"Viktor Krum for Durmstrang," said Karkaroff
The bleachers across from us erupted in cheers as Viktor got to his feet. The uncomfortable feeling came over me as he gave a passing glance before disappearing into room behind the staff table.
"Fleur Delacour for Beauxbatons," said Madame Maxime.
The girls at table in front of us were both cheering and crying as they watched Fleur disappear into the room behind the staff table.
My stomach tightened as the flames once again turned red.
"The Hogwarts champion is…"
"Here it comes," Cedric whispered.
I sighed deeply.
"Cedric Diggory!" said Dumbledore.
I felt as if everyone vanished as I slowly looked up at Cedric. He looked back at me with a look of excitement in his eyes.
"Cedric Diggory!" Dumbledore called again, his voice echoing and sounding distant.
Cedric gave me a small smile which I didn't return. I still couldn't believe that he was chosen, that he even put his name in. He gave me a kiss on the forehead before he slipped out from behind me and joined Dumbledore where he stood. They shook hands before Cedric disappeared into the room behind the staff table.
"Oh, it's Cedric!" I heard someone cry out happily. "Hermione, you must be so proud! Cedric's the Hogwarts champion!"
I felt someone shake my shoulder in a one-arm hug, but I wasn't paying attention to who it was. I don't recall shaking or nodding my head.
Dumbledore began to applaud and everyone soon followed. "With our three champions chosen, it is time to reveal the prize for the winning school." He gestured toward Barty Crouch, who was entering the Great Hall with a magnificent silver trophy. Everyone clapped at the display of the prize. "The Tri-Wizard Cup!"
Suddenly the clapping died down as the Goblet turned red again. Dumbledore caught the parchment in one movement. Dumbledore was silent as he read the parchment. He looked up, his eyes focused on Harry.
"Harry Potter!"
Everyone turned to face us. Harry sat frozen.
"Harry, did you…?" I asked in a whisper.
"No, of course not," he insisted. "I'm not old enough."
We looked back at Dumbledore, he was singling for Harry to join him.
"Harry, get up there!" I urged.
Harry hesitated.
"Harry, go!" I urged again, pulling him up harder than I meant to.
Harry slowly made his way towards Dumbledore, and then headed for the room behind the staff table. Students were shouting in outrage.
After everyone had gone to bed, I waited outside the Great Hall. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. I paced until I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see both Harry and Cedric heading towards me. I crossed my arms in front of me.
"Hermione, what are you still doing here?" Cedric asked. "I thought you went to bed."
"Cedric, we need to talk, alone," I said, my arms still crossed. "Harry, you mind?"
"No," said Harry a little uneasy. "I'll see you up there."
"Fine," I said, my eyes never leaving Cedric's face. I sighed with frustration.
"What did you want to talk about?" Cedric asked.
"What the hell were you thinking?!" I yelled.
"What are you-?"
"You entered yourself in the tournament!" I yelled. "Without telling me! When did you do it?"
"Before I left to look for Malone. What's the big deal?" Cedric asked.
"Death toll, Cedric!" I said, anger still clear in my voice. "Death toll! What part of that do you not understand?"
Cedric chuckled softly. "Mione," he said, taking my hands in his.
"Don't 'Mione,' me!" I said, pulling my hands free of his and backing away from him. "You could die in this tournament. I will not have this baby without a father!" My voice broke at my last words as I felt tears prickle my eyes.
Cedric placed his hands on my shoulders, and I found I couldn't look him in the eyes. Cedric placed his hands on my face, slowly I looked up.
"I'll be fine," he told me as he wiped my tears away with his thumbs. "I will not leave you and the baby."
I sighed shakily as I removed his hands from my face. "I just can't look at you," I said before turning and running up the stairs.
"Hermione, are you all right?" Harry asked after I entered the Common Room.
"No, Harry, I'm not," I said. "And I don't really feel like talking right now."
I entered the dormitory to find the girls were still awake.
"Hermione!" greeted Ginny happily. "Can you believe this? Harry and Cedric!"
"Yeah," I said as I slipped into bed and closed the curtains.
I didn't go to sleep. I just sat listening to the girls' chatter. Soon it was silent and I was still awake. I started humming a tune I never heard before, the more I hummed the more inspiration struck me. I quickly pulled out my notebook from my bedside table and began to write the melody. I didn't have the lyrics yet, but I had the melody to my very first song.