A/N I don't own anything :( By the way I love reviews :D yes Hermione is very clumsy in this story, why? Because I want her to be :)
"Thanks you too." She grabbed her pyjamas and got changed before collapsing onto her bed and fall asleep straight away.
The next morning Hermione woke and she got up and ready before the others had even stirred. She was on her way to breakfast reading while walking when she bumped into someone.
"We really must stop bumping into each like this." Diggory said smiling as he offered her hand up.
"Ha-ha, it's not just my fault. If you were looking where you were going you could stop me!"
"Touché, what are you doing up so early?"
"I always get up early. What are you doing up so early?"
"I like to be on time at least on my first day." Hermione laughed and heard someone shouting Diggory.
"Well I guess that's my cue to leave, see ya Granger."
"Bye Diggory." Hermione smiled and went to her house table. Ten minutes later Harry and Ron sat down next to her. Still yawning.
"How do you get up so early?" Ron said rubbing his eyes. She rolled her own eyes and went back to her toast.
Dumbledore stood up.
"Just to let you know that the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will be arriving the twenty eighth October for the tournament. Now off to classes." He clapped twice and everyone scraped their benches back then headed to class.
The day went by quickly and soon it was dinner time.
Hermione finished her shepherd's pie swiftly and grabbed her bag.
"I'm off to the library."
"Already? It's the first day, we haven't even got any homework!" Ron said disbelievingly.
"You might not have but I have Ancient Runes homework!" With that she rushed off her bag swinging behind her.
"Good evening Miss Granger, did you have a good holiday?" Madame Pince greeted.
"Madame Pince, I had a great time thank you and you?"
"Very good thank you." Hermione smiled and went to the Ancient Runes section. She picked the book she needed and settled down at a table with her parchment, quill and ink.
She worked steadily through the questions until she came across a more difficult one. She brushed a piece of hair behind her ear and lifted the parchment closer to her face.
"Having trouble?" Came a familiar voice. She looked up and saw Diggory kicking out the chair next to her.
"Sort of, I can't translate this one." She pointed it out and he took it from her. He concentrated for a moment then flicked it back to her.
"Here you are it means eternity." The light clicked in her mind.
"Oh yes of course, thank you."
"Not a problem." He leaned back in his chair with his arms across his chest. Hermione didn't realise and just carried on writing her essay.
A minute later she looked up.
"Need help?" He shook his head, "Then why you still here? I don't mind, I was just wondering."
"It's funny watching you work."
"Funny?"
"Yeah, when you're concentrating you get a little frown and when you get a question right your face lifts." She tilted her head questionably at him and he shrugged.
"I'm observant." He said like it answered everything. He picked up one of her other subject books and started to read.
"Huh, I'd forgotten about this bit."
Hermione looked up from her work to look at him.
"Forgotten what?"
"Just the theorem of animal transfigurations, I can't believe it was three years ago."
"How could you just forget things you've learnt?" Hermione asked in shock.
"Well, I mean I'm seventeen now and I learnt this when I was fourteen so don't blame me if a few things fall out of my brain."
"You're seventeen already?" He nodded.
"Wouldn't that make you one of the oldest in the school then?"
"Yep, also means I can enter the Tournament." He said proudly.
"You're entering the competition?!"
"Miss Granger, please keep it down." Hermione blushed and lowered her voice.
"What's wrong with entering?"
"You know people have died in this thing?"
"Of course I know that but it's a lot safer this year."
"But you could still get seriously hurt."
"Doubt it, why d'ya care anyway?"
"Because I don't particularly hate you and I wouldn't want you to get seriously hurt for some proud and glory thing."
"Ooh you don't particularly hate me? I'm in there." He said jokingly.
"Yep definitely." She said jokingly too.
"But I'm still entering." Her face went serious again.
"Fine but I don't have to like it." She poked her tongue at him.
"You're so childish." He poked his own tongue out and they lapsed into silent laughter.
"So if you ever need any help with your work just ask."
"Thanks, I gotta go now they'll be wondering where I am."
"Who will?"
"Harry and Ron. Bye." She said as she left the library. Diggory's face fell as he watched her leave.
Hermione heaved her bag onto her left shoulder and hurried back to the common room.
"Where've you been?" Ron asked as she walked in, there were no other seats left.
"I was at the library like I said I was going to be."
"Here Hermione you can sit here." Seamus offered.
"Erm thanks." She said awkwardly as she sat down.
"So did you finish your work?" Harry asked.
"Yep, Diggory helped me."
"Diggory as in pretty boy Diggory who all the girls fall over?" Seamus scoffed.
"No Diggory as in Cedric Diggory who is very good at helping me with Ancient Runes. Though I'm sure he would be either pleased or creeped out that you refer to him as a 'pretty boy'."
"It's not just me, everyone does." Seamus said defensively he looked at Dean for support.
"I don't mate, no idea what you're talking about." Seamus looked around helplessly while everyone kind of avoided his eyes.
"Well on that note I think I'm going upstairs to read. If I don't see you later goodnight."
