Clues to the Second Task, Dance Partners and Hostages?

"So you still invited her?" The Thought Form couldn't help but click its tongue. "I don't object, and I approve of your decision, but isn't this a bit too hasty?"

"It's better to do this sooner rather than later. Dragging it out will only cause trouble for myself. Besides, I don't have many options for dance partners." Aaron counted on his fingers and said matter-of-factly, "First of all, I'll rule out all the senior students. It's not that they're not pretty, but the way they look at me is like a wolf looking at a little rabbit. I'm afraid they'll eat me up."

Secondly, all unfamiliar people were excluded. The tradition of the Triwizard Tournament may have some special meaning, otherwise our vice principal would not have been so firm in his attitude.

There is one suitable girl among the younger female students, but they also have to go home for Christmas.

After considering all that, there aren't many options left, and among them, Hermione Granger is the most reliable.

Most importantly, since you've decided to attend the Christmas Ball, finding a dance partner as soon as possible is essential; otherwise, it would be incredibly awkward for the lead dancer to be without one.

"Uh... how about we skip dancing and use Illusion Magic to cover it up?"

"I have thought about that, but can you guarantee that Dumbledore won't attend the ball?"

"No, the principal will definitely show up."

"That settles it then." Aaron shrugged. "If we choose a dance partner sooner, we won't have to worry about this mess. Wouldn't it be better to use that time to practice Forbidden Magic Array?"

"We're far from being able to do that with our current level." The Thought Form curled its lip. "Forbidden Magic is magic that only Holy Magus can use. The two of us combined are only Beginner Grand Archmage, and individually we're only novice Archmage."

"I'll leave the practice of the ultimate Magic Array to you, while I'll practice the Forbidden Magic Array in my spare time."

"The more practice you do beforehand, the easier it will be when you're ready to retract your Thought Form and practice again later."

"Alright."

"How's the cracking of the secret of that Golden Egg going?" Aaron asked Yu.

"That's about it." The Thought Form took the Golden Egg off the storage shelf. "This thing makes a terrifying sound when you open it, but we can't deny that the clue to the next project lies in that sound."

I think if we just filter out the noise, we can get what we want.

As she spoke, the Thought Form Wand pointed at the hot spring pool in the main hall, and a stream of clear water flew out of the pool, enveloping the Golden Egg.

The knob on top of the Golden Egg opened automatically, and beautiful sounds began to echo throughout the hall:

Look for us, where our voices can be heard.

We cannot sing on the ground

When you search, please think carefully.

We stole your most beloved treasure.

You have only one hour to find and retrieve the items we took.

An hour later, all hope vanished; it disappeared completely, never to reappear.

The Thought Form closed the Golden Egg, "This is the clue to the Second Task, a simple ballad."

"The location is underwater, and it involves singing..." Aaron stroked his chin and pondered for a moment, "Mermaid, it must be Mermaid."

"That's right, if nothing unexpected happens, the location should be Black Lake."

The Second Task was to find the items stolen by the Mermaid within one hour in the Black Lake.

"But the problem is, what do I have that they would want to steal?" Aaron asked with some doubt. "There are quite a few good things inside the Divine Thunder Hall, but they definitely can't get in."

Even Dumbledore from the defensive magic and self-destruct mechanisms here, let alone a group of Mermaid who can't even land!

"What if it's not an object?" the Thought Form asked, sounding slightly serious.

Aaron paused for a moment, then turned to look at Abei swimming in the pool, and his lips twitched involuntarily.

Don't be ridiculous. A mere Mermaid trying to catch a dragon would be lucky if she didn't end up as a dried fish.

"It can't be it, absolutely not."

"It's so important to us that we have to go to Black Lake to search for them." The Thought Form frowned. "Besides Abei, how many people are left?"

Professor Snape? No, unless the Mermaid doesn't want to stay in the Black Lake anymore, she wouldn't be foolish enough to offend the head of Slytherin.

There are quite a few classmates and friends: Draco, Xilin, Niall, Harry, Hermione... oh my god!

"Damn it!"

Aaron seemed to be thinking about something as well, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

No wonder Champion are required to have their own dance partners; this is the hostage chosen by the Mermaid.

If they don't have a suitable partner, they will kidnap their dance partner, and kidnapping a student is much easier and less dangerous.

"Damn, they really know how to have fun!" Thought Form slapped his forehead. "Is it too late to change dance partners now?"

"I'm afraid it's too late," Aaron said calmly. "Besides, the dance partner is just a backup option. No matter who the Mermaid has tied up, I have to go and rescue her according to the competition rules."

"In that case... the most important part of the Second Task is breathing underwater for an hour."

The Water-Repelling Charm should work, and with Captain Jack's Compass, finding someone should be quite easy.

