Chapter 13: The Egg's Secret
*Miles' POV*
I woke up with a massive headache. What happened to me last night? Then I remembered. Miguel, my husband raped me last night. I noticed my ass was still sore from last night's events as well. I looked to the side of my bed and saw my daughter, Lana who was still fast asleep. I quietly got out of bed, not wanting to wake her. I needed to talk to my wife, Gwen, and my parents about what happened last night.
As I was about to walk out the door, Miguel walked inside. "Miles." Miguel hissed.
I sighed. "What do you want, Miguel?" I asked. I yelped when Miguel activated the shock collar and the bands, sending jolts of electricity through my body again.
"Don't talk to me that way. I was just checking to see if you have learned your lesson last night." Miguel said.
"Yes, I did. Just please, stop hurting me and Lana." I said.
"Good. I wouldn't have to hurt you Miles if you would just do what I say." Miguel said. Miguel wrapped his arms around me, his face leaning into my neck. Miguel kissed my neck, teasing me with his sharp fangs. I didn't fight back because I knew the consequences. "We'll make a deal, Miles. If you behave and do what I say, then I won't have to hurt you. Deal?" Miguel said.
I nodded. "Okay, deal," I said.
"Good boy. Now go clean yourself up and get ready for the day." Miguel said. Miguel left the room, closing the door behind him. I looked at Lana, who was still sleeping. I decided to let her keep sleeping because she needed rest after last night's events and for the second task that was taking place tomorrow. Once I finished getting ready for the day, I went downstairs to the main room. I took a seat next to Gwen and my parents. Gwen looked at me with concern in her eyes.
"Miles? What's wrong? Are you okay?" Gwen asked.
"No, not really," I said.
"Tell us, Miles. What happened? Was it Miguel?" Rio questioned.
"Yes," I said, choking back a sob. "He... raped me and Lana last night."
The room was silent for a moment. My parents and Gwen know Miguel is abusive but I haven't told them that he rapes me yet because I don't want them to worry. My parents and Gwen stared at me with their eyes widened. "He did what!?" Jefferson's voice boomed through the walls of the Gryffindor common room.
"That bastard," Gwen muttered under her breath.
"What's going on?" Nala asked as she and Margo walked inside the room.
"Miguel raped Lana last night," Gwen said.
Nala grew angry. Margo's eyes widened with worry. "I'm gonna go check on Lana," Margo said, running to Lana's room.
Nala looked at us. "Are you serious?" Nala said.
"Yes," I said.
"Miles, this can't go on anymore. You need to find a way out of this relationship. Both you and Lana." Rio said.
"I know Mom. But Miguel said he would kill us if we tried to divorce him." I said. Gwen held onto my hand, her touch gentle.
Jefferson sighed. "I'll see if I can get something worked out. I'll try to file a case against him and see if we can get you and Lana a divorce." Jefferson said.
"Thanks, Dad," I said with a small smile. My smile faded when I saw Miguel leaning his back against the wall.
"What was that you said about a divorce?" Miguel asked, his voice low and dangerous.
My face was dripping with sweat as he gave me a cold, harsh glare. "N-nothing." I stuttered. Miguel walked closer to me. Gwen reacted quickly, taking a protective stance in front of me.
"You will not lay a hand on him," Gwen said.
"Move aside, Gwen," Miguel said, pushing her to the side. My heart pounded in my chest when Miguel lifted my chin up with his hand, his claws extending. "If you and Lana ever think about divorcing me then I will kill you and Lana. Do you understand?" Miguel growled.
"Yes. I won't divorce you." I said.
"Good," Miguel said with a smirk. With that, Miguel walked away.
Rio pulled me into a hug. "Don't worry, Miles. We'll get through this. I promise." Rio said.
*Lana's POV*
Weeks have passed since the Yule Ball. I was standing outside on the bridge with Harry and Hermione, as well as my wife, Margo. Hermione and Margo expressed their concerns for me and Harry since the second task is in a couple of days. I am nervous.
"Harry, Lana, you told me you guys would figure out the egg weeks ago. The task is two days from now." Hermione said.
"Really? I had no idea." Harry said.
"I'm not stupid, Mom," I spat.
"I suppose Viktor's already figured it out," Harry said.
"Wouldn't know. We don't actually talk about the tournament. Actually, we don't really talk at all. Viktor's more of a physical being." Hermione said. Hermione laughed. "I just mean he's not particularly loquacious. Mostly he watches me study. It's a bit annoying actually. He watches me while I help Lana with her homework. You are trying to figure out this egg, aren't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked.
"It just means these tasks are designed to test you, in the most brutal way. They're almost cruel. And, umm... I'm scared for you. I'm scared for you too Lana. You got by the dragons mostly on nerve. I'm not sure it's going to be enough this time." Hermione said.
Margo took hold of my hands. "Lana, sweetie. I'm scared for you too. You really made me nervous when you were fighting the dragons in the last task." Margo said.
"I'll be okay Margo, I promise," I said. I gave Margo a kiss to assure her that I was going to be okay.
"Hey, Potter," Cedric called from behind us.
