Hey! So I know it's been awhile, but I hope the length makes up for the wait XD I've been a busy bee in the last month, I have a) finished a novel (The Game is Called Death- go check it out), started a new pretty popular fanfiction (Omphalos) and re-discovered an old fanfiction and got back into the swing of things with that. It's another Dramione one :)

So only two reviews, slightly disappointing, but I'm happy I got any at all. Things will get more exciting after these couple chapters, I promise!

Without further ado:


Hermione, over the next four days, took careful notes of all her classes. She figured in either situation of a win or lose it would be useful. If she won, she could use it as a guide to teach future victors. If she lost, perhaps the ones that came after her could see it and realize that even the 'Smartest Witch of their Age' Hermione Granger indeed went through the same pre-trials they did. It was also for herself, really. She was bright and had a good memory, but the way things were thrown at her was a bit overwhelming and unceremoniously switched. One moment she was learning about a detonating rock with Fred, the next someone was teaching her how to make food out of few items, and then after she was back with McGonagall stressing over her wand less magic and animangus transformation. Wow.

The night after all her five days of intense training were finally done, Hermione carefully combed through the notes she had taken.

TUESDAY

Breakfast: Seamus cooked again. It's all fancy but I think he'll have a difficult time in the wild without all these supplies, or perhaps I'm wrong. It was awkward for the both of us, per usual. He tried to say something about me saving his arse in the knife throwing yesterday, but I wouldn't have it. I worry about his hand; it's still really bad looking.

Warm Ups: Same as yesterday. Caligula won today. Mandy came in second, Draco in third. Mandy is a stronger girl than I thought. I came in 18th. My legs were already aching after yesterday, but Hooch clearly did not care.

McGonagall: I moved the paper! She said that she didn't expect that until the middle of class today, and therefore I was quite pleased with myself. She let me take a break and try Animangus work. It's not as taxing, but more frustrating because it happens all at once instead of little by little. I concentrated to find my animal for hours, and I think it might be not what my Patronus is, as weird as that is. McGonagall explained to me that Patronusus can change with age or emotions, but our animangus is always the same. It is the most truthful part of ourselves.

I jokingly thought it may be an owl, since of my smartness, but McGonagall shook her head. She didn't think that was it.

"I think it's a large cat; not like a house cat. I can see it on the edge of my vision…but I can't see it clearly." I had grasped for an answer. McGonagall told me that was far enough today, and we continued back into the wandless magic studies.

Lunch: Went back up to my room with Hannah. We made sandwiches. They were quite good sandwiches in my opinion. Seamus made not an entry.

Group: In depth Archery work today. Wonderful. I was a bit better at it today than yesterday. The ones who got done early though, had to come back and help us. Luck would have it, it was Draco who mocked me about not retaining anything from yesterday. What a wanker. After that he was helpful, and sly- he made me wait to achieve the task until we had less than half an hour left. At first I was angry, but then I realized I would have had to gone back and helped someone else instead of being let go. I wont' thank him though.

Viktor Krum: I remember him from school, back when it was integrated. He was just as handsome. Rumor had it he was going to ask me to the end of the year ball, until he got chosen. I wondered this as we walked in, and he caught my eye and smiled. Perhaps it HAD been true. It was all the Gryiffndors, not one on one, so if there was anything to be said between us, it wouldn't have happened.

Before us, he came from Durmstrang, a notoriously tough school. It bred winners, champions, and celebrities until Voldemort took over. It also had a somewhat sinister reputation. He gave a sad smile. He was teaching us about dark magic, magic that in the early creation of Durmstrang was common classes. It was no shocker that he had won the games with a bit of it, I hated it but he was still alive, so perhaps it was time to be done with morals this and that.

It was a very informative class; not only was he handsome, but he was also intelligent, which was a rare combination. You could see the way he was conflicted as he spoke; he didn't want to teach this. He didn't want us to need it. But those controlled vines that wrapped around a player's neck saved his life. And he wasn't encouraging the really bad stuff, not the cursed stuff, just minor rather more Slytherin playing moves.

"Everyone must be the Slyhterin in these games if you are to survive. Outwit, outthink, and out-act your opponents before the do this to you." These were his final words, which Ron protested violently. He would rather die a Gryffindor than die being a Slytherin, he stated. Viktor just looked at him.

"Then you die an idiot."

Fred: Second time seeing Fred. He seems so happy to see me; I haven't remembered him this happy since George died. It really was as if they were so conjoined, that he didn't talk for months after his twin died. If I die, what will he do then? Lapse into sadness again? If Ron dies, and I die, what's left besides Ginny? Merlin knows she's a target next year, unless there's some brand of luck or a star with her name on it. I don't think she alone with her mother could pull him from his sadness if we both died. Therefore, I will win for my friend. It's the least I can do, after all these years.

