A/N: Thank you all so much for your reviews, favorites and follows! You guys are so bomb! I tried to reply to everyone but ffnet is doing that thing where reviews aren't showing up. I am still getting the emails, so thanks for those, but I can't reply to them at this time! I hope that you like this chapter...the first without Marcus at Hogwarts. It makes it a bit difficult. I am not too pleased with the ending, but I hope you enjoy.
Please let me know what you thought of chapter four and be on the lookout for chapter five soon!
To Marcus's immense surprise, he was actually picked up by a team straight out of Hogwarts, and was even promised a spot in the starting lineup and a fat bonus. It was honestly a dream come true.
The first thing that he did with that signing bonus was purchase a flat in Falmouth, where he was going to be playing. He couldn't stand to live another summer in his large ancestral house with his angry, drunken father.
Once he'd moved in, he'd invited the rest of the Slytherin Quidditch team, new and old, to his flat to celebrate. Hermione had written to him, hesitantly, asking if she could stay over at his flat and leave in the morning; her house wasn't hooked up to the floo. He agreed, just happy that she could come.
When she'd arrived, knocking on the door of his flat, Marcus wrapped her in a hug, uninterested in if any of the other Quidditch players noticed. "Congratulations, Marcus!" She said brightly. "I had to tell my parents I was visiting Millie, but they let me take the train by myself."
Marcus was impressed that she was willing to go to such lengths to come visit him, her Slytherin streak showing. "Let me give you a tour." He was rather proud of his flat and he hoped that Hermione would like it as much as he did, before squashing that thought. It wasn't as though she would be spending a lot of time there.
When they reached the kitchen, Hermione helped herself to some of the firewhiskey that everyone else was drinking before they joined the others in the living room. It was really much noisier than he expected. It was nice to see so many people come to support him. He lost Hermione in the crowd and got pulled into a conversation with Basil Broadmoor, the keeper who had graduated the year before Hermione got to Hogwarts.
Time flew by and people started to drift away, until only a few people were left, and Marcus began looking for Hermione. She was one of the only girls here so he knew he should lookout for her. For a while, he worried about letting her drink the firewhiskey...she was only fourteen, nearly fifteen. But then again, Draco was barely fourteen himself, and it hadn't bothered Marcus at all.
A quick glance around the room, he was able to find her wild curls fairly easily, seated with Pucey, Warrington, Malfoy and Higgs. She looked happy, laughing, cheeks obviously rosy from drinking.
He walked closer to the circle wanting to know what was going on. It quickly became clear that they were playing Truth or Dare. He laughed along with everyone else when Pucey told everyone that he'd fuck Vector if he had to fuck a Hogwarts professor.
But then, Pucey turned and asked Hermione truth or dare. She bit her lower lip, before proudly saying dare. Pucey turned to smirk at Terence, the blond boy quickly turning pink in the cheeks. "Granger, I dare you to kiss Ter here, on the lips."
Marcus felt his stomach drop when Hermione stood up on wobbling legs, nearly falling over once. He scowled. She'd had too much to drink, obviously. The drink only made her bolder and she was puckering her pink lips and pressing them against Higgs's! Marcus felt his hand clenched tightly in a fist when Higgs didn't do the gentlemanly thing a pull away after a little peck, instead, pressing against her more fully.
He couldn't hear anything but the blood rushing in his ears, until Hermione broke away, giggling. A sneer came on his face and he broke into the circle. "Alright, Hermione, I think that's enough." Marcus couldn't believe that he was keeping his cool when all he wanted to do was yell at Hermione for getting drunk with these boys.
The boys in the circle laughed at him, but he ignored them when he ushered Hermione into his bedroom so he could put her to sleep. He helped her onto the bed, before sitting down to pull of her shoes.
When he was about to get up, Hermione called his name with sleepy eyes. "Marcus?"
"Hmm?" He stilled, leaning a bit closer to her.
She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him towards her, so that she could press her lips against his cheek. "Goodnight Marcus." Hermione murmured, before letting him go and closing her eyes.
Marcus stood, his hand on his cheek where her lips had been, a small smile on his face. She looked so small nestled in his bed. Finally, he broke away, returning to the party.
When Marcus got a spare ticket to the Quidditch World Cup, he didn't even think twice about who he would ask. He couldn't imagine sharing it with anyone else than Hermione, even if it meant that he was scrutinized by her muggle parents in their muggle house when he went to pick her up to apparate to the grounds.
