Chapter 8

Hermione grabbed Harry's Invisibility Cloak from her bed and covered her body with it. She had waited exactly five minutes before midnight to meet Adrian.

She paused once she opened the flaps surrounding her bed. The other girls had just fallen asleep, they had stayed up talking rubbish about boys. She had expected it too and bad spent the night writing to her parents and Zeph.

She cast a silencing charm on herself before stepping off the bed and crossing the room. Hermione ignored the loud snores coming from the girls and opened the door. It made a slight noise but not loud enough to wake them up.

Carefully making her way downstairs, she noticed the lack of silence. Hermione peeked around the corner of the staircase to see George, Fred, and Lee Jordan slumped over the sofa with the fire lowly lit. Several pieces of parchment paper around them as well as a book that looked like the one she had read her second year. It was full of easy-to-do potions. But there was only one, in particular, that would interest them. The aging potion that really was child's play.

Smiling at their determination but also a little concerned about it, she ruffled Fred's hair once before heading out of the common room. The cold air hit her instantly. The difference between the common room and the rest of the castle was startling every time. All of the Gryffindor's loved being cozy and warm all year round. Hermione pulled the cloak closer but it didn't do much help. It was thin and made for one purpose only. She had asked Harry for it. He hadn't asked what for since she had done it before on several occasions.

Halfway to the tower, she felt like she was being followed. How? She didn't know how, but she sure didn't like it. Whoever was following her wasn't supposed to be able to much less know she was even out and about. Once she got there she noticed three figures standing slightly towards the opening between two pillars. Frowning at the sight of them, she slowly lowered the head of the cloak and heard Marcus's voice.

"Really? An Invisibility Cloak?"

She snorted, "So? What is it to you?"

Marcus's silence made whoever was standing beside him give a laugh, "So this is the mysterious 'girl' you both told me about. I should have known it was the Gryffindor Princess."

Hermione raised an eyebrow at the familiar tone, it could only be one other person.

Graham Montague.

The one other Slytherin who she had known was friends with her boys. One that she had forgotten about. He easily blended in with others. So well in fact, that they forgot he was a Slytherin.

From what Adrian had told her, he had spent the summer in Romania so that had been the reason he hadn't gone to visit them over the summer. But he had written to them without knowing that she was the female they had spent it with. She inwardly said, surprise, in a sarcastic way.

"You told him everything?" she asked the others as she continued to stare at Montague.

He was a bit taller than the two other boys. Almost six feet if she was correct. With dark brown locks and a pointy face. She supposed he could be handsome to some. But not to her. No, her taste ran a little different than most girls.

At least that's what she was starting to notice.

Adrian came forward and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "We told him what he needs to know. The rest can wait until he learns to fully control his shields. Unlike the rest of us, he takes a long time to learn new stuff."

Montague made a rude gesture with his hands but continued to stare at her. Hermione was learning how to deal with snakes, but others, as she was coming to know, were more unpredictable than others. She trusted Marcus and Adrian but wasn't so sure of Montague. She gave him a nod as she moved the cloak away from her body so it just draped over her back.

Montague headed away from them and towards the stairs, "I'll ask fully what this is all about later when I have LEARNED. Goodbye, Fallen Princess." His chuckle faded away along with his footsteps.

Fallen? No, not fallen. She was just hiding in the shadows. Neither in light or in complete darkness.

Adrian stepped away from her, dropping his arm and went back to Marcus; who had been leaning against the wall near the opening. Hermione wedged herself between them as the wind blew in harshly. It was so bloody cold. She could have chosen a different location but this was the one place Filch never came by since it took him forever to get back down the stairs.

"What do you both know about Igor Karkaroff?" she questioned them as she huddled closer to them for warmth.

Adrian gave a sigh, "You're a witch, Hemi. Think like one."

He cast a warming charm over her but not on himself or Marcus. She didn't have to ask why he didn't. She knew that some Slytherins preferred being cold at all times.

Marcus rough voice sounded from above her, "Karkaroff is a traitor to the Death Eaters. He had been at the front of it all in the first war but later turned in several Death Eaters in exchange for a full pardon. But he did go to Azkaban for a one year before leaving Britain. He was captured by Mad-Eye Moody. Our current Professor."

That explained the expression she had seen on his face when he had gone face to face with Professor Moody earlier that night. It also gave her a glimpse of what he was cable able of. She had been right not to challenge him full on before.

