Chapter 36. The Second Task
The result lies before me, and I can't help but feel disappointed.
Today is January 15—an ordinary day for everyone else, but an important one for me. On this day, I usually gain multiple levels without lifting a finger.
Just moments ago, my 102 clones vanished as my [Parallel Twin] skill came off cooldown, enforcing the system's limit and erasing all but two. I dispelled Heather and Hardwin myself. Normally, when this happens, I gain power by absorbing a wealth of memories and experiences.
But this time, nothing has changed.
102 versions of me worked tirelessly for a month, yet it amounted to nothing.
Not a single level gained.
Harry Evans
Level: 247
Points: 0
Perks: 17
[Vault]
[Shield]
[Binder]
[Charmer]
[Anomaly]
[God of Big Things]
[Wings of Angel]
[Weapon Master]
[Sunshine Man]
[Authority]
[Dance Savant]
[Berserker Rage]
[Limit Breaker]
[Perpetual Yawn Immunity]
[Perfect Penmanship]
[Shoelace Expert]
[Yogi]
Nothing. There's really nothing.
At last, I have squeezed out everything I could from this trick of using 'Vial of Duralumin' on [Parallel Twin] skill. Now, the only way to level up would be jumping to another world and participating in quests. Something I don't want to do right now.
I lean back in the chair and fish out the odd thumb-sized seed from under my shirt. I've been wearing it as a necklace for nearly a month now. And I can feel it in my bones. This will change everything. This Cosmic Seed is ranked as Mythical, and is said to become what I desire the most. Alas, it will take six whole months to mature. This Seed will crack and grow into what I require on 20th June. Until then, it's merely an ornament.
It won't be untrue to say I'm depending on it to take care of Flamel. I know what I want. And if this turns into that, it will become incredibly easy to kill Teresa's master.
Every free moment, I visualise what I want and hope the Seed picks up on that. Because it will be a massive downer if it grants me something lukewarm. No, this is categorised as Mythical rank; it won't be a trashy outcome. I have to trust that at least.
~xXxXx~
"You sure you want me to have it, Harry?" Mum asks as I give her 'The Amulet of Cat' as a birthday gift. "You should keep it for yourself."
[The Amulet of Cat]
— Grants the user 9 spare lives. Yes, that means you won't die until you're killed ten times.
Her birthday is a small private affair. Rose, Iris, and I made a cake together and snuck into her quarters after dinner. The bright smile on her face when she saw it was worth the paltry effort. Then we sang her the birthday song while she kept beaming. If there wasn't a tradition already, we'd have fought to see who got the first bite. But since forever, Mum offers the cake from the oldest to the youngest, as a way not to play favourites—though both Rose and I are aware that she has a special soft spot for Iris. We don't mind.
Presently, we're crowded around the small table in her room, where the cake was. The sugary aroma is still there even when the cake is not. Rose and Iris have already given her thoughtful presents, and now it's my turn.
"Yes." I move behind her. "I've already ensured maximum security for my sisters. Now, I don't have to worry about you either. As for me, I have my own ways of cheating death."
She leans into me as I push her crimson mane aside, baring her slender neck to clasp the silver chain. The necklace is not only practical but also quite beautiful. Despite being named 'Amulet of Cat', the pendant is a simple emerald gem rather than a feline figurine. The gem is also not large and gaudy to be cumbersome—just big enough not to go unnoticed.
I perch my chin atop her shoulder to take a good look, breathing in her familiar fragrance, revelling in the way her plush arse is pressed against me. The emerald pendant rests just above her cleavage, sure to draw wandering eyes to her ample chest.
Smirking, I wrap my arms around her waist and let them slide up the thin fabric of her gown, slithering onto her firm hefty mounds, grabbing and pushing up her tits so the gem is hidden in her cleavage. "Now people can ogle you while making an excuse that they were merely admiring the necklace."
Mum chuckles as I continue fondling her breasts, not asking me to stop.
"Not everyone is like you," Rose quips, halting before Mum, slapping my hands away and inspecting the necklace critically. "It's actually quite lovely. I'll be expecting jewellery on my birthday too, little brother."
"Me too." Iris joins in, her gaze demanding, daring me to deny her.
"Fine, fine. I'll remember your 'requests'," I acquiesce, rolling my eyes.
It can be easily afforded, of course. What use is being a rich man if I can't spoil my small family?
Kissing Mum's warm neck and squeezing her tits one last time, I step back reluctantly, taking a moment to pat her curvy bum as well, because why not?
