Harriet was eternally grateful to Hermione for giving her constant tasks in the next few weeks. When she wasn't scouring books to solve the clue of the egg, she was practicing all kinds of spells with Ron and Hermione. Ron really picked up hexes quick and Harriet found herself being exceptionally good at shield charms and speedy transfigurations. Hermione was just good at everything. It was also beginning to show in their classwork as she had surprised both Moody and McGonagall on occasion.

The best part of it was that it kept her away from the drama that was the Yule Ball. And boy was there drama.

She got all the gossip from Parvati and Lavender at night. Who was going with who, who had dumped who to go with someone else, and what the decorations would look like. Rumors were rampant and at the center of a lot of them were the champions, and who were going to be their dates.

It was already a well-known fact that Harriet was in hiding to try and make it harder for boys to ask her. Some took this as a challenge and others were starting to realize the poor Gryffindor was painfully shy. According to rumors, Fleur was going with at least ten different students at the moment and she had been asked by fifty boys. It wasn't true but everyone seemed to have a rumor about the beautiful French Champion. Harriet was awed and jealous at the older girl's poise when she had seen Fleur be asked out in the hall and then dish out the subsequent rejection like a pro with zero awkwardness. Harriet wished she had that charm but was happy for her invisibility cloak in the meantime. Cedric was still up in the air but bets were being hedged on Cho Chang and Amelia Waters. Harriet wasn't going to lie and say that she wouldn't go if Cedric asked her, she would be pretty excited, but Cedric barely spared her a glance beside a friendly wave so her hope was slim. Krum was a complete mystery, but groups of girls would follow him any time he entered the castle, and everyone was watching his movements like a hawk.

Surprisingly Harriet was the one who found out first who Krum would be going with.

It was Thursday and Harriet was hiding in the library with Hermione at lunch. Definitely not willing to brave the crowds because boys were still trying to catch her. She had especially been avoiding Justin Flinch-Fletchley because he had been trying to corner her after Herbology. She wasn't really interested in Justin at all and didn't want to have to turn down the sometimes pompous boy.

Krum had then walked into the library as he did often. It greatly annoyed Hermione because it meant his twittering and very loud fan club would not be far behind. Surprisingly he didn't take a seat at a table like he normally would and instead came over to them.

"Good afternoon Potter." He had said politely to her, with a small smile. Harriet blinked owlishly up at him a few times. This was the most words Krum had ever said to her.

"Um… hi Krum," Harriet said hesitantly. "How are you?"

"I am vell," he said like they were particularly chummy, and they had this conversation every other day. "Vould you introduce me to your friend?"

Harriet looked over at Hermione who was also looking up at Krum with big eyes.

"Er… right. Of course. Krum this is my best friend Hermione, and Hermione this is Victor Krum." Harriet obliged.

Hermione seemed to shake her self out of her stupor and held out her hand to shake. To Hermione and Harriet surprise, Krum turned her hand gently and placed a feather light kiss on the knuckles which he bent over.

Harriet's jaw dropped and Hermione's face went fire hydrant red.

"Herme-own-ninny, I see you here ovten. You are very studios." His heavy accent butchered Hermione's name, but he had a soft smile that created butterflies in the girl's stomachs.

When Hermione didn't look capable of answering Harriet stepped up to the plate.

"Yes, Hermione is the smartest person in our year. The smartest in any year if you ask me." Harriet said with a big smile on her face at being able to sing friend's praises. Krum gave Hermione another encouraging smile.

"Ah… well… I don't…I mean not really…I'm just…like books." Hermione stuttered over herself.

"Herme-own-ninny, do you have a date to thee ball?" Krum asked Hermione. Hermione again was just staring, so Harriet aimed a kick under the table.

"Ouch! I mean…No I don't… not yet… no one has…" Hermione was blushing again. Harriet was having the time of her life.

"Vould you do me thee honor of accompanying me?" Krum asked with another smile.

Hermione looked was biting her lip and she glanced at Harriet to see if it was okay. Harriet was barely containing her smile and urged her silently with a nod.

