It was wonderful to be back at Grimmauld Place, even if it was just for the two weeks of Christmas Break, and, while his professors had definitely given him enough assignments to keep him busy for most of the holiday, Harry was looking forward to doing other things as well.

One of the best things about Grimmauld Place was its library and, when Harry added the fact that he also had unlimited to the Malfoys' library, he thought that it probably gave him an advantage over the other Champions. If there were ways to breathe underwater, surely either the Black library or the Malfoy library would have books detailing them.

The best thing was that, unlike the Hogwarts' library, the Black and Malfoy libraries had a cataloguing system that he could search with. He didn't know why Madame Pince didn't let students use the cataloguing system at Hogwarts, it would definitely have made searching for books much easier. Though maybe it was good thing that she didn't – Harry could only imagine the rude words and inappropriate topics that some of the less mature students might have used it for.

Despite it being the weekend, Harry spent his first two days home from Hogwarts pouring over the books in the Black Library that the catalogue thought had something to do with breathing underwater. He forced himself to take breaks ever few hours of course, though he usually used those to work on his assignments.

He was halfway through his third day in the library, when Sirius dropped into the armchair beside him. "Harry?"

"Hmmm?" Harry asked, not looking up from the book that he was skimming through. He hadn't found anything useful in it so far – just mentions of different magical creatures who could breathe underwater.

"How are you going?" Sirius asked, tugging the book out of Harry's hands.

Harry obediently relinquished the book with a sigh. "I haven't found anything yet. I think I need to make my catalogue search more specific, but I'm not sure how."

"Sorry I can't help." Sirius peered at the cover of the book, before closing it and putting it on top of the pile of books next to Harry's chair. "You were at page one hundred and sixty three."

"It's fine." Harry rubbed his forehead. "I'll figure it out."

"Though I would like to remind you that Lucius and Narcissa are allowed to help you." Sirius pointed out. "As are Andromeda, Ted or Tonks. All five of whom are coming over for dinner tonight?"

Harry straightened in his seat. "Really?"

"Yes," Sirius grimaced. "I'm already starting to regret it. They're always so snooty."

Harry laughed. "Sirius, you're snooty now."

Sirius looked horrified. "I am not. You take that back!"

"Remember a few weeks ago when you had Percy and his girlfriend terrified?" Harry asked with a smirk. "You were being snooty."

Sirius grinned slowly. "That was fun and it was my good deed for the day. They're engaged now, you know, and it's all because of me!"

"Sure," Harry snorted. "It had nothing to with them, or Lord Prewett, or Lord Burke. It's all to do with you."

Sirius shot him a disgruntled glare. "Anyway, you need to take a break."

Harry pulled out his pocket-watch. "No, I don't. It's only two thirty, my next break is at three."

"During which you will do what?" Sirius asked expectantly.

"Work on my Ancient Runes essay." Harry admitted, not meeting Sirius' eyes.

"You know what we called kids like you when I was at school?" Sirius asked rhetorically. "Swots. And if you're not careful you're going to burn yourself out like half of them did. One of the girls in my year ended up having to repeat her seventh year because of it."

Harry frowned. "I wouldn't be studying this hard if it wasn't for the Tournament. Besides, there's nothing wrong with liking hard work."

"So Remus keeps telling me." Sirius grinned. "Anyway, you need to slow down, kiddo. Go flying with Draco, take Daphne out for ice cream, arrange to go see a movie with your friends, whatever, just do something other than study."

Harry perked up at that. "Draco and I have been talking about taking Neville to see Star Wars."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Of course you have. You know, your dad and I were actually cool. I have no idea how you've turned into such a geek."

"By the way," Harry started. "When would be a good time for me to invite Daphne to look through the Potter and Black jewels?"

Sirius smirked. "Ah, yes, what was the headline again? Young Love At Yule: Boy-Who-Lives Romances Girlfriend?"

Harry grimaced. "Every time I do something like that, Draco, Theo and Blaise all get mad at me. Apparently I'm setting too high of a standard."

"Girls deserve a high standard." Sirius told him seriously. "Especially girls who have been forced into a marriage by their parents."

"You make it sound so awful." Harry complained. "Daphne wasn't forced into anything."

"No, but most of your friends were betrothed when they were infants." Sirius pointed out. "They've grown up knowing exactly who they're going to marry. Sometimes wizards think that means that they don't have to court them. How do you think that makes the witches feel?"