"I hope you liked the present, Mum." I smile, turning her around, not bothered by her unimpressed glare.
"I did," she murmurs, cupping my face, standing on her toes to place a peck on my lips. It's short and sweet rather than hot and passionate. I don't complain. Not that I want to. Just because I'm fucking my Mum doesn't mean I dislike her motherly affections. Actually, it's quite arousing having her fuss all over me now and being able to do unthinkable things with her later. "I'm just worried by your arrangements. Why're you attempting to make us unkillable? It's as if you're planning to leave us behind with all these safeguards—as if you won't be there to help us yourself."
My wince gives me away, and her eyes widens. She grips my face. "Harry? What're you not telling me?"
Many things. There are so many things my family is unaware of, but I guess I can part with one secret.
"I'll attend my NEWTs along with my sixth-year exams. Then I'll leave Hogwarts early and go on a world tour."
It's only partly a lie. I've still not told them that I can jump to other worlds through portals carved from 'Subtle Knife'—well, Iris knows that because of our trip to Ohara, but Mum and Rose don't. Getting her permission to go on a world tour will be far easier than telling her I'll be deliberately hopping into fatal conflicts to power up.
My confession has predictable reactions.
Rose whistles, both awed and miffed. "I'd love to tag along, but I'll be busy trying out for professional Quidditch teams. What terrible timing."
Iris, on the other hand, remains silent, giving me a knowing look, aware of what I'll actually be doing.
And Mum's worries are written plainly on her face. "Do you need to? You've never travelled alone before."
"I'll be fine," I reassure her, moving over to sit on the edge of her bed. She follows after me and plops down by my side. My sisters remain where they are, sitting on chairs around the table, shifting to stare at me. "You know my true powers."
"I don't." She rubs her forehead, slumping a little. "You evade all our questions."
That's… true. At this point, I don't want to explain because how convoluted all of it is. And I don't want to reveal that I began showing interest in them because of gacha points. That will irrevocably destroy everything we've built together. They won't understand when I say I've been lusting over them before I even got my system. They'll just stick to 'you used us for points' and be crossed with me, which is not wrong but not the entire truth either.
"Just trust me." I put my arm around her, eluding her question again. "I'll be safe, I promise."
"If you say so." She rests her head on my shoulder. "How long will you be gone?"
"Months, maybe. At most, a year."
I don't need to see her face to know she is displeased. "I can go with you, you know. Being a Hogwarts professor is tiring. I won't say no to a vacation."
"Liar." I pull her close, basking in her sweet warmth, burying my nose in her silky hair. "You like it here. It will be selfish of me to take you and leave Rose and Iris all alone. They'll need you more than me."
"I don't like this," she complains.
Kissing her hair, I scoot away and clap, a 'subtle' way to change topics. It's her birthday, after all. I'd rather not see her all morose tonight. "How about another foursome? We didn't get to do that after that one night."
"Not in the mood." Iris shoots down my proposal, like usual. I'd think she regretted it if I weren't aware how much more time she spends with Rose and Mum now. More often than not sucking their teats. I don't know if that should make me feel jealous or not.
Rose shakes her head as well. "Same."
I glance at Mum hopefully, who has a thoughtful look on her face. "Girls, leave."
…
…
It's difficult not to grin as my amused sisters walk away. Rose winks at me while Iris is just exasperated.
"I think I can convince you to take me on this tour." Mum pushes me down on the bed roughly, straddling me as she gathers up her hair in a bun, thrusting out her voluptuous pair in the process.
I slide my hands up her thighs before clutching her supple breasts, her gown flimsy enough to betray the lack of a bra. "You can try."
~xXxXx~
The second task will be a lot less exciting, I reckon. Then again, it's nearly impossible to top a dragon. I doubt even the third task can surpass literal fire-breathing dragons.
We three champions—Gabrielle, Kiril, and I—stand on a pier jutting over the Black Lake. The February winds are chilly and would be biting if not for the warming charms. Even with those, it's not recommended to go out half-naked into the freezing waters. Unfortunately, that's the task.
I'm on the left, garbed in swimming trunks, the zoomed in picture of my body taking up one third of the large screen hovering up in the sky. Oh yes, we actually have a ginormous theatre-like screen for the convenience of the audience, who themselves are seated in stands surrounding the side of the lake. I'd be conscious of my appearance if I were thin and skinny or fat and unattractive.
