Staying Alive // D.M *On Hold*

2.2 - Six Feet Under Water

Warning: Mention of aquaphobia and drowning.

The days leading to the second task passed quickly. Mia still had her 'detentions' with Flitwick, during which the Professor made her read many books that actually helped her current research. She would be doing wandless chores if it were another professor, but Flitwick used those detentions almost as private tutoring sessions. She guessed it was because he believed she didn't really deserve them as Flitwick himself once slipped that he didn't like Moody much. He too, thought something was odd about the ex-auror. 

She spent her days looking for clues with Hermione in the library. Susan often joined them to do her homework as the girls exchanged ideas. Harry claimed that he got everything under control till he decided to tell them he had no idea days before the second task. Mia was so furious that Hermione had to physically stop her from attacking Harry right then. Much to Harry's relief, Cedric Diggory appeared as they were fighting to give the boy a clue for his egg. That night Mia ignored her disappointment at not being able to beat her twin and joined Harry in the fifth-floor prefects' bathroom. Myrtle was happy to see Mia back and with a quick rant about how Mia had forgotten her, helped them figure out the egg. 

Oh crap!

It was underwater.

And that was why she was about to go mad.

"I think I'm going to be kidnapped by our professors!" the Hufflepuff girl raised an eyebrow at her friend's sudden outburst. While she wouldn't say Mia was a particularly sane person, paranoia was not one of her personality traits so she slowly put her cup down, giving her full attention. "I swear I'm not going mad." 

"I think you have a bit till you reach there," she agreed. "Why do you say that?"

"I read about the past Triwizard Tournaments. In some of them, some prized possessions were taken from the champions and hidden in some ways for them to seek out. I already know the task will be underwater, I also know merpeople are territorial." She checked around the Great Hall, offering Draco a sweet smile when their eyes met before focusing back on Susan. "They are taking friends and family from them."

"What?" her voice was terribly high-pitched, causing a few people to look at them. Mia shushed her down, glaring at her fellow Ravenclaws. "They can't do that!" 

"Have you seen Cho around today?" She asked pointing towards Marrietta Edgecombe, Cho's best friend, Susan followed her lead, looking around as well. "Gabrielle, Fleur's sister is nowhere to be seen and I tried finding Hermione before dinner but she is not around." realization hit Susan finally as she took a sharp breath. They were out of their minds. After everything the twins had gone through, Dumbledore was throwing them into the Black Lake to possibly die, again. "The task is tomorrow Susan. It makes sense! I will be kidnapped, tricked into an enchanted slumber of sorts, and placed in the lake." 

"You're too smart for your own good, Mia." an unsettling feeling was already placed in both of their stomachs, neither of them thought they could eat with that feeling around. "What can we do?" 

"Nothing." Mia gulped down, she was trying her best to stop her hands from shaking. Water and swimming were not her best qualities. She had a very developed aquaphobia due to her 'unforgettable' summer vacation with the Dursleys when she was seven. She almost drowned, leading her to stay as far away as possible from big water blocks like rivers, lakes, or the sea itself. Even a pool was enough to trigger her sometimes depending on her surroundings. "I'll- I'll try to stay calm. I can...I can do this. I only need you to warn Draco tomorrow morning." 

"You cannot possibly do this!" Susan was almost shouting, her body possessed by fear for her friend. Mia, however, wasn't impressed by her outburst. "I've seen how you shook the last time you were too close to that damned lake." she hissed the last part so no one would hear.