Fheobe was itching to get back at Harley for keeping her in suspense, but there wasn't much she could do.
If they'd been in their dormitory, she could have made Harley give in by force. But with so many people watching the live broadcast by the lake, none of those methods would work.
The two of them quickened their pace and soon reached the shore.
Harley gave a little push with her tail, speeding up as she took Pheobe's hand.
Pheobe instinctively relaxed, letting Harley take control of her body.
The two of them leaped gracefully out of the water, then landed steadily on the ground with their little feet bare.
The moment Harley's mermaid tail touched the air, it changed back into her legs. They were as long and fair as before, flawless as ever.
As soon as they'd steadied themselves, Harley heard Ludo's familiar booming voice:
"...Look! Our two Champions have emerged from the water together!"
"They're the two Champions who completed the first part of the Second Task the fastest!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the stands, accompanied by some unintelligible howls and fireworks launched into the sky—fireworks purchased from the Weasley Twins' Joke Shop.
Harley waved to the spectators and raised her wand slightly.
The lake water on both of them instantly evaporated, leaving them completely dry.
Pheobe waved her wand, too. Two robes and their other clothes flew over from a distance and dressed Harley and Pheobe by themselves.
The two didn't linger. After all, the competition was still underway.
Under the gaze of thousands of students, they set off toward the Forbidden Forest, entering the second stage of the Second Task.
It was just past ten fifteen.
Only after entering the Forbidden Forest did Pheobe open the map in her hands and study it