The number of lascivious gazes aimed directly at me and the me on the screen certainly cements that I'm neither of those. From young prepubescent girls to married milfs, I've gained more attention than I ever did battling the dragon. Understandable. Not to toot my own horn, but the sweat of my clones has yielded me a perfect, chiselled body. The attention from the fairer sex is expected and appreciated. Maybe I should go topless more often.
Yet I cannot mistake who's the centre of attention. No, that title is claimed by the Veela beside me, and for once, she has her allure tightly reined in. There's no need to use her powers for bewitching when the sight of her in a scandalous bikini is more overpowering than magic itself.
Gabrielle is wearing a silver two-piece that shimmers under the faint sunlight. The top is strapless, fastened at her back with a delicate string, and the bottom is scarcely more than a thong, revealing the full length of her smooth, milky legs. Her silver-blonde hair is pulled into a sleek, tight bun, accentuating the graceful curve of her neck.
On a more… modest girl, the swimsuit wouldn't have seemed so salacious. But with the way her large round breasts fill the top, and the way the narrow strip of fabric disappears between the lush, rounded cheeks of her backside, it would be hard not to stare.
Then there is Kiril Marinov, sticking out like a sore thumb among us hot people. He's not ugly by any stretch, but compared to us, he's a plain bloke.
I offer Gabrielle a comforting smile, able to resist the urge to ogle her, aware that she's not shamelessly confident like her sister. "All the best, Gabby. Now's your chance to steal the show."
Since Fleur had made a deal with me on the night of the Yule Ball, I convinced Teresa to not be a loose cannon and allow the soft Veela to shine. That's why Teresa is slumbering at the bottom of the lake with Rose and Thyra instead of standing beside me.
From the hint we found in the golden egg, the partners were going to be split up for the second task. Three would be administered a sleeping potion and tied in a mermen village, while the remaining three would try to rescue them in under an hour. So the second task is actually a race to see who can rescue their partners first. One might wonder why Rose didn't make a fuss about being a damsel here, why she volunteered for the boring part. Well, she'd have to be in a swimsuit in front of everyone if she wanted to be the proactive rescuer. Why would she do that when she can remain fully clothed as the damsel?
Gabrielle nods jerkily, her hands trembling at her sides. "You too, 'Arry. I won't lose."
Poor girl, struggling under the expectations of her sister. Gabrielle, while moderately confident, is of a soft and timid sort. The only reason she's participating in the tournament is because of her ambitious sister, who needs to prove something to herself and the world. The younger Delacour is merely a puppet, dancing to the tune of Fleur's unrelenting aspiration.
My attention shifts to Kiril as he takes out something from his bottomless bag.
I blink at the golden gauntlets and boots. The lustre of the metal is almost blinding when the light hits them just right.
He scoffs at us and puts them on, not deigning us another glance.
As Bagman begins his commentary, explaining the details to the rest of the people, I turn to Gabrielle again and raise an eyebrow. "Do you have some expensive enchanted gauntlets too?"
She giggles, becoming less stiff. "I do not."
"Rich bastards." I shake my head, ignoring Kiril's stinky eye and sharing an amused grin with her.
If that sounds hypocritical coming from a rich bastard, I don't care. I got all my money by myself instead of being born with a silver spoon in my mouth. That's the important distinction.
Once the explanation is done, Bagman gives us the signal to begin.
I take out the 'Leaf of Breath' from my Vault and consume it.
[Leaf of Breath]
— A leaf that upon swallowing allows the user to breathe underwater for a day. Note: One use only.
Gabrielle waves her wand at herself and quickly jumps into the water. Kiril leaps after her, and I'm the last, dropping from the pier—straight into the cold waters below.
A pleasant coolness surrounds me instantly, and the weight of the water presses on me from all sides. I take an experimental breath. There's no difference. It's just as easy as breathing on land. Though I do realise that I cannot talk down here.
Using my limbs, I slow down my glide and begin swimming towards the mermen village. I have surveyed the Black Lake just recently. So I know what to do and what not to do.
Some distance away, I spot Gabrielle rushing ahead in a hurry. Her lower half has turned into a mermaid tail—her slender legs replaced by blue scales. That's… interesting. She is definitely going to be the star of the show now. What's hotter than a Veela? A Veela mermaid.
The fin is not only eye-catching but practical too. By the time I move a couple of meters, she's already a blob in the distance. That's not to say she's the fastest among us three. No, that's Kiril. He is using his enchanted gauntlets and boots to release gusty wind that propels him at the pace of a missile.
