After the wondrous dance had ended, things took a dull turn. With only five days from the second test, Harry still hadn't figured out what the clue meant. His friends did what they could to help him, but there was only so much they could work with: An egg that screams. What were they to make of that?!

Finding a solution whilst making their way through the rest of the school year was easier said than done. Melanie was in the library, at dusk, slouched over a desk at the corner of the large room, behind a wide bookshelf, reading over her book of Transfiguration, wand in one hand with a few pencils across from her. She was attempting to practically do her homework, trying several times to use the Duro spell, which could turn objects to stone, but to no avail.

She takes a breath, repositions her arm, and waves her wand once more. "Duro." She speaks, but nothing happens, again. She huffs irritably.
"You're moving it wrong." A voice speaks. She jumps in her seat, heart jumping with her. She relaxes once spotting it was only Draco, the one person who refused to appreciate how much she hated being surprised.
"What did I say about sneaking up on me?!" She whisper-yelled at him. He chuckled, enjoying it every time. He then approached her, stopping beside her chair.

Things between them had been quite well. Melanie was worried they would get awkward after the dance, but it only got better, and Potion's class played a big role in that. Who would have thought Snape would actually be good for something? "It's supposed to be to the right, and then the front." He instructed. Believe or not, Transfiguration was one of the few subjects he was actually good at.

She rolls her eyes, still annoyed. "I already tried that, it didn't work. See." She shows him. He shakes his head.
"No. you're moving it too fast." He tells, walking behind her. He, hesitantly, places his hand on her arm. She flinched just slightly, feeling blood rush up her cheeks. It wasn't the first time. He moves her arm softly, demonstrating. "Now try." He whispered, making shivers run up her spine as she felt his warm breath on her neck. She could barely focus any more, but tried anyways, and to her amazement, it actually worked, she had successfully turned a wooden pencil to stone. She chuckles at the result and looks to him, them just then realizing how close they were. Inches, a step away from…

Melanie looks away nervously, and Draco turns as well, pulling out the chair beside her and seating himself down, sighing. He was strolling about the school grounds, attempting to escape his annoying friends back at the dorm. Crabbe and Goyle were munching down a pile of muffins, while Pike was cuddling with his girlfriend on the couch, Zabini was reading, the nerd, and last and worst, Pansy, the main reason he left the dorm. Apparently, she was free, and had nothing better to do than to try and 'win him over'. Good luck with that.

His feet had led him to the library while his mind was anywhere but the real world. Once there, he was confused as to why that was, but he'd manage to glimpse the petite girl at the end of the room, whispering a spell to her disobedient wand, and he couldn't keep away.

"So, what are you doing here?" She asked, her courage growing back. He faced her.
"I don't think it's any of your business." He replied with a smirk, she smirked back and arched an eyebrow.
"Really? That's how it's going to be?" She asked playfully.
"Yeah. What do you plan on doing about that?" He questioned excitedly. Maybe things have changed between them, but he still liked teasing her. Her features calmed mischievously. She knew what he was doing, and she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of succeeding.
"Nothing. I already know why you're here." She told. Now she was teasing him, but she prevailed.
"That so?" He asked suspiciously, knowing good and well that she probably did.
"Well, I mean, there's a short list of reasons, Draco. Either you're bored and your friends are busy, or, you're trying to avoid Pansy." She replied with an assured smile. He chuckled. Her mind really was something else.
"You're unbelievable, Redwing." He told, she smiled at that, taking it as the complement it was meant to be.
"So which is it?" She questioned curiously.
"Both." He replied. She grinned.
"Figured."

