Harry stared at his parent's gravestones as he openly wept for them. Seeing the gravestones made it so much more real for him.
"Merry Christmas, Hermione," Harry said, wiping his nose with the sleeve of his jacket.
"Merry Christmas, Harry," Hermione replied softly. A moment went by before Hermione wrapped a shoulder around Harry and put her head on his shoulder. They both gazed into Lily and James Potter's gravestones.
Harry woke up, a little surprised he didn't jump. The first person that saw him openly cry was Hermione. Harry didn't mind that memory as he remembered how understanding Hermione was.
Walking to the common room after taking a shower, he saw Hermione looking at notes.
Frowning a bit, he cleared his throat.
Hermione jumped, clearly not expecting someone this early to be up. "Harry!"
"What's all this, Hermione?" Harry asked as he tried to peek at her notes.
"Just working on some homework," Hermione lied.
"Which class?" Harry asked.
"Arithmancy."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I thought you had that on Mondays."
Hermione sighed and fidgeted. After a moment, she gave in. "Fine. I was looking at time travel."
She knows, Harry thought. He raised an eyebrow. "Time travel?" He questioned.
Hermione nodded. "I was looking if it was possible if someone could be traveled back in time a few years instead of a few hours."
Harry took the information in. He would ask why later. Right now, he wanted to know what she what discovered. "And?"
"And it would be impossible as the person going back in time that far would…. Not exist anymore," Hermione explained, looking down.
"What'd you use to figure this out?" Harry asked, genuinely curious and in awe about how Hermione figured this out already.
"I wasn't technically lying when I said I was working on Arithmancy," Hermione said. "I also used Ancient Runes to help me."
"You're brilliant. You know that?" Harry said, causing Hermione's cheeks to turn pink.
Harry knew it was only a matter of time before Hermione confronted him now that it was mathematically impossible to time travel a few years back the usual method. "What caused you to look into this?" He asked, knowing her real reason, but he wanted to hear her explanation.
"Oh," Hermione said, surprised. "You know, I wanted to know how the time-turner worked, and time travel always looked so interesting. I just wanted to run a few tests."
Harry nodded, impressed by how fast she came up with her lie.
"I noticed you had an iron grip on the table when Professor Dumbledore was explaining the Tri-Wizard tournament yesterday," Hermione said after a moment of silence.
"It's on Halloween, Hermione," Harry replied, repeating his Grim Reaper words.
"So?" Hermione asked with a slight frown.
"It's Halloween, Hermione," Harry repeated. "Something always happens on Halloween. Our first year, there was that troll that attacked you. In second, there was the first warning about the Chamber of Secrets, and just last year, Sirius attacked the fat lady!" Harry explained. "Granted, he's innocent, at least with the crimes he's being accused of," Harry said. "But whatever, I'm just saying. I have a bad feeling about this."
Hermione patted the seat to her right. With a sigh, Harry sat down, rubbing his forehead. She intertwined their hands, surprising Harry. "Everything's going to be ok, Harry. Maybe it's your paranoia from the past years talking," She said softly as Harry was running distracted circles on her hand with his thumb. "Dumbledore said he would personally guard the cup himself with his spells. I don't think many people can over-power Dumbledore. You'll have what you always wanted, a normal year," Hermione paused for a moment. "Maybe the girl you fancy might like you back," She said with a slight strain in her voice that Harry caught.
Harry knew what Hermione said about the tournament wasn't going to happen. He knew it was all lies, not that Hermione knew it. How could she? But Harry couldn't stop the feeling of being safe even though he knew his name was coming out of the Goblet in one day. Hermione somehow assured him he was safe. "I can only hope so," was Harry's response.
That's how the two remained until it was time for breakfast. Once again, ignoring the whispering about the two as people came down to the common room.
Harry and Hermione left for the Great Hall after sitting around for a bit.
As the pair were walking, Harry felt a little guilty that Hermione didn't seem hopeful that he fancied her. Granted, it took time travel for Harry to look at Hermione as a love interest, but he blamed it on the Horcrux that was in his scar.
