harry pov

I walked with Ron and Neville down to the Black Lake where the next tournament was taking place.

We stopped just before the boats and Neville handed me a pile of Gillyweed. It was a jelly green colour and felt slippery it in my hand.

I'm not looking forward to eating that.

"You're sure about this Neville?"

"Absolutely."

"For an hour?" Ron asked.

"Most likely."

"Most likely?" I repeated.

"Well there is some debate amongst Herbologists about the effects in fresh water versus salt water but-"

"You're telling me this now?!" I exclaimed.

"You must be joking." Ron said.

"I-i'm sorry, I just wanted to help."

I sighed. "It's okay Neville, I'm sorry. I'm just nervous that's all."

"Well you still look less nervous than Hermione was last night. Where is she by the way?" Ron asked, looking around.

I shrugged. I assumed she would already be at the stands, knowing her she probably arrived an hour early.

"You seem a little tense Harry." Neville whispered to me.

"Oh do I?" I questioned, sarcastically.

Of course I'm tense. I could drown in this task, this Gillyweed could kill me, and Hermione's missing.

I even thought Florence would come and see me before I did the task, but I guess not. I couldn't help but feel upset.

We boarded the boats that took us to three large stands in the middle of the Black Lake. I took off my jacket and stood beside the other champions.

"Welcome to the second task!" Dumbledore's voice boomed. "Last night, something was stolen from each of our champions. A treasure of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion, now lie at the bottom of the Black Lake. In order to win, each champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface! Simple enough, expect for this. They will have but one hour to do so, and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own. No magic will save them."

Moody came up behind me. "Put that in your mouth Potter." He instructed, referring to the Gillyweed that was still in my hand.

I had been dreading this.

I swallowed the Gillyweed with great difficulty. It had such a horrid taste that I started to choke on it. Moody hit my back and it went down my throat in one lump.

I shivered as the aftertaste was somehow even worse that the actual taste.

"You may begin at the sound of the canon! Good luck!" Dumbledore continued.

The canon boomed and the other three champions quickly dived in. For a second I froze, until Moody shoved me in after them. I fell into the water and instantly felt a weird sensation on my neck and feet.

After the painful growing feeling had stopped, I realised that I could breathe underwater. I put my hand to my neck and felt gills, then looked down at my feet and saw that I had webbed toes.

It worked! Brilliant.

I heard a distorted sound from above. "Oh my god, I killed Harry Potter!" Neville cried.

I used my webbed feet and flew out of the water and then dived back in. I heard cheers from all around as they realised I had survived.

With more motivation, I quickly began to swim off to find my treasure. A swarm of fish glided by and I followed them into an area of long seaweed. I heard familiar voices singing in the distance.

Merpeople.

I weaved my way through the strands of seaweed, following the singing. I turned behind me and saw Fleur swim past, I must be at the right place.

I felt a merperson brush past me as they swam off ahead, I decided to follow them. They lead me out of the seaweed and into a large clearing. I followed them past some rocks and then...........I saw it.

Four people chained down to the floor by thick seaweed. They must be our treasure. I saw Hermione, Fleur's little sister, Cho Chang, and..........Florence.

My heart almost stopped. I immediately rushed to her and cupped her face in my hands. She was out cold, in some sort of trance.

I knew there would've been a reason why she didn't come see me before the task. I felt guilty thinking that she wouldn't.

I swam down to the bottom of the seaweed strand holding her up and began to untie it. Cedric swam up to Cho and untied her with a spell.

Why wasn't Florence Cedric's treasure?

Cedric looked at me and tapped his watch before swimming back up to the surface.

I nodded in response.

Time must almost be up.

Merpeople began screeching around me. I turned to see what was scaring them and saw a massive shark heading my way.

No, it wasn't a shark, it was Krum. He was half shark, half human.

He swam up and cut the seaweed that was holding Hermione down. He held her and took her up to the surface of the water.

I pulled out my wand and shot a spell at the seaweed holding Florence. I swam up to her and grabbed her hand, ready to pull her up to the surface.

I turned to Fleur's sister, and realised Fleur was nowhere to be seen. I can't just leave her. I shot a spell at her seaweed and unlatched her foot. I hooked my arm under hers and began to swim up to the surface with them both.

