A/N: Here's two new chapters before Christmas, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Chapter Seven - Deciphering the egg and the second task

Hermione went back to the library after placing her glamour charm back on and pretended to be lost amongst the books, Harry looked at her "there you are, did you get lost amongst the books again?"

Hermione smiled "Yes I did I'm sorry I was trying to find anything that would help us crack the clue for the second task, my guess is it will involve a type of creature but I could be wrong, I overheard Viktor Krum say something about putting the egg into hot water and you dive down into the bath water, that's the only way you can hear the clue, my guess now thinking about it could be mermaids in the black lake"

Harry nodded "well that actually makes sense also Ron fell asleep as it's getting late"

Hermione smiled "okay let's call it a night then" she then began to pack away the books to be magically placed back into order when Professor Moody appeared "Longbottom, why don't you help Potter put his books back, Mr Weasley wake up boy!"

Ron stirred, waking up "I wasn't asleep I swear, just resting my eyes".

Neville Longbottom a boy who was once a bit chubby and self confident had lost what baby fat he had and became a tall fourteen year old with dark brown hair and eyes, he had also developed a particular liking to Herbology class which was a class studying magical plants and their many qualities either being used in potions, medical uses or poisons. Neville began to help with putting the books back whilst Professor Moody said "oh before I forget, Granger, and Mr Weasley Professor Mcgonagall has requested to speak to you both about something"

Hermione and Ron headed to Professor Mcgonagall's office whilst Harry went up to the Gryffindor common room, Hermione politely knocked and she heard Professor Mcgonagall say they could enter. Ron opened the door and they headed into the office, Professor Mcgonagall looked at them "ah there you both are, I have an important role for you both to play during the second task as you're both close to Mr Potter you will both act as somewhat treasure in the black lake for our champions. "Miss Delacour's sister Gabrielle is also going to do this as is Miss Chang, you'll all be placed under a spell then once you come back up to the surface will wear off"

Hermione smiled "so I was right, it'll involve mermaids, but aren't they supposed to be possessive of their treasures?"

Professor Mcgonagall smiled "usually yes but we will be able to do this without disturbing them"

Ron looked a bit scared but nodded "we'll do it"

Professor Mcgonagall smiled gently back and said "alright then, report to me in the morning after breakfast, the task will take place in the morning"

Hermione and Ron nodded their heads then left Mcgonagall's office to get some sleep.

The next morning Hermione and Ron went to Mcgonagall's office and later on that morning everyone headed to the black lake where the second task would take place. Harry wondered where Ron and Hermione were but had the support of Dean and Seamus in the meantime.

Professor Moody approached Harry telling him to put the gillyweed into his mouth, it was a plant that would allow Harry to breathe underwater for an hour which was suggested by Neville when he helped Harry put his books back, Harry did as he was told making a face and the cannon went off as Professor Dumbledore was talking signalling the champions to begin the task, they all jumped into the lake to retrieve the thing that was stolen.

Harry swam to retrieve the thing that was stolen when he saw four students floating in a trance, Viktor appeared as a shark head with a charm biting Hermione free, Cedric cut Cho Chang free, getting her up to the surface and reminding Harry time was running out. Harry went to free Fleur's sister as well as Ron but was stopped by a mermaid who pointed her trident at his throat, eventually Harry managed to free them both as they floated to the surface but as time ran out Harry began to lose consciousness.

Hermione was waiting on the docks and she looked towards Seamus and Dean "something's wrong, I'm going down to save him" she then jumped into the water casting a bubble head charm to breathe freely. "Harry, where are you??" She blasted her way through these creatures with tentacles towards Harry catching him and swimming to the surface with him and with Seamus's help they managed to get Harry to spit the water out as Dean got Harry wrapped up in towels. Hermione climbed up and wrapped a towel around her to get dry.

Professor Dumbledore approached them both "are you both okay? Hermione what you did was both brave and heroic and will be taken into account by all the judges, 30 points to Gryffindor"

Hermione smiled "thank you sir, I was just concerned about my friend"

Fleur Delacour approached them "you saved her even though she wasn't yours to save, my little sister thank you" she kissed Harry on both cheeks then looked at Ron "and you helped, thank you" she kissed Ron on both cheeks too and ushered her sister to join the other students of Beauxbatons.

Dumbledore said loudly "attention! The winner is Mr Diggory for his use of the bubble head charm. If it were up to me Mr Potter would've finished first but we've all agreed to award him second place for his bravery in saving Mr Weasley and Miss Delacour. Miss Granger has been awarded thirty points to Gryffindor for her bravery in saving Mr Potter"

An hour later after everyone participating was warm by drying charms everyone headed back to the castle to celebrate, Viktor approached Harry and Hermione offering his hand to Harry "well done Harry Potter you did well and to risk your life was admirable. Hermione I will see you at the ball" He then kissed Hermione's hand and walked away leaving them stunned.

Harry, Ron and Hermione met with Hagrid on the other side and Hermione managed to sneak away when they weren't looking, she went for a walk and removed her glamour charm as she needed a break from being someone she's not but Barty Crouch Senior saw her and shocked to see her said "Miss Granger is that you??"

Hermione nodded "It's actually Miss Malfoy, I'm sorry I cannot let anyone find out my secret yet, this is for my protection" she whipped out her wand to cast a memory spell on him but then Barty Crouch junior aka the fake Alistair Moody cast the killing curse and like that Barty Crouch senior was dead. Barty smirked at her "I cannot risk anyone finding out about you yet, it isn't time to tell people yet".

Hermione put her wand back in her sleeve and sighed "I know, i just hope people think he died of natural causes"

Barty nodded "They will besides he was a horrible father towards me, he made me think i was always a failure now go back to Hagrid's hut and act natural"

Hermione nodded her head placing her glamour spell back on then she walked away towards Hagrid's hut.