Disclaimer: All of the characters and world recognised below belong to J.K Rowling. I do not own any of it, this is pure entertainment.

A Shining in the Shadows

Chapter 18: Give the Pain to Yesterday

And wake up with me

Open up your eyes

Breath easy

You and I can make our escape

And give the pain to yesterday

Feel a fresher light on your face

Wake Up With Me - Gabrielle Aplin

Fred Weasley woke suddenly at the sound of a scream. It shook him to the very core - it was a shriek that volumised pure, unadulterated terror - and Fred Weasley had heard it before.

Hermione!

He shot up in his bed and looked at George, who similarly was worried and remembered the night in the Burrow when they were woken up in a similar manner. He did not understand how they could hear her scream, under the impression that there were silencing charms up between dorms to avoid situations such as snoring. Lee was still asleep but Fred also knew that it was not just himself and George who heard it. Still shirtless and not bothering to don a robe, he ran down the stairs to the common room, crashing into Harry. They both looked at each other.

'Hermione!'

Harry took the lead and started to run up the stairs leading to the girl's dormitory, Fred was at his heels. He got up two steps before the steps disappeared beneath his feet, turning into a slide before he slid down, landing with Harry's foot (as he was further up the stairs) hitting him in the head as they both crashed landed on the floor of the Gryffindor Common Room.

'Bloody hell.' Fred cried, rubbing his forehead.

'Boys can't go up there!' George reminded them both, a smirk on his face. Fred huffed in annoyance, he knew this, of course, Lee had attempted to scale the stairs a few years back after terribly offending Alicia Spinnet to apologise. Harry was much more confused.

'But - but Hermione comes to my room all the time!' he argued. George shrugged, Fred did not understand the logic in the situation but Hogwarts was ancient and it probably had to do with the virtue of witches.

Parvati slid down the stairs.

'Nice going boys,' she glared at them before turning serious, 'We can't wake her, she's almost trapped in her nightmare. I'm going to get Professor McGonagall.' she said.

'I'll go with you!' Neville said, coming down the stairs of the boy's dormitory, already in a heavy robe. Fred choked out a 'Thanks,' as they both disappeared out of the portrait hole. He ran his hands in his hair, pulling slightly in frustration. George put his arms around him in comfort.

'She'll be okay Gred,' he whispered in his ear. He clasped George's hands in his own. Harry shuffled nervously beside them; Ron sitting on the armchair, pale and unsure how to approach the situation - despite apologising, Harry and Hermione had yet to forgive Ron and the youngest male Weasley was on his best behaviour to get back in their good books - yet Fred knew that he cared for Hermione and would have been very worried.

'She's never not woken up before.' Harry said, fear abundant and evident in his voice. Fred could see the younger boy trying to keep it together and wanted to comfort him, but was unable to. His worry about Hermione eating him up inside. He knew last time how she was triggered from the events of the Quidditch World Cup, but he was wracking his brain to think of what caused this one. Things had been good over the past six weeks, Hermione and Fred were officially dating, but taking it slow. They had a date every couple of weeks and spent the majority of their time together studying (well Hermione was studying whilst Fred was working on Weasley Wizard Wheezes products) with Viktor Krum and surprisingly, Fleur Delacour; the French champion had a tentative and budding friendship with Hermione after Christmas, Hermione was grateful to practice her French and she helped the other girl with her English. They were both still taking it slow, not doing more than some heavy snogging - more to do with a lack of privacy than anything else - Fred was very aware that he was Hermione's first boyfriend and wanted to make sure he courted her properly. He did not feel like a good boyfriend though, not in that moment of despair and panic. Was he too blind in his happiness to see that she was unhappy or scared?

'Has she - has she been okay?' he asked Harry. The boy looked thoughtfully despite still being pale.

'If she hasn't been, she hasn't told me.' He said. Fred released a breath that he did not realise he was holding in. Whatever was wrong with Hermione did not have anything to do with his selfishness or inattentiveness. The pair were interrupted by the loud banging of the portrait hole door, Professor McGonagall rushing in with Parvati and Neville behind her.

