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Chapter 33: The second task.
🕑 Added 2025-03-03 09:27:08 +0000 UTCAuthor’s Note:
This chapter gave me a lot of trouble—probably because I went so long without writing—but here you go. As you already know, Elias’ latest perks are… strong. Like, genuinely strong. Because of that, he’s starting to lose interest in the Wizarding World. But he still knows nothing about the truth of his own community. That will change soon. (Also, none of you know what I have planned, so you all are in the dark lol. One thing you can know now is that the wizards will be important later on, the wizarding world wont be ignored.)
Now, regarding the upcoming chapters: we’re getting close to the Third Task—don’t worry. That event will open up the rest of the world for our MC. However, there are a few things to take care of first. The Blacks meeting Seekvaira will happen before that, as well as Pranitha’s lessons for Iris and what she’s discovered. Interesting developments ahead, I hope.
I’m still debating what to do with the Indian witch, considering where she originates from. It feels a bit early to introduce them into the story, so I need to think carefully about how to proceed.
Next update will be a snippet I’ve wanted to write since last year. After that, we’ll be back to this fic.
The snippet is set in Worm and crosses over with a video game I really like. I hope you all enjoy it—I’ll post it by Tuesday at the latest.
As for the updates of that snippet, it will depend in two things. I know most of you are the silent readers type since I barely get comments, messages or likes for that matter, so I have no way to know how you like that story, so I plan to write three chapters shortly, mostly to peek interest, then the fourth and I'll update it in QQ and the other sites, there I will see better if people like it and it might get more chapters, nothing serious at all since this is my focus and that will not change.
Celestial Ascendancy
Chapter 33: The second task.
Hogwarts.
Elias Blake.
Things certainly didn’t progress as that Skeeter woman expected—of that, I was sure. While I didn’t know how the masses of Britain felt about the article, here in Hogwarts, it was as if the whole thing had barely made a ripple.
Out of the four houses, only one had a real problem with it, and even then, it wasn’t the entire house—just a handful of specific individuals.
The Ravenclaws, or at least most of them, treated the article as if it were beneath their notice. To them, it was just another sensationalist drivel unworthy of their attention.
As for the Hufflepuffs, their reactions were mixed. Some found the idea of a polyamorous relationship strange, especially since such arrangements hadn’t been standard in Britain for centuries. The only places you’d see them now were in Veela covens in France, a few other European communities, and some parts of Asia. But even among the Hufflepuffs, most thought it was sweet and supported us wholeheartedly. Their house’s values of loyalty and acceptance shone through, and I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude to the main perpetrators of it.
Susan had been hard at work from what I heard. We weren't close friends to be honest, so I didn't know exactly why she was helping, but she had my thanks. Honestly, I should get close to her, she would be an important member of the society in a couple of years and she was a good person.
The Gryffindors, of course, had our backs without hesitation. Even those who might’ve been uncomfortable with the idea of our relationship thought the article was ridiculous. In fact, most of my house was furious that Skeeter had used Lavender as a prop for her story. No one but I could figure out how she’d even heard about Lavender’s comment. It had been made inside the Gryffindor common room, after all.
Also, Skeeter had taken the words out of context to make it sound more sordid than it was.
Rita Skeeter didn’t have any friends in Gryffindor; that much was certain. If she did, they’d have been outed by now, given how angry everyone was.
No, the only house that was genuinely problematic was Slytherin—but not for the reasons I’d expected. And what I discovered made my blood boil like nothing before.
Iris is the most eligible girl in the school, full stop. The Potters are old blood; no matter what the progressives say, blood matters in the wizarding world. It’s not everything, of course—Hermione is living proof of that—but it’s a factor. And for some Slytherins, or more accurately, their parents, Iris is the golden ticket to elevating their family’s status.
She was known worldwide and was beautiful, strong, and had a good amount of gold in Gringotts. She was the Golden Egg of Wizarding Britain, probably Wizarding World, if I was honest. Some of the Pureblood Lords were happy to ignore her “pedigree” and take those things into consideration.
Tying her to their families through marriage is a popular topic in certain circles. We only learned about it thanks to Fawley, who graciously let us know. She had enjoyed that conversation by the smirk she had the whole time.