"Umm… yes… that would be really nice." Hermione said with a shy glance at Krum. Krum smiled and said he would see them later, then he left. There was silence at the table as Hermione tried to turn her attention to her books. Harriet just sported a shit eating grin and stared at her.

Finally, Hermione looked over at her and at seeing her grin both girls burst into a fit of giggles. Neither were real gigglers but sometimes the situation calls for giggling.

Having Hermione get a date earlier in the day made Harriet realize that she had to stop hiding and go get a date. She made a discreet inquiry with Ron about the boys in Gryffindor.

"Well Seamus is going with Lavender, Dean doesn't have anyone yet, neither do I for that matter! And Neville I think is still free. Not sure about the other grades besides knowing neither of my brothers got one… at least I don't think." Ron said.

"Oh, um, well, you don't want to go with me do you?" she asked Ron. She didn't want to go with Ron as she felt it would just be awkward, but he had seemed upset when he said he didn't have a date so she had to ask.

"Er... um... well... ah, no offense Harry but... I mean I'll go if you don't have someone..." Ron said with a grimace.

"Nah, it's okay. It would be way too awkward," she said in relief.

"Yeah, it would be like going with Ginny," Ron laughed. "Problem is you need someone who can actually dance. Waltzing is a pureblood fashion. Especially the hoity-toity purebloods. Neville is the only one, besides you and Patil, who comes from some old rich family in Gryffindor, but between you and me, even if Neville was taught how to waltz I don't know how graceful he would be." Ron said with a grimace.

As if to emphasize Ron's point, at that very moment Neville came through the portrait hole, tripped on the ledge and landed face first onto the carpet. Harriet just hung her head.

"So what your saying is I pretty much have to ask a Slytherin." She grimaced.

"My sincerest condolences…" Ron said in his most somber mocking tone.

It turned out that she didn't have to ask a Slytherin cause a Slytherin asked her.

It was Monday, two weeks after the Snape detention incident.

Last week had been awkward throughout the entire lesson, and after Snape had asked her to stay after class.

Her nerves were fluttering as the lesson came to a close and everyone packed up and left without her. She walked up to Snape's desk fully expecting a verbal lashing or being cursed into oblivion. Surprisingly, none of those happened.

"Is there something you wish to say," Snape drawled in his bored tone. Harriet had just awkwardly cleared her throat.

"I am sorry for yelling," Harriet said softly. Snape just regarded her with his impassive face, he knew she was not apologizing for what she had said, just how it was said. It seemed to be enough.

"Apology accepted… And I am sorry for startling you." Snape spoke evenly. If she wasn't mistaken his eyes had softened with the last statement. She could only stare in surprise.

"That being said, you did not complete your detention. You have one tonight with Flitwick. Seven o'clock in the charms classroom." Snape said back to his regular snarky self.

All in all, it had turned out better than she had hoped. He didn't try to curse her at least. And now here she was again waiting for double potions to begin.

There did seem, however, to be a bit of trouble in paradise over in the Slytherin side of the hallway. Zabini and Malfoy were hissing at each other farther away from the other Slytherins. Whatever was happening, Zabini looked mad and Malfoy looked indifferent and cold.

She had never actually seen Zabini with any other emotion than the classic Sarcastic Slytherin Sneer, as she liked to call it. However, she did appreciate that Zabini seemed to find enjoyment whenever she verbally put down Parkinson, he was always silently laughing.

Malfoy waved his hand flippantly in Zabini's face and walked back over to where the other Slytherins were standing. Malfoy went to stand beside Greengrass and she looked up and smiled coquettishly at him. Harriet felt a bit annoyed at such blatant flirting, but that was nothing on the look that Pansy was throwing at Greengrass. If looks could kill…

Surprisingly, Malfoy turned slightly and looked at her, raising a brow and smirking. She felt herself get annoyed by the smarmy bastard. She looked away quickly but surprisingly found her gaze drawn to Zabini. He had his head cocked and was giving her an appraisal.

