Title: It Could All Be So Simple
Rating: PG-13, will be R later
Pairing: Fleur/Hermione.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Summary: It's been normal for quite sometime in the magical world, but now things are about to change with the approach of a tournament. Hermione must deal with the changes life throws her direction and find a way to keep her friendships strong. Little did she know that life's biggest challenge was yet to come... Romance.
A/N: Regarding Questions and Suggestions.
Daf.crazy.otaku : I did make it their 5th year only to cut the age difference between Fleur and Hermione. As you know, this is Fleur's 7th year. To your next question, the answer is yes. They are all sleeping inside of the castle. I didn't want to split where all the action is taking place. The next question I cannot answer! ;)
racer717 : I may get a beta.. Depends on the weather ;)
dc-4me : Thanks for the review. I will definitely have the new chapter of A Shock in Time up for you this week!
To the others, Thanks! : Icefire25, lhw, and Brii
It Could All Be So Simple
Ch. 2. We All Reach a Boiling Point.
Buzzzzz!!
Silence.
Buzzzzz!!
SMACK!
My hand rested on my poor alarm clock that carried the dreadful task of waking me up for class in the morning. The sun was peeking through the bedroom curtains, but it only made me bury my head further under the pillow. A groan escaped my lips for I knew that I only had a few minutes to take a shower and get ready for this morning lecture. It only takes one word to set the mood for today. Potions.
"Hermione you must get up or you will feel the wrath of Snape's sarcasm again." Lavender leaned across my bed to pull the pillow that I had buried myself under from over my head.
"He doesn't like me anyway! So why should I come early for his class knowing either way I will hear his voice heavily dipped with sarcasm?" My eyes narrowed at the culprit who took my pillow but then soften when I realized that I was being a prat.
"You are a prefect Hermione, so be the bigger person as you always are anyways." Lavender smiled charmingly and exited the room, but not before tossing my pillow directly at my head.
I ducked from the attack with my pillow and chuckled to myself. Lecture here I come!
Harry let out a sigh of relief when seeing me enter class hastily. Both Ron and Harry could use extra lessons in potions if it wasn't for me reviewing their essays and helping them through their projects.
"Good to see you Hermione." Harry whispered.
"About time you make it to my class Ms. Granger. 5 points from Gryffindor for tardiness." Snape sneered at both Harry and I, before I was able to take my seat.
I sighed then whispered. "Thanks Harry."
"Blimey Hermione! I almost thought Harry and I would have to stumble away at these long directions Snape gave us for practice today." Ron handed me the scroll along with a brilliant smile.
About fifteen minutes later, we were deep into potion making that I barely paid attention to the others around us.
"Ron the potion calls for three drops from that purple substance, over there." I pointed to the vial laying on the recipe cabinet behind him.
"Ahhh.. right." He nodded assuringly, as if he knew along.
"I heard this tournament will test the strength of the bravest and smartest warrior."" Seamus Finnigan pointedly said to Harry.
"Well I heard that the warrior must face a three headed beast with horns in the tournament." A tall boy with dark hair named Neville Longbottom stated.
I muttered to myself as I was stirring the potion gently. "Rubbish."
The soft voice of somewhere close to where we sat could be heard by us clearly. "Actually Mademoiselle Granger, the tournament is quite true. It is made to test the strongest champion from each magical school by the use of certain tasks."
A look of annoyance crossed my face as I fumbled with the spoon that I was using to stir the potion. It was that voice again. Or better yet, that mysterious young woman.
I turned my head to face her. "And how do you know that?"
"My headmistress informed all of the Beauxbaton students last night of the events that will come to pass."
"Oh really?"
"Oui, I am sure your professors will inform you later today of such news." Fleur smiled confidently, which caused a sigh from all of the male students in the room.
Turning back around at once, I began to stir the pot furiously and in return caused its contents to start to boil. I quietly begun to utter a counter-curse in order to keep the potion within the cauldron. No such luck existed. As soon as I stopped my counter-curse the liquid inside boiled over onto the floor in the room.
Harry and Ron looked at me with confusion as I rushed to clean the mess I had made.
"Is something the matter Hermione?" Harry looked at me with concern etched across his face.
I felt the burning of eyes at the back of my head but I refused to look that direction. "Yes, I must have put too much gilly weed into the pot."