It’s disgusting, really. They prattle on about blood purity and tradition, but when it comes down to it, they’re just as greedy and self-serving as anyone else. And the fact that they see Iris as some kind of prize to be won makes me want to hex every last one of them into next week.
Hermione once theorized that inbreeding is one of the reasons most pureblood families aren’t as powerful as they used to be. They’ve spent so long marrying within their circles that their magic has stagnated. New blood is essential for growth, that's why most of the strongest witches and wizards in recent decades have been half-bloods.
Iris and Hermione are perfect examples of that. Hermione is the brightest witch of our age, but she doesn’t even have the raw magical power that Iris does. And Iris? She’s a force of nature, her magic as wild and untamed as her personality. It’s no wonder the Slytherins are so desperate to claim her. But they can forget it—she’s not some pawn in their twisted games. She’s mine, just as much as I’m hers. And Mione’s, of course.
The whole situation is infuriating but also a reminder of how broken the wizarding world is. They cling to their outdated traditions and prejudices, even when clearly holding themselves back. And now, they’re trying to drag us into their mess.
Some of the so-called “Lords” might turn the government against us. I’d love to believe it’s impossible, but knowing Fudge and that toad Umbridge, it’s a very real possibility. They wouldn’t hesitate to throw us under the bus if it meant gaining something for themselves. Justice? Morality? Those words don’t mean a damn thing to them.
And that scares me. Not for myself—not really. I’m strong enough to handle whatever they throw at me. Hell, I’m at a level where I could probably take on most of the professors if it came down to it. The number of people in Britain who could match me is laughably tiny.
Would I win? Considering the way most of them fight, there was a good chance I could defeat them if I gave it my all, but in truth, experience mattered a lot. This could be seen in how Flitwick still beat me in our sparring sessions, even if I could squash him in a single hit. He was a slippery motherfucker even at his advanced age.
No, what scares me are the innocents who’d get caught in the crossfire if I snapped. Ever since I became this strong, I’ve known one thing for sure: I won’t let the Ministry, or anyone, interfere with my life, no matter what. Call me selfish if you want, but that’s how it is. They can try to push me, but they won’t like what happens when I push back.
Frowning, I forced myself to focus on the present. Dumbledore had called me and the girls to his office. I had no idea what he wanted, but he’d been a solid ally over the past few weeks, so it was worth hearing him out.
“What do you think the Headmaster wants, Eli?” Hermione whispered as soon as we reached the gargoyle guarding his office.
She’d been the most affected by Skeeter’s article. That woman had painted her in the worst possible light, and while Hermione put on a brave face, I knew she was more sensitive than she let on. Just for that, I planned to do to Skeeter what Harry did in canon—expose her as an unregistered Animagus and ruin her career.
“No idea,” I shrugged, bumping my shoulder against Iris, who looked like she’d just rolled out of bed. She was still grouchy in the mornings, and today was no exception.
“With the second task so close, you’d think he’d have more important things to worry about than us,” Iris mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “Are you sure you’ll be fine, Eli?”
“Of course I will,” I smirked at her. “You’ve seen me training these past few weeks. Do you honestly think there’s anything in that lake that can harm me?”
It was true. I’d become a monster in human form. The Man-Made Messiah perk was something else when it came to physical capabilities. But the strength alone wasn’t the most shocking part—no, it was the fact that my body could now handle even more magic than before. A limit had been broken, and my magical pool hadn’t stopped growing since. I was itching to meet Seekvaira again to see how I stacked against her.
Hermione pouted at my reply but couldn’t even deny the truth.
“Licorice,” I said, rolling my eyes at the gargoyle. It sprang to life, and we stepped onto the moving staircase.
Inside Dumbledore’s office, the Headmaster was waiting, as expected. But McGonagall’s presence made me wonder what this was about.
“Professors,” I greeted them with a smile. “What did you need with us today?”
“Mister Blake, Miss Potter, Miss Granger,” McGonagall nodded, her mouth set in a firm line.
“Welcome,” Dumbledore said with a slight smile. “I have some good news, and I thought you’d want to hear it as soon as possible.”