But it's not just him I'm winning for. It's my parents. Neville. Artemis. Harry. Everyone that didn't choose, that was forced. I chose to be here, albeit under a stupid moment of Gryffindor bravery. But I couldn't force myself to let Artemis die, watch her die, knowing I could have saved her. I'm just Hermione back there- I have no power, no people to get her out of messes in the area. I'm more useful here. At least, that's what I tell myself every moment I begin to doubt it.

I asked Fred if he was teaching Ron any of these, and Fred paused for a long moment. "What I can." He said. His brother met with him as many times as I met with McGonagall, but he was only teaching his brother a fourth of his inventory.

"He doesn't have a memory like you, Hermione." He sighed sadly, "If I can get him to remember at least four in there, the best ones that will serve him well, we've done something good for him." Then Fred looked a little ashamed, "I could teach him more, but this might be the last moments I have with him. Yesterday, I had some Firewhisky called up for us, and we just sat and talked. That's precious, and I'm not sure I'm ready to be the better man and give this time up when I don't even know if he'll win."

Fred was just rambling now, "Perhaps it's better to take the time I have, ever so selfish, but do what I can. Mom and the others do not have such a luxury even to see him, though, so perhaps I'm already taking too much." Then he turned to me, as I stuffed a toad with my mixture, "What do you think I should do?"

"I…I…" I didn't now what to say, "I can't tell you these things Fred. I don't have siblings to be selfish with."

Fred shook his head. "Here I am, blabbering to you when it's your time. I could do the same with you, talk and laugh like we do during the summer, but you can win. Everyone has faith in you, Hermione." He said, and he tugged on a curl.

I moved away. "That's what I'm most afraid of."

Marcus: I wasn't looking forward to Marcus' lesson. Not that he was a Slytherin, it was that he was a Slytherin and was one of the worst there was. He, much like Pansy, greatly hated the announcement that there could be two winners of the games the year he played. He nearly murdered poor Oliver before the hovercrafts came and pulled them away. He would rather kill the last opponent and get all the ugly game and glory for himself.

I don't think Voldemort would have just let that go. I think that Marcus was wrong and he would have been horribly punished for it. He refuses to believe that, and I'm not the first person to have thought it before. Now, he and Oliver must stay at least 100 feet away at all times (more for Oliver's safety than his). Nasty business, if you ask me.

It was a class of everyone except the Slyhterins, which I'm sure he was meeting alone with. His lip curled and he glared at us; clearly, he did not want to be teaching this, but was forced to. Hey; if you win, you're still forced to be a pawn to others.

He didn't really teach us much of anything. Told us the stories of his fame and glory, but it was hardly insightful or useful. I think the lot of us stood around, glancing at each other wondering if he was born this stupid. Someone would tell someone else and he'd be punished because he was supposed to be helping us.

Or maybe because hew as a pure-blood Slytherin, nothing at all would be done.

Dinner: Seamus asked if he and his mates could use the hot tub. It's not like I can just put a monopoly on it. Besides, Hannah was spending time with Cedric tonight. I worry about that; I think it's probably against the rules for those sorts of emotions to become involved. Yet who am I to tell her how to live the little life she has left?

I took a shower, retreated to my room, and I began writing this.

WEDNESDAY

Two days of hell over, but two days until a worse hell appears. Sigh…

Breakfast: I skipped food with Seamus upstairs to journey downstairs. Seamus warned me not to. Ugg, I should have listened to him. Food down there was awful and not very filling. I had time at least to bolt back up to my room and steal some left-over, but not without Seamus' 'I told you so' look the whole time.

Warm-Ups: I thought I killed yesterday? Please, I was just kidding. Today I felt like my legs were gong to up and fall off! I couldn't walk a step without my knees beginning to buckle. I don't think I was the only one, because we did a much calmer work out today. It was almost relaxing. A ton of stretching and yoga moves. Just working on strengthening the muscles without having to run at all. Perhaps Wednesday will be my lucky day?

McGonagall: She congratulated me on my success yesterday with a bit of tea and biscuits. Then, as I was just sitting there, contemplating everything, it came to me.

My animangus is a Panther.

I never imaged that. I honestly imagined that McGonagall was wrong (which was really quite silly of me) and that it was an otter all along. But it's not. I saw it clear as day, I reached out and touched the nose of the beast and we connected as one.

Wow.

That animal could do some damage during the games.

I could see McGonagall was conflicted on which to teach me. I reminded her that perhaps figuring it out was all the progress I could make today, and it was quite the progress, and perhaps we should continue with my wandless magic?

McGonagall smiled and told me this is why I was her favorite student.

I'm getting to better wandless magic now. It's really pressing. Usually people take years to master this. I don't need to master it, but I do need to get a handle on it by Friday. I cast a patronus wandlessly today, and I fainted promptly after. I think we both agreed enough for one day.

Lunch: I hope my friends didn't worry, but because of my progress, I was out for lunch. I was honestly still on the floor trying to be woken for half of it. McGonagall brought me up some food, and even thought I had finished it quickly, she thought it would be best I rest. She wanted to try to get me out of Hooch's lesson, but I don't need Pansy taunting me or to miss something that could save my life. When she told me right to bed tonight, there were no arguing from me.

