Hogwarts: I will not become the Dark Lord

“Finally, the knot in Hagrid's heart is untied. I believe he will soon return to the Care of Magical Creatures class!” Harry said as he stepped onto the path back to the castle, his tone revealing a hint of undisguised relief.

“Now is not the time to relax, Harry. Have you figured out a way to get through the second task yet?” Hermione reminded him. “Don't forget, there's not much time left before the competition starts!”

“Crap!”

Harry's smile instantly froze. The second task was underwater, and he wasn't a fish. How to survive underwater was a problem.

“How about you use the Summoning Charm again, Harry? This time you can summon a set of Muggle scuba gear.” Ron suggested an idea.

“No, Ron, operating scuba gear isn't as easy to learn as you think.” Harry shook his head gently, looking embarrassed. “And scuba gear is too cumbersome to use!”

“The ideal solution would be to transform yourself, like into a submarine or a creature that can move freely underwater.” Hermione took over, thought for a moment, and said, “It's just a pity that we haven't touched on the advanced courses of human transformation yet. That won't be until sixth grade. And trying it without sufficient training, the consequences will be unpredictable, the risk is too great.”

Speaking of human transformation, Harry's eyes turned to Jerry.

“Don't even think about it. You can't have Professor Moody turn you into a fish during the competition! That's against the rules.” Jerry shook his head. “As for Animagus, it's even more impossible. There's simply not enough time. If you're unlucky and don't encounter suitable weather, you won't learn it for several years! Even if you do learn it, what if your Animagus is an animal that can't swim at all?”

“So, I think a more reliable method is to look for other spells.” Hermione continued, “Perhaps we can find a spell in the library that will allow Harry to survive in an oxygen-deprived environment underwater.”

“Does such a spell really exist?” Harry asked dubiously, then turned his gaze to Jerry. “Jerry, you must have found a way to get through the second task, right?”

“Of course, I've thought of several ways!” Jerry nodded.

“Great! Tell me quickly…” Harry eagerly wanted to know, but he was interrupted by Hermione before he could finish.

“Wait, Jerry, if you tell Harry the method, and it's not Harry who figures it out himself, doesn't that violate the competition rules? After all, you are also a contestant!” Hermione said, gently tugging at Jerry's arm.

“It should be fine, only a few of us know about this.” Jerry shook his head.

“That's right, please, Hermione, just let Jerry tell me directly! There's really not much time left for me to prepare!” Harry pleaded anxiously.

“But, but the rules…” Hermione still seemed a little worried.

“Don't worry, Harry, just don't tell anyone!” Jerry said.

“Okay, let me think… what kind of methods are suitable for you…” Jerry stroked his chin, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, “There should only be two kinds, the first is the Bubblehead Charm.”

“Bubblehead Charm? What is this spell? I've never heard of it before?” Harry looked puzzled, and Ron and Neville next to him also shook their heads. Hermione frowned slightly when she heard the Bubblehead Charm, obviously she didn't know this spell either.

“The Bubblehead Charm can generate a protective bubble of air around the caster's head. It can not only resist the toxic air polluted by the outside world, but also allow you to breathe freely underwater.” Jerry patiently explained to everyone.

“Jerry, I've never even heard of this spell, let alone know it. Is it difficult to learn?” Harry seemed quite anxious.

“I personally don't think it's too difficult. I learned it after reading the introduction in the book once!” Jerry said nonchalantly.

“Then it sounds okay, not too difficult.” Harry nodded, feeling relieved. Jerry learned it once, even if he wasn't as good as him, he could just spend more time practicing. If once wasn't enough, then ten times should be enough!

“Jerry, didn't you just say there were two ways? What's the other way?” Hermione vaguely felt that the first method was not very reliable. Harry, I advise you not to be too confident.

“What about the other way… have you heard of Gillyweed?” Jerry's eyes swept across everyone's faces.