If this keeps up, Kiril will reach first, then Gabrielle, and then me.
I swim leisurely, floating at a certain height so as not to be entangled with the thick jungle of kelps on the lake floor.
What to do?
I know so many spells to defeat them. The hundreds of spells that my clones learnt in their training was not just to level up. They can be used now. But again, there are so many options—from common spells like Bubblehead Charm to the obscure ones like Drenig's Lance that haven't been used in public for two hundred years. I haven't just hoarded all the gold I got, I've been buying rare spell tomes too. Damian and Alice have been a massive help in finding such books.
As a swarm of Grindylows rise from the kelps and swim up towards me, I smile.
~xXxXx~
Iris Evans
Just like last time, the stands are overflowing. Just like last time, she's stuck with her Mum since Astoria has left her to be with her family. And just like last time, her dad found them and sat beside her, followed by his girlfriend, Isabella Zabini.
Iris is annoyed. She's vexed by his constant attempt to talk to her when she doesn't want to. She allowed herself hope when she met James Potter at the first task, and thus allowed herself to be crushed by disappointment when he disappeared without a word. She won't make the same mistake again. Her dad is dead. The man on her right is just a stranger.
"Your brother is too relaxed. Do you think he has a plan?" James asks, staring at the giant screen worriedly.
Obviously, Harry has a plan. Her brother is not going to lose.
"Harry is an extraordinary boy. I fully trust him to pull a fast one on everyone." Isabella purrs, sliding James' hand between her thighs.
Iris blushes and looks away, though a flicker of fear worms into her heart. According to the paper, it was Isabella Zabini who won the Cure-All by throwing 50 bloody million galleons at Rayhmir. Is it possible that she knows Rayhmir is Harry? Or is Iris just being paranoid?
"Your confidence in my son is strange, Zabini," Mum utters in a blank voice, not only enraged that James brought her here but also concerned that Harry's secret might not be safe. Honestly, Harry was a moron to make a childish anagram for 'I'm Harry' while creating a pseudonym. It's as if he were waiting for everyone to decode the stupid anagram.
"Harry is a capable lad. I think it's strange that you don't have confidence in him, Lily," James replies mockingly, defending his girlfriend.
Iris doesn't have to face her Mum to see the fury in her eyes. Even her own blood boils as her da—James takes a stranger's side over theirs.
"Do not make me curse you, Potter. I have full confidence that my children will win. Do not twist my words. I just find your girlfriend's confidence in Harry odd when she hasn't ever talked with him." Mum enunciates each word, glaring at him, spitting the word 'Potter' as if it's the vilest word she has ever known.
"James, darling, don't fight." Isabella cooes, playing with his hand in her lap. "Lily asked a valid question. You don't have to fight for me all the time. Though your loyalty does make my heart skip a beat."
Iris wants to gag as James blushes like a schoolboy and leans in to snog the exotic beauty.
At least the woman is keeping her unnatural allure to herself this time. Iris doesn't want to be enamoured by her again.
Isabella titters after their locked lips part, her breasts jiggling hypnotically. "You, charming man, can never keep your hands off me."
Iris is surprised her breasts haven't spilled out from the absurdly deep neckline.
"As for your question, Lily," Isabella's eyes gleam knowingly, "I just think your boy is different from everyone else. He's so handsome, so confident. Even as his competitors have left him in dust, there's no panic in his movements. It's as if he's unconcerned, as if he's not threatened. I bet his genius head is lazily going through all the ways he can complete the task. Just watch, I'm sure he will prove me true."
Mum purses her lips and keeps her silence, glaring at the screen.
Iris doesn't know whether to feel proud of her brother after hearing Isabella's words. If Isabella formed her opinion of Harry based on the first task, then that's fine. But Iris fears there's more to it than that. Once again, why did Harry have to make such a stupid anagram?
The audience's gasps pull her from her thoughts and she looks up at the screen.
Dozens of Grindylows are circling Harry, darting towards him like hungry predators.
The screen zooms onto his face, showing his placid smile. Many will wonder why he's smiling like that, but very few will notice the malice dancing in his eyes. Iris isn't blind to her brother's unsavoury side. But she doesn't mind if it isn't directed at her.
Harry, still wearing that infuriating smile, whips his wand overhead. The effect is instant. It's stunning.
