xv. the black lake

ϟ

As Matilda and Harry had no idea how long his bath would need to be to work out the secret of the golden egg, she decided that it would be best for him to do it at night. Harry would be able to take as much time as he needed. And though reluctant as to accept more favors from Cedric, Matilda suggested that he go on and use the Prefects' bathroom; far fewer people were allowed in there, so it was much less likely that he would be disturbed.

Harry and Matilda planned out the excursion carefully, because Harry had already been caught out of bed and out of bounds by Filch the caretaker in the middle of the night once before, and Matilda had no desire of repeating the experience and including herself in it. Harry's Invisibility Cloak would, of course, be essential, and as an added precaution Matilda thought he should take the Marauder's Map, which, next to the Cloak, was the most useful aid to rule-breaking either of them owned. The map showed the whole of Hogwarts, including its many shortcuts and secret passageways, and, most importantly of all, it revealed the people inside the castle as minuscule, labeled dots, moving around the corridors so that Harry would be forewarned if somebody was approaching the bathroom.

On Thursday night, Harry snuck up to the Ravenclaw Common Room entrance where Matilda was already waiting. She slipped under the cloak with him and crept back downstairs.

"Ron helped you out of the Common Room, why couldn't he have just come with you?"

Matilda had been on Harry about this the entire time they'd been planning this small escapade. She didn't understand why it was her that had to follow him to the bathroom. Ron was just as good of a friend as she was to Harry – more so really. But he'd just roll his eyes and ignore the question.

"It's just easier this way, alright?"

That was the only answer Harry offered.

It was awkward moving under the Cloak tonight, because Harry had the heavy egg under one arm, and the map held in front of his nose with the other. However, the moonlit corridors were empty and silent, and by checking the map at strategic intervals, Harry and Matilda were able to ensure that they wouldn't run into anyone they wanted to avoid. When they reached the statue of Boris the Bewildered, a lost-looking wizard with his gloves on the wrong hands, Matilda located the right door, leaned close to it, and muttered the password, 'Pine-fresh', just as Cedric had told them.

"I'm not going in," Matilda shook her head. "We may have shared a kiss, but watching you bathe is too far, Harry."

"I wasn't going to ask you to follow me inside," Harry rolled his eyes. "Stand at the door, guard it, and warn me if someone is approaching."

Matilda opened her mouth to protest but Harry shoving the cloak and the map into her arms stopped any sound from coming out. She looked down with wide eyes. He truly expected her to sit out in the dark corridor and wait for him to take a lousy bath. And before she could sound an argument the bathroom door crept open and Harry quickly stepped inside.

Now alone Matilda slid down the wall and sat on her bum. She picked at a few loose strands coming from her uniform skirt. She didn't cover up with the Cloak. She had the map and would decide to cover up only if she saw someone approaching, which no one was. It appears as though everyone was tucked away in bed. Except for her of course, who once again had been dragged out in the middle of the night.

The longer she sat the more she wished she had brought a book with her. There was nothing to do other than count the stoned lines on the wall. She sighed and leaned her head back, watching the map. She chuckled when she saw the names Fred and George moving across it. Of course, they'd be awake and sneaking around the castle.

Suddenly Harry burst back out through the door. Much sooner than Matilda had expected. She quickly stood to her feet and looked him up and down. He was soaking wet still. As if he dried himself off in a hurry. His hair was dripping droplets of water onto his robes.

"Well, that was fast," said Matilda.

Harry quickly wrapped the both of them back up in his Cloak and took the map to make sure the coast was clear. It was.

The two of them made it back up to Ravenclaw Tower. Finally, uncovering themselves from the Cloak. Matilda straightened out her hair and turned to Harry, quirking an eyebrow.

"So," she said. "What happened?"

Harry recounted everything that happened in the bathroom. Telling her about the egg singing to him underwater and Myrtle being there. Matilda found it odd how he skipped over that detail of Myrtle watching him bathe so easily, but she didn't stop him. He continued, recounting the song it sang to him, and explaining to her what he thought it meant. But honestly, Harry seemed more confused than he had been hours before.

"This obviously has something to do with the black lake," said Matilda.

Harry nodded, "I thought that too."

"And merpeople in the lake."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows together, "How do you know about the merpeople?"

"I read Harry; you should try it sometime."

"So, you'll have to find the merpeople in the lake..." Matilda thought aloud.

"But how am I supposed to breathe under there?" Harry asked desperately.

"I suppose that's what we're supposed to find out."

ϟ

The Ravenclaw Common Room was close to deserted. The only sound came from the crackling of the warm fire and the low whispers of Asher Morgenstern and Roger Davies as they read over the Quidditch Times magazines that one of them had been owled this morning. And the soft whisperings of Harry and Matilda. The two of them were curled up on the large, velvet couch across from the blazing fire. Matilda sat covered by her favorite knitted blanket and a book in hand, nodding every so often so Harry would think she was listening to him.

"Have you thought about using Pulmo Autem Branchias?"

Matilda whose eyes had finally stopped scanning the full pages pulled her book down and looked to Harry who sat on the other end of the couch. He looked up to her, a confused expression.

"What?" Harry asked.

"It's a charm," explained Matilda. "It replaces your lungs with gills. Quite difficult I presume, but something I could figure out nonetheless."

