Now that Christmas was over the library became a popular place again. Students were working frantically on their schoolwork that they had stubbornly put off. The events of yesterday seemed so far away. The fun the majority of the school had during the snowball fight was forgotten. The events at the Yule Ball suddenly seemed so unimportant although it seemed that there was more whispering and giggling from groups of girls whenever Harry passed.

            “I hate that time, when you realize the holidays are almost over, it’s so depressing,” Lily said.

            “Lily, I always thought you loved studying,” James said.

            “I do, but no matter what you may think I am normal and love the holidays,” she said rolling her eyes.

Harry’s table was covered in books and rolls of parchment. He had just finished his Transfiguration essay and was reluctantly moving on to Potions. Hermione was sitting across from him, buried in her Arithmancy book. Ginny was sitting next to her writing her Defense Against the Dark Arts essay while trying to ignore Fred and George who were sitting across from her and talking in hushed voices. From the excitement in their voices there wasn’t any doubt schoolwork was the last thing they were discussing.

            “Wonder what they are up to,” Sirius said eagerly.

            “No good, for sure,” Lily said skulking.

Glancing around, Harry saw Ron sitting at a nearby table with Dean, Seamus, Neville, Parvati and Lavender. The four boys seemed to be stressed beyond belief while Parvati and Lavender whispered to each other, letting out an occasional giggle every now and then. Harry let out a sigh as he returned his attention to his essay. This was his last piece of homework he needed to complete then he could focus on the second task. He had every intention of trying Cedric’s advice. The only problem was he would it have to be done late at night when no one would see him sneaking into the Prefects’ Bathroom. Prefects were fifth year or higher so Harry was a year shy of even being considered access to the bathroom.

            “But can’t a prefect invite someone?” Sirius asked.

            “No, or else everyone above fifth year would be using the bathroom. It’s supposed to be a reward for those who applied themselves and became prefects. Also for the extra work,” Lily said.

            James opened his mouth to say that Moony had taken them hundreds of times but he decided to keep that little tidbit to himself.

Once Harry had finished his essay he packed everything up, catching the attention of everyone around him no matter how quiet he was trying to be. That was certainly different from before Christmas when he could even talk to himself without distracting anyone since no one was around. Okay, I may need to find another secluded place. I won’t be able to work on the clue with the entire school around.

            “Oh, Harry. Just ask those two,” James said pointing at his friends, “we know loads of secluded places.”

            “No doubt about that. With the amount of planning your pranks must take you must have a headquarters stashed somewhere,” Lily huffed. The three grinned mischieviously.

Hermione looked up at Harry curiously as she put down her book. “Harry, what do you think you’re doing?” she asked. “We have schoolwork to do. Do you have any idea how long it will take us to complete of Defense Against the Dark Arts essay?”

“Two and a half hours,” Harry recited quietly as he stood up, hanging onto his schoolbag tightly so it wouldn’t rip open. “Hermione, what do you think I was doing before Christmas? I needed a break from working on the clue from time to time. I’m finished.” He handed over a book he was about to return to the stacks. “This should help on the Potions essay,” he added with a smile. “Have fun.”

            “Oh, she isn’t going to be happy that someone finished before her,” Remus shook his head.

Hermione scowled as Fred and George desperately fought to hold back their laughter. Harry left the library, determined not to look at all of the students who were staring at Harry in disbelief. It was surly the sign of the apocalypse when Hermione Granger needed help on any sort of schoolwork and that was what Harry Potter had just done.

That night with the aid of his invisibility cloak and the Marauder’s Map, Harry snuck out of the Gryffindor Tower with his school bag containing his golden egg, ink, quill, and a few pieces of parchment then headed directly for the Prefects’ Bathroom. He reached the statue of a wizard looking lost with his gloves placed on the wrong hands and continued walking until he reached the designated door. After double checking to make sure no one was around, Harry whispered the password and stepped back as the door slowly opened.