Group: Yesterday was archery. Today is swords. Hooch said that there was a surprise for us, and while to some it wasn't a happy surprise, it was quite the expensive one.

The game-makers would be making a sword for each of us if we passed a certain level of our training, but what that level is, no one seems to be telling us.

It was rather unlike yesterday, though, because we got to go into a section with a sword master individually and spend time creating a sword that was perfect for us. I admitted I was better at daggers, and the sword master winked. It wasn't a creepy wink.

"I'm rooting for you, Hermione. My daughter's best friend is Artemis, and she worships you. I will hid daggers for you in the area, and even if it comes to it, send you one in."

"That's quite generous," I replied, "But I'm not sure if I should be honored to have your daughter's worship." I said.

"With that comment, you already have." He assured, and we spent time swinging and giving pointers to me. I asked him, as a wizard, how he came upon the artistship of sword making? He said that it was merely a hobby when he was younger, but was recruited for Voldemort's games a couple years ago.

"I made the sword that went through Cho." He told me, and he looked shaken by it still, "My beauty killed her."

Mad-Eye: I meet with Mad-Eye three times. I've only heard stories but he seems to be a man who has seen a lot. When I asked him what we'd be learning over the three days, he looked at me like I was crazy.

"Just one thing? One subject?" He scoffed at me, "Why would we limit ourselves like that?"

I know I'm going to like him already, no matter his gruff exterior. He knows a lot about the dark arts, but he was mostly teaching me how to effectively stop some things. The first thing we talked about were Unforgivable Curses. He made me watch him perform them.

"Those that master wandless magic- some would not think it below them to use these." He warned. I stared at the carcass of the spider, and I couldn't imagine anything more horrible.

The rest of the things I learned were not as emotionally horrible, but I couldn't really focus. Pansy would not hesitate. Blaise or Daphne would not hesitate. Pike, from what I know of him, would not hesitate. I could be dead and never see it coming.

Lupin: I had long ago guessed that one of Harry's favorite teachers was a werewolf. I confronted him and he only laughed and said I was right. He was just that kind of teacher.

He was teaching us about dangerous darker magic creatures, werewolves included. I wondered with horror if Voldemort would be so horrible to send a changed man into the area as a wolf to attack us?

Oh yes, it was Voldemort. Of course he would.

The list seemed to drag on for miles: manticores, mermaids, pixies, boggarts, thresals…the list of horrible creatures that could attack us seemed to never end. Lupin said that there was a few that had never been sent into the area, so he especially prepared us for those animals, as they were very likely to be sent to kill us.

Could I kill a dragon? Dragons had never been put into the area. I don't think I could kill a dragon.

Ron and I stayed after a little, because Snapes class wasn't for another half hour, to talk with Lupin. He gave us chocolate, of course, and I told him about my progress with McGonagall, and his whole face lit up.

He misses Harry just as much as we do.

Snape: He insulted the group of Gryffindors the whole time, but hey, did I expect differently? And of course he bragged about the amazing potions skills of his god-son, and how they could save you in a tight pinch. I didn't disagree- not about Draco- but about potions being helpful. They could harm, or they could save. They could even be used against an opponent.

Snape basically just threw some books at us about potions in survival, and a couple others to sabotage, and there was this little woods set up. Seamus asked if all the ingredients in this faux wood would be in the area, trying to figure it out. Snape hit him in the back of the head with a book, and Seamus knew better than to open his mouth again.

Lavender couldn't tell one leaf from another! They weren't labeled in a storeroom that was for sure. Even I had to pull out my trusty guidebook and glance between two leaves. One was poisonous, one was harmless.

Snape did let us know that there would be some potion books in the area, if we were lucky enough to get our hands on them. Then he sniggled, as if there was something none of us knew. Whatta guy!

But as we left, he looked a little sad, a little broken. It's one thing to teach a brother about killing, but Snape thought of Draco as a son. Anyone with eyes could see that he genuinely cared for him, something that he didn't seem to do for anyone else.

And he didn't want Draco to die either.

Not everyone is horrible. Perhaps I shouldn't tell myself that. It just makes it harder to kill my opponents.

But even Pansy must have something or someone she loves, and when she dies, that love of something will die too.

Dinner: I told Hannah not to come up tonight. I'm too tired and that lesson today really drained me. I was completely ready to head up to bed and eat something quick and easy when Seamus stopped me.

"You know some stuff about healing?" He asked. I told him my knowledge was limited, but he was persistent. He sat right on my bed!

"Take a look at my hand, will you?" He asked, and unwrapped it.

"I think that the nurses should be doing that." I pointed out.

"They won't. There are none, not really." He said quietly, "I'm going to fail before I even begin."

"Do you cast with your left or your right?" I asked slowly, and Seamus winced.

