DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter and Twilight.

CHAPTER 25

Harry left Hermione on the bench and when he walked past Edward, the two boys gave a curt nod to each other. Edward approached Hermione, sat beside her and pecked her cheeks.

"Good morning," he greeted.

Hermione smiled back. "Good morning. Did your fellow badgers throw a party last night?" she asked gently.

Edward flashed his crooked smile. "They did, but I was too tired to cooperate. How about you, lions?"

She snorted. "We're living with Fred and George, all right? But I think Harry didn't like it 'cause they said he was rushing to his dormitory. He didn't put his name, you know," she said carefully.

Edward gave a reassuring smile and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Yes, he told me last night. I was doubtful until this morning, you know. But I believe you."

Hermione's eyes widened and she shi6to face Edward properly. "Really?"

Edward was also shocked and nodded. "Of course. I trust you and if you trust Harry, then, I believe him."

Hermione wore and emotional look, but didn't cry. She pushed her body to Edward to hug him. "Thanks, Ced. Ron doesn't even believe Harry... He's being a jealous git."

Edward nodded sadly. "He'll come around."

"Yeah. That's what I told Harry. So, when's your First Task?" she asked as she pulled away to meet his eyes.

"November the twenty-fourth," he replied.

"And do you have any idea what it is?"

Edward shook his head. "But we're only allowed a wand."

"Let's go to an empty classroom, then, and perform different kinds of spells, shall we?"

Edward cocked an eyebrow. "You're going to help me?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed. "I know you're two years ahead, but two heads are better than one."

"What about Harry?" he asked reluctantly.

Hermione stood up and rolled her eyes. "Are you going to make me choose?"

"No!" he replied quickly.

"Good. Like what I told Harry, I'm not going to ditch him for you, or the other way around. You're both important to me. Harry's like my brother and you're my partner. My best friend, my love... my partner in everything." Hermione blushed violently as she spoke the last sentence.

Edward was looking up to her with a smile. He pulled her to his lap and kissed the crown of her head. "You're amazing and selfless. Have I told you that I love you?"

Hermione smiled in a flirty manner. "You always tell me everyday."

"But I have not told you yet, today," he whispered. "I love you."

Hermione smiled affectionately and kissed his cheek. "I love you, too."

Hermione got off his lap. Edward stood as well and the pair walked to the castle hand-in-hand.

The scene changed. Bella found herself in an unused classroom. She thought 'unused' because the chairs and students' desks were all pushed against the wall. Hermione and Edward were there with two more boys, wearing yellow and black neckties and about Edward's age.

Hermione and Edward were standing a few feet away from each other. Their wands were pointed against each other.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

"Expelliarmus!"

Hermione and Edward chanted together. Hermione's wand flew from her grasp and Edward caught it. Then, he quickly moved to grab her from behind. Hermione fought against his hold, but Edward was too strong.

"No wand. What will you do now, Granger?" he mocked.

Hermione smirked, tilted her head and claimed Edward's mouth to which he responded eagerly. Hermione quickly grabbed the wands he was holding and kicked him to the ground. "You're at my mercy, Diggory," she mocked.

Edward laughed and stood up. "If I was a Death Eater, would you really seduce me?"

"Only if the Death Eater was you. But that's impossible. You're too kind to be a murderer," she replied sweetly. Then, Hermione turned to the two boys who were playing cards in one corner.

Edward follwed her gaze. "Oi, you two! Stop fannying around. Terrence, let's duel."

One of the boys stood on his feet and pulled out his wand. The other boy turned to Hermione. "Come here, Granger. Let's play!"

"I'm not here to play, Ian. I'm here to help Cedric," she countered and sat beside Edward's housemate, Ian, but not to play, indeed. She pulled out a book from her satchel and started reading.

Ian continued to lay the cards on the desk. "What do you think the first task is?" he asked without looking up.