As quickly and quietly as possible Harry entered the room and closed the door behind him, making sure it was bolted shut. He didn’t want to take any chances. Certain that no one could enter, Harry pulled off his invisibility cloak and glanced around the large room. The lighting was dim but Harry could see the enormous swimming pool in the size of a rectangle built into the middle of the floor. Golden taps surrounded the pool, each one having a jewel on the handle that was a different color. There was even a diving board which Harry thought was a little over the top. On the wall there was a portrait of a blonde mermaid who was sleeping. Harry made a mental note to be absolutely quiet so not to wake her.

            “We know all that,” Sirius rolled his eyes.

            “How?” Lily asked suspiciously.

            “Hum,” Sirius looked at his friends.

            “Moony told us!” James said quickly.

            “Yeah, yeah, good old Moony!” Sirius said.

            “Right,” Lily said shortly at the same time that Remus cried “I am not old! Stop with the old thing!”

After setting his schoolbag down, Harry slowly opened it and pulled out his supplies. Feeling a little self conscious, Harry transfigured his pants into a pair of swimming trunks. He grabbed one of the towels and placed it at the edge of the pool before removing his shirt, wand holster, shoes and socks. He turned on a few of the taps and filled the pool with hot water as he put his supplies near his towel. Once he turned off the taps, Harry slowly slid into the pool, grabbing his egg as he did so.

Taking in a deep breath, Harry sunk below the surface and opened the egg. A chorus of voices unlike any Harry had heard before filled his ears. It was almost creepy sounding.

‘Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you’re searching, ponder this:

We’ve taken what you’ll sorely miss,

An hour long you’ll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour – the prospect’s black

Too late, it’s gone, it won’t come back.’

            “Can I see that,” Remus asked and he and Lily went over the poem a few times.

            “The voices must be the merpeople. So he has to go where they live,” she said.

            “He has to go to the sea?” James asked.

            “No, I think there are merpeople on the lake. So he has to go in the lake,” Sirius said.

            “Oh, that’s ok then,” James said sarcastically, “He just has to go one hour without breathing!”

Harry closed the egg, let out a little of the breath he was holding before opening it again. He listened closely to the poem one more time before breaking the surface and releasing the remainder of the breath he was holding. As quickly as possible Harry set the egg down at the edge of the pool before drying off his hands and arms. He then dipped his quill in his ink and started writing everything he could remember. He had managed to write down half of the poem before he needed to listen to it again.

Once he had the entire poem written down, Harry pulled himself out of the pool and dried himself off. He put his shirt back on and wrapped his towel around his waist then sat down on the floor and took a good look at the poem. It was simple enough to translate: find the merfolk, recover what they took of yours within an hour or you lose. That meant Harry needed to be able to breathe under water for an hour.

This just keeps getting better and better.

            “I know what you mean,” James said sympathetically.

He cleaned up his mess as quickly as possible, finished redressing then checked the Marauder’s Map again before leaving hidden under his invisibility cloak. There was no one around giving Harry the opportunity to hurry back to the Gryffindor Tower unnoticed. He knew he wouldn’t be able to get any further tonight and was prepared for another long day in the library. Other than the fact he couldn’t swim very well, Harry had to figure out a way to breathe. They hadn’t covered that yet in any of his classes.

By the time classes started up again Harry had determined that there were three possible areas for breathing underwater: Charms, Transfiguration and Potions. He had started off with Charms, searching through books for any possibilities. He found a Bubble-Head charm and wrote down everything he could find. Next was Transfiguration. The obvious answer was transfiguring himself into a water animal but his research on that proved that possibility to be a less desired one. It was extremely difficult and could easily have consequences that Harry didn’t even want to think about.

            “Besides, it’s going to take more than the time you have to get it right,” Remus said professorly, “I would go either with the Bubble charm or use Gillyweed.”

            “I think Gillyweed is best since the Bubble Charm is also something Harry would have to learn to perfection in such a short time,” Lily agreed with him. Sirius stared at them, then at James. He mouthed “bookworms” and they both burst out laughing much to the other two displeasure.

