Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 177, Project 2

"Does this... really work?"

Harry looked at the grayish-green, sticky thing in Neville's hand with suspicion.

“Don’t worry! It’s called Gillbagh, and it definitely lets you breathe underwater. I saw it in that book, ‘The Amazing Aquatic Plants of the Mediterranean and Their Characteristics’…” Neville was interrupted by Hermione before he could finish speaking.

"What? It's in 'The Amazing Aquatic Plants of the Mediterranean and Their Characteristics'?!" Hermione looked regretful, as if she had missed out on a fortune.

"Gill pouch grass, which comes from the Mediterranean region, looks like a sticky, grayish-green rat's tail. After eating it, people will grow gills that can breathe underwater, and their hands and feet will grow webbed feet for swimming. The magic of gill pouch grass lasts for about an hour."

Hermione recited this long passage like it was from a memorized book: "Harry, it will last until the end of your match!"

Hermione's anxiety had vanished, replaced by pure joy.

"Yes!" With Hermione's assurance, Harry was completely relieved.

But he didn't forget Neville's contribution, and he thanked Neville solemnly, which made Neville blush.

Time flew by and the day of the competition arrived.

"Where's Ron? Has anyone seen him?"

Harry anxiously grabbed the person next to him and asked.

"I don't know, maybe he overslept... But it seems like the match is almost over, Harry..."

Upon hearing that time was approaching, Harry didn't have time to look for Ron anymore. He suppressed his worry for Ron, guessing that the other party might have already arrived at the Black Lake, and dashed up the stairs towards the Black Lake.

"Why hasn't Porter arrived yet? Did he forfeit?"

The voices of doubt grew louder and louder over time.

The game was about to start in five minutes, but Porter still hadn't appeared.

After a while, Potter finally appeared before everyone.

Thea clearly saw the disappointment flash across the faces of Karkarov and Ms. Maxim.

Potter ran wildly around the lake and arrived, panting, "I...I'm here..."

Seeing this, many people finally felt relieved.

Once the warriors had lined up in a row by the lake, Bagman announced loudly, "Listen up, everyone! Our warriors are in position. I'll blow my whistle, and the second event will begin."

They had a full hour to get back what had been stolen from them.

I counted to three, one... two... three!

A sharp whistle echoed in the cold, still air, and cheers and applause erupted from the stands.

Thea stood on the highest platform closest to the lake—she couldn't refuse other people's kindness.

The cold wind howled across everyone's faces and hair, and Thea's already fair skin had lost all color, appearing almost translucent.

As the warriors disappeared one after another into the vast lake, Thea felt slightly dizzy.

Thea, are you alright?

Gella watched with trepidation as Thea looked as if she could be blown away at any moment. Her arm unconsciously moved slowly towards Thea, making sure she could catch her before she fell.

"Don't worry, I'm fine..."

Seeing Thea's bloodless lips, Draco and the others gathered around.

"Why don't I go back with you first? This match isn't very interesting anyway..."

“No need, thank you Draco,” Thea said gently but firmly. “I want to watch the whole game.”

Even though the few people present had ulterior motives, they had no chance of harming Potter, but Thea still wanted to see the other side win.

Seeing Thea's attitude, the others couldn't force her to go back and rest, so they could only try their best to shield her from the cold wind.

I don't know how much time passed, just when people were almost losing patience from the cold wind,

"puff!"

A tremendous sound rang out as it cleaved the surface of the water!

"It's Diggory! It's Diggory from Hogwarts!"

Thea's ear next to hers was damaged by a Hufflepuff.

A moment later, cheers erupted from Durmstrang's side as well.

Krum succeeded too!

Now only Harry hasn't returned; Fleur's withdrawal doesn't count.

"puff!"

Three heads emerged from the water, and Thea's ears were once again assaulted by the soprano's voice.

Harry and the others are back!

"Harry! You're soaking wet!" Hermione screamed as she pounced on him, hurriedly wrapping her blanket around him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have finally made a decision."

Mermaid leader Mercus told us everything that happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have decided to score each of you warriors as follows, based on a maximum score of fifty points..."

"Despite demonstrating excellent use of the Bubble Head Charm, Fleur Delacour was attacked by Grindelwald as she approached her target and failed to rescue the hostage. We give her 25 points!"

A round of applause erupted from the stands.

“I should have gotten zero points,” Furong said, shaking her head in a hoarse voice.

“Cedric Diggory also used the Headshot Curse. He was the first to return with the hostages, but he was a minute over the allotted hour.”

The students in the crowd cheered enthusiastically, their voices deafening.

Therefore, we give him 47 points!

"Viktor Krum used Transfiguration, though incomplete, it was still effective. We give him 40 points!"

"Harry Potter took the gill sac herb and had amazing results. Although he was the last to return and far exceeded the one-hour time limit, the mermaid leader told me that Mr. Potter was the first to find the hostage!"

"The reason he failed to return in time was because he wanted to ensure all the hostages returned safely, not because he cared about his own hostages!"

"The vast majority of judges... felt that this fully demonstrated high moral character... Mr. Potter's score is forty-five points!"

Harry was completely immersed in the wave of cheers, and he thought dizzily: He finally passed... Now it's June 24th...

When Thea heard that time, a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes.

Can she really succeed?

Just then, a cold wind broke through everyone's defenses and swept straight across Thea's face.

Thea sneezed unexpectedly, and the redness on the tip of her nose and the corner of her eyes became the only two colors on her face.