"So, who's this girl you fancy?" Hermione asked, trying to be nonchalant as they walked.
"She's brilliant. She's really smart and has the prettiest smile," Harry said, taking his chance. "She never liked her hair, but I always liked it. It's like her, uncontrollable. She's also beautiful, but she doesn't think that either."
"Must be quite the girl," Hermione said flatly after a couple of seconds.
Harry sighed and decided to ask her out before hurting her even more. "Hermione," He said, grabbing her upper arm, stopping her.
Hermione turned around but refused to look Harry in the eye. "Look at me." Hermione gazed at the floor for a few seconds before looking at Harry, her eyes filled with emotion.
"Would you…." Harry started before trailing off, and he looked down, laughing nervously. Harry looked back up at Hermione. "Hermione Granger, Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me? We could make it a date if you want," He said seriously, not wanting her to think it was some prank.
Hermione seemed to shock as she stared at Harry with her mouth open. Harry, expecting a response like this, waited patiently. Hermione shook her head to restart her brain. "Are you serious?" She asked with a hint of hopefulness.
Harry nodded. "Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?" He repeated.
"As in a date?" Hermione asked as her brain was catching up.
"As in a date," Harry confirmed.
Hermione beamed at Harry before throwing her arms around him. Harry, for some reason, not expecting it, almost fell to the floor as he hugged her back.
"Yes," Hermione said, pulling back. "I'll go to Hogsmeade with you as your date. Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?
"Go on this date with me, and I'll think about it," Harry said with a grin.
Hermione rolled her eyes before adopting a thoughtful look. Her eyes widened a few moments later. "I'm the girl you fancy?" She asked, breathless. Harry nodded, and Hermione thought back. "But- what- You think I'm beautiful?"
"Yes," Harry replied.
Hermione again threw her arms at him. Harry was more prepared this time and hugged her back tightly. A few seconds passed before Harry felt his clothes getting wet. "Hermione?" He asked, pulling back, concerned.
Hermione shook her head. "It isn't anything terrible. No ones- no ones ever called me beautiful or even pretty before. Of course, my mum always said I was beautiful, but I always thought she was being nice. I wondered if you'll ever look at me like that."
Harry felt guilty as he thought about the last timeline. How often did Hermione think about this day? Waiting to see if I would ask her out? He snapped back to reality. "Well, I'm glad I'm not that dense." Anymore
"Even if it's complete rubbish," Hermione said.
"What?" Harry asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Look at me, Harry. I'm a bucktooth, annoying, bushy-haired, know-it-all. How can I be beautiful?" Hermione asked.
"Wow," Harry said, surprised. "Ok, first of all, you have nice teeth," He saw Hermione about to interrupt. "No, let me compliment you," Harry said. "Second of all, you are not annoying. Just because you're a genius does not make you annoying. Third of all, Don't you remember what I said about your hair?" Harry asked with raised eyebrows. "It's uncontrollable, just like you. I also like it if it means anything. And fourth of all, Just because you can absorb information like a sponge does not make it horrible to a know-it-all. Sometimes I wish I could absorb that much information. You are beautiful and brilliant, Hermione, truly. If someone tells you otherwise, I am hexing them to outer space," He said, finishing his rant. He took a deep breath. "I meant every word," He said softly.
Hermione shot him a watery smile. "Thank you, Harry," she said before hugging him again.
"No problem," Harry responded, hugging her back. "but if I hear you talking to yourself like that again, no hugs for a week," Hary said.
Hermione pulled back. "You wouldn't!" She said dramatically.
With a grin on his face, Harry raised an eyebrow.
The two stood like that for a few seconds before the pair fell into laughter.
"Breakfast?" Hermione asked with a smile as the pair calmed down.
"Breakfast."
Hermione was trying to conceal her smile as the pair went to breakfast but was failing miserably.
Ron shot a questioning glance at Hermione as she sat next to Harry. "What's going on with her?" Ron asked Harry.
"It's been a fantastic start to my day, is all," Hermione answered smoothly.