Harry thought for a moment, before asking, "Sounds painful. Do you know the counter?"

"Never mind then," said Matilda quickly.

She quickly went back to reading the book she had insisted her father send to her. It was a hard find, but she knew the Ministry would have their hands on a few. The book told the spells taught and used in the Red Sea Courses – where many new and advanced Scuba-Spells were created and used. The very night that Harry told Matilda about what he heard from the egg she wrote her father for the book.

"Oh! What about et nagae?"

"I don't know what that is either, Tilly," Harry sighed.

"A merman enchant—"

"Have you been pretending to ignore me this entire time?"

Matilda sighed. She had been caught.

Shutting her book and placing it on her lap Matilda looked at Harry with a serious expression, "Yes, I have, Harry, and for good reason. I'm trying to find a way to keep you from drowning in the Black Lake. What on earth could you saying that's any more important than me trying to keep you alive?"

Harry shrugged, suddenly feeling foolish, "I'm trying to tell you about Snape and Moody..."

"You were telling me that Snape said Moody's searched his office as well?" Matilda whispered. "What? Do you believe that Professor Moody is here to keep an eye on Snape as well as Karkaroff?"

"Well, I dunno if that's what Dumbledore asked him to do, but he's definitely doing it," said Harry, relieved that Matilda was finally listening to what he had to say. "Moody said Dumbledore only lets Snape stay here because he's giving him a second chance or something..."

Matilda let out an amused chuckle, "Does Moody think that Snape is the one to have put your name in the Goblet?"

"He could've," Harry shrugged. "He's made it clear that he can't stand me."

"If Snape wanted you dead, I think he'd kill you instead of putting your name in the Goblet and hoping it was chosen," Matilda rolled her eyes.

Harry looked at Matilda, a far-off look on his face. He was far into his thoughts. Matilda watched with an amused grin as Harry's face contorted as he became further lost in his head, before finally coming to realizing that Matilda was right. Snape's had plenty of chances to kill him.

"Dumbledore is not stupid, Harry," said Matilda. "He has trusted Hagrid and Professor Lupin. Both exceptional men who no one would have taken a chance on. I know Snape is a bad person, but Dumbledore would know if he was going out of his way to kill you."

Matilda was never going to be the person to defend Professor Snape, she hated the man. He bullied children and berated her even though she had the highest markings in his class. Snape was far from a good person. But she trusted Dumbledore. She knew if Professor Snape was a true threat that Dumbledore would interfere.

"I suppose your right," Harry sighed.

Matilda grinned proudly, "Of course I am. Now, let's get back to finding a way to keep you from drowning, shall we?"

The next few days Matilda had spent the majority of her time in the library with Harry. Books piled on the large table, so high they seemed to almost touch the high ceiling. They read and re-read all the books they could find that had just the slightest hint to do with water and water creatures. Matilda kept returning to the book that her father had sent her days prior, but Harry wasn't too confident in his ability to transform himself into a merman and then back to his human form. Besides, the level of skill he needed for those spells was much past his ability.

There were only days now until the next task and the two of them hadn't been able to forge up a solid idea. Matilda had barely eaten, as she spent most of her time buried in books while stuck in the library late at night. Luna would sometimes bring her and Harry some dessert from supper, and Ron would bring leftovers, but most of the time it was eaten over. Hermione offered some help a lot of the time but refused to stay in the library after hours, even though Matilda knew that if caught it wasn't likely they'd be reprimanded.

On Monday they had finally decided to go to the Great Hall for breakfast before heading toward the library. Harry insisted that Matilda have a full meal after seeing her dine solely breakfast bars the days before. But the only good thing about breakfast on Monday was the return of the brown owl Harry had sent to Sirius. He pulled off the parchment, unrolled it, and they read the shortest letter Sirius had ever written to him.

Send date of next Hogsmeade weekend by return owl.

Matilda took the parchment from Harry and turned it over and looked at the back, hoping to see something else, but it was blank.

"Weekend after next," whispered Hermione, who had read the note over Harry's shoulder. "Here – take my quill and send this owl back straight away."

Harry scribbled the dates down on the back of Sirius' letter, tied it back onto the brown owl's leg, and watched it take flight again.

"Odd," Matilda pointed out. "He offered zero advice on how to survive underwater."

Harry scratched the back of his neck nervously, "I forgot to tell him..."

"You what!?"

"I was so focused on telling him about Snape and Moody," said Harry, flinching at Matilda's loud shriek. "It slipped my mind to mention to egg's clue."

"You're so dense sometimes, Harry," Matilda scolded.

She rolled her eyes and stabbed a pineapple square with her fork.

"What's he want to know about the next Hogsmeade weekend for?" said Ron.

"Dunno," said Harry dully. "Come on... Care of Magical Creatures."

Whether Hagrid was trying to make up for the Blast-Ended Skrewts, or because there were now only two Skrewts left, or because he was trying to prove he could do anything that Professor Grubbly-Plank could, Matilda didn't know, but he had been continuing her lessons on unicorns ever since he'd returned to work. It turned out that Hagrid knew quite as much about unicorns as he did about monsters, though it was clear that he found their lack of poisonous fangs disappointing.

