Written for Writer's Month 2022. Prompt #3: Gold.
Happy reading!
They were all sitting together in the Room of Requirement, staring at the short table between them. Well, not the table – the thing lying on the table. The heavy, golden egg which had a nasty tendency to scream like a bloody banshee anytime someone pulled the latch on top of it open and tried to figure out its purpose.
- Maybe we should try and open it again, but in the dark? After all, the stupid thing is screaming like it's burning to ashes – maybe the light is bothering it?
Harry and Hermione raised their heads to look at Ron. The idea sounded a little strange, but then, it's not like any of the more obvious ones yielded any results. They had tried feeding it, casting revealing spells on it, even flying with it on a broom; however, no matter what they did, the shrieking only got louder and more difficult to bear.
- Why not? After all, I doubt anything could make the sound more awful, so...
Saying that, Harry flicked his wand, extinguishing the lights and plunging the whole room into darkness. Stretching out his hands towards the table, he felt for the latch and opened the egg once more. Despite all the previous attempts at hearing the clue, the horrible scream made him flinch once again.
Hastily closing the egg, he took a few deep breaths and shook his head. A wave of the wand later the room was lit once more, and the trio looked at each other, frustration evident on their faces.
- That would be a no, huh?
Ron leaned back into his beanbag, trying to let go of the irritation the egg was causing. Seriously, how could anyone expect the champions to do the next task if they couldn't even work out what it would be?
Harry was holding his head in his hands. Even though he still had time to figure out the clue, it was getting shorter and shorter – more than a half had gone, and he still had no idea how to get anything but screeching hell from the heavy golden egg.
Hermione's face was scrunched up in thought. She loved puzzles – always had, and she was good at solving them. Her logical skills were often a great asset to the trio – they had to look no further than Snape's puzzle guarding the Philosopher's stone in their first year. However, this particular problem was difficult even for her, and not even she was immune to the frustration beginning to settle over the three friends. She was determined to solve the clue – not only was it important for Harry to know what he'd be getting in, but it was a matter of pride now as well.
- Maybe we've been thinking about this all wrong.
The boys looked at her with eyes clearly showing how tired they were of all the failed attempts.
- I mean, the egg is made of gold – real gold, apparently, judging by its weight. That means it would be almost impossible to damage or destroy it, right?
Harry nodded at her slowly, prompting her to explain her idea further.
- Also, the egg was put among real dragon eggs, in a dragon nest.
Once again, she received a look of confusion, telling her the boys were getting impatient waiting for her to get to the point.
- I just thought, since it was in a dragon's nest, it surely was kept very hot, right? And, since it was put there to impersonate a dragon's egg, maybe we should heat it as well. Or put it into fire, for example?
Her face showed she wasn't the least bit sure this would be the solution – after all, the past ten attempts or so were blind shots in the dark. However, the idea was different than anything else they'd tried, and it had a certain twisted logic to it – given the warped minds of those who were making up the tasks, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to think this could be the key.
Harry was the first one to nod at her idea, willing to at least try it out. Seconds later, Ron followed suit. However, another question remained.
- Where are we going to light a fire?
It was a cold Saturday in January. Most students had gone to Hogsmeade, and those who hadn't were staying inside, keeping warm. All except three of them – the infamous Gryffindor trio.
- Is it really necessary to do this in such awful weather, Hermione? Why couldn't we have just made a huge fireplace in the Room of Requirement and done it inside?
Making her way through the snow, the bushy haired girl rolled her eyes.
- Seriously, Ronald? You think it would be wise to light a huge fire in the middle of the castle? This is the safest place to try and make a giant magical pyre.
Harry chuckled at his best friends bickering.
- Exactly where are you taking us, 'Mione? I'm pretty confident I've never been to this part of the grounds.
Not turning around for fear of slipping on a stray patch of ice, she responded.
- This is the far side of the Great Lake. Despite it being allowed for students to go here, nobody ever does – it's a long walk, and there's nothing special to be seen. It's also a bit creepy when the weather is warmer – you can see various things lurking beneath the surface of the lake.