Down the Gryffindor table, Harry heard two loud squeals. He already knew it was Parvati and Lavender. "You didn't, Harry!" Parvati gasped.
Is that pride in her voice? Harry thought confusingly.
Harry looked at Hermione and saw her confused as he was. "I did," Harry said, a little bewildered. The two fourth-year girls squealed again before giggling.
"Mental, the two of them," Ron said. Neither Harry nor Hermione objected, and no one else objected either as the other Gryffindors shot questioning glances.
Classes started, but no one paid much attention as everyone anticipated the arrival of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. All except Hermione, she still stood attention but had a slight smile on her face that wouldn't leave, and she looked more relaxed. Harry couldn't help but smile at how happy Hermione is.
As Harry walked into Potions, Snape saw the smile on Harry's face and immediately noticed how similar the smile was when James started dating Lily. "Twenty-five points from Gryffindor for staring at , Potter," Snape said with a sneer as the class filled up.
Harry smirked as he now knew how to irritate Snape. "Of course, sir," Harry said with forced politeness. "Say, do you think Lilies are good flowers to give on a first date, sir?" Harry asked, much to the confusion to the class and Hermione.
Snapes sharp inhale made the class so quiet you can hear a pin drop. "I don't care about your love life, Potter," Snape seethed.
"Then maybe keep your comments to yourself," Harry bit back.
Snape sneered at Harry once more before beginning class.
"What are you playing at, Harry?" Hermione hissed.
"Just wanted some friendly advice," Harry said, berating himself silently on losing control.
"Provoking Professor Snape does not help," Hermione hissed.
"Sorry," Harry said sheepishly. "Got caught up irritating him."
"Don't let it happen again," Hermione said softly, surprising Harry as he thought she would continue berating him.
Potions was more bearable than usual as Snape made it his mission not to look at Harry. And the fact that it was half an hour shorter made Harry happy. When the bell rang early, many whispers rang out. The Boy-Who-Lived has been different this year than the past three years, but the conversation quickly changed to the arrival of the other two schools and the tournament. Harry, Ron, and Hermione hurried up to Gryffindor Tower, deposited their bags and books as they had been instructed, pulled on their cloaks, and rushed back downstairs into the entrance hall.
As the trio stared at the front gate, Ron theorized about how the other school would arrive.
"A Portkey?" Ron suggested. "Or they could Apparate - maybe you're allowed to do it under seventeen wherever they come from?"
"You can't Apparate inside the Hogwarts grounds," Harry and Hermione said together.
Ron looked at the couple weirdly.
"What?" Harry said. "I sometimes do pay attention to what Hermione says, you know."
"Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!" Dumbledore called out.
"Where?" Many students called out.
"Over the forest!" Harry yelled out, and many people turned and looked at the gigantic black shape skimming over the treetops of the Forbidden Forest, and the lights shining from the castle windows hit it. They saw a gigantic, powder-blue, horse-drawn carriage, the size of a large house, soaring toward them, pulled through the air by a dozen winged horses, all palominos, and each the size of an elephant.
"Wicked," Ron whispered.
"Yeah," Harry agreed.
Harry saw Madame Maxime again and completely forgot how tall she was. She easily towered over Hagrid. Harry saw Madame Maxine chat with Dumbledore, but he was out of range from hearing anything.
As the Hogwarts students were waiting for Durmstrang, people started to get cold, Hermione included.
"It's freezing," Hermione whispered. Harry nodded as he started to get cold himself. After a moment, Hermione huddled herself against Harry. "Hope you don't mind."
Harry lightly laughed. "My Hogsmeade date wants to huddle against me. I have no problems with this," He whispered back.
Hermione put her head on his shoulder, and the two resembled their position much like in Godric Hallow.
"I didn't know my shoulder was that comfortable," Harry said, tentatively wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Hermione hummed, seemingly not noticing Harry's words. "At least we have an alibi if someone notices us like this," Hermione spoke.
"You wouldn't mind me telling people I asked you out?" Harry asked, surprised. He thought Hermione would keep something like this a secret.