He scoffed, thinking that it wasn't so surprising that they were critical of the veritable giant, nearly twenty year old who came to pick up their pipsqueak nearly fifteen year old daughter. But, Hermione's bright smile made it worth it.
She'd dressed with a green top and he gave her a spare Ireland scarf he'd found lying around before apparating them to the grounds. "New hair cut, Marcus?" She asked when they were alone. "I like it." She said, shyly.
Marcus ran his fingers through his hair. After training with the Falcons for a few weeks, he'd gotten the cut the rest of the guys on the team seemed to fancy - short on the sides and a bit longer on top. He was pleased that Hermione liked it too, as it had really started to grow on him.
Before long, they made their way to the box where his Falcon teammates were already gathered. One of his teammates raised his eye at seeing the "friend" Marcus said he was bringing, but Marcus just shrugged. Hermione was a muggleborn and she'd never been to such a spectacle. Hermione, for her part was completely oblivious, a big grin on her face.
"Wow, this is so wonderful, Marcus! Do you think you'll ever play in the World Cup?" She asked.
Marcus blushed, surprised that Hermione thought he was good enough to play on an International level. Of course, he had dreamed of it since he was a little boy, and now he was one step closer, but still, it seemed an impossible dream. It wouldn't do any good to think about now, as the next Worlds weren't for four more years...but the Euros were just around the corner...
His thoughts were brought back to the pitch when the players flew out onto the field for their announcements. He leaned over to talk into Hermione's ear over the swell of the crowd. "That's Viktor Krum. He's some kind of seeker prodigy."
"Like Harry Potter?" Hermione said, her eyes trained on the Bulgarian boy who was showing off some tricks.
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Much better than Potter."
The game was exhilarating to watch and certain plays really had him on the edge of his seat. He'd seen a lot of moves from the chasers that he thought he might like to try out, but he wasn't sure if he could match the nimbleness of the Irish chasers. In the end, Ireland won, but Viktor Krum had caught the snitch.
Hermione was bubbling full of energy and Marcus wasn't really ready to take her home yet so they walked around the tents. He couldn't believe that she would be heading back to Hogwarts next week and he would be headed back to Falmouth. He worried that she would be alright, but she seemed so confident right now. He supposed that after hitting Draco, the blond boy probably wouldn't give her too many problems.
He cleared his throat. "You know you can write me anytime you like." He told her, honestly. "If anyone is bothering you...just let me know."
Hermione stopped and turned to smile at him. She opened and closed her mouth, perhaps trying to come up with some promise that she would be fine, even though he knew she couldn't promise that.
But before she could say anything, the explosions started. Black hooded figures fly over the crowds, sending curses this way and that. He was confused for a moment, until he saw the Dark Mark in the sky. He would never forget what that looked like. He'd been five the last time he'd seen it in the sky and it was when he'd figured out what his father was.
Spectators were running all over, and Hermione was crying next to him, confused. When she was knocked to the ground, Marcus knew that he had to get her out of there. Picking her up from the ground, he threw her over his shoulder before squeezing his eyes shut so that he could apparate them back to his flat.
He set Hermione down, wiping the tears from her face, even though his own hands were shaking. What the hell was that? Death Eaters? But, Voldemort was gone...
"What was that?" She asked, her voice still shaking from the shock. She had a tiny cut on her cheek from when she fell down.
"I'm not sure." He told her honestly. He wrapped Hermione in his arms, whispering again and again that it was okay, that she was safe. And when she calmed down enough, he brought her home.
Dear Marcus,
I have the absolute worst news! They've cancelled our Quidditch season! I am so disappointed, because I thought this was the year I might actually make the first team. Lucian blew a gasket when he got back to the Common Room last night because he was tipped to be captain, and it's his last year. Same with Derrick.
The reason that they got rid of the season is kind of exciting though. They are reinstating the Triwizard Tournament. Students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are going to be arriving in just a few days, so I am sure that will be interesting. I had to go to the library to read about the Tournament because I hadn't heard of it before. It sounds very dangerous.
The First Task is in November and it's open to the public. I thought perhaps you might like to come and watch. It's sure to be a spectacle.
Oh, and thank you so much for the chocolates that you sent for my birthday. I am savoring each and everyone as they really are so delicious. You shouldn't have spent so much on me, Marcus.
Well, I should get back to studying. Please write me back. I miss you so much Marcus.
Sincerely,
Hermione
Marcus read over each written word eagerly. He was surprised that Quidditch would be cancelled, and he did feel bad for Bole. If he hadn't returned for third year, Bole likely would have gotten the captaincy last year. The Triwizard Tournament sounded intense, and he thought that he actually would like to go. Who knew when the next one would take place?
He could admit too, that at least part of the reason that he wanted to go was to see Hermione. He missed her just as much as she missed him, apparently.
He smiled reading that he'd done a bit better that year on her birthday gift. Marcus was embarrassed to admit it, but he'd asked the mediwitch what to get a girl for her birthday. The kindly woman had raised her eyebrow at him, and his blush, until he explained it was for a friend from Hogwarts. She explained that girls, no matter what their age, always liked chocolate. He scoffed at her words that he shouldn't have spent so much on her. Sure, they were expensive chocolates, but it wasn't as if he didn't make a hefty salary. Besides, Hermione deserved a nice gift every now and again.
Excited, Marcus searched his flat for a bit of parchment so that he could write her back. He couldn't promise that he would be at the First Task, but he would definitely try.
"Marcus!" Hermione greeted him brightly, the moment that Marcus stepped through the floo in Professor Snape's office.
"Forgive me, Mr. Flint, I thought that Miss Granger would be best suited to escort you to the first task." Snape said from the spot at his desk, not looking the slightest bit sorry. Marcus wondered just how long Snape had been waiting in his office with the girl, and just how many questions she'd asked him while they were waiting.
He was a bit disappointed because he had hoped to surprise Hermione at the task. "Hey, pipsqueak." He greeted Hermione, wrapping an arm around her in a sideways hug.
"I was so surprised when Professor Snape told me this morning that you were coming to the First Task. I didn't think that you would be able to make it." Hermione prattled on, before grabbing his hand and pulling him from the room, eager to get a good seat for the task. Marcus was glad that she'd been a little bit surprised at least.
He'd gotten approval to go from the Falcons, as they had an International Break in play, but he'd been purposefully vague in his letters to Hermione.
When they made their way out onto the grounds, Hermione found them a seat with a good view, somewhat in between the Slytherin area and the area for the public. "You'll never guess who the Durmstrang champion is." She whispered into his ear.
Marcus wanted to roll his eyes. "Of course not, Hermione. I don't know a single person who goes to Durmstrang." He rolled through his head everyone it could possibly be, but he could not think of a single one that he and Hermione would know.
"You'll see." She said confidently.
He shook his head. Finding it a bit nippy out, especially without much hair to cover his ears, he pulled out the hat and mittens that Hermione had knitted him for his birthday. They were done up in Falmouth colors, and really, Marcus had been touched to learn that she'd made them, even if that explained the wonky stitching. He didn't think anyone had ever made him something before.
Seeing him wearing her gift, proudly, Hermione was about to talk with him again, only then, the first champion came out. "Viktor Krum?" He asked her. That certainly was a surprise. Marcus couldn't believe the seeker would put his career in jeopardy over something like the Triwizard tournament.
He was a good competitor, Marcus could admit. He was as quick on his feet as he was on a broom, and really, Marcus thought, he dispatched the dragon the most elegantly. He couldn't believe that they had to fight against real dragons.
Hermione prattled on about Harry Potter being the fourth champion, but really, Marcus couldn't be too bothered to care. It felt much too nice to be home at Hogwarts.
Dear Marcus,
You won't believe who I've made rather good friends with! Viktor Krum. Can you believe it? I can't believe that of all the people at Hogwarts, the one he wants to talk to is me. We actually got to talking one afternoon in the library, and now we spend time there studying several times a week. I know that you wouldn't think it by looking at him, but Viktor is quite smart. It's been really nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of, for essays and the like. I don't know why it was such a surprise to me. Obviously, he has to be talented - and at more than just Quidditch - if he was selected to participate in the Triwizard's Tournament.
He and I have gone flying every now and again too. He's given me a lot of pointers and it's been nice to have someone to toss the quaffle around with, especially with the Quidditch season cancelled. At first, he thought I might be a seeker, too, on account of my smaller size, but then he agreed about my arm. He said that the Bulgarian team favors smaller, nimble chasers - like me - and he even said he could maybe introduce me to Clara Ivanova, from Bulgaria's World Cup team. Wouldn't that be amazing?
Isn't it a good thing I am more naturally suited to chaser anyway? I mean, between Malfoy and Higgs, I never would have made it onto the Quidditch squad, and you and I never would have become friends. Speaking of Higgs, he's been acting very strangely towards me lately. I think he wants to ask on of my roommates to the Yule Ball, but I wish he would just come out and tell me who so I can help him out.
Anyway, I should get back to work. By the way - congratulations on your last game. I saw you made Man of the Match!
Sincerely,
Hermione
Marcus crumpled up Hermione's cheerful letter after reading it. After reading her glowing assessment of Viktor Krum, he felt his heart leap to his throat at the thought of being tossed aside for better companionship. Oh, Viktor is so smart AND he's a Quidditch prodigy. His mind provided a mocking voice like Hermione's.
He was certain she hadn't meant it that way, but he still resented the fact that Krum was more than he could be. Of course Marcus knew that he wasn't the smartest, but he hadn't thought that it bothered Hermione. Was he constantly holding her back? And the promise to introduce her to Ivanova...Marcus couldn't compete with that. Of course, he could introduce her to all of the Falcons, but they were all as big and brawny as he was.
He couldn't help but feel as if he was being replaced. He hated Krum.
And the bit about Higgs. Oh, that made him groan aloud! How thick could Hermione be that she didn't even realize that it was her Higgs wanted to ask to the ball? Had she not remembered that she'd kissed him over the summer?
No, she'd probably written it off as a silly dare, not a well orchestrated plan by Higgs and Pucey. Merlin, she could be so naive some time.
Marcus hadn't even been aware that there was going to be a ball. He wished that he was at Hogwarts so that he could...what? Take Hermione? That would be too ridiculous on too many levels. For one, she was just a pipsqueak. For two, he was unlikely to find any date willing to go with him. His reputation for being a bit mean always preceded him, making him a generally undesirable option for many girls.
Though, now that he had a Quidditch contract, many unscrupulous women were willing to look past his gruff exterior.
Perhaps that was why he had such a soft spot for Hermione. She'd always looked past his gruff exterior, even when there wasn't a reason to. She just did because she was a good friend. And now he was being replaced. By Krum.
He tossed the letter in the bin and stormed out, eager to fly off some of his anger on the pitch.
Hermione entered the Great Hall feeling nervous. Everything about the Yule Ball made her feel like she was living in a fairy tale. First, Viktor had asked her - her! Hermione Granger - to accompany him, and she'd been so giddy when she accepted. She was certain to be the envy of every girl at the ball.
She'd had the help of her roommates when she was getting ready and Daphne crafted her hair into an elegant updo after straightening it with some Sleek-Eazy's. For a moment she almost resisted the straightening potion when she remembered Marcus's response to it last time, before shaking her head. She wasn't going to the ball with Marcus, so she didn't care what he thought. In any case, he hadn't written back to her the last three messages she'd sent, so she was rather cross with him.
Seeing herself all done up and wearing the gorgeous blue dress she'd selected was astonishing. She looked much more beautiful than she could have imagined in her wildest dreams, and even her roommates gushed over her appearance. Pansy looked like she'd swallowed a whole lemon!
Hermione was shaken from her memories when Viktor approached her, looking dapper in his red formal robes. He looked so surprised, a slow half grin forming on his face. "Herm-o-ninny, you look gorgeous. Everyone at ball will be jealous of me, for taking prettiest young woman." She'd preened under his words. That was right, she was a young woman now.
He twirled her around the Great Hall during the first dance of the champions and he completely eased all of her nerves. He was an accomplished dancer, it seemed, and he lead her through each step with confidence. When he picked her up to twirl her around, she felt butterflies erupt in her stomach.
Viktor was perhaps a perfect date, introducing her to his friends, dancing with her when she wanted, and keeping his hand on her lower back the whole time. She thought that the night couldn't possibly be ruined, until they were met by Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. "Well, it looks like Granger tried to pass herself off as a real witch for a change. We still remember what you are though. Nothing but a filthy mudblood."
Hermione stiffened, but said nothing. She dropped her head to shield her eyes, tears already forming. She would not give Malfoy the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
Viktor, ever her knight in shining armor, quickly told Malfoy off for using such despicable language. Then, he guided her from the ballroom out to the rose garden.
The cool night air was a shock to her system and snapped Hermione out of feeling so sorry for herself. Once they were hidden from prying eyes, Viktor cupped her face in his large hands, using his fingers to wipe away her tears. "Herm-o-ninny, I think you are most beautiful witch, of all witches. I don't care that you are muggleborn."
It was nice to hear, and she doubted that it was the first Viktor had heard of her parentage. He dipped his head down then, pressing his lips against hers in a rather chaste kiss that she was eager to respond to.
When Marcus had settled into his ice bath after practice, he picked up a Daily Prophet to help pass the time. Seeing Hermione Granger in the wizarding newspaper the day after the Yule Ball was a shock to Marcus, icy tendrils forming around his stomach that he knew had nothing to do with the cold water he was sitting in.
She was there in miniature, being twirled around by Triwizard Champion by none other than Viktor Krum. She looked so bloody happy, being picked up by that...Bulgarian bastard, his brain provided.
Perhaps the worst was seeing just how beautiful she looked. Her blue dress was incredibly flattering, showing off a form that he didn't even know Hermione had developed. He knew he shouldn't be surprised, seeing as she had turned fifteen early that year and that's what happened as girls became women, but still. It made something stir inside of him.
Her hair was gorgeous, not at all bushy and he wanted to lash out again, hating how perfect it looked. He wanted to run his fingers through her updo, make her hair wild like it usually was.
He was saved from his thoughts when the trainer walked in. Seeing what he was reading, the older woman smiled at him. "Isn't she your...special friend? The one that you got the chocolates for?" She asked.
Marcus knew that she didn't mean to be nosy, but he still hated that his personal life was being invaded. Marcus nodded. "Yes, Hermione. She's just my friend. She's got a good arm for Quidditch." He felt hopeless trying to explain his relationship with Hermione in just a few words.
"Oh, I thought that maybe...she was a little bit more than that." The healer said, bustling around the room to clean up. She kept her eyes off of his face, which Marcus was grateful for. His cheeks were a bit pink, despite the cold of his ice bath.
"No...uh, more like a kid sister." He said weakly, knowing in his heart that it was a lie. He'd never once thought of Hermione like a sister, though she did have a special spot in his heart. Oddly, he thought she was a bit more like a best friend, but what kind of professional Quidditch player's best friend was a fifteen year old girl?
"Well, she looks quite beautiful. I'd say Krum looks smitten in that photo." She said, taking the paper from him, watching as the photo looped through once.
Marcus scowled. "She didn't even tell me she was going with anyone." He knew that he hadn't responded to her last letters, so really he shouldn't be surprised that she'd stopped writing. But really, this was a big deal, he thought that she would have at least said something.
The trainer did turn to smile at him this time. "Perhaps, she was nervous that you would disapprove with her choice of date." Marcus grunted at that, thinking that yes, he bloody well would have disapproved, but it wasn't likely to stop Hermione. "Well, you're done in the bath." She said, quietly.
Marcus stood, eager to be out of the icy water. He looked back down at the Daily Prophet. Really, she was so beautiful in that picture. She was probably the belle of the ball, he thought with a small smile. "Do you mind if I keep this?" He asked, holding up the newspaper.
The trainer just smirked at him, no longer holding up the charade that she believed him about Hermione, and nodded.
Marcus did feel a bit badly about ignoring Hermione's letters before her Yule Ball, so he quickly wrote her an apology letter the first week of the new year - completely glossing over the fact that he'd seen her picture in the paper. He didn't mention a word about Viktor Krum, or ask her about Higgs. He was perfectly content to ignore the woman she was becoming.
He did make it known that he was coming back to Hogwarts for the second task in the Triwizard Tournament. She'd written back eagerly, excited at the prospect of seeing him, and Marcus felt better for the first time in weeks. She still appreciated him, still wanted to spend time with him.
But then, the day of the second task arrived and there was no bubbly Hermione waiting for him in Professor Snape's office. He scowled, but didn't say anything when his former Head of House instructed him that the task was being held down at the Black Lake.
He kept his eyes wide for Hermione, but didn't see one curly hair off the top of her head. Perhaps she was sitting in the champions tent with Viktor, he thought with a scowl on his face, making him look more menacing than usual. He thought about just leaving Hogwarts all together, but then he was already at his seat, so he decided to stay and see just what happened.
The four champions - Marcus still couldn't believe Dumbledore had allowed Potter to participate - assembled on a dock and Viktor easy stood out compared to the other two men, tall and lean. A canon blew and all four champions jumped into the water. Marcus certainly didn't envy them any of them having to swim through the cold water of the Black Lake. It was unseasonably cold, even for the end of February in Scotland.
Once they were in the water, it was rather boring for the spectators, as the minutes ticked by with no idea what was going on beneath the surface. All that Marcus knew was that each champion had had something of great value taken from them and hidden deep under water. It seemed as if hours had passed before the first competitor reemerged.
It was Diggory and he was carrying...Cho Chang? Marcus heart sunk when he realized just where Hermione was. Then, each minute seemed to drag on longer than ever. Would she be okay? Would everything be alright?
Just when he thought he could take it no more, Krum, with the head of a shark, resurfaced, carrying Hermione. She gasped as soon as she hit the air and Marcus felt much better just seeing her breathing. He immediately stood from the spectators benches, hurrying down to where Hermione was being looked over by a mediwitch, being wrapped in a towel by Krum.
Suddenly, he was so angry with her. Why would Hermione have ever agreed to put herself in that situation? To put herself in such dangerous position. She could have died! As soon as he got her attention, after being photographed and interviewed and checked over, he waved her over.
"Marcus, I am so glad that you came!" Hermione said eagerly. "Oh, the most wonderful thing just happened, Viktor has invited me to come visited him in Bulgaria this summer."
Marcus knew his face was contorted in rage. "How can you be focused on Bulgaria for summer?" He didn't want Hermione to visit Krum at his home. "You could have been killed, Hermione! You were just under the Black Lake! Why on earth would you agree to participate in this?"
She looked at him for a moment, before her lip began to wobble and her eyes turned a bit misty. "I didn't agree to participate. They just asked me to go to the Headmaster's Office and then I woke up here." She wrapped her arms around his waist, her damp clothes pressed against him.
He was angry then, on her behalf that they would include her without asking. And he was mad that Hermione was somehow so important to Krum that she was the one chosen to be hidden in the lake. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her body relax. He pressed a hand through her wet curls. "I'm just glad you are okay."
"I am sorry I couldn't sit with you during the task." She cried against his chest, and Marcus couldn't hide the smile. Of course she would be worried about him when she should be worried about herself.
Marcus had showed up for the Final Task, the same as the other two, and this time he was greeted by Hermione once again in Snape's office. Their walk down to the Quidditch pitch was quiet, but not uncomfortable. He wasn't sure if she was worried about Krum's well being in the last task. Marcus wasn't so heartless that he wanted the Bulgarian to get hurt.
"I can't wait for you to see the Quidditch pitch." Hermione said quietly. "They've grown a huge hedge maze on it." Marcus winced thinking about that. Of course, they didn't spend much time on the actual grass of the pitch, but he was sure that it would be odd to see.
They made their way into the Quidditch stands and listening to the cheerful music. He could tell that Hermione was thrumming with nervous energy. Once the champions were off, they were again unable to really see anything that was happening. To keep Hermione's mind off of things, Marcus tried to talk to her about what playing for the Falcons was like. There was a lot more training involved than anything at Hogwarts.
But then, everything went to hell. Potter came back, clutching the Triwizard Cup and what couldn't be denied was a body, not even from the height of the stands. From the yellow of his shirt, Marcus could tell it was Diggory. The cheers died down quickly and became screams and cries.
"Is that...?" Hermione trailed off, not able to complete the sentence. They were close enough to Potter that they could hear him screaming about Voldemort being back. Hermione was white as a sheet when Marcus turned her away so that she didn't have to look at the body any more. She looked up at him with frightened eyes. "You-know-who?" She asked, quietly.
Marcus shook his head. "No, Hermione, it's impossible. He's been dead for years, Hermione. He's not back." He wouldn't admit it out loud, but hearing the word Voldemort spill from Potter's lips made him nervous, too. It was no secret the kind of dealings that his father had been involved in, and he didn't want to go back to a time that Voldemort was alive.
"But why is Cedric dead?" She asked, tears in her eyes. "Marcus, I'm a muggleborn...you know what happens to people like me." She wasn't stupid, she had read about what happened during the Wizarding War.
"The Tournament is dangerous...something happened. But, you-know-who can't be back, pipsqueak. He can't be." Marcus didn't know who he was trying to convince. Her or himself. "I promise Hermione, you don't have to worry. I will keep you safe." He didn't know if he could make that promise to the small girl, but he wanted to keep his word.