I want to thank ApprenticeWriter05 for the idea of the third Challenge. I must say that it works well with this story and I would never had thought of it. Thanks. Enjoy the chapter.
Finally, the day everyone was waiting for, arrived. The third and final Challenge. Everyone was crowded into the Great Halls in their respected school sections. One large wall had been charmed to show the Champions throughout the Challenge, as it was impossible to witness it first hand. The Challenge was a series of rooms that appeared, changed, and mislead a person. It was a maze of sorts, but had more Dark Magic than a Death Eater convention. And the rooms weren't any different. Hermione had overheard the Headmasters and Headmistress talking about the maze and how they had to call in special healers from St. Mungos just in case something happened.
Hermione bit her lip nervously as she watched the enchanted wall show the Champions in a different room, waiting to begin. It was like watching TV, only more defined and detailed. Hermione watched as Gabrielle and Ivan shared a look that spoke of their conflict. One of them had to win for their school. The other would lose. It could tear apart their relationship beyond any repair. Hermione prayed that that didn't happen. She saw how happy her friend was with Ivan and Hermione liked him, too. He was a nice guy. And they may not even come out of this alive.
Draco must have sensed her worry, because he reached over and grabbed her hand. He smiled the smile that always made Hermione calm down, and she smiled back. "She'll be fine," he said.
"It's what will happen to her and Ivan, is what I'm worried about," Hermione said.
Draco shrugged. "Maybe we'll get lucky and Beauxbaton will win," he said. Hermione giggled and nodded.
Just then, the room fell silent as the Minister stood up. "This is the final Challenge," he said. "The competitors will travel through the rooms, receiving clues as to where to go. They must reach the room with the Tri Wizard Cup. Only then will the maze stop it's purpose. Should, at any time during the race, a member finds themselves unable to continue or in danger, they have only to shoot sparks into the air with their wand and they shall be pulled out immediately. Now, Champions," The champions looked up as if hearing the voice. "You may begin."
Three doors appeared in front of them and they were off with wands drawn. The wall split into three sections, each following a champion and showing it for their schools. Hermione watched as Gabrielle stopped in the middle of a blue room. It was empty except for a chair. She looked around and then raised her wand. She pointed it at a door on the ceiling and the walls instantly turned to water. It wrapped around Gabrielle, wrapping around her and dragging her down into the depths. Hermione gasped and held Draco's hand tighter as she watched her friend try to swim to the top. Finally, Gabrielle broke the surface and reached for the door when she was close enough. After trying the knob with no success, both magically and manually, Gabrielle took a deep breath and dove under the water. She swam to the bottom and grabbed the chair. She swam back up to the top and jabbed the door with the chair. After a few hits, the door glimmered and opened. Gabrielle pulled herself up out of the room and closed the door behind her, sinking to sit on it for a moment. Hogwarts cheered for her, though she couldn't hear them.
Hermione glanced at the other parts of the wall. Ivan had just finished killing off a manticore and Michelle was jumping out of reach of a large octopus with fangs who growled angrily. But they were holding their own so far. Hermione looked back at Gabrielle. She was looking around the room, still sitting on the door. She called out something, but there was no noise. She opened her mouth and yelled something. Still no noise. But something was happening in the room, for Gabrielle jumped to her feet and shot off three different curses.
"What's wrong?" Colby asked to no one in particular.
"I don't know," Hermione said. "But it looks like there's a silence charm on the room."
"But she's yelling at something," Bill said.
Gabrielle suddenly doubled, grabbing her head, her mouth open in a scream. Hermione turned pale as she watched. Suddenly, Gabrielle hit the ground. Hermione jumped to her feet and yelled, "Someone pull her out of there!"
With a soft pop, Gabrielle vanished from the screen and appeared at the front of the Great Hall. Hermione and Draco scurried down from their seats and raced toward Gabrielle's soaked motionless body, but the healers were already there, blocking their path. Hermione tried to look around the healers and gasped when she saw a glimpse of her friend. Her face was pale, almost lifeless. Here eyes closed and there was blood streaming from her ears, nose, and mouth. The healers started to levitate her body and guide her out of the room. Hermione didn't care about the rest of the Challenge. She didn't care if Ivan or Michelle won. She just wanted Gabrielle to be alright. She was one of Hermione's best friends and was like a sister.
