The Raven's Call

Submerged

Monday, February 23rd, 1995

It's the night before the second task, I'm excited to see how it goes, excited for Cedric to find his 'treasure.' I wonder what it is?!

I'm studying in the library, overhearing Harry, Ron and Hermione trying to figure out the second task themselves a row over from me. It's interesting to see how they figure things out. "Harry, tell me again." Hermione demands, I hear her voice to my far right. "Come seek us where our voices sound." Harry mumbles, just across from me, sounding rather defeated. "The Black Lake, that's obvious." Hermione states. Correct, there, Hermione. "An hour long you'll have to look." Harry mumbles again. "Again, obvious." Hermione's voice had moved closer to Harry's now. "Though, admittedly, potentially problematic." "Potentially problematic?" Harry retorts. "When's the last time you held your breath underwater for an hour, Hermione?" He snaps, obviously stressed. "Look, Harry, we can do this. The three of us can figure it out." Hermione tries to console him before being interrupted by Professor Moody. "Hate to break up the skull session." He says, metal leg clunking as he walks over. "Professor McGonagall would like to see you in her office. Not you, Potter, just Weasley and Granger." He announces. "But, sir, the second task is only hours away, and.." Hermione starts to object before being cut off by Moody. "Exactly. Presumably Potter is well-prepared by now and could do with a good night's sleep." He responds sternly. "Go. Now." I hear the pitter-patter of feet leaving the library as Moody spoke up from behind the bookshelf. "You too, Grey. McGonagall would like to see you as well." Damn, I forgot Moody can basically see through walls with that eye. "Yes sir." I call out, quickly following Hermione and Ron out and down the hall.

"What do you think Professor McGonagall could want with us?" I hear Ron ask sleepily. "Got into any trouble lately?" I ask with a grin, jogging to catch up with them. "Wot? No!" He responds rather quickly, having me think that he'd definitely been up to something recently. Hermione waves her hand dismissively. "I can't help but think it has something to do with the second task." Hermione mutters, rubbing her chin slightly as we walk. "I suppose that could be linked." I respond with a nod. "You two are close with Harry. And me with Cedric." I think out loud.

We walk in silence for a moment, my mind running at a thousand miles an hour. I gasp as we stand outside of McGonagall's office, my gasp thoroughly startling the redhead. "Wot!?" He asks in shock. "What if we are their treasures?" I ask as Hermione opens the door. "That's nonsense. we're not in the bottom of the Black Lake." She retorts so matter-of-factly before we hear a voice speak out.

"Patrificus Totalis"
"Incarcerous "
"Stupefy."

Everything goes dark.

***

I'm cold.

So very fucking cold.

Where am I?

I'm.. floating?

I'm breathing... I think?

I can't open my eyes. 

Alex?!

Asteria?!

Cedric?!

ANYONE?!

Suddenly I feel like I begin rising up, an arm wraps around mine soon after. Whoever this is must be rescuing me. At least I hope they're rescuing me. It feels like hours before we reach the surface, though I know it only takes a few minutes. I can finally open my eyes. With a deep breath, I'm able to find my bearings. I'm in the black lake, there are people cheering and Cedric is beside me in the water. I was his treasure. He saved me. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but I wave to the crowd as Cedric swims me over to the platform. He helps me up as a few hands reach out to us, pulling me up before Cedric, then wrapping towels around us to keep us warm while we wait for the others. Cedric keeps his arm around me, making sure I stay warm. I look to him admirably. "I'm proud to call you my big brother." I say with a smile. He smiles back and rubs my arms as we hear a splash. Two more emerging from the water, Viktor Krum and Hermione. She was his treasure. Figures. He's barely been able to keep his eyes off her since they met. They swim to the edge and get pulled up before having towels thrown on them also. Hermione shivers as she finds her way over to me. "Well, I suppose your theory wasn't entirely nonsense." She says with a smile. I smile back as we hug, mostly for warmth. We sit and watch as the clock continues to count down. Fleur had been disqualified before we even got here, so it's just Harry and his treasure we're waiting on, and they're cutting it pretty close. Two more figures pop out of the water, but neither of them are Harry. It's Ron and Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle. Harry and Fleur's treasure. Fleur helps Gabrielle out of the water and wraps a towel around her before a few hands pull Ron up onto the platform too. "Where's Harry?" I call out over the crowd. I'm met with a shrug from the shivering red head. Helpful. A moment later, Harry launches out of the water, landing with a thud on the platform. "Harry!" Dumbledore exclaims as a few people rush to throw a towel on him as he coughs up some water. Hermione and Ron run to their friend's aid, while I head back over to Cedric. 

"ATTENTION!" Dumbledore Rumbleroars, his wand pointed at his throat to make his voice boom even more. "The winner is.. Mr. Diggory!" We all cheer, me especially as I hug my brother. "Who showed innate command of the Bubble-Head Charm. However, seeing as Mr. Potter would have finished first had it not been for his determination to rescue not only Mr. Weasley, but the others as well. We've agreed to award him second place!" The crowd cheers again. "For outstanding moral fibre!" Well done, Potter. Well done.