Harry was still researching for a possible potion to help but hadn’t come up with a solution yet. He had lost track of how many books he had looked through and couldn’t ask Professor Snape for any help (not like he wanted to).

            “Like he’d help,” Sirius snorted.

 Harry knew there had to be some other option, he just couldn’t find it. That was probably was what most aggravating, knowing something was out there but unable to find it.

It became more difficult for Harry to research with classes starting up again. The chilly weather made all students dread their outdoor classes, especially Care of Magical Creatures where there was no shelter whatsoever. Harry and Hermione had prepared that morning for another class period with the Skrewts that they had been tending to but were surprised to see someone else waiting for them.

A woman with short grey hair stood in place of Hagrid. She introduced herself as Professor Grubbly-Plank and would be their temporary teacher for Hagrid who was indisposed at the moment. This made both Harry and Hermione nervous. Hagrid loved teaching more than anything. He would never miss a class unless something horrible had happened.

            “What happened to Hagrid?” Lily asked desperately shaking James.

            “Calm down woman, I don’t as much as you do!”

            She recomposed herself, blushing and kept reading.

Professor Grubbly-Plank ushered the class to the edge of the Forest where a large unicorn was tied up. Harry’s heart immediately went out to the creature. It didn’t deserve this treatment so students could stare at it. All of Hagrid’s creatures seemed to participate voluntarily in classes. Harry met the creature’s gaze and for a long moment neither of them moved. Harry didn’t know how but he understood the unicorn. Almost instinctively Harry bowed his head to the animal who returned the gesture.

            “Strange, I though unicorns didn’t like boys,” Remus said.

            “Maybe he realizes Harry is different than most,” James said hopefully. Remus bit his lip with a suspicious look. Something was going on and Remus, ever the scholar, wanted to know what.

“Now, boys please stay back,” Professor Grubbly-Plank ordered. “Unicorns prefer to be touched by women.”

The girls in the class grinned and slowly approached. Seeing so many people coming, the unicorn started to thrash about in fear. Professor Grubbly-Plank instantly ordered everyone to step back and wait for the creature to calm down. Knowing that wasn’t going to happen soon, Harry stepped forward, ignoring the warnings Hermione and the substitute teacher were giving him. Harry held up his hands, showing the unicorn he meant no harm as he continued to approach.

The unicorn started to calm down but never took its eyes off of Harry but there was no fear, just curiosity. Once again Harry bowed his head respectfully before reaching out and gently touching the face and started rubbing it, soothing the creature. “There now,” Harry said softly. “We mean you no harm. We just want to understand your kind.”

            “See, told you that’s strange, a unicorn would never let a male touch it,” Remus said, “Harry is doing something unconsciously.”

The unicorn let out a noise that could only be characterized as a sarcastic snort. Harry let out a laugh as the unicorn moved closer to him, bowing its head in submission. He wasn’t aware that unicorns knew what sarcasm was. Looking back at the class, Harry suddenly grew nervous when he saw that everyone was staring at him in shock. How was he going to explain this?

“Er—I think it should be okay now,” Harry said as he continued to stroke the creature. “Just keep it to a few at a time. He isn’t too trusting of humans.”

Parvati and Lavender were the first group to approach carefully, ready to hurry back if the unicorn started acting up again. Harry kept rubbing the creature’s face and talking softly to it while student after student gently pet it. Professor Grubbly-Plank finally recovered from her shock and started informing the class about unicorns. Harry ignored the curious glances he received from her, silently pleading for class to end soon. He knew he would have to make a quickly departure to avoid the inevitable questions.

The moment they were dismissed Harry bid farewell to the unicorn then hurried to catch up with Hermione who was standing by Malfoy with an outraged look on her face. That was never a good thing. “You foul, loathsome, miserable little ferret!” Hermione cried as she pulled out her wand and pointed it at Malfoy. “How dare you say something like that!”

            “What? What did the little ferret do?” Sirius growled menacingly.