“Oh?” Iris raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”
“Remus has moved in with Sirius at Grimmauld Place, as you three suggested,” Dumbledore began. “He was out of the country but returned two days ago. He also used his limited knowledge of healing magic to check Sirius’s health.” Dumbledore’s smile widened. “I have my theories on how, seeing that Ash was present, but Sirius is as healthy as ever—physically, at least.”
He sighed deeply, his expression growing somber. “His psychological health, however, is another matter entirely. But you’re right—Remus’s presence will help him in the long run.”
Iris and Hermione both broke into broad smiles. Iris even pumped her fist in the air, her earlier grogginess wholly forgotten.
“That’s wonderful news, Headmaster,” I said, smiling. “My uncle’s health means a great deal to all of us.”
McGonagall gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. “Uncle? Albus, were you aware of this?”
“I had my suspicions,” Dumbledore replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Young Regulus’s son, then?”
“According to Sirius and Arcturus, I am,” I nodded. “But we’ve kept it quiet for now. It’s a useful card to play if the Ministry tries to move against me in the future,” I added with a devious smirk.
“I intend to use their own laws against them,” I continued after a deep breath. “If they come after me, thinking I’m just some defenseless Muggle-born, they’re in for a rude awakening. I’m not someone they can push around; they’ll have to learn to live with that. Their own laws will be their downfall, and I can hold a grudge when necessary.”
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening as he focused on something I’d said. “Arcturus, you mentioned? Did he leave a portrait behind? Sirius never mentioned it in the few messages he sent.”
I nodded. “Turns out he did. We were exploring the house and found a hidden room. That’s where I discovered it.”
“Apparently, he didn’t know about Sirius’s innocence,” I explained with a shrug. “He’d left his portrait deactivated until a descendant entered that room. He’s a nasty old bastard, but he agreed to stay with Sirius and keep him company while we’re away. He believed Sirius was guilty and hated him for it, but at least he admitted he was wrong.”
“That was reckless, young man,” McGonagall said, frowning heavily. “The Black family estate is notorious for its dangers.”
Dumbledore chuckled softly. “Aye, that sounds like Arcturus, all right. He was a grouchy man even as a student. He endured the masses hating his family for treason but proved them wrong when he joined the frontlines during the war.”
“We’ve read about him,” Iris grinned. “He promised to tell me more about my family in the future.”
She was practically bouncing in her seat. “I can’t wait! He was quite close with my grandfather.”
“They were,” McGonagall confirmed, a tear forming in her eye, which she quickly wiped away with a handkerchief she conjured out of thin air. “They were in the same year when we studied here. Charlus was the unofficial leader of the Gryffindors—he protected them like they were his family. He was a good friend, and his loss affected many of us deeply.”
“I didn’t know that,” Iris said, frowning before pouting slightly. “Could I visit you some time to hear more about him? I know you’re busy, Professor, but I promise not to take up too much of your time.”
“It would be my pleasure, Miss Potter,” McGonagall replied warmly. “I have many stories about him, and Poppy does too.”
Dumbledore, who had been content to observe the heartfelt moment, cleared his throat. “You’re welcome to ask any of us during our free time, Iris. But I’m afraid I must return to the reason I called you three here today.”
“Is it about the second task, Professor?” Hermione asked shrewdly, her eyebrow raised in suspicion. Surprisingly, it was entirely her own initiative. She had been appalled when we “discovered” the details of the second task and what it entailed.
Dumbledore had the decency to look sheepish, but he nodded without shame. “Indeed. If I recall correctly, the original plan was to ‘abduct’ the most important person for each contestant—Ludo’s idea. But that changed once Filius laughed at him and begged us to reconsider attempting such a thing with the three of you.”
“Admittedly, I can see now what he meant,” Dumbledore continued, his gaze lingering on me. “I don’t mean to pry, young Elias, but aren’t you concerned about this sudden increase in strength?”
I wasn’t surprised he’d noticed the change, but I hadn’t expected him to address it so directly. I’d assumed he’d investigate quietly on his own.
“I am,” I admitted honestly. “It’s surprising, but I don’t dislike it. Aside from feeling more confident, I haven’t noticed many changes in my attitude. And I’m glad to know I can protect the people I care about from harm.”