"Oh how the smart has fallen." Snape pounced on the chance to humiliate me again. His cloak whipped across my face lightly as he passed by the mess I was cleaning on the floor.
As soon as class was over I rushed out before Harry or Ron could have stop me and made my way to my only sanctuary, the library. I had a half hour of free time before my next class to gain some type of peace of mind.
Fifteen minutes later I was on my sixth chapter of defensive spells and was feeling quite relaxed.
"That seems like a very interesting book you have in your possession."
I stared up from my book and there she was again with blonde hair cascading down her back. Blue eyes looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and something else I could not pinpoint.
"Yes it is," I looked at her straight in the eye and continued, "is there something I could help you with?"
"Yes and no." She shrugged gracefully and gave me a radiant smile.
I shook my head and smiled back. Was it anything done by her that did not show signs of gracefulness? "Well, what is it?"
"I am looking for a particular book that I am having problems finding in here." She arched a fine eyebrow as she noticed my look of shock. "And yes I do read books, 'Ermione. Quite many actually."
I covered my look of shock with one of boredom. "And what type of book would that be?" At the time, I had barely noticed the use of my first name.
A group of giggling French girls were making their way over to where we were. I shifted my focus over to them and Fleur who was debating over what I had said broke out of her concentration. Now it was her turn to show a look of annoyance that was quickly washed with a smile.
"I see that time is not on our side 'Ermione. I must go." She turned her back to me and was beginning to leave with the group, before turning back around to face me. "But we will finish our conversation later." Again the smile, but this time a dimple shown.
As the group was leaving Ron and Harry was entering the library in search of me, for I knew it wasn't for a book. The French group giggled again causing both of my friends to turn a brilliant shade of red.
"Really!" I huffed. I packed up my books and made my way over to them. "Let's go before the both of you explode out of your socks."
Our house leader Professor McGonagall sat at her desk grading papers as we were completing our transfiguration papers. It was one of my favorite topics and I was well deep into my tenth piece of parchment when she stood from her desk.
"Quills down. I have something to talk to you about." She waited until all attention was focused on her before speaking again.
From the corner of my eye I saw Ron wiping a hand over his sweaty forehead in a gesture of pure relief. I smiled. Some things never change.
"The headmaster thought it was best that we discussed in smaller groups about what is taking place at our school." A pause. "We are the host of a prestigious event that only happens over a certain amount of years."
Conversations sprung up at once at the great news. McGonagall held up her hands to silence the small chats. "A champion will be picked for each school and compete through tasks constructed by certain professors. It will test skill, bravery, and a certain amount of cleverness."
Almost all of the boys in class puffed out their chest when the word bravery was mentioned.
"Now, on another topic! If you have finished your essay, you can drop it on my desk and leave early. Otherwise I will suggest you finish it," she glance at the clock on the wall, "for you have about 10 minutes left."
I finished my last sentence and dropped off my essay with a look of contentment. I made my way back to the dormitories when I saw Fred and George up to their old tricks again.
"Taste this mate, it will turn your ears a remarkable blue color." Fred look over at a poor second year who knew nothing of the danger in the toffee thrusted into his hands.
I walked up quickly and took it. "Thank you, Fred." I looked at the young boy. "Shouldn't you be in class?" He took one look at me and scurried out of the room.
"Awww, Hermione we were only fooling." George who was standing by the fireplace watching smiled at me.
"Right." I said dryly.
At that moment, Ron and Harry came into the room bearing the look of gloom.
"That essay was horrible!" Ron who had a dried ink stain on the side of his face, shook his head and then collasped into a nearby chair.
"Really? I thought the essay was quite enjoyable." I smiled.
Harry laughed. "Hermione, you find reading the cereal box's nutrient facts 'enjoyable'. "
"Well someone needs to know the type of ingredients we are eating!" I pointed out with indignation.
The room erupted into a laughing fit. Ahh, well.
Neville entered the common room and looked directly at me with his cheeks a rosy pink. "Hermione, someone is waiting outside to speak to you."
"Thanks Neville." I looked back at the people in the room who still bear a smile on their face and then left. I heard from a distance, Fred and George erupt into laughter again and I couldn't help but to smile. Those two are real comedians.
As I came closer to the exit of the dormitories I saw the shadow of the person who was waiting for me. I only wondered who it could possibly be.
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