"McGonagall doesn't know what to do." He answered indirectly, "I can try, but I'm almost useless. I heard you cast a patronus today."

"And I feel like it nearly killed me." I said, recalling why I was in bed as it was.

Seamus sighed and was about to go when I grabbed his hand. "It doesn't just look like a boot crushed it." I told him.

"He really ground it into the ground, even after the crack." Seamus winced, and I tenderly touched some spots, "I kill him first."

"I don't know what you expect me to do without a wand?" I told him, but I felt really bad for him.

He looked at me, and then shook his head. "Never mind, Hermione. Goodnight."

THURSDAY

Hermione put her diary down, and sighed. What had happened that morning was beyond comprehension, and she didn't dare write it down. There were some things that were condemned to memories and this was one of them.

She had woken after about nine hours of sleep, and still with three to spare before the next day or training. She never usually needed that kind of sleep, so she figured it was her body's way of saying thanks for a good night's rest, and she knew she would not be able to get back to sleep.

She made herself a cup of tea, and went out and put herself in the hot-tub. It was heavenly, and really relaxed her.

The sky was just beginning to turn light, and she relaxed back into the water to enjoy the view. She didn't think anyone else was awake to see this beauty. She turned to her left lazily, and saw- wonders of wondrous- Draco Malfoy on the roof of her penthouse, legs dangling over the edge, watching her sunrise! She gawked, and as if sensing her gaze, he locked eyes with her. They broke it quickly, and Hermione threw on a towel to open the window that she saw him out of.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Watching a sunrise." He said, shrugging.

"How in Merlin's name did you get all the way up here?" She motioned, "On my penthouse roof!"

"Magic." He replied, deadpanned. Hermione sputtered, and shook her head. She noticed he still had his nightclothes on, and it wasn't a particularly warm day. In fact, she felt a harsh breeze on her exposed skin, and saw Draco trying not to shiver.

"You do this often?" She asked, motioning out. He nodded absently.

"Every morning." He replied, "Every morning I have left."

Hermione looked at her warm hot-tub, and Draco shivering in the cold. It wasn't like he was being totally horrible yet, so she gave a long sigh.

"Would you like to watch from my hot-tub?" She asked with a inward groan. She had known what she was going to ask, disapproved, yet asked him anyway.

He seemed more than slightly surprised, he nearly fell of the building. Nevertheless, he nodded and made his way cautiously inside. He seemed quite aware that she was watching him.

"Do you want breakfast?" Hermione asked. She wasn't sure why that seemed to surprise him even more.

"Can you cook?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Minor things, I suppose." Hermione said modestly, "Eggs or bacon or toast?" She offered. Draco gave a wry grin.

"All three?"

She rolled her eyes, but went to make him food, and food for herself. When she returned not long after, he had settled himself in. His shirt was off, but than Merlin she saw he still had his sleeping pants on.

"Are you going to get back in?" He asked as she handed him a plate.

"I…" She said uneasily, "No."

Draco shrugged, and lounged all across the water. "More for me." He gave a content sigh and peered over the edge, "If I had a hot-tub with windows like these to watch the sunrise every morning, I'd be really happy."

"Ask your father then." Hermione said automatically, and Draco shot up and gave her a hard glare.

"And have them knock down a wall and install it right in time for the games to begin? For some other lucky child next year to get my hot-tub? No sir!" He said, "Besides. Not worth it." He added.

There was a silence, although not awkward like Hermione was expecting. Draco broke it. "Why are you doing this? Are you trying to make an ally?"

"No." Hermione said shortly, "I'm just being a nice person. You've been civil to me this whole time, and you looked cold and hungry." She figured honesty was the best course to go with.

"Ah." He said, his fingers tapping on the edge, "I'm not with the other Slytherins as allies."

"I really don't care." Hermione said, but Draco shook his head.

"You do though. You're storing that away into your big little head of yours to bring up later when you're in the area planning actions and strategies." He said, and Hermione felt a blush run up her cheeks. He knew that any piece of information was more than valuable to her.

"If I might ask a question, I noticed you were gone from our group training with Cedric on Monday."

"That wasn't a question." Draco said cheekily, stuffing eggs into his mouth.

"The question was implied." Hermione responded, and Draco gave a shrug.

"Fair enough. My father came to visit me." He said.

"A final effort to get you out? Of course you would get out of training to see your parents." Her throat tightened. She didn't even know if her parents were aware of this. No doubt Voldemort would haul them out to see her participate. Even if she won, how could she look at their faces without feeling shame ever again? She noted Draco looking at her coldly.

"Anyone could get out. It's parents. Our parents did not have the ability to see us off. Not even mine. If your parents showed up, you'd be pulled too." He replied sourly, "And no. It was far from trying to get me out. It was a last moment between a son and a father." Draco's fingers picked up a necklace that Hermione had not noticed.

It was not ornate nor superfluous, like most pure-blood items were. It was a simple emerald stone with a little silver dragon with a snake as the tale curling around it. "My artifact to bring into the games. A piece of home." He said.

