A/N: Hey, guys! Sorry about the wait. I was moving across the country then got sick when I was starting to pick the fic back up. This is a short chapter. I just wanted to get back into my updating schedule. Next week I will post part two to this chapter as well as he next chapter to make up for it.
Schools were finally set to arrive. Hermione found the whole event rather overdo, especially considering no one knew what or how long this competition would take. No new information had been given to the students; all they knew as that after the arrival of the other four schools they would have a week to submit their names. Nothing else could be garnered from the tight lipped school and ministry officials.
Hermione wanted to avoid the event all together, but Dumbledore stated that everyone residing in Hogwarts had to show in an effort to honor how far the schools have had to travel.
Things had calmed down in the few weeks since the detention. Hermione hadn't seen Umbridge, whom she struggled to even think about, but that also brought with it the disappearance of Andy. Everyone associated with the ministry were constantly in meetings and inspecting the grounds. Hermione counted herself lucky seeing Tonks who was also constantly rushing around.
Hermione missed their comfort. Her small click of Gryffindors finally stopped pushing for answers the previous week, and part of that made Hermione feel even more lonely. Everyone was doing their own thing. Harry and Ginny were often in Hogsmeade, and while they invited Hermione, sometimes, she did not want to intrude on their date life. If Ron did not accompany them, or spend time with Harry himself, then he was usually busy not so subtly snogging Lavender, who he would not openly admit to being with.
Why must I always be an afterthought?
Even with grand festivities set up throughout the grounds and inside of Hogwarts, Hermione found herself feeling rather solemn. The weather only matched her mood. Passed the bright lanterns and magic fizzling about was a grey, downtrodden sky. If it weren't for the enchantment barring the weather from reaching the students they would all be soaked. Lightning flashing only added to the flourish of lights, causing people to hoop and holler when it happened.
Everyone around Hermione was having a grand time. She smiled when she was expected to, having found out that it helped stop her the nagging of her friends. The only thing that caused true happiness for her was seeing the people that mattered to her happy. Bright smiles surrounded Hermione, even on the faces of people she was not fond of.
"They're here!" Ron shouts while pointing at Black Lake. He grabs a hold of Harry's cloak and shakes him vigorously. "Blimey Harry, they've come on the ship again!" The red head had barely been able to contain his excitement the closer it got to the date of the arrival. Even with Krum graduated and off playing for Bulgaria, Ron was still ecstatic to see Durmstrang again.
Voices began to rise as the Bulgarians left their ship and headed towards the castle. Dragons made of fiendfyre flew overhead and fought against each other. Even Hermione found herself enthralled by the act. It didn't even look like magic at this point, but more of a dance in the wind. Like last time, staffs were twirled around causing sparks to flutter about, but they were not the focal point.
Suddenly one of the dragons soared overhead, winding its' way around to face the other from the castle. Everyone followed its movements, not seeing the other one preparing its' attack. Before anyone could look back the dragons rushed towards each other. When they met all of the flames exploded into a show a bright sparks. Several students had to duck down as the residue almost reached them.
"BLOODY HELL!" Ron yelled. He went back to shaking Harry who simply had an awestruck look to his face. Everyone else was either like them or a mixture of the two reactions. Hermione, having looked back at the Bulgarians, saw a single student lower her wand.
She just dual cast fiendfyre…
It was such an unheard of feat that it had only ever been rumored to happen. The student legitimately just set history. Hermione doubted anyone else had even noticed, seeing as everyone was still watching the sparks simmer out. She hadn't ever even heard of someone being able to cast the spell in such a way, and for a student to do it so masterfully… She was at a loss for words.
None of the other schools that came reached the same level of grandeur as Durmstrang. Mahoutokoro came next, and they were rather dull in comparison. Two line of students, five in each, marched towards the castle doors. They arrived through port-key, and each one of them landed flawlessly. Several Hogwarts students were rather startled by the event, having been looking around bored after the Bulgarians made their way to their designated waiting area.
Ilvermorny came by apparation, again startling several Hogwarts students. Some of their students looked a little worse for wear, but quickly schooled their expressions. They had looked the most excited out of any of the schools to show so far. It made since sense they were the only group not coming from Europe.
After that people started to get impatient again.
"Harry, how long do you reckon it's been?" Ron asked with a sigh.
Ginny rolled her eyes before shoving her brother, forcing him to stand up straight. "It won't kill you to stay off your lazy arse for a few minutes."
The siblings squabbled. Harry looked back and forth between the two, quite unsure of whose side to take.
Hermione looked up at the sky, waiting for the Beauxbatons carriage. So much had happened when they French witches last visited.
She graduated. She won't be here.
When Hermione squinted she saw what looked like a shooting star. Other people noticed and it quickly came closer. The carriage touched the ground, managing to not raise a single speck of dust. Blue clad witches fluttered out once the door opened. This time there were no butterflies, magic, or blissful sighing, but the girls still moved with a smooth, silent rhythm guiding their steps.
