Chapter 9

The First Task ~

Harry and Hermione spent most of their free moments making progress on the Summoning Spell, and Hermione had not been in the library as much that last week. Viktor was slightly curious after three days had passed since he had last seen her in the library, but any questions dissolved when he saw her approaching her usual table in the Transfiguration section of the library on the fourth day.

"Hello, Viktor," Hermione said as she set down her bag, unceremoniously flopped down in the chair across from him, and pushed down the feeling of her magic. She was becoming more comfortable with the feeling over time. "Sorry that I haven't been here to keep the fan club at bay. I've been helping Harry."

"Hallo, it is okay," Viktor said as he, too, choked down the feeling of his magic flaring up. "They have been okay for the most part."

"Great. Oh, are you using a spell that translates the book for you? That looks like one of our books on dragons."

"Yes, I vuse spell on it. Still not comfortable speaking or reading English."

"That's okay. I might suggest this book." She dug around in her bag for a few moments with her whole arm disappearing in the bag. She finally found the large tome she was looking for and brought it out. "I'm done with it if you want to have it."

"Yes, thank you." Hermione felt slightly guilty for helping Harry's competitor but ignored the feeling. Hermione read the book in hopes of helping Harry, but she knew that Harry was not going to read it himself. She thought at least someone else should get some use out of the book.

Viktor must have sensed her regret in some way because he then said, "I hope I am not taking avay from friend."

"Merlin, no, Harry's not going to read that. No offense to Harry, but reading is not usually his thing."

"Oh, okay. Vell, thank vou."

"You're welcome." Hermione gathered the things from her bag to read over some of Arithmancy involved in becoming an Animagus. While she loved Transfigurations, Arithmancy was another subject that had begun to compete for her favorite subject.

"Vou study Arithmancy?"

"Yeah, my mistress thinks it is important that I am well versed in things other than Transfigurations. She has sent me to some of the other professors here to learn more about their areas of expertise. That's how I have a lot of understanding of the Undetectable Extension Charm and the Featherlight Charm."

"It is nice that vou haff mentor like that."

"Yeah, I really enjoy it. Do you plan on trying to get some sort of mastery once you graduate Durmstrang?"

"Um… I am not sure. I honestly haff not thought that far."

"Really? That's quite alright. I know most people probably expect you to continue playing quidditch, don't they?"

"Yes, that is what is expected." Hermione caught the slight frustration and exhaustion in the words and came to the conclusion that the older boy likely did not want to continue in quidditch. She decided that it might not would be best to press the issue since they still didn't know each other that well.

"Well, do you have a subject that you really enjoy? Mine is Transfigurations, of course. I always felt like I understood that one the most and really enjoy performing those spells the most. Transfigurations was my first class my first year, and I found turning a matchstick into a needle easy. After that and partially due to Professor McGonagall, it became my favorite. Arithmancy is a close second though." Hermione looked at the Bulgarian who had a small smile on his face, realized how long she felt like she had talked, and now felt quite embarrassed. "Sorry, sometimes I ramble about school stuff. If it gets annoying, just let me know."

"No, Her-my-own, it is good that vou are passionate about something like that." Viktor said, and this is cheeks tinged pink. "Sorry, I cannot say your name correctly."

"You're alright. It's not the easiest name, is it? In primary school, many teachers and other students couldn't pronounce it correctly either, so you're not alone," she said in an effort to make him feel less embarrassed. "Anyway, do you have a favorite?"

"Transfigurations, that is the main one I am good at. Vould make terrible potioneer."

"I'm fair at potions, but maybe we can talk about Transfigurations another time. I have some reading to do, and I'm sure you would rather be reading and studying for the First Task in a few days than speaking to me right now." Hermione then moved to get something from her bag which was her end to the conversation. Viktor had other ideas and gingerly reached out to lay his hand over hers. They both felt a sudden rush of heat first in their hands and then all over, and they were both stunned slightly by the feeling as it did not feel like the usual flush of teenage blushing. Hermione was the first to pull away.

"I enjoy talking to vou, but I vunderstand." The two went on doing their respective reading and studying. Hermione had trouble concentrating at first but eventually was able to read the book on how Transfigurations and Potions could be interdisciplinary that Professor McGonagall gave her.