"Hmm, I guess it will lead to other awkward encounters with those two. On the other hand, Karkaroff had given Harry a very intense stare right before we left the Great Hall. He might have even said something if it weren't for Professor Moody." Hermione felt Adrian tense.

"Don't leave him alone with Potter. We don't know what a traitor like him could do. He could turn around and hand Harry to the Dark Lord in order to get back in his good graces." he said, his voice ringing with truth.

Hermione stiffened at the suggestion. It was a horrible but possible idea. She groaned and would have spoken again if a yawn hadn't interrupted her.

"Head to bed, Hermione. We can meet up later." Adrian said as he straightened up. Marcus brushed her shoulder and headed away without a word. He disappeared out of view silently.

Hermione turned to Adrian. "You be careful. I feel like this is bound to get worse as the year goes on."

Adrian nodded as he hugged her close. "You too. Stay away from other Slytherins and especially Snape."

Hermione froze. "Why specifically him too?"

Adrian let her go and walked away without a word. She took a step towards him and his voice in her head halted her. "He had been one of the most dangerous Death Eaters according to my father. He was or is much closer to the Dark Lord than even Lucius Malfoy."

Hours later, she could still hear those words.

She sat near the Goblet in the entrance hall waiting for Harry and Ron the next morning. She had watched many people cross the golden line surrounding the Goblet of Fire.

She turned the page of the tome in her lap as she tried to figure out Severus Snape. He was a Death Eater still or that's what Adrian had hinted at. He hated Harry so much and yet this past three years he had saved him countless of times. When in fact he could have just let Harry die.

Revenge would have made sense and yet…

She rubbed her eyes tiredly before opening them to see Viktor Krum walk by with a slip of parchment paper in his hands. His steps held a confident stride as he neared it. She could understand why many girls mooned over him. Not that he would- stare at directly at her as he put his name into the Goblet. His dark eyes held hers a little longer before he turned sharply on his heel and left the entrance hall with a gaggle of girls following him. Hermione blinked several times and finally convinced herself that it had just been coincidence and that he had happened to glance her way.

The rest of the day passed fairly fast. They had gone to Hagrid's for a while and even had found out that he was dressing himself up for Madam Maxime. Ron had made a rude comment about their future babies. But he didn't seem to have a problem with the girls attending Madam Maxime's school. Harry, on the other hand, was oblivious to it all. His eyes kept following a certain Ravenclaw girl.

They all sat at their house tables along with the other schools. Dumbledore was standing by the Goblet with both Headmasters from the other schools. Ludo Bagman was standing slightly back with Professor Moody.

Mr. Crouch, on the other hand, looked bored out of his mind. He kept checking his pocket watch and glancing around in boredom. Dumbledore began speaking, telling them that the chosen ones had to go to a certain room after being chosen where they would be briefed. She ignored him and instead glanced towards the Slytherin table. Adrian was sitting beside Viktor Krum and Marcus. Montague was half slumped on the table across from them. They seemed bored as well but were paying attention to what Dumbledore was saying.

Hermione smiled and leaned forward onto her elbows. Harry shot her a wide smile when Viktor Krum's name was read out by Dumbledore. Ron yelled out, "No surprise there!" but smiled hugely when the Durmstrang Champion made his way to the staff table and disappeared inside. Karkaroff booming voice could be heard as he shouted praises. Once the clapping died down the Goblet turned red once more and spat out another piece of parchment. Dumbledore shouted out the name, "The Champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!

She didn't even glance at the girl, she knew who it was. Ron made it his goal to talk about her all the time. A girl who looked like a veela. Ron gaped at the girl while Harry just clapped loudly. Not a second later did Dumbledore announce the Hogwarts Champion. It wasn't Angelina but Cedric Diggory. Ron objected to it while Harry kept his silence. Hermione clapped politely, she just wanted to head to her dorm and sleep the night away. Just as she was about to stand up the Goblet flared red once again.

She froze along with everybody else. There was only supposed to be three champions. Not four.

No. No. No.

The sinking feeling in her stomach made her want to barf. Dumbledore stood there with a piece of parchment paper. He stared at it for what seemed like forever before looking up and into Harry's face.

"Harry Potter."

Total silence ascended the Great Hall. Hermione looked down at her fisted hands. Harry's name. No, it couldn't be. But he hadn't put his name in it. He couldn't have. The age line...She turned to Harry who had been frozen as well and gave him a slight push when Dumbledore said his name louder.

Harry turned his gaze to her briefly, a look of total panic in them.

She smiled hesitantly, "Go, we'll talk later."

He nodded stiffly and moved past all the rows of tables. Many began whispering behind his back at once. Hermione glared at the few who dared to mention his name in less than a friendly way. Ron was red in the face, fist balled up. Oh, no. Ron would blow a casket soon. She really didn't want to hear it.

There had to be a reason why. Harry would have told them if he had put his name in it. He would have.

As soon as Dumbledore and the rest of the teachers left the Great Hall, Hermione slipped out and left Ron behind. She opened her bond with Adrian.

"Meet me by the second stairs leading to the Boat House."

She closed off the connection before he could reply and cast the Disillusionment charm on herself when she turned the corner.

Once she made it to the stairs she realized that she wasn't exactly prepared for the cold. The skirt and Harry's jumper did nothing to protect her against the cold. It was drizzling so some of the water hit her. But it didn't distract her from what had just happened. Poor Harry, nobody would believe him. She did but only because she knew him.

It was only a few minutes later that she heard them. Once she saw it was Adrian and Marcus she dropped the charm and waited till they came to a stop in front of her. Adrian had the same blank look as always and Marcus was scowling at her. Hermione blew a breath, "He didn't do it. His face said it all. I know he wouldn't have done it."

Adrian nodded once. "We thought so. That boy wears his feelings on his sleeve. He would have been eaten alive as a Slytherin. Do you have any idea as to who it could have been?"

Hermione shrugged, shivers running up her back. "I don't know. I don't see any of the seventh year students doing something like that. As for the teachers… Only one comes to mind but I don't think he would do it."

Neither boy asked who she was talking about. It was common knowledge that Snape didn't like Harry and went out of his way to be bloody awful to him.

They talked some more but couldn't really think of anybody else that would want to hurt Harry. Aside from the Slytherins that is. Even Adrian and Marcus knew that some of them would turn Harry in if they had the chance. On their way back to the castle, she paused for a second. For a moment it looked like black smokey substance had followed them. It looked streaky and she couldn't see through it. Hermione was about to say something to the boys but the black smoke moved away rapidly. She shook her head and hurried to catch up with the others.

She was just really tired, that was it.

…o0o

For days she had tried to help Harry but he wouldn't listen. He kept asking about Ron since he wouldn't speak to him.

Ron was hanging out with Seamus and Dean all the time. The episode with Malfoy hadn't helped. Hermione had almost gotten hit with Malfoy's wayward curse. It had shot past her and gotten poor Neville in the face. She had glared fiercely at Snape and he had noticed, taking twenty house points. Harry's mood had only seemed to worsen with that. It wasn't until Harry had gotten a letter from Sirius that his mood had lightened up a bit.

Currently, they were in the Library, she was trying to help Harry with his work but he just wouldn't put effort into it. It didn't help that Viktor Krum was there. And of course the gaggle of girls that seemed to be attached to him.

Madam Pince was already making her way to that group.

She winced when a particular girl gave a shrill shout of denial. She motioned to Harry, and took him further into the library.

"I know you don't want to be here Harry." said Hermione casually as she put several tomes back in place. Harry froze, "No-"

She shook her head as she put the last of them away.

"I'm not Ron, I know," Hermione smiled a bit sadly. It was true. She spent most of her time in the Library but not as much as before. Most of the time she spent it with Adrian or Marcus whenever she could escape Harry.

She avoided Ron, she had no time for foolish fights. He seemed to do it on purpose these days so she stayed far away from him. He assumed that she was with Harry during those times. Harry on the other hand never questioned where she was. She knew Harry really wanted Ron beside him. Not Hermione, the bossy bookworm, something neither of the boys seemed to realize didn't really describe her anymore.

No, she had changed and she wondered how long it would take them to notice. She knew Harry would first before Ron.

Harry flushed red so she took pity on him.

"Go, do what you want for the rest of the day. Hogsmeade weekend is coming up. I'm sure you want to ask a pretty girl to go with. Don't let Skeeter's paper stop you from doing so."

Damn that woman.

Skeeter had written a nasty newspaper about them being in love. Those that knew them would know that wasn't true. But many just wanted a juicy story.

Harry smiled a bit sadly, skin still flushed. "I'll admit that I do miss Ron a lot. Fine, I'll go but I'll be by later. I do need you, Hermione. Don't ever think I don't."

He set the last tome up on a high shelf and walked away with his shoulders dropping lower with every step he took. Several people passed him with

'Harry Stinks' badges.