"Potter," Cedric said when Harry and I walked up to him.
"Cedric." Harry and I said.
"How- how are you guys?" Harry asked.
"Spectacular," Harry said.
"I'm doing okay, I guess," I said.
"Look, I realize I never really thanked you properly for tipping me off about those dragons," Cedric said.
"Forget about it. I'm sure you would have done the same for me and Lana." Harry said.
"Exactly. You know the perfects' bathroom on the fifth floor?" Cedric said. Harry and I nodded. "It's not a bad place for a bath. Just take your egg and... mull things over in hot water." Cedric said. After he said that, Cedric left. I walked back over to Hermione and Margo.
"You're going to figure out that egg today, right?" Hermione asked me.
"Yes, Mom. I am. I just need some time." I said.
"Okay. Until the second task is over, I'm going to take your phone and your other technology." Hermione said.
"What! Why!?" I shouted. "That's not fair!" I shouted.
"Honey, I'm not doing this to hurt you. I'm doing this to keep you safe. I don't want to lose you. I need you to be prepared for the second task and well-rested," Hermione said.
Margo put her arm around my shoulder to comfort me. "She's doing this because she loves you, Lana. She cares about you." Margo said.
"Don't worry. I'll keep them safe." Hermione said. "I'll give them back to you after the tournament."
"Okay," I said. I sighed, handing over my phone to Hermione. When I got back to the Gryffindor common room, I grabbed my egg then prepared to take a bath in the perfects' bathroom on the 5th floor. I got my swimsuit on and walked downstairs. As I was about to leave, my wife, Nala spoke up to me. "Where are you heading, Lana?"
"I'm gonna go relax in the bathtub and try to get this stupid egg figured out," I said.
"Oh well, good luck with that," Nala said.
"Need any help?" Simba asked me.
"Nah, I'm good. Thanks." I said. "Cedric told me to put the egg in hot water."
"You talked to Cedric today? It's good that you're making friends to help you with this tournament." Aunt Sarafina said. I nodded in agreement. When I met up with Harry, we walked to the Perfects' bathroom on the 5th floor. After we got the bathtub filled with water, we got inside. Harry and I took a look at our eggs that were sitting on the edge of the bathtub.
"I must be out of my mind," I muttered to myself.
"It's okay Lana, we'll get this figured out," Harry said. When Harry opened his egg, the egg started doing the loud screaming again. I did the same thing for my egg and got the same result. Ugh, this is so frustrating. We quickly closed our eggs to stop the screaming.
"I'm definitely out of my mind," I said. I got startled when we heard a high-pitched squealing noise. Harry and I turned around to see a ghostly figure of a young girl in front of us. "I'd try putting it in the water if I were you."
I let out a high-pitched scream, terrified out of my mind. "Dad! What the hell is that!?" I yelled.
"Oh, Myrtle," Harry said.
"Hello, Harry. Long time no see." Myrtle said.
"Lana, this is Myrtle. Mourning Myrtle." Harry said. "She's a ghost. Myrtle this is my daughter, Lana."
My heart pounded in my chest. A ghost? Wtf? I'm still new to the wizarding world so I am not getting used to everything yet. Myrtle spoke up again. "Oh?" Myrtle giggled, squealing again. She floated around the room. "I was circling a blocked drain the other day and I could swear I saw a bit of Polyjuice Potion. Not being a bad boy again, are you Harry? You making sure your daughter isn't being a bad girl?" Myrtle said.
"Polyjuice Potion? Kicked the habit. Myrtle did you say try putting it in the water?" Harry asked. Myrtle gave out another loud squeal again, diving into the bathtub. Myrtle coughed. I swear this girl is weird.
"Oh, that's what he did. The other boy. Mm... the handsome one. Cedric." Myrtle said. Harry and I took our eggs from the ledge of the bathtub. "Well, go on. Open it." Myrtle said. Harry and I put our eggs under the water. I held my breath, so did Harry, sinking our heads in the water. I heard an enchanted voice that started singing.
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 recover what we took, but past an hour - the prospect's black too late, it's gone, it won't come back.
Not being able to hold my breath any longer, Harry and I came out from under the bathtub. I coughed up some water, my hair was soaking wet. Myrtle mimicked our coughs.
"Myrtle..." Harry said.
"Hm?" Myrtle said.
"There aren't merpeople in the Black Lake, are there?" Harry asked.
"Oh, very good. It took Cedric ages to riddle it out. Almost all the bubbles were gone." Myrtle said. Myrtle giggled, then growled at us. She pretended to bite us, causing me and Harry to jump back. "Oh, Harry, Lana," Myrtle said with a smile.
The night after Harry and I have unlocked the clue to our eggs, Harry, Ron, Hermione, along with my family were in the library, figuring out more of the second task. My head was slumped on the table with my eyes closed. Harry's head was slumped on the table as well. I was exhausted, we've been here all night.
Miguel's voice snapped me back into reality. "Lana, you need to pay attention. I can't have you dying on me tomorrow during the second task." Miguel said firmly.
"Give her a break Miguel. Can't you see she's tired? I think it's time for bed." Uncle Peter said.
