act two: little dark age
chapter forty

Being called to the office by Professor McGonagall was not what Daphne had expected while sitting in the library. If anything, she expected to fall asleep in the library before being woken up to go back to the Common Room and then being busted for being out of bed after hours, if anything that is what she had expected.

But here she walked, beside Hermione and the twin's, going through the corridors of the castle as they walked out of the library on their journey to McGonagall's office where she'd meet the Professor and her father before finding out what they were in trouble for or what they were needed for.

She hoped that it wasn't either, but she had a feeling that McGonagall needed a favor. She wondered what her father thought of all of this and if he had put up any protest, she wasn't sure what prompted her mind to wonder about her father's reaction but clearly she was dragging herself onto something about the tournament.

She did find that a little fishy. The fact that it was the night before the tournament and they were both being called up into McGonagall's office after they had been requested. Something about that just irked the girl knowing that there was definitely a deeper meaning and reason for their presence being required.

She wondered if it was only Daphne and Hermione, or if other people had been asked up as well. She wondered if there'd be a small group in the office learning about whatever they were about to indulge in or what they were tasked to do. If it was anything for the next task, Daphne was sure that it was not something she wanted to be involved in.

Daphne ran her hands through her hair as she followed alongside Fred and George and Hermione down through the corridors. Many questions were ringing through Daphne's ears as she fiddled with the ring's on her fingers. Trying to figure out what she was needed for even if she couldn't figure this out right now.

The Second Task was something with water, and if they were involved would they be drowned? Daphne did not want to drown. That was not the way she was going to die and she'd rather throw herself off the Astronomy tower before that happened. Godric, she probably would do that if they told her about that.

But she reassured herself that her father would not let them drown her. He wouldn't let his daughter be in harm's way or killed for some stupid tournament. If anything, he would be against it even if he knew she would be safe. Lucerys never risked his daughter's safety and he would be damned if it was risked for some deadly tournament.

"What are you thinking about?" George asked as he looked back at Daphne who was stuck in her own little world, "Thinking about how much rubbish you're about to be in, eh?"

Daphne lifted her head up as she popped her neck with a slight squint, "Actually, I'm trying to figure out what I did and why we are being called up to McGonagall's so late. It's quite odd seeing as we're all to be in bed soon."

"We know," Fred shrugged his shoulders, "But McGonagall never ceases to rest. Always on her toes nailing the sorry buggers! Ha! You're a sorry bugger, how unfortunate."

"Daphne," Hermione gave the girl a pointed look as she went to jump on Fred's back, "I'm sure that there is a reason for all of this - it's probably a misunderstanding."

"Yeah? Good luck telling Mr. Black that," Fred teased as he turned around and wriggled his fingers at the girls before leaving them to McGonagall's needs, "Be safe!" Fred side hugged her brother George copied his actions and the two went on with their night.

Daphne adjusted her posture before pushing the doors open as Hermione followed behind her. Daphne raised an eyebrow as she noticed her father standing beside Barty Crouch Jr while looking rather worked up, barely making any eye contact with her as she entered with Hermione at her side.

"Miss Black, Miss Granger," McGonagall motioned for the two girl's to stand beside the others, Fleur Delacour's sister Gabrielle and Cho Chang, "We have a lot to discuss."

"Judging by the look on my father's face, clearly not a good discussion," Daphne gave a firm smile before walking over to the other girl's sides, "Is this going to make me regret not being in my bed in my dormitory?"

Hermione nudged the girl's side before McGonagall raised her head as Barty spoke up, "I guess we shall see in a moment, Miss Black."

"That's enlightening," Daphne sighed as she whispered to Hermione while giving her a slight look, "I'm definitely going to regret not being in bed."

"Daphne," Lucerys gave his daughter a firm look before he adjusted his posture as he went into work mode, "Each of you have been chosen to take part in the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, not in the same way as the champions though. This is dangerous and we understand if you'd not like to take part in it but we will wipe this conversation from your memories."

"What is it?" Cho Chang asked softly as she looked between the other girls, "And what will we be doing, if we aren't doing what the... you know, champions are."

Barty looked at Lucerys as if telling him to go on, and he did, "You will be placed in an unconscious state and hidden under the water, protected by the merfolk of the Black Lake. You will not drown, there will be protective spells that make that impossible. You will wake up once your champion has freed you."

"Miss Delacour, your elder sister will be your champion. Miss Chang, Mr. Diggory will be your champion. Miss Granger, your champion will be Mr. Krum, and Miss Black you will have Mr. Potter as your champion," Barty Crouch explained as he adjusted the brim of his hat.

"Each of you are very valuable in the lives of that champion. Whether it's through love, romantic or platonic, or simply you've had a blossoming friendship," McGonagall explained as she looked between the four girls, "This is your decision. You are not being forced into this if you wish not to participate."