“I understand the sentiment,” Dumbledore said thoughtfully. “But I hope you realize you’re not invincible. I wouldn’t usually offer this, but I believe it’s necessary given the circumstances. From what I can see, your magic rivals some of our professors. I’d happily offer guidance when we both have the time.”
“We would love that,” Iris replied before I could.
Snorting, I looked at the troublemaker with fondness.
“Thank you for the offer, headmaster; I just want to ask you one thing before we continue,” I said thoughtfully, “Why the offer? I know what is happening is out of the norm, but I wish to know why.”
Dumbledore regarded me with a thoughtful expression, his blue eyes piercing behind his half-moon spectacles. After a moment, he leaned back in his chair, tapping the armrest with his fingers.
“A fair question, Elias,” he began in a calm tone. “And one I expected you might ask. The truth is, while your newfound strength is indeed extraordinary, it is not the sole reason for my offer. What concerns me more is the responsibility that comes with such power. Power, as I have often observed, has a way of shaping those who wield it—sometimes in ways they do not anticipate.”
He paused, his gaze drifting momentarily to the flames in the fireplace before returning to me. “You are young and carry a great deal on your shoulders. I see in you a determination to protect those you care about, which is admirable. In some ways, I see an old friend of mine in you. Both have the ability to be ruthless if they believe the situation requires it. I wish to teach you that there are other options.”
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled faintly, a small smile playing on his lips. “And, if I may be entirely candid, what I sense in you makes me realize that I was once a frog at the bottom of a well. You have the potential to reach heights I could not in my lifetime. Selfishly, I wish to offer you differing perspectives. I will not attempt to force you to see things my way—I know it would be impossible to change who we are at our core. But by sharing my experiences, I hope you might learn something valuable from them.”
He leaned forward slightly, his smile warm. “You are on a path to becoming one of the leaders of the Wizarding World, young man. I want to help guide you, not out of obligation, but because I believe in the importance of your journey.”
I remained silent as the Headmaster explained himself, my expression carefully neutral. “Who is this friend you speak of, Headmaster?”
Dumbledore took a deep breath before replying, his voice tinged with melancholy. “Gellert Grindelwald, young man. You share many similarities with him, though you are far less inclined toward the choices he made. I simply wish to impart what I believe might have changed his path had he been willing to listen. It is not about control but offering you the tools to navigate your decisions with wisdom.”
I sighed. He was speaking the truth. I didn’t see myself following in the footsteps of a dark lord, but Dumbledore’s concerns were valid. If left unchecked, I could grow to a level of power never before seen, and the Headmaster wasn’t the type to eliminate a young student over mere “what ifs.” Instead, he sought to guide and help me avoid dangerous paths by offering his knowledge and experiences.
“I understand your point,” I nodded. “I would be honored to learn from you, Headmaster.”
Hermione smiled brightly, her eagerness to learn shining through as always.
“Now, back to the matter at hand,” Dumbledore continued, his smile returning. “Iris, would you assist Elias during the second task? I assure you both that you will not be in any danger. I will personally ensure your safety.”
“Of course I will,” Iris replied with a soft smile. “I have full confidence in my boyfriend.”
“Perfect, Young Iris,” Dumbledore smiled, “Just come here at curfew, and you will see each other tomorrow by midday.”
Next day.
“Are you ready, Eli?” Hermione asked for what felt like the hundredth time. We stood at the edge of the Black Lake, the chilly morning air biting at our skin. The other schools had already gathered, and none looked that scared, so I suppose Dumbledore explained things adequately to every contestant.
I spotted Skeeter skulking around in the distance, searching for her next scoop, but I pushed her out of my mind. She could wait. Right now, my focus is on the task at hand.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, giving Hermione a reassuring smile. My breath misted in the cold air, and I flexed my fingers, feeling the familiar hum of power beneath my skin. Cryomancy was second nature to me now, my magic was already thrumming and ready to be unleashed.
Hermione frowned, her brow furrowing as she glanced at the murky water. “Just… be careful, alright? I know you’re strong, but please take your time for us. There’s no telling what they’ve hidden down there.”