A massive portal rips open before him, its swirling edges crackling with power. Before the lake water can even surge inwards, something emerges, a behemoth tentacle, thick and glistening, exploding outwards. It lashes out, sweeping in a devastating arc around Harry. Grindylows shriek and scatter, flung away like ragdolls.
The sight alone is enough to freeze onlookers in shock. That tentacle isn't just big—it's monstrous. Long enough to coil around a castle tower, wide enough to swallow a boat whole.
Did Harry just summon a… Kraken?
The lake convulses under the sheer force of its emergence. A whirlpool spirals into existence, dragging everything towards its vortex. The once-still water erupts, sending waves crashing outwards. The spray rockets into the stands, drenching the audience. Gasps and cries ring out as people shield themselves from the sudden downpour.
She blinks, hastily wiping her face. By the time she looks back at the screen, the portal is gone, as if it had never existed. Harry is already on the move.
His wand, as if possessed, yanks him forward, dragging him through the water at impossible speed. He doesn't mutter a spell, doesn't command it aloud, but the wand knows his intent and obeys.
She shakes her head at her brother's recklessness. Was summoning a bloody Kraken really necessary? At that speed, the Grindylows wouldn't have a chance to touch him.
Besides her, Isabella is gushing over Harry again, while James tries—and fails—not to look jealous.
She ignores them, eyes fixed on the screen, on her moronic brother.
~xXxXx~
I shoot past Gabrielle, holding onto my wand. She'd have squawked if she were able to, I'm sure.
Will it be too much if I do the superman pose as I fly by? Probably, let's not do that.
Everything is a blur as I'm pulled by my wand at a ridiculous speed, though I do manage to notice that the deep waters are well lit compared to the last time I came here to map the lake. Must be done by the organisers for the task.
Soon, I leave behind Kiril as well, who's doing his best impression of Iron Man, moving his enchanted gauntlets and boots to propel himself.
As I smirk at his angry visage and wave while shooting by, I wonder what he's using to breathe underwater.
Oh well, there are so many ways to do that. No use wasting my time thinking about it.
Once I reach the village and spot the mermen, I slow down and drift to the lake bed. The hostages are tied to a 20 feet tall statue, gently swaying in their places. They hang from the outstretched marble hand. It's a little off-putting, to be honest. The image of prisoners' limp bodies hung at the gallows comes to my mind.
I ignore the guardian mermen and swim upwards, towards the hostages.
Rose is on the left, eyes closed, her breathing even, her red hair a pretty halo swaying around her head. She looks uncharacteristically serene. If I were an artist, I'd stop the time to paint her. Then there is Teresa in the middle, silver eyes open—
I yelp and stumble backwards.
That's such a jumpscare. It creeped me out. The twitch of her lips makes me feel embarrassed. Of course, Teresa is a level 500 legend. Why am I even surprised that she broke through the effects of the sleeping potion?
I move towards Rose again, gesticulating at Teresa to convey that Gabrielle is on her way.
She nods and remains hanging from the statue, looking utterly bored.
Wait, is it allowed for the hostages to escape to shore themselves? I don't know. I'm just glad Teresa isn't sure either. Or she'd have already swum away.
Cutting Rose's rope, I gently pull her in my arms and place her over one shoulder before using the wand to zip towards the shore.
~xXxXx~
As soon as we are out, Rose snaps awake and coughs out water.
Madam Pomfrey frets over us, handing us towels to dry ourselves.
I reapply warming charms on myself and on Rose. The moisture from the clothes and our skin turns to hot steam, eliciting blissful moans.
"We are the first." Rose doesn't ask but states.
I kneel behind her and begin towelling her still damp crimson hair. "Yes. We are first."
She closes her eyes and leans against me. "Good. Don't complain when I become the proactive one for the third task. You had your fun."
"Fine." I ruffle her hair, tempted to kiss her. "You can be the heroine for the last task."
I have had my fame, truly. The name Rayhmir is already uttered in every household with reverence or terror. I doubt I can earn even a sliver of such renown in the tournament without doing something truly ridiculous. Rose can have her glory.
Once I'm done drying her hair, she pulls it into a loose ponytail and springs up onto her feet. Madam Pomfrey leads us to the champions' tent.
Thankfully, we have our own little screen there, so we'll be able to watch how the others are faring.
A.N. I'm alive, so is this fic. I'll probably end up alternating the updates with 'Desires and Ambitions', my new fic. Give it a look, it's a Harry/Lily smut-oriented fic.