'They could've given us something to do, at least'. Hermione looked to her left at the other 'taken possessions'. Ron, Cho and a Slytherin girl she couldn't quite remember the name of. All of them encased in giant bubbles, like her, and suspended close to the bottom of The Black Lake. And each of them equally bored out of their minds.

'This was not what I had in mind when they asked me to assist with the challenge'. After a brief explanation, and numerous assurances that none of them will be harmed, Hermione and the others were placed in separate bubbles and positioned somewhere in the lake for the champions to rescue.

She took another look around only to see the same dark murky depths as before. The sunlight could barely reach the bottom of the lake, but Hermione had seen a number of Grindylows in the surrounding weeds and ruins. Until now The Black Lake had always been a mystery to the students of Hogwarts. All of the myths and rumours as to what lies in its depths had continuously held Hermione's curiosity over the years. But at the moment the only thing she could associate with her surroundings was boredom.

-/-/-/-/-/-

Sleep had inevitably taken Hermione until a noise began to rouse her from slumber. 'Thump, thump, thump'. Her eyes began to flutter open when she heard it again. 'Thump, thump, thump'. As Hermione's brain began to work again, she realized it sounded similar to tapping on a glass window. She slowly sat up and stretched. Giant bubbles aren't very comfortable apparently.

She looked to the others, assuming that the noise probably came from one of them. But to her surprise it seemed that all of them had also dozed off. 'Thump, thump, thump'. Her attention shot to the right of her. Surprisingly her eyes met another pair. Hermione was slightly stunned but eventually began to notice the features around the bright green orbs. 'Pale skin, long dark hair, button nose, high cheek bones, thin lips. A girl. Are those scales? A Mermaid. Why is she smiling at me?'.

"Um, hello". The words had tumbled from her lips before she realized it.

The girls smile grew before she replied eagerly. "Hi. Sorry to wake you, but I just really want to see what colour your eyes are"

"Why?", was the only thing to come to mind. And mouth apparently.

"I wanted to see if they were as beautiful as the rest of you"

Taken back a bit by the girl's bluntness, Hermione immediately felt heat rise in her cheeks. "Oh. Um, T-thank you".

The mermaid continued to stare at Hermione with wide, unblinking eyes. Steadily making the witch more uncomfortable.

Never really being the best in social situations, Hermione didn't really know how to make conversation with a flirtatious mermaid while trapped in a bubble at the bottom of a lake. 'Maybe there's a book for that'.

The mermaid seemed to not notice Hermione's awkwardness and lazily circled the bubble. "What are you doing down here?"

"Waiting to be found by the champions", the mermaids head tilted in curiosity so she continued. "It's the second task of the tournament".

She stopped circling as her green eyes lit up. "That sounds exiting! Is it just for fun or are there rewards for wining?"

Hermione smiled at her, happy to have conversation in who knows how long. "Points are awarded based on who finishes first, second, third and fourth".

"Oh, I could save you! You seemed awfully bored earlier and I would get the points for first place".

Hermione noticed her tail begin to move faster while she somehow remained still. 'Like an exited puppy'

"While I'd appreciate that, this task is only for the champions, so I'm sure they wouldn't reward you for interfering".

"Oh".

The mermaid seemed so disappointed Hermione almost felt bad for dashing her happiness so easily. Until a grin grew on her delicate features.

"Maybe you could reward me personally then".

The change of her tone didn't go unnoticed as Hermione felt heat quickly rising in her cheeks. "W-what do you mean?" 'Stupid mouth, you know what she means, don't encourage her!'

"A kiss. Isn't that how all of your story's end? The Beautiful maiden rescued and the dashing saviour rewarded".

Hermione cleared her throat. "I'm flattered, really, but I have to decline", she chuckled to herself, "My very possessive girlfriend certainly wouldn't appreciate it".

She didn't seem deterred in the slightest. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her. Maybe something else? I bet I can make you forget about her". She finished with a wink, sending the blush all the way up to the tip of Hermione's ears.

Suddenly both their attention was captured by a terrifying shrill cutting through the water.

At the edge of the ruins a figure was speeding towards them. The mermaid froze with fear, grin long gone. Hermione smiled. She'd recognise those glowing red eyes and shimmering silver feathers anywhere. "I think she knows".

-/-/-/-/-/-

She didn't mind the cold. Or the wet. Or the noise.

Any excuse to be held in Fleur's arms was absolutely worth it.

And held she was. Since the moment they'd made it onto the platform, Fleur had not and would not let go. Fleur's firm embrace worked better than any warming cham she'd known.

Fleur had come first obviously. Now they just had to wait for the others to finish.

Fleur sat with Hermione in her lap, arms tight around her waist in a cocoon of towels. She lay her chin on Hermione's shoulder nuzzling her neck, glaring at the lake. 'The nerve of that creature! To suggest such things with my Hermione!'

Said brunette had an idea of what she was thinking about. Or at least what she was really glaring at. "Don't you think the fire balls were a bit much? She was terrified enough just seeing you. Though I am impressed that they work underwater but that's beside the point"

"You are defending 'er?! Veela 'earing is impeccable no matter the environment! I heard what she said, what she suggested. J'aurais dû faire bien pire à ce poisson!"

Hermione smirked "Well she did have one good idea".

Fleur looked at her incredulously "What?!"

Hermione leaned in close, lips barley touching the blondes. "I think I owe my dashing saviour a kiss. Don't you?"

Fleur's smile was blinding as she closed the small distance without a second thought.