[140] Echoes of the Deep

Two days later, Hall, carrying the golden egg, went to find Harry. He smiled and invited him to take a bath together.

Harry was stunned when he heard this. Surprise and confusion filled his face. Hall could even see a hint of fear. After all, for Harry, it was rather intimate.

Seeing Harry's reaction, Hall sighed. "Take the golden egg with you."

Harry understood.

Gryffindor bathrooms were communal, but Percy was a prefect, and prefects had their own private suites. Hall and Harry, carrying the golden eggs, used Percy's bathroom amidst his relentless nagging.

"Percy thinks this match is too dangerous — that I should withdraw," Hall said, frowning. "Mum and Dad are very supportive of me participating. I don't know where he gets all his worry."

Harry did not reply. He did not know what to say. He had never experienced this feeling of being worried about and proud of by family. In a corner unseen by Hall, a flicker of envy and loneliness passed through his eyes.

They placed the egg on the edge of the bathtub, turned on the tap, and filled the tub. Once it was full, Hall, dressed simply, got in first, still a little shy.

"I heard from Ron that Gryffindor has been ostracising you lately?" Hall leaned against the edge of the tub.

Harry got in. The water temperature was comfortable. He felt his tense nerves slowly relax. "It's normal. I'm young."

"I'm the same age as you, aren't I?" Hall paused. "If you run into difficulties —"

"Will you help solve them?" Harry asked curiously.

Hall shook his head, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "I'll teach you how to hit someone without getting caught."

They laughed, the sound echoing in the small space, dispelling the gloom in Harry's heart for a moment.

The golden egg lay to the side. Hall picked his up. Harry acted in unison, instinctively opening his egg.

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A piercing shriek assaulted his ears — so shrill it seemed to pierce the eardrums and penetrate the soul. Harry turned pale, quickly snapping the egg shut, his hands trembling slightly.

"Put it in the water," Hall said, carefully placing his egg in the water.

As the water submerged the egg, it began to emit a strange sound, like someone singing. Harry's eyes widened as he listened intently. The voice was barely audible through the water, like a distant murmur.

"Looks like we'll have to go under." Hall gestured towards the water, then took a deep breath and submerged.

Underwater, a melodious song drifted up.

Find us, where our voices are.

We cannot sing on land.

As you search, consider this carefully:

We have stolen your most beloved treasure.

You have only one hour

to find and reclaim what we have taken.

After one hour, all hope will be lost.

It will be gone forever.

Harry placed his golden egg in the water and heard the same song.

"Can't sing on land — does that mean mermaids?" Harry asked.

Hall nodded. "There are mermaids in the Black Lake."

"Mermaids in the Black Lake?!" Harry's face showed horror. "You said the fish in the Black Lake were delicious — you didn't mean —"

Hall rolled his eyes. "The Slytherin common room is at the bottom of the lake. Of course I know — I've seen them. As for the delicious fish, there are normal fish in the Black Lake too."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief.

They discussed what the "treasure" in the song referred to.

The day of the second task arrived. The stands were built over the Black Lake, allowing a clearer view of the champions' movements. They were already packed with people, all eagerly anticipating the next match.

"Four boys, one girl, two of whom are only twelve years old —" George shouted through the crowd, carrying a box on his back.

"Five people in the water. How many will survive?" Fred added.

"Have some decency!" a witch snapped as she passed.

The twins exchanged a glance, shrugged indifferently, and kept shouting. "Bets are in! Hall Weasley, ten to one —"

Hall walked past them, looking exasperated. "Are you serious?"

George and Fred pulled him aside. "Because of your performance last time, everyone thinks your luck is absolutely terrible. Your odds are the highest."

Hall spotted a familiar badge on their box. "Malfoy?"

"We're working with Malfoy now," George said.

"Just to make money," Fred said.

"Malfoy is annoying," George said.

"But the money is innocent," Fred said.

Hall shook his head and pulled Harry towards the lake. He could hardly stop them — he was making a profit too.

Hall had shared information about the golden egg with Cedric beforehand. Cedric approached him, looking confident.

"Hall, what method are you using? Do you need any help?"

Hall shook his head. He was ready.

Harry hurried over, his face full of anxiety. "Hall — Ron is missing. Sirius is missing too. Are they in danger?"

Hall glanced around the stands. Sure enough, neither of them was there. He tugged at Harry's robes and pointed to the lake. "The treasure."

Harry paused. Then he understood. "They're —"

Hall stopped him before he could finish. If Dumbledore and the headmasters heard them, they might change the rules at the last minute.