Hermione turned to Colby and said, "When Ivan finishes, tell him what happened. Tell him to come to the Infirmary." Colby nodded and Hermione rushed out of the Great Hall, following the healers. Draco was right behind her.
They ran until they reached the Hospital area. A tall healer turned and said in a Texas accent, "Whoa, kids. You can't come in."
"But I have to make sure she's fine," Hermione said, trying to get around the man.
He picked her up and set her on a chair outside the door. "Stay here and we'll get the lady back on the horse. Alright, little lady?"
Hermione wrung her hands and nodded. The man went into the Hospital and closed the door. Draco took the seat next to her and took her hand. He didn't say anything and she was grateful for that. She didn't need someone trying to calm her down, especially when they were going to need to calm Ivan down when he found out; but that didn't mean she was objected to a little support from her boyfriend. He seemed to be very good at that. He probably had a lot of practice with his mother at the company events and such.
She didn't know how long she'd sat on that chair, but it seemed hours. The rest of the Hogwarts students were hanging outside the hospital, as well, having been too worried about one of their own to watch the rest of the match. When Ivan raced up the stairs, everyone looked up. His Champion uniform was covered in soot, was missing an entire pant leg, and blood covering the top of his shirt. His face was panicked as he took in the sad looks everyone sported.
"How is she?" he asked, looking to Hermione. He knew how close they were.
Hermione shook her head. "I don't know. They haven't come out yet," she said. Ivan's face fell and he fell to his knees beside her chair. She reached out and hugged him. His body was shaking and she knew he was trying to hold back tears. Slowly, she pulled back and said, "Tell us about the challenge. Who won?" She attempted a comforting smile.
Ivan looked up at her in almost disbelief before realizing her attempt to take everyone's mind off Gabrielle's state. He took a breath and said, "Um...Michelle von. She vas a half second faster than me."
"Darn," Billy said, playing with Jenny's hair as she laid her head on his shoulder. "There goes my bet."
"Who'd you bet would win?" Bill asked.
"I bet Ivan would win," Billy said.
"I bet Michelle would win," Jenny said.
"What? No support for our side?" Billy joked.
Jenny looked up at him. "Like you're any better. You bet on Durmstrang. Where's your Hogwarts spirit."
"Hogwarts spirit wasn't going to buy that necklace you saw in the village dear," Billy said. "Or the ring I'm going to propose to you with."
There was silence in the hallway as everyone turned to the couple. Jenny lifted her head and stared at her boyfriend. "You mean it?" she asked. "You're going to-"
"Marry you, have seven kids, and live in a cottage by the sea?" Billy said with a smile. "You bet." Jenny threw her arms around Billy, almost sending him sprawling on the floor.
"Congratulations," the Tolsen twins said as one.
"Way to go, mate," Glen said, patting Billy's shoulder.
"She's going to drive you insane," Colby said, who then quickly ducked a flying shoe that would have hit him in the head.
Billy smiled and said, "I can't wait."
"But don't you have to wait another year?" Hermione said. "You should focus on your studies."
Billy rolled his eyes. "Yes, Professor Hermione."
The Hogwarts students laughed, the first one since they'd gathered. The mood lightened for a full second before the door opened to the Infirmary. Everyone turned to the man standing there. The same man with the funny accent. He smiled and everyone released their breath. "She's up," he said. "But she's got a rip roaring headache from those Shrieking faeries. I'll let only two of you in to see her. But only for a few minutes, ya hear."
Everyone turned to Hermione. He too Ivan's hand and slipped off the chair. "We'll see her," she said, pulling Ivan through the door, which closed behind them.
