A/N: Alrighty then. Jemjo thank you for your review and I shall keep a regular update on this story so no worries. Thank you Guest reviewer. Elizabeth, glad to ease your worries a little. Monkgirl here is another update for you. JB! As always it is such a pleasure to read your review. I promise to try to not get in the habit of writing short chapters. Now there is a bit of a time jump in this chapter and its going to cover some of what has happened in between the last one and this. On we go!
Chapter 10
Its two days from the first task of the tournament, and Hermione was worried sick. Not only did she have to worry about Harry's safety but Kari's and Fleur's as well. Ever since Kari and her had talked about their relationship things had been great. Fleur had begun sneaking into their bedroom every night. Each night they had slowly progressed in their relationship, both emotionally and physically. Hermione blushed at the image of last night that flashed through her mind. It was the first time all three had made love together. Now however they were both busy trying to prepare themselves and Harry for the task. Kari had managed to find out that the first was against dragons just last night. Hermione nearly had a panic attack upon hearing this, thus leading Kari and Fleur to make love to her all night. Now Hermione sat in the library looking up all the information on dragons that she could find while Kari, Fleur, and Harry were outside training. Unfortunately the only information she could find was not very encouraging. Sighing she decided to go watch the people who meant the world to her instead of raising her hysteria anymore.
Hermione found the three champions out by the black lake, all of them sweating despite the biting cold of the day. Harry was panting hard and looked ready to drop any second. Fleur looked to be in the same shape if only marginally better. Kari was the only one not exhausted though the glistening sweat showed that she was working just as hard. Hermione saw Ashley sitting under a tree nearby and so walked over to sit with her. "How long have they been training," she asked as she made herself comfortable. "Since breakfast. Kari has been drilling them pretty hard to ensure that they are ready." Hermione nodded, keeping her eyes on her girlfriends and best friend. "Did they eat lunch?" "No. This is the first break she's allowed them, and that's only because the others look ready to pass out." Ashley sighed, "I know Kari just wants to make sure they have a better chance to survive, but at this rate she'll be the one to kill them." "How are things between you and Harry going. I've noticed that he spends more time with you than anything," Hermione asked to get her mind of the group training. Ashley blushed lightly but grinned. "They are going great. He's finally coming out of his shell and learning to enjoy life, no matter how fucked up it is." Hermione nodded as she saw the three approaching.
Harry sat down beside Ashley, receiving a kiss. Kari and Fleur sat on both sides of Hermione. "Hey love how's the research comin' along," Kari asked as she hauled her into her lap. "Not too well I'm afraid. All the books pretty much say the same thing. Dragons are highly resistant to magic. Have excellent senses and are very fierce creatures. Depending on the type of dragon determines its strengths and weaknesses. Sense we don't know which dragon any of you will go up against its kind of useless." Kari nuzzled into Hermione's neck as Fleur dozed lightly beside them. "Don't worry Hun. We'll figure something out. Considering the dragons are nesting females it's obvious we will have to retrieve an egg or something from them. We will just have to play to our strengths. I'm going to start teaching Harry some spells that will give him a better chance of succeeding and Fleur and I will go over what we already know that might help." Hermione leaned into her embrace, allowing herself to relax some. "I swear 'Ermione, Kari is trying to kill us. Dragon or not." Fleur panted softly, still on the verge of falling asleep. Both Hermione and Kari had been working with Fleur on her english so that her accent wasn't so thick. She was making remarkable progress though she still allowed her accent out when saying Hermione's name. Only for the fact that they both loved the sound of it.
Kari chuckled and patted Fleur's head. "Only because I love you Fleur. You know I'm only pushing you so hard today to ensure that y'all have the stamina to survive this thing. It'd be stupid if someone just stood in one place while facing a dragon ya know." Fleur stuck out her tongue before starting to snore softly. Hermione and Ashley shook their heads at their respective lovers. Harry had fallen asleep on Ashley's shoulders shortly before. "How come you're not as tired as them," Hermione asked Kari. "I already have a higher stamina, as you know from last night," Hermione blushed deeply," I'm also used to heavy training so I don't tire as easily. Ashley is just as resilient as me in that field." Ashley nodded when Hermione looked at her. "Kari do you think I could begin training with you as well? I don't want to be a burden on anyone if there is a situation," she asked timidly. Kari stared thoughtfully at her for a moment. "Are you sure that's what you want 'Mione? You would never be a burden on us." Hermione nodded resolutely. She wanted to make sure she could be more of use than just a researcher. With everything she had been through with Harry, she needed to be prepared in case something serious happened. "Alright but don't expect me or Ashley to take it easy on you. Military bootcamp will be a walk in the park in comparison." Hermione smiled and kissed Kari deeply. "I won't let you down Kari. Promise."