“Don’t worry,” I said softly, touching her bushy hair. “I’ve got this. And if anything goes wrong, I’ll use everything I can to get her.”
Her expression softened, and she nodded. “I know you do. Just… don’t show off too much if you can help it. We don’t need Skeeter writing another article about how you’re ‘the next Dark Lord in training.’”
I chuckled, though the comment hit closer to home than I’d like to admit. Dumbledore’s words from our earlier conversation still lingered in my mind. Grindelwald. I didn’t take The comparison lightly, but I wasn’t about to let it define me.
“I’ll keep it subtle,” I promised, though we both knew that was easier said than done.
With that done, Hermione hugged me tightly, gave her goodbyes, and joined Ginny and Luna in the stands with a happy smile. They waved at me with matching grins which I returned.
As the judges called for the champions to take their positions, I took my shirt without shame. My godly physique glinted under the sun. I heard whistles and catcalls from many of the girls present, but I ignored them to focus on what mattered. The flashes were harder to ignore though.
The other contestants glanced my way, Fleur with curiosity and Krum and Cedric with thinly veiled apprehension. I didn’t blame them. My abilities had already set me apart, and today would only reinforce that. I was way stronger than I was during the first task; in fact, it wasn't even comparable.
The one who glanced in my direction the most was Fleur, who had a weird glint in her eyes.
The signal sounded, and I waited for the other champions to dive into the water.
Before they could, I approached them with a calm smile.
“Hey guys,” I continued ignoring their apprehension. I knew that winning the tournament was important for some of them, but their chances were non-existent, and they knew it.
“Before you go, I just wanted to let you know something,” I smiled. "The hostages are in the center of the lake. Be careful of the Mermaids. They are as intelligent as humans and strong enough to break something if they get you with their tridents. Also, keep an eye open for the Grindylows. They aren't as intelligent, but they attack in groups.”
“Why are you helping us?” Fleur couldn't help but ask, “We are competing.” She was noticeably upset about my help but didn't understand the truth. I didn't care about this tournament, but that didn't mean I would allow myself to lose. I would be the only one going to the graveyard; none of them had any place there.
“Because I don't care,” I shrugged, “You have to be careful specifically, I know about the bad blood between your races. Keep an eye out, and don't hesitate to ask for help.”
“I don't need help,” Fleur huffed, looking disgruntled.
“Just food for thought,” I shrugged. "Well, besides that, I wanted to tell you something that will help you all. Just swim to the top when you get the hostage, and you can walk back to the shore without much problem.”
My last advice confused them, but I let them get prepared; I had done what I could, so now it only depended on them.
Krum’s shark transfiguration was impressive, I had to admit. Watching him dive into the water with his new form was pretty cool, though I couldn’t help but wonder why it affected his instincts. I remember the scene from the movie where he acted erratically.
I made a mental note to ask McGonagall about it later. Transfiguration was fascinating, but it wasn’t exactly my area of expertise.
I wanted to focus more on my wizard abilities, but realistically, the magic the grimoire gave me was stronger by a large margin, and with a big fight in the future, I wanted to focus on that until I felt capable enough.
Voldemort was a better Wizard than me, so I just needed to use something he wouldn't expect to get him.
The Gryffindors in the stands shouted at me to hurry up, their voices carrying over the crowd's noise. I ignored them. They might not have noticed what I was doing initially, but I was far from idle. My plan didn’t involve blindly rushing in like the other champions.
I walked calmly to the edge of the lake, my wand in hand, and waited. Let the others get a head start. I was worried that I could get them in the crossfire with my magic.
After five minutes, already knowing they were far enough, I started waving my wand.
The surface of the lake began to change. A thin layer of ice spread from the shore, crackling softly as it formed a solid path across the water. The crowd fell silent, their shouts of encouragement replaced by murmurs of surprise. I ignored them, stepping onto the ice without hesitation.
The frozen surface held firm beneath my feet, and I began to walk. Each step sent ripples of frost spreading outward, the ice thickening slightly as I moved. The cold didn’t bother me—cryomancy was as natural as breathing now, and my body was so strong that this cold was nothing to me.
