Stella's POV

I had been swimming for maybe twenty minutes and began to worry. Time was ticking, and I didn't know what I was supposed to be searching for. Up ahead there was a clearing with mermaids guarding all around. In the middle there were two people frozen in the air to what it seemed to look like. I passed through without any protest from the guards as my heart stopped.

Rose.

No. They wouldn't use her would they? They can't kill innocent people.

Doesn't matter. I thought. What matters is that I have to save her. Swimming as fast I could to The bottom for a sharp enough rock. Grasping it I cut Rose free and began to leave.

I can't leave the man to die here. I thought as I used the rock to cut him free. A sharp pain in my neck caused me to jump as I found a mermaid with a pitchfork pointing at me.

"Choose ." She hissed

"I have to get them both! There my friends!"

"Only one!" She hissed pointing her pitch fork again before disappearing.

How to choose? Should one person really deserve such a fate that's decided for them? Time was ticking and I had a half hour left before I was done.

I didn't care that the mermaids said one, I was going to take them both. Neither should deserve to be in such a place. Quickly cutting his bonds we struggled to make it to the surface. We were so close, so close being done with ten minutes to spare. A slimy eel wrapped around my ankle as it began to drag me down further and further. I couldn't give up.

"INCENDIO!" I yelled with everything I had left. The mermaids exploded into dust and we had two minutes left. Once again we struggled to put our heads above water. Quickly as we could we swam to shore both Rose and Neville unconscious.

45 seconds left.

Within seconds mermaids came up to the surface sourounding with pitch forks.

"Protego!"

30 seconds left.

I dragged the two bodies on to the shore where I started to find an old boot. We were so close

10 seconds left.

The mermaids were coming closer and we could. Be dragged in any minute now.

5 seconds left.

"Accio Boot!"

With one last effort I grabbed Neville and Rose as the scenery transformed back into the training room. We collapsed with a thud as we all coughed up water and gasped for air.

"Congratulations you did it." Slughorn beamed. "You completed the challenge! And in the nick of time too! "

"How will rose get back?" I asked

"Neville will take her." Professor Flitwick spoke as I turned to say goodbye.

"Be safe Rose." I hugged her and then Neville. "Take care of her."

With one last glance Neville and Rose were gone. As I walked back to my room I wondered what was next.