In Muggle schools that would have been considered bullying. She leaned back against the bookcase and gave a small sigh. She could only deal with so much. She was tempted to use the time-turner but couldn't think of what to do or for how long. Using it too many times made her magic unstable. She couldn't risk it.

Something bumped her shoulder making her gasp and open her eyes. In front of her stood Viktor Krum with a tome that probably weighed as much as she did. He seemed much taller this close up. He smiled down at her hesitantly.

"Do you need help with something?" she asked him as she pointed at the tome in his hands.

Viktor looked down at the tome before giving her a cautious look.

"Ve help me look for more of theze?"

His accent made it a bit hard to understand his words.

Hermione shrugged, "Depends on what you're looking for."

He gave her the book, their hands touching briefly. She glanced down at the book and gave a laugh.

"Do you know what this is? It's a book on Dragons-" His hand cut off the rest of her words, it was really warm against her lips. She inhaled his woody scent, giving her a glimpse of what the rest of him would smell like,

"Yes, I do need thiz. I believe that zometime in the near future I'll need it. I only know of me Dragons from back home."

Wait, Dragons? What does he mean? It took her several seconds to understand why he was telling her this. Her eyes shot to his and found a hint of understanding. He dropped his hand to his side as he searched her face. He just dropped this very large hint on her.

He smiled. "Ve think it will help ve champion?"

Hermione frowned, "My Champion? Do you mean boyfriend? Oh, he isn't my boyfriend. He's my best friend. Skeeter lied." She growled at the end which caused Krum's face to brighten.

"How do you know it will be this," she indicated to the book in her hands, "Nobody is supposed to know."

Krum nodded, "Karkaroff doesn't play very fair. He found a vey. But I didn't think it vas right to keep this information to myself."

"Thank you." She smiled gratefully at him. She wanted to say more but didn't know what else to say. He smiled and took the book back before turning on his heel and heading back to his table. She slumped back against the bookcase. Merlin, Harry was going to have a cow. He was already nervous enough. She really needed to talk to Dimitry about this too.

For the next couple of days, or more like a day for her, Hermione studied everything on Dragons. She had a purpose now, at least for short time. She had used the time-turner several times after the talk with Krum. She had taken Harry's map and cloak to get around and studied as much as possible. Fire calling Zephrine and Dimitry over dragons and other Death Eater things. She had wanted to ask Dimitry about Snape but could never word it right.

Sometumes, she would simply forget to mention him.

...o0o0o

Hermione moved slowly right behind Madam Maxime, Hagrid and from the footprints on the floor, Harry. She had heard Hagrid tell Harry to meet him at midnight. She had told Adrian but he was held up by other seventh years. So he had sent Marcus, who hadn't shown up. Coming alone seemed to be the only choice she had have.

The dragons were huge, powerful beast. From afar she noticed the red hair on one of the dragon tamers, it must have been Charlie Weasley. The only Weasley she hadn't met yet. She knew of him because of Ron, who talked about him anytime anybody mentioned Romania.

Turning her attention back to the dragons. She recognized all four of them. The Hungarian Horntail, Common Welsh Green, Swedish Short-Snout, and the Chinese Fireball.

She had seen enough. The task would begin in a few hours and she didn't have time to waste. Moving slowly away until she was sure they couldn't see or hear her, she turned around and bit back a scream. There, not a few feet from her stood Karkaroff. With a sneer on his lips, his eyes glittering in the darkness.

At first, she thought that it was directed at her but no, he seemed to be looking at Madam Maxime and Hagrid. Who were a tad too close to be considered anything else than what it looked like?

Why was he here? She thought he knew about the dragons already.

Hermione moved away slowly and would have done it faster but all of a sudden Karkaroff staggered and whirled around hissing his displeasure, "Who's there?"

Shite, Harry must have brushed up against him. Harry must have have seen enough too and had wanted to leave at the same time as her.

Hermione acted before her brain could convince her not to and ran straight for Karkaroff. She jumped and slammed her body against his.

HARD.

With a loud grunt from him and a moan of pain from her, they both fell down. She scrambled up and took off into the dark, his curses filling the air nastily.

"Stop right there!"

She didn't stop and hoped to hell Harry hadn't either. She ran faster and looked back once like an idiot. Which just proved to be a mistake as a moment later she tripped and the sudden pain caused her to drop the charms she had on. Hopefully, nobody was-

"Miss Granger."

…..0o0o0o0

Thank you for reading.

I changed and edited some parts in the previous chapters, so please re-read them. Please enjoy. 2/27/19

Vanee