Draco was speechless. Anyone with half a brain could figure out that the organizers would never let anyone die.
Although the hostages looked blue-faced and drowned, that had to be a setup meant to frighten the champions.
But Draco had no time to explain. Harry, whose hands moved faster than his brain, was already using a Severing Charm to free Gabrielle.
That only stirred up a hornet's nest.
The merpeople, who had been peacefully watching from nearby, immediately swarmed toward them with spears in hand.
Draco had no choice but to hold Astoria with one hand and flick his wand repeatedly with the other.
"Impedimenta!"
"Diffindo!"
"Protego!"
Spell after spell struck the gathering merpeople, temporarily driving back the creatures, who feared magic.
Harry had now finished freeing Gabrielle. With an unconscious little witch tucked under each arm, he swam behind Draco, who was still casting spells, and gave him an apologetic smile.
They were best mates, and neither had time to argue about it now. All they could think about was how to break through quickly.
Harry did have a decent instinct for combat, and he immediately came up with an excellent idea.
Together, they first drove the merpeople back a short distance.
Harry then put Gabrielle, the lighter of the two girls, onto Draco's back and cast a simple Binding Charm.
Then he hoisted Cho Chang onto his own back. When their skin touched, Harry went blank for a moment.
Watching from beside him, Draco was furious. He hurriedly added a Binding Charm, then moved over to shake his lovestruck friend back to his senses.
Harry snapped out of it, his face growing even redder.
After that, each carried someone on his back and held one side of Astoria with one hand, leaving the other free to wield a