Upon seeing the former stairs as a slide she sent an amused, but also scathing look at Fred and Harry, obviously realising who the culprits were. Fred felt nervous under the teacher's stare, feeling like a child about to be chastised. Her expression softened and Fred hoped it was because both he and Harry looked miserable. Fred was not sure if the Head of Gryffindor was aware he was involved with Hermione, as he knew that she had not had the opportunity to speak to Sirius and Remus about it, however considering the woman was a motherly figure to her, he inferred that perhaps she was and would take pity on them. She waved her wand at the stairs, reverting them to their original state before marching up to them. Fred did not attempt to follow although it took everything in him not to attempt to fly those stairs at Hermione's screams. He wanted to comfort her, see if she was okay. It was something he wanted more than anything.

It wasn't long before Hermione's screams ceased and Fred let out another breath, his heart, which had been thudding anxiously in his chest from the first scream, began to lessen. Someone came down the stairs and Fred had to hide his visible disappointment at seeing Angelina, who immediately embraced George, however, was looking at Fred.

'Professor McGonagall woke her up and is calming her down. Dawson and Adams are going to settle everyone down and get them to bed before she brings Hermione down to take her to the Hospital wing - doesn't want to embarrass the poor girl further.' Fred nodded at the update and attempted to smile gratefully. Around him, students began to go to bed and Fred knew that he would soon see Hermione. He was glad he had not yet seen Ginny, taking comfort in the fact that his sister would be comforting Hermione and that at least one member of his family could be there for her.

It was not long before he saw her, half carried down the stairs by Ginny and Lavender, Professor McGonagall trailing behind her. She looked pale, face blotchy and eyes were red from crying. It was not often he was able to see Hermione this vulnerable and it broke his heart. She reached for him immediately.

'Oh Fred,' He hugged her tightly to his chest, making a shushing sound. He took in her still shaking body as she sobbed against his chest, putting his face in his hair, Hermione smelled like books and cinnamon.

'She needs to go to the hospital wing Mr Weasley.' Professor McGonagall said sternly and Fred nodded, 'however considering the circumstances, you and Mr Potter can accompany her.' The relief on Harry's face echoed his own.

'C'mon 'Mione,' Harry said, patting Hermione's shoulder, but Hermione was in no position to walk herself down to the hospital wing. He picked her up bridal style - she was light and so there was no issue with him carrying her - gesturing to Harry to lead the way. He ignored the amused expressions on his sibling's faces and the slightly shocked one on Professor McGonagall's and carried Hermione to the hospital wing.

'You don't have to do this Fred.' Hermione whispered, face growing hot in embarrassment, struggling slightly in his arms. 'I can walk!'

'I know,' he sighed, 'I - I just want to be helpful.' He whispered. He felt useless, unable to comfort Hermione, defeated by a set of stairs, he needed to make it up to her.

'Fred, I'm - I'm okay.' she whispered. Fred resisted the urge to yell at her, knowing that his anger and frustration was born out of fear and worry.

''Mione, you were unable to wake up from your nightmare - you broke the silencing charms in the dormitory somehow - that's not okay.' he replied as calmly as he was able to, they were almost at the Hospital Wing.

'Oh,' she whispered and for the first time in their relationship they fell into an uncomfortable silence, the weight of the words of what needed to be said hung in the air, but also with a sense of not now. Fred had been terrified and felt useless; he was not used to feeling helpless in situations, he and George were the 'idea' people in the family, always thinking up inventions and pranks to help (and hinder) his family, friends and themselves.

Madam Pomfrey was all over them when they entered the hospital wing, Fred lowering Hermione to a bed, stepping back with Harry whilst Professor McGonagall explained what happened. Fred watched as the matron cast some diagnostic spells over Hermione, ignoring her aggravated sigh of 'I'm perfectly fine.'

'Okay thank you, Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, you can go now.' Madam Pomfrey said, dismissing them. Dejected, and not wanting to leave Hermione by herself, they looked at Professor McGonagall. Fred knew that he at least needed to be able to talk to Hermione before he would be able to leave, and he knew Harry was similarly anxious - she was essentially his sister for the love of Merlin!

'Actually Poppy, both these boys have not slept and will need to be kept overnight for observation.' Professor McGonagall said, ignoring the perplexed look on the matron's face. Fred knew that this was highly irregular and not done, he was without a shirt after all, but a look between Hermione and the head of Gryffindor meant that he was missing a piece of information that he would surely get from Hermione in moments. Fred exchanged a bewildered look with Harry but he did not feel the need to point out to either lady that besides feeling scared for Hermione, he was fine. Fred quickly got into the bed to Hermione's right, Harry to her left as Madam Pomfrey laid a bottle next to Hermione.

'This is a dreamless sleep -' she began but Hermione cut her off.

'I don't want it, I'll - I'll be fine now. I just don't like the potion.' she said. Madam Pomfrey let out a click of disapproval but took the vial away.

'Okay, get some rest - all three of you - and I'll give you a pepper up potion in the morning.' The three nodded as both Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey left. Harry let out a big sigh.

'Are you okay 'Mione?' he said softly, getting out of his bed to sit by hers. She let out a shuddered breath.

'Yes, now I am.' she whispered, her voice was still scratchy from screaming. Fred wanted nothing more than to comfort her but he also did not want to overstep his bounds. It was almost as though Hermione understood this and stretched out her hand for him to take. He got out of the bed and sat on hers, taking her hand.

'What was it this time?' Harry asked, Hermione looked down and Fred took the moment to wrap his arm around hers in comfort. It broke his heart to see her upset and scared. She smiled at him gratefully despite the tears in her eyes.

'It was the Shiteland's this time. I - I can't remember it all but I remember they - they tortured me and then… then they tortured you - ' She turned to Harry, ' - and Sirius and Remus, all of you. I couldn't stop them. I - I wanted to. But then -' here her voice turned hysterical, 'oh Fred.' Fred tightened his grip on Hermione and buried his head in her curls, breathing her in again to remain calm.

'It's not real 'Mione. I'm here, Harry's here. We're all safe. You're safe.' He comforted, kissing her hair. Harry held tightly to her hand and Fred felt terrible, so he let her go so she could seek comfort in her pseudo-brother.

'Do you want to talk to Padfoot and Moony?' he asked, Hermione, shook her head.

'No, I don't want to bother them, it's too close to a - well, you know.' she said, 'And I'm sure Professor McGonagall has already contacted them.' Fred was confused. Padfoot and Moony… where did he hear those names before? The Marauder's Map. Fred's eyes widened in shock.

'Wait, how do you know Padfoot and Moony?' he asked. Harry and Hermione exchanged guilty looks before Hermione let out a giggle, almost as though her dream was forgotten. Fred was happy to see her looking better.

'Padfoot is Sirius, Moony is Remus. That was what they called themselves in Hogwarts.' she explained. Fred jumped up in surprise.

'Are you telling me that Sirius Black and Professor Lupin are half of the Marauders?' He exclaimed. Hermione shushed him, afraid that Professor Pomfrey would come back and make them leave. 'Wait, if they're Padfoot and Moony that means-' he looked at Harry, 'your dad was…'

'Prongs! And that traitor Pettigrew was Wormtail. They were best friends in school.' Harry explained with a shrug but an amused smirk on his face. Fred racked his hands in his hair, George was going to flip when he found out.

'So you're telling me that the Marauders, George and my pranking heroes, are your guardians?' he said again, dumbfounded. Hermione giggled again and Fred could not help but think that he sounded like the biggest pinhead on the planet. 'Merlins' balls!' he exclaimed.

'You can tell George but don't tell anyone else please.' she said, 'they've done some - illegal - things.' Fred nodded.

'Of course.' Fred sat next to Hermione once more and took her hand. 'We uh, should probably talk about telling them about us.' Hermione sighed.

'Yeah I know, I just don't know why I am nervous about telling them.' she said. 'I'm not ashamed of you or anything, the opposite truthfully, I just - I don't know - what if they get mad?' Fred did not know how to answer this one, not knowing her guardians as well as her and Harry. The younger, dark-haired boy spoke.

'Sirius and Remus would never be mad at you 'Mione, they love you. They might threaten Fred,' he shot Fred an apologetic look but he waved it off, after all, he would expect Hermione's guardians to be as protective as he would be if someone dated Ginny, 'but never mad at you.'

'I know,' Hermione said, 'I will tell them, I'm just - not ready.' Fred understood that it was still early days in their relationship, they were still trying to figure out who they were before they involved a lot of other people.

'You okay?' Fred asked once a small silence passed.

'Yeah, some sleep and I'll be fine.' she said. Harry ran his hands through his hair.

'Okay, well then I'll be off and give you two some privacy. Please remember I'm in the next bed.' He shot Fred a scathing look before kissing Hermione's flaming cheek, wishing her goodnight. Fred could not hide his embarrassment at being called out by a fourteen-year-old. Harry drew the curtain between the bed, leaving Hermione and Fred sitting awkwardly on her bed. Hermione shuffled, laying down and he followed her lead so he could get comfortable. She lay her head in his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.

'I'm sorry.' she whispered. Fred looked down at her, shocked.

'You have nothing to be sorry for Hermione.' he whispered back. He knew her apology was partly his fault, he allowed his fear and anger to get the better of him and it affected her when she was already vulnerable. 'I should apologise. I just felt so helpless when I couldn't be there for you. I wanted to be there.'

'I know. Thank you, Fred, for wanting to.' She kissed his bare chest and Fred tried to ignore the tingles it sent throughout his entire body.

'You need to tell me… the moment you don't feel completely alright. Tell me and I will do everything I can do to help.' His voice quivered in emotion and Hermione raises her hand to gently stroke his cheek. The fear and angst he had felt that night he had hardly felt before; only once when they were children and George was trapped up a tree and was hurt and the night of the Quidditch World Cup, when they could not find Hermione, Ron and Harry and he was unsure of the fate of his father and older siblings. Fred always took on the protecting role in his family, he needed to be unmoving and calm, when on the inside he knew that those situations caused his heart to beat fast, his palms to go clammy and his knees to shake. He felt the same urge to protect Hermione that he had for his family.

'You don't need to protect me, Fred, that's not your job. I can protect myself.' Her tone wasn't angry, but calm. He sighed, he knew Hermione was a formidable witch and did not need protecting, but he needed to make sure she was okay. It was like his own life depended on it.

'I know, I just - I feel like I need to. Not because you can't do it yourself, but because I care about you so much.'

'I care about you too Fred.'

He knew it then in his heart that he was falling in love with Hermione Granger.

'Happy Valentine's Day.' Hermione whispered, kissing the underside of his chin before she fell asleep, head deeply buried in his chest. He tightened his arms around her.

'Happy Valentine's Day Hermione.'

Hermione was reading Animagi, Maledictus and Werewolves in front of the fire in the Gryffindor Common Room when Harry walked in, pale. His black hair was wet and inky, falling around his face and he was holding the egg.

'Harry, what's the - why are you all wet? Sit down!' she grabbed him roughly to sit next to her. He gravitated towards the heat, obviously cold as it was still the middle of February. 'Harry - are you alright?' He shook his head. 'What happened?' she asked. Harry took a shaky breath.

'I - um - kissed Cedric Diggory.' he said sheepishly, raking a hand through his hair, causing remaining water to shake towards Hermione.

'WHAT?' She exclaimed, causing several people to look their way. Harry blushed and shushed Hermione.

''Mione. Just - quiet! I'll explain okay.' He said in a harsh whisper and Hermione leaned closer. 'So you know how we've not had any luck figuring out the language of the egg,' Hermione nodded, ignoring the fact that Harry himself had taken a blase approach to figure the clue out and it had fallen on Hermione mostly - as usual - who could not find anything concrete in books. 'Well, as I told Cedric about the dragons, he told me that if I had a bath with the egg I'd have my answer. Except I didn't believe him so he made me get my egg and dragged me to the prefect's bathroom,' here he turned red, 'and we - we got in the bath and the language 'Mione, it's Mermish and I figured out the clue and its -'

'Later Harry, when did you kiss him?' Hermione asked, unusually focused. Normally she'd be worried about the clue but something in Harry's expression told her that it wasn't the distressing part. Harry turned redder.

'Well I mean it wasn't like I kissed him essentially it just kind of happened. I don't think either of us planned it but it was - not just a kiss - it was more… we kind of snogged.' Hermione wanted to giggle at the stunned expression on Harry's face. She forgot sometimes that he could be incredibly naive and innocent.

'Was it good?' she asked. Harry groaned.

'Yes, Hermione it was amazing, but that's beside the point!' He hid his face in his hands. 'He had a girlfriend, whom I also really like. And therefore he was cheating on her and could hurt her and I enjoyed it! 'Mione, I'm a terrible person!' Hermione put her arm around Harry, pulling him close into a hug.

'Harry, you're not a terrible person, you're a teenage boy who is going through a tough time!' she said comfortingly, 'It's not entirely your fault and I'm sure it will not happen again!' Harry just groaned into his hand.

'Urgh, why is it all so confusing? You and Fred aren't this confusing?' He said. Hermione could not help but laugh.

'Harry, Fred and I are far from perfect, it took months for us to be together because of the number of misunderstandings and tension. You're still young, it's okay.' Harry chuckled.

'Yes, because you're so much older than me.' Hermione nudged him in jest.

'What's the clue?' she said, changing the subject. Harry fished a note from his pocket.

'Here!' he said, passing it to Hermione who read it. Scrawled in Harry's messy handwriting:

Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching ponder this;

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour-long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour, the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.

'Okay, so you said it was Mermish right?' she asked, Harry, nodded, 'That's what Cedric said.' Hermione took the time to think, reading over the clues.

'Well, the first line: Come seek us where our voices sound / We cannot sing above the ground must mean that you'll have to go to a body of water.' she said, 'the middle section means that you have to search for something that they've taken, something that you'll miss, see here,' she pointed to the fourth and fifth lines, 'you have an hour to do so.' Harry nodded.

'Okay so I have an hour to search underwater to find something taken from me, something I'll miss.' she nodded and Harry reached over to take the paperback. 'The last lines worry me 'Mione: But past an hour, the prospect's black, / Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.

does that mean if I can't do it, it's lost forever?' His voice shook. Hermione shrugged.

'I don't know Harry, but an hour isn't a lot of time.' She looked back at the second line, 'the prospect's black… Harry - the Black Lake, it will be hidden in the Black Lake!' Harry turned pale once more.

'The Black Lake is huge Hermione - how can I hold my breath for that long or search that fast?' he exclaimed, looking at her expectantly. Hermione sighed; as much as she loved Harry, it could be very annoying to always be relied upon for answers.

'But I know where we can work it out!' she said, grabbing his hand, pulling him to his feet. They swiftly made their way towards the portrait hole, pausing slightly when seeing Ginny. 'If you see Neville or Ron, tell them we're in the library.'

It was the night before the second task and Hermione, Harry, Ron and Neville were in the Room of Requirement where a small pool was set up. They had been there every night since Harry and Hermione figured out the clue in the golden egg. They had spent the night in the library, finding nothing until Fred and George found them. 'What about a bubblehead charm?' George suggested. Hermione could have kissed him - which she knew neither Angelina nor Fred would enjoy - but instead dragged them all to the Room of Requirement to teach herself and Harry. So they continued to practice and then tested it out. Harry had to cast it strong enough to last an hour, which they finally achieved that night.

'Well done Harry - you'll be fine for tomorrow I'm sure - just make sure you cast warming charms as well, you don't want to freeze down there!' Hermione said, casting a drying charm. He shook his head, fixing his glasses. 'I'll probably not be able to see you before the challenge if it's anything like last time!' He nodded.

'It's almost curfew, we need to get going.' Ron interrupted, things were still awkward but inwardly Hermione had forgiven him - he had spent months being a good and supportive friend and she knew his comments were made in anger and jealousy. Hermione nodded, checking over the room for anything they left behind. Ron helped her. 'Look, Hermione,' he stuttered nervously beside her, 'I wanted to apologise again, I know it's been a while but I am very sorry-' Hermione cut him off, putting her wand in her pocket and clapping him on the shoulder.

'It hurt, what you said Ron and the fact that you could think so low of me, but you have been a good friend Ron - I'm giving you one last chance - don't ruin it.' She said. She saw him relax slightly before nodding eagerly. She knew deep down that Ron was a good person, he was just misguided at times. Two months was enough time to be angry at him, he deserved forgiveness.

They quickly made their way back to Gryffindor Tower, just before curfew. Hermione was feeling better about this challenge than the last; whilst there were going to be dangerous creatures in the Black Lake, it was not as violent and immediately dangerous like a dragon. And they were prepared. Hopefully, it was enough to keep Harry alive.

When they entered the warmth of the Common Room Hermione automatically sought out Fred, smiling when she saw him, her heart skipping a beat. They had been dating for almost two months and she still felt butterflies in her stomach when she saw him. When he kissed her… well it caused her body to feel like fire. He treated her like a perfect gentleman though and never pushed her, however, Hermione did want to do more than just snogging. Sometimes. She blushed at the thought. She was too embarrassed to talk about it with Lavender and Parvati as they were just as innocent as she was. It was not the first time she wished she had an elder sister. Maybe she could talk to Fleur Delacour about it, over the past two months the two had formed a friendship - she admired the French witch, she was not only strikingly beautiful but also was very smart and powerful.

Fred smiled in return, kissing her gently on the lips. Hermione was not entirely comfortable with public displays of affection, her parents were not ones to kiss or even hold hands in public, but it was something that she was working on. She did not mind when Fred held her hand or put his arm around her, she also did not mind soft kisses like this, however, it was as far as she was willing to go. When they broke apart, he looked at her worriedly.

'What is it Fred?' she asked, cupping his cheek in her palm. He closed his eyes at her touch, looking relaxed.

'Professor McGonagall was looking for you, she wanted you to go to Dumbledore's office as soon as you got here.' Hermione froze. Go to Professor Dumbledore's office? She was confused, was she in trouble? Have they figured out I'm helping Harry? She was not sure if that was against the rules or not, she knew that teachers could not help students but she was not aware of any other rules around that.

'Oh, okay, I'll go now.' she said. He turned to hug Harry, nodding to Ron and Neville.

'We'll take you,' he said, gesturing to himself and George. 'I don't want you walking this late alone - I'm sure Professor McGonagall will agree.' Hermione nodded, still very nervous. Fred took her hand and they made their way to Professor Dumbledore's office.

'Do you think that - am I in trouble?' she asked. Fred shrugged which did nothing to alleviate her fears.

'I don't know 'Mione, but Professor McGonagall seemed to look worried. That's all I could tell.'

'I don't think you're in trouble - you've done nothing wrong.' George added, nudging her shoulder, Fred squeezed her hand comfortingly. She also took comfort in the fact that it must not have had anything to do with Remus and Sirius because then Professor McGonagall would have asked for Harry as well. Professor McGonagall was waiting in front of the Griffin statue.

'Oh Hermione, thank goodness.' she said, 'thank you, Mister Weasley.'

'I'll wait for you okay?' Fred said, kissing her forehead. Hermione blushed, her motherly figure watching with an amused expression. George hugged her.

'I don't think that's wise Mr Weasley, Miss Granger will not be returning to Gryffindor Tower this evening. Please be assured that she will be completely safe.' Hermione could see Fred blanch at that and she tried to be brave for him.

'I'll be okay Fred, I'll see you tomorrow.' He nodded grimly, squeezed her hand again and turned, following George back to the common room.

'What's going on?' she asked the professor as she said the password: Sherbert Lemon, causing the statue to move. Professor McGonagall turned to her grimly.

'Professor Dumbledore will explain, but just know I am not happy with this.' she said. It did not make Hermione feel any better. Professor McGonagall opened the door to the Headmaster's office and she immediately saw that she was not the only one called to his office. Madame Maxime was there, next to a girl who looked to be eleven, wearing a Beauxbaton's uniform. She had long, shiny silvery hair akin to Fleur's and Hermione surmised that she was the champion's younger sister. Cho Chang, the beautiful Ravenclaw was also there as well, Professor Flitwick behind her, as well as a dark-haired woman. Hermione recognised her from a picture Viktor Krum showed her - it was his girlfriend Anya. Professor Karkaroff was skulking in the corner whilst Ludo Bagman and Mr Crouch were standing next to Dumbledore.

We've taken what you'll sorely miss. The phrase hit Hermione like a ton of brick sand she gasped 'No!' It was not what but who, they were the human hostages that the champions had to retrieve.

'Welcome Miss Granger.' Professor Dumbledore greeted, gesturing to her to sit down in the empty chair to Cho. She did nervously. She felt Professor McGonagall grip her shoulder lightly and Hermione was unsure if the gesture was to calm her or the woman. Professor Dumbledore took the silence as a sign to continue. 'Now that all the guests are here, Barty, if you will.' He extended out his hand for Mr Crouch who moved forward.

'The second task asks the champion to find something they'll miss the most. Through teacher knowledge, we have decided that you are the people the champions will miss most.'

'What will happen to us, Mr Crouch?' Cho asked timidly, looking pale and Hermione reached out and offered her hand, the elder girl taking it gratefully.

'Great question Miss Chang,' Ludo Bagman interrupted. 'Professor Dumbledore will place you under an enchantment so that you will effectively be asleep for the duration that you're underwater.'

'How vill ve breathe?' Anya said curiously, looking around uncomfortably. Hermione could not imagine how the girl was feeling, after all, she was not invited for the Yule Ball but was invited to be an underwater hostage instead.

'All part of the enchantment Miss Dobrev. You will not be aware of anything.' Hermione paled and almost thought she would faint. This sounded all too familiar - almost like when she was petrified two years previously.

'No - you can't.' She said and watched Professor Dumbledore's expression turn grave, blue eyes piercing.

'You must Miss Granger - as Harry Potter's adopted sister, you are the thing he will miss the most.' She shook her head and gulped.

'I said this was not a good idea Albus - the girl has already been through too much this year. Let us not forget that the last time she was comatose she was petrified - within this very school.'

'I agree Dumbly-dorr,' Madam Maxime said in her heavily accented voice, 'Gabrielle iz eleven, she is too young to be an 'ostage.'

'I'm afraid that there is no question about who the hostages will be, but know that you are in the safest of care.' Mr Crouch said, 'Dumbledore himself has negotiated with the Chieftain of the Merpeople within the Black Lake, no harm will come to any of the hostages.' Hermione stared down the man dubiously, understanding why Sirius hated this man a little bit more every time she interacted with him.

'You better bet that assurance on your life Mr Crouch,' she said darkly, 'for if anything happens to myself or any of the other women sitting with me, you bet my adopted father will personally have your head.' Her words hung in the air as the intended threat and she heard Professor Karkaroff gasp incredulously. Staring down both Professor Dumbledore and Mr Crouch, Hermione knew that both men understood that this threat was not empty - Sirius Black would not rest until they hunted down however harmed Hermione. Mr Crouch scoffed.

'Sirius Black is not as powerful as he pretends to be.' Hermione chuckled once again, whilst Sirius had the most political influence, he was not the scariest one of her family. She knew Mr Crouch was familiar with her family, being the one that barred Remus from seeing Sirius in Azkaban due to his condition. But before she could say anything, she was interrupted.

'Oh you mistake her Mr Crouch,' Professor McGonagall said, 'it's not Sirius Black you need be afraid of, but her other adoptive father - I'm sure you're familiar with Remus Lupin?' Hermione saw Mr Crouch's face turn deathly pale and smirked. He spluttered in response.

'Death threats aside Miss Granger, you'll need to remove your protective charms.' Professor Dumbledore said calmly. Hermione was confused for a moment before she realised he meant her jewellery. Hesitantly and with a questioningly raised eyebrow, she removed her necklace and bracelet, knowing that if her guardians or Harry knew she would be heaps of trouble, but not more than Professor Dumbledore.

'I'll take them Miss Granger,' Professor McGonagall said and Hermione gladly handed them over to the one person she trusted in the room, knowing that her head of house would keep them safe. Watching with fascination as Professor Dumbledore enchanted the other hostages, she smirked in the direction of the headmaster; she could not wait until Sirius and Remus found out about this.

A/N: So I guess the last chapter wasn't very popular? I hope this chapter clarified some stuff about Ron. I am trying very hard to make Ron likeable but obviously even in cannon he has his moments that I just exaggerated a little bit more. This one goes out for my Cedric/Harry fans!

Just another thing: I have decided to end this story at chapter 25. Now there will be a lot of things unfinished; however I will be doing a sequel that will focus on one-shots/drabble type chapters which means I can focus on the aspects I want to write about without feeling the need to necessarily 'fill the blanks' with cannon. So this story will 'end' with the events of Goblet of Fire and the sequel will have moments from The Order of the Phoenix beyond! How does that sound?

Please leave the love! It makes Melbourne lockdown less depressing and me more motivated to write!

Xx Dani