Being placed at the bottom of the Black Lake sounded terrifying. Daphne knew how to swim, her father taught her at a young age after the tragedy with her Uncle Regulus, but that never stopped her slight fear of the water and what lurked beneath the waters. No one ever truly knew what was under them or beside them in such waters.

The girl's around Daphne were clearly trying to think this through.Wondering if this was a good option or even a good idea for them to be partaking in. They were honest when telling the girl's that this was dangerous, and that they could get hurt though it may be unlikely and there are protective measures against it.

"You don't have to do this," Lucerys repeated as his eyes landed on his daughter, his brown hair slightly disheveled as pieces fell in front of his face, "If you chose not to do it, we have other candidates for the matter and you won't have any recollection of this talk."

"I'm in," Daphne spoke not even a moment after her father finished speaking as she looked at the man, "Just make sure I'm not awake when I get thrown in the water because I don't like the water that much, but for the sake of this bloody tournament I'm in."

"So am I," Hermione looked at her friend as she linked arms with her while looking determined, "If Daphne's in then so am I."

And one by one, everyone agreed. The entire group of girl's settled with the fact that they were the prizes for the champions. In a way, an entire group of damsels in distress beneath the waters. Daphne found it rather ironic that Harry nicknamed her Odette, but for once, she wouldn't be floating on the water like a swan.

"You don't have to do this," Lucerys repeated as he walked down towards the Black Lake with his daughter at his side, "It's never too late to back out. I don't want you getting hurt and I know how you are when it comes to water... It's okay. Really."

She could hear the panic and worry that was hidden in her father's tone. She could see it on his face as well. The way his forehead had creased as well as the corner of his eyes. The way he methodically rubbed his jawline before his hand instinctively went back to holding his daughter's arm as they continued down.

"Hey," Daphne gave her father a soft look as she buried down her anxiety, "I can see that you're worried and I knew you would be. I had a feeling you tried to fight the idea of me being chosen, but it's okay. I can handle this. I'm a big girl, Dad," She gave him a soft smile before pressing a kiss to his cheek, "You worrying like you are now is going to age you."

Lucerys let out a scoff as he rolled his eyes before helping her onto the dock so that she wouldn't trip as he held a slight smile while looking at her, "Just... don't turn out like your Uncle Reggie, okay? That's my main worry and I know that we've done everything to-"

"I won't," Daphne gave her father a firm look as she looked at him, "You taught me how to swim for a reason and as you said, you all worked with protective charms so that we wouldn't be harmed. Drowning should be the least worry at the moment, Dad."

"Miss Black, you're first," McGonagall called out as she looked back at the father and daughter duo while Crouch raised his head.

"I love you, so much, my sweet girl," Lucerys muttered before pulling her in for a hug and letting her go, "Be safe and have a good nap."

Daphne grinned as she saluted her father, "I will, daddio. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone!" She called out before standing near the edge of the dock as she looked at the two, "Make this quick, please."

And it wasn't a moment later before McGonagall waved her wand and Daphne felt as the world around her faded before her body was enveloped by something cold, most likely the water as her body descended down into the hands of the merfolk as her mind slowly went blank as the world around her went black.

Daphne felt as her body went above the water causing her to cough out the water as she held onto Fleur's sister who was struggling at her side, before she noticed Harry wasn't at the surface. She looked worried as she swam the girl over to the dock before they were pulled up.

"Daphne," Everyone began to worry, "You're alright!" Ron exclaimed as he looked into the water, "Where is he?"

"What do you mean?" Panic surged through Daphne as she looked back at the water before realizing Harry had yet to break the surface, "No..."

"He should be back up," Seamus added as he looked at the girl, "Daphne? What are you doing..."

Daphne was throwing her towels off of her, ignoring the chills that surged over her body as she stared at the water.

"I'm going back," Daphne muttered as she took shaky steps towards the edge, "Someone's got to help him."

"Nope-"

Daphne grabbed the wand in the wizard's pocket as she placed the wand to Atticus' throat, "Stop me, I dare you."

Everyone tried to grab ahold of the girl, many managing to get ahold of her arms but she dragged then to the edge of the floor before she fell into the water. Causing whoever was holding onto her to let go so that they weren't dragged under as well. No one wanted to meet the watery fate they worried she would.

"Daphne!"

The girl jumped back into the water, ignoring the fear in her body as she swam down noticing Harry not too low. She grabbed ahold of him as she fought the burn of her lungs as she tried her best not to start coughing and allowing the water into her lungs, after all, that is what would get you killed in the water.

Harry seemed to come back to rather quickly. Ignoring the cuts and scars, he was focused on the girl who was visibly turning blue as she tried her best to get them back to the surface. He wrapped an arm around her as he pointed his wand towards the sky.

"Ascendio!" He managed to get out before the two went flying out of the water and hitting the deck roughly.

Daphne's body hit with a harsh thud as Harry landed at her side. Teachers swarmed the two as Daphne barely held herself up with her arms as she began to cough violently. Harry grabbed ahold of her shoulders in an attempt to sit her up as he let out a few coughs.