She began packing, making him tense at the thought of her leaving, but he eased when he saw her turn back to him, holding her chin up in her hand, resting that arm on the desk. "So tell me, Draco. Have you ever read a story, out of your own will, that is?" She asked. Attempting to start up another one of those random conversations they'd ever so often have. He sighed.
"A few." He answered. "Can't remember their names, though. I'm not really into made-believe fantasies." He explained.
"Why not? Don't you like it when your mind gets swooped away with the pages of a book about another world?" She asked passionately. He cocked an eyebrow at her poetic question.
"I don't think anyone likes that more than you do." She giggled at his shock.
"No, Draco. Everyone does. It's just you." She smirked.
"I highly doubt that." He told sarcastically.
"Oh, come now. You should be more open than that. Here's what I think you do when you read." She straightened herself in her seat and grabbed a book from in front of her. This he had to see. She clears her throat and flips through some pages, a fake scowl on her face. "What is this rubbish?! Stupid book thinks it can take me on an adventure?" She stopped, giggled, then continued. "No one tells me what to do! This is all Potter's fault!" She mimicked almost perfectly, making them both burst into laughter. The way she did it, she herself was hilarious, he never thought he'd seen something so adorable.
"Bloody hell, Redwing! That was terrible!" He tried discouraging, considering she was mocking him.
"What are you talking about?! That was marvelous!" She exaggerated, grinning. He chuckled.
"Suit yourself, but don't think this will go unpaid." He threatened light-heartedly. She scoffed.
"There's nothing you can do to annoy me." She grinned.
"Are you sure about that?" He arched a mischievous eyebrow, she then remembers he was the source of her daily scare games.
"You wouldn't."
"I would." She let out a laugh, which only made him smile. It took his breath away every time. She felt his eyes on her and turned to him. It only took two seconds for her to get lost in those striking grey eyes, and for him to get lost in hers. How could opposites attract so well?

….

They were interrupted by the librarian, saying it was time for them to retire to the dorms. They did so quietly, after having spent much needed time together.

Three days later, Harry comes to his friends, saying he'd finally figured out what the clue meant. Cedric had told him to take it to the baths, and he did just that, being rewarded by what seemed to be the song of Merpeople.

The four friends were huddled in the library once more, looking through books and books about anything that could help them. Why would the second test be about searching for Merpeople? Are they dangerous? How would Harry fight back if they were? And, most importantly, how would he hold his breath underwater for an entire hour?!

"Harry, tell me again." Hermione requested, pacing.
"Come seek us where our voices sound." He mumbled for the hundredth time, face buried in a book. Ron was on a chair, cradling the egg, while Melanie was looking through the shelves.
"The Black Lake, that's obvious." Hermione stated to herself.
"An hour long you'll have to look." He continued.
"Again obvious, though I must admit potentially problematic."
"Potentially problematic?" Harry snapped tiredly. "When was the last time you held your breath under the water for an hour Hermione?!" He asked irritably. Melanie turned quickly before things got out of hand.
"Guys, we can do this. The four of us, we can do it." She assured.

Before anyone could let out a word, Mad-Eye approached them, making Melanie tense at the cruel man's presence. He informed Ron and Hermione that professor McGonagall wanted to see them, leaving Melanie, Harry, and now, Neville, all by themselves.

While Neville was helping them place back the books, as Moody asked of him, he unexpectedly offered them the perfect solution. They were ready.

...

"You're sure about this, Neville?" Harry asked Longbottom for nearly the third time, the two walking towards the lake, along with Melanie by Harry's side.
"Absolutely." Neville assured.
"Harry, relax. It'll be alright." Melanie told. He nodded uncertainly, then turned back to Neville.
"For an hour, right?" He asked. Melanie rolled her eyes.
"Most likely." Neville replied, making the two others turn to him in shock.
"Most likely?!" Harry questioned furiously. Neville decided to explain, attempting to avoid Harry's wrath.
"Well, there is some debate among herbologists as to the effects of freshwater versus saltwater." He told.
"Neville!" Melanie exclaimed, now terrified for her friend.
"You're telling us this now?! You must be joking." Harry freaked. Neville looked guilty.
"I just wanted to help." He tried, Melanie eyeing him with sympathy. Harry sighed.
"Well, that makes you sight better than Ron and Hermione. Where are they anyway?" He asked.
"I'm sure they'll be here soon." Melanie told, making a mental note to scold her friends for this.

Soon enough, the contestants are standing at the edge of the platform, readying themselves to jump into the water. Harry had swallowed the Gilliweed and looked like he was about to throw up. A shot went off and the contestants dove in like dolphins. Now all everyone else had to do was wait.

….