"I don't have anything really to bring into the games." Hermione admitted. Everyone was allowed one special item that perhaps reminded them of home. Draco sighed, and set it back down.

"Anyway, I heard I missed some great inter-house bonding though. I'm just going to wither away not knowing your favorite color."

"Purple." Hermione said, and Draco looked a bit confused, "My favorite color is purple."

"Oh. Mine's white."

"That's not a color nor green or silver." Hermione said. Draco raised an eyebrow.

"It is too a color, and for that second comment, gee I had no idea." He gave a dramatic roll of his eyes, "Shall we just go through the whole darn list then?" He asked.

"If you feel the need. I'm fine with watching the sunrise."

"Ah, but that won't be for a while. And perhaps if I can get one bloody Gryffindor's favorites, I'll be exempt from going to everyone and having to fill out the darn sheet." He said with thought.

She gave him a scathing look. "Do you really expect they'd do that?" She asked. He shrugged, raising an eyebrow.

"Do you really expect they wouldn't?"

Hermione opened and closed her mouth, but shrugged. They were quite the unpredictable group.

The sun rose as they did the questions, and they both took a moment os silence. Not long after, Seamus begun to stir in his room. This was when Draco jumped out, and threw on his night-shirt.

"Why so sudden?" Hermione asked, "its just Seamus."

"Try explaining to him that you have a Slytherin in your hot tub." Draco rolled his eyes.

"Oh come." Hermione pouted, "He's not like that."

Draco gave her a long look. "You're open-minded. You always have been. It's hard for you to see that sometimes people aren't. I used to be just like he is. He's a good person, but blinded. It's better for me not to be here." He said as his final statement, and then got back onto the roof and jumped.

Hermione gave a little shriek and half threw herself out the window to see him on the pavement at the bottom. But she looked down to see Draco dusting himself off in the balcony below. He glanced up, gave her a salute and through his door he went. Hermione was still craning out the window when Seamus walked into the kitchen.

"Hermione- why are you half out that window in your pajamas?"

Warm Ups: Back to horrible intensive work-outs. Hooch is beginning to seem a bit frazzled. We only have one more run after today and then she has to watch us on that screen in the area. I think she secretly loves all of us. Even Draco has seemingly managed to charm her a little. She wasn't mean though, just pushed us. After the breakfast I had with…well on my porch this morning and then a second one when Seamus woke, and the sleep I'd got the night before, I felt very much well rested and fed. Work-outs were almost pleasing.

I managed to get in the top ten runners. I don't know if everyone else just lost will or if I'm really getting that good. Let's pretend it's the latter.

McGonagall: Since we had a lot of time, McGonagall said we'd start with what my magic felt most inclined to today. When I thought about the two routes we could take, my intellectual side craved my panther, but my magic flared in my chest when I thought of wandless.

Because of that wandless was easier today. I didn't dare try a patronus again, because that was a lot of exertion on anyone's part and McGonagall chastised me gently for attempting it, instead I did some level six spells.

We took a break half-way through and McGongall began to lay out the past areas for me. We talked about scenarios and the best options to reveal my progress in wandless magic, because that wasn't just something I pulled out the first day.

Then we tried to coax my animangus out, to no avail, which frustrated me beyond anything else I've ever felt. I could feel it inside of me, like a splinter dug in deep, but no matter how much I pulled and gorged it out, it was stuck.

McGonagall told me not to feel worried, because no one else had been able to transform an Animagus or do the skill work with wandless that I could, but I wasn't comparing myself to the others anyway.

Lunch: We decided- Ernie, Hannah, Elizabeth and I- that tomorrow during our lunch we would go up to my room to talk strategies, as it was the last free-time we would most likely have before the games. I wasn't sure how the day before the game would go, but I suppose that would be told to us tomorrow night anyway.

Group: Daggers.

I was slightly excited today, because it was my best suit. Not like I was the best at throwing by far, or even in the top, but it was what I seemed to be the best at, and I took pride in the dangers that I could. It was a skill that I could not simply learn by reading books, so it was valuable instinctual information.

The man with the swords was back today, and he nodded at me when he saw my face brighten at the display of daggers put in front of him. It began with some informational and history of certain kids of daggers.

It was all very interesting, and I'm sure that at any other time I would have been eating that sort of stuff up. Even so, I was sorting it into the backend of my memory, and it would be interesting at the very most, if I get out of this alive. In the front of my mind, as I listened, I couldn't help but think that the rundown was…useless. In comparison to the games I mean.

It's cool to hear that that dagger originated back in the 1800's or whatnot, but unless we are given a choice from an array of daggers, it's not going to make a difference which one you stab someone to death with.

And because I'm so horribly inadequate with weapons to begin with, all I went for was which felt right in my hand. I could look and use the information to decide what blade will inflict the most damage vs. which would be better for throwing, but like I said before; I don't think I'll get that chance. It may as well be better to get the general skills with a few different, than become attached to one in particular.