Harry quickly put an arm around Hermione and held her back. “I suggest you run, Malfoy,” he said evenly. Malfoy didn’t need to be told twice and hurried off with the rest of the Slytherins. As soon as they were far enough away, Harry released Hermione and turned her around so they faced each other. “Hermione, what happened?” he asked.

Hermione handed over an issue of the ‘Daily Prophet’. Harry unfolded it and saw the large headline ‘DUMBLEDORE’S GIANT MISTAKE’ with a picture of Hagrid underneath it. It was an article by Rita Skeeter badmouthing Hagrid, his history and his teaching methods. It even claimed that Hagrid was part-giant before giving a horrid description of what giants were like.

“Hagrid is not like them!” James cried.

“Yeah, he’s just size! He’s the gentlest person we know!” Sirius backed his friend and the other two were nodding.

 Reaching the end of the article, Harry’s eyes widened when he saw his name mentioned.

This reporter has to wonder what Albus Dumbledore is trying to accomplish, having a volatile half-breed teach children including the-boy-who-lived. Sources reveal Dumbledore was the wizard in charge of Harry Potter after that fateful night so many years ago. The Headmaster of Hogwarts had placed young Harry with his abusive aunt and uncle only to remove the child from their care, giving him to an ex-convict and a werewolf.

            “So what?” Lily growled, “An innocent ex-convict and one of the best person I know, even if he gets cranky once a month. I do too!” she spat. Remus grinned at this, cranky indeed.

 If history is any indicator of the decisions made by Albus Dumbledore, this reporter has no doubt Harry Potter will be removed from the endangering household before something dire occurs.

            “No he won’t” James yelled.

Harry couldn’t move. He couldn’t even breathe. Removed? No, that was impossible. Sirius and Remus were his guardians. They treated him better than anyone ever had. They were his family more than the Dursleys ever were. Both of them had given up so much for him and had risked so much more. Sirius risked being kissed by Dementors for escaping Azkaban and Remus has risked his own freedom by helping Harry find out the truth last year.

“Harry?” Hermione asked gently. “Are you all right?”

“Uh,no,” Sirius said in “isn’t that obvious way”. Lily cuffed his head.

            “She’s being concerned,” she huffed.

            “Stupid questions should be met with stupid answers,” he said evenly. Lily rolled her eyes.

Meeting her gaze was all Harry needed to do to let Hermione know he was far from all right. He couldn’t believe this. Hagrid was part-giant. So what? Hagrid wasn’t even remotely dangerous. The only part of him that could be considered dangerous was his love of dangerous creatures. It was just like Remus. Anyone who knew either man would know without a shadow of a doubt that they weren’t dangerous.

“We need to see Hagrid tonight after classes,” Harry said quietly as they started walking back to the castle. “I would like to know how Rita Skeeter found out. We’ve known Hagrid for years and he hasn’t said anything to us.”

“Hagrid might have let it slip,” Hermione offered. “He’s done it in the past.”

            “Not about this he wouldn’t,” Remus said grimly.

“Not like this,” Harry said. “I can’t believe she dragged me into it. It’s not like anyone forced me to take Hagrid’s class or live with Sirius and Remus. Just when I think it can’t get any worse something like this happens.”

Hermione looked at Harry sympathetically. “Don’t worry about it, Harry,” she said gently. “It will go away in a few days.”

            “Hardly,” James grunted, “Hermione is underestimating the prejudice of the Wizarding World.”

Harry couldn’t believe Hermione was being so passive about this. “Hermione, it will never go away,” he said in a hushed voice. “Do you have any idea how the wizarding world treats half-breeds? Do you know how close I was to returning to the Dursleys last year because Remus couldn’t adopt me for the stupid reason that he’s a werewolf? Werewolves and giants are considered dark. They have no rights whatsoever. The only reason the Ministry is allowing Remus to be in my life is to shut Sirius and me up. We were lucky Sirius was found innocent and was allowed to become my guardian.”