"Night Hermione." Harry and Ron said while shaking their heads at Dean and Seamus, whose eyes were following Hermione.
Hermione went to her dormitory and heard Lavender and Parvati giggling about something. As soon as the door shut their heads snapped towards Hermione.
"Sooo Hermione, what's going on with you and Cedric Diggory?" Lavender asked immediately.
"Nothing, why?"
"We heard that you two were getting cosy in the library." Parvati explained.
"What! Who's being saying that?"
"Well Padma told me, who heard it from Sarah, who heard it from Karen, who heard it from Beth who saw it with her own eyes."
"What exactly did she see? Because all he did was help with a question I was stuck on."
They shared a smug smile.
"What?!"
"So you're saying that you were together and he 'helped' you?" Lavender asked slyly.
"Yes he did help me."
"But you're Hermione Granger, smartest girl in our year who people go to for help not the other way round, so therefore something's going on." Parvati said triumphantly.
"No there's not! He offered me help and as he's in seventh year he'll know more than me."
"Sure Hermione, whatever you want us to believe." Parvati said patronisingly with a smirk.
"There's nothing going on and I've only really spoken to him three times in three years but if you want to believe some silly rumours go ahead."
Hermione got her current book and settled on her bed. The girls were still shaking their heads and not believing her.
The girls disappeared downstairs half an hour later and a minute later there was a little tap on the window. Hermione looked up and saw a small brown owl with huge amber eyes at the window with a letter in her beak.
Hurrying over to it she let her in and took the letter.
Granger,
Who is Beth and why is she saying we were 'getting down and dirty' in the Ancient Runes section of the library?
Hermione's eyes widened, Lavender and Parvati hadn't told her that bit.
Even though the rumour isn't true I am getting major death glares from jealous guys who know who you are.
So anyway will you find out who Beth is please and send a reply with Amber?
Diggory
Hermione stared at the wall until Amber nipped gently on her finger.
"Oh sorry Amber, OK let me just go and found out who Beth is." Amber looked like she understood.
She went and found the girls near the fire.
"Lavender, Parvati who is Beth?"
"Ooh still thinking about the witness?"
"She didn't see anything?!"
"Of course Hermione. She's a fifth year Ravenclaw, tall, dark hair."
"Thanks, what's her surname?"
"Simon, why do you care?"
"Just wondering whose spreading rumours about me, bye." She finished cheerfully. As she left she heard the others asking what rumours. She rolled her eyes and went back to her room. She grabbed her quill and parchment.
Diggory,
Beth Simon, fifth year Ravenclaw, tall and dark hair.
Why do people make rumours? It's pointless because now I've got two girls telling my best friends that we're together and no one seems to believe me.
Amber is gorgeous by the way and inventive name. *Sarcasm*
Granger
She folded and gave it to Amber who flew immediately flew away.
Fifteen minutes later Amber came through the open window.
Granger,
Thanks for that, I'll speak to her in the morning.
As for rumours I don't know, some people like to make life uncomfortable for others.
And if your friends are truly best friends then they'll believe you.
I didn't pick the name Amber, my mum did so don't blame me. So do you have any pets? I mean apparently we're past kissing so we should know a little about each other.
Diggory
Hermione laughed out loud and grabbed her quill.
Diggory,
Don't be too harsh with her but don't go too easy on her either. I hope you're right about my friends because I couldn't imagine life without them.
And I think we should know a bit more about each other, I'm expecting my friends to quiz you about me in the morning.
So yes I have one cat, Crookshanks please don't say anything about the name he was already named.
My favourite colour's blue by the way and you'll probably know that I love reading.
Tell me a bit about yourself.
Granger
She gave it to Amber and waited patiently for the reply.
Granger,
Of course I'm right about your friends, I'm always right.
My favourite colour's blue too and I like reading, Quidditch and spending time with my friends.
You're muggle born right? I'm not asking to judge you but to learn a bit more about you. I'm not that git Malfoy.
Hermione burst out laughing.
Anyway hope you don't mind me being nosy, write back.
Diggory
Diggory,
Yes I'm muggle born and I know you wouldn't judge me. And I kinda gathered that you like Quidditch as you're on the team.
Have you looked at the clock recently? It's half eleven and I need to get up early so goodnight and speak to you in the morning. I'll presume you say goodnight so don't bother sending Amber back, you'll only tire her.
Granger
She sent Amber though the window and shut it. The minute the window clicked the dormitory door opened and Lavender and Parvati walked through.
"Hermione you're not normally up this late on a school night." Lavender exclaimed.
"Oh I got caught up in my book." Hermione lied. There was no way she was letting them know she had been conversing with Diggory, they'd make her life hell.
"Oh right." Lavender snuck into the bathroom first and as Parvati went in after Hermione was left until last.
"Night, you two." Lavender and Parvati called simultaneously then giggled.
"Yeah night." Hermione replied grumpily.
"Aww cheer up Hermione, think about Cedric." Parvati laughed. Hermione ignored her then smiled as she thought about the long conversation she had just had with him.
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