And they wheeled out these…mannequins. They were all human like- when we poked them they were filled with fluid and sacks of blood. Hooch said that these were as real to humans as we'd ever get- the skull and all the bones were exactly the thickness and toughness as our own. While practice with everything else had been almost all fun and games, I felt sick without having to be told what we were doing.

"You will attack mannequins from three different positions. From this line," She tapped a line with her foot, "From behind that wall, from the back, and from that loft that is tree height. The glowing eyes will turn off when you have made sufficient enough cuts to kill. We are looking for precise and timely. Give your opponent enough time with a sour throw and they may have time to run or fight back."

And we were left to choose our weapons.

It was gruesome, I watched Blaise chuck a larger dagger at the stomach, and all of the guts fell out, just like a person. Even with the guts and blood on the floor, he didn't die immediately, but he did bleed out. And that had only been the first minute. Susan puked; it was rather gruesome.

It was a harder challenge than I thought. You had to lob it just right, and if you didn't, then it would either make a little incision that hardly bled, or didn't have enough force to really hurt.

Pansy finished in record time. Twenty minuets. She was terrifying. Admittedly, I think we all stopped to watch her. This was clearly her 'thing'. First, from the line, she threw three and only the first was needed. It went right through the heart. The second two hit bulls eye in the eyes. Showing off.

I though, for sure, the back would be trickier for her, but one precise flick of her wrist and that dagger went and penetrated through the back of the skull, and the mannequin fell forward.

Lastly, from the tree, she aimed for the stomach, and it fell and sliced from the heart to his torso. And she was finished.

She didn't say anything as she left, but it left a cloud of unease hanging over our heads. A sharp shoot like that from such angles and distances- without a clunky metal shield, you could be done for. So…I had to be sure that Pansy never came in contact with any daggers. She was almost eloquent with the others, worst hand-to-hand and awkward when using a sword or arrows, but if she got daggers, we were done for.

I finished seventh. I maybe could have done better, but after that show, my hands shook so badly that even if I had gotten the right acceleration, it missed its mark. Seamus looked miserable, and to be honest, I don't think I've ever seen Ron look more like he was going to piss his pants in his life.

As I left, Seamus caught up with me. "Hey, so Cedric told me bout this tradition that the people with the suite do, and I forgot to tell you about it." He said.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I guess the food sucks down in the cafeteria by the dinner, and it's good to get a good meal in so the suite people usually have a big meal for people up in their room."

I though about it. "That sounds…wonderful, actually. I'll take the girls, you ask the guys."

"Shouldn't we decide who, though?" Seamus asked, and I frowned.

"Aren't we inviting everyone?"

"You want to invite Slytherins?" Seamus looked shocked, "Pansy?"

"She's human too! And maybe she'd see it and remember it in the games as a sign of us being kind people!"

"Human? That's debatable." Seamus snorted then scowled, "You're too good of a person. If Blaise bites my head off when I ask, it's your fault."

"Please. I'm asking Pansy." I hardly thought that he was in the more difficult position.

And as it turned out, I didn't have to ask many people. Soon word spread like wildfire, and I heard Pansy talking about it with Pike if they should go as I walked to Fred's so I didn't have to bother myself by personally inviting her.

Fred:

It was my last time meeting with him. I honestly didn't know if I'd see him again after, so today, perhaps I stared at him a little too much, but Merlin…

And I tried to remind myself that with was Gred or Fred or whatever name he used and all and he had been Ron's older brother and funny in my first few years of Hogwarts, but underneath it all…he'd killed people.

"Marietta Edgecombe." He said in a hoarse voice, "She was just coming at me with a spear. After Cho went crazy, so did she! And I had nothing but my hands. These hands." He looked down and gulped. I hadn't forced him to talk, but today, because I was already making much better progress memorization wise, I'd asked about the games. Killing people. He'd looked so distraught, but said he wanted to tell me.

"And I snapped her neck." He said, "Merlin, I remember that sound. So…clear. Like the sound of breaking a branch with your shoe." He said.

"And then you went on to win." I said, "How…how's life?"

And of course I wasn't asking just a mere conversation placeholder, he recognized my real question.

"It never really ends, Hermione." He gave a grin, a show of teeth, but it was dangerous, "Called back here each year, dreams, remembering that you are now a horrible person…" he shook his head, "Enough with that. Exploding papayas, shall we?"

And I suppose that was just the end of it. There wasn't anything left to say.

Sinstra

Taught us how to read the stars and constellations to allow us to figure out our position. She also added in some divination stuff about the planets and all, but admittedly I didn't listen much to that. Divination is by far the most useless class a Wizard could be taught. Besides, now…I'll admit…I was getting very, very, very nervous.

Mad Eye Moody:

He looked a little shocked when I asked him if he expected me to perform an Unforgivable today, perhaps I said it a bit snidely.

