"Harry you told me you figured out the egg weeks ago!" Hermione's voice pierced Harry's ears.
The two stood on the bridge looking out onto the lake, the wind howled as it blew heavily in their faces causing the two to shiver and pull their cloaks around themselves. Harry didn't say anything back he simply turned away from her and continued to gaze out onto the lake, the tournament had been the last thing on his mind for weeks. He was struggling with his school work, he had been trying to get a date for the Yule Ball and on top of all that he couldn't stop thinking about Draco.
"The second task is only two days away." Hermione exclaimed with a worried look on her face.
Harry rolled his eyes in a dramatic fashion. "Really? I had no idea."
"You got past the dragon on nerves and I'm afraid it's not going to be enough this time." Hermione paused and took a deep breath. "I'm scared for you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry snapped finally looking her in the eyes and he could clearly see the fear in them.
Eyeing her up and down he gave a sigh of exasperation before turning and walking away from his friend; this was the last thing he needed. He wasn't stupid, he knew these tasks were dangerous and he knew that it was a miracle he got past the dragon, he also knew that he had to figure this egg out or else he wouldn't be able to compete in the task and that meant he would never win the tournament. As he walked into the courtyard he allowed a small smile to dance on his lips as he thought about the night ahead, he was going to be meeting with Draco and that was the only thing getting him through the day.
It had been a little over two weeks since the Yule Ball and the two had been meeting up whenever they had the chance. It was still weird between them and still a bit awkward at times as it became more and more apparent that they actually had very little in common; in fact they found it hard to keep a conversation going that wasn't about the tournament or Quidditch and even then they would end up disagreeing. Still, this was the happiest Harry had felt in a long time and despite the weirdness and awkwardness, the nights he spent with Draco were the best, he really enjoyed spending time with the older boy.
"Harry."
The voice of Cedric Diggory forced Harry from his thoughts, letting out a tiresome sigh he turned around to see the Hufflepuff jogging towards him.
"Cedric." Harry said in a very unenthusiastic tone.
Cedric stopped just a few inches in front of Harry, taking a quick scan to make sure no one was listening he stuffed his hands inside his pockets. "I never thanked you properly for the tip about the dragon."
"Don't mention it; I'm sure you would do the same for me." Harry shrugged getting ready to turn away.
Cedric caught his arm though, stopping him. "Exactly and well…" He paused and looked around again before leaning close to Harry's ear. "You know the prefect bathroom? It's not a bad place for a bath."
Harry didn't say anything he simply stared up at the other boy with a look of utter bewilderment on his face.
"Just take your egg up there and think things over." Cedric gave a wink before turning and strolling away.
Harry watched the older boy walk away, he was now more confused than ever and didn't understand what the hell Cedric meant by that. Looking around the courtyard he had a quick think about what Cedric just told him. Go to the prefect bathroom, take a bath and bring his egg? It all sounded very strange but then again it wasn't as strange as some of the things he had been told to do over the years in Hogwarts. Pushing a hand through his unruly hair he knew he needed to figure out the egg as soon as possible and he was sure that Cedric wouldn't lie to him especially since he had warned him about the dragons.
The bell sounded around the school signalling that lunch time was over and it was time to get back to class. Harry let out a small groan as he realised he was now in double potions, then almost instantly, he remembered that he had potions with the Slytherin's and that meant that he would get to see Draco. Pulling his cloak tighter around himself he made his way back into the castle and headed down towards the dungeons. If he wanted to use the prefect bathroom then that meant he would have to go at night and with the task so close he couldn't afford to waste time, so he would have to go tonight, but that meant he wouldn't be able to see Draco and he had been looking forward to that all day.
Harry turned the corner and saw the class waiting outside Snape's room, they were noisy as they chatted amongst themselves and Harry was in no doubt that they were all talking about the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. Walking towards the line he noticed Hermione and Ron standing at the back. He walked past the line of students, careful to ignore the Slytherin's but he acknowledged his fellow Gryffindor's by smiling and nodding his head.
Suddenly a foot was stuck out from the line and Harry stumbled over it, he managed to catch himself before he fell flat on his face. A chorus of laughter erupted from the line and Harry knew exactly who had tripped him up. Turning on his heels he saw Draco standing to his full height, arms folded over his broad chest and an arrogant smirk plastered on his pale face.
"Looks like you need better glasses Potter." Malfoy mocked causing Crabbe and Goyle to let out throaty chuckles.
"You better watch yourself Malfoy, from what I remember you make a good ferret." Harry said smugly causing the Gryffindor's in the line to laugh loudly.
Draco took a dangerous step towards Harry so they were mere inches from each other. "I'll knock your specs into contacts if you're not careful."
Harry opened his mouth to retaliate but the footsteps of Professor Snape stopped him, instead he gave Draco the best death glare he could manage before he went to the back of the line where Hermione and Ron were both getting ready to jump to his aid if he needed it. The students marched into the classroom and took their seats in silence; Draco sat at the front with the rest of the Slytherin's while Harry sat at the back beside Ron.
The class had to copy notes from the blackboard and with it being Professor Snape's class nobody dared to speak throughout the whole lesson. Harry allowed his mind to wander as he looked longingly at the back of Draco's blonde hair, he knew the older boy had to act like a dick to him to make sure no one became suspicious but the way he did it still made Harry uneasy at times. He was never entirely sure if the other boy was just acting or if he actually meant what he said, sometimes there was so much malice in his voice and such a cold look in his grey eyes that Harry was sure he really did hate him.
