Chapter 9: Holidays in the castle

Hermione Pov

The day after the ball all the students going home for the holidays left. Ron headed home with his siblings and Harry and I were staying in Uncle Severus quarters where we would be spending the holidays. Uncle Severus had said he was going to check on us occasionally and that we would all spend Christmas day together. The first few days had been mundane, Harry spent most of his free time flying and practicing tricks on his broom, While I decided to spend most of my time trying to figure out the egg clue from the first task. But each time it just shrieked at me it was frustrating. Viktor had even asked about the clue but I told him I hadn't solved it yet.

Harry had told me he had been trying to solve it but with no luck. the holidays hadn't had much fuss to them we still hung out with our family and were given gifts harry and I both got books, clothes and some of our favorite sweets but overall it was mundane I missed the cottage that we had stayed at last holiday with our large Christmas tree and grandma mins baking for me it seemed like everything had changed this year. There was still someone after her and Harry, they had to compete in a deadly competition they didn't even enter and now it seemed like no one was telling them anything. It frustrated her to no end not knowing what was going on.

Weeks later things hadn't improved harry had told her he figured the egg clue out weeks ago but even she had yet to figure it out but each time she tried to get him to tell her how he figured it out he ignored her or blew her off now two days before the task he admitted he hadn't really figured it out he had just wanted everyone to stop pestering him about it .

"Suppose you and vicktor already figured it out "

She glared at Harry `` I wouldn't know we don't really talk about the tournament ...we don't really talk at all about the victor, more of a physical being. '' Harry turned, trying not to laugh, his eyebrows raised in surprise. Hermione hit his shoulder "shut up I just mean he's not particularly loquacious mostly he just watches me study. It's a bit annoying actually ."

"Uh yeah "

"You are trying to figure this egg out aren't you?"

"What's that supposed to mean? Harry asked.

" I can't even figure this clue out Harry, these tasks there designed to test us in a way they're almost cruel, and ...I'm scared for you you barely got past the dragon and that was luck. I just don't know if it will be enough this time . " just as I was about to say more Cedric ran up to us "Hey snape, lupin!"

"Cedric, " Harry said his tone a bit clipped.

"I Just realize I didn't thank you for helping me with the first task harry so thank you ."

"Forget it you'd do the same for me ."

"Exactly! Look, you two know the perfect bathroom on the fifth floor. Well, it's not a bad place for a bath ...just take your egg and mull things over in the hot water.'' Later that night Harry had taken the egg to the prefect's bathroom and came back with the egg solved or well partially solved. It turns out there's a clue in the egg, a riddle of sorts. Say it again I asked as we went back over the rhyme in the library trying to figure out just what exactly the next task would be. Harry sighed.

"Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching, ponder this :

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour-long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour -the prospects black,

Too late it's gone, it won't come back ."

"So it's at the black lake and there's something we will have to search for but an hour underwater that's potentially problematic "

Harry turned to her as if she had grown a second head. "Potentially Problematic!? When's the last time you had to hold your breath underwater for an hour, Hermione. "

"Look harry we can figure this out I promise maybe your dad or grandma min might know something we could go ask them . '' harry nodded but the two couldn't find professor snape or the headmistress and when they had tried to ask their grandfather he had just told them to get some rest since the tournament was only hours away dejected the two headed back to their common room with still no clue how they were going to breathe underwater. '' well there's always the bubblehead charm but sadly I'm dreadful at it I'm sure well think of something im headed to bed " Harry nodded

"I'll head in soon, goodnight ." Harry sighed as he flipped through the rest of the book the two had checked out from the library just as he was about to give up the common room door opened hoping it was his gram he looked up but it was only Neville. " Hi harry you look a bit down mate"

"Trying to figure out how to breathe underwater without drowning will do that you wouldn't know a plant that could do that huh Neville ?" Harry asked dejectedly, not expecting an answer.

"You could always use gilly weed ."

"Gillyweed?" Harry asked, confused.

"Yeah, it's a plant that can help you breathe underwater. I believe your dad has some in his storeroom. Professor Moody was asking him about it at one of my study sessions."

"Brilliant, " Harry said without a second thought he thanked Neville before rushing out quickly down towards his dad's storeroom pulling out his wand "alohomora " he whispered not wanting to get caught, and for once in his life, he was thankful his dad was so organized he quickly grabbed what he needed and hauled it back to the common room making it back in record time now somewhat ready for the next task.