Chapter 17

Rose found Harry, Ron and Hermione in the library studying.

Rose said "you do know it is the holiday break don't you."

Harry said "while you were talking with Madam Maxime I took a quick bath and figured out the clues we are looking for a way I can breath underwater for an hour."

Ron asked "How are you going to do it."

Rose said "I am not sure yet. I am pretty good at transfiguration, but human transfiguration is really hard and can go terribly wrong if you don't really know what you are doing and well if you change your self into an animal then you don't have the mind of a human anymore plus how would I get what ever is taken. I could possibly use a bubble head charm that is probably the easiest or there is always gilly weed but it might not last the whole hour there is some debate on the effects of fresh water verses saltwater but it would be not only the most effective but the fastest way and you still have use of your hands, I am sure Neville would know a lot about it he is brilliant when it comes to Herbology if you have any questions about it you could ask him. But well if there are merepeople in the black lake and we know there is the giant squid what else might be in the lake that could prove problematic to us. I think Grindylows are a safe bet not only is this there native territory merepeople tend to keep them as pets. One Grindylows wouldn't be a problem but they tend to swim in packs. So I have to figure out a way to defend myself from them. I don't think it would be too difficult of course spells might not work the same in water. We might want to take a small knife with us so we can free the thing they have taken if it might be tied to something."

Hermione said "you have really thought this out haven't you."

Rose said "yes I have now I can't tell you want to do Harry it is up to you. You are your own person but knowing your skill level I would advise Gilly weed or the bubblehead charm. I know Fleur is using the bubble head charm Cedric probably will too. It is the most obvious spell to use."

Harry asked "what does gillyweed do exactly?"

Rose said "well you have to eat it. It looks horrible, tastes worse and nearly impossible to get down. It is a lot like chewing plant tasting rubber rat tails but it gives you gills and webbed feet like giant flippers and webbed hands. The changes could allow you to move much faster and easier through the water but you won't be able to speak. So spells need to be thought about very clearly and you can mouth them so that might help but only air bubbles will come out of your mouth. So you might want to practice a couple basic non verbal spells like the stunning spell that might work for the Grindylows if it works the right way underwater. I have never tried it or seen it but I think it is reasonable to think it would work."

Hermione asked "is it difficult to get Gillyweed?"

Rose said "apothecaries usually carry it. It isn't terribly expensive also it is a native water plant so if you know what you are looking for you might be able to find it in the shallows of the lake it self. But I think there is an apothecary in Hogsmead or you could order some from Diagon Alley. There is plenty of time to place your order and them to get it to you. But you should practice the bubble head charm just in case you can't get it. Look I am going to Hogsmead tomorrow it is an approved visit there are a few things I need to get why don't you come with me. It might be the last chance we have before the second task I don't think there are any more visits planned until afterward."

Harry said "it sounds like a good idea to me."

Hermione asked "what are you getting."

Rose said "there is this book that I ordered a while back they were out I just got a notice that it is in now I want to make sure it is the right edition before I pay for it. Also I think I want to get a wrist holster for my wand and I need to get a small knife for the second task. You know what they take might be tied to something a knife could be useful to cut the rope."

Ron said "You always think of everything."

Rose smirked and said "Maybe not everything but I try to be as thorough as I can be. Look I am tired of being inside there are a couple hours before dinner and it isn't snowing right now. I really want to go flying I think it will clear my head about what happened earlier."

Harry said "that actually sounds great I will go with you maybe we could toss around the quaffle a bit maybe use the quidditch pitch."

Rose said "the quidditch pitch is off limits but we could probably use the practice field. Are you two coming?"

Hermione said "I would rather stay inside where it is warm."

Rose chuckled she knew only too well that Hermione was afraid of flying and said "we will meet you at dinner then."

Rose and Harry went to get their brooms when Fred and George found out Harry and Rose were planning go flying they got their brooms too so the entire Gryffindor quidditch team were going out to fly with Rose.

Rose met them out on the practice field. She laughed when she saw all of them and said "I guess there will be more then just the two of us. All I grabbed was a Quaffle and the pitch is off limits but I guess we all can toss it around unless anyone knows where we could get a full set."

Katie said "the quaffle will be just fine. But it looks like we have a full team here if someone would cover for keeper."

Rose said "I might just be an alright keeper."

Harry laughed and said "Rose is her teams keeper and team captain according to her letters she hasn't lost a single match."

Rose said "I don't like boasting Harry unless it is about my babies. Mrs. Weasley sent pictures of them for Christmas do you want to see them they are all absolutely gorgeous."

Angelina said "maybe later lets play I have been dying to get up on a broom."

Rose started giggling when Fred said "I could have helped you with that last night I had a rather hard broomstick you could have rode."

Angelina snapped "get your minds out of the gutter both of you."

Then without warning she threw the quaffle hard at Fred's head but Rose zoomed up and caught it before it could hit him and threw it back laughing.

They all were soon flying and tossing the ball around. When it was time for dinner they all went inside.