"I can't lose my wife, Peter!" Miguel shouted.
"I know, and I understand that. But she needs rest." Uncle Peter said.
"Harry, tell me again," Hermione said.
"Come seek us where our voices sound," Harry mumbled.
"The Black Lake. That's obvious." Hermione said. Hermione walks over to Ron who is snoring in the chair. Hermione shakes Ron awake, handing him the egg. "An hour long you'll have to look," Hermione said.
"Well, that's obviously estimates how long the competitors have," Mufasa said. Mufasa shook me awake with his paw. "Lana, come on wake up," Mufasa said.
"I'm tired," I whined.
"I know, we'll go to bed soon," Mufasa said.
"Though admittedly potentially problematic," Hermione said.
Harry shoots his head up, looking at Hermione. "Potentially problematic? When's the last time you held your breath underwater for an hour, Hermione?" Harry snapped, making me flinch a little.
"Okay, let's all just try to calm down here," Gwen said.
"Look Harry, we- we can do this. All of us can figure it out." Hermione said.
"Yeah, we will figure it out. Don't worry." Aunt Sarafina assured us.
Just then, Professor Moody walked up to us. "Hate to break up the skull session. Professor McGonagall would like to see you. Not you, Potter. Just Weasley and Granger. You too, Margo and Nala." Professor Moody said.
"Me?" Margo said, confused.
"What could you want with Nala?" Simba asked.
"But sir. The second task is only hours away-" Hermione started.
"Yeah. And I need to prepare Lana." Scar protested.
"Exactly. Presumably, Potters is well-prepared by now and could do with a good night's sleep. Go. Now!" Professor Moody barked.
"Come on guys, let's just leave them be," Jessica said.
Before leaving, Margo and Nala gave me a kiss. "Love you, see you later," Margo said.
"I'll be upstairs if you need me," Nala said.
As everyone was leaving, I heard Simba say, "I wonder what this could be about."
"Longbottom. Why don't you help Potter put his books back." Professor Moody said. As Professor Moody walked away, Neville walked up to us.
"You know, if you're interested in plants, you'd be better off with Goshhawk's Guide to Herbology. Did you know there's a wizard i-in Nepal who's growing gravity-resistant trees?" Neville said.
"Neville. No offense, but I really don't care about plants. Now if there's a Tibetan turnip that would allow me to breathe underwater for an hour, then great. But otherwise..." Harry said.
"I don't know about a turnip... But you could always use gillyweed." Neville said.
"Gillyweed?" I said, confused. Harry, Neville, and I stayed at the library for a while, continuing to talk about ways we could breathe underwater. Once we finished discussing, I made my way back to the Gryffindor common room. I shut the door behind me when I got to my room. My thoughts wrapped around the second task tomorrow. I'm scared.
I know I completed the first task successfully but this is still nerve-wracking. Why did the Goblet choose me? Why did it have to be me? Without thinking, I grabbed a knife that I used for my art projects from my desk. I sat down on my bed, raised the knife to my hand, and made a cut. I watched as blood was pouring out of my wrist. Maybe things are better this way. Maybe I would be better off dead so I don't have to endure Miguel and Scar's abuse and have to worry about the Triwizard tournament anymore.
I made another cut on my wrist with tears streaming down my face. Just as I was about to make another cut, the door to my room opened. I gasped, hiding the knife under my pillow. I quickly pushed my sleeves down my arms so no one could see. But as the door opened fully I saw it was only my husband Scar and his wife, Zira. Scar and Zira wouldn't question me if they saw me cutting because they wouldn't care.
But Scar noticed something suspicious and questioned me anyway. "What are you hiding, Lana?" Scar asked.
My face turned red. "N-nothing," I said nervously. Even if I did tell him the truth he wouldn't have cared. So I just decided to lie so we could save each other's energy.
"Hmm. Well, get in bed. You need to be at your full strength tomorrow." Scar said.
"But does Zira really have to sleep with us?" I groaned.
"Yes. We've been over this. She's my wife too." Scar growled. I groaned again but moved over in my bed so Scar and Zira could lay down. Zira smirked at me.
"I bet you won't last in this next task tomorrow," Zira said.
"We'll see about that," I growled.
"Guys, knock it off and go to sleep," Scar warned, his voice low.
But Zira didn't listen. She kept aggravating me. "You will die before you even start!" Zira said. That does it. Without thinking, I pounced at her, pinning her down. I punched her in the face. Zira punched me back. As we continued fighting, Scar had to break us up before things could get worse. He stepped in between us, pushing me away from Zira.
"ENOUGH!" Scar roared. I screamed when I felt shocks coming from the collar and the bands around my neck and wrists. "You two will cut this out right now before I beat the shit out of you Lana. I've had enough of you two bickering. Now get to bed before I pound you with my fists." Scar threatened.
"Y-yes Scar," I said nervously. We got into bed again.
My mind wandered about the second task again. What if Zira was right? What if I won't make it out alive? I quickly pushed those thoughts away. I will survive the second task. I'll do whatever it takes to make it out alive.