Hermione stared at Harry, horrified as they walked up the steps and into the Entrance Hall. “B—but that’s not fair!” she exclaimed, earning several stares for her outburst. She glanced around nervously then leaned closer to Harry. “Remus is harmless,” Hermione whispered. “He would never hurt you, Harry. Everyone can see how much he cares for you.”

            “It’s astounding how prejudice can blind people,” Lily scowled.

“I know that,” Harry said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hagrid would never hurt anyone either…not intentionally at least. We just have to make Hagrid believe that we don’t care what his blood makeup is. He was the first friend I ever had and I’m not turning my back on him.”

            “I am very proud of you Harry,” James said firmly and the others nodded, “Let Hagrid know that you don’t care just like we did.”

            “You knew?” Lily asked.

            “You didn’t?” Remus asked dubiously.

            “Yes I did. It was the only explanation for his size.”

“Me neither,” Hermione said with a smile.

It was just after dinner when Harry and Hermione hurried to Hagrid’s cabin. Harry knocked a few times but received no answer other than Fang’s barking. Worried that something may be wrong Harry pulled out his wand and unlocked the door. He knocked again as he slowly opened the door. Fang’s barking increased the moment Harry poked his head in. At least someone was happy to see him.

The cabin was dimply lit but it was easy to see Hagrid hunched over his table with a bottle in his hand. Harry’s eyes widened at the sight. This wasn’t good. Harry remembered how Uncle Vernon was when he drank and could only hope that Hagrid wasn’t an angry drunk.

            “No, Hagrid is a mopy drunk,” Sirius said, “Don’t worry.”

            “Remember when he got drunk after that Threstal got badly injured last year,” James said and Sirius and Remus nodded, “Poor guy, after a while he started telling us everything about how his dad died and Dumbledore helped him, sad story.”

“Hagrid?” Harry asked nervously. “Hagrid, are you all right?”

Hagrid looked up at Harry and instantly looked away. Harry entered the cabin and instantly started petting Fang to calm him down. Hermione followed Harry, closing the door the moment she stepped in. Slowly, Harry made his way towards Hagrid and sat down across from him, Fang sitting down right at Harry’s side and Hermione sitting down on the chair between Harry and Hagrid. He could see tears escaping Hagrid’s eyes and gently pried the bottle out of Hagrid’s hand. The last thing Hagrid needed was more alcohol.

“What’re yeh doin’ here Harry?” Hagrid asked as more tears fell. “Didn’ yeh see the article?”

Harry pulled the article out of his pocket and set it down on the table. “You mean this rubbish?” Harry asked as he started to pet Fang. “Hagrid, I live with a werewolf. Why would you ever think that I would care who your parents may be? You are my friend. Do you have any idea what you’ve done for me? You introduced me to this world. You rescued me from all of the lies the Dursleys fed me for all those years. You and Remus are two of the best people I know. I would rather be in your company than a pureblood like Malfoy any day.”

            “Yeah, me too!” cried Sirius, James and Lily at the same time making Remus blush seven shades of red.

Hagrid looked up at Harry and smiled. “Yeh really mean that?” he asked hopefully.

Harry smiled back. “I don’t say anything I don’t mean,” he said. “It’s a flaw in my personality. Sirius says that’s why I’m such a bad liar.”

            “Sirius! Stop encouraging Harry to lie!” Lily scolded and Sirius smiled sheepishly.

Hagrid snorted at the comment. “Honestly Hagrid. I don’t care what anyone says or any reporter writes to sell papers. You will always be my friend. I trust you with my life. Remus told me a lot of how the wizarding world treats werewolves. I know how hard this is going to be for you but we’ll do whatever we can to help.”

“Harry’s right, Hagrid,” Hermione added. “Just say the word and we’ll do what we can to make that horrible Skeeter woman—”

“—no!” Hagrid interrupted. “I don’ need yeh two gettin’ in trouble ‘cause of this. I don’ know how she found out. I only told Ma’ame Maxime the nigh’ of the Yule Ball. Rita Skeeter wasn’ even on the grounds. I would’ve seen her. Yeh two mean well but yeh don’ know Rita Skeeter. She will make up wha’ever she wants ‘bout yeh. Yeh don’ need that, especially yeh, Harry. I saw what she wrote ‘bout yeh in the article. She’s tryin’ ter make a fuss right now, questionin’ Sirius and Remus like that. Don’ worry. Yer godfather is probably already at the ‘Daily Prophet’ rantin’ ‘bout the article. Good man, Sirius. Loves yeh more than life itself.”