Today he had managed to capture two unicorn foals. Unlike full-grown unicorns, they were pure gold. Parvati and Lavender went into transports of delight at the sight of them, and even Pansy Parkinson had to work hard to conceal how much she liked them.

"Easier ter spot than the adults," Hagrid told the class. "They turn silver when they're abou' two years old, an' they grow horns at aroun' four. Don' go pure white 'til they're full-grown, round about seven. They're a bit more trustin' when they're babies... don' mind boys so much... c'mon, move in a bit, yeh can pat 'em if yeh want... give 'em a few o' these sugar lumps..."

Matilda urged a nervous-looking Ron forward. She handed him a sugar cube and showed him how to safely reach out toward the golden creature. He gulped as he reached his hand out and winced slightly as the nose of the unicorn hovered over his hand, but once it lapped up the sugary cube Ron's eyes widened, and a smile spread across his freckled face. Matilda offered him another cube and while Harry busied himself in conversation with Hagrid the two of them continued to feed one of the two unicorn foals.

ϟ

By the evening before the second task, Matilda felt as though they were trapped in a nightmare. She was fully aware that even if, by some miracle, Harry managed to find a suitable spell, he'd have a real job mastering it overnight. She wished Harry was more advanced in his magic like her and Hermione. If so, he would have been able to take on a charm from the book Matilda had been reading. One of those charms would have kept him alive underwater for hours – days even. But the execution of such charms was dangerous and even though Matilda had no doubt she would be able to cast them, she knew she'd never be allowed to use it on Harry for the task... unfortunately that would be cheating.

Harry, Matilda, Ron, and Hermione sat in the library as the sunset outside, tearing feverishly through page after page of spells, hidden from each other by the massive pile of books on the desk in front of each of them. Matilda's heart gave a huge leap every time she read the word water on a page, but it was more often than not it was merely, Take two pints of water, half a pound of shredded mandrake leaves, and newt...."

Matilda sighed thinking about mandrakes, flinching as she remembered the shrieking from her second year. It seemed so long ago. She barely remembered Herbology from that year. She remembered Neville being great at it. Even working overtime with Professor Sprout to help those who had been petrified. Mandrakes... Herbology... perhaps a plant?

"I don't reckon it can be done," said Ron's voice flatly from the other side of the table, pulling Matilda from her thoughts. "There's nothing. Nothing. Closest was that thing to dry up puddles and ponds, that Drought Charm, but that was nowhere near powerful enough to drain the lake."

"There must be something," Hermione muttered, moving a candle closer to her. Her eyes were so tired she was poring over the tiny print of Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes with her nose about an inch from the page. "They'd never have set a task that was undoable."

"There's plenty of ways..." Matilda yawned.

"I know one way," said Ron. "Harry, just go down to the lake tomorrow, right, stick your head in, yell at the merpeople to give back whatever they've nicked, and see if they chuck it out. Best you can do, mate."

"There's a way of doing it!" Hermione said crossly. "There just has to be!"

She seemed to be taking the library's lack of useful information on the subject as a personal insult; it had never failed her before.

"You know what you should have done?" said Matilda, turning her head to face Harry, who sat at the table to her right. "You should've learned to be an Animagus like Sirius."

"Yeah, you could've turned into a goldfish any time you wanted!" said Ron.

"Or a frog," yawned Harry. He was exhausted.

Matilda laughed tiredly but suddenly it felt as though a light inside of her head had switched on. A frog – herbology... she needed to find Neville.

Quickly she stood from her chair, the wooden legs scraping across the floor, "I have to go... stay here! Don't move."

Before she could be questioned by her friends Matilda hurried toward the library exit, the sound of her heels hitting the stone floor echoed off the walls. She started quickly up the marble staircase, heading in the direction of the Gryffindor Tower. Meeting her on the way down was Fred and George Weasley who wore their usual mischievous smirks.

"You two! Stop!"

Matilda grabbed onto the wrists of the tall and slender Weasley twins, stopping them in front of her. They looked down at the Raven-haired girl and grinned.

"Neville..." she panted, out of breath from running. "Is he in the common room?"

"Why do need to know?" asked Fred challengingly.

"Do you want Harry to survive tomorrow?" Matilda questioned.

They could sense her becoming more and more impatient, but it only made them more amused.

"And you think Neville is the solution?" George pressed.

"Not entirely, no..." said Matilda. "But he could help find it."

Fred and George shared curious glanced before looking back down at the girl their youngest brother seemed to have become so fond of. They could certainly see why. She was a take-charge kind of girl... smart – too smart. And even funny, which before knowing her, the two of them would have never of guessed.

"Fine we'll tell you," said Fred.

"But under one condition." George cut in.

Matilda looked at them, waiting for one of them to tell her what they wanted.

"Yes?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"Where are Hermione and Ron right now?"

"Really?" Matilda deadpanned. "That's the condition? I tell you where Ron and Hermione are?"

"That's all we ask..." said George charmingly.

"They're in the library... with Harry."

Fred smiled triumphantly, "Wonderful, thanks, Tilly."

They began to make their way past her and down the staircase, "What about Neville?"

"Oh, he's in the common room."

Once again Matilda turned and made her way up what felt to be thousands of stairs. Finally, she made it to the portrait and took a second to catch her breath before recounting the password that Harry had given to her the day before when she came to meet him in the common room to continue their search for a spell.