"You really can only cast them if you really mean them. I can tell you wouldn't, not now." He said gruffly, and I was a little calmed. I asked how he could kill innocent spiders, then?

"Because I want someone like you to win." Someone like me? What did that mean? A girl? Gryffindor? Good person? Merlin there could be thousands of defining points that would qualify me for so many people's support in places it shouldn't be. I'm not violent. I am not a killer! Even at the idea of death of myself, I'm not sure if I can do it…I just…don't…know…

He began to teach me the Polyjuice. I almost laughed; I had learned this back in second year, before Voldemort rose. It was when the Chamber was opened. Mine…well, it didn't go well. I can still recall the feel of hairballs climbing up my throat.

Madeye almost laughed, almost smiled at my story. He said that he had a way to make it flawless, easier, and quicker. I had not thought he would have able to be such a great maker of the potion, but he said with a little sly grin he'd done some dabbling in things in his youth.

Dinner

Umbridge made an appearance. I had hoped to be rid of her; she called everyone into the dining room.

"Tomorrow is your last day of training. I hope you've all learned a lot!" She said, and there were murmuring grumbles, and no one really answered, "Well tomorrow is a big day of preparations. During your lunch period tomorrow, you all will meet down here to talk with a designer about your outfit for the interviews in two days time!" She gave a faux smile, "How wonderful. Men all dressed in their finest, women in dresses-a treat by the generosity of Lord Voldemort." She breathed as if we were the luckiest people on earth.

When she left, I called my group over, and scowled. "And we can't' talk during dinner, we're having everyone up." I finished worriedly.

"Well…" Ernie scratched his neck, "Let's talk anyway. Let people see. Let them get scared." He flashed a smile, and was much more relaxed about it than I was. I scowled, but agreed, as did everyone else. Hopefully Seamus would insist on pulling out the wine and everyone would be so inebriated that few would notice us sneaking off. With luck.

I went to bed early, because Hannah went to Cedric's again. I tossed and turned all night, and finally drifted off, although I woke through the night. I almost wondered if I should wake to see the sunrise…because…well…never mind.

FRIDAY

Morning: There was a snake in my hot-tub this morning, before Seamus was up. Blond hair, smirking grin, the works. I managed to shoo him away before anyone saw. Bloody Malfoys.

Warm-Ups: Hooch pushed us harder than she had ever pushed us before. Someone vomited after the first half-hour. Luckily, not me, although I didn't last much longer. Usually she was kind enough to give us breaks, but today we worked the whole hour and fifteen minuets without stop, in crazy hot conditions of the room, with a burning feeling in our stomachs.

McGonagall: I have nearly mastered the basics of wandless magic, and McGonagall told me that if she had ever a daughter, she would have wished that this daughter would have been just like me. McGonagall has always been like another parent, so hearing that was one of the nicest things I think anyone could ever say to me.

I still couldn't get my Animangus out. It bothered me greatly.

LUNCH: Perhaps one of the Seven Hells I know. Make-up and fancy dresses. What a waste of time!

And when I heard it was Madam Malkin who would be designing these robes, my stomach lurched. She…ah…made it quite clearly who her preferred customers were (Purebloods). I was the farthest from that. I was eased slightly when I realized that it wouldn't actually be Malkin in the flesh, because no she was far to busy, but assistants.

We were to eat and be called over in the order that the four assistants had; one for each house. I learned that they were all representatives from the four houses, to best create outfits from the pride our houses represented.

She looked at me, and although there was almost a warm vibe from her, I didn't try talking to her. "Hermione Granger." She gave a sly smile, "I know you."

"Oh?" I asked.

"I was a seventh-year when you began. I know your type." Once again I wondered what her type was, although she was sure it was very much different than what Mad-Eye was talking of. The assistant took all the measurements, and dint' ask me a lot of questions. I was out in about ten minuets, tops.

Group: After the harsh morning, I hardly expected Hooch to go easy on us. I was correct. It was hand-to-hand combat, and brutal. There was a Medi-Witch on hand to fix bruises and broken noses, and we were supposed to go all out. Susan, of course, failed miserably and Hooch got in her face and started screaming. This was about half-an hour left of the day.

Then Susan just started to cry, and Hooch dropped her. I expected her to yell some more, but instead Hooch shook.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Hooch said, and then she begun to cry to. It wasn't even funny; just morbidly depressing. And we were all silent, even Pansy, watching her cry. She ordered us out, and we didn't stick around. Except me; I asked Hooch if I could get her a glass of tea.

"Every year, I try, and they all die. But that's supposed to happen, right?" She said once I had gotten her a drink.

I didn't expect the saddest to be Hooch, but everything was surprising me nowadays.

Sinstra: Probably more boring things, but I was going to suffer through it. Until I saw Draco looking guilty against a wall.

"Not going. Load of rubbish," He scoffed.

"But…but…" I stuttered, wanting to find a reason to disagree.

"What are they going to do? Throw me in the Green Games?" He joked, and I scowled.

