Interrupt ritual.

After what seems like forever, you drag your eyes away from the statue. During the time you have been entranced by the statue, the Slytherins haven't moved. You decide, more strongly now, that it's up to you to stop this ritual. Without thinking further, you jump into the clearing, your wand out. You charge at Malfoy, planning on tackling him first. Unfortunately, you have caught the Slytherins unawares; Malfoy crumples under your onslaught, and you trip over him, pushed by your own momentum. You stumble, and land on the ground. You look up to see the three Slytherins standing over you, their faces ugly in their hatred.

"Potter!" Malfoy sneers. "What are you doing here?"

You don't reply, just glare up at the Slytherins, daring them to do anything to you.

"He's spying on us!" Nott spits.

"I wasn't spying", you finally reply. "I was just passing, and I wanted to see what was happening."

The Slytherins look at you skeptically.

"Liar!" Malfoy yells.

Zabini and Nott turn to look at Malfoy. It seems that he is their leader. Malfoy doesn't look as cool and collected as he usually is; his hair is unkempt, and a rosy glow of anger mantles his cheeks. He breathes heavily as he glares with loathing at you. You stare back impassively.

"We can't kill him", Zabini says after a moment. "He's too noticeable. Maybe a Memory Charm would be good, though I've never done one before."

Malfoy glances at Zabini, and his anger fades.

"You're right", he says. "No matter how much Potter snoops, he's still untouchable. For the moment."

He takes a deep breath, then continues.

"I'll do the Memory Charm. I've done one once before."

"One moment", you say, suddenly panicking. "What are you talking about?"

"You've seen too much, Potter", Malfoy sneers, his face back to its usual composure.

Malfoy points his wand at your face. Before you can say anything else, he mutters the charm, and your mind goes blank.

You open your eyes, and realise you are lying against a tree on the shore of the Black Lake. You're really cold; it seems like you've been here for some time, allowing snow to pile on top of you. You think back, trying to remember why you're there. The only think that you can remember is that you wanted to go for a walk, but your memory is hazy. You get up, and brush yourself off, then head back to the castle.