Slytherins Golden Girl

Chapter 17

"Alright never mind, thanks anyway." Eleanor sighed, pushing off the counter and grasping a Herbology book against her chest as she passed through the library.

"Miss Gray," Madam Prince called out from behind her desk, still trying her best to keep her voice hushed. "I'll give you four until 10pm then you'll have to leave, no exceptions."

Eleanor nodded in response, the last few days they had practically begged Madam Pince to let them stay in the library after curfew, due to Harrys and Ron's failure in finding a spell for the second task. It was the eve of the task and if Harry doesn't sort something out soon he's royally screwed.

Eleanor turned and walked through the shelvings of books, each section of the library growing darker and more gloomy until she found the trio squashed in the back corner of the room under a small lantern.

"Any luck?" Hermione said hopefully, pushing off the table she rest upon to reach Eleanors side.

Eleanor shook her head as the hope from Hermiones eyes faded. "No. Madam Pince said there aren't any other books than the ones we've already looked at."

"Well thats potentially problematic." Hermione frowned taking a seat next to the ever-looking miserable Harry.

"Potentially problematic!" Harry shrieked aloud. "How am I going to be able to hold my breath underwater for an hour?" He whined, dropping his head head onto the open pages in front of him.

Eleanor stepped towards the trio, untucking the book from her chest as she walked to hold it at her side. "Harry we can do this, the four of-" she stopped beside Ron, who was heavy snoring into the cool air with Harry's golden egg cupped in his hands.

"The four of us!" She repeated whacking him on the head with the herbology book, "Can figure it out."

"Bloody hell!" Ron winced still half asleep as he rubbed his head. "Why can't you ask the merefoke to pass whatever you need back."

"That's not the point of the task Ron." Harry snapped back.

"There may be something we missed." Hermione hoped, pulling another book out from the pile.

Eleanor knew they were out of ideas if Hermione thinks they've missed something. This would've been much easier if Cedric had just told her the spell he'd decided to use but apparently, according to him, he'd already played his part. Tight git.

"I hate to break up this scholar session but Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office." Professor Moody voice boomed down the small nook of shelves as he suddenly appeared from behind a stack of books and around the corner.

The four of them instantly take a stand with Eleanor heart thumping in her chest, she hated getting called to a professors office. "Not you Potter just Weasley, Granger and Gray."

"But Sir the second task is only hours away!" Hermione protests.

"Exactly. Presumably Potter is well prepared now and could do with a good night sleep. Now go!" Moody orders as Ron and Hermione trudge last him, he holds his cain across the pathway smacking upon the wooden shelving inches from Eleanors hands. "Miss Gray, you won't be needing that book."

He held his hand out awaiting for Eleanor to give it over, almost as if he could sense her reluctance to let the book go. "I'll make sure it's put back correctly." He stared as she slowly placed the book in his hand.

"Longbottom!"

Eleanor followed Ron and Hermione out of the library and along the corridors, none of them said a word to each other, they were all too busy overthinking the possible reasonings for being called upon. What would McGonagall want to do with her?