"I don't want to promote we're going on a date, considering how many fan-girls you have, but if someone notices, then I'm not going to deny it," Hermione said.
Harry looked around and saw many people huddled around. "Or we can say we're cold and are huddling for warmth," He said, noticing his breath in the air.
Hermione also looked around. "But many of the people who are huddling are couples or siblings. I don't know about you, but I don't exactly see you as a sibling, considering we're going on a date."
Students were getting restless waiting for Durmstrang. "Do you hear something?" A student suddenly asked, quieting everyone.
"The lake!" yelled Lee Jordan, pointing down at it. "Look at the lake!"
From their position at the top of the lawns overlooking the grounds, they had a clear view of the smooth black surface of the water - except that the surface was suddenly not smooth at all. Some disturbance was taking place deep in the center; great bubbles were forming on the surface, waves were now washing over the muddy banks - and then, out in the very middle of the lake, a whirlpool appeared, as if a giant plug had just been pulled out of the lake's floor.
What seemed to be a long, black pole began to rise slowly out of the heart of the whirlpool. And then Harry saw the rigging.
Slowly, magnificently, the ship rose out of the water, gleaming in the moonlight. It had a strangely skeletal look about it, as though it were a resurrected wreck, and the dim, misty lights shimmering at its portholes looked like ghostly eyes. Finally, with a great sloshing noise, the ship emerged entirely, bobbing on the turbulent water, and began to glide toward the bank. A few moments later, they heard the splash of an anchor thrown down in the shallows and the thud of a plank being lowered onto the bank.
Harry saw Karkaroff lead his students and greeted Dumbledore.
"Harry! It's Krum!" Ron said, not looking back.
"I suppose we should move," Hermione mused, not moving.
A few moments later, they were forced to move as everyone began to walk inside Hogwarts. Harry caught Hermione's frustrated sigh. Remembering the Godric Hallow memory, he stuck out his arm. Hermione shot him a smile before looping their arms, and Harry had Déjà vu, all that was missing was the snow.
Hermione unlooped their arms as soon as they walked into Hogwarts. Harry slightly pouted at her, and she laughed softly. "Didn't take you much on a pouter, Harry."
Harry shrugged. "I was comfortable. I didn't miss your frustrated sigh when we had to pull apart."
"I was comfortable," Hermione repeated.
"Victor Krum," Ron said in a slightly dazed voice. "I don't believe it."
Harry and Hermione shared a look. Harry tried his hardest not to laugh.
"Have you got a quill on you, Harry?" Ron asked. "I want his autograph."
Harry shook his head, smiling. "Sorry, mate. Left it inside my bag in the common room."
"He's just a Quidditch player, Ron," Hermione said.
"Just a Quidditch player?!" Ron repeated, sounding offended as the trio walked into the Great Hall. "He's probably one of the best seekers in the world, Hermione."
Hermione rolled her eyes, and Harry shook his head.
Sitting down, Harry gazed around the hall.
It hit Harry right in the face, the tournament is one day away, and Harry could do nothing to stop what was coming. He would have to face the dragon again. He's going to have to save a hostage in the February weather, and he's going to see the person that has been after him for the past three years come back to life. And Harry could do nothing to stop it. He wished he could stun Moody and expose that it's been someone using polyjuice to act like Moody. But Harry couldn't.
Hermione was right about his saving people thing.
Dumbledore got up, presumingly to welcome the guests, but Harry wasn't listening. He was preparing himself for Halloween. The day everyone's life changed.
He seriously hoped Hermione believed him, for his sake.
Halloween
Harry woke up without a dream, and his Grim Reaper didn't visit him. Harry hoped she did so he could ask if Hermione would believe him. He also noticed Dean and Seamus's bed were empty.
Lingering in the shower more than usual, he walked down to the common room and saw Hermione curled up on an armchair. She must've heard his footsteps because she looked up, and a smile crossed her face before a look of concern took over.
"You're still worried," Hermione said plainly as Harry sat on the sofa, gazing into the fire.
Harry nodded.
