A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

"Dobby, you really helped me a lot this time."

"I'm glad I could help you, sir," Dobby said shyly.

"There are still some questions. How did you know Ron would be captured by the mermaid? And how did you know about the herb Gillbag Grass?"

"Dobby is a house-elf. Once, while cleaning, he overheard Professor Moody and Professor McGonagall discussing the hostages being held."

They mentioned gill sac grass, and Professor Snape happened to have that herb in his private storeroom, so Dobby..." Dobby paused abruptly, then started banging his head against the bedpost repeatedly, "Bad Dobby, bad Dobby..."

Harry quickly pulled him away. "Dobby, stop! You don't need to feel guilty about stealing."

In short, thank you so much for what you did for me, but now you should go back; other house-elves are probably looking for you.

Chapter 383 Going to the Lake, the First Use of the Water-Repelling Spell

"I've placed my bet! I've placed my bet!"

"Come on, everyone! Let's take action instead of just thinking about it."

"Four boys and one girl."

"Of five who go into the water, how many will survive?"

Early in the morning, George and Fred set up their betting pool around the stadium.

Several large platforms have been set up on the shore of Black Lake, and the stands are already full of people.

Apart from Buddy Crouch being absent due to illness and giving his refereeing position to Percy, the other five referees were all sitting neatly at a table.

Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum, Fleur Delacour, Harry Potter, and Aaron Gaius all stood before the referee's table, quietly waiting for the match to begin.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for months, don’t disappoint me!” Adrian said meaningfully.

Aaron placed Abe in front of Adrian and said very seriously, "I will fulfill your request."

"Wait and see."

Ludo Bagman came to the midst of the warriors and ordered them to line up in a row on the shore, each at least ten feet apart.

“Loud voice.” Bagman pointed his wand at his throat and amplified his voice with a megaphone spell. “Welcome to the second event. Last night, the warriors had their beloved possessions stolen, their treasures.”

These treasures are now lying at the bottom of Black Lake. To win, each warrior simply needs to find the treasures and return to the surface.

But there's a time limit; they only have one hour. Once the time limit is exceeded, they'll have to rely on themselves, and no magic can save them.

The game began with the sound of the cannon.

It's 9:25, and there are five minutes left until 9:30.

Cedric, Krum, Fleur, and Harry all took off their coats and changed into smart swimsuits to make it easier for them to move around underwater.

The four of them looked at Aaron, who was standing at the very edge, because he was the only one who didn't fit in, having wrapped himself up thickly.

"Why are you all staring at me? Haven't you ever seen a handsome guy before?!"

"Don't you... need to change into your swimsuit?" Hibiscus asked, puzzled.

“I have my own methods,” Aaron said casually, then looked at Fleur, “Nice figure.”

Furong blushed slightly and sneered, "Now you know how to appreciate it?"

"Hehe! I'm just telling the truth."

But I hope you won't cause me any trouble this time. I'm not Roger Davis; I won't just stand by your side because you have a nice figure.

Furong snorted coldly and turned her face away haughtily.

“Aaron, there’s something I think I should tell you beforehand,” Harry said hesitantly. “The so-called treasure Mr. Bagman mentioned is actually…”

“I know,” Aaron said casually, “our dance partner.”

“Not just a dance partner,” Harry said with a complicated expression, “but the most important people to us, like Ron, whom I’m trying to save.”

“Pavati will be sad.”

Harry's lips twitched slightly; he also felt a little sorry for the girl.

He had the audacity to invite her to be his dance partner, but after completing the warrior's dance mission, he simply ignored her.

"What were you talking about?" Hibiscus asked worriedly. "Could the things that were stolen from us be...?"

“If nothing unexpected happens… it’s just as you think,” Aaron said meaningfully. “In any case, do your best, Miss Delacour.”

Furong nodded seriously, but seeing that her younger sister was not in the audience, she still couldn't help feeling uneasy.

Cedric and Krum exchanged a glance, clearly guessing what the mermaid had taken.

boom!

The cannon fired, and the competition officially began.

Cedric, Krum, and Fleur all jumped into the icy lake.

Harry hurriedly pulled the gill sac grass from his pocket, stuffed it into his mouth, and forced himself to swallow it after chewing it several times, suppressing his nausea.

Gulu!

"Is it tasty?"

"It's awful, it's like eating a dead rat," Harry said instinctively, but the next moment he turned around awkwardly and saw Aaron looking at him with a half-smile.

"Aaron, let me explain."

“No need to explain.” Aaron patted him on the shoulder. “When we get back, come with me to see Professor Snape. He should be happy to hear your explanation.”

As for now, let's get in the water!

The gill sac herb's effects only last for an hour. If Ron isn't saved before then, I don't need to elaborate on the consequences!

