The month of September went by rather quickly, except for Potions class, where it seemed that Professor Snape made us work with partners twice a week. I was doing everything I could to be nice to Potter, but he just threw my attempts back in my face. When I told Hermione, she just said, "Don't let him get to you. You're doing great. I'll try to get him to be nicer, okay?" When I just nodded, she kissed my nose softly and said, "Thank you." She turned and went back into the Great Hall to eat her lunch.

I slowly sunk against the wall and sat there until lunch was over.

When October came, the Durmstrang students and the Beauxbatons students arrived, each in their own jaw-dropping ways. The Durmstrang students arrived by a massive ship that rose out of Hogwarts' own lake, while the Beauxbaton students arrived in a huge coach pulled by large pegasuses. They each did their studying in their respective rides, but dined with us in the Great Hall.

All of the girls were obsessing over the Bulgarian seeker, Viktor Krum. It annoyed me a bit, but I was pleased to see that Hermione kept her distance. All of the boys obsessed over this Beauxbatons girl who was said to be part veela. I don't know what everyone saw in her. Yeah, she was pretty, but I thought she was hardly anything compared to my Hermione.

The day came to choose the TriWizard Tournament Champions. The Goblet of Fire normally had a blue glow, but it was slowly turning red. Professor Dumbledore lowered the flames on the hovering candles, and silenced all the students in the Great Hall.

The first name was spit out of red fire, and Dumbledore read the name: "Cedric Diggory," he bellowed. Everyone clapped for the Hogwarts champion.

The second name was spit out, and Dumbledore read that as well: "Fleur Delacour." That was the veela girl everyone obsessed over.

The last name was spit out, and Dumbledore read that as well: "Viktor Krum." The Great Hall resonated with the clapping of students from all three schools.

Dumbledore began, "I present to you, our TriWizard Champ-" The goblet glowed red fire again, and another name was spit out. Our headmaster slowly grabbed the charred paper and read the name: "Harry Potter."

My head reeled, and I looked to Hermione. Her face was contorted in horror as her best friend slowly got up and walked dazed to the podium on which Dumbledore was standing. She looked back at me, and I screamed at her in my head, "How am I supposed to deal with this?" She stared at me with horror and tears filled her eyes. The Great Hall slowly filled with whispers and murmurs, wondering how Potter got passed the age barrier.

I motioned with my head to our place outside, and she nodded. She got up first and walked out, saying something to Weasley as she passed. I waited impatiently for a few moments and went outside to meet her. She was pacing under the stairs, tears streaming down her face.

"What the hell was that?" I asked, pointing to the Great Hall.

"I don't know," she sobbed. "Harry didn't put his name in there, I swear. He didn't do it! Please, don't be angry! Ron's furious," she said, looking at me.

I sighed and pulled her into a hug. "I'm not mad. I just want to know what's going on. You're his best friend, and if something bad happens to him, something bad is probably going to happen to you. I don't want that," I said softly.

"I know," she said into my chest. "I want to know what's happening too. But not even Harry has any idea." I hugged her as she sobbed some more, and after a few minutes, she wiped her eyes and gave me a kiss. "Thank you," she said as she walked back into the Great Hall.

I nodded and waited a few minutes before going back in myself.

It seemed like this wasn't getting any easier, nor would it ever. But I was willing to try. For Hermione.