The day of the second task had arrived, and the atmosphere around the Black Lake was filled with anticipation. Students, professors, and visitors from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons gathered to watch the champions face their next challenge. Dumbledore stood at the edge of the lake, his voice carrying over the crowd as he explained the task.
"Each champion must retrieve something precious that has been taken from them and is hidden deep within the lake," Dumbledore announced, his tone solemn. "They will have one hour to complete the task. However," he added, his eyes flicking to Dante, "Dante Malfoy will begin the challenge ten minutes after the other champions."
Unlike the first task, the audience didn't boo the added rule. Many of them nodded in agreement, thinking it was a fine adjustment given Dante's overwhelming performance in the previous challenge. Dante stood calmly among the champions, his expression relaxed.
The champions were instructed to change into their swimming attire, but Dante remained in his Slytherin green sweater and pants. When asked to change, he simply shook his head. "I'm fine like this" he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The other champions prepared in their own ways. Fleur Delacour cast the Bubble-Head Charm, creating a protective bubble of air around her head. Viktor Krum partially transfigured himself into a shark, his upper body remaining human while his lower half took on a fearsome aquatic form. Harry Potter, standing nervously next to Dante, was handed Gillyweed by the fake Moody, who seemed unusually invested in helping him. Dante watched the interaction with mild interest, noting the worry in Moody's eyes as he urged Harry to swallow the weed.
Harry finally jumped into the water, and moments later, he resurfaced, his body now adapted to the aquatic environment thanks to the Gillyweed. Dante remained on the shore, waiting patiently for his turn.
Eight minutes into the task, Fleur emerged from the water, coughing and gasping for air. She had been attacked by Grindylows and forced to retreat. The crowd murmured in concern, but their attention quickly shifted back to the lake as Dumbledore announced that ten minutes had passed and Dante could now begin.
Dante didn't jump into the water immediately. Instead, he raised his wand and cast a Patronus Charm. A shimmering bird erupted from his wand and dove into the lake, its ethereal form cutting through the water with ease. The audience watched in awe as Dante then cast another charm on his feet. He stepped onto the surface of the lake, the water solidifying beneath him as if it were solid ground. He began walking leisurely across the lake, his movements calm and unhurried.
The crowd erupted in cheers, but their excitement soon turned to confusion. What was Dante planning? Ludo Bagman, commentating for the event, voiced the question on everyone's mind. "What is Dante Malfoy doing? He's walking on water! But how will he retrieve his hostage?"
Dante continued his stroll across the lake, his Patronus bird guiding him. When the bird resurfaced near a specific spot, Dante turned and walked toward it. He raised his wand again, and the water in that area split vertically, revealing a column that reached the bottom of the lake. Dante looked down and saw his brother, Draco, tied to a stone pillar, his eyes closed and his body still.
Dante waved his wand, sending a spell to cut the ropes binding Draco. Another spell lifted Draco's body from the lakebed and brought him to the surface. The water column closed as Dante gently placed Draco onto the surface of the lake, the water solidifying beneath him to keep him afloat.
Dante cast a spell to wake Draco, then another to warm him. Draco's eyes fluttered open, confusion written across his face. "Where am I?" he mumbled.
Dante helped him to his feet, his voice calm and reassuring. "This is the second challenge. For now, relax and walk with me. You're safe. We need to get back to the shore"
Draco, still dazed, nodded and allowed Dante to guide him back to the shore. The audience erupted in cheers as the two walked across the water, Dante's calm demeanor and effortless magic leaving them in awe. When the two arrived at the shore, only six minutes had passed since Dante began.
After Dante, it was Viktor Krum who came back second, emerging from the water with Hermione twenty minutes into the task, his shark form fading as he returned to his human self. He was shocked to see Dante and Draco already on the shore, having finished the challenge long before him. Igor Karkaroff and the Durmstrang students quickly filled him in on Dante's approach, leaving Viktor stunned.
"How is that even possible?" Viktor muttered, his eyes fixed on Dante, who stood calmly by the shore, he was talking with Draco with a relaxed expression and without a single drop of water on him. None of his schoolmates or headmaster could answer him.
Now only one last champion left to wait for. But as the minutes ticked by, the audience around the Black Lake grew increasingly tense. Harry Potter, the youngest champion, had yet to resurface. The cheers and excitement that had filled the air moments earlier were replaced by an uneasy silence. Parents, students, and professors alike exchanged worried glances, their eyes fixed on the dark, rippling surface of the lake.
Dante stood calmly by the shore, his silver eyes scanning the water. He noted how Alastor Moody—or rather, the imposter masquerading as Moody—was pacing back and forth, his face a mask of barely concealed anxiety. Dante's lips curved into a faint smirk. [So, Harry is that important to their plans], he thought. His earlier suggestion that Harry was needed for Voldemort's return seemed more plausible by the minute.
Just under an hour after the task had begun, the tension was broken as Ron Weasley and Gabrielle Delacour emerged from the water, gasping for air. Moments later, Harry surfaced, coughing and exhausted but alive. The audience erupted into cheers, their relief palpable. Harry had not only completed the task but had also saved another champion's hostage, displaying a level of selflessness and courage that left even Dante mildly impressed.
Dante watched as the students and professors rushed to tend to the hostages and Harry. He had to admit, Harry's actions were commendable, if reckless. The boy had too much courage for his own good.
Not long after Harry's return, Dumbledore stepped forward, his voice carrying over the crowd as he announced the results of the second task. "In first place," he declared, "is Dante Malfoy, for his incredible performance and unmatched speed." The crowd cheered.
"Second place goes to Harry Potter," Dumbledore continued. "Despite finishing last, he saved two hostages and demonstrated outstanding moral fiber. He has earned this position."
The announcement was met with mixed reactions. The Hogwarts students cheered loudly for Harry, while the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons delegations exchanged unhappy glances. Viktor Krum was awarded third place, and Fleur Delacour fourth. The standings were the same as the first task, much to the dismay of the other schools.
Igor Karkaroff, in particular, looked furious. His face was a storm of frustration and embarrassment. "How is this possible?" he muttered under his breath. "A fourth-year beating our champion? We won't have any face left by the end of this tournament."
Meanwhile, Alastor Moody stood at the edge of the crowd, his expression grim. He had sighed in relief when Harry emerged safely, but now his thoughts were consumed by a growing sense of dread. Dante Malfoy was a problem—a big one. At this rate, Dante would win the tournament effortlessly, and Harry, despite all the help he had been given, was simply too incompetent to keep up.
Moody's jaw tightened as he watched Dante, who stood apart from the crowd, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos around him. [This can't go on] Moody thought. [Dante is too powerful, too unpredictable. Harry won't stand a chance no matter how much I help him.]
But what could he do? Moody knew that any direct confrontation with Dante won't end well for him. He needed a new plan, one that would ensure Harry's success without alerting Dumbledore to his true intentions.
The crowd continued to cheer, their excitement undiminished. Dante had once again proven himself to be in a league of his own, and the second task had only solidified his reputation as the most formidable champion in the tournament.