Water is Wet. Who'da thunk it?
Jessie's POV
The symbols on the egg were easy enough to decode, especially with Sam’s help. The spacy friend excelled in Ancient Runes; it's just about the only thing that gets her to stop talking nonsense which rivals Luna Lovegood's tidbits of knowledge. Most of the carvings on the golden dragon egg were about fish and water and legends to do with sea creatures. So, in a genius move, Jessie started with plopping the egg into a full sink in the Gryffindor dorm. Some water splashed over the edge as the volume was displaced and messed up her shoes, which she griped about to herself.
Motherfucker, these are NEW DESIGNER MARY JANES!
Fuck you, physics!
In return for her efforts, she got absolutely nothing, no sound could be heard. It was then, Jessie got the idea to listen closer, and so when her ear touched the surface of the water, as it occasionally dripped over the side like an infinity pool, she heard the singing.
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.
Jessie took over one of the stone railings in the courtyard, curling her legs up over a heavy quilt she had laid across the large, abrasive surface, even setting a pillow she had brought from her dorm so she could lean comfortably back into something other than granite. She deemed it her 'study place', under one arch in particular that gave her some sight into the exit of the Hufflepuff dorm (for...reasons...to do with a certain chestnut-haired boy). This place, or Hogsmeade with a pint of butterbeer, was about the only way she could efficiently study. Unlike most, the elder Potter needs consistent distractions in order to, ironically, focus. She stared, with a surprising amount of uncharacteristic silence, at her messy notes from the sink incident, as kids clattered over the stone walkways, heading in and out of the school, talking, singing Christmas Carols for the holiday soon to come, creating the perfect environment for crazed, singular attention.
Come seek us where our voices sound, we cannot sing above the ground…
Okay, Jessie thought that was easy. The voices are of singing Merpeople, which can only talk under water. Otherwise, in the air, they screech, just like the sound produced by this infernal egg if it is not opened underwater.
We’ve taken what you’ll sorely miss…
How ominous. With her luck, it’ll be her wand! Or her pride and self-respect, which seem to be dwindling lately.
Again, she has perfect view of everyone coming in and out of the Hufflepuff hovel.
An hour long you’ll have to look, and to recover what we took…
So, a search mission.
But past an hour, the prospect’s black, too late, it’s gone, it won’t come back…
The competition is a mere hour long.
Black...Black...
Black Lake?
Jessie frowned and ask herself, Wait, are there merpeople in the Great Lake??
Bigger question...Why???
“Hey, Jessie!”
Jessie fumbled with her piece of parchment and quill as the disembodied voice surprised her out of her deep, meditative focus in the lively fray of school. Though, despite the shock, it was clear enough in a moment who was the source of the disturbance: Cedric. He popped out from between the columns of the courtyard hall where she sat, decoding. His boyish smile brightened when her eyes located him, practically standing in a rose bush to get to her from the grassy side.
“Sorry for startling you,” he said quickly, looking a bit guilty and embarrassed, and smiling all the more for it.
Merlin, his smile is so cute.
That was the only successful thought she would really make.
“Oh, it’s totally fine. No harm done,” Jessie replied equally as fast. Her heart rate jacked up to a nice sprint. “What’s up?” She tried to sound effortless and at ease. Maybe it worked, maybe it didn’t. Maybe she just sounded like a breathless idiot. She struggled to find an attractive position for her legs, laying them more languidly, relaxed, cool, over the stone wall.
“I was wondering if you…you know…the egg..." Cedric tried to allude to it slyly, eyes darting to make sure their secret wasn't known, and he failed horribly at that, but at least he was adorable in doing so. That’s what counts in the end, according to Jessie. A boy's level of cuteness. Several students stopped to gawk at the Champions and listened into their conversation, some even were desperate to trail behind the Hufflepuff Heartthrob as a possy of friendlies. Jessie couldn't care less about them.
She nodded her head enthusiastically, hoping to get an opportunity to help her enemy, an expected lack of moral fibre for the girl. “Yeah, I got the riddle. You?”
God, was it hot out here? No, it was freezing, she was just a hot mess! Oh, no! Was she turning red?!
Jessie nervously flipped her hair this way and that, creating her own wind tunnel current. If Cedric knew why she was nervous, he didn't betray it. He only smiled brighter at hearing her good news. “Yeah, I figured it out. But, it was not so easy, I'll admit," he said in earnest.
Dammit! Jessie lamented.
“Pretty weird poem, isn’t it?” Cedric continued, unaware of Jessie’s tumultuous internal commentary. “I made the dumb decision of picking the prefect baths…with Myrtle in it…” What could be considered a blush popped up on his cheeks. Clearly, the infamous, nosy ghost got a bit too personal. Jessie was jealous. The concept of death seemed more appealing, if she could pass walls and find her way into Cedric's dorms. “Anyway, I was going to offer a hint, but I should have known you’d figure it out,” he complimented his lecherous half-stalker.
Be still, my heart.
Merlin, is he going to ask me to the ball?! Please, please, please!
“Oh, oh...Well, th--that's really nice of you," Jessie smiled way too wide, her hope blooming. “But, you do know it’s a competition, right?” She joked, trying to look flirtatious in her light tease. She probably failed.
He chuckled, the sound sending goosebumps of hope up Jessie's arms. “I figured we should look out for each other, since we’re both representing Hogwarts and all that,” he suggested with a grin.
“Oh!” Jessie realized that thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. How rude can she be? “I guess so, yeah. You’re right.”
“Well, see you around. Good luck.” Cedric bid his goodbye with a nod and a wink.
Wait, he’s not going to ask me out?
“Right, yeah, good luck…” Jessie waved, cursing how awkward she is around him. Once he was out of sight, she buried her head in her hands.
Seriously?! Get a grip, girl!