Luckily Fred and George were telling the truth. Halfway to the tower, Matilda began to fear that they had misled her so that they'd get a laugh out of her annoyance, but there, in the corner of the room, sitting across from Seamus and Dean, all of them hovering over a Wizarding Chess board, was Neville.

He was dressed in a matching pajama set. Light blue with brooms all over them. His eyelids hung tiredly, but he seemed determined to beat Seamus.

"Neville,"

Matilda's voice carried to the other side of the room and all three of the boys turned their heads to look up at her.

"I've been looking for you," she told him.

Neville gulped, "You have?"

The determined expression that had once been on his face had been replaced with fear. He glanced quickly at Dean who only shrugged in response.

"Yes, I need your help," she approached the round table they were sat at.

"You do?"

All three of the boys questioned together as their eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

"Of course," said Matilda. "You're the only person who I know truly enjoys Herbology and I have a few questions."

"You do?" Seamus and Dean repeated their last question.

Matilda rolled her eyes ignoring them, "Walk with me?"

Neville gulped once more before nodding. It took him a second to gain enough courage to stand from his chair, but once he did, Matilda took him by the wrist and carefully led him to the portrait hole.

"Neville," said Matilda in a whisper once they were outside of the common room. "Harry needs your help."

"Is he alright?" Neville asked worriedly.

"Yes. Well, for now," she said. "It's just we can't seem to find a suitable way to get him to be able to survive underwater for a long period of time."

"Why would Harry need to—"

Neville stopped himself once he realized the answer to his own question.

"Since there isn't a spell we can find I thought maybe you'd know of a plant..."

For the first time in his life, Neville heard a quiver in Matilda's voice. He could see the nerves building inside of her. She was scared for her friend. Matilda was scared for Harry Potter.

"Well, there is Gillyweed," said Neville slowly. "But you've probably already considered that."

Matilda's eyes widened. Gillyweed. Why hadn't she thought of that? It was a clear solution and something that Harry could use. Though it wasn't an easy find. Especially when he was down to hours before the Tournament.

"Gillyweed!" she shrieked happily. "Yes! You're absolutely right."

"I am?" Neville asked.

"Yes," Matilda laughed. "Do you have any?"

"I mean in – in my room... but—"

"Perfect, go, and get it. I'll wait here."

Neville quickly disappeared back into the portrait hole, leaving Matilda to wait for him in the lonely corridor. Her heart leaped out of her chest. The nerves that had building inside of her for days now were finally starting to die down. There was a chance for Harry now. He was going to be alright. And for that Matilda allowed herself to take a breath.

It was beginning to dawn on Matilda just how much Harry meant to her. The thought of losing him in this Tournament had her entire nervous system shot. So much so that she had found it difficult to focus on any of her classes. All she could think about was how she was going to get Harry through this alive. Because there was no scenario in her head that would allow the thought of Harry dying to pass through.

When Neville finally returned, he was running so quickly that he stumbled out of the portrait hole. He held a brown box and when he stood in front of Matilda, he opened it, revealing a ball of what looked like slimy, greyish green rat tails. Gillyweed.

Matilda threw her arms happily around Neville's neck and pulled him in for a hug. He was hesitant at first, having never seen Matilda hug anyone before, but after a moment's thought, he carefully hugged her back and made sure to not squeeze her too tight.

"You're brilliant, Neville. Absolutely brilliant."

And Matilda turned on her heel, hurrying back toward the library, leaving a smiling Neville standing at the entrance to his common room, smiling like an idiot because Matilda Winters, the most intelligent wizard he's ever known had just called him brilliant. Too bad Seamus and Dean would never believe him.

Matilda made her way down the marble stairwell so quickly that she had almost tripped a few times. She pushed past a group of Ravenclaws in a rush and turned down the hall where the library was just in time to see Harry making his way out with a glum expression written upon his face.

"Harry!" Matilda yelled, getting his attention. "Harry, wait, I've got it!"

Harry stopped and watched with is eyebrows pulled together and Matilda ran toward him a wide smile spread across her cheeks.

"Got what?" He questioned. "And where did you go?"

Matilda stopped, taking in deep breaths, waiting for the burn in her chest to disappear.

"Where's Ron?" Matilda questioned. "And Hermione?"

She glanced around Harry, noticing that neither of them was lingering anywhere near them.

Harry shrugged, "Fred and George said McGonagall needed them. Probably a lie though. Pulled them into one of their pranks."

Matilda nodded. It wasn't too absurd of a suggestion for her to question it.

"What'd you get?" Harry asked again.

"Gillyweed."

Matilda handed him the small box Neville had given her. She watched impatiently as Harry carefully took the lid off and his face suddenly contorted into disgust. He looked down at the slimy green plant and his face flushed.

"You've got to eat it," said Matilda, and he gagged. "You'll be able to breathe underwater for a few hours."

Harry put the lid back onto the box and looked over at Matilda, "Where did you get this?"

"Neville."

"Neville?"

Harry sounded worried.

"Yes, Neville suggested you use the Gillyweed," said Matilda, and Harry grew more concerned at Matilda calm demeanor. "He's right too. I don't know why I didn't think of it."

"And you're sure this'll do it?" Harry asked.