When I reached the lake's center, the crowd was utterly silent. Even the judges seemed stunned, though Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled with what I could only describe as amused approval. I paused for a moment, looking down at the dark water below.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the gillyweed. Chewing it quickly, I felt the now familiar gills form on my neck and the webbing between my fingers. Without hesitation, I jumped into the water, the ice above me sealing over almost instantly.
The lake’s depths were dark and cold, but I could feel and see almost as good as the surface. I propelled myself downward with powerful strokes, the webbing enhancing my speed. It didn’t take long for the grindylows to notice me.
The first one lunged at me from the shadows, its sharp teeth bared. I reacted instantly, summoning a shard of ice and driving it into the creature’s side. It screeched and retreated, but more were already closing in.
I didn’t have time for this.
With a burst of solar light, I willed tens of thin strands of sunlight to appear around me, each ray throwing itself at the tentacles with precision. They thrashed, snarled, and hissed but were no longer a threat. I swam past them, eyes scanning the murky water for any sign of Iris.
Finally, I saw her. She was tied to a stone pillar in the middle of the mermaid village. The mermaids guarding her watched me warily, but they didn’t interfere. They had seen the “fight” that had just happened and probably didn't want the smoke if they could help it.
I reached Iris in moments, cutting her bonds with a sharp icicle. She was still in a trance, completely asleep. She looked peaceful, and I smiled softly.
I wrapped an arm around her waist and kicked off the pillar, propelling us upward with all the strength my physique could muster. The water rushed past us as we ascended, and we broke the surface within moments.
The crowd erupted into cheers as I carried Iris to the shore, the ice path I’d created earlier still strong. She coughed slightly, waking up as soon as we reached the infirmary. She shook the water from her hair, but she was otherwise unharmed.
“Took you long enough,” she teased, her voice weak but playful.
I laughed, setting her down gently on the bed. “You’re welcome,” I replied, grabbing a towel and drying her hair softly.
“How is she, Madam Pranitha?” I asked the Indian witch, “Is there any problem?”
She finished waving her wand, muttering in her language, " There is not any problem from the water, that I am sure of. " She finished with a deep frown, “But there is something I do not like.”
“Oh?” Iris frowned, “Is there something wrong?”
The healer took a deep breath. " I didn't expect these months to have so many interesting things.” She looked serious as she nodded. “There is something wrong with the scar on your forehead.”
That brought me to a halt. I already knew what she was talking about, but I didn't know if she knew precisely what the scar was.
“Can we talk about this in private? I don't want anyone hearing about this,” I said seriously. "We can also discuss what you offered. Iris said she was interested, and I also want to learn more about my magic.”
“I think that would be for the better, young man,” the healer nodded thoughtfully, “Fret not; this is under patient confidentiality. We can talk more later.”
“Thank you,” I smiled, grabbing Iris's hand and rubbing it softly, “Stay here, yeah? I will go see how the rest are doing.”
“I’ll see if I can send Mione to keep you company, okay?” I kissed her nose. " I love you.”
“I love you too,” Iris smiled as she relaxed on the bed.
One hour later.
I rolled my eyes at their misplaced excitement as the crowd erupted into applause. None of them had seen what really happened beneath the lake’s surface, yet they cheered as if they understood the struggle of the other champions.
The judges, too, disappointed me by handing out scores based on secondhand accounts instead of observation. Unlike in canon, I had hoped they would do something to allow the viewers to see what was happening, but they did nothing.
It was laughable.
Iris nudged me with her elbow, drawing my attention. “I knew you’d win,” she said, her voice warm as she hugged my side.
“Not exactly a challenge,” I admitted with a smirk. “This was boring, I honestly feel bad for the other three.”
She snorted. “I stopped caring about it the moment we met Seekvaira. That’s where the real interesting things are.”
“Agreed.” I exhaled, already shifting my focus to plan for the foreseeable future. “We’ll head to Hogsmeade soon to buy trinkets for the meeting. We should go to Padfoot's home and set it there so they can meet our friend.”
Iris’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Good. The sooner we meet her, the better.”
I was excited to meet the Devil again and see how Sirius would react to her presence. I was willing to bet that his reaction would be amusing.
