Falling Star

The Second Task Part 1

Early in the afternoon the day before the second trial, Hermione, Ron, and I are eating lunch when Harry bursts in.

"I've figured it out!" Harry pants, sliding into his seat next to Ron.

Hermione and I practically sag with relief.

"Oh thank Merlin," Ron says.

Harry explains the riddle to us, and we all make a plan to spend every minute of free time today studying how to breathe underwater so that Harry doesn't die tomorrow. No pressure.

In Potions, I'm seated near the back, poring over a spell book while everyone is supposed to be taking notes. So far, I have found spells to help with asthma, slow your breathing, and breathe underwater for short bursts, but I have had zero luck finding anything for holding your breath for over an hour. I am so engrossed in what I'm reading, that I don't even notice when the class goes quiet, and the only sounds are the occasional snickering and heavy footsteps coming closer and closer to my desk. 

Ron, seated beside me, elbows me in the ribs, but it's too late. My spell book snaps shut seemingly of its own accord, and I jump back in my seat, only to see Professor Snape angrily peering down his nose at me. 

"Miss Malfoy, please list the main ingredients in the Antidote to Common Poisons," Professor Snape slowly asks, knowing full well that I will make a fool of myself trying to answer. 

"Um," I glance at the chalkboard, but it is no help. Professor Snape has already wiped the ingredients list off the board. I would try looking over at Ron's notes, but I can never read his handwriting. 

"Go on. We're waiting. You can even use your notes to help you," he says. 

I take a breath and try to work up the nerve to fully embarrass myself in front of the class. "I'm sorry, Professor. I wasn't listening. Or taking notes." 

"Ten points from Gryffindor. And if you are choosing not to listen in my class, you can leave. I am not going to waste my time teaching someone who is not willing to learn. You can make up lost time in detention tonight at 7 sharp. Dismissed." With that, Professor Snape turns on his heel and returns to the chalkboard. 

My face burns, and I blink back stinging tears as I gather my things with as much dignity as I can muster. Ron mouths "I'm sorry," and I answer with a shrug before turning to leave. My footsteps echo off the walls way too loudly. I am grateful when I finally make it to the door and close it behind me. 

For the rest of the class period, I find a bench in the corridor to sit on. I'm kicking myself for getting detention tonight because all of us were supposed to meet in the library and continue searching for a solution to the Second Task. I feel terrible for not being able to help when Harry needs his friends the most. I find slight comfort knowing that he will still have Ron and Hermione to help him. 

As soon as class ends and I see the door to the Potions room swing open, I pop up from my seat and wave down my friends. 

"Harry, I am so sorry. We're supposed to be helping you tonight and now I'm stuck in stupid detention with Snape and I didn't even find anything useful in that bloody spell book-"

"Hey!" Harry cuts off my rambling apology. "It's okay. You were trying to help me. I can't be mad at you for that." 

I smile weakly at him. "Thank you." 

"Right. We're still going to figure this out, Harry," Hermione says. Ron nods in agreement and also voices his determination. 

***

At 6:58 p.m., I stand outside Professor Snape's classroom, willing myself to go inside. Not wanting to be late, I force myself to push open the door a minute later.