Matilda nodded without a second thought, "Yes."

And she seemed confident enough to where Harry didn't question it anymore that night.

ϟ

The next morning Matilda awoke with a fresh set of nerves. They had found a way for Harry to survive under the Black Lake, sure, but now it was time for her to worry about the actual task. Harry would have to explore the lake, the lake that is home to many monsters, including the giant squid. She'd never before thought about the lake in such great detail, but today Matilda couldn't seem to stop thinking about the monsters that she's learned that reside under the dark, glistening water.

When standing in the girl's lavatory she had to stop her hand from shaking by clenching it into a fist and slowly releasing it before she could spread the paste onto her toothbrush. When she returned to her room after finishing up everyone had gone. Probably to get an early breakfast in before going out toward the lake to watch the tournament. Matilda couldn't think about food right now, it made her feel sick, and so, she turned her thoughts on what she would wear today.

She opened her trunk and dug through the unfolded sweaters. Matilda was big on sweaters, especially during the colder months. Matilda was also big on color schemes. Since the month was February, she focused her attention on more pink and red colors. Just as she had focused her attention on blues and purples in January. Her wardrobe usually matched the colors associated with the month that she was in.

It wasn't long before Matilda settled on an outfit. She slipped on a skirt, similar to her uniform, but a little sorter and maroon. A pink sweater was tucked neatly into the waist of the skirt and under it she wore black tights to protect herself from the cold winds that she would likely face while standing by the lake. Finishing up, Matilda slipped on a pair of maroon boots that rose just to her ankles and a large, button-up jacket that closely matched the color of her sweater.

Matilda stepped in front of the mirror, adjusting the hem of the skirt. She looked nice but she still felt as though she might puke before the day was over.

The halls were exceptionally empty as she made her way to the Entrance Hall. She was alone in her journey. Luckily, sitting in the Great Hall was Padma and Luna. They had just been finishing up their large breakfast.

"You finally made it," said Padma as Matilda approached them at the Ravenclaw table.

Matilda nodded, her lips pulled into a tight smile as she took a seat beside Luna.

"Saved you some dragon fruit," said Luna, pushing the metal plate toward her. "We know it's your favorite."

Matilda pushed the plate toward the center of the table, away from her, "Can't think about eating right not."

"C'mon Tilly," pleaded Padma. "You've barely eaten anything this week. You have to be starving."

"Feel a bit sick, actually."

Her friends were worried about her, Matilda knew that. She'd been missing all this week, never seen at meal times, only in classes and barely during lights out, as she was always coming back to the room when the others had already fallen asleep. They made sure to check on her throughout the week, bringing her food and making sure to be extra quiet in the mornings so not to wake her since they knew she'd probably only been sleeping for a few hours.

Padma sighed, looking at the plate then to Matilda. She'd never seen Matilda so distant from her true self before. It was the most worrisome.

"You're nervous about Harry," said Luna.

"Yes..." admitted Matilda.

"You care him more than you let on, don't you?" Padma finally questioned.

Padma had noticed that Matilda was taking a liking to Harry long before today, but this year it was much more than it ever was. She barely left the boy's side. She was always worrying about him. Acting like this wasn't something Matilda normally done. She kept a strong guard up, claiming that friends were a distraction, keeping her from her desires, but it seemed as though after meeting Harry, that guard was coming down.

"Of course I do, he's–"

"– he's right there."

Luna stopped Matilda short of finishing her sentencing by pointing past her to the large doors at the front of the room. Sure enough, there stood Harry, his face pale and his hands shaking by his sides.

Matilda quickly stood up from her seat. She caught his eye and his lips twitched into a relieved smile. He'd come looking for her.

"Harry," said Matilda, approaching him. "The task begins in ten minutes, what on earth are you doing here?"

"Overslept," he told her shortly. "But I know what I have to do."

Matilda looked over their surroundings. There weren't many people around, most were now leaving the Great Hall and heading across the lawn to get the last few seats that were available by the Black Lake. She took his hand and began following the other students.

"What do you mean you know what you have to do?" Matilda asked.

She made sure to speak in a hushed tone so not to be overheard by the students around them.

"I have to get Ron back," he told her. "They took what I'd miss the most... it's Ron."

Matilda's stomach dropped. Her throat burned and the feeling that she might puke returned, much stronger than before. They took Ron?

"So, you mean Ron is at the bottom of the lake, right now?"

Harry nodded and Matilda sucked in a deep breath. They had just gotten to the lake. The other Champions already waiting for the task to begin. Matilda stopped Harry before he could go stand with them.

"You look at me, Harry Potter,"

Harry's eye widened as Matilda took his face in her hands. He felt a little frightened as she looked at him with the most serious expression, he's seen her wear.

"You've already beat a dragon. This should be nothing to you. You can do it. I know that you can," she told him and Harry nodded into her hands. "You bring Ron back to us, alright."

There was a slight quiver in Matilda's tone but Harry had caught it. Worry was written all over her expression. She was scared for Ron.

"I promise."

Matilda smiled and pulled Harry into a hug, squeezing him tightly. He held onto her but after a few second the two had to part so that he'd be able to start the task on time. She wished him luck one last time before he turned to join the other champions and Matilda went to the dock so that she'd be able to wait close by.

