Blood Bound

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 20: Gillyweed

I banged my head constantly on a book for herbology. I desperately tried to find any plants known in the Mediterranean that the Siren Tails potion could use. There were countless underwater plants and all the ones in Hogwarts library were useless. The task is in three weeks. The common room was active with everyone excited for the next task that was coming up. Already the department of games was building the platforms at the Black Lake.

The potion I need takes two weeks to make. Principal Bishop has already gotten the Siren's hair and other rare ingredients. But the plant thing is my task. I believe she knows what it is, but following the Tournaments rules…I have to find it and make it. Although, every school is finding scapegoats. Or at least Durmstrang with Igor Karkaroff's whispering into Viktor's ears. As much as I like Viktor and appreciating the friendship, his headmaster is creepy. Fleur and Madame Maxima…not sure. There's a chance the giant woman helped Fleur on the dragons since she seemed to be courting Hagrid and getting second-hand knowledge.

Anyway, I have three weeks left.

But that wasn't the only thing that was bothering me. I've been getting these strange dreams this past week. The first night it was a graveyard where one tombstone was Death. At first, I thought it was nothing. Just my mind being creative. Then the second night, I dreamt of the graveyard again only to enter a cottage where an old man, the caretaker was making himself a cup of tea on the stove. He listens to the radio, as he added water into the kettle he glances out the window where a mansion was. There one light was on. The old man gruffs, muttering "Bloody kids." Again I thought the dream was nothing. Then the third night I dreamt of the same old man as he walked through the graveyard and into the old abandon mansion. He was walking up the stairs where voices could be heard. The voices were in incomprehensible from the hoarse voices. The dream ended when the old man stepped on a creaky board. The fourth night, the dream started from the beginning all the way up to the creaky board only, this time, it went to the door where a man stood cowardly towards someone in the chair. The man had a mouse like characteristics, while the second person was unseen. Still unable to comprehend their words, till something slither against my feet and looking down to see a large python slithering towards the room. On the fifth night did their voices become more detail?

"…perhaps if were to do it without the boy," the mouse man trembled.

"No! The boy is everything!" the hidden man yelled, clenching his frail hand. "It cannot be done without him. And it will be done. Exactly as I said."

"May I suggest another way," said a new voice. The voice of the monster. He appeared around the chair kneeling before the frail man. He looked much older, skin paler, and a mop of hair if not darker. No longer "A spell that would bring his blood to you."

The hidden man thought about it, "Very well."

Barty Crouch Junior leaned forward and whispered the unknown plans to the hidden companion ear. Not trusting the third person in the room.

"Yes, bring her." The hidden man said.

"I will not disappoint you, my Lord," Barty said.

"Good."

And the dream ended there. On the sixth night, it continues as the snake slithers by me and into the room where the three men were while the old man jumped quietly. The snake slithered up the worn chair whispering in parse tongue.

"Nagini tells me the old Muggle caretaker is standing just outside the door." The hidden man said.

Instantly the man with the mouse features stood up and opens the door wide while Barty Crouch stood back. The old man was startled stepping away to escape.

"Step aside, Wormtail, so I can give our guest a proper greeting."

The man called Worm tail stepped aside as the frail hand's owner shouted the killing curse onto the No-Maj and killing him in green light.

That was the night I was woken up screaming disrupting everyone's sleep. Hermione and Ginny tried to calm me down from the shock as they took me to the common room. I don't remember what happened next. Only Ginny was getting me hot chocolate and Hermione rubbing my back.

Fate was generous on the seventh night and let me sleep in peace. Yet the dream, no…nightmare felt so real. As if I was there with the old man. And yet I stood there watching the Monster who killed my mother socializing with two other men. It had to be a dream. Barty Crouch Junior was dead. He died from illness at Azkaban. No one can seriously escape from there unless they were dead. Minus the one exception of Sirius Black. How he had to escape is a mystery.

Frustrated, with all the distractions from the other classmates I have gotten up and left. It's almost curfew but I needed some fresh air.

"Bridgette, wait up!"

I stopped to see Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

"Need something, guys?" I asked.

"We were wondering if you are all right," Harry asked.

"Yeah, just needed some fresh air," I asked.

"I take it; Mrs. Bishop wasn't keen of not solving the egg?" Hermione asked.

"Actually, I already solved it," I answered as I started walking.

"What?" Ron exclaimed, but was silenced by Hermione.

I sighed, "Promise not to tell anybody?"

All three nodded, so I told them about the clue and sang them the song. They were impressed that they wanted to help me.

"Bridgette, tell me again," Hermione said.

"Come seek us where our voices sound," I said.

"The Black Lake, that's obvious." She said.

"An hour long you'll have to look," I added.

"Again, obvious." She sighed. "Though, admittedly potentially problematic."

"Potentially problematic," Harry said in disbelief. "When's the last time you held your breath underwater for an hour, Hermione."

"Look, I have a few ideas but I'm looking for an ingredient that has no name," I said.

"Hate to break up the skull session, but it's almost curfew." Said Professor Moody coming out of nowhere.

We all turned around to see him calm and relaxed. "Also Miss Granger, Professor McGonagall would like to see you."

"But sir, it's not that late." Hermione defended.