“Oh yeah, Gillyweed, how didn't I think of it!” Neville slapped his forehead when he heard Jerry's words, suddenly realizing.

“Neville, do you know about this stuff?” Harry asked curiously.

“That's right, Professor Moody's 'Mediterranean Magical Aquatic Plants and Their Properties' has a detailed introduction to Gillyweed!” Neville nodded with a smile, his eyes flashing with excitement. “Harry, I think Gillyweed is more suitable for you, it will make the competition a lot easier!”

“After taking Gillyweed, once you enter the water, gills will grow under your ears, allowing you to breathe freely underwater. Moreover, it can also make your body fully adapt to the underwater environment, it will make you swim faster in the water!”

“Most importantly, Harry, have you thought about the water temperature during the competition? Not to mention swimming in the Black Lake, even walking barefoot by the lake will make people shiver from the cold.”

“So, Gillyweed can also resist the cold?” Harry's eyes lit up.

“It can make you adapt to the environment in the water, of course, including the temperature!” Neville nodded affirmatively.

“Neville, I didn't expect you to know so much! Do you have Gillyweed on hand?” Harry obviously placed high hopes on Gillyweed.

“Sorry, Harry, I've only seen photos of Gillyweed in books, I haven't seen the real thing.” Neville shook his head regretfully.

“Don't worry, I know a place where you can definitely find it!” Jerry interjected at this time, a mischievous smile on his lips.

“Where?” Harry and Neville asked in unison, their eyes flashing with anticipation.

“Gillyweed must be indispensable in Snape's potion storage!” Jerry said firmly.

“Snape? No, no!” Harry waved his hand quickly when he heard this. Last time Snape wrongly accused him of stealing his potions, this time if he really went to steal Gillyweed, he would really be jumping into the Black Lake and wouldn't be able to clear his name!

“I think I'll try to learn the Bubblehead Charm first, and take a chance to go to Hogsmeade Village to see if I can buy Gillyweed.” Harry said.

“Okay then!” Jerry smiled slightly, but he had already made up his mind. Anyway, he was planning to “borrow” Gillyweed from Snape. The blame for stealing potions would definitely be shifted to Harry. At worst, he would bring a copy for Harry at that time, so it wouldn't be in vain for him to take the blame.

The group returned to the entrance hall and was about to disperse when they saw Ludo Bagman appearing furtively, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

“Wait a minute, wait a minute!” Ludo Bagman suddenly called out to them, quickly stepped forward, “Mr. Green, could you please take me to see Headmaster Dumbledore? I have some urgent matters to discuss with him.”

Before he finished speaking, he grabbed Jerry and walked towards the headmaster's office, leaving everyone with a look of astonishment.

"Why is Mr. Bagman acting so strange today?" Harry scratched his head, full of confusion. "There's no Quidditch match today, and he's not a commentator. What's he doing at Hogwarts? And how could he not know where Dumbledore's office is?"

"Indeed, his behavior is rather unusual." Hermione frowned, equally puzzled.

...

"Why did you suddenly show up at Hogwarts? If you need me, just send an owl!" Jerry asked, frowning. "If you have something to say, say it quickly. If others see us talking in private, it will arouse suspicion!"

"It's a complete misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!" Ludo Bagman hurriedly waved his hands to explain. "I didn't want to come to Hogwarts either, but those debt-collecting goblins chased me all the way to Hogsmeade, so I had to come to Hogwarts to hide!"

...

Harry threw himself back into his tense studies, this time aiming to master the Bubble-Head Charm, just as he had diligently learned the Summoning Charm to prepare for the first task.

Jerry was right, the Bubble-Head Charm itself wasn't complicated. Harry successfully mastered its casting method in just one morning. However, the effect of his Bubble-Head Charm was quite unstable, only lasting for about thirty minutes, and that was in an undisturbed environment. Harry could imagine that in the Black Lake, the duration of the Bubble-Head Charm might be even shorter.