            “Yes I do!” Sirius said proudly and then as if the remembered something he added, “And I am!” The other three had to chuckle.

Harry couldn’t help but smile. That sounded just like something Sirius would do. He just prayed it wouldn’t result in more problems. “Listen Hagrid, we’re not going to force you to come out of here,” he said. “If you’re not ready to face everyone, you’re not ready. We can visit you if you want but you shouldn’t lock yourself away from all contact and you certainly shouldn’t bury your sorrows in a bottle of—” he glanced at the label on the bottle “—Firewhisky.”

Hagrid brushed his tears away and took the bottle from Harry. “Yer right,” he admitted. “I’m sorry yeh two had ter see me like this. Yeh have more importan’ things then ter come out here. Yeh still workin’ on that clue, Harry?”

Harry nodded. “I’m almost there,” he said. “I just need to figure out some of the particulars.” It was more or less the truth. He had figured out the egg but not how he was going to accomplish what the egg wanted him to do. Hagrid didn’t need to know the details, especially now.

Hagrid smiled. “That’s great!” he said happily, his depression instantly forgotten. “Yeh were unbelievable against the dragon. I know yeh’ll do fine with this. I’m proud of yeh Harry. I know yer parents would be too.”

            “Immensely,” James and Lily said in unison. James looked at her delighted while she looked shocked at agreeing with James.

Harry and Hermione bid farewell, promising to visit every night before hurrying back to the castle. Hagrid’s happiness only added to the pressure Harry already felt. Before the first task he was the underdog. Now, everyone was expecting him to live up to his first place standing. He knew he still had time and hoped he could find some answers at Hogsmeade. The next visit was scheduled halfway through January. Instead of stopping at Zonko’s and Honeydukes, Harry planned on stopping at the potions shop and book store. Hopefully one of them would have something to help.

---

Professor Grubbly-Plank taught Hagrid’s classes for the remainder of the week. Harry and Hermione kept their word and did visit, usually bringing food from dinner for their friend. Most of the time Harry and Hermione sat at Hagrid’s table working on schoolwork while Hagrid ate. According to Hagrid, several of the teachers had stopped by during the week, including Professor Dumbledore. He seemed to be in better spirits but was still reluctant to face the school yet. At least he wasn’t drinking anymore.

By the time the Hogsmeade weekend arrived Harry hadn’t gained any ground on his research. Harry and Hermione left early that morning to avoid any crowds and visit the stores that students rarely entered. To sequester her curiosity, Harry had told Hermione the clue from the egg and how far he was for possible ways to complete the task. He couldn’t help laughing at how eager Hermione was to help out since none of this had been covered in classes yet.

            “When did we cover Gillyweed?” James asked.

            “Almost at the end of last year, in Herbology, and Slughorn just mentioned it in passing saying he would get into it better this year,” Remus answered pensively.

            “And bubble charms we only learned this year too,” Lily said grimly, “If Harry hadn’t researched he wouldn’t have found anything on his curriculum.”

The potions shop was their first stop on the cold and wet morning. Sitting on the floor, Harry and Hermione browsed through books looking for anything that could help. After the third book Harry was certain that he wasn’t going to find a solution. Perhaps there wasn’t a potion to find after all which left the Bubble Head Charm. Glancing over at Hermione, Harry could see she was about ready to give up too.

A soft voice from behind made both of them jump. “Is there something I can help you two with?” asked a middle aged woman. Her dark brown hair was pulled back tightly revealing her high cheekbones and hazel colored eyes. She had a skeptical look on her face. She looked like she was ready to kick them out for just being there.