As I almost reached the top, I felt seaweed latch around my feet and merpeople dragging me back down to the bottom of the lake. They weren't happy that I took two treasures.

I let go of Florence and Fleur's sister and let them float up to the surface.

I was being pulled further and further down. I tried to kick them off, but their grip was too strong. I slowly felt myself becoming faint as the Gillyweed was wearing off.

With my last breath I pulled out my wand and shot a spell at the ground.

----

florence pov

My head emerged from the water and I took a large breath of air. The last thing I could remember was being in McGongall's office.

I looked around and there was a little girl beside me, looking just as confused as I was. We both helped each other swim over to the stands and climb up the ladder.

Celeste instantly wrapped me into a towel and pulled me into a tight hug. "Oh thank goodness you're alive!"

I took a minute to look around, and realised that this must be the second task.

Cedric appeared from behind me and also pulled me into a hug. He was soaking wet too.

"You okay Floflo?" He asked.

I nodded. I was far too cold to do anything right now. Cedric told me about what happened in the task and how things worked.

"Who saved me?" I asked, once I walked back over to Celeste.

"Harry."

Harry? I was a little surprised he would save me, after I stopped speaking to him and all. And especially after he saw Cedric and I at the yule ball. None the less, I need to find him.

"Where is he?"

"He hasn't come up yet." Celeste said.

My heart dropped. This can't be good. I ran over to the edge of the stand and watched the water for as long as I could.

"Come on Harry." I whispered under my breath.

As if I had summoned him, Harry burst out of the water and onto the stands. Everyone let out deafening cheers as I ran straight over to him.

Fleur kneeled in front of him. "You saved her, even though she wasn't yours to save! My little sister, thank you!" She exclaimed as she hugged him.

People from all directions came up to him, wrapping him in towels and patting him on the back. I pushed my way through the crowd to get to him and immediately wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Thank you Harry." I said against his shoulder.

He said nothing, just held on to me tighter.

Just as I pulled away Draco pulled me into his arms. "Don't ever scare me like that again. I thought I lost you for a moment there."

I laughed. "Draco Malfoy, scared? Never!"

People were chatting all around us. Dumbledore stepped up to the microphone. "Attention!" Everyone instantly quietened down. "The winner is.......Mr Diggory!"

The Hogwarts students broke out into joyful cheers once again, while the other schools clapped respectfully.

"Mr Diggory showed innate command of the bubble head charm. However, seeing And as Mr Potter would have finished first had it not been for his determination to rescue not only Miss Bailey but the others as well, we've agreed to award him.......second place! For outstanding morale fiber!"

The cheered intensified even louder than the last time, this time, with the Beaxbaton's joining in too.

I turned to look at Harry and our eyes locked for moment. I gave him a warm smile and he smiled back.

----

Later on after I had been for a warm shower, I went to go and find Harry. I wanted to thank him again, or at least that was my excuse in my head.

I stood outside his door, deciding whether or not to knock.

But I thought to myself, you don't get many second chances in life, so when you find yourself debating whether or not to do something, do it.

I gently knocked on his door.

"Come in." A voice said from inside.

I pushed open the door. His eyes met mine. He quickly stood up from his bed.

He was the only one in there, everyone must already be away to dinner.

"Hi." He said, looking pleasantly surprised.

"Hey. Why are you not away for dinner?"

"Not hungry, I guess." He answered, looking at the floor.

"Yeah, me either." I said, pausing for a moment to gather my words. "I......uh-I just wanted to come here and thank you again for saving me."

"No problem." He said, and then paused for a moment before laughing. "Okay it was a little problem."

I laughed along with him. It felt as though we hadn't laughed together in ages. I didn't realise how much I missed it.

There was a silence. I couldn't even tell him how good it feels to look up across the room and see him standing there.

"I was surprised you were my treasure, and not Cedric's." He said, running his hand through his messy hair.

"What made you think that?" I asked.

"I saw you two, at the yule ball, and things........and I-.....well I just thought-"

"Oh uh no. Harry, that's over." I said quietly.

He looked up and his expression softened. "It is?"

I nodded.

"I'm sorry, Flo. Why did it end? If you don't mind me asking."

"I just...........realised something."