"Probably to get past a maze," replied Hermione. "At least, that's what Muggle reality T.V. shows have. But since we're in a magical world, there might be magical creatures from Hagrid's class."

"Hermione! You're brilliant!" came Terrence's voice who stopped dueling with Edward.

"Course she is," said Edward proudly. "I might as well practice advanced transfiguration, just in case there's a blast-ended skrewt in the maze... or a niffler."

Hermione smiled at Edward thoughtfully. "Great idea!"

Then, there was a knock on the door. Hermione stood up and opened it. She opened the door wider and Harry came in with a hesitant look. "What is it, Harry?" asked Hermione.

Harry met Edward's gaze. "How much do you trust them?" He jerked his head towards Ian and Terrence.

"They're my Hermione and Ron," replied Edward.

Harry cringed at the mention of Ron's name. "Dragons. That's the first task."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Merlin!"

"How did you know?" asked Edward.

Harry shook his head. "Can't tell you, but I'm not lying. Hermione knows how I learned about it, but she can't tell you."

Edward nodded and seemed to accept this. "Bloody hell! How will you duel a dragon?" asked Ian.

"Don't be silly, Ian. It would take ten full-fledged wizards to take down a dragon. Even a skilled duelist like Professor Flitwick won't be able to beat it," said Hermione but not unkindly.

"Maybe... you just have to get past it," said Terrence slowly.

Edward turned to Harry. "What else did you find out about these dragons?"

"They're all females," replied Harry.

"Hatching eggs?" pressed Edward.

Harry frowned and looked like he was trying to remember something. "Oh, yeah."

Edward grinned. "Got it. Thanks!"

Bella found herself outside the castle once more. In the area where she once saw Edward flew with his broom, practicing Quidditch. The stands were redecorated and hundreds of people were watching something. Bella gasped when she saw a dragon, looking down to Edward. She saw Hermione's anxious face on the stands. She was standing between Ron and Ginny. Near them were the Weasley Twins who were also looking worried. Bella saw Edward turned a big rock into a labrador. The dragon was distracted, then Edward collected the egg the dragon was protecting, but not without earning burns.

Bella watched Hermione approach the Champions' tent after Edward's task.

"Ced!" Hermione instantly pulled him to a tight hug and Bella could tell that she was scared for him.

Ian and Terrence also appeared to Hermione's side and congratulated Edward. Then, they left quickly to give Hermione and Edward some privacy.

"Well, won't I get a kiss for being successful?" he asked with a smirk.

Hermione inhaled and yanked Edward to kiss him deeply. It wasn't a chaste kiss, but it was like, she was expressing her relief and worry at the same time with that kiss.

Edward dropped the egg on the bed nearby and held Hermione firmly by the waist. Hermione, in return, placed her hands on his chest.

"Ow!" Edward winced and pulled away.

Hermione's eyes widened and she panicked. "Oh, Merlin, what did I do? Ced, you're bleeding!"

The now familiar school nurse quickly approached them and instructed Edward to lay down to tens to his wounds.

"Love, go back to the stands. Watch Harry and tell me about his performance after," encouraged Edward. He looked so weak as his wounds were being healed by the nurse and Hermione looked reluctant to leave him.

But Edward forced a smile. "I'm fine," he said with assurance.

But both Bella and Hermione could tell he wasn't fine. Hermione reluctantly left the tent after planting a gentle kiss on Edward's forehead.

Bella's eyes brimmed with tears. Edward was lying, silently enduring the pain. She had never seen him so weak, so the scene was really new to her.

"Hermione," he whispered while silently crying.

Bella cried even more. Edward was never sick. She never had to worry about him like Hermione did earlier. She, Bella, always thought of Edward as a strong and brave man and nothing could hurt him. She had always viewed him as a perfect guy. Not someone who would cry silently in pain and would call his girlfriend's name.

For a moment, she wished that Edward was mortal and she could comfort him, too; so that like Hermione, she could worry about him, too.