Year Four: The TriWizard Tournament

Part 20

Ron and Hermione seemed to have reached an unspoken agreement not to discuss their argument. They were being quite friendly to each other, though oddly formal.

It was time to think of the homework they had neglected during the first week of the holidays. Everybody seemed to be feeling rather flat now that Christmas was over.

Anne was actually glad that the holidays were over. Lessons and homework took her mind off her father who had been acting rather strange lately. Ever since the night of the ball, he had not said much to her and acted like nothing had happened.

Soon February arrived. Once again everyone grew excited and nervous about the second task which was due to to take place at the end of the month. Anne alternated between helping Harry out to uncover the clue of the golden egg and spending some time with Cedric.

"Harry, you told me you'd figured out the egg weeks ago. The task is one week away," Anne berated him.

"Really? I had no idea," replied Harry. "I suppose Viktor's already figured it out," he said to Hermione.

"I wouldn't know, we didn't actually talk about the tournament," said Hermione. "Actually we didn't talk at all, Viktor's more of a physical being. I just mean he's not particularly.....mostly he watches me study. It's a bit annoying, actually. You are trying to figure the egg out, aren't you?"

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"She means that these tasks are supposed to test you," Anne told him. "In the most brutal way they're almost cruel. And we're scared for you. You got by the dragon mostly on nerve. I'm not sure it's going to be enough this time."

"Hey Harry!" Cedric called, walking over to them.

"Hey Cedric," Harry responded.

"How are you?"

"Spectacular," answered Harry with a shrug.

"Look, I realize I never really thanked you properly for tipping me off about the dragons."

"Forget about it. I'm sure you would have done the same for me."

"Well, anyway, you know the prefects bathroom on the fifth floor?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah."

"It's not a bad place for a bath. Take your egg and mull things over in the hot water," Cedric told him. He then turned his attention to Anne. "We're still on for our get together in Hogsmeade this upcoming weekend, Anne?"

Anne smiled. "Oh yes, Cedric. I haven't forgotten."

"Great," said Cedric grinning. "See you then."

"You got a date with Cedric?" asked Harry as soon as Cedric was out of earshot.

"Yeah. He felt bad about turning me down and wanted to make it up to me. So he asked me out and I said yes," Anne explained simply. "You got a problem with that?"

"No," said Harry quickly. "No! Not at all! I'm happy for you."

By the evening of the second task, Harry felt as though he were trapped in a nightmare. He was fully aware that even if by some miracle, he managed to find a suitable spell, he'd have a reall job mastering it overnight. How could he have let this happen? Why hadn't he got to work on the egg's clue sooner? Why had he ever lt his mind wander in class---what if a teacher had once mentioned how to breathe underwater?

He sat with Anne, Ron, and Hermione in the library as the sun set outside, tearing feverishly through page after page of spells, hidden from one another by the massive piles of books on the desk in front of each of them.

"Harry, tell me the riddle again," Hermione demanded, pouring over one of the books.

"'Come seek us where our voices sound'," Harry told her warily.

Hermione thought for a moment. "The black lake."

"'An hour long you'll have to look'," Harry recited.

Anne thought for a moment. "It's obvious that you will have an hour to find what it is you're looking for....in the lake." She looked at Harry resolutely. "Is there any spell you thought of you could use to breathe underwater? I mean I can barely hold my breathe underwater for more than a couple of seconds."

Sadly, Harry shook his head.

"Look, Harry, we can do this," Hermione assured him. "The four of us can figure this out."

At that moment, Moody appeared at their table.

"Hate to break up this scholar session, but Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office." Harry started to get up but Moody stopped him. "Not you, Potter. Just Weasley, Granger, and Borden."

"But sir, the second task is hours away," said Anne nervously.

But Moody brushed her off. "Exactly. Presumably, Potter is well prepared by now and could do with a good night's sleep. All of you go on now. Professor McGonagall is waiting for you."

"Ah, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Miss Borden," Professor McGonagall greeted them as they entered her office. A blond girl who looked no older than eight stood off to the side.

"Well, now that everyone is here, I can explain. All four of you have been chosen to participate in the second task..."

"What?!" cried Anne, Ron, and Hermione dumbfounded.

"Professor, what do you mean..." Ron stammered.

"As I was saying, the four of you have been chosen as a hostage for each champion. The riddle in the champions' eggs states that the champion must recover the very thing they 'will sorely miss'. In other words, their task will be to rescue the hostage that is dear to them."

"You mean us?" said Anne uneasy.

"That is correct, Miss Borden. As soon as Professor Dumbledore gets here, he will take you all down to the lake. You will be put into an enchanted sleep provided with a spell that will allow you to breathe under water. The spell will wear off once you are retrieved. Any questions?"

No one said a word.

"Very well. I shall inform Professor Dumbledore you are ready."

They stood in silence waiting anxiously.

Anne glanced at her two friends. "I hope Dumbledore knows what he's doing. Suppose we get attacked by the giant squid....or who knows what sorts of creatures live down there--"

"Anne, don't worry," said Hermione. "Dumbledore will make sure nothing gets us while we're under water. He'll put a protective charm on us, so we'll all be safe."

The door opened. Professor McGonagall swept in followed by Dumbledore.

"Come along," he said. They all followed him out of the castle down to the edge of the lake.

"Professor McGonagall has told you about the procedure, I believe?"

The four of them nodded.

Dumbledore took out his wand. "Are you ready?" He raised his wand muttering some incantation.

Anne felt herself nodding off and falling into deep unconsciousness.