"Better smooth sailing than nail-biting suspense…" said Herbert. "Still cold after coming out of the lake?"
"Not really," Cohen shook his head. "Can't feel much of anything."
Herbert slung an arm around Cohen's shoulders just as Dumbledore and the other judges returned to the platform.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Fudge began, acting both as host and judge, "we've finally reached a decision. The mermaid chieftain, Mergus, has shared with me all that transpired beneath the lake…"
"'Shared with him'? He can't speak Mermish," Sirius said with a scoff. "Only Dumbledore and Crouch can."
"Didn't feel as good as… Edward…" Cohen muttered.
"Oh, shut it. I don't speak Mermish," Edward leaned past Herbert to whisper a warning to Cohen. "You're sounding like a kid on Privet Drive arguing whose dad's braver…"
"That actually gives me an idea," Cohen's eyes lit up. "I've never actually tried comparing that before—"
"Comparing what?" Harry, drawn by curiosity like a moth to flame, leaned in.
Before Hogwarts, Harry only had Cohen as a friend—Dudley and his gang never included him, except when they wanted someone to gang up on.
"You know, just the usual—whose dad dared to do crazier stuff, like tickling a caterpillar or eating…" Cohen glanced meaningfully at Sirius. "But you've got a godfather, Harry. I won't compare with you—"
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Sirius clamped a hand around the back of Cohen's neck, putting on an exaggeratedly menacing face. "Didn't we agree no dog jokes?"
"What dog jokes?" Cohen said, all innocence.
"Alright, alright, Fudge is done rambling. Listen up," Herbert whispered, brushing Sirius's hand off Cohen's neck. "They're announcing scores now—maximum is fifty."
"…Fleur Delacour demonstrated impressive use of the Bubble-Head Charm, but was attacked by Grindylows as she approached her target, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her twenty-five points."
Applause broke out across the stands.
"Pity points," Ron said politely as he clapped. "Hope you get some too, Harry—"
"Cohen Norton made use of… a complete Transfiguration spell," Fudge said, pausing briefly. "He successfully rescued his hostage within the time limit, was the first champion to return, and even helped the merfolk by luring away a rampaging giant squid. We award him fifty points."
The crowd erupted in wild cheers—one might've thought they were all rooting for Azkaban.
But in truth, students didn't care about sides or schools—they just cared who was the most brilliant.
"No favoritism!" Ron said in astonishment, clapping harder than anyone else, as if he had won. "Way to go, Cohen—full marks!"
"No way they could've justified anything less," Herbert said cheerfully.
"I'd have broken into the judge's quarters if they gave you any less," Edward added.
"No tainting your future," Cohen said sternly. "You need to keep your image clean—you're destined to be Minister for Magic someday."
"When did I ever say that?" Edward shot back instantly.
"Granny's predictions never miss," Cohen replied. "Just think about it…"
Edward suddenly went pale, then red.
He remembered—Cohen had just mentioned something about a certain Dementor-bastard down in the cave… and Martha had predicted she'd be cuddling a great-grandbaby soon…
"You actually planning on this?" Herbert asked, eyeing Edward with interest.
"Planning? I can't even plan my gaming schedule," Edward said, shaking his head. "Totally unrealistic…"
"Cedric Diggory also used the Bubble-Head Charm," Fudge continued. "He returned second with his hostage, though a minute past the time limit… so we award him forty-five points."
The Hufflepuff crowd roared so loudly it shook the stands.
"Viktor Krum used partial Transfiguration, which was highly effective. He was the third to return, so we award him forty points."
"His head turned into a shark," Harry told Cohen, since Cohen had already been dragged off by the giant squid by then.
"Turning into a shark head in freshwater? Interesting…" Cohen mused.
"Harry Potter used the Aqua-Respiro Alchemic Jar, with excellent results…"
[Latest chapters at 69BookBar! First published there!]
"That's what it's called?" Harry asked, surprised.
"I still prefer 'Fishbowl Head'," Cohen replied. "So that's what we'll call it."
"He was the last to return, far past the one-hour time limit," Fudge said. "However, the mermaid chieftain reported that Mr. Potter and Mr. Norton were among the first to find the hostages. Potter failed to return promptly because he insisted on ensuring all hostages made it back safely—especially after Mr. Norton lured away the attacking giant squid…"
Ron and Hermione looked over at Harry, disappointed. Sirius, however, clasped Harry's hand firmly, reminding him that character and life always mattered more than scores.
"Most of the judges agreed this demonstrated admirable moral character," Fudge said.
Even without naming the dissenting judge, everyone knew it was Karkaroff—his goat-bearded face was like a thundercloud.
"So… Mr. Potter scores forty-three points."
There was a beat of stunned silence before applause filled the air—Ron and Hermione clapped with all their might.
"So you weren't just being reckless!" Ron shouted through the noise. "You were showing moral character!"
"Somehow that makes it sound worse…" Harry muttered, sneaking a sideways glance at Cohen.
Cohen, meanwhile, was happily watching the show unfold elsewhere—
Krum looked gloomier than ever, wanting to talk to Hermione, but she was too busy clapping for Harry to even notice him.
"The third and final task will take place on the evening of June twenty-fourth," Fudge announced. "The champions will learn about the task one month in advance. Thank you all for supporting them."
"Support where?" Harry blinked. "You mean the clapping?"
"Didn't feel any," Cohen said, disappointed. "No one brought me flowers or anything. Not even the Dementors from Azkaban came to cheer for me…"