"I hadn't considered it like that." Harry admitted.

"No, I don't think many wizards do." Sirius sighed. "I certainly didn't. I was betrothed to Elaina Prince, but I barely even gave her a second thought – not that I ever saw her. Though she was ten when she died, so it wasn't as though I had ignored her at Hogwarts or anything."

"So those stories that you and Remus were telling the other night," Harry started uncomfortably.

"You mean the ones about me snogging Amy Clearwater on Dumbledore's chair?" Sirius asked with a grin.

Harry grimaced. "Yes, were they after Elaina died?"

"That particular one, yeah." Sirius ran a hand through his hair. "But I was a real brat then, Harry. I didn't want anything to do with traditionalism, or my parents, and since my betrothal was connected to both I pretty much ignored it and hoped that it would go away."

"And it did." Harry commented neutrally.

"Yeah," Sirius sighed deeply. "I wish I could tell you that I felt terribly about it back then, but I didn't. I was more relieved than anything. Not that she was dead, but that I wouldn't have to marry her."

Harry nodded slowly. "That makes sense. I think Draco feels like that sometimes."

"He doesn't like Astoria?" Sirius asked carefully.

"She's…younger than us." Harry answered.

Sirius gave him a knowing look. "Not that much younger."

"I know." Harry nodded. "I think the problem is that she's always been so quiet around him. Daphne says that she's not really like that, but she's scared that Draco won't like her so she withdraws."

"And becomes the perfect pureblood young lady." Sirius nodded.

"Exactly." Harry sighed.

"It sounds as though Draco needs a good kick up the pants." Sirius suggested. "Someone to remind him of his duty towards her."

Harry didn't disagree. "I should do it. I'm his best friend, and I'm going to be Astoria's brother-in-law."

Sirius looked proud. "Good on you, kiddo. Now, ready for that break?"

Harry groaned. "Hasn't this just been a break?"

"A five minute long break." Sirius agreed, before looking down at the pile of books besides Harry. "How about you take a break on the Tournament research until you can talk to our dinner guests about any ideas that they might have?"

"So I can work on my assignments then?" Harry asked hopefully.

"You can study for two more hours." Sirius told him sternly. "That's it for the rest of the day. It's up to you about whether you want to do that now, or later."

Harry scowled. "Only two?"

"Only two." Sirius grinned. "You make this parenting thing easy. Most people have to force their kids to study."

"Alright." Harry stood up and stretched out his legs. "What about the prophecy? Am I allowed to research that?"

"If that's how you want to use your two hours, sure." Sirius told him, ignoring the dirty look that Harry shot at him. "But I think Remus has got that under control. Why don't you floo over to see Draco and ask if he wants to play some Quidditch?"

30-30-30

Harry stepped gracefully out of the Malfoys' fireplace, before stopping in surprise at the sight of three wizards standing in the Entrance Hall. He recognised Lord Malfoy of course, but he didn't think he had ever seen the other two before.

All three wizards seemed to recognise him though and the two strangers' eyes seemed to gleam excitedly.

"Harry Potter!" One of them exclaimed, his wand appearing in his hand.

"I should hope that you are not planning on doing anything imbecilic in my Manor, Rudolphus." Lord Malfoy snapped, his voice colder than Harry had ever heard before. "You may be married to my wife's sister, but that relation will only take you so far."

Harry's breath hitched and he took a step backwards. There were only two men who were married to one Cousin Narcissa's sisters, and only one was named Rudolphus.

The other man cackled. "Oh look, Rudolphus, I think he recognised you."

"Be silent, Rabastan." Lord Malfoy snapped, stepping forward. "Can I assist you, Mr. Potter?"

Harry took another step back, before freezing when he felt the heat of the fire on the back of his legs. "I-I was looking for Draco, my lord."

Lord Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "And you thought it appropriate to floo into my manor without any warning?"

Harry bit in lip and looked down. "Sorry, my lord."

"Draco is in his room." Lord Malfoy told him coldly. "Do try and express better manners during your next visit, Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded quickly. "Of course, Lord Malfoy."

There was a long silence, before Lord Malfoy spoke again. "Well, Mr. Potter? Are you leaving or not?"

Harry jolted into action, bowing to Lord Malfoy and then to Lord Lestrange. "My lords." Then he walked out of the room as quickly as he could.