“We were just hoping we could find a potion to make someone breathe under water for a long period of time,” Harry said nervously. “None of the books in the Hogwarts library were any help—”

“—that is because it is a very difficult potion to make,” the clerk interrupted. “I’m sure if you ask your Potions teacher—”

“—I’m not allowed to, ma’am,” Harry interrupted. He knew he was going to regret it the moment the words came out of his mouth but it was the only way to make the clerk believe him. “I can’t ask any teacher for help with the Tournament.”

The clerk’s eyes immediately stared at Harry’s forehead as she gasped in shock. “Harry Potter!” she exclaimed. “I’m so sorry! We never have teenagers in here

            “Now, that’s not true,” James said crossing his arms, “We are there all the time.”

            “Yes, and if she remembers us she doesn’t have fond memories of teenagers in her shop,” Remus pointed out.

            “If it’s the same clerk she’s not that much older than us, what is she in her twenties?” Sirius, always the flirter asked.

            “Yeah, I think that’s her family’s shop, so unless she sold the business that’s her,” James said.

            “See, so she must have very fond memories of me,” Sirius said grinning. Lily rolled her eyes and said:

            “Yes, because it’s every twenty something woman’s dream to have a hormonal sixteen year old coming on to her.”

            “See, you think so too,” Sirius said happily and James and Remus burst in laughter. Sirius was very put out by this.

much less the-boy-who-lived!” She quickly helped Harry and Hermione to their feet. “I know just the thing for you, Mr. Potter!”

The two teenagers watched in startled silence as the clerk hurried over to the potion supplies. If they knew they would have gotten that reaction they would have asked for help sooner. “Well,” Hermione said as she glanced at Harry, “next place we’ll just announce who you are the moment we enter. It makes things so much easier.”

Harry glared at Hermione. “Don’t even think of it,” he warned. “It was the only way to get her off our backs.”

The clerk came hurrying back with a bottle half filled with a clear liquid that seemed to be preserving ball of what looked like slimy, grayish green rat tails. “This is Gillyweed, Mr. Potter,” the clerk said with a smile. “You need to eat it and it will allow you to breathe underwater. It is much more reliable than any charm or potion and also much simpler.”

            Lily looked triumphantly at the others. Unfortunately that was completely lost in them.

Harry couldn’t help but look at the strange ball in the bottle hopefully. He hadn’t even thought of any sort of substance that would do exactly what he wanted. “Seriously?” Harry asked. “All I have to do is eat it?” He smiled when the clerk nodded. “I’ll take it!”

With his newly purchased Gillyweed, Harry followed Hermione out of the store feeling a large weight being lifted off of his shoulders. Now all he had to do was figure out how to swim. He knew the concept behind it but that was all. The Dursleys wouldn’t let him have lessons and the thought of practicing in the lake in the middle of January was one of the last things he wanted to do.

            “It’s going to be freezing. Even in February,” Lily said and the others shivered.

            “What were they thinking?” Sirius asked disbelieving.

            “They are testing endurance too, I guess,” Remus said, “They have to make it in freezing water for a whole hour. That will be tough.”

            “He could use a heating charm,” James said.

            “He could,” Remus nodded, “But then he’d risk attracting water creatures with the heat.”

            “Better than freezing,” Sirius said.

            “Depends on which creatures he attracts,” Lily answered.

Now with plenty of time to spare, Harry and Hermione took their time strolling through Hogsmeade. They decided to take a rest in Three Broomsticks, ordering a Butterbeer and relaxing. In all honesty both Harry and Hermione felt exhausted. They had been doing their best to complete their schoolwork in addition to keeping Hagrid company. Harry couldn’t help feeling bitter that they had been the only two students giving Hagrid their support, not even Ron had visited.

            “That’s not very nice,” Lily huffed.

            “I think most students don’t like Hagrid as a teacher,” Remus said and at the glares of death he received he expanded, “He does tend to get them some, er, exquisite creatures to study.”