Kari nodded and leaned against the tree. They chatted for a little while to give Harry and Fleur a much needed break. Finally Kari scooted Hermione off her lap and stood. "Alright, Ash I want you to start Hermione on the basics. Its time to wake these lazy brats." Ashley nodded and led Hermione off a bit down the shore as Kari began yelling at Fleur and Harry to wake their lazy asses up. Hermione chuckled as they jumped up in fright before grumbling. Hermione was certainly not prepared for her own "special treatment" and training as Ashley proved to be just as relentless as Kari. By the time dinner rolled around three very exhausted and hungry teens trudged into the Great Hall while Kari and Ashley looked as if they simply went for a walk. Harry, Hermione, and Fleur devoured their dinner, eating much more than usual. They talked about their training. Fleur was proud that Hermione wanted to join in even if she didn't have to. After dinner they headed back to Kari's room for a long, hot bath and full body message, provided by Kari. They did not get to make love that night. Fleur and Hermione fell asleep during their message. Kari crawled into bed, sandwiching Fleur in between herself and Hermione, and fell into a deep peaceful sleep.
The next morning Kari woke up her girlfriends before dawn. They all got dressed in jogging gear and met a sleepy Harry and wide awake Ashley out in the hallway. They made their way down to the Black Lake to begin their morning run. Harry and Hermione only made it once around the lake, while Fleur only lasted half a lap more. While the three of them walked the remaining distance Kari and Ashley completed three more laps before calling them over to do some warm down stretches. "Listen up guys. We're not going to do any working out today. Since the task is tomorrow I want to make sure we are well rested. Harry you and I are going to do some spell practice so that way you have something to rely on for your task. Since I know you are a great flyer I'm going to teach you the summoning charm. There is no rule that says you can't summon anything to you in the field so that is probably going to be our best bet." Harry nodded and swallowed slightly. "Fleur, I want you to go with Ashley and Hermione to work on some of the more advanced magic. Once again we are going to play to your strengths so focus on those." Everyone nodded before separating into the two groups. They practiced until Harry and Fleur were confidant in their spell work. Along with teaching the summoning charm, Kari taught Harry a multitude of protection and transfiguration spells just in case. First rule of any combat, always have a back up plan.
By the time lunch arrived Harry and Fleur were tired but happy with their results. Hermione was quite shocked and pleased with how well Kari and Ashley could teach. Though she was slightly worried about Kari not being prepared enough due to helping the others. They sat down at the table to eat when a very unwelcome voice spoke up behind them. "So how long do you think you will last Potter? My father and I have a bet you see. I told him you won't last ten minutes in this tournament. He disagrees. He thinks you won't last five." Draco and his goons laughed has Harry fought to control his temper. Kari sighed," and here I thought you had gotten over your crush boy." Draco sputtered. "How dare you! My name is Draco Malfoy, heir to the Malfoy family! I will not put up with your disrespect any longer, you piece of filth!" Ashley held onto Harry's arm as Kari slowly stood up to face Malfoy. She toward over the blonde easily and the sneer she presented would have made Snape cower in fear. "Listen well, Malfoy," she spat," I am far above your pathetic, disgrace of a family. You will learn to respect your betters Boy. Not even your precious daddy can protect you from me. Now run back to your table, and kindly leave the adults alone." Kari sat back down as Malfoy turned beet red before returning to his house table. Hermione, Harry and Fleur stared at her for a moment. Ashley began chuckling, breaking the tension among them. "God Kari I think you made him piss himself." Kari grinned and offered Hermione a bite of her steak. "Think he finally learned to leave us alone?" Ashley and Harry shook their heads. "No he'll just cry to his daddy about the mean girl who insulted them. Then he'll be back to his usual annoying self." Kari nodded and shrugged. "Oh well. More fun for me. At least the idiot is keeping himself at bay." Everyone looked towards Ron.
He sat with Seamus and Dean at the other end of the table, stuffing his face as usual. After his beating he learned to simply ignore them all. His mother on the other hand had been furious. She had even sent several howlers to Harry and Hermione for the mistreatment of her precious boy. Kari, luckily, knew how to undo the charms on the envelopes so they never had to deal with the embarrassing mail. Fred and George had apologized for their brother's behavior and said that they didn't blame Kari or Fleur for their actions. Most of the school still ostracized Harry for his entrance into the tournament, but he's learned to ignore them completely. Kari was right. Why worry about fickle people and their easily swayed minds? Neville had been one of the few who believed him, and was proving to be a great friend. They all sat and chatted about non-important things such as classes and what their plans for the holiday break would be. As the day wore on the group of friends enjoyed each others company. Kari and Fleur gladly helped Harry and Hermione with their homework. They cuddled with their respective partners. Over all they simply allowed themselves to forget about the task the next day. That night Kari, Fleur, and Hermione made slow, passionate love well into the night. When they finally fell asleep the only thing that mattered in the world was the love they held for each other.
In the Headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore paced the cluttered area. All of his plans were at risk thanks to this Kari girl. Harry was no longer friends with Ronald and seemed to be in a relationship with some floozy from America. Not only that but Harry was also being trained by the two girls as well. Now Ronald wouldn't shut up about how he was promised the fame and wealth of Potter, and that the bitch was stealing Granger too. No this was not at all going to plan. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, trying to think of a plan to salvage this. Fawkes stared at the old fool in distaste as he plotted ways to get rid of Kari and Ashley without anyone being the wiser.