"What?" Rabastan asked. "Don't I get a bow?"

"You should be bowing to him." Lord Malfoy answered coldly. "Or have your years in Azkaban robbed you of your respect for our traditions?"

"Bow to Harry Potter?!" Rabastan sounded horrified.

"Are you not concerned with the tales the boy might tell, Lucius?" Rodolphus asked, as Harry finally reached the door.

"Of course not." Lord Malfoy dismissed the idea. "Has not our lord commanded that the boy be left alone to decide which side he will choose? The boy will not tell anyone who would do our cause harm, he is too loyal for that."

Harry shut the door behind him, before breaking into a run – sprinting for Draco's room. Once there, he paused just long enough to open the door, before rushing inside and slamming the door shut behind him.

Draco was sitting at his desk near the window, but he startled as Harry slammed the door and twisted around on his chair. "Harry?"

"Merry meet." Harry greeted him shortly, wishing that Draco had a fireplace connected to the floo in his room. He really wanted out of the manor! How could Lord Malfoy just be conversing lightly with the people who had tortured Neville's parents to insanity?

Draco's eyes widened. "Were you just downstairs? Father said that…"

"That he was entertaining Death Eaters?" Harry asked harshly. "The bloody Lestranges are down there, Draco!"

Draco's eyes darted towards the door. "Including Bellatrix?"

Harry shook his head. "No, just Lord Lestrange and his heir."

"Oh," Draco sighed in relief. "That's alright then."

"Alright?" Harry repeated in disbelief. "They tortured Neville's parents!"

"I'm not saying they're not awful." Draco defended. "But Bellatrix is bloody insane. Father has a rule about them staying downstairs, but Bellatrix never listens. I've encountered her three times this holiday alone."

"You mean they're here all the time?" Harry asked in outrage. "How could you not tell me that?"

Draco stood up. "What would you have done? Besides, surely you knew! You know what Father does."

"I didn't know that they would be here!" Harry shouted. "I didn't know that your family was entertaining Death Eaters!"

"Father is a Death Eater!" Draco bellowed. "What did you think that meant? We have one of the most secure manors in the country. You're just lucky that the Dark Lord isn't here today!"

Harry froze. "Voldemort was here?"

"Yes, and it was bloody terrifying." Draco's voice hitched. "So you don't get to come in here and yell at me because you met two of the sanest Death Eaters."

"Wait," Harry froze. "Did you meet Voldemort?"

"What do you think?" Draco snapped, his fists clenched tightly. "I'm the heir of one of his most loyal followers. He's planning on marking me during the summer."

"What?!" Harry stepped closer to his cousin. "But he can't. Your father won't let him."

"I know that!" Draco shouted. "But he doesn't, he can't, he'd kill Father, and Father still has another six months until your time-limit is up and the Dark Lord figures out that he's betrayed him."

Harry's shoulders slumped, but his stomach felt horridly twisted. "I'm sorry, Draco."

"What for?" Draco asked, his own shoulders slumping.

"Yelling at you." Harry started. "Freaking out. Being the reason that Voldemort is going to know that your father is betraying him."

Draco opened his mouth, before stilling when there was a knock on the door.

"Draco?" Lord Malfoy's voice could be heard.

"Yes, Father?" Draco stepped past Harry and opened the door.

"They have gone." Lord Malfoy announced, before turning his attention to Harry. "Are you alright, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, thank you, sir." Harry answered, ignoring his squirming gut. "I am sorry for not calling ahead."

Lord Malfoy inclined his head. "It would be best if you did in the future. I am sorry that you had to encounter them."

"Thank you for defending me, sir."

"Of course, Mr. Potter." Lord Malfoy told him. "You are family. How could I do otherwise?"

30-30-30

Dinner that night started out painfully awkward. Not only was Harry feeling unsure around Lord Malfoy (it was one thing to know that he was a Death Eater and a completely other thing to meet dangerous Death Eaters in his Manor), but Sirius and Lord Malfoy seemed angry at each other (probably because of the Death Eater incident), which, added to the fact that Cousin Andromeda didn't seem to like Lord Malfoy and Lord Malfoy seemed to enjoy winding her up, made for a volatile dinner party.

Thankfully though both Cousin Narcissa and Tonks were good at setting people at ease (though in very different ways) and by the time dessert was served, everyone seemed much more relaxed.

