At the front of the floating platform, the six Champions stood in a row along the water's edge. Once Shawn announced the start of the task, they eagerly began casting spells on themselves.
Krum withdrew his resentful gaze from Shawn and began using his half-mastered Human Transfiguration.
After his close-cropped head writhed for a moment, his upper body transformed into a shark with a vicious, gaping maw.
The other five Champions took a more conventional approach, all choosing the Bubble-Head Charm without consulting one another.
As the competition's actual host, Bagman dared not complain about Shawn announcing the start in his place. He hurriedly added instructions for the young wizards casting their spells.
"Listen carefully, everyone. You have a full hour to recover what was taken from you-your most treasured possession. Jump into the water together when I count to three.
"One..."
Splash! Splash!
Before Bagman could count to three, all six Champions had jumped into the water, one after another.
He sheepishly closed his mouth.
He regretted not having had a chance to speak to Harry alone and secretly pass him some information about the Second Task.
He had made quite a bit from the side betting on the First Task.
As the Champions entered the water, cheers and applause erupted from the stands into the cold, still air.
But within a few minutes, the spectators were left staring dumbly at the silent lake, coming to their senses one after another.
What were we supposed to watch for the next hour?
Disgruntled chatter began rising from the stands, and the spectators directed their noisy complaints toward the Judges' Stand.
"The organizers haven't done their jobs!"
"Exactly! Are tens of thousands of us supposed to wait in this freezing wind for an hour?"
"Ah, I'm desperate to watch the competition