An hour later the bell sounded and almost every student let out a sigh of relief as they packed their bags and headed for their next class. Harry caught Draco's eye and noticed that the older boy was stalling; obviously he wanted to talk to Harry.
"Come on Harry we have transfiguration." Ron tugged on Harry's robe making the dark haired boy stand.
Never taking his eyes of Draco's, Harry said in a distracted manner. "I need to ask Professor Snape something. I'll meet you there."
Ron just shrugged and walked out of the room with Hermione. Draco waited until Harry and he were the only ones left in the room before he finally threw his bag over his shoulder and made his way out the door, Harry quickly followed suite and he managed the get out of the room quick enough to see Draco's robe flutter around the corner. Harry made his way down the hallway, his heart beating so fast it physically hurt, turning the corner he saw Draco leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest.
"I just wanted to make sure we were still on for tonight and I wanted to make sure you know I didn't mean what I said earlier." The blonde haired boy whispered.
Harry licked his lips and looked up and down the corridor. "I know you didn't, we need to act like that and I can't, I haven't figured out my egg for the second task and I need to do that tonight."
"What? You haven't figured out the egg yet?" Draco said in a hushed voice.
"Don't worry I just need to bring it to the prefect bathroom and then I'll know what to do." Harry allowed a small smile to play on his lips; it was nice to know that Draco cared.
"Maybe I can help you?"
Harry swallowed hard and thought for a moment, he knew he was going to have to take a bath and that meant being naked and he didn't know how he felt about Malfoy seeing him naked, however he knew it was unlikely he would be able to figure this egg out on his own. "Yea actually, meet me at the prefect bathroom at half ten ok?"
Draco allowed a genuine smile to take over his face before he pushed himself off the wall. "I'll see you then."
Harry pulled his invisibility cloak off himself as he entered the prefect bathroom on the third floor. Pushing a hand through his hair he slowly approached the huge pool that took up half the room, looking down at his watch he saw that it was now half ten and there was still no sign of Draco, he set the egg on the edge of the pool and took a deep breath. Folding the cloak up he placed it on the floor before he turned on the golden taps which caused water to gush from the huge pipes that sat over the silver pool and within a matter of seconds the tub was full of hot soapy water. Looking around and listening quietly he wanted to make sure no one would walk in on him and so once he knew the coast was clear he pulled off his clothes in record time.
Carefully he slid into the hot water, he let out a soft hiss as the water burnt his skin but it didn't take long for him to adjust to the temperature. He wanted to wait on Draco but he knew deep down that figuring out this egg was more important and he had to get it done tonight or else he would be fucked; it was literally a matter of life or death. Reaching over he picked up the egg and held it for a moment, the last time he had opened it it let out a blood thirsty scream which caused him horrific pain, the problem was he had no other option but to open it. After mentally preparing himself he opened the top of the egg and to his horror and dismay it once again let out a deafening scream which made his ears feel like they were bleeding; instantly he closed the egg and set it back on the ledge of the pool.
"What the hell was that?" A soft voice made Harry jump out of his skin.
Harry spun his head around so fast he felt his neck crack. Standing at the edge of the pool was Draco Malfoy with a perplexed expression on his face. He was wearing a black hoody and loose fitting grey sweat pants, his usually immaculate hair was quite messy and Harry couldn't help the flutter in his stomach when he laid eyes upon the older boy; subconsciously he licked his lips as he felt his heart beat violently in his chest.
"I was sure this would work…"
"What, taking a bath?" There was a trace of amusement in Draco's voice and he raised a single cocky eyebrow before approaching the pool.
Harry could feel his face turn crimson as he realised how ridiculous it sounded. "I was told to take the egg here and take a bath."
Draco made a soft noise of acknowledgement before taking off his shoes and socks; he rolled up the bottom of his sweats so they were bunched up at his knees before jumping up and sitting on the ledge of the pool, his legs splashing in the warm water. Harry was suddenly very aware that he was naked and could feel his face burning as his cheeks and nose turned crimson, subtly he moved the bubbles closer to him so they were covering him.
"What if you try putting it in the water?" Draco said thoughtfully.
It didn't sound any weirder than what he was already doing so Harry took the egg, putting it between his legs he opened it before sticking his head under the water to hear what it was saying. Draco took that opportunity to scoot along the ledge of the pool, he moved beside Harry and leant forward, he watched the egg for a second before allowing his eyes to wander over the younger boy's body, from his arms, to his chest, to his stomach and finally landing on his exposed groin.
Harry's head shot up and he let out a small cough as he tried to regain his breath, rubbing the water out of his eyes he leant back against the edge and felt Draco's thigh at his head, looking up he saw the older boy sitting by his side with a faint smile on his face.
Harry thought about the song for a moment before pursing his lips and looking back up at the blonde haired boy. "There are merpeople in the black lake aren't there?"
"Yeah there are."
Harry cursed under his breath as he suddenly realised exactly what he had to do. "I think I need to go into the black lake for an hour and confront the merpeople."
Draco's brow furrowed as he looked into Harry's green eyes. "Hold your breath for an hour? How are you meant to do that?"
"I don't know." Harry shook his head slowly.
A hand brushed through his hair causing his breath to hitch in his throat, Draco leant down and placed a soft and reassuring kiss on his lips. Their lips caressed each other slowly; Harry pushed his tongue out to meet Draco's and they danced in an erotic battle for dominance. Harry's groin was on fire and before he knew what he was doing he grabbed Draco around the waist and pulled him into the water on top of him.