They walked in a bit more and spotted Gabrielle laying against a couple propped up pillows. Hermione raced over and hugged her. Gabrielle hugged her back. Hermione pulled away and let Ivan hug her. Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Ivan and pressed her face into his shoulder. Hermione let them have their small moment before softly asking, "How are you?"
Gabrielle pulled away from the embrace and smiled weakly. "I'm fine. Just a little weak and a headache that won't go away," she said.
"Vhat happened?" Ivan asked, squeezing her hand.
Gabrielle's smile faded. "I got out of the first room when it started to fill with water. I was catching my breath and then, out of no where, I heard this voice. It was taunting me so I yelled for it to show itself. Then other voices joined it. Next thing I knew, they were screaming so loudly, it was unbearable. I blacked out after that. But I'm really sore."
Hermione nodded. "The healer said that Shrieking faeries were in the room. I'm told that their shriek, when exposed to it for long periods of time, can cause death. We got you out of there quick enough to save you, so I guess it's a blessing that you feel anything at all."
Gabrielle sighed and closed her eyes. "Shrieking faeries. I should have known," she said. She pounded her fist into the mattress. "Not ten minutes in and I get pulled out because of stupid faeries." She clenched her eyes at the sudden pain in her head. She opened her eyes and said, "Who won?"
"Michelle," Hermione said.
"Well, Beuxbaton will be celebrating tonight," Gabrielle said.
"As will Billy and Jenny," Hermione said. Gabrielle looked at her inquisitively. "He popped the question not a second ago."
Gabrielle smirked. "All Ravenclaws are weird," she said. "Hey, Hermione. Celebrate for me, okay?"
Hermione nodded and hugged her one last time before leaving her with Ivan. Hermione turned to everyone still waiting outside. "She's fine," she said. "Wants us to celebrate for her." And they did celebrate.
"I'm going to miss you," Hermione said, hugging Viktor good-bye. The train behind her was already good to go. People were just saying good-bye to their new friends.
Viktor hugged back. "I vill write," he said. He turned to Draco and shook his hand. "Don't lose her again, or I vill take her for myself."
Draco's eyes gleamed at the challenge. "I'm not going to lose her again," he said, shaking Viktor's hand roughly.
Hermione laughed at the play and then found herself being lifted and turned in a hug. She smiled at Ivan and hugged back. He leaned back and said, "I expect veekly reports about you and Gabrielle. Need to make sure my girls are behaving themselves."
"I thought I was your girl, Ivan," Gabrielle said, walking up to him and taking Hermione from his hand and setting her on the ground.
Ivan wrapped his arms around Gabrielle and said, "You are my girl. But Hermy-own-ninny is my girl, too. My number two." He leaned Gabrielle over his arm and said, "You're my number one." He then kissed her.
Hermione blushed and looked away to Viktor and Draco, who were staring in curiosity. She smacked them. "Don't watch," she said.
"How can we not?" Draco asked. "They're doing that in public."
"One day we'll do that in public," she argued back, blushing at the words as they left her mouth. Draco smirked and raised a knowing eyebrow. Hermione turned to Viktor and said, "I'll write back if you write to me, Viktor. Can't wait to see you again." Viktor nodded.
Albus popped his head out and said, "Come along. We must return to Hogwarts. They're waiting for our riveting tales of our visit."
Hermione gave her new friends one last hug and hurried onto the train with Draco. They got into a compartment with Billy, Jenny, Gabrielle, and Bill, waving to everyone as they left. Soon, the sight of Durmstrang faded from view.
Hermione sat back in her seat and leaned against Draco in the same manner as Jenny was with Billy. "I can't wait to go home and sleep in my own bed," she said.
"I hear you," Bill said, lacing his fingers behind his head. "And by the time we get home, we'll have three days of no class so we can get ready for the train back." The others nodded.
Hermione smiled and snuggled into Draco's side, falling asleep for the rest of the ride.
AN: So, we're done with the first Tri Wizard section. How cool! If you've got ideas for the other Tri Wizard Tournament (which will be held at Beuxbaton) Challenges, then i'm all ear. So, send those ideas in. They might appear in the next chapters. Thanks for being loyal readers, though.