"Has Sirius told you about the time when he turned everything in the house red, Harry?" Cousin Andromeda asked.

"Come on, Andy." Sirius groaned. "Haven't we heard enough stories about my childhood?"

"There's no such thing." Harry grinned, as he dug his spoon into his trifle.

"There really is." Sirius assured him.

"Sirius must have only been six," Andromeda continued, ignoring Sirius' complaints. "Because I was in my fourth year at Hogwarts at the time."

"Ooh," Tonks interrupted, her eyes sparkling. "Quick, Sirius, how old are you? All we will have to do is add eight and we'll know how old Mum is."

Sirius opened his mouth, before quickly closing it when Cousin Andromeda pierced him with a warning look.

"As I was saying," Cousin Andromeda continued starchily. "Sirius had clearly realised that Walburga despised the colour red – a remnant of her days at Hogwarts I believe – and one day, when he was throwing an especially dramatic tantrum during Yule Dinner, he somehow managed to turn everything red."

Cousin Narcissa brought her napkin up to cover her mouth. "Aunt Walburga was absolutely mortified. Mother thought it was wonderful."

"Only because of how embarrassing it was to Walburga." Cousin Andromeda pointed out with a smirk. "She would have been horrified if it had been one of us."

"Not that it would have been." Cousin Narcissa said primly. "We were always model Slytherins."

Lord Malfoy looked amused. "I had been under the impression that your mother was surprised when you were sorted into Gryffindor, Sirius."

"Yes, well," Sirius grinned, apparently having forgiven Lord Malfoy. "My mother wasn't the smartest of women."

"Ah, so that's where you got it from then." Lord Malfoy said dryly. "I had wondered."

Harry met Draco's eyes and grinned in amusement as Sirius adopted a put out expression.

"What is this? Pick on Sirius day?"

"We wouldn't dream of it, Lord Black." Cousin Andromeda assured him seriously.

"Certainly not." Cousin Narcissa agreed. "Such impropriety."

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I think Harry was hoping that you would all be able to help him with something."

"Oh?" Cousin Narcissa turned to look at Harry, along with the rest of the table.

"As you know I'm one of the two Hogwarts' Champions for the Triwizard Cup." Harry started nervously. "Part of the First Task was to collect a Golden Egg which contained a clue about our Second Task." He glanced towards Sirius who nodded encouragingly. "I've figured out the clue, but now I have to figure out how to breathe underwater."

"Why?" Tonks asked curiously, her hair yellow.

Harry swallowed down a grin, it never failed to amuse him that when Tonks was relaxed her hair changed colours depending on her emotions. The best part of it was that the colours always correlated with Luna's wrackspurt colours.

"According to the clue, they're going to take something that I will miss and hide it underwater." Harry explained. "Then I'll have an hour to search for it."

"Underwater?" Lord Malfoy repeated, an eyebrow raised sceptically. "Surely they are not planning on having you children gallivant through the Great Lake? I can only imagine what the Merpeople would think of that."

Cousin Narcissa laid a hand on his arm. "They did use Dementors during the First Task, dear. Clearly they are not the most…sagacious of wizards."

"Clearly not." Lord Malfoy agreed grimly.

"So what did you want help with?" Tonks asked, turning everyone's attention back to Harry.

"Ways to breathe underwater." Harry answered. "And maybe how not to be killed by the Merpeople."

"Or the Giant Squid." Draco added lightly.

Harry ignored him. "Though the clue was sung in Mermish, so maybe the Merpeople are involved?"

"That would be the way to do it." Cousin Ted put in. "Though I can't imagine how they managed to talk them into it."

"Have you dealt with Merpeople much, Cousin Ted?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Never, thank Merlin." Cousin Ted smiled crookedly. "Though I used to share an office with the bloke who does. He's as mad as they are." He shuddered. "Musical types, I'll never understand them."

"Ah, yes," Lord Malfoy drawled. "I had forgotten that you worked for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Edward. You must be a rarity for the Department."

Cousin Andromeda's face tightened. "Oh?"

"No need to take offense, Andromeda." Lord Malfoy told her reprovingly. "I was simply referring to Edward being a wizard of good sense and character. Normally members of that department are either senseless Dryad-lovers or sadistic executioners."

"Anyway," Sirius' voice was slightly raised. "Do any of you know how Harry could possibly breathe underwater?"