"What did you realise?" He asked.

I gulped. "Uhm. Just- just that-"

I wouldn't say I think of Harry constantly, just that each time my mind seems to wander, it always finds some way back to him.

There was a silence. We looked at each other for a moment. I had so much to tell him, but maybe tonight wasn't the best time.

I slowly turned to the door. "I should just g-"

He walked towards me and took my wrist. "I can't do this anymore."

I turned to him hesitantly as he let go. "Do what?"

"This. This whole thing. I know you think you're protecting us by staying away from us, but you're wrong. We can protect ourselves."

"I know Harry, you're all so strong but-but it's dangerous. And given the consequences-"

"We don't care about the consequences. If it was a choice to avoid the consequences or see you, we choose you. I......choose you." He said, as he stepped towards me.

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to say at all.

"We really miss you Flo......I really miss you."

"I miss you all- I miss you too. But it's safer this way." I turned away to open the door.

He took my hand again and spun me around. "How many times do I need to tell you? We don't care about the consequences. We just want you back."

Even though he was saying 'we' it felt as if it was more of an 'I'. I looked down and stayed silent, not knowing what to say.

He held both of my hands in his. "Please, Florence. I'm begging you. Come back to us. Come back to me."

I looked up at him. I held my breath as I realised how close our faces really were. We were just inches apart, just like that night at the Astronomy tower.

His hand slid around the back of my waist as he pulled me in. Our eyes remained locked on each other. His gaze drew me in. His breath felt warm against my face.

He whispered seductively. "Come back to me."

It was this moment that I realised. I not going to be scared of Lucius or my father anymore. I'm not going to wish for things to happen when I can make them happen. I'm not going to bed anymore imagining what could be.

I closed the space between us and pressed my lips against his. He immediately kissed back and put his hands on the back of my neck.

My body felt as though it was a firework and it has just been lit. It felt as though we were the only two people in the world. I felt myself melt beneath his warm touch.

I pulled away and had to remind myself that this was real. I saw Harry with a wide smile across his face, beaming back at me.

"You mean the whole fucking world to me, do you know that?" He said, brushing my hair from my face. 

I paused. "Does this mean you like me back?"

I just need to hear him say it, or else I might wake up tomorrow thinking this moment was just a dream.

"Are you kidding? Every single day I wished you were mine - every single goddamn day."

I wanted to tell him how relieved I was to hear that. I wanted to tell him I liked him all this time too.

I hit his arm playfully. "Took you long enough."

"It was well worth the wait for you."

I smiled at his words. Who knew this could feel so good?

"Do you want to know what I realised when I cut things off with Cedric?" I asked.

He nodded curiously.

"I realised I liked you. I mean, I had always sort of known I had something for you but....the yule ball made me realise it's something much more." I paused. "I guess you could say, I think about you........ sometimes."

His face glowed. I hadn't seen it in a while.

And although we never said it to each other, I think we both know.

"I would never have guessed that in a million years."

"Really?" I asked surprisingly. I had always thought it had been obvious, even though I tried to hide it.

"Really. I thought, there's no way a girl like that could ever like me. A girl that beautiful, intelligent, caring and with so much love to give. She's too good for me."

I smiled so wide my face hurt. He talks about me like I'm the only girl in the world.

"You're much better than you think, you know." I said, poking my finger to his chest. "Mr Chosen One."

He laughed and shook his head. "Only when I'm around you."

"No. It's all you." I said.

"And to think," He nudged me playfully. "You made the first move."

I nudged him back. "No wonder! It was never gonna happen if I didn't do anything!"

"Okay, touché. I guess I just didn't want to feel rejected, you know? Didn't want another thing to feel sad about."

"I get it." I said sympathetically. "It's scary- the not knowing."

No nodded and paused. "Are you coming back to us all?"

I thought for a moment. I still don't feel good about any of this. I have a bad feeling. But I miss my friends.

"Yes." I sighed. "But we have to keep a low profile in front of Skeeter and other people who could tell my father. I still don't want those 'consequences' to happen, whether they're real or not."

Harry nodded in response.

If possible, he looked even happier than before.

I remembered walking towards his door earlier wondering if this was a good idea. Now I know that it was the best idea I've ever had.