The wizarding world did not know how to speak softly about Harry Potter anymore.
The Daily Prophet arrived in the Great Hall the morning after the Second Task like an explosion wrapped in ink. Owls swooped low, dropping papers onto tables already cluttered with toast and teacups, and within seconds the hall filled with the sharp crackle of unfolding pages and rising voices.
POTTER REVEALS SECOND, EVEN MORE ALARMING FORM
TRIWIZARD CHAMPION TOWERS OVER JUDGES—MINISTRY "UNPREPARED"
Colin Creevey nearly fell off his bench trying to read over someone's shoulder. Ravenclaws dissected height estimates with academic fervour. Hufflepuffs argued heatedly about whether Harry had endangered the hostages or saved them more efficiently than any champion in history.
Slytherin, predictably, split down the middle, half sneering, half quietly reassessing everything they thought they knew.
Harry sat with his friends, ignoring the paper in front of him.
"You're nine feet tall," Ron said faintly, staring at a moving photograph of Harry wading out of the lake. "Nine. Feet."
Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "Eight-foot-nine, according to Professor Flitwick's measurement charm."
Ron looked ill. "That's worse."
Ginny leaned forward, eyes bright with something between awe and mischief. "You picked up a fully grown merperson like they weighed nothing."
Harry shrugged. "Water helps."
The whispers followed him everywhere that day.
Some students stared openly now, measuring him in ways that made Harry deeply uncomfortable. Others watched from behind bookshelves and corners, curiosity warring with fear. Yet there were smiles too, nods of respect, quiet words of thanks from Hufflepuffs whose champion he had protected.
By lunchtime, Harry had had enough.
The Weasley twins were halfway through an animated debate about whether they could replicate "aquatic gigantism" with a Skiving Snackbox when the Great Hall darkened.
Something loomed behind them.
Fred frowned. "Did the ceiling just—"
A massive blue hand clapped down on the table between them with a thunderous bang.
Both twins yelped.
Harry straightened to his full Animagus height, bioluminescent markings glowing faintly beneath the enchanted candles. He bent slightly at the waist so his face was level with theirs.
"Boo," he said mildly.
The Great Hall exploded.
Students shrieked, laughed, applauded. Someone dropped a pumpkin pasty. George stared up at him, eyes wide, then broke into helpless laughter.
"Worth it," Fred gasped. "Absolutely worth it."
Harry shifted back moments later, shrinking seamlessly into his human form amid cheers and applause. Even McGonagall had to turn away, shoulders shaking.
For the first time since the Second Task, Harry felt light.
That evening, they claimed a corner of the common room, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville gathered around a low table scattered with parchment and half-eaten biscuits.
"The Third Task will be a maze," Hermione said, tapping her notes. "Probably layered enchantments. Spatial distortions. Creatures."
Neville swallowed. "That sounds… terrible."
Harry leaned back, gaze unfocused. "It won't just be magic."
Ron frowned. "What do you mean?"
Harry hesitated. "Each task so far has mirrored something I lived through there. Fire. Water. Survival."
Ginny tilted her head. "So… earth?"
Hermione's eyes widened slightly. "Or choice."
The word settled heavily.
Neville glanced between them. "Professor Lupin really thinks you'll go back again?"
"Yes," Harry said simply.
Ron rubbed his face. "Brilliant. So while the rest of us revise, you go live another decade of war."
Harry managed a small smile. "I don't think Eywa sends me back without reason."
Silence followed, not fearful, but thoughtful.
They trusted him.
That trust was heavier than any expectation.
The next morning, the owls arrived late.
The Great Hall buzzed as breakfast plates filled and students reached for the familiar stacks of newspapers, then stilled as one headline after another registered.
MINISTRY TO HOLD FULL HEARING ON POTTER'S ILLEGAL ANIMAGUS TRANSFORMATION
UNREGISTERED FORM "A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY"
ICW OVERRULES...FOR NOW
A hush fell.
Harry stared at the page, expression unreadable.
At the staff table, McGonagall stood so abruptly her chair scraped loudly against the floor. Snape's lips thinned. Dumbledore folded his hands calmly, eyes sharp and distant.
Across the hall, students looked from the paper to Harry, and back again.
The celebration had ended.
And the world was ready to remind Harry Potter that being extraordinary always came with a price.