"You heard Professor Dumbledore. He's going to do an age line around the cup. Last time I checked, you aren't seventeen," Hermione said, closing her book and putting a bookmark on the page she was on.
"I know, but…." Harry trailed off. He rubbed his face and sighed. "I just have a bad feeling about this, Hermione. They're going to call the champions today, Hermione. On Halloween! Nothing has gone right on Halloween."
Hermione gazed at Harry softly. She understood where Harry was coming from but felt something was missing. The last three years have not been normal. "I understand, Harry. But Professor Dumbledore is protecting the cup, and I'm assuming the cup already has some protection on it to prevent unofficial champions. Do you not trust Professor Dumbledore to guard the cup?"
"Just like he guarded the Philosopher's stone?" Harry asked bitterly before he could stop. "Or guard the Muggleborns from being petrified? It was up to two second years to stop the Basilisk. How did two second years do something a group of adults couldn't? Why was it up to me too -" Harry stopped, noticing he was ranting angrily at someone innocent. He closed his eyes, took off his glasses, and rubbed his face. "Sorry, you don't deserve the angry ranting."
"The last three years have left a mark on you, hasn't it?" Hermione half-asked and half-stated.
"Not just the last three years," Harry muttered, not realizing he said it out loud.
"What?" Hermione asked. "What did you mean by that?" Hermione questioned with narrowed eyes. "I'll know if your lying," She said as Harry opened his mouth.
Harry gazed at the floor for a long moment, putting back his glasses. He decided he should trust her with this. She hasn't left yet, and he hoped she doesn't go after this. Harry looked back up at Hermione.
"I'm sure you guessed living with the Dursleys isn't the best. You're far too smart not to notice that," Harry said. Hermione nodded silently. "And you notice how skinny I am when we return for the welcoming feast, right?" Hermione once again nodded with a slight frown. Harry took a deep breath. "Truth is, they starve me, Hermione. And they give me a full's day of chores while eating a fraction of what I should," Harry said, shaking his head with a bitter laugh.
There was a moment of silence.
"Did…. Did they abuse you?" Hermione asked softly, not wanting to push too hard. "Physically and or mentally?" She added.
"Mentally, I have no doubt," Harry said after a moment. "They would sometimes hit me with a belt or something."
Hermione nodded, her anger rising. "No physical scars or anything?"
"Only from the chores sometimes," Harry murmured, squirming a little.
Hermione, noticing his discomfort, got up and sat next to Harry. "I'm going to give you a hug now," She said matter-of-factly. Harry barely had the time to nod before feeling Hermione's slim arms wrap around him softly.
Harry leaned into the hug, closing his eyes. "Hermione," He spoke softly after a minute of being in Hermione's arms.
Hermione hummed.
"Do you still believe…. in me?" Harry so quietly Hermione almost didn't hear him.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione whispered soothingly, tightening her arms. "Of course, I still believe in you," She said. Pulling back to look into his eyes, she continued. "The fact that you lived with those…. People and still came out as a good person tells a lot, Harry. You're an incredible person and a better wizard."
"I'm not as good as you," Harry whispered, calling back to their first year.
"Me!" said Hermione, looking flustered and looked down. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things," She said, repeating the words from first year.
Harry cracked a smile. "You remembered the words."
"So did you," Hermione shot back, smiling, albeit looking a little flustered.
"Can't really forget my first hug, can I?" Harry said. "Although I was very embarrassed."
"Oh, I know," Hermione said, trying to ignore how Harry went ten years without a hug. "Your face was very red," She said as she stifled a laugh. Harry shook his head with amusement.
"Breakfast?" Harry asked.
"Before we go, just remember," Hermione said and pointed to Harry's temple. "If you want to talk to someone about anything, I'm here. Your mental health is important. Try not to neglect it. Please," Hermione said with pleading eyes.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, I'll try."
"That's all I ask," Hermione said, leading the couple to breakfast.
Walking into the Great Hall, the two saw Angelina Johnson put her name inside the cup.
