Cedric Diggory
Hermione headed briskly into the Prefect's Bathroom on the fifth floor, dressed in a one-piece bathing suit. She couldn't believe that Harry Potter was making her go here to open the dragon's egg for him and discover what the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament would be. He was the one Hogwarts champion; it was supposed to be his job. But, no, he was too busy getting homework complete and dreaming about Lord Voldemort. And Ron Weasley was no help either; he would not even acknowledge her after their row a few weeks prior about her going to the Yule Ball as the Durmstrang champion and international Quidditch player's, Viktor Krum's, date. He was jealous, plain and simple. Still, that very thought both exhilarated and frightened Hermione.
She entered the baths. Harry had received a clandestine tip from the other Hogwarts champion, Cedric Diggory, that the egg had to be opened underwater. Hermione waded into the nearest hot pool and sat on the ledge so that she was chest-deep in the water. She turned the egg over in her hands and pondered it. She had to admit it had puzzled her just as much as Harry. Finally, she shook her head and muttered, "I must be out of my mind." She was just about to dive under when a splash made her look up. When she did, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
Cedric Diggory had popped up in the same pool, shirtless and in bathing shorts. He smiled a brilliant smile.
"Hey Hermione! What are you doing with one of the eggs?"
"I…Harry asked me to help him open it," Hermione replied, recovering from her shock, though she was still a little flustered. It was awkward to be conversing with the other Hogwarts champion when he was so…exposed.
Cedric, meanwhile, blinked in surprise. "You're helping him with a job that he should be doing himself? And you don't mind at all?"
"Well…no," Hermione admitted. She would do anything to help her best friend. Cedric must have thought this too, for he next said, "How loyal…and brave." He looked about for a minute. "Anything can happen in these baths…may I kiss you?"
Hermione snapped her head up, startled by the sudden question. "What?" she breathed, almost indignantly. Suddenly, Cedric was beside her, his arms around her.
"Ssh…don't feel rushed." Then he kissed her. It was a long and gentle kiss, yet full of passion. Hermione was stunned as he pulled away. This is ridiculous, what am I doing here? I am in the wrong place! she thought. She then surprised herself by grabbing Cedric and returning his kiss, much more intensely. Logic flooded her brain and she disengaged to get air.
"No this is wrong" she reasoned.
"Once again, please" Cedric encouraged, and kissed her before she could refuse. Hermione enjoyed it for a moment, and then squirmed away again.
"No, we musn't do this" she insisted. "You have a girlfriend, Cho, and I have…" she stopped herself from almost saying Ron.
"Viktor" Cedric guessed. Hermione did nothing to refute this incorrect hypothesis. "Ah, yes. Still, let's seize the moment. You know about that from all your adventures with Harry." He seized her and covered her mouth with his. Hermione kissed him back as he grandly carried her into the middle of the bath and sank them both beneath the waves.
Here, Hermione began to panic. Between kissing Cedric and being underwater, the only way for her to get air was through her nose and even that was limited. She was soon reassured, however, when Cedric cast a Bubble Charm allowing both of them to breath normally. Then, at that moment, a golden light illuminated the water around them. And Hermione heard singing. Both were coming from Harry's egg Cedric now had in a free hand:
"Come seek us where our voices sound. We cannot sing above the ground. An hour long you'll have to look, to recover what we took."
Even in the middle of snogging someone, Hermione found her brain to be functioning at its normal, hyperactive pace. In a matter of seconds, she had picked apart the riddle. Mermaids live underwater…something taken...the Black Lake! That's where the Second Task is! Overjoyed, she held Cedric tighter and depend their kiss, her eyes closed. It was her way of showing gratitude. Thank you, Cedric, she thought dazedly. Wait till I tell Harry! She released him at last and shot to the surface, gasping for breath. She stumbled out of the bath, gathered the egg and her possessions and left. She was in a daze all the way back to the Common Room.