There was a long pause, before Tonks spoke us. "At the beginning of my Auror training they taught us to look at each problem from the perspective of each type of magic that we learnt at Hogwarts. Like, what potion could you brew to solve the problem? Or what transfiguration spell could you use?"

"I would rather Harry not use transfiguration." Cousin Narcissa said disapprovingly. "Self-transfiguration is notoriously dangerous."

"It was just an example." Tonks explained defensively.

"The Bubble-Head Charm may be useful." Cousin Ted suggested, diverting Cousin Narcissa's attention to him. "It forms a bubble of air around the caster's mouth and nose."

"That doesn't sound very stable." Sirius frowned. "What if the bubble popped?"

Tonks tilted her head to the side. "Can you pop a bubble underwater?"

"How big is the bubble?" Harry asked curiously. "Would it last an entire hour?"

"I don't know." Cousin Ted admitted. "I've never had to use it."

"Does the spell conjure the air or simply create a bubble around it?" Lord Malfoy asked. "If the air is not conjured then the spell could not be recast underwater."

"It's worth looking up." Sirius decided. "Does anyone have any other ideas?"

They didn't, but Harry didn't really mind. Tonks' suggestion, that he look specifically for a solution from each subject, was great and it would definitely help him narrow down his search. Besides, it sounded as though the Bubble-Head would at least be a good backup plan.

30-30-30

'Dear Neville,

I hope you are enjoying Christmas Break. Is there anything in particular that you grow in your Greenhouse during these two weeks? I remember you saying that you have a plant that is dormant throughout the entire year, except for over the summer. Do you have a similar one for these two weeks that you are home?

I have spent the last few days researching different ways to breathe underwater. My cousin, Auror Tonks, suggested that I look for a way to breathe using each of our Hogwarts' subjects. I have found one for Charms and for Transfiguration, but neither of them seem ideal. Have you ever heard of a plant that allows someone to breathe underwater?

Are you available on the thirtieth of December? Sirius has agreed to take us to see a muggle movie that day, though if you are unavailable we will find a different day. Draco and I are considering inviting the rest of our friends too, would you mind?

Kind regards,

Harry James Potter

Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black

Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter'

30-30-30

'Dear Harry,

Thank you for your letter. It is very nice to be able to spend some time in my Greenhouse – I do miss it when I am at Hogwarts. No, there is no special plant for me to focus my attention on at this time of year. I haven't been able to find any plants that are only active for these two weeks of the year. That doesn't mean I don't have plenty to do though. Normally Zolk, one of Gran's House Elves, looks after my Greenhouse when I am at Hogwarts, but I always relieve her of the job when I am home. There is something comforting about digging over ground and watering plants.

I think the plant you are looking for is Gillyweed. It is a magical plant native to the Mediterranean Sea and would serve your purpose rather well, I think. If you were to eat some of it, you would grow gills to allow you to breathe underwater. Your feet and hands would also transform to help you navigate underwater better. It was either discovered by Elladora Ketteridge during the seventeenth century or Beaumont Marjoribanks during the eighteenth century, depending on who you believe. (Though admittedly, you probably aren't that interested in that part.)

Gillyweed is also reasonably easy to come by as it is a non-restricted potions ingredient. Having said that, apparently the fresher it is the longer the effects last. So you would either want to keep it in complex status until you needed it, or buy it closer to the Second Task.

I hope this helps. I spent an entire afternoon in the Longbottom library researching it.

Also, yes, I am available on the 30th. Though Lord Black will need to contact Gran about it. I think she might need some convincing. I think it would be fun if you invited everyone.

Kind Regards,

Neville Algernon Longbottom

Heir to the Ancient and Noble House of Longbottom'

30-30-30

'Dear Draco,

Neville has agreed to the 30th and he thinks we should invite everyone. Does that still work for you? I will send everyone invites when I receive your reply and I will have Sirius add a piece as well. I am sure his presence on the trip will make parents feel better.

Sorry that I haven't seen you in a few days. I'm sure that you know that Sirius and your father apparently decided that I shouldn't come over to your Manor anymore. You're welcome to visit here of course, though we don't have a Quidditch Pitch.

I am meeting Daphne at Gringotts' tomorrow to look through the Potter and Black vaults for jewellery for her to wear to the Yule Balls. Have you considered doing something like that for Astoria?

Kind Regards,

Harry James Potter

Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black

Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter'