Skeletons

Chapter 25 - The Winner of the Triwizard Tournament

The wait seemed to take forever. It took half an hour to deliberate on the scores, and there wasn't any arguing which was nice. They discussed the timings of the champions first of all.

'So what were the end times then Hermione?' Harry asked, his quill poised over his notepad.

'Lacey finished first in 1 hour and 9 minutes,' Hermione said, 'Gabrielle finished second in 1 hour and 23 minutes…and Agmund finished third in 1 hour and 27 minutes.'

With the times now known the judges began to deliberate. After 15 minutes all the judges had their final scores ready which meant the next 15 minutes were spent waiting around. They had discussed ideas, and they had all written their scores down so they couldn't be changed. However they wouldn't know who the winner was until the final judge, which was Draco, had given his scores.

'I'm so nervous,' Harry mumbled as the champions eventually came out from the tent, Gabrielle with a slight limp, but Agmund and Lacey otherwise fine. Agmund's throat was slightly bruised from his run in with the venomous tentacula and Lacey with a slightly black eye from where the suit of armour had hit her.

'Think how they feel if you're nervous,' Hermione said gently as the three champions made their way up the stairs of the stand the judges were situated at.

Harry smiled slightly and said, 'true.'

The champions reached the top of the stairs and sat down on the seats provided at the front of the judging panel. As usual every judge put a sonorus charm on themselves for the giving of the scores, and Hermione stood up to start things off. Harry shot Lacey a wink and mouthed 'well done'. She brightened up a little at this, smiling and looking a little bit less pale.

'As usual we shall give the scores in alphabetical order,' Hermione said, 'so we start with Miss. Gabrielle Delacour.'

Gabrielle got to her feet with slight difficulty, and looked expectantly at her sister who began the scoring as usual, Fleur got to her feet too, 'I award Miss. Delacour 7 points. I feel she made good progress throughout the task overall with an acceptable completion time, and her solving of the potions riddle was excellent. I also felt that she made good time in the dark maze. However I deduct points for the fact she missed some rings in the flying obstacle, and also for the fact she received two serious injuries.'

Gabrielle gave her sister a nod as Hermione got to her feet, 'I award Miss. Delacour 8 points. I agree that she did remarkably well in the Transfiguration, Charms and Potions aspects of the task, and that her overall time was more than acceptable. However she did not deal with the Herbology or the defence against the Dark Arts sectors very well. I sympathise with the flying aspect being someone who is also not a good flier, but I deduct two points for the two injuries sustained in the afore mentioned sectors.'

Gabrielle smiled and gave Hermione a nod. Harry got to his feet next, 'I award Miss. Delacour 8 points also. As my fellow judges have pointed out she did well in most sectors of the task, and made quick work on the Potions challenge. I also feel that she excelled in the Charms based labyrinth. I deduct two points from the two injuries sustained, but would like to congratulate her for going out with a bang.'

Gabrielle smiled at this and gave Harry a polite nod, as he sat down Ron stood up and Harry found himself wondering whether Ron would be a harsh judge or a nice judge, Susan had been a little bit too nice on everyone.

'I award Miss. Delacour 6 points,' Ron began, harsh then, 'I do agree that her progress and overall time was good, but she missed 3 rings in the flying challenge and there only were 6 to pass through. She also allowed herself to get caught by a venus fly trap which could have easily been avoided had she paid better attention. She was also the only champion who was knocked out of a duel and had to take a second attempt.'

Gabrielle gave a subdued nod and swallowed as Draco stood to give his score. Harry and Hermione had already warned him that he had to be objective and not biased towards Gabrielle.

'I award Miss. Delacour 7 points,' Draco said neutrally, 'I agree with my fellow judges that she did finish the task with a good time, and with good general progress. As the judges have said I feel points should be deducted for the flying mishap, and the injury sustained from the venus fly trap. I agree that the injury she received in the duel could have been avoided and furthermore support Mr. Weasley in that she was the only champion to take a second try to complete the duel. Finally it should also be noted that when faced by what she believed to be a dementor she panicked before using the Patronus charm. However, I feel that her general progress through the task was fantastic and fast, and I congratulate her on that.'