Neville joined her with Seamus and Dean a few seconds later.

"You look nervous," Dean noticed.

Matilda shook her head. "Not a bit. Harry's got this. I know he does."

"Well, all our champions are ready for the second task, which will start on my whistle. They have precisely an hour to recover what has been taken from them. On the count of three, then. One ... two ... three!"

The whistle echoed shrilly in the cold, still air; the stands erupted with cheers and applause; a small chuckle escaped Matilda's lips as she watched Harry pull off his shoes and socks, pulled the handful of Gillyweed out of his pocket, stuffed it into his mouth, and jumped out into the lake.

And just as Harry's body hit the cold water of the lake Matilda brought her thumb to her mouth, biting the nail. She waited for him to come up. To do something to show that he was alright. But the clock continued to tick and nothing was happening. Had the Gillyweed worked? Was Harry downing right now?

Neville seemed to be freaking out just as much as Matilda. Only he was doing so quite vocally. He paced up and down the dock, hand wrung through his hair. Repeating the same words over and over, "I've killed Harry Potter... I've killed Harry Potter... Merlin's sake, I've killed Harry Potter."

Matilda was beginning to think that Neville was right, but without warning, emerging from the black waters of the lake, flying in the air, and flapping like some kind of fish, was Harry. He shouted with glee and the stands erupted with cheers and applause. And Matilda smiled with relief when he splashed back into the water.

"Neville, you didn't kill Harry Potter."

Neville's eyes were wide. He was frozen in his place. Still in shock from what he had just saw. Harry was alive. He hadn't killed him, he helped him.

The four of them sat on the edge of the dock, trying to peer down into the water to see something, though all of them knew that no matter how hard they tried the black waters were too thick and deep to be able to see anything. Not even a shadow or a fish swimming near the break of the water could be seen. It was useless, but at least it gave them a bit of hope.

The crowds in the stands talked amongst themselves as each of them waiting for something to happen. It had been twenty minutes now with little to activity. People were becoming antsy and nervous. Some students complained that this was a waste since they didn't get to witness any of the action. This is something Matilda could agree on. At least with the dragons, they got a show.

Looking behind her, Matilda was able to make out some of the faces in the stands. Daisy Morgenstern sat in the middle rows of one of the stands. Surrounded by a group of Slytherins. Daphnee sat to her right and an annoyed Draco on her left. Behind her was Cho Chang and Claire. Cho seemed annoyed. But sleeping in the same room as her for three years now has taught Matilda that Cho was annoyed a lot of the time.

Luna and Padma sat on a bleacher nearing the dock. In front of them was Bentley and Asher Morgenstern. Asher waited impatiently for something to happen, his knee bouncing a million miles a minute. And Bentley busied himself in conversation with Padma. Matilda knew she'd be hearing about that later this evening.

"Look! It's Fleur!"

Weakly swimming near the other side of the dock was the silver-haired Fleur. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes were swollen, looking as though she might be crying, but it was hard to tell since she was still wet from being in the lake. She had scratches on her arm that were slightly bleeding. It looked as if she'd been attacked.

Upon being spotted the clueless crowds erupted in cheers, believing that she had completed the task, but the closer she got, the more people noticed that she was alone. No one was with her. She hadn't retrieved the one she'd miss the most.

"Looks like she was attacked," said Seamus.

"Probably the Grindylows," Matilda told him.

All of them nodded, remembering their lesson with Professor Lupin just last year. Matilda remembered Daisy hating that lesson more than all of them.

Madam Pomfrey waited close by as a group of wizards pulled her from the water. She was shivering, her teeth clattered together. Quickly a thick blanket was wrapped around her. She sat on a bench, crying, pleading for someone to go after her sister, a girl named Gabrielle.

Not even ten minutes later, just outside of the time limit, Cedric burst through the dark waves of the water, holding no other than Harper Winters. Matilda's eyes widened as she watched Cedric and her sister being assisted from the cold waters and Madam Pomfrey wrapping thick blankets around either of their shoulders. They sat closely by one another, shivering.

The crowds cheered loudly, especially Hufflepuff. Asher and Bentley jumped to their feet, running to the other side of the dock to meet their cousin with hugs and high-fives. Others began to crowd around them, but Matilda had no desire to do so. She knew he sister was more than alright. Having been saved by her childhood crush and best friend, she'd never shut up about this moment.

"Aren't you going to go check on your sister?" Dean asked.

Matilda shrugged, "she seems fine to me."

And she did. A wide smile spread across her face as Cedric's arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her closer to his side as they talked to their friends. Matilda knew that by going over there she'd be ruining the moment. She thought it best to let her sister bask in it for a little while longer.

Krum burst through the waters next. Holding Hermione by the waist. His head was still a shark, and so Professor McGonagall quickly assisted in returning him back to normal. She also helped in bringing a shivering Hermione back onto the dock. And she too was wrapped in the same thick blanket as the others.

It seemed odd that Hermione was Victor's task. They'd really just met this year and been talking for a less amount of time. Had Victor already fell so hard for Hermione? Cedric and Harper had been friends since before Hogwarts, having met a Quidditch camp the summer before. They'd been inseparable ever since being sorted into the same house. They'd been dating now for, well, Matilda didn't really know how long, she wasn't too invested in her sister's love life, but after seeing them at the ball, she knew they were an item. And Ron, he was like a brother to Harry. He was a brother to Harry. Ron was Harry's first real friend and in the first year of knowing him was ready to die for him. It made sense that Ron was Harry's person. So, why was Hermione Victor's?