"So, this level will expose the Water-Repelling Charm and the Compass?" Aaron asked, a hint of a pain in his voice.

"You could also try the Water -Bubble-Head Charm," the Thought Form suggested. "Although it can't compare to the Water-Repelling Charm, at least you can breathe underwater, and it just means you'll have to travel a little further."

"Let's go with the Water-Repelling Charm!" Aaron said helplessly. "This spell isn't as shocking; at least it's more low-key compared to the First Task."

As for Captain Jack's Compass, it's best not to take it out.

"Whatever makes you happy." The Thought Form shrugged indifferently, then placed the Golden Egg in Aaron's hand. "This thing is useless now. I don't know if the school will take it back. It's not appropriate for me to keep it here."

It's the last week of the semester, and Christmas is just around the corner.

The school is getting more and more lively, and you can hear all sorts of news about the Christmas Ball everywhere, but eight out of ten of them are rumors.

The teachers' attitudes towards teaching also changed somewhat. Professor Flitwick allowed everyone to chat during class, Professor Binns' lectures became more tedious, Professor McGonagall and Professor Moody remained as diligent as ever, and Professor Snape required all students to do their homework during the last class.

The students, above fourth grade, sat scattered in the Great Hall, writing furiously on parchment, while Professor Snape patrolled around, maintaining order.

"Finished." Aaron placed the three pages of parchment in Professor Snape's hands.

Snape glanced at it briefly, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Well done. Come to my office after class."

"I understand."

Aaron yawned and prepared to go back to practice drawing Forbidden Magic Array.

"This is terrible, at this rate we'll be the only ones who can't find dance partners."

Ron's voice suddenly reached Aaron's ears, immediately piquing his interest. He put down his notebook and sat down in front of them.

"What did you just say? You haven't found a dance partner yet?"

"Pretty awkward, right?"

"We're not the only ones struggling to find dance partners; Neville is too," Ron teased. "He's been practicing alone in his dorm these days."

"Uh... he must have found a dance partner to train like this."

"Impossible." Harry laughed incredulously. "We're pretty sure he didn't find a dance partner."

"In fact, he found it," Hermione interjected. "Neville invited Ginny."

Ron and Harry exchanged a glance. "Now we're even more annoyed."

Just then, a crumpled piece of paper was passed to him by Fred: "Don't hesitate, or you'll miss out."

"Insightful," Aaron commented directly.

"So who are you planning to go with?" Ron asked his brother.

Fred, unperturbed, tossed the crumpled paper to Angelina. "Would you like to come to the ball with me?"

"To the ball, sure!" Angelina hesitated for a moment before smiling and agreeing.

This action left several people nearby speechless. Aaron even gave a thumbs up, saying, "I'm truly impressed. I'm still a bit too shy in front of girls."

"You haven't found a dance partner either?" Harry asked in surprise, while secretly pleased.

Aaron was definitely a hot commodity at the ball; after the first competition, his fame was probably only slightly less than Krum's.

Since he hasn't found a dance partner yet, he and Ron won't be in such an awkward situation.

"What are you thinking about?" Aaron said speechlessly. "I found a dance partner on the very first day, but I was a little embarrassed when I asked her out."

"Oh, I see." Harry lowered his head dejectedly.

"I remember reminding you to find a dance partner sooner rather than later. You didn't keep putting it off until now, did you?"

"I just... I'm not ready yet," Harry said somewhat awkwardly. "Girls usually come in groups, so it's hard to invite one of them alone."

"You're even more shameless than me."

By the time you're ready, the daylily buds will be cold.

"Hermione, you're a girl, right?" Ron suddenly asked.

"You have a good eye," Hermione said coldly.

"Then you pick one!" Ron pointed to himself and Harry. "Hurry up and pick one. It's fine for the boys to go alone, but the girls will be in trouble."

"Uh... sorry," Aaron said, somewhat speechless, "She's my dance partner."

"What? You two, this..."

Ron stammered and couldn't speak clearly, while Harry stared wide-eyed in astonishment.

The next moment, both of them received a slap on the back of the head.

Professor Snape stood expressionless behind them. "You seem to have forgotten that you're doing your homework."

"Hahaha." Hermione couldn't help but laugh, but her laughter stopped abruptly when she saw Snape's dark face.

"Professor, I've finished writing." She placed the parchment in Professor Snape's hand, not giving him a chance to work, and quickly got up and left.

After Snape left, Harry and Ron looked at each other, their eyes filled with determination.

"Listen, you have to find a dance partner no matter what."

"We need to find a dance partner before even leaving for the party's Common Room, right?"

"Agree."

The two of them kept searching for suitable dance partners in their minds, preparing to shamelessly find an opportunity to invite them.

Unbeknownst to them, Snape had returned. Seeing the two talking absentmindedly, he rolled up his sleeves and slammed their heads onto the table.