Turning around, Angelina saw Harry wearing a smirk as he clapped. "I've done it! Just put my name in!" She said, stopping in front of the pair.
Harry couldn't resist pulling Angelina into a hug as he remembered how she broke down when she saw Fred lying on the floor dead. "Congratulations!" Harry said. He pulled back and smiled at her. "You turn seventeen, then?"
Angelina nodded with a huge grin. "Turned seventeen last week. Got to go, going to tell Katie and Alicia," She said and ran off.
The Great Hall doors opened, and everyone saw Cedric Diggory put his name in the cup.
Harry slightly stiffened as soon as Cedric walked in but somehow controlled his memories.
"Well, we are here for breakfast," Harry said, trying to ignore Cedric, leading Hermione to a seat.
"Do you see that blue light?" Hermione asked Harry with wide eyes. Harry nodded. "That must be the age line! I wonder what spell it is!" She said, very fascinated.
"Maybe you can interrogate Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, biting into the eggs.
Hermione whirled at him. "Don't make fun of me!"
Harry raised his hands. "I'm not, I'm not! I think it's very you to learn as much as possible. It's admirable, honestly."
"Thanks," Hermione said with a smile.
A moment later, the hall quieted as Madame Maxine walked in with her students and organized them one by one. Each student dropped their name, and Harry noticed Fleur was the last one to drop her name.
"That was dramatic," Hermione said, taking a bite from her toast.
Ron walked into the Great Hall and sat across the couple. Dean and Seamus sat between Ron.
"There's a rumor that a Slytherin put his name in the cup," Seamus exclaimed, looking like he needed to tell someone this.
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Warrington," Dean said.
"That big bloke from Slytherin who looks like a sloth?" Harry asked, and Dean nodded. Hermione threw a not-so-friendly elbow to his ribs.
"Be nice, Harry," Hermione whispered.
Suddenly, laughter was heard, and everyone saw Fred, George, and Lee walk in with excited grins.
"We've done it-" Fred said as the twins walked to Ron.
"Just taken it-" George continued.
"What?" Ron asked.
"The aging potion, of course," The twins said simultaneously.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's not going to work," She said in a sing-song voice.
"Oh?" Fred said, mildly interested.
"Why's that Granger?" George said as the twins stared at Hermione.
"You see that?" Hermione pointed to the blue age line. The twins nodded. "That is an age line. Dumbledore drew it himself."
"So?" Fred asked.
"So," Hermione scoffed, "So, a genius like Dumbledore couldn't possibly be fooled by a dodge as pathetically dim-witted as an aging potion."
"That's why it's so brilliant-" Fred said, his eyes twinkling.
"Because it's so pathetically dim-witted!" George said.
Hermione huffed, and Harry smiled at her. "At least it'll be fun to see what happens," Harry said, trying to make a small joke.
"I guess," Hermione said. "This is so stupid! A tournament like this isn't fun! People have died in this. Students have died for this stupid tournament!" Hermione snapped in a whisper.
Harry frowned for a moment. "Didn't a cockatrice get loose?"
"Yes!" Hermione hissed. "The three judges were injured because a cockatrice went on a rampage in the tournament of 1792. The champions were supposed to catch it! It's all in Hogwarts: A History."
The pair turned just in time to see the Weasly twins fly back to the ground. As they stood up, everyone in the hall saw the two grow a white beard.
There was silence.
A snicker was heard from inside the hall, causing everyone else to start howling with laughter.
After a few minutes, the crowd seemed to calm down, and everyone enjoyed their breakfast as the Weasly twins went to the hospital wing.
Harry shook his head with amusement. "Should have listened to you," Harry said to Hermione, bumping their shoulders. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"What do you want to do when we wait for the champions to be called?" Hermione asked. Harry blinked before nothing came to mind.
He shrugged. "I don't know. Nothing is coming up."
"Common room, then?" Hermione suggested.
"Sure," Harry said as the pair got up and went to the common room.