Now they were all waiting for Harry. He was last. But if he'd be able to bring Ron to surface, he'd still place higher than Fleur. Though he was running out of time. He only had a little under ten minutes to get to the dock. And even less time before the Gillyweed would be wearing off.

Matilda began biting her nails once more. Waiting – hoping that Harry would come bursting through the waters. But there was no movement. The water was still once more. The stands began to silence as everyone waited for the boy who lived to come back to land.

"Shouldn't they be sending someone in for him?" Neville asked worriedly.

Ten minutes past time.

"No. He'll make it."

Matilda sounded sure, but even she began to wonder where on earth Harry could be.

Twenty minutes.

Matilda was becoming restless, pacing the doc.

Forty minutes.

Matilda was ready to jump in the water to go after him herself.

And just seconds before time ran out Harry came through the waters. No flippers or gills. The Gillyweed had word off and he was struggling to pull himself to the dock. It was no surprise that he was struggling either. He not only was pulling Ron along the black waters, but he had also in his other arm a young girl. Silver hair just like Fleur. He had retrieved her sister.

Matilda cheered loudly with the others. Watching as he paddled to the doc. He was quickly met with assistance and was pulled from the water. She quickly ran to meet him at the other end of the doc.

The crowd in the stands was making a great deal of noise; shouting and screaming, everybody seemed to be on their feet; Matilda had the impression they thought that Ron and the little girl might be dead, but they were wrong... both of them had opened their eyes; the girl looked scared and confused, but Ron merely expelled a great spout of water, blinked in the bright light, and sat up into a sitting position.

Taking a fleece blanket from Madam Pomfrey's pile and wrapping it around Harry's shoulders. She pulled him into a hug, not even caring that he'd be getting her clothes wet. He shivered into her and his teeth clattered.

She pulled away, once again taking his face in her hands and she raised her lips to his forehead, pressing a hard kiss to it.

Looking over, Ron noticed Fleur's younger sister, "What did you bring her for?"

"Fleur didn't turn up. I couldn't leave her," Harry panted.

"Harry, you prat," said Ron, "you didn't take that song thing seriously, did you? Dumbledore wouldn't have let any of us drown!"

"But the song said –"

"Only to make sure you got back inside the time limit!" said Ron. "I hope you didn't waste time down there acting the hero!"

Matilda laughed, knowing that's exactly what Harry was doing, and why he was the last to arrive at the doc.

Meanwhile, Madame Maxime was trying to restrain Fleur Delacour, who was quite hysterical, fighting tooth and nail to return to the water.

"Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Is she alive? Is she 'urt?"

"She's fine!" Harry tried to tell her, but the exhaustion was making it to where he could hardly talk, let alone shout.

"It was ze Grindylows... zey attacked me... oh, Gabrielle, I thought... I thought..."

Madam Pomfrey had taken ahold of Ron and pulled him over to the others so that he too could be wrapped in one of her blankets like a burrito. Harry and Matilda followed closley behind.

"Harry, well done!" Hermione cried. "You did it, you found out how, all by yourself!"

"Well –" said Matilda. She would have told her about Neville, but she had just noticed Karkaroff watching them. He was the only judge who had not left the table; the only judge not showing signs of pleasure and relief that Harry, Ron and Fleur's sister had got back safely.

"You haff a water-beetle in your hair, Herm-own-ninny," said Krum.

Matilda got the impression that Krum was drawing her attention back onto himself; perhaps to remind her that he had just rescued her from the lake, but Hermione brushed the beetle away impatiently and said, "You're well outside the time limit, though, Harry... Did it take you ages to find us?"

"No..." huffed Harry. "I found you ok."

"Harry thought you all were in real trouble," Matilda confessed. "He just wanted to try and help all of you."

Matilda could see the growing embarrassment on Harry's face. He truly believed that if not rescued on time that they would be stuck under the Black Lake. It was sweet but a little naive.

Dumbledore was crouching at the water's edge, deep in conversation with what seemed to be the chief merperson, a particularly wild- and ferocious-looking female. He was making the same sort of screechy noises that the merpeople made when they were above water; clearly, Dumbledore could speak Mermish. Finally, he straightened up, turned to his fellow judges, and said, "A conference before we give the marks, I think."

The judges went into a huddle. Madam Pomfrey had returned and gave those huddled in their blankets some Pepper-Up Potion, then went to fetch Fleur and her sister. Fleur had many cuts on her face and arms, and her robes were torn, but she didn't seem to care, nor would she allow Madam Pomfrey to clean them.

"Look after Gabrielle," she told her, and then she turned to Harry. "You saved 'er," she said breathlessly. "Even though she was not your 'ostage."

"Yeah," said Harry, who looked to be regretting that decision.

Fleur bent down, kissed Harry twice on each cheek, causing his face to burn a deep red. Then turned to Ron and said, "And you, too – you 'elped."

"Yeah," said Ron, looking extremely hopeful, "yeah, a bit –"

Fleur swooped down on him, too, and kissed him. Once gone Matilda looked over to Ron with a flat and unamused expression.