Now, Harry's heart was once again shrouded in the tension of the past, making it difficult for him to concentrate even in class. The lake that he once regarded as a scenic spot on campus had now become a shadow looming over his heart.

Whenever he approached the classroom window, his gaze would involuntarily be drawn to the iron-gray, gloomy surface of the Black Lake. The deep and cold water seemed like an unreachable secret realm, filling Harry with fear.

Just like the time before facing the Hungarian Horntail in the first task, time seemed to have been enchanted, flowing unusually quickly.

With only two days left until the second task, Harry's appetite once again plummeted. At breakfast on Monday, the only solace was the return of the tawny owl from afar, carrying a reply from Sirius Black.

Harry couldn't wait to pull out the thin piece of parchment and gently unfold it, only to see the shortest message from Sirius since they began corresponding. He examined it repeatedly, even turning the paper over, hoping to find more text on the back, but the back was still blank. In the letter, Sirius only briefly asked them when they would next be going to Hogsmeade.

"It should be next... no, the weekend after next!" Hermione counted the dates and said, "Use my quill, quickly write back to him, and use this owl."

Harry hastily wrote the date on the back of the reply, then tied the letter to the owl's leg and watched it flap its wings again and disappear into the morning light.

"Why did Sirius ask us when we're going to Hogsmeade next?"

"I don't know either." Harry shook his head and turned to ask Hermione, "Where's Jerry? I still have some questions about the Bubble-Head Charm to ask him."

"He should already be at Hagrid's hut, we have to hurry over there too." Hermione reminded him, "Don't forget, the next class is Care of Magical Creatures, with Slytherin."

For today's Care of Magical Creatures class, Hagrid didn't continue to have the students observe and care for the Blast-Ended Skrewts. Perhaps it was because there were only two Blast-Ended Skrewts left, or perhaps it was for other reasons, Hagrid took over Professor Grubbly-Plank's unicorn lesson.

The fact proved that Hagrid's familiarity with unicorns was in no way inferior to Professor Grubbly-Plank, but the occasional regret he revealed seemed to be a bit of a pity for the unicorn's lack of fangs.

Hagrid had also specially brought in two unicorn foals. Unlike adult unicorns, which are pure and flawless, they were covered in a coat of dazzling pure golden fluff.

Without exception, all the girls who came to class today were overjoyed when they saw the two unicorn foals, as if they had gone mad.

"Unicorns are easier to approach in their foal stage," Hagrid introduced to the whole class, "They will lose their golden color at about two years old, turning silver, and their horns will begin to appear at about four years old, until they finally become pure white as adults. Unlike adult unicorns, foals are especially tolerant of boys, so you can get closer, even gently stroke them, and feed them a few lumps of sugar."

Hagrid had everyone line up and let the students take turns greeting and interacting with the unicorn foals in a friendly manner. When it was Jerry's turn, he smiled, trying to appear friendly, but the unicorn foals, which had just been docile and well-behaved, suddenly leaped up in fright, retreating repeatedly, their eyes full of vigilance. If it weren't for the tether of the ropes, they might have already fled and disappeared without a trace.

"Jerry, why don't you step back... I think you... scared them!" Hagrid saw this and quickly ran over to soothe the two frightened unicorn foals.

Jerry had no choice but to sullenly stay away from these two ungrateful unicorn foals.

Damn it, unicorns are all crazy!

As soon as Care of Magical Creatures class was over, Harry couldn't wait to find Jerry and ask about the casting techniques for the Bubble-Head Charm.

Jerry's advice to him was to practice more!

Isn't the Bubble-Head Charm a simple spell that anyone can learn with a glance, as long as they have hands?

"If I were you, Harry, if you really can't do it, just find a way to go to Snape and 'borrow' some Gillyweed!" Jerry said impatiently.

"Don't joke around, do you think Snape would help me? Besides, according to the rules, contestants are not allowed to seek help from professors!" Harry shook his head, I, Harry Potter, would rather drown in the Black Lake than use Snape's Gillyweed!