"That's not funny." I said sternly, but followed him from the door. In my mind, I told myself I was just here to reprimand him and get him back to class, but really, I had to admit it was either brave or stupid.

"Lighten up." He said with a roll of his eyes, "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go and practice some more fighting." He said, and left me in the fork of the road. I figured he had the right idea, and found the practice room empty. I threw dagger after dagger until my hands hurt and an unsuspecting piece of wood was riddled with slashes and crevices.

This was useful to me. Star charting was not.

Mad-Eye:

"You skipped the last class." Mad-Eye said as soon as I walked in the door.

"Yes well." Now I felt the blood flush my face, "I didn't find it useful. I needed to work on my knife throwing anyway." I said.

"In Hogwarts, you'd be in trouble." He said, "But we're not in Hogwarts. Instincts, I'd say. You know what you think you do."

Why was everyone always so vague? It was annoying.

Instead I smiled and nodded.

Lupin:

He had news from the official headquarters.

Acromantulas. There would be huge spiders in the arena. Ron looked ready to give up right then.

He said that we needed to keep it hush-hush, that we weren't supposed to know, and he only knew by accident. We spent the whole class practicing spells that could be used to fend off one or a whole pack.

Watch; they'll change their mind at the last minuet and they'll just release tigers or something.

Dinner:

"Are the plates out?" I asked.

"Yes, Mione." Seamus groaned in exasperation.

"And the stove heated to low?" I fretted.

"Merlin, I'm the one cooking woman. It's like we're a married couple preparing for a dinner party."

"Well, one of those things is right." I replied, and tugged on my shirt. It was the absolute best of everything Seamus knew that he was all throwing together. When he read the menu to me when we ran up here, I was amazed and my mouth watered.

I didn't know who would come. I suppose I was more surprised with who would not come. Or who did? I'm just writing in circles now, it was such the night!

All the Gryffindors came, which I highly expected. Faye was by far the most withdrawn of the group, but during the night she became more open. I think wine had something to do with that.

So did all the Hufflepuffs. Back at school, they were our number one supporter outside our own house, so that was hardly unexpected either. And we were well liked by Ravenclaws, but not everyone there came.

For example, I noticed that neither Mandy nor Duke Oakley attended which was clearly their loss. I heard through the grapevine that Mandy was having a breakdown in her room, the poor thing. I was going to bring her food until her roommate- Susan- offered to bring her some when she left. And Duke? I don't honestly know him enough to decipher his motives for not joining such a wonderful meal.

And then…the Slytherins. Three out of six came, so half…not bad. Draco walked in a little brazenly, almost strutting his complete abandonment of his own housemates, and sat down next to me.

"What's for dinner, Granger?"

I'm pretty sure Ron nearly had a heart attack.

Then Daphne and Tracey came together, Tracey tugging Daphne by the arm. Daphne was the cool ice queen everyone always knew her as, and sat rigidly against her chair, but nonetheless soon calmed and even made small talk. Tracey on the other had was…animated. Stupid, but animated.

Things begun to get crazy and there was a poker game going on, people splashing in the hot-tub, trading secrets…and I figured it was high time for our own secrets. I caught eyes with Ernie, Hannah, and Elizabeth and we went into the bedroom.

"So…our goal?" Ernie finally asked.

"Stay alive?" Hannah gave a weak grin.

"I think that maybe we should do this…" Elizabeth began, and she brought up some papers with ideas she'd drawn, and we quickly began to collaborate and work through our plan. Once, I looked up and I was sure I saw a sliver of silver through the door, but I wasn't sure, so I just ignored it.

It was nearly midnight when we kicked everyone out. It seemed few noticed my group's absence and even fewer said anything about it. The only one to say something directly was Seamus.

"So you have secret groups now too?" He questioned almost angrily, and I sighed.

"It's not your concern, Seamus."

"You're right." He said almost blissfully, but through gritted teeth, "It's not."

"Trouble in paradise?" A voice asked from behind, and I noticed that Seamus and I were not alone. Draco. He picked up a shoe from the ground.

"Nearly forgot this." He said by way of explanation. I scrutinized him.

"Were you spying on my friends in my room tonight?" I asked bluntly.

"Not you in particular. Any small group talking quietly is something I'm interested in. Couldn't get close enough without being obvious." He admitted, "So don't' worry. I didn't hear anything. You don't have to kill me." His joke hit a little too close, and I pointed to the door.

"Goodnight, Draco." I said, and he was so shocked at my use of his first name, he scampered away.

I should get to sleep, really. Tomorrow is an interview with Rita Skeeter in front of a million people. But honestly, I'm just too damn afraid.


What did you think? Lots of different things going on all at once, I know.

Also, a question. How do you like the two relationships between Draco/Hermione and Seamus/Hermione. I'm trying to portray them as two different loves, because as you know both will happen in this story, and I hope I'm achieving two different feels between them!

Anwho, read and review!