SuperPotterLock- The Goblet of Fire

The Second Task

Once Harry had told the others about what he had seen on the Marauder's Map, Ron's speculating once again turned to suspecting Snape of putting Harry's name in the Goblet.

'For the last time, Ron, it's not Snape,' John insisted, while they were discussing the matter in the back of Charms class.

'How do you know? It's not like you can see it.'

John's cheeks reddened.

'Ron!' Hermione hissed. 'Don't be so rude.'

John shook his head. As much as he disliked having it pointed out, it was true that he still couldn't see who had put Harry's name in the Goblet. Since forcing himself all the way back to Malfoy's ferret adventure, John had been a little more optimistic about his power and had tried once again to see who had done it. Much to his dismay, he found the same odd barrier around it as he had the tasks. Even the second task had slipped back out of his grasp, much to his frustration. He looked up at Sherlock, who was sitting next to Castiel. Neither of them were practicing the Banishing Charm they were supposed to be practicing. Sherlock was thinking hard, his brow furrowed. He was clearly in his mind palace, sorting through all the spells and charms he knew, trying to find something that would help Harry.

Cas was harder to read. He appeared to have recovered from whatever it was, but he was still withdrawn and staring into space. He had returned to the hospital wing to assist Madam Pomfrey, but didn't talk much. John wished there was something he could do to help, but he was still unable to see the problem, although Dean keeping up a relentless stream of jokes whenever he was around Cas produced a small smile every now and again.

John sighed. What was the point in having this power if he couldn't see anything useful?

After the lesson, Sherlock grabbed Harry and dragged him into an empty classroom. 'I've got it!' he said. 'It's been so long since I used it, I'd filed it away under "Minor Usage".' His eyes shone in excitement. John, Ron and Hermione had followed them into the classroom, but Cas had disappeared.

'What is it?' Hermione asked eagerly.

'The Bubble-Head Charm.'

'Of course!' Hermione said, slapping her forehead. 'But I've never used it; is it difficult?'

Sherlock stalled for a moment, trying to work out whether or not it would be difficult for them.

'It's not difficult for him,' John said, translating the silence. 'Ah, okay, it's relatively simple to cast, but takes a lot of concentration to keep it going. Right?'

Sherlock nodded. 'Perhaps a demonstration...' He pulled out his wand and pointed it at his own face. 'Papula Caput,' he said, slowly and clearly. An array of bubbles flew out of the end of his wand, encircled is mouth and nose, and came together to form one big bubble on his face. He beckoned for them all to come closer to get a good look.

John looked at it carefully, but the only thing that occurred to him about it was that it would be difficult to do any kissing past it.

Sherlock turned slightly pink, and John hid his smile behind his hand; once again forgetting that Sherlock knew perfectly well what he was thinking.

Sherlock released the spell, and Hermione tried it next.

It wasn't as steady a flow as Sherlock's, and the whole thing wavered when it came together around her face. She let it go and frowned. 'It seems a bit thin,' she said. 'Some practice would help though. You try it, Harry.'

Harry's was even worse than Hermione's. The bubbles didn't all join up into a whole, and it all popped almost immediately.

'Well, we've got time to practice,' Hermione said uneasily.