Hermione startled upon seeing a familiar face.
She looks just like her…
Gabrielle Delacour. She had both changed a great amount and very little. Her basic features were all the same: Blonde hair, striking blue eyes, thin figure. There were still a couple of differences from her sister though. Gabrielle had a more pointy nose and rounder eyes. To anyone else the differences would be unmistakable, but Hermione had memorized Fleur's features. It was too easy for her to catch onto.
She wasn't a little girl anymore. If Hermione counted correctly, Gabrielle must be eleven now. She was tall for her age, but the quarter veela was still easily the shortest person in attendance.
How is she even here?
Gabrielle would not be able to compete, being only in her first year of schooling. She wore a bright smile, taking in Hogwarts once again. Hermione stared, pondering her question, until the girl's eyes aligned with her own. Hermione caught onto the bounce in her step and felt like shrinking away. She wasn't sure why Gabrielle would be glad to see her in the first place.
The Beuaxbaton detail quickly made its way towards Hermione's location. She'd been trying to avoid eye contact the entire time, but it was useless when a soft, warm handed quickly grabbed her own.
"Hermione! Fleur will be so glad to see you!"
Hermione's hand dropped limp from the French witch's grip. She turned to the side, immediately noticing Madame Maxime. It was impossible not to. On the woman's right hand side was none other than the one person Hermione pleaded to luck for her to not see.
Her eyes were just as magnetic as Hermione remembered. They matched the color of the sky meeting the sea. It was dark, yet her hair still managed to glow. Not a thing had changed about the woman. Fleur Delacour looked the exact same as she did three years ago. If Hermione did not know the French witch then she would have assume she was one of the students.
Why is she even here?
Memories Hermione had long since locked up were seeping their way to the forefront of her consciousness. She closed her eyes, only making past events more vibrant. A stolen kiss here. A forbidden touch there. Broken promises whispered into the nape of her neck. A heart abandoned.
No one was going inside just yet, but Hermione couldn't stand the stifling air any longer. She knew Fleur was still staring. She knew if a professor saw her running away that it would mean points deducted from her house. She was tempted to risk it.
It's not like half of the others are fond of me anyways…
Her need to succeed stopped her from bolting, but it didn't stop her eyes from constantly seeking openings, gaps that were less supervised.
"Mione," Ginny suddenly whispered in her ear. She gently placed her hand on Hermione's arm when the brunette startled. "Switch spots with me. Harry and I will guard you from view. Duck down slightly and keep in a straight line. Everyone is watching the dance."
Hermione followed through without question when the Ginny's hand pulled her back. Harry stepped closer to his girlfriend, leaving no gap to see through. The few people behind her payed no attention as she awkwardly made her way out of the clumped up Gryffindors. Her movements were slow at first, becoming quicker when she reached the spread out line of professors. As Ginny said, even they were watching the performance going on.
She couldn't sneak into the castle without disturbing the show, nor could she sneak past a professor and into a different house's students. They would all easily throw a fit over her foreign presence. Her only choice was to hug the forest line and make her way around the lake. Her pace continued to be steady until she felt the rough foliage beneath her shoes.
A twig snapped, and Hermione jumped behind a tree. She was still on the border, but not on the side of Hogwarts. Hermione could see lights and movement, but sound was muted. It was like she was under water. Noises and voices were there, but they were too far away to make out anything direct.
Why do I always end up in this fucking forest?
She had even been there with Fleur once, both of them seeking refuge when almost caught too close for people that were supposed to hate each other. A funny place to seek refuge really…
Fleur… Hermione shook her head. She was slow in her movements at first, cautious of altering anyone to her presence. In all honesty, she was more scared of being caught than she was of being in the forest. A cautious tip toe turned into slow steps, dry leaves crunching beneath each meeting with Hermione's feet. After the light faded to her peripheral, Hermione's legs picked up their pace until she was in a run.
Blue and blonde flashed behind her eyelids. Teasing touches. Glimpses of skin. Rosy cheeks. Feeling ready to give her everything to someone… Getting turned down in her most vulnerable state…
Tears flowed passed Hermione's cheeks and embedded themselves into her hair. The air was burning her lungs. It was relief, a distraction. Her robes tugged at her frame, too heavy to be proper running attire. Branches snagged at her but nothing deterred Hermione. She continued to follow the lake line until her lungs burned.
Hermione bent over, gulping in desperately for air. She liked to go for runs, but she was no distance runner, preferring circuits to anything else.
She stood up, hand holding the stitch in her side. Hermione turned around, ready to gauge how much further she had left to go. The only sight to greet Hermione was a large black mass reaching towards her.
Hermione screamed while instinctually casting a silent, wandless confrigo. It exploded against a bright purple shield that quickly erected itself in response. Being so close to the blast, Hermione ended up knocking herself back. She jumped up quickly, golden flecks in parts of her vision, while pulling out her wand.
A wand pointed upwards, lumos silently being cast.
Hermione paled.
"Bloody hell Granger…"