Viktor on the other hand was having a much harder time focusing on the book on dragons. While most of the information was the same, he felt like he should be reviewing it but was somewhat distracted by the younger girl sitting next to him. She was beautiful to him, but he thought there was a snowflake's chance in hell with someone like her. She was intelligent and seem that she could not care any less of his fame or who he was. That is exactly what he wanted, but he felt as though he didn't stand a chance with her.

Viktor checked the time using the Tempus Charm and realized he needed to be off. Professor Karkaroff had been training – which felt more like torture to Viktor – every day for the last two weeks. He didn't feel like he could be any more prepared but would do as his headmaster said. Viktor backed his books and started to stand which caught Hermione's attention.

"Thank vou for sitting with me again. Will you be here tomorrow?" He asked her as he heaved his bookbag onto his shoulder.

"Yeah, about the same time."

"I'll see you then if that's okay."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Hermione said and flashed a small smile and received a larger one in return. Hermione thought he looked nice when he smiled. The sullenness about him went away completely. Viktor took this as a good sign and parted from the library. Hermione continued reading for about an hour before heading to her mistress's office.

This particular evening was rather boring. While Hermione loved talking theory of magic and how different branches of magic were interdisciplinary, she was rather bored this evening as she sat in a desk in front of Professor McGonagall's desk and was focusing quite a large portion of her attention to the boy who she sat in the library with. Her mistress took notice to her distractedness and decided to end early for the day.

"Do you have more interesting things to do, Apprentice?" Professor McGonagall said.

"Sorry, what, Mistress?" Hermione was jerked out of her state of daydreaming.

"You seem to be rather distracted this evening and are usually much more engaged in these discussions than you have been tonight." Hermione blushed.

"Sorry, Mistress. I just have a few things on my mind right now."

"Would you like to share?" Professor McGonagall asked as she moved to the scarlet colored sofa in her office. Hermione got up and moved toward the cream armchair next to it.

"Well, I suppose. One thing that has been taking up most of my time right now is Harry. I'm the only one who seems to believe him, and Ron is being a right git about everything. I know he is technically not allowed outside help, but I just can't let him do it alone. I am just so worried that he will get hurt."

"I know, and I'm sure the other Champions are receiving just as much if not more help than Mr. Potter. I worry for him too since he is just a boy, but we just have to hope that it all goes well."

"I just cannot believe that Dumbledore allowed this to happen. He has enough pull, doesn't he?" Professor McGonagall sighed at this.

"You know, I thought he would have done more for Harry, but no. I fought him for hours trying to get him to cancel the Tournament but to no avail. He said it was binding magic. I did not speak to him for days because of this, and I'm still incredibly furious with him."

"Really?" The older witch nodded. Hermione sighed and slumped her shoulders even more forward than they usually were. She felt dejected and sick that her best friend was being offered up as a piece of meat.

"Now, is there anything you are worried about or distracted by? Are you still having that strange dream?" Professor McGonagall inquired.

"Yes, I am still having them. They're every other night now."

"I know you're not going to like this, Hermione, but maybe you should talk to Professor Trelawny about them."

"Excuse me for being so crass, but that old loon? She was rather unkind to me last year if you remember. That's why I dropped Divinations."

"I remember. Maybe there is another alternative. I could contact an old friend who I know would appeal to your sense of logic more. Let me contact them and see."

"Thank you."

"Is there something else as well?" Hermione blushed and tried to control the small smile that was spreading across her face. Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow at her apprentice's reaction. "There seems to be to elect such a reaction from you, Apprentice."

"Well, it's something that I really shouldn't be thinking about or anything, but there are some strange things that have happened."

"Go on."

"Well, when the other schools arrived, I felt something like my magic was moving around in me."

"That's not completely unheard of but certainly unusual."

"Yes, well, I have noticed some commonalities between all the times that this happens." Hermione took a rather long and pregnant pause.

"Yes, Apprentice, I'm sure you did as you are rather observant. Why are you being so avoidant to it? I won't laugh."

"Well, the commonality is Viktor Krum. I know, I know that it seems that it would just be butterflies or whatever someone feels when they have a crush, but this is different. I feel it when I'm around him, look at, or speak with him."