"How? How did you help?" she questioned him.

Ron shrugged, "Just let me have this, yeah?"

Matilda looked annoyed, but just then, Ludo Bagman's magically magnified voice boomed out beside them, making them all jump, and causing the crowd in the stands to go very quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision. Mer-chieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows..."

"Miss Fleur Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm, was attacked by Grindylows as she approached her goal, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her twenty-five points."

Applause from the stands.

"Mr. Cedric Diggory, who also used the Bubble-Head Charm, was first to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour." Enormous cheers from the Hufflepuffs in the crowd; Matilda saw Harper give Cedric a glowing look. "We, therefore, award him forty-seven points."

"Mr. Viktor Krum used an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective and was second to return with his hostage. We award him forty points."

Karkaroff clapped particularly hard, looking very superior.

"Mr. Harry Potter used Gillyweed to great effect," Bagman continued. "He returned last, and well outside the time limit of an hour. However, the Merchieftainess informs us that Mr. Potter was first to reach the hostages, and that the delay in his return was due to his determination to return all hostages to safety, not merely his own."

Ron and Hermione both gave Harry half-exasperated, half-commiserating looks. Matilda knew though – Harry was a hero. He wouldn't leave anyone behind.

"Most of the judges" – and here, Bagman gave Karkaroff a very nasty look – "feel that this shows moral fiber and merits full marks. However, Mr. Potter's score is forty-five points."

Harry's stomach leaped – he was now tying for first place with Cedric. Ron and Hermione, caught by surprise, stared at Harry, then laughed and started applauding hard with the rest of the crowd.

Harry's eyes widened with surprise – he was now tying for first place with Cedric. Ron, Hermione, and even Matilda caught by surprise, stared at Harry, then laughed and started applauding hard with the rest of the crowd.

"There you go, Harry!" Ron shouted over the noise. "You weren't being thick after all – you were showing moral fiber!"

Fleur was clapping very hard, too, but Krum didn't look very happy at all. He attempted to engage Hermione in conversation again, but she was too busy cheering Harry to listen.

"The third and final task will take place at dusk on the twenty-fourth of June," continued Bagman. "The champions will be notified of what is coming, precisely one month beforehand. Thank you all for your support of the champions."

It was over. A sense of freedom washed over Matilda as she watched Madam Pomfrey heard the champions and their hostages toward the castle to get into some dry clothes. Harry had made it out. She no longer had to worry until close to June. But until then she was free to eat without her nerves nipping away at her appetite.

ϟ

It was after supper. Matilda had eaten more than she ever had. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the full platters of food appeared in front of her. She stacked her try high with potatoes, vegetables, and deserts. She was too busy eating to even engage in conversation at the Gryffindor table.

Ron had offered to walk Matilda to the Ravenclaw tower this evening. Harry seemed exhausted and Hermione had yet to leave to the Great Hall as she had busied herself in conversation with Krum, who seemed elated to have her attention focused back onto him.

"So, how'd you figure it out?" Ron asked suddenly. "How'd you think of the Gillyweed?"

"I didn't," said Matilda, wearing a sly grin. "It was Neville."

"Neville?" Ron chuckled. "Neville Longbottom? Neville in Gryffindor? Really?"

Matilda nodded and Ron shook his head still in disbelief.

"You underestimate him," said Matilda. "He's smart. Just in an unconventional type of way."

They stopped outside of the Ravenclaw common room door. Ron looked over at Matilda, "Harry told me you were worried about me today?"

"I was," she told him.

He grinned as of surprised to hear it. Matilda couldn't understand why though.

"Why do you seem so surprised?" Matilda asked suddenly.

Ron shrugged, "Dunno. I guess I just don't see why someone like you would worry themselves over me."

Matilda scoffed, "Well it's because I care about you, you idiot."

Ron's eyes widened, once again surprised by Matilda's words. It was like he's never noticed the way she worries about him. The way she protects him. Of course, she cares about him. She thinks it stupid to continue lying about it.

"Why?"

It was Matilda's turn to be taken aback, "Well – well you've become one of the most important people in my life."

Matilda waited for him to say something or to react, but he just stood there, looking down at his shuffling feet. She watched him for a few seconds, wondering what to do next. Wondering if she's said anything wrong. Had she said something to hurt him?

"Well," she cleared her throat. "I'm quite tired. I should be getting to bed."

"Yes, of course," Ron said, snapping his head up.

"Goodnight, Ronald," Matilda smiled lightly.

"Goodnight, Tilly."

Matilda turned, her back now to Ron, she pulled on the door, quickly answering its riddle, not caring that Ron had been close enough to hear it. She heard it unlatch and just as she went to pull the weight of the large, wooden door, his voice stopped her.

"I care about you too, Matilda." 

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V I S U A L S

( Matilda's described outfit )

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AN:// yay an update. Hope you all enjoy.

Yes, I changed some book details to match the movie, but only because I liked these scenes so much in the film, also, Neville needs more recognition. I hope you all don't mind the small changes.

What do you think of Matilda not being Harry's hostage. I was so close to putting her as it but decided to not do it at the last minute. 

Any ideas or theories for the future? Let me know in the comments.

Until next time!

xoxo