Everyone was gathered early for the drawing of the champions for the Triwizard tournament. The drawing wasn't expected for another hour or so but a lot of people had been gathering throughout the day to hang out nearby just so they knew they would have a good spot for when it happened. Hermione was sat along the side lines watching Fred and George try to figure out different ways to deceive the age line Dumbledore had placed around the goblet. Hermione was lost deep within the pages of book per her usual that she hadn't noticed among the gathering crowd Luna came into view just watching and staring at her. She crossed her legs at the ankles and shifted in her seat tucking her hair behind her ear as Luna approached.

"Hey Hermione..." she smiled as she walked up in front of her.

Hermione glanced up from her book and shut it slowly carefully keeping her finger in place to save her page. She gave Luna a small smile and glanced around herself nervously "Oh um hey Luna." Luna's brow furrowed as she looked her over wondering why she seemed so off.

"Hermione, I need to talk to you and it's really important." Luna insisted. Hermione bit her lip anxiously before replying "Couldn't we talk later you know more privately?" Luna shook her head and her fists balled up "No I don't want to talk in private, I want to talk here" her eyes closed as she drew in a sharp breath "Hermione, I'm in love with you and I want to be with you."

A few students looked up and were glancing towards the two of them. Hermione's face paled and her eyes went wide as she whispered "Please stop…" Luna huffed as tears prickled her eyes "No! I know you feel the same way! Come on! Show them! Show everyone…please" a single tear rolled down her cheek but she smiled hopefully.

Hermione carefully set her book down on the floor and stood up in front of her. "I don't love you, I barely even know you and I don't like girls like that. I'm sorry but I think you should leave. You're obviously confused and only embarrassing yourself. No wonder they call you Looney…" her words seemed to visibly cut Luna to her core "Now get out of my face." Hermione plopped back down on her seat and grabbed her book burying her face in it trying to hide the tears streaming down her cheeks her body trembling a bit.

"How can you say that!" Luna shouted at this point the room was silent and everyone stared. One girl from Ravenclaw whom was somewhat friends with Luna tried to come up behind her and place her hand on her shoulder but Luna turned sharply and pushed passed her running from the Great Hall. Noticing the tension in particular Fred and George emerged from their powwow having decided that an aging potion would be best to try to gain access to the goblet. They immediately started to make a show of it shouting their idea and joking trying to not only meet their own needs but to also take the heat off of Hermione. Hermione rubbed her eyes roughly trying to wipe away the tears and with a sniff and a forced small laugh she smiled warmly at the two of them "It's not going to work."

Fred smiled and jumped up next to her "Oh yeah?" George then popped up on the other side "Why's that Granger?" the boys both making faces at her. The three of them glanced towards the goblet as she motioned towards it. "This is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself." She spoke with a teasing smugness. For once she was happy to have these class clowns nearby to break up the tension. Fred placed an arm around her shoulders and laughed "So?"

"So a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by a dodge as pathetically dim witted as an aging potion." Hermione said matter of factly. Fred laughed and tapped her on the end of her small pointed nose "Ah but that's why it's so brilliant!" George shook his head and jumped in front of her "Because it's so pathetically dim witted" he teased and motioned for Fred who joined him and bottoms up the drank the potion.

Meanwhile during all the commotion Luna had managed to run through the halls and make it through the doors leading out into the grounds. She was inconsolably sobbing as she ran and made it difficult to see. Once outside she managed to trip over an overgrown root and skin her knee. She stopped for a moment and sat on the ground. She pouted a bit her lower lip jetted outward, it was getting dark out much faster than usual. Granted it was late but it seemed also that a storm was rolling in as well. She glanced back at the door but she was far too embarrassed to head back. She thought about hiding out in Hagrid's hut but no he would just ask to many questions and he is pretty close to Hermione and the other two. She just couldn't. She just wanted to be left alone she thought defiantly as she stood herself back up and brushed herself off. With a small trickle of blood running down her leg she took off for the dark forest.