24 February 1955
"I suppose, yes, the bubblehead charm would be the most obvious option," Minerva said, her eyebrows furrowed as she continued to do her paperwork whilst listening to Alastor telling her about the methods competitors could use for the underwater task.
Minerva was only half-listening; she had barely slept the previous evening just because she kept thinking about her students and the second task. She knew the merpeople would not harm the competitors, but it was things like grindelows that she was more concerned about. Her hands shook slightly as she thought again of the 4 students whom she had left with Albus. He had probably put them in a deep sleep by now, and then into the lake.
"What would you use?" Alastor prodded.
Minerva stopped what she was doing and frowned. "Erm—possibly the bubblehead charm too," she said, a little surprised that she was being asked this question. "Or perhaps a transfiguration spell," she said, on second thoughts, "for gills and all that sort," she added, waving her hand.
Alastor's blue eye was spinning in its socket. "Gilliweed could be used for that," he commented gruffly. "Human transfiguration can be hard for less experienced witches and wizards."
"Hm," Minerva replied distractedly. "Though I expect gilliweed would be hard to get your hands on," she added, sitting up straighter in her chair and frowning.
Alastor followed her gaze and turned too to look at the doorway.
"Sorry," Minerva said, shaking her head. Alastor turned back to face her. "I thought I saw someone outside."
Alastor didn't say anything, but his blue eye continued to zoom around in its socket. Not dwelling too much on this, Minerva stood up and tapped her files so that they arranged themselves and sped into her locker.
"Are you going to watch the task?" Alastor asked her, and Minerva slipped her wand into her pocket.
"Yes. But I have a meeting with the Headmaster first," she added. "If you'll excuse me, Alastor."
The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor nodded as Minerva squeezed past him and left the staffroom. She moved briskly through the hallways, her eyes drawn to the Black Lake she could see through the windows.
"Minerva!"
Minerva turned to see Sybill walking towards her. The younger witch had tarot cards in her hands and Minerva felt her heart sink; she really could not deal with this right now.
"I have just had a vision," Sybill said in her usual mystical voice.
Minerva nodded, not seeming very impressed. Nevertheless, she didn't express her true thoughts and merely said, "How interesting, Sybill," and continued to look behind Sybill's head and towards the Black Lake where she could already see people gathering.
"It was about the second task," Sybill added, and Minerva internally sighed and briefly closed her eyes. She was already worried enough, she did not know if she could deal with Sybill predicting everyone's doom today as well. However, instead of commenting on the Grim or some other bad omen, Sybill uncharacteristically placed a gentle hand on Minerva's forearm. "All will be well today," she said simply.
Minerva opened her eyes. "Pardon?"
"I saw no disaster occurring today," Sybill added, removing her hand from Minerva's arm and waving it. "The competitors are well prepared."
Too shocked almost to speak, Minerva nodded, utterly bewildered by Sybill's news. "That is good to hear," she finally managed.
Sybill nodded.
"Will you be joining us on the stands?" Minerva asked.
"No, I think not," Sybill replied. "Do come for a tarot reading at some point, Minerva. You do appear quite tense," she added, before walking away down the hallway.
Minerva stared after the witch for a moment, still shocked that for once Sybill had predicted something positive. Suddenly, a first year hurtled past her down the corridor.
"No running in the corridors, Smith!" Minerva barked at Avery Smith who had just shot past her.
The boy blushed and slowed down. Shaking her head, Minerva continued her way to Albus' office.