Zabini's consideration was ended when Snape came then and called the class in. Nothing eventful occurred, Harriet didn't even have a point docked for generally existing like she usually did. Finally, after a grueling two hours, they were done and heading up to the great hall for lunch. But she was stopped before she could make it.

"Potter," called someone from behind her. She turned and found Zabini standing a couple steps below her.

"May I have a word?" he asked politely and with a small charming smile. Ron and Hermione had turned and were looking at Zabini as well. She could already see Ron bristling in that 'Slytherin equals evil' kind of way and Hermione had also narrowed her eyes.

"Yes," Harriet answered calmly, she had an idea of what was about to happen and instead of being embarrassed or shy like she was previously, she found herself more intrigued. "You guys go ahead." She said to Ron and Hermione.

They both gave her a look like she was mental.

"Harry, we can't leave you! It's a Slytherin!" Ron said. Harriet just rolled her eyes.

"Relax Ron, I can handle myself. I'll be along in a minute." She said.

They looked worried but eventually, they left her. Ron casting some glares at Zabini. Although Zabini just looked amused.

"What can I do for you?" Harriet asked.

"Well I was thinking more along the lines of what we could do for each other," he said with a smile. "I would like for you to go to the Yule Ball with me. I know that you haven't been happy with the attention, and if you had a date you wouldn't have to hide the majority of the day from your adoring public. I also know you are looking for a partner that can help you with the opening waltz, and I happen to be an excellent dancer."

Yes, this she could deal with. This was a business transaction, not reciprocating a crush.

"Won't the other Slytherins shun you for daring to talk to the Gryffindor nutter?" She asked.

"I have never put much stock in such rumors, I know your wit is too cunning to be completely crazy. And besides, you very soundly put rest to most of the trash talking about you when you completely outflew a dragon." He waved his hand flippantly.

She considered him for a moment. Although this was business, she had always noticed that he was a handsome boy, if almost too pretty. He had olive skin and sculpted features. His lashes were long and surrounded espresso brown eyes. His dark brown waves were always styled nicely and he was taller than her. Not that he had to try that hard. He would make a handsome date at the very least. The biggest plus besides the fact that he could waltz was he had always hidden his smiles when she was being witty at the expense of his Slytherin friends. She had no doubt that his loyalties lied with the snakes, but she suspected he was a fan of her witty dark humor.

"Truth Zabini. What are you hoping to get out of this?" she asked. He seemed to consider her for a moment.

"Honestly, I am trying to get back at someone and annoy them. But it doesn't hurt that I will have a pretty date, get to sit at the high table, and meet all the ministry officials and other champions. It will be an entertaining evening." He said with another lazy shrug, eyeing her.

"Hmm… well alright but on one condition. You have to meet with me a few times before this stupid ball to teach me how to waltz. I do NOT want my first-time dancing to be in front of the entire school where I will probably trip over my own feet" she said.

"That is reasonable and probably wise, but you don't have to worry I am a good lead and would not let you trip." He said with an easy confidence that Harriet actually felt reassured by.

"I have a condition of my own," he added. "No hiding that we are going together. If people ask, you tell them the truth." He said with a smirk.

"Very well, And I have your word you won't back out last minute." She narrowed her eyes.

"If I have your word as well." Zabini countered. She reached out her hand and Zabini shook it. It was a sealed agreement and while it was no wizard vow, magic dictated that the consequences would not be pretty should one of them break it.

"Pleasure doing business with you Zabini," she smiled in a self-satisfied way.

"Please call me Blaise," he smiled at her. "Can I call you Harriet?"

They had turned to continue walking to the great hall and he fell in step beside her.

"Yep, that's fine. When are we going to meet?" She asked.

"Well we have just less than two weeks, how about Wednesday, Friday, next Monday and the following Wednesday if I feel you need it," Blaise smirked, looking like he was really enjoying himself. They were just approaching the great hall's double doors.

"Sounds good, we can use an empty classroom in the charms corridor. Fine with eight o'clock?" she asked as they walked through the double doors together.