Upon hearing this, Harry's expression turned extremely serious, and he cautiously walked towards the lake.

A mocking voice came from the shore, and Harry immediately recognized it as Malfoy laughing at him. After all, his fate was anything but ordinary, practically no different from that of a Muggle who couldn't swim.

Although he was angry, he held back.

After all, his swimming skills were really poor; at best, he could only manage to avoid drowning.

Before the effects of the gill sac herb are fully realized, no amount of caution is excessive.

The icy lake water stung Harry's legs, and the smooth pebbles made him slip several times. The February wind whipped at his upper body, causing him to tremble violently and break out in goosebumps.

But soon he felt his mouth and nose were extremely uncomfortable, and every breath felt like being cut by a knife, causing unbearable pain.

He instinctively covered his throat, but then felt something strange.

Several narrow cracks opened and closed, like fish gills.

Harry knew the gill plant had worked, and without much hesitation, he plunged into the water.

The lake water was no longer cold to him; on the contrary, it felt especially comfortable, like a spring breeze.

He can breathe freely underwater, as oxygen flows into his body through his gills, meeting his body's normal requirements.

He developed webbed fingers and toes, which increased his speed in the water several times over, as if he were born with the skill of swimming.

Aaron was the only one left on the shore, and almost everyone's eyes were on him. Adrian's smile grew even wider.

"I haven't used this spell since I learned it!" Aaron murmured, then pretended to draw his wand, "Water Repellent Spell."

A transparent spherical barrier enveloped him before slowly sinking.

"What kind of magic is this, Professor Dumbledore?" Bagman asked in surprise.

“I don’t know either, I’ve never seen it,” Dumbledore said frankly, then looked at Adrian, “Miss Klein, could you please enlighten us?”

“It’s obvious.” Adrian shrugged. “It’s a spell that allows you to breathe freely underwater, an advanced version of the Bubble Head Charm.”

The referees exchanged glances; they could certainly see that, but what they wanted to know was not that.

What they wanted to know was the name of the magic, how to use it, and its effects.

But their curiosity was soon satisfied. Adrian raised his wand, and a blue light shot straight into the sky. Five light screens suddenly appeared above the lake, each corresponding to one of the five warriors.

"This is..."

"It would be rather boring to just watch the lake for an hour and wait for the mermaid leader's outcome."

This kind of scoring isn't rigorous, don't you think, Professor Dumbledore?

Dumbledore smiled. "You're right."

“I’m more curious about what kind of magic my brother can use. If he thinks he’s safe just by hiding underwater, he’s seriously underestimating me,” Adrian said smugly.

“Cedric and Fleur’s heads are encased in a bubble, that’s the Bubble Head Spell,” Bagman explained to the audience. “They actually know this spell, which allows them to breathe underwater.”

Krum seemed to have used some kind of shapeshifting magic; he transformed himself into a, no... half a shark.

Although only his head has turned into a shark, this does not prevent him from moving freely underwater. In addition to his sharp teeth, he also frees up his hands to use his wand underwater.

Harry Potter, this is...

“Gillbagium,” Dumbledore whispered.

"Yes, gill sac grass. It is an extremely precious herb that can make people grow gills and webbed feet in a short time. It is an excellent choice for people who cannot use underwater breathing magic."

Professor Snape's face turned ashen. His private storeroom was the only one in the entire Hogwarts with gill sac grass, and he felt he needed to go back and check it out, as it might have been burgled.

"Finally, there's Mr. Gaius, who made an extremely deep impression on us in the first project, it was... my goodness!"

Aaron stood inside the spherical barrier. He didn't move, yet the barrier moved forward automatically, seemingly following his instructions.

The lake water was completely isolated from the barrier; not only could the lake water not enter, but even the fish swimming in the water could not get through the barrier.

“Miss Klein, I think this magic is extremely powerful.” Percy swallowed and said, “If Gaius can contribute it, he will gain unimaginable fame, and the Order of Merlin, First Class, is not impossible.”

"You, the person in charge of recommending and processing, will also receive a corresponding promotion," Adrian chuckled, his playful gaze directly seeing through Percy's ulterior motives.

“But what I’m saying is really worth considering.” Percy’s face flushed slightly. “Many wizards who need to work underwater would find it much easier if they knew this magic.”

“That’s his business, it has nothing to do with me,” Adrian waved his hand and said, “After the second project is completed, you can go and discuss it with him yourself.”

Percy nodded helplessly. His intention was to have Adrian persuade Aaron, as one word from her sister was more effective than a hundred from him.

But now it seems he has no choice but to persuade him himself. He believes he has some connection with Aaron and the success rate is definitely not low.

If he can accomplish this, many people in the Ministry of Magic and even the wizarding world will praise him highly, and a promotion and raise will be a sure thing.