"You've spoken with him?"

"Yes, we share a table in the library. His little fan club does not seem to like me, so that's mainly why he sits with me as to avoid them."

"Okay. I don't understand I suppose. What's the issue, Apprentice?"

"The first time I looked at him I almost passed out, and I noticed later that he almost did too."

"Are you sure this is not just a crush?" Professor McGonagall said with a raised eyebrow. Hermione blushed a little.

"Yes! I am sure! I've barely even spoken to him. We have just sat together a few times in the library – nothing to cause a crush to happen."

"Are you sure you mean what you're saying?"

"Do you think I'm being overdramatic? When have you ever known me to be overdramatic?"

"That's true. Hermione, you have so many strange things going on – the dreams and feeling your magic. I don't know. I am usually not inclined to believe in things that Professor Trelawny believes in, but I think you need to speak to someone. Maybe even go to Professor Dumbledore."

"No," Hermione said in a rather matter of fact way.

"No? You won't talk to anyone about this other than me or what?"

"No, I won't speak to Professor Dumbledore."

"Why not?"

"I don't know. I just don't feel like I should give him any additional information. While I think he does help Harry, I don't think he does enough for him. Harry has been put into danger far too many times to be normal at fourteen, and he let Sirius Black go to Azkaban without trial. Dumbledore is arguably the most powerful wizard in the world. That must have some pull, but he does nothing with it."

"Well, that's rather frank. I don't disagree with you."

"Is Professor Dumbledore a Legilimens?" Hermione asked.

"Where did that come from?"

"Sometimes, he prolongs eye contact for a little too long. From a far distance, you have to have eye contact with someone to perform Legilimency on them. After meeting eyes with him, I feel exposed as well."

"He is. At your age, most students do not even know what that branch of magic even is unless they were raised in a long line of purebloods. I'm surprised and horrified that he is doing it on students."

"I want to learn Occulumency then."

"At fifteen?" Professor McGonagall was shocked.

"Yes."

"Okay, but you will have to learn from Professor Snape."

"Must it have to be Professor Snape? Are you an Occulumens? Can't I just learn it from you?" Hermione whined.

"Yes, it has to be him. He is the best Occulumens I know." Professor McGonagall set her jaw in a matter of fact way, and that was that.

"Alright, fine." Hermione resigned.

"I will have you ask him. Learning that skill is rather personal, and it would be best if you asked him yourself. I suggest you ask Professor Snape just after dinner. I will let him know you are coming by his office which is in the dungeons behind the portrait of Medusa. I will contact the individual I know for your dreams and magic situation. They will get back to me within a day as they are not too far away." Hermione nodded and sighed. She hoped this would help but felt rather overwhelmed which was noted by Professor McGonagall. "Hermione, child, it may be nothing, so chin up!"

The young apprentice perked up at this as she decided there was no point in worrying anymore. They both looked at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room that indicated it was dinner time. The pair rose silently, gather their things, and walked out of Professor McGonagall's office. Neither spoke until they reached Hermione's seat at the Gryffindor table.

"Remember to speak to Professor Snape after dinner, Apprentice," Professor McGonagall said.

"Yes, Mistress," Hermione replied with a bow and sat down. Over the last couple of months, Hogwarts students were now mostly accustomed to seeing the customs of the young apprentice and mistress. It wasn't abnormal like it had been in the past. Harry was already present and seemed worn. The meal, however, was mostly uneventful. The bushy-haired witch and her green-eyed friend spoke in hushed tones about their plans for preparing for the First Task. They decided to practice the Summoning Charm a few more times that night after dinner and the next day.

After dinner, Hermione did, however, need to speak with Professor Snape first about Occulumency. She drudged her way down to the dungeons to the portrait of Medusa and knocked.

"Come in," came an oily voice. She opened the door and walked through the threshold.

"Apprentice Granger, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Professor Snape said while stirring on a potion.

"Professor, I have been discussing parts of my learning with my mistress, and I feel as though I need an additional teachings on a particular subject to which Mistress feels that I should learn from you."

"The subject?"

"Occulumency." He stopped stirring for a moment before starting again.

"Why would a 15-year-old need to learn that?"

"With certain circumstances, I feel it necessary." He stopped stirringly all together now before taking his glass stirring rod out of the cauldron. Professor Snape looked at her and locked eyes for the first time in the entire conversation.

"Very well. I will discuss your schedule with your mistress to see when the best time would be. I will warn you," he said the last part slowly. "This is not an easy branch of magic – not just because of the magic but mentally."

"I understand."

"You may go then. I will discuss it with Professor McGonagall, and you shall receive an addition to your schedule in three days' time."

"Thank you, Professor Snape," Hermione said while giving her formal bow and staying not a moment longer and headed to work with Harry on his spell for the rest of the evening.

The day before the First Task, Harry and Hermione were going again at the Summoning Charm during their free time. Harry was frustrated as he could still only move the pillows only a short distance, not nearly enough to summon his broom from his dorm to the Quidditch Pitch made into the arena.

"You know, Hermione, why can't I just move my broom that morning or tonight closer to the pitch like to Hagrid's hut which is as far from the pitch?" Harry questioned out of frustration. Hermione looked quizzical for a moment, realization spread across her face, and she huffed slightly.

"Why didn't I think of that? That's actually a good plan, Harry," she said.

"Actually a good plan? Like I don't have dozens of good plans?" He acted slightly frustrated at this, but then his face dissolved into a cheeky smile.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Sometimes I just make things far too complicated."

"Don't I know." She reached out and whacked his shoulder.

"Well, if you do move it to Hagrid's hut, you should be more apt to cast the spell successfully. Don't you think you should do it now since it's almost dark and with the cloak even though it is not curfew yet so that no one sees you do it?"

"Yeah, good plan. Do you want to come?" She nodded, and they walked into the castle and up the moving stairwell to the empty Gryffindor Common Room. Hermione waited for Harry to come back with his cloak and Firebolt. They decided to get under the cloak while still in the Common Room.

It was harder for both to maneuver under the cloak more so than it had been their first year. While Hermione had not grown much, Harry definitely had as he was more than a head taller than her now. They climbed down the stairs, exited the castle, and walked briskly and carefully across the ground to Hagrid's hut. Once they were on the backside of the hut and could ensure they would not be seen, Harry took off the cloak and looked for a place to hide the broom. There was a small, wooden storage bin that had a conveniently placed tarp near it, so Harry put it under the tarp.

"Do you think we should tell Hagrid?" Harry asked.

"Probably, so that he doesn't move it." They went around to the front of the hut, and Harry knocked on the door. They heard a loud crash and then Fang's barking.

"Hush, Fang. Who could this be?" Hagrid said as the door was opened. "Harry! Hermione! What're ye doin' here? Come inside!"

"Well, the First Task is tomorrow, and we hid Harry's broom behind your house so that it would be easier to summon for the Task. But you mustn't tell anyone or move it, Hagrid," Hermione said.

"That's fine," Hagrid said but then paused and looked shocked. "Why do ye need a broom fer the Task, Harry? Are ye going to outfly a dragon?"

"Well, that's the only thing that I'm really good at; I'm not like Hermione with spells or anything. Please don't make a fuss over it, Hagrid. It's what I have to do."

"Okay, I don't like it because I don't want ye hurt."

"I think that's inevitable, Hagrid," Harry said. He had a deep frown and a furrowed brow. Hagrid didn't seem to know what to say to that, but he offered the pair tea. They declined as they thought they should probably head back to the castle to get some rest.

Hermione barely slept that night. She was so nervous for Harry that she unknowingly bit all of her fingernails off while sleeping. She woke up in a daze just as the sun was beginning to rise. She had slept no more than four hours but decided that it was better to go on and rise now. She quickly got dressed and realized that it was colder today than it had been so dressed accordingly.

She was met with surprise when she reached the Great Hall for breakfast to see Harry being the only Gryffindor at their table. There were maybe ten students in the Great Hall – four of them being the Champions. All of them looked nervous while poking at the breakfast on their plates.

"Get any sleep, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Barely, maybe three or four hours," he said.

"Me too, but we practiced, and you're going to do fine." She tried to give him a reassuring smile. He could tell that she was trying to calm his nerves, so he gave her a small, yet exhausted smile in return. Soon though, the Great Hall was beginning to fill up. Hermione and Harry quickly finished their breakfast in silence and left as to avoid a lot of the excitement around the First Task. They went out onto the grounds and mostly sat in silence, only discussing schoolwork and types of candy to avoid talking about the Task, until it was time for Harry to go to the Champions tent.

"You will be fine, brother," Hermione said as they stood up. She took him into one of her signature hugs. He fiercely hugged back and was the first to pull away. Harry swallowed hard as to choke down his anxiety, and they walked to the tent which was just outside of the makeshift arena from the quidditch pitch.

"Do you want to come inside with me?" It sounded like a plea more than a question. She nodded and grasped his hand to comfort him.

The other champions were there and quiet. Hermione felt anxious and the need to feel the silence. "You're going to be fine, Harry. All you have to do is go out there…"

"And battle a dragon?" he whispered back. She brought him into another fierce hug, but it was short lived due to the flash at the corner of her vision.

"Oh, young love," they heard a sickly-sweet voice say. Once they broke apart, Hermione saw that the voice came from a curly, blonde-haired woman in horned glasses in an incredibly tight, lime green dress. She recognized her as Rita Skeeter, the woman who had been writing the lies about Harry. Hermione went to open her mouth to tell the woman to mind her own business and stop spreading gossip and lies, but another voice took up for the pair.

"This tent is for Champions…and friends." It was Viktor. He looked slightly irritated at Skeeter but softened slightly when he looked at Hermione. She grasped onto Harry's hand as the dizzy feeling hit her again as it sometimes did in his presence. Thankfully, it was only slight and passed quickly this time. Before anyone else could argue to get Skeeter out, the headmasters and judges entered the tent.

"Okay, gather 'round, Champions, this is your first task," Dumbledore said as everyone gathered around him. He looked at all of their faces before catching Hermione's. "What are you doing here, Apprentice Granger?"

"Sorry, just trying to support Harry. I'll just go. Good luck, Harry," she said as she gave one final squeeze to his hand and awkwardly exiting the tent. She made her way to the stand and sat beside Ron and Neville. The crowd had a rather excited energy which was juxtaposed to the anxiety she felt in the tent of the Champions. The dragon trainers brought out a Swedish Short Snout. They were one of the more docile dragons to work with, and Hermione hoped that Harry would have received this dragon.

The crowd heard the cannon expel, and briefly after, Hermione saw Diggory enter the arena. He immediately dunked behind a large rock to stay hidden; Hermione could barely see what he was doing. She then saw a small terrier run out from behind the rock. Diggory was using the dog as a distraction to get the egg. 'Well, that's clever,' Hermione thought to herself.

Diggory slowly crept his way behind rocks while the dragon kept distracted by the dog. He eventually was close enough to the eggs to be able to only be exposed for the few moments to grab the egg. He did so, but as he went back, the Hufflepuff stumbled and let the egg hit the ground with a bang. The dragon focused its attention to Diggory and let out a huge breath of fire. Hermione was unsure of whether he was caught in it or not as he soon rushed through the door to Champions' tent.

The crowd cheered for Diggory while the judges deliberated over his score. He was given five different scores out of ten – one from each of the Heads of each school, one from Bartimus Crouch, and the final one from Ludo Bagman. Each one displayed their score by emitting a ribbon from their wand. Dumbledore gave him an 8.5, Madame Maxine a 7, Karkaroff a 4.5, Crouch gave him a 7, and Ludo gave him a 9 – for a total of 36 points.

The cannon sounded again shortly after came Fleur into the arena. She immediately dunked under something as well. While smaller, the Welsh Green seemed more vicious than the Swedish Short Snout that Diggory had. Fleur crept to view the dragon before starting an enchantment with lots of slow, fluid wand movements and long incantations. Hermione soon realized she was casting a rather complicated and strong Sleeping Spell. The dragon did try to fight its chains and attack Fleur, but it did not take long for the it to go to sleep. She then quickly crept over to the nest, got her egg, and exited into the tent.

Fleur received admirable scores as well. She received an 7.5 from Dumbledore, a 9 from Madame Maxime, a 5.5 from Karkaroff, an 8 from Crouch, and an 8 from Ludo – for a total of 38 points. The dragons were changed, and the cannon sounded shortly after her exit. Krum came out next. He immediately raised his wand and slashed violently to perform a Cutting Curse. His curses blinded the dragon, and then Krum moved quickly to get his egg. He was in the arena for less than two minutes – half the time of Fleur and Cedric. However, the dragon got a sense of where he was, and in an attempt to harm him, the dragon accidentally crushed some of her eggs because she couldn't tell where they were due to her lack of sight.

Hermione, while she was paying attention to how well the Bulgarian was doing, felt anxious for the boy that she barely even knew. She covered her face multiple times which she had not done for the other Champions. She felt sick and dizzy much like that of the previous instances of eye contact with him, but it felt different because she was so nervous for him. She finally let out a huge breath that she had been holding when he exited the tent.

The Bulgarian then received the best scores so far – a 7 from Dumbledore, an 8 from Madame Maxime, a 10 from Karakaroff, a 7 from Crouch, and a 9.5 from Ludo with a total of 41.5 points. It was Harry's turn now. Hermione's sick feeling had mostly dissipated, but her dread had not. As they began to change the dragons, she realized that Harry was, of course, assigned the worst possible choice – the Hungarian Horntail.

The last cannon sounded, and Harry walked out of the tent. It was very different from the other three Champions. He made no effort to hide or come out with an attack. He went straight for the eggs and almost lost his life for it because the Horntail swung its tail at him. Harry took this as notion to hide behind a rock. 'Why is he not using his wand? Is he stupid?' Hermione asked herself.

Finally, the crowd heard Harry shout, "Accio Firebolt!"

Hermione sighed with relief a little too soon as the rock he was behind was then blasted with fire from the dragon. She sent up a silent prayer in hopes his spell actually worked.

Thankfully, it did. Soon, the Firebolt flew into the arena, and Harry jumped onto the broom mid-flight. He took off quickly to get out of the dragon's reach, but it was unfortunately in vain. The Horntail broke free of its chains and chased Harry on his broom out of the arena and towards the castle. The dragon's tail scaped some of the stadium and caused a significant amount of damage to the judges' area. Everyone was stunned because eventually they could no longer see Harry or the dragon.

The audience oddly sat in silence for the next few minutes. Hermione's dread was overwhelming now, and she was just hoping that Harry would make it back all in one piece – let alone get the egg. Ron looked over at Hermione at this point, stunned. He broke the silence.

"Why did I ever doubt him? Who would want this?" He said.

"I don't know, Ronald!" Hermione snapped. "But I hope you apologize, and he makes you grovel before ever even thinking accepting an apology!"

"I would most definitely deserve it." Hermione realized that Ron was displaying some guilt and decided to lay off. The crowd though continued to check the skies. Finally. after six minutes, Harry on his broom finally shows up. He and the broom look a little worse for wear, but he was all in one piece. Hermione cheered for him as he grabbed the egg along with the rest of the crowd. There was more deliberation on his scores than the others, but he received a 10 from Dumbledore, a 7 from Madame Maxime, a 5.5 from Karkaroff, a 9 from Crouch, and a 10 from Ludo to be tied with Krum with a 41.5 point total.

Hermione rushed out of the stadium to hopefully catch Harry again at the tent but was unfortunately told that all Champions had been moved to the Hospital Wing just to ensure they were all well taken care of. She moved back to the Gryffindor Common Room where there was already a party going.

Eventually, Harry arrived at his celebration with people chanting, "Potter, Potter!" The Twins put him on their shoulders, and the Gryffindors cheered for him to open the egg.

"Who wants me to open it?" Harry exclaimed clearly feeding off their energy. He was met with cheers, so he opened the egg. Their ears were met with the most ear piercing scream.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Hermione heard Ron say as he entered the Common Room. The room became awkward that everyone dissipated to let them have space. "You'd have to be mad to want to sign up for dragons."

"Finally, come to your senses, have you?" Harry said with his teeth on edge.

"Yeah, I am extremely sorry, mate. I was just jealous," Hermione was slightly shocked at this admission because Ron didn't usually openly discuss his feelings. "I know you needed me during that time because everyone was against you, and the last thing you needed was for your best friend to be too."

"Well, if you mean that… I accept your apology."

"Really?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, I just want my best friend back." Hermione was shocked by this quick development and so ready to have defended Harry at every point, but they seemed to have already moved on.

"Boys with their small emotional capacities," Hermione scoffed. They both looked at her, then back at each other, and burst into laughter. They gathered her into a brief hug before letting go.

"Some things just don't change, do they?" Harry asked.

"Definitely not Hermione's nagging," Ron laughed. He received a slap on the shoulder. "I deserved that."

"Well, with that then," Hermione huffed in a light-hearted way. "I am going to go read by the lake. See you later."

As she walked to her usual elder tree, she recognized a figure there after it was too late. It was Viktor Krum. He was just sitting, leaning against the tree, and looking out on the lake. He seemed to have been practicing Transfiguration by the looks of the random objects around him.

"May I sit?" She asked him. He jumped. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"No, it is okay. Just lost in thoughts."

"You did well today."

"My headmaster doesn't think so."

"You're in first place!"

"Tied for first technically."

"Well, I think you did well, but that doesn't count for much I suppose."

"It does to me." Hermione looked him in the eyes before blushing, giving a small smile, and turning her gaze toward the lake. She absentmindedly began to practice her Transfigurations on some of his objects – turning his spoon into a small bird that flitted around them. "That is very good."

"Really? I like transforming things into animals, mainly birds."

"Are vou studying to become… um… animagus?"

"Yeah, but it's not going well. I can't get the meditation right."

"I found it hard too. Do it to calm my nerves. I always picture flying."

"I hate flying." He seemed shocked.

"Vou don't like flying? What kind of vitch are you?" Viktor said jokingly.

"I know, I just think I am afraid of falling really." He shook his head, stood up, and began to walk toward his ship. "Where are you going?"

"Be right back." Hermione just sat there confused until he reappeared about five minutes later – with a broom.

"Oh no, I am not getting on that thing. I like both of my feet on the ground."

"Please, I can show vou how fun it is."

"Absolutely not." She folded her arms across her chest.

"This is one of my slower practice brooms. It is not like firebolt. I won't let vou fall." Hermione was definitely adamant on backing out and leaving, but she felt compelled to stay.

"Okay, fine, but if I say I want to be put down, you have to put me down, got it?" Hermione said as she stood up, and he nodded. He mounted the broom and seemed to be scooted back farther than someone normally would be.

"Okay, so get on in front of me. It vill make it easier to catch vou." Hermione's eyes got wide out of scaredness. "Kidding! Sorry, not best joke. I von't let vou fall."

Hermione got on the broom in front and felt arms wrap around hers. She took a deep breath and shut her eyes as Viktor kicked off the ground. She began to shake some – well maybe a lot.

"It's okay. Vou are not going to fall." She felt the broom tilt and them begin to surge slowly forward.

"I don't know about this, Viktor."

"Just trust me, okay?" Finally, they slowed to a stop. "Open vour eyes."

Hermione forced her eyes open. They were open the tree line of the Forbidden Forest over the Great Lake. The last moments of the sunset were beginning to fade, and it looked beautiful.

"Wow."

"This is vhy I like flying." They sat there for a while on the broom just appreciating the scenery together. Hermione felt some of that stirring of her magic, but it was pleasant right now. Eventually, he confirmed if she was ready to go down.

Once on the ground, Hermione began, "Well, maybe flying isn't so bad."

"I told you."

"I've just not had good experiences until today with flying." He quirked an eyebrow to see if she would elaborate. "Another time maybe."

"Vell, ve should get back. I vill valk vou to the castle." They trekked back up to Hogwarts and paused before parting. "See vou in the library tomorrow, yes?"

"Yeah, I'd like that." Hermione smiled at him. Viktor broke into one of the few genuine smiles she had seen from him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." They parted ways, and she rushed up to the Gryffindor Common Room before curfew actually began. The Fat Lady greeted her warmly when she arrived and said the password.

"Red Herring."

"Looks like someone is in a good mood. Perhaps due to a boy?" Hermione was sure her cheeks looked overly flushed, and she was smiling. She blushed even further at the comment. "Go in, darling. It's good that you're letting loose!"

Hermione thanked her and went upstairs to change for bed. That night she didn't dream of Harry and the graveyard, or the painting, but of flying.