"C'mon Hermione," I said placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's late."

Hermione sighed but nodded as she walked over to Professor Moody who'll probably escort her to Professor McGonagall. The boys and I said goodnight to him as we turn to return to the tower.

"Oh, tell Mr. Longbottom that he can keep the book on water-plants." Professor Moody said.

I stopped as if got struck by lighting and mentally smacked myself. I'm such an idiot. The person who would know water plants by heart that isn't a teacher was Neville. He has been reading countless books about water-plant.

.o0o.

The next morning I waited impatiently for Neville to come down from the boy's tower. Woken up precisely early in hopes to catch him. Even for a Saturday, but I needed to talk to Neville. Hopefully, he and his books can help me find the plant that I'm searching for.

It wasn't till around eight did Neville came down dressed and ready.

"Neville!" I greeted.

Neville shocked from the sudden outburst lost his bearings and slipped down the steps. I cringed and quickly ran over to him. Helping the poor lad back on his feet.

"Sorry Neville," I apologized.

"It's alright," he nervously chuckled. "Sounded excited to see me."

"Actually, been waiting for two hours to speak with you," I said.

His eyes widen, "Oh really, um…what can I do for you?"

We walked over to the lounge and adjusted ourselves.

"I was wondering if you can help me with the second task," I answered.

"Wow," Neville said in disbelief. "It'll be an honor."

"I was wondering if you can help me on the subject of plants," I said.

"You know, if you're interested in plants, you'd be better off with Goshawk's Guide to Herbology." He started happily. "Do you know there's a wizard i-in Nepal who's growing gravity-resistant trees?"

"Interesting, but can you tell me about plants that can help me breathe underwater." I interrupted. "Most specifically Mediterranean plants?"

Neville gave a nervous chuckle rubbing his neck thinking about it. "You could always use gillyweed."

"Gillyweed?" I asked to be sure.

"Yes," Neville said.

I scratched the top of my head, "alright, now I need to find some gillyweed."

"You can go to the greenhouse and asked Professor Sprout for some. She would most likely give you some." Neville said. "I was actually going to the Greenhouse to help her remove weeds from the garden."

So that's what we did. We quickly went to the great hall for a quick breakfast before entering the greenhouses to find Professor Sprout planting seeds in a planter.

"Good morning Professor Sprouts," Neville greeted.

The plump little witch turned around wiping the dirt off her hands, "Why good morning Neville, you two come to help be in the garden or questions about another plant?"

"Actually, Bridgette and I were wondering if you by any chance have gillyweed," Neville answered.

"Gillyweed?" Professor Sprout asked surprised. "Why on earth do you need gillyweed?"

"For a potion, Professor," I answered.

Professor Sprout laughed, "You can eat it directly instead use it in a potion."

Didn't know that, "Still, do you by any chance have gillyweed?"

"Indeed, though does it relate to the second task?" she asked.

I only nodded. I was nervous she would not help me on this since one of the Triwizard Champion was Cedric. She would probably pick favorite to make sure her house wins. For what I heard, Hufflepuff hasn't won a house cup in over a decade. Practically have been Slytherin and Gryffindor. So I would fully understand if she wanted Hufflepuff to have a chance for victory even if it was the Triwizard Tournament.

"The potion club has a stash though you have to earn it if you want gillyweed." She declared.

"Anything," I said.

"You can start helping me with plucking weeds out of the gardens." She instructed.

I nodded along with Neville as we helped Professor Sprout tend the gardens in the greenhouse. It was a long tedious task, especially when certain herbs resembled weeds. Yet Professor Sprout was patient with us. Also getting a chance to learn more about plants. She even talked about her younger years as a professor when having tea time. We all sat around the small metal table with tea and biscuits.

"I remembered one student from Hufflepuff who always spent the winter seasons in the greenhouse. Always making sure the mandrakes were warmed in their soils." Professor Sprout. "She was a busy girl with expectations from her family. Top of her class even made prefect. Yet she had a caring heart for others and these plants."

"She sounds like a nice person," I said, being respectful.

"Oh yes, she was." She said.

"What was her name?" Neville asked.

Professor took a sip of her tea, "Her name was Edith Chimmerah."

I stopped staring at her in disbelief. It brought some memories of my mother tending her herb garden. Always having a green thumb.

"Your mother was a wonderful woman," Professor Sprout said. "You look exactly like her, even with her eyes."

I nodded staring at my tea seeing my reflection. I do look somewhat like my mother, except the dark brown hair were my fathers.

It was the end of the day did having one of the greenhouses cleared of weeds. Neville and I waited as we took the discarded weeds into the compost. Professor Sprouts came over holding a vial containing gillyweed. The plant resembled a bundle of slimy, green rat tails.

"Now I don't know what potion you're making, but consuming this alone will help you breathe underwater." She said.

"Thank you, Professor Sprout," I said accepting the vial.

She nodded, "Now you two go freshen up and enjoy the rest of the day."

Neville and I nodded making our way back to the castle.

"Thanks, Neville, for everything," I said. "I appreciate it."

"No problem," he said. "Happy to help."

I nodded staring at the vial filled with gillyweed.

Oh Merlin, please work.

So…what do you guys think?

Thanks for reading and please review!