28Chapter 17: The Second Task
Kara's POV.
Christmas came and went and for the first time ever, I received Christmas gifts. Mrs. Weasley was kind enough to send me a Weasley jumper which I relished. Hermione also gave me a small gift of a blanket with my name engraved into it. Since I received it, I kept it with me whenever I was in my room. Ron even gave me a package of chocolate frog since I've never actually ate one before. Harry's gift was my favorite though. He got me a simple heart necklace. It wasn't fancy but it was enough and it meant a lot to me. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire day. For the first time in my life I felt like I was actually wanted at something. Everythign in the world seemed peaceful, I wish it had stayed that way.
The night before the second task
"Harry, you told me you'd figured the egg out weeks ago!" Hermione scolded, "The task is two days from now!"
"Really? I had no idea!" Harry huffed sarcastically earning a smile from me. Harry sighed and I grabbed his hand in reassurance. "I've tried everything." I was about to retort when I noticed Cedric walking toward us.
"What's he want?" I mumbled.
"Hey Cedric. What brings you down here?" Harry asked quietly.
"How are you doing with the Egg?" the Hufflepuff asked
"Eh," Harry shrugged.
The Hufflepuff cracked a smile "Well, let me help..." he passed for dramatic effect."You know the Prefect's bathroom on the fifth floor?" he asked, leaning in towards her
Harry nodded
"Well, its not a bad place for a bath," the Hufflepuff stated "Just take your egg and mull things over in the hot water" he started walking backwards as Harry watched him in confusion. Once the Hufflepuff was out of ear shot, Marcus hovered behind Harry and spoke.
"What was that about?" he asked
Harry shrugged "He said something about the Prefects bathroom on the 5th floor," he responded "and about taking my egg and mulling things over in the hot water."
An hour later we found ourselves standing in what appeared to a brightly lit chamber with a swimming pool in the center of the room. The whole room was softly lit by a splendid candle-filled chandelier, and everything was made of white marble.
"Wow," Hermione let out. "You know, I wouldn't mind being a prefect next year"
Harry nodded in agreement "Just to use this bathroom!"
A few seconds later we were all in the tub. A girl giggling caught their attention and the four of them spun around to see Myrtle floating behind them.
"I'd try putting it in the water if I were you," the ghost told us.
"Myrtle!" Harry gasped in surprised earning a swoon from Myrtle.
"Hello, Harry" She spoke dreamily. I rolled my eyes in annoyance just to receive a glare from Myrtle. Hermione had let me in on the fact that Myrtle had a major crush on Harry.
"I was circling a blocked dream the other day," Myrtle continued, as she floated closer to the edge of the bath "and could swear I saw a bit if Polyjucie Potion. Not being a bad boy again, are you, Harry?" she asked
"Polyjuice Potion?" Harry questioned "Kicked the habit" Harry paused. "Myrtle, did you say 'trying putting the egg in the water'?"
The ghost jumped into the air and into the water; re-surfacing. "That's what he did," Myrtle told them "the other boy...the handsome one...Cedric." the ghost finished, before turning to Harry. "Well, go on. Open it!"
Looking across at Harry, who nodded, Harry placed the egg under the water and unclipped the lid as the four friends disappeared beneath the water and instead of a wail, out of the egg came a chorus of eerie voices singing to them.
'Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
An hour long you'll have to look,
To recover what we took'
"Hear it?" Myrtle asked. The friends nodded
"Come seek us where our voices sound..." Harry recited
"We cannot sing above the ground..."
"...and hour long you'll have to look..."
"...to discover what we took..."
"Well, if whaterver we're facing next can't sing above the ground," I pondered aloud "Im gonna take a guess and say our next challenge is in the Black Lake. It's the only body of water full of magical creatures for miles!"
"But what creature do I have to face?" Harry asked
Hermione frowned "Are there Mermaid's in the Black Lake?" she asked
"Oh, very good" Myrtle smiled "It took Cedric ages to riddle it out. Almost all the bubbles were gone..."
"Which is why we're in bathing suits!" I stated, dashing the ghosts hopeful look "We're not stupid, Myrtle!" (side note: It bugged me that Harry wasn't wearing a bathing suit, so he will wear one in this)
The Ghost glared at me, before jumping into the air and disappearing through the wall.
"Back on topic," Hermione stated "So we've figured out where the next task is taking place, we've figured out what's in the next task that you might have to face, pretty much, the only question left now is what do you have to find?"
"I think the more important question is; how am I supposed to stay underwater for an hour with no oxygen?" Harry looked concerned and somewhat afraid as we walked away from the bathroom and back to the Gryffindor tower.
A few hours later we found ourselves in one of the classrooms trying to figure out what Harry was going to do for the task tomorrow. So far we had no luck in anything.
"There's the Bubble Charm. I've read about it, it can help you breathe underwater for an hour" Hermione explained.
"I don't think I could master a spell like that in one night." Harry looked dejected and depressed over the thought. I knew he hadn't gotten a lot of sleep the last few nights because he was worried about this task. I was about to retort when I felt a shiver run down my spine. It could only mean one thing…
"Hate to break up the study session," Professor Moody interrupted. "Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office"
"Why?" I asked, not caring if I sounded rude. There was something wrong with Moody.
"But, sir," Hermione perked up "the second task is only hours away, and -"
"Exactly" Moody cut her off "Presumably, Potter is well prepared by now and could do with a good night's sleep" his fake eye rolled in its socket "Go! Now!" he ordered us. Hermione looked to Ron who seemed almost jealous.
Hermione and I made our way to McGonagall's office with Professor Moody leading. Hermione must've felt my discomfort because she walked closer to me and like me had her wand in her hand just in case. We made it to Professor McGonagall's office when Moody stopped, turned and casted a spell which hit Hermione causing her to fall to the ground. Before I could do anything, Moody cast a spell at me and I was sent to the floor withering in pain for who knows how long before I succumbed to the darkness.