His smirk grew even wider when he saw that many in the great hall were turning to look at them.

"Sounds perfect, I will see you there Harriet." He said again in that lazy unaffected way. He turned towards the Slytherin table and down to where the gawking Slytherin fourth years sat. She noticed that Malfoy, in particular, had his eyes narrowed at Blaise. Probably thinking he was selling secrets to Harriet or some other such nonsense

Paranoid ponce! She turned to her own table where most of the Gryffindors were watching her. She sat across from Ron and beside Hermione. But Lavender was across from Hermione and she didn't hesitate to strike.

"Harriet, what was that about? Why were you talking to Zabini?" Eyes shining in that 'I'm going to get the juicy gossip' kind of way. Well no going back now, she had made a promise.

"He asked me to the Yule Ball." She responded and started nonchalantly filling her plate. Lavender and Parvati gasped, while the boys exchanged looks, and Hermione looked intrigued.

"Aaannndddd…" Lavender prompted.

"I said yes," she said with a shrug. Ron's face was one of horror, which was reflected by the rest of the boys. Dean, in particular, looked mad. The girls, however, were looking intrigued.

"OOOHHHH!" Lavender squealed. It took all of a minute for the news to spread down the Gryffindor table, it took two minutes for the information to jump to the Hufflepuff table and spread along, where it took one more minute for the gossip to reach the Ravenclaw table. It took a bit longer for the hissing to reach the Slytherin table but the whole school knew after seven minutes. Harriet thought that it was actually kind of impressive how fast news traveled.

"Really Harry, a Slytherin?" Ron moaned. She just shrugged.

"Well does he know how to waltz?" Hermione asked looking more interested by the idea than disgusted. Harriet knew where she was coming from. Today was the longest and only conversation she had ever had with the Zabini. She knew next to nothing about him. He was not really popular, preferring to live quietly and was known more for being friends with Malfoy. She would never have pictured them going to the ball together.

"Apparently yes, and he agreed to teach me beforehand." She said thankfully. Hermione just nodded looking thoughtful.

"Oooohhh, Harry I didn't realize you liked the dark and mysterious type," Lavender giggled. "Oh, it like a forbidden romance too, cause he's Slytherin and your Gryffindor. So romantic!"

Harriet just gave her an exasperated look. She chanced a glance over at the Slytherin table to see Zabini smirking as he was questioned. She also noticed that Malfoy was beside him and looked absolutely livid. Was Malfoy who he was trying to annoy?

She had gone to her dancing lessons on Wednesday, accompanied by Hermione. Hermione said it was to keep an eye on Blaise, but Harriet suspected that she was coming to watch and take notes, she was also dancing the opening waltz. Blaise had ignored her for the most part.

Blaise had been surprisingly patient with her. He taught by doing, which she greatly appreciated. And he led her slowly through the steps until they were up to speed and keeping time with the music. Blaise had got a record player from who knows where.

She found, that while she thought him pretty conceited and a bit of a snob, his sarcastic anecdotes and biting commentary on Hogwarts goings-on was amusing. He also took great pleasure in telling her about the absolute uproar he had wrought in the dungeons.

Some thought it was brilliant that he had managed to snag the Gryffindor princess (his words), while others thought he was crazy. She could tell she kept him entertained as well with quippy observations to what he told her.

"I hope that whoever it was that you were trying to annoy is good and riled." She had said after they had gotten into a tempo. It was part of the teaching. Don't think about the steps, just do them he had said.

"Oh yes, they wanted to skin me alive." He said like this was great news.

"Do mind yourself though, would be terribly inconvenient if my date looked like a mummy on the night of the ball." She said.

"I don't think bandages would impede my movement that much." He had quipped back.

"True! Then feel free to be skinned. So long as you can dance." She had told him in a courteous tone.

She found that she didn't really mind Blaise at all.

True salvation came on Saturday, one week till the Yule Ball

She had sent Hedwig off with her letter to Remus nearly two weeks ago, asking for all of the ex-professors' knowledge. Finally, Hedwig returned with a very thick letter. She thanked her clever bird and slipped the letter into her pocket. She had cast significant glances at Ron and Hermione, and they knew that they needed to hurry up and finish breakfast.

