causing "Moody" to nearly topple into the lake himself.
The remaining contestants, including Cassandra, plunged into the water without hesitation.
Cedric Diggory, much like Harry, had cast a Bubble Head Charm before submerging.
...
Beneath the gleaming surface of the lake, an ink-black abyss yawned, pierced tenuously by fragmented sunbeams.
But for Cassandra, adorned with the "Star of the Ocean," the experience was distinct. A sensation wholly different from the underwater realms of Atlantis.
Despite the frigid, seemingly lightless depths, she sensed an unfamiliar sense of belonging—a feeling of ease and comfort.
The water posed no impediment; it seemed as if the lake were gently buoying her.
Even without employing a Bubble Charm or Water Repellent Charm, the bracing "air" of the lake was surprisingly pleasant, akin to traversing a vibrant forest at dawn.
Just as Cassandra savored this wondrous communion with the "Heart of the Ocean"...
"Demacia!!!"
A pink flash in the distance seized Cassandra's attention.
As the luminescence dissipated, revealing Harry's transformed apparition, Cassandra's appraisal returned to its customary worm-like quality.
Harry wasn't wearing a pink dress, but a swimsuit.
Tom had, as Cassandra suspected, imparted this trick to Harry knowing full well there existed one detail the box couldn't alter...
Women's clothing.
Harry sported a women's swimsuit - not a demure one-piece, but the scandalous two-piece variety, more colloquially known as… a bikini.
"..."
Harry, standing nearby, glanced down, mortified.
If his recollection served him correctly, he'd envisioned swim trunks...
Then why this supplemental pair?
Harry's mind faltered, then…
"Holy shit!!!"
His face flushed crimson as he instinctively shielded his chest and groin.
He darted his gaze around, fearful of being seen in this state.
Then, his eyes converged with Cassandra's.
"…"
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