Trouble → Fred Weasley

XXXi| Second Task

Ron frowned. "How do you know that? You're not a prefect."

"I have my ways," Sapphire replied breezily, flashing a sly grin.

Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heel and headed for the library. She hadn't invited her Gryffindor friends to join her—she knew they'd only slow her down.

In the library, Sapphire joined Cedric, Alex, and Jaden. Together, they pored over books and brainstormed strategies for the second task. As the evening wore on, a plan began to take shape in her mind. She could only hope that Harry was making progress too.

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"I can't find him. Where the hell is here?"

"I don't know, he's your brother!"

"He's your his best friend!"

"Well...well I don't know where he went!" Jaden complained, crossing his arms.

Sapphire needed her brother there for the task; she didn't want to do it without him cheering her on. No matter how much they annoyed each other, they were family and they supported each other.

"Where did you see him last?" Sapphire questioned.

"We were getting into an argument with Draco then Snape called for him," Jaden paused. "Oh my Merlin, do you think this has something to do with the task?"

"I hope not."

The air around the Black Lake was crisp and filled with an electric hum of anticipation as Sapphire approached the shoreline. She couldn't help but glance at the grim water with unease. 

Fred and George Weasley were, as always, up to their usual antics. They had set up betting, coaxing galleons from eager students while loudly declaring odds. Sapphire found it hilarious considering she was competing.

"You shouldn't be doing that," Jaden scolded. "She could die!"

"Woah, I'm not going to die!" Sapphire complained.

"Of course not! But they shouldn't be making bets on that—"

Sapphire rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. Trailing behind her were Angelina, Alicia, and Lee Jordan, their chatter a low hum as they tried to piece together what the champions might face underwater.

As they reached the crowded lakeside, the magnitude of the event hit Sapphire fully. The champions were gathering, their nerves barely hidden behind calm façades. Sapphire took her place near the edge, eyes scanning the faces of Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour. But something was missing.

"Where's Harry?" she muttered to herself, her brow furrowing.

Just as the crowd's murmurs grew restless, Harry appeared, sprinting down from the castle. His hair was even more dishevelled than usual, and his expression teetered somewhere between panic and determination. Sapphire caught his eye and shot him a questioning look. He shrugged helplessly in response.

"Cutting it close, Hazza," she murmured under her breath, shaking her head with exasperation.

Ludo Bagman's voice boomed across the lake, amplified by magic. "Well, it looks like all our champions are finally assembled! The second task will commence shortly. Each champion has precisely one hour to recover what has been taken from them. The clock will begin on my whistle. On the count of three! One...two...three!"

The sharp blast of the whistle echoed through the air.

Sapphire didn't waste a moment. Drawing her wand, she performed the Bubble-Head Charm with a practised flick. A translucent sphere enveloped her head, allowing her to breathe underwater. Without hesitation, she dove into the icy depths of the lake.