They made their way to the library and took the corner table. It offered the most privacy. Harriet opened the letter and lay the multiple pages of parchment out flat, she read through the letter with Ron and Hermione reading over her shoulder.

There was a lot of information. He mentioned everything from Thunderbirds to a plant called screeching Ivy. He mentioned spells that could make you yell but he didn't know any that made you screech. Remus seemed to think that it was most likely a banshee and had given her advice on how to handle it. Hermione was already formulating a plan to tackle a banshee. But Harriet's eyes were stuck on one sentence.

… Kappas can be screechy depending on the shape that they take, grindylows as well could technically be screechy. Mermish also is very harsh out of the water, but really nice submerged. There are also the …

"Hermione, Ron, are there mermaids in the black lake?" She asked it made more sense than a banshee.

"Mermaids? I have no idea." Hermione looked bewildered.

"Of course there are," Ron said. The girls just looked at him.

"Well I mean its one of those legends you just hear about Hogwarts as you're growing up. The centaurs and beast in the forest and the mermaids and squid in the lake." Ron said with a shrug.

"You never see them though because they are shy creatures, and we don't know a ton about their culture" Ron added. Seeing their startled looks he gave them an annoyed look.

"What!? I know things." Ron said.

"Right, sorry mate! Just surprised you know what the word culture is." Harriet added.

"OI!"

"Why are you asking though Harry?" Hermione asked.

"This is a clue. It would be a pretty stupid clue if it was a banshee and they literally gave us an egg that screamed at us." Harriet reasoned. "This is about preparation and even if it was a Banshee, I wouldn't need more time to tackle it than a dragon."

"So you think the clue is more complex," Ron added.

"Exactly, it would make sense wouldn't if it was a language with an actual hint?" Harriet said excitedly.

"There is an easy test. We submerge the egg and see if you hear anything." Hermione said reasonably.

"But where do you do to do that? The dorm sinks aren't going to fit that egg and your big head." Ron teased, she stuck out her tongue at him.

"Well, you could use the prefect's bath." Said Hermione. "But there is a password and you are definitely not allowed to use it."

"Looks like it's time to break out the map and the cloak," Harriet said with a cheeky grin. Ron whooped and Hermione groaned.

It had gone very smoothly if she would say so herself. She had waited to the Sunday to sneak into the prefect's bathroom and did some reconnaissance by running it by the Weasley twins. They had been very helpful after she had agreed to lend them the maurader's map and her cloak for one night. The mischievous grins they had sported would have forced McGonagall to put them into pre-detention for crimes to be committed.

There had been one awkward moment. When she was undressing to get into the bath.

"Ooooh is that the famous scar?" A voice had echoed around the bathroom.

She had jumped violently and desperately tried to cover up. She had relaxed however when she saw that it was Myrtle. The ghost and herself got on pretty well. She thought it was because she was one of the only people to actually listen to the dead girl. She had found out a while ago that if you could get past the wailing and the moaning then the ghost was an excellent source of information and her bathroom was a good place to go if you didn't want to be disturbed.

"Merlin Myrtle! You scared me. Do you spy on these baths often?' She asked slightly horrified. To her increasing horror, Myrtle just giggled.

"Well, I can't help it. And some of the perfect boys are really dashing" Another inane giggle. "You, however, really don't have much in the way of curves at all."

Harriet could only groan. Never the less she had got her clue and proven herself right about the Mermaids.

Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground.

And while you're searching, ponder this:

We have taken what you sorely miss.

An Hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took.

But past an hour- the prospect's black;

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.

Myrtle had also confirmed the theory about the black lake.

"Oh yes! I sometimes get flushed down into the lake when I am not paying attention. They never welcome me and try to chase me off with their silly sticks," Mrytle moaned, in her 'woe is me' voice.

In the end, it had been a successful mission. And now she had her task.

Learn how to breathe underwater for an hour.