Hearing that, Ron turned his head around, scanning the surroundings a bit apprehensively.
- So, how come you know of this place? I didn't really take you for a ranger roaming the wilderness of the Hogwarts grounds.
Hermione shook her head in exasperation, smiling fondly at her friend.
- I'm no ranger, Ron; however, I did find myself in need of a run to clear my head every once in a while, especially when the exams are close. I just find the lake soothing, and the lack of people here helps me relax.
She slowed down and took a right turn, seemingly leading them into the bushes. However, once the boys followed her around the curve of the path, they found themselves in a small alcove. It was dry and protected from the wind, and the lake was very close to it, leaving only a few meters between them and the murky water. That would be useful in case they needed to quickly put out the fire - a simple charm could move the water from the lake onto the pyre.
- Huh. I never would have guessed there was a secret cave here – it looks great.
Harry turned around, taking in the small, secluded space.
- Yes, it is quite a sight. Now, why don't we light the fire – I'd rather not spend more time outside than needed, it is a very cold day.
Having said that, she began casting charms on the ground beneath them, making a contained, but wild magical fire.
- Open the egg now, Harry, and levitate it into the fire.
Bracing himself, Harry turned the latch once again, and the horrible shrieks could be heard. Concentrating as hard as he could with his ears ringing from the screams, he levitated the egg into the fire. However, what happened next was definitely not anything they could have expected.
As soon as the flames touched it the golden egg, the screeching got ten times louder. The volume kept getting higher and higher, and a few second later, it stopped. Barely daring to believe it, the trio removed their hands from their ears and looked at the fire, getting ready to put the fire out. They turned towards the lake, wands raised in preparation for the spell which would move the water onto the pyre – only, the lake was already moving towards them. A giant wave had risen, and it was coming towards them. And it was fast.
They tried to get out of the alcove in an attempt to escape the onslaught of water; however, they weren't fast enough. The wave crashed into them at a great speed, completely submerging them into the freezing water. They could make out the shapes of some kind of creatures moving around them, going toward the egg. They had fins instead of legs, and they kind of reminded Harry of mermaids from the Muggle fairy tales he used to read – only a lot more violent looking.
The mermaid-like creatures approached the egg, letting out wails of anguish and grief. One of them approached the trio, and yelled at them.
- How could you? Why would you kill the voice of one of our own?
Leaving them speechless, the creature turned around and left. The rest of them followed suit, taking the now silent egg with them. As they left, so did the water subside.
The three friends were left soaking and shivering in the once again empty alcove. They looked at each other.
- You do realise what this means, right?
Hermione had that look in her eyes – the one that clearly said she had figured out what the puzzle said. The boys looked at each other, shrugged, and turned their attention back to the girl.
- The only thing I realise is that the second task is getting closer, and now I don't even have the blasted egg!
Hermione shook her head, somehow surprised that they hadn't caught on to the most important detail of the whole episode.
- The merpeople – yes, Harry, the creatures that look like mermaids from fairytales, only both male and female – they asked us why we killed the voice of one of their own! Obviously, the clue was spoken in their language, and we couldn't understand it because we weren't underwater. So, the second task will be held in their territory – that is, under the Great Lake.
Harry and Ron look at her in wonder.
- You got all that from that?
She smiled at them.
- So, how am I going to do anything underwater? In case you haven't noticed, I need air.
Harry let out a nervous chuckle – he was relieved they solved at least part of the clue, but there were still questions to be answered.
- I don't know, but we have over a month to figure it out. And, well, we don't really know what you're supposed to do under the Lake, but we'll look into spells you can cast underwater, and you'll have to practice your swimming, and...
Harry and Ron shared a look of fond amusement. They might not know all the answers, but they had Hermione on their side – and that was all they'd ever need.
Thank you for reading - I hope you enjoyed! If you feel like it, I'd really appreciate you leaving a review - good or bad, I want it all!
I wish you all the best, and hope you have a great day!