Gabrielle was blushing slightly as Draco sat down, Hermione smiled slightly as she got to her feet and said, 'We award Miss. Delacour with a total of 36 points.'

'Thank you,' Gabrielle said, sitting down once more.

'We will now give the scores for Mr. Agmund Erickson,' Hermione said, sitting down and letting Fleur stand to give her initial score, 'I award Mr. Erickson 6 points. I feel this was his best task yet, and that he excelled and showed us how much talent he does in fact have. His flying skills and Transfiguration skills impressed me. However I deducted marks for the fact he didn't use the four-point spell in the dark maze initially and got lost because of it, and also for the injury he sustained from the Venomous tentacula.'

Agmund nodded, looking pretty happy with that score as Fleur took her seat.

'I award Mr. Erickson 7 points,' Hermione said as she got to her feet, 'I also agree this was his best task yet. I was impressed by his flying, Transfiguration and duelling skills, he dealt with all three of these situations quickly and with relative ease. I deduct points for the fact he didn't use skill or logic in the potions task, he just drank and hoped for the best, and also for the injury he sustained in the Herbology sector. Finally I felt that his use of a blasting curse in the maze was foolish and dangerous'.

Again Agmund gave a polite nod, happy with the score, he seemed to have learned his lesson from last time.

'I also award Mr. Erickson 7 points,' Harry said as he got to his feet, 'like my other judges I feel he has vastly improved since the first and second tasks. I was impressed with his duelling technique, and his ease in the flying aspect of the task. His Transfiguration was fast and immaculate, my reason for deducting points were due to his injury, but mainly were down to the fact he lost his bearings in the labyrinth when he could have easily used a four-point charm.'

Another polite nod as Harry sat down, and Ron stood up.

'I award Mr. Erickson 5 points,' Ron said, and Agmund's face got a little red but he kept his mouth shut, he had definitely learned his lesson, 'I feel he did do well in some aspects of the task, but frankly the labyrinth was not dealt with well at all. He chose to blunder through it without using the appropriate spell, and he took a very indirect route adding to his time. Equally he finished last with the slowest time, and he allowed himself to come close to strangulation from a plant that is in theory easy to control.'

Agmund gave Ron a brisk, angry nod and the redhead sat down, allowing Draco to stand and give his champion his final score, 'I award Mr. Erickson 6 points. I am impressed by his progress and happy to see how much he has come on since the first task. He did have the slowest time, but he was not far behind the champion who came second in this respect. I was impressed with most aspects of his progress, he deal with the rest of the Herbology sector well, despite his unfortunate run in with the venomous tentacula. I deduct points due to the injury he received from that plant, and from his lack of knowledge of charms to navigate the maze, I was also not impressed with the rash, foolish way he dealt with the potions challenge. However, overall he impressed me.'

Agmund gave Draco a small nod, a slight smile on his face at the fact his Headmaster had something nice to say to him.

'We award Mr. Erickson a total of 31 points,' Hermione said, smiling at the boy as he took his seat, 'finally, we will give the scores for Miss. Lacey Nott.'

Lacey got to her feet, she didn't shake but she looked very pale. This was it, the moment of truth.

Hermione sat down and Fleur stood up, then it began, 'I award Miss. Nott 7 points,' she said, 'I think overall she did a fantastic job and finished first with a remarkable time. Her flying was fantastic, and her Transfiguration acceptable. However I deduct a point for the injury she sustained, her handling of the maze was clever. I deduct another point for the fact she got caught in devils snare and for initially forgetting to use her wand.'

Lacey nodded weakly, and Hermione then stood up.

'I award Miss. Nott 8 points,' she said, 'I agree that she excelled in the Flying, Charms and Defence against the Dark Arts sectors, and that she had a fantastic overall time. I also think her time was perfect for the potions challenge, and deduct two points for the injury she sustained from the Transfiguration sector, and for the fact she cracked under pressure when caught by the devils snare,' she ignored Harry and Ron, she could practically feel their smirks, 'overall I think Miss. Nott did an absolutely excellent job on this task.'

Lacey smiled at Hermione, a little bit colour coming back to her cheeks as Harry stood up, 'I agree and award Miss. Nott 8 points. In my opinion she excelled in all aspects of the task, apart from perhaps the Herbology sector. Despite the injury she received in the Transfiguration sector she still did an excellent job of the Transfiguration itself. Her work through the maze was both fast and powerful, she managed a fully corporal formed patronus, something no other champion did. Her duelling technique was smooth and clean cut, like that of a professional which I feel needs more credit than it has gotten so far. I deduct my marks for the mishap with the devils snare and the injury she received.'

Lacey nodded once more, paling a little as Ron got to his feet, he had been pretty harsh so far, 'I award Miss. Nott 7 points. I agree with everything my fellow judges have said, she excelled in many aspects of the task, and I was particularly impressed with her flying skills and duelling technique. However she did sustain an injury that could have been avoided had she transfigured the suits of armour sooner, she also got caught by devils snare which could have been avoided had she been paying better attention, then she proceeded to get stuck in it by buckling under pressure. Her time however was good, and overall I was impressed by the magical ability she possessed for her age.'

Another weak nod, and then Lacey's eyes fell on her Godfather as he got to his feet.

'I award Miss. Nott 8 points,' Draco said, surprising both Lacey and the rest of the judging panel, 'I feel she did a fantastic job, finished with an excellent time, and excelled in almost every sector. For the most part she kept a cool head under pressure, and I deduct my points only for her injury and lack of judgement with the devils snare. However, I feel overall her performance was almost perfect.'

Lacey grinned proudly at this and then Hermione stood up to finalise it, she was holding the trophy, and Harry's heart was pounding.

'We award Miss. Nott with a total of 38 points,' she began, 'which means that our overall scores are…'

There was an intake of breath from everyone, students, staff and judges all included.

'In third place with a total of 66 points, is Durmstrangs Mr. Agmund Erickson.'

Agmund gave a dignified bow as people clapped, it died down and Hermione continued, 'In second place with a total of 108 points is…Beauxbatons Miss. Gabrielle Delacour.'

Everyone knew what that meant.

'Which means our winner, with an amazing 124 points, is Hogwarts very own Lacey Nott!' Hermione announced, and then it happened, it was like an explosion. Hermione handed Lacey the trophy from behind the judges table, and the crowd roared and cheered, the sound of clapping filled the stands and Harry was ecstatic.

'SHE DID IT!' Harry said, jumping up from his chair in excitement.

Hermione was grinning happily next to him and he turned to her saying, 'she did it! She did it Hermione!'

And then they were kissing, and the adrenaline was pumping through Harry and he couldn't remember when he had last felt so exhilarated as he kissed Hermione like he never had before, the sound of the crowd roared in his ears, but he didn't care as he focused on her soft lips, and her taste, and her mouth. She broke the kiss, her cheeks bright red and her expression a little startled.

'Cats out the bag!' Ron said with a grin towards his two best friends. The photographer was going wild, and Rita Skeeter was frantically writing away in her notepad.

Gabrielle was laughing along with Fleur, and Agmund looked perplexed, Lacey was grinning, at the fact she had won the tournament and also at her Headmasters antics.

'Who cares? Tournaments over now,' Harry said brightly, grabbing Hermione's hand, 'we can finally be ourselves again.'

Hermione nodded happily, still stunned by the kiss Harry had just given her.

'Congratulations Lacey,' Harry said, shaking her hand and beaming at her, 'I'm proud of you.'

'You did it sis!'

Lacey grinned, hugging her brother as he jogged up the stands to her, 'I know, I did it!'

'Way to finish your schooling with a bang,' Theo said with a wink that made Lacey laugh.

In that moment Harry literally felt on top of the world, he was living his win the way it should have been through Lacey's and he felt so happy, like nothing could go wrong. He didn't care about the press, he didn't care if they knew about him and Hermione. He would happily shout it out to the whole world.

The students all began to move like a swarm to the great hall where the big after party would take place, and as Lacey was dragged away by her brother the group on the stand began to dwindle, leaving Harry and Hermione picking up the slack at the back as they walked through the sunny grounds.

'Come with me,' Harry said, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the lake.

'Where are we going?' Hermione asked, chuckling at Harry's enthusiasm.

'It's a surprise,' Harry said simply, he kept walking until they reached a large oak tree and then Harry stopped and turned to Hermione.

Hermione frowned as she looked at the tree, 'What are you doing Harry?' she asked in amusement.

'Do you know this tree is significant in my family?' Harry asked his best friend.

Hermione shook her head, still frowning slightly, 'No, you've never told me that.'

'This tree is where my Dad proposed to my Mum in their 7th year,' Harry told Hermione.

She smiled, 'Oh, that's sweet,' she said, then her eyes widened, 'wait, are you-'

'So it feels fitting Hermione,' Harry said, placing a finger on her lips to quieten her, 'that it becomes significant for us.'

He dropped to his knee and Hermione's jaw dropped in surprise, Harry grinned as his hand went into his robes and he pulled out a little black box.

'Hermione Granger, I am completely in love with you. I have been completely, and totally in love with you for years and I never saw it because you were the girl of my dreams masquerading as my best friend, and I missed out on so many years I could have had with you. Now that I have you I never want to lose you,' he flipped the box open, 'Hermione, will you marry me?'

Hermione had to take a moment to collect herself as tears streamed down her face, she shook her head in disbelief.

'No?'

'No,' Hermione said, shaking her head and laughing, 'No, I don't mean no, I mean yes,' she said with a watery smile, 'Merlin Harry, I've loved you for a bloody decade, of course I'll marry you!'

Harry grinned and jumped up, sliding the ring onto her finger where it automatically shrunk to fit her.

'It's so beautiful Harry,' Hermione breathed as her lips crashed against Harry's in a wet, salty, passionate, perfect kiss.

'I love you Hermione,' Harry whispered into her ear as he broke the kiss and held her close, 'I love you so much.'

'I love you too Harry,' Hermione said, still beaming and unable to take her eyes off of the beautiful ring on her finger.

When they walked into the great hall hand in hand nobody really noticed. The house tables had all been pushed aside for the occasion and everyone was milling around drinking pumpkin juice, or non-alcoholic punch. At the top of the hall, gathered around the head table the Professors were equally as happy about the result, and everybody was letting go a little which was so nice to see. Harry and Hermione weaved through the crowd, both still grinning, Hermione's cheeks still flushed with excitement.

'Where have you two been?' Neville asked in amusement when they arrived at the top of the hall.

'And what is that on your finger?' Daphne asked with wide eyes.

'An engagement ring,' Hermione admitted with a grin as she held it up.

'Oh Merlin! Really?' Daphne asked, immediately examining the ring and telling Hermione how gorgeous it was.

'Well done mate,' Ron said, slapping Harry on the back.

'Yeah, congratulations,' Neville said happily.

'So you really did it?' Draco asked with a slight smile, 'congratulations, both of you.'

'Thanks Draco,' Hermione said brightly.

'You'll get an invite to the wedding,' Harry promised, 'and if things go the way you want Gabrielle will force you to come along.'

'I don't doubt it,' Draco said with a smile as his eyes fell on the girl who was approaching with her older sister.

'Have you heard the news Fleur?' Ron asked, 'look whose getting married.'

Fleur's eyes widened, 'Really?' she asked, hugging Hermione and then Harry, and saying congratulations about 5 times, Bill just chuckled and patted Harry on the back, 'congrats mate.'

They could be themselves in here, the press were gone now, it was just friends and family, and the students who were all much too busy socialising to notice what was going on at the top of the hall.

'Congratulations Harry,' Professor McGonagall said as she walked over to them and shook Harry's hand, 'I'm glad you realised in the end.'

'Thanks to you Professor,' Harry said honestly, 'thank you, I'll be sad to see you go on Monday.'

'And I'll be sad to leave,' McGonagall said honestly, 'but at least now I know I'm leaving you in Miss. Granger's hands.'

Hermione smiled and said, 'Don't worry Professor, I'll keep him under control,' she joked.

She turned to leave then stopped, turning back to them, 'Considering I no longer teach here, you don't have to call me Professor, Harry. I'm sure Minerva will suffice from now on.'

At the look of surprise on Harry's face she smiled and turned around, walking towards Professor Flitwick.

'So it's true then? Harry Potters getting married!'

'Yes, Theo, I am,' Harry said happily to his friend, 'Hermione has the ring to prove it and everything.'

Hermione waved her hand in the air and Theo grinned, slapping Harry on the back, 'Never thought I'd see the day, but I'm happy for you.'

'Thanks Theo,' Harry said, beaming and wrapping his arm around Hermione and thinking to himself that there was no way his life could get better.

Tap, tap.

'Mmm, Harry, that's the paper.'

'Don't care,' Harry mumbled into Hermione's hair, not even bothering to open his eyes.

Tap, tap.

'You should probably get it,' Hermione mumbled sleepily.

'Nah,' Harry said simply, his naked body was pressed up close to Hermione's and he could feel the heat radiating from her, it was so comfortable and warm, he really didn't want to get up.

Last night had been amazing, it had been the first night anything more had happened between them since those days long ago in the tent, and they were both so glad that they had decided to wait, it had been entirely worth it for last night alone.

Tap, tap.

'Ugh,' Harry groaned and got to his feet, padding naked across the cold floor to the window which he pried open. He gave the owl its fee and shut the window, walking back to the bed where he practically collapsed onto it.

'Guess who made the front page?' Harry asked with a yawn.

'Oh, I have no idea,' Hermione said sarcastically.

Harry grinned and said, 'Leave the sarcasm to me sweetheart.'

Hermione chuckled and curled into Harry's side, 'what has the vulture wrote this time?'

'It's mostly the truth for once,' Harry said as he began to read the article aloud to Hermione.

'WAR HEROES HARRY POTTER AND HERMIONE GRANGER SHARE PASSIONATE KISS.

Yesterday when the winner of the Triwizard Tournament was announced as Hogwarts champion Lacey Nott, Headmaster Harry Potter celebrated by sharing a passionate kiss with fellow war hero and close friend Hermione Granger. The pair have been pictured together a lot in the past year, with Miss. Granger working and living at Hogwarts for the tournament as Head of the Department of International Magical Co-Operation. It seems they have grown closer than friends over this time.

It is of course against the rules for two judges to be in a relationship for the duration of the tournament, and we therefore assume our two war heroes have harboured feelings that they were unable to act on, accumulating in what can clearly be seen as a passionate kiss.

A source close to the friends said that, 'Harry and Hermione have always had a bond stronger than friendship, but they were such close friends for so many years that it was a struggle for them to overcome that hurdle.'

We have also heard rumours that the boy-who-lived proposed to Miss. Granger moments after the tournament ended, but these have not been confirmed. Has Mr. Potter, who has been notorious for rumours of inappropriate affairs, finally found the woman who can keep him tied down? We hope so!'

'Wow,' Hermione said, 'that is actually pretty accurate for Rita.'

'Maybe she was just feeling in a good mood,' Harry said, getting back in bed and kissing Hermione on the neck, 'how much do you want to bet her inside source was Ron?'

'Oh I'm 100% sure of it,' Hermione said lazily, 'but I don't care,' she turned around and slipped into his arms, 'I want the world to know your mine Harry Potter.'

Harry grinned at this, 'possessive, are we?' he asked.

Hermione chuckled as she kissed him, 'Well you are the chosen one, a lot of people want you.'

'Well then you're in luck,' Harry said, kissing her again, 'because I only want you.'

'Uh huh?'

'Uh huh,' Harry confirmed, kissing her once more, 'future Mrs. Potter.'

Hermione grinned and said, 'I used to write that on my notes in 4th year you know?'

'I didn't know that,' Harry said with a grin, 'are we sharing school crush stories now?'

'If you want too,' Hermione said, lying on her side, curled up to Harry.

'Well,' Harry said in a tone that was almost seductive, 'in 5th year I had a dream about you in the prefect's bathroom and you were completely-'

'Harry!' Hermione said, laughing as she smacked him playfully over the head.

Harry grinned, pulling her in for another kiss and feeling as if her body just moulded with his own, like they were the perfect fit for each other.

The End (Sort of)

A/N: Still an epilogue to come, but then this story is finished!