"Odette, merlin," Harry was freaking out as a towel was placed over him while his focus was on the girl as he began to shiver.

Harrym was shaking and very pale as water dripped from his body after being in the lake. He appeared to be in a great deal of pain but none of that seemed to matter to him, even as teachers tried to pull him back so they could check on him. He stayed close to her.

"He's alright," Dumbledore called out as he looked around, "He's alright, Barty. She is as well, Lucerys!"

Daphne felt as if she was about to throw up with how hard she was coughing. Her lungs burned as she managed to force her body upright as she began to heave heavy breaths while Harry put his towel around her before being handed a new one, looking at her in worry.

"What were you thinking?! You were out of the water and safe!" Harry exclaimed as he breathed heavily as well, "Why did you come back down? That was reckless!"

Daphne managed a tiny smile as she began to get a hold of her breathing, "I couldn't leave you down there. You saved me, more times than I can count and I wasn't letting you get hurt and having that on my conscience."

Everyone began to swarm over the two while Seamus fixed the towels on Harry's shoulders while Daphne held onto the one the boy had given her. Staring at him with a slight grin as he continued to heave heavy breaths while staring back at her, still in pure worry as she had barely got any color back to her face.

"Go get him another towel!" Seamus ordered as he shook his head, "Bloody bonkers, she is. Fought off the entire lot to get back in for you, mate."

Daphne felt as her father's hands met her shoulders as he crouched down behind her while Dumbledore yelled, "I want all the other judges over here now!"

"You better go," Daphne muttered as she looked up at her father with a slightly tired grin, "I'm alright. Just cold, go."

"We're having a serious talk later," Lucerys gave her a firm look before sighing as he kissed her head, "You scared the hell out of me, sweet girl," and with that, he was following the other men away.

"You saved her, even though she wasn't yours to save, thank you," Fleur thanked Harry as she pressed a kiss to each of his cheeks before looking at Daphne, "And you, thank you. You put her before yourself," She did the same to Daphne before looking at Ron, "And you! You helped," She copied the actions once again.

"Yeah a bit," Ron was flustered as he got down close to both of his friends, "You two are mad!"

"Harry!" Hermione yelled as she threw herself down in front of the boy as she grabbed ahold of him.

"Hermione!" Harry exclaimed as he seemed quite startled by the suddenness that was Hermione's movements.

"You must be freezing!" Hermione placed another towel over his shoulders as she kissed his head, "Personally, I think you behaved admirably. Even if she had to jump back in and save your arse."

"I finished last, Hermione," Harry retorted as he looked over at Daphne who simply rolled her eyes, "Don't roll your eyes at me," he acted hurt by her actions.

"Next to last," Hermione corrected him as she grinned while looking back at Daphne, "Fleur didn't get past the Grindylows," She then kissed Harry's head once again.

Harry nodded and motioned for Daphne to come closer, and she did. Harry put one end of his many towels over her shoulder before pulling her into him. She was hesitant as she watched him wince but he practically forced her to place her head down as Krum's name began to get chanted across the lot.

"Krum! Krum! Krum!" Many bulgarians yelled as they watched Dumbledore get through the crowd to stand in front of the four teenagers.

"Come on," Igor yelled as he motioned for them to keep going and for them to get much louder.

"Attention!" Dumbledore raised his hand in the air as he yelled, causing Hermione to help Harry to his feet as he dragged Daphne up with him, pulling her even closer than she had been, "Attention!" he placed his wand to his throat which caused his voice to get loud, "And the winner is, Mr. Diggory!"

It was no surprise, he had reached the surface first after all. Cedric cheered happily as Cho came into his arms yet again with a gleaming smile while someone behind him raised a 'Diggory' shirt before flashing a light as quite a few pictures were snapped of the moment while Daphne kept her head low.

"Who showed innate command of the bubble-head charm!" Dumbledore roared as he looked proud of the student, "However, seeing as Mr. Potter would have finished first had he not had the determination to not only rescue Miss Black, but the others as well, we've agreed to award him... second place!"

Daphne pulled back from Harry as she lit up with pride, "Look at you go, Mr. Potter!" She cheered as she smiled.

Harry smiled back at her with pride as Hermione exclaimed, "Second place!"

"Well done," Someone yelled in his direction as the Gryffindor's began to go wild in pride.

"For outstanding moral fiber," Dumbledore continued even after Igor spit in his direction.

Daphne smiled proudly before making a face as Harry threw a towel over her head, "What are you doing?"

"Had to do this," Harry seemed a little shy, but there was a sudden confidence unlocked in him as he quickly kissed her before pulling the towel off them as they broke away, "Couldn't go a task without it, don't run this time."

As everyone around them roared the young girl blushed vibrantly as she laughed while cheering on with her friends as she began to raise her hands at the crowd.