That was probably the final nail in the coffin. Ever since Ron had voiced his jealousy he had completely changed. He didn’t talk to his siblings anymore, he ignored Hermione and wouldn’t even look at Harry. How could things have gone so wrong? “Hermione, have you heard anything from Ron?” Harry asked softly.

Hermione suddenly tensed. “Actually I have,” she admitted. “I was talking to Parvati and Lavender the other day when the topic Ron came up. I guess Ron wants to talk to us but is afraid we’re still angry with him about what he said. I talked to Ron about it when you were in the library and he denied ever saying that. I told him we weren’t mad anymore and we missed him but he would have to quit being a prat and apologize to you.”

            “Yeas, like that is going to happen if he doesn’t even admit to wanting to talk to them,” Sirius snorted.

            “Let’s wait, he may surprise us,” Remus said hopeful.

Harry closed his eyes and bowed his head. “I never meant to involve you in this Hermione,” he said softly. “I hate that Ron’s siblings have turned against him. If I was in his shoes I don’t know what I would do.”

“Er—don’t look now but Rita Skeeter just arrived with her photographer,” Hermione said as she tried to nonchalantly hide her face with her right hand. “We should leave before I do something I’ll regret.”

            Groans were heard and Sirius was making shooing gestures with his hands as if he could get Harry to move faster that way.

Harry glanced over his shoulder and saw Rita Skeeter wearing yellow robes moving towards the bar to purchase drinks with the photographer following her. The moment she reached the bar, Harry took that as his cue and nodded at Hermione that now was the time to leave. As quietly as possible, Harry and Hermione stood and maneuvered around the tables for the door. They weren’t fast enough though.

“Harry!” Rita Skeeter called out excitedly as Harry opened the door to leave.

“Keep moving,” Hermione muttered from behind him and Harry did just that. He opened the door and walked out with Hermione following. All of a sudden Hogsmeade was the last place Harry wanted to be. His good mood from gaining ground on the second task was now gone. It was amazing how one person could cause such a change and Rita Skeeter was certainly capable of that.

“Harry!” Rita Skeeter called again as she hurried to Harry and Hermione, her quill and parchment already in her hands. “How about an interview? Just a quick one. The public is dying to know what it is like to live with Sirius Black and a werewolf. Do they treat you well? Have you ever been around when Mr. Lupin transforms?”

            “OF COURSE NOT!” Remus cried outraged, “I would never put him in such danger!”

            “We know that Moony,” Lily said, “Calm down.”

            “But she-“ he said desperately.

            “She’s a cow and is just trying to stir trouble,” Sirius said shortly, “Don’t take anything she says into account.”

“No comment,” Harry said tensely as he continued walking. He couldn’t believe Rita Skeeter was talking about Remus like this. Remus wasn’t just a werewolf. He was a person just like everyone else. Why didn’t anyone see that? Why did everyone only see the wolf and not the man?

            “Because people fear what they don’t understand and when they fear something they belittle it so that it looks less scary,” Remus said.

            “Still wrong,” James said scowling and crossing his arms.

“It will only take a moment,” Rita Skeeter insisted. “What could it hurt?”

With Rita Skeeter as the reporter? Plenty. Harry wasn’t about to do anything that would give Rita Skeeter ammunition for another article. He didn’t need her depicting Sirius and Remus as unfit guardians, which was what she was probably after. How could she even think Harry would say anything after what she had done to Hagrid?

            “I don’t think she reasons like normal people do,” Lily snorted, “She is always after a scoop and thinks you’re obligated to give it to her.”

Harry continued walking with Hermione, determined not to say another word. The moment they reached the gates of Hogwarts was when Rita stopped following. They didn’t stop walking until they reached the steps of the castle. Only then did Harry and Hermione let out a sigh of relief. They had escaped Rita Skeeter for now but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t try again. Harry knew Rita Skeeter wouldn’t stop until she got her article no matter what she had to do. She couldn’t seem to leave him alone.

            “Of course not,” Remus said bitterly, “The Boy Who Lived sells.”