"Sirius?"
The moment Hermione entered the School Hospital, she saw a familiar figure talking to Harry.
"Good afternoon, Hermione. And Ron."
Sirius smiled and greeted the two visitors who had come to see Harry.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked in surprise.
"I came to see Dumbledore, and Albert while I was at it." Sirius casually peeled an apple. "But Albert doesn't seem to be at Hogwarts. No idea where he's gone. I asked the Weasley Twins, though, and they said Albert had probably gone on a date."
"Is this about Peter Pettigrew?" Hermione immediately guessed the reason.
"More or less."
Sirius did not particularly want to discuss the matter in front of the children. He turned to Harry and asked, "Have you figured out the Golden Egg's secret? How are your preparations for the Triwizard Tournament's Second Task going?"
"The Golden Egg's secret has been uncovered. Apparently, you have to open it underwater to find out what it is," Harry said flatly. He had only just received the information himself and had not had time to test it before falling ill and ending up in hospital.
"Albert said the Golden Egg's screaming is actually the Mermen's voices. They sound beautiful underwater, but once they come ashore, they sound awful," Hermione explained to Sirius. "The Second Task will take place in the water, but breathing underwater won't be easy."
"If the Second Task involves going underwater, then there aren't many options." Sirius cut the apple, placed the slices on a plate, and handed them to Harry, Hermione, and Ron. "You could use the Bubblehead Charm. It allows us to breathe underwater, but that method carries a certain amount of risk."
"What risk?"
"If the Bubblehead Charm wears off before you reach the surface, you're finished. You won't last long