Chapter 235

The sonar spell indicated the approach of two creatures, presumably wizards. The first was closer but swam slowly, and the second was farther away but swam faster and was more massive.

"Hmm, Potter and Krum are almost there."

Hovering in the image of smoke for a bit longer, I waited for Potter to appear. He didn't look good - in his school uniform, slightly shabby, with gills on his neck, webbing between his fingers, and slightly lengthened feet. The guy fell into a stupor for a moment at the sight of me and pointed his wand.

"Don't be stupid and take your redhead."

My voice sounded clear, for it was transmitted by pure vibrations. It dawned on Potter that I wasn't some evil spirit out there, and the guy swam briskly over to Ron, trying to untangle the seaweed. It didn't work. The guy sank to the bottom of the square, picking up a spear dropped by one of the newts. When he returned, he began to cut the seaweed, but it did not give in.

"What a fool," I thought aloud, pointing my wand at the seaweed. "Expulso."

The seemingly explosive spell caused not an explosion at all but a dense and sharp water sickle that cut through the seaweed.

Potter nodded and picked up Ron with one hand, looking questioningly at the remaining French girl and me.

"Krum is close," I answered the unspoken question.

As if by order, a Bulgarian man, whose torso above his chest turned into a shark's head with gills, came up out of the murky near-bottom water at high speed. He swam quickly to the French girl and slowed down - not with his form to tear the seaweed with his teeth, and he was in no hurry to use spells, probably knowing about their other properties under water but not knowing the right one. He needs some help.

Pointing my wand at the seaweed holding the French girl, I launched Expulso again. Krum showed me his thumb and grabbed the girl's waist with his hand, and swam away. I accelerated to maximum speed, heading for the surface. As soon as I was in the air, I immediately accelerated even more, so much so that the distant shore with the podium was approaching faster every second.

I landed exactly next to Hermione, who had already dried herself off and was waiting for me.

"You first!" the girl joyfully rushed to embrace me, not even waiting for the already rapidly disappearing black smoke to disperse.

"Of course," I hugged her back with a smile, and at that moment, the stands erupted in applause.

Nearby, Madam Pomfrey and the healers in yellow robes bustled about, helping to recover Fleur, who was hugging her sister. Fleur, wrapped in a large white blanket, at the sight of me immediately let go of her sister and ran up to me.

"You saved her," she said with a perfectly happy, slightly shocked face. While not holding back her emotions, she accidentally released her charm so that one of the healers got entangled in his own legs and fell on the small stones of the shore. But he fell so that he could see Fleur.

Hermione made the tactical mistake of pulling away, and the veela took advantage of it.

"You saved my sister!" Fleur quickly put her hands on my shoulders and gave me an equally quick kiss on both cheeks. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," I smiled back a little.

"Such arrogance!" Hermione said indignantly, and then she turned me to her side, stood on her toes, and kissed me on the lips. It was as weightless and light as before, but still, a little longer, though without the vulgarity.

The audience applauded even louder, and the unashamed twins launched several of their trademark fireworks while hooting loudly.

"Let's go wait for the others," Hermione took my hand and led me to the empty seats next to the tent that I hadn't noticed before, standing right next to the bleachers. As soon as we sat down and wrapped ourselves in our plaid and Hermione pulled her hat on, the helpful ministry worker smiled and handed us each a large mug of steaming hot chocolate.

"I'm so proud of my native school," the man complimented me with a smile. "Way to go, kid."

The employee went about his business, and we, like sparrows, snuggled up to each other, sipping our chocolate. The audience had already calmed down a bit and were concentrating on the remaining two round screens in the air, arguing loudly over who was coming next - Krum or Potter. Since Harry didn't have to wait too long for the other contestants underwater, the action of the gillyweed wasn't over yet, and he could swim pretty fast. All in all, there really was an intrigue.

"Did you like it?" Hermione looked at me with a sly look in her eyes.

" What exactly?"

"Don't try to sound stupid. I mean Fleur."

"I'd be lying if I said no. But I'd also be lying if I said yes."

For a second, I thought about how I really felt about the incident. It's certainly nice to be kissed on the cheek by a girl without any sexual context, and quite deservedly so. The main thing in this is what? Do not overthink it. Still, not only girls sometimes suffer from "overthinking."

Hermione nudged me lightly in the side with her elbow and snuggled closer, staring in anticipation of a more elaborate answer. Well, I told her my thoughts on the matter.

"Are you angry?"

"Just a little, and not at you," the girl nodded.