Chapter 544: Helena Ravenclaw

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Kyle dove straight into the lake despite the Bubble-Head Charm encasing him.

Though the charm allowed him to breathe and move freely underwater, it offered no speed advantage. Without hesitation, Kyle drew his wand and cast a Transfiguration Spell, conjuring a pair of flippers. The added propulsion made swimming significantly faster.

The Black Lake was vast and seemingly bottomless. As Kyle swam further downstream, the water grew darker and more oppressive. Using the shoreline bleachers as his reference point, he adjusted his course toward the lake's center.

Through the shimmering bubbles in front of him, the murky water seemed to pulse with an unsettling hue. Small fish darted around him like silver arrows, their movements sharp and graceful. Yet the scene was far from idyllic. Alongside the fish, shadowy Grindylows lurked in the dark recesses of the lakebed, poised to attack any creature that ventured too close.

Kyle encountered two of these dark creatures, but he spotted them in time. With a quick flick of his wand, he stunned them before their claws could lash out. A Revulsion Jinx was usually sufficient to repel Grindylows—simple enough when dealing with one or two. But if they appeared in groups, the situation could quickly spiral into something far more dangerous.

He pressed onward, mindful of the ticking clock. Only thirty minutes remained, and he needed to locate the correct spot as soon as possible.

The Grindylows, however, were relentless. More emerged from the shadows or the tangles of underwater plants, each one attempting to hinder his progress. One particularly bold Grindylow lunged at the bubble encasing Kyle's head. With a Knockback Jinx, Kyle sent it flying out of the water, its flailing form disappearing into the depths.

Just as he dispatched this latest foe, a voice broke the eerie silence of the Black Lake.

"You seem to be in a bit of trouble..."

Kyle whipped his head around, his heart racing. A pale, translucent figure floated beside him, its pearly glow dimly illuminating the dark water.

"Are you... the Grey Lady of Ravenclaw?" he asked, his voice muffled by the Bubble-Head Charm.

He hadn't expected to encounter a ghost here, let alone the enigmatic Grey Lady of Ravenclaw. Her melancholy expression remained unchanged as she drifted closer, gesturing with a faintly glowing hand.

"You can go that way," she said, her voice soft but clear.

Kyle didn't move immediately, his confusion keeping him rooted in place.

If it had been any other ghost—whether the cheerful Fat Friar of Hufflepuff, the ever-dramatic Nearly Headless Nick, the morose Myrtle, or even the mischievous Peeves—he wouldn't have hesitated. He knew them well enough; they might plausibly offer assistance, and their motives, while varied, were understandable.

But the Grey Lady? Kyle couldn't recall ever speaking to her. Not a single word. She was known for her aloofness, spending her days wandering the castle in silence, distant even from the Ravenclaw students.

Why would she come to his aid now? It couldn't possibly be for the glory of Hogwarts—even Peeves would scoff at such a notion.

"I overheard you the other day… you and an invisible wizard."

As if she had sensed Kyle's hesitation, the Grey Lady spoke again: "I also heard you mentioning my mother's Diadem… I want to know if what you said is true."

"Your mother…" Kyle began uncertainly.

"Rowena Ravenclaw," the Grey Lady interjected. "I am her daughter, and when I was alive, my name was Helena Ravenclaw."

At her words, a memory stirred in Kyle's mind, as if it suddenly clicked into place.

"Ah, yes," he replied hastily. "I found the Ravenclaw's Diadem."

"Can you tell me about it?" The Grey Lady—or rather Helena—whispered. "I heard you mention 'repairing'… Is the Diadem broken?"

"I'm sorry, but it's not something I can explain in just a few words, and…" Kyle gestured towards the surface of the water. "I might not have any time to spare right now."

"Then wait until the end of the competition," Helena said. "I'll be waiting for you at the castle."

Kyle nodded and swam off in the direction she had indicated.

Having lost some time during their exchange, Kyle picked up his pace.

About ten minutes later, intermittent shouting and the pained neighing of an animal reached his ears.

The water ahead turned murky, and through a tangle of waterweed, Kyle spotted an open area where a group of about a dozen Merpeople wielded spears and ropes. They were chasing a strange creature.

Its upper body resembled that of a horse, while its lower body was more akin to a fish. Its body was covered in broad-leaved cattail grass that resembled a mane.

A Kelpie!

Kyle was momentarily surprised. Did such creatures still exist in the Black Lake at Hogwarts?

He quickly composed himself. After all, the Black Lake was vast and mysterious, with depths no one had fully explored or charted. It wasn't unreasonable for a Kelpie to be here.

The Kelpie before him had likely wandered into the Merpeople's territory by accident and was now being pursued.

On its own, a Kelpie might be a formidable foe, but against a coordinated group of armed and skilled Merpeople, it stood no chance.

Several spears were embedded in the Kelpie's body, and thick ropes bound its front hooves and tail. Blood flowed freely from its wounds, staining the surrounding water.

Around the scene, Kyle noticed several unmoving Merpeople, evidence that the Kelpie had fought fiercely before being subdued. It was clear that the Merpeople had suffered heavy losses in the struggle to capture it.

As Kyle processed the chaotic scene before him, the Merpeople noticed his presence. Several spears immediately turned in his direction, their sharp tips glinting menacingly even in the murky water.

"Who's there…?" a shrill voice demanded. It came from the leading Merperson, whose appearance was far from the serene depictions in the castle's portraits. His yellow eyes gleamed with suspicion, and his mouth revealed jagged, missing teeth. His iron-colored skin had a rough texture, and his unkempt hair resembled a tangle of waterweed. Around his neck hung a crude necklace of pebbles strung on a thick rope.

"I'm a student at Hogwarts and one of the Triwizard Tournament champions," Kyle said quickly, keeping his tone calm. "I need to complete the Second Task underwater. Professor Dumbledore should have informed you about it."

The Merchieftainess's stern expression softened slightly, and she lowered her spear, though she kept her focus on the captured Kelpie.

"Wizard," the Merchieftainess said gruffly, "this is not where they are trapped. You need to keep going. Hurry up and go. It's dangerous here."

Kyle hesitated. "I think I can help you," he said, swimming a bit closer.

The Merchieftainess's eyes narrowed.

"The Kelpie is going mad," Kyle continued. "If this goes on, even if you manage to kill it, you'll lose at least half your crew."

"This is our responsibility, not yours," the Merchieftainess replied curtly.

"I can help," Kyle repeated firmly. "I've seen how Newt Scamander handles Kelpies. You should know who he is."

He knew from experience that mentioning Newt's name often worked when dealing with intelligent magical creatures, especially near Hogwarts.

The effect was immediate.

"Scamander?" The Merchieftainess's tone shifted, and she turned fully to look at Kyle, her suspicion now mixed with curiosity.

"He helped us find this habitat," the Merchieftainess said, her voice tinged with respect. "He is a friend to our tribe forever… Do you really know him?"

"Of course," Kyle said without missing a beat. "I visit his family every holiday."

He swam closer, carefully observing their reactions. This time, the Merpeople didn't raise their spears or try to chase him away.