Harry was getting restless as every second was getting closer to the tournament. Soon he'll have to face something he never wanted to meet again. It sounded like a good idea to travel back to this year, but the past two months were peaceful, and now he'll be thrust back into a death tournament. Harry felt like the universe was after him, taunting him that he'll never have peace with Voldemort alive.
"Harry, stop your fidgeting," Hermione said, not looking up from her book.
"Sorry," Harry said, not stopping his fidgeting. "The bad feeling isn't leaving, Hermione."
Hermione was now starting to have a bad feeling as well. Harry has been weird this year. Not anything horrible, but he's been nicer and more understanding. Not to mention he asked her on a date! Hermione could contribute to it that he changed over the summer, but she had a theory. Closing her book, she looked at Harry. "What's worrying you?"
"The tournament," Harry said simply.
"Why?"
"I don't know! It's just a bad feeling like I'm somehow going to get roped into this," Harry said. "When have I ever not been roped into something that happens here?"
Hermione opened her mouth to refute, but nothing came up. "Oh," Hermione finally said. "I suppose that's fair."
Harry let out a short chuckle before letting out a deep sigh. "Do you have Hogwarts: A History on you?" Harry asked, and Hermione was stunned. "I need to do something, or else I'm going to go crazy."
Hermione's face broke into an excited grin. "I'll be right back. It's in my dorm!" She said bubbly. "Oh, Harry, you're going to love it!" said Hermione before sprinting to her dorm.
Harry looked out the window and saw it was growing dark. The unease in his stomach grew. There is no escape now. He'll have to deal with the backlash head-on. He wished he knew if Hermione would believe him. Harry thought she would, but there was a feeling of doubt in his head.
"Ready?" Hermione's voice cut through his thoughts.
Harry blinked before nodding. The two got up and walked to Great Hall. There were excited whispers all around, making Harry's mood drop.
"What did you think of the book, Harry?" Hermione asked with wide eyes filled with expectation.
"What?" Harry said dumbly. Hermione drove him away from his thoughts. "Oh!" He said. "It was brilliant. I liked the part where around the late eighteen hundreds there was another trouble maker here," He said with a smirk.
"Of course, you would pick up on that," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
Harry laughed a genuine laugh. "I'm not that bad. Supposedly there was ancient magic involved that's been lost now," Harry mused.
"Yeah," Hermione said wistfully. "Too bad it's gone now."
The pair talked about their favorite parts of the book until they reached the doors.
"How bad is the feeling on a scale of one to ten?" Hermione asked.
"Twelve," replied Harry.
Hermione looked at Harry and saw him sweating and a little pale. Summoning her Gryffindor courage, she looped her arm through his, silently telling him he's not alone. Maybe people wouldn't notice the display of affection.
Her hopes were answered as everyone was too focused on the cup to see Hermione and Harry walk into the Great Hall.
Sitting down, Hermione unlooped their arms but intertwined their hands. She squeezed his hand softly. "I'm here, Harry," Hermione whispered so he can only hear.
Harry nodded, feeling the unease slowly fade.
"There you two are!" Ron said excitedly. "The feast is about to begin!" Harry weakly smiled at him.
Harry barely registered the judges and the Ministry people in the hall as he tried to eat. The Halloween feast seemed to drag on slower than normal. However, Harry didn't know if it was his anxiousness talking or if it was actually dragging on.
At long last, the food disappeared, and Dumbledore got in his feet, quieting the Great Hall. Professor Karkaroff and Madam Maxine were on either side. Ludo bagman stood around where the Professor ate, beaming and winking at students. Barty Crouch stood a few feet behind the three Professors, looking uninterested and bored.
"I believe the cup is almost ready to announce the champions," Dumbledore said. "I estimate around one more minute. When the champions name is called, I would ask them to please come up to the top of the Hall, walk along with the staff table, and go through into the next chamber" - he indicated the door behind the staff table - "where they will be receiving their first instructions."
The Hall suddenly grew plunged into semi-darkness. A few people made sounds of surprise while Harry searched for Hermione's hand. Finding her hand, he squeezed tightly. He faintly recognized Hermione scooting closer. Everyone watched the blue flamed cup. Some people began to look at their watch.
"Any second, now," Lee Jordan said in the quiet hall.
Suddenly, the blue flame turned red, and sparks flew as it shot out a piece of charred parchment.
Dumbledore caught it. "And the champion for Durmstrang is…. Victor Krum!" He said dramatically.
The Great Hall exploded into cheers. "No surprise there!" Ron yelled out.
"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. "Knew you had it in you!" He said as Victor disappeared into the chamber.
The hall quieted down as everyone watched the cup with interest again. A few seconds later, the flame once again turned red and shot out a piece of parchment.
Dumbledore caught it. "The champion for Beauxbatons is….. Fleur Delacour!" He once again said dramatically.
"Oh, a few seem upset," Hermione frowned. Harry turned to where the french students were seated and saw a few of them burst into tears.
"Upset is an understatement," Harry said, causing Hermione to roll her eyes.
When Fleur went inside the chamber, silence was met once again as everyone watched the cup.
The Hogwarts champion is about to be called.
The tension was so high you can cut it with a knife.
Hermione scooted close to Harry. She was worried as she felt something was about to go wrong. Hermione began running circles on Harry's hand with her thumb, and she felt Harry squeeze her hand.
The cup once again turned red, and somehow, the hall went quieter.
Dumbledore caught the parchment. "And the Hogwarts champion is… Cedric Diggory!" He said, causing the hall to explode in cheers, with Hufflepuff being the loudest.
It took a while for Cedric to walk up as he was being bombarded with pats on the back and hugs from his house. Soon enough, Cedric walked up, and Dumbledore gave the sixth year a proud smile.
Hermione slumped into her seat, relieved Harry's name somehow wasn't called. She was about to tease him a little when she noticed him go stiff. Looking back at the cup, Hermione saw the flames go red again, and it was a bigger flame than any of their other champions. She gasped loudly before stopping herself.
Dumbledore heard the gasp and saw Hermione looking at the cup with wide eyes. Turning around, he saw a piece of parchment fly out.
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand so tightly it began to hurt. He squeezed back softly.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Harry Potter," he said in a shocked voice.
Immediately, everyone stared at Harry with shock. Even Hermione.
Harry sighed defeatedly.
He turned to Ron. "I didn't put my name in," He said, knowing it wasn't going to work, but he might as well try. Ron looked back at Harry blankly though Harry could see the anger rising in his eyes.
Harry turned to Hermione, and he hoped and prayed she'll believe him. "I didn't put my name in," He repeated. "You know I didn't. I don't want to be in this stupid tournament," Harry pleaded, squeezing her hand. Hermione looked at him like she didn't know what to say. Harry was starting to panic. "Hermione -"
"Harry! Harry, If you could come up, please?" Dumbledore called out.
Harry ignored Dumbledore.
"Hermione," Harry said, causing Hermione to look back at him. "Do you still believe in me?" He pleaded, repeating the question he asked her in the morning.
Hermione's eyes widened as she also remembered the question from earlier. "I d-"
"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore called out, causing Harry to flinch.
Harry looked at Hermione one last time. "Hermione…" He whispered brokenly, getting up.
Harry blocked out everyone as he walked to Dumbledore. His ears were ringing, and he barely registered walking into the chamber. There was only one thought inside Harry's head.
She doesn't believe in me.
(Cue the Palpatine cackle from episode three)
Sorry not sorry for leaving it there.
Anyway, I read a comment about how Harry could use the last three years AND living with the Dursleys as a way to explain his panic attack. I got to say. I did not think of that, and I want to thank you for that idea.
A bit of a longer chapter, but c'mon, it's Halloween.
I do have a question for you guys though, would you guys like longer chapters or do what I have been doing? Writing around 3k per chapter? This chapter is around 6k.
I have no idea how to write romance, so don't expect some god-tier romance writing.
There's also a Hogwarts Legacy reference. It's more subtle than the last Legacy reference. At least, that's what I tell myself. The "Do you